A/N1: Thoughts will be in italics.
A/N2: Mild warning for language.
A/N3: A tidbit of trivia here … oftentimes a horse is referred to by its coloring and is the reason you will read something that refers to Anayah's stallion as "the Black," or Ostara's stallion as "the Grey."
NOTE: I apologize in advance for this being such a long chapter, but the content couldn't be divided without losing a good sense for what was going on.
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"Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory."
(!) Anonymous (!)
Chapter 31
Challenge Met
Aragorn was correct when he said they would all probably be spending much of the day making plans for the rebellion. Later on that afternoon when the elves and humans finally decided to take a break and clear their minds, each went his own way, to walk around a bit and take in some sun as well as some much needed fresh air. The only thing that everyone had managed to agree upon over the course of the day, was that whatever action they finally decided to take, it would be a difficult one. There were so many variables to consider that it would take some time before their plans would even begin to come together in any kind of coherent fashion. One thing they all agreed upon was that they didn't have a lot of time to spend planning their action but that the time they did have should be spent as productively as possible.
The group was now just walking around their small camp, stretching tired muscles and breathing deeply of the scents of the surrounding forest, the pine and aspen, the earthy smell of unturned loam, the collective scents of which were a soothing balm in themselves. As Anayah was standing in a patch of sunlight with her eyes closed, she heard a slight noise and when she looked off to her left saw Aragorn leaning against a tree. She knew that his troubled mind was not that way just because of the rebellion and so decided to approach her brother and either draw him out and get him to talk of what troubled him - or she would make him laugh.
Picking up a large leaf off the ground Anayah approached her brother and when she was sure she had his attention, even though he was not looking at her directly, she began to blow on the leaf in an attempt to keep it from falling back to the ground. She kept looking at her brother out of the corner of her eye as she pursued her "quarry," seeing if he was reacting at all to her antics. Finally, he couldn't hold it in any longer and started to laugh and reaching out to her with his arms, he drew her close then touched foreheads with her.
Anayah helped him sit on the ground then after she had carefully checked his bandages and felt for a fever, she kissed him on the temple. He frowned as he looked at her, momentarily puzzled.
"What was that for?"
"That was for 'just because'."
"Just because?" He frowned. "I'm sorry, I'm not understanding."
"Yes, big brother. I gave you a kiss on your temple 'just because' I think you need it."
Aragorn smiled briefly for her, then the two siblings spent some time in a companionable silence until Anayah finally decided to get her brother to talk. She knew that something was eating away at his spirit and it had no chance of getting better until he shared the cause of his hurts with someone else.
"You're missing Legolas, aren't you?"
"More than you know." He replied quietly, without looking at her.
She put her arm around his shoulders and gave him a squeeze.
"Oh, I think I can make a pretty good guess at how you are feeling as well as why."
Aragorn looked at her, patiently waiting for her to continue.
"Even as many years as it has been, I can still remember the feel of my mother's arms around me and I miss that feeling so much sometimes that I could almost fade from the grief of it. That special feeling of having someone's unconditional love and irreplaceable friendship is not so different from what you and Legolas feel for each other, Estel - and neither time, distance, or circumstances can change that for either of you."
She linked her arm with his and laid her head on his shoulder.
"I want you to know that it was not your fault that you got caught that night and couldn't free him - it just wasn't supposed to happen at that time and there was nothing that you could have done differently to influence the outcome of what you tried to do. Sometimes it is difficult to figure out the reason these things happen and even harder to admit that we are not to blame when they don't turn out like we planned. This ordeal has truly been a test of your spirit as well as the spirit of our missing and much loved Mirkwood Prince although I have faith that the two of you will survive what has happened."
Anayah looked up and saw a single tear running down her brother's cheek, and reached up and gently wiped it away.
"If everything goes right I will bring Legolas home tonight and the two of you will be together once again - Eru help us all!"
Aragorn quietly laughed and hugged her back.
"Estel, be strong for just a while longer - please."
Aragorn looked at her for a moment then leaned his temple against hers and sighed.
"When did you get to be older than me?"
Anayah just laughed then hugged her brother one more time.
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Leaving her brother after a while to give him a little private time to order his thoughts before rejoining the others, she then walked toward her own tent to begin preparing herself for her trip to the Palace. Not knowing that her all-wise and knowing Captain was watching, she allowed her shoulders to slump with the fatigue that was threatening to overwhelm her.
When Halgar brought her a bowl of stew and a cup of tea a few minutes later, her initial reaction was to refuse the meal but after the young human insisted that she eat it, Anayah finally gave in to the pitiful expression he was wearing on his face and took the bowl and cup from him and began to eat.
"I'm sorry that I had to persist in my efforts to get you to eat this small meal, my Lady. Your Captain did mention to me that if you kept refusing the meal that I was to 'raise an eyebrow' which in the past, has usually helped serve to change your mind."
Anayah's head snapped up and she looked around the camp until she found her Captain in front of his tent talking to Semoro. He winked at her before he turned back to his brother, which gave her cause to smile, after which she thanked Halgar for the fine meal he had served.
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Just before dusk, Anayah called for a short meeting of her Guards. She was dressed in what she called her slave-girl outfit, complete with a cloak whose hood, in addition to a scarf would hide her once-more black hair.
"I'm taking Súrion with me tonight and while we are gone, Rahan will be in charge. If the worst should happen and I am held at the Palace against my will, he will know what to do."
She handed Rahan a rolled up scroll.
"This scroll is a detailed map of every possible exit from the prisoners' cells on the lower level of the Palace to the main throne room and which includes the route I will be taking tonight. While I hope you don't have to use it, I want you to have it nonetheless, so please take the time to thoroughly familiarize yourselves with the information this map contains. Now listen closely. If something happens to me, it is my express wish as well as my direct order that you consider the extraction of Legolas to be your first and top priority - my freedom and condition will only be of secondary importance. I want tonight to go smoothly and without anything out of the ordinary happening, for that is what we have been trying to do all along. Plan well, know your objectives inside and out and if you do these things well, you lower the chances of beings getting hurt and killed. Does everybody understand how I want things done or does anybody have any questions?"
The Guards shook their heads.
"Then wish me luck."
She touched gloves with her elves then turned and walked toward her horse. It would have been clear to anyone who knew Anayah and her Guards and even someone who didn't, that they were all concerned for her. Any one of the four elves would have been happy to do the extraction in her stead but knew that it was just not possible for Anayah had spent too much time setting things up to present a minimal risk to the safety of both Legolas as well as herself. The Guards were her backup plan and the less people that knew about them until they left Hoth to go home, the more effective their presence would be for anything they were involved in.
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After the two elves had left the camp and were moving at a slow gallop toward Hoth, Súrion turned to Anayah.
"Are you nervous?"
She chuckled sarcastically.
"Your little Miss 'I can do anything' is so scared, my friend, that she feels like throwing up."
It was the Silvan Guard's turn to laugh.
"You will be just fine Anayah, if you just remember that when it comes down to the bottom of the barrel, you can still maintain your focus if you continue to think and reason in a logical manner."
"My heart knows this Súrion, although my stomach is still not sure about the sanity of this whole mission. Maybe it would help if you would keep your fingers crossed for me."
"And toes?"
"Aye, my friend - and toes as well."
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By the time Anayah and Súrion had reached the trees surrounding the horse pasture northeast of the Palace, the moon was directly overhead. After telling their horses to remain hidden the two elves entered Hoth, moving from shadow to shadow as they covertly made their way towards the Palace. Their movements were so quiet and stealthy that the few citizens and Hoth warriors they did pass were not even aware of their presence.
After reaching the Palace, Súrion disappeared into the shadows while Anayah slipped inside through one of the doors that opened into the immense kitchen. She quickly made her way through the room, around the corner beyond and down the long and poorly lit hallway until she came to the door leading to the prison cells on the lowest level.
When she reached the Guard's station, she greeted the man then indicated that she had come to tend to the sick elf. Without returning her greeting or otherwise acknowledging her presence, the human took the keys to the cell off their peg and after glaring at her, walked towards the last cell in the row. After unlocking the door he then turned and walked away.
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Anayah saw Legolas laying on the cot, his slender body shivering under a single, thin blanket.
"Elves don't shiver!" She thought to herself as she shook her head. "Unless they have seen neither sun nor stars in some time and sicken from the despair of it."
She sat on the edge of his cot and caressed his head until his eyes came open and he blinked at her blearily.
"Hello there Master Lay-abed. How would you feel about getting out of here?"
When she saw his eyes fill with tears she brushed his cheek with the back of her fingers.
"There's a very worried Ranger waiting for you back at camp, my Lord so why don't the two of us go see him and see if we can ease his troubled mind? Can you walk?"
The elf Prince sighed in both relief and determination.
"I will walk, whether my legs are in accord with the rest of my body or not. Now, let us leave this horrid place for I much desire to rid myself of the stench of these sunless rooms."
There was a gleam in his eyes that hadn't been there just moments before and at that moment, Anayah knew for a fact that a spark of Legolas's spirit yet lived. Though she had to help, he rose to his feet then as she steadied him, the two started walking toward the door - and freedom.
Together they made their way up the steps then down the hall towards the kitchen and the entrance Anayah had used to enter the Palace. The kitchen was large, as over 20 cooks spent much of their time in the room preparing, cooking and serving meals for the large Palace staff as well as to the prisoners that were housed in the cells on the lower levels. However, the room almost seemed to physically shrink when Anayah and Legolas came around the corner and stepped across the threshold.
Anayah immediately stepped in front of Legolas then locked eyes with the woman standing in front of them.
"Well, well, well - what do we have here? Captain Garm," she said to the human standing beside her, "I do believe our slave is attempting to escape."
Anayah glanced at the human standing beside the High Chieftain - sizing him up - determining his worth as an adversary. After a moment of looking at the man, she once more turned her gaze back to Ostara. Behind her, she felt Legolas begin to lean on her a little more and shifted her balance to compensate for his added weight. She knew it wouldn't be long until he collapsed altogether.
"So, young Miss, did your master put you up to this? Is he desiring my special property for himself perhaps?"
When Anayah still did not respond, Ostara suddenly turned to the man standing at her side.
"Why Captain Garm, I think you may be correct that Lady Baraiell is no slave girl from Gondor and if I were to continue in my assumptions, I don't believe that Baraiell is even her real name."
The big woman turned back to Anayah and glared at her menacingly.
"My Captain checked - there is no delegation from Gondor in Hoth at the moment. So … now that we have that out of the way and at last come down to the truth of the matter, why don't you tell me what your real name is?"
Without breaking eye contact with the woman, Anayah adjusted her stance, for she felt Legolas beginning to tremble with the fatigue of just standing in one place.
"My name should be of small or no importance to you Ostara. However, the treatment my friend is receiving is of importance to me and I think it would be a satisfying end to this little adventure if you just stepped aside and let us be on our way. You wouldn't have to see me again, I wouldn't have to see you again - do you see my point?"
Ostara frowned and put her brawny arms on her hips.
"I think I will pass on that suggestion Miss …"
"You can call me Anayah - for the moment."
The High Chieftain nodded.
"As you wish - Anayah. Now, as I was starting to say … I am going to pass on your previous suggestion and just to prove to you how important it is to not come into my house and try to steal my property, I am going to share with you just what is going to happen to your friend - and to you after him. Within a few moments I am going to give your elf friend to my Captain here, who is, in turn, going to give him to his men to play with for the night. Then Captain Garm will also give you to his men, for they have had no diversions for quite some time and would very much enjoy the playtime. And since you are in my house … there isn't really much you can do about it."
She turned and nodded her head to her Captain, who took a step toward Anayah and Legolas. Immediately Anayah flicked her cloak behind the hilt of her sword then laid her hand on the pommel. The Captain stopped and looked at Ostara who raised an eyebrow, as she looked Anayah up and down, appraising her anew.
"Now Anayah, don't do anything you may later regret. There are two of us against you and the pitiful freak standing behind you - and he is barely conscious. Even if you defeated my Captain, I could snap your neck like a twig before you could open your mouth to beg for my mercy. Besides, all I have to do is call out and there would be ten Palace Guards in this room before I finished calling them. You, my dear, have nobody to come to your aid."
Although Anayah found the two humans thoroughly disgusting, she still maintained her focus, for to lose it now would probably lead her as well as Legolas to a painful confrontation and meaningless death. However, her own spirit would not allow her to let Ostara's challenge go unanswered and so, leaned a little bit towards the human woman and gave her a small, humorless smile before responding.
"Who said I came alone?"
It was extremely gratifying to Anayah when she watched the two peering furtively into the shadows of the room. When Ostara finally looked back at Anayah, the look on her face was no longer sarcastic but had turned dark and brooding. She would snap soon - this Anayah knew - just as she also knew that she would have to do something fairly quickly to break the stalemate. Then an idea came to her.
"I will tell you this, Ostara. Any or even all three of us could duel and only Ilúvatar himself would know who would be standing at the end of it all. However, it is well understood that someone in this duel would get hurt, and since I tend to not want to die anytime in the near future, I will make you an offer that you may enjoy considering and should serve to encourage you to forego the aforementioned duel."
When Ostara looked like she was about to speak, Anayah held up her hand and even though the High Chieftain raised an eyebrow, she remained silent and let the female in front of her speak.
"I understand that you have a grey stallion that you are rather fond of."
"And?"
"And … Ostara, I believe that I have a horse that would make yours look like a knock-kneed, wobbly-legged, unschooled and gangly looking foal of barely a year. I don't believe there is any way that your stallion could beat my horse and because I am so confident of my stallion's skills, I am challenging you to a race."
"And what would you be willing to wager for this race?"
Anayah was no longer smiling when she replied.
"My horse … and my life. They will be yours, freely given in either service or death."
When it appeared that Ostara was going to respond, Anayah once more interrupted her.
"There is only one condition that I must insist upon Ostara, and if you agree to this condition, your agreement would reflect directly upon your honor as well as your station as High Chieftain, just as it will if you do not keep your word."
The High Chieftain was intrigued.
"And just what might this condition be?"
"The elf is to be treated with the same dignity that you would demand for yourself - and is to be neither harmed nor in any way mistreated until the winning horse crosses the finish line. Do I have your word that you will do this thing?"
Is was obvious that Ostara was carefully considering Anayah's offer and weighing both the positive and negative aspects of it.
"And if you win? What will you ask for as your prize?"
"I ask for my friend's freedom and that he be allowed to leave your custody and from the Palace alive and unharmed."
Ostara began to pace up and down the length of the kitchen as she thought about the terms that had been presented. Finally, her pacing stilled and she once more stood in front of Anayah and Legolas although, as the she-elf was quick to note, the woman was just out of reach of her sword. She smiled to herself at this fact.
"I agree to your terms, Anayah - you and your horse must be in front of the Palace when the sun next rises. The race track that completely encircles the city will be the one used and which will make this a race of some distance. Be prompt in your arrival for I greatly desire to see our horses duel in our steads - and when they do, who can say who will be victorious when the finish line is crossed at last?"
The High Chieftain turned to her Captain.
"Captain Garm, please escort this elf back to his accommodations - and make sure that he suffers no harm on the way."
After Garm had escorted Legolas from the room and back towards his cell, the two women stood eyeing each other. Finally, it was Ostara who spoke.
"The only reason I don't strike you down where you stand, Anayah, is because you intrigue me, for you are the first person and indeed the first female, who has stood up to me in quite some time. While that fact might eventually get you killed, I still find you a refreshing change from the simpering idiots that usually surround me. Before you leave me, however, I must ask you one thing - why do you take such pains to care for this elf? Tell me so that my understanding of the present dilemma may be a little clearer."
Anayah sighed, then after finally removing her hand from the pommel of her sword, she lowered the hood of her cloak and removed the scarf from her head - all acts that revealed her delicately pointed ears. The High Chieftain took a step backwards in surprise and Anayah noted this, deciding to do some thinking on the reaction at a later time.
"I do this for the elf because he is my friend."
Anayah turned toward the door.
"Now if you will excuse me, I must leave you, for I must rest and prepare myself for our race. At the next rising of the sun, Ostara."
Bowing slightly to the woman, Anayah turned and left the Palace.
After the she-elf had closed the door behind her, Garm once more entered the room, looking to his leader for instructions.
"I want to know about her horse, Garm, and while you are finding that out, make arrangements with some of your best archers. I don't want that … thing … or her horse crossing the finish line."
Garm bowed and hurried from the room.
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Anayah was beyond furious when she left the Palace and when Súrion finally fell into step beside her on their way back to the horses, he sensed his Commander's black mood. Since it was quite obvious that things had not gone as planned, he decided that the best thing to do would be to stand beside her in support but wait for her to talk until she was ready.
"We are being followed. Súrion, please attend to the matter."
Her command was crisp and guttural and the Silvan Guard knew that it would probably be for the best if he did handle the matter himself, for if Anayah confronted whoever was following them, she might just dismember them instead of only knocking them out. He was back walking beside her within a very short amount of time.
"Is the matter taken care of?"
"Yes it has, the two will bother us no further this night."
"Good." Was her only reply.
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Anayah was silent the entire trip back to their camp and Súrion let her be but when they arrived, Anayah jumped off her horse and without speaking to anyone, strode purposefully to the back of their camp. Everyone, elves and humans alike, wisely kept silent for her rage was almost palpable. Rahan looked at Súrion who just shook his head after which the big Captain turned and followed his furious charge.
When he finally caught up with her, she had just started "venting" her anger by throwing and kicking things, starting with a wooden crate that was thrown with such force against the trunk of a nearby tree, that it shattered into small pieces. Rahan was quite shocked at what he was witnessing for although he knew Anayah had a temper, he had never seen evidence of it quite to this extent. When some minutes had passed and the situation seemed to be escalating instead of lessening, he calmly walked up to her and threw his arms around her, confining her arms and drawing her head to his shoulder. He then gently rocked back and forth, hoping the rhythmic movement would serve to calm her. Finally, she started to calm and it was at that time that she began to cry.
She sank to the ground and Rahan went with her, just holding her as she finally gave voice to her anger and frustration through her tears. The Captain looked up as a cup of tea came into his field of vision. He took it from Aragorn but when Anayah refused it, Rahan pressed it into her trembling hands and curled her fingers around the warm cup.
"It is truly just tea, Anayah." Her brother said calmly.
Saying nothing further, he kissed her lightly on her temple then rose and walked away. Her hands were trembling so bad that Rahan had to steady the cup for her but finally, after taking a few sips, she was finally able to not only hold it on her own but was also ready to talk.
"She caught us Rahan. I don't know how or why, but when Legolas and I stepped into the kitchen, she was there with that Captain of hers."
"Greyfell?"
"No, the one she calls Garm. Remind me to talk to Estel about him because he reeks of Ranger-ness and I think Estel should know. I'll explain everything to everybody when we hold our next meeting but for now I must tell you that the end result of this whole mess is that I have challenged Ostara to a horse race starting at sunrise on the racetrack that encircles the entire city."
Rahan's eyes widened.
"Can Elias do that?"
She made a rude noise.
"Don't let him hear you doubting him, my friend, but to answer your question, yes he is capable of running that distance quite easily. However, since I doubt the High Chieftain's good intentions as well as her conduct regarding the race I want all four of you on the perimeter of that track two hours before dawn to observe who comes and goes and to take care of any surprises the High Bitch may be planning for the occasion."
She started to raise from the ground and Rahan helped her.
"You are exhausted, young one. I will be much pleased when this is all over with and you can finally get some rest."
Anayah patted her Captain on his arm.
"As will I, Rahan."
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When Anayah got back to the camp, she explained everything that had happened at the Palace to the rest of the elves and humans sitting and standing around the campfire. To have come so close to getting Legolas out of the Palace then to have that success ripped out of her hands like it had been had angered everyone. However, they all well understood that the situation was far from over. All four Guards would leave at the conclusion of their meeting so that they could be in position to do some scouting of the area and crowds and perform damage control should they find "anything" suspicious.
Her brothers, Lothur and Halgar knew they could not attend the race but when she was adjusting her saddle and shortening the stirrups before she left for Hoth, they all walked up to her to say goodbye. Even the "mighty" Lothur, as she had nicknamed him gave her a hug. She smiled up at the human, then threw her arms around his waist and hugged him back.
Looking at the group before her one final time then touching her forehead, Anayah wheeled Elias around and galloped off towards Hoth. Behind her, it was Aragorn who finally spoke.
"May all the Valar ride with you this day Black Rider."
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Ostara was already sitting on what she liked to call a "throne" when Anayah arrived at the starting line. Although outwardly the woman showed no reaction nor made any comment, it was plain to Anayah that the appearance of the tall and powerfully built stallion was a bit unnerving to her. She paid no attention to anything else the High Chieftain did as she turned her own attention back to Elias and attempted to keep him calm as they both waited for their opponent to appear.
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Ostara turned her head in the direction of her stable master.
"As quickly as you can and as if your life depended on it - which it does - go to the stables and tell Niord's handler to feed him the stimulant."
Seeing the man hesitate, she glared at him.
"Go now unless you want to die where you stand!"
The man then turned and ran toward the stable.
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The Guards knew how to blend in with a crowd, no matter the size of it, without calling attention to themselves. Though they were relatively sure that the ten archers they had found and had dealt with were the only ones that had been sent to interfere with the racers, they were still circulating, making sure that no other surprises existed.
They had seen Legolas, wearing his slave collar and lead chain as he sat at the feet of the High Chieftain. Even though he appeared docile and kept himself from directly looking anyone in the eye, Rahan felt as if the Prince had sensed that they were near for he had felt the elf's tentative mental acknowledgement of their presence.
He was as angry as Anayah at the way in which Legolas had been brutalized by his captors but understood, as did they all, that to resolve the situation to the benefit of all and in the safest way possible, the race would have to be run on its present course - and that fact held true in the metaphorical sense as well. He had seen each of his elves in the last five minutes, and each had shaken their head, indicating that none of them had found anything further. His attention was diverted to the starting line when he heard a stallion scream.
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The hyper grey stallion came toward the starting line, dancing and rearing, the handlers on either side of him, holding on to lead chains attached to the rings of the cruel bit in the horse's mouth, trying their best to control the excited animal. Niord had caught the scent as well as the sight of Elias and was already challenging him, trying to rear, ears back and teeth bared. Elias looked at the approaching stallion with interest but no fear for he well understood that his job lay not in fighting but in leaving his opponent as far behind him as possible.
Those around the High Chieftain began to murmur when they saw the striking difference in size as well as demeanor of the two horses that were approaching the dais where their leader was sitting. Ostara observed their questionable behavior but knew a public venue was no place to reprimand those around her.
Niord took advantage of a moment of inattentiveness on the part of his handlers to lunge at the black stallion. Elias saw him coming and rose high on his hind legs in reply, screaming his own answer to the challenge and attack of the other. When he finally came down, rather than bite and strike his opponent, he struck the grey stallion with his big shoulder, knocking the smaller horse sideways.
"Ostara, call your stallion to task or I will not be responsible for the outcome."
For once Ostara listened and spoke sharply to both her rider as well as the grey's handlers who then worked to keep Niord away from the much larger stallion. When the Grey had finally settled, Ostara began to deliver racing instructions to the two riders.
"Head directly east. When you leave Hoth, turn north and follow the track then enter the city how you left it. The race will end here, where it began. Riders … prepare yourselves."
Without waiting for Anayah to set herself properly in the saddle, Ostara gave the signal and the grey stallion began his run. Anayah quickly settled Elias then followed.
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The grey stallion was fast, Anayah did have to admit that. She also knew that there was no way the horse would be able to go the distance, especially on a track as long as this one. The antics at the starting line already had the stallion lathered - he was starting out tired. By the time the horses had reached the northern corner of the city and had turned west Elias had caught the grey stallion and taking the inside corner of the track passed him by.
Just before she and Elias passed him, Anayah looked closely at the Grey and was alarmed to see the horse's condition. The stallion was already blowing - snorting heavily with each stride, nostrils flaring and contracting - more than should have been normal for this stage of the race. Then the realization hit her and anger flared in her chest.
"The bitch doped her own stallion!"
To abuse an animal - any animal - in such a fashion was unforgivable. She also realized at that moment that such less-than-honorable behavior on the part of the High Chieftain might also mean an equitable amount of such behavior at any point during, or Valar forbid, after the race as well. Anayah's moment of inattentiveness cost her as the rider of the grey stallion took the opportunity to drive his horse directly into the black, sending him offstride and off the track. Then the unthinkable happened - Elias stumbled into some barrels sitting at the edge of the track and went down.
Anayah managed to throw herself clear of the stallion's body and other than a bruised shoulder - hers - neither she nor Elias had been injured to the point where they could not continue. The problem was that even though she and Elias were both back on the track in a short time, Niord was already more than half the distance the eastern turn.
"Ok, Old Man … it's time to fly. Let's show those two exactly what a Mearas is all about - shall we?"
Elias snorted in reply and leaped away. Though she had no doubt of her stallion's capabilities, he was no Istar wizard and there was always the outside chance that he would not catch up with Ostara's stallion in time. She chided herself for having such thoughts about her friend for when she and Elias made the final turn and headed north to the eastern entrance of Hoth and the finish line, the grey was barely 15 lengths in front of them. Anayah shifted her weight until it was centered over Elias's withers then patted his neck.
"Time to go my friend - let's get this thing done!"
She could almost feel the stallion's body level out as he extended his neck and folded his ears closely to his head. He was overtaking the grey stallion in a dramatic fashion and ten lengths before they would have to make the turn into the city - she and Elias had left the horse behind them. Her mind was totally focused on the race and so she did not see the grey stallion go to the ground where he lay unmoving - his great heart burst both from his effort to win and from the stimulant that had flowed through his veins.
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When Anayah and Elias crossed the finish line, the crowd went wild, for if the truth were known, there were not many of Hoth's citizens that were sorry to see Ostara's Niord lose, although to have the horse die within sight of its owner was not exactly a cause for celebration in itself. Elias circled once then began to dance toward where the High Chieftain sat on her throne with Legolas at her feet. Anayah did not miss Elias's subtle warning when he began to dance in place while flicking his ears back and forth - there was danger nearby for Elias had just gone into battle mode.
She finally came to a stop in front of Ostara.
"I have come for my prize, Ostara."
"And you shall have it."
There was no mistaking the sneer on the woman's face or what it meant when she raised her hand in the air. Elias saw the archer before Anayah did for he was atop the stone portico behind the dais where the High Chieftain sat. Garm stepped out from his hiding place with an arrow already nocked and quickly loosed it and even before it had found its target, he was preparing to shoot again.
Anayah grunted from the impact as the arrow slammed into her chest. Elias had turned sideways in an attempt to get his rider out of the path of the arrow but had only been partially successful, and so when the arrow penetrated her chest, it had missed her heart - barely. Fighting the pain that was threatening to steal her consciousness from her, she reached up and snapped the arrow off about five inches from where it was imbedded. Then she looked up and saw Garm aiming for her again. Suddenly another arrow flew over her head from behind her, forcing Garm to dive for cover behind the stone pillar. Looking back, she saw serious grey eyes looking at her and which were also silently begging her to run.
She whistled as she wheeled Elias around and was much relieved to see Legolas answer her call. Calling upon his last bit of strength he rose to his feet, jerking the chain out of his keeper's hands then running forward, grabbed Anayah's arm and swung up behind her in the saddle. Ostara had drawn her sword and was walking toward them but stopped when she saw the stallion bearing down on her. As Anayah passed by the woman, close enough that the stirrup grazed her body, the she-elf grabbed the crown off the woman's head. Though she didn't know why she would do such a thing at that time she would later admit that she had felt compelled to take it - almost as if the beautiful jewel set in the mithril filet had called out to her. Without another look backwards, the two elves finally exited the city.
TBC
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kukumalu: (Are we going to see some horrible end to the old cow) I created the old cow and she makes me want to kick her in the shins a few times. You will just have to wait and see what happens to her. LOL!
(Anayah and Ostara should have a don't-mess-with-more competition) Wouldn't that be just fantabulous? Heehee!
(and you can all make your own damn tea) Our girl's response to chauvinism. She has had to fight too hard for acceptance as an elf, especially because she is young, not to mention being halfelven, and then she has to take crap because she is female. She is too used to fighting for what is hers although she tries to fit the appropriate response to the moment.
(how do you get all those ideas) Well, having always been a bit of an egghead, I have always loved to read. Unfortunately, while most kids read the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mysteries my tastes were elsewhere and I read the classics, Moby Dick, Red Badge of Courage, Catcher in the Rye etc. It was a habit I was never able to break myself of and to this day still have an entire bookshelf of books that deal with aboriginal history and rights, political criticisms and of course, my beloved LOTR books. Uhm … don't tell anyone, but the first four Harry Potter books are on the bookshelf as well.
Anyway, to answer your question. Just to name a few of the books that I have read and use as reference: The Soul of Japan, Five Rings, The Art of War by Sun Tzu, Bushido – the way of the Samurai, Kendo – The Japanese Art of Swordsmanship, Macbeth by Shakespeare and The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli among others. In addition, I watch gads and galores of movies. Then I just try to write for the moment.
Ah yes … our Mirkwood Prince. Well, let's just say that I haven't forgotten him.
(pure bred AND Grand Champions) Yes, my parents raised German Shepherds for over 30 years. The foundation sire was the son of a Grand Champion Shepherd and down through the years they would get their lady dogs from different kennels around the US and who came from Grand Champion lines. The pups were always spoken for as soon as it was known that the ladies were in "the family way." German Shepherds are wonderful animals, very intelligent and loyal but they are also considered to be an aggressive breed dog by the military as well as police departments and are often called "man-stoppers." A lot of the bad rap for the dogs comes from irresponsible ownership and indiscriminate breeding. Otis was a wolf throwback in appearance, that is true, but he was the most loyal and loving animal to his "pack" – his family – us. I owned a Arctic wolf – German Shepherd cross and she was the most mild-mannered animal but when she dropped her head and gave me that "wolf stare" well, let's just say that it was unnerving.
Goldfish … now there's an idea! LOL!
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CapriceAnn Hedican-Kocur: You are just spoiling me with all your kind words. It makes it such a pleasure to sit down in front of my computer and write! (My computer's name is Captain Coyote – it's a cultural thing! LOL!) I am glad that you are still with me and still continue to enjoy the story. Thank you for taking the time to review.
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Nanahalfelven: Well, let's just hope that brother and sister have come to a new understanding about everything. I think they both have the grace to not carry the issue on forever. Aragorn was not just born with all the skills already in place that he needed to have to be the great king that he eventually was. His ability to lead others were life skills that he learned from incidents just like the confrontation with his sister.
(big linebacker of an elf walking on eggs around her) There isn't too much that really scares the Captain but he is the leader of his elves, and as such has the responsibility to look after his Charge and Commander's physical as well as emotional well being. Thank you for the review!
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Karone Evertree: Ah yes … Mission Impossible … you sang the music well, Grasshopper. Oh. Sorry – Grasshopper comes from Kung Fu – not Mission Impossible. Wait until I say something really corny like "Choose wisely Grasshopper," which is a combo of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (?) and Kung Fu.
Anyway, I am glad you enjoyed the sneaky stuff. It is so hard to write a believable action scene but it seemed to work in Chapter 30.
I am also glad that you enjoyed the interaction between Anayah and Aragorn. Typical brother-sister stuff. Anayah wasn't going to back down from Aragorn's treatment of her but to both of their credit, they both knew how to and were willing to resolve the conflict.
What am I going to do to Aragorn? Well the future King of Men is going to be "royally" surprised but what I mean by that will be evident later in the story. Thank you for the review … I hope you enjoy this chapter as well.