For Our Realm Pt. 14

Isilmë ran across the dark forest clearing at top speed. Horses, elves, glints of different metals, the sound of hooves, the hissing of spiders. Her immediate surrounding was chaos as she brandished a very clean and even cut to her enemy's abdomen. The beautiful gleam that shinned from her current weapon spoke of elegance and of certain death. Familiar power almost radiated from the pale blade. It's Elvish make was clear with the inscribed runes that were inlaid onto it.

"Take my blade."

"Your blade," she gasped in bewilderment, astonished at his request. His steely eyes regarded her carefully as he unsheathed his sword from it's scabbard and took a step closer to her.

Dark silver cloths and gray leathers detailed and tailored with armor shielded her lithe body as she spun on the balls of her feet, planting a swift punch to a spider's face before an arrow caved through one of it's eye sockets. It immediately reeled back in pain. She'd make note to thank her fellow Guard members later as she assaulted the giant spider with an efficient and painless death, a merciful kill versus the agony it had been experiencing seconds ago.

Isilmë's chartreuse eyes met with Thranduil's as he was but a breath's inch away. He had come to the resolve to send her of his own accord, lest she run off against his wishes regardless of what he ordered. His home. No. Their home. He had realized she would do anything to keep him and his people safe. The thought alone had brought a sense of pride in him as he gently held her hand in his. He bestowed his blade to her, reaching for her face with his now empty hand as he continued to speak with an authoritative tone.

So far, the tide of the battle was in the favor of the elves as they pushed their enemies back. These immortal spiders would rue the day they came to to Mirkwood, forever Greenwood to her heart and the heart of her people. But for everyone one they downed, she soon realized, three more would surface. Skill and ability could only take them so far before spirit and stamina depleted. Immediately, Isilmë crossed her own blade with Thranduil's into a defensive stance as a clawed leg swiped down and over her head. Her helm glinted from under the cloak she wore for a mere moment before she disappeared under the arachnid's belly. It reared back, confused as to where the elleth had gone before a strangled hiss escaped it. Isilmë sliced and rolled away quickly before any of it's digestive fluids fell on her, it's corpse falling heavily behind her as her sensitive ears caught a distressed clamor.

"Take it... So that you may honor me in battle. So that our enemy knows that it was I who sent you. So that the whole of the forest..." His voice trailed off as he caressed her cheek. His gaze fell to her lips as he brought her flush against him and bent over to meet her height.

The elleth quickly whipped around, maneuvering over corpses and fallen limbs as she exchanged weapons and expertly tossed one of her strapped daggers onto the back of an assailing spider. It also turned to face her, giving the other elf the momentum needed to severe the legs and then the head right off the spider. Isilmë jumped, landing on top of the now fallen enemy as she nodded once toward her ally in arms. She proceeded to rip the dagger out, sheathing it before a massive weight collided against her. A frustrated snarl escaped her lips as she held back another giant spider's fangs away from her face with her bare hands. A cry of agony escaped the elf she had just help rescue as she fought her own battle. Enraged, the elleth used the emotion to strengthen her resolve as she ducked once, her shoulder now sliced, as she took a hold of Thranduil's sword and stabbed upright. Brown, murky and sticky fluids fell over her neck and chest before another sword came to help.

"So that the whole of this realm... knows you are mine," his whisper heated her flesh as he lavished her with a parting kiss.

Isilmë used what strength she had to push the carcass off as another arrow flew close to her face. Not needing another warning, she pushed off and rolled, holding both swords in hand once more as she continued her firey dance of blades. In that moment, the arrival of the Prince and his cavalry was heard across the clearing as another arrow zipped through the air. The war cries intensified with heated vigor as strength returned to the weakened. Isilmë caught the blur of golden hair as she gathered her bearings and quickly made for higher ground. Like a swarm of ants overrunning a fresh field of fruits did the elves cleanse the area. A self satisfied and hard look entered her calculative eyes as she took in the sight before her.

The elves were one step closer to helping their home recover. But at what cost? All the blood shed. All the warring. Even she was not without wounds... And yet, there was also that nagging feeling in the back of Isilmë's mind. Where was the rumored Spawn of Ungoliant?

A creaking noise of wood bending and breaking shook the branch she found herself on as she quickly turned to face her adversary. It was bigger than any arachnid she had ever laid her bright and green-like eyes on; with more eyes and fangs than imaginably thought possible. An involuntary shudder that felt like an ice cold dagger swept down her spine as it launched itself to her.

The duo fell into the air and down toward the ground. Each figure was latched, one onto the other, by sword and fangs until they became a heap on the ground.

A/N: I'd like to thank NothingNooneZero, Nina Vale and jessi for commenting on my last chapter. I'd also like to apologize for my monthly absence. Aran Thranduil Oropherion hasn't exactly been forgiving with me lately either. But he did finally keep me up almost all night whispering ideas for this installment. Life has also been rather hectic and crazy lately but I hope you all enjoyed it. Please R & R, I'm curious of your thoughts~