I try, so please forgive the spelling and grammar errors I tried to get all of them but might have missed a few. Any way I hope you like this I just wrote it for fun so it is not necessary for it to be perfect at least I hope not.

Disclaimer: Lord of the rings does not belong to me nor was I given permission to use its characters but I have so a guess it’s a little late for apologies.

Insidious Fate

She sat upon the cold stone floor, head thrown back against the wall, dry blood spattered on her forehead. The footsteps grew louder as they approached her. She could run when they opened the doors to take her, push pass them and make a break for it. She wasn’t sure how far she would get, but the anticipation was killing her.

The rheumatic sound of the heels on the boots nearing her was tearing at her sanity. Judging by the pause in between each beat the person coming for her had fairly long legs probably tall, probably strong. She frowned. Chance of escape would be narrow.

The keys rattled as they rushed to let the seeming executor in. The door swung open in a painful creak. The footsteps hauled in front of the guards. Straining her neck she saw the brown dusty boots, splashed with black spider blood, and clasped with a sliver leaf on the buckle. ‘Not now,’ she thought, ‘not him’.

She could feel the leaves bush along her back, hear the twigs break under the pressure of her running feet, she almost could see the wind at her heels. She picked up her pace as she neared a small clearing and flung herself ungracefully into it.

Only just in time she saw the three slender arrows pointed straight at her neck, forcing her to come to a belated halt. The eyes of the archers glided quickly over her taking in everything from the twigs tangled in her hair to the mud spattered on her tattered dress.

“Your late.” stated the elf directly in front of her sweetly, though he did not loosen his stain on his bow.

“Yes, well I can imagine you would be too if you got stuck in the wheat field all morning,” She said ironically, knowing none of them had or would ever have to work in the fields of any crop, so they would find contradicting her rather difficult. Smiling the archers lowered their bows.

“Did you bring a bow in your obvious hassle to get here, Sabrel?” Sabrel looked at the tallest elf, her cousin, as he spoke his dirt blonde hair fell lazily over his eyes. She smiled in return.

“Took my fathers, I hope he doesn't notice or he will be sorely cross.”

The third elf with light brown hair laughed, “If your father finds out he’ll be more than cross. He probably will bring down all the stone halls of Mirkwood in his yelling. I guess he doesn't feel his precious daughters should go out on spider hunts.”

“I don’t see why not I’m a better shot than you, Reagan.”

The light brown haired elf spoke again, “Ironic since I taught you how to use one in the first place.”

Sabrel twisted her head around to look at the horses, taking in their numbers she frowned. “Only three, you would think that if you are prince of Mirkwood you would be able to get more than that, Legolas.”

Legolas blush, “We are suppose to be going on a three person hunt, and as spider flesh is useless as armor, and the meat sour, it is fruitless to pretend to be bring any of that back with us on a separate horse.”

“I just wouldn’t think that if you are prince that they would question you much.”

“On the contrary that would bring more unwanted attention too the matter.” Legolas gave a courtesy nod and began to walk to the horses followed closely by Reagan.

“Wait, what I’m I to do, run a long side I maybe elf but I’m no match for those things,” Sabrel finished pointing a finger at the horses accusingly. The grand beast stomped nervously in answer.

“It would have been easier if you had your own horse,” said Legolas curtly. She turned pink in embarrassment. Sabrel didn’t believe she would ever have enough money for her own horse, without marriage, and only then if she married into nobility. Yet with her dowry she very much doubted a marriage into a rich family.

Though in truth her family owned had two working mares for plowing and long travels. While her Father was a solider in the king’s army, he fought in one of the lower barrages, making only enough to keep both family, and fields alive. On the other hand her mother, never a stranger to work, worked as a seamstress for the palace and brought in a fair amount of money from the palace wages. Even with her parents combined efforts there never was enough money to fully support Sabrel and her sisters Beith, and Necrown.

Sabrel tended the family's small plot of harvest land with two of her female cousins, plowing the wheat and corn fields, and harvesting them when they had grown ripe. During harvest she would bring the food to market and sell it to different booth owners, keeping a small portion for her own family to live off of, while the rest went to the necessary equipment to keep their land in working condition.

Necrown the eldest of the Sabrel’s sisters was sent to help their mother with the palace sewing. As such she was constantly able to worm her way into a nobler social group, then the family could claim. She and Sabrel shared the same golden hair, and sturdy body, the only visible difference was while Sabrel had moss brown eyes, Necrown’s eyes were a vivid blue. The elegance in Necrown’s eyes had managed to weave them in and out of every social circle.

Beith the youngest sister, worked for in the house of Lord and Lady DeBerry as a maid. She was quiet and friendly in such a way that Lady DeBerry often incised that she stay over at their house to eat with them as a guest. Beith a petite girl with strawberry blonde hair and light blue eyes, was usually the favorite of the sisters and tended to be liked by everyone.

While the girls made money of their own, it had mainly gone to aid in supporting their family. They had very little to keep for themselves, and what they did have was what they had saved. Things like horses for jolly rides would be out of the question.

Sabrel figured Legolas’s retort had been a minor playback for her constant reminder that he had a title of great importance. It had been something that had always stood between them. His nobility allowed him almost anything he wanted, while she had been having problems paying for the necessaries. They both knew neither was at fault but it was uneasiness between the two.

“Well I don’t have a horse do I and as such, I hope one of you will be gentleman enough to let me ride with you,” Sabrel knew she sounded hopeful and pathetic, but her pride wasn’t nearly as strong as was the thought of having to run along side of three galloping horses. “Please Forlorn,” she said turning to her cousin.

Forlorn shook his shaggy mane, “Look at it from my point of view Sab, what if we bump into a pretty girl, you’d probably scare her away from me.”

“Are you mad, what pretty girl? We are going in the forest for goodness sake.” Forlorn laughed but nevertheless refused. She turned to Reagan, and smiled sweetly,”Reagan...”

Reagan laughed, “Forgive me, but I fear I am unable to ride with a person that offends my shooting skills.”

Sabrel growled at him, before striding forward to yank herself up on Forlorn’s horse anyway. Looking down at her Forlorn urged his horse into a full gallop to avoid her. Cursing slightly she turned to Reagan who was already in a slow pursuit of Forlorn. She was just considering running up and jumping on Reagan’s horse when a pair of strong arm swung around her waist tossing her up to ride on the front of a horse. She whipped her head around to look at Legolas who had sent his horses in a fast trot. Blushing lightly she shook her golden hair in hopes of covering her face.

“Face forward it will make it easier on the horse,” he said placing a hand kindly on her waist to turn her around. Sabrel much to her dismay couldn’t help but wiggle, the distance between her and Legolas was considerably closer than she was comfortable with. Legolas was a dear friend she shouldn’t feel any different around him then she did with the others, and yet regardless of this she had felt strangely for him ever since the first time he met her eyes as a child. Since he held her arm in anger, and dashed from her mind the image of herself as a delicate lady once and for all.

There was a small clearing not far from the homes of the villagers, where two boys were currently sitting drawing pictures in the sand with sticks. The sound of children's footsteps drew nearer to them.

A boy with dirty blonde hair pushed thorough the bushes into the clearing. The two boys dropped there sticks hastily and came over to greet him, both extending him their hands. Then a small blonde girl came into the clearing after him. The boys immediately drew back their out stretched hands. The little girl started bushing off her blue dress.

“Forlorn,” both boys cried. The taller of the two boys looked over to the little girl then back to Forlorn. “Why did you have to bring her?”

“Um...ah... hey guys, you see... I...” Forlorn shuttered.

“He promised me I could come,” the small girl said from behind them.

“Well you can’t.”

“I’m coming with you like it or not.”

One of the boys stepped forward, he towered over herby at least a foot. His hair shone as a lion’s mane. Clutching the sides of her dress, she took an involuntary step backward. He glared at the girl, put his hand on her shoulder, and lightly pushed her, as if testing something. She stumbled a bit, and might have fallen had a hand not reached out, and caught her. Holding her arm in a tight grip, he hissed in her ear, “How do you think you can keep up with us if you can’t even stand up.”

The girl pulled away angrily, and glared back at him. His face however remained expressionless. She suddenly grew worried about how much emotion her own face betrayed. Tears brewed in her eyes but had yet to fall. She didn’t think she had ever been pushed deliberately by someone out of her own family. But she knew if she cried now they would abandon her, and above all she feared that. She clicked her tongue in frustration, and then settling on a thought spoke, ”Fine then Forlorn and I will just be going.”

“What do you mean Forlorn is leaving.” Both of the boys pulled back startled.

Forlorn who had retreated as far back as he could by now took a small step forward. He looked down at his dust covered boots and mumbled something. Which Legolas and Reagan couldn’t make out.

“What did he say?” asked Reagan.

“He said that his mom won’t let him come without me,” She smirked directly at Legolas. Legolas starred daggers into the small figure that stood proudly before him.

“Fine then lets go,” Legolas begun walking to the forest then turned back and spoke to the girl, “You fall behind, and we’ll leave you behind. Got it?”

Sabrel smiled at him, “I never fall behind.”

“Stop squirming your annoying me, I can’t even imagine what its like for the poor horse,” Legolas said.

“I can’t get comfortable.” With an annoyed sigh Legolas reached over and pulled her back on to his chest. Legolas watch as Sabrel laid rigged as a brick against him to afraid to move. Smirking as glee shot like an arrow through his veins, he slowed the pace of his horse so that the two of them would be just out of sight of the others. Sabrel eyes widened in shock, which cause Legolas to smile a bit wider. “What are you doing?” She squeaked in shock.

“I thought you might want to see some more of the forest being stuck in the village all the time.”

“It’s all the same to me so pick up the pace we got spiders to kill...,” She was cut off by the harsh look on Legolas face, he had gone stiff, and his eyes darted from side to side. “What...,” she started but again went quiet as Legolas shook his head.

Leaning close to her, he whispered in her ear, “Draw your bow.” Nodding she did so, as Legolas drew his. After a while he relaxed and lowered his bow, “I guess it was just a false alarm,” he said looking around just in time to see the huge black spider that came hurtling out of the sky towards him. The spider grabbed him in its eight legs and both Legolas and the spider rolled to the ground.

Sabrel Screamed and jumped off the horse, the sound of two horses up ahead stopped and were racing back toward them. Legolas grabbed the spider that was still tangled up with him fangs in attempt to prevent it from biting him, while just avoiding the stinger. The spider finally seemed to get a whole on the situation, and it fangs had very nearly suck into Legolas’s neck, when for no apparent reason it collapse in a heap on top of him apparently dead. Pushing the spider off he stared up at Sabrel, she was holding a hunting knife that dripped with black blood. Behind her were Forlorn and Reagan already drawing their bows. Behind them were trees filled with spiders.

Legolas heaved the rest of the spider off him and sprung up with such force, Sabrel had to take a quick step back to avoid being knocked to the ground. He reached for the bows and arrows strapped to the horse’s pack, tossing one to Sabrel he called out, “Stay by the horses only fire when you need to, do what you can to stay covered.”

“I’m not so feeble bodied, Legolas. Don’t do this to me.” Legolas stared at her, her pulse quickened. He looked at her with concern, worry, and something stronger. The sheer force of his emotions left her gasping. She thought he would speak, but he was irrupted, as Reagan abruptly entered the conversation.

“Argue later,” Reagan snapped his eyes darting to the nearest spider. He raised his bow and made a clean shot through its eye, causing the spider to reel back in pain. The spiders sprang forward in a determine outrage. Forlorn race forward a pair of short blades in hand slashing out at the eight legged beasts.

Sabrel moved to follow him, and then looking back at the horses found herself walking back towards them and grabbing the reins to her utter disbelief. The figures of each beloved companion disappeared into the vast underbrush of the trees surrounding her. Leaving the spiders free to come her way, if any of them should slip pass their careful guard.

It was as if hours had passed, after each minute the cries of battle became duller to her ears until they were only a whistle in the wind. It was almost a dead quiet going into what seemed the second hour when she heard the screams.

She thrashed her head around so fast it left her dizzy. Someone's hurt. But where were they? She abandoned the horses, running towards the sound. The trees around her enclosed her as she ran blindly towards the screams. She wiped out her hunting dagger; she usually used to skin her game, and held her in out in front of her in case there was a need to fight. The screaming became more frequent. She quickened her pace praying to the Vadar for her companions to still be alive.

She came to an abrupt stop at the body of a dead spider. Sabrel gave a small shriek, but the realization of the foolishness of this hushed her. She walked around the massive body of the spider, its body curled in a tight ball, and its warm blood oozed from the spider’s underbelly. There was another body beside the spider that was considerably smaller.

“Legolas,’ her voice came out more of a croak than anything else. She kneeled beside him turning him to face her. He let loose a gasp of pain, he was still alive at least, but covered in the hot black blood of the spider.

“Sabrel,” he whispered. Legolas opened his eyes slightly.

Sabrel was crying now. Her tears fell as rain on to Legolas’s cheeks. She felt so detached from everything that was happening. It was as if she was watching the scene before her play out for her as though seeing it through a fog up mirror. “Oio naa elealla alasse'(ever is thy sight a joy) Legolas, Mani marte? (What happened?)”

“The other’s fell in battle, we won or I thought we had, but this one here he got to me.” This wasn’t right the shear idea of Legolas dying at the feet of spiders didn’t feel right. He is destined for more than this, he has to be.

“Lle naa belegohtar (you are a mighty warrior), please we must get you home.”

“No Sabrel your attempts would be in vain,” Legolas spoke softly. His eyes opened wider, a smile curled on the edge of his petal lips. Sabrel saw none of this her eyes already clouded by her grief. ”Namaarie (farewell) Sabrel.”

It isn’t real, it just wasn’t right. ”This isn’t happening,” she whispered to her self.

“Actually your right, it’s not happening.” Sabrel heard two figures jump to the ground behind her. She looked up blankly at them.

Then she turned back to look at Legolas. He was sitting up and watching her expectantly. She tried to speak, and failed. Legolas laughed and kissed her on the cheek. She jerked a way from him and scrambled to her feet.

“Problem my lady?” Legolas got to his feet. “My god you must weigh half a ton Sabrel you nearly squashed me to death.”

“That wouldn’t have matter since you were suppose to be dead,” Sabrel words tasted bitter even to her own tongue, but she couldn’t bring herself to regret them, even at the heart felt look on Legolas’s face.

“Almost sounds as if she wanted you dead Legolas,” Forlorn laughed merrily.

Sabrel ignored him, and just stared at Legolas. “How could you do this to me?” He didn’t answer. She turned not looking back as she had gathered up the horses that had wander over to them in search of their masters. Without a word she had kicked herself up on Forlorn’s horse, and in a matter of minutes Forlorn and her had the wind biting their checks as they dashed homeward.

If you can I would love for you to review.