Upon the Helcaraxë in eternal winter's snow,
When ice in driving, blinding shards on freezing wind did blow,
By pale starlight naught was seen upon the ice-bound hills
And naught was heard but howling wolves on wind that never stills.
The Noldor came there, valiant ones but foolish in this quest
As in the shadowed night they turned their backs on light of West;
Abandoned by their kin they followed on with burning heart
And dared the path that only bitt'rest need could force to start.
In icy chasm many died on that despairing road,
Through cold and hunger pressed though many fell beneath that load;
But now I tell from all the dead of one who gladly gave
His endless life in sacrifice that he his brethren save.
Amid the ice-slag cliffs a gaping gorge the Noldor crossed,
A narrow snow-bridge all that kept the host from ending lost,
But as the last contingent waited ere the gap they spanned,
They heard the howl of hunting wolves upon the icy land.
The sole three warriors left on thither side their weapons drew,
And two of them with whistling swords their adversaries slew;
The third, however, stayed the bridge's entrance to defend
And stood while remnant crossed the icy esker to ascend.
The wolves grew more ferocious, and the other ellyn, brave,
Before increasing numbers fell and gave their lives to save
The few now left upon that side who rushed to span the bridge
While Tirithion stood alone, the last to hold that ridge.
And when his might was well night gone, his vigor nearly passed,
The final elves now crossed what he defended to the last,
Then with the end of strength and desperation he it broke:
With mortal wounds he tumbled down the gorge, and never woke.
Still those remaining kept upon their brave though foolish way
In sorrow cursed his name who'd left them with this price to pay;
And yet beneath the ice-bound cliff did Tirithion die,
To there amid the starlit snow for ever ages lie.
A/N: Thanks to meldahlie for suggesting Horatio and the bridge, and apologies for altering it so much! The Thirty Knights was so similar that I didn't want a veritable repeat, so I tried to make it original. Instead I may have mutilated it beyond recognition: I think the only similar point is the bridge! Ah well, I hope you liked it anyway, my friend. And the rest of you readers, as well!
Oh, and I'm sort of wanting to do a fairy-tale for a lighthearted change, but I need some advice. Should I do:
Cinderella
Sleeping Beauty
The Goose Girl (obscure, but I like it)
or something else
and should I set it in
Valinor, Age of Trees
Beleriand, First Age
Númenor, Second Age
Rivendell, Second or Third Age
or Mirkwood, Third Age.
Please give me your advice (and review while you're at it...). Blessings!