Here´s the next chapter, once again un-betaed. Please excuse all mistakes. They are entirely my own.
A huge thanks to all who read and of course to my wonderful reviewers. ((hugs)) You guys are the best! Please keep the reviews coming, each one is cherished.
And now enjoy!
Alina
Disclaimer: Not mine
Rating K+
Tightening the Noose
The snow glistened white in the moon´s gentle light, but the stillness that lingered across the landscape held no peace. Rather, it resembled the desperate attempt of a drowning swimmer not to draw breath, for if he did, death would follow.
The raven soared higher into the night skies, its racing shadow on the ground the only movement around. Beneath it, the village shrunk swiftly until it resembled a child´s toy, carelessly left behind in the wild. The frozen creek that lay beside it reflected the light in a silent plea for help.
Even though neglected, the settlement was not alone. In a wide circle, a huge rope curled around the houses that huddled together as if in fear. Slowly, ever so slowly, the rough material tightened the noose, scraping the icy ground with a soft crunching sound.
In the air, the raven cocked its head, seeking the source of the movement. It took in the hangman´s knot that the rope was pulled through and followed the giant string towards the woods. Suddenly, a second raven burst from the darkness of the trees, shedding a cloud of snow as it went. Below it, growls began to rise and red eyes glowed, so many that they looked liked poisonous blossoms that littered a shadowy meadow.
The second raven, however, did neither look back nor linger, but hastened away. The first one joined it in its frantic flight, feeling its urgency. The earth hurdled past beneath them, and the sun suddenly rose towards the east as if roughly pulled up by invisible hands that pushed it across the sky far more swiftly than natural. Its red light turned into a pale white within heartbeats.
With sickening speed, a second village came into view. Positioned by a stronger river than the first, here the water was moving among the ice. A sturdy fence of spiked wood had been drawn around the houses, but even as the ravens watched it wavered and melted, resembling packed snow exposed to a raging fire. Beyond the settlement, fresh growls began to rise, accompanied by rough laughter.
The ravens followed the sound, passing the hill behind the village. Light reflected off the shining ice of a lake, ringed by trees. As the birds watched, the ice began to crack and darken. The tears widened fast as furry heads pushed through them, and then a flood of wolves broke forth. It spilled across the lake, the hill, the snowy grounds like wave upon wave of billowing, black smoke.
Elvish cries were heard, alerting the sleeping world of the danger, but the ravens knew it was late. Too late. Human voices joined in the commotion, but they were quickly drowned by a piercing scream. It carried so much fear and horror that the birds felt their wings freeze in mid-flight, preventing them form seeking the child who had uttered the sound. Two elven voices rose together, calling out in despair: "Estel!"
The ravens wanted to join the shout, to draw closer and help, but an icy gust of wind ripped them away from the lake, back across the plain and woods. Flapping their wings in furious denial, the birds attempted to seize control over their flight, but they were lost to the elements.
Below them the trees melted into a swirling blur that only cleared when the first village came into view again. Night had fallen once more. The noose the ravens had seen earlier was no longer loosely fitted around the stricken village. It now lay tightly against walls and fences. A snicker drifted across from the trees, and the rope was sharply pulled again. With a sickening crunch it bit into the first houses, making their walls tumble and their inhabitants scream - and scream - and scream...
x x x
Screams rose around the blonde elf when the first sounds of battle flooded the barn. Huddled on the floor, the villagers clung to each other, their eyes wide in the sparse light of the torches.
Calen cursed under his breath. He had risen at the first indications that the attack had begun, long moments before the humans had realized the fact, and had tensely anticipated their reaction. He was dismayed at the panic that swiftly spread around him like a wave of cold madness, and he feared where this would lead.
The healer sensed movement behind him and saw that the twins had been touched by the foul atmosphere as well, tossing restlessly as if fighting unseen foes. Kneeling swiftly, the elf laid one hand on each of the wounded elf´s brows, closing his eyes in an attempt to shut out the din around him. Even though Lord Elrond had been here to heal his sons and the wounds had closed over with his help, the younger healer knew that his charges might still hurt themselves if they gave in to the darkness that beckoned around them.
"Sîdh", Calen whispered, "sîdh, bodo gost edhuin-lîn." /Peace, peace, ban the fear from your hearts./ His palms warmed when he allowed his strength to flow, spreading around him like an invisible halo. He felt his own heart ease, and the twins stilled at his sides.
With a sigh, Calen broke the connection. The fearful sounds of the humans surged around him once more, but this time he felt determined to face the tide. Rising once more, the elf slowly walked towards the middle of the barn.
He looked into the faces he passed, and to his surprise the emotions he saw reflected in them varied. He saw a lot of fear and pain, but there was more. There was hope in the eyes of a young man who nursed a broken arm. There was determination in a man who looked so wrinkled that the elf could impossibly guess his age. There was fierce determination in a mother who rocked a young child in hers arms. There was strength, but panic was slowly eating away at it.
Calen halted when he had reached the center of the barn. At his side was the stone wall of a well that had been dug there. Above him, the small hole that had been left open in the thatched roof allowed some moonlight to leak into the building. Standing in this patch of light, the elf began to sing.
He did not know why he did so, he was merely following his instincts as he had learned in many years as a healer. His voice rose in determination, and the longer he sang, the more he felt the din around him die away. He knew that the humans could not understand his words, had no knowledge of the tale of strength and courage he sang about, but they caught on to the meaning of the song nonetheless. Soon, nothing but the sound of his voice and the fight beyond the barn doors could be heard and Calen allowed his voice to fade, the echo of his song lingering around him like a comforting blanket.
Eyes were turned on him. For long moments no-one spoke but then the young man with the broken arm rose to his feet. "Your voice is like a light in the dark, master elf, but it will not protect our lives. What shall we do now?" He pointed towards the wooden walls, their only protection against what was going on outside. Growls could be heard, rough calls, the clash of steel on steel. "What will protect us against this madness once the defences break?"
Fearful murmurs erupted from the villagers, but they died away when Calen raised his hands in a soothing gesture. "The defences will hold", the healer said with conviction. "A circle of men and elves has been formed around this building. It will not fall."
A woman rose at his words, her eyes tearful but her voice steady. "I do not doubt the warriors, but I spent the last night in hiding as well. I heard good men die in front of the town hall´s doors, and had your people not arrived their sacrifice would have been in vain. We are at fate´s mercy, master elf, and not even your songs can dull the fear this sparks in us."
The murmurs grew stronger, and Calen felt cold spread around them once more. There was nothing he could say to weaken the woman´s argument. He would not lie to these people. Even so, he wished he could transfer his calm to them, but they were too many for his healing touch.
People began to talk more loudly amongst themselves, some supporting the elf´s confidence, others reliving last night´s horror. Calen could feel his hold on the crowd slipping, his mind working furiously to find a way to ease their fears when suddenly a fresh hush fell across the barn.
Without him noticing, two elves had joined the healer´s side. Calen gasped in surprise when he saw Elladan and Elrohir standing in the moonlight. Nothing about their posture betrayed their recent injuries, and they wore swords and bows at their sides.
"I know you", one man broke the silence, "you fell defending us last night!"
Elladan smiled. "I may have fallen, but I did not give in." His sharp grey eyes sought out the humans´ faces. "And neither did my brother. And neither did either of you." He made a sweeping gesture with his hand, taking in the barn as well as the village around them. "We are under attack, and many will die, but we are not at fate´s hand. We will stand at your side."
Elrohir stepped forward, nodding. "Aye, and so shall they." As if out of thin air, rangers appeared among the villagers, rising to the elf´s silent beckoning with nods and determined smiles. Some were wounded, others seemed hale, but all were radiating calm determination. As if following an earlier command, they began moving among the villagers, giving silent orders. Small groups were arranged, buckets were filled with water from the well.
As activity broke out around them, Calen turned to the twins. Now that attention had been turned away from them, both had leaned against the well. Their faces were so pale they seemed deathly in the moonlight and their breaths were uneven.
Still, Elrohir could not suppress a chuckle. "Do not glare at me like that, Calen. You are almost as bad as Ada."
"You should not be up and about", the healer scolded, "you are still too weak to fight. And besides, you could have helped me before if you were awake. So could have the rangers."
Elladan held up a hand, seeking peace. "I am afraid we only truly awoke to your song, my friend. And I am sure that the rangers would have supported you, but they were wise enough to let an elf find calming words first."
Calen continued to glower, but the twins easily saw through the ruse. The healer´s gentle nature never allowed him to hold on to anger very long.
"You managed very well on your own", Elrohir said calmly, all mirth gone from his voice.
Calen shook his head with a sigh. "Aye, but your help was needed. I am no warrior." At his words, the sounds of battle seemed to grow louder around them, pressing against the barn´s walls with invisible force.
"Tonight we are all warriors, each in their own way", Elladan pointed out. "Danger swirls around us from all sides, and soon, it will engulf others also. We need to win not only for our own sake." He exchanged a look with his brother, their shared vision vivid in his mind, and Elrohir nodded gravely. "Aye", he agreed, "we have more to defend than this barn, Calen. Let us get to work."
x x x
Elrond felt the red haze of battle engulf him. He did not know how long it had been going on, nor did he count the number of foes that had fallen by his sword. Wolves and raiders alike rushed against the protective ring that the warriors had formed around the village, and a few had broken through.
The mass of the black tide, however, was still held at bay. It was evident that their enemies had not anticipated the force of their defence, and more than once cries of angered frustration could be heard. Behind the elf lord´s back, bows sang almost without taking a breath, their deadly hum accompanying the shower of sleek arrows that rained down upon their foes.
Elrond growled when two wolves jumped at him in unison, their snarls victorious already when they cut through the air. Pompous fools! The elf held his sword high, both hands on the hilt. A look like disbelief struck the eyes of one wolf when it realized he had no intention of moving out of the way, and its howl was cut short when the sharp blade went straight through its body.
The weight of the beast drove Elrond to his knees, causing the second wolf´s jump to go wide. The elf sensed the beast landing behind his back. His sword was twisted within the first wolf which was even now beginning to transform, and he let go of the hilt. Drawing his dagger as he turned, he felt more than saw the bite aimed at his left arm. His reaction coming a heartbeat too late, strong jaws closed around his wrist and sharp teeth sank into his flesh.
The elf lord hissed, his eyes locking on to the wolf´s. Never slowing, he brought his dagger around beneath the beast´s jaw and jerked it up with one swift stab. Warm blood gushed over his arm, mingling with his own, and the pressure on his wrist slackened. Pulling free, Elrond sensed fresh movement behind him. Passing his dagger into his bloodied left hand, he retrieved his sword with his right and swirled, bringing both weapons down in a deadly arc.
It was only a handbreadth away from Glorfindel´s throat that he brought his blades to a stop. The other elf raised an eyebrow, than grabbed his friend by the sleeve and dragged him away from the worst of the fighting into the shadow of one of the houses.
"Heca!" /Be gone/ Elrond snapped before he could stop himself, feeling hot fury boil through his veins. The instinct to use his sword again, to plunge it into any creature close by threatened to overwhelm him. His friend´s face before him seemed to shimmer as if about to shift into something else before settling back into the fair, regular features he knew so well.
Drawing a deep breath, the Lord of Imladris managed to control himself. "By the Valar, Glorfindel, you of all people should know better!"
The Balrog slayer showed no sign of distress. "I do", he answered calmly, "or else I would not have risked my neck to get you. Follow me." Not waiting for an acknowledgement, the blond elf turned and nimbly climbed to the roof of the house they had rested against. Sheathing his blades, Elrond followed. His left arm hurt but the wound did not hamper his movements, allowing him to reach the thatched structure right behind his friend.
Four archers lay perched on the roof, two elves and two of the rangers. One of the elves turned towards the lords and mentioned them closer, a serious expression on his face. "Some of the enemy´s forces withdrew a short while ago", the archer said, "for it is clear that their losses are heavy. We hoped for victory, but it seems that this was rash indeed."
Glancing into the direction that the warrior pointed out, Elrond squinted. Moonlight illuminated the scene, showing what he had feared the most. Raiders were riding out of the woods, their mounts snorting and shying as between each two riders they dragged barrels that were burning merrily. On the raiders´ backs, bows could clearly be seen, and others followed carrying arrows. The elf lord could see that the arrowheads were oddly shaped.
"They mean to burn the village", Glorfindel voiced his fears, "and I am afraid that little will withstand the flames."
"Aye", the archer agreed thoughtfully. "This seems an effective means of destroying this place. I wonder why they did not employ it before."
"Because they meant to use the villagers, transforming them into creatures of darkness too." Elrond´s voice was taut. "But now all they care for is our destruction." He turned to the archers, his face stern. "You will remain as long as you can. Take out their archers before they can carry out their plans. Should your roof catch fire, move on to the barn with the old and wounded and aid in their defence."
Elves and men nodded alike, and Elrond knew they would pass on the word to the other archers.
He swiftly left, Glorfindel following suit, and they had barely reached the ground when he already heard the arrows´ song changing as the archers aimed at a greater distance.
"There is no time to move the old and wounded", Glorfindel stated as they strode back towards the fight.
Elrond nodded, thinking of the wooden building that held many humans as well as a few elves - including his sons. His heart clenched, but he knew the Balrog slayer was right. The barn was in the middle of the village, surrounded by men and elves that even now fought the wolves and raiders that had broken through.
"We have only one chance to overcome our foes." The elf lord´s voice was steady. "Tell the warriors at the barn of the new danger and set free the horses. I shall spread the word. We will ride out to meet them."
TBC