| TOTAL WAR ROME |
As Thorin's company and Estelle's small band traveled further to deeper and darker parts of Mirkwood. Estelle could almost be certain that there were whispers, and among those, there was a single voice that ruled above the other small voices - as this was loud and enticing - as it whisper to her ears.
'A new stone is cast to the rubbles...' the voice was soft and feminine as it spoke in riddles and poems.
'But a stone remains only a rubble... Lest... a stone is no rubble...' and the voice faded as the others as well.
With fatigue and the effects of the forest starting to affect even her and the men, she couldn't even bother to be, or the least bit interested in what she had just heard. Yet she heard it. Though, that wasn't what she was concerned about. It was the trees, the same trees they have passed by twice.
Then almost as if a testament to their predicament, Ori picked up a tobacco pouch from the ground in which he and Oin inspected. "Tobacco pouch... there are dwarves in these woods..."
"Dwarves from the blue mountains... no less... this is exactly the same as mine..." Bofur declared as he took the tobacco pouch from Oin's hand.
Frustrated and completely done with the dwarves, Bilbo spoke up as Estelle simply watched as she began to rock back and forth - the effects were increasing so long as they remained in these woods - as she listened.
"Because it is yours. You understand we're going around in circles - we are lost!" Bilbo stated facts in which he believed to be true, in which Estelle and her men did as well. But Thorin says otherwise, as he spoke.
"We are not lost!" and immediately, the others began to argue and comment, save for Estelle and her men from even uttering a word as they drank from their own personal water containers. That was until Estelle figured out a plan. It was obvious it was the woods that affected them, and the mist certainly helped in that, and so she gave her men the orders to delve into their baggage and retrieve flint and steel.
Bilbo who have gone silent - too exhausted to even argue with the dwarves - looked relieved when he saw them, people with at least the intelligence to think of an alternative than to charge at a dead end or a shield wall. With lit torches, the mist around them disappeared and breathing seemed a little easier.
'There is something in the air - toxic perhaps - poison intended to paralyze?'
Then as if the dots connected, without the mist and the scent that kept them barely lucid, a quick look around in their surroundings surprised them with giant webs wherever they looked. The strong webs stuck to the trees, to the branches, and even the forest floor.
With their situation finally recognized with cleared state of mind, Bilbo accidentally stepped on a web that lined up to the trees, and to the branches as the vibration traveled across the forest.
Dread fell on their faces before Estelle ordered the group to run, without a clue in which direction, the people at the lead merely ran without a second thought. With such massive webs, it was terrifying to assume just how big, and large the spiders would be - as vivid images flashed in their mind - with their eight hairy legs and many eyes that pursued them hungrily.
"Use the torch! Don't use your swords!" Estelle ordered as she pants and puffed as they all ran, but her reasons is clear and the men got the hint. It would be a better weapon to fight against a wave of especially large spiders. On cue, the screech of spiders swarms to pursue them on top of the trees, along their webs, and across the branch.
Before eventually catching up to them with their speed, and thanks to their webs that slowed their prey below, an easy catch it would. However with a brilliant plan as the dwarves and men ran with all they could, those with the torches would surround and secure those without fire, while those that don't could use their swords to hack, and stab at any spiders that got a little too brave.
But that only lasted for a while until a spider from above landed on Bombur - who pinned him to the ground - a hungry look in the spider's many eyes. Until the dwarves each pulled a hairy leg and dismembered it dead.
However, with their momentum gone and they are forced to a halt - as spiders surrounded them - her men and the dwarves prepared themselves as the legionnaires with the torch acted like barriers with their shields, and the torch in their hands. While the dwarves remained close behind the legionnaires to reinforce their defenses.
"We have nowhere else to go..." Bilbo muttered but he was ignored, as Thorin and Estelle focused on keeping a close eye on any surprises these spiders may conduct. As both had failed to realize what Bilbo currently had, in his hand was a ring of gold in which he fiddled nervously.
"Fili!" Kili called out as he spotted a spider trying to sneak through the legionnaire, which was foiled when they were alerted and the man used brute force to slam the shield to stun the spider; giving Fili the chance to stab it between its many eyes.
The action was repeated, but it couldn't last forever when the men and dwarves were slowly growing exhausted. Just as the spiders wanted as it prompted another attack, and it was towards the man that seemed more tired than the rest as he pants heavily. It was a valiant effort, but with fatigue drowning the man's strength the shield was tossed away as he was left defenseless. But was saved by Dori who came in with a clutch, though was outmatched by the spider's tenacity.
Just as the man and dwarf were about to be struck, a single arrow pierced the side of its head as it exited the other end. Tracing the origin where the arrow was let loose up upon the trees - among the spiders - a person could be seen sprinting along the large enough branches as he transverse the environment swiftly and with ease. Among him joined others - men of sorts - as they were equipped with bows and quivers as they made smooth work on the spider menace.
Leading the charge with incredible agility, the man became the main attention of both spiders and them as he is easily disposing of multiple if not more spiders at once. Until he slid down a small slope and greeted them with the end of their quiver.
Though surrounded yet again, being at the mercy of the 'men of sorts' fared much better than being meals. Also, it was unwise to even retaliate or resist them with their strength far diminished, and finally the warning was an understood message.
"Would it be safe to assume these are Men?" a legionnaire whispered to the dwarf next to him; Balin, who reply in the same tone and quietness. Though the elves must have heard them but couldn't simply be bothered.
"These are Elves young legionnaire. Not Men." Balin declared before a voice belonging to Kili called out for an assistance against a spider that was adamant to have him for a meal. Which was thwarted by an elf that danced in grace as she maneuvered with ease, killing the spider before Kili spotted another spider approaching.
Kili asked for a dagger but was rejected when the elf made it clear she didn't require a dwarf's aid when she was able to take care of it as well.
With the looming threat of spiders temporarily dealt with, the elves began their search on the dwarves and men - who were to an extent captivated by their looks - and seem unresponsive. Saved for Thorin, Estelle, and the other dwarves. Except for Kili who looked dumbstruck at a particular female elf.
Meanwhile, the elf ranger who led the 'rescue' from those spiders began to talk in another tongue as he wielded Thorin's sword. Which at a glance, Estelle could tell looked eerily similar to the swords the elves had pointed up their throat. As everything else was happening, Estelle was continuously figuring out a way from the situation a swarm of spiders led them to. Before the elf switched tongues as he spoke in a language she understood.
"Where did you get this?"
Though the men took it as an offense, as the elf ranger kept his attention mainly on the dwarves and the sword, it gave Estelle time to think before she recalled; where was Bilbo?
"It was given to me." Thorin spoke the truth and with confidence along with it, yet the skeptical eyes from him; say the elf ranger calls it lies. Insulted by being lied to, the ranger drew the sword to Thorin's neck before a man stood in front of him.
With a helmet that obscured the features of the man's face, he finally turned his attention to the Men, as he was simply curious to ask why Dwarves and Men were traveling together in the Elven realm. But, it would be dangerous and unwise to conduct an interrogation here - where spiders could easily ambush them - and so, he ordered the elves to escort them back as prisoners.
"Ay! I give it back!" Gloin shouted again, as he repeated before when the elf ranger inspected Gloin's locket that had the picture of the man's wife and son. Although seemingly cold, the ranger did toss it back to the dwarf.
Then they were sent walking back with the elves to wherever it was they were being taken to. Until Thorin has also finally taken notice of Bilbo's absence.
Their escape relied heavily on Bilbo, who quietly followed and lurked behind shadows, as he wore the one ring.
TOTAL WAR ROME |
As the elves escorted them out the dark woods, and to a thin bridge that led inside the mountain, Estelle heard it again. Hushed whispers from the very woods where Fell things nested. Then it went quiet when only the blow of wind pampered her face, before being ushered along by her elf escort.
Then with a loud bang behind them, the gates were sealed close, and they were trapped within the elf's fortress, and home under the hill.
While they were escorted into these magnificent halls of made of wood and stones, Estelle and her men could not, or at least try to hide their amazement and awe at such architecture and beauty.
But despite being distracted, by mighty halls and extravagant carvings, she focused on the elves and armor who varied as she had suspected. Between the rangers and the guards, it was expected that the guards would be fully, and heavily equipped - as they posed as the defenses - while the rangers were mobile and relied on their agility.
With the elves' excellent marksmanship, they are a race to be trifled with, especially when plotting an ambush as an army passes them by unnoticed. Like the legion. If they were caught by surprise, casualties will be plenty and the legion will suffer immensely.
Though it would be when the elves would strike, preferably due to being ineffective against our Roman shield. It would be the bane to their impressive marksmanship. But is their skills with the bow as skillful with the sword?
TOTAL WAR ROME |
On a small island surface, centered in the middle of a great mountain hall of stone and woods, there was a carved and sculptured throne. Like deer antlers.
Upon that throne, sat an elf with transcending beauty, with eyes as sharp as stone and an aura that emits such intense radiance of grace and benevolence. That was before reality struck at them when the elves escorted them - the men and dwarves - while leaving Thorin and Estelle before the King.
Left with the King of the Woodland Realm; Thranduil, looked celestial seated on the throne as he looked with an eagle eye - suspecting and ever cautious - before he rose from the comfort of the spectacular seat which was the throne of the Elven King.
"Dwarves and Men, a bond that once sustained Erebor and Dale. A long time has passed, Thorin Oakenshield."
Thranduil spoke softly and earnestly, that Estelle couldn't sense any malicious intent, though when she looked and turned to Thorin - who had a certain look to him - reminded Estelle to keep at her wits.
When Thorin made no hints to humor Thranduil - as silence engulfed them - both Kings simply held a strong gaze, as eyes locked and buried feelings resurfaced and were exchanged.
Until Thranduil began gracefully descending down the stairs - eagle eyes - focused on Estelle.
As opposed to other Men of Middle Earth, the human that stood before him invoked an ethereal sense, which is quick to further interest and catch the attention of the Elven King. "Take off your helmet, I ask." Thranduil was soft when he voiced what he wished. But Estelle understood the play in power, as it was him; Thranduil who had all the power, even though he still dares to play noble and asks.
Without any other choice, Estelle showed no resistance as she undo the straps and removed the helmet.
With dark brown eyes - warm and enchanting - Estelle met the King's whose eyes were silver and sparkling.
TOTAL WAR ROME |