[Everdawn]

Gilbereth had died to save them all. And after their ordeal in the cage, Arië was eternally thankful to him, for she was weak, , There were dark circles under her eyes, her hair had lost its glow, her eyes no longer bright but dull and her hands were scraped and bruised. Still she fought along side the other elves. Many elf women had been killed by Rhtalk and the orcs, as they walked around watching them work. It was taking its toll on her. Every drop of blood spilled was another reason for Arië to endure the days of torment and survive for the day which she could take their blood back. Today was this day.
Arië lost count of the number of times she had plunged her dagger into the bodies of orcs which came charging at her. Her entire body was sodden with their blood. With all her arrows long spent, she relied on the charms layed into the blade of her dagger by her ancestors. All the time Ainemention, her dear friend was at her side slaying the foul creatures without mercy. She was thankful to him, for without the friendship and protection of him she would not have been alive so far.

Over and over again she was bathed by fresh orc blood, her hand to hand combat was sharper than ever, despite her weaknesses. No orc could match her for her speed. News came to her form one of the other elves that Rhtalk was slain. Ah! Eru willing we have made it! she said in her heart.

"Ai!" she cried to get Ceros' attention who was now a little further away from her. "The gate!" she called. And began to make her way over ot it. Climbing the wall easily (the ladder had been shattered by orcs) she drew herself into the sentry tower and to her surprise, there was a new quiver of arrows, and another orc. Ducking his blow she rolled and with speed that was barely visible, she jammed her dagger into his skull.

It was then that the young elf gazed upon all that was to be seen. A horror built with my own hands! she cried. Down on the ground Ainemention was out of sight and she searched for him but to no avail. She could see some of the other elves. There came a shout from below. It was Ainemention, and beside him was an orc. It seemed to Arië that in that moment pure terror raged through her heart.

Ainemention was stabbed, the orc-blde still in his breast. Wihtout a second glance at the orc, the elf picked up her bow and found one of the orc-arrows and set it loose into the creature that had injured her friend. Ainemention lay still on the ground. Arië made hast climbing down the wall, leaping from it five metres down and made her way to him.

Ainemention was struggling for breath. "Arië!" he said as loud as he could. Tears now filled her eyes, "Its not so very bad!" she cried, covering the flowing blood and wound from his sight as he struggled to sit up. Arië cradled his head in her arms. "It is" he cholked, his words barely audible, trying to be brave, as he knew as well as Arië that the end was near for him. "You must get out of here, go back to your home. Live you life till you are old in the eyes of the elves!" Arië was in shock. "No, no... you cant... you are going to live! Ainemention!" she was finding it hard to stomach her dear friend's parting words to her. "Arië... Biearyn Arië the Younger... Thankyou for all you have done for me..." with his last strength he reached up and touched her cheek then fell back to the earth. His eyes still open to the dark sky above.

"No!" she screamed, looking into his face. "Dont you dare go! Taurëwen knows what to do..." she cried. "Taurëwen! Come!" she sobbed but she knew it was to late. She closed her dead friend's eyes. Her hands carried the consequences of his last stand.

Arië was shaking when she was dragged along by one of the other elves. She could hardly walk. "Ihwesta!" she called crying when she saw her friend. "Ainemention is dead!" There was pitty in her friend's eyes, and she clung to Ihwesta for a while, as Ihwesta attempted to comfort her heavy heart. Arië knew not whether she should rejoyce in their victory as others were doing, or grieve as she would have done. She decided that Ainemention would have teased her for carrying on so. She remembered the sacrifices her friends had made for her, they had given life and at last they were free.

[ October 09, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]