章 55: Echoes of Temptation and Battle
Waking up in Lothlórien is a strange experience. The air here feels different I couldn't really describe it but it did. I open my eyes to the golden glow of dawn shining through the overhead canopy. The branches beneath me sway gently, in the breeze.
The peace of this place, felt too perfect, too serene like it was trying to lull me into forgetting why I was really here. Not that I could really forget with The Ring so close, and I can feel it pulling at the edges of my mind. I don't know how Frodo could handle this.
I stretch out, feeling the stiffness in my muscles ease as I rose to a crouch on the branch. From up here, I can see far across the forest. There's a sense of timelessness here.
Dropping silently from the branch, I fell all the way to the bottom only using my ability at the last moment to vanish and reappear a few steps away landing safely.
I start walking, aimlessly at first, just kinda sightseeing. The paths here are winding, like they're made more for wandering than for getting anywhere in particular. That suits me just fine.
The thought gnaws at me, whispering that I could do it. I'm strong enough. Fast enough. And if I had it… well, who knows what I could do? The fellowship wouldn't be able to stop me before I vanished. But what if I ended up bringing the dark lord to whatever world I vanished to?
That's when I feel it, I stop, hand instinctively going to the hilt of my blade, but I don't draw it. Not yet.
She appears from behind a tree, almost as if she's stepped out of the very wood itself. Galadriel. I really wanted to learn how to do that, I could fuck with people mentally if I did. Her eyes are on me, piercing and unreadable, and I know she's here for a reason.
"You desire the Ring," she says, her voice soft but carrying a weight that feels like it could crush me if I let it. "Yet you have not sought it. No, you distance yourself from it?"
The bluntness of her words catches me off guard. I meet her gaze, steady and unblinking. "What's your point?"
She steps closer, and I can feel the air around her shift. " Why do you hesitate?"
"Maybe I like being a challenge," I finally say, my voice more casual than I feel. "I just don't like making things too easy for it."
A faint smile touches her lips, but it doesn't reach her eyes. "Perhaps. Or perhaps you understand that the Ring's power is not something to be taken lightly, even by one as bold as you seem to be."
There's something in her tone that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I open my mouth to say something else, but she lifts a hand, and I stop.
She gestures to the side, and that's when I see it, a suit of armor, draped over a low-hanging branch oddly enough it seemed to be my size. The metal gleams in the soft light, it had to be Elven steel, hopefully, cause if it was silver I was kinda fucked.
"This is my gift to you," Galadriel says, her voice like a breeze that carries the scent of ancient woods. "To aid you in the battles to come."
As I move closer, I can't help but admire it. Sure, it's beautiful, but there's more to it than that. I reach out, my fingers brushing against the cool metal. Thankfully it wasn't silver and didn't hurt me.
"Don't waste it," Galadriel says, and when I turn back to her, she's gone, like she was never there to begin with. Really needed to learn how to do that.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding, my hand still resting on the armor. I take a moment, just standing there, letting the reality of what just happened sink in. Then, without another word, I start to put the armor on.
**Armor of the Lórien Guardian**
- **Type:** Light Armor
- **Weight:** 15
- **Enchantments:**
- **Fortify Stamina:** Increases stamina by 20 points.
- **Fortify Block:** Blocking absorbs 15% more damage.
- **Fortify Agility:** Increases movement speed by 10%.
- **Special Ability:**
None
I take a deep breath, the cool air filling my lungs as I move in the armor, feeling how it adjusts to my movements and how it doesn't hinder me. With a final look around, I turned away from the spot where Galadriel had stood, heading back into the forest. And so I headed back to meet with the others who were waiting by some boats.
**Few hours later**
The boats cut through the water, the sound of oars breaking the surface the only noise in the stillness. I sat near the back of my boat, holding Legouses old bow he had given to me.
Legolas's Old Bow
Type: Bow (Weapon)
Material: Elven Wood
Weight: 5.0
Enchantment: None (Can be enchanted)
Value: 1200 gold
Special Ability: Increased accuracy by 15% when used by an Elf
Durability: 100/100
Description:
A finely crafted Elven bow, this weapon once belonged to Legolas. Though it lacks any magical enchantments, its construction is flawless, offering exceptional accuracy to its wielder. It's a relic of battles long past, holding the memories of countless victories.
He really did take good care of it. The rest of Fellowship was quiet, each of us lost in our thoughts as the river carried us. I could feel the tension in the air. It wasn't just paranoia, it was a feeling, a sense that we were being watched. But no one voiced it, not yet. And since we were downwind I could smell something foul.
Legolas was the first to break the silence. "There's something out there," he said quietly, his voice barely more than a whisper. His sharp eyes were fixed on the darkened treeline, his body tense. "I can feel it."
I stayed silent, not really listening to the exchange. My eyes sweep the banks, catching every movement, every shift in the trees. I stored the bow into my system for now to not lose it. The conversation lapsed into silence again, each of us preparing in our own way for what might come.
The river journey felt endless, each hour stretching into the next as the Anduin carried us southward. It wasn't long before we reached Parth Galen, where the Fellowship decided to rest, if only for a moment. We sat down and made camp.
I wandered away from the group, my instincts pulling me deeper into the forest. I didn't like sitting still, didn't like waiting. When we could have kept moving to get this done faster.
That's when I heard it, voices, not far off. I moved quietly, slipping through the underbrush until I found a thick branch that stretched over a small clearing. There, hidden in the leaves, I could see Frodo and Boromir, standing at the edge of the forest. I crouched low, my body tensing as I listened.
"Frodo," Boromir's voice was strained, desperate. "It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing... such a little thing."
My breath caught as I watched Boromir advance on Frodo, his eyes locked on the small figure in the Hobbit's hand. I could feel the shift in him, the way his resolve was crumbling under the weight of the Ring's influence. Frodo backed away, but Boromir pressed on.
"Boromir," Frodo said, his voice wavering, "you're not yourself."
I stayed silent, my eyes fixed on Boromir. I could see the madness creeping into his expression, the way his hands twitched with the need to possess the Ring. This wasn't the man who had fought beside us, I was watching firsthand how the ring was messing with his mind.
"Then what?" Boromir snapped, his voice harsh. "Would you have me watch as my city falls into ruin?"
I could see Frodo's desperation, the way his eyes darted around for an escape. But Boromir was relentless, closing the distance between them. "Give it to me!" he shouted, lunging for the Ring.
Frodo turned and fled, scrambling up the hill, but Boromir was right behind him, his frustration boiling over into rage. I could have intervened, could have stopped Boromir, but I wouldn't, I myself was struggling to deal with the power of the ring, the desire to take it for myself. Frodo needed to leave on his own, I wouldn't be able to help him, but that didn't mean I couldn't take the other one ring. The one that Ranger once had. yes, that one that housed the creator.
Boromir caught up to Frodo, grabbing him and wrestling him to the ground. "I see your mind," he snarled, his voice low and dangerous. "You will take the Ring to Sauron! You will betray us! You go to your death, and the death of us all! Curse you! Curse you and all the Halflings!"
Frodo cried out, struggling against Boromir's grip, but in a sudden twist, the Hobbit vanished, the Ring slipping onto his finger. Boromir gasped, his hands clutching at nothing as Frodo disappeared from view.
The shock seemed to snap Boromir out of his madness. He stumbled back, his eyes wide with horror at what he'd done. "Frodo? Frodo, I didn't mean it... Frodo!"
I stayed where I was, unmoving, as Boromir fell to his knees, his hands trembling. "Frodo... I'm sorry..." he whispered, but the words fell flat in the empty air.
Frodo was gone, and Boromir was left alone, his heart heavy with the weight of his actions. I could see the regret etched into his features, the realization of what he had nearly done.
For a moment, I considered revealing myself, but something stopped me. This was a moment Boromir needed to face on his own, a battle within himself that no one could fight for him.
I watched as he rose unsteadily to his feet, his eyes searching the forest for any sign of Frodo. But the Hobbit was gone, and Boromir was left with nothing but his guilt.
Following after the faint trail I could sense where Frodo had gone, the pull of the Ring leaving a subtle trace that I could follow. I quickened my pace, weaving through the underbrush until the trees opened up into a clearing. In the center stood the crumbling remains of an ancient ruin. And I moved past them and kept moving until I heard something.
Guttural growls and the heavy thud of their boots against the ground. They were closing in. I moved silently through the underbrush, finding a perch on a sturdy branch that offered a clear view. There they were, swarming through the forest. My heart pounded, adrenaline flooding my veins as I gripped my spear.
I didn't wait for them to make the first move.
I jumped down and threw my summoning spell at the ground next to where I would land, and the air around me grew cold, frost forming on the stones as the Frost Atronach materialized beside me. The massive, icy creature slammed its fist onto the ground drawing the attention of every Uruk-hai in the vicinity. They turned as one, their yellow eyes narrowing in anger.
The leader pressed forward, his massive form disappearing into the shadows as he moved on, leaving his underlings to deal with me. That was a mistake, but not one I could capitalize on just yet. I had my own battle to fight.
The first Uruk-hai charged at me, its weapon raised high. I dodged to the side, the blade missing me by inches as I brought my spear up, driving it into the creature's side. It let out a strangled growl as it collapsed, but there was no time to savor the victory. Another was already upon me, and I barely had time to pull my spear free before it swung at me with a vicious overhead strike.
I parried, the force of the blow vibrating up my arms, but I held my ground. I pivoted, using the momentum to drive the spear into its throat. Blood sprayed across the stones, dark and hot, as the Uruk-hai crumpled to the ground.
But they kept coming. For everyone I took down, another filled its place. The Frost Atronach was a whirlwind of icy fury beside me, smashing Uruk-hai left and right, but even it couldn't hold back the tide forever.
Pain seared through my side as a Uruk-hai's blade found its mark, slicing through my armor. I gritted my teeth, refusing to let the pain slow me down. I spun, my spear lashing out to catch my attacker across the face, the blade tearing through flesh and bone. Blood dripped from the wound in my side, warm and sticky, but I pushed it out of my mind.
I caught sight of another Uruk-hai charging at me, and I barely had time to raise my spear before it was on me. Its blade slammed into it causing the wooden shaft to bend, the force of the impact sending a shockwave of pain through my arms. My grip slipped, and before I could recover, it brought its fist down hard, catching me across the jaw.
Stars exploded behind my eyes, and I staggered back, my vision swimming. The taste of blood filled my mouth, but I forced myself to stay upright.
The Uruk-hai lunged again, but this time I was ready. I sidestepped, driving the blade of my spear into its chest with every ounce of strength I had left. It gurgled, blood spilling from its mouth as it fell, dragging my spear down with it.
I gasped for breath, my body screaming in protest. The Atronach was still holding the line, but even it was showing signs of wear. The Uruk-hai kept coming, relentless in their assault, and I knew I couldn't keep this up much longer.
I stumbled back, reaching for a fallen sword with my free hand as I scanned the battlefield. The leader was gone, already far ahead, but his minions were still here, still trying to tear me apart.
Another Uruk-hai lunged at me, its blade swinging toward my head. I ducked, bringing the sword up in a desperate, upward slash that caught it across the chest. It let out a roar of pain, but it didn't stop. It was on me in an instant, its hands wrapping around my throat, squeezing.
I choked, my vision darkening as I struggled to break free. The sword slipped from my hand as I clawed at its grip, panic clawing at the edges of my mind. But panic wouldn't save me. Rage would.
With a surge of adrenaline, I drove my knee up into the Uruk-hai's groin. It loosened its grip just enough for me to pull one of its dagger free and plunge it into its neck. The grip on my throat loosened, and I shoved the creature away, gasping for breath as it fell.
"Come on!" I shouted, my voice raw and defiant as I raised my sword and spear. "Is that all you've got?"
I could feel the shift, my senses sharpening, my strength surging. My vision tinged red, the world around me sharpening. My nails grew longer, razor-sharp, and I could feel the change in my teeth, my canines elongating into lethal fangs. The helmet on my head kept my face hidden and kept the others from seeing the full extent of the transformation if and when they arrived.
The first Uruk-hai that came at me was fast, its blade aiming for my throat. But I was faster. I ducked under its swing, my claws slashing across its midsection cutting into its armor. Blood sprayed in a thick arc as the Uruk-hai staggered back, its entrails spilling onto the ground.
I didn't stop. I couldn't. The next Uruk-hai was on me in an instant, its axe descending. I blocked it by grabbing its arm. My claws tore into its face, ripping through flesh and bone. It screamed a hideous, wet sound before collapsing at my feet.
An Uruk-hai managed to slip past my defenses, its blade slicing across my shoulder as I rolled away before it could cut through my shoulder down. Pain flared, white-hot and searing, but I pushed through it, Grabbing my spear and driving it into its chest. It gurgled, blood spilling from its mouth as it fell, but the damage was done.
I was hurt, but I wasn't done. Another Uruk-hai lunged at me, and I met it with a snarl, my claws sinking into its throat. I could feel the warmth of its blood as it sprayed across my hands, but I didn't let it distract me. I was in the zone now, the flow state.
I could hear the others approaching—Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli—but they were still a distance away, too far to help. It was just me and the Uruk-hai, and they were closing in fast.
One of them managed to catch me off guard, its blade slicing across my thigh. I stumbled, going down, spinning to deliver a slash across its throat as I fell. The pain in my leg was excruciating, but I pushed myself back to my feet.
Another Uruk-hai came at me, and I barely managed to block its swing. My claws sank into its side, tearing through armor and flesh alike, but not before it landed a blow to my ribs that knocked the wind out of me. I gasped, the pain sharp and unforgiving, but I didn't stop. I couldn't.
I took down another Uruk-hai, but it wasn't clean. It was messy, bloody, and I could feel my strength waning. My breath was coming in ragged gasps, my body barely holding together, but I wasn't going to stop. Not until every last one of these bastards was dead. Sadly The had managed to destroy my summon but It had killed a few of them thankfully.
By the time Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli reached me, I was drenched in blood most of it not mine. My body was trembling with exhaustion, my vision swimming, but I was still standing. Barely.
Aragorn was the first to reach me, his sword slick with blood. "Are you all right?" he asked, his voice tight with concern.
I nodded, though the pain in my side was almost unbearable. "I'll live," I muttered, trying to keep the strain out of my voice. Legolas's keen eyes darted over me, his gaze lingering on the blood-soaked ground. "We need to move," he said, his voice calm but urgent.
Gimli grunted, wiping the blood from his axe. "Then let's not waste any more time. We've got more to kill."
I nodded again, trying to steady my breathing as the others started moving. I shifted back to normal as I tried to save what little stamina I had left.
As we moved forward, I kept my helmet on, the transformation hidden from their eyes. That's when I heard it, a Horn blowing. We ran in its direction.
Aragorn surged forward, slamming into the orc leader. But the Uruk-hai was ready for him, tossing him to the side as it picked up a sword from the forest ground, his massive blade swinging down. I didn't think I just moved. My spear came up, catching the blade in mid-air, deflecting it just enough to send it off course. Still, It broke the spear's handle.
Aragorn didn't waste the chance and slashed across the Uruk-hai's chest. The Uruk-hai roared, the sound a mix of pain and rage, but he didn't fall. Instead, he turned on Aragorn, his blade swinging in a wide arc, aiming to cleave him in two.
I couldn't let that happen. With a surge of strength I didn't know I had left, I grabbed half of the spear and drove it into the Uruk-hai's side, the blade sinking deep into its flesh. The Uruk-hai bellowed, his massive hand slamming into my face as it knocked my helmet off. Then it reached down to rip the spear free.
Blood poured from the wound, dark and viscous, but the Uruk-hai was still standing, still fighting. His blade came down again, this time aimed at me. I panicked and blocked it with my arm. The blade sliced through my arm, cutting deep, almost halfway into it, the armor seeming to have taken most of the momentum from it before it was cut into. The pain was excruciating, I couldn't help but scream!
Blood poured from the wound, warm and sticky, soaking into my armor and dripping onto the ground. I gasped, the world narrowing to the agony in my arm. With a desperate scream, As the Uruk-hai's pulled the blade out of my arm I used that moment to roll out of the way as he brought his blade down again.
The Uruk-hai leader snarled, turning his attention back to Aragorn. Aragorn seized the moment, his sword flashing as he struck again, this time aiming for the Uruk-hai's exposed neck. The blade found its mark, slicing through flesh and bone. The Uruk-hai's roar turned into a gurgle as blood sprayed from the wound, his massive form swaying before collapsing to the ground with a final, earth-shaking thud.
I stood there, gasping for breath, my body trembling with exhaustion. The pain in my arm was nearly overwhelming, but I forced it down, forced myself to stay upright. But my thoughts immediately shifted to Boromir.
When I reached him, my breath caught in my throat. Boromir was on his knees, his body riddled with arrows, blood seeping from each wound. His face was pale, his breath coming in shallow gasps, but he was still alive. Barely.
He looked up at me, his eyes filled with pain and regret. "Ellehish… I tried… to protect them…"
"Shh, don't talk," I said, my voice trembling as I knelt beside him. "I'm going to help you. Just hold on."
I reached for my healing magic, the familiar warmth of the spell beginning to build in my hands. But I knew that if I didn't remove the arrows first, healing him would only cause more damage. I had to be careful, had to do this right.
With a steadying breath, I placed my hand on the first arrow, channeling a bit of magic into it to numb the area. "I'm going to remove these," I said, my voice calm. "I'll be as quick as I can."
Boromir nodded weakly, his eyes slipping closed as he focused on breathing through the pain. I gritted my teeth and, with a swift motion, pulled the first arrow free. Blood gushed from the wound, but I immediately pressed my hand to it, casting the healing spell to close it as quickly as possible. The magic surged through me, sealing the wound and stopping the bleeding.
I moved on to the next arrow, my hands steady despite the pain I was in myself and the slow blood loss I was going through. I repeated the process, pulling the arrow free, then healing the wound, and storing the arrows in my system.
By the time I reached the final arrow, Boromir was barely conscious, his breathing shallow and ragged. I worked quickly, pulling the last arrow free and sealing the wound with the last of my strength. The pain in my arm was excruciating, my vision blurring from the effort, but I didn't stop until I was sure every wound was closed, every arrow removed.
Finally, I sat back, gasping for breath, my body trembling with exhaustion. Boromir was still alive, his chest rising and falling with each labored breath, but he was out of immediate danger. The arrows were gone, and the worst of the damage was healed.
I reached out, slapping his chest. "You're going to be okay," I whispered, more to convince myself than him. "You're going to be okay."
A faint smile ghosted across his lips. "Thank you… Ellehish…"
I shook my head. "Don't thank me yet. lord of Winterhold."
The others arrived then, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli rushing to our side. Aragorn's eyes widened when he saw Boromir, the arrows gone, the wounds mostly healed.
"Ellehish…" Aragorn began, his voice filled with awe and gratitude.
The forest was eerily quiet, the only sounds being the ragged breaths of those who remained. The Uruk-hai had taken Merry and Pippin.
We managed to get Boromir to a safer spot, hidden among the trees. He was still weak, but alive, his breathing more steady now that his wounds had been closed. It seemed magic didn't help with blood loss. Aragorn stayed with him, they spoke, while Legolas and Gimli scouted the perimeter.
As for me, The wound in my arm throbbed painfully, the deep cut a reminder of how close I came to losing it, the arm. I needed to heal it, and fast. The blood loss alone was making me dizzy, and every movement sent fresh waves of pain through my body.
I focused on the magic within me. I was running on fumes. My reserves were dangerously low, and I knew I couldn't afford to waste a single drop of magic.
I placed my hand over the wound, feeling the warm, sticky blood that coated my skin. With a deep breath, I began letting the magic flow from my core and into my hand. The warmth spread slowly, creeping through my veins, knitting the torn flesh together. It was slower than usual, the magic sputtering as it tried to do its work, but I pushed through, forcing it to comply.
The pain began to dull, the edges of the wound pulling together as the magic sealed the skin. My vision blurred with the effort, black spots dancing at the edges of my sight, but I didn't stop until I felt the wound close completely.
When it was done, I sagged against a tree, my breath coming in shallow gasps. The wound was healed, but I could feel the emptiness where my magic used to be. I was almost drained, barely a flicker of power left within me. A quick check of my reserves confirmed what I already knew I had only 9 points of MP left. It wasn't much, but it was something.
I forced myself to stand, my body still trembling from the exertion. The others needed me, and I couldn't afford to collapse now. Not when there was still so much left to do.
When I rejoined the group, Aragorn glanced at me, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," I replied, my voice steadier than I felt. "Just need a moment."
Aragorn noticed me clutching my shoulder, my blood-soaked hand trying to stem the flow. His expression tightened, concern flashing in his eyes. "Ellehish, that wound… it's not going to heal on its own."
"I know," I muttered through gritted teeth. "But I'm out of options."
Aragorn's gaze hardened as he considered the situation. "We'll have to close it the old-fashioned way."
I knew what he meant immediately. My stomach twisted at the thought, but there was no other choice. Without the magic to heal me, I didn't know how long it would take for my nature regen to kick in. Since everything in the world seemed to have a little bit of magic.
"We need a fire," Aragorn said, turning to Legolas and Gimli. "Find whatever you can."
They moved quickly, gathering what dry wood they could find among the ruins. In a matter of moments, they had a fire going, the flames licking hungrily at the wood. I watched as Aragorn pulled his sword free, the metal gleaming in the firelight. He glanced at me, his expression grim.
"This will hurt," he said, his voice steady.
"Just do it," I replied, biting down on a thick stick they'd given me.
Aragorn held the blade over the fire, the metal slowly turning red-hot. My heart pounded in my chest, and I clenched my fists to keep them from shaking. The others watched silently.
When the blade was ready, Aragorn moved toward me. "Hold still," he instructed, his voice low.
I nodded, every muscle in my body tensing in anticipation. My breath came in short, sharp gasps as Aragorn positioned the blade over my wound. I could feel the heat radiating from the metal, a searing intensity that made my skin crawl.
Aragorn didn't hesitate. He pressed the hot blade against my shoulder, the metal searing through flesh and blood with a hiss. The pain was immediate, a white-hot agony that exploded through my body. I bit down hard on the stick breaking it, my vision swimming as the scent of burning flesh filled the air.
I screamed and thrashed against the pain, but the others held me down. The world narrowed to the fire and the blade, to the excruciating pain that tore through me.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Aragorn pulled the blade away. The pain lessened, but only slightly, leaving me trembling and gasping for breath. The wound was sealed, the edges blackened and charred, but it was closed. I wouldn't bleed out now.
Aragorn moved back, wiping the sweat from his brow. "It's done."
I spat out what remained of the stick, the taste of wood and blood on my tongue. My whole body was shaking, but I managed a nod.
He nodded in return, but his gaze shifted to Boromir, who was still too weak to do much more than sit and watch. Me and Him, we couldn't keep up with the others, not in this state.
I knew what had to be done, even if it was the last thing I wanted to say. "Aragorn… Legolas… Gimli… You need to go after them," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. "The hobbits. They're with those… things. You need to save them."
Aragorn looked at me, conflicted, but I could see he knew I was right. "And what about you?" he asked, his tone filled with concern.
I glanced at Boromir, then back at Aragorn. Boromir spoke "We'll head to Rohan. Ellehish needs to recover, and I'm in no shape to fight right now. We'll make our way there as soon as we can."
Legolas placed a hand on Aragorn's shoulder. "There right. We can't waste any more time. We need to go."
Aragorn hesitated for a moment longer, his gaze flicking between me and Boromir, before he finally nodded. "All right. But be careful. Both of you."
"Always," I replied, managing a faint smile despite the pain.
With that, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli gathered their gear. They exchanged a few final words with Boromir, words of encouragement and promises to reunite, before turning and disappearing into the forest.
I watched them go, Boromir and I were alone now, left behind to recover and find our own way to Rohan.
I leaned back against the tree, exhaustion threatening to drag me under. The pain in my shoulder was still there, a dull throb that pulsed with every beat of my heart, but it was manageable. I could survive this. We could survive this.
"We'll get there," He said softly. "We'll make it to Rohan. One way or another."
And with that, I allowed myself to finally close my eyes, letting the exhaustion take over. There was still a long road ahead, but for now, we had a moment of respite. And that was enough.
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