The elves and men moved slowly towards the battle line of the Sgars. Bacarannon circled his small group of fighters and corrected any errors in placement. He placed the larger of the men close to the van of the triangle and proficient archers towards the rear. "Your purpose," he told the archers, "is not to actively engage, but to prevent the enemy coming around and cutting off our retreat. Do you understand?" The men nodded.
The dark knight halted the advance and roared, "Have you no voice? Speak. I want words from you!"
One of the humans near the front of the formation, a large fellow with a firey red beard protruding from beneath his helm, snapped back his visor and addressed the dark knight in a firm, unwavering voice.
"Sir... Voice we have indeed and all here have mouthed battle cries aplenty in the endless days of war that have been our heritage. We are indeed grateful to you and your party. For without your intervention, there is no doubt that we all would have perished by now. But sir, a soldier need know his companions, since they may well be the last faces that he looks upon until that final gathering in the "golden hall of warriors." We have indeed seen your face, sir, though we know not what name to call you and of your companions, we know nothing."
For a moment...all was still, then the slight sounds of gauntlets being removed and the clicks of the hinge clasps on the elves' helmets being undone, broke the silence.
The men turned in their saddles to gaze at the elf maidens who, each in turn introduced themselves:
"I am Gallarana Fallanala, which in your tongue is "seafoam." My home lies in the lands where the sun begins it's journey. I salute you, warriors. Where there is hope and valour, darkness has difficulty taking hold." Her dark eyes burned with an unearthly fire and her voice... not old, not young, rang clear and proud.
"I am Amaya Ethereal, which to you is, " night rain." At one time, I to, made my home in the lands bordering the eastern sea. I followed my queen (looking towards Gallarana) when the call-to-war came. She has my heart and I am her left hand. Well met, friends. Let us fight well today."
The maiden next to the bearded warrior turned and laid a hand on his shoulder. Her gleaming eyes held his gaze until his jaw went slack. She tugged his beard. "I like you warrior. You and I together...They have no chance. Ha ha ha. But you need a lance. Bacarannon! One of your lances for this man."
Bacarannon growled, "Pitra! Will you take untill nightfall with your introduction!"
Pitra's laugh was as a young childs'. "Oh very well, Sir Stick in the Mud. Greetings to all, I am Pitra Ta Lourna. I think that translates as "ringing bell" in your language. I felt the minds of this party and joined them as they crossed the great desert. My home was deep in the cold rain forests of the west lands, but alas my people have been driven away and are scattered hither and yon." Turning again to the red-bearded warrior, Petri began, "I am considered, by family and friends, an accomplished actress. I have more than three hundred and seven plays to my credit. Perhaps you're familiar with.."
"Pitra!..Enough!" Bacarannon rode close to the red-haired warrior. "Well, my friend, now that you've met the ladies, do you and your comrades fell better about things? Oh.. and I am called Bacarannon, as I'm sure you have gathered from our talkative friend, Pitra."
By way of answer, the human warrior made a sign to his brethren and the lot called loudly three times, a cheer in their own language. "BACA-RAH ne' ELDALIE!!"
The elf maids smiled and donned their helms. Bacarannon offered the red warrior one of his long lances and the party moved out.
Behind her visor, Gallarana smiled. "Good," she thought. "A force of friends will be much harder to defeat, than a gang of strangers."
The entire troop nodded in reply.
(Well, seems that you had to drag that one out of me..*wink* It's OK though. "Ne Yana Sare" (for my Queen, my Sister)
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