Chapter ILI

                                    

                                          
Legolas's pov
                          
We traveled the next few days, and I was happier than I have ever been before. I finally felt like I could be happy for the rest of my life, as long as Tauriel was there to share it with me.
                          
We finally reached the Mirkwood forest, and we were surprised when we weren't attacked by countless orcs or spiders. It almost concerned me though, and I still kept my guard up.
                          
"You might get a stress knot in your neck if you don't relax a little." Tauriel mentioned. I sigh, popping my neck and continuing to look around.
                          
"Isn't it odd that there isn't any opposition?" I ask her.
                          
Tauriel nods. "I have been wondering the same thing. What do you think happened?"
                          
I shrug. I honestly had no clue why. "It would make sense that the orcs stopped attacking if we were able to win against them, but why aren't there spiders attacking?"
                          
"Do you think Mirkwood is alright?" Tauriel asks.
                          
I look down at the neck of my horse. "I can just hope for the best."
                          
We ride for a while in silence. As we head deeper into the forest my doubts began to take control. I had a feeling that something wasn't right, and I soon discovered that I was right.
                          
We heard a scream, and immediately I exchanged looks with Tauriel. We ride faster towards the sound, and find a horrific scene.
                          
A large group of spiders were preying on a large group of elves. Half of them were wrapped up in web cocoons and the other half were cowering in a corner of trees. There were a few spiders attacking a mother and a young elf.
                          
I pull out my bow and shoot at the spider attacking the two elves. I shot it right in one of its eyes and make it roar in rage. Tauriel follows in suit as we don't hesitate to shoot the other spiders. Most of them don't fall, so they race at us in a fury. I take down the one closest to me and hit another one with my bow. I continue to shoot the spiders, and Tauriel and I succeed in eliminating the spiders. When everything is calmed down, I turn to look at the elves that were watching with awe.
                          
"Is everyone okay?" I ask loudly, hopping off my horse and running to the sacks full of elves. I pull out my sword and proceed to cut the webs off of them carefully.
                          
"Prince Legolas!" One of the elves exclaim in cheer. "Thank the Middle Earth you're here. Mirkwood isn't safe any more!"
                          
"What?" I say, my fears coming to life.
                          
"Please explain what happened." Tauriel had ran over to the two elves that were attacked and tried to calm them down. 
                          
The mother was shaking, but answered. "Orcs attacked, a lot of them. We tried to fight them but they broke through our boarders. We had to escape, but most of us were killed anyway."
                          
"What about King Thranduil?" I ask, finally getting the last of the elves out of the first cocoon. I head over to the next one.
                          
"He went to fight but no one could find him or the body." A different elf explained.
                          
Tauriel gives me a worried look, and I was filled with endless doubts. I continue to cut out the other elves, but over time I continue to fill with fear of what was about to become of Mirkwood.
                          
"Does anyone know where the orcs are coming from?" Tauriel asks all of the elves. Some of them that were cut out were unconscious but the majority of them were awake.
                          
"They broke through the west wall this last time, and they have been attacking all around." One elf says, and I could tell it was an elf that was in the guard. 
                          
"I think they may have headed south." Another elf says. "I have noticed that the orcs often retreat south."
                          
"Okay. Thank you that should be enough info." Tauriel then heads over to me. I finish freeing the last elves, many of them were lethargic or out cold. Some of the other elves were able to help move the elves over to a safer spot. Luckily I knew the woods well and had a perfect place for them to hide. 
                          
As we walked to the place, I noticed that most of the elves were seriously injured. It made me sad to see all the elves in misery. When we placed all the elves there and got them comfortable, I turn to Tauriel.
                          
"I have to go after my father." I tell her.
                          
She immediately shakes her head. "You can't, you will die."
                          
"I know more about what we are up against than anyone here. We just need to find my father, then we can all leave Mirkwood and head somewhere more safe." I turn to walk away, but Tauriel grasps my shoulder firmly. 
                          
"You can't go alone." She repeats. "You can't..."
                          
"But I must." I reply, I gaze at her saddened eyes. "And I want you to stay here and help these elves."
                          
This time I succeed in turning around and walking away. I was about to head through a group of trees before I hear a loud voice.
                          
"No!"
                          
I turn back and see Tauriel right behind me. 
                          
"You sacrificed your safety for me once, now I will repay you."
                          
I pause, slightly shocked. I finally nod. "I guess I can't argue with that."
                          
Tauriel smiles, somehow making my hope increase slightly. I know that things are going to be alright as long as she was beside me. 
                          
I could hope for the best.