Part 10

“Elves,” growled a small, ferocious-looking Orc, glaring up at Legolas.

Without any obvious movement, Legolas quickly scanned the chamber, trying to assess the stronghold’s defences. There were three more Orcs lurking in the shadows, bigger than their leader, and armed with bill hooks and maces, though looking bored and sullen. There must be more elsewhere, he thought, but it will take them time to get here...

He felt Eowyn move closer, as Haldir and Sighard crowded in behind her.

“Where’d’ye find ’em?” asked the Orc.

“Climbing up the fore hill,” replied Sighard, in a high-pitched, nasal whine.

“What was ye doin’ over there?”

Legolas held his breath, willing the man to think of a convincing excuse.

“We was bored,” said Sighard.

The Orc sniffed. “Well, ’is Lordship’ll want to deal with ’em ’imself, but not tonight. Take ’em down to the dungeons for now.”

Legolas could almost hear Sighard’s panic—What dungeons?— but, fortunately, he saw the Orc jerk its head, and—trying to make it look as though Eowyn were pushing him—he stumbled in the right direction, and—Thank the Valar—the others followed his lead, through an arch, to a flight of steps.

If we survive this, he thought, as he descended the stairs, freeing his hands from the elven rope, I will ask Lord Fingolfin to devise a medal for exceptional bravery, and we will award it to Master Sighard.

...

At the bottom of the stairs, a heavy wooden door stood ajar. Legolas ducked through into a large, octagonal chamber lined with eight vaulted cells, each sealed with a door of iron bars.

“What’s this?” growled one of the guards.

“Two prisoners,” said Sighard.

The Orc sighed and, picking up a ring of keys, shuffled over to one of the empty cells and, mumbling obscenities, noisily unlocked the door.

Behind its back, Legolas glanced at Haldir, and both elves imperceptibly moved into position, Legolas behind the gaoler, Haldir beside its comrade—

In one of the cells, a bundle of rags stirred, raising its head and tossing back its matted red hair—

Haldir’s hand twitched in silent warning and, Sweet Eru, thought Legolas, that is Ayleth!

He reached inside his cloak.

Behind him, Eowyn quietly closed the wooden door.