Chapter Fourteen - The Battle Begins
Melriadora stood before the other Priestesses of the Isle giving her final orders. She was dressed in her climbing gear, secured on her back was a bag carrying what she would need for her final battle. The others spoke softly, waiting for her final words.
"Kayta?"
A young Apprentice stepped forward. The girl was human and about fourteen years of age, but she was the best at manuvering the boats through the waters silently through the waters. This skill combined with the cover of the mists, summoned by Melriadora to conceal the boat, and a distraction provided by the other Priestesses should allow her to reach the cliffs unseen. Melriadora had informed the others of her plans and they were ready.
Kayta moved to Melriadora's side. Melri could sense the girl's nervousness, as she replied. "Yes Priestess Melriadora?"
"Are you ready?" Melriadora asked gently.
Kayta summoned her knowledge of craft and displine to fight her nerves. When she spoke her voice was strong, "Yes."
Melriadora smiled and stepped into the boat with the girl. She stood behind her, summoning the mists to envelope them. She knew Kayta, who was sitting in front rowing, would know where to go. The boat slipped silently through the waters.
Behind them they could hear the fire swirling and zooming across the lake, back and forth between sides. Suddenly they heard an explosion and knew that their distraction had just happened.
Kayta picked up speed, her heart pounded in her chest. She glanced back at Melriadora and for a moment envied the blind Priestess for she could not see how dangerously close they were when they slipped between two Polrai ships. Sweat beads formed on the human's brow and trickled down her back. She drew her strength and courage from Melriadora. She had always admired the Elf's power and skill, and now she was completing her task so bravely, even though she had no eyes to see with. If Melriadora could do that, then the least Kayta could do was see that she made it safely to the cliffs. After what seemed an eternity, Kayta was relived to reach the cliffs. She quickly docked the boat and turned to inform Melriadora of their location so she could know how to approach the climb.
When she turned however, Melriadora's face was strange, as if her heart was slowing breaking.
"Priestess?" Kayta ventured, cautiously.
Melriadora closed her eyes for a moment. She could hear Legolas calling to her, willing her to stop and not to risk her life like this. He was in such agony at that thought of losing her, and she with all her heart, did not want to do this and leave him behind. She opened her eyes to the familiar darkness that was her life. "I have no choice Legolas." She whispered. "Please understand."
"Priestess?" Kayta asked, confused. "Is something wrong?"
Melriadora gave the young Apprentice a small smile. "You did well Kayta."
Kayta beamed at the praise of one of the High Priestesses. "We are on the south slope, Priestess. I must go back to the Isle now. My Mistress, Innlina is expecting me to help her with the casting." With a moments hesitation she then asked the question that had been burning on her mind. "May I ask, Priestess, who is this Legolas you speak too?"
Melriadora gave the young girl a light touch on the arm. "He is my heart child. Now hurry, your Mistress needs you."
Kayta nodded, "Yes Priestess." She got in the boat and turned back to watch for a second the Elven woman start to climb. It was as if she had eyes still. Kayta admired the skill and speed at which she climbed the sheer rock. She thought about what she had said about this Legolas. She hoped that they saw one another again one day.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Melriadora hated to admit it, but climbing made her feel more herself. As dangerous as it was she realized she did not need her eyes to climb, she was still the same person, she just needed to use her other senses more to accommodate for her lost sight.
The rock was strong and gritty under her hands, she could hear the sounds of battle below and feel the breeze growing strong as she climb. She could also hear Reymara, directing the battle on the top of the cliff, just as Melriadora had seen in her vision.
Melriadora felt her muscles growing weary but forced herself to go on. The climb was taking longer because she had to be extra cautious without her sight. Sweat made her hands slippery but she had to keep going. She reached for another handhold and just then her foot slipped.
She was hanging on by just one hand, dangling high over the sharp rocks below. Panic seized her and she lost her place. She suddenly had no idea where her feet or other hand should go. She was completely helpless, and her hand was slipping.
Legolas knew Melriadora was in grave danger, he could sense her panic and it filled him with terror. He urged the horse to run faster towards the Isle. He could sense her losing control and knew that she was moments away from death.
"Melri!" He shouted into the wind. He did not know if she could hear him. "Melri, hang on!" He called to her.
Hanging by just her finger tips, Melriadora heard Legolas calling to her. "Legolas?" She whispered. "Legolas, are you there?" She knew that if she called loudly Reymara would hear her and she would surely be killed. "Legolas? Can you hear me, my love?"
Legolas heard Melriadora's call, at the sound of her voice his heart rejoiced. "I can hear you. Please hang on. Don't let go."
Melriadora felt her arm which still held onto the cliff begin to shake with exhaustion. She couldn't hold on much longer. "Legolas, what do I do?"
Legolas heard the fear in her voice, he closed his eyes, needing to help her but not knowing how. He his mind flashed to the night they had spent together in Imladris. He could almost feel her in his arms, the warmth of her body, the touch of bare flesh against his own, the melting of their minds into one. Suddenly, he was there with her. He was hanging off the cliff with her, he could feel the exhaustion of her muscles. He was in her mind. He took a deep breath and knew what he had to do.
"Melriadora, you must trust me." He stopped his horse, which was grateful for the rest, because he would need complete concerntration. "I need you to relax, let me be your eyes."
He felt Melriadora relax and took over. He searched for a place to put her feet, and saw them. He mentally sent that image to Melriadora and he felt her panic slowly leave as she placed her feet securely on the rock. Then her other hand found a hold and took the strain off her other hand thankfully. Legolas looked up at the cliff, "You're almost there Melriadora. Hang on." He could feel his connection with her fading away. "I love you Melri, hang on!" Then he knew his connection was gone but he could sense more danger ahead of her. He urged the horse forward once more. He had to get to the Isle.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Melriadora finally reached the top. She could hear Reymara overseeing the battle below across the cliff. Melriadora stood, quickly grabbing the potion she had made back on the Isle and quickly rubbed it on her skin. She took the stone from her bag and held it in the palm of her hand. She stood tall, and took her sword holding it toward Reymara. Even without her sight, she felt strong. "Reymara!"
She felt Reymara's eyes upon her, she sensed her surprise. "Melriadora, child, what are you doing here?" She asked, amused. "You best put that sword down before you hurt yourself."
"I'm here to stop you Reymara. By any means necessary." She raised her sword to challenge the evil Priestess.
She heard Reymara draw her own sword and stood ready, listening for the sound of her approach. "I gave you a chance to join me. I gave you a chance for power beyond you wildest dreams. You refused my offer, and now, you will suffer the consequences of your choice." She struck hard at Melriadora, who blocked her strike. They began to battle. Melriadora listened hard for the signs of where Reymara would come from. She could hear the swish of air before the sword came down and Reymara's breathing as she moved around to strike from a new direction.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Legolas was finally in sight of Silver Lake and could see the battle taking place. He rode quickly into the thick of things and scanned the area for Melriadora. His heart froze in horror as he saw her fighting Reymara alone of the top of a cliff. Reymara was attacking with fury, her blows coming from all directions. Somehow, Melriadora was blocking the blows with skill and power, but he did not know how much longer she could keep it up. He must get up to the cliff with her.
A shriek filled the air and he saw a group of Polrai flying toward him, teeth bared. He quickly put an arrow to his bow and hit one after another, clearing a path toward the cliff so he could join his love before it was too late.
* * * * * * * * * *
A/N- Okay, I hate to stop there, I really do! This is the part were dividing into chapters was tricky! I promise if I don't get to it tomorrow.... (looks at clock) oh what the hey! I'll post another chapter now!
Review please! I'll save my good begging for the next chapter!
Melriadora stood before the other Priestesses of the Isle giving her final orders. She was dressed in her climbing gear, secured on her back was a bag carrying what she would need for her final battle. The others spoke softly, waiting for her final words.
"Kayta?"
A young Apprentice stepped forward. The girl was human and about fourteen years of age, but she was the best at manuvering the boats through the waters silently through the waters. This skill combined with the cover of the mists, summoned by Melriadora to conceal the boat, and a distraction provided by the other Priestesses should allow her to reach the cliffs unseen. Melriadora had informed the others of her plans and they were ready.
Kayta moved to Melriadora's side. Melri could sense the girl's nervousness, as she replied. "Yes Priestess Melriadora?"
"Are you ready?" Melriadora asked gently.
Kayta summoned her knowledge of craft and displine to fight her nerves. When she spoke her voice was strong, "Yes."
Melriadora smiled and stepped into the boat with the girl. She stood behind her, summoning the mists to envelope them. She knew Kayta, who was sitting in front rowing, would know where to go. The boat slipped silently through the waters.
Behind them they could hear the fire swirling and zooming across the lake, back and forth between sides. Suddenly they heard an explosion and knew that their distraction had just happened.
Kayta picked up speed, her heart pounded in her chest. She glanced back at Melriadora and for a moment envied the blind Priestess for she could not see how dangerously close they were when they slipped between two Polrai ships. Sweat beads formed on the human's brow and trickled down her back. She drew her strength and courage from Melriadora. She had always admired the Elf's power and skill, and now she was completing her task so bravely, even though she had no eyes to see with. If Melriadora could do that, then the least Kayta could do was see that she made it safely to the cliffs. After what seemed an eternity, Kayta was relived to reach the cliffs. She quickly docked the boat and turned to inform Melriadora of their location so she could know how to approach the climb.
When she turned however, Melriadora's face was strange, as if her heart was slowing breaking.
"Priestess?" Kayta ventured, cautiously.
Melriadora closed her eyes for a moment. She could hear Legolas calling to her, willing her to stop and not to risk her life like this. He was in such agony at that thought of losing her, and she with all her heart, did not want to do this and leave him behind. She opened her eyes to the familiar darkness that was her life. "I have no choice Legolas." She whispered. "Please understand."
"Priestess?" Kayta asked, confused. "Is something wrong?"
Melriadora gave the young Apprentice a small smile. "You did well Kayta."
Kayta beamed at the praise of one of the High Priestesses. "We are on the south slope, Priestess. I must go back to the Isle now. My Mistress, Innlina is expecting me to help her with the casting." With a moments hesitation she then asked the question that had been burning on her mind. "May I ask, Priestess, who is this Legolas you speak too?"
Melriadora gave the young girl a light touch on the arm. "He is my heart child. Now hurry, your Mistress needs you."
Kayta nodded, "Yes Priestess." She got in the boat and turned back to watch for a second the Elven woman start to climb. It was as if she had eyes still. Kayta admired the skill and speed at which she climbed the sheer rock. She thought about what she had said about this Legolas. She hoped that they saw one another again one day.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Melriadora hated to admit it, but climbing made her feel more herself. As dangerous as it was she realized she did not need her eyes to climb, she was still the same person, she just needed to use her other senses more to accommodate for her lost sight.
The rock was strong and gritty under her hands, she could hear the sounds of battle below and feel the breeze growing strong as she climb. She could also hear Reymara, directing the battle on the top of the cliff, just as Melriadora had seen in her vision.
Melriadora felt her muscles growing weary but forced herself to go on. The climb was taking longer because she had to be extra cautious without her sight. Sweat made her hands slippery but she had to keep going. She reached for another handhold and just then her foot slipped.
She was hanging on by just one hand, dangling high over the sharp rocks below. Panic seized her and she lost her place. She suddenly had no idea where her feet or other hand should go. She was completely helpless, and her hand was slipping.
Legolas knew Melriadora was in grave danger, he could sense her panic and it filled him with terror. He urged the horse to run faster towards the Isle. He could sense her losing control and knew that she was moments away from death.
"Melri!" He shouted into the wind. He did not know if she could hear him. "Melri, hang on!" He called to her.
Hanging by just her finger tips, Melriadora heard Legolas calling to her. "Legolas?" She whispered. "Legolas, are you there?" She knew that if she called loudly Reymara would hear her and she would surely be killed. "Legolas? Can you hear me, my love?"
Legolas heard Melriadora's call, at the sound of her voice his heart rejoiced. "I can hear you. Please hang on. Don't let go."
Melriadora felt her arm which still held onto the cliff begin to shake with exhaustion. She couldn't hold on much longer. "Legolas, what do I do?"
Legolas heard the fear in her voice, he closed his eyes, needing to help her but not knowing how. He his mind flashed to the night they had spent together in Imladris. He could almost feel her in his arms, the warmth of her body, the touch of bare flesh against his own, the melting of their minds into one. Suddenly, he was there with her. He was hanging off the cliff with her, he could feel the exhaustion of her muscles. He was in her mind. He took a deep breath and knew what he had to do.
"Melriadora, you must trust me." He stopped his horse, which was grateful for the rest, because he would need complete concerntration. "I need you to relax, let me be your eyes."
He felt Melriadora relax and took over. He searched for a place to put her feet, and saw them. He mentally sent that image to Melriadora and he felt her panic slowly leave as she placed her feet securely on the rock. Then her other hand found a hold and took the strain off her other hand thankfully. Legolas looked up at the cliff, "You're almost there Melriadora. Hang on." He could feel his connection with her fading away. "I love you Melri, hang on!" Then he knew his connection was gone but he could sense more danger ahead of her. He urged the horse forward once more. He had to get to the Isle.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Melriadora finally reached the top. She could hear Reymara overseeing the battle below across the cliff. Melriadora stood, quickly grabbing the potion she had made back on the Isle and quickly rubbed it on her skin. She took the stone from her bag and held it in the palm of her hand. She stood tall, and took her sword holding it toward Reymara. Even without her sight, she felt strong. "Reymara!"
She felt Reymara's eyes upon her, she sensed her surprise. "Melriadora, child, what are you doing here?" She asked, amused. "You best put that sword down before you hurt yourself."
"I'm here to stop you Reymara. By any means necessary." She raised her sword to challenge the evil Priestess.
She heard Reymara draw her own sword and stood ready, listening for the sound of her approach. "I gave you a chance to join me. I gave you a chance for power beyond you wildest dreams. You refused my offer, and now, you will suffer the consequences of your choice." She struck hard at Melriadora, who blocked her strike. They began to battle. Melriadora listened hard for the signs of where Reymara would come from. She could hear the swish of air before the sword came down and Reymara's breathing as she moved around to strike from a new direction.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Legolas was finally in sight of Silver Lake and could see the battle taking place. He rode quickly into the thick of things and scanned the area for Melriadora. His heart froze in horror as he saw her fighting Reymara alone of the top of a cliff. Reymara was attacking with fury, her blows coming from all directions. Somehow, Melriadora was blocking the blows with skill and power, but he did not know how much longer she could keep it up. He must get up to the cliff with her.
A shriek filled the air and he saw a group of Polrai flying toward him, teeth bared. He quickly put an arrow to his bow and hit one after another, clearing a path toward the cliff so he could join his love before it was too late.
* * * * * * * * * *
A/N- Okay, I hate to stop there, I really do! This is the part were dividing into chapters was tricky! I promise if I don't get to it tomorrow.... (looks at clock) oh what the hey! I'll post another chapter now!
Review please! I'll save my good begging for the next chapter!