Chapter Seven

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Willow clenched Legolas' hand as they sprinted through the forest. Her lungs burned, each breath biting through her as it entered her body. Her legs were starting to feel like jello, as she struggled to keep pace with him, but fear urged her on. It was not a fear for her safety but for his. She dare not complain of fatigue. She knew that he was holding back and immediately regretted skipping the gym as often as she did. She could not see what perused them but she could sense there was something after them. There were probably quite a few of them too.

She wanted to ask Legolas where they were going but there was no time. He tersely explained they were heading towards the crossing of the worlds, something akin to a lay line where the worlds met. That's where the door would be opened into his world and they would hopefully be safe on the other side.

Her eyes watered as the cold air assaulted her face. Something caught her attention from the corner of her eye. It was an arrow, black and sharp, as it sliced through the air just past her face. She was suddenly hauled back and thrown to the ground. She looked up in time to see Legolas cutting through the arrow with is long knife. 

Within the span of seconds, he drew three arrows from his quiver and fired simultaneous shots into the dark. A faint thud was the only confirmation Willow received that they met their target. With no delay, Legolas grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet. They were off again running, this time with more vigor. Willow prayed silently that she would not be the cause of their failure and eventual death. She wished somehow that she could use her power to help them but she still was not certain of how to control it.

An opening presented through the trees. Willow spotted the trail leading up the mountain a few feet ahead. Legolas was heading for it. The journey would lead them, at the very least, to the foot of the mountain. Just then from the thicket came a giant wolf, the largest Willow had ever seen. It stood at least four or five feet from its claws to the tip of its ears. Its massive head was marred by scars, with blood red eyes and teeth like swords. The black fur covering its body was matted and stained with blood. It was flanked by at least two more equal to its height and girth but varying in color.

It appeared to bark orders to the other two. They immediately began to circle as the leader slowly advanced, teeth bared. Its target; Willow. Legolas fired two shots immediately bringing the other two beasts down as the third charged. Willow stood stunned and afraid. She never faced anything so ferocious in her life and being assaulted by this massive beast ranked high on her "Oh shit" scale.

Just as the beast's dagger-like claws threatened to slice through her. It fell dead at her feet. Legolas withdrew his long knife from the beast's neck. The dark blood of his victim splattered over his handsome face. He took her hand in his and urged her forward.

As they neared the trail, Willow sensed something unusual. She had only just gotten in the hang of using her powers to distinguish things, but this felt extraordinary. It was inviting, warm and felt the way only one thing could. Home. 

Her eyes caught sight of an opening ahead at the base of the mountain. A swirl of kinetic energy clashing against itself pulling wind, snow, and earth into itself; violently, rolling and thundering. The portal was wide enough for only one to cross at a time. 

As they approached, Legolas urged "Go, I shall follow!" His voice strained over the noise generated by the portal. 

"No," Willow shook her head. "We go together or not at all." 

Legolas smirked, expecting this type of reaction from her.

He pulled his long knife from its sheath and stalked to the opening in front of the portal. His stance was defensive. His eyes searched the tree lining. Willow knew there were still many foes approaching and there was little she could do to help him.

"If the battle should go ill..." he trailed off. 

Willow directly behind him clinging to his tunic as she whispered, "Then, we die together."

"Stubborn human..." was all she could make out before the battle began. 

Legolas fought off what Willow now knew to be orcs, valiantly. He slew many of them but there were at least fifty to his army one. Tears sprang from Willow's eyes as she witnesses him take the first hit, the orc's blade slashed cleanly through his left upper arm. She wanted to call out to him but did not want to distract him from his fight. He was still holding his own but he could not withstand for long.

Willow dropped to her knees and gathered earth in both of her hands. She felt her power welling up. She prayed that she would be able to use it without harming Legolas. She felt it built on itself, raging like a storm inside her. She was afraid it would split her in two. 

A voice, the one she heard herself use before spoke softly to her "Let go child. You are Arien Stormcrow reborn. You are more than capable of protecting this elf."

Willow expelled a breath and with it the release of her powers. She felt her body become light as she levitated a few feet of the ground. She was encased in a brilliant white light that flickered like a flame all around her. Her eyes shown bright as she opened them looking up at the stars, feeling for the first time she is able to see the truth. 

She cast her eyes to the many orcs surrounding the one elf. They had all stopped to witness her majesty. She whispered one word softly, " Qualin" the elven word for death.

Legolas whipped his head to face Willow as she hovered above the ground. He knew that he clearly heard her cast a spell in old Valarin. He watched in enthrallment and dismay as the orcs burst into blue flame and disappeared. When the last of the orcs fell, Willow's body dropped limply to the ground. He rushed to her side, gathering her in his arms. She was still alive. She had not succumbed to her powers.

He stood her up slowly and smiled "That is quite an astonishing skill ." 

She smiled weakly up at him when her brown eyes widened. A look of terror painted across her face. Her sudden change in disposition alerted him to an immediate danger. He turned his head sharply to see Thuringwethil diving from the night sky towards him claws extended ready pierce his back. 

She would have succeeded if Willow had not rapidly changed places with him. With the last of her waning strength, Willow was able to repel the beast but not before Thuringwethil pierced her side and mortally wounded Willow. Legolas fired several shots in the downed creature before gathering Willow in his arms and stepping through the portal.


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