Lylith's nose sat crooked and bloodied on her otherwise perfect face. She sat atop a black horse. Her hair was straight, the dark contrasting with her pale face. She wore a navy blue cloak, the hood pulled over her head, the wind threatening to blow it off.
"Vanya sulie, Lylith," Aragorn bowed his head, and with that, the Elf and her horse galloped from Minas Tirith. Her cloak resembled wings, rippling behind her as she disappeared into the distance. A mere black shape against the green of trees and grass.
"I can't help but feel that trouble lies ahead," Aragorn shook his head as we began walking back to the hall, exchanging pleasantries with the inhabitants of the city as we walked. It was a peaceful day. Everyone was going about their own business, everyone seemed happy. That's how I liked to see our city. Happy, peaceful, content. And unaware of what drama hid behind the walls of the castle.
It had been 2 months since Lylith had been exiled from Minas Tirith. Snow was settling on the ground. The rolling plains surrounding the city were blanketed in sparkling white, as were the trees, and the walls of the city. I stood on the balcony of the castle, looking over the beauty of the city. Footprints lined a few of the paths below, but other than that, the snow lay perfect and unspoilt.
"The city is beautiful, just like one who dwells within," Aragorn's arms wound around me.
"Estel," I leaned into him. "Yes, it is beautiful,"
"Come my love, we have much to prepare," he lifted my hand to examine the ring that it bore. It was golden, and set within was a beautiful diamond, surrounded by 6 glistening sapphires.
He kissed the ring, and went back inside.
"Yallume," I whispered, before following him.
The city was overjoyed with the news of our engagement, and we were greeted daily with congratulations. I had never been happier.
A messenger ran through the doors of the hall. Aragorn stood and strode over to him.
"What news, friend?" Aragorn asked as I walked delicately over by his side.
"An army of Orcs approaches. Last they were seen was 3 days ride away. They are headed for the city,"
"Thank you, friend. You may leave,"
Aragorn turned to me and held my hands. His brow creased; he looked worried.
"We'll need to prepare as many men as possible," I stated. Aragorn nodded.
"We need to send word to Rohan,"
"The beacons?"
"It would be the quickest way, yes."
"I'll send word at once,"
"No, melamin." He held me by the shoulders. "Legolas?" Legolas was instantly by his side.
"Yes, Aragorn?"
"Light the beacons. We need Rohan's aid."
Legolas nodded and walked out.
"We need to inform every able man in the city," Aragorn walked quickly. I pulled up the hood of my cloak and followed.
"3 days ride is a long time. Even longer since they'll be on foot," I pointed out.
We alerted as many men as we could, and word spread like fire through the city. Within a day and a half, every man in the city was on his way to be armed and clothed, and every woman and child on their way to the higher levels of the city. Within two days, every man from Minas Tirith was prepared. And within three days, the men of Rohan had arrived ready.
The fifth day arrived, and everyone was still on high alert. After breakfast, I snuck into the armoury, and grabbed some mail, a helmet, some boots, some leggings, and a shortsword. With these hidden under my cloak, I ran to find somewhere to get changed. I went to mine and Aragorn's room, knowing Aragorn would be keeping his men in order. I changed quickly, leaving the ring in a box on the dressing table, and snuck back into the armoury amongst the crowds of men. Horns began to sound, and everyone ran outside. We all prepared to leave, hearing the distant army approaching. I decided I would go on foot, for fear of being noticed by my Aragorn.
"I promise you,"
The words rang in my ears. I was breaking a promise.
It would be fine; all I had to do was not get injured…
Archers lined the walls, Elves and men with any level of bowmanship were prepared to rain arrows upon our enemies.
The gates were shut, and every able fighter was crammed as low down the levels of the city as could be managed without injury. We heard the Orc army approaching.
We had been told our strategy; we were not to let them touch the city. We would go out to meet them.
The Orcs far outnumbered us, that was for certain. There was at least 5 Orcs for every one man we had. At least.
Aragorn raised his sword, and with that, the gates opened and horns sounded.
We charged out of the gate as fast as we could. Horns sounded in every direction. Everything seemed surreal for a while. It was nice to be back out in battle…
My eyes darted around. The snow covered plains and the fully armoured men that surrounded as far as I could see was so surreal. It was a thing of beauty to me, war.
The Orcs marched forward. The gap between the two sides was fast closing. The sound of the marching provided a rhythmic sound; A song almost. A soundtrack to battle.
I snapped back to reality as the two sides clashed.
"Sii'!" I heard from behind me, then the sound of hundreds of arrows being released at once.
The grunts and cries of the Orcs filled the air, compelling me to press on.
I finally met an Orc. I rammed my sword into his stomach and pulled it out, slashing another's neck. I dodged, ducked and dived under these sharp pieces of metal these creatures classed as weapons, slashing at any I could reach. Another shower of arrows fell, causing a few more of the Orcs around me to fall. My height made it difficult to dodge around the bodies, but I did my best. I kept an eye on Aragorn as much as I could. He sat atop his chocolate-brown horse, slashing at anything that came near him.
The sounds of screams and metal clashing and the thuds of bodies falling to the floor echoed around me. I ducked under yet another jagged club, slashing the wielders legs. I stabbed another in the stomach, and cut off another's head.
"Caela ie'lle!" I cried, as I dodged yet another piece of sharp metal. I glanced over to see Aragorn knocked from his horse.
"Aragorn!" I stabbed and sliced my way through the fight, ducking and dodging under and around anything that was swung towards me. Aragorn was surrounded. I ran over to him, killing anything that dared come near him.
As more showers of arrows fell, I became more concerned about the growing mob that surrounded us. Many of our men had been slain. A good number remained, but the Orcs still far outnumbered us.
"Genevaer?" I heard Aragorn ask. I ignored him and carried on the mindless killing. I felt like I truly belonged here, protecting what I loved. Who I loved.
Aragorn stood and we fought alongside, protecting one another. Yet another curtain of arrows fell upon the rabble that surrounded us, few narrowly missing us, yet none hitting. We were surrounded, and outnumbered. Snow was settling on the bodies that littered the ground, blood staining the snow that was already there. Legolas burst through the group surrounding us, his bow on his back, and a short sword in each hand. The three of us did the best we possibly could. It was tiring- My small arms were not made for such things as swinging a sword, and my short legs were not made for running around so much as I had that day.
Another bombardment of arrows fell, drastically reducing the number of Orcs surrounding us.
I turned around to survey the area, and saw two things I most certainly did not want to see.
The first, and arrow had struck Aragorn in the shoulder. He fell to his knees.
"No!" I cried out, stabbing numerous Orcs, to keep them away from my Aragorn.
The second, Lylith. Lylith upon her black horse, looking smug, watching the destruction the Orcs were causing.
"Legolas!" I shouted, pointing to Aragorn. Legolas nodded, and started defending the man. I ran over to Lylith.
Before she could see me, I got a firm grip on her robes and pulled her down from her horse.
She tumbled down in a mess of hair and material, landing on her back. I had my sword to her throat before she even attempted to get up.
"You foul thing," I spat, "This is all your doing, isn't it,"
Her lips curved into a malicious smile; that was all of the encouragement I needed.
"Get up, wethrinaer, I want to fight you properly," I stepped backwards.
She got to her feet, and threw off her cloak. She was wearing a green silken robe bearing the crest of Gondor, which was now covered in dirt, to match her tangled hair.
She grabbed a sword from the ground, surveying the scene of destruction behind us. I threw off my boots.
The snow felt like velvet under my feet, as I sprinted towards the Elf. She moved swiftly left as I swung at her; I managed to cut a part of her dress.
"You never learn, aier," she laughed a shrill, cold laugh.
Elven Translations:
"Vanya sulie," Fair winds
"Yallume," At last
"Sii!" Now!
"Caela ie'lle," Have at thee
"Wethrinaer," Deceitful one
"Vanimle sila tiri," Your beauty shines bright
"Cormamin lindua ele ho. Amin mela ho," My heart sings to see him. I love him.
"Mellonamin," My friend
"Melamin," My love
"Ndengina he," Kill her.
"Estel," Hope
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