Greetings all! Sorry bout not updating for a month… my life has been consumed by coursework and World of Warcraft… such a great game!
Anyway… on with the show!
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Not even the laptop I'm typing on…
Within the privacy her tent, Elanor began dressing for bed. She shrugged off her heavily cloak and pulled off her outer garments. Reaching down she picked up a soft cotton nightdress she had made herself, some years ago. She slipped the material over her head, when a noise from outside drew her attention. She knew that Gandalf and she were the last to bed. The hour was late and most of the rangers were asleep. She picked up her cloak and pulled it around her shoulders. Elanor stepped out into the night, the air was cold and she pulled her cloak tightly around her. She heard the noise once more, a rustle of clothing and the soft thud of foot steps came from behind a nearby tent. Elanor walked around the tent as quietly as she could manage. As she rounded the corner she found Aragorn fully dressed a quiver on his back and sword at his side. A brown mount stood saddled beside him. Elanor moved towards him,
"Aragorn?"
At his name the ranger turned,
"Elanor, what are you doing awake at this hour?"
"You mean to leave us." It was not a question. Aragorn nodded,
"I leave for Bree"
"Bree? What is in Bree?"
"I cannot say"
"Is it Gandalf that sends you?"
Aragorn did not answer,
"Then I shall go with you" Elanor said turning to fetch her things, only to have Aragorns hand on her arm stopped her,
"You cannot come with me Elanor, it will be dangerous."
"All the more reason for me to come with you"
"No Elanor"
"I owe you my life, I swore to myself I would stay with you until I have repaid my debt."
"I said no Elanor!"
Elanor froze. It was the first time he had ever raised his voice to her. Taken aback by his anger, Aragorn stepped away from his horse and placed his hands on her cheeks,
"Forgive me Elanor. I did not mean to shout, but you are dear to me and I do not want to place you in danger when I cannot be there to protect you"
Aragorns murky brown eyes met with her dark ones. Elanors heart quickened and her breath caught in her chest. She brought her hand up and laid it against his,
"You do not need to protect me. But I will do as you ask"
"Take care of the others while I am gone, I will return when I can"
Aragorn leaned forward and kissed her brow,
"Be careful" she whispered.
Aragorn nodded and turned to mount his horse, only to be held back by Elanors hand on his,
"Elanor?" he asked, but his question was cut short as the woman quickly closed the distance between them and pushed her lips against his, running her hands up into his hair. The kiss was soft but full of meaning and intensity. Against his better judgement he returned the kiss, but in his heart he knew he was wrong. Aragorn pulled back from the embrace and looked down at Elanor but she would not meet his eye. Carefully he placed his hand under her chin and tilted it upwards, forcing her to look at him,
"Promise you will return to me?" she pleaded. It was Aragorns turn to look away, the pain evident in his eyes,
"Elanor, I will return, but I do not know if I can give you what you seek."
Elanor stared at him, her heart clenched painfully inside her chest. Her breath shuddered as tears threatened to fall,
"As long as you return, I shall think it enough"
Aragorn took a final look at the female ranger before turning to mount his horse and speeding off into the darkness.
Gandalf had left by the time Elanor rose from her bed the following morning. Aragorns absence did not go unnoticed but the rangers were unconcerned, for it was often that their captain wandered alone. Only Elanor carried worry with her.
Seven days had past since Aragorn had left and they had heard no word from him. She had told no one of her encounter with him, not even Talin, with whom she shared all her worries and fears. Elanor had often spoken to Edain about Aragorns sudden departure but the man would merely only say he had left for business in Bree.
After two more days Elanor gave up asking. As the nights drew in Elanor had taken to sitting at the edge of the camp, watching the horizon and waiting or his return. One evening when the stars were marred by clouds, a strange silence had fallen over the rangers. A sense of foreboding hung in the air. Her thoughts turned once more to Aragorn. She hoped he was well and prayed for his return. The words he had said to her that night still hung in her head. She would bind herself to him in an instant if that was what he desired. But in the depths of her heart she felt the rush of despair as she knew that he longed for another.
She had felt it in his kiss. Or rather she hadn't felt it. Yes he had kissed he back but there was no emotion behind it, as if he had only kissed her to return the favour. Then as quick as her resolve failed it strengthened again, when Aragorn returned she would tell him of her feelings. She would not give up her love for him so easily.
Suddenly a cry called out over the night, Raef, a chestnut haired ranger, came running over the empty fields ahead,
"Orcs!" he gasped, "From the east!"
A flurry of activity followed as every ranger ran for their weapons. Elanor made for her tent, grabbing the broadsword Aragorn had given her. She rapidly tied the sword to her belt and grabbed the bow that lay by her bed. She was not as proficient with a bow as she was with her blade but her sight was keen. She left her tent and grabbed at a quiver laden with arrows, fixing it onto her back. Elanor made her way to the clearing in the east where many of the rangers already stood and took her place next to Edain and Talin,
"Raef says there are no more than a ten or so. It should not be a problem" Edain said,
"What are orcs doing so far west?" Talin asked his bow in his hand. His father shrugged,
"I do not know lad, but they will get no further tonight" he said, his hand fingering the hilt of his sword,
"Raef is right" Elanor spoke, "They are few in number."
"You can see them from here?" Talin asked, amazed. Elanor nodded,
"I cannot make out any markings, but they are similar to the orcs of the south"
Talin caught his fathers gaze and stared questionably back at Elanor,
"Something doesn't feel right,"
Talin looked back at Edain,
"What is it father?"
"Surely if their intent is attack they would do so in greater numbers."
Elanor nodded, "There are too few to attack and win and too many to be a scout party"
"Perhaps these orcs are as stupid as they are ugly" Talin suggested,
"Perhaps," Edain said, "but orcs rarely work of their own accord" He drew his sword and other rangers followed suit. Elanor took up her bow and drew back an arrow. To her left she saw Talin do the same,
"They are almost upon us," Elanor said,
"I cannot see any" Talin answered, "How many are there exactly?"
"Twelve to my count"
Edain raised his sword, the signal to move out. Slowly the rangers moved forwards, there cloaks helping them hide in the night. Elanor, Talin and two other archers stayed back, in case their skill was needed. The rangers in front cried out and charged at the orcs. Elanor drew back her bow and let the arrow fly. It soared straight through the sky and plunged into the neck of an orc, bringing it crashing to its knees. Talin sent his arrow loose also, killing another orc. The remainder of the creatures were slain with easy, and a cheer went up as the last one was killed. Elanor did not cheer. Neither did Edain. Even from her distance Elanor could see the unease on his face. He was right. It was too easy.
A sudden shriek cut through the cheers, Elanor spun around to see the horses flee in panic, trampling tents as they ran. Through the dark veil of night, Elanor could make out the unmistakable shapes of orcs, trampling through the camp. Her heart fell to the pit of her stomach and bile rose to her throat. It was a trap; the others were a sacrifice, a diversion. Elanor heard Talin mutter something under his breath before turning and bellowing at the top of his voice. Immediately Elanor reached behind her, and with inhuman speed began firing arrows and they fell like rain cutting down some of the orcs in front,
"How many?" Talin yelled, firing his arrows whilst stumbling backwards. Elanor shook her head,
"I do not know, but there are at least 30!"
"Thirty? We are out-numbered three to one"
"Do not give up hope!" Elanor called out, seeing the other rangers racing to towards them. She let fly yet more arrows, a few striking their mark, until when reaching for another she found her quiver empty. The other archers at her side had already cast aside their empty quiver and stood waiting, swords drawn. Their volley had only taken down few orcs, the darkness and smoke making them hard to see. Still the enemy advanced towards them. Elanor felt a calmness fall over her as Edain arrived at her side, breathing deeply,
"How many come Elanor?" he asked the young ranger,
"Thirty there were and we have slain only five of their number. How are the others?"
"Some are wounded but not badly but I fear this fight will not be so easily won." The band of thirteen rangers stood at the edge of the open plain and watched at the dark shapes of orcs came forth from the smoke. The men clutched at there swords. Elanor looked about them, not a single man showed fear or alarm. Each face was set in deep concentration. Beside her Edain looked to her, then Talin and then back at the orcs. His raised his hands to the sky and cried,
"Elendil!"
Edain sprung forward his, company close behind. Elanor ran forward with all the speed she could muster. She lifted her sword and brought it forward at her side as she had often seen Aragorn do.
The rangers met head on with the orcs, their bodies slamming into each other. Elanor rushed forward and plunged her sword into the nearest orc body. Her sharp blade pierced its flesh with ease and the creature howled and doubled over in pain. Elanor pulled her sword from its gut and brought it down swiftly upon its neck, slicing the head from its torso. Black blood gurgled from its neck and the stench of orc blood hit her, making her gag. But it was no time for self pity. Elanor raised her weapon once more and spun to strike at a near by enemy. She caught the creature on the arm, knocking its shield from its side. An arrow struck its body like lightening, piercing the heart. Elanor looked up to see Raef with a bow in his hand. She nodded her thanks and ran to help the others.
All around her the rangers where out numbered. Elanor could not bloke out the cries of pain that echoed though her head. Anger raged through her, anger at these horrible creatures that dare attack her home. The hatred and fury from the late six years fuelled her and she attack with renewed strength. The female ranger raced forward, hewing the necks of orcs that were foolish enough to stand in her way. Her strength gave the men courage and a cry went up as more orcs were slain.
From behind her Elanor heard a yell of pain, turning she saw Rammel, an older ranger, a few feet away struggling on his knees, tearing at the large clawed hand that held him by his neck. The orc that held him was large, its heavy armour hide most of its ugly, blackened body, but not the evil grin that smeared its face. Elanor could hear Rammel gasping for breath and she ran forward but was too late, she was stopped when she heard a sickening crack and watched in horror as Rammels lifeless body fell to the ground with a heavy thud. For a moment she froze as she looked upon her friend, his neck twisted and his eyes staring unblinkingly up at her. Elanor felt the bile rise in her throat and held back the urge to vomit. Anger rose from her very core and she looked up to see the murderous orc still standing above its kill, smiling malevolently.
Elanor snarled at him and charged no longer thinking of anything else but his death. She brought up her blade and sung in down hard against the creatures own. It stumbled, taken back by her strength. It swung a heavy hand at her but she was quicker and nimbly dodged it, swinging around to attack once more. The orc blocked once more and lashed out again with its hand. This time the broad palm of the creature caught her across the face sending her reeling backwards, her sword flying from her hand. Elanor landed on the ground, hitting her side against a rock. She groaned loudly and felt her warm liquid slide down her face and the strong metallic taste of blood stung her tongue. From behind her came a crunch of boots, alarmed she pushed her herself away from her rock and rolled to her side, narrowly missing a large orc blade which came crashing down beside her. The orc, surprised and annoyed to find her gone, raised his head to look around.
Elanor saw her chance and kicked the orc swiftly behind its knee and brought the being roaring to the ground. In it daze and confusion it did not see its sword lifted from its side and was only aware of it when it was plunged deep into its master's chest. The orc screamed in pain as Elanor pushed the blade deeper into the its body. It flailed wildly for a moment before its life ebbed and Elanor felt no pity as she watched it die. Breathing heavily, Elanor wiped the blood from her cheek and spat the remaining from her mouth onto the body of her enemy before hurriedly picking up her blade and racing back into the mass of orcs and men.
A/N: Yay another long chapter and hopefully more reviews! hint hint