Hello everyone! Thank you for joining me on Alysanne's journey. This fanfiction marks my first venture into this world, and while I began crafting it in 2017, I'm thrilled to dive back in and flesh out Alysanne's character even more.
Keep an eye out for any text in italics—that's where the Elvish language shines through in this tale.
I'm incredibly excited to reimagine and refine this story, and I hope you'll enjoy this updated version as much as I've enjoyed shaping it. Your support means the world to me, and I can't wait to hear your thoughts and feedback. Happy reading!
In the dark of the night Alyssane calmly waited, perched high on a branch with her bow loosely drawn. Feeling the wind in her hair, brushing the sides of her cheek she closed her eyes and tried calming her mind she could feel something coming, a darkness was coming for her. Her senses could tell that much.
The wind was cold and harsh tearing right through her cloak and her bones, but yet she calmly waited.
A sudden snap echoed through the silence, jolting Alyssane into swift action. Her eyes snapped open, muscles coiling as her arrow found its mark with a whispered release, a blur streaking toward its target. As the arrow pierced her targets neck, with a guttural moan it fell to the ground and remained motionless. The other two remaining orcs were now aware of her presence and the element of surprise no longer remained.
With a fierce cry Alyssane leaped from her branch and rolled straight past her enemy, dodging his sword and fierce attack. With an evil cry he came towards her again with an intense ferocity, deliberately leaving her left side open the orc swung; with a clang her sword met his. With his hesitation as he looked from his sword to her, she quickly used the opportunity to switch sword hands, steeping forward with calculated precision she delivered one good clean swipe to his neck and he went down in a mess of blood.
In the blink of an eye, Alyssane pivoted, sensing the impending assault of the last remaining ememy. Reverting her sword to her dominant right hand, Elvish Steel clashed fiercely against Orcish Iron. Swift and precise, her blade danced through the air, executing two fluid motions—across the abdomen and then a swift arc across the neck—rendering the orc incapacitated. All was once again silent.
Pausing, Alyssane took a moment to kneel beside the first fallen orc. As she delicately retrieved her arrow from his neck, her eyes reflected a mixture of determination and a hint of remorse, the weight of each life taken never lost on her. Running her arrow across the outside of her thigh, ridding it of the black blood that now coated it. Rising slowly, she stretched her muscles before returning the arrow to her quiver, securing it firmly against her back.
Amidst the lingering echoes of the battle, a familiar sound carried through the night—the distant neigh of Arion. Alyssane's heart skipped a beat. With a smile tugging at her lips, she wasted no time, swiftly racing through the dense wood towards her companion.
As she arrived at the familiar clearing where she had set camp just hours ago, Alyssane expected to find her belongings undisturbed, and Arion calmly grazing in the moonlit meadow. But next to the dwindling fire, enveloped in wisps of smoke from his pipe, sat an unmistakable figure she had not anticipated.
"Gandalf," she breathed, a mixture of relief and joy flooding her voice. With a faint smile curling at her lips, she began her approach, moving slowly and deliberately, attempting to startle the wizard. As she closed the distance, keeping her steps light and silent, she aimed for the element of surprise. However, just meters away, Gandalf effortlessly blew a perfect smoke ring into the night air.
"My dear, if your intent is to startle me, I suggest refining your technique, or perhaps choosing a less wizened target," Gandalf remarked, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"One of these days, Gandalf, I'll manage it," Alyssane quipped, a playful glint in her eye.
As their gazes met, an understanding passed between them, igniting their faces with shared amusement. Laughter bubbled up uncontrollably from both.
"It's wonderful to see you Gandalf" Alyssane rushed forward into the wizard's arms, who laughed as she did so, wrapping the young girl into his arms. Buried in his grey cloak she turned her head up, with a furrowed brow and curiosity lacing her next question "what on earth are you doing here?"
And with a mischievous smile and a familiar twinkle in his eye, Gandalf looked down at the young girl "My dear how would you like to share in an adventure?"
What Alyssane didn't realise at the time was that question would be the beginning of her everything.
