Legacy of the Ring
Echo the Nymph
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Chapter 28
"Don't you dare laugh." Lightning Strike commanded from behind the changing screen. When she came out, there was a definite improvement in her appearance. Her red chestnut semi-leopard coat shone with health and cleanliness. Her black hair spilled down her back freely. Nervously, the huntress shifted about on her hooves.
"Why would we laugh, Lightning?" Phoenix rose to her hooves, mindful of the bare hobbit feet that were in the tent. Her grace was eye-catching to one who had never seen one move in such a way other than herself. "I suspect that it was the fair-skinned ones who abducted you."
Lightning Strike nodded in silent confirmation. She was happy to be with her family, yet they had changed so much. Phoenix had great courage for a huntress so young; she'd even become part of the Fellowship of the Ring. The battles she'd been through only added to the battle-wisdom that was hidden within the beautiful, youthful exterior. Volcanic Strike was now the High Chief. He'd done a great job in mobilizing their people.
Two hobbits raced into the tent, laughing. Phoenix leveled a gaze at them; one that was mirrored by Samwise. "What did you two do this time? Another Took-Brandybuck special?" She inquired. They looked at her with innocent expressions on their faces. "Who was the victim this time? Honestly, you are impossible."
Merry and Pippin burst out laughing again. "You should've seen it, Phoenix!" Merry gasped. "I've never seen a centaur fall so fast!" They pulled her out of the tent and only then did she see what had set them off. An elf stood to one side of a path, a confused expression on his face. The huntress's sharp eyes noticed the hobbit prints about him. In the elf's hand was a dagger that he'd been checking. His confused and concerned gaze was upon a colt that had fallen into a mud-hole.
"You had an elf spook him? Original."
Behind them, her siblings were choking back laughter. A fair-skinned centaur had fallen prey to Peregrine Took and Meriadoc Brandybuck. He was coated from nose to tail, in the thick, slurry mud. All in all, a hilarious sight. Phoenix cracked a smile and chuckled. She approached the swamped area and gazed at the trapped colt. "Didn't anyone tell you the area was a bit swampy?" After studying the situation, she turned to a nearby dwarf. "Gimli, could you give me a hand?" Together, they pulled the muddied colt out of his sticky situation. He fled the scene of his disgrace.
Aragorn, and those who had been speaking with him, came out of the pavilion. The King of Men narrowly avoided a collision. "Another victim of a Took-Brandybuck special? That's getting a little out of hand."
Frodo shrugged, dismissing the juvenile behavior. "They're still tweenagers. This is a big playground to them. And besides, when the battle starts the soldiers will be missing their pranks." The hobbit's hand lightly rested on Sting's hilt. He could feel something wrong, and it was putting him on edge.
The others had joined them in the area. Lightning Strike shifted uncomfortably. She felt like something was watching her. Phoenix noticed this unease, and the cause.
"That's enough, Gollum! If you keep it up, you're going to spook my sister." Her declaration caused the spirit to manifest in physical form. He swiftly crept over to her, hiding in her shadow.
~Cloudses come sssoon. Precious not wait longer.~ His great glowing eyes blinked rapidly. The light of the sun hurt them even though he was in shadow. Phoenix whirled about sharply. The huntress tensed. She spun around and bolted back to her tent.
Not good! The Princess lifted her quiver and slung it onto her back. After double-checking the slip knot, she lifted her bow, which was covered in the intricate carvings of Lothlorien. Her grip tightened. Aragorn would have a fit if I don't bring another weapon. She set down her bow before lifting her sheathed daggers.
The dwarvan craftsmanship was superb. Gimli had known what he was doing when he made these for her. Elven runes were inscribed on the blades, which he had said, would lend more strength to the metal. They were attached, on the same side, to a belt that Legolas had crafted from the strong leathers of Mirkwood and lined with mithril. She buckled the belt about her waist before lifting her bow once more.
Talitha flashed in with a blast of cold air and grumbled, letting her huntress know that the others were ready. All the lesser dragons are stocking their fires. Is this really the final battle? The sweet voice of the dragoness was taunt with anger and hatred.
"I hope so, Talitha. My heart wearies of war." Phoenix sighed. They emerged, joining the swelling ranks of the army. She reflected upon the choice she had to make. It doesn't feel right, keeping information from them. Yet, if they knew about me being Maia, they could ask for something I cannot do. I have not yet begun to learn anything. Her grip on her bow tightened until her knuckles turned white. This would be hard on them. Once again, they would meet on the ancient battlefield.
Lightning Strike watched as her sister and brother were lost amid the other soldiers. She steeled herself against the wave of sorrow that accompanied the thought of loosing them forever this time. She knew she wouldn't be of much help in the battle they were facing. On the front lines, she had no experience. Being a huntress with the gift of healing, she would aid them in that way. Like other medics, she was armed in case their enemies managed to come. Valar in Valinor, should they breech the front line, give us strength.
Echo the Nymph
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Chapter 28
"Don't you dare laugh." Lightning Strike commanded from behind the changing screen. When she came out, there was a definite improvement in her appearance. Her red chestnut semi-leopard coat shone with health and cleanliness. Her black hair spilled down her back freely. Nervously, the huntress shifted about on her hooves.
"Why would we laugh, Lightning?" Phoenix rose to her hooves, mindful of the bare hobbit feet that were in the tent. Her grace was eye-catching to one who had never seen one move in such a way other than herself. "I suspect that it was the fair-skinned ones who abducted you."
Lightning Strike nodded in silent confirmation. She was happy to be with her family, yet they had changed so much. Phoenix had great courage for a huntress so young; she'd even become part of the Fellowship of the Ring. The battles she'd been through only added to the battle-wisdom that was hidden within the beautiful, youthful exterior. Volcanic Strike was now the High Chief. He'd done a great job in mobilizing their people.
Two hobbits raced into the tent, laughing. Phoenix leveled a gaze at them; one that was mirrored by Samwise. "What did you two do this time? Another Took-Brandybuck special?" She inquired. They looked at her with innocent expressions on their faces. "Who was the victim this time? Honestly, you are impossible."
Merry and Pippin burst out laughing again. "You should've seen it, Phoenix!" Merry gasped. "I've never seen a centaur fall so fast!" They pulled her out of the tent and only then did she see what had set them off. An elf stood to one side of a path, a confused expression on his face. The huntress's sharp eyes noticed the hobbit prints about him. In the elf's hand was a dagger that he'd been checking. His confused and concerned gaze was upon a colt that had fallen into a mud-hole.
"You had an elf spook him? Original."
Behind them, her siblings were choking back laughter. A fair-skinned centaur had fallen prey to Peregrine Took and Meriadoc Brandybuck. He was coated from nose to tail, in the thick, slurry mud. All in all, a hilarious sight. Phoenix cracked a smile and chuckled. She approached the swamped area and gazed at the trapped colt. "Didn't anyone tell you the area was a bit swampy?" After studying the situation, she turned to a nearby dwarf. "Gimli, could you give me a hand?" Together, they pulled the muddied colt out of his sticky situation. He fled the scene of his disgrace.
Aragorn, and those who had been speaking with him, came out of the pavilion. The King of Men narrowly avoided a collision. "Another victim of a Took-Brandybuck special? That's getting a little out of hand."
Frodo shrugged, dismissing the juvenile behavior. "They're still tweenagers. This is a big playground to them. And besides, when the battle starts the soldiers will be missing their pranks." The hobbit's hand lightly rested on Sting's hilt. He could feel something wrong, and it was putting him on edge.
The others had joined them in the area. Lightning Strike shifted uncomfortably. She felt like something was watching her. Phoenix noticed this unease, and the cause.
"That's enough, Gollum! If you keep it up, you're going to spook my sister." Her declaration caused the spirit to manifest in physical form. He swiftly crept over to her, hiding in her shadow.
~Cloudses come sssoon. Precious not wait longer.~ His great glowing eyes blinked rapidly. The light of the sun hurt them even though he was in shadow. Phoenix whirled about sharply. The huntress tensed. She spun around and bolted back to her tent.
Not good! The Princess lifted her quiver and slung it onto her back. After double-checking the slip knot, she lifted her bow, which was covered in the intricate carvings of Lothlorien. Her grip tightened. Aragorn would have a fit if I don't bring another weapon. She set down her bow before lifting her sheathed daggers.
The dwarvan craftsmanship was superb. Gimli had known what he was doing when he made these for her. Elven runes were inscribed on the blades, which he had said, would lend more strength to the metal. They were attached, on the same side, to a belt that Legolas had crafted from the strong leathers of Mirkwood and lined with mithril. She buckled the belt about her waist before lifting her bow once more.
Talitha flashed in with a blast of cold air and grumbled, letting her huntress know that the others were ready. All the lesser dragons are stocking their fires. Is this really the final battle? The sweet voice of the dragoness was taunt with anger and hatred.
"I hope so, Talitha. My heart wearies of war." Phoenix sighed. They emerged, joining the swelling ranks of the army. She reflected upon the choice she had to make. It doesn't feel right, keeping information from them. Yet, if they knew about me being Maia, they could ask for something I cannot do. I have not yet begun to learn anything. Her grip on her bow tightened until her knuckles turned white. This would be hard on them. Once again, they would meet on the ancient battlefield.
Lightning Strike watched as her sister and brother were lost amid the other soldiers. She steeled herself against the wave of sorrow that accompanied the thought of loosing them forever this time. She knew she wouldn't be of much help in the battle they were facing. On the front lines, she had no experience. Being a huntress with the gift of healing, she would aid them in that way. Like other medics, she was armed in case their enemies managed to come. Valar in Valinor, should they breech the front line, give us strength.