Chapter 4: Darkness in Rohan

The darkness of Sauron did not end in Gondor. Sauron's darkness spread over every corner of Middle-earth. That darkness was mostly angled toward the world of Men. It was at this time, a new darkness began to take shape.

In the kingdom of Rohan, this darkness began. The once peaceful kingdom had come under attack from Wild Men burning everything in their path, down to the last tree. Then, there were strange creatures. These creatures were not Orcs, the people knew, but something different. These creatures moved in sunlight without fear, they were bigger than Orcs, and more ferocious as well as hideous. Across their red faces, they bore a strange white hand.

With the impending peril in Gondor, Pharazpher raised her daughter Pharazphel in Rohan, not yet aware of the coming danger. The death of her husband and the impending danger changed Pharazpher. They had made her stronger and wiser. She learned the sword before her husband's death and improved upon her skills. By this time, she could fight just as well as any man. She also learned to ride, as Rohan was a horse country.

Pharazphel had grown into a beautiful woman with as much wisdom and courage as her parents. She had flowing, golden hair common to the people of Rohan and eyes as grey as the sea. Pharazphel had also learned the sword from her mother and learned to ride. She, too, became skilled with a blade and on horse. Though Pharazphel had courage, she feared going to battle.

"I do not want to be in a battle," she said apprehensively.

"Do you not want to fight for your country?" Pharazpher asked dubiously.

"Do not think me for a coward," Pharazphel said quickly. "I do wish to fight for Rohan and I would give my life for this country, if it came to that."

"Then why this fear?" Pharazpher wanted to know.

"I would give my life for Rohan, but I fear to. I fear to die before I have begun to live my life," Pharazphel said, a shiver down her spine.

Pharazpher placed a consoling hand on her daughter's shoulder. "I feel the same way as you do every day. I felt the same when your father died, and I am certain that he felt the same as well."

"How can you fight when you fear death?" Pharazphel asked in awe.

"In this world, there are eviler things than death," Pharazpher said wisely. "Life is just one part of a journey and death is the next. You need not fear the next path you take. Your father gave his life for us and his country because he knew that. Remember what I told you."

"I will," Pharazphel said resolutely.

The time for Pharazphel's courage to be tested was not that far away. Soon, the huge, foul creatures bearing a white hand and Wild Men began burning and killing through Rohan. Blood stained the grassy plains and black smoke billowed up to the sky as the city burned.

Pharazphel was roused by her mother during the peril. "Pharazphel! Arm yourself!"

"What peril is coming?" Pharazphel asked as she leaped out of bed, dressed quickly and put on her sword.

"There are Wild Men rampaging and burning everything," Pharazpher explained. "And there are foul creatures killing anyone in their way."

"Orcs have come this far?" Pharazphel asked, bewildered.

"No, these are not Orcs. They are stronger, and they bear a white hand," Pharazpher said. "Come! To arms!"

Pharazphel and Pharazpher then raced out to the carnage outside. They bravely struck down any foe that crossed their path. They stood firm against the creatures with the white faces. Black blood stained the plains as they fought against these creatures. Thousands more of these creatures flooded into the city. Though they fought valiantly, it became clear that Pharazpher and Pharazphel could not win this battle.

"Pharazphel! You must go to Edoras," Pharazpher cried.

"I can't leave!" Pharazphel protested.

"There are too many of them! You must get out of here!" Pharazpher shouted.

"No!" Pharazphel cried.

"I will not lose you the way I lost your father!" Pharazpher said stubbornly.

"But I can't lose you!" Pharazpher countered.

"I have seen more winters than you," Pharazpher said, running to a horse and buckling its bridle and saddle.

"You will go to Edoras and take refuge there," Pharazpher said sternly.

Reluctantly, Pharazphel mounted her horse. "I can't leave. I can't!"

"You can and you must," Pharazpher countered.

More creatures began to pour into the city and the screams of the villagers multiplied.

"Go!" Pharazpher cried, smacking the horse.

The horse reared and sped off with Pharazphel. Pharazphel dared not look back, even if her heart told her to. She knew she would find only pain with one last glance. On that terrible day, Pharazphel never saw her mother again.

Pharazphel kept riding hard, not daring to turn back. She rode fast and hard into the night. Suddenly, she heard snarling. Sensing danger, Pharazphel unsheathed her sword. A handful of the creatures with the white hand emerged from the forest.

The leader of the creatures cackled at her. "Look what just crawled into our net, boys!"

Pharazphel raised her sword. "You will not be crawling or breathing if you do not leave."

The leader snarled. "Neither will you."

Pharazphel spurred her horse and fought the creatures as best as she could and slew many foes. Alas, her foes got the best of her. One of the creatures pierced her horse with a spear, bringing her down. Pharazphel fought her best, despite the loss of her horse. Suddenly, she was struck from behind by the iron fist of the creature. Pharazphel barely registered any feeling as the creatures bound her hands.

When she awoke, Pharazphel felt only cold. She was hanging by her wrists from a tree and her shirt was torn. She could feel that the creature had given her a scar. She noticed that the creatures were paying no attention to her. While they were distracted, Pharazphel tried to loosen the bindings on her wrists. Unfortunately, the creatures were not distracted very long.

"Looks like our little play thing is awake!" the leader chortled.

"I warned you what would happen if you did not leave. If you harm me, you will regret it," Pharazphel said menacingly.

The creatures simply laughed uproariously.

"I do not think so," the leader said. "Let's teach this mortal scum some manners, boys!"

With growls and hoots, the creatures showed their agreement. One creature approached Pharazphel from behind. Thrash! Snap! Whack! The monster brought a huge whip down on Pharazphel's back. Pharazphel remained strong, as if she were created with stone. The creatures howled as they watched her torture. Pharazphel did not fear the pain and torment she received. In her mind, she had already lost everything.

The leader of the creatures approached her. "Do you regret encountering us yet, scum?"

Pharazphel spat in the face of the monster. "You can torture me, kill me, but you will never break me."

"I doubt that," the leader snarled. "Let's stretch this scum's legs."

Rope was attached to Pharazphel's legs and attached to a wolf-like beast. The leader of the creatures smacked the beast, yanking the rope and stretching Pharazphel. Pharazphel heard a distinct snap! come from her arm. She did not wince or cry out, as she knew that would only prolong her torment and give joy to her tormentors. It seemed a lifetime before Pharazphel was finally untied from the beast. She was soon hoisted by the neck in the iron grip of the creature.

"Let me hear you beg for death," the leader said with pleasure.

"You are simply wasting your time, monster," Pharazphel panted, her words strong. "I do not fear you, nor death or pain. Your villainy is wasted."

The leader dropped Pharazphel callously to the ground, smashing her wounded arm.

The creature then placed his sword against her throat. "If that is true, then you shall die now."

Suddenly, the leader shrieked, dropping Pharazphel. Pharazphel saw her captors fall dead all around her. Pharazphel lost herself in darkness and did not see her savior.