Silverleaf
06-05-2010, 20:51
"Thirty seconds," Elladan whispered as he motioned a wait signal with his hand.
My palms itched with sweat and nervousness as I tightened my grip on the yew bow. A trustworthy weapon, it had served me well throughout the years. Now, once again its arrows would fly true. Sweat dropped from my brow, and I pushed my long blond hair off my eyes. A surge of adrenaline rushed through my veins like wildfire as a million thoughts entered my head. Memories, questions, regret.. I pushed past them and concentrated on the task at hand, excited for the battle to come.
**
It had been two weeks since Celebrían had been captured. Though the Lady of Rivendell frequently passed between Imladris and Lothlórien , this time the Fates decreed otherwise. I can still recall the rancid smell of burnt horse flesh as we came upon the missing escort, overflowing my senses like a whirlwind inside my head. Hírdan held me as I puked in the snow, my knees giving in to that moment of weakness. Wiping my mouth, I looked up to a scene of despair. The bodies of our kinsmen filled with black-tipped arrows and a dozen slain orc was enough to determine the perpetrators. The fifteen of us looked up as Elrohir cursed the Valar and spit with such bitterness. We all knew what had to be done. And so we set out, to find these vile creatures that would dare invoke the wrath of Hir Elrond.
**
Armored and ready, I peered inside the small cave, dimly lit with but a few torches. Before setting out on our rescue mission, I had been told that Caradhras was a place of blood and dangers. The sounds of deep-toned snarling and squeaks of goblins confirmed my suspicions. No amount of training or tale-telling could have prepared me for what happened next. For real battle is neither organized nor steadfast: rather it is two sides of blood-frenzied warriors lusting for revenge against the other.
"Leithio i philinn!" Elladan's orders reached my ears like sweet music.
Fifteen arrows flew from our ranks as half the orc were struck down. Time however, was not on our side. The rest of them drew their blades as they ran at us.
"Leave none standing!" Elrohir shouted, drawing his blade and slashing aggressively at the first black body that came his way.
I quickly followed suit, drawing my thin, curved sword and looking for enemies to slay. For a moment, confusion overtook me. Where is the enemy? Who do I attack first? Can I handle this? My battle shock was broken by a familiar voice shouting from afar.
"Caldiron, BEHIND YOU!"
Hírdan's words guided me back to a state of supreme consciousness. My training returned to me, and I reflexively spun around and knocked out a goblin with the hilt of my blade. Another rushed at me, and I dodged its spear while simultaneously slashing open the pitiful thing's stomach. Blood and guts rushed out. Normally such a sight would sicken me, but my battle lust had entered. I was calm, collected, and very very angry. In the distance, I could see Elrohir and Elladan parrying with the larger of the orc. Their swordplay was a sight to behold as the first one was disarmed, followed by the second one receiving a lightning-fast cut to its throat. Blood sprayed onto the older twin's face. He was no longer the fair son of Elrond, but a battle god ready to destroy anything that got in his way. For a moment, I envied his skill. Protectively, I looked over to find Hírdan, my friend and companion. Surrounded by three of the enemies, I rushed in to help him.
"HIRDAAAN!!" I slashed at an orc on my way over, stepping over bodies broken arrows. In my peripheral, I saw one of our own stabbed through the heart by an orc blade. Could I reach him in time?
Hírdan backed into a corner, blocking the swipe aimed at him and slaying the orc. Another rushed at him with a crooked, wooden spear. With no room to sidestep, the Noldo took the spear to his shoulder as he killed his attacker. A third came in, and I jumped forward to slay it. It was too late. The truth and horror of combat came upon me as my loyal friend was cut down, an iron blade still left in his side. It was torture to look upon his face grow pale. Death was in his eyes, and they soon grew lifeless.
Breathing heavily with my back to the ground, my friend's killer looked down upon me, snarled and raised its spear. Spit and snot flew onto my chapped lips. Quickly, I reached for my own sword, but it was not there. I must have dropped it when I leapt-- I closed my eyes, accepting my fate. In a moment of sudden desperation, I put my hands over my face. From some distant memory, ancient words of Quenya came forward, and I spoke them with the last bit of breath that I would ever have....
"Cali-en!"
...A flash of light flew from my hands. The orc drew back, dropping its spear to rub its eyes while flailing mercilessly with its body. Without hesitation and trusting in whatever gift Manwë had bestowed upon me, I picked up the orc spear and drove it through his heart with grim satisfaction. As I looked around, the last goblins were being torn to pieces by the remainder of my cousins. We had won.
As the others went to help the wounded, I saw Elladan and Elrohir bringing their mother Celebrían from out of the dark. She looked unharmed, though I could see fear in her glassy green eyes. She spoke quietly to her sons, but curiosity overtook respect as I eavesdropped on the conversation.
Elladan spoke first, his confidence reassuring her. "Mother, we have rescued you. You are safe now."
"Are you alright? Did they hurt you? You don't look injured, thank the Valar..." Elrohir said.
"My sons," Celebrían began with tear-stained eyes. "I... I have been.. I mean.." She looked down with shame. I was not stupid. It was obvious what had occurred in the weeks it took to get her. She had been ravaged, the Lady of Rivendell. The hurt the orc had done to our people bit me to my very core as bile crept into my throat.
"..Poisoned? Have you been poisoned?!" Elrohir's naivety came as a sudden blessing to the lady.
"Yes, my son. I.. I have been poisoned. Take me to your father immediately."
I shook my head, wondering if perhaps such a cover-up of what had occurred here was best for both the people of Lórien and Imladris. I put a wool blanket over Hírdan's body, closing his eyelids while muttering a quick prayer to Mandos that he find peace in his afterlife.
It was TA 2509, a cold day high atop the Misty Mountains. We had completed our task, but at what cost? Blood stained our armors, and many of us had fallen, including my own friend. No, we had done justice today. And I swore then that I would continue to serve the will of Hir Elrond with the same fire and passion that drove his sons.
The Quenya words I spoke re-entered my mind at that moment. Again, curiosity overtook me. Whatever blinding flash had come from my hands, no one had seen it. Whatever it was, magic or Valar gift, I did not know. But perhaps a visit to the archivist would answer any questions I had. And perhaps teach me another cantrip or two....
My palms itched with sweat and nervousness as I tightened my grip on the yew bow. A trustworthy weapon, it had served me well throughout the years. Now, once again its arrows would fly true. Sweat dropped from my brow, and I pushed my long blond hair off my eyes. A surge of adrenaline rushed through my veins like wildfire as a million thoughts entered my head. Memories, questions, regret.. I pushed past them and concentrated on the task at hand, excited for the battle to come.
**
It had been two weeks since Celebrían had been captured. Though the Lady of Rivendell frequently passed between Imladris and Lothlórien , this time the Fates decreed otherwise. I can still recall the rancid smell of burnt horse flesh as we came upon the missing escort, overflowing my senses like a whirlwind inside my head. Hírdan held me as I puked in the snow, my knees giving in to that moment of weakness. Wiping my mouth, I looked up to a scene of despair. The bodies of our kinsmen filled with black-tipped arrows and a dozen slain orc was enough to determine the perpetrators. The fifteen of us looked up as Elrohir cursed the Valar and spit with such bitterness. We all knew what had to be done. And so we set out, to find these vile creatures that would dare invoke the wrath of Hir Elrond.
**
Armored and ready, I peered inside the small cave, dimly lit with but a few torches. Before setting out on our rescue mission, I had been told that Caradhras was a place of blood and dangers. The sounds of deep-toned snarling and squeaks of goblins confirmed my suspicions. No amount of training or tale-telling could have prepared me for what happened next. For real battle is neither organized nor steadfast: rather it is two sides of blood-frenzied warriors lusting for revenge against the other.
"Leithio i philinn!" Elladan's orders reached my ears like sweet music.
Fifteen arrows flew from our ranks as half the orc were struck down. Time however, was not on our side. The rest of them drew their blades as they ran at us.
"Leave none standing!" Elrohir shouted, drawing his blade and slashing aggressively at the first black body that came his way.
I quickly followed suit, drawing my thin, curved sword and looking for enemies to slay. For a moment, confusion overtook me. Where is the enemy? Who do I attack first? Can I handle this? My battle shock was broken by a familiar voice shouting from afar.
"Caldiron, BEHIND YOU!"
Hírdan's words guided me back to a state of supreme consciousness. My training returned to me, and I reflexively spun around and knocked out a goblin with the hilt of my blade. Another rushed at me, and I dodged its spear while simultaneously slashing open the pitiful thing's stomach. Blood and guts rushed out. Normally such a sight would sicken me, but my battle lust had entered. I was calm, collected, and very very angry. In the distance, I could see Elrohir and Elladan parrying with the larger of the orc. Their swordplay was a sight to behold as the first one was disarmed, followed by the second one receiving a lightning-fast cut to its throat. Blood sprayed onto the older twin's face. He was no longer the fair son of Elrond, but a battle god ready to destroy anything that got in his way. For a moment, I envied his skill. Protectively, I looked over to find Hírdan, my friend and companion. Surrounded by three of the enemies, I rushed in to help him.
"HIRDAAAN!!" I slashed at an orc on my way over, stepping over bodies broken arrows. In my peripheral, I saw one of our own stabbed through the heart by an orc blade. Could I reach him in time?
Hírdan backed into a corner, blocking the swipe aimed at him and slaying the orc. Another rushed at him with a crooked, wooden spear. With no room to sidestep, the Noldo took the spear to his shoulder as he killed his attacker. A third came in, and I jumped forward to slay it. It was too late. The truth and horror of combat came upon me as my loyal friend was cut down, an iron blade still left in his side. It was torture to look upon his face grow pale. Death was in his eyes, and they soon grew lifeless.
Breathing heavily with my back to the ground, my friend's killer looked down upon me, snarled and raised its spear. Spit and snot flew onto my chapped lips. Quickly, I reached for my own sword, but it was not there. I must have dropped it when I leapt-- I closed my eyes, accepting my fate. In a moment of sudden desperation, I put my hands over my face. From some distant memory, ancient words of Quenya came forward, and I spoke them with the last bit of breath that I would ever have....
"Cali-en!"
...A flash of light flew from my hands. The orc drew back, dropping its spear to rub its eyes while flailing mercilessly with its body. Without hesitation and trusting in whatever gift Manwë had bestowed upon me, I picked up the orc spear and drove it through his heart with grim satisfaction. As I looked around, the last goblins were being torn to pieces by the remainder of my cousins. We had won.
As the others went to help the wounded, I saw Elladan and Elrohir bringing their mother Celebrían from out of the dark. She looked unharmed, though I could see fear in her glassy green eyes. She spoke quietly to her sons, but curiosity overtook respect as I eavesdropped on the conversation.
Elladan spoke first, his confidence reassuring her. "Mother, we have rescued you. You are safe now."
"Are you alright? Did they hurt you? You don't look injured, thank the Valar..." Elrohir said.
"My sons," Celebrían began with tear-stained eyes. "I... I have been.. I mean.." She looked down with shame. I was not stupid. It was obvious what had occurred in the weeks it took to get her. She had been ravaged, the Lady of Rivendell. The hurt the orc had done to our people bit me to my very core as bile crept into my throat.
"..Poisoned? Have you been poisoned?!" Elrohir's naivety came as a sudden blessing to the lady.
"Yes, my son. I.. I have been poisoned. Take me to your father immediately."
I shook my head, wondering if perhaps such a cover-up of what had occurred here was best for both the people of Lórien and Imladris. I put a wool blanket over Hírdan's body, closing his eyelids while muttering a quick prayer to Mandos that he find peace in his afterlife.
It was TA 2509, a cold day high atop the Misty Mountains. We had completed our task, but at what cost? Blood stained our armors, and many of us had fallen, including my own friend. No, we had done justice today. And I swore then that I would continue to serve the will of Hir Elrond with the same fire and passion that drove his sons.
The Quenya words I spoke re-entered my mind at that moment. Again, curiosity overtook me. Whatever blinding flash had come from my hands, no one had seen it. Whatever it was, magic or Valar gift, I did not know. But perhaps a visit to the archivist would answer any questions I had. And perhaps teach me another cantrip or two....