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It had been four days since they had departed on their journey. Lieth had left a small note for her father, explaining that she would be away for some time. She did not mention why, due to the mistrust that her father held of the Elvish kind. She was herself somewhat cautious of their strange culture, but also quite curious. She knew that her father would not understand her desire to help the girl- Oreliel was her name- simply because she was not one of their own kind. She hoped that her sister would understand, and not be hurt by her lack of presence. The harvest season was upon them, and the farm was a flurry of activity. Her father would be angry that she was not there to help him.
She pondered her close friend, Yumruk, from time to time. He was sure to be worried about her lack of presence as well, and she hoped he would not do anything reckless while she was away. They had been close friends since childhood, and many in the village had expected the two of them to marry. Lieth baulked at the very thought- they were friends, and nothing more.
Most of the time that they rode across the plains, Lieth spoke with Oreliel. She spoke animatedly about the Elven Kingdom, although Lieth noticed a surprising lack of conversation when it came to speaking about her family, and Lieth did not press the issue, wondering if maybe she was an orphan. Oreliel must have her reasons for not talking about them, and she did not want to spoil the trust and friendship that they were building. Lieth almost didn't believe Oreliel when she told her that she was twenty, a year older than Lieth herself was. It was difficult to adjust to the idea that the child-sized person before her was a woman, not a child. Her mannerisms and speech were that of an adult, but it was difficult to discuss serious matters with a person who looked like they should be playing with toys. Lieth was amazed by how knowledgeable she was of politics and philosophy, and began to suspect that she was from a high-class background.
Lieth kept the horse at a steady canter, aware that the Easterlings may be pursuing them, but not confident enough to drive the horse too hard. She was an old, chestnut mare, who was not used to long journeys. Mirkwood, which Oreliel insisted she should call Greenwood, was still very far away from them. They travelled across the great plane, staying close to the river. Lieth did not know her way through the forest, but hoped that the elves would live near enough to the river in the forest that they would find the two of them. She knew not what she would do if they were not near enough to find them, because Oreliel did not know her way back home either.
After twelve days had passed, the forest became visible in the distance. Behind them, Lieth could see horses riding at a breakneck pace. She suspected that the ones in pursuit were lead by the men who had taken the child, and drove the horse at a great canter for most of the day, hoping that the animal would not tire before they reached the wood. Oreliel seemed frightened, for she too understood that they might not reach the safety of her people. Oreliel often spoke to the horse in Elvish, encouraging it to ride steadily and swiftly. Lieth did not want to think about what would happen if they were caught.
On the morning of the thirteenth day of their travels, after a night of nonstop cantering, it became evident that the captors would more than likely catch up to them. The distance between them and Mirkwood was almost parallel in length. The horse was beginning to tire, and by the end of the day was sure to collapse. Unsure of what else they could do, Lieth drove them forwards to the perceived safety of the woods.
As she had feared, the horse slowed until it seemed as though it could move no more. "Oreliel, we have to go on foot from here!" Lieth shouted at her companion, who was protesting the idea vehemently, and crying in her arms. Lieth was determined to make it to the forest, but she felt equally as hopeless about the idea of going on foot. They would never make it there without the horse. As quickly as she could manage, Lieth took Oreliel in her arms and ran, abandoning her horse. They were a good mile away from the brink of the forest still. She did not look back, knowing that the men were far too close for comfort.
The edge of the wood was a few feet away now. Lieth had nothing to fight with save a blunt knife designed for cutting herbs in her garden, and she did not think she could take out a small army with a blunt knife and no idea how to use it! To flee was their only option. The men could not be more than a few hundred feet away. Her heart pounded in her chest- they would just make it to the thick tree line before the men would be able to. There could be no riding of horses there, and the men would have to pursue them on foot.
Tirelessly, Lieth ran, praying that her feet would not fail her. The sound of footfall behind them became quieter, before a volley of arrows came over them like a shower of rain. One of the arrows pierced Lieth's flesh, which pulled forth a cry of agony. Oreliel screamed something in Elvish to her, but Lieth was too preoccupied with the pain to listen. She stammered for a few seconds, trying to catch her breath. The pain was excruciating, but dulled by the fire in her veins. Taking a deep breath, she resumed her running, trying to maintain her speed despite the agony that she felt in her back. She was filled with a wild need in her heart to make Oreliel safe. They managed to make it to the edge of the forest. More arrows followed them, but did not hit their mark.
They ran and ran, the men pursuing them with an almost unnatural speed and fortitude. Despair filled Lieth as she realised that they would not make it to the Elven Realm. They would surely be caught. Oreliel continued to wail in Elvish. "Rehtië men! Ada! Ada! (Save us! Dad! Dad!)"
A loud crash above them drew their attention. A spider, massive and covered in spiny hairs, crashed to the ground, falling just behind them. Lieth ducked behind the nearest tree, narrowly avoiding the terrible monster, gasping as she saw it's disgusting body scuttle in the opposite direction. She continued to run, her vision starting to waver. She pain in her back was starting to grow with every step. Behind them, she could hear men screaming as the fell to the spider's wrath. Ahead, she could see a poisonous looking river. As they approached the river of the bank, the cries of the men grew silent. Horror building in her chest, she pressed forward, trying to hush the wailing child in her arms. The spider scuttled after them, shaking the earth beneath them. Panic was building in her chest, as she could see no easy way of crossing the river. Forced to stop before the murky waters, she tried to think of a way to get across the river. That was when she remembered. The scroll! The scroll would contain magical words, and perhaps there was something there that would help them, for there was no visible way of crossing the river otherwise.
Desperately, she pulled the scroll from her boot and read as quickly as she could, hearing behind her the clicking of mandibles and the stomping of great feet. Oreliel was screaming at her, trying to wriggle free. The words were strange to her, and she could just barely read them, so she just picked one at random. Lieth covered the child's ears, because being unsure of what the word meant, she didn't know if hearing it would harm her. Unsure if she would even be able to pronounce it, she looked at the waters and spoke an Ancient, evil word.
For a moment, it seemed as though nothing would happen. Lieth felt coldness seep into her, and she felt as though she had just lost that natural warmth for good. The word felt evil and dark, and it enveloped her heart and crushed her. Her hope was spent now, and she felt completely exhausted. They would soon die at the hands of the monster. She felt her grip on Oreliel loosen, and that was when it happened.
Before them, the river parted. Unable to process her luck, Lieth stumbled forwards, holding Oreliel's hand and pulling her forwards, crossing the river in a matter of seconds. It flowed back behind them, reforming into the poisonous path. Her vision virtually gone now, and her energy spent, Lieth stumbled forward, shielding the little maiden in her arms protectively. She was not sure how far away they were from the Elven Kingdom, but she held little hope in her heart. Soon, she would die and fail to protect the innocent Elf. Oreliel continued to cry out in Elvish, screaming for help, screaming to her people. Lieth was dying now, and she felt afraid. She didn't know what it would be like to die, but felt as though it might be unpleasant and painful, especially at the hands of that spider. She felt remorseful that she would not be able to protect her little charge, someone who was counting on her.
By some strange twist of fate, the spider seemed to halt then, when all hope was lost. Amazed, Lieth turned to face the almighty spider, pushing Oreliel behind her and turning, resorting to puling out her dull knife to protect them. She stumbled, feeling weary from running and faint from pain. She could not see too well, but it appeared that the spider was dead. Relieved, but still on high alert, she pushed Oreliel behind a nearby rock. "Stay there!" Lieth cried. She searched wildly for the reason the for the spider's bane.
All strength was leaving her fair body. She collapsed to her knees and panted, still bearing her knife before her. She could no longer see. Darkness enveloped her vision for a moment, but it returned, and with it a vision of pure light. An elf stood before them. He- or she - she could not tell with her failing sight, was holding a bow. The elf sprung towards them, and Lieth felt peace. The child would be safe with this elf. She had returned Oreliel to her people, and that comforted her, even though she felt sure she would die. Oreliel would be safe, even if she wouldn't be. She felt Oreliel holding her, crying out in fear. "Lieth! Lieth! Boe de nestad! (She needs healing!)" Her tiny hands held onto her helplessly. Lieth fell onto her side, panting desperately for life. The elf- she could see clearly now that she was a female, crouched beside them. The Elleth was beautiful, with cascading golden hair and sharp blue eyes that knew true light and good. She bore a grimace as she studied Lieth's wound. "Odulen an edraith anlen. (I am here to save you.)" The she elf said gently. Satisfied that she had accomplished what she set out to do, Lieth sunk into darkness.