Author: Azalais
Title: The Axe of his Fathers: Or, One Good Turn
Source: The Hobbit
Characters: Legolas, Gloin
Rating: PG for battle gore
Disclaimer: Middle-earth belongs to Tolkien and his heirs: I wander there for fun, not profit
The Axe of his Fathers: or, One Good Turn
Desperate now the melée on the valley floor; ring and scrape of steel, goblin-shrieks, howls of wolves and wounded.
A Wood-elf battling forward, pale hair flying, whirling white blades dealing death. He's nearly reached the beleaguered Thorin when a Warg leaps snarling from the cliff; too late he senses the movement, twists -
“Baruk Khazad!" A great axe swings, sending the beast's entrails spinning above the fighters' heads. Elf and Dwarf lock gazes for an instant, nod acknowledgement; return to the fray.
Years later, Legolas will often have cause to remember the first time one of Gróin's line saved his life.