(So this RP is about a Chief's daughter...this could go anywhere, really...there are so many possibilities with this one...Anyhow, sorry it's too long but when the muse strikes, I just listen...)
Lalaith listened to the warriors’ council unnoticed. An hour ago, a young boy from another village had come to warn them that an Army of Orcs were coming their way. His village had been completely destroyed and he had been the sole survivor. The Chief of the village had called for an immediate council and they were going to decide whether they would stay and fight or just flee.“ My Lord! The Orcs are many and they are brutal! If you fight against them, all of you will die! Just gather your families and go! “ the young boy said. Many of the men agreed with the boy but many others were against his advice. A young man with blonde hair and blue eyes spoke out loud and everyone went quiet when they heard his voice “Are we to run in shame to save our lives? Are we so selfish as to think that we own our lives? Our lives belong to those we love, those defenseless children and women. It belongs to those who do not have the strength to defend themselves. If we are men of honor, we will go out and meet these monsters and slow their advance. The women and children can flee and save themselves. As long as they are alive we will live…we will fight for them so we may live…our blood and bodies may lay scattered at the battlefield…but WE WILL LIVE!”
The young man’s speech gave all of those who were present, courage and strength. The Chief, Lord Imrahel, called for the arms to be taken out and for the men to see their families for the last time. They were going to battle. As the men exited the chief’s hall, they all whispered among themselves “Who was that young man?” “His name is Tymeris”. Tymeris left last and nodded reverently to Lord Imrahel before exiting the hall.
Once everyone left, Lalaith came to speak to her father. “ Father! Where are we supposed to go?! The safest place is the Great City and that’s 3 days away from here…”
“You will lead the village to the Great City, my daughter” Lord Imrahel said “You will be in charge of taking care of our people. Now go look for your mother and little sister and tell them to pack…we’ll all be leaving in an hour…”. Lalaith obeyed promptly and left to find her mother. Her mother and sister packed their things quickly and Lalaith put on her leather armor, sheathed her sword and strapped her quill full of arrows on her back. She had been trained in the arts of battle along with her older brother Azar. She had a responsibility to fulfill and she was going to be prepared to do anything to protect her people. She went to the front room of her home and her father was there and embraced her. “My daughter…you are my pride…I love you very much. It pains me to leave you such charge but you are the only one I can trust to handle such responsibility. Be strong. And may the gods protect you always…you have so much to live and learn…” he whispered and then kissed her forehead and went to say his farewell to his wife and little daughter. Lalaith stepped out of the house and her heart was heavy. She did not want anyone to die. She looked up at the sky and said “Oh gods….The odds are against us…but please…preserve us the innocent…do not let evil reign your lands…please…”. She then saw someone coming from the corner of her eye and it was Tymeris. He did not have any family so he was simply walking around. Lalaith remembered their childhood days. She, her brother Azra and Tymeris used to play together. And then when they reached their teens, Tymeris had left the village. No one knew why he left. And as mysteriously as he had left, he had come back a few weeks ago, all grown up, a very handsome and strong young man.
Forgetting propriety, she smirked playfully and sneaked behind him, and tackled him from behind. They rolled on the ground and their eyes met. She looked at him playfully and said “Have you forgotten you’re always supposed to be watch your back?”. Tymeris laughed. And replied “I thought I didn’t have to watch my back since you’re a grown up lady now…but I was wrong. You may look older but you’re still the playful brat I knew back then…”. Lalaith stood up and helped him up and said “Well…I had to do something to get your attention. You came a few weeks ago yet we haven’t really talked. It’s almost as if you were avoiding me…”. She then looked down at her feet and said softly “I missed you very much, you know…”
Tymeris gathered her into a hug and said “I missed you so as well…but now we have to part…please know your friendship has always been precious to me…”. Lalaith closed her eyes, forcing her tears back and chuckling bitterly, she said “I…I don’t want anyone to die…”. Tymeris grabbed her shoulders and shaking her gently he said “Lalaith. You have to be brave like you always are. Your father is counting on you. Everyone is counting on you. I have my duties…” and without meeting his eyes, she replied softly ‘And I have mine…”. Lord Imrahel came out of the house and looking at Tymeris he said “Come lad. It’s time to go…Lalaith, don’t forget what I said…”. Lalaith nodded in agreement without looking at her father and Tymeris just let go off her and followed Lord Imrahel. She could feel both of their gazes resting on her for a few minutes but she did not meet their eyes for she did not want them to see the anxiety and sadness her eyes held. She then marched into her house and called out for her mother and little sister. Then they went to the center of the village where everyone else was gathered. Everyone was packed and ready. A few young boys were clad in warrior suits and were armed as well. They would help her take care of the women and children during the trip to the Great City. What no one knew was that a band of 2 dozen Orcs riding Direwolves was sent to stop those who would try to escape.
They had walked all through the night, it was dawn and they were approaching the Great River. The Great River was very wide, and very deep, and at this time of the year, the waters were cold and the current was turbulent. A bridge had been built for due to the recent floods, it was destroyed. The men of the village had built a bridge made of rope and boards as a temporary solution. They were going to build another solid one but they had to wait until the flood season stopped and the current got calmer.
As they got closer to the bridge, Lalaith spotted the band of Orcs. She turned to the group and ordered them to swiftly cross the river. “Mother! Make sure everyone crosses the river! Jaffeth, Loh and Syle, come help me shoot these bastards!” she ordered. She ran towards the advancing band of Orcs and quickly notched an arrow and shot it. She hit one of the Orcs and it fell off its beast. The three boys came then to help her shoot and brought down one Orc each. But that didn’t slow the advancing band of murderers, for the leader of the band had ordered them to run faster. He had smirked with pleasure as he felt the fear of the fleeing group of humans and thought how pathetic they were…but then his smirk had disappeared when he saw Lalaith’s look of defiance and courage. He narrowed his eyes and ordered the others to not touch her…”That one is mine…” he said in his language and smiled with anticipation, thinking of the torture he would submit her to.
Once the band got too close for her liking, she ordered the boys to run to the bridge. She shoved them in front of her and pushed them across the bridge. They were half way through when the bridge began to shake violently. Lalaith turned around and saw one of the Direwolves walking on the bridge, followed by another one. She cursed silently for not killing the now riderless beasts. Without riders, they ran faster than the band and were not submitted to their masters’ commands. Lalaith pushed the boys ahead of her and ordered them to hurry and get to safety. Grudgingly, they complied and got to the other end of the bridge. Everyone watched in horror as Lalaith faced the two animals. She quickly notched an arrow and shot the animal in front of her , the arrow went into its left eye and Lalaith shot another arrow as it reared back in pain, the second arrow burrowing itself in its heart. The huge beast laid on the boards, dying and the bridge continued to shake . The weight of the two animals was making it creak and groan. Lalaith did not have time to notch another arrow, for the second Direwolf lunged over its dying comrade and tackled Lalaith. Its teeth sunk into her forearm as she reflexively raised it to protect her face. She screamed in pain and heard the boys coming to help her…but she knew there was no time; the band of Orcs had been very close to the bridge when the two beasts had come after her. She screamed out loud and said “Cut the ropes! Bring the bridge down!” She could hear the boys’ protests and she shouted again as she struggled with the beast “DO IT NOW DAMN IT! They’re coming! It’s the only way! They won’t be able to find a shallow place to cross the river and by the time they do, you’ll be safe in the city…”. She felt the bridge shaking again and heavy footsteps coming her way. The Orcs were coming on the bridge and she shouted again “CUT IT DOWN! THAT’S AN ORDER!”
Then all of a sudden, she could hear the Orcs cursing in their tongue, ropes tearing and boards breaking and then her back was no longer laying flat on a surface. She felt her body falling and the rushing of the water getting louder. Then the cold water hit her and she hissed but then shut her mouth as the weight of the beast still clutching her arm brought her under water. The current was violent and it twisted her body underwater. She kicked and struggled and finally her arm broke free. She started to swim towards the surface but the freezing cold was starting to numb her body. The pain in her arm kept her alert and she kept on swimming towards the surface. Finally, her head hit the surface and she swallowed a mouthful of air, her lungs and chest were burning from the cold and from the effort she had put in swimming through the turbulent waters. She tried to keep her head over the surface as long as possible but her body was getting tired from the effort and she found herself being pulled under the water again, the river was taking her downstream. One last time, she pulled herself over the surface and swallowed another mouthful of air, her whole body was growing tired and she started to feel dizzy. Her vision was blurring and so she knew unconsciousness was coming to claim her. “Oh gods…whatever my fate is…I accept it…” she thought and then thinking of Tymeris and her father she thought “I did not fail you…I protected our people as my duty called…” and then she surrendered to slumber. Darkness took over her mind and she knew no more.
Jade_NightWarrior Community Member 
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