Vaniel, My Heart

Vaniel, My Heart
Chapter 29: Chapter 29 - Shadows
by Sienna
Vaniel, My Heart
Chapter 29 - Shadows
by Sienna Dawn

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Chapter 29 - Shadows

Swiftly the elves ran, Rumil in the lead, another beside Vaniel and the third following behind. She was grateful to the Healers of Imladris, who had stubbornly insisted after her rescue from the Wild Men that she work out her limbs every day. They had set for her a grueling program of running, climbing, swimming and other physical activities. Now, she realized, it came in very handy, for without it she would not be able to keep up. Although she knew the warriors were able to sprint at twice the speed they maintained at present, she was thankful they slowed down for her sake, since she was already sprinting at her top speed.

The smells of burning wood seemed to come from all sides now, but the smoke was less thick and the lit embers barely discernable in the dark. Yet, they could make out the cries of the elves within the deep wood as they attempted to round off the fires by collapsing the talans high on the mallorns, stripping their branches and clearing the forest floor, in an attempt to close off the fires and keep it from spreading.

After what seemed like hours, they came to a clearing and Vaniel heard the rushing sound of water. The Anduin. But the warriors kept themselves still hidden in the dark, only one venturing forth into the open of the river banks. This was a very risky thing to do since the Moon above cast a silvery sheen on the grasslands and the short shrubs. Anyone with a keen eye would have easily seen the elf as he crouched and swiftly made for the river banks.

The plan was to divert any would-be attacker toward this lone elf. He was quite literally using himself as bait so the others could cross the river further ahead where the light of the Moon was not so revealing.

Just then something whizzed past Vaniel's head and she turned. Her eyes wide with horror, she saw the elf drop, an arrow embedded deep in his forehead, blood spurting from the wound.

Vaniel stifled a scream, her spirit constricting in sorrow for the brave elf. The others were already releasing their arrows. But their attacker was quickly moving from tree to tree, using the cover of the wide mallorn for concealment.

Vaniel was grabbed by the arm and pulled flat to the ground against the trunk of a mallorn. She heard a whispered, "Stay here."

Rumil had already headed off and Vaniel could not see him or the other elf. Her anguished eyes returned to the fallen elf, laying still by the river, the Moon casting an ethereal silver glow over his body.

There were noises, shouts and heavy footsteps, but Vaniel did not look. That a proud elven warrior died protecting her was abhorrent to her and she could not allow others to die.

So, she stood suddenly and called in a clear voice, "Eodwyn of Gondor!" Her voice rang out in the forest.

Abruptly all sound ceased in the area. She knew the elves had heard her and so had their attacker.

An elf quickly appeared out of nowhere and pulled her back down to the ground, 'Nay!" His gray eyes locked with her own, "This is folly, my Lady." His hands held her down by the arm.

But Vaniel fought free of the elf's grasp and stood again, "Eodwyn! I am here!"

High atop the branches Rumil watched the unfolding scene. Surely, he thought, Vaniel had lost her senses! She was going to give herself to the man his brother suspected of starting the fires? Just then a small sound came to his ear and he stilled, willing his breathing to slow, his eyes scanning the area of the sound.

There! He thought with satisfaction. Slowly, he brought an arrow to the great Galadhrim bow, readied it so silently that not even the glowflies were disturbed and he took aim.

Down below, the elven warrior desperately tried to keep Vaniel on the ground, but she was able to slip his grasp. "Lady", and he again nearly tackled her to the ground, "you must not do this! We do not yet know who our enemy is."

Vaniel fixed her glare on the elf, "I do...it is Eodwyn of Gondor. He has tracked us here." She tried to break free of the warrior's hold.

As Vaniel and the warrior argued, a shout came from the trees and an arrow came flying toward them. The elven warrior's eyes were keener and his reflexes faster than Vaniel's, and he lunged toward her, covering her with his own body. She felt the thud of his heavy body on hers and then the low grunt. Quickly, she realized he had taken an arrow meant for her and she tenderly turned him over. A large arrow was buried deeply into his leg, his eyes filled with pain, he whispered, "Please, my Lady, stay!"

But Vaniel had had enough and she stood. "Eodwyn, desist and I shall come with you."

"Nay!" came the pained whisper from the fallen elf. "Do not do this, my Lady!"

Just then a low laugh came from high above them, "I thought elves were the best at everything." A sardonic laugh followed by a rustling of the trees.

On the ground, the injured elf whispered for Vaniel's hearing only, "Rumil, my Lady...do not move, please!"

Vaniel understood. Rumil was nowhere in sight! She decided to try and bring Eodwyn out of hiding, or at least distract him.

Looking about her, speaking at the trees, Vaniel announced in a clear voice, "I will come with you only if you allow the wounded warrior to live."

The laugh came again, "Oh certainly I will let him live. I want him to tell Haldir what happened, and how one man bested the elves!"

Vaniel's eyes were not as keen as the others but she sensed Eodwyn's presence nearby. She slowly turned her head, trying to see into the shadows and the gloom, willing herself to be calm, to think rationally. She knew Rumil was still out there, somewhere. Perhaps there was a way to end the entire situation without further violence to anyone.

With this thought in mind, Vaniel answered Eodwyn, "That can be done if you will put your weapons down and show yourself."

But Eodwyn had seen through her ruse, "I do not think that is wise, my Lady, for I counted three elves and only two are fallen."

Vaniel was about to respond but was silenced by the low rustling of trees high above her and she raised her head. Frowning, she thought that Rumil would not be so loud in his movements, and neither would Eodwyn.

Crouching down by the fallen elf at her side, she scrutinized the branches above them as the rustling sounds grew louder and more obvious. Someone high above them wanted his presence known.

Without turning her head, Vaniel whispered to the elf on the ground, "Can you see who it is?"

"Nay," came the response from the injured elf. "I can only see a silhouette and even that is shadowed."

Vaniel frowned and the elf spoke again, "Please, lay still, my Lady. Something moves in this wood and it is neither friend or foe."

Vaniel felt a sudden chill in her heart and her thoughts flew to Haldir. Just then a low moan came from the high tree tops....a thin, low pitched wail like the mewling of a newborn kitten. In the dark of the wood it was eerie and Vaniel felt the icy grip of fear stab her heart.

"What is that?" Her voice low.

"I know not, my Lady." Came the elf's reply, his voice too laced with apprehension.

The wail turned into a loud moan, as if the wind were trapped within the great boughs of the mallorn above them. It keened a wordless lament that was full of sorrow and dread. It was a horrible sound that reminded the elves of souls lost in torment.

High above Vaniel and the wounded elven archer, Rumil's eyes scanned the tree tops and the branches below him. The wailing had grown in intensity and he knew at once the source of the sound. Knowing Eodwyn was close by, he could not call out for fear of giving his position away, and so he waited silently, hoping the source of the wail would move on and leave them alone to play out this drama to its conclusion.

Eodwyn, who lay well concealed by wide mallorn branches, had no idea he was being watched. Triumphant in having succeeded in felling two elves as well as tracking the entire group without being detected, he had missed the quick movements of Haldir's youngest brother. Although he knew the third elf was somewhere in the deep forest, he was not so worried about him for he full well knew that if he just as much as threatened one hair of Vaniel's head, the elf would sacrifice himself. Thinking he had the upper hand, Eodwyn had failed to see that he was now being tracked by a thing that neither knew fear nor mercy.

Leaning a few inches toward the edge of his well-concealed niche, Eodwyn stared down at Vaniel's head and the fallen elf laying at her side. Watching her from his vantage point, he was able to take in her shape and form, and he fancied he even caught her scent....a mixture of spices and flowers and he closed his eyes, desire coursing through him. His nostrils recognized her aroma as it neared him, wafting close to his face. Yet, his mind reasoned, how could that be for Vaniel was a good distance away from him and his senses were not as keen as elven ones. Yet, the scent of spices was so near.

Realizing his mistake too late, Eodwyn's eyes flew open. Instantly, his instincts for self-preservation took over and he reeled back. That scent was not Vaniel's he realized. Turning quickly, he came face to face with a set of bright eyes that stared into his own, inches away from his face. Its gaze was neither malevolent or indifferent, but it was curious and it was blank. It watched him for a moment, and Eodwyn realized it was a woman...or something female, for its hair was dishevelled, its face bathed in shadow. Trying to put distance between the female and himself, Eodwyn pushed his back further into the sturdy trunk of the tree. At once the creature's eyes widened and it lunged.

Rumil heard the crash before he saw Eodwyn's body thrown down. He watched the man's body catapult from the branch of a tree and then topple to the ground below. Judging from the way the man's head lolled before it was thrown, Rumil suspected he had already been killed seconds before. A loud grunt, followed by a scuffle and a thin keen, and then silence.

Looking up, Rumil forced his eyes to penetrate the gloom. Too late, he thought sadly.

Vaniel watched in horror as something thudded to the ground. Her eyes widened when she realized it was Eodwyn's body, splayed out on the ground before her. Eyes open and staring, blood trickling from slightly parted lips. The elf beside her grasped her by the wrist and forced her down.

"Do not move!" He whispered, an arrow already notched and waiting to be released, the elf pushed himself to a sitting position, Eodwyn's arrow still protruding from his leg.

This time Vaniel obeyed and silently watched Eodwyn's body, horrified at the waste of lives this night had brought all of them. Guilt washed over her spirit, thinking that the bloodshed had been because of her.

Just then, Rumil descended swifly from his hiding place and approached her. His quick eyes scanned her, and Vaniel nodded to him that she was well. Seeing to the injured archer, Rumil spoke quietly as he worked to place a torniquet on the elf's leg. "We must clear the Anduin at once." His voice was low but both elves heard clearly.

Yet it was Vaniel who answered, "And what of the others?" Her eyes turned to Rumil.

Rumil paused momentarily, as his eyes flickered over Eodwyn's body. "We leave them as they are." He turned back to the injured elf.

"We cannot do that, Rumil!" Vaniel's voice was anguished and shocked at his suggestion.

Rumil finished tending the wound and was now helping the elf to stand. Looking briefly at his brother's wife, he said firmly, "We leave them as they are, Vaniel."

Vaniel considered for a moment and then silenced herself, seeing some of Haldir in Rumil and realized he was probably right. Whatever had killed Eodwyn may not be travelling alone and it was best not to disturb the bodies. Lorien had no predatory animals and so the fallen could be retrieved later. Beside, there were the other elves still left in the woods, so perhaps Rumil meant to leave the others behind as a grim reminder. She shuddered and turned her face away, walking a few feet.

"Stay close, Vaniel." Rumil instantly called, "for something in this wood is still tracking us." His eyes raised to the tree tops and then came to rest on her face. "Dawn is a few hours away yet and we are not in the clear. We must ford the Anduin as quickly as possible. Can you swim?"

Vaniel shook her head, so many things at once. What did Rumil mean when he said something in the woods was still tracking them? She answered Rumil as she came around to help the wounded archer hobble toward the clearing that led to the river's edge.

"Yes, Rumil," Vaniel answered, taking the elf's bow in her hand and carrying it for him. "I can swim."

"Good," Rumil answered, relief evident in his voice, "for we have no boats and so we swim to the other side. I will have to help Olmiel."

Vaniel understood. Slinging the bow on her back, she followed the limping elf as he leaned heavily on Rumil. The clean scent of the Anduin was close now and in moments they came to the open banks of the river. Its waters were calm and clear, the Moon's pale silver light reflecting against the river's surface. The Anduin looked as if it was made out of liquid silver.

Wading carefully into the cool waters, the three elves slowly advanced and soon only their heads could be seen bobbing silently as they crossed to the other side.

Minutes later they emerged from the river, quickly making for the cover of the woods, Rumil and Olmiel stopped briefly to glance back at the river. Satisfied they were not followed, the trio set off for Erys Lasgalen and the safety of East Lorien. Haldir's instructions had been to get word of the fires to Thranduil, but Rumil now also worried about his other brother, Orophin.

Worried blue eyes scanned the forest as they moved as quickly as possible. Where was Orophin? Rumil's mind repeated the question ceaselessly. Where was Orophin?

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[to be continued...]