Lionheart
There were days when Thauralkarion would stroll through the woods, and a great sense of belonging would overwhelm him. He felt that he fit perfectly into the somewhat sparse and hidden life in the forests, whereas he knew that he did not fit in with the people in his hometown. He knew that he was different from the people who lived there.
He knew he was different from the Men that lived there.
A far-off noise drew his attention to the path in from of him. He found that he had wondered farther than ever before into the dim woods. He slowed an warily looked around. Nothing moved in the forest. Silence pressed in around the young Thauralkarion.
The far-off noise sounded faintly again. Thauralkarion strained his ears, but for a while could not make out the origin of the noise. When he finally did, he quickly jumped off of the path and into a brushy thicket near the path. As the noise grew nearer, Thauralkarion was able to make out anther, smaller sound. He could faintly hear the thudding of many running feet.
Thauralkarion shrank lower into the brush, a strange fear washing over him. For the first time in his life, Thauralkarion wished he had a weapon to protect himself.
The pounding of feet and hooves had been steadily coming nearer. Grunts and harsh breathing became audible only moments before a large group of orcs thundered around the bend in the path. They crashed through the tree line and into the woods in an attempt to lose their pursuit. Then mounted elves pounded around the corner just as the last orc disappeared into the trees.
The riders quickly plunged into the woods after them, bows singing. Thauralkarion watched, enthralled by the bright flashes of sunlight glancing off of elvish swords. He caught several glimpses of the battle through the dense trees.
Suddenly the ringing of sword on sword stopped. For half a second, there was silence. Then the sound of bodies crashing through underbrush filled the air. With a startled cry, Thauralkarion realized the noises were moving towards him.
He cowered down into the brush as several orcs burst onto the path directly in front of him. An arrow whistled past Thauralkarion�s ear and pierced the leading orc�s throat. Several other arrows burst from the foliage and felled the remaining orcs.
Thauralkarion glanced over his shoulder to find the source of the arrow that had nearly taken off his ear. He was surprised to find an elf standing over him with his fists posted on his hips. The corners of his mouth were turned down in a scowl. Thauralkarion quickly scrambled to his feet and stood in from the of elf, at a loss for words. He blinked in surprise when the elf started laughing.
He whistled, then called, �Come and see what I have found!�
Suddenly, eight more golden haired elves seemed to appear out of thin air. Thauralkarion stood awestruck. The elf in front of him glanced at the others, then irritably spoke a few words in his own language.
�Ithlohim Nurthuleiel aniim?�
One of the other elves disappeared back into the forest. The elf in front of him, who appeared to be the captain of these elves, slowly looked the young Thauralkarion over. His gaze took in Thauralkarion�s dark hair and eyes, his stature, and his fair face.
His eyes narrowed. �Who are you?�
The elf�s intense blue eyes bored into Thauralkarion, and suddenly he felt as if he could trust these elves. �I am Thauralkarion of Everlit, son of Emueril Hageron.�
The seven started murmuring excitedly, but the captain just watched Thauralkarion solemnly. �Thauralkarion, son of the Greathearted of Everlit. Long have we been searching for you.�
�I am Novfac of the Grey Havens,� the tall elf said. �My companions and I have traveled a great distance to find you.�
When he said this, the other elves stepped forward. Novfac introduced them as Galenhyando, the second tallest elf with a rather regal air, Vemundo, the only elf there with somewhat curly hair, Morfin, an elf with large, sad eyes, Maikarun, an energetic elf with an odd reddish tint to his hair, Rudhbrethil, a stockier elf, Errogion, who was powerfully built, and Dolengaer, a slim, suave-looking elf.
�Cedriac and Nurthuleiel are inspecting some of the orcs we slew. There is some confusion as to where they came from and where they were headed, but we think they were also searching for you.�
Thauralkarion stood silently for a while trying to take it all in. Finally he said, �Why were you looking for me?�
Novfac sighed and began pacing. �The story must be told soon, but I fear that now is not the time, for time is short and we must move on quickly.�
�Am I to go with you?� Thauralkarion asked.
�I you will.� Novfac was somewhat troubled, for he knew that the people of Everlit were strong willed and did only as they wanted. �I strongly urge you to come.�
Thauralkarion stood motionless for several long minutes, contemplating the urgent need underlying Novfac�s voice. He looked up.�
�I will go.�
Novfac smiled. �Come,� he said to his comrades. �We ride for Everlit. I must speak with the Greatheart.�
Novfac led Thauralkarion and the other elves back to the path. There ten proud horses stood near the elf that had left, Cedriac. Another elf stood over one of several dead orcs. This elf�s garments were of the same style as the other elves�s clothing but of a different color. While the their clothes were dull greys and greens, whereas she was clad in silver and white. She held a bow of pale wood in her hand, and her sword was still sheathed.
Novfac caught Thauralkarion�s arm at the edge of the path while the other elves prepared the horses for travel. �Be wary of Nurthuleiel. She is somewhat of a rebel among our people. She is here at the request of Gildor. She is a great warrior, and the forests love her, but she has the heart of one of the race of Men. She is unpredictable and flighty, and we know not how much long she will journey with us.�
�Is she dangerous�
Novfac laughed. �Is she dangerous? Of course she is dangerous, but only to those who make an enemy of her.�
Thauralkarion nodded understanding and studied the elvish woman. She was the shortest of the elves there, but was of average height compared to most humans. She must have felt his gaze, for she turned and caught Thauralkarion�s eye. He shuddered at the feral gleam in her clear blue-grey eyes, but she smiled and the smile carried warmth and curiosity to them.
Thauralkarion looked down, he could not hold Nurthuleiel�s gaze. Her sharp, light laughter pierced the gloom of the woods. Thauralkarion flushed. He felt almost as if this elven woman could see his thoughts. Novfac noticed his discomfiture and smiled kindly.
�Don�t let her gaze trouble you. She sees only what you let show through, but she sees it more clearly than most.�
When Thauralkarion finally looked up, Nurthuleiel had called her horse to her. It was pitch black and wore no saddle or bridle. She touched its neck and spoke softly to it, then walked towards Thauralkarion. The big horse followed closely at her heels.
�I am Nurthuleiel, as I am sure Novfac has told you.� She shot a look at the elf, and he glanced down to avoid her gaze. �If you will ride with me, there are thing that must be told. Hallafen can easily carry the two of us. He is a son of Shadowfax, last of the great horses of old.�
She gently laid a hand on the horse�s nose and spoke to him in her own tongue, then turned back to Thauralkarion. She caught the dubious look he had given her horse and laughed.
�He will not let you fall. He is more reliable than your own feet, and he can take you faster and farther.� She nimbly sprang onto Hallafen�s back. �His coat may be dark as night, but his heart is as pure as gold.�
Novfac looked up quickly. �Maybe it�s not the horse he doubts, but its mistress.�
Nurthuleiel smiled grimly. �I know you know little of me, and trust me not at all, but time will reveal all to you. Perhaps it will reveal more than you want to know. We will see. But we must be on the move now. Rarely does one see this few orcs moving together. There may be more behind or ahead of us.�
Novfac�s mood had suddenly turned dark, but he nodded in agreement. �Yes, we must ride.�
With that, the elves mounted their steeds and set off towards Everlit at a great pace.
After less than an hour of hard riding along the path, Nurthuleiel slowed Hallafen to a halt at the edge of the woods. Hallafen, who had outdistanced the other horses, dropped his head low to the ground and snuff lightly at the now stony path. Nurthuleiel looked around warily. Even Thauralkarion, who was seated behind Nurthuleiel, sensed that something was not quite right.
Nurthuleiel�s hand slowly drifted to her sword hilt. She poke softly to Hallafen, urging him to move forward again. He lifted his head and slowly began to walk, but his eyes fixed on a spot in the brush off the side of the road. Nurthuleiel glanced that way quickly, then kicked her horse into motion. Suddenly she slipped off and landed in a crouch on the path. Thauralkarion lost his balance and nearly fell, but Hallafen sidestepped and did not let him fall. The black horse slowed to a stop and looked back at Nurthuleiel.
�Nurolhim, Hallafen. Allaran lo legranse.� Nurthuleiel�s voice was commanding, and her face calm, but she stood tall and gripped her bow tight.
Hallafen reluctantly turned and cantered a little ways down the path, then stopped.
�Nurolhim!� Nurthuleiel cried.
Hallafen neighed, then galloped hard towards Everlit. Thauralkarion grabbed Hallafen�s mane and held on tight. He could feel the horse�s powerful muscles driving him ever forward. Wind whipped Thauralkarion�s long hair and stung his cheeks.
Suddenly a great noise erupted behind the flying horse. Thauralkarion looked over his shoulder. A large host of orcs had leapt from the bushes and was now assailing the lone elven warrior. Thauralkarion could hear her bow begin singing over the noise of Hallafen�s hooves, and he could see faint glints from the shafts of Nurthuleiel�s arrows as they lanced through the air.
A ring of orcs had surrounded her and were slowly pushing forward. She felled one last orc and reached for another arrow, but her hand came up empty. The orcs took advantage of the sudden halt to the rain of arrows and surged forward.
Nurthuleiel dropped her bow and pulled her sword from its sheath.
The last he saw of Nurthuleiel before the path dipped was the vision of a white and silver warrior standing with sword upraised in an ever closing circle of fell enemies.
Hallafen neighed fiercely and surged forward. Thauralkarion knew Hallafen wished to finish his journey quickly so he could return to his mistress. The journey did not last long. Everlit was not far from the woods, and Hallafen was running as he had never run before.
Before long, Hallafen�s hooves were clattering on the cobbled outer streets of Everlit. He did not need or want guidance. He had seen this city before, long ago. Thauralkarion forgot himself for a moment and leaned forward into the wind, enjoying Hallafen�s speed and surefootedness. But he was soon forced to remember all that had taken place when Hallafen finally came to a halt in front of the king�s hall. Two liveried guards were standing on either side of the arched entrance.
Thauralkarion leapt from Hallafen�s back and ran to them. �Orcs!�
The guards looked at him in surprise. �Where? We have not seen orcs in these parts for many years.�
�On the east road near the woodland borders. They attacked a traveler.�
One of the guards disappeared into the hall. Thauralkarion would have followed, but the other guard stopped him. �Breago will speak with the king. If you were not the son of the Greatheart, we might not even do that.�
Thauralkarion frowned. �But you should be calling a company to ride to the traveler�s aid!�
�I am not sure I believe your claim,� the guard said haughtily. �I cannot even remember a time when our realm was disturbed by the foul creatures.�
�All the more reason to ride. Standing here debating does not help keep our realm free of orcs.� Thauralkarion was growing angry. �Travelers in our land should have our protection!�
The other guard came dashing down the path. �And so they shall by the king�s orders!�
At that moment, a swift group of horses clattered up to the trio. Hallafen neighed a greeting to Novfac as he dismounted. The elf looked in dismay at Hallafen then at Thauralkarion. �Where is Nurthuleiel?�
But even as he spoke, the answer came to him. Grief pulled at his face and he looked down. When he looked up, his face was composed, by his eyes were shadowed with sorrow. �We saw signs of a scuffle, indeed there were many dead orcs circled about one place.�
Realization dawned on Thauralkarion also. �You mean to say that Nurthuleiel was not there?�
Novfac shook his head. �We thought she must have fled with you to Everlit.�
�Then she has been taken, and is not dead!� Cedriac exclaimed.
�She may be taken and dead,� Thauralkarion said darkly.
Deep frustration unveiled itself on Novfac�s fair face. �If not for my errand, I would ride in pursuit of the fell beasts and our companion, but I cannot. I must speak with the lord of Everlit immediately.�
The guard named Breago led Novfac, Thauralkarion, and the other eight into the king�s hall. The interior of the hall, which was long and spacious, was supported by eight golden columns. The king sat on a gilded throne at the end of the hall. A scarlet carpet ran from door to throne. Breago led them before the king, bowed deeply, then returned to his post.
Novfac stepped up and dropped to one knee in front of the king. �I am Novfac, sent by Gildor, the lord of the Grey Havens, to receive payment for a debt of old.�
The king, who was a kindly old man, bid the elf stand. �I have been awaiting your arrival for some time.�
A slight frown tugged at Novfac�s mouth, but it was quickly banished. �My company was delayed many times on our long journey.�
The king nodded knowingly. �I know somewhat of your journeys, for I have not been idle since your kind was last seen here.� The king stood and called Thauralkarion forward. Placing his gnarled old hands on Thauralkarion�s shoulders, he leaned forward and kissed his forehead. �Thauralkarion, son of the Greatheart of Everlit, I release you to whatever chance has prepared for you. May fate smile kindly on you and your companions.�
With that, the old king returned to his seat and took no more notice of the company.
The many questions on Thauralkarion�s lips died at a glance from Novfac. He led the company from the hall and out into the light of day. Their horses were waiting, they had been watered while the company was inside. Novfac mounted, along with the others.
�Hallafen will bear you now, if he will.� Novfac said.
Thauralkarion looked up at Novfac. The elf was seated proudly on his horse, Amrod, but his eyes were sad and tired. �What is all of this about?�
Novfac closed his eyes and let his chin drop to his chest. �Your home is near here, is it not?�
Thauralkarion nodded.
Novfac looked back up and nodded. �There we will take some food and rest, and perhaps then all will be revealed to you.�
Thauralkarion led the others down silent streets and away from the center of the city. The darkness of drawing dusk matched the gloom gathering in their hearts. They all grieved for their fallen comrade, even though non but Galenhyando know her well. Hallafen�s hooves occasionally scraped the road and his head was bowed. He knew his mistress would not be returning.
The ten horses and riders wound their way down through the city streets until they passed through the gates of the city. They rode on the east road for a ways before Novfac stopped them.
�Cedriac, Galenhyando, and I will ride on to the site of the battle and see if we can track the orcs.� Novfac�s face was grave as he spoke. �Thauralkarion will lead you to his father�s house. Wait for us there until we return.�
Then Novfac spurred his horse and disappeared from sight into the thick brush off of one side of the road. Galenhyando followed quickly, and Cedriac was the last to leave the group. He raised a hand in farewell, then he and his fiery steed were gone.
Thauralkarion and Hallafen were still until no more rumor of the three hunters could be heard from the brush. Then he turned to the remaining six. �We should hasten to my father�s house. The night will soon be full, and there is no moon.�
The elves followed Thauralkarion without dispute. There was a fell feel to the air. Thauralkarion led them off the main road and onto a well worn path. They rode along this path for little more than five minutes before they came to a grove of trees that stretched out from the forest. Thauralkarion led them under the eaves of the trees. A large clearing opened before them. In it sat a large, white stone house, not unlike the hall of the king of Everlit.
Before they had reached the house, the door was flung open. A very young man rushed out to greet the company. He stopped when he saw the steed Thauralkarion rode, and the elves he led.
Thauralkarion smiled at the young man. �It�s alright, Numar. These elves are friends.�
They rode up to the house, then dismounted. Numar gathered up the reins of their horses and led them to the stable behind the house. Hallafen stood beside Thauralkarion with his proud head bowed. Numar came back around and up to Hallafen.
�What about this one?� he asked uncertainly.
Thauralkarion laid a hand on the great horse�s neck. �He will come if I call, and I do not think he would suffer himself to be penned.�
Numar nodded, then went back to the stable to tend to the other horses. Thauralkarion led the six elves inside and into a great hall which covered nearly half of the house�s area. A long wooden table surrounded by carved chairs sat at one end of the hall. A fire roared in a recessed cove at the opposite end.
Thauralkarion gave his guests a slight bow. �Make yourselves comfortable. I will prepare some food.�
Novfac, Cedriac, and Galenhyando rode swiftly and silently through the underbrush. Night was closing fast around the three riders as they broke out of the brush and onto a windblown plain. Novfac halted the group and dismounted. He knelt on the ground and studied the orc tracks that they had been following. The orcs had left a clear path in the brush, but on the plains it faded away as the ground grew hard. The wind whipped away most of the footprints in the grass, but in the day a path might be picked out.
Novfac mounted quickly and the elves rode on hard while the daylight lasted. Finally it grew to dark to continue on without the possibility of missing a turn in the path or a telltale sign of escape. The three elves dismounted and settled down for the night. They drew their cloaks close about them for protection against the wind, and against unfriendly eyes. Their horses wandered as they wished, but never went to far from their master�s sides.
As morning dawned, Novfac roused the group and they again took up the trail. The night had erased many signs of the orcs� passage. The elves had followed what was left of the trail for less than half a day before they could no longer make out a trail. They rode on for some time, relying on their sharp eyes for any signs of the orcs. But even elvish eyes cannot see what is not there.
Around midday, Novfac signaled the group to halt. �It seems that we have completely lost the trail. There is nothing left for us to do but return to our companions and continue on with our own journey.�
�But what of Nurthuleiel?� Galenhyando asked in dismay.
Novfac shook his head sorrowfully. �There is nothing more we can do for her. We must trust that her skill as a warrior is greater than theirs.�
To Be Continued...