Isilme

A/N: I’m soooo sorry! I know it’s been like ages since I last posted… but here you have it, a fresh new chappie =)


Chapter 5

Her mind was made! She took a quick glance around the room, scanning to find some important things she couldn't have herself leaving behind. She quickly placed her scabbard around her hips and grabbed her hooded cloak and a small bag to carry some smaller things.

When, glancing around one last time, her eyes met a beautiful and silver hairbrush with leaves and flower motives on it. She needn't a second thought over it to put it inside the bag. While leaving her house, Isilme raised her hand, gripping the silver crescent necklace, previously swinging swiftly over her silk chest (1). These two objects were of special importance to her since they were some of her mother belongings.

The air was chilling as she stepped out of the door frame. Grey and heavy clouds were swiftly spreading across the sky, preventing the shy sun to cast its rays upon the soil. But soon enough, her attention was drawn by something different: hordes of orcs had just entered the village's borders. Isilme could now clearly distinguish every single blood thirsty and horrible scream getting ever clearer. She lost no time in alerting the village.

"Yrch! Orcs!"_ Isilme was now screaming at the top of her lungs in the village's central square.

She started running towards Lani's house but the orcs were already too close.

Isilme caught the piercing sound of arrows cutting through the air. In less than a split second Isilme dodged, getting the arrow to miss her by mere inches.

Isilme looked around: hundreds of orcs were now flooding and spreading through all and every street.

Her hand travelled quickly to the hilt of her sword. She immediately drew the magnificent blade, just in time to block an incoming attack.

The adrenaline and the emotion were raising fast at every sword's movement, at every orc slashed through and dropped dead.

She needed to get near Lani as fast as she could! She wouldn't ever excuse herself for not being fast enough, if something was to happen to Lani.

Glancing quickly, Isilme saw the villagers fighting with everything they could, though she knew they would not hang on much longer.

Isilme finished off the two orcs nearer her by running the blade across one's chest and cutting the head off of the other.

Realising the breech created after the fall of these last two orcs, Isilme started running again. She was now almost flying.

In no time she reached the house. With a kick the door flew right open. She steadied her sword, readying for a possible attack. Nothing!

It was quite dark inside. And once more the memories were coming back.

Drops of blood hitting her face. Isilme slowly raised her head, only to see what she did not want to: her mother's motionless body lying across the floor. No! Not again!

She suddenly opened her eyes breaking out of unconsciousness.

She found herself stepping over a puddle of blood, sticky and dark blood. orcs' blood! Some meters ahead an orc body could be seen on the floor.

Quickly but silently Isilme entered the room.

"No!..._ Isilme whispered while kneeling over Salah and softly caressing her hand. At this the woman weakly opened her eyes.

"Lani. she's in the kitchen."_ her speech was low and continuously interrupted by pain grimaces_ "Please Isilme, take her and go!..."

"No! I won't leave you! You know I can't."

"Do as you must Isilme! You know better than that. I won't go anywhere, not like this. And if you and Lani stay!...

I'm dieing Isilme. Save my child please! Do it for us and for all that we've been through!... Do it for me!"

The grip of Lani's mother on Isilme's hand started to fade and she drew her last breath. That last expression on her face, those eyes begging for the life of her child. Isilme could never deny that request! Isilme's face was now filled with tears cascading down her cheeks. She placed a warm kiss on the woman's now cold and soaked brow.

"Namarië mellonamin! "(2)_ with that she got up and ran towards the kitchen.

Lani was hiding under the table, curled up, with her head between her knees. Isilme grabbed her and she answered back by running her arms around Isilme's neck. They got out of the house, with Isilme carrying Lani in her arms, and started running.

There were dead bodies all over the place: some of them were orc bodies, but most of them were human ones!... They were being slaughtered!

An orc was closing fast in on Isilme. She had only time to put Lani down safely and dodge slightly. But not enough though!... The orc's blade cut her lower belly. She gasped, trying to control the agony scream fighting to get out! She held out her sword and, skilfully swinging it around, killed the orc with only two strikes.

She fell to her knees pressing her arm tightly against the open wound. Blood started pouring through the wound and dripping from her fingers.

She knew they could not linger! Breathing harshly she raised herself from the ground. Her keen sight detected some orcs running in their direction. Isilme lifted Lani into her arms and ran as fast as she possibly could away from the village and deep into the woods.

Isilme ran non-stop for hours with Lani covered by her cloak. Only long after the slightest sound of orcs' screams had ceased did Isilme stopped. She softly laid Lani down to the ground. She looked down at Lani checking for wounds and making sure no harm had come to the girl.

"Sweetie, are you alright? Have they harmed you in any way?"_ she asked running her hand across Lani's cheek, caressing her softly_ "Are you unharmed?”

Lani nodded, a weak smile played in her lips but fear was very present in her eyes. Dark and vile things did she see, things no one should ever be forced to witness. Now Lani’s innocence had been tainted and forever more would her memory be stained with dreadful visions of the huruks and their blood-thirst.

Isilme placed her left hand on Lani's shoulder, her eyes saddened with sorrow for she knew the burden the mortal girl would now carry until the rest of her days. The girl could no longer hold back her emotions and started crying. Isilme was now rocking Lani back and forth, whispering reassuring words in her ears. The horror and sorrow had been too much for Lani to stand and she cried herself to sleep in the eldar’s arms.

Salah was dead… The fact hadn’t even sunk on the girl yet and already she was too fragile because of the day’s events to cope with it. Lani couldn't go trough what she had gone trough! How could she have let this happen?