I try to run but when I move my legs give out and I collapse. The pain in my side is unbearable, I keep my hand pressed against it. Oroth draws closer, he is nothing like how I remember him. He's at least twice as tall than he was before, shadows swirl around him like a cloak and his eyes are completely black. 

I look around desperately for an escape but shadows surround the clearing, not coming closer but keeping me trapped. I could try to make a run for it, but with the pain in my side and Oroth standing right in front of me, it wouldn't be wise for me to risk it. I wish for the millionth time that I had some kind of weapon with me.

"You should have known better Amarth, no one can escape the Queen of Shadows." 
Even his voice has changed. I make another feeble attempt at escape when Oroth suddenly appears in front of me. I back as close as I can against the tree. My heart hammers in my chest. I have never been more terrified in my entire life, but I won't let him see that. 

"It seems that you are injured," he presses his hand against my side and I squeeze my eyes shut. 
"That wasn't supposed to happen, Daeris gave strict orders to leave you unharmed." 
His hand falls away and I risk opening my eyes again. Oroth is staring at me, his eyes fixed on the spot where I'm in pain. My ribs are broken thanks to Oroth throwing me into the tree. Every time I breathe it feels like I'm swallowing fire. 

Oroth turns towards the shadows that are lurking nearby. 
"Go hunt, my shadows. Keep him busy."
The shadows race into the forest and I'm left alone with Oroth. He fixes his dark eyes on me once again. A smile of fake sympathy has appeared on his face as he crouches in front of me.
"I cannot bring you to my Queen injured. No, you must be perfect for her."
A lump forms in my throat and my hands start to shake. I want to move but it feels like I've been frozen in place. 

I shudder as Oroth reaches his hand under my shirt. My skin turns to ice under his touch. His hand presses into my side and I close my eyes again. I moan when the darkness begins to fill me. I can't let it inside, I cannot allow it to heal me. I grit my teeth and fight against it.

"Why are you resisting Amarth? You already have the darkness inside of you, just let it heal you."

It hurts.
My body begins to jerk as I fight.
I can't let it in, there's already too much.

"The pain will end if you just let the darkness heal you."

No.
I have to resist.
A scream tears itself from my throat and my body thrashes even more violently.

Fight it, fight it!

But the pain, it's too much...

Am I truly this weak? Fight it you coward!

I can't.

I

Just

Can't.

The pain fades away as the darkness enters. My broken ribs are mended. I've let the darkness in.

I lower my head, every breath I take brings me to shudder. 
A single tear falls from my eye. 

"There, was that so hard?" 
I raise my head and meet his gaze. There is no defiance in my eyes. No anger, no sorrow.
There is only defeat.

"Stand up," he orders. I have no choice but to obey. 
"Are you going to fight me?"
I shake my head.
Oroth smiles wickedly. 
"Good, you are finally learning."

I remain silent as he grabs my arm.
I do not fight as he drags me away into the forest.

/\\//\\/

Darovel's POV

He could hear the shadows closing in on him but he refused to risk looking over his shoulder. He tried running as fast as he could but his limp was hindering him. Claws tore at his back but only succeeded in tearing his shirt.

Next time I won't be so lucky...

Darovel's eyes flicked upwards at the roof. Even now more shadows were tearing into it. How many were in the forest? How had they gotten here without them knowing? He skidded to a stop as a shadow dropped in front of him, its teeth bared in a snarl. Quickly he drew his sword and hacked at the beast. It yowled in pain but it did not fall.

Had this been any other foe the blow would have been fatal, but it wasn't. Darovel ran past the shadow just as more appeared he swung his sword out at any that got too close, yet he was rapidly being overwhelmed. Not only was he currently fighting for his life, he was worried sick about Amarth. He'd lost sight of him almost as soon as the shadows attacked, where was he now?

"Darovel!" 
He recognized Morwen's voice and saw her running towards him with her sword in hand. Quickly Darovel dropped to the ground just as a shadow leapt into the air, intent on killing him. In one swift motion, Morwen sliced the creature's head off. Darovel rolled out of the way to avoid the shadow's body as it fell onto the floor. 

"Are you alright?" Morwen asked helping him to his feet.
"I'm fine." He looked back in the direction he'd come from. Several shadows were abandoning the house and climbing down the trees. A low growl from behind alerted the two of another shadow. 

He spun around just as the shadow sprang at him. Before he could even raise his sword something struck the shadow on its side sending it crashing onto the floor. Darovel watched in amazement as Pallando appeared with his staff in hand. The shadow pushed itself to its feet only to be struck once again by Pallando. 

The shadow crumpled to the floor. Pallando then raised his staff and pierced the shadow in the head. The creature let out a shriek before vanishing from sight. Pallando sighed and leaned heavily on his staff, which Darovel noticed had a sharp edge instead of a smooth one.
"I'm getting too old for this," he muttered.

Darovel chuckled before remembering Amarth, and all his amusement fled. 
"Amarth is down there, the shadows are after him!" 
Pallando's face paled in fear. When Darovel turned to Morwen he was startled to see a lack of concern on her face. Yes, there was some, but she was certainly not as fearful as she was when Amarth had been taken by Daeris.

"Do you know where Faervel is?" Pallando asked him. Darovel shook his head, he hadn't seen Faervel all day. 
"There are more shadows back the way I came," Pallando informed them, "if we are going to get to Amarth we'll have to fight our way through." Glancing over Darovel's shoulder, Pallando walked towards the shadow that Morwen had beheaded. He quickly pierced the shadow in the heart and the body faded. 

Only some of us can kill the shadows, Darovel thought.
"The shadows have either gone to the ground or back the way you came," Morwen said looking behind her before turning to him. "We won't have to worry about being pursued from behind, but still we should be wary."
Darovel nodded and he and Morwen prepared to set off when Pallando spoke up.
"Where is Anna?"

Darovel froze, fear washing over him. He turned to Pallando who had the same look of fear on his face. She was still in her room! 
"I will go find her," Morwen announced, "both of you go. Amarth needs you."
"You can't go by yourself!" Darovel argued.
"The longer you stay here the more danger they will be in," Morwen narrowed her eyes, "I can take care of myself. Please, go with Pallando."

Darovel hesitated, then nodded. Gripping her sword Morwen started down the hall towards Anna's room.
"Be careful!" Darovel called after her. She paused for a moment and looked over her shoulder.
"I will." With that she took off in a run, disappearing down the hall. 
"Come Darovel, we don't have much time." 

Darovel nodded and with Pallando in the lead, the two ran down the hall. Both praying that they weren't too late to help their friend.

/\\//\\/

Anna's POV

Tears were streaming down her face as she ran. Blind terror had taken over as the shadows pursued her down the winding paths that made up Faervel's home, which was being torn apart by the monsters. Anna tripped and nearly lost her footing which caused her to cry out in fear. She was afraid, she didn't know what to do.

I want my brother!

But Caran wasn't there, the brother she had always gone to for protection was gone. She screamed as a shadow clawed at her legs. She fell onto the floor and frantically tried to rise. A shadow jumped onto her back sinking its teeth into her shoulder. Anna screamed and tried to throw the shadow off, but as soon as she grabbed it another one jumped on her. This one bit her arm, tearing it with its fangs.

Anna was screaming and crying as more and more shadows leapt on top of her. More teeth sank into her.
No, no she couldn't die like this!
The shadows completely obscured her vision, all she could see was black.
They were going to tear her apart!

A shadow loomed just in front of her face, its jaws parted to where she could see its teeth.
It was going to kill her, she was going to die. The shadow roared and lunged for her neck. An arrow whistled through the air and pierced the shadow in the neck. It collapsed onto Anna before vanishing. Several shadows ceased their attack but many chose to ignore the fallen shadow and continued to tear apart the elf.

Another arrow came, killing another shadow.
Then another, and another.
A shout of rage startled the remaining shadows. Anna peered between the shadows that surrounded her and couldn't believe her eyes.
Legolas?  

The elf was running towards the shadows, firing arrows as he ran, his blue eyes burning in rage. 
Those he had not yet killed charged towards him. They forgot all about Anna who remained motionless on the floor. Legolas raised his bow as the first shadow reached him. The weapon doubled as both a bow and a spear. Both ends of the bow were sharp, and in Legolas' hands, they were deadly. 

He sliced across the shadow's chest before spinning it around to stab another one's head. He knocked one of them over the side of the railing and sent two more following after it. Legolas ducked as a shadow sprang at him, jabbing his bow up to stab it in the stomach. The shadows hadn't expected anyone to be able to fight back against them, nor had they thought they'd be killed. The remaining shadows hesitated before attacking.

Legolas crept forward slowly, his bow grasped tightly in his hands. His eyes burned into those of the shadows, warning them to stay back. He reached Anna's side and knelt down beside her, keeping his bow held in one hand. 
"Anna?" he placed his hand against her face. Anna looked up at him, dazed and confused. Her entire body was sore from the shadows' attack.
Legolas' eyes filled with tears, Anna could feel his grief as if it were her own. The shadows were growing restless, it wouldn't be long before they attacked again. 

"Anna, I need you to trust me, alright?" he whispered. She nodded, a single tear falling from her eye. Legolas slung his bow onto his back and quickly scooped her into his arms, one arm wrapped around her arms and the other one under her knees. Without looking back he ran, the shadows racing after them. 

Legolas held her close as he ran. Anna closed her eyes and tried to calm herself. Legolas' feä was giving her strength, just by being close to him, her strength was renewed. Scratching on the roof alerted them to more shadows. Legolas turned to the right and Anna knew that they were nearing the ground. Suddenly he came to a stop. Shadows had appeared in front of him, blocking their path. Above them, they'd almost broken through the roof. 

We're trapped.
Legolas began backing away from the oncoming shadows. 
"I'm going to have to jump," he warned her, "the ground isn't that far away. Ready?"
Anna closed her eyes and gripped the front of his shirt tightly. Legolas threw himself over the railing, curling his body around Anna as they fell. The breath was knocked out of her as they collided with the ground. 

The impact caused Legolas to loose his hold on her and she rolled onto the grass, her entire body aching. Legolas was already pushing himself back to his feet. He had taken the brunt of the fall and was suffering for it. Above them the shadows were roaring in rage, some were even crawling down the trees, intent on finishing off their prey.

"We have to go," Legolas took her by the hand and helped her stand, "can you walk?"
She nodded, her body trembling. Without another word he led her forward, running as fast as their bodies would allow. Already she could feel strength returning to her, and though she did not know Legolas' strength was returning to him as well. Their speed began to increase, Anna soon realized that her body no longer hurt. 

It was as if all the pain had vanished. 

Suddenly Legolas let go of her hand. Whirling around he pushed Anna onto the ground just as a massive shadow burst through the trees. The monster roared in rage and swung out at Legolas, who managed to leap out of the way just in time. Anna stared at the shadow in horror. It towered over both of them, its head nearly coming up to the lowest branches of the tall trees. It crawled on four legs but instead of multiple claws, it only had two large ones that made up its front legs. 

The creature roared in rage and fixed its gaze on Anna. She became frozen under its stare. The shadow's pale eyes held her fixed in place. She couldn't move, even if she wanted to. The shadow raised one of its long claws, preparing to stab her through the chest. The shadow screeched in pain and spun around to face Legolas. His bow in his hands, he'd only been able to wound the shadow but it was enough to draw its attention away from Anna.

"Run! Get out of here!" Legolas shouted. The shadow roared and swung its sword-like leg at him. Legolas leapt out of the way and jabbed at the shadow with his bow. Despite what he'd said, Anna did not move. Her eyes were fixed on the fight unfurling before her, but it was not a forest nor a monster that she saw. 

She saw snow flying through the air, a mountain was where they fought. She saw him, Legolas, battling against another creature, an orc. He was attacking the monstrous orc with all that he had. Rage was all that she could see in those blue eyes. He was fighting against the orc, risking his life, for her.

He had done it all for her. 

A cry of pain jolted Anna from her memory. The shadow had knocked Legolas onto the ground, his bow flew from his hands and landed out of his reach. Anna was about to call to him when she felt the shadow's gaze on her once again freezing her in place. The shadow charged towards her and raised its massive claw. This time it did not hesitate to bring it down. 

Anna could not close her eyes, she could only watch as her death raced towards her. 

From where she laid on the ground, Anna stared up at the blue eyes in front of her.

She could see the golden hair that brushed against her face.

Heard his rasping breath in her ears.

She saw the black claw sticking out of Legolas' chest.

He was crouched over her, shielding Anna with his body.

He smiled as a single tear fell from his eye.
"This time it will be me," he whispered. Anna watched in horror as he was lifted into the air, impaled on the shadow's claw. The beast threw the body onto the ground.

And he moved no more.