A/N2: The "poem" that Anayah says when Ostara is approaching was said by the third witch in Macbeth - Scene IV, a play written by William Shakespeare.
A/N3: Warning for language.
A/N4: The speech/thoughts of Elias will be in italics.
8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)
Let justice be done, though the heavens fall.
(Fiat justitia et ruant coeli.)
()-Lord Mansfield, in Rex vs. Wilkes-()
Chapter 37
Mortal Combat
Aragorn stood frozen as he realized what the Captain's words meant. His sister had gone to challenge the High Chieftain of the Wainrider people – a woman whose size and brutal nature made even the most courageous of warriors cringe at the thought of being in the same room with the woman, much less crossing swords with her. Finally, after a few moments, when he once more found his voice he walked to where Rahan was just throwing the saddle onto Loki's back.
"She can't fight Ostara, Rahan. Ostara is twice her size not to mention the fact that Anayah is still recovering from her wound."
Rahan whirled and Aragorn took a step backwards at the force of the expression he saw in the Captain's eyes. Though the big Captain knew that the young man was speaking as a brother and not as the leader of an impossible rebellion, the worry he was feeling in his own heart added an extra measure of heat to his response.
"I know this, Estel. We all do." He hissed vehemently but quietly. Realizing how he sounded, Rahan took a deep breath to calm himself before he continued. "However, as worried as we all are for your sister, it would serve no purpose to think of things overmuch that we can do nothing about. Anayah is trying to buy you some time and maybe some luck in the process so think kindly of her sacrifice as well as her efforts. You owe her that much – we all owe her that much."
As the two were speaking the other three Guards ran up to them and after Súrion handed Rahan his back scabbard and quiver, the Silvan Guard turned to saddle Gaya. Within a few minutes all four horses were saddled then after touching gloves, the Guards mounted and turned their horses toward the tunnel entrance.
"Captain Rahan."
Rahan turned to where all the elves and humans stood behind Aragorn. Aragorn touched his heart.
"Good hunting, Captain – and bring my sister home."
Rahan nodded then he and the others rode off at a gallop.
8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)
Elias traveled at an easy gallop towards the Palace, keeping his gait smooth so as not to disturb his Lady's thoughts as she prepared herself for what lay ahead. Anayah would occasionally mumble half out loud then would repeatedly tug at her gloves, a nervous habit she had just before a duel or battle. The stallion could tell she was troubled but let her keep her thoughts to herself for the moment knowing that she would either work the problems out in her own head or turn to him for comfort and guidance.
Finally, the two reached the orchard on the western border of Hoth and Elias slowed and came to a stop. Anayah dismounted and walked to the front of the stallion, who then lowered his head so Anayah could lean against him, to gather herself for what she was about to do.
"Who am I kidding, Elias? I am going to die!" She stroked his well-muscled neck and in turn, the stallion nickered comfortingly. "You must think I'm pretty pathetic to feel like this – to be this fearful."
Anayah sighed as she heard the thought/voice of her dearest friend.
Think you pathetic because you are feeling the normal emotions any warrior would feel before a battle? No – I do not – indeed, I could not ever think that of you. The Valar did not grant the Mearas the grace to understand the speech of the two-leggeds just so we could sit in judgement of them. You have been a good partner and a good friend, Anayah, as I suspect you will continue to be. Do not despair or lose faith in yourself now, for those are emotions that steal a warrior's strength. "I" have faith in "you" just as you must have faith in yourself. Your faith in who you are and what you can do will be your shield this night, my friend.
She continued to rest her forehead against the stallion's, silently taking in the feeling of strength her friend was trying so hard to share with her. She sighed.
"Elias … if the worst should happen, and I should fall…"
Elias turned his head until he could meet the she-elf's gaze.
Then I will be here to carry you home.
He nuzzled her neck then looked at her one final time.
Remember, Anayah – absence of fear, absence of doubt, absence of hesitation.
Anayah nodded her head, then after kissing the horse on his nose, turned and walked away.
8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)
Four black horses galloped quietly towards Hoth while four riders, dressed in black and battle-ready, sent silent thoughts ahead of them that wished their sister well. None of the four was without worry and all four held fervent hopes that they would reach the Palace in time.
8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)
Elladan tried to hand a plate of food to his youngest brother but all he did, without even looking up, was shake his head and politely refuse what he had been offered. The eldest twin didn't argue for in truth, Aragorn was not the only one who was worried. When Legolas came and sat down beside him, resting his temple against that of his heart-brother in a gesture of support and comfort, the young man finally began to relax.
The sleeping cavern was silent as everyone sat on their sleeping pallets, lost in their thoughts and even Cyrano, the cut-up of the donkey world, seemed to sense that something was not right. He and his mate, Irildë, stood beside Greyfell while the elf held baby Tinu, absently stroking the young one's downy body while staring off into nothingness. It would be a long night for them all.
8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)
The female slave was walking down the dim hallway of the Palace, on her way to the throne room to clean and polish the throne, something Ostara insisted on being done every evening after she had retired for the night. So intent was the woman on her purpose that she failed to notice the person standing in the shadows until an arm circled her neck and a hand was placed over her mouth to silence her tiny shriek of surprise.
"Be at peace, my friend, for I mean you no harm."
The woman froze and though she did not attempt to flee, her body was almost rigid with fear.
"If you promise me that you won't scream, I will take my hand off your mouth. Do I have your promise?"
When she felt the human nod, Anayah removed her hand and turned the woman to face her and when the human woman saw who it was, she put her hand over her heart.
"My apologies, my Lady. You gave me a bit of a fright."
Anayah inclined her head.
"My apologies to you."
"How may I assist you?"
Anayah put an arm around the woman's shoulders and after quickly looking around them to make sure no other had observed their meeting, drew the human deeper into the shadows. When she was sure that they were completely concealed she looked into the woman's eyes.
"I would like for you to deliver a message – to Ostara."
The woman began to shake her head almost frantically.
"I cannot do that, my Lady. High Chieftain Ostara has retired for the evening and it is forbidden for anyone to disturb her."
The woman tried to back away but Anayah reached out and firmly grasped her shoulder, halting her movements.
"Please. This has to be done."
The woman looked hard at the she-elf in front of her and sensing something of what was about to happen, finally nodded her head.
"I'm sorry for my hesitation. Of course I will deliver a message for you."
Anayah nodded.
"It is very important that you deliver the message that I give you word for word."
The human woman nodded and Anayah continued.
"Tell Ostara that Anayah is in the throne room and wants to have a little talk with her – just the two of us – bitch to bitch. As distasteful as those words are for you, it is very important that they stay part of the message. Can you do this for me?"
"Aye, my Lady. I can do this thing."
Anayah turned the woman and gave her a gentle nudge.
"Then go, my friend – go do this thing for me as quickly as possible for I much desire to have my little conversation so I can go home."
The woman quickly walked away, leaving the she-elf alone in the shadows.
8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)
Anayah rolled her head to loosen up her tense neck muscles then rotated her left shoulder, wincing as she felt a short, sharp pain lance through it. Then she started to cough and hurriedly clamped her hand over her mouth to silence the sound and when she finally removed her hand and looked at it, saw the dark fluid on her palm.
"Damn." She said. "I don't have time for this."
Trying to ignore the growing ache in her chest she walked into the middle of the throne room and just inside the door, stopped and closed her eyes.
"Absence of fear, absence of doubt, absence of hesitation."
She slowly lowered herself until one knee was on the floor and the tips of the fingers on her sword hand rested lightly on the cold stone then once more closing her eyes and emptying her mind, she began her wait.
8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)
The tips of the fingers that rested lightly on the cold stone floor were the first to tell her that the High Chieftain was approaching, for the floor began to vibrate with impact tremors from each of the big woman's footsteps – something only an elf would have noticed. Anayah rose to her feet and turned to the door, whispering a poem to herself that she had heard once … a long time before.
"By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes. Open locks, whoever knocks."
As if in answer to her quietly uttered words, the door to the throne room was thrown open, and with such force that it flew backwards, hitting the wall behind it before bouncing forward again. Ostara strode in, immediately taking an aggressive stance that was meant to strike fear into the heart of the she-elf. Not to be intimidated, Anayah threw her arms open wide and smiled sarcastically at the High Chieftain as the big woman approached her.
"Damn, Ostara, you walk like an old bull Mumakill trying to get to his woman! I heard you coming five minutes ago."
Ostara did not respond but looked at the she-elf and gave her own sarcastic smile then drew her broadsword and twirled it. Anayah raised an eyebrow.
"You act like you're in a hurry – no time for niceties, a little friendly chit chat perhaps?" She put her left hand on her hip then feigned a look of mock realization. "I know … you probably have someplace interesting to go – am I keeping you from an important engagement – a night with your lover perhaps?" Anayah mock shivered. "Now there's something to give a she-elf nightmares!"
Ostara remained silent, a ploy to try to make Anayah uneasy. It was clear, right from the beginning that Ostara was an able warrioress on both a physical as well as a psychological front, but then she was not the only one who had the ability to make an enemy stumble and trip over mindless matters.
Then they started to circle, each looking for a weakness in the other – an opening. Ostara, ever the bully, adopted an upright stance, arms slightly spread in an attempt to make herself appear even larger – if such was possible – and to intimidate her much smaller opponent in the process.
The two touched sword tips almost as a formal acknowledgement of the coming duel as well as to test the strength and determination of the other. Finally, they stopped, faced each other then stood still, the reprieve before the storm, Ostara with her sword in her right hand and pointed at the floor in an attempt to get Anayah to make the first move. In turn, Anayah stood in a loose knee stance with her own sword still held at the ready, pointed down and to the left.
It was Anayah who finally broke the silence.
"I think I finally understand why you tried your damnedest to break Legolas, Ostara."
A slight frown was the only indication the big woman gave to indicate her ire in the matter.
"And … I assume you're going to tell me?"
"You tried to break him because you saw something in him that you have desired your entire life although deep in your heart you knew this thing would never be yours."
"And what was that?"
"Nobility – you saw it but didn't even know what you had. He's a Prince, Ostara – the son of King Thranduil of the Woodland Realm."
Ostara's eyes widened slightly, the only indication of her surprise at what Anayah had just told her.
"And why are you telling me this? Aren't you afraid that I will use that information against the two of you?"
Anayah smiled impishly.
"Nope."
"And why not?"
Anayah saw the spark of anger in the High Chieftain's eyes but continued trying to bait her.
"Because you are going to be dead sometime within the next 15 minutes – 20 minutes tops."
Her ploy was working for she saw a muscle begin to twitch in the big woman's cheek and the mannish muscles in her forearms began to flex as she tightened her grip on her sword. Anayah shifted her weight to her left foot – it was coming.
"But I now understand something else about you Ostara."
"And what might that be?"
"I understand why that elf gasped in horror when you went to show him to his room in your father's inn that night."
Inwardly Anayah chuckled for at the mention of that event, all the color left the woman's face to be replaced by the blush of embarrassment as she remembered her humiliation.
"And why was that?" She replied sarcastically.
"Because he heard your voice and thought you would be a woman but when he turned around, he was shocked because he thought he was looking at a man – with breasts!" Anayah giggled.
That was all it took – the bait was taken. With a scream of rage, Ostara swung her sword over her head, grabbed the hilt with her free hand then swung it downward with such force that if Anayah would have met the blow "square on," it would more than likely have disarmed her and resulted in her death shortly thereafter.
But Anayah, even as young as she was, was still considered an "old campaigner" and much too shrewd of a fighter to think she could receive and turn such a blow. Instead, she brought her sword up underneath her opponent's broadsword, stepping into her own block with her left foot. She then slid her sword underneath the broadsword's blade and down its length until at last the cross-guards of the two swords met. She then let her blade drop and let Ostara's momentum carry it down. Immediately stepping back, she drew her own blade free and after raising it, flicked a small, superficial cut on the biceps of Ostara's arm.
Ostara grinned at Anayah as she rotated her wounded arm then gave a slight nod of her head.
"Not a bad move Anayah – first blood goes to you. Now, let's get this over with."
For being such a big woman, Ostara was extremely quick and when she finally attacked in earnest, it was with all the cunning, experience and power that had earned her the rank of High Chieftain. Yet even as experienced and as powerful as she was, she had never before dueled with an elf– especially an elf who had four Thurin Tirith warriors to spar with and learn from.
Anayah was forced to go on the defensive, which she knew was not a good place to be when fighting a much larger and heavier opponent although it was necessary for this particular fight. She retreated before the woman, yet still managed to meet her sword with her own, blow for blow. There was no wasteful or meaningless movement as they relentlessly pounded at each other from one end of the throne room to the other. The fight was nothing fancy – just a good old, roll-around-on-the-floor, no frills or feats of daring, brawl.
But for all her great size and power, Ostara had the same flaw that a lot of overly-large swordsmen had – she did not have the stamina to "go the distance," the favored technique for large swordsmen being to use their size to overpower and defeat their opponent quickly. It wasn't too long before rivulets of sweat were running down her face and neck and she was mouth breathing, something that told Anayah that the woman was getting tired – which was what she had planned for and hoped would happen.
Then Ostara noticed the blood on the front of Anayah's tunic and remembered that her Captain, Garm, had shot her with an arrow the day she had rescued the elf slave. She realized the she-elf had reopened the wound during their fight and seizing the opportunity Ostara closed with Anayah, feinted with her sword arm and drove her fist into her wounded shoulder. Anayah gasped in pain then dropped her sword and went to one knee.
Taking advantage of her momentary weakness, Ostara switched her sword back to the other hand and slammed it into the side of Anayah's head, opening a gash on her temple and knocking her completely off her knees and onto her back. She then raised her sword over her head and prepared to deliver a killing blow.
The High Chieftain waited one moment too long and Anayah saw the sword coming at her and began to roll away from it. However, she didn't roll away far enough or fast enough and so was only partially successful in evading the broadsword's big blade as it cut a deep gash all the way to the bone across the back of both shoulders. As the pain threatened to steal her consciousness, the thought came to her that she was in trouble and if she was to survive, she needed to optimize her resources – all of them. With a great effort she pushed her pain to the back of her mind and somehow got herself to her knees, then pivoting painfully, threw her right shoulder into the side of Ostara's knee and propelled herself forward.
Ostara was tired and so was unable to maintain her balance after the impact, staggering sideways and falling, dropping her sword from her hand on her way to the floor. While Anayah did her best to get her own pain under control, the human woman slowly drug herself to her feet, then stood for a moment with her hands on her knees and trying to catch her breath.
Anayah got to her own feet then swayed dangerously and almost fell. She shook her head, blinked her eyes to clear the haze from them then rotated her own wounded shoulder. Looking up she saw an unarmed Ostara advancing on her and knowing full well the damage the big woman could do to her with her bare hands alone, and knowing she would not be able to get to her sword in time, she put herself into a loose-kneed stance, raised her fists then walked forward.
Ostara was not familiar with the more "formal" art of fist fighting, being more of a brawler, and so the she-elf's unorthodox stance made her pause. She could not quite understand what her intentions were but quickly found out as her shorter opponent delivered two punishing snap-punches, first with one hand, then the other.
Though Ostara stumbled backwards three or four steps, she still did not fall. Anayah's shoulders slumped in frustration and she put her hands on her hips and shook her head. Ostara just grinned, wiped her bloody mouth and nose the length of her forearm then once more began to advance.
Well, Anayah thought to herself, if the hand-axe can't cut down the mighty tree then use your battle-axe – more power.
Without warning and so Ostara would not have time to react, Anayah launched herself into the air, then using the momentum of her free leg, spun in a complete circle until her foot, with the full weight of her body behind it, came into bone-numbing contact with the side of Ostara's jaw. Stunned, the big woman went to her hands and knees on the floor, her head hanging down and her breaths coming in ragged gasps.
Slowly Anayah walked to where her sword was laying and picked it up. Guruthos flamed as if he knew there was one last task for him to perform this night. Ostara looked up as the she-elf approached her and knew with certainty that her fate was sealed and her doom was fast approaching.
But she was Ostara, High Chieftain of the Wainriders – she told herself – and she would be damned if she would go to her death like a whipped cur with its tail tucked between its legs. Through a physical effort of epic proportions, Ostara pushed herself upwards one last time until she was on her knees. Then lifting her chin proudly and spreading her arms wide in a gesture of defiant submission, she waited for her sentence to be carried out.
She did not have long to wait as Anayah gripped the hilt of her sword with both hands and without speaking further, swung it in a deadly arc that cleanly severed Ostara's head. The she-elf stood quietly until the body was finally still, then walking to where the head had come to rest a few feet away, she leaned over it.
"That was for Legolas – bitch!"
Turning towards the door, she slowly walked away.
8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)
Anayah staggered towards the doorway of the throne room, dragging the tip of her sword along the floor for she lacked the energy to clean it and resheath it. It was becoming more and more difficult for her to breathe and the pain of her wounds, both old and knew was well on its way to making her pass out. She staggered and went to one knee, then stayed there for a few moments panting, trying to will her lungs to inflate and consciously willing the blackness to leave the periphery of her sight.
She knew with certainty that she would never get out of the Palace under her own power then gave a small, sarcastic smile as the realization finally came to her that Ostara was going to win after all. It seemed that it took forever but she finally reached the doorway to the throne room where her knees buckled and she started to fall for the final time.
It surprised her that she never reached the floor, for just before she hit, black gloved hands reached out to her from the shadows, caught her then kept her from falling and hurting herself further. She was quickly scooped up into her rescuer's arms, then he with three others ran towards one of the side exits.
He handed her off to one of the others then after he had mounted his horse; she was handed back to him. Soon the four riders, followed by Elias, swiftly rode away. Anayah sighed in gratitude as well as relief, for she knew in her heart that she could never have escaped on her own. Looking up into her rescuer's face, she made a weak attempt at a smile.
"I guess I'm in big trouble?" She whispered.
Just before her eyes slid shut and the soft darkness of unconsciousness took her away, she heard her rescuer say, "Yes, young one, I definitely think you could say that."
TBC
8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)
CapriceAnn Hedican-Kocur: Well, we can't be good all the time – now can we? Of course it might not be too bad if we had a certain elf and ranger along to supervise us. Thanks for the review!
8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)
NanaHalfelven: (Greyfell's embarrassment when she makes the comment about her hand is Priceless) I don't think Greyfell is even aware of the fact that he is becoming at ease around the elves, and to the point where he caught himself holding Anayah's hand without even realizing he was doing it. There are some real emotional awakenings happening here.
(Ada Súrion) Ah yes – the elf who understands the very young.
Thank you for your kind words – as well as pointing out the other faux pas of mine! Hannon-le.
8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)
Karone Evertree: I'm glad you enjoyed Cyrano's little accident. Poor thing – but hilarious. Actually, the idea for that came from something that happened to the week-old foal of my Mom and Dad's miniature burros. The baby's name was Windy. He was well named because he was the gassiest equine that I had ever known. He was running down the road kicking up his heels and trying to catch up with his parents when he scared himself with his own "noise." He turned his head to look and started to slip on the loose sand of the road. The back end tried to pass the front end and no matter what the poor thing did, he couldn't slow the back end down. Over he went. He picked himself up and looked at me like he had meant to do what he just did then trotted off. I was laughing so hard that I almost slipped and fell myself.
I always felt that Elladan and Elrohir were brilliant elves – although I felt they should both try to stay away from the candy – waaaaay too hyper! They can always be counted on to come up with something interesting.
(the consistency of squirrel droppings:) I'm glad you like that – I think it worked.
I am glad that you enjoyed that chapter and hope you enjoy this one as well.
8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)
Inuyashaloverfan: Welcome! I want to thank you for your very kind review and hope that you continue to enjoy the story.