Title: Curved Blades: Elearven's Story

Chapter: Two

Chapter Name: Prophecy, an Unexpected Encounter

Setting: In a time of Lord of the Rings, approximately slightly before the making of the Fellowship and the battle for the White City.

Rating: Teenage Audience – contains death

Words: 1085

Description:

As if in slow motion, they followed her figure flying from one spot to the next, dancing a frightening waltz for death. Quickly her eyes flashed to their motionless figures, "Run… get away from here fast." Legalos didn't help her, he wasn't able to. How did it happen; he had lost her. (Work being currently revised and continued).

Currently everything is undergoing adjustments and is being revamped. Ideas are welcome.

Pronunciation:

Elearven … Ell – Ear – Vern

Strantculian … Strant (similar to Strand) – Quill – Lee – An

Avalia … A – Varl – Leia

Translations from the Grey Company:

Disclaimer: I do not own 'Lord of the Rings' by Tolkien nor any of the associated characters. I do, however, hold ownership and rights over any non-Tolkien characters, plots, settings and complications.

Enjoy...

. . .

Previously:

"Your name my Lady, what is your name?" exclaimed Rumin as he knelt down on her other side, completely ignoring her query. Carefully, he placed a hand upon her brow; the skin was flushed with a slight fever.

"Emma, I am called Emma," came her weak reply before collapsing back down again on the moss.

Both Dwarves looked up at each other before glancing back again to her unconscious face. To find a strange human injured in the middle of a forest was never a good omen.

. . .

Once, a thousand years ago, an old seer foretold of an ancient prophecy. It was this that would change the course and lives of the people of Middle Earth forever. The seer was elvish, one of the Strantculian elves, a race which would soon disappear along with their king one hundred years later. No one, mortal or immortal would see another of their kind for over a thousand years. It was because of this that the old seer's words started to repeat themselves and people began to question them…

The king of old shall soon seek to his desires, desires that shall arise as a land once powerful and prosperous will hide its face… Cities built within trees cloak themselves, even the ocean that crashes alongside cliff-shores will quieten… And for a thousand years the hidden world will stand still until the true heir returns…

Plagued by death and suffering, a once hated ally shall join in the most sacred of ways. Strength shall return in the union of houses and hands as war that once waged returns… So hear me now, sons and daughters of the elves, men and hobbits, your beloved leader will return… but only in the time of dire need… there, light shall shine through the mists.

Do not mistake the thundering of hooves or the clash of swords, do not double take upon either ruler, both are important as each other… Trust and rely upon the strength that forms with comradeship and all shall prevail. However, if thus bonds crumble then all shall fail.

So heed thy words, all who are near; when the death blow strikes… death shall come knocking at… light, once again… Prevail…

Alas, the parts of the inscription were lost, torn from its perch with in the elven cities. Many believed the each of the missing letters were burnt from the page by dark magic whilst others believed that it was forgotten over time. Only one full scroll was left with the prophecy, however, its location unknown; but then again this was only an old elven rumour…

. . .

I call upon thee three whose ancestors were once torn from this world. These three, I call upon you; knowledge you carry may come of help in our struggling world. Drawn to me, deliver them here and let them become who they were once meant to be.

Saruman's words whispered in Gandalf's ears, its tune twisting upon itself in his mind.

"Something is wrong…" the Grey Wizard muttered to himself. "Events have taken place that shouldn't have happened; the future has now been changed…"

Gandalf stood straighter as he moved his staff inside his cloak; people avoided the area around him, something was wrong for even the mortals could feel it. The air seemed thicker, it crackled with magic. The ground quaked; it felt as though to be shaken by some invisible force and the sky darkened, inky clouds blotted out the sun. Gandalf's thoughts turned dark as his power roamed the surface of Middle Earth, he searched for any sign, any disturbance in the world's balance.

There, right near the paths of the Gondor company the time boundaries had shifted, it was time for him to ride out, "It seems as though a visit to an old friend is in order…" the Grey Wizard thought to himself.

. . .

Avalia spun around, gazing at the leafy canopy above her, "How did I get here?" she spoke, taking a step forward… "Where is here exactly?

The dew's dampness from the ground soaking her bare feet; why was she here? Her head felt clouded, as though her mind had decided to dance some fast spinning waltz. A few staggered steps to the left told her that walking was not an option in her current state.

The sound of hoof beats echoed around her in an instant, someone or something was coming her way. Glancing around, no immediate hiding places came to mind as the sound continued to grow louder. Very quickly Avalia started to panic. Where was she to hide?

Through the trees, dark figures on horses, their cloaks flying out behind them cantered towards her. A low overhanging branch rested a bit more than a meter and a half above her head; "If only I could grab hold of it…" she thought bending her knees, ready to spring.

The horses were now almost upon her… Jumping as high as she could, Avalia found that she could reach the overhanging branch easily. Strange. Quietly, watching from above, the brigade of horsemen came to a halt beneath her.

Silver armour and dark leather glinted in the dim sunlight, its tinted colour blended with the tunic beneath. Heavy shoulder and arm guards were worn and deep coloured breeches covered their legs. This was not how people dressed in her age. The front man, raising his hand, halted the entire group.

"This is where we wait men; the representatives of Rivendell and our guides should be here within the hour," he stated.

Horses pawed the ground and thrashed their heads from side to side; it was as if they could sense Avalia violently gripping the branch above. Suddenly, there was a twinge; this was soon to be followed by another. The branch was breaking.

Avalia, noticing the cracking limb started to flail and crawl backwards. However it was but a second too late, her body would not seem to want to stabilise itself; with an almighty crash, the branch and female came down upon three unfortunate soldiers. The air filled with dust, dirt, parts of the large branch and various groans.

Rolling away, Avalia groaned as she came to rest upon the ground, every inch of her body hurt and not all of it was from the fall. Suddenly, feeling the presence of another, her eyes fluttered open. Giving another groan, the dark shape leaned closer.

"What do we have here?" muttered a voice before everything went black.

. . .

Well here goes another edited chapter of Curved Blades and I have finally caught up with myself; I hope I am doing well enough now to continue.

Regards,

The Hooded Falcon