Death of a Friend

It matters not the heavy words that are spoken while there is breath in the lungs, it matters not whether the harshness of such words pierce the heart and allows the animosity to fester within it. The death of a friend is all the more poignant by its definition. Vanthryth was a rough and uncouth fellow but, for my part, he was my friend. His demise of which I will record here is an attempt to give his existence some validity within a world of hate and distrust and a relief for me to express my gratitude that I hold for him. We traveled many seasons together, fought many battles with huge Trolls, Goblins and those vile Orcs that plague our lands.
Vanthryth was above all a warrior, a killer that many an enemy feared, he cast many aside into the ever after, I witnessed his feats on many occasions where he dispatched 15 Orcs or more, such was his prowess. He was easily angered and had a lusty appetite for the things that many would shy away from. He had few friends but more enemies that could be mentioned here. He neither sought nor found love, he treated his women as he found them he was never attached to one in particular but loved them collectively rather than individually. I know not of his background, in fact I know he hailed from Rohan and that is all. Countless nights around the campfires still produced no more information concerning his life. He was capable of talking for hours but not of himself, such was Vanthryth of Rohan.
His death came sudden and probably in a way that was inevitable to whoever knew him, violent but glorious. We had traveled through the Lone Lands on many occasions before but there was an unease this time, I felt it as soon as we hit its borders. I suggested we take a couple of rooms in the Inn to the south but he wanted to get to Rivendell as soon as possible. Any experienced traveller would not want to move during the hours of darkness in the Lone lands, unspeakable evil dwells there and to stray off the road means danger of an altogether different kind, but he would not listen, an unstoppable  force desired we continue . The moon was hidden by thick foreboding clouds and the road was darker than Moria but still he pursued his whim to get to the bridge. In black like pitch we stumbled forward, walking the horses forward step by step. I felt sure we had left the road long ago but to light the torches now would be sheer folly because knowledge told us we were surrounded by enemies, unseen and invisible within that dark shroud that blanketed us in its grip. The horses felt uneasy, snorting and pulling back hesitating to go forward where only blind men would lead them. I looked back to ask Vanthryth whether to press on in unknown and unseen territory was worth it and that we should find shelter and wait out the night. It was then I saw the darkness engulf him and I heard the scream from his lips, the first and last I ever heard from him. I heard shuffling to my right and left, something brushed my arm, then an indescribable pain shot up from my hand to my shoulder, I had been pierced by some hideous blade. I lost sight of Vanthryth but could hear the sounds of battle in the distance then my legs lost all feelings and I stumbled to the ground and down a small ravine. I landed hard and felt something heavy upon my body and once again the pain shot up my arm. I know longer had the use of my legs and as I stared up into the dark sky a huge unspoken form came into view. Evil fangs protruded from a deathly grin and I knew my time had come to end this useless existence. I fervently prayed to all who would listen and resigned myself to leave with honors. I still held my dagger and swept out my arm in haste catching something to my left. The creature who remained unknown to me let out a screech to pierce my ears and warm liquid dripped unto my face. It was then I saw my friend and brother jumping down and unto the form that was about to devour me. Vanthryth jumped and struck the foul beast twice but not before the beast itself turned and bit him severely on his unprotected arm. Vanthryth rolled to the floor and sliced the beast with such force three of its legs came away from its body. The huge bloated body slumped to the ground and the life exited its hideous form.
Despite his many wounds my companion carried me whilst still fighting the others that followed us into the darkness and beyond. He killed many but eventually we collapsed into a heap, he told me to run but I refused to leave him, even though my feelings in my leg came slowly back. He looked ghastly and pale but somehow we stayed alive until daybreak. I killed many whilst protecting him during those dark long hours and when the light of day came their bodies littered the ground and their companions slumbered back to their hidden lairs. Leaving the ground soaked in their discolored blood and gore. I could now see the extent of Vanthryths wounds and knew that no elven medicine would be able to mend. I could see his time was coming so despite my own wounds I propped him up and we took in the rising sun together one last time as we had done countless times before. Even though his body was broken he smiled at me and left this mortal World as he had entered it as the tears flowed down my broken mind and body. My friend had left me to pace the roads of middle earth alone. I could write so much more about this man of little importance to you all but a heavy heart compels me to stop here and live with his memory that only I can carry until my time is upon me too….
An insignificant wretch
Felanam of Gondor