Oct. Contest Entry #4

[Aredhel]

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Beta-Slot Entry #4

Dawn was barely peaking over the distant horizon as the elf scanned the treetops, looking westward towards the inland of Thestra as the red and oranges of dusk swept though to the consuming deep purples of the twilight. All was peaceful as nature churned on its wheel as it always has since the days of origin.

No one in the trees noticed the figures moving through the dark forest that was the elves home. Small huts with thatched roofs sat around the glade and among the boughs of the asp, oak and leatherbark trees. In the center of the small village burned a fire to ward off the coming chill of the night. Already flutes and drums where being readied for the night’s usual merriment. Little did the elves know that tonight would any other then usual.

Using the cover of encroaching darkness, the intruders surrounded the glade. Hand singles flashed between them. All was silent. Soon the elven flutes began to whistle and the drums kept a beat. Dancing and laughter shortly followed. As the last rays of daylight slipped beyond the sea, one of the dark figures raised his hand. There is a small whistle in the air as the dagger flew threw the air and struck one of the sentries in the trees. There was a muffled cry of startlement from the campfire. Looks of wonder filled the elven faces. Then there was a long shrill whistle as the other sentries spotted the intruders, but it was too late, they already had the advantage. The air filled with the twang of bowstrings and the hiss of arrows. Screams filled the night air. There was a clash of steel on steel as elven blades met that of the raiders.

Dressed in dark leathers and brown and green cloaks, the intruders began to slaughter the helpless elves by the fire before the warriors could engage. The elves where not slow in meeting the engagement, but enough where caught flatfooted and many elven women and children fell to the raiders blades. In the breath of moment the camp was in chaos. Commands in elven where shouted and still the chaos ensued. From the forest more and more intruders came. With screams and moans of the dying, one lone figure strode into the camp light. His fine elven features undeniable. With a smirk, he entered one of the huts.

The boy froze as this elven man walked into their home. Fear gripped him as the screams of the others filled his head. His mother rushed from the back chamber, a dagger clutched in her hands. With a primal yell she flung herself at the elf in black leather. In one fluid motion the elf backhanded the elf woman and she fell to the ground, the dagger skidding on the ground at the elven boy's feet. He looked at the dagger and his eyes instantly snapped back to the elf. He made a lunge for the dagger. "Foolish boy!" the Dark Elf cried as he kicked out a booted foot a squarely connected with the youth’s chest. Winded, the boy collapsed panting for life giving breath. "Alanthaleous!” his mother yelled. The dark clad elf turned back to her. "Soon it will be time to have our fun my sweet," he leered at her. A look of horror crossed her face.

In that moment the door was flung open, and Alanthaleous saw though blurry eyes his father enter the hut. "Tanth!” his father said in shock. The elven man named Tanth merely smiled at him. "Yes, it is I who brings your doom!" As the last word left his lips Tanth lunged at the new arrival. Alanthaleous watched in mute horror, as time seemed to slow to a crawl. Tanth had drawn his blade and in what seemed an eternity, had impaled his father in the gut. A cry of pain and a look of sheer horror crossed his face. "Father!" Alanthaleous cried out, but the words did not come out. There was a sickly sound has the blade left his father's body and his eyes found those of his son. Blood fell from his lips. He mouthed the words My Son and slowly slumped to the floor. Alanthaleous heard heavy boots on the floor and then a sharp pain entered his head. Tanth had kicked him again.

Fighting back the darkness he flung out his hand towards his mother. Tear streamed his vision. The last sight he had before the darkness took him was that of his mother, flung over the shoulder of a fleeting Tanth, and of his dead father’s eyes crying out for his son.

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