HOLD OF LIFE
Part One, Part Two, Part Three
The sun climbed higher and higher in the morning sky, and still the two elves slept in each others arms. Until they were finally woken by a loud knock. Colas yawned and cursed under his breath, while stumbling sleepily out of bed towards the door. Lissi watched him closely as he poked his head round the door and had a hurried discussion with the figure outside. She smiled at his long legs and strong back , while still studying him intently, he closed the door, turned round and saw her stare.
‘What?’ He questioned, moving to sit next to her.
‘Nothing, thank-you for last night.’
‘Anything for you Lissi. That was Reond, a guard, he wants us to search the borders now.’ Colas picked up some spare clothes and handed them to Lissi. ‘Borrow these, saves you having to walk to your room.’
‘Thanks.’ Lissi ran a hand along her neck wincing slightly. ‘this is so annoying!’ She threw the blanket off herself and stood up.
‘It looks really sore.’ Colas stepped forward and ran his hand gently over her neck. ‘Is there anything I can do to stop it hurting? I hate seeing you in pain.’
‘Nothing cures an Peredur of pain.’
‘But you’re not fully an Peredur, you said yourself that you are different.’
‘I’m still affected by the same things as them, Colas.’ Lissi sighed and cupped his cheek in her hand. ‘I know you want to help, but I’m afraid you cant.’ She turned her back on him and began to change. He also changed.
The two walked to the stables in silence. Their horses were already ready to go. ‘Oh, here Lissi, take this.’ Colas handed her a long strong sword which she strapped around her waist. ‘Where’s you knife this time?’
Lissi walked over to Phira and slipped her hand under the saddle. After a few seconds of searching, she pulled out a long silver knife, the handle was embroided with small blue stones. ‘Not the best one, but I always keep one under his saddle. Makes me feel safer.’
‘Well,’ Colas nodded, he looked very impressed. ‘That’s a very good idea, I may have to inform my father of that one.’ Then he remember last night, how Legolas had told him not fall in love, but he could not change how he already felt about Lissi. ‘Ok, Lets go.’ He hopped onto Vesur, as Lissi heaved herself onto Phira’s back. ‘We’ll go along the forest river, then along the northern border. We’ll be back by night fall.’ They rode out of the city and into the forest. Following the river that cut through the forest, they galloped on in silence, only the beat of the horse’s hooves could be heard. When the two reached the west border of the forest they stopped for a bit of lunch.
‘Colas?’
‘Yes?’
‘I’m sorry about last night, I just got really scared on my own.’ Lissi took the apple Colas held out for her.
‘There’s no need to apologise. I’m glad you came to me instead of staying in your room and not getting any more sleep.’
‘Well, thanks. I don’t know I would have done without you.’
After a quick lunch, they set off again, along the west border round to the long field stretching north away from the forest. While Colas ventured out into the plains, Lissi kept close to the trees. Bad memories floated into her mind and she had a constant feeling that they were being watched. As they drew closer to where she had been attacked by wargs, and entered the forest, Colas rode further away from the trees. He stopped and looked at the ground, only concentration showed on his face.
‘What is it?’ Lissi called from the safety of the trees.
‘Wargs have been here lately, only a few hours ago.’ A muscle in Lissi’s stomach clenched and her eyes grew full of fear.
‘The wargs of Cenvan.’ She said to herself. ‘Colas, we have to go . Now. The wolves of the Grey Mountains will return.’
‘How do you know this?’ Colas asked returning to Lissi’s side.
‘I can feel it. There’s some one, or something watching us.’ Lissi looked around suspiciously. All of a sudden, hooves could be heard in the distance, her head shot up and her breathing rate increased. Colas followed her line of vision, away into the horizon. ‘Go Colas, it’s me they want.’
‘I’m not going without you.’ Colas gripped her hand and looked deep into her eyes.
‘Just go Colas, ride into the forest. I’ll be right behind you. Go!’ Lissi kicked the side of Vesur so Colas had no choice but to ride into the forest. Lissi turned, took one last look at the approaching wargs, then followed the trail on Colas. As she rode, she muttered a simple spell she had learnt when she was young. ‘By the goddess of light, Protect us from this plight.’ With this simple spell, the whole of Mirkwood was covered in a transparent protective ball. The two rode southwards all the way to the city. Weaving in and out of trees, flying like the wide. When they drew closer to the city, Colas slowed Vesur to a gentle walk.
‘Lissi, will they attack?’
‘No.’ Lissi shook her head violently. ‘They’re terrified of the forest.’
‘But that won’t stop the wargs.’ Colas sat still on the Grey stallions back, his eyes bore into Lissi.
‘Cenvan wargs are not used to attack cities. They are only used to hunt down people. People like me. Every action I make is being monitored by this,’ She jabbed a figure to her neck. ‘if I do something they don’t want me to do, then they will either come and get me, or do something else’
‘What?’
‘I don’t know. Can we just get back?’ Colas nodded as they set off again. All kinds of things raced through Lissi’s mind. Would they attack? Is she endangering the elves of Mirkwood? These questions, and others, would be answered in time.
* * * * *
‘Colas, I have to be careful.’ Lissi explained as Colas dragged her away from the city.
‘I know, but I want to go on walk, and I don’t want to go alone.’
‘But it’s dark. The old tales of Peredur say it’s dangerous out in the forest.’
‘Yes, but your with me.’ Colas led her up a small hill. ‘So don’t be scared.’ When they reached the top of the hill Colas sat down and dangled his legs of the sudden cliff. Lissi sat next to him and did the same. The cliff over looked a large lake, pitch black apart from where it reflected the stars and moon.
‘Wow. It’s gorgeous.’ Lissi whispered, taking in the view before her.
‘I thought you would like it. It’s quiet here and I need to tell you something, but I don’t know how to start.’
‘Just say it,’ Lissi laid a hand on his knee then looked into his deep, perfect blue eyes. ‘Pretend I’m not here.’
‘That would be quite hard, when you’re around I cant stop looking at you. I can’t stop thinking about you. I think….’ Colas paused and avoided Lissi’s gaze by looking out over the lake. ‘I think, I’m falling in love with you. I don’t expect you to feel the same, I mean you deserve better then me.’
‘Colas, I deserve no one. And you deserve the best girl in Middle-Earth. It’s not that I don’t feel the same, maybe I do. I don’t know, Peredur's are forbidden to cry, or love.’ Lissi looked at her knees, as if ashamed. ‘I don’t know what it’s like to love, or be loved.’
Colas’ eyes met Lissi’s, he smiled. ‘Is that why you left?’
‘I didn’t leave out of choice, Colas. I refused to attend lessons about how to attack in small groups. Then, I told Lord Creane, that I hate them and I don’t follow their rules. So I was banished.’ Colas’ eyes widened at this, complete shock showed on his face. ‘I am guessing, they knew where I was heading so they sent wargs after me.’
‘Why?’
‘I don’t know, I suppose they thought I would tell others of our race.’
‘Lissi, why didn’t you say this before?’ Colas said angrily, getting up.
‘It’s not important. So I was banished, big deal. Do you know how I feel?’
‘How?’ Colas began to walk back to the city, Lissi ran after him.
‘I’m scared, Colas. Scared of everything and everyone, apart…’
‘You’re scared?!’ Colas interrupted, spinning on his heel to look at Lissi. ‘You’re scared of me? After everything I’ve done for you?! Fine!’ He shouted and stormed off.
‘If you would have let me finish! I was going to say “apart from you”!” Lissi screamed after him, then roared in anger and slouched off in the other direction. After a few moments, she came across a rock and slumped down on it. She thought long and hard about what she should do now. After she had made up her mind, she walked proudly back to the city. In her room, she picked up her knife, took a deep breath then pulled the door open. Suddenly, she let out a surprised scream. ‘Bloody hell, Colas. You scared the life out of me.’
‘Sorry.’ Colas looked her up and down and noticed the cloak around her shoulders. ‘Where are you going?’
‘Any where.’ Lissi shrugged and pushed past Colas. ‘Where ever my road leads me.’ He followed her in silence to the stables.
‘I’m sorry Lissi. Please, I don’t want you to go.’ Colas spun Lissi to face him, keeping a firm grip on her arm. ‘I told you how I feel about you.’
‘I have to go. I’m going to do something I should have done a long time ago.’ Lissi pulled at the necklace around her neck.’
‘No Lissi.’ Colas pleaded, realization dawning on his face. ‘You’ll kill yourself. I’ll never forgive myself if I let you go.’
‘I’ve got nothing going for me Colas. Like I said before, I don’t know what its like to be loved. That’s all I’ve ever wanted in my life.’
‘Maybe I should show you.’ Colas stepped forward and suddenly planted his lips on Lissi’s. he kissed her tenderly and held her tightly, professing his love for her. Suddenly, there came a loud scream from outside and the two parted. They ran out, to a horrendous scene. People running in every direction, trained soldiers stood firing arrows over the wall. Colas stopped and asked some one what was going on.
‘We’re under attack.’ He answered simply then ran. Colas shot Lissi a confused look, then grabbed her hand and led her to the watch tower, ducking flying arrows as they went. They climbed the ladder onto the platform and looked out. Countless soldiers stood on the other side of the city wall. All clad in thick armour, bearing swords, bows and arrows. In front of them, each one held a large shield bearing a symbol in white.
[picture]
These, Lissi saw and a large weight fell to the pit of her stomach which made her feel sick. She cursed loudly.
‘What?’ Colas asked, looking at her, a worried expression on his face.
‘Peredur’s. They’re here for me.’ Lissi spun on her hell and ran down the ladder, Colas followed her, shouting her name. When she reached the stables, she hastily unbolted Phira’s door, and flung herself onto his back.
‘Lissi?’ Colas looked up at her.
‘If I go, then they’ll follow me.’
‘But they’ll kill you.’
‘Not if I get them first. I know a spell that will kill the all, I just have to drive a sharp object through my H.O.L. it will kill me too.’
‘No!’ Colas’ eyes slowly filled with tears. Lissi saw this and placed a hand on his cheek.
‘I have to do this, I have to save your city. This is the only way. Thank-you, Colas. I love you.’ Lissi leaned over and placed her lips on his, kissing him deeply, much to his surprise. Then she pulled away and bolted out of the stables, with out another word.
Arrows thick as rain came whistling over the walls and fell clinking to the ground. Some found their aim and speared the Mirkwood soldiers. Answering arrows flew over the wall into the forest, all of a sudden, lightning lit up the night, and thunder rolled in the deep. Then the Peredur’s waved their swords with shouts of war and shot a cloud of arrows at any that stood revealed upon the wall of battlements. The elves were amazed by this attack, never before had anyone dared to declare war on Mirkwood.
The swordsmen of Legolas’ army ran through the gates and fought with all there strength. Already, many of the Peredur’s had fallen. The lightning flashed and blazoned upon every helm and shield. In all the commotion of the beginnings of the battle, Lissi slipped through the gates on Phira. As she did, all Peredur’s heads turned to her and snarled. She stood up in the stirrups and looked out, nearly every Peredur was present, which really satisfied her. Spurring Phira forward, she fled from the city with all the Peredur’s following her. As she swerved through the trees, Lissi’s heart beat loudly in her chest and her hands shook. All she could think about was what she was about to do, she racked her brains for the spell she once knew.
For half an hour, the chase went on through the trees, until they came to open fields. Away in the near distance, Lissi could see a river with her elven eyes. It would be the perfect place to perform her task. Like the wind, she rode to the waters edge, where she sat, while her race encircled her. She dismounted and took out her knife, for a few seconds, she fingered the leaf around her neck. In a loud voice, she said above the mutters of the Peredur’s…
‘By the mountains of light
On this dark stormy night
Bring to my knife,
The Hold Of Life.’
Lissi gripped the knife in her hand, took a deep breath and yanked the leaf from around her neck. Straight away, the pressure increased on her throat and she struggled to breathe. Mustering the last of her strength, she pierced the leaf with her knife. Everyone around her began to scream and a blinding light covered the land. As darkness threatened to consume her, Lissi saw her race fall dead, almost as one. This made her smile, as her vision blurred and her breathing slowed, until it finally stopped. And Lissi fell through shadows.
* * * * *
Back in the city, the fighting had stopped with only two dead, though many injured. Colas stood alone in the stables, where Lissi had left him. After the commotion outside had died down, Colas jumped on Vesur and followed Lissi’s path away from his home. He couldn’t see anyone in the distance, everything was completely black. He searched for hours until he came to the west border when morning dawned. Away in the distance, he could see the morning sun reflecting off a flowing river. Also, he could see many lumps, like piled land, he made for this spot preying it wouldn’t be what he thought it to be.
When he reached this spot, his heart sank. Phira stood in the middle of the fallen Peredur’s [Peredur]. All had red cuts around their necks. He made his way carefully to where the black stallion stood, head bowed and forlorn. When Colas approached, he realised way Phira stood where he did. He was watching over his master. Lissi lay on the ground with her eyes closed, her long black hair had been blown across her face in the morning breeze. Colas knelt down beside her and brushed the hair away. Lissi’s skin was cold and white. In her hands, she held her knife which was pushed through her necklace.
Colas searched all the possible places for a pulse, but he found none. Tears slowly rolled down his face as he realised that there was no way Lissi could still be alive. His heart exploded with a sadness that he had never felt before in all his long years. He cradled her in his arms and cried, his pain numbing every limb in his body, and every thought in his mind.
* * * * *
Colas stood waist deep in the river by the fallen Peredur’s and bent to gently kiss his love, then released his grip and watched the makeshift vessel drift down stream. Lissi lay upon the raft he had created using his dark cloak and the limbs of several trees. Her face bore the expression of one in a deep slumber, her hands were folded across her midsection, around her, Colas had placed her knife, her necklace, Phira’s bridle and many pure green leaves from the trees of Mirkwood. Colas stood watching the flowing waters until he could no longer see her. ‘Namarië, melamin Once again, he whispered farewell in his beautiful language before turning and hopping back onto Vesur’s back. He looked up at the clear sky and took a deep breath. Then he began to ride through the piles of dead Peredur’s [Peredur] back to his home. Phira took one last sorrowful look at the river, then trotted up to his new master, who would look after him, just like Lissi did. While he rode back, all Colas could think about was how would he be able to go on without that Peredur maiden that had stolen his heart. But he had to, one day king Legolas will pass his throne down to his son. If Colas left, his father would be very disappointed in him. Just then, he remember what his mother had always told him. Life goes on, no matter what happens.
TWO WEEKS LATER
Colas sat above the lake, the last place he had been with the Peredur warrior. He had been there everyday, nearly all day since his love had been taken away from him. Tonight, the sky was unusually clear, and the stars seemed strangely bright. This particular star, seemed to grow brighter as the night wore on. Colas watched it closely, as it grew bigger and bigger. He stood up and stepped away from the cliff edge, a confused and cautious look on his face. Suddenly, the light was right in front of him. He winced at the brightness of it and turned his face away, then he slowly looked back as the light began to fade, to reveal a tall black-haired figure.
Colas’ face gasped as the light faded completely. ‘It cannot be.’ He whispered, shaking his head slowly. It’s a trick of the mind, he thought. His heart raced as he looked the figure up and down. They had long pure black hair, dark brown eyes and wore a long silk, white gown, that seemed to glow slightly.
‘But it is Colas.’ The being whispered.
‘Lissi?’ The female before him nodded, smiling. Colas took her hand in his and a warmth spread through his body. With his other hand, he traced the red mark on her neck. ‘It is you!’ He smiled as happiness exploded inside him, he flung his arms around Lissi and hugged her tightly. She returned his embrace and sensed his happiness to see her. ‘But how, Lissi?’
Lissi placed her lips to Colas’ and kissed him tenderly. Then she splayed a hand over his heart and looked into his gorgeous blue eyes. ‘Because of you, and partially because of what I did for your people.’
‘Why because of me?’
‘You love me, for as long as I have your heart, I will live on. But the moment you stop loving me, I’ll go, and next time, I wont come back.’ Colas looked hurt at this.
‘Gerich meleth nîn, Lissi. ‘I will take you, where is Phira?’
‘He is in the stables, missing you terribly. He will be glad to see you.’ Lissi smiled at this. ‘My father was also sad about what happened. He is very grateful, you saved our city.’
‘Is there much damage?’
‘No.’
‘I was going to say, my realm is empty and…no, I had better say this to the king.’ They walked to the city hand in hand. Glad to be with each other again. When Legolas saw Lissi with his son, he almost fainted of shock.’
‘Lissi, I want to thank-you for saving this city. How can I ever repay you?’
‘You can repay, my lord, by taking over Cenvan. It is deserted. I want it to be shared by all the races of Middle-Earth, elves, men, ents, dwarves, hobbits. I assure you, it is a lovely place now Peredur’s no longer dwell there.’ Lissi looked hopefully at the king.
‘It had been raining a lot lately, and I know the men of Lake Town and Esgaroth are eager to find somewhere else to live, now their homes and buildings have been ruined by the floods. They will be very thankful. I will take you up on your offer, Lissi, and I will inform anyone who wishes to go there.’ Lissi beamed at this, and her dark eyes shone with light that would always be there. ‘But I will only do this if you and Colas rule Cenvan.’
‘Ok, after all, you could say it’s my realm, considering I’m the only Peredur left.’ Legolas nodded.
After the meeting, Colas and Lissi walked to his room, as Lissi no longer had one. There, they slept in each others arms, not wanting to let each other go.
* * * * *
Colas and Lissi were both ready to leave for Cenvan by mid morning. When Phira had first seen Lissi, he had gone completely mad with joy. Within a few days, people will be joining the two in the realm of Cenvan, to make the perfect city.
When the lunch bell sounded at the king’s hall, Lissi and Colas rode out of the city and northward through the trees. For two days they travelled across the plains towards the grey mountains, leaving the forest of Mirkwood behind them. Finally, early afternoon on their third day, the two travellers came to the roots of Mount Garm.
Cenvan was built on three levels, each delved into the slope of the mountain, about each, was set a wall and in each wall, there was a gate. All these gates were set in line with each other, to the top, where there was a large building, very much like King Legolas’ hall. The first gate they pasted through bore the symbol of the Harthiens. This was the city of Isil-Garr. To the left were the stables, where many horses once dwelt and to the right, were the horses, made of stone and wood. Each of the three cities were set out like this. The two rode in silence through Isil-Garr, then Pil-Garth, then finally through Isp-Len, the smallest of the three. At the top, they stopped and looked out over the realm.
‘What do you think?’ Lissi asked, blocking the sun from her eyes using her hand.
‘I could get used to living here. This is going to make the perfect city.’
‘It’s much nicer now the Peredur’s have gone. Come on, I’ll show you the Withered Heath. We had better walk, or Phira will go made and fly across the grass.’ They dismounted and left the horses to look after themselves. Then, Lissi led Colas down an alley at the back of the region. At the end of the alley, they stepped out onto the lush green grass. Behind them were the mountains, in front, for as far as even elven eyes can see, the green fields stretched out almost totally flat. Lissi continued to lead Colas around the roots of the mountains, always with the plains to their right. They walked in silence until the sun had disappeared to the horizon and the stars and moon began to peep out, the two came to the stream. There was a waterfall there, that tumbled down the slope of the tall snow capped mountain. To Colas’ surprise, Lissi squeezed through the gap between the waterfall and the rock. She motioned for him to follow, which he did. Behind the fall, was a small concealed cave. The light of the moon outside seemed to pass through the water into the cave, which gave it an enchanting glow. ‘This is my special place.’ Lissi whispered above the sound of splashing water outside.
‘It’s lovely. I can’t say how happy I am that you’re back.’ Colas wrapped his arms around Lissi’s waist and kissed her forehead.
‘You don’t have to. I can sense how you’re feeling.’ Lissi then kissed Colas passionately, exploring his mouth with her tongue. ‘Thank-you for showing me how to love, and what it’s like to be loved.’ She whispered on his lips before kissing him again. And that night, in that small cave, Colas and Lissi proved their love for each other. They promised to never be parted again, and they weren’t.
THE END
Part Three