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Post by tari on Jun 8, 2006 13:30:23 GMT -5
"It seems to me, Ithil-an, that you just attract trouble..." I hiss at the blue roan, he snorts disdainfully at me and we both turn back to the problem at hand. "Curse the day when the beautiful Greenwood became a home to you foul creatures!" I say, my voice low and reaking of hate and anger. The only answer is a hissing, screeching laughter from the black masses before me...
I have no idea how the foul spiders of Mirkwood were able to come up so quietly and completely unheeded by the stallion or myself. But now, as I reached for the curved Elven blade at my waist, they seemed all too eager to rip me apart and share the bounty among themselves.
'Your companion will be the first to go...' A single, low hiss reached my ears. "You touch him and I will slaughter each and every one of you slowly and painfully..." I hiss right back, though I'm not entirely sure how I will do that. 'Do not think us deaf, foolish Ellon, we hear the fear that seeps through your restraints.' comes the reply. "It is you, beast of carrion, that is the fool, I am no Ellon..." Without thinking, I throw back my cloak hood, exposing my face for all to see.
The same horrible laughter echoed throughout the forest, 'All the more fun it will be to slay an Elleth...'
Again, without thinking I send Ithil-an away from the spiders and charge into the horde, slicing everything I touch and relishing the hisses and screeches of agony and anger that now echoed to the very edge of Mirkwood...
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Post by ithilethiel on Jun 10, 2006 21:37:15 GMT -5
The rain poured down mercilessly. The fine whispering drizzle turning to a devastating downpour. I tossed my head to the sky and winced. My back burned from the wounds. I ran my fingers ginger over my wrecked tunic. Yes, the gashes were healed, but there was no doubt an infection had set in. They proved to be inflamed and seared with pain even under my tender touch. I lurched in the saddle and quickly grabbed the reins. With each passing moment my energy took a dramatic fall. Fever had long since set in and my skin was dangerously cold. Despite the odds I tried to keep thought of death far from my thoughts. The great forest that loomed ahead was not far.
The leaves proved to be little defense against the pelting rain. The ground was sodden and not much better than the world the two had just left behind. My azure eyes rolled about feverishly. I saw little more than shadows. Under better circumstances perhaps I would have noticed the sublime beauty of this forest. Now, however, the great trees of the forest did not stir me. My very heart and soul seemed to have been petrified by pain; my mind delirious with illness. I arched my back abruptly and cried out. A shrill laughter split the steady drumming of the rain. The white horse beneath my stopped, eyes wide and alert. The laughter came again, ringing for long moments after it had died away.
“Little elfling can’t control his pony…”
I froze; my face turned a pallid hue. Slowly I inched my hand back to my bow. The taunting laugh came again.
“Frightened elfling?” the voice cracked through the air, causing me to wilt miserably. I was afraid. My eyes held no protection to my emotions in the weakened state.
“Take them both now.”
“Fresh blood…”
“Who’s there!?” I croaked uneasily… The blood again came to my throat. The laughter came again. Out of the black depths a thin thread shot out. The horse I rode screamed and rose to the heavens. I saw the ground rushing toward me, then the impact. A sharp crack rang through the air and I cried out in pain. I laid there, my body shaking excruciating pain. I saw the white horse bolt away followed by… spiders… They threaded swiftly and fluidly through the forest’s pillars. My eyes widened as one advanced toward me. I forced myself to rise. I realized with disdain that my bow had broken. Quickly I drew my dagger and held it in front of me with a shaking hand. The giant arachnid paid not heed to this and swept me clean of my feet. A horrible pain shot through my body and I cried out again as the ground was no desirable cushion. I watched the lethal creature advance toward me. A long dagger-like figure protruding from it’s under belly. I struggled in vain trying to rise to my feet. My aching body would not allow it. The Valar be with me… I prayed in desperation. With one last tremor running through my body I rose to my knees and swiftly held my dagger in front of my. At that momentous time three cries pierced the air. That of a dying horse, a dying man, and a dying spider.
I felt a sharp object impale my prone skin. A long cry escaped my straining vocals as a horrible pain shot through my body in waves. The poison ran through my veins quickly, melting away my flesh at the wound. My mouth foamed as my body worked desperately expel the fatal poison. With all I had left, I struggled out from beneath the dying creature. I groaned as darkness began to claim me. Somehow death would carve a path for me. If I survived the poison, the fever would break me. If the fever did not, the spiders would, if not the spiders… Well, they were not the only hungry creatures in Mirkwood. Forgive me, father, I have failed you… The last thought danced in my head before my lashes fluttered closed. Darkness…
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Post by tari on Jun 10, 2006 22:14:11 GMT -5
I yelped shrilly as I narrowly dodged a flailing leg on a fallen spider, and then plunging my Elven sword into it's body a last time. I glanced around wildly for any more of the foul beasts, and found the rest crowded around a limp figure. A heard the horrible screaming cry of an injured and dying animal, my heart dropped into my stomach...
"Anormir..." I whispered, a lump rising in my throat, not him, not him... I was filled with an inexplicible rage as I wiped the sweat from my face quickly then ran at the remaining few spiders, tears of anger streaming down my face. "O colaer Eilysos, o palaer shaer! Pai byrn!" I yelled, slashing and thrusting at anything in reach, soon, the beasts of Morgoth lay dead...
I took one glance at the figure of their intrest and gasped, it was a man! Or an Elf, I could not tell.
Again, the realization hit me, Anormir was dying, I could not let the spiders swallow him up, but I could not leave this man here, he was still living but would not for long if I didn't help him...
"Valar, vyraes cos, pai byr jhaer cos var sai si Car..." I prayed, kneeling beside the unconcious (sp?) man. He had multiple injuries and most were from spiders, and he was burning with fever already.
"Anormir, if you have strength, come to me, please!" I cry out into the forest, desperate for help and to get away from here, lest more spiders return. I heard a loud whinny, then heavy hooves cantering towards the place where I was, then, then stallion burst through the trees, nostrils flaring at the large, dead masses all around. He nickered at the sight of his Elf crouched by another, he didn't know if he was an Elf, but smelled of one...
The blue roan snorted, shaking his large head gently and nudging the man roughly with his muzzle. I leapt to my feet, racing to my saddle bags for the many herbs I carried in them, "Where is the Athelas?!" I mumbled angrily, finally finding the packet that contained the plant. I took some out and began chewing it furiously, it had a slightly bitter taste, but mostly just tasted like the alfaflfa that grew everywhere.
When it was finally the right consistensy (sp?) I spit it out onto my hand and knelt by the man/Elf again, dragging the dagger out of my boot, I sliced through his tunic. It was pure luck that most of the wounds were on his stomach, I spread the Athelas as gently as possible on all and then looked around for some possible fuel for a fire...
Translations: "O colaer Eilysos, o palaer shaer! Pai byrn!" - You killed Anormir, you d*nmed beasts! Die now! "Valar, vyraes cos, pai byr jhaer cos var sai si Car..."- Valar, protect him, do not let him pass into the halls...
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Post by faero on Jun 11, 2006 14:46:47 GMT -5
His keen ears heard the screams echoing faintly from within the forest, as he rode toward the ominous dark of the woodline. The Rangers who usually accompanied him were unfortunately absent, attending to business in Rohan. He was to rejoin them in a fortnight, but he might be unavoidably delayed. Faero spurred his horse toward the source of the cries, the fingers of his right hand closing around the hilt of his sword. Without a doubt it was the damn spiders, ambushing an unwary traveller.
Beynon charged through the tangle of underbrush and gave an excited snort. His rider quickly spotted a pair of shadows, one a horse, not far from where they had entered the wood. Faero did not need to guide the animal toward the two. Beynon approached them with determined speed and Faero swung from the saddle before his horse had come to a halt. There was a man on the ground, badly wounded and very nearly dead. His companion was an Elf and clearly desperately seeking to save his friend.
"What has happened here?" Faero asked gently, as he dug athelas leaves from the pouch on his belt.
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Post by tari on Jun 11, 2006 17:46:45 GMT -5
I jump at the sound of another's voice, whipping my hood over my face I draw my sword, "Who are you and what do you want?" I hiss, hoping this Elf had not seen my face. I glance back at Anormir, the stallion is galiantly keeping watch for more of the arachnids that haunted the forest.
Not heeding the last question I asked, I went on with another statement, "He has been attacked by the spiders, they should not return for some time, as so many of thier kind have been slaughtered." I say, gesturing to the man, then to the bodies of the spiders that lay helter-skelter across the area...
I eyed the Elf warily, and indeed, he did not look hostile. I sighed, kneeling by the man on the ground and spreading the last of my Athelas plant over the wounds.
I was glad my voice was naturally low, but still it sounded like a woman's tones. That was an ill fate, but I hoped the two males would not notice it at all, though I doubted I could keep my secret for long...
I whistled for the stallion and he came trotting over, "Baelaesol si thosi, shi cali sai kaer cos or os si thysaer" I said quietly, wondering how I would lift the injured man onto Anormir...
Translation: "Baelaesol si thosi, shi cali sai kaer cos or os si thysaer"- Nevermind the fire, we have to get him out of the forest.
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Post by faero on Jun 11, 2006 18:45:11 GMT -5
"Indeed," Faero said, gazing about at the bodies strewn about on the ground. "Where do you plan to take him?" He asked in reference to the wounded man. It was painfully apparent that he was in dire need of advanced medical care, beyond that which even he could offer.
"He needs to be taken somewhere, and soon."
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Post by tari on Jun 11, 2006 18:49:44 GMT -5
"First, we need to take him out of the forest..." I say, bending over and draping the man's arm around my neck. Anormir, sensing what I needed him to do, lay down on his side with a snort, patiently waiting. I pulled the unconcious man up, leaning his body on my shoulder and dragged myself over to the waiting stallion.
I finally draped the man's led across Anormir's back, he rose, careful not to let the man fall. I mounted up behind him, making sure I had a grip on the reins of the blue roan before I looked over at the Elf standing a few yards away. "Are you coming?" I ask, anxiously.
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Post by faero on Jun 11, 2006 19:09:25 GMT -5
"Are you coming?"
The Elf whistled for Beynon, who had wandered a short distance into the dark wood, searching for any threats that might be moving toward them. He swung back up into the saddle easily. "Of course. Where are we bound from here?"
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Post by tari on Jun 11, 2006 19:18:51 GMT -5
"Anywhere out of the forest..." I shout behind me as Anormir starts up into a gallop, weaving through the trees at a breakneck pace and never faltering or stumbling in his stride. I held onto the man in front of me and soon discovered that he was indeed an Elf like the rest of us.
The self-made wind was enough to blow my cloak out behind me, causing my hood to slip off, but I did not even notice that. At this pace, we were bound to reach the edge of the forest very soon...
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Post by faero on Jun 11, 2006 19:27:19 GMT -5
"Of course," Faero muttered to himself, spurring Beynon to a gallop in order to keep up. He wondered if this other Elf knew where he was going. There were Rangers within hailing distance, he remembered suddenly. They were better trained in the healing arts than he. If he could find them, they would be able to help.
"Ride east!" He called out. "I have friends not far from here. They'll be able to help!"
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Post by tari on Jun 11, 2006 19:34:07 GMT -5
I pulled on Anormir's reins ever so slightly and he skidded to a halt, I almost fell of backwards at the sudden stop, but regained my balance. I looked back at the male, "East?!" I shouted, "Alright" I yelled, shaking my head and turning Anormir to the left and spurring him into a gallop again, the Elf's head flopped back onto my shoulder as we rode...
About five minutes later, I spotted a light growing in the distance, it was the east side of the forest, I had no idea how we had gotten there so fast, Anormir must have been on a wind...
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Post by faero on Jun 11, 2006 19:39:58 GMT -5
"Yes, east!"
Beynon seemed to know where to go. His hooves hardly touched the ground as he galloped to the edge of the forest. Faero strained his eyes and ears for any sign of Ranger presence. They were around, they were always around somewhere. The pair burst from the treeline out onto a field that stretched seemingly forever ahead of them. Faero stared at the ground as he drew rein. There were very faint tracks in the grass, leading off to the east. Excellent.
"Follow me!" The Elf called out, setting off at a canter along the trail.
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Post by tari on Jun 11, 2006 19:44:05 GMT -5
I narrowed my gaze at the male who was now in front of me, Anormir was not even breaking a sweat and he pranced as we slowed up to a seemingly slow canter, following the Elf.
"Anormir, please, stop!" I said, fighting to control the eager stallion, he seemed almost nervous and wanted to break into a gallop again. He pawed the ground, snorting and tossing his head several times before continuing on his way after the other horse...
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Post by ithilethiel on Jun 12, 2006 13:41:28 GMT -5
Darkness engulfed my whole being as well as the unbearable pain. I would cry out, but no muscle in my body obeys my command. A foreign tongue rolled out in the distance, a whisper that grew stronger with every passing moment. A palid figure slowly advanced with lithe sweeping motions. His eyes were dull like that of the dead. He extended his long thin arm and I felt long fingures close slowly around my throat. The whisper grew stronger. Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul... My breathe leaves me, the words droned my feeble cry. My hands flew to my neck in desperation, but the only thing there was my own flesh.
Bloodshot eyes flew open as I gasped in desperation for air. My eyes misted over as I swayed deliriously [sp?] "Why did I live?" I yelled before keeling over. My fingers uselessly fumbled for a lock of the horses mane. My eyes fluttered and closed again. Each stride of the beasts canter sent a jolt through my frail body. My breathing again became laboured and I started to tremble violently. If only I would not have lived this horrible pain would not still haunt me...
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Post by tari on Jun 12, 2006 13:56:11 GMT -5
"Anormir, stop!" I yell, the Elf I held was stirring, "Why did I live?!" The cry rang out. The stallion came to a halt, still nervous about something. I slid off of his back, and caught the Elf as he fell sideways, though I almost went down with the wieght.
I laid the Ellon on the ground as gently as I could, looking at his face for any sign of conciousness, none.
I shouted up at the other male Elf, "You must ride and bring your friends back here! Quickly!" I ripped off my cloak, not now caring if anyone saw who I really was. I laid the cloak on the Ellon, covering him to keep him warm...
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Post by ithilethiel on Jun 12, 2006 14:08:19 GMT -5
Cursed be that sorry excuse for a man. If he wouldn't have beaten me so hard... My thoughts came to an end as I was once again pulled into conciousness. I began to tremble more... The poison had been in his body far to long. I could feel with every passing moment the life draining from my useless body. My skin became chilled and deathly pale.
"Leave me..." I whispered in a voice bearly inaudible. "Leave me."
I grasped my side with a vice like grip. I let my eyes close, death enticing me more. I tried to calm my ragged breathing... I try, I truly do.
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Post by tari on Jun 12, 2006 14:19:28 GMT -5
~meh thinks it did too! lol~
I sigh, sweat starting to bead on my forehead, "Sadly, I cannot, Mellon-nin, I am bound to keep safe those who need protection, I am bound to heal the injured, that includes you..." I say quietly, "But you have to fight, mellon-nin, you have to fight death..." I say, the Athelas plant should be starting to work about now...
~I have to go for now, but I will be back later...~
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Post by ithilethiel on Jun 12, 2006 20:04:25 GMT -5
[Im gonna change my writing style to 3rd person for the time being]
To fight death is something not easy. Not easy indeed. To see the halls, to be so close to touch them. The cold touch promising pain will never course through his veins again. It was tempting... So tempting. Ithilethiel gradually loosened the grip he had on his side. The burning was quelled little, but quite noticably. Slowly he closed his eyes, his breathing gradually evening out. A low rumbling whisper began to dance in his head, a remake of the dream he previously had. Quickly he reopened his eyes, although the tongue was foreign the words struck fear into his heart. Being in one of his clearer moments Ithilethiel turned his attention to fully lookover this helping being. He had some trouble peering behind the rangers cloaked features but after much scrutinizing he could see /her/ face. A lady. He found himself gazing at her soft glowing features for only a few fleeting moments, perhaps one to many. Quickly he brought his arm over his eyes as if feeling for fever. Never before had he seen a fairer being. Most probably an elf... He decided it was a bit obvious. Ithilethiel stirred as if to get up but he didn't. His muscles did not cease to disobey him. He did feel rather undignified just laying on the forest floor although that was one of the least of his worries.
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Post by tari on Jun 13, 2006 12:53:30 GMT -5
I sigh, sitting back on my haunches and running an anxious hand through my almost silver, shoulder-length hair. "That's it, just let it work, though it won't heal you completely, you will be strong enough to move and maybe even ride." I say, Anormir comes up behind me and nudges my back gently, then lowers his head to the Ellon on the ground, blowing in his face gently and tossing his head in approval.
The big stallion returned to me and laid down since he had nothing else to do. I leaned back and rested on his large shoulder, all the while keeping an eye on the Ellon. It occured to me that my cloak was now covering the male, and not covering me. I let out an exasperated sigh and close my eyes for a few moments, something I did not do regularly.
"Shaer, eilyraes pae, eilyraes eidaelesi, shar cadael baes?" I say, speaking to both the stallion and the Ellon absentmindedly.
'So much for my keeping the secret, if Elrohir found out, he would surely have a word with me, though I did make the two sware to never tell a soul...' I thought, I missed them both, though Elrohir and I had spent more time together. 'Aye, my best friend...'
Translation: "Shaer, eilyraes pae, eilyraes eidaelesi, shar cadael baes?" - Well, another day, another adventure, what happens next?
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Post by faero on Jun 13, 2006 18:38:29 GMT -5
"You must ride and bring your friends back here! Quickly!"
Faero did not look back but put heels to Beynon's flanks. Immediately, the horse leapt forward back into a gallop. It was more difficult to follow the faint trail at this speed but the desperation in the other Elf's voice necessitated it. Besides, if the Rangers were abroad, they would hear him a long way off anyway.
The Elf licked two fingers and stuck them into his mouth. Drawing in a deep breath, he let out a long, piercing whistle that echoed in the air seemingly for miles. Any Ranger within hearing would know that another was in trouble. They'd be riding this way to investigate immediately. He only hoped that they would get to the wounded Elf in time.
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Post by tari on Jun 13, 2006 19:09:55 GMT -5
I hear the familiar whistle, then his friends must be rangers! I feel the color drain from my face, I pray to the Valar that they do not recognize me if they come at all. I shake myself, continuing to watch the wounded Ellon before me, and rest against the great blue roan stallion that lay behind me. The sun was shining and the edge of the forest loomed all to near for comfort.
I thought back to when I had gone into the great forest that was once Greenwood the Great, but was now corrupted by the spiders that terrorized any lone traveller. I wrinkled my nose in disgust at the thought and drew my sword.
The slime that was the blood of the spiders had now dried and was caked all over the blade. I attempted to knock some of it off on the ground and then proceeded to wipe the curved blade with my tunic...
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Post by faero on Jun 13, 2006 19:39:42 GMT -5
An answering whistle drifted on the afternoon breeze to his ears and he smiled grimly. His summons had been heard and understood. The Elf drew rein and leaped from the saddle, crouching to press his ear to the ground, There were horses galloping in their direction, from the northeast. Two of them. Faero got back to his feet and was back asaddle in a twinkling. Beynon knew what was expected of him now. Without waiting for his master to direct him, the horse set off toward the approaching Rangers. Faero prayed they would be in time.
The two Rangers were visible as growing specks of shadow against the landscape when he whistled again, holding his sword up so the sunlight reflected off the gleaming steel. They knew which direction to go, now. He need not wait for them. Instead, he put his heels to Beynon's flanks and set off back the way he had come. He had athelas plant and the wounded Elf had need of it.
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Post by tari on Jun 13, 2006 19:42:18 GMT -5
My keen Elven ears caught the sound of a reply to the whistle, my heart dropped into my stomach, though this Ellon's life was the top priority now, I couldn't help but dread the approaching Rangers...
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Post by ithilethiel on Jun 13, 2006 19:55:11 GMT -5
Slowly Ithilethiel rose with much grimacing and wincing. Slowly he heaved his way to a nearby tree and leaned against it. His legs shook as he stood and eventually forced him to his knees.
"Thank you m'lady." He whispered roughly, "for saving me, that is." He took the rangers cloak and offered it to her, the task of lifting his arm even told on him. He heard riders approachin. He found himself gazing indirectly into the rangers eyes, the intense green was hauntingly beautiful. They were so pure, so pristine. A glint of anxiety shot through them. No, she probably did not want the others to know of her being a lady. Ithilethiel leaned back on the rough bark of the tree and jolted forward. The d*mned gashes on his back weren't any better. Perhpas he was well enough to move now, but for how long? The poison was still working and the fever still burning. How soon would it be before he could be sent writhing on the ground in a clouded delirious state. Will it belong before I die..? The thought haunted his head.
"If we are to go anywhere it should be now. This is probably the climax of my wellbeing... For now..."
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Post by tari on Jun 14, 2006 10:45:56 GMT -5
"No, mellon-nin, you are not strong enough just yet..." I leap to my feet and go to his aid, once again draping his arm around and letting him lean against me. I take him to Anormir and press lightly on the stallion's shoulder, the blue roan lays down, snorting. I then realize that the Ellon has wounds on his back as well.
I am also out of Athelas, I then decide to give myself away to the Rangers and the other Elf with the long, low, loud whistle that signaled that he needed to return.
"Now, lay down against the stallion, he will let you rest..." I say, Anormir nickers quietly as if urging the Ellon to do so...
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