A Step and a Song

The sea of grass stretched over the hills for miles as we rode along the dirt path. Berenthir still hummed the song I had written for him and Silmarien.
It had been five years since his wedding and he still remembers each line. Of course as do I, after spending a full fortnight writing it (and coming up with a toast).
A shocked look comes over my face to the realization of the past five years and how short they seemed.
"What? What do you see?" Berentir looks off into the distance then back at me. Almarion looks up from the mending of his tunic, "I don't see anything."
I laughed. "No, no. I was just thinking about how much has happened in the past five years. The two of you meeting Silmarien and Alassiel, your weddings, my promotion to Captain. It seems so much in so little time."
"Wait until ya get married, the a lot can happen in a shorter amount of time." They both laugh quite loudly. Ariyon and Culdaevor shouted up at us.
"Yes well, I have to find someone first, you know?"
"And why do ya think we're taking this trip?"
To deliver three carts of goods through brigand territory to Bethron because they cannot cross the mountain pass?"
"Yes, yes." He gave em that look that says 'it was not what I meant.'

Birds burst forth from the top of the forest to our left. "Oh the Almighty! Why can't supply runs be simple? Don't alarm the drivers. Tell Ariyon and Culdaevor to continue behind them, I'll keep ahead."
"Alright, when we get to that brush, we'll drop back in the trees." I looked at Berenthir, "I shoot, you ride. They'll be mounted as well, so I'll take to the trees."
"You can't do that! they'll--"
"Hey, it's me!"
I took off into the forest. I found a nice oak to hide up in with a perfect view. I saw the brigands, only seven mounted but ten persued on foot. Well nine are now. No, eight. I could see Berenthir rideing through the trees coming up behind the other riders.
No more than two songs' length later, he was on the last one, I had three to go. Berenthir came upon the last mounted one.
I should have seen it, Ber should have seen it. But I had a better view. Though I did not see it, I should have. Seconds seemed like minutes. I should not have had so much pleasure in downing our attackers with Elven crafted arrows, not that they mattered anymore. I sheathed my bow and drew my swords. Now the minutes seemed like seconds.
I tore through the last three men with blood-thirsty eyes and a cry that froze them all mid-run. I did things with my swords I did not know I could do. It had been a while since I had seen red blood drip from them. I left them in the last man and ran to Berenthir. "NOOO!" Almarion came seconds later.
"Break the most off. I'll ride him ahead."
"NO. I'll do it, you're to heavy."
"And that gash in your leg won't get ya far before ya fall off the horse. Get to Ariyon, he'll rap your leg. Don't worry, I'll get him there."
"By the Almighty, you had better. I didn't see it, he just fell. " I looked at Berenthir, he would not come to. "Come on, Ber, come to, get up!"
Almarion nearly broke my jaw, but I'm just glad I was not standing.
"Look at me. He'll be fine, you get yourself to the horses and take them to the carts. I'll take care of Ber."

The Coming of Glinmenel by Silmarien: As told by Berenthir

*Note:
Glinmenel-Gleam of Heaven, The Harp of Silmarien
Silmarien-the wife of Berenthir and a Minstrel
Ranasul-The power and spirit of the Wind

"Glinmenel is made of glass, and her strings of pure light. Silmarien crafted Glinmenel out of Song and Voice. Instilling within her two powers of the Might of Eru. One is of the wrath and strength. Silmarien travelled to the silver shores in the east.
The white sand is said to reflect heaven itself. Alas, only by a clear sky on the rise of the evening light.
Silmarien had called up Eru to bring down a strike of light itself. The wrath of Eru struck the sand causing a great explosion around Silmarien. He rose up the radiating glass and set it upon the water. It was then Silmarien forged a power of healing with Glinmenel. Her voice rang out shattering pieces of the glass.
For three days Silmarien sang of the evening light. Ranasul came to her in the final hours of the last day. He aided her voice, rising up the sand consuming Glinmenel and refining her. Ranasul smoothed the edges and curves of Glinmenel, then He captured the evening light and strung it to Glinmenel. The song shaped Glinmenel into what she is today."

The Orc Hoarde

Not too long after "The Hunt".....



"You must go, this is the only way through, I will give you sometime."
"No, you cannot-"
"Give me but a moment, don't look back I'll be right behind you."
"No..."
"Please"
I stood at the pass near the hilltop and watched the flood of the enemy climb to the top. There were at the least fifty, maybe seventy. I didn't think it mattered too much at this point. I saw them begin to climb the cliff, some came up the side. Unless they go through here, they marched to their deaths.
They crawled over the top of the cliff, the first seven fell to the curved blades before they even touched me. Suddenly fifteen or so vaulted over the side on to the top. I fell three as they came at me, the next four proved a challenge. But they didn't stand long. Another twenty came, a few more poured black blood over my boots. I hit one, throwing two off the cliff. I picked up a chained mace and went at him. His crude sword planted it in the ground. He failed to see the arising dagger.
Of course I failed to see the orc jump atop of my head, I parried his dagger as best I could.
Past my ear flew a silver arrow into his eye. I threw the creature off the cliff into another three. A stream of silver light set ablaze the cliff edge. I turned to see Maeluiel standing with a bow. I started to speak-
"Oh please, like I would leave you behind with all the fun"
"When are they coming? You were suppo-"
"I sent my brother on to the city. Reinforcements will arrive in a few hours"
"You realize how many are down there right?"
"Good thing you're with me. Besides thanks to you, the first half of the first battalion are dead!"
"What's that? 20 Battalions to go!?"
"You've got me, and I've got you. Now grab some' their knives and start throwing."

Hunt

It was a bright day. Hardly a cloud in the sky. Quiet, too, and peaceful. Almost enough to enjoy. Our horses walked along the path behind us. We had dismounted to enjoy the walk ourselves.
Even in the late morning, there was a dew still wet on the grass.
We both had missed breakfast from sleeping in. I had stayed out a little while longer last night to song-write. After only a few minutes I simply went to my quarters. Nothing had come to mind.

We decided to go hunting even though we had brought food. The both of us had ornately carved bows. Mine though was carved from black-ash wood, sturdy, near unbreakable. Infused with metal such that I run out of arrow, the bow itself could be used to break an orc or goblin.
But I dare not do that with such a thing of beauty.

"There." We had reached the edge of the meadow where it meets the Woods of Calanon. A herd was coming into the forest as well. They had circled us then crossed, we had been completely oblivious.
We tied the horses and grabbed our bows. I slipped my knives just in case. We ran ahead of the herd.
"Is this hart to fast for you to keep up with, *easterner?"
"They're too slow," I saw a sarcastic smile form.
"There are two stags," I noted when we were in position to hit them from the side. I heard an arrow fly past. I looked over, only one stag was standing.
"You could have waited for me to at least knock an arrow!"
"What? And risk my chance of beating you again? Nonsense! Besides, we only need one." I rolled my eyes. We came upto the stag.
"So, um, I forgot my knives. Would you, uh, clean it?"
"Are you serious? You know we agreeed on the Clean-Kill rule."
"Oh we're not kids anymore, you could help me out a little more, seeing as how you're much stronger than I am."
"You manipulative little-"
"Thanks! I'll get the horses."
"You're lucky you have brothers!" All I heard was an "uhuh..."



*"Easterner" refers to the eastern kingdom, known for their breeding of horses for many different purposes, such as riding cross-country, short distances, work-horses, etc.

Dulin: Pt. 1

"He Hit the the legs and then all at once it fell backwards on top of him!"
The roars of laughter carried out into the night sky. As I glanced towards them I looked up to the stars trying to grasp the great wonders of the heavens. They began to sing, namely Ber and Wallace, who were on top of the tables. "Little brother!" I looked up at Ber.
"Come on up! There's plenty of room!"
"What? You forget the small problem of the hole in my side?"
"Fine then! Have another ale!"The Hall was crowded and I could barely hear either him or Wallace. It seemed as if every man and woman from within the city had gathered tonight. I highly doubt that because you cannot physically fit everyone inside. But that doesn't stop most of us. I heard songs and tales of the days battle, some of the younger soldiers saying how they took down a troll themsleves.
After many hours, only a small group cleaning up the plates and tankards remained. And Myself of course. Wallace acctually had just left and Berenthir had left earlier to spend time with his wife and kids. I made my way out onto the guard wall under the clear, starry sky. A warm cider ale in hand, made by the men of the Delving. My silver robe glistened and glowed under the moon light. I heard footsteps coming up from behind, I really just wanted to watch the stars.
It was already into the late watches as well. Most were asleep in the city besides the guards. I couldn't imagine who it could be. I didn't feel like turning around either. I paid no attention to whoever it was. I was singing in a quiet, gentle voice the song of the Atani. It was a song of desire and beauty, a way the Elves had honoured us when they had first encountered us long ago. "Perso nel buio. In un luogo tranquillo strano?"
"I Wouldn't call it strange, but dark and quiet, yes. Why do you ask?"
"I have heard you out here before, singing. That same song even, what is it?'I turned slightly and began frm the beginning. I did enjoy the song so. I paused.
"The song of Men, or as it is by the Elves, 'the song of the Beloved.'"
"Oh? And How are we deemed with such a title?'
"We are the second born, we are gifted with mortality, so that one day we may join the King in the heavens."
"Your songs, you remind me of a bird from home, in the west. Oh what was the name? oh well, I am sure I will remember. More so, how would you have learned such a song? There are no Elves in these lands."
"Who said I learned it from the Elves?"
"You read it from the scripts then?"
I laughed, "No, no. I did learn it from the Elves. Reading takes far too much time."
"I slighted my voice and stood higher. "If anything *I* should be in the stories written in the scripts!"
"You were always full of your self, Dulin. Always boasting of how many orcs you would kill."
"Dulin? It seems ages since you have called me that. Never anything else either. Why again?"
We looked at each other. A smile sprouted and I began to laugh. I'll never forget that smile...

The First Battle

The battle was going well. Orcs and goblins had swarmed the hills only to be slaughtered. I looked to the left, then to the right. Wallace and Ber had held their ground. Of course the archers helped quite a bit, taking out the other half that we couldn't. And truth be told, I am glad the Southern City also sent a battalion.I cried out in pain. I had never felt this before. I could not tell where it was coming from, only that I did not know if I could survive. It was my back, left and low. I began to beat him. I flattened his skull. I could feel the power surging through my body. Then it stopped and all I felt was pain. Someone stepped in to hold where I had fallen. The pain was there but All I could do was think about how I had failed. I failed to hold the line. I failed my duty. It then consumed me. I Blacked out.What seemed like forever was less than a few seconds when I hear Ber's voice.
"Stay with me! You're wrapped and the bleeding stopped!"It didn't take the look in his eyes with the sound of his voice to tell this was all about to end.
"This ends Now!" Ber gave out a cry that made even me cringe. He thrust his sword into the ground unleashing a power that I had never seen before. And then all at once there was silence. The goblins and the orcs halted their assult. some begun to run. even the trolls dropped their trees and their rocks.The quiet began to growIt started out as a feeling that grew into a hope. The ground began to tremble. A Great Thunder grew louder.It was not the Sky. For the sky had poured open the sun. The goblins all began to retreat, the ocs froze, and the trolls turned to stone.Then all at once the thunder roared down from the hill behind us.
It was the Riders of the North!...They swarmed the enemy, cut through them like Moses through the Red Sea. Wallace began to fell one troll after the other. His claymore began to drip of black blood. Ber fought with me, good old big brother protecting me. He didn't see it though. Of course niether did the orc.
"I still got something left in me"He laughed, "We get out of this, I'm buying the first round of Honeybrews..."

Greywood

I crouched near the river, trying to clean off the knife. I never really admired its properties; the sharpened edge, the refined metal, the inscribe letters, and the glimmer of the moon off the side in the water. Each time I clean it, it almost becomes more beautiful than the last time I used it. I sheathed it, and began to wash my hands. Blood covered and the stank. So much blood, I was slightly surprised, yet I knew it was necessary. It was easier to drag once I had cleaned it. I let my brother and Wallace skin the thing. I sat near the fire wondering about the deer. I looked down at the rock I was about to pick up. My hands, they were still stained with blood. They didn't smell as bad though. I pulled out my knife again. Who am I kidding, it was a dagger, a large one too. I'll never forget what the King named it before I left the city...
"No, no. It's a spice ya idiot"
"Well how was I supposed to know?"
"Then don't mix it with the leaves"
"You smoke too much, Ber." He just looked at me. Then I at him, then both of us at Wallace. We couldn't hold it in. Wallace let out a bellow that rivals most call horns. Usually we try to stay quiet in the woods, but Echad Sul was usually a peaceful place. We could even start a fire on the open field, if we were in an open field. And then it hit me, well, grazeed enough to need to wrap it for the bleeding. I saw the glimmer of its eyes from the fire. I let go of an edged dagger. I had to have hit him because the second arrow hit several feet above my brother's head.
"Goblins!" cried Ber. Wallace grabs his bow and lets one off. There was a great, deep cry as the ground shook.
"This isn't gonna be easy."
"Never is. Take the North, Ber and I will take big, ugly there"
"But I hit 'em first?"
"You *always* hit them first, and you miss!" He was gone by that time, but we could hear the clash and cries as Wallace's blade began to fell them all one by one.
"So how do you want to do this?" Ber asked.
"You shoot, I climb."
"By all means, but you'll regret the smell"
"Hey you two are the married ones, The King sent me out here to help, not look or *smell* nice"
He had put two in its chest before I had reached the beast. I grabbed on to make-shift club, I guess you could call it. Trolls never really were that bright, just smart enough to know to hit the taller creatures on the ground, and not their goblin allies. Of course even then their eyes aren't too good. Dawn would be nay but in the next hour. The morning had gone well until now. Nice crispy bacon, eggs, a few biscuts, and some ham for Wallace. He says it reminds him of home. But from the sound of things, I think the goblins upset his plate of ham, they seem to be dying quicker as Wallace's shouts grow louder. Then It all stopped suddenly. Ber glanced at me and I at him as I attacked the troll from behind. Our shouts grew stronger as did our attacks on the beast. Then suddenly we knew Wallace had merely finished off the goblins. There was an elegantly carved spear sticking out of the trolls neck. I grabbed it and thrust my sword into its mouth and threw the head.
"Ahahahaha!!!" Ber and Wallace began to laugh after I had got up from under the hand of the Troll. I was black, completely black, save my face and head.
"I told you that you would smell bad afterwards"
"Ya didn't *have* to hit him with the spear, he spewed blood everywhere! I think even The white lining in my boots are black!"
"And how would you have pulled off that fancy manuver with out the spear in his neck?"
"Oh shut up!" Ber and Wallace gathered up the campsite as I finished drying near the river. My clothes had finally dried off as well. I had suited up again and Ber put out the fire. We headed for the nearest out post of the Free Peoples...

Kinsmen

My brother is a great man, and to call a man great is not to take then lightly. But I suppose in the words of a Greater man, "he is Good, " probably means more, but I linger in this small explination of the story...He had gone before me, but I soon began to catch up with him near the Kingdom of Heaven in his journey. It is good that I never actually caught him becuase he left me numerous guiding markers that helped me reach the Kingdom. Once I began to train there, my brother soon left, but not without teaching me some of the most important skills and lessons of the Kingdom. You see, The King showed my brother something to fight for in the Name of the King. And to this day, he still protects and fights. I still saw my brother from time to time, continuously teaching me how to follow the voice of the King. Then a warrior from our past crossed our road once more...
(We shall call this man from the past 'Wallace' both fitting and ironic)
Beyond the welcomed heat of the roaring fire, Wallace sat on the ground, illuminated by the light of the bright flame.
"Ya better 'ave learned ta dance! Ya 'ave, 'aven't ya?"
"Course I have, but what does that have to do with anything?"
"Ya see that on the ground next to ya?" He motioned to the sword.
"Ya ne'er give a sword to a man who can't dance. Do ya like ta dance, lad?"
I nodded, "Once a man learns to dance, any kind, whether it's italian like or ta me homeland (Scotland he means), he won't ever give it up. Tire of it, maybe for a while, but he'll come back to it."My mind began to drift to past the trees and into the heavens where the stars can distract even the most stead-fast minds of the Kingdom, probablly because the King created them. Well Wallace began to notice.
"Well, my point is, if a man learns to fight first, before everything else in this world, It can consume him. He will love to fight more than he will love anything else created by the King. The Enemy will weigh him down with constant assults. Not just out here in the woodlands, but in his heart as well. What the King has created, this world, the Heavens, and every person is evidence of how much He loves us. It is why you, me, and all of us came to the harbor, seeking Him."
"Wallace," I said to him as I lifted up my sword, "There is a reason I have this. I can dance, ya know? And probably better than you, too!"
"Aye I don't doubt that"
"I also know exactly what you are getting at. My brother, here, had mentioned that before, and here you are, surprisin' us...."

The Kingdom of Heaven: In the Beginning

I tried, honest I tried. Everyday I woke up I tried. Finally I realized what The King had meant when He said, "Fight for something..."Before...I left that Harbor of Redemption with the gift from Lady Amnesty. With that, I journeyed to find the Kingdom of Heaven, on my way meeting friend and foe alike. I learned much from both, learning to fight along the way. I finally reached The Kingdom, there The King armed me. He said I now may fight for the Kingdom, vanquishing darkness through the power of His name. He Knighted me and handed me a crafted sword of the Ancient times. "This is a powerful sword, use it wisely." Then He sent me off. He sent me back into the world outside of the Castle, the Kingdom. "You now fight for Me, soon you will find more to fight for, your journey begins, so go." With that said, I mounted my horse and rode out the Gates. And that is the short version...First I rode to the Kingdom's sister city, the City of the Spirit. From there on towards the Woodlands, just West of the Kingdom, for the Southern Kingdom is nay but 10 miles from the Kingdom. I was a bit too ambitious though. You see the Woodlands , or the Greywood, was a place known for creatures of the Enemy. Wolves of Devastation and Hate, spiders of deception, and Crebain of the evil one. All waiting to attack and damage our spirits. But I, I was eager, too eager, to fight and challenge these servants of the dark one. I began to look for these creatures to challenge, but my searches were in vain. I was no threat to them, the truth was I had no idea what they were capable of nor myself, of course neither did these servants. But I was young and not as wise as a seasoned soldier of the Kingdom as my Father was, or my Brother who had gone before...