Orc Hunting
Even though Gilriant knew Thranduil was correct to insist on doing things this way, he still hated it. Yes he had voluntarily separated from Haldir before for things. However there was a large difference between that and deliberately heading for a fight without the marchwarden by his side. He’d worn shoes before even chosen to put them on. Knowing it was best for a situation. Yet right now being cut off from the information flow when his feet were on the ground further put him on edge.
There were several things to help counteract that. First Hedwig was keeping pace with them. Sometimes even riding on Gilriant’s shoulder. Thranduil knew better than to try and tell her what to do. Though if he asked she may listen. Either way the elven king appreciated her presence and on occasion he was her chosen mount when the ice phoenix didn’t want to fly. Either way having her close by did mean in a true emergency Haldir could be at his side quickly.
Surprisingly, he found Thranduil to be a steadying presence as well. True the older elf was the one teaching him. In fact insisted on taking on his tutelage himself. Yet the King did not have to stay positioned by Gilriant. All the same, that is what he did. Keeping up the instructions whenever they stopped and rested. The distance was more than a single day’s journey. Part of planning the trip included the logistics of it all. Route, supplies, possible dangers, what they might need. Every step of the way the older elf remained a patient instructor.
The acceptance by the veteran warriors both surprised and bolstered him. He was just a barely of age elf, yet they listened to him. Accepted that he was going to be a part of things and had chosen their direction. All of them were experienced in fighting orcs, and knew that he was leading them directly to those corrupted creatures. Each had a reason to be happy enough to rid the world of more of them. They also took the time to instruct him as well. Setting camps, watches, the method and reasoning behind them.
“So,” one of the veterans sat down by him. “You’ll know when the orcs are nearby?” Gilriant inclined his head. “Yes, there is no mistaking the feel of the corruption that runs through them and the goblins. I’ve learned to block out most of the effects of getting close to them. However there is no way for me not to know they are there.” Considering for a moment he continued. “Like being able to cope with a bad smell, but not being able to ignore it completely while you are breathing.”
“I heard that the first time you encountered orcs that you relived their creation.” Another stated quietly. “That I did.”Gilriant returned calmly. A few of the warriors swore softly. The veteran that settled at the young elf’s side shook his head. “Not something any elf should have had to go through, especially not someone so young. Yet you keep going out after them.” The tone was neutral, but it also had the feeling of some sort of test. “If I could avoid it, I probably would. But that would go against a promise I made. So I learned how to deal with it.”
“Somehow from the stories my son tells me, I doubt you would avoid it completely even if you could. Not if someone you cared about was in danger.” Thranduil observed in a drawling voice. “There is some truth to that. I was told a long time ago I have a saving people thing. However I have learned how to ask for help. I only charge towards danger in an emergency.”
“You are orc hunting to learn how to control more of your abilities, if I am correct.” The question came from another one of the warriors. “Yes. Better to do that now, with the best support system I could ask for, than risk it being an untried skill when I need it the most.” Gilriant gave them a quick smile. “On that note, please do not get in front of me when we are fighting. If possible it's best not to stand too close to me if it can be helped. I do have the ability to aim, but I am uncertain of the full extent of what I can do.” There were murmurs of understanding from the group.
*
It was an interesting sensation crossing wards that he had helped put up. This was one of the reasons Legolas absolutely could not come on this trip. Both he and Thranduil had to go, so the elven prince needed to remain behind to anchor the wards. At least one of the three of them needed to remain inside the warded area until Gilriant could put up the more permanent version. Legolas wasn’t completely thrilled at being left behind, but understood the importance of this endeavor.
Their level of vigilant watch went up as soon as they left the cover of the trees. The woods they knew and every danger in it. Outside of that, the chances of encountering orcs, while much lower than they had been in years past, was far higher than within the wood. So when Gilriant stiffened in his saddle the rest of the group immediately noticed.
Don't recognize you, boy you look confused
Shadows lurking in the dark
They're out to get you, want to control you
Don't lose yourself in the fog
Take a deep breath, hold on
Face the demons you fear till they're gone
Don't be fooled by their charm
It is time that you sound the alarm
Yes he had learned how to cope. How to mute the memories and pain that wanted to lash out. Gilriant understood even better what it was now. It was the echo of Melkor’s desecration of the elves, yes. But it was also his eternal weapon to shape the orcs. A repeating song of torture and soul-deep pain. Designed by its very nature to try and twist and shape the body of what used to be elves into this form. To corrupt those born from starlight into the very opposite of their nature. He had overwritten their internal song into this utter abomination. There was only one way to silence it, by breaking those shells beyond the ability to function.
It was insidious for more than one reason. It kept these empty shells functioning, gave them what passed for personalities based on the twisted song humming within them. It could reap the corruption caused by those broken things and use it to infest the world around them. Spreading the influence and deepening the hooks their creator had in this world. With him being banished to the void it ceded instead to his servant, Sauron. It was also a trap.
You're bewitched by the devil's lullaby
Dance away in the dead of the night
Hear the voices humming in your mind
He will never let you out of sight
Anyone that could dig deep enough, or was sensitive enough to find the song, it was by nature designed to try and corrupt them. It is why all those memories and pain were flung at him and he was lost to it in his first encounter. Gilriant had yet to fully explain exactly how dangerous this was to him. How lucky they were he had been surrounded by family and friends, protectors to help draw him out of it. Haldir knew that he had a vulnerability to corruption. Im part due to only recently fully understanding the depth of the danger himself.
Gilriant knew he really should try to sit down and explain it sometime. Just saying he was vulnerable might not be enough. Just letting them help him process everything was not enough. Part of the problem was that he needed to learn how to face them. He knew Haldir could ground and anchor him when needed, and he would after this. The breadth and depth of the broken melody told him that. Good thing Hedwig could fetch him.
There was a defense to this that allowed him to engage in battle against them, one that he still feared. The mindset of the soldier, to be a focused warrior. Even as the song tried to tear at his control, it slid into place. The reason why he feared it was the last time he used it, Harry was a broken thing. It was past time to learn how to use it without being so broken.
Devil's lullaby
Devil's lullaby
Devil's lullaby
Devil's lullaby
“They are close.”
While some could, most of their fighting was not done horseback. Instead they had archers and foot soldiers. So it had already been decided that designated handlers and what support they had would remain back with the horses, and Thranduil’s elk. While he might have taken it into battle he still planned on staying as close to Gilriant as possible. Which meant he too would be on foot. This would also give them the opportunity to approach more quietly. While the group was large enough to face some orcs, it was not so large that they needed the height of a mounted leader to help with coordination. For now Hedwig was also left with that group. She was a defender and a healer yes, but phoenixes were not meant for warfare. He refused to do that to her without excellent reason.
They may not have bothered with the stealth, as when the orcs came into sight, they were already engaged with another group. A much smaller group looking to be less than a dozen that while fighting valiantly, they were outnumbered and pinned in place. Gilriant had to suppress the urge to just dash in to help. Thranduil’s hand on his shoulder was a firm reminder that was not the best strategy in all situations. Harry was not the broken soldier anymore, trying desperately to save everyone around him with insufficient back-up or training.
The first volley of arrows into the orcs from the elves went virtually unnoticed. The group they were fighting also had archers. Which is one of the reasons the elves moved positions to help reduce the chance the orcs would immediately notice that a third group had entered the combat. What worked against them was that the small group fighting the orcs had appeared to have possibly run out of arrows. The second volley dropped more of the orcs, and made it more obvious that there was another group engaging and they started to stir.
Orders were just starting to be barked out when a massive blast of power flowed along a furrow that formed in the ground when Gilriant struck it with his glaive. The blade was lit up with silver light along the grooves of the shaft and the edges of the blade. As it hit the ground it blasted the orcs in its path off their feet, killing several. A massive black bear took advantage of the confusion the orcs were thrown into by attacking fiercely in defense of the small group of people.
Rallied by the unexpected aid they fought back against the orcs. Which were now pinned between the elven archers, and the massive bear. Some chose to try and charge the elven archers, yet even those that weren’t felled by their arrows swiftly fell under the blades of the elves. As the restraining hand was now engaged in fighting as well, Gilriant felt no qualms about letting his blade lash out against their foes. A fierce satisfaction as each broken song was silenced.
Falling for his lies, angel in disguise
Hear him calling out your name
Web of illusions, buried solutions
Fight the raging hurricane
One of the orcs lifted a hunting horn to their lips and blew. Gilriant whirled to turn in the direction of the river, ignoring what was left of this group of orcs. Seeing the reaction Thranduil barked out an order and half the group shifted their focus in that direction. When the first of warg riding Orcs burst into sight they were met by a hail of elven arrows. Some fell tripping up others, still more flowed forward. The young elf moved clear of any of the elven force and started to swing his glaive, the silver light spreading along its length again. Only to abort the motion upon the sight of the next orc’s chosen mount.
Take a deep breath, hold on
Face the demons you fear till they're gone
Don't be fooled by their charm
It is time that you sound the alarm
The first black bear bellowed in outrage as it saw the not quite fully grown bear with chains wrapped around it. They were placed so that they dug into the wounds already on that bear, goading it into a maddened charge forward. He needed to think quickly. He couldn’t reach out to touch the songs while in battle, there were too many risks in that. What he could do was as he did before, affect the environment around the corrupted. Gilriant shouted out a protest of his own, one laced with percussive power that made the air itself into the weapon. It hit the younger bear and pushed it back. Unfortunately despite the stumble the orc on its back had a tight grip on the chains and kept his seat.
Here is where the downside at both being at the forefront of the attack and the obvious use of power. It drew the attention of the orcs to Gilriant and with a vicious snarl many of the orc riding wargs oriented on him. That’s when the orcs proved they had archers of their own. A double handful of arrows shot towards the young elf. Needing to be in front of the elven line made the prince more vulnerable. Even though they moved to cover him as soon as he became the focus of their attack, Harry knew they would not be able to completely cover him in time. He opened his mouth in a discordant shriek. Despite their sensitive hearing the iron will of the veteran elven warriors kept them on their feet , the noise causing everyone near him to wince. Yet it did the job to shatter most of the incoming arrows. The debris hitting others and shifting their course.
One grazed his cheek cutting a black line across it. Almost immediately immense pain shot through his body and black lines started to creep outwards from the wound. The twisted melody was faint compared to that of an individual orc but it was there and it burned his senses. Harry just hung on to the determination and discipline he had been learning to keep that mental shield between that damage and his mind. It kept him from falling into shock from the sheer amount of pain inflaming Gilriant’s body.
You're bewitched by the devil's lullaby
Dance away in the dead of the night
Hear the voices humming in your mind
He will never let you out of sight
The elven soldiers had closed around him as Thranduil placed himself in between Gilriant and any possible danger. When he looked back the king immediately twisted around in shock at the sight of the wound spreading as fast as it was. Hedwig burst into being above them and landed on the young elf’s shoulder. She gave a mournful cry and a single tear dripped from her eye and hit the wound. Bright white-blue light wisped up from the wound as the black lines retreated and faded, the cut closing. Reaching up with a gentle touch he stroked her feathers. “Thanks love. For now you should go back. You’ll know when I need you again.” Not without reluctance, she lept off his shoulder and vanished in another flurry of snowflakes.
A chorus of angry howls sounded and the Starlight Wolves flashed in, crashing into the orcs and wargs. Gilriant straightened up, “Looks like they wanted in too.” Thranduil’s face was blank, “Did you know they would come?” “There is always a chance they will, especially when orcs are threatening elves.” At the look on the elven king’s face he added, “Lecture later, we need to silence the orcs now.” At least the older elf seemed to be in agreement as they both turned to engage their attackers.
You're bewitched by the devil's lullaby
Dance away in the dead of the night
Hear the voices humming in your mind
He will never let you out of sight
There was one more danger of touching the orc’s broken melody that kept him from reaching out that way. There was the slim touch since the twisted song could flow back to the fallen maia, it could alert him to Gilriant’s existence. This is something he wanted to delay as long as possible. Not that it was a hardship to let his physical skill with the blade do the work of dropping the orcs.
Certainly there was a bone deep satisfaction at causing those corrupted shells to no longer be able to function. Later, when he could afford to, he would grieve for what those shells meant. Purge himself of the echoes of pain and torment so it could not infect his own song. Oh yes his warrior self was needed here. Gilriant was also not alone even as he slashed and thrusted to down the orcs, other elves around him were doing the same. Their songs held commonalities to his in their bright brassy protective overlay. Underneath he could still sense different tones and in that was its own form of relief. He was not alone in needing that protection for his soul.
Ooh, no-no, let go, no, no-no, let go
You're bewitched by the devil's lullaby
Ooh, no-no, let go, no, no-no, let go
You're bewitched by the devil's lullaby
Eventually there were no more orcs standing or mounted to deal with. Even the orc riding a bear was felled with an arrow. Gilriant watched with concern as the wolves did their best to contain, but not hurt the maddened beast. He could feel Thranduil step close to him, undoubtedly to indicate they would be having some words soon. Yet, “I need to try to help. Where an elf or man might have trouble approaching, I think a raven safely can. Those chains need to come off before that young one will calm.” As the elven king’s expression smoothed out, Harry added. “I don’t want to give the corrupted another victory in letting us harm each other.”
The glower made it clear Thranduil did not approve of the bit of manipulation. That didn’t matter as much to Gilriant as to the inclined head. With the non-verbal permission he strode forward as he twisted the shaft of his weapon so it separated into its two parts. Being made of dverger silver it didn’t need cleaning, simply holstered properly. Looking to the side he eyed the extremely large and fully mature black bear that was growling its displeasure at the two of the wolves keeping him back. The other four were continuing to keep the young one contained. As large as the bears were, they were no match for an organized pack, even in their current state the elder knew it.
Gilriant moved to the elder bear’s line of sight,watching for his eyes to latch on to his form. “It’s not safe for you to approach him yet. Let me try to help.” With another snarl the black bear reared up shifting back into the man. Unashamed of his nudity as he glared at the young elf. “And just how do you think you will be able to help elf? You can’t get close without him attacking you either.” Gilriant flashed a smile. “Not as an elf, no. Good thing I’m not limited to that.” Much to the skinchanger’s astonishment as he turned his form shifted into the large green-eyed raven that took to the skies.
Flying around the young bear Gilriant did his best to study the chains. He needed to try and free the young skinchanger from them, or at least start to before he had any hope of getting him to calm and listen. When lost to pain and rage, often the animal mind could take over and needed to be gently coaxed back to sentence. Thankfully a raven’s beak was strong, with a bit of power and a strategic hit he could shatter one of the links. He just needed to time it right so he didn’t hurt the young one.
There, finally he spotted an opening and streaked in. Silver light outlining every feather and along his beak as he struck one of the links of the heavy chains and shattered it. The chains slid off the bear, getting slightly tangled into the ones still on the young one. It was the reduction of pain that made the creature stumble and stop the snarling. Cautiously the raven circled around the bear’s head and croaked. “Friend, friend. Am helping, calm bear, calm.” Ever so carefully he landed on the beast’s back. When the bear didn’t bellow or try to shake him off he walked over and studied the next chain. Then taking his moment, jabbed his beak down, letting the silver power shatter yet another link. More of the chains slid down off the bear. “Good bear, friend, helping.” Talking as a raven wasn’t exactly easy, so often he had to pick and choose what words to express.
One by one,he found and shattered each chain until they all were on the ground and the bear sat. Now Gilriant could see there were still shackles around the young one’s paws so with a flap of his wings he glided to the ground and carefully walked towards the young bear’s front leg. “Good, almost all gone.” When the bear didn’t take a swipe at him, he found the locking part of the shackle and jabbed at it. Watching in satisfaction as it too shattered and the metal fell to the ground. He repeated the process for the other foreleg giving a croak of satisfaction. “Free, good.” Hopping a short distance away he turned back to face the young bear. “Friend.”
With a swirl of power the raven was replaced by the elf who smiled. “That’s better isn’t it? I’d like to help you more, it would be easier if you could shift back.” The bear looked around at the wolves, of which only two remained in position around him, sitting down in a relaxed pose. The others were off helping dissolve the bodies of the orcs. “These are my friends too. They just are a bit protective of me, they won’t hurt you because you aren’t going to hurt me.” Gilriant said this with confidence as he slowly walked back towards the bear with a smile. “You are safe now, its going to be okay.”
He could sense the young one was wavering so he started to sing a lullaby. It was in a language he had yet to properly learn from his old world. But he still knew the meaning, the intent. It worked well enough for Gilriant’s purposes here. He let the soft soothing calm spread through the tone and wrap around the young bear. The song was the vehicle to sooth the pain from the injuries left behind. He continued to sing as the bear started to shift into a tall adolescent. When the young elf opened his arms, the teen lurched forward with sob.
Unconcerned with the young one’s nudity he simply let the boy cry into his shoulder, continuing to sing. Letting the healing power of the song flow gently along. Without directly examining the wounds he couldn’t take care of everything, but he could temporarily take away the pain, cleanse any corruption out and make sure nothing was life threatening. Comforted and exhausted, the young one eventually slumped against him and Harry scooped him up.
The adult skinchanger was nearby, having pulled on some clothes. Hovering over the scene, as much as a tall burly looking man could with a couple of large wolves and a contingent of elves being protective. It wasn’t often that the young elf met someone that matched his height. Yet as he drew close it was evident this one did. The rest of his group were equally tall, the women being only a little shorter and just as broad and well muscled. What appeared to be two young adolescents were to the back of the group. Gilriant brought the young one over to him, and carefully put him in the adult skinchangers’ arms.
“His physical wounds have been cleansed of corruption and should heal now. The mental ones, he will need support with.” Taking a step back to give them space, Gilriant gave a faint smile as the rest of the skinchanger group swarmed forward to help tend to the injured one. The adult male that was apparently in charge turned back towards him after handing off the precious burden to others. “Thank you,” His voice was a quiet rumble as he studied the elf. “No need to thank me. I simply did what needed doing.”
Now that he wasn’t focusing so hard on healing the young skinchanger, Gilriant felt a familiar presence nearby. “I would speak with you more later, if you will permit. I need to tend to a few things first.” The skinchanger nodded, “You are welcome to. I am called Artos.” With a smile the young elf shared, “I think you would find one of my names the most appropriate, some call me Cranbandil. It means raven friend.”