[Annunfuiniel]

Everything happened in a flash. Others had darted off the room to protect the maids and the children. From the corner of his eye Annunfuin caught a glimpse of Cartil stepping slowly backwards, sword raised. Only a few seconds later there was a sound of metal clanging to the floor. Annunfuin swung around just when Laurel let out a cry "Cartil!!". Air whistled and the first darts hit the floor at his feet.


Annunfuin felt he had barely drawn his sword from the scabbard when Laurel had already fended off the first assault. What madness has taken her? She'll get herself killed in no time! Annunfuin frowned. But presently he had to disengage his mind from these thoughts. Laurel had gone after Cartil and his captor and Annunfuin’s heart urged him to follow her. But reason prevailed and he turned to consider the situation.


His gaze met a pair of gleaming green eyes. For a second they stood there face to face, sounds of battle about them; the grey Gondorian and the Swan Lady.


"Why did you stay?" Taralphiel asked Annunfuin in a tone that made him feel like some young rascal disturbing her afternoon rest. He needed no time to think for the answer.


"Stay with your King! That has been my order as long as I can remember." he spoke gravely. "In this House and this land You are the King and the Queen and it is my duty to stay and guard You, Milady." Annunfuin bowed low and then extended his sword in a token for his allegiance. Just then fierce cries filled the air and heavy footsteps drew quickly near.


"Well, my lad, seems you’ll get a chance to act on your duty at once", the Swan Lady said as earnestly as Annunfuin right before her but he saw a bright flash in her eyes that in other conditions could easily have been interpreted as amusement. Indeed, despite the situation Annunfuin had to grin: no one had called him a 'lad' in over thirty years!


Feeling suddenly younger and ready for battle Annunfuin dashed to the doorway. It was relatively narrow and easier to defend than the open room behind him – there he could meet his enemies one by one. If they have only swords I may have a chance to delay them… he thought just as the van of the assailants emerged from round the corner.


The first man rushed straight towards him. Annunfuin sprung to the right and his blade gashed the man’s back. In the next moment he blocked a strike and made a quick counterblow. Marble dyed red with blood. Keep your eye on the enemy. Defence and stroke, defence and stroke… rules learned in childhood ran still in his head, though unconsciously. The sword rose and fell in the dwindling light. Storm came over them. Lightning flashed and the following thunder drowned the cries of agony.

Six had fallen in front of the doorway but there were at least another half dozen Wild Men to come. Annunfuin started to feel weary and slowly he was forced to retreat back to the room. Right then, as the situation started to look severe, an unlooked-for aid came to him. A carefully aimed silver dagger whirled through the air and hit its target. Another soon followed. Annunfuin glanced over his shoulder and saw Taralphiel standing tense, ready to throw again. With renewed hope he turned back to face the enemy.


Just then Laurel tumbled to the cliff-side room and Annunfuin saw at once she was hurt. Wild gaze in her eyes she fought her way to her grandmother, just in time. But now the Wild Men were pushing to the room from every passage. Like every experienced soldier in that situation Annunfuin started a slow retreat towards the throne. Together he and Laurel could defend the Swan Lady for quite a long time, maybe till the others would come – or till the bitter end.


But Laurel had no mind to draw back and wait. She rushed forward, slashing and beating blindly and many of the Wild Men shrank in the sight of the berserker. But still they were too many. Fear filled Annunfuin’s heart and mind as he saw her charge.


"Eru, guard her!" he managed to stammer out. Then, dropping all caution, he leaped forward, his clear shout ringing in the air:


"Rómenril! Rómenril for Gondor!"


As an immediate answer to his call the rest of the defenders plunged to them. But it was too late! Annunfuin let out a desperate cry as he watched Laurel slump to the floor. Elven arrows whizzed in the air and the enemy was scattered. Defence and stroke! Annunfuin cleared his way to Laurel’s motionless, bloodstained body and kneeled down beside her. The Wild Men were retreating but now their black darts answered to the firing of the Elves.


"She’s alive!" Annunfuin called to the others, heedless of the arrow-rain. Annanoldowen and the Dark Elf were soon on his side and started to carry the young maiden out of the cross-fire. Right then, behind them, rose a dark figure from amongst the slain. Dirk gleamed as lightning stroke. Before the crash rolled over them Annunfuin turned and thrust his sword through the wretched body. The Elves and Laurel were safe.


But finally a blindly shot bolt went home. Annunfuin was just releasing his blade from the corpse as the venomous dart pierced his right thigh. He never lost hold of his sword though pain flushed through his body. Instinctively he grabbed the feathered shaft and pulled. Blood felt almost hot on his cold hands. He staggered a few steps forward before a black veil obscured his sight. Last thing he felt was the poison burning in his veins. Rómenril still in his hand Annunfuin sank into deep unconsciousness and fell to the blood-red floor.