Blah. I must be the only person to have 12 reviews, but when you search for
my story it says I only have 4. How messed.
Haha. yay! Second chapter is up! I hope it's just as good as the second chapter. O_O; somehow I doubt that because I was alternating between homework and fanfiction. and the fact that I wrote it in day. Oh yeah, and we have a week long break coming up in two days too. so plenty of time to write. ^^ Forgive me if this chapter's not satisfactory. I never know how to end the chapter.
Chapter 2
To her, Lothlorien had always been beautiful. Yet today, the realm's beauty seemed enhanced. She wondered if it was because of dawn's light, or maybe because this was her final look at her old home for many years, or possibly for only a few. Annûngil turned her back from the forest of giant mallorn trees and faced the river Anduin. What lay beyond, she did not know, for children were not allowed past the borders of Lorien. To wander was to be victim to orcs, and the elves did not dare risk their young ones to such fearsome beasts. Any child who was discovered to have broken this rule was immediately sent to their uncle for disciplining[1].
A feeling of content washed over Annûngil. She was going to a new place! She was going to see new people, and new things! She could have adventures with new children, and the new friends she would make. And even if things did not turn out perfectly, she still had her father to be with, and her older brother too.
Several days went by, and their journey was mostly uneventful. Malliavas was always conversing with Haldir, telling him about Mirkwood, their homes, their King. Annûngil was left with only Celebithil to talk to, who had not traveled beyond the borders before, even though he had just come of age. When they started out, the two siblings rode in silence, marveling at their surroundings. Then Celebithil began pointing out the differences between the marshes and Lothlorien, and so the two chatted on the lines of that topic.
On the third day, the group of elves had crossed the River Anduin to the hilly grasslands with no mishaps, besides four disgruntled and sodden horses. As they stopped for the night, Haldir sensed something in the air. He scanned the horizon warily, and didn't mention anything to Malliavas. "He has probably felt it too," thought Haldir. "But we shouldn't mention it to the children." He still thought of Celebithil as a child, even though he had just come of age. "I don't want them to worry unnecessarily." Finished Haldir. So Haldir acted no different that night, with the exception of a very thorough weaponry check: that his sword was still sharp and his quivers full.
It was dusk of the fourth day, and Haldir knew. He shot a look at Malliavas, who nodded affirmatively. They were much closer now, this Haldir knew. He did not know if or when they would choose to attack, but he sensed that they would not have to wait much longer. Then Haldir called softly, "Celebithil, Annûngil."
They both turned to him and said, "Yes, Father?"
"I want you two to be very alert. I have smelled the foul reek of orcs in the air, and I'm sure they will try and attack our small company. Keep your bows at hand and do not be afraid."
Both siblings nodded. "Yes, Father."
"If they should attack," continued Haldir. "Annûngil must stay in the middle."
Again they nodded, Annûngil's nervousness showing, even though she tried to contain it under a mask of unconcern. Celebithil looked eager, and a cold ruthlessness had entered his eyes. This would be his third encounter with those creatures. He hated orcs with a passion, and it was because of them that his mother had left these shores early.
They rode on in the dark warily, expecting an attack behind every bend, from every shadow. But none came. Suddenly, Malliavas hissed, "Yrch[2]." Swiftly, all the elves halted and strung their bows. Haldir was the first to loose a shot, his arrow causing a hideous screech from a downed orc. Malliavas and Celebithil, too, shot. Their arrows found their targets.
Annûngil shook with fright. Her many years of training had not prepared her for this. They had not readied her for the frightful repulsiveness of the orcs, or their horrible stench. Her training had consisted of shooting at targets, not real live creatures. She tried to crush her nervousness inside of her, but she felt it engulfing her. Reaching quickly for an arrow and fitting it into her bow, she prayed that her shaking hands would not cause her to miss her target. She selected an orc, and shot. A second later, her arrow had sunk deeply into the forehead of the orc.
As he collapsed to the ground, uttering shrieks of agony, Annûngil felt a wave of nausea wash over her. Never before had she taken the life of another. She stared in horror at the other dead and dying creatures. Was that how all life ended? In pain? What did it feel like to die?[3] She gulped and fought another wave of nausea. She looked around quickly and realized that her father and brother were still fighting.
At first Haldir had used his horse's height to his advantage. It was just a matter of leaning a little out of the saddle and beheading the nearest orc with his sword. He soon grasped that this tactic was much too slow; many orcs were starting to slip through his guard, dangerously close to Annûngil. Then he tried running his horse into the orcs. They were all either knocked down and trampled upon by his steed, or scored by his sword.
Malliavas started off using his bow, but there were too many orcs. They had threatened to overrun him, so Malliavas had leapt skillfully off his horse, pulled out his two long knives and went into action.
Annûngil was watching her brother fight. He was doing quite well, fighting with ruthlessness that surprised her. Every so often, a few would slip past him and she would pick them off with her bow. She was feeling better about this. carnage. This slaughter.
Later, Haldir stopped, and took in his surroundings. The orcs were dead, and the ones who had not died had run. He looked at Annûngil, and saw that she seemed sick, which was due to the experience of her first battle. Celebithil seemed to be holding in pain, and Malliavas looked like he had just gone for a stroll in the woods.
Haldir approached Annûngil and said, "You have seen your first battle. How do you feel, daughter?"
To this Annûngil replied, "Sick, Father. Who knew a mortal life could be so terrible?"
Celebithil approached them holding his arm. Blood ran down his face from a gash on his cheek. He took his hand from his arm and showed his father another deep wound. Haldir smiled at the triumphant look in his son's eyes and said, "And you thought our journey would be boring." Then he pulled some binding out of a pack attached to his horse and started binding the wound. "You'll have to get these checked when we reach Mirkwood," he continued, and wiped the blood off Celebithil's face.
Malliavas approached. "Orcish filth." he mumbled when he saw the wounds. Then turning to Haldir he said, "We are only a few days away from the house of Thranduil. if we travel quick. He will be expecting us in two days. When we reach the borders of Mirkwood, some of my kin will be there waiting for us. With luck, we won't be delayed any longer by battles."
Haldir again checked that his children were fine and unhurt. "Then let us be on our way."
[1] - Parents did not disciple their children. It was their relatives who had the right to choose and to administer what they thought was the right punishment.
[2] - Elvish for orc
[3] - Remember that elves are immortal.
Haha. yay! Second chapter is up! I hope it's just as good as the second chapter. O_O; somehow I doubt that because I was alternating between homework and fanfiction. and the fact that I wrote it in day. Oh yeah, and we have a week long break coming up in two days too. so plenty of time to write. ^^ Forgive me if this chapter's not satisfactory. I never know how to end the chapter.
Chapter 2
To her, Lothlorien had always been beautiful. Yet today, the realm's beauty seemed enhanced. She wondered if it was because of dawn's light, or maybe because this was her final look at her old home for many years, or possibly for only a few. Annûngil turned her back from the forest of giant mallorn trees and faced the river Anduin. What lay beyond, she did not know, for children were not allowed past the borders of Lorien. To wander was to be victim to orcs, and the elves did not dare risk their young ones to such fearsome beasts. Any child who was discovered to have broken this rule was immediately sent to their uncle for disciplining[1].
A feeling of content washed over Annûngil. She was going to a new place! She was going to see new people, and new things! She could have adventures with new children, and the new friends she would make. And even if things did not turn out perfectly, she still had her father to be with, and her older brother too.
Several days went by, and their journey was mostly uneventful. Malliavas was always conversing with Haldir, telling him about Mirkwood, their homes, their King. Annûngil was left with only Celebithil to talk to, who had not traveled beyond the borders before, even though he had just come of age. When they started out, the two siblings rode in silence, marveling at their surroundings. Then Celebithil began pointing out the differences between the marshes and Lothlorien, and so the two chatted on the lines of that topic.
On the third day, the group of elves had crossed the River Anduin to the hilly grasslands with no mishaps, besides four disgruntled and sodden horses. As they stopped for the night, Haldir sensed something in the air. He scanned the horizon warily, and didn't mention anything to Malliavas. "He has probably felt it too," thought Haldir. "But we shouldn't mention it to the children." He still thought of Celebithil as a child, even though he had just come of age. "I don't want them to worry unnecessarily." Finished Haldir. So Haldir acted no different that night, with the exception of a very thorough weaponry check: that his sword was still sharp and his quivers full.
It was dusk of the fourth day, and Haldir knew. He shot a look at Malliavas, who nodded affirmatively. They were much closer now, this Haldir knew. He did not know if or when they would choose to attack, but he sensed that they would not have to wait much longer. Then Haldir called softly, "Celebithil, Annûngil."
They both turned to him and said, "Yes, Father?"
"I want you two to be very alert. I have smelled the foul reek of orcs in the air, and I'm sure they will try and attack our small company. Keep your bows at hand and do not be afraid."
Both siblings nodded. "Yes, Father."
"If they should attack," continued Haldir. "Annûngil must stay in the middle."
Again they nodded, Annûngil's nervousness showing, even though she tried to contain it under a mask of unconcern. Celebithil looked eager, and a cold ruthlessness had entered his eyes. This would be his third encounter with those creatures. He hated orcs with a passion, and it was because of them that his mother had left these shores early.
They rode on in the dark warily, expecting an attack behind every bend, from every shadow. But none came. Suddenly, Malliavas hissed, "Yrch[2]." Swiftly, all the elves halted and strung their bows. Haldir was the first to loose a shot, his arrow causing a hideous screech from a downed orc. Malliavas and Celebithil, too, shot. Their arrows found their targets.
Annûngil shook with fright. Her many years of training had not prepared her for this. They had not readied her for the frightful repulsiveness of the orcs, or their horrible stench. Her training had consisted of shooting at targets, not real live creatures. She tried to crush her nervousness inside of her, but she felt it engulfing her. Reaching quickly for an arrow and fitting it into her bow, she prayed that her shaking hands would not cause her to miss her target. She selected an orc, and shot. A second later, her arrow had sunk deeply into the forehead of the orc.
As he collapsed to the ground, uttering shrieks of agony, Annûngil felt a wave of nausea wash over her. Never before had she taken the life of another. She stared in horror at the other dead and dying creatures. Was that how all life ended? In pain? What did it feel like to die?[3] She gulped and fought another wave of nausea. She looked around quickly and realized that her father and brother were still fighting.
At first Haldir had used his horse's height to his advantage. It was just a matter of leaning a little out of the saddle and beheading the nearest orc with his sword. He soon grasped that this tactic was much too slow; many orcs were starting to slip through his guard, dangerously close to Annûngil. Then he tried running his horse into the orcs. They were all either knocked down and trampled upon by his steed, or scored by his sword.
Malliavas started off using his bow, but there were too many orcs. They had threatened to overrun him, so Malliavas had leapt skillfully off his horse, pulled out his two long knives and went into action.
Annûngil was watching her brother fight. He was doing quite well, fighting with ruthlessness that surprised her. Every so often, a few would slip past him and she would pick them off with her bow. She was feeling better about this. carnage. This slaughter.
Later, Haldir stopped, and took in his surroundings. The orcs were dead, and the ones who had not died had run. He looked at Annûngil, and saw that she seemed sick, which was due to the experience of her first battle. Celebithil seemed to be holding in pain, and Malliavas looked like he had just gone for a stroll in the woods.
Haldir approached Annûngil and said, "You have seen your first battle. How do you feel, daughter?"
To this Annûngil replied, "Sick, Father. Who knew a mortal life could be so terrible?"
Celebithil approached them holding his arm. Blood ran down his face from a gash on his cheek. He took his hand from his arm and showed his father another deep wound. Haldir smiled at the triumphant look in his son's eyes and said, "And you thought our journey would be boring." Then he pulled some binding out of a pack attached to his horse and started binding the wound. "You'll have to get these checked when we reach Mirkwood," he continued, and wiped the blood off Celebithil's face.
Malliavas approached. "Orcish filth." he mumbled when he saw the wounds. Then turning to Haldir he said, "We are only a few days away from the house of Thranduil. if we travel quick. He will be expecting us in two days. When we reach the borders of Mirkwood, some of my kin will be there waiting for us. With luck, we won't be delayed any longer by battles."
Haldir again checked that his children were fine and unhurt. "Then let us be on our way."
[1] - Parents did not disciple their children. It was their relatives who had the right to choose and to administer what they thought was the right punishment.
[2] - Elvish for orc
[3] - Remember that elves are immortal.