A/N: I'm really anxious to get the next few chapters up, so they shall come quickly. I just want to say thank you again to all my wonderful reviewers. =o) Especially since I have over 100 reviews! I never thought that would happen. **sniffle** I feel so loved! Okay, enough drama, here's the chapter! =o)
Chapter 37: Raising An Army
"Okay, run this by me again," Erestor said, rubbing a hand across his forehead.
Elwing sighed wearily. "Okay, today is March 8. We will not truly be needed at Minas Tirith until the fifteenth. So, we will go to the Firien Wood and gather all the StarWolves we can. Then we travel to Minas Tirith and join the battle on the fifteenth. Get it now?"
"I suppose," Erestor sighed. "Let's go."
The two friends packed their things and went out to fetch their horses. No one came to see them off. Elwing looked back once at Dunharrow before turning East, but what she was thinking none could guess. They sprang away, racing down to the plains, then along the mountains, coming ever closer to Minas Tirth - and Mordor.
Elwing shook her head fiercely, trying to chase away that thought. He doesn't have me yet, and I'll make sure he regrets that fact.
They rode all day, their horses galloping wearily over the plains. Alagos was used to long runs, but Iceriver struggled to keep pace. Any other horse would have given up, but Iceriver was stout of heart and willing to do anything that was asked of him.
As dusk fell, they reached the edges of the Firien Wood. The trees rose to greet them, night already gathered under their branches. Spruce now led the way, taking them by narrow paths to the heart of the forest. There they found MoonStreak and his pack waiting for them.
"Welcome, Sunstar," MoonStreak said, bowing his head.
"Hey, MoonStreak," Elwing said, sliding off Alagos. "Man do I need a bath," she mumbled. "You don't mind if I sleep and explain everything in the morning, do you?" The wolf shook his head. "Thanks."
Elwing flopped down and instantly fell asleep. Erestor smiled and rolled his eyes, relieving Iceriver of his tack. When he was done, he sat down with his back to a tree. He looked up and saw MoonStreak watching him with a mischievous smile.
"Hello, boy," MoonStreak grinned.
"Hello, wolf," Erestor replied. "Sorry Spruce didn't come back sooner, we tried to send him back but he just followed us."
"Quite alright," MoonStreak said casually. "He has always liked Men too much, I knew he would end up a pet."
Erestor's eyes widened. "A pet? Spruce is definitely not a pet."
"We'll see," MoonStreak grinned. "Now get some rest."
Erestor sighed and closed his eyes. A wolf army... this I must see.
The next morning dawned bright and clear. Elwing was already awake, explaining her plan to MoonStreak. Erestor went to a nearby stream and stuck his head in the cold water, trying to wake up.
"It's too early for this," he moaned, pushing his wet hair off his face. Rising wearily, he went to see what he could have for breakfast.
"The messengers have been sent, milady," MoonStreak said, walking over to where Elwing and Erestor where munching apples and bread. "The closest packs will be here by tonight. The others will meet us at the Druadan Forest in three days."
"Wonderful," Elwing said, swallowing the last of her apple. "Now, I am going to take a bath. No one move from this glade until I get back."
"Gladly," Erestor muttered, just loud enough for her to hear. An apple core promptly hit him in the mouth.
"Wow, this is a lot of wolves," Elwing said, watching as StarWolf packs came, filling the small glade. "And there are more?" Elwing shook her head and stood up. Immediately the wolves fell silent.
"Yikes," Elwing whispered. "Um, I, er, ahem, I just wanted to thank you all for coming, but you are under no obligation to stay. It is inevitable some of you will die, and if you do not wish to risk that, you may leave."
There was a short silence, then one old wolf stood up. "Lady, we would not have come if we were not willing to die," he said, his voice quiet yet strong. "You are a Sunstar, we will follow you to the death."
Elwing smiled. "Thank you. Now -" Before she could finish, a small group of wolves entered the clearing. The StarWolves growled amongst themselves, but the newcomers ignored them, coming to stand before Elwing. There were fifteen in all, their fur long and disheveled, but black diamonds still visible around their eyes. Elwing recognized their leader to be Draug, the StarWolf from the fords.
"What do you want, Draug?" MoonStreak growled.
"We are here to help the Sunstar," Draug said quietly, giving MoonStreak a cold look.
"Peace, MoonStreak," Elwing whispered. "Why would you and your pack help me, Draug?"
The traitor gazed steadily into the Sunstar's eyes. "My Lady, we may have befriended Wargs, but we are still StarWolves at heart. We see now the foolishness of what we've done, and we have come to ask your forgiveness. Even if you do not grant it, we will fight for you as long as we draw breath."
Elwing did not speak right away, but instead watched Draug closely. MoonStreak turned and whispered to her, "Lady, you cannot trust them. They are evil, they could turn on you when you least expect it."
"No, Draug is right," Elwing replied gently. "They are still Sunstars at heart, and I believe they have changed for the better. You have my forgiveness, and I will gladly accept your help."
Immediately Draug and his pack ran up to her, fawning at her knees and licking her hands. Elwing laughed and sank to her knees, hugging the wolves. The other StarWolves relaxed at this, smiles slowly crossing their faces. Finally Elwing rose to her feet.
"Erestor, go saddle Iceriver, we're going to head out in fifteen minutes."
"But it's midnight!" Erestor said, shocked.
"Well it's not like we're going to get anymore sleep," Elwing countered. "Stop whining and let's go!"
When all was ready they set out at an easy pace. They reached the edge of the forest at dawn; at least, it should have been dawn. The sky was black, chocked with thick clouds.
"The Storm of Mordor," Elwing said grimly. "I am afraid the time of sorrow is near. We will all suffer much before this is all over. Carry on."
The wolves raced across the plains, Draug and his wolves always the closest to Elwing. They ran until noon, then stopped to eat and rest. Elwing wished to do most of their journeying at night, so they all slept as much as they could. At dusk they set out again.
"Too much riding," Erestor groaned when they stopped to rest the next day.
"Oh stop whining and get some sleep," Elwing yawned.
"Milady," MoonStreak called, running over. "A band of horsemen are approaching from the North."
"Horsemen?" Elwing frowned. "The Rohirrim are not coming this way."
"It is not the Riders," MoonStreak said grimly.
"Than who?" Erestor asked.
"We do not know," MoonStreak replied.
Elwing stood up and peered towards the North. She could barely make out a line of horsemen, approaching fast.
"They do not look bad," Elwing mused. "And we can't really avoid them, so we might as well sit and wait."
Scarcely ten minutes later, the horsemen reached the edge of the camp. They all wore cloaks and clothes of deep forest green and rode swift Elven horses. Their leader dismounted, and Elwing caught a glimpse of red beneath his hood.
"Falagorn!" Elwing cried. "What are you doing here?"
The Elf smiled and threw back his hood, revealing his flaming red hair. "I have been following you for quite some time. When I heard you wished to raise an army, I decided to help."
"Then who are they?" Elwing asked, nodding towards the other riders.
"They're half-elves - half-Sunstars to be exact," Falagorn replied.
"I thought you were the only half-Anorgil," Elwing frowned.
"Like the StarWolves, we have kept to ourselves while awaiting your return," Falagorn explained, bowing slightly.
"Please don't bow," Elwing grimaced. "We're not moving until nightfall, so you can all relax."
The half-Elves slipped from their horses and rested gratefully. Elwing looked at all of them closely before going to sleep herself. The half-Elves were tall and graceful, with sharp eyes and short tempers. They would be hard to beat on the battlefield.
"The fifteenth is going to be one interesting day," Elwing mumbled as sleep took her.
End Chapter 37.
The plot thickens. =o) I'm so eager to get these chapters up, I think I'll go work on chapter 38 right now! =o) I hope everyone is enjoying this, and if you read this (which you must have to be reading this), please review with questions, comments, constructive criticism, etc. Thank you! =o)
Chapter 37: Raising An Army
"Okay, run this by me again," Erestor said, rubbing a hand across his forehead.
Elwing sighed wearily. "Okay, today is March 8. We will not truly be needed at Minas Tirith until the fifteenth. So, we will go to the Firien Wood and gather all the StarWolves we can. Then we travel to Minas Tirith and join the battle on the fifteenth. Get it now?"
"I suppose," Erestor sighed. "Let's go."
The two friends packed their things and went out to fetch their horses. No one came to see them off. Elwing looked back once at Dunharrow before turning East, but what she was thinking none could guess. They sprang away, racing down to the plains, then along the mountains, coming ever closer to Minas Tirth - and Mordor.
Elwing shook her head fiercely, trying to chase away that thought. He doesn't have me yet, and I'll make sure he regrets that fact.
They rode all day, their horses galloping wearily over the plains. Alagos was used to long runs, but Iceriver struggled to keep pace. Any other horse would have given up, but Iceriver was stout of heart and willing to do anything that was asked of him.
As dusk fell, they reached the edges of the Firien Wood. The trees rose to greet them, night already gathered under their branches. Spruce now led the way, taking them by narrow paths to the heart of the forest. There they found MoonStreak and his pack waiting for them.
"Welcome, Sunstar," MoonStreak said, bowing his head.
"Hey, MoonStreak," Elwing said, sliding off Alagos. "Man do I need a bath," she mumbled. "You don't mind if I sleep and explain everything in the morning, do you?" The wolf shook his head. "Thanks."
Elwing flopped down and instantly fell asleep. Erestor smiled and rolled his eyes, relieving Iceriver of his tack. When he was done, he sat down with his back to a tree. He looked up and saw MoonStreak watching him with a mischievous smile.
"Hello, boy," MoonStreak grinned.
"Hello, wolf," Erestor replied. "Sorry Spruce didn't come back sooner, we tried to send him back but he just followed us."
"Quite alright," MoonStreak said casually. "He has always liked Men too much, I knew he would end up a pet."
Erestor's eyes widened. "A pet? Spruce is definitely not a pet."
"We'll see," MoonStreak grinned. "Now get some rest."
Erestor sighed and closed his eyes. A wolf army... this I must see.
The next morning dawned bright and clear. Elwing was already awake, explaining her plan to MoonStreak. Erestor went to a nearby stream and stuck his head in the cold water, trying to wake up.
"It's too early for this," he moaned, pushing his wet hair off his face. Rising wearily, he went to see what he could have for breakfast.
"The messengers have been sent, milady," MoonStreak said, walking over to where Elwing and Erestor where munching apples and bread. "The closest packs will be here by tonight. The others will meet us at the Druadan Forest in three days."
"Wonderful," Elwing said, swallowing the last of her apple. "Now, I am going to take a bath. No one move from this glade until I get back."
"Gladly," Erestor muttered, just loud enough for her to hear. An apple core promptly hit him in the mouth.
"Wow, this is a lot of wolves," Elwing said, watching as StarWolf packs came, filling the small glade. "And there are more?" Elwing shook her head and stood up. Immediately the wolves fell silent.
"Yikes," Elwing whispered. "Um, I, er, ahem, I just wanted to thank you all for coming, but you are under no obligation to stay. It is inevitable some of you will die, and if you do not wish to risk that, you may leave."
There was a short silence, then one old wolf stood up. "Lady, we would not have come if we were not willing to die," he said, his voice quiet yet strong. "You are a Sunstar, we will follow you to the death."
Elwing smiled. "Thank you. Now -" Before she could finish, a small group of wolves entered the clearing. The StarWolves growled amongst themselves, but the newcomers ignored them, coming to stand before Elwing. There were fifteen in all, their fur long and disheveled, but black diamonds still visible around their eyes. Elwing recognized their leader to be Draug, the StarWolf from the fords.
"What do you want, Draug?" MoonStreak growled.
"We are here to help the Sunstar," Draug said quietly, giving MoonStreak a cold look.
"Peace, MoonStreak," Elwing whispered. "Why would you and your pack help me, Draug?"
The traitor gazed steadily into the Sunstar's eyes. "My Lady, we may have befriended Wargs, but we are still StarWolves at heart. We see now the foolishness of what we've done, and we have come to ask your forgiveness. Even if you do not grant it, we will fight for you as long as we draw breath."
Elwing did not speak right away, but instead watched Draug closely. MoonStreak turned and whispered to her, "Lady, you cannot trust them. They are evil, they could turn on you when you least expect it."
"No, Draug is right," Elwing replied gently. "They are still Sunstars at heart, and I believe they have changed for the better. You have my forgiveness, and I will gladly accept your help."
Immediately Draug and his pack ran up to her, fawning at her knees and licking her hands. Elwing laughed and sank to her knees, hugging the wolves. The other StarWolves relaxed at this, smiles slowly crossing their faces. Finally Elwing rose to her feet.
"Erestor, go saddle Iceriver, we're going to head out in fifteen minutes."
"But it's midnight!" Erestor said, shocked.
"Well it's not like we're going to get anymore sleep," Elwing countered. "Stop whining and let's go!"
When all was ready they set out at an easy pace. They reached the edge of the forest at dawn; at least, it should have been dawn. The sky was black, chocked with thick clouds.
"The Storm of Mordor," Elwing said grimly. "I am afraid the time of sorrow is near. We will all suffer much before this is all over. Carry on."
The wolves raced across the plains, Draug and his wolves always the closest to Elwing. They ran until noon, then stopped to eat and rest. Elwing wished to do most of their journeying at night, so they all slept as much as they could. At dusk they set out again.
"Too much riding," Erestor groaned when they stopped to rest the next day.
"Oh stop whining and get some sleep," Elwing yawned.
"Milady," MoonStreak called, running over. "A band of horsemen are approaching from the North."
"Horsemen?" Elwing frowned. "The Rohirrim are not coming this way."
"It is not the Riders," MoonStreak said grimly.
"Than who?" Erestor asked.
"We do not know," MoonStreak replied.
Elwing stood up and peered towards the North. She could barely make out a line of horsemen, approaching fast.
"They do not look bad," Elwing mused. "And we can't really avoid them, so we might as well sit and wait."
Scarcely ten minutes later, the horsemen reached the edge of the camp. They all wore cloaks and clothes of deep forest green and rode swift Elven horses. Their leader dismounted, and Elwing caught a glimpse of red beneath his hood.
"Falagorn!" Elwing cried. "What are you doing here?"
The Elf smiled and threw back his hood, revealing his flaming red hair. "I have been following you for quite some time. When I heard you wished to raise an army, I decided to help."
"Then who are they?" Elwing asked, nodding towards the other riders.
"They're half-elves - half-Sunstars to be exact," Falagorn replied.
"I thought you were the only half-Anorgil," Elwing frowned.
"Like the StarWolves, we have kept to ourselves while awaiting your return," Falagorn explained, bowing slightly.
"Please don't bow," Elwing grimaced. "We're not moving until nightfall, so you can all relax."
The half-Elves slipped from their horses and rested gratefully. Elwing looked at all of them closely before going to sleep herself. The half-Elves were tall and graceful, with sharp eyes and short tempers. They would be hard to beat on the battlefield.
"The fifteenth is going to be one interesting day," Elwing mumbled as sleep took her.
End Chapter 37.
The plot thickens. =o) I'm so eager to get these chapters up, I think I'll go work on chapter 38 right now! =o) I hope everyone is enjoying this, and if you read this (which you must have to be reading this), please review with questions, comments, constructive criticism, etc. Thank you! =o)
