As usual, elvish translations r at the end of the chapter. And thanx 2 my
reviewers:
*el chepo (don't worry, I won't reveal ur true identity lol ^^) *Arianna (thanx 4 all ur comments) *Silcawen Uvanimor-dreamingfifi *Marissa03 (it's been so much fun talking on msn ^^ and don't worry, u'll get ideas 4 ur story ^_~ thanx 4 all the support, girl!) *Adelianna (my good friend and older sister I never had ^^ thanx 4 ur support, 2)
Chapter 6 - Is the world still safe? September 22nd, 3018
The sky was grey and billowing clouds loomed overhead, the air thick and humid, on this day in late August. Even a mere man would be able to sense that rain was on it's way sometime that day.
As usual, despite the weather, I headed out for duty with my father.
"The storm is beginning to draw near. You stay here while I go back to the city to get a tarp for us." Haldir said, jumping down from the tree.
I shivered and pulled my cloak tighter around me. Even though it was humid, cold wind blew and chilled me.
Suddenly I began to hear noises from the south-western part of the woods. I got down to investigate.
After a dozen minutes, I finally reached the borders of the forest. I looked out, nothing seemed to be there, and the noises had ceased. Taking one last suspicious look, I turned to go back.
But just as I had turned, I met the ugly face of an Orc. The rotting flesh seemed to hang off them, and they smelled dreadful.
I drew out my sword as it made to strike me. More came, and I would not be able to continue this, I needed aid.
Fear gripped me like a demon holding onto its prey until they fall into darkness. I grew very weary as the battle progressed, my sword arm was beginning to ache, and my sword was covered in the foul sour smell of Orc blood. It took all my effort just to lift up my sword.
The Orcs knew I was growing weary too, so they hit me with all they had. Suddenly, some archers appeared, so I had to fight, while dodging arrows, would I ever live to tell this tale? When I thought it was over, and I had slain the last Orc I, put my sword in my other hand, and flexed my right.
I saw another Orc; groaning, I put my sword in my right hand. I could barely move, every muscle in my body ached, but still I fought on. Abandoning the advanced moves my father had taught me over all those years, I swung my sword and killed as many as possible.
An arrow whizzed by me, that one was way too close for comfort. A second arrow, however found a mark.
I felt a sharp pain shoot through my left arm, and I looked down to see a black-feathered arrow right through my forearm. It hurt so bad I felt my stomach wanting to vomit. My breath was heavy from the pain, and unfortunately, an Orc approached me. I fought wearily, leaving many spots open, not that I meant to, I was trying my best.
Finally, the Orc took an open spot, and slashed my side. Such a pain I had never felt in my life. My vision was getting blurry, and I could no longer see clearly. Thinking it was the end, I sank down the ground, and closed my eyes.
Before I knew anything, I passed out, though, I thought I had died. Only for a few minutes this black out lasted, but that seemed to be enough time for the Orcs to think I was dead.
I rose to my feet, and stumbled into the woods again. I hissed at the pain, and groaned. Thunder had begun to rumble in the distance, and not long after came rain. Heavy rain, pouring buckets full, the water stung my wounds, but still I kept going. My hair and cloaks were soon soaked through and through, so they clung to my body.
What was about over half an hour seemed like hours to me, before I finally saw some Elves in the distance. "Is that you, Halkira? You're father's been looking for you!" My Uncle Orophin called. Giving into the pain, I collapsed onto the ground, and moaned in agony. I heard my Uncles' fast footsteps approaching. I felt hands grabbing me and pulling me up to my feet.
"What is it? What happened?" My Uncle Rumil asked.
"Orcs. On the South Eastern border, they numbers were too great for me, I think they will return." I hissed at more pain coming from moving my side.
"Come, we have to get you somewhere out of the rain." Uncle Orophin said.
I nodded, not being able to speak because of the pain.
They helped me to a shelter they and my father had made for rainy and snowy days. It was composed of a bough, then, covered with a tarp Haldir brought from the city.
When they stumbled inside with me, my father was there.
"What happened?" He asked, immediately getting up to helped them lie me down on some dry leaves. I continued to groan, I was surprised I hadn't passed out again.
"She says Orcs turned up on the South Eastern border, attacked her. Lots, and they might return." My Uncle Orophin replied.
"Orophin, I want you to go warn the city and have anyone wanting to fight, posted on the South border, mostly in the South East." Haldir said.
"Why can't I go?" Uncle Rumil asked.
"Because, they might not believe you." My father replied simply, turning his full attention to me. He lifted up my shirt under the cloak to look at my other wound. Haldir examined it for a while, before speaking. "You are fortunate that it is not fatally deep." He said.
"Rumil, I want you to get some water mixed with salt and a cloth, since you are so eager to do something."
My Uncle Rumil nodded, and set off out of the shelter.
"First, I think we will take care of that arrow." I sat up. Haldir again examined the arrow, looking a little puzzled, then, spoke. "The only way we will get that out of there is to remove the arrow head." My father said.
I whimpered, if I thought I was in pain now, it was about to get worse. My Uncle Rumil rushed in with a wooden bowl full of water and salt, and a washcloth.
"Rumil, while I take care of this arrow, I want you to begin cleaning her other wound."
"Yes, brother." My Uncle Rumil said, moving to my right side. While my father began removing the arrowhead, I hissed at the stinging of the salt water. He gently washed away the blood, but it still hurt very much. I started crying, silent tears streamed down my face from the agony.
Once the arrowhead was removed, Uncle Rumil had finished cleaning the wound in my side, and I was preparing my self for a far worse pain. My father began to gingerly slide the arrow out of my arm. I screamed in pain, and threw back my head, crying.
My Uncle Orophin had returned, and did not exactly look ready for this graphic sight to meet his eyes. It burned, oh how it burned.
"It hurts, ada. It hurts." I whimpered. "I know, muin ield nin. Just be brave, like you did at that battle." Haldir replied.
Uncle Orophin knelt at my side, and tried to comfort me. "Don't look." He said.
I closed my eyes tight, tears still escaping my closed eyelids. I looked again, the arrow was almost fully removed. It was time for the worst; the tip of the arrow, to go through my arm. I groaned in pain, my breathing still heavy.
When it was finally removed, I sighed in relief, but my wounds were still hurting, throbbing horribly and stinging. A hole in my arm; all I have to say about that is at the moment I wished the arrow were still there, filling that hole.
Blood dripped from my arm, and my father took the salt water and cloth. I whimpered, not that awful water again, anything but that.
"Stay calm." My father said, glancing at me, before beginning to wash the wound in my arm with salt water.
It stung so bad, I think I almost passed out again.
"The forces are getting ready for battle, brother." My Uncle Orophin said.
"Good, I will join them soon." Haldir replied, not looking up from my arm, as he continued to wash it with the salt water.
"I am coming too." I said, biting my lip to stop from screaming in pain.
"No you're not. You need to stay and rest. You cannot fight with these injuries."
"I can still fight." I protested.
"You are weak now, and therefore much more vulnerable than an Elf in full health. You will stay, if need be, one of your Uncles will stay with you." My father said sternly.
"Why can't you stay with me, ada?" I asked. "Because, I must lead the forces. Now this might be a hard decision, but which Uncle do want to stay."
I cut him off quickly. "Uncle Rumil."
"Alright, then. Orophin, I suppose we must prepare for battle ourselves. Rumil, I want you to wrap bandages around her wounds, it should help prevent them from getting infected. Let us go. Feel better, ield nin. " Haldir said.
He and Uncle Orophin left into the woods again. The rain still poured outside, lightning flashed overhead. I sighed, and lay back down.
"Can you still move your fingers?" My Uncle Rumil asked.
I looked at my left arm, then, flexed my fingers painfully. "Yes, but it is difficult and painful." I replied.
"Well at least the arrow did not pierce a nerve or major artery." He said, taking some wrapped bandages out of a bag.
Uncle Rumil wrapped my arm first. "Oww, that's too tight." I whined.
"Sorry, sorry." He said, flinching a little whenever I hissed in pain. "Stop doing that it makes me nervous."
After adjusting the bandages to my liking, my Uncle Rumil proceeded to bandage the gash in my side. After it was all finished, I sighed and looked out into the rain. My arm and side ached, but I tried to ignore it.
I glanced at the arrow on the ground, then, picked it up. I examined it, it was much thicker than the arrows made here. The wood was very dark as our wood was light, the feathers at the end of the arrow were raven black as ours were white. Orcs were no doubt very dark creatures. I took the arrowhead and looked at it. The metal was heavy and thick, and looked rusted in certain parts, as our arrowheads are slender and, made with a metal that looked like silver but very sharp. The black-feathered arrow was stained with my blood in certain parts, and that made me shiver.
I turned the arrow over in my hands, when a small engraving caught my eye. Looking closer I couldn't quite make out what it was. I leaned so close to see, that my eyes were inches from the arrow. When the engraving suddenly dawned on me, a vision flashed before my eyes; the eye of Sauron.
"What is it?" My Uncle Rumil asked, most likely noticing the sudden change in my breathing.
"Nothing." I stuttered, shaking my head, staring blankly at the floor in front of me.
"You've been acting very strange lately, don't think I have not noticed." My Uncle Rumil said.
I looked up at him. "Your point being?" I inquired, my voice stone cold.
"My point being that I want to know what is bothering you." He answered.
"Maybe I don't want anyone to know." I suggested harshly.
"I am your Uncle and I care for your well being, therefore I would like to know what is bothering you so I can help."
"You can't help me!" I shouted suddenly.
My Uncle Rumil looked a little surprised. "What do you mean?" He asked.
"I don't want to tell anyone about it at the moment so please just leave me be." I said.
"I know not why you are making such a fuss about this."
I punched a bag in frustration, and cried out as the pain shot through my wounded arm, cursing. "Just leave me be, please." I said shortly before turning on my side so my back faced my Uncle Rumil, pulling the blankets up over my head.
"Halkira," My Uncle Rumil began sternly, before giving up with an exasperated sigh.
I closed my eyes tight in attempt to fall asleep so I would not have to speak with him any more. I listened to the sound of the raindrops on the tarp over head and the rain falling outside with the occasional low rumble of thunder.
I felt warm here, dry in my blankets while the outside was damp and cold with rain, and I eventually drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
I was awoken by the sound of feet stepping carefully over me. Rousing drowsily, I pulled off the blankets and peered up at the blurry figures. "Ada?" I asked.
"Yes," My father whispered back. "Don't mind me, just go back to sleep, you need it."
I was quite tired, so I replaced the blankets and closed my eyes, listening to the conversation.
"You have returned earlier than I had expected." My Uncle Rumil said.
"The Orcs were not many, perhaps that was because Halkira killed off most of them; she has never ceased to amaze me by her strength and will. I do not believe we have paid for the safety of our people with any lives, there are however a few wounded." I heard Uncle Orophin report.
"Who?"
"I know not, Haldir should know, though, it was his job to count any dead, and get the wounded to the healing areas." My Uncle Orophin replied.
I heard my father's voice say the names of a few Elves I did not know, but the last name dawned on me: Nilfalath.
I sat upright, the wound in my side stinging, but I cared not. "Nilfalath is hurt? Where?" I asked frantically. Nilfalath had ever been a good friend to me, the thought of him being wounded terrified me.
"It is not critical, he only sustained a few shallow slashes here and there." My father told me. "Never the less, they must be taken care of to prevent infection that could lead to death."
"Can I go see him?" I asked pleadingly. "No, you must take care of your own wounds for the moment." Haldir replied.
"But I can survive just going for a few minutes can't I?"
"No."
"Please!"
"I am in no mood to argue with you. If you wish to go, it will be your own fault if your injuries become more critical." My father said, waving me off with his hand. "But you must not go alone, Orophin will come with you, he knows the way to the tents."
My Uncle Orophin helped me get to my feet, and I bit my lip to keep from whimpering with pain so I could show them I was fine.
"Do you need help to walk?" He asked me once we were outside.
"No." I said stubbornly. I walked as straight as I could and tried to keep posture while I was screaming in my head from the pain in my side.
I could feel my Uncle Orophin eyes watching me sceptically, I think he knew I was trying to keep the pain out of my mind. I closed my eyes from the burning in my side, oh dear Valar, it hurt so much, but I must remain calm.
"Are you sure you are well?" My Uncle Orophin asked as we walked nearer to the tents.
"Yes," I replied as stubbornly as ever. When we got closer to the tents I could see an Elf who looked familiar lying on one of the cots. I hurried towards him. "Nilfalath?" I asked. He opened his eyes. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, just tired. What are you doing here? Compared to mine your wounds are much more critical, or so I heard from your father." Nilfalath said.
"Where are your wounds?"
"They are very shallow almost mere scratches and scrapes. One on my arm, my leg and near my neck." I gasped.
"The Orc was going for your neck! It could have killed you!" I exclaimed.
"Well, it didn't, I'm here now aren't I? Enough fuss about me, show me your wounds." Nilfalath said.
"An arrow through my arm here," I showed him my forearm that was bandaged.
"Let's see, just take off the bandages for a few seconds." He insisted.
I unwrapped the bandages a bit so he could see the arrow wound.
Nilfalath took a sharp intake of breath. "Ouch, that must have hurt a lot."
"It did, but not nearly as much as it hurt to take the arrow out." I replied.
"What about the other wound?" Nilfalath asked.
"And I got a pretty deep slash in my side. Father says I am lucky the Orc did not strike harder, or the wound would have been fatally deep."
"Sounds like you took quite a beating." Nilfalath stated.
I laughed. "I am just glad to still be alive, I thought I was going to die, I was so scared."
"About that; I have heard tidings that you actually killed off over half the Orcs we had to fight. I think they said it was about 70 strong Orcs." Nilfalath said, obviously wanting me to tell him if this was true.
"I know not how many Orcs I killed, I was just trying to stay alive." I answered.
"Your father said he counted the dead Orcs in the field you were fighting on before we went to get rid of the rest. Haldir said he estimated at least 70. And there were no more than 60 Orcs left, camping on the outskirts of the forest." Nilfalath continued.
"So?" I asked, feeling a little sheepish on this subject.
"So?!" Nilfalath repeated. "So? Halkira, at least 70 Orcs, dead on your account, only your account, you had no aid, and you were unprepared, only armed with your sword. I think that says something about you. You are not the average Elf-maiden."
"That's because I'm not an Elf-maiden. I am the Assistant March Warden of our home, a fierce fighter, and I happen to be female. That is all." I replied.
"No, that is not all. I doubt a strong male as trained in the arts as you would not have had much of a chance against that many strong cross-breeds. You are very special, I have had a feeling you were for years." Nilfalath smiled at me.
I blushed deeply; I did not like having this much attention drawn to me, as flattering as it was.
"Come, your father granted you leave from rest for only a few minutes, I believe you have had well over a few." My Uncle Orophin said.
"Farewell, mellon-nîn. May your brave injuries heal without difficulty." Nilfalath said to me.
I bid him farewell as well, and followed my Uncle Orophin out of the tents. The pain of walking was still excrutiating, but I tried my best to keep a straight face.
I collapsed on the floor of the shelter gratefully, and sighed. "You alright?" My Uncle Rumil asked.
"Yes, ofcourse I am. My-my. my feet just hurt from walking all that way, that's all." I made up an excuse. I mentally kicked myself 'Yeah right, Ada's going to believe that,' I thought to myself.
As predicted, my father raised an eyebrow at me and glanced out side of the shelter. "The tents look pretty close to me." He commented.
"Yeah, well." I trailed off.
"Stop trying to hide your pain, you are not doing yourself any good." Haldir stated. "Now tell me the truth."
"But." I protested and trailed off again. There was no point keeping to act up now. I writhed on the ground, and moaned in pain. "Alright, fine. It hurts! Like a thousand knives piercing my flesh! Help!" I moaned.
"Halkira, the last thing we need right now, is a drama queen. So for the love of the Valar, quit it." My Uncle Rumil said.
I glared at him. "I am not dramatizing." I answered.
He rolled his eyes. "You're not dramatizing, and Orcs are the most beautiful creatures on earth. I'm not going to buy that." My Uncle Rumil said.
I growled at him.
"Rumil, stop provoking her, she needs rest, not more injuries." My Uncle Orophin said.
"Sorry," Uncle Rumil answered sarcastically.
"You will be sore for a few days, there is nothing I can do, you will just have to keep your wounds clean and rest." My father said.
"But I can still go out for duty right?" I asked hopefully.
My father thought for a minute with a doubtful face. "Maybe, you should be able to walk by tomorrow without pain, but we will see what your mother says. I think we should be going home by now." He said.
My father moved to help me up.
Once we got home, my mother exploded, she was so mad at my father, I thought she would never speak to him again.
Mother says she doesn't want me to continue guarding the woods because it is too dangerous, but I refused to give it up, and nor did my father. He knew keeping my home safe was important to me so he would not let Mirlocko take away what I loved.
~*~*~*~*~*
*ada: dad/daddy/papa etc. *muin ield nin: my dear daughter *ield nin: my daughter (u shoulda guessed that 1!)
*el chepo (don't worry, I won't reveal ur true identity lol ^^) *Arianna (thanx 4 all ur comments) *Silcawen Uvanimor-dreamingfifi *Marissa03 (it's been so much fun talking on msn ^^ and don't worry, u'll get ideas 4 ur story ^_~ thanx 4 all the support, girl!) *Adelianna (my good friend and older sister I never had ^^ thanx 4 ur support, 2)
Chapter 6 - Is the world still safe? September 22nd, 3018
The sky was grey and billowing clouds loomed overhead, the air thick and humid, on this day in late August. Even a mere man would be able to sense that rain was on it's way sometime that day.
As usual, despite the weather, I headed out for duty with my father.
"The storm is beginning to draw near. You stay here while I go back to the city to get a tarp for us." Haldir said, jumping down from the tree.
I shivered and pulled my cloak tighter around me. Even though it was humid, cold wind blew and chilled me.
Suddenly I began to hear noises from the south-western part of the woods. I got down to investigate.
After a dozen minutes, I finally reached the borders of the forest. I looked out, nothing seemed to be there, and the noises had ceased. Taking one last suspicious look, I turned to go back.
But just as I had turned, I met the ugly face of an Orc. The rotting flesh seemed to hang off them, and they smelled dreadful.
I drew out my sword as it made to strike me. More came, and I would not be able to continue this, I needed aid.
Fear gripped me like a demon holding onto its prey until they fall into darkness. I grew very weary as the battle progressed, my sword arm was beginning to ache, and my sword was covered in the foul sour smell of Orc blood. It took all my effort just to lift up my sword.
The Orcs knew I was growing weary too, so they hit me with all they had. Suddenly, some archers appeared, so I had to fight, while dodging arrows, would I ever live to tell this tale? When I thought it was over, and I had slain the last Orc I, put my sword in my other hand, and flexed my right.
I saw another Orc; groaning, I put my sword in my right hand. I could barely move, every muscle in my body ached, but still I fought on. Abandoning the advanced moves my father had taught me over all those years, I swung my sword and killed as many as possible.
An arrow whizzed by me, that one was way too close for comfort. A second arrow, however found a mark.
I felt a sharp pain shoot through my left arm, and I looked down to see a black-feathered arrow right through my forearm. It hurt so bad I felt my stomach wanting to vomit. My breath was heavy from the pain, and unfortunately, an Orc approached me. I fought wearily, leaving many spots open, not that I meant to, I was trying my best.
Finally, the Orc took an open spot, and slashed my side. Such a pain I had never felt in my life. My vision was getting blurry, and I could no longer see clearly. Thinking it was the end, I sank down the ground, and closed my eyes.
Before I knew anything, I passed out, though, I thought I had died. Only for a few minutes this black out lasted, but that seemed to be enough time for the Orcs to think I was dead.
I rose to my feet, and stumbled into the woods again. I hissed at the pain, and groaned. Thunder had begun to rumble in the distance, and not long after came rain. Heavy rain, pouring buckets full, the water stung my wounds, but still I kept going. My hair and cloaks were soon soaked through and through, so they clung to my body.
What was about over half an hour seemed like hours to me, before I finally saw some Elves in the distance. "Is that you, Halkira? You're father's been looking for you!" My Uncle Orophin called. Giving into the pain, I collapsed onto the ground, and moaned in agony. I heard my Uncles' fast footsteps approaching. I felt hands grabbing me and pulling me up to my feet.
"What is it? What happened?" My Uncle Rumil asked.
"Orcs. On the South Eastern border, they numbers were too great for me, I think they will return." I hissed at more pain coming from moving my side.
"Come, we have to get you somewhere out of the rain." Uncle Orophin said.
I nodded, not being able to speak because of the pain.
They helped me to a shelter they and my father had made for rainy and snowy days. It was composed of a bough, then, covered with a tarp Haldir brought from the city.
When they stumbled inside with me, my father was there.
"What happened?" He asked, immediately getting up to helped them lie me down on some dry leaves. I continued to groan, I was surprised I hadn't passed out again.
"She says Orcs turned up on the South Eastern border, attacked her. Lots, and they might return." My Uncle Orophin replied.
"Orophin, I want you to go warn the city and have anyone wanting to fight, posted on the South border, mostly in the South East." Haldir said.
"Why can't I go?" Uncle Rumil asked.
"Because, they might not believe you." My father replied simply, turning his full attention to me. He lifted up my shirt under the cloak to look at my other wound. Haldir examined it for a while, before speaking. "You are fortunate that it is not fatally deep." He said.
"Rumil, I want you to get some water mixed with salt and a cloth, since you are so eager to do something."
My Uncle Rumil nodded, and set off out of the shelter.
"First, I think we will take care of that arrow." I sat up. Haldir again examined the arrow, looking a little puzzled, then, spoke. "The only way we will get that out of there is to remove the arrow head." My father said.
I whimpered, if I thought I was in pain now, it was about to get worse. My Uncle Rumil rushed in with a wooden bowl full of water and salt, and a washcloth.
"Rumil, while I take care of this arrow, I want you to begin cleaning her other wound."
"Yes, brother." My Uncle Rumil said, moving to my right side. While my father began removing the arrowhead, I hissed at the stinging of the salt water. He gently washed away the blood, but it still hurt very much. I started crying, silent tears streamed down my face from the agony.
Once the arrowhead was removed, Uncle Rumil had finished cleaning the wound in my side, and I was preparing my self for a far worse pain. My father began to gingerly slide the arrow out of my arm. I screamed in pain, and threw back my head, crying.
My Uncle Orophin had returned, and did not exactly look ready for this graphic sight to meet his eyes. It burned, oh how it burned.
"It hurts, ada. It hurts." I whimpered. "I know, muin ield nin. Just be brave, like you did at that battle." Haldir replied.
Uncle Orophin knelt at my side, and tried to comfort me. "Don't look." He said.
I closed my eyes tight, tears still escaping my closed eyelids. I looked again, the arrow was almost fully removed. It was time for the worst; the tip of the arrow, to go through my arm. I groaned in pain, my breathing still heavy.
When it was finally removed, I sighed in relief, but my wounds were still hurting, throbbing horribly and stinging. A hole in my arm; all I have to say about that is at the moment I wished the arrow were still there, filling that hole.
Blood dripped from my arm, and my father took the salt water and cloth. I whimpered, not that awful water again, anything but that.
"Stay calm." My father said, glancing at me, before beginning to wash the wound in my arm with salt water.
It stung so bad, I think I almost passed out again.
"The forces are getting ready for battle, brother." My Uncle Orophin said.
"Good, I will join them soon." Haldir replied, not looking up from my arm, as he continued to wash it with the salt water.
"I am coming too." I said, biting my lip to stop from screaming in pain.
"No you're not. You need to stay and rest. You cannot fight with these injuries."
"I can still fight." I protested.
"You are weak now, and therefore much more vulnerable than an Elf in full health. You will stay, if need be, one of your Uncles will stay with you." My father said sternly.
"Why can't you stay with me, ada?" I asked. "Because, I must lead the forces. Now this might be a hard decision, but which Uncle do want to stay."
I cut him off quickly. "Uncle Rumil."
"Alright, then. Orophin, I suppose we must prepare for battle ourselves. Rumil, I want you to wrap bandages around her wounds, it should help prevent them from getting infected. Let us go. Feel better, ield nin. " Haldir said.
He and Uncle Orophin left into the woods again. The rain still poured outside, lightning flashed overhead. I sighed, and lay back down.
"Can you still move your fingers?" My Uncle Rumil asked.
I looked at my left arm, then, flexed my fingers painfully. "Yes, but it is difficult and painful." I replied.
"Well at least the arrow did not pierce a nerve or major artery." He said, taking some wrapped bandages out of a bag.
Uncle Rumil wrapped my arm first. "Oww, that's too tight." I whined.
"Sorry, sorry." He said, flinching a little whenever I hissed in pain. "Stop doing that it makes me nervous."
After adjusting the bandages to my liking, my Uncle Rumil proceeded to bandage the gash in my side. After it was all finished, I sighed and looked out into the rain. My arm and side ached, but I tried to ignore it.
I glanced at the arrow on the ground, then, picked it up. I examined it, it was much thicker than the arrows made here. The wood was very dark as our wood was light, the feathers at the end of the arrow were raven black as ours were white. Orcs were no doubt very dark creatures. I took the arrowhead and looked at it. The metal was heavy and thick, and looked rusted in certain parts, as our arrowheads are slender and, made with a metal that looked like silver but very sharp. The black-feathered arrow was stained with my blood in certain parts, and that made me shiver.
I turned the arrow over in my hands, when a small engraving caught my eye. Looking closer I couldn't quite make out what it was. I leaned so close to see, that my eyes were inches from the arrow. When the engraving suddenly dawned on me, a vision flashed before my eyes; the eye of Sauron.
"What is it?" My Uncle Rumil asked, most likely noticing the sudden change in my breathing.
"Nothing." I stuttered, shaking my head, staring blankly at the floor in front of me.
"You've been acting very strange lately, don't think I have not noticed." My Uncle Rumil said.
I looked up at him. "Your point being?" I inquired, my voice stone cold.
"My point being that I want to know what is bothering you." He answered.
"Maybe I don't want anyone to know." I suggested harshly.
"I am your Uncle and I care for your well being, therefore I would like to know what is bothering you so I can help."
"You can't help me!" I shouted suddenly.
My Uncle Rumil looked a little surprised. "What do you mean?" He asked.
"I don't want to tell anyone about it at the moment so please just leave me be." I said.
"I know not why you are making such a fuss about this."
I punched a bag in frustration, and cried out as the pain shot through my wounded arm, cursing. "Just leave me be, please." I said shortly before turning on my side so my back faced my Uncle Rumil, pulling the blankets up over my head.
"Halkira," My Uncle Rumil began sternly, before giving up with an exasperated sigh.
I closed my eyes tight in attempt to fall asleep so I would not have to speak with him any more. I listened to the sound of the raindrops on the tarp over head and the rain falling outside with the occasional low rumble of thunder.
I felt warm here, dry in my blankets while the outside was damp and cold with rain, and I eventually drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
I was awoken by the sound of feet stepping carefully over me. Rousing drowsily, I pulled off the blankets and peered up at the blurry figures. "Ada?" I asked.
"Yes," My father whispered back. "Don't mind me, just go back to sleep, you need it."
I was quite tired, so I replaced the blankets and closed my eyes, listening to the conversation.
"You have returned earlier than I had expected." My Uncle Rumil said.
"The Orcs were not many, perhaps that was because Halkira killed off most of them; she has never ceased to amaze me by her strength and will. I do not believe we have paid for the safety of our people with any lives, there are however a few wounded." I heard Uncle Orophin report.
"Who?"
"I know not, Haldir should know, though, it was his job to count any dead, and get the wounded to the healing areas." My Uncle Orophin replied.
I heard my father's voice say the names of a few Elves I did not know, but the last name dawned on me: Nilfalath.
I sat upright, the wound in my side stinging, but I cared not. "Nilfalath is hurt? Where?" I asked frantically. Nilfalath had ever been a good friend to me, the thought of him being wounded terrified me.
"It is not critical, he only sustained a few shallow slashes here and there." My father told me. "Never the less, they must be taken care of to prevent infection that could lead to death."
"Can I go see him?" I asked pleadingly. "No, you must take care of your own wounds for the moment." Haldir replied.
"But I can survive just going for a few minutes can't I?"
"No."
"Please!"
"I am in no mood to argue with you. If you wish to go, it will be your own fault if your injuries become more critical." My father said, waving me off with his hand. "But you must not go alone, Orophin will come with you, he knows the way to the tents."
My Uncle Orophin helped me get to my feet, and I bit my lip to keep from whimpering with pain so I could show them I was fine.
"Do you need help to walk?" He asked me once we were outside.
"No." I said stubbornly. I walked as straight as I could and tried to keep posture while I was screaming in my head from the pain in my side.
I could feel my Uncle Orophin eyes watching me sceptically, I think he knew I was trying to keep the pain out of my mind. I closed my eyes from the burning in my side, oh dear Valar, it hurt so much, but I must remain calm.
"Are you sure you are well?" My Uncle Orophin asked as we walked nearer to the tents.
"Yes," I replied as stubbornly as ever. When we got closer to the tents I could see an Elf who looked familiar lying on one of the cots. I hurried towards him. "Nilfalath?" I asked. He opened his eyes. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, just tired. What are you doing here? Compared to mine your wounds are much more critical, or so I heard from your father." Nilfalath said.
"Where are your wounds?"
"They are very shallow almost mere scratches and scrapes. One on my arm, my leg and near my neck." I gasped.
"The Orc was going for your neck! It could have killed you!" I exclaimed.
"Well, it didn't, I'm here now aren't I? Enough fuss about me, show me your wounds." Nilfalath said.
"An arrow through my arm here," I showed him my forearm that was bandaged.
"Let's see, just take off the bandages for a few seconds." He insisted.
I unwrapped the bandages a bit so he could see the arrow wound.
Nilfalath took a sharp intake of breath. "Ouch, that must have hurt a lot."
"It did, but not nearly as much as it hurt to take the arrow out." I replied.
"What about the other wound?" Nilfalath asked.
"And I got a pretty deep slash in my side. Father says I am lucky the Orc did not strike harder, or the wound would have been fatally deep."
"Sounds like you took quite a beating." Nilfalath stated.
I laughed. "I am just glad to still be alive, I thought I was going to die, I was so scared."
"About that; I have heard tidings that you actually killed off over half the Orcs we had to fight. I think they said it was about 70 strong Orcs." Nilfalath said, obviously wanting me to tell him if this was true.
"I know not how many Orcs I killed, I was just trying to stay alive." I answered.
"Your father said he counted the dead Orcs in the field you were fighting on before we went to get rid of the rest. Haldir said he estimated at least 70. And there were no more than 60 Orcs left, camping on the outskirts of the forest." Nilfalath continued.
"So?" I asked, feeling a little sheepish on this subject.
"So?!" Nilfalath repeated. "So? Halkira, at least 70 Orcs, dead on your account, only your account, you had no aid, and you were unprepared, only armed with your sword. I think that says something about you. You are not the average Elf-maiden."
"That's because I'm not an Elf-maiden. I am the Assistant March Warden of our home, a fierce fighter, and I happen to be female. That is all." I replied.
"No, that is not all. I doubt a strong male as trained in the arts as you would not have had much of a chance against that many strong cross-breeds. You are very special, I have had a feeling you were for years." Nilfalath smiled at me.
I blushed deeply; I did not like having this much attention drawn to me, as flattering as it was.
"Come, your father granted you leave from rest for only a few minutes, I believe you have had well over a few." My Uncle Orophin said.
"Farewell, mellon-nîn. May your brave injuries heal without difficulty." Nilfalath said to me.
I bid him farewell as well, and followed my Uncle Orophin out of the tents. The pain of walking was still excrutiating, but I tried my best to keep a straight face.
I collapsed on the floor of the shelter gratefully, and sighed. "You alright?" My Uncle Rumil asked.
"Yes, ofcourse I am. My-my. my feet just hurt from walking all that way, that's all." I made up an excuse. I mentally kicked myself 'Yeah right, Ada's going to believe that,' I thought to myself.
As predicted, my father raised an eyebrow at me and glanced out side of the shelter. "The tents look pretty close to me." He commented.
"Yeah, well." I trailed off.
"Stop trying to hide your pain, you are not doing yourself any good." Haldir stated. "Now tell me the truth."
"But." I protested and trailed off again. There was no point keeping to act up now. I writhed on the ground, and moaned in pain. "Alright, fine. It hurts! Like a thousand knives piercing my flesh! Help!" I moaned.
"Halkira, the last thing we need right now, is a drama queen. So for the love of the Valar, quit it." My Uncle Rumil said.
I glared at him. "I am not dramatizing." I answered.
He rolled his eyes. "You're not dramatizing, and Orcs are the most beautiful creatures on earth. I'm not going to buy that." My Uncle Rumil said.
I growled at him.
"Rumil, stop provoking her, she needs rest, not more injuries." My Uncle Orophin said.
"Sorry," Uncle Rumil answered sarcastically.
"You will be sore for a few days, there is nothing I can do, you will just have to keep your wounds clean and rest." My father said.
"But I can still go out for duty right?" I asked hopefully.
My father thought for a minute with a doubtful face. "Maybe, you should be able to walk by tomorrow without pain, but we will see what your mother says. I think we should be going home by now." He said.
My father moved to help me up.
Once we got home, my mother exploded, she was so mad at my father, I thought she would never speak to him again.
Mother says she doesn't want me to continue guarding the woods because it is too dangerous, but I refused to give it up, and nor did my father. He knew keeping my home safe was important to me so he would not let Mirlocko take away what I loved.
~*~*~*~*~*
*ada: dad/daddy/papa etc. *muin ield nin: my dear daughter *ield nin: my daughter (u shoulda guessed that 1!)