Please note I do not own these characters and places, apart from Maris, Athela and Iridan (I created them my self so please do not steal them), they belong to J.R.R Tolkien.

This is my second story, I have tried to stick to what J.R.R has already established however there is just one detail that I have changed to make it work better, in my story Gilraen died with Arathorn. Please R & R.

------------------------------ Celeb Nirnaeth -------------------------------

 

The king Iridan paced uneasily around the room, his wife; Athela, and daughter; Maris. Were sat reading, or rather Maris was trying to read and her mother was helping her. The reason for his pacing was this, his town Tharbad, had just recovered from the fell winter of 2912 of which the whole of Tharbad was flooded. He had led his remaining people to Bree where they had taken refuge for ten years, they had then returned to rebuild there city. Now it had finally been restored after 13 years of hard work, and his scouts told him there was a huge company of orcs heading towards it, from the misty mountains.

"Please stop pacing you're making me uneasy!" he turned to look at his wife and three year old daughter, who had give up trying to read and were now staring at him.

"Yes I'm sorry," he settled down on a chair and resumed his thoughts, as he saw it there were two options; fight, or flee to Bree again. He sat mulling this for awhile, but his thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. He left his chair, to answer the knock, and there stood his head scout.

"My Lord, the orcs are close, there aren't many. I believe we can defeat them, what do you wish us to do?"

"My decision is this, the gates shall be barred. The best warriors are to be assembled in the town square, ready to fight, and women, children and men unable to fight are to get ready to flee to Bree. They shall be accompanied by two scouts and are to leave as soon as the gates are broken through."

"Right, I shall assemble the men in the town square, and the rest by the East gates," and with that he left the house and began assembling people.

Iridan then returned to his wife, his daughter had left the room.

"My dear, orcs are heading towards the village. You must take Maris, and flee with the rest to Bree, whilst I stay with the warriors and fight them."

"I'm not leaving you here."

"But you must think of Maris, she mustn't stay here. Do you not remember what was foretold by Galadriel; a great band of orcs will head to Tharbad, they will come for your daughter. They MUST not get her."

"I know, I know. I just don't want to leave you here. But I will get her, and we will meet you in Bree. Maris, Maris!! Come here."

Maris' head emerged from behind a door, her dark curls falling messily around her face.

"What's wrong mother?" she asked, as her mother turned to her.

"Maris," said her dad "Do you know what orcs are?" Seeing Maris shake her head he continued "They are foul creatures, which are pure evil. And there is a large band of them heading this way. Maris you and your mother are going to Bree…"

"What about you, Daddy?"

"Well I'm staying here to fight…"

"I'm not going anywhere without you"

"But Maris, it's too dangerous for us to stay…"

"I'm not leaving, I don't care. I'm staying here." And she ran into the room she had come out of, slamming the door.

"Looks like we're staying here," Athela tried not to look pleased.

"Yes, it does; stubborn child. Under no circumstances are you to leave this house, and take this you may need it." He gave her a sword, and taking his own he left the house.

As soon as the door closed, Maris' face appeared, paler than usual.

"Is daddy coming back?" She whispered.

"I hope so, I really hope so." She told her cuddling the little girl.

In the town square the great gate rattled, as it was rammed by the orcs. There was silence and then a great thud and the sound of splintering as the gate split.

"Attack!" Iridan shouted, and the battle started.

It did not continue for very long, soon the orcs were defeated. Then word came of another band, even larger this time.

"There are to many, go join your families," shouted Iridan, as he ran to his palace. As soon as he opened the door he was greeted by his wife and child.

"Is it over?" Athela asked anxiously.

"No there are more heading this way, and no time to flee. We shall have to stay here and defend ourselves," His eyes fell on Maris, "and hide Maris now! They mustn't find her." He began barring the doors, whilst Athela took her child into the bedroom, and hid her under the bed.

"Now listen to me child. The orcs mustn't find you, you are to stay under this bed and not come out until you hear a friendly voice. Try and get some sleep."

Maris curled into a tiny ball and backed against the wall, as her mother left. She closed her eyes, but before she could get to sleep she heard the front door crash. The snarl of orcs, and the scream of her mother, stopped her from sleeping.

She opened her eyes and listened.

"Give us your child and we'll spare your lives." said the snarling voice.

"Never, will you get my child," was the reply from her mother.

She came out from the bed, opened the door.

"It is ok I'm here. Please don't hurt my mother anymore."

The greedy eyes of the orc fell upon her, and the gold circlet she wore on her head.

"Maris, Run, Run now!!" screamed her mother. But it was too late, the orc seized her. Turning to some other orcs he commanded "finish them off." And he carried Maris as she screamed "Mother, Mother." And then "mother I'm so sorry," as she fell unconscious.