Athrana (Daughters of Arda Series)

by The Grimreaper PT

DOAS2 After being held prisoner for 5 years Athriel realises that she has changed too much to return home. Instead she becomes Athrana and seeks her revenge. However she cannot stay away completely and watches over her brother and her friends. Overlaps Nariel and other DOAS stories.

46. Attack

Note: It seems I am being possessed by the spirit of Athriel. I can't seem to stop writing her.

Athrana (Wandering Shadow)

Chapter 46- Attack

TA3019, March 4th

Athriel watched the fire as they waited. It wouldn't be long now; they were getting closer and closer. With every step they took she could feel them more and more. Before, when she was on her own, it had felt like an advantage. Now that she knew the reasons behind it she was terrified. Every step that brought them closer, brought her closer to her own destruction. Every ounce of control she lost brought her further away from herself. Rubbing her hands together again and again Athriel closed her eyes. She could do this. She could do this. She was a warrior. She was Athriel. She was not a monster.

Standing suddenly Athriel strode towards her horse. If she was going to do this she was going to do it properly. Removing her cloak she put it down beside her pack. Then she took the knives Glorfindel had given her and strapped them to her back. She was a warrior. A warrior of Imladris. Glorfindel of the Golden Flower was her captain. He had trained her well and she would not let him down. Her brother was Chief Councillor Erestor, the wisest of their lord's advisors. She would not let him down, not again. She would stand now with the Brethren who she had trained beside, who she had laughed drank and grown beside, she would not let them down. Long ago she made a promise to Lady Celebrian, now over the sea. She would not let her down. She was on her way to aid the future king of Gondor, the child she had helped save. She would not let him down. Their mission was the only hope of Lady Arwen, the Evenstar who she loved as a sister. She would not let her down. And Lord Elrond was her lord, who had made her see who she was and who she could be. She would not let him down. She would face her enemies, both external and internal and she would not fear. This was what she lived for. This was who she was. She took her helmet from where it hung on her saddle and pulled it onto her head. She was Athriel. She would not let them down.

As the creatures broke through the trees Athriel stood her ground. She was not afraid. As the first of them reached her she swung her blades around and cut him down. She was not afraid. Adrenaline had taken over now and she moved as if she was dancing. If the circumstances hadn't been so dire she would have laughed. It felt so natural. This was the way things were supposed to be.

To her right the twins fought together as one. Their movements as graceful as hers. They had nothing to worry about now. She was right there with them as she always had been. But then it happened. Distracted by their relief Elrohir missed the approach of an orc as it moved towards him. Elladan also noticed the approach to late. Athriel however did not miss it. Seeing the uncharacteristic mistake Athriel lunged towards the creature. As she landed the anger took over. Her knives lay forgotten on the ground as she ripped her enemy apart with her bare hands. From that moment on she knew nothing except the taste of their blood and the feel of their flesh.