[Imladris]

Lira

Lira dimly realized that Lumiel was helping her upon the sturdy back of Merkaliel, who nickered anxiously as Lira’s pale hair met the tawny mane of her steed. Fog settle on her brain, dimming her mind and she only distantly heard the instructions of Esgallhugwen.. “Follow Eswen,” she whispered, scratching Merkaliel’s withers.

Forcing herself to sit up straight, Lira devoted all her strength and attention to sitting steadily upon the horse. Ahead of her, Esgallhugwen called to the men and, as her voice resounded through the hills and echoed within the ruins of Fornost, she seemed to morph into a shadowed phantom, dark with deadly power. Her sable cloak drifted in a billowy storm behind her, her voice, laden with chill horror, thundered through the hill; her sword, glinting with pale fire, glittered in her hand as she scoffed at the man who dared to ask her name.

Fear took hold of Lira as she compulsively clutched at the fine mane of Merkaliel. This was not the wounded Esgallhugwen: this was a ferocious demon rising from the curling smoke of the dying fire. Blood lust tainted her voice, her crystal grey eyes laughed mockingly with cold disdain in the face of her enemies. Strength rang from her voice, power flowed through her arm as she flourished her sword.

Waves of dizziness drowned Lira: her mind reeled as she stumbled as she saw the Esgallugwen she knew become the shadowed, dread queen that grew before her. Merkaliel, with a flurry of flying mane and tail, reared to her legs, releasing a horse's scream that wailed with haunting fear. Falling from her perch, Lira fell to the hard ground. She could feel a trickle of blood seep from the bandage as the wound broke open again. Pain burned within her as Lira rose to her feet, the silver dagger clenched in her hand as Merkaliel marshaled herself beside her mistress.

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 1:58 AM December 22, 2003: Message edited by: Imladris ]