AGARWAEN-BOR
CHAPTER 4 – DEPARTURE SOUTH
Aranwë mounted his white horse, Elbre, and rode up next to Andú, who was also on his horse. "The sun wanes. We should leave soon." Aranwë said, staring at the setting sun. Elcalen steered his horse over.
"Aranwë, we will be leaving soon. Are you prepared?"
"Yes, Elcalen. I should say the same to you, as you seem to be more forgetful than I am." Aranwë said, jokingly. At that moment, Celebithil rode up. He seemed to have the lightest load, carrying only a small pack and his bow and quiver. Andú had offered to take up most of the luggage, at least until they had passed through Eregion.
And so, on April 4th, the four riders set out. Aranwë, who was very familiar with the area of the Misty Mountains, would be there guide until they had reached the Gap of Rohan. From there, Elcalen and Celebithil would depart, and Andú would be the new guide. Several days passed like that, until one night.
They set up their camp at night. They had put several hundred miles behind them, and they were well into the center of Eregion. Aranwë stood watch, as it was his turn. He did not like the smell in the air, it reminded him too much of the same smell that lingered in the Misty Mountains. Suddenly, far off though it was, he thought he saw a sign of movement. Suddenly and arrow shot passed his head and stuck into the tree directly behind him. He roused the other three from their sleep and they all drew their weapons. Suddenly orc-battle cries could be heard far off and yet coming closer and closer. Aranwë saw the mad glint in the eye of an Orc, and let go of his arrow. A high shriek roused the warm night air. The three elves watched intently. Quite suddenly several Orcs leapt up onto the rocks, their hideous faces full of malice and hate. Elcalen drew his small knife and Andú drew his sword. The two rushed into the crowd of Orcs, while Aranwë and Celebithil kept a steady stream of arrows flying into the crowd, each one hitting their mark.
Andú dodged a swing from an Orc and drove his sword into the creature's chest. Black Orc blood covered his blade. Elcalen spun and avoided a sword stroke, only to be forced to dodge again. He drove his dagger into the neck of an Orc, and pulled it out, the blade now black.
The battle continued like this for several minutes until Elcalen's knife was knocked from his hand. He leapt up onto the rock that Aranwë and Celebithil were on and he too began to fire arrows at the Orcs. Andú was knocked to the floor by one of the larger Orcs and his sword was knocked from his hand. The ugly face of his assailant looked triumphant. A shrill cry and the briefly proud Orc fell with an arrow in its back. Andú rolled on the ground and picked up his sword. He stood up and beheaded an Orc that was about to attempt the same to him.
Finally the remaining Orcs fled or were killed while trying to flee. Celebithil rummaged around in the Orc bodies, trying to find any arrows he could possibly use. Aranwë still had quite a few, though he did pick up a few used ones. Andú turned to him. "We must go as swiftly as possible."
"The Gap of Rohan is probably being watched. Apparently the Orcs are no longer headed Northward, since when they fled, they were going back to the South, whence they came, I believe."
"We must find a different route." Celebithil said, walking over with half a quiver full of arrows.
"Regardless, we must at least come within range of the Gap, for we do not know what has befallen there. At least that is where I shall go, for I do not wish to cross the Misty Mountains. Even if no evil dwells in its halls, it is still perilous."
"Indeed, I agree with Master Aranwë. I will not cross them, and therefore we shall continue south. Let us be off, before the Orcs come back."
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Gimli turned suddenly to the call of his name. He turned to find a very familiar old man hobbling towards him and an upright Elf with long and straight white hair. "Gandalf!" Gimli cried, running over to the two of them. The old man, Gandalf, straightened up and looked at his old friend.
"Gimli son of Gloin, indeed it is good to see you! This is my partner, Galadfân." Gandalf said, turning to the Elf. "He also is of the Istari, sent by my master in the West in Elven form."
"It is good to have finally met with the dwarf my friend here speaks so highly of." Galadfân said.
"Where are you going, old friend?" Gandalf asked.
"Over the Misty Mountains, to Rivendell." Gimli answered.
"We go thither also. Would you like to journey with us?"
"Yes, I would."
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The black figure leapt up the stones at a very fast pace, hoping to catch up to the two travelers he had seen. He stopped suddenly and a noise came from under his hood as if he was sniffing something. "A dwarf… and… no… not… him…" the figure hissed, though the last few words came from his mouth in a troubled whisper. He continued to leap from rock to rook, this time at a faster pace.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
"We're almost to the Gap!" Andú shouted back at the three Elves. Arrows occasionally whined passed their heads and Aranwë had a cut across the side of his face from an arrow that just barely missed him. Behind them and ever closing in were Orc archers mounted on evil Wargs. Quite suddenly a blockade of Orcs wielding their cruel bent scimitars and their black longbows could be seen. The situation looked hopeless, Aranwë thought. The four horses stopped, though their riders urged them on.
"Noro lim! Noro lim!" Orc arrows were thick in the air and Elcalen received an arrow to the arm, which he currently took no notice to, trying to calm his horse. Aranwë managed to calm his and drew forth his bow and an arrow. His horse neighed as several Orcs ran forth. "This situation looks grim… we must retreat a few miles north. Perhaps we can lose them."
"Then we must cross the Mountains?" Andú asked.
"Eventually, yes. Elcalen and Celebithil, now would be the ideal time for you to head West, unless you want to risk yourselves." Aranwë said, turning to the two other Elves.
"Indeed, we shall. May Elbereth guide you, Aranwë." Celebithil said, her piercing cold eyes glanced at him. The two rode off at a great pace so that within moments they were out of sight, blocked by a small hill. Andú turned back to Aranwë.
"Let us hurry, the Orcs must not see us begin our climb, for I fear they would follow us if they did. And I see wolf-riders approaching." The two took off at a great speed northward.
-End Chapter 4