Okay this chapter is a tad shorter then what it has been so..sorry. Oh, Lalaith's family is not at Camp. (The Northern lights didn't pick them up I guess...) Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter thirty-eight

Dead Sound of Misery

"Okay it is time for the second battle which according to the hat will be the Dagor Bragollach. This battle was the fourth of the great battles of the Wars of Beleriand, fought in the winter of First Age 455. The battle began when Morgoth broke the Siege of Angband, sending out rivers of flame that burned Ard-galen and the lower slopes of Dorthonion and Ered Wethrin, killing many Noldor caught on the plain.

Behind the fire came Morgoth's vast armies, composed of Orcs, Balrogs, and Glaurung. In the west, Fingolfin and Fingon were driven back to the Ered Wethrin, and Hador was slain at Eithel Sirion. Finrod, defending the Pass of Sirion, was nearly killed, but he was rescued by Barahir and the Pass was held. In Dorthonion, the Noldor and Edain were overwhelmed; Aegnor, Angrod, and Bregolas were slain, and the First House of the Edain never fully recovered from its losses.

"In the east, Aglon was forced after bitter fighting, but Maedhros rallied the forces of his House at Himring and re-closed the pass. But then Glaurung overran Lothlann and forced Maglor's Gap, and Thargelion and East Beleriand north of the Ramdal were ravaged.

Fingolfin, infuriated by this crushing defeat, rode to Angband and challenged Morgoth to single combat. In the end the High King was slain, but he gave Morgoth seven great wounds.

"Although Morgoth never ceased his offensive after Dagor Bragollach, the battle itself was considered to end with the coming of spring. The net result was the loss of Ard-galen and Dorthonion and the serious weakening of the March of Maedhros. Okay so that's the explanation of the battle. Just a few notes: real fire will be used so I would like all campers to keep away from the fire. Also since Fingolfin is not present, Gil-Galad will be playing him so when Gil-Galad challenges Morgoth to single combat, he's actually portraying Fingolfin. Also Angband is the garage just like in the last battle. Okay so the battle shall commence at the sound of Kisha's whistle."

Manwë quickly left the Great Lawn, as the fire was about to sweep through signifying the start of the battle. Kisha blew her whistle and Gwen, with Morgoth, Sauron, Thuringwethil, and Saruman, lit the charges on the pyrotechnics and a wall of fire swept through the Great Lawn. When it reached the other side, Manwë, Tulkas, Oromë, and Ulmo put the flames out. Once the fire was gone the battle began. This one held the attention of the campers, as it was more exciting because of the flames. The ground of the Great Lawn had been scorched severely and Kisha knew she was going to have to re-plant the lawn. But she figured that it was okay as the campers were learning about the history of Middle-earth.

After twenty minutes of fighting Kisha noticed that some of the campers were beginning to lose interest and so she gave the camera to a camper to continue filming and made her way over to Gil-Galad. She motioned for him to come over to her.

"Yes?" he asked.

"Go challenge Morgoth now okay?" she replied.

He nodded.

"Sure thing."

Gil-Galad disappeared back into the fray and Kisha went back to her camera. She focused in on Gil-Galad as he blew his horn. Both sides ceased fighting as Gil-Galad approached the garage.

"Lord of slaves, I'll dare you. Come out you coward. Now it's me or you!" Gil-Galad cried out.

Slowly, in fear, Morgoth emerged from the garage. He looked down at Gil-Galad.

"Welcome to my lands. You shall be damned!" he announced as he pulled out Grond.

From inside Angband, Gwen smiled wildly as she watched from the garage windows. She took another sip of her water bottle as the two began fighting.

Morgoth swung Grond down at Gil-Galad and he dodged it easily. The two continued to fight and Gil-Galad wounded Morgoth seven times and each time Morgoth cried out in anguish that made foe and servant of Morgoth cringe.

In the garage Gwen had a copy of The Silmarillion. Before Gil-Galad called out to Morgoth from outside, she had been going over the fight with Morgoth just to make sure he could remember everything. Now she watched as Gil-Galad stumbled backwards and Morgoth put his foot over his neck. She then counted the seconds until she heard Morgoth scream out again. This time Gil-Galad stabbed Morgoth in the foot. But Morgoth prevailed and killed Gil-Galad. Gwen took another swing of water and listened for the sound of Kisha's whistle. They had decided that morning that even though the Dagor Bragollach lasted until spring, the fall of Fingolfin would signify the end of this version. The whistle blew and Gwen left the garage. She watched Morgoth help Gil-Galad up.

"Nice fight. You were almost as good as Fingolfin when I killed him for real," Morgoth said.

Gil-Galad brushed himself off.

"Thanks."

"Okay, five minute break while the staff takes a breather!" announced Manwë from the Great Lawn.

--

The five-minute breather turned into a half hour lunch break on the Great Lawn because it was around lunchtime. The staff was responsible for their own meals and Gwen and Kisha whipped up some lunchmeat and bread for the campers to eat.

After Gwen and Kisha fed the campers and made sure they had everything that they would need, they left the kitchen and walked across the Great Lawn. Gwen found Morgoth sitting on the scorched lawn next to Gil-Galad and Sauron. She smiled as she sat down and ate her smoked meat sandwich.

"Great battle guys. That was awesome," Gwen commented.

Morgoth shrugged it off.

"Oh it was nothing. I'm proud of my performance though. I'm sure the screams sounded authentic," he replied.

Gwen rolled her eyes at his egocentric comment.

"I liked Gil-Galad's performance better," Gwen said.

Gil-Galad smiled and Morgoth frowned.

"I'm just kidding! I liked you both equally! I wonder what battle we'll have to do next."

Gil-Galad shrugged.

"As long as it's not the Battle of the Last Alliance then I'm game for anything."

Gwen nodded in agreement.

"I'm sure you don't want to die twice in a row."

"That's for sure."

Kisha's whistle blew and Gwen rolled her eyes and stood up.

"Well time to fight again," she said.

Morgoth, Gil-Galad, and Sauron stood up.

"Yup and hopefully I won't die in this one," Gil-Galad remarked.

Sauron smirked.

"Yes, you'd die by me instead of Morgoth."

Gil-Galad rolled his eyes.

"Remind me why I played Fingolfin?"

Gwen shrugged.

"Because you're related?" she suggested.

"Yes but Fingon is here and he's Fingolfin's son."

Gwen shrugged a second time.

"Oh you all look alike it's hard to tell you all apart."

Gil-Galad rolled his eyes.

"Stupid human."

"Girly elf."

"Save it for the battlefield," remarked Morgoth.

Gil-Galad glared at Gwen.

"Will do."

--

It was around one in the afternoon when Manwë stood in the Great Lawn and announced the next battle.

"Okay. The third battle will be the Kin-slaying at Alqualondë. This was the first great tragedy of the revolt of the Noldor and the first slaying of Elf by Elf. The battle began when the Teleri of Alqualondë refused to give ships to the Noldor and Fëanor in his haste and pride resolved to take them by force. The Teleri resisted with arms until the hosts of Fëanor was reinforced by the vanguard of the host of Fingolfin, led by Fingon. A large part of the lightly armed Teleri was slain.

"The consequences of the Kinslaying were serious. The storm raised by the grief of Uinen killed many Noldor sailing the stolen ships, and the shedding of blood in Aman directly caused the Doom of the Noldor. In Middle-earth the Kinslaying caused Thingol to divorce himself and the power of Doriath from the House of Fëanor. Despite the atonement of the House of Fingolfin on the Grinding Ice, the shadow of the Kinslaying lay on the spirits of all the Noldor. It incited the incestuous love of Maeglin for Idril, and was the weakness by which Sauron overcame Finrod. This battle will take place at the beach so if the staff would get in position we can begin."

Morgoth smiled widely.

"Great, I get a break now," he exclaimed.

Gwen rolled his eyes.

"Oh shut up," she replied.

"Why? Do you have to fight in this one?" Sauron asked.

She nodded.

"Yup. Fëanor kills me in front of one of the boats."

"Sounds like fun," remarked Sauron.

"Oh shut it."

--

Kisha's whistle blew and the staff got into character. Fëanor and his sons hiked over to the beach area and asked the Teleri for their ships. When they denied them this, Fëanor then ordered his men to fight the Teleri for the ships. Seeing as the battlefield was rather small, the campers had to gather close together to watch the fighting.

Gwen blocked another blow from Curufin when she glanced over and saw that Fëanor seemed to really get into the fighting. She could see the fire in his eyes.

Wow, his name really fits then…she mused.

Fëanor fought his way over to the ships and Gwen had herself positioned in front of one of the boats. Fëanor raised his sword against her and the two fought on the beach.

At first Gwen thought that Fëanor was just really getting into it but after five minutes of fighting she realised that Fëanor was not only into it but he appeared as if he was in a trance. His face was unreadable and Gwen began to think that this was not going to end well. She knew this was not going to end well when she felt a sharp pain on her left arm just below the shoulder. She took a quick glance and saw blood dripping down her arm.

Oh this can't be good.

"Fëanor! Settle down!" she exclaimed.

He seemed not to hear her as he intensified his blows. Gwen couldn't keep up with him and she felt another sharp spasm of pain across her face. Blood blurred her vision and she could barely make out Fëanor standing in front of her.

"Fëanor! Stop!" she roared.

The fire in his eyes brightened and Gwen lost hope.

This fucking sucks, she thought as her knee exploded in pain. She cried out as she dropped to the ground. Her sword dropped to her side.

Morgoth, who had been watching the battle next to Sauron, Aragorn and Kisha, realised something was wrong when Fëanor slashed her across the face. He then knew something was wrong when she dropped to the ground. Without thinking, he grabbed Aragorn's sword out of its sheath and charged at Fëanor right when he was going to deal Gwen the deathblow. Kisha almost dropped the camera, as she thought it was just Gwen's fake blood and great acting, that made it look so real but then realised that it was real when blood continued to flow from her shoulder, knee, and face with no sign of stopping. She stopped the camera and ran over to her friend. She dropped to her knees and turned Gwen over. She checked her pulse and it felt faint but it was there.

"Gwen! Gwen! Can you hear me?" Kisha exclaimed.

Gwen coughed.

"Manwë! Tulkas! Get over here! Help now damnit!" she roared.

By now everyone realised that the battle was not going as planned. Morgoth had succeeded in subduing Fëanor with the help of Sauron, the Nazgul, Aulë, Lórien, and Ulmo.

Gwen remained conscious for about five minutes after she dropped to the ground. She could faintly make out Fëanor about to deal her a final blow when someone blocked it. She heard Kisha's voice and her blurry face flooded her vision but that was the last thing she saw before it faded into grey.

"Damnit! Why can't we ever have a normal non-life threatening day at camp?" Gwen heard someone scream.

No doubt Kisha…

--

"Farewell my mortal friends my time with you will be over Hail the home of gods Share my joy when I'm gone…"

Sound was the first thing that came back to Gwen as she lay in the infirmary of Camp Glingal. Inside she smiled at the sound of Battlelore.

Oh how appropriate. She thought when she heard the song Journey to the Undying Lands play.

The sense of touch was the second thing that came back. She felt someone holding her hand. Vision started coming back but it was blurred and only in the left eye.

"What happened?" she mumbled.

Gwen heard a gasp and a sigh of relief.

"Thank Ilúvatar you're okay," she heard Kisha exclaim.

Her left eye could now see dark shapes against the light background. She could make out Kisha standing above her. She turned her head and saw that it was Morgoth who had been holding her hand. Gwen posed her question again.

"What happened?"

"Fëanor went a little battle crazy. He almost killed you," Kisha replied.

Gwen sighed and nodded.

"Where is he now?" she asked.

"Well he's as far away from Morgoth as he can get at the moment. Morgoth threatened his life a few times and so Fëanor's been keeping a wide distance."

Gwen nodded.

"So give me the damage report. Am I fudged for life now?"

Gwen could hear Kisha stifle a laugh.

"No, of course not. He got you in the shoulder, knee, and face."

"Ah, so is that why I can't see out of my right eye?" Gwen asked.

With this Morgoth perked his head up.

"If he blinded you in one eye he's dead! Where is that lousy sob? I'll kill him!"

Kisha sighed and shook her head.

"There's a bandage over her eye Morgoth. Don't you remember? He slashed across her cheek. She'll be fine okay?"

Vision in Gwen's left eye fully came back. She struggled to sit up.

"Can I have something to eat?" Gwen asked.

Kisha nodded.

"Sure. I'll be right back with some soup," Kisha replied.

Once Kisha had gone Gwen looked around and a funny thought struck her.

"Why am I in the infirmary instead of hospital? Surly that was enough to make Kisha go to hospital," Gwen asked.

Morgoth nodded.

"That was what some of the campers suggested but Kisha flatly denied doing that. She said it would seem odd if she took you to hospital and had to explain to them why you had sword wounds."

"Ah. Gotcha," Gwen replied. "So was that you who came to my rescue?"

"Yes."

"Thanks."

He shrugged.

"'Twas nothing."

She smiled and pulled his head down for a kiss. While their lips were locked the infirmary door opened and the two looked over to see little Lalaith in the doorway. Gwen smiled at the child.

"Are you okay?" Lalaith asked.

Gwen nodded and motioned for her to come over and join them. Before the battles had begun, Kisha thought it would be wise to keep Lalaith inside the living room and away from the fighting.

"I know Kisha told me to stay in the living room but I wanted to watch. I saw you get hurt," Lalaith said.

Gwen motioned for Morgoth to pick her up and he placed her on the edge of the bed.

"I'm okay. It's only a few nicks and scrapes," Gwen replied with a smile.

Lalaith smiled back and gave Gwen a big hug. The little girl did not notice Gwen wince as she put pressure on her wounded shoulder. The door of the infirmary opened again and the three turned to look at who was coming in. It was Fëanor.

"Um, I'll come back later," he replied as he turned to leave.

"No, no. Stay," Gwen said.

Fëanor turned back around and slowly walked into the room. Morgoth glared at him as he got closer.

"Well, do you have anything to say elf?" Morgoth asked.

Gwen patted his hand and shushed him. Fëanor gulped.

"I'd just like to say that I am sorry for almost killing you Gwen," Fëanor replied.

Gwen nodded.

"It's alright. No permanent damage done."

"Yes and if there is any permanent damage then your arse is mine," Morgoth snarled.

Gwen rolled her eyes.

"Morgoth stop. I'm okay. There's no lasting damage so stop threatening Fëanor's life alright?"

The door of the infirmary opened again and Kisha walked in carrying a bowl of soup. She smiled at the sight.

"What's going on in here? Are we having a party?" she asked.

Gwen shrugged.

"I guess so. Would someone get me a beer then?"

--

It was late Sunday afternoon and the sun shone brightly in the sky. Kisha was on the beach watching the campers play volleyball against the staff. Manwë was on the lifeguard chair again. He was starting to get a really dark tan and he had raccoon eyes where his sunglasses sat. Gwen was also on the beach. Though she was still sore from the day before, it was nothing serious and she would be perfectly fine in a few days. She had not lost any vision but she sported a lovely gash across the face that would form into a beautiful scar. Morgoth sat next to her and Lalaith sat on Gwen's good leg between the two of them. Kisha smiled at the sight. It looked odd but perfect at the same time. She stood up and pulled out her camera. She walked over to the three of them.

"I got to get a picture of this," she said.

Gwen rolled her eyes and then smiled as Kisha snapped a picture of the three of them.

"Can we go into the water now?" Lalaith asked.

Gwen sighed. Lalaith had been asking to go into the water with the two of them for the past few minutes. Gwen still felt too sore to go in, and also her bandages would get soaked.

"Well maybe Morgoth will take you in?" she glanced over at Morgoth who was shaking his head and mouthing the word 'no'.

Thanks Morgoth…

Then another idea hit her.

"I know what we can do!" she exclaimed excitedly.

Lalaith's face lit up.

"Oh? What? What?" the little girl asked eagerly.

"Well we can build a big sand castle! Morgoth can go fill up some of the buckets with water and Lalaith and I can use the water and sand and make a sand castle!"

Lalaith squealed in delight and nodded her head. Morgoth rolled his eyes and mouthed the word 'thanks' to Gwen. He stood up and went to the garage and pulled out the sand toy bucket that held a few pails, shovels, and other sand castle making equipment. When he got back Lalaith was already jumping around and ready to begin. Gwen had just finished laughing.

"Okay Morgoth, go fill up a few pails with water please."

"Yes ma'am."

Gwen rolled her eyes and watched as he took two pails and filled them up. She directed her attention back to Lalaith who was eager to begin.

"So what do we get to do?" Lalaith asked.

"Well we're going to fill a few pails with sand and make the perimeter of the castle okay?"

Lalaith nodded eagerly.

"Okay!"

--

Two hours later Gwen, Lalaith, and Morgoth made the finishing touches on the sand castle. It was as long and wide as a beach towel and it had four stories complete with tiny sand windows, doors, and flags. Ulmo helped make a moat around the castle and Manwë created a tiny room on the top for someone to look out and see everything. Morgoth built an outer wall around the moat. He said it was for extra protection. Fëanor then asked if he knew this from experience. Morgoth glared at him and threw a bucket of mud in his hair. Fëanor's girlish squeal could be heard across Lake Nûrnen and beyond.

Lalaith really loved the sand castle and she named it Dor-lómin. Kisha then took a picture of Lalaith, Gwen, and Morgoth standing behind the castle. She then took a picture of everyone who helped make it behind it. It was starting to get around dinner time and Kisha told everyone to head back to the dorms to get changed for the meal. Lalaith kept asking Gwen and Morgoth if the sand castle would be there in the morning. Gwen said it would and when Lalaith ran ahead and played in the burnt Great Lawn, Gwen told Morgoth to put some sort of protective thing around the castle.

"Do I have to?" he asked.

She nodded.

"Do you want to make her cry if it washes away?"

"Not really."

"Then go do it."

--

Dinner ended at around seven and Kisha stood at the head of the dining hall and waited till she got everyone's attention.

"Okay good evening campers! Tonight we have something special planned! How does a night time camp scavenger hunt sound? You will be divided into nineteen groups of eighteen people and also four staff members per group. You will then try to solve a group of riddles. Once you solve one riddle it will lead you to your destination and you will find your object. The first group that finds the most items wins. But remember, it may not be so easy and there is always a catch. On your journey to find the items there will be other staff members looming about. If you come across Morgoth and Gwen then you must have one member of the group, and it can't be a staff member, fight them off. If you loose then they will take one item you have found and place it back where it belongs. If you win then you may continue on. If you come across Sauron, and you have something of his, then you have to hand it over and try to win it back in some contest of Sauron's devising. If Lúthien crosses your path then she will sing and you must start back at the Great Hall for she has delayed you with her song and dance because you have become enchanted. Also if a staff member crosses your path and asks you to show what you have gotten so far, then you must show it and if one of the items belongs to them then they will take it and place it back in its location.

But not all staff members are bad and will take your items away. Manwë and Galadriel will aid you in a riddle that is confusing and Varda will help you see things you can't normally see. Ulmo will also aid you if any riddle involves water. Pretty much all the Valar are here to aid you in your search. Also remember that some staff members may have the item you are looking for so you must ask for it by name if you have figured out the riddle," Kisha finished explaining the rules to the campers and then she let out a big grin.

"So, any questions?"

The dining hall was silent and Kisha smile got wider. She clapped her hands together in anticipation.

"Great! So meet at the Great Hall at eight thirty and we will begin!"

The campers then left the dining hall and went to the dorms. Gwen stretched and stood up.

"Well come on Morgoth. We better go get our weapons ready. Looks like we'll get to fight campers tonight."

Morgoth nodded.

"Just don't hurt them alright?" Kisha asked.

Gwen smiled.

"Now I would never do a thing like that. Though you might want to watch Fëanor."

He rolled his eyes and huffed.

"Hey! I did say sorry you know!"

Gwen smirked.

"Tell that to my aching knee."

Kisha then thought of something.

"Gwen? Are you going to be all right? To fight I mean."

Gwen shrugged.

"Well we'll find out now won't we?"