Sorry I didn't update sooner, but I was stuck in the big Black-Out I'm sure
most of you have heard of. I thought I'd die! My brother with his
scientifical facts said that one pop can was enough to power a tv, computer
or game system for 3 hours. We have lots of pop cans so I was gonna try and
jam one in my computer so I could write! Instead I was stuck with a small
candle that barely illuminated anything, a piece of paper and a pen. I've
never loved the sun as much as I did during the Power Outage. Me, my mum
and my little brother were stuck in a line up that went all the way down
the street for an hour just to get some gas. I was one of the unfortunate
ones, we were out of power for 2days! Anyways I'll stop complaining and get
on with the story. P.S: 'Sauron's Beard', if u thought the last chapter was
'cool' and 'awesome', you're gonna like this chapter, it's my brother's
fav. Action! And in case u were all wondering, I decided to let the review
mark go cause there were lots of ppl who really wanted me to continue, and
besides, I was only 2 reviews from my goal. So here it is guys. Enjoy!
Thanx 2 my reviewers:
Hehe not tellin' (Anonymous, but thank you)
Guess Who (my good friend Dylan, thanx a bunch!)
Adelianna (another good friend, thanx 4 all your support!)
Sauron's Beard (Anonymous, but thank you very much, whoever you are)
Destiny Calls (Another anonymous, but thank you for your comments)
LuckyLadybug66
Talkingnik
And Kazlit, (For even bothering to review, I'll have 2 look into this whole Elf name rule thing-a-ma-bob)
I love u guys! (Note: Translations 2 occasional Sindarin, at the bottom)
Chapter 2 - Orcs!
Galadriel stared at me. "You have seen the eye of Sauron before?"
"Yes," I said. "In my dreams."
"Once Sauron's eye has rested upon you, he will follow you till the end of your days." Said Galadriel, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder.
"But why? I am just a young Elf, I have nothing to do with Sauron." Galadriel didn't say anything, her eyes were closed, I had lived here long enough to know she was having a vision, though I did not know what. "My Lady?" I said.
She opened her eyes, fear was in them. "I would suppose your father has told you of the Rings of Power. Three to the Elves, Seven to the Dwarves, and Nine to Men." The Lady of the wood said.
"Yes." I replied.
"Of the three Rings gifted to Elves, one was to me, another to an ancestor of Legolas of Mirkwood, and the last was gifted to your father's great grandfather, which has been passed down for generations, to him."
"Are you referring to the silver ring he has borne since before I can remember?" I asked.
"Yes," Galadriel said. "I believe it is to be passed to you. In some situations, visions of the eye of Sauron skips generations of the family that bears a Ring of Power. Your great-great grandfather saw the same visions you do, and now, it has skipped four generations, targeting you, young Elf of my wood. Which means the Ring will bear you great fortune or misfortune. What misfortunes I know only of one. You will suffer grievously, over who you may grieve I cannot tell." Galadriel told me.
I was dumbstruck by her words, but was spared the necessity of replying, for sun's first light crept over the horizon. "I must go, My Lady. Thank you." I bowed, and set off up the stone steps, and into the trees. I ran as fast as I could up the wooden stairs spiralling up the tree that lead to my family's part of Caras Galadhon
When I was nearly there, I heard my father's cries. "Halkira! Tolo dan sí hi!"
"Oh no." I whispered to my self, bolting even faster up the stairs.
When I reached the wooden balcony at the top of the stairs, my father's hammock was empty, but my mother still slept. Panting from my long run from the ground up the stairs of the trees, I cautiously walked towards my hammock, to get my bow, sword, and quiver of arrows, for another day of guarding the woods.
Suddenly, a hand shot out and grabbed my forearm, I jumped, and looked up.
"Where were you?" Asked Haldir, I was relieved to see it was only he.
"Im gerni-er olor, a-anglenne ni penni-ni Híril Galadriel." I replied.
"Even so, why did you leave without my permission? Such has been a rule ever since you were nearly snatched by Orcs when you were four." My father continued. He always insisted that I spoke to him in the Common Tongue, for he did not wish me to only be able of speaking Sindarin, like most Elves in my woods.
I rolled my eyes and decided to speak in the Common Tongue, though I did prefer my own. "I needed to think, and I did not stray from our protected borders." I said, slinging my quiver of arrows over my shoulder, and picking up my bow.
"Even our borders are not protective enough against the horror that could reach these woods any day, or year from now, we must be prepared." Haldir replied.
I hated how anything I said never reasoned with him; all parents were the same. "What do you want me to say then?" I asked impatiently (and probably a little disrespectfully), tying my sword belt around my waist.
He narrowed his dark grey eyes at me. "Watch your tongue when you speak to me. I do not want you to say anything, I know I cannot change the way you are. I only wish that you tell me where you are going before you part, especially if it is in the middle of the night. You are lucky your mother did not wake before I." Haldir, said, going to get his own weapons for the day.
"Oh, so you admit you are less strict than mother?" I asked, waiting for him before going down the stairs.
"No." He said picking up his sword.
"Yes you are. Mother never fools around, but you do, occasionally. Not that it is ill, Elves need a sense of humour every once in a while."
"Really?" Haldir asked in mock interest. "Think quick." He said, striking with his blade.
I quickly drew out my sword and blocked it. "Mother, for instance, would not have approved of that." I smiled, we always played games with our weapons.
"At least someone here understands what is acceptable of adults and what isn't." Came Mirlocko's voice from the other side of the wooden balcony.
Me and my father looked at her, she had her arms folded across her chest, and the most disapproving look frowned upon her face.
"Haldir." She said sternly, nodding to his sword.
He cleared his throat and withdrew, sheathing his sword again.
"Blades are not to play with, they were designed for killing, and wounding, and that is what they shall do." My mother said.
"Forgive me." Haldir mumbled in reply, looking at the ground, and shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other.
I snorted, suppressing laughter at my father's sudden change in behaviour, he glanced at me with a look that said 'watch it!'.
My mother shook her head, and went to do the laundry. "You are in much trouble next time you're left alone with me." My father, whispered leaning towards me behind my mother's back.
"What was that, Haldir?" Mirlocko asked, turning around.
He immediately put on a fake smile. "I-uh-umm, was just telling-uh, Halkira that we should-um- be off to the woods for duty, you know. The sun has risen. We will see you for late dinner. Farewell!" And with that he set off in a rush down the stairs, pushing me by the shoulders first.
When we were going down the spiralling stairs of the tree, he looked up to make sure my mother wasn't watching us from afar, then, punched me in the arm lightly, though the punch was quite strong to me. I suppose he doesn't know his own strength.
"Oww." I whined.
"No one laughs at me and gets away with it." He smiled, then set off down the stairs two at a time after seeing the look on my face.
I ran after him, jumping three stairs at a time, but his long strides were too fast for me to keep up with no matter how many stairs I jumped.
The sounds of Haldir's laughing and my giggling reached my mother, and she looked down at the small figures at a distance running down the stairs. She shook her head. "Will Haldir ever grow up?" She asked herself.
My father reached the last step before the ground, and I jumped off the side of the staircase, onto his back. "Got you!" I cried, trying with all my might to tackle him to the ground.
"Alright fine, fine, you got me, I surrender!"
"We don't take surrenders, we kill them." I joked.
"Oh really? You and what army?" Haldir asked, pulling a leaf out of his hair.
I thought for a second. "This army." I said, whistling. A dozen Elf children I regularly played with came running down the stairs. "Herio!" I yelled, they all sounded war cries and jumped on top of Haldir.
He just laughed, and brushed them off. "Nice army, you even have them on call command." He said, standing up.
I smiled proudly, and he tapped my head. "Hey!" No one interrupts my 'pride in myself' moments.
"Come, we are almost an hour late, thanks to you." Haldir said, turning to the woods.
"Thanks to me? You are the one who got in trouble with mother."
"You are the one who decided to run off in the middle of the night."
"You are the one who started this little game."
"You went along with it."
"Fine, it is both our faults. May we go now, so we don't end up any later than we already are?" I said.
"No, we cannot, there is an invisible barrier stopping us." Haldir said sarcastically. "Get!" He motioned for me to go into the woods.
I laughed and sprinted into the woods of Lothlórien with my father.
"May we ride today?" I asked, I loved to ride, mostly because I loved my horse, Kaia was her name, I have had her since the age of three. Kaia was a filly then, and already tamed by Haldir, who then decided it was time to teach me how to ride. Kaia grew with me, and is now a beautiful Arabian chestnut mare, with a long flowing mane and tail.
"Yes, but only if you keep an eye out for strangers, and do not go off having too much fun. We cannot have you distracted from your duty"
I nodded and called Kaia. She came galloping from the stables, already tacked, and whinnied when she saw me. I laughed and patted Kaia's neck, then mounted.
Elven tack was light, for we do not wish that horses carry the heavy saddles we have seen Men with. Our saddles were like a two-inch thick spongy pad covered in lightly coloured cloth attached the horses back with a breastplate made of soft material and a thin girth, with light wooden stirrups made of the Mallorn trees in our woods. And for the bridles, Elven rope made of hithlain was wrapped around their necks just behind the ears, then knotted, and looped around their noses, and knotted again, the rest of the soft, silky rope trailed from the knot at the nose and served as reins for the rider. The horses respond to neck rein, if they feel the rope touch their neck on the left side, they will turn right, and vice-versa, depending on the amount of pressure you put on the neck from the rein, they would lean the indicated way, turn gradually or, turn sharply. The horses bred by our people respond to the lightest of touches, may run as fast as the great Horse Lord himself, Shadowfax, and can turn on a dime.
"Keep your bow ready in your hand." Haldir told me. "And remember, if you see any Orcs at all, shoot them on sight. Those filthy creatures are not worthy of dwelling in our woods. Full of nothing but lies and deceit they are. Meet me at the West end of the woods in mid day, when the sun is high in the sky."
I nodded again, and Kaia started off at a canter on my command. The sweet morning air rushed all about me while I cantered through the woods, not going anywhere in particular.
About two hours later, I sat on Kaia, who was walking at a swift pace, with my feet out of the stirrups. The sun was just peeking out above the trees, the woods gradually became warmer, and the leaves of the trees glistened gold. A yellow autumn like mist hung about the woods peacefully, not a sound could be heard. No wonder strangers from distant lands called it "The Golden Wood".
I stopped at a sparkling spring to have a drink. The water was clear, fresh, and cold as I felt it trickle down my throat, quenching my thirst. Kaia lowered her great Arabian head to have a drink as well. Leaning against a tree, I waited for my horse to finish grazing peacefully.
Suddenly, I got the feeling I was being watched, and I slowly moved to Kaia to retrieve my bow from the saddle. From there I returned to the tree, standing as still as the Great Mallorn itself as my hair blew softly in the spring breeze, like the branches rustled upon the limbs of the tree.
For several minutes I stood there, straining my keen elven ears for any noise that may hint someone or something was around.
All of a sudden rustling came from a bush near by to my left, and I slowly fitted an arrow from my quiver into the string of my bow. I silently and slowly, edged around the trunk of the tree, aiming my arrow right at the bush. The rustling grew louder, and I pulled the string back, ready to fire. "Come out, show yourself! Or I shall release my arrow." I ordered, I felt myself shaking a bit, I had never done this on my own, always with my father, I was, in dangerous situations such as this.
The rustling stopped at my words, then, in a split second, an Orc came charging out of the bushes.
Trying to stay calm, I aimed right between his eyes, while stumbling backwards, away in fear. I released the arrow, and it hit the Orc right where I intended.
The Orc gave a great screeching cry before falling to the golden leaf strewn floor of Lothlórien.
I lowered my bow, staring at the fallen Orc with amazement. 'I did it,' I thought to myself. 'I finally killed an Orc on my own, without anyone's help or protection!' I started laughing and dancing in circles at my accomplishment. I ran towards the West to climb my favourite tree and try to let out all my excitement before it got me into trouble.
But just as I reached out and grabbed the lowest limb on the tree, I heard a small rumbling in the short distance. Freezing to the spot, I looked out over the hill.
The rumbling grew louder and louder, until something finally peaked out from over the hill. But not just one at least two dozen Orcs riding things that looked like large dogs came charging from over the hill, heading straight for me.
Regaining myself, I turned and ran as fast as I could back towards Kaia. Picking my bow up from the ground where I left it, I began firing arrows into the sea of Orcs.
By the time I reached Kaia, only five of the 30 Orcs had fallen on my account. I leapt into Kaia's saddle, and spoke to her in Sindarin, telling her of the need to run as swift as the Wind for me.
"Noro lim, Kaia, noro lim!" I whispered to her, and almost immediately, she set off into what seemed the fastest gallop ever. Looking back over my shoulder I could see the Orcs on those horrible dog like creatures, running after me. Wrapping the end of my reins over the horn on the saddle so I would not loose them, I left the running to Kaia, and took out my bow once more. Twisting myself in the saddle, I fitted an arrow into the bowstring, and took aim. It was very difficult to ride and shoot an arrow at the same time, but I tried my best, hitting one Orc in about five tries. Realizing I did not have enough arrows in my quiver to keep this up, I put my bow away and returned to Kaia.
"Maer, Kaia, maer. Noro lim." I whispered to the horse, picking up my rope reins again. The woods were large, and I knew not how far I would have to go before finally finding one of the other woodland guards of my people.
I pulled out a horn that my father told me only to use in life-threatening situations. 'Umm, okay, let's think. There are about 24 Orcs behind me, all riding huge blood-thirsty dogs, all armed, and probably set on killing me right now. I think this is a life-threatening situation, Ada.'
I raised the horn to my mouth, and blew as long and loud as I could, one, two, three times. The Orcs hesitated for a second, waiting for more Elves to come bursting through the trees and attack them. When no Elves came, they resumed their charge on me. I blew again.
"Come on, Ada, hurry up, please." I said to myself. Kaia was growing tired and the Orcs were gaining.
Suddenly, some appeared in front of me, blocking my way, I turned Kaia quickly to the right, galloping to the West. A boulder was in our way, and Kaia jumped it gracefully, landing on the other side smoothly.
"Maer, Kaia, maer. Not far to go now." I encouraged, the horse's ears pricked, and she lengthened her strides.
All of a sudden more Orcs turned up to the West again, they had all split up to surround me, I turned to the East, but there were some there as well. Nowhere to go, they closed in about me, I blew the horn desperately again, over and over, I was getting really scared now.
I covered my head, as one Orc made to strike me with it's spear, but nothing happened, and out of no where, lightly clothed blurs ran into the Orcs, slaying them with graceful strokes of their weapons.
I looked around me and found Haldir fighting around the North side.
"It's about time!" I called to him.
"Well, we did not have horses." He replied, driving his blade through an Orc's throat.
I quickly hopped off Kaia, patted her neck, and unsheathed my sword to go help the others.
Once all the Orcs were dead, which didn't take long, we dragged the carcases to the edge of the forest, piled them, and burned them.
It was passed mid day now, and me and my father had some lunch in our regular spot.
"You mustn't let your mother know I let you go off on your own." Haldir told me. "If we talk at all about the Orcs, you were with me the *whole* time. Got it?"
"Yes, Ada." I replied.
"Good." He patted my shoulder, and picked up his bow, beginning to patrol the woods again.
I followed, not needing to worry about Kaia, for she followed me, everywhere in the woods, I could feel her muzzle touching my shoulder.
No stranger nor Orc turned up in the woods for the rest of the day. We waited for the moon to rise, and hurried through the woods to the protected borders of our city.
On our way in we met other Elves on their way for night patrol. We bowed to them, and went inside.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
There we go, the 2nd chapter, I hope u liked it, don't 4get 2 R&R pretty please. And 4 my anonymous reviewers, if u could leave some way 4 me 2 contact u so I can thank u 4 the review that would be great. I always need 2 thank ppl for the smallest of things *sighs* oh well that's me! Oh and by the way, I've been trying to find a Sindarin translator, but I can't find anything, so I can't guarantee that my Elvish is perfect, please don't pester me about it! And if u could tell me where I can find a Sindarin translator, please e-mail me. One last thing, Kazlitt, maybe u could help me find another name 4 Halkira, I was thinking of changing it, but maybe not if ppl don't want me 2 change it. But it has to have 'Ha' at the beginning, lol. And another last thing that I really need all of your inputs o: I was thinking of maybe writing a little fic about Haldir and Mirlocko before Halkira was born, u know, when they met, getting married etc.
Tolo dan sí hi: Come back here this instant
Im gerni-er olor, a-anglenne ni penni-ni Híril Galadriel: I had a dream, and went to speak to Lady Galadriel.
Noro lim: Ride fast
Maer: Good
Ada: Papa/Dad/Daddy etc.
Hehe not tellin' (Anonymous, but thank you)
Guess Who (my good friend Dylan, thanx a bunch!)
Adelianna (another good friend, thanx 4 all your support!)
Sauron's Beard (Anonymous, but thank you very much, whoever you are)
Destiny Calls (Another anonymous, but thank you for your comments)
LuckyLadybug66
Talkingnik
And Kazlit, (For even bothering to review, I'll have 2 look into this whole Elf name rule thing-a-ma-bob)
I love u guys! (Note: Translations 2 occasional Sindarin, at the bottom)
Chapter 2 - Orcs!
Galadriel stared at me. "You have seen the eye of Sauron before?"
"Yes," I said. "In my dreams."
"Once Sauron's eye has rested upon you, he will follow you till the end of your days." Said Galadriel, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder.
"But why? I am just a young Elf, I have nothing to do with Sauron." Galadriel didn't say anything, her eyes were closed, I had lived here long enough to know she was having a vision, though I did not know what. "My Lady?" I said.
She opened her eyes, fear was in them. "I would suppose your father has told you of the Rings of Power. Three to the Elves, Seven to the Dwarves, and Nine to Men." The Lady of the wood said.
"Yes." I replied.
"Of the three Rings gifted to Elves, one was to me, another to an ancestor of Legolas of Mirkwood, and the last was gifted to your father's great grandfather, which has been passed down for generations, to him."
"Are you referring to the silver ring he has borne since before I can remember?" I asked.
"Yes," Galadriel said. "I believe it is to be passed to you. In some situations, visions of the eye of Sauron skips generations of the family that bears a Ring of Power. Your great-great grandfather saw the same visions you do, and now, it has skipped four generations, targeting you, young Elf of my wood. Which means the Ring will bear you great fortune or misfortune. What misfortunes I know only of one. You will suffer grievously, over who you may grieve I cannot tell." Galadriel told me.
I was dumbstruck by her words, but was spared the necessity of replying, for sun's first light crept over the horizon. "I must go, My Lady. Thank you." I bowed, and set off up the stone steps, and into the trees. I ran as fast as I could up the wooden stairs spiralling up the tree that lead to my family's part of Caras Galadhon
When I was nearly there, I heard my father's cries. "Halkira! Tolo dan sí hi!"
"Oh no." I whispered to my self, bolting even faster up the stairs.
When I reached the wooden balcony at the top of the stairs, my father's hammock was empty, but my mother still slept. Panting from my long run from the ground up the stairs of the trees, I cautiously walked towards my hammock, to get my bow, sword, and quiver of arrows, for another day of guarding the woods.
Suddenly, a hand shot out and grabbed my forearm, I jumped, and looked up.
"Where were you?" Asked Haldir, I was relieved to see it was only he.
"Im gerni-er olor, a-anglenne ni penni-ni Híril Galadriel." I replied.
"Even so, why did you leave without my permission? Such has been a rule ever since you were nearly snatched by Orcs when you were four." My father continued. He always insisted that I spoke to him in the Common Tongue, for he did not wish me to only be able of speaking Sindarin, like most Elves in my woods.
I rolled my eyes and decided to speak in the Common Tongue, though I did prefer my own. "I needed to think, and I did not stray from our protected borders." I said, slinging my quiver of arrows over my shoulder, and picking up my bow.
"Even our borders are not protective enough against the horror that could reach these woods any day, or year from now, we must be prepared." Haldir replied.
I hated how anything I said never reasoned with him; all parents were the same. "What do you want me to say then?" I asked impatiently (and probably a little disrespectfully), tying my sword belt around my waist.
He narrowed his dark grey eyes at me. "Watch your tongue when you speak to me. I do not want you to say anything, I know I cannot change the way you are. I only wish that you tell me where you are going before you part, especially if it is in the middle of the night. You are lucky your mother did not wake before I." Haldir, said, going to get his own weapons for the day.
"Oh, so you admit you are less strict than mother?" I asked, waiting for him before going down the stairs.
"No." He said picking up his sword.
"Yes you are. Mother never fools around, but you do, occasionally. Not that it is ill, Elves need a sense of humour every once in a while."
"Really?" Haldir asked in mock interest. "Think quick." He said, striking with his blade.
I quickly drew out my sword and blocked it. "Mother, for instance, would not have approved of that." I smiled, we always played games with our weapons.
"At least someone here understands what is acceptable of adults and what isn't." Came Mirlocko's voice from the other side of the wooden balcony.
Me and my father looked at her, she had her arms folded across her chest, and the most disapproving look frowned upon her face.
"Haldir." She said sternly, nodding to his sword.
He cleared his throat and withdrew, sheathing his sword again.
"Blades are not to play with, they were designed for killing, and wounding, and that is what they shall do." My mother said.
"Forgive me." Haldir mumbled in reply, looking at the ground, and shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other.
I snorted, suppressing laughter at my father's sudden change in behaviour, he glanced at me with a look that said 'watch it!'.
My mother shook her head, and went to do the laundry. "You are in much trouble next time you're left alone with me." My father, whispered leaning towards me behind my mother's back.
"What was that, Haldir?" Mirlocko asked, turning around.
He immediately put on a fake smile. "I-uh-umm, was just telling-uh, Halkira that we should-um- be off to the woods for duty, you know. The sun has risen. We will see you for late dinner. Farewell!" And with that he set off in a rush down the stairs, pushing me by the shoulders first.
When we were going down the spiralling stairs of the tree, he looked up to make sure my mother wasn't watching us from afar, then, punched me in the arm lightly, though the punch was quite strong to me. I suppose he doesn't know his own strength.
"Oww." I whined.
"No one laughs at me and gets away with it." He smiled, then set off down the stairs two at a time after seeing the look on my face.
I ran after him, jumping three stairs at a time, but his long strides were too fast for me to keep up with no matter how many stairs I jumped.
The sounds of Haldir's laughing and my giggling reached my mother, and she looked down at the small figures at a distance running down the stairs. She shook her head. "Will Haldir ever grow up?" She asked herself.
My father reached the last step before the ground, and I jumped off the side of the staircase, onto his back. "Got you!" I cried, trying with all my might to tackle him to the ground.
"Alright fine, fine, you got me, I surrender!"
"We don't take surrenders, we kill them." I joked.
"Oh really? You and what army?" Haldir asked, pulling a leaf out of his hair.
I thought for a second. "This army." I said, whistling. A dozen Elf children I regularly played with came running down the stairs. "Herio!" I yelled, they all sounded war cries and jumped on top of Haldir.
He just laughed, and brushed them off. "Nice army, you even have them on call command." He said, standing up.
I smiled proudly, and he tapped my head. "Hey!" No one interrupts my 'pride in myself' moments.
"Come, we are almost an hour late, thanks to you." Haldir said, turning to the woods.
"Thanks to me? You are the one who got in trouble with mother."
"You are the one who decided to run off in the middle of the night."
"You are the one who started this little game."
"You went along with it."
"Fine, it is both our faults. May we go now, so we don't end up any later than we already are?" I said.
"No, we cannot, there is an invisible barrier stopping us." Haldir said sarcastically. "Get!" He motioned for me to go into the woods.
I laughed and sprinted into the woods of Lothlórien with my father.
"May we ride today?" I asked, I loved to ride, mostly because I loved my horse, Kaia was her name, I have had her since the age of three. Kaia was a filly then, and already tamed by Haldir, who then decided it was time to teach me how to ride. Kaia grew with me, and is now a beautiful Arabian chestnut mare, with a long flowing mane and tail.
"Yes, but only if you keep an eye out for strangers, and do not go off having too much fun. We cannot have you distracted from your duty"
I nodded and called Kaia. She came galloping from the stables, already tacked, and whinnied when she saw me. I laughed and patted Kaia's neck, then mounted.
Elven tack was light, for we do not wish that horses carry the heavy saddles we have seen Men with. Our saddles were like a two-inch thick spongy pad covered in lightly coloured cloth attached the horses back with a breastplate made of soft material and a thin girth, with light wooden stirrups made of the Mallorn trees in our woods. And for the bridles, Elven rope made of hithlain was wrapped around their necks just behind the ears, then knotted, and looped around their noses, and knotted again, the rest of the soft, silky rope trailed from the knot at the nose and served as reins for the rider. The horses respond to neck rein, if they feel the rope touch their neck on the left side, they will turn right, and vice-versa, depending on the amount of pressure you put on the neck from the rein, they would lean the indicated way, turn gradually or, turn sharply. The horses bred by our people respond to the lightest of touches, may run as fast as the great Horse Lord himself, Shadowfax, and can turn on a dime.
"Keep your bow ready in your hand." Haldir told me. "And remember, if you see any Orcs at all, shoot them on sight. Those filthy creatures are not worthy of dwelling in our woods. Full of nothing but lies and deceit they are. Meet me at the West end of the woods in mid day, when the sun is high in the sky."
I nodded again, and Kaia started off at a canter on my command. The sweet morning air rushed all about me while I cantered through the woods, not going anywhere in particular.
About two hours later, I sat on Kaia, who was walking at a swift pace, with my feet out of the stirrups. The sun was just peeking out above the trees, the woods gradually became warmer, and the leaves of the trees glistened gold. A yellow autumn like mist hung about the woods peacefully, not a sound could be heard. No wonder strangers from distant lands called it "The Golden Wood".
I stopped at a sparkling spring to have a drink. The water was clear, fresh, and cold as I felt it trickle down my throat, quenching my thirst. Kaia lowered her great Arabian head to have a drink as well. Leaning against a tree, I waited for my horse to finish grazing peacefully.
Suddenly, I got the feeling I was being watched, and I slowly moved to Kaia to retrieve my bow from the saddle. From there I returned to the tree, standing as still as the Great Mallorn itself as my hair blew softly in the spring breeze, like the branches rustled upon the limbs of the tree.
For several minutes I stood there, straining my keen elven ears for any noise that may hint someone or something was around.
All of a sudden rustling came from a bush near by to my left, and I slowly fitted an arrow from my quiver into the string of my bow. I silently and slowly, edged around the trunk of the tree, aiming my arrow right at the bush. The rustling grew louder, and I pulled the string back, ready to fire. "Come out, show yourself! Or I shall release my arrow." I ordered, I felt myself shaking a bit, I had never done this on my own, always with my father, I was, in dangerous situations such as this.
The rustling stopped at my words, then, in a split second, an Orc came charging out of the bushes.
Trying to stay calm, I aimed right between his eyes, while stumbling backwards, away in fear. I released the arrow, and it hit the Orc right where I intended.
The Orc gave a great screeching cry before falling to the golden leaf strewn floor of Lothlórien.
I lowered my bow, staring at the fallen Orc with amazement. 'I did it,' I thought to myself. 'I finally killed an Orc on my own, without anyone's help or protection!' I started laughing and dancing in circles at my accomplishment. I ran towards the West to climb my favourite tree and try to let out all my excitement before it got me into trouble.
But just as I reached out and grabbed the lowest limb on the tree, I heard a small rumbling in the short distance. Freezing to the spot, I looked out over the hill.
The rumbling grew louder and louder, until something finally peaked out from over the hill. But not just one at least two dozen Orcs riding things that looked like large dogs came charging from over the hill, heading straight for me.
Regaining myself, I turned and ran as fast as I could back towards Kaia. Picking my bow up from the ground where I left it, I began firing arrows into the sea of Orcs.
By the time I reached Kaia, only five of the 30 Orcs had fallen on my account. I leapt into Kaia's saddle, and spoke to her in Sindarin, telling her of the need to run as swift as the Wind for me.
"Noro lim, Kaia, noro lim!" I whispered to her, and almost immediately, she set off into what seemed the fastest gallop ever. Looking back over my shoulder I could see the Orcs on those horrible dog like creatures, running after me. Wrapping the end of my reins over the horn on the saddle so I would not loose them, I left the running to Kaia, and took out my bow once more. Twisting myself in the saddle, I fitted an arrow into the bowstring, and took aim. It was very difficult to ride and shoot an arrow at the same time, but I tried my best, hitting one Orc in about five tries. Realizing I did not have enough arrows in my quiver to keep this up, I put my bow away and returned to Kaia.
"Maer, Kaia, maer. Noro lim." I whispered to the horse, picking up my rope reins again. The woods were large, and I knew not how far I would have to go before finally finding one of the other woodland guards of my people.
I pulled out a horn that my father told me only to use in life-threatening situations. 'Umm, okay, let's think. There are about 24 Orcs behind me, all riding huge blood-thirsty dogs, all armed, and probably set on killing me right now. I think this is a life-threatening situation, Ada.'
I raised the horn to my mouth, and blew as long and loud as I could, one, two, three times. The Orcs hesitated for a second, waiting for more Elves to come bursting through the trees and attack them. When no Elves came, they resumed their charge on me. I blew again.
"Come on, Ada, hurry up, please." I said to myself. Kaia was growing tired and the Orcs were gaining.
Suddenly, some appeared in front of me, blocking my way, I turned Kaia quickly to the right, galloping to the West. A boulder was in our way, and Kaia jumped it gracefully, landing on the other side smoothly.
"Maer, Kaia, maer. Not far to go now." I encouraged, the horse's ears pricked, and she lengthened her strides.
All of a sudden more Orcs turned up to the West again, they had all split up to surround me, I turned to the East, but there were some there as well. Nowhere to go, they closed in about me, I blew the horn desperately again, over and over, I was getting really scared now.
I covered my head, as one Orc made to strike me with it's spear, but nothing happened, and out of no where, lightly clothed blurs ran into the Orcs, slaying them with graceful strokes of their weapons.
I looked around me and found Haldir fighting around the North side.
"It's about time!" I called to him.
"Well, we did not have horses." He replied, driving his blade through an Orc's throat.
I quickly hopped off Kaia, patted her neck, and unsheathed my sword to go help the others.
Once all the Orcs were dead, which didn't take long, we dragged the carcases to the edge of the forest, piled them, and burned them.
It was passed mid day now, and me and my father had some lunch in our regular spot.
"You mustn't let your mother know I let you go off on your own." Haldir told me. "If we talk at all about the Orcs, you were with me the *whole* time. Got it?"
"Yes, Ada." I replied.
"Good." He patted my shoulder, and picked up his bow, beginning to patrol the woods again.
I followed, not needing to worry about Kaia, for she followed me, everywhere in the woods, I could feel her muzzle touching my shoulder.
No stranger nor Orc turned up in the woods for the rest of the day. We waited for the moon to rise, and hurried through the woods to the protected borders of our city.
On our way in we met other Elves on their way for night patrol. We bowed to them, and went inside.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
There we go, the 2nd chapter, I hope u liked it, don't 4get 2 R&R pretty please. And 4 my anonymous reviewers, if u could leave some way 4 me 2 contact u so I can thank u 4 the review that would be great. I always need 2 thank ppl for the smallest of things *sighs* oh well that's me! Oh and by the way, I've been trying to find a Sindarin translator, but I can't find anything, so I can't guarantee that my Elvish is perfect, please don't pester me about it! And if u could tell me where I can find a Sindarin translator, please e-mail me. One last thing, Kazlitt, maybe u could help me find another name 4 Halkira, I was thinking of changing it, but maybe not if ppl don't want me 2 change it. But it has to have 'Ha' at the beginning, lol. And another last thing that I really need all of your inputs o: I was thinking of maybe writing a little fic about Haldir and Mirlocko before Halkira was born, u know, when they met, getting married etc.
Tolo dan sí hi: Come back here this instant
Im gerni-er olor, a-anglenne ni penni-ni Híril Galadriel: I had a dream, and went to speak to Lady Galadriel.
Noro lim: Ride fast
Maer: Good
Ada: Papa/Dad/Daddy etc.