Bali stood upon the wall, axe in hand. Despite the army which he could now hear in the distance, he felt a strange calm. Truely, this was where he needed to be. Protecting his home.
Eruantalon stood next to him, gazing out at the torches which were appearing over the hill on the horizon. The enemy had come. Fifteen-thousand strong, equiped with pikes, spears, swords, axes, knives, bows and a number of other cruel implements. Soon the entire army could be see, marching slowly along the flat landscape. They poured over the hill like ants, never ending. The army spread out, surrounding the fortress at a distance. Yet still they came, a never-ending stream of black. They brought large siege weapons, pushed by large groups of Uruks. Once the castle was surrounded, and the last of the Uruk Hai had come over the hill, all motion stopped. The army stood still, waiting for their leader.
Walking slowly, two men came within hearing range of the gate. "Dwarves of Erebor, we have no want to destroy you, as will happen if you refuse this offer of peace. If you send the elves and rangers down to us, we will leave your mountain alone. They will be held as prisoners for bartering, later."
From nearby on the wall, Bali heard Arlome mutter; "If only, you old fool, if only I could go down to you."
The hoods of the two were thrown back. All the members of the company recognized Kaldon, but the other was a stranger to them. He was obviously Galdon, Kaldon's father.
Bali then spoke to them, clear and loud. "I will have no dealings with a meddler and a murderer, nor a warlord such as yourself. We have defeated your son, as we will you. Send your worst against us. Erebor will be your grave."
A hail of shafts from the wall sent ripples of death into the ranks of the Uruks. They charged, while Galdon and his son hurried out of arrow range. Eruantalon aimed his bow and fired. "And so it begins, my friend."
[ April 13, 2003: Message edited by: Himaran ]
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