I could hear the sound of sparing, swords being parried and coming together, faint whistles of the arrows hitting make shift targets. Our banners were preparing, Preparing for the worst. We hoped that our suspicions were wrong, we hoped that for once our insight would not be correct. Unfortunately we often were right in our conclusions. That's why we were heading towards Lone-lands with four banners, fifty wardens and fifty Ethiriath in total, we could not be too careful. Something in the air also told us something was stirring far north. Was it the smell? The silence? The black clouds. The occasionally sound of drums. Something was about to happen.
Istuir divided our banners into two companies. Culir’s banner would support and scout for Alfiriel's Wardens. My sister Alfiriel, the most gentle soul you ever can imagine. But an ancient power, perhaps the Eldar's flame brought forward the fearless expression.
Before each assault and battle, there was this strange moment before we separated.. Was it the little fear that we'll never seen each other again? It was not a time to say goodbye, there was little time to wish each other good luck, so I gave my commands to my banner to follow Istuirs. We already had scouts further ahead searching for signs of our enemy.
Yes, I was afraid, it was my first assault as a banner officer. I was not just an archer anymore, I was an officer, responsible for twenty five well trained Ethir. We had trained for years now and they knew what to do. They were probably even more fearless than me. But in this moment they needed a strong commander, so I recalled my training to focus and to overcome my fear with my wisdom.
It was not too long before we got reports of movements near to Culir's and Alfiriel's banner skirmishing with small groups of foolish goblins. I closed my eyes as I was hasting behind Istuir's banner and his command. It had begun....
A dark figure appeared on a distant hilltop, mounted on something that looked like a warg. I swallowed. Warg-rider?? Here? It did not move any closer, it was restlessly running sideways behind the trees, as it was waiting and eager to attack. I narrowed my eyes to see it clearer. It was definitely an orc, bigger than the orc's I have seen before. Could this be their commander? I did not know.
Istuir gave a command: "Halt". Our banners immediately stopped moving. It was so silent, nothing else than faint running paws from animals in a distance.
There was this faint drumming sound that seemed to be clearer and nearer now. Something was moving behind the western ruin next to the Last Bridge. A large group of Orc's. They were not aware of us. But they were gathering up together, armoured with swords and daggers. I could not count them, it reminded me of the same dark cloud I have seen in past visions. I rode up to Istuir. “Shouldn't we wait for the other banners?” He shook his head. "They will be here". His eyes were dark, the same eyes I have seen occasionally before a strike. I knew it was not time for any sensible conversations. I went back to my banner and raised my hand slowly, all my archers raised their bows simultaneously. I held my hand up high and waited for Istuir's command. The Orcs noticed us, and they immediately started to move forward with a War-cry. With no hesitation. Istuir bellowed the words " Si ath thûr!. His banner moved forward in unison with shields held close and spears angled upwards.
Then I made a quick movement with my hand, and arrows began to fly..
I do not know how long it lasted, time did not seem to exist. All I remember were screaming voices, and horrifying creatures of all sorts of kind. Dark and pale painted orc's. Swords nearly faintly hitting me, I could feel the small wind when they were swung. I saw awful grins with rotten teeth screaming like sick animals. I saw blood, I heard death-screams and I sensed smell of burning fire.
The warg-rider I noticed earlier, rode next to me and spitted out words with his grey tongue out...."I have seen you before she-elf, come here, taste this!" He was about to hit me with his spear, when some of Istuir's wardens quickly drew away his attention and attacked, but the warg rider was quicker and fled hurling a javelin. The warden fell to the ground with a scream. I knew him, it was a friend. I felt rage inside and pointed at the warg-rider with an arrow. The warg-rider screamed and looked furious that this warden distracted him. He looked at me and rode fast forward with his spear out. I focused and was about to shoot, but in disbelief I saw him rode past me, he was losing the interest for some reason. I had no time to jump off my horse to see to the wounded warden, so I was riding up front to assists everyone, but also to see if I could defeat the warg-rider.
In the corner of my eyes, I could see the warg-rider fleeing, lifting his muscular, bleeding arm with his remaining orcs retreating hastily, so he was the commander! They were now in full retreat. It left us with a difficult decision should we pursue or tend to the wounded? We decided to tend to the wounded ones. Culir and Alfiriel's banner was already here and were helping out.
We took the injured wardens to 'The last bridge'. Cirdamir and Ephendir were ready to take care of the wounded and gave us further reports. The Orc commander was still alive and was regrouping the remaining orc's and were last seen moving south. Another group had been sighted as well with another different commander, more terrifying and scary than the first one. I swallowed.. What was going on, what was happening?? The orcs had lost a great deal of their number, but it was definitely not the end of this battle. Eight of our wardens were wounded, luckily nothing serious. Everyone was alive, but there was no victory and I could see the serious expression in everyone eyes.
The sun was arising again, but there was no time to rest. I was looking at the distance and I do not know, but I could sense movements of the warg-rider grinning at me.. laughing..
I looked at the map I found days ago again, what now?
(screenies from Lotro and Mount Blade (latter used as fighting engine in our Rp) Music by this player "skybrudd")
