[Lyra Greenleaf]

Lara heard the footsteps of the children grow quieter as the drumming of the Orc's feet came closer and closer. She cast around for rocks, half blind with tears. She couldn't check that the other women were preparing themselves, she just had to trust them.

As the first monster came within range she cast down a rock at his head with all her strength. It stumbled, then got up. She had slowed it down, but it suddenly hit her with unescapable clarity that none of the women were going to get out.
All we can do is keep them here until the children have got far enough away, and hope they have not the wit to seperate and send half after the children.

With a gulp she picked up another rock and threw it at an approaching Orc. This one stayed down for a longer time, but they had reached the women now. Lara wiped away her tears with the back of her hand and deliberately straightened her back. I will make Ered and Laila proud, she thought grimly. She heard the sound of footsteps behind her and span, bringing yet another rock down firmly on an Orc's forehead. This time he didn't get up.

Turning again, Lara spotted a figure lying crumpled on the floor. It was Georelelia.
"No!" Lara wished she could see if her friend lived or not, but it was impossible.
'The best I can do for you is try to make sure that your daughter, and mine, will have a chance' she whispered to herself, once again scooping up stones and rocks.

She never saw the sword that killed her. There was a sudden sharp pain in her side, and then Lara fell to the floor. Darkness quickly claimed her, but somehow Lara thought that there was also an image of Ered, smiling.
Eru watch over my daughter, she thought vaguely as life, and pain, and grief all ebbed away with her blood.