Chapter Seven
The Battle
Shaking his head wearily, Felipe urged Gohora on after Quildë Minë. He would have to keep an eye one her, and that would take even more of his attention. He was beginning to have second thoughts about going without armor.
Leaving the gates, Quildë Minë caught sight of Éoywn. At that same moment, Éoywn had seen her; in the front of the group. Their eyes looked for a brief moment as the young elf rode past. At first there was a look of surprise in the shield-maiden's eyes, but it quickly turned to jealousy and hate. Her eyes then grew cold and black, unreadable, even to Quildë Minë. Once through the gates, Quildë Minë thought to herself, 'I should stay away for her, whomever she may be. She does not look like a terribly friendly person.' She could tell that the woman was upset about something, but she did not know what.
Turning her attention back to the fight ahead, she suddenly realized that Felipe had ridden up beside her. Shaking her head, she focused her attention on the fast approaching group of 'orcs'. The group halted at the top of a hill, and spread out in a line. Quildë Minë, along with many others, fitted an arrow to her bow. Quickly releasing, the arrow went into the skull of one of the creatures who was not wearing a helmet, much to his disadvantage. Felipe, a bit taken back by her skill, shot a creature in the second line. Arrows keep flying, as the creatures pressed forward. Most of the arrows from the Rohirrim hit their targets, those that missed, ended up hitting the creature behind or next to it. Quildë Minë and Felipe's shots hit the Target every time. After each arrow was released, another was fixed by the time the previous arrow found a home.
In a matter of minutes, both their quivers were empty. Looping the bows over their backs, they both drew their swords. Now the host had come near enough to charge. With a cry, Théodred broke forward and rushed at the group, the riders quickly following. Hurling themselves at the beings, the fight began.
Ducking a swing at his head, Felipe ran his sword threw a near by 'orc'. Pulling it free, he swung to the other side, where another creature was trying to pull him from the saddle. As that one fell to the ground, Felipe glanced over at Quildë Minë. She was standing on the ground, and five dead 'orcs' lay beside her. She threw a dagger at an approaching 'orc' as she ripped another one from the throat of a fallen heap. Turning, she beheaded another attacker, with her sword, whose blow would have left her dead. Turning again, she caught Felipe's eye, hers sparkling with adrenalin. Her movements seemed natural and she shifted smoothly from block to swing. Suddenly Felipe heard a cry from behind him. Just as he turned to see what it was, a flash of silver whipped past his head and into the skull of the screaming creature.
Not having time to thank the young warrior, he heeled Gohora toward an 'orc' who was making for Éomér. The creature fell several feet from the man. Tearing a spear from a body lying on the ground. He thrust it into the back of another creature. Knowing that he needn't worry too much about Quildë Minë, he was able to concentrate more on the battle.
The fighting continued in the manor for a short while. As their numbers were dwindling, one of the leaders gave a cry and those who could, fled back toward the trees. Théodred gave a cry and the riders swiftly remounted their horses. They raced after the creatures, who were now entering the woods. As the riders reached the tree line, a startled cry came from one of the leading riders. The fleeting creatures had joined another large group, who were freshly armed. Arrows flew through the air and horses and their riders fell. The Rohiddim did their best to defend themselves, but they were too greatly out numbered.
As Quildë Minë killed one of the creatures, she glanced at the prince. Much to her horror, a creature was about to attack his from behind, while he fought another hand-to-hand. Letting out a cry, she leapt onto Brentino's back and raced toward the struggling man. The creature he was battling struck his head against the man's head, cutting it deeply. Blood rushed out as he finally was able to kill it. Turning, he saw the other creature and Quildë Minë racing at him. Clumsily he gathered his sword from the ground. In an effort to block a blow, he ended up tripping the creature, but falling in the same motion, his head wound getting the best of him. Quildë Minë reached for a dagger, but discovered that she had no more left. Drawing her sword once again, she thrust it into the creature, but not before it swung and hit Théodred. He fell to his knees, clutching his stomach; blood ran down his check. His glazed eyes looked at Quildë Minë before he fell on his side. Rushing to him, she pressed he hand to his stomach, at the same time tearing clothing from her pant leg. She wrapped in around his head and tied it. Éomér had seen what happened and rushed over as well. Gathering the pained prince up, he lightly pulled him onto his horse and called to the riders. They raced back to the city, carrying as many wounded as they could.
Three hours later, once the creatures had left the forest, Quildë Minë, Felipe and a few others went to see if any were left alive. Most were dead, but some were left alive. Gathering first those whose wounds were the worst, they took them back to the city. Felipe and Quildë Minë each had a man clinging behind them as threw rode through the gates. Taking them to Bashar, others helped them to beds. Finally all the wounded were in a bed and being a treated and the dead were laid to rest. By the time all the horses were untacked and back into their stalls; wounds treated, Felipe and Quildë Minë collapsed on the floor outside Brentino's stall. It had been a long day and they were both exhausted.
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Sorry it's such a short chapter, but a lot happened and I thought anything more would be too much. I hope you lived it, and as I promised, it didn't take so long for this chapter. I'll keep working on this story, but I think I may start another one. Happy 4th of July! Please review!