Wind howled through the night, carrying the scent of rancid smoke and burning flesh. A raven-haired elven lady rose her head and sniffed the putrid air. She looked like a human except for her gentle, almost feline, features, green slanted eyes, and ears with a pointed tip at the ends. She surveyed her surroundings with poise, maybe for the fourth time since arriving at the edge of Ellesméra.
Framed by long black locks, her deep eyes shone with a driving force, giving her young appearence a look of age. Her armor was of elven make and a helm of extraordinary craftmenship, wrought with amber and gold, rested on her head, the best of all armor made by any other species for she was the elven queen. She looked fierce with her sword at her side and long bow and quiver on her back, yet her beauty was undeminished.
The forest around her shook and swayed in the wind as rough wind erupted from the night sky, rustling the leaves and ripping many from the branches. She could sense the ancient jungle's dispair at the attack that now spread through the guarding place for all elves, Du WeldenVarden.
What kind of creature could be brave enough to oppose the elves? Yet here they were, pushed back from the edge of the forest to Ellesémra, most of their southern cities burned to the ground. For centuries Du Weldenvarden has never been attacked directly, it had always been admired by all the elves enemies, so much that no one wanted the forest destroyed.
Ayra had yet to see the new enemy, but witnesses described them as Urgal-like in appearence, but were taller, and more muscular than Kull, while some only reached an averege sized human's knees. And if she heard the rumors right, these creatures had attacked the Urgals, who suffered an amazing defeat. Then this enemy marched to llirea with astonishing speed and killed all within. Elven soldiers were sent there and helped escort survivors to the Dwarves, but no number was given on the survivors.
These thoughts only heightened her hatred for these creatures, she also felt Firnen's anger as he flew above. She smiled at the thought of her dragon ripping these monsters apart. Even Firnen, who had been monitoring her thoughts, replied with emotions of pleasure as he imagined killing this new threat to his rider.
Around Ayra shuffled a hundred or so elves, all adorned in priceless armor, and weapons. Ayra blinked as a sudden breeze brought a cloud of smoke their way.
"Spread out; hide behind trees or bushes, I want archers in the trees. Stop whoever is coming." She commanded, looking to the soldiers around her, who fearlessly obeyed her orders. She watched as her fellow elves clambered up the ancient pines and vanished from sight in the canopy. The ground based soldiers camoflauged themselves in thick bushes and behind trees, weapons drawn.
Ayra called upon Firnen, instantly getting images of him plumetting to the forest. Within seconds her companion was beside her, adorned in elvish dragon armor and a saddle. She mounted her dragon and stared forward.
Opaque mist hung above the forest floor in the distance, with an erry orange glow from the fires beyond. The brume blocked anything from being detected, however it cleared near the roof of the canopy. Among the marquee she could see terrified wildlife, squirrels, birds, mice, and snakes, heading away from whatever was behind the mist.
"Something is coming!" Shouted a soldier in the ancient language.
Suddenly the clearing burst to life as a dozen or so deer came sprinting out of the fog, avoiding Firnen as if he were a rock centered in a rough river. They left Ayra's sight and she returned her attention forward.
Are you ready little one? Firnen asked, his lips formed a snarl, exposing his teeth. I can smell them getting closer.
Ayra peered around a thick tree and looked into the mist. It was too dark for any human to see, but for her the faint moonlight was light sunshine streaming between the trees; every detail was clear and sharp to her searching gaze. She remained unatuarlly quiet, fear did not dominate her. She fought to many battles to feel abhorrence any more. But there was something inside her that made her feel uneasy, maybe it was the thought that she was about to face an unknown enemy. Confusion maybe? Or was it apprehension?
She forced the thought away. An owl screeched as it flew by, piercing the silence, everyone was tense until the bird flew past.
Of course i'm ready. She replied, clutching the handle of her rider sword.
The elf queen could also smell the said smell of it's owners, it was strong, like that of an Urgal; but ten times worse.
Ahead of her, Ayra heard a thump as something heavy struck a loose stone, then several braches snapped in the mist. Before long grunting and rough, low growls erupted from the fog. Faint smudges emerged from the fog and advanced forward at a slow pace.
She reached out to her war commander and swiftly brushed agianst his barriers. He recoiled at first, but recognizing the touch, let her in.
Yes my queen? He asked.
Order the archers to ready their bows. They are to attack the first wave of creatures, then well advance forward from the ground. She looked to the spot her commander was, however he was camoflauged in a tall shrub.
She felt his acknowledgement as she withdrew from his mind. Her and Firnen hadn't had proper training in fighting in enclosed spaces such as Du Weldenvarden. As a result, she thought that maybe she should fight along side Firnen and not on him.
The green dragon sensed her thoughts and said. Go ahead little one.
She gave him a sympathetic look then returned to the floor. As she did a war horn blared through the labyrinth of pole-like trees just as dozens of herculean, almost ten foot tall creatures burst out of the fog, shouting in their gruntual language. Smaller creatures with oddly shaped arms came stumbling at the feet of the taller ones. Their eyes were glowing red and full of hatred.
Firnen stood as tall as he could, he was a furocious beast with his talons and sharp teeth. He spread his wings to their full extent, stretching from one end of the clearing to the other. He raised his head and released a growl that was so massive and beastly that several monsters stumbled back.
"Now!" Came a shout in the elves' tounge.
Arrows pelted the monsters like a rain of death. Most of the projectiles struck the creatures armor-like skin and shattered, whilst others were fortunate shots and pierced the soft skin between the shoulder blades and along the spine. The creatures growled as their own fell dead or paralyzed.
Firnen surged forward, leaping across the field with one bound and scooped a dozen creatures in his massive jaws, and threw them back into the fog. The abominations shrieked as the dragon decimated their numbers with impressive speed. Ayra ripped her sword from it's sheath and howled. "Charge for Ellesméra and llirea!" Hundreds of elves stampeded from behind her, to her right and left, and from in front of her towards the enemy. The sound of feet stomping shook the ground and created a shroud of power around the advancing elves. As they got halfway across the clearing, another wave of creatures poured from the fog, their numbers were quiet impressive. The opposing sides clashed together with a loud crash of swords and cracking bones.
The elves flexibility gave them the advantage over the bigger and slower monsters. However, the enemys' size blocked any availiable room to fight.
Arya leaped over an oncoming enemy as it swung a crude battle axe at her. She landed lightly on her feet and spun quickly as the creature tried to depict where she had gone. Before it realized what was happening, Ayra removed it's head with a swift and clean swip of her sword.
Another growled at her and charged, but fell as a sleek arrow pierced it's knee and it toppled over, falling upon it's sword. Another creature, several in fact and were the smaller ones, shrieked and crawled oddly towards her, reaching with their long arms and sharp claws.
She easily sliced one in half mid-air as it jumped at her. The other three were crushed underneath a large green tail. She wasted no time and leaped towards another enemy, this one welding a long, grim spear and rough, dented shield.
It saw her and growled, showing it's yellow knife-like fangs. It's leathery skin crumpled as it snarled, and it's hairless eyebrows arched inhumanly downward. It launched the spear at her as she jumped up to dodge the weapon. She spun and landed ith her feet spread out, her free hand pressed agianst the ground while she held he right arm up, flashing the green blade at the enemy. It sneared and continued as if it hated her being alive.
The monster used the shield like a sword and attempted to swip it side to side as it ran at her. Ayra ducked her head as wind from the passing shield ruffled her hair. With a quick thrust she jumped back up and blocked the reattacking creature as it smashed the shield onto the green sword.
The elven queen held her sword agianst the shield as the monster tried to force it down upon her. She looked around for any help, but everyone and thing was occupied. So with a powerfull kick she drove her foot into the monster's knee, bending it inward. The creature collapsed and released it's grip on the shield, letting it fall to the ground. Ayra lept back, the spun with her sword outstretched, sliced the head off her attacker.
Firnen was off in the distance, a hazy giant destroying his opponents with no empathy at all. The smoke obscured her sight of him as he continued forward, however she could still feel his excitment in wrecking the creatures' faces increased as he smashed one of the monster's head into the ground with his foot.
The elves were doing good as they pushed the onslaught out of the clearing and back into the forest, most of which was up in flames as fire spread from one tree to the next, devouring the wood and leaves. Most of the elves cast spells that would extinguish the fires, but they kept growing brighter.
Ayra felt good about this fight, it was tipping in their favor greatly, dispite their losses. But just as she was about to verify her beliefs a shout came from the front lines and even larger brutes came out of the forest, battling Firnen as he stricked in a serpintine fashion.
She felt a sudden spike of pain and noticed that it wasn't from her. Her thoughts magnified as a growl, of anger and pure rage, erupted from Firnen. He spun around, and swipped his tail, sending about twenty or so enemy creatures into the air, he then, completing his revolution, unleashed a massive torrent of fire, sparkling a dazzling emerald green, onto the advancing assailants.
The flames, as Ayra saw, instantly melted dozens of creatures, but more kept pouring in. She felt, for the first time this battle, exhausted and worryful.
Queen Ayra! Do not fear! Came an implausably supreme voice that echoed throughout the forest, seemingly through the trees themselves.
Unanticipatedly a burst of dirt shattered the ground as tree roots bombarded the enemy, wrapping around their torsos and snapping them in half. Some monsters were thrown into the air as vines reached down from above and yanked dozens of creatures skyward. Trees moved as their roots pulled then to nessecary postions and leaves showered them in emerald rain. The forest was fighting back, but how?
Ayra could feel massive flows of energy gushing through the ground and trees, originating from one point. The Meona Tree.
The elven queen and her army, now rejuvenated with adrineline and hope, surged forward once more. Their shouts mixed with those ofsuprise from the enemy. "This will be a reminder why no one should oppose the elves!" These words filled all of Du Weldenvarden, sounding from each and every plant. Then another sound filled the air, a sound unfamiliar to the elven queen. The sound of thunder vibrated air with so much force that it jarred her teeth and shook the ground. Ayra peered through the openings in the canopy and, by the moonlight, could make out large, multi-colored shapes flying towards the forest, each sparkling with a great radiance, similar to Firnen. In the lead was, however, a familiar color, saphire.
A\N: Chapter 1 in a half! Yay! Took a good number of hours and alot of thinking. Hope this chapter meet your fancy, and if so let me know. Hmm, i'm a poet and i didn't know it. Lol. Hope you've enjoyed this chapter. Response to reviews:
Stapet- Thanks for your support and for being the first reviewer for this story! You win a prize! Not really, but I would if I could. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Inheritance cycle, whether it's places, characters, or words\names. I own only what I create. This will stand for the entire story.