RP 🎲 RP 36: Redemption

Earitila sighed, and let fly her first arrow. Straight through the the throat of the first orc that held Nildadari. And the second fell dead, an arrow in its eye. For an instant she was free. The third slew one right in the midst of a sword thrust at Turig.

Orcs screamed, and looked around.

The fourth arrow and fifth arrows, took those closest to Alfirin. THe sixth sped straight at the neck of the Great Goblin... This one must hit home!

'Get that elf-witch!' screamed a goblin-guard, blackened tusks protruding from his snarling mouth.

Even as she danced away in the shadows she watched its flight... agonisingly slow it seemed. If she could kill him, then the confusion would aid their escape.

The Great Goblin leapt from his seat in a rage. The arrow struck! But in his thigh... embedding deep into the wiry flesh of his leg.

Three more arrows... three more dead. Now they were all freed but surrounded. She rolled forward under a scimitar swipe, flung her spear to Nildadari, and drew her sword, eyes burning bright.

Nildadari snatched the spear (spear?) out of the air and rammed it through the nearest orc-neck. She then used the butt of the spear as though it were a quarter-staff and took out the orc that had struck Alfirin. Surprised that Turig had been the one to lead the company in her rescue, she paused momentarily and nearly paid for it with her life.

The Great Goblin, maddened almost to blindness, grabbed a crude sword from the floor where it had fallen and began slashing wildly around him, bellowing to his minions to kill the prisoners and damn the Dragon and his foul mutterings! Those orcs nearest Alfirin and Nildadari backed them into a corner. She placed herself in front of the injured Ranger and drew a wicked-looking dagger from her boot, then smiled, screaming defiance in their faces.

Despite her bravado, Nildadari was grabbed and quickly disarmed by two large orcs and flung into a far corner. Alfrin struggled to his feet, calling to the others to save her.

Alfirin was dragged into the mass of orcs leaving Nildadari alone in the corner. The Goblin King ordered a troop of Orcs to go after Earitila.; Despite his rage the orcs were none to happy to do so and only slowly crept into the tunnel.

Turig, although still alone in the cavern was not worried about the odds. He just waded in with his axe. But if more help did not arive soon he would manage only to die with the one he was here to save. He had already felled three of the orcs surrounding Nildadari but was being surrounded himself.

Damn, as we made our ways into the caves, we encountered some Orcs resistance along the way.
I almost let myself loose, but I was able to contain myself. Even thought all this time has passed I still remember my torment in Thangorodrim. Luckily the company had not suffered any losses and we seem to be closer to our destination.
I can almost feel the presence of Turig and Nildadari. I will not be able to live with myself if they become hurt because of aiding me in this quest.
Caimarë led our way into the caves, and it has he that first noticed Turig in a fight against Orcs.
I killed the last Orc that was harrasing him.
Well done Turig, you have done as I hope you would do. Where is Eäritilia and the others?

With the last of the Orcs surrounding Turig and Nildadari dead Maedhros looked around. At the far end of the cavern next to the Great Goblin he could see Alfirin.....

Between them and the company was an army of Orcs, far more than they could hope to fight. The Great Goblin had his crooked sword ready to strike, there was no way that the company could reach him before that blow fell. Alfirin shouted out "Maedhros in the name of the Valar Get Nildadari and the rest out Now".

Alfirin looked up, and in the milisecond of thought he had, he came upon the fact that he had time for one blow. The Orc was far too large to take down in one blow, and blocking his crooked sword would not work. His mind and eyes looked down, and settled upon the gnarled leg of the beast. He brought his sword, heavy from wounds and weakness, up in a desperate stroke. He hit the goblin's knee with a sickening crack, and he fell to the ground with a tremendous crash, his sword flying from his hand.

He turned around and pointed his sword at the goblins. They, being less even than orcs, took two things into conisderation. Their great leader had fallen to a man. This man was standing there, pointing his bloody blade at them. Many of them ran, into the dark recesses of the cave. But there were still a few, maybe ten or so, that would bar his crossing. Alfirin knew that he was in no condition to fight them off, he saw behind him the smouldering remains of their fire. He reached his free hand into his tunic, and pulled from it a small flask. He picked up a half-burnt log and poured the ale on the red end. It ignited in a flash of heat and light. The goblins were startled by the sudden blaze, and retreated a step. Alfirin took the chance, and ran at the right side of the goblins, pouring ale over the one closest to the wall of the cave. He tossed the torch, and the now lighted goblin ran screaming from his opponent, into the rest of the still-standing goblins. In the seconds of confusion he created, he ran toward the end of the cave.

At the entrance he looked up, found a suitable root, and hoisted himself up. He sat there, at the entrance to the cave, hidden in a small bush, while the goblins came, at last with confidence, out to search for he and his companions. He wondered vaugly if they had gotten far enough away...

Eve stood outside of the cave. She had lost the others in the confusion of the attack of the Orcs. Surely they wouldn't have gone in? But, unless her Elf-ears decieved her, there were faint yells and battle cries coming from the darkness that was the cave. Alas for her companions if they had gone in. That place was no doubt filled with Orcs. With a sigh and a heavy heart, she wiped Orc-blood of her blade. There had been a brief scuffle nearby involving herself and the orc-scum, which had ended with those few who had managed to avoid her fierce blows, running in terror. With another sigh, she re-sheathed Vulcan, and prodded Malanna to walk towards the cave. The poor beast was exhausted, and scared out of his wits. She severely doubted he had ever seen an Orc or Goblin before, let alone be joined in a rage-filled battle with a group of them.

As she neared the cave, her aprhension over her companions grew. She dismounted her faithful steed, and continued on foot. She looked around. She saw several dead bodies lying scattered around the floor of the cave. At the sound of a faint moan, she looked up, startled. It was then that she saw Alfarin. "Dear Illuvatar..." she murmured, as she neared him. "What has happened?"

As Alfirin watched the lesser Goblins leave the area Two black arrows of the Orcs came flying out of the cave. One took him in the throat the other in the heart. He fell from the bush dead.

We were aghast when we heard Alfirin's words. We fought our way to the direction of the scream, we heard a struggle and saw several dead Orks in the vicinity then we heard Eve, who was kneeling outside the Caverns, weeping tears. Too late... I thought. We had slained many Orks, yet their numbers were too great for a confrontation, and he had Turig, Nildadari wounded and many others were tired of the battle.

I took Alfirin's body up, we must depart these caves now. We had been able to disrupt the Orks, and it will take them time to follow us. Caimarë and Eve, you must lead us East to these woods, so we can have piece for a while and bury our friend, and attend the wounded.

We must go fast, Caimarë said, these woods are perilious and the Orks will mount a raid and go after us. As we began our March, Caimarë took Eäritilia's supplies while Heregurth took Nildari's.

As I looked at Alfirin's face I wept because of my failure, it was my duty to protect every member of this company and this is the second time that I have failed. Namarië, Alfirin...... I don't know where Men's fëar go after death, but I have seen them depart from the Halls of Mandos to where they go from there I don't know but I have faith that it's a better place.

The dragon I thought...... that filthy beast must have had something to do with this. Even this far away, I still feel his presence, even though I cannot see him, I know that he's there. You will pay for your deeds, evil servant of Morgoth.

Eve had watched in horror when she saw those arrows fly. She had known they would fly true. Surely this was her fault! If only she had run faster! If only she had thought quicker! If only...

Oh! how she had rushed to his side, only to find that she was too late to be any good! It was then she could no longer hold back her tears. As the first hot tears of pain and grief dropped from her eyes, she let out a terrible scream of rage and boundless sadness. Eve murmured softly over his head 'I am so sorry, Alfirin. I should have been able to save you.' And then she had sat quiet and weeping, touching the still-warm hand of her companion's corpse. If only she had been there sooner...

At long last, she heard Meadhros calling her out of her trance-like state. She knew she had not the heart to try to lead them into the woods. She was filled with too much sorrow; too shocked to be of any use. Her kin seemed of little comfort at the moment, for she was too guilt-stricken to think of much else at the moment. It was then she swore that she would have revenge on that Worm who had brought such pain to this Company. It was then, unbeknownst to her and him, that she and Maehdros became allies in yet another cause...

As the company left the cavern with Nildadari and Turig, with one last effort of spite the Goblin King grabed a Bow and arrow from the nearest Orc and shot. The arrow was heading straight for Nildadari!!!!!

As Maedhros walked from the mutilated body, he found something in his hand, something he had not conciously picked up. It was the amulet that he had, so long ago, found curiously hanging from the neck of Alfirin. He looked at it, and suddenly, as though a mist had parted, he recognized it. From ages and ages, and a true lifetime in the past, it came to him. It was the symbol of his house, the symbol of the house of Feanor. His jaw slacked as he stared into it, as though something lay just beyond it's surface, an unknown answer to an unknown question.

And then it came to him, once again from the mist.
It was simple.
It was astounding.
It was painful, a wound to the heart and the soul.

Alfirin had been his nephew, the son of his wandering brother, the minstril Maglor... And he had been too late to save him.
Indeed, he felt, he had more than wrote a license for his death.

Nildadari was saddened by the noble death of Alfirin and failed to see the peril speeding toward her. Pain and darkness filled her mind and she only knew that she was grateful for the rescue by her friends.

The Goblin King laughed harshly, triumph in his voice, yet to Nildadari, in her present state, he could do no worse than he had done and she had no more fear of him, only of the closeness and dark of the caves themselves.


Outside, perched far above them on the mountain's west-ward face, was Magnus, watching eagerly as the company began to emerge from the cave. His tongue lolling in anticipation, the great Dragon prepared to start a land-slide that, with any luck, would diminish the company further.

Nildadari could no further, no matter how much Turig cursed her and urged her to move. Some blackness had settled on her spirit, she stood stock still on the slope leading down to the rest of the companions, her pale face a mask. The Brigand knew not what to do, surely there were orcs abroad in the foothills.

'Damn you Elf-maid!' Turig cursed. 'You'll get us both killed! We must move, and quickly too!'

Nildadari stared blankly at him, did she even know he was there? It was then that the shot came speeding from the shadows. Turig caught the faint hum of an ill-fletched arrow, and diving at the Elf-maid, knocked her to the ground. The two of them tumbling some distance down the rocky slope.

And as the two of them lay there, tangled together in uneasy embrace, and with Nildadari's breath playing sweetly across his face, Turig leant down and placed a kiss upon the soft-curve of her lips. Unknowingly almost, yet to him it seemed the most natural thing in the world; as natural as killing...

Turig's kiss awoke her from the mist that had shrouded her mind and she lay for a moment in his arms, the taste of his lips on hers. Suddenly her eyes widened in horror as she stared upward and beheld the Dragon. She screamed, grabbed Turig and rolled aside under an out-cropping of rock as from above rocks came crashing down the mountain-side.

The others had managed to flatten themselves just inside the cave-mouth and as soon as the dust settled, they moved quickly down the slope, in hopes of finding Turig and Nildadari still alive. The fact that the Goblin King was still very much alive hastened their departure greatly.

Seeing the company scatter down the slope, Magnus launched himself from his high perch and dove down upon Maedhros, who turned swiftly and raised his sword defiantly. "Come ahead, fell beast!" he cried. Greater among your kind have I fought and yet lived!" Magnus slitted his eyes and hung in the air above them. "Brave words Elf-lord! Are you yet brave enough to save those whom you seek? I have rumour of thier dwelling place at long last. Soon their ancient guardian will think himself too cunning and my time will come to consumate your ruin!" The great Dragon laughed cruelly and spouted gouts fo flame down at the company before winging away north-eastward.

Dust was swirling around the company, finally settling. In that moment, the small band of companions scattered. Eve stood alone, with no one beside her. She lunged out of the cave, hand on sword-hilt, blinking in the sunlight. Above her, the sun's light was momentarily blocked out by a terrifyingly large something. Looking up, she saw Magnus and flashes of fire, and not so far away from where she stood, she heard Maehdros curse it. Eve herself could hardly keep a harsh and bitter diatribe behind her lips, but in the end she did. "Maehdros, come! Help me find the others. We've barely enough time as it is. Those foul creatures will be out from under the mountain as soon as the sun's light is gone. We must be on our way to Mirkwood by then," she said. "Come!"

With powerful strokes of his wings, Magnus headed for the western edge of Mirkwood. A certain wizard was known to dwell there and it had only recently been discovered by his spies for certain that he harboured two companions. These companions, both Elves it had been told him, had been observed being changed into bears. His tongue lolled in evil satisfaction. Radagast the old fool! He must be slipping not to think that someone would eventually discover his charges.

What a stroke of luck! Now he would have his revenge on one of the most ancient Houses among Elves and send Maedhros back to Mandos, vow uncompleted. His joy was such that he scorched an entire flock of sheep as he flew over and never bothered to eat a one of them.

Not far from the cave entrance, Barahir dispatched the last orc left above ground, and slowly sank to the ground in exhaustion. What orcs lack in skill or intelligence, they made up for in numbers. After most of the company had gone down the tunnel, the foul orcs had blocked the entrance it, stopping Barahir from entering. More had come up from the woods, a hunting party of some sort apparently. Barahir had been forced to retreat to the trees to avoid being surrounded. Barahir feared the worst for his friend Alfirin, and although he was no King or elf-warrior, the orcs stood no chance against his wrath. Nonetheless, it had been a close call. The orcs were almost too many.
Sitting against a tree, Barahir assessed his situation. He was not seriously injured, but had many small wounds on his arms and legs. Pulling himself to his feet, walked towards the cave, hoping to find his friends. He arrived just in time to see the dragon fly away. A quick glance at the scene told him what he feared. Alfirin lay lifeless on the ground. Guilt crossed his mind fleetingly, but passed. The past could not be changed; Alfirin would not have wished to have his life saved by another anyway. Barahir knelt down beside his friends' body, kissed his lifeless brow, then bowed his head. His grief was too great for tears.

Yes, he must make haste. The others are hereby, I can hear their voices now. Come, I yelled, the dragon is in haste and heading east. Eve and the others begin to gather around. The dragon mocks me, for he knows of my torment and pain, and he would like nothing more than kidnap the twins that I once searched in Doriath.
As for the Orks, i don't think they will dare hinder us. If they come nevertheless, I will deal with them.
Caimarë and Eve, please lead our way. Our time grows short.

The company made haste to leave that place of sorrow. The death of Alfirin had affected them all - Maedhros more than most. Yet another follower fallen into darkness, another companion lost. His mood was darker than the clouds gathering about the mountain heights. Just when leadership was needed the elf-lord had withdrawn into a world of pain.

They made the eastern foothills at nightfall, and making a cheerless camp amongst the rocky scree the company bedded down for the night. Most of their provisions had been lost in caves of the Great Goblin, and there were still many leagues to cross before they reached the eaves of the Mirkwood.

It would be a weary march.