Lord of the Rings
The Tale of Ceddoc Bronadui
Chapter 2
Death of Innocence
Ceddoc and Caylith stayed at the small meadow and gazed at the crimson sunset. It seemed like the sun was being devoured by the horizon, causing it to set the sky aflame. They remained silent, simply enjoying the pleasantness of each other's presence with the flaming sky high above and in front of them.
"Do you believe that peril awaits the village?" she asked suddenly in an almost whispering voice.
"I do not know. That stranger seemed like he had travelled a lot and many sights his eyes must have seen. But Orcs had never bothered the village before. I cannot think of a reason why they should start now."
"But what if they do?"
"Then we shall fight. Me, my father and the rest of the villagers. We shall not leave our homes and our loved ones unprotected."
Caylith looked at him; both admiration and concern in her eyes.
"I do not wish for any harm to befall you"
"I share your fears for your own sake. That is why I shall fight if the need comes. No pain will you feel, as long as I can hold a sword in my hand."
She wrapped her arms around his neck and hid her face in the side of his neck. He slowly caressed her hair and the sun, as if giving its blessing to the younglings, disappeared with a last flash.
They returned to the village holding hands. They parted once they arrived each heading for their own house. Ceddoc felt better that when he left. The time alone with Caylith left him with an inside warmth that made him think that whatever fate would unveil before him he would manage to prevail. He realized he was smiling. He was still thinking of the pleasant weight of Caylith, while she was leaning on him, the soft skin of her arms as she embraced him. He was approaching his house when his father and the visitor stepped out. Ceddoc quickly slid behind the wall of the closest hut and waited.
"I arranged so that the merchants will be here in two weeks time. Seek the one named Labur. Just tell him your name. And tell the villagers what you said you would tell them."
"I thank you for your warnings old friend. They prove lifesaving."
The two exchanged a quick embrace and the stranger left, placing the head over his head.
When he heard the door shut, Ceddoc hastened his step and approached the stranger. He was still about a five meters away from him when the stranger stopped.
"As dangerous as it is eavesdropping on conversations, more dangerous it is, following someone whose strength you know nothing of"
Ceddoc was caught off guard.
"How do you know I was listening?"
"Both me and your father knew. As for me I would be a poor excuse for a Ranger if I had not heard you both back there and now"
Ceddoc was caught off guard. He was a Ranger of the North, a Dunedain. Much to his surprise, the Ranger smiled kindly below the hood.
"You look just like your father when he was your age. He and I have been fighting together for more years that I dare remember. I have the outmost respect for him."
He turned around and started walking away.
"I won't forget your name Ceddoc son of Braddoc. And soon people more important than this lone Ranger shall know and respect that name. For that I am certain."
When Ceddoc returned home his father seemed thoughtful. He looked at his son; a shadow in his troubled eyes.
"Son, I believe your age allows me to consider you an adult. So I will speak to you directly."
Ceddoc did not say anything but listened to his father.
"Dark times are coming son. It has been many years since fire and smoke started to rise again from Mount Doom. Also, years it has been since Sauron had openly declared his presence in the dark land of Mordor. Only bad things this may cause. The time may come, when we must take our swords and fight, sooner than I expected."
"Father, I am ready to fight. Fight for everything I love and care about, and lie I would if I said Gondor is not one of them. But honest with me you have not been completely. Who was that Ranger? And how does he know you? And why did you both speak as if great things are expected from me? You only hinted I would be a simple soldier of Gondor."
Braddoc did not comment on the fact that his son was secretly eavesdropping on a private conversation.
"I haven't told you everything that is true. And the reason, as it proves now, was something I should have ignored. I believed that you would drown by your own pride and end up doing something unwise. But you grew up to be mature, humble and modest, although you too must have realized the difference between you and the other children on this village. You see I did not fight as an official Gondor soldier from the beginning. At first I was trying to protect in a more subtle way. As one of the Rangers of the North"
Ceddoc did understand the meaning of his word before his father, holding his shoulders said:
"Me and you son are Dunedain, direct descendants of the citizens of the Island of Kings, Numenor"
Ceddoc looked at his father's eyes and once again tried to imagine what they have seen. As a Ranger he must have travelled much more than when he a simple soldier, although he had managed to ascend to the rank of Captain. And then he thought of his bloodline. He did feel proud. Proud of the things his ancestors had succeeded and proud he could call himself one of their descendants.
"My blood may I share with the lords of the old, but it is not what defines me, but my actions."
His father smiled.
"You speak like a wise man son. I am proud of you. Now come with me. We must call for the whole village to meet."
Like he promised, Braddoc assembled all the adults, men and women, in the center of the village that night. Ceddoc was also present and so were some other boys his age. He spotted Caylith somewhere in the crowd but this time he did not attempt to approach her. A tall bonfire was burning, sending eerie shadows in the faces of the attendants.
Braddoc has spoken about the possibility of raids on the village by Orcs, something that upset the villagers greatly. They all knew of Mordor, like a name whispered in a nightmare no one dared to name.
"You have never given us reason to distrust you Braddoc" said Caylith's father who was always on good terms with him "and I shall support you in any action you make to protect this village. You have more military experience than all of us combined. That can be denied by no one."
Words of approval were heard throughout the crowd. Some looked scared, other determined, other aggressive.
"Let the foul smelling dogs come" one yelled and he was accompanied by similar voices.
"Do not underestimate the Orcs" Braddoc said "In our current state we won't stand a chance. Neither have I time to properly train you all. What we must count on is fortifications. We must build a solid wall of logs around the perimeter of the village. We need wood for that. We also need wood to make bows."
"What about swords and spears?" Caylith's father asked.
"Let that not concern you. I have arranged that."
"Is it certain that we will be attacked?" a woman holding a sleeping baby asked.
"Certain? No. However the chances are too high to ignore. We must take precautions."
The conversation went on. Ceddoc did not say anything during the entirety of the meeting. He was looking at the fire thinking. He realized he was afraid. He realized he wished with all his heart for the Orcs to never set foot in the village. He had trained with wooden swords and with an opponent that was not trying to kill him and the Orcs were cruel and savage. What hope did he have? He raised his eyes and they met Caylith's. She was looking at him, the same concerned look as before. She smiled to him, faintly. And then a wave of angry determination struck him. He would fight, no matter what, for he was fighting to protect. And if he failed it would not be because of his own cowardice. He would not bring shame to his heritage. He smiled back to Caylith and she saw a fire in his eyes that she had not seen before.
The men of the village woke up early the next day. A group of them, including Ceddoc, went to the nearest forest to cut wood and carry it back to the village for the building of the wall. Another group remained at the village and under Braddoc's guidance they started digging around the village in the places where the logs were supposed to go into. Finally a last group consisting of the best hunters left the village in order to gather as much food as possible from animals.
The work was tiring for everyone but it was progressing. The women were trying to relief the work the men did by bringing them water and having food prepared at the time for breaks.
Two weeks later a small group of merchants arrived. While the rest of the villagers started buying what each one considered important, Braddoc looked for the merchant the Ranger told him to find, Labur. He, Braddoc and Ceddoc carried three big bags filled with weapons and armor for the entire village. They were not of the best quality; some swords were covered by layers of rust, and some armor was missing pieces but it would do. The Ranger had arranged for the payment of the merchants so he did not ask for money.
Three weeks after the meeting, the village was ready. A wall of logs, stabbed in the earth, with pointy peaks was surrounding the village. Guards were always present on duties, and no one ventured too far out of the village if not absolutely necessary. Ceddoc and his father started practicing with real weapons. Along with them now practiced the rest of the villagers. Ceddoc had the chance to use many different kinds of weapons like axes, spears and hammers. The weapon he was most comfortable with was the long sword. He never liked using a shield, and the long sword had to be used with both hands in order to be wielded correctly. He also knew Faendagnir was a long sword so he was gladder with his choice.
One day during one of the training sessions, like every time Ceddoc was training with his father. The villagers were training in couples, trying to disarm or bring the opponent into submission. Each spar usually lasted around a minute.
Ceddoc, facing his father, raised his sword and charged towards him. Braddoc, who was also fighting with a long sword, with a swift move avoided the blade and attacked his son from the side. Using the momentum he had Ceddoc turned around and blocked. The swords collided with a loud noise. Swiftly he aimed from Braddoc's head. He blocked and pushed Ceddoc away attempting to thrust at the same time. With a small step to the side, Ceddoc evaded his father strike and took advantage of the opening attempting to bring his father into submission. Braddoc however was too fast and regained his composure. The two found themselves standing a few steps from each other again. Ceddoc realized that the rest of the villagers were observing them. Their fight must have been going on for minutes. The villagers started applauding the two and Braddoc looked at his son proudly.
That night was the first one that Ceddoc took Caylith to their meeting spot. The dark of night was only breaking by the shine of the moon and stars. They lay down next to each other looking at the star filled sky. Caylith then raised herself and sat down next to him.
"It's so peaceful and quiet tonight" she whispered as if she was in fear that noise could ruin the peacefulness of the night "The stars are so beautiful"
"I know" Ceddoc said and added "But they lack the beauty that is next to me"
She smiled and shyly avoided looking at him straight to the eyes. She laid down again, this time brining her body close enough so he could embrace her.
"I wish the sun never rises" she whispered again.
"As do I. But the fact that things end makes them valuable"
Slowly but still catching Ceddoc off guard she kissed him. Then she laid her head on his chest once again avoiding his surprised eyes. Ceddoc smiled once again feeling felt that pleasant warmth inside him. He was about to say something to her when a red light not far away from the village caught his attention. He stood up to look better.
"Caylith! Look!" he yelled pointing towards the source of the light.
The two were running towards the village the next second as a trail of torch lights was approaching.
When they arrived at the village all the men were already behind the gate and the archers standing on the roofs of the houses closest to the walls.
"Go home" Ceddoc told Caylith and she obeyed. He ran to the gates and climbed to the roof of the house that had the clearest view. Much to his surprise the intruders were Men not Orcs. He took out his bow and prepared an arrow. His father, with Faendagnir inside its sheath hanging from his left hip was talking with the one who seemed to be the leader of the invaders. It seemed like the conversation had started before Ceddoc had arrived.
"If you refuse your punishment shall be the razing of this village and the enslavement of its denizens under the command of the Great Eye."
Ceddoc could not believe his ears. Men where under the commands of the Dark Lord? He noticed the banners they were carrying. It was the drawing of a big lidless eye. It was surrounded by red color and Ceddoc wondered if it was blood.
"You shall not lay foot on this village as long as its people draw breath" Braddoc responded "I am speaking on behalf of the village when I say that we will die before any of us serve the Deceiver."
A roar rose up from all the villagers present and Ceddoc felt a great deal of admiration for his father, as he stood there, proud and tall, defying his enemies like he did so many years ago. Suddenly with the corner of his eye, he spotted one of the enemies, drawing an arrow and preparing to place it on the bow's string.
In the blink of an eye Ceddoc stood up, stretched his bow's string with an arrow in place and fired. A second later a scream of pain was heard and all of the invaders turned their heads to face their comrade. The arrow had pierced his left shoulder and he was rolling on the ground in pain, as his blood was staining the snow.
Their leader turned towards Ceddoc and yelled in rage.
"How dare you, you pup?"
"I shall not allow you to strike cowardly" Ceddoc yelled in defiance without fear in his voice. He pointed his free hand towards his father and yelled again. "This man will not die by the strike of a coward striking from the dark"
Braddoc and the rest of the villagers looked at Ceddoc. In the place of the boy they all knew they now saw a man, standing defiant, proud and without fear, facing the enemy that threats what he wants to protect.
"This village shall not fall" Braddoc yelled as he moved to stand next to his son "Leave or die"
In rage the leader of the invaders grabbed an arrow and tried to pass it on the bowstring. The same moment, the sound of thirty bowstrings stretching caused the bandit to freeze and look up the walls. To the left and right of Ceddoc and his father, all along the wooden wall he saw men aiming at him with their bows.
The bandit cursed and threw his bow on the ground.
"Your defiance shall not go unpunished. If you dare raise your sword against the Dark Lord, iron and rage shall smite you. Mark my words"
He got to his horse and started riding away from the village with his comrades following.
The villagers started cheering and celebrating their triumph. They were congratulating Braddoc and his son, shaking their hands and patting their backs.
"They shall be back" Braddoc said in a serious tone "And next time they will be prepared. They did not attack us for they believed we would be unprepared. This won't happen again."
Braddoc was right. Some days ago the bandits attacked again. It was a battle of archers. The villagers managed to keep the wall safe and intact and they repelled the invaders once again, but not without victims. The enemy arrows were not always fired in vain and the first laments echoed in the night, among the villagers. After three failed attacks the bandits disappeared for many weeks. The villagers believed they managed to scare them for good but Braddoc knew it was because of the winter.
Snow had covered the roofs of the huts and the streets of the village. The mountain peaks were now hidden behind a wall of mist, like it happened every winter. The river separating the houses and the farmlands froze. Smoke was rising without stop out of every chimney and the guard duty now became more tiring and consuming than ever. That did not stop Ceddoc and Caylith from going to the place they could be alone. They stood close to each other to keep warm; both of them covered in animal furs.
"The bandits had not attacked us for more than a month" Caylith said.
"No one would drag their soldiers in this weather to conquer a village as small us ours. They will attack again in spring."
"You fight bravely" Caylith said.
"I haven't had the chance to use my sword. Our wall proves to be working as we wish"
"I wish it never falls"
"If it does then we shall take our swords and show these traitors that we won't give our freedom easily."
"Why did this happen now?"She said, a hint of desperation in her voice "We enjoyed peace and quiet and never harmed anyone."
"I don't know Caylith" Ceddoc responded embracing her and bringing her even closer to him "I don't know"
"You promise you will come back to me after every battle?"
"For the rest of my life" he said.
She kissed him.
In the first week of that January, year 3003 of the Third Age a fever struck the village. Many were infected and panic started to spread when two of the villagers died of it. Ceddoc began feeling awful one day. The next day he could not walk out of bed. Braddoc was by his side all the time, giving him herbs to eat and keeping him warm. Ceddoc was feeling like he was buried in snow naked. His entire body was shaking and he had high fever. At nights he had nightmares and his stomach did not always allow Braddoc's herbs to act as Ceddoc was throwing up quite often. He was tormented for two weeks until finally the fever subdued and he could walk again. Another two days later he was as healthy as ever. He wanted to see Caylith so he dressed and got out of his hut. When he arrived at her house he noticed the window of her room half open. The temperatures were still low so that puzzled him. He approached the window. Suddenly he heard a woman cry from the inside. He felt a small twist in his stomach as he approached the window more. From the small opening he saw Caylith lying on her bed, still and pale with her mother, holding her hand in her crying and calling her name. Her father stood on door of the room, silently crying; tears were creating small tracks in his cheeks before disappearing in his beard. Ceddoc felt his hands tremble, his stomach twist even more and his eyes fill. He took a step back then another. Then he turned around and started running. He ran without pause until he reached the small grassy field he spent time with Caylith. He stood there alone, refusing to believe what his eyes had seen. The image of Caylith unnaturally still and pale, tormented him. Even her hair had lost their glow. He fell to his knees. Some tears escaped his cruel denial and ran down his cheeks. He saw her there, in front of him, smiling at him. The glow of her eyes, the soft sound of her laugh, the gold color of her hair.
Ceddoc cried for the first time in his life.