[Ithaeliel]

Feadhros spent arrow after arrow against his foes. Many Easterlings fell who rushed him, and the scout was surprised at their numbers. He had to run and grab used arrows out of the bodies of the dead in order to have enough to fight, for he carried no melee weapon at all. Looking over at Garen, Feadhros watched the man as he swiftly killed a man who seemed twice his bulk. The elf gave a small smile. He had expected the lame man to be of little use in battle, but he was wrong. Garen had certainly proved himself and his house a worthy ally of Lorien. He had carried out his word to protect and aid the people of the Golden Wood. Feadhros admired his nobility and valiance, thinking he was a valuable companion and a great ambassador of his house.

A vicious yell went up as a large Easterling warrior ran at Feadhros, his saber flailing. Thwip! The young elf strung and arrow, pulled it back and let it fly in one swift motion. The Easterling gave a yelp as the arrow pierced his heart and fell onto his back, never to rise again. Feadhros relaxed, and looking around saw that there were few potential adversaries left in the camp. He glanced again at Garen, who drove his sword backwards into the knee of a man, turning around... only to lock his blade with another Easterling.

*************

Ru-Sahn glared menacingly at his opponent through their locked swords. It was a man, like him, but dressed in Elvish fashion. Looking down, he saw the man had only one good foot. His eyes met his enemy's, and Ru-Sahn came to a shocking realization. "No... it cannot be," he whispered. Their blades lowered between them almost unconsciously. "Garen LiLorian?" Ru-Sahn said, unsure of what to believe.

Garen looked at him in a mix of terror and confusion. "Telegar...? After all these years... what has happened to you?"

Easterlings and Noldoli alike looked on expectantly as Ru-Sahn and Garen stepped away from each other. There had to be a story behind this. Perhaps they would finally find the truth about Ru-Sahn's elusive past.
The weaponsmith's eyes shifted anxiously around at all the spectators. He glared as he began to back away. "So here it ends," he muttered. "No more am I an Easterling." He threw down his sword and looked about again. Then his tongue spoke again the Quenya language. "You've always wondered where Ru-Sahn the silent one came from," he called out, so that the elves understood and the Easterlings did not. "Now you will know."

[ March 17, 2003: Message edited by: Ithaeliel ]