Lady of Battle

The Border part II


The elves at their posts showed obvious relief to see their comrade’s arrival and with excitement began to descend from the talans to help their friends dismount and settle in. It was a marvelous encampment. Looking around, Brenauth felt sheer pride for the elves and their commander for the good work they were doing. The talans were high in the trees and very strategically placed. They faced toward the city, into the realm and she noticed while walking toward the outer side which faced toward the south, so that the leaves and treetops completely camouflaged to elves within. They could comfortably remain inside and not worry whether they were being seen by an enemy, while keeping a watchful eye for any trying to enter the realm.
"We are very proud of these newer talans." The young Elvin warrior proudly told Brenauth how they had went about the construction. He had been there throughout the entire process and Brenauth was finding this discussion quite pleasant.

"Who designed these talans?" Brenauth was very impressed and would like to know how this person had come to these designs.

"The March warden, my Lady." The young warrior gave her the answer with a tone as if she shouldn't have had to ask the question but should have already known the answer.

"Yes, I have heard of him." She had heard the decision made when the Lady and Lord had wished to make an overseer for the commanders at the different posts along the borders. There had been communication problems with these commanders and the Lord and Lady did not have time to see to this. They had decided to charge this leader with full power to do his will, in order to see to the safety of the realm. She had agreed that the decision to create such a position was needed. But she had never known or met the one they had chosen. She only required to know things of which directly applied to her own duties or decisions and nothing more. It kept her life simple and her mind clean and clear.

"I will have to meet this commander when I return to Caras Galadhon." She was about to dismiss herself and had turned to walk to her horse when the young warrior interrupted.

"There is no need to wait my Lady. He is here at this post today." He motioned in the direction of one of the talans and glance back at Brenauth in a manner asking if he should lead her to this March warden. She looked up at the talan and nodded her head to give the young elf permission to lead the way.

They climbed the ladders and once she had retained her balance on the platform, she looked around to see three other elves standing as if waiting for something. They all immediately bowed to her and she returned the gesture. There was another room joined to the one they were all in and she could hear that there was counsel being conducted within. She heard a very warm and clear, solemn voice and listened as it gave instruction to a soldier. She could see the elf that was being counseled through the doorway but could not see the March warden. With a bow and the usual salute given to a higher ranking officer, the soldier turned and left the room, walking past Brenauth, to which he bowed, and began to descend the ladder.

Immediately the young elf walked into the room the informed the commander that a counsel member from the city wished to meet with him at this time and she heard him stand form his bench and bid the elf to bring her inside.

She entered and once she was well inside the room she turned to find that she knew this March warden quite well. She froze and without revealing any expression, of which she had perfected over the centuries, and she silently appraised this warrior.

He stood tall and straight; taller then any elf she had encountered in the realm. He stood proud and it reminded her of the elves of her true home. He had the demeanor of the eldar ones and it took her slightly by surprise to see one in this day and age wearing these characteristics. His long silver hair braided and twisted in a manner marking his high stature in the realm. His armor bearing the weight of many insignia revealing his rank and standing. His perfect features bore no expression and this told her absolutely nothing of his thoughts which also was rare since no elf in the realm had been able to completely hide their intentions from her. She had hardly been able to recognize him and after a few short moments of silence, and the surprise of finding that this elf, whom she had witnessed so intimately, was indeed the March warden of Lothlorien, she began to place everything together.

He was quite impressive and she considered that this was not the same self indulgent elf she had witnessed that day. There was no trace of that elf standing in front of her. This was a very capable warrior; capable of winning any elf maiden he wished. What she had witnessed that day was not this maethor (male warrior). He possessed strength and she had felt even before she had entered the room. His features were perfect and he held his head high with calm reserve and this served only to impress her more.

‘Powerful.’

It would seem that this was the very thought that always entered her mind in this elf's presence; power.

But she would not forget that day and his behavior. She told herself that it was indecent and she would not be seduced by what she had witnessed that day. She gathered her thoughts and quickly recovered from this minor setback.

"Mae tollen, Lady Brenauth. It is an honor." His voice was completely calm and he showed no surprise or the slightest nervousness to be receiving a visitor from the royal halls.

‘No weakness; a lady such as this would only respond to power.’

" Mae govannen, March warden." She answered his greeting with an icy coldness but he showed no noticed as he walked slowly around the talan and turned toward her once more. She had been going to request to hear of the new talans but had decided better of it since finding out who this March warden was. She would simply get to the matter at hand.

"I would hear more of the orc party from the south, if you would." She had given an order and waited for an answer. He walked to the doorway and motioned for her to follow. He began to descend the ladder and didn't have to wait long for her to follow. He led her toward the horses and motioned for her to mount. They rode out toward the border and only about 20 minutes later they came to an open marsh land where the Lothlorien trees stopped and the open land began. Not far off she could see a large pile of orc bodies burning not that she had to look. She had smelled them only 5 minutes after she had left the encampment.

Haldir dismounted and walked to the horse on which she rode. She was starting to understand why her Lord had picked this elf to bestow such a large responsibility. During their ride to this area she had been questioning that decision due to what she had witnessed that day by the river; control being a concern. But she had decided to ignore it for now.

She watched this elf from on top of her mount, carefully paying attention to his motives. He was kneeling down to the ground and suddenly rose up and walked back to her.

“They had no warning.” He spoke for the first time since they had left the encampment. He was looking at the ground and was picking up loose particles as she gazed at the side of this elf’s face and watched the muscles in his neck move with his motions.

He continued to search the area and did not show any signs of elaborating his findings or theories to her. He lazily searched the remains of the battle and seemed to be in no hurry.

“How is that possible in such open space?” Suddenly she felt angered, partially at herself for being so easily amused and also for not receiving the answers she needed, she spoke.

“March warden, I have many duties to fulfill and have not the time to…”
She trailed off as he turned up to her and gazed into her eyes. She was no longer looking at him but over his head and he turned to see what had suddenly gained her attention. He stared at the horizon seeing nothing and wondering what had distracted her so quickly.

“My Lady?” He looked at her with concern as she still kept her eyes fixed on the horizon. Her silver eyes remained fixed and her body followed suit. She sat statue-like not responding to any motion he made. He couldn’t help but admire her beauty for a moment.

“Do you sense something?” She still made no movement or effort to answer him. She could not. It had hit her so suddenly that it had nearly taken her breath. It was a familiar sensation and she closed her eyes in order to concentrate on finding the origin. She reached as hard as she could but felt that the origin would not allow her to see. It wanted to keep its secrets and a shiver suddenly coursed through her body.

Still standing by her mount and holding onto her horse’s reigns, he witnessed her physical response to this strange occurrence. He was becoming concerned and quickly decided to try to bring her attention to him. He reached up and placed his hand on hers and said her name.

“Brenauth.” He had said it with sternness hoping she would respond to a command. Her eyes immediately snapped to meet his. He continued to meet her gazed and started to question her when her eyes suddenly became fixed on something behind him. She reached with incredible speed and with one hand knocked him to the ground while unsheathing her sword to meet the orc sword swinging down into the position in which he had just been standing.

She brought her sword around and took the orcs head while bringing her mount around to face her partner. He had regained his stance with ease and had drawn his sword, coming to a stance signifying his readiness for battle.

She glanced around the open land and realized that they were surrounded. They would have to fight there way out. How had they found themselves in this position? There had been no cover for their enemy to remain concealed for advancement. They were in the wide open. She couldn’t believe she had allowed herself to become so vulnerable. And this Warrior had become victim to it as well. They had both been fooled into a false sense of security.

All at once the orcs advanced and the March warden received them with ease. He fought smoothly and in strong fluid motions, quickly dispatched them one by one as they closed in. He turned to see to the safety of the Lady and saw that she was just as easily warding off her attackers. Her hair, freely flowing down her back, had begun to cover part of her face as she had lowered her head and revealed sheer fierceness in her eyes.

He had seen the eyes of many warriors in battle but had never seen such a controlled hatred for an enemy. She looked at them as though she was on a hunt. She received each one with a preconceived awareness, as if she knew what they meant to do before even they knew. If he hadn’t thought any better, he would have arrived to the conclusion that she was actually enjoying this sport.

Even though he was a skilled and trained warrior and had great passion for the battle arts, he had never enjoyed battle. He would divert it if he could. He started to fight his way to her because they had pushed the orcs to one side and could make an escape. But she showed no realization of it. He could see in her eyes that she would remain until every last one was down. Surely she could see that there were too many and they would need reinforcements.

But she showed no sign of relenting. He called to her.

“We must return to the encampment. If they follow, the archers can easily finish them from a safe distance.” He was sure she had heard him but she showed no response. He continued to fight as he was swarmed again by orcs. He had become completely surrounded again but was retaining his space. He heard an orc horn and glance to see more were approaching the fight. They would be killed or worse.

Again he called her name but was unable to turn and see if she was able to hear him over the orc cries. He could hear the clatter of her sword and therefore knew she was alive but he was unsure if he would be able to escape. His mount had returned but was unable to reach him. He could see it at a distance and saw the orcs fleeing after it, chasing it away. He truly did not know how to break from this trap or how he would see to her safety.

Suddenly, from behind he was grabbed and jerked back onto the ground.

“Arggg...” He called out as he swung his weapon with all his might upward to gain ground in order to once again stand. Suddenly from behind he saw that an orc was readying to deliver a killer stroke, but before the blow could land, a sudden wisp of air flies past Haldir’s head and strikes an arrow into the neck of his attacker.

“My lord, we heard the horn of the orcs,” the young archer called to him and was followed by a company of Galadhrim.

The battle ensues while the many elvin soldiers dispatch many of the orc as they try to flee. What seems like an hour goes by when Haldir finally kills his last attacker. He glances around while striding through the orc bodies, frantically searching for Brenauth as her realizes he lost sight of her long ago.

“My Lady! Brenauth!”

He calls out only to receive no answer. He runs quickly over the dead carcasses when suddenly he realizes he is standing over the disemboweled mount of the Lady Brenauth.
The lady is no where is sight.

‘By valar, How did this happen? What to do?’

“Warden, we have many injured to care for,” calls out one of the soldiers.

He knew he had to find her. Not just for the accountability of her abduction but he had to find her. He turned and nodded to the soldier to let him know to take care of the wounded, turned back and mounted the nearest steed, immediately setting off in a full gallop, following the orc trail they had left behind. He calls back to the soldier,

“Alert the captain that the Lady Brenauth has been taken!”

And with that said he set out in the direction he had last heard orc cries. He rode in stern silence for several miles, concentrating on making time. He was confused on how the orcs had been able to sneak up on them in such open space. But the situation had been made worse by her actions. She had nearly gotten them both killed and he simply didn’t understand why she had behaved so reckless. It was not something that he would have expected her to do. She was renowned for her fighting abilities and her decisions made upon the battlefield. He couldn’t understand how she could have let herself behave so irresponsibly and be taken. He knew they would not kill her right away; for days maybe. But if he did not get to her soon, she would wish they had.

‘Serves you right for your recklessness.’

He suddenly heard the cackle of an orc and brought the horse to a canter. It did not sound like the cries of a defeated orc but rather the sinister sounds of an orc at play. He dismounted before the horse was completely stopped and crawled to the edge of the hill. What he saw below confirmed his worse fears… TBC

*Translations
Mae tollen- Welcome
Mae govannen- Greetings