Thanks to the following: Virtuella, WendWriter, TelcontarRulz, Jessica Wolf , Belladonna-Isabella, Gogol and Epilachna for their wonderful critique and comments I have taken on board. Thank you all so much. I feel I have improved so much in such a short space of time which really is amazing. God bless x
A Rider of Rohan
The hooves of the beast upon whose back I ride seem to beat in rhythm with my heart.
Our vast stretch of army reaches the brow of a towering bank, facing a sea, I will soon be diving into. Past the golden edge of my helmet, I see the orcs gathering their ranks and I feel their many, slit-pupilled eyes observing our arrival closely.
They are worried. I can sense it through the thick, black armour they wear.
A hesitant hush falls on the Rohirrim. The soldiers around me are silent, deathly even. All eyes are intent upon King Théoden, who rides Snowmane regally before us. His golden grey-flecked hair flying under the brim of his helmet, very much like a banner of our army. I feel a rush of fierce pride as he speaks to us like a friend, riding up and down.
The Rohirrim roar their approval. Throats turn raw as we bellow in unison to the one thing we will and do not fear – death. All have faith in our King, who we will follow to whatever end.
Yet I do not wish to find Death so suddenly.
It is a fickle friend. It could be waiting for me at the walls of Minas Tirith by the hammer of an orc. All my life I have lived side by side with Death. I am a warrior, resigned to know His icy summons in battle. But in my heart of hearts, I want to wed a wife to dearly love and see my children grow up. I cannot lose myself in dreams now, however.
The present plunges back as the horns trumpet their haunting tunes into the air, summoning the groups.
I force all concentration to the forefront of my mind, flicking away any stray sandy strands of flyaway hair that may distract me. My hands clench the reigns of my faithful steed, Déorhelm. Sweat from my palms seeping through the bridle.
The moment now comes. We charge.
All is left is for the hand of fate to decide.