Book: The Edge of a Knife

Chapter 26: What Do We Do Now?
Rewritten Scene

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(Quick Note: since I do most of my planning in my head I never actually wrote this scene out, I just considered it. Take note that my writing style has changed since I first wrote this story so it won't be the exact same style which you see in the published book.)

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  ["I'm going to find them." Legolas announced.
  "By yourself?" Frodo asked.
 "Yes. Stay with them Gimli, all of you get inside and do not come out no matter what."
    The elf turned to leave and added, "I mean it Gimli, stay here."
    Gimli stopped and watched as Legolas disappeared from sight.
"Be careful lad."]   Chapter 25:  The Enemy Strikes

Aragorn was caught in the middle of the fight; he saw men falling all around him.
"Aragorn!"
He turned and saw Eomer nearby; blood from the orcs had stained his clothes and sword black.
"We cannot hold them anymore!"

Aragorn nodded and called out, "Retreat!"
The soldiers did not have to be told twice. Aragorn joined the retreating men, falling behind slightly to others pass. As he ran his arm was grabbed by an orc and he was pulled to the ground. He swung his sword at the beast's head; severing it from its body.

He scrambled to his feet just as another orc was about to stab him with its sword. Before it could an arrow flew past Aragorn's head and struck the orc in the eye. More arrows were shot, not a single one missing their target. Aragorn turned around and saw the last person he had expected to see.

"Aragorn!" Legolas called his name, beckoning him to run as he shot more arrows at the oncoming orcs. Aragorn raced to the Elf's side and the two broke into a run. Orcs roared and chased after them; some firing arrows and at times a spear would fly past the Elf and Ranger. Suddenly Legolas gasped and stumbled, nearly dropping his bow. 

Aragorn grabbed him by the arm and hauled him to his feet. Looking down he saw that Legolas' leg had been struck by an arrow. Knowing that they couldn't afford to slow down Aragorn put Legolas' arm over his shoulder and kept running. Legolas was trying to go as fast as he could, but every movement he made sent a jolt of pain through his body. Their pace was much slower than before and Aragorn feared they would not reach the tunnel in time.

They rounded a corner and continued running, down a narrow passageway Aragorn could see the opening of the escape tunnel. His relief was short lived as the roars of the orcs sounded behind them. Noticing Eomer waiting at the entrance Aragorn raised his voice and shouted, "Close the gate! Start closing the gate!"

There was a brief moment of hesitation before Eomer moved to do as he was told. As the gate slowly began to lower Legolas removed his arm from Aragorn's shoulder and gave the Ranger a shove forward.
"I can run myself!" Legolas insisted, and Aragorn had no choice but to believe him.
The two ran as fast as they could, knowing that if the gate lowered and they were on the outside of it; they would die.

The gate was halfway down, they were almost there!
"Hurry Legolas!" Aragorn shouted without looking back. If he had, he would have seen the Elf falling behind. 
Aragorn raced inside the gate, lowering his head to avoid banging it on the metal bars. He looked to his left expecting to see Legolas, but the Elf was not there.

"Legolas!" Gimli was suddenly at his side with the Hobbits following. Aragorn followed the Dwarf's gaze and watched in horror as the gate slammed down against the stone ground, leaving Legolas trapped on the other side.

"No!" Aragorn raced towards the gate, wrapping his hands around the bars that separated him from his friend. Legolas was staring at the bars as if he were in shock, his eyes looking up before settling on Aragorn. Behind the Elf came the orcs who stopped just several yards from the tunnel. 
"Open the gate!" Gimli shouted glaring at Eomer.
"I can't! This gate was built only to close, it cannot be opened again." Eomer turned away from the Dwarf, unable to face him.

"Aragorn what's wrong?" Frodo, followed by Sam and Merry, pushed their way through the crowd and stared at Legolas, their eyes wide with fear. 
"Don't worry Legolas," Gimli said studying the gate, trying not to sound as fearful as he felt, "I'll find a way to get this open. Just-"

"No." Legolas' voice was so soft, so quiet that it was a surprise that any of them heard it. Looking directly at Gimli, Legolas continued.
"All of you must go, now."
"We can't just leave you here!" Sam protested, tears filling his eyes.

"You don't have a choice. There is nothing you can do for me." Legolas kept his voice calm, but Aragorn could see that his body was shaking.
"You have to lead them out of here Aragorn." Legolas grasped his hands, staring straight into his eyes. "Please."

"They are loading their bows!" Eomer shouted moving through the crowd and hauling people to their feet.
"Everyone move! We cannot stay here!" 
The people got to their feet, hurrying down the tunnel and away from the gate. Only the Fellowship remained still.

"Legolas," Aragorn blinked as tears filled his eyes, "I'm sorry."
Legolas smiled, "There is nothing to forgive."
The Elf's smile suddenly vanished and he released Aragorn's hand. 
"Run! All of you ru-"

Legolas' words were cut off as his body jerked backwards; he stumbled away from the gate, bending over while Aragorn stared in horror at the arrow shaft protruding from the Elf's back. Legolas lifted his head, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
"Run..."

Another arrow was fired; this one striking Legolas in the shoulder. The Elf fell forward, leaning against the bars of the gate for support. 
There were cries from the Hobbits as men ran up and carried them away, there were enraged shouts from Gimli as he was dragged off with them. Aragorn was silent as Eomer grabbed him by the arm and began leading him away.

Legolas remained slumped against the gate; his skin turning pale and every breath he took sent a shudder throughout his body. The orcs were preparing to fire all their arrows, intent on killing anyone who was still close enough to be shot, but Aragorn could not leave Legolas.

Not again.

Aragorn broke free from Eomer's grasp and ran to his friend. Reaching through the bars he clutched Legolas' shaking hand in his own.
"I won't let you die alone." 
Legolas made no sign of having heard him. Instead, he pulled his hand out of Aragorn's and stood to his full height, gripping the bars above him for support. Before Aragorn could realize what he was doing; the orcs released their arrows.

Aragorn dropped onto the ground; listening as the sound of arrows striking metal, stone, and flesh flooded his ears. Not one arrow hit him.

When the sounds ceased Aragorn looked up. 

He watched as Legolas' hands released the bars.

He trembled as the light left his eyes.

He screamed as his body collapsed onto the ground.

Arrows stuck out all over Legolas' back, blood flowed freely from the wounds and turned the stone beneath the Elf's body red. Two grey, dull, lifeless eyes stared at Aragorn; blood trickling from his mouth in three, thin lines.

Aragorn did not feel Eomer's arms around him, dragging him away from his friend.

The friend he had called dangerous, the one he had called a murderer, the one who had given his life to save him. His cries echoed throughout the tunnel, his legs gave out and Eomer was forced to drag him.

Tears blurred Aragorn's vision as they rounded a bend and left Legolas' body behind.

He's dead, Legolas is dead...

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So that's that guys. What did you all think?

Which scene do you guys think is better: this one or the published one?

Should this scene have been in there instead of the other one?

I'll leave you guys to your opinions, in the meantime I'll be working on the next part of this book.

Alright I'm Out