ALDBURG, ROHAN - Midsummer Day, June T.A. 3011
At the Halls of Leofwine on the outskirts of Aldburg in Rohan, Gwenna stood by the window in her mistress's room, holding an infant child that was peacefully sleeping. It was a richly decorated room, with precious wall hanging, soft animal furs, and well crafted furniture.
Next to a great bed carved with horses and wolves, was a small crib. She stood at the window, looking out at the summer storm. Dark clouds rolled down from the mountains, carrying with them a promise of rain. The infant child smiled in his sleep, unphased by the sound of thunder.
Stepping back, Gwenna was about to lay the infant child in his bed, when she heard warning bells, causing her to frown in confusion. Leofara began to stir. The woman wrapped the child in a fur blanket, and holding him close, she made her way to the great hall. Numerous guards were running around, some holding swords and shields. Eormir was shouting orders at them, pointing them in this and that direction.
"What is it?" She asked in a scared tone, causing Eormir to look at her and the child. "Why are the warning bells ringing?"
"They've come. They are here," Eormir informed her in an alarmed voice." You must stay next to me, understood? You and the child must not leave my side, no matter what happens.``
"Who is here?" Gwenna questioned, with a puzzled look on her face.
"Death and despair!" Eormir exclaimed dramatically, then he turned again to the men. " Lock the doors, and stay inside, all of you! Hurry," he demanded, "Protect the halls with your life."
Not long after, in the great hall, Gwenna was hiding behind crates and barrels, next to Eormir. The storm was raging outside, rain, wind and thunder, and the sound of metal clinking, and the screams of battle. The child now awake began to cry, and would not stop. "Don't be afraid," she whispered in Leofara's hear in a calm voice, but it was obvious she was just as afraid.
The noise from outside was not much closer, when suddenly she heard the door of the halls bust open as the guards inside began to shout, ready to fight. Looking for a better place to hide, Eormir pointed at a table, and she quickly crawled underneath it. Gwenna remained silent, placing a hand gently on Leofara's mouth, as the screams of the guards and the sound of fighting filled the halls, and rivers of blood soaked the wooden floors as men and orcs were killed.
Just then a tall and dark orc entered the halls, causing her eyes to widen in fear. Gwenna had never seen orcs before. Eormir ran towards Undug, sword and shield in hand, but was hit by a heavy mace. Blood spattered on one of the tapestries as he flew in the air, landing on the side of the hall. From a huge wound on the back of his head, blood began to pour as he lay motionless.
Snatching her belt knife with fingers that suddenly seemed numb, Gwenna faced the approaching orc, holding her pitifully inadequate weapon. Undug paused when he saw her, then laughed evilly and came on. Now standing, and still holding Leofara in the sling, she slashed wildly at the orc's face, drawing blood with a small gash. He batted the knife away with a grin, then ran a dirty finger along the bleeding cut on his face and tasted his own blood, while other orcs grabbed her from behind. Kicking wildly, she bit down hard on the filthy hands, causing the orc to loosen his grip for a moment.
The orcs seized her again, then her heart failed as she realized the horror of the situation she was in. Undug came closer and towering over her, he opened the blanket wrapped around Leofara with his dirty hands and laughed as the child began to cry.
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