Lielay looked up at Albain and Joshua. "That means us too." She said
softly.
The three wood elves looked at each other and then the burning light in the starry black sky. Albain and Joshua carried the wood elf that brought the news into the tavern where the tavern owner could help him.
"Caleb," Lielay suddenly said, "come on we have to go get him!" Lielay started running with Albain and Joshua followed shortly behind her. She didn't stop for anything in her way. It seemed like hundreds of elves were blocking her, but there were only twenty of so elves that ran in front of her. Lielay tripped on a lose board and was sent sprawling on the ground. She picked herself up and wiped the blood from her mouth. Lielay finally got to Birria's house and opened the door. "Birria! Caleb! Where are you?!" Lielay shouted through the house.
A door opened somewhere in the back rooms and Birria came out with Caleb and Marcus at her sides. Lielay ran over to Caleb and hugged him. Albain and Joshua jogged into the house and stood behind Lielay, out of breath from the run.
"Lielay I heard that it's ordered for anyone who is able to fight has to go to Crushbone. Is that true?" Birria covered her mouth.
"Yes it is."
"Mommy do you have to go?" Caleb looked up at Lielay with his big green eyes.
"I'm afraid I have to Caleb. I don't want to go though, I want to stay with you." Lielay was trying not to cry.
"What about Uncle Joshua?"
"Yes, he too." Caleb looked at Joshua, then he saw Albain and he ran behind Lielay. He gripped on her leather shirt and hid his face. Lielay turned around and knelt down to talk to him. "What is it, sweetie?"
"Who is that man? Is that, that one Albain man? His face is all red, why?"
"Yes that is Albain, he was at the tavern with some friends and they got drunk."
"Mommy."
"Yes?"
"What's happening? Why is everyone running around yelling?" Caleb's face was filled with fear.
"The.the orcs are attacking."
Caleb gasped. Birria fell into a chair and pulled her son closer to her. Albain was trying to make conversation with Joshua, but Joshua was to busy looking out the window. The door opened wide and in the doorway stood a wood elf in full armor. He stood tall and took off his helmet and placed it under his arm. His eyes looked around the room at every wood elf there.
"May I help you, sir?" Birria stood up.
"Yes, I am the General of the Army and I've come to get every elf who is able to fight to come to Crushbone." His expression was blank.
"You can't take any elf adults here." Marcus spoke up.
"Hush up Marcus." Birria quieted her young child.
"May I please have all the adults names in this room." The general pulled out a thick scroll.
"I am Joshua Liltreehuggr." Joshua stepped forward.
"Albain Tinderblade." He too stepped over.
"Birria Stargazer." Birria said shakily.
"And I am Lielay Liltreehuggr." When Lielay finished the general looked up and studied her. The room was silent for a few minutes.
"I've met you before haven't I?" he tilted his head.
"I lived here five years ago. I just came back into town today." Lielay answered.
"Were you married to Danny Oakfeller?" he tucked the scroll under his other arm.
"Yes I was." Lielay shook her head.
"He was a good man."
"I know. When do you need us?" she pushed the hair from her eyes.
"Right away. First go to the armory for supplies."
"Excuse me, sir, I don't think I can fight." Birria said.
"Why not?" the general looked confused.
"I.I.I am with child."
No one in the room said anything for a couple of minutes; they just looked at one another. Caleb and Marcus didn't understand what Birria had said. They shrugged and sat down on the couch. Finally the General broke the silence. "Well does anyone else have any other comments? If not I bid you farewell, I must stop at other houses. Birria you are now ordered to stay with your children." Everyone watched the General leave the house and enter the one next to Birria's. All eyes feel upon Birria, she was sweating and shaking.
"Birria?" Lielay said kindly.
"Yes?" Birria said timidly.
"You're with child?" Lielay moved to her friend's side.
"Since last month I have been."
"Oh. Ummm do you mind watching Caleb while I'm at Crushbone? Please?"
"Anything Lielay, just promise me you'll come back with Joshua."
"What about me?" Albain said.
"I don't know you, but you better come back too for Lielay's sake."
"Thank you for your kindness, Birria." Lielay smiled.
"Birria later can I talk to you, after Crushbone in private?" Joshua asked.
"Yes, you can." Birria nervously looked at Lielay and Albain.
"We better get going if we want good armor." Albain said.
"Yes, true. Goodbye Birria," Lielay hugged her, "Caleb take care of Birria, you too Marcus. You two are the men of the house so it's your jobs to protect her."
The two boys shook their heads in agreement. Caleb gave Lielay a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. He gave Joshua a hug and then he surprised everyone and gave Albain a hug goodbye too. "Thank you Caleb, that hug will give me the strength to protect your mother from all harm." Albain told Caleb.
Lielay had tears running down her face by now. She wiped them away with the back of her hand. She grabbed Joshua and Albain's arms and pulled them out of the house. It was utter chaos outside the protective walls of Birria's house. Bells and horns sang out while the cry of elves echoed in Lielay's head. Shaking her head, Lielay continued on her way. The three walked into the armory and stumbled back for the giant heat wave that rolled over them. Forges burned intensely as the shop filled up with more elves. Lined up on each wall, stood about thirty elves. Their body heat mixed with the forges made the atmosphere almost unbearable.
"Long line, ey?" said an older elf to Lielay, after they got in line.
"It will shorten soon." She replied. They had to wait an hour in line until they reached the counter.
The blacksmith looked at Lielay and sighed. "First female so far, you are. I was thinking that all the armor I made for females would go to waste." He turned around and took a full set of armor off the wall and passed it over the counter to Lielay. "That set will keep you protected."
"Thank you, sir." Lielay carried the heavy armor to the side and started to put it on over her clothes. When she finished she waited for Albain and Joshua to put their armor on. Finally they were done and walked out of the shop.
"Damn this adds ten pounds to me." Joshua complained.
"Just be lucky you have protection." Lielay snapped.
Stepping into the shop next door, Lielay shoved Joshua in the line and told him to wait. Joshua peered at all the weapons that hung on the walls. Lielay and Albain rushed out of the shop and ran back to where their swords were stashed. It took another hour for Joshua to receive the weapon he would use. Lielay and Albain hooked their blades on their belt loops as Joshua tested his own.
"Nice sword." Joshua said in awe as he spotted Albain's masterly crafted one-handed sword.
"Yup. This has saved my life many times."
"Enough chit-chat we have to go to Crushbone." Lielay barked, her usual sweet voice was gone.
Leaping off the "orc lift" the three began to slowly jog the long trail that led to Crushbone. "Being a druid has its advantages." Albain explained to Joshua as he told him that Lielay and himself would probably be healing the wounded more than fighting.
In front of them were hundreds of elves running back and forth. Lielay was scared of going into Crushbone. The last time Lielay was here was when the orcs attacked over five years ago. Crushbone brought back many horrid memories for her. The three were outside the tunnel leading into the dreadful place, they were getting ready to go in and get their orders. Joshua had beads of sweat dripping down his forehead; he wiped them away and looked at Albain. Lielay or Albain hadn't started a sweat yet, they were used to danger, Joshua had never been in any real danger before.
"Well, better get in there and help out before the orcs take over." Lielay let out a long sigh.
Another wood elf passed them and went to the tunnel; Joshua took a deep breath and followed the elf in. Albain and Lielay were left alone; Albain stepped closer to Lielay. She could still smell all the elven wine on him; she hoped that he wasn't that drunk anymore otherwise he would be of no use in the fight.
"Lielay what ever happens in there I want you to know that I will always love you, and I have also fallen in love with Caleb." Albain reached for Lielay's hand.
"Albain we have to go fight now."
"Yeah, I know."
For the first time between them, they kissed. Albain pulled Lielay as close to him as possible and kissed her passionately. Lielay was the one to pull away as she looked into the tunnel. Finally she started to walk into the dark territory, one step at a time at a regular pace, Albain followed her. The two walked closely to each other. They came out of the tunnel and saw a huge group of elves gathered around one elf. The two joined the crowd and looked for Joshua. Lielay stood on tiptoes to look for him; he was with a group of elves less then twenty feet to the left.
"Lielay!" Joshua shouted. Albain and Lielay walked over to the group. "Lie, this is the group we're going to fight with," he looked at the group, "guys, this is my sister and her friend, they are both druids, they can help heal us." The whole group went around and greeted one another. They group consisted of eight wood elves; including Lielay, Joshua and Albain.
"We go in that direction." One elf pointed out.
The eight started off in the direction the elf pointed out, they huddled close together in fear of an ambush. Lielay was the only female with them; she was put in the middle because of that and because she was a druid. Albain walked right next to her and Joshua was on her other side. The group then came upon a small camp infested with orcs. They stopped and hid behind some nearby bushes.
"OK, there are nine orcs in that camp. Can we take them?" Lielay asked.
"Well if Albain took out a dracnid, a sarnak, and a troll I think we will live." Joshua bragged.
"OK, OK, enough of that. On the count of three everyone charge the camp and try to dispose of the orcs in the fastest way possible." Albain said.
"OK, got it." Came a hushed chorus of voices.
"One, two, three charge!"
The whole group came charging out of the brush with swords, axes, and daggers held up high. The orcs looked up and jumped to their feet. One orc said something and the others grabbed their weapons.
"Be careful, Lie!" shouted Joshua.
The wood elves and orcs clashed and mixed together. Albain was battling two orcs and the other elves were busy with one orc each. Lielay tried to thrust her sword into the orc, but the orc kept jumping around and dodging all her tries. The orc was laughing at Lielay. The orc rarely got to swing his sword since he was busy dodging all of Lielay's attacks.
Albain had already cut off one orc head and was battling the other. This orc was the biggest orc of the group and wielded the largest weapon. Albain just laughed when the orc tried to slash him. He yawned, making the orc very angry, it charged him. Albain jumped into the air and brought down his sword onto the orc. The contents of the orc's head spilled into a messy heap on ground. The lifeless orc body dropped to the dirty with its skull split in two.
"Two down!" Albain yelled.
"No. Four are dead." Joshua yelled back.
"Need some help over here!" Lielay yelled.
Albain and Joshua both ran over and shoved their swords into the orc's backside. When the orc fell the three looked at one other and smiled. They ran over to the last four remaining orcs. Within the next five minutes the nine orcs were all dead. There were only minor injuries among the group nothing for the druids to heal. The group was congratulating one another on a job well done when down the path a large group of angry orcs charged.
"Damn it! That group is three times as big!" yelled an elf.
"We need more elves here!" shouted another.
"Run back to the tunnel, there are plenty of elves there to kill all these orcs!" Joshua shouted. The elves ran as fast as they could, running for their lives. It was hard for them to run as fast as they usually could because the armor weighted them down.
"Come on, Lie! Hurry up!" shouted Albain over his shoulder at Lielay who ran behind him.
Lielay had heavy armor that was meant to protect her, not to run in. She was still fast, but not fast enough. The orcs were gaining on her fast.
"Lielay run!" Joshua yelled when he looked back.
Lielay tried to speed up, she did for a bit, but she lost her balance and fell. The armor rammed into her body. She laid face down trying to breath as blood began to fill her mouth. The orcs were just feet behind her now. She could feel her ribs breaking out of place. The impact of the fall had broken three of her ribs.
"Lielay! No! Get up!" Albain started to turn around, but Joshua and another elf held him back.
Joshua was crying. "No don't, Albain its too late they already have her now. Don't kill yourself too!" Joshua then broke down into tears and the other elves had to pull him and Albain away.
"Damn it! Let me go! I won't leave her!" Albain screamed and kicked.
Dizzy and in pain, Lielay was being turned over by the orcs. They had her surrounded; each one had a weapon aimed at her throat. One took off her helmet and all at once the orcs started to babble.
"Please. Please spare me." Lielay pleaded.
The orcs picked her up and started pulling her in the opposite direction from where Albain and Joshua were. Lielay didn't try to refuse their force because there were to many orcs around her, if she would run she would die. Helplessly, she let the crude orcs jab their fingers in her back and pull her arms.
*****
The group of elves made it to the tunnel untouched and unharmed. Both Albain and Joshua were crying hard. Then out of no were the two embraced each other, crying for the loss of Lielay. "She was taken by the orcs, just like Danny was five years ago." Joshua said through sobs.
"It wasn't her time. I wasn't there to save her this time." Albain was heartbroken and he knew he had failed Lielay.
*****
The orcs were leading Lielay to one of their forts deep in Crushbone. As they neared the gate a huge orc came forward and grabbed Lielay painfully. He had a chain in his hand, on the end of it was a wood elf, and he stepped forward. The huge orc leaned over and began talking to the elf; the elf nodded his head in agreement and walked over to Lielay.
"The powerful orcs have decided to spare your life since you are a strong female. You will become a servant for our high and mighty Lord Vic'Nance." With that he stepped back.
"Who is Lord Vic'Nance?" Lielay asked.
"He is the great leader of this fort that Emperor Crush so gratefully gave him many years ago."
The huge orc pulled Lielay's arm and through the gate. "Where is he taking me?" she said with fright growing on her mind.
"He is taking you to Lord Vic'Nance, probably. Whatever you do, don't refuse anything the Lord says because you'll be punished. Believe me some punishments are so torturous, you would scream for death. And you being a female, I don't even want to think of what he'd do to you."
"Thanks for the warning." Lielay almost cried.
The orc led Lielay into a large room where at the other end stood a high- backed throne with a dark elf seated on it, Lielay was led to him. "Lord Vic'Nance this is our prisoner from the wood elf army. She will become your servant if you wish." The wood elf killed the tow of the elf's boot.
"Hmmm. She looks strong enough to be my slave. Bring her up here." The lord had a lazy voice. "I am Lord Vic'Nance, your new master, what is your name girl?"
"Lielay Liltreehuggr." Lielay stood tall, trying not to show fear.
"What are you good at," Lord Vic'Nance grabbed Lielay's hand and removed the armored glove from it, "you have soft hands." He said as his dark skin rubbed her hand. "You have never done any hard work in your life, have you?"
"I am an explorer." Lielay said as she frowned and removed her and from his grasp.
"Well, whatever you did you will serve me now." His red eyes gleamed.
"And what if I don't." Lielay smirked.
"You'll be punished." An evil smile crossed his face.
"I'm not afraid of you."
"You will. Maybe you need a few hours to tame your temper, down in the dungeon you shall go." With that Lielay was grabbed again and was taken down countless flights of stairs. It grew colder and colder, the armor Lielay was in felt like a cold night in Halas.
"Are we there yet?" Lielay said after awhile. She was shoved into a cell and the door locked right behind her. "Fine then! Be that way!" Lielay shouted at the orc who brought her down to the cell.
Lielay kicked the cell door and turned around. She went to one of the beds that lay in the dark. In front of the bed she stripped off her armor and stood in her clothes from earlier that day. She sat on the bed, but the only thing was that someone was already on it.
"Oww." came a voice from under her.
Lielay jumped up as if she had sat on red-hot pokers. "Who's there?!" Lielay asked into the dark.
"Who are you?" came the same voice.
"No, I asked you first. And don't try anything funny, I'm a druid, I'll burn you alive." She held up her hands.
"Lielay?"
"How did you know my name?" Lielay put down her hands.
"Is that you?"
"Who are you? Come to where I can see you."
The person from the bed got up and walked into the light. He stood tall, strong, and handsome. The elf had long brownish colored hair and a beard. He stood looking down on Lielay with stern eyes. Lielay looked up into his face and something in the back of her head screamed that she knew this man.
"Who are you?" Lielay repeated.
"Lielay. It's me, Danny."
"Danny?" Lielay's eyes went wide.
"Yes."
"But you're dead." She choked.
"No. I was just taken prisoner." He said softly.
The two stepped closer to each other. Lielay looked in his eyes again and saw them twinkle. "My gods. It is you!" Lielay ran forward and fell into Danny's open arms. Both were crying with happiness and the end of their broken hearts. Danny held Lielay more tightly. He fell back down on the bed with Lielay still in his arms.
*****
Albain was already putting together a search and rescue party for Lielay as dawn began to break. Joshua was right in with him; something just told them that Lielay was still alive.
*****
Lielay still laid in Danny's arms as the sun peaked through the thin, narrow gaps of steel on the wall. She placed her head on his chest and listened to the steady heartbeat of her husband. Finally, after hours of silence, Lielay broke the peace and quiet. "Caleb has grown so much since I've last seen him."
"Has he? And I've missed it all too. Do you live with Joshua?" he added.
"No. I have been gone for five years. I haven't been to Kelethin since yesterday."
"You left Caleb?" he held her chin up to see her beautiful, flawless face.
"I didn't want to, but I did. I thought you were dead and I was going to full-fill our dreams of exploring the whole world of Norrath. Caleb was so young and little, I couldn't take him with me."
"Oh." It was quite again as Danny leaned forward to kiss Lielay.
*****
Meanwhile, Albain and Joshua had gathered a large group of elves that were willing to find Lielay. Albain was now angry and was shouting loudly above the noise. "OK, this may be dangerous, but all you have volunteered to help us find a female druid who was taken prisoner. Are you all ready?!" Albain yelled loudly.
"Ready!" every elf answered.
"Let's get going! We're burning daylight!"
The three wood elves looked at each other and then the burning light in the starry black sky. Albain and Joshua carried the wood elf that brought the news into the tavern where the tavern owner could help him.
"Caleb," Lielay suddenly said, "come on we have to go get him!" Lielay started running with Albain and Joshua followed shortly behind her. She didn't stop for anything in her way. It seemed like hundreds of elves were blocking her, but there were only twenty of so elves that ran in front of her. Lielay tripped on a lose board and was sent sprawling on the ground. She picked herself up and wiped the blood from her mouth. Lielay finally got to Birria's house and opened the door. "Birria! Caleb! Where are you?!" Lielay shouted through the house.
A door opened somewhere in the back rooms and Birria came out with Caleb and Marcus at her sides. Lielay ran over to Caleb and hugged him. Albain and Joshua jogged into the house and stood behind Lielay, out of breath from the run.
"Lielay I heard that it's ordered for anyone who is able to fight has to go to Crushbone. Is that true?" Birria covered her mouth.
"Yes it is."
"Mommy do you have to go?" Caleb looked up at Lielay with his big green eyes.
"I'm afraid I have to Caleb. I don't want to go though, I want to stay with you." Lielay was trying not to cry.
"What about Uncle Joshua?"
"Yes, he too." Caleb looked at Joshua, then he saw Albain and he ran behind Lielay. He gripped on her leather shirt and hid his face. Lielay turned around and knelt down to talk to him. "What is it, sweetie?"
"Who is that man? Is that, that one Albain man? His face is all red, why?"
"Yes that is Albain, he was at the tavern with some friends and they got drunk."
"Mommy."
"Yes?"
"What's happening? Why is everyone running around yelling?" Caleb's face was filled with fear.
"The.the orcs are attacking."
Caleb gasped. Birria fell into a chair and pulled her son closer to her. Albain was trying to make conversation with Joshua, but Joshua was to busy looking out the window. The door opened wide and in the doorway stood a wood elf in full armor. He stood tall and took off his helmet and placed it under his arm. His eyes looked around the room at every wood elf there.
"May I help you, sir?" Birria stood up.
"Yes, I am the General of the Army and I've come to get every elf who is able to fight to come to Crushbone." His expression was blank.
"You can't take any elf adults here." Marcus spoke up.
"Hush up Marcus." Birria quieted her young child.
"May I please have all the adults names in this room." The general pulled out a thick scroll.
"I am Joshua Liltreehuggr." Joshua stepped forward.
"Albain Tinderblade." He too stepped over.
"Birria Stargazer." Birria said shakily.
"And I am Lielay Liltreehuggr." When Lielay finished the general looked up and studied her. The room was silent for a few minutes.
"I've met you before haven't I?" he tilted his head.
"I lived here five years ago. I just came back into town today." Lielay answered.
"Were you married to Danny Oakfeller?" he tucked the scroll under his other arm.
"Yes I was." Lielay shook her head.
"He was a good man."
"I know. When do you need us?" she pushed the hair from her eyes.
"Right away. First go to the armory for supplies."
"Excuse me, sir, I don't think I can fight." Birria said.
"Why not?" the general looked confused.
"I.I.I am with child."
No one in the room said anything for a couple of minutes; they just looked at one another. Caleb and Marcus didn't understand what Birria had said. They shrugged and sat down on the couch. Finally the General broke the silence. "Well does anyone else have any other comments? If not I bid you farewell, I must stop at other houses. Birria you are now ordered to stay with your children." Everyone watched the General leave the house and enter the one next to Birria's. All eyes feel upon Birria, she was sweating and shaking.
"Birria?" Lielay said kindly.
"Yes?" Birria said timidly.
"You're with child?" Lielay moved to her friend's side.
"Since last month I have been."
"Oh. Ummm do you mind watching Caleb while I'm at Crushbone? Please?"
"Anything Lielay, just promise me you'll come back with Joshua."
"What about me?" Albain said.
"I don't know you, but you better come back too for Lielay's sake."
"Thank you for your kindness, Birria." Lielay smiled.
"Birria later can I talk to you, after Crushbone in private?" Joshua asked.
"Yes, you can." Birria nervously looked at Lielay and Albain.
"We better get going if we want good armor." Albain said.
"Yes, true. Goodbye Birria," Lielay hugged her, "Caleb take care of Birria, you too Marcus. You two are the men of the house so it's your jobs to protect her."
The two boys shook their heads in agreement. Caleb gave Lielay a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. He gave Joshua a hug and then he surprised everyone and gave Albain a hug goodbye too. "Thank you Caleb, that hug will give me the strength to protect your mother from all harm." Albain told Caleb.
Lielay had tears running down her face by now. She wiped them away with the back of her hand. She grabbed Joshua and Albain's arms and pulled them out of the house. It was utter chaos outside the protective walls of Birria's house. Bells and horns sang out while the cry of elves echoed in Lielay's head. Shaking her head, Lielay continued on her way. The three walked into the armory and stumbled back for the giant heat wave that rolled over them. Forges burned intensely as the shop filled up with more elves. Lined up on each wall, stood about thirty elves. Their body heat mixed with the forges made the atmosphere almost unbearable.
"Long line, ey?" said an older elf to Lielay, after they got in line.
"It will shorten soon." She replied. They had to wait an hour in line until they reached the counter.
The blacksmith looked at Lielay and sighed. "First female so far, you are. I was thinking that all the armor I made for females would go to waste." He turned around and took a full set of armor off the wall and passed it over the counter to Lielay. "That set will keep you protected."
"Thank you, sir." Lielay carried the heavy armor to the side and started to put it on over her clothes. When she finished she waited for Albain and Joshua to put their armor on. Finally they were done and walked out of the shop.
"Damn this adds ten pounds to me." Joshua complained.
"Just be lucky you have protection." Lielay snapped.
Stepping into the shop next door, Lielay shoved Joshua in the line and told him to wait. Joshua peered at all the weapons that hung on the walls. Lielay and Albain rushed out of the shop and ran back to where their swords were stashed. It took another hour for Joshua to receive the weapon he would use. Lielay and Albain hooked their blades on their belt loops as Joshua tested his own.
"Nice sword." Joshua said in awe as he spotted Albain's masterly crafted one-handed sword.
"Yup. This has saved my life many times."
"Enough chit-chat we have to go to Crushbone." Lielay barked, her usual sweet voice was gone.
Leaping off the "orc lift" the three began to slowly jog the long trail that led to Crushbone. "Being a druid has its advantages." Albain explained to Joshua as he told him that Lielay and himself would probably be healing the wounded more than fighting.
In front of them were hundreds of elves running back and forth. Lielay was scared of going into Crushbone. The last time Lielay was here was when the orcs attacked over five years ago. Crushbone brought back many horrid memories for her. The three were outside the tunnel leading into the dreadful place, they were getting ready to go in and get their orders. Joshua had beads of sweat dripping down his forehead; he wiped them away and looked at Albain. Lielay or Albain hadn't started a sweat yet, they were used to danger, Joshua had never been in any real danger before.
"Well, better get in there and help out before the orcs take over." Lielay let out a long sigh.
Another wood elf passed them and went to the tunnel; Joshua took a deep breath and followed the elf in. Albain and Lielay were left alone; Albain stepped closer to Lielay. She could still smell all the elven wine on him; she hoped that he wasn't that drunk anymore otherwise he would be of no use in the fight.
"Lielay what ever happens in there I want you to know that I will always love you, and I have also fallen in love with Caleb." Albain reached for Lielay's hand.
"Albain we have to go fight now."
"Yeah, I know."
For the first time between them, they kissed. Albain pulled Lielay as close to him as possible and kissed her passionately. Lielay was the one to pull away as she looked into the tunnel. Finally she started to walk into the dark territory, one step at a time at a regular pace, Albain followed her. The two walked closely to each other. They came out of the tunnel and saw a huge group of elves gathered around one elf. The two joined the crowd and looked for Joshua. Lielay stood on tiptoes to look for him; he was with a group of elves less then twenty feet to the left.
"Lielay!" Joshua shouted. Albain and Lielay walked over to the group. "Lie, this is the group we're going to fight with," he looked at the group, "guys, this is my sister and her friend, they are both druids, they can help heal us." The whole group went around and greeted one another. They group consisted of eight wood elves; including Lielay, Joshua and Albain.
"We go in that direction." One elf pointed out.
The eight started off in the direction the elf pointed out, they huddled close together in fear of an ambush. Lielay was the only female with them; she was put in the middle because of that and because she was a druid. Albain walked right next to her and Joshua was on her other side. The group then came upon a small camp infested with orcs. They stopped and hid behind some nearby bushes.
"OK, there are nine orcs in that camp. Can we take them?" Lielay asked.
"Well if Albain took out a dracnid, a sarnak, and a troll I think we will live." Joshua bragged.
"OK, OK, enough of that. On the count of three everyone charge the camp and try to dispose of the orcs in the fastest way possible." Albain said.
"OK, got it." Came a hushed chorus of voices.
"One, two, three charge!"
The whole group came charging out of the brush with swords, axes, and daggers held up high. The orcs looked up and jumped to their feet. One orc said something and the others grabbed their weapons.
"Be careful, Lie!" shouted Joshua.
The wood elves and orcs clashed and mixed together. Albain was battling two orcs and the other elves were busy with one orc each. Lielay tried to thrust her sword into the orc, but the orc kept jumping around and dodging all her tries. The orc was laughing at Lielay. The orc rarely got to swing his sword since he was busy dodging all of Lielay's attacks.
Albain had already cut off one orc head and was battling the other. This orc was the biggest orc of the group and wielded the largest weapon. Albain just laughed when the orc tried to slash him. He yawned, making the orc very angry, it charged him. Albain jumped into the air and brought down his sword onto the orc. The contents of the orc's head spilled into a messy heap on ground. The lifeless orc body dropped to the dirty with its skull split in two.
"Two down!" Albain yelled.
"No. Four are dead." Joshua yelled back.
"Need some help over here!" Lielay yelled.
Albain and Joshua both ran over and shoved their swords into the orc's backside. When the orc fell the three looked at one other and smiled. They ran over to the last four remaining orcs. Within the next five minutes the nine orcs were all dead. There were only minor injuries among the group nothing for the druids to heal. The group was congratulating one another on a job well done when down the path a large group of angry orcs charged.
"Damn it! That group is three times as big!" yelled an elf.
"We need more elves here!" shouted another.
"Run back to the tunnel, there are plenty of elves there to kill all these orcs!" Joshua shouted. The elves ran as fast as they could, running for their lives. It was hard for them to run as fast as they usually could because the armor weighted them down.
"Come on, Lie! Hurry up!" shouted Albain over his shoulder at Lielay who ran behind him.
Lielay had heavy armor that was meant to protect her, not to run in. She was still fast, but not fast enough. The orcs were gaining on her fast.
"Lielay run!" Joshua yelled when he looked back.
Lielay tried to speed up, she did for a bit, but she lost her balance and fell. The armor rammed into her body. She laid face down trying to breath as blood began to fill her mouth. The orcs were just feet behind her now. She could feel her ribs breaking out of place. The impact of the fall had broken three of her ribs.
"Lielay! No! Get up!" Albain started to turn around, but Joshua and another elf held him back.
Joshua was crying. "No don't, Albain its too late they already have her now. Don't kill yourself too!" Joshua then broke down into tears and the other elves had to pull him and Albain away.
"Damn it! Let me go! I won't leave her!" Albain screamed and kicked.
Dizzy and in pain, Lielay was being turned over by the orcs. They had her surrounded; each one had a weapon aimed at her throat. One took off her helmet and all at once the orcs started to babble.
"Please. Please spare me." Lielay pleaded.
The orcs picked her up and started pulling her in the opposite direction from where Albain and Joshua were. Lielay didn't try to refuse their force because there were to many orcs around her, if she would run she would die. Helplessly, she let the crude orcs jab their fingers in her back and pull her arms.
*****
The group of elves made it to the tunnel untouched and unharmed. Both Albain and Joshua were crying hard. Then out of no were the two embraced each other, crying for the loss of Lielay. "She was taken by the orcs, just like Danny was five years ago." Joshua said through sobs.
"It wasn't her time. I wasn't there to save her this time." Albain was heartbroken and he knew he had failed Lielay.
*****
The orcs were leading Lielay to one of their forts deep in Crushbone. As they neared the gate a huge orc came forward and grabbed Lielay painfully. He had a chain in his hand, on the end of it was a wood elf, and he stepped forward. The huge orc leaned over and began talking to the elf; the elf nodded his head in agreement and walked over to Lielay.
"The powerful orcs have decided to spare your life since you are a strong female. You will become a servant for our high and mighty Lord Vic'Nance." With that he stepped back.
"Who is Lord Vic'Nance?" Lielay asked.
"He is the great leader of this fort that Emperor Crush so gratefully gave him many years ago."
The huge orc pulled Lielay's arm and through the gate. "Where is he taking me?" she said with fright growing on her mind.
"He is taking you to Lord Vic'Nance, probably. Whatever you do, don't refuse anything the Lord says because you'll be punished. Believe me some punishments are so torturous, you would scream for death. And you being a female, I don't even want to think of what he'd do to you."
"Thanks for the warning." Lielay almost cried.
The orc led Lielay into a large room where at the other end stood a high- backed throne with a dark elf seated on it, Lielay was led to him. "Lord Vic'Nance this is our prisoner from the wood elf army. She will become your servant if you wish." The wood elf killed the tow of the elf's boot.
"Hmmm. She looks strong enough to be my slave. Bring her up here." The lord had a lazy voice. "I am Lord Vic'Nance, your new master, what is your name girl?"
"Lielay Liltreehuggr." Lielay stood tall, trying not to show fear.
"What are you good at," Lord Vic'Nance grabbed Lielay's hand and removed the armored glove from it, "you have soft hands." He said as his dark skin rubbed her hand. "You have never done any hard work in your life, have you?"
"I am an explorer." Lielay said as she frowned and removed her and from his grasp.
"Well, whatever you did you will serve me now." His red eyes gleamed.
"And what if I don't." Lielay smirked.
"You'll be punished." An evil smile crossed his face.
"I'm not afraid of you."
"You will. Maybe you need a few hours to tame your temper, down in the dungeon you shall go." With that Lielay was grabbed again and was taken down countless flights of stairs. It grew colder and colder, the armor Lielay was in felt like a cold night in Halas.
"Are we there yet?" Lielay said after awhile. She was shoved into a cell and the door locked right behind her. "Fine then! Be that way!" Lielay shouted at the orc who brought her down to the cell.
Lielay kicked the cell door and turned around. She went to one of the beds that lay in the dark. In front of the bed she stripped off her armor and stood in her clothes from earlier that day. She sat on the bed, but the only thing was that someone was already on it.
"Oww." came a voice from under her.
Lielay jumped up as if she had sat on red-hot pokers. "Who's there?!" Lielay asked into the dark.
"Who are you?" came the same voice.
"No, I asked you first. And don't try anything funny, I'm a druid, I'll burn you alive." She held up her hands.
"Lielay?"
"How did you know my name?" Lielay put down her hands.
"Is that you?"
"Who are you? Come to where I can see you."
The person from the bed got up and walked into the light. He stood tall, strong, and handsome. The elf had long brownish colored hair and a beard. He stood looking down on Lielay with stern eyes. Lielay looked up into his face and something in the back of her head screamed that she knew this man.
"Who are you?" Lielay repeated.
"Lielay. It's me, Danny."
"Danny?" Lielay's eyes went wide.
"Yes."
"But you're dead." She choked.
"No. I was just taken prisoner." He said softly.
The two stepped closer to each other. Lielay looked in his eyes again and saw them twinkle. "My gods. It is you!" Lielay ran forward and fell into Danny's open arms. Both were crying with happiness and the end of their broken hearts. Danny held Lielay more tightly. He fell back down on the bed with Lielay still in his arms.
*****
Albain was already putting together a search and rescue party for Lielay as dawn began to break. Joshua was right in with him; something just told them that Lielay was still alive.
*****
Lielay still laid in Danny's arms as the sun peaked through the thin, narrow gaps of steel on the wall. She placed her head on his chest and listened to the steady heartbeat of her husband. Finally, after hours of silence, Lielay broke the peace and quiet. "Caleb has grown so much since I've last seen him."
"Has he? And I've missed it all too. Do you live with Joshua?" he added.
"No. I have been gone for five years. I haven't been to Kelethin since yesterday."
"You left Caleb?" he held her chin up to see her beautiful, flawless face.
"I didn't want to, but I did. I thought you were dead and I was going to full-fill our dreams of exploring the whole world of Norrath. Caleb was so young and little, I couldn't take him with me."
"Oh." It was quite again as Danny leaned forward to kiss Lielay.
*****
Meanwhile, Albain and Joshua had gathered a large group of elves that were willing to find Lielay. Albain was now angry and was shouting loudly above the noise. "OK, this may be dangerous, but all you have volunteered to help us find a female druid who was taken prisoner. Are you all ready?!" Albain yelled loudly.
"Ready!" every elf answered.
"Let's get going! We're burning daylight!"
