Osgiliath Retaken!

Season:             Autumn

Date:               Orbelain - November 18, 3045

Real Time:          Tue Jan 06 22:10:03 2009

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Osgiliath: Eastern Ruins - Outside the Tumbled Wall

This area, to the east of the walls of Osgiliath, is merely a torn mesh of ground and the occassional broken stones. Once the proud walls stood high to the west, cradling the eastern half of the city protectively. But no more. Now those same walls are a shadow of their former selves broken and scarred beyond repair, their stones lay tumbled over one another like feeble elderly people, to tired to stand. Pieces of them have been strewn far into this area as the architecture was ripped up to serve other means. The grass, only growing in scant clumps, seems sickly and afraid of the open air. It is nighttime.

[Bor(#30834)]

Clouds, clouds, clouds. There are many of them and thickly layered over the eastern edge of Osgiliath. Few rays of moonlight peak here and there through their denseness, but the fields are entirely dark.

The bridge was taken less than a week ago, and despite the losses Gondor has suffered, she presses on. And here upon these broken stones, vengeance culminates. Lining the forces of the realm are Hostmen, Ranger, and Knight alike, and together they stand as a single unit, differences all but forgotten.

Bor looks to the men nearby, \"Ahead. We drive them out.\"

Although the forces of the Dark Lord have won some victories in this drawn battle over these lands--most notably the ambush of about a week ago--they have also experienced sudden and unexpected losses. And so as the tarks of Gondor mass to stage another drive, the Mordains position themselves carefully, craftily. Rows upon rows of snagas stand ready to meet the charge of tarks with arrows, sword and spear, yet other Mordains also lurk in hidden places, ready to spring dark traps on their enemy if they may.

A loud drum begins to sound now, steady, deep beats, and the masses of orcs pick up its sound with a grunting chant of words of doom for the men before them.

[Gurtir(#30678)]

The Men of Ithilien are divided: those with their swords drawn and spears prepared lead the way of the Hosts of Gondor as light infantry, while those wielding javelins and longbows remain in the last lines, preparing their rain of darts.

Gurtir is amidst these first ones there, in the first rows, he keeps the hearts steady with two simple phrases:

\"Osgiliath is ours. Let\'s remind them of this.\".

On they go. As it is the wont of the Rangers, they meet the loud havoc of the orcs with their cold silence.

[Arathis(#30050)]

Aside the many banners of Gondor\'s Hosts tower some tokens of azure, emblazoned with Silver Swans now a-gilt in their bearers\' torchlight. For upon the left flank of their countrymen stand the warriors of Amroth, numbering a single cohort of one-hundred Men-at-Arms of that city and three-dozen Horsemen behind.

Among the latter rides Arathis of the Isilrim, his sable destrier in a quickening gait as the Knights ready themselves.

[Teranor(#30402)]

Discipline and courage, the black clad men march and stand stoically, their faces masks without emotion. Hundreds of eyes facing forward, men ready to live and die for reclaiming Osgiliath.

At their lead, one of the Lieutenants of the Silver Ship rides quietly to the front. Teranor reigns his black horse gently, his lips pursed close together. One hand slides through the stublle on his chin, his gray eyes searching the men of Ithilien ahead. Unlike his compatriots he has no encouraging words or phrases to give. A glance over his shoulder to the sea of three hundred black clad soldiers, is the only assurance he will give as of now.

[Zerg(#20393)]

\"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!\"

Zerg screams loudly amongst the other screaming orcs of Mordor who are set to meet the charge of the ugly tarks. He bangs his hammer to his shield.

\"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!\"

In the front ranks of Mordor\'s dogs of war stands an orc, taller and wider than those around him. A metal helm crowns his head, and dark mail clads his form. Call him Blork.

Axe and dagger are at his belt currently, for in his hands he holds a whip, which he now cracks over the heads of his sniveling underlings. \"Forward ya slime afore I cleave ya heads in two wi\' my own axe!! Forward!!\" A crack of the whip--and a lash of the whip on the backs of more than a few of those dogs--and Mordor\'s host begins to move forward.

Satisfied with this, Blork coils the whip back onto his belt and unhooks his battle axe, eyes scanning the tarks as if he is purveying the menu at a restaurant.

[Spunk(#15492)]           A strange sound comes from the back of the masses of uruks and uruk-hai. The gutteral wail comes as if nothing has before, before the dark behemoth of Mordor runs amid the ruins of Osgiliath. \"Tark tark, SMASH SMASH SMASH, tark tark, BASH BASH BASH!\" Spunk crows and charges on with the orcs.

[Arathis(#30050)]

Even above the budding thunderclap of hooves governs the bass of the Isilrim Knight, travelling well to the Horsemen about him: \"Ride always together, and beware the grove\'s borders. Be not overzealous: ours is to set the bounds of our enemy\'s movement, and force them to the footmen. A hammer is naught without an anvil beneath.\"

These words are marked with steel\'s moan as the Knights ready their blades, riding to the extreme left of the larger group. A triad of horn blasts then from their Captain--and, in unison, song erupts among the warriors of Amroth, echoed by the Men-at-Arms aside. It is not a kind tune, and their voices carry over the din of steel.

Sethikh(#16098)]         At the honoured right flank of the Mordain lines, is one of the prides of the East - The Elite Warg Riders of Sarn Goriwing. Leading from the front as always, the Teguk Sethikh sits quietly upon his restless mount. Beside the Captain, is his standard bearer who shifts uncomfortably as he adjusts the unit\'s flag, a black howling warg on a white full moon. Around his neck is a black horn with blood red runes carved into its sides.

The thirty riders keeping their mounts in check are as fell looking as the creatures which they ride upon as they are garbed in various twisted forms of armour and hides. Some so pale in colour that they could only be made from human flesh. Their bodies themselves have been ritualisticly scared and tattoed and around each of their necks are horrible bite marks from Wargs themselves.

Giving his Warg a slight kick, the dark cavalier moves forward in front of his lines to speak to his men. \"Well it appears these humans were smart enough to find the battlefield but in this they reveal their foolishness. For who but fools would dare face the Orcs of the Northern Tower!\" This rouses the dark laughter of his men and cheering to boot.

\"We shall cut them down like weeds and leave them as food for our hungry mounts! Do not fear these Knights! They die just like any of these paleskins even if they are garbed layers of steel! Imagine how much they fear us if they are forced to do so! Make your kills quick and many! Warrios of Ujakalsaki! Let them HEAR US HOWL!\" The last yelled words echo strangely as they leave the mouth opening of the Teguk\'s death mask. As if on cue the Wargs upon which the elite orcs ride rase their heads and howl to the moon above, in long cold tones.

The whole force Mordain now appears envirgorated by their leader and and his guard and much stomping and cheering erupts forth from the black ranks of Mordor.

[Gurtir(#30678)]

And so it is that a single whistle, leaving from the lips of Gurtir and carrying far and high to the men of Ithilien at the fore, a limpid, crystalline sound they all recognize better than horns, for it is the call they daily use in the wild, has them charging forward with speed, spears and swords ready to bite and tear and stab.

The Ranger\'s eyes are fixed upon Blork, the tall orc.

[Spunk(#15492)]           The olog rushes towards the lines of men, as well as through the lines of orc. \"Bash bash, Spunk wanna bash!\" He howls and continues on, charging to line towards the tarks. His axe, that fell axe, stained with the blood of tarks, is in the behemoth\'s deadly hands

[Sethikh(#16098)]         Returning to his place in the ranks, Sethikh draws his wicked scimitar and rases his horn blowing a single long howling note. The blood red runes appearing to almost glow as the wind passes through the war instrument. \"Orcs of Mordor! Charge!\" Turning to his elite guard he speaks, \"Brothers! We must breaks their horsemen! Once they see their bravest fall, fear will take over their hearts! With me Howling Fangs! For the Eye!\"

Kicking his mount in the direction of the orcs, the Teguk and his Elite Guard leap along toward their horse mounted adversaries while the lines of foot mounted orc charge forward to meet the foe!

Blork\'s cruel laughter cuts through the noise of battle cries as the uruk\'s eyes meet Guritr\'s and see the challenge. \"So you want to play, little tarkie, is that it? The Ranger boy came out of the woods to play with his little swords? Come on, here, Ranger, Ranger,\" he taunts, then rushes forward along with the lines of orcs he has whipped into a battle frenzy.

Blork\'s axe sweeps a wide arc toward Gurtir as he tires to hew at his foe and cut him side to side.

[Gurtir(#30678)]

Gurtir bends his body backwards, one foot falling behind for purchase and to help in the evasion. Meanwhile he holds his spear tight, hoping Blork\'s own momentum will push the orc against the iron tip.

\"Not swords, handsome. Spear.\"

[Laegtiri(#30836)]

The din of war echoes into the dark heavens and seems to invoke a response from the sky-dwellers. Over the ruins of Osgiliath, the great Eagles glide though remaining hidden from view due to the dark backdrop of the night. As the amber gaze sweeps over the lands, Laegtiri says, \"It would seem that the a battle is about to ensue between good and evil, light and darkness. Shall we offer our aid to these Men of Gondor?\"

[Teranor(#30402)]

\"They\'re quite annoying.\" Most officers yell shouts of encouragement, war cries, statements of victory. Teranor simply comments on the loud nature of the approaching enemy. His hand slowly makes his way down to the blade. The longsword is slowly drawn as he glances back to the men behind him. A stoic nod is given to his men, one leg brought up over the horse as he dismounts. He doesn\'t like fighting mounted.

The reigns of the beast are handed off as the Lieutenant marches at the head of the Hosts prepared for the oncoming charge of the enemy. His legs bend somewhat, shield placed forward.

Gurtir\'s spear finds its mark as it pierces through Blork\'s mail armor on his left side, but the orc just grunts at the wound. Down comes his axe blade, aimed toward Gurtir\'s leg, trying to take advantage of the Ranger\'s backward step.

\"Spear, sword...it\'s all the same to me, tark. Either way I can smell and taste your blood already. Besides...\" A sick grin with blackened teeth can now be seen on the portion of the uruk\'s face not hidden by his helmet, \"I\'m handsome, no?\"

[Zerg(#20393)]

Zerg cries loudly at Blork\'s call to rush forward and rush forward he does, amidst the great sea of orcs. His hammer waves in the air...

...and finds the first man of the Gondorian look that he sees: Teranor.

Zerg attacks Teranor with his War Hammer, but Teranor parries the attack with his Longsword!

[Raugsaul(#29253)] Another of the raptors alongside his brother in arms. He sees and hears easily the battle below the words of the other bring his attention back his wings tilted keeping him aloft. \"I believe they are in need if only to keep that dim monstrosity off of them.\" Raugsaul turns back but tilts his wings towards the battle swift and agile for his size.

[Arathis(#30050)]

The song of Amroth relents none at the howls of the black beasts, growing only louder in harmony\'s retort, and pronounced further by horn blasts innumerable. Matching the greater commotion, the trot of the Horsemen suddenly livens, albeit they tarry some moments ere issuing into a charge, even as the wargs whisk already into an attack. Thus they cede some position:

\"Then they cleave themselves from their yrch allies, and wish to meet us in unison with our footmen!\" laughs the Isilrim Knight, his bass yet in song\'s lilt. \"Very well,--Amroth for Gondor! Amroth for the Capital!\"

These calls echoed, the Horsemen of Gondor burst into a charge to meet the wargs, positioning themselves quickly into a spearhead formation. And at their fore, besides their Captain, rides Arathis, blade readied, his destrier set to collide with the Captain of the wargs ahead.--

[Gurtir(#30678)]

Quickly does Gurtir pull his spear free and leaps backwards to attack again not quick enough to prevent Blork\'s axe from indeed tasting his blood. With a pained grunt, he describes an arch with the bottom of his spear, sending it towards the orc\'s head-- let the bells ring.

\"Impossibly handsome.\", the Ranger laughs, a cold and terrible battle laugh.

[Spunk(#15492)]           Spunk looks to the battlefields layout, \"Tark! Tark!? Come here Tarky!\" The great beast howls and turns about to look for a target. Rushing forward he finds one at the front of the Gondorian armor, Teranor. Howling the troll rushes forward axe chopping upon Teranor.

Spunk attacks Teranor with his Bare Hands, but he misses by an arm\'s length.

The bells do ring as the spear clangs loudly on Blork\'s helmet, and for a moment the uruk stands a little shakily, struggling to regain his balance. Not so shakily, though, that he doesn\'t have the good sense to lash out with his axe, though it is a wild swing and it might bring the flat of the blade toward Gurtir\'s axe.

\"Make you more handsome before I eat you, tark. Fix yer nose right up for you.\"

[Laegtiri(#30836)]

Laegtiri follows suit as he angles his body to lower him towards the land. With great flaps of his wings, he glides across the sky and towards the troll that seems very excited to devastate the enemy. \"We will need to watch out for that axe of his. I am sure it could do a great deal of damage,\" remarks the Eagle.

[Teranor(#30402)]

No words proceed him, his might as well be made of the same material that shapes his blade. The orcs proceed, and the men of Gondor move forward to match them. Hosts flood in around him, clashing against the cruder weapons. Teranor\'s icy gaze fixes on a particular creature swinging up at him.

His blade swings up, deflecting the hammer as the Lieutanat cleanly sidesteps, allowing himself more area of movement and allows the orc to continue on with its own momentum. His gaze flicks sideways at Zerg before he is caught up by a much, much, bigger problem.

As the overly big axe crushes into the ground it is all Teranor can do to pedal backwards and avoid the attack. Glaring up at the troll, Teranor gives a flash of teeth before darting forward, swinging his blade out at the giant creature\'s leg.

Teranor attacks Spunk with his Longsword and mildly wounds him!

[Spunk(#15492)]           A gash, minor at that, opens upon Spunk\'s calf. As the man of Gondor, Teranor by name, dodges his axe and scores a single scrape upon his leg the troll howls and sings. \"Smashy smashy, crashy crunchy, I hit you, a whole bunchy!\" Spunk sings, and smacks at Teranor again.

Spunk attacks Teranor with his Axe, but he misses by a hair.

[Zerg(#20393)]

Zerg\'s hands quiver as his blow is deflected aside, and he seems to shrink back a bit before the troll steps in to his side. His red eyes then glimmer.

\"TARK SMASH!\" he yells, swinging for Teranor\'s head.

Zerg attacks Teranor with his War Hammer, but he misses by a handspan.

[Sethikh(#16098)]         Noticing the spear head, he shouts to his men in his vile language. \"Break into two from the middle and smash in on the two sides of the spearhead!\" Frothing at the mouth and ripping apart the ground beneath their clawed feat, the Wargs look hungrily towards their prey. The Riders atop the beasts prepare themselves for the collision with some of the finest quality blade and shield that Mordor can field.

And so the two cavarly forces meet like two opposing hammers but which side will prove the stronger? Lances and spear are broken upon Warg and Rider and jaws and claws meet the mounts of men and the Gondorians themselves before the momentum slows and several are already dead upon the field.

Still a horse so to speak, the Captain of the Warg Riders moves towards one of the Knights and swings out his scimitar against the man of Dol Amroth\'s midrif. This Knight just so happens to be the Knight Arathis.

Sethikh attacks Arathis with his Scimitar, but he misses by a handspan.

[Teranor(#30402)]

He\'s faced trolls before. He\'s been thrown by trolls before, so the fear that surges through him is understandable. The fear that compells him to simply drop his sword, urinate himself, and flee. For just a moment it sounds rather appealing.

Just for a moment.

Dropping to his knees, Teranor lowers his head, just before the axe of Spunk swings right over him. A breath is taken as one leg comes up, forcing himself back to his feet. And then there\'s Zerg. One foot flies forward, into the ground hard allowing him to spin and barely avoid the attack of the warhammer. His blade flies out at the orc\'s back as he does so, though his gaze flicks at the much larger enemy warily.

Teranor attacks Zerg with his Longsword, but Zerg parries the attack with his War Hammer!

[Gurtir(#30678)]

As he sees the oncoming axe, Gurtir can\'t but lower his head, so that the weapon\'s blunt side hits his helmet. Grithing teeth, the only attack he can attempt is that which comes from the slashing arch the spear peak describes to undo what his previous attack had done.

\"Let\'s see who fixes whom.\"

[Zerg(#20393)]

Zerg\'s attack is heavy and his recovery not the swiftest, yet it just so happens that his hammer comes up in just enough time to catch the Gondorian\'s strike before it slices open his back. He snickers at the man.

\"I will eat your face!!!!\"

And then he swings his hammer round toward Teranor\'s midsection, hoping to knock him backwards.

Zerg attacks Teranor with his War Hammer and badly wounds him!

[Arathis(#30050)]

At the movements of the ever-nearing wargs ahead, the fell guffaw of the Isilrim Knight emanates once again: \"They cleave themselves from their allies, then separate even themselves! Dumb dogs!\"

Arathis attacks Sethikh with his Longsword and mildly wounds him!

Thus the spearhead of Amroth thrusts into the Enemy\'s beasts, their song finally forsaken for the din of steel upon steel and, in extension to the grin marking him, the blade of Arathis flurries in passing sweep for the Captain of the wargs, even as he bends within his saddle to avoid a blow from the same.

[Spunk(#15492)]           Too engaged in the battle, Spunk doesn\'t notice the plunge the eagles take. Instead he grows frustrated as he cannot seem to hit the little tark Teranor. \"You hold still!\" He purrs and as Zerg\'s hammer-head strikes home, he smacks at the tark again hoping the hit will daze the little human.

Spunk attacks Teranor with his Axe, but Teranor parries the attack with his Longsword!

[Raugsaul(#29253)] The gaze of the second eagle turns back to his kinsman. \"That is the trick isn\'t it?\" he squawks as if a chuckles escapes his beak, but it\'s stifled quickly as he approaches where he wished to be. Raugsaul tilts his wings and body now quickly approaching the battle strew ground and his target.

Blork hops out of the way of the spear\'s point as bet he can, though it does draw a line of blood along the orc\'s face. Almost he answers the Ranger, but then a group of the uruk\'s own orcs engulf him, drawing him back from the battle for the moment and off toward another furious fight with the men of Gondor.

Endaerion(#30487)]

From the back ranks, a tall Gondorian man commands a regiment of archers most of them Rangers and Scouts. Brief flickers of torchlight reveal him to be Endaerion, but in the pervading darkness only grey eyes emanate the silver reflection of the moon overhead. They hold a hard gaze which scans the field before him, studying the masses of man and uruk which engage upon it.

\"Forward!\" he cries from the rear and the rank advances further before halting at the sign of his clenched fist. With a nod of his head, a pair of scouts walk the line of archers bearing torches. One by one their arrow tips are ignited, presenting a wall off flame to the opposing enemy side. \"On my mark,\" the Ranger commands, \"send them back to Udun!\"

A gauntleted fist, previously raised, sends the volley forth.

Endaerion launches an arrow...

Endaerion\'s bowshot hits Zerg, moderately wounding him.

[Sethikh(#16098)]         The Captain laughs evily at his miss and then the hit received from the Knight. \"You call that a cut?\" While his beast bites and claws at those around him the war masked Teguk\'s phocus is on the paleskin before him, the long cavarly scimitar in his hand ready for blood. For now he pays no attention to his own trickle of black blood which runs along his Ring Mail. \"Fang hungers tark. Feel its clawing embrace!\" Erupting in more laughter, the Captain of Sarn Goriwing strikes once more in a downward slash at the Knight\'s sword arm!

Sethikh attacks Arathis with his Scimitar, but he misses by a mile.

[Teranor(#30402)]

\"That\'s disgusting.\" Teranor comments quietly, mostly to himself as he brings up his blade to defend himself from Zerg\'s next attack. But he isn\'t strong enough to fend off the momentum this time. The warhammer lands squarely in his gut as the Lieutenant staggers backward and ultimately falls back.

Laboring to breathe, Teranor shoves his elbow into the ground to get back to his feet. And then there\'s a very large axe coming in. His blade flies up as he goes to roll away, giving him just enough momentum to avoid the huge weapon. Soon the man is back on his feet, his gray eyes on Zerg. He advances, blade flying up at the creature\'s head.

Teranor attacks Zerg with his Longsword, but he misses by a mile.

[Gurtir(#30678)]

The men of Ithilien at the fore have done their orc as light infantry engaging the battle, now, as the Hosts have caught up with them, another whistle from Gurtir, they allow themselves to fall through the lines of Hostmen ere being sent off again, this time to harass a particular part of the Enemy formation.

[Laegtiri(#30836)]

Laegtiri finally comes within striking distance of his opponent. Opening his beak, he lets out a great cry while his talons bare forth to swipe at the troll. The amber eyes once reflecting a calm sea of peace now come alive with the ferocity of a stormy ocean.

[Zerg(#20393)]

Zerg laughs as the Gondorian is thrown back, but then...

\"AHHHHHH! NASTY PRICKS!!! NASTY PRICKS!!!\"

Clearly, an arrow has pierced his shoulder. He breaks it off but the tip remains...just the tip. The wound is open and blood rushes forth.

Yet he attacks onwards. Bringing the hammer to bear upon Teranor, as he dodges aside the man\'s strike, he swings for a shoulder.

[Arathis(#30050)]

A hard pull of the reins, and Arathis pivots with his fellow Swansmen to face the bifurcated group of wargs about them. Some fain illness contorts the otherwise stoic visage of the Isilrim Knight his laugh is terrible atop his destrier.

\"Nonsense!\" pronounces his bass at the barks of the warg Captain, whose attack for his sword arm he deftly avoids through that arm\'s employment: his elbow bends in, and with the stand of his mount, he thrusts hard for the neck of Sethikh.

Arathis attacks Sethikh with his Longsword and mildly wounds him!

[Spunk(#15492)]           Howling with rage, the troll leans in, his axe bared in both hands. \"You stay still dammit! Or I sit on ye, and squish ye head!\" Spunk roars, as the eagles screech can\'t stop the falling axe, however Spunk seems to get off one last downward swipe at the tark before a pair of claws pierce his shoulder forcing a second howl, lusted over strongly for the Olog\'s desire to see Eagle blood now

Spunk attacks Teranor with his Axe, but he misses by a mile.

[Sethikh(#16098)]         With a quick shift of the saddle, the blow from the Knight is almost completely dodged except that his shield arm is caught and grunt erupts from the Captain. It does not break the mail but the impact is enough to draw the Demon of Sarn Goriwing\'s anger. \"The Eye shall claim your soul and purify you in its firy embrace!\" This time Sethikh leans into a thrust directed to break through the Knight\'s armour and give him some real damage.

Around him, his elite borthers are hard at work doing what they do best. War. The life of the orc.

Sethikh attacks Arathis with his Scimitar, but Arathis parries the attack with his shield!

[Teranor(#30402)]

A cry of pain is let out as the hammer connect once again. Teranor all but crumbles at the attack, he goes down to his knees, his body whipping back as Zerg\'s attack lands true. His shield arm hangs all but limply at his side, grasping the sword tightly he brings it up in a desperate and wild attack up at ther Orc.

Shoving himself to his feet, the man limps backward, trying to get some ground in between himself and the orc. And then comes stupid Spunk, again! Teranor barely has time to react this time, but a leap manages to carry him out of the path of the weapon and land on the relative safety of the dirt.

[Raugsaul(#29253)] The second eagle pulls into a tight spin before continuing his steep dive, so as his brother in arms attacks from one way he attacks at another angle. Raugsaul\'s gaze is focused on his target as his talons strike out to swipe at the troll.

Raugsaul attacks Spunk with his Eagle Claws and mildly wounds him!

[Zerg(#20393)]

Zerg dances aside Teranor\'s blow, and continues to dance near the man in triumph. He squeals and yells, raising his hammer into the air victoriously.

And then bringing it crashing down again upon the Lieutenant.

Zerg attacks Teranor with his War Hammer and badly wounds him!

[Arathis(#30050)]

The thrust of the Knight\'s opponent is, with some indication of ease, deflected away with his shield. His retort is swift: shield remaining extended, as if to catch the yrch\'s blade again, his own thunders in an arch for the collar of the warg Captain.

No words are offered to augment his gift.

Arathis attacks Sethikh with his Longsword and badly wounds him!

[Gurtir(#30678)]

\"EAGLES!\"

Thus rises the cry amidst the men of Gondor, alerting any who wasn\'t yet aware of the huge bird that they have help. Some cheer, some keep their glee for themselves, yet all feel a new strength coming to their arms, and push harder at their foes.

Meanwhile, the light infantry of Rangers Gurtir has led for a break behind the strong lines of the Hosts return, \"Get that Lieutenant.\", the Carmayar tells one of his even as he charges at Zerg, his spear tip glinting faintly under the moonlight.

Gurtir attacks Zerg with his Spear and moderately wounds him!

[Spunk(#15492)]           As Laegtiri\'s claws dig into Spunks shoulders, the axe blade fails to hit the little tark again. A second, lighter attack, from Raugsaul grazes his thick troll hide. \"Big, fat, blood chickens!\" Spunk growls and turns left to slash at Raugsaul. \"Im\'ma pluck, and feather you!\" He howls and smacks at the great-winged beast.

Spunk attacks Raugsaul with his Axe and mildly wounds him!

[Sethikh(#16098)]         Moving to avoid, the blade of his enemy comes down hard on the Captain\'s shield arm. Instead of cries, however the insane orc burst forth in more laughter. \"A hit! A real hit! The pain is like fire on a cold night! Embrace it!\" The Warg beneath the Captain even notices the blow and as such bites out at the Knight\'s mount, the many teeth ready to rip flesh from bone should it find its mark.

Slashing now at Arathis\' side Fang seeks blood.

Sethikh attacks Arathis with his Scimitar, but he misses by a handspan.

[Endaerion(#30487)]

The first volley has some success, many of the shots sticking out of the ground and surrounding structures, even igniting some parts of the battlefield. Another volley is ordered and released. \"At will.\" Endaerion commands, who brings to bear his own sights on a target before demonstrating Cuthalion mastery of the bow.

[Teranor(#30402)]

Another attack, another cry, another attempt to stabilize himself. Teranor dances a little to pause himself from fully falling down. Tilting his head back, the battle starts to become a blur. Pain all but ruling him. Blood slowly cascades down his chin. His eyes land squarely on Zerg and one last cry is let out as the man charges forward once again, swinging his blade out powerfully at the orc. His gaze flicks momentarily at the Ranger coming to claim him, and the other ranger at his side. He won\'t leave until he\'s dragged out.. Which might be very soon.

Teranor attacks Zerg with his Longsword and mildly wounds him!

Endaerion launches an arrow...

Endaerion\'s bowshot hits Zerg, badly wounding him.

[Laegtiri(#30836)]

Dark troll blood now stains the talons of Laegtiri as he quickly wheels around in the sky and returns for a second attack. With claws once again ready. the great Eagle speeds towards the shoulder of the troll aiming for the gash that had been created from the previous attack.

Laegtiri attacks Spunk with his Eagle Claws and mildly wounds him!

[Zerg(#20393)]

Zerg\'s victory celebrations are cut short and three blows reign in upon his body. He spits black blood from his mouth as his eyes look between the two targets in sight. The orc selects Teranor again and his hammer descends.

Zerg attacks Teranor with his War Hammer and severely wounds him!

[Arathis(#30050)]

Advancement marks the lot of Amroth\'s Men-at-Arms, as they begin to push ever nearer to the embattled Knights. Yet their march momentarily falters as calls resound about them grey eyes scan the skies, and soon blades are raised in morale\'s unison: \"Huzzah! Eagles!\"

\"Praise be to Maenwe! The Sons of Gondor fight with the Gods!\"

The latter cry falls from Arathis, who also quickly diverts his gaze towards the diving avians. Song again erupts among the Knights of Amroth their fare is not poor, and their blades not without effect. Testament to such, the Isilrim nimbly bends within his saddle yet again, observing with some calm the vain flight of his opponent\'s scimitar.

It is only the sight of the attack upon his destrier, a warhorse of Rohir stock, which seems to perturb him. At the very least, a note of anger alights his features, and a new strength fires his blade in thrust for his enemy\'s chest.

Arathis attacks Sethikh with his Longsword and moderately wounds him!

[Grox(#31869)]

From the rear of the Mordain ranks (if such can be said of the loosely organized conglomoration which makes up the fighting force of the Dark Lord), a bellowing roar resounds. At once, the orcs in the further ranks--those not yet engaged with the enemy--turn, and swiftly the remaining forces begin to part, admitting a lumbering behemoth. Once again, the roar eminates. Behind it, one of the few remaining walls shatters, and from t\'s remnants, a behemoth steps forth.

\"I come for BLOOD!\" growls the Olog-Hai, his eyes blazing twain drops of crimson in the night, the scant light breaking the clouds glinting off his massive, wickedly curved battle axe. Another growl, as he issues forth a challenge. \"Who would dare stand against me!?\" he roars, before the monstrosity charges forth, his very footfalls sending tremors through the ground ere his axe sweeps out before him.

And with the challenge yet hanging in the air, Grox, Overlord of Dol Guldur, tears into the center of the Gondorian forces arrayed against the minions of Sauron.

[Gurtir(#30678)]

Gurtir takes the time Zerg spent hitting Teranor again to pull his spear back quickly and backpedals to get some defensive distance. Then, like a snake pouncing its prey, the cool iron tip flies again at Zerg.

Gurtir attacks Zerg with his Spear, but he misses by a mile.

[Teranor(#30402)]

Blood goes everywhere at Zerg\'s attack, and Teranor goes reeling. Right into the arms of his new friend the Ranger. Teranor\'s face which used to be a mask of steel and ice is now a mess of blood and smashed little bones. A weak cough is emitted, as the man all but melts in the arms of the ranger who was sent to retrieve him. Weakly hanging onto his sword, the Lieutenant is quickly escorted away from Zerg and the battle. His feet weakly thumping against the ground as he is mostly dragged away...

Raugsaul pulls back up but alas not quick enough luckily the wound is minor. The eagle\'s lets out a screetch in anger and comes around indeed for another pass at the troll, his eyes are focused and angry. He nears and again strikes out at the trolls tough skin.

Raugsaul attacks Spunk with his Eagle Claws, but he misses by a mile.

[Spunk(#15492)]           As the troll is struck again, his shoulder wound opens a bit wider but still little cause to worry as thick drops of blood spray those amid the humanoid fighters. The wound still isn\'t deep enough for such a dense olog. This time the troll goes right, dodging Raugsaul\'s deadly claws before taking a swipe at Laegtiri. \"The come for blood overlord!\" Spunk howls through the ruffled features of the eagles.

Spunk attacks Laegtiri with his Axe, but Laegtiri parries the attack with his Eagle Claws!

[Zerg(#20393)]

Zerg sees the Ranger\'s blow just in time to step aside, and he does.

Then his hammer swings near his waist to drive towards Gurtir\'s side, as he bellows loudly to drive the attack home.

Zerg attacks Gurtir with his War Hammer, but he misses by a mile.

[Sethikh(#16098)]         Suddenly the Captain\'s laughter ceases as if it had never been there. The permanent smile upon the mask is the only remaining sign of his merriment as he gazes upon the advancing infantry. The blow is taken in silent as it breaks through the mail and into the upper parts of his chest, though it does not strike his heart or longue. Cocking his head at a fourty five degree angle, the silent Warg Rider Captain slashes out in a invigorated manner. And why? \"Grox has come, human. Death has arrived.\"

Sethikh attacks Arathis with his Scimitar, but Arathis parries the attack with his Longsword!

[Endaerion(#30487)]

The line nearly breaks at the coming of Grox, and for the moment it seems that it might still! The mighty Olog-Hai needn\'t even strike, for his foes flee at his very presence. For a moment, the tide seems to turn...

But determination emerges from the rear flanks, as Endaerion trades bow for blade and steps forward to meet the troll before its very feet. The Cold Lord dares...

\"Blood you will find, servant of the Dark One, but it will not taste well to you. Troll blood is vile!\" And charging forward, the blade of Arathil again seeks its revenge.

Endaerion attacks Grox with his Longsword, but he misses by a handspan.

[Gurtir(#30678)]

The briefest of glances cast over his shoulder, and Gurtir leaps backwards one more time, scaping Zerg\'s attack.

As the Ragner strikes back, a quick thrust at the orc\'s face, he cries-- though it is to the men of the Hosts, now bereft of their Lieutenant, \"Hold together, men, and push forward! We only leave when they are but corpses on the ground or memories of sadder days!\"

\"OBLITERATION!\"

Gurtir attacks Zerg with his Spear and badly wounds him!

Zerg(#20393)]

\"Ob...lit...\" says Zerg, puzzled.

And thus the spear point rips into his face and gouges a hole into his cheek. He roars loudly and swings his hammer wildly at the Ranger.

Zerg attacks Gurtir with his War Hammer, but he misses by a mile.

[Arathis(#30050)]

Invigoration aside, the steel of the Isilrim Knight crashes with resound against his enemy\'s, denying yet another blow against him. Aiming to maintain the momentum of the meeting, he forces his blade downward in an attempt to further displace Sethikh\'s scimitar, so as to gain greater access to the yrch\'s torso.

And so his blade shoots out once more, squarely for the center of the warg Captain\'s sword breast.

Arathis attacks Sethikh with his Longsword and lightly wounds him!

[Gurtir(#30678)]

In spite of the new troll arrival, terrible as it is, the morale of the gondorians is still high: from above, they are watched by the fore, they are led. And Gurtir\'s cry to the Hostmen only keeps their spirits high. Linking shields, the heavy infantry resumes its forward march, hacking, piercing, slashing, thrusting... they common fighters press on as heroes take the foulest of beasts.

Gurtir evades Zerg\'s war hammer with a side step this time, sending the spear tip in an arched slash at the orc\'s neck.

Gurtir attacks Zerg with his Spear and badly wounds him!

[Laegtiri(#30836)]

The sound of metal against talon clashes as Laegtiri digs into the troll\'s skin while halting the axe from impacting him. In one fluid move, these actions happen before the Eagle is in the air again. For a split second, he notices the incoming troll from the orc ranks before diving down aiming to connect for a third time with the bleeding shoulder.

Laegtiri attacks Spunk with his Eagle Claws and mildly wounds him!

[Zerg(#20393)]

Blood spills forth from Zerg\'s neck and his eyes blink wildly. He teeters backwards and almost falls over, but yet he stands! Hurrah! Hurrah!

And then he swings his axe blindly at Gurtir.

Zerg attacks Gurtir with his War Hammer, but he misses by a mile.

[Grox(#31869)]

Crimson orbs peer across the battlefield at the havoc he has wreaked by his mere presence, and he grins wickedly. \"That\'s right. Run, you pathetic, mangy....\" However, his words are interupted by the arrogance of one Endaerion Cuthalion.

Eyes landing upon the diminuative Ranger, the Olog-Hai easily avoids the swing of cold steel with a swift backstep. \"Puny manling.\" states the behemoth, a hint of laughter tinging his words. His lips, however, turn upwards into a sneer, as he adds, \"Are you so anxious for your own Doom?\"

Hefting his gargantuan axe high, the Overlord roars, \"BOW Before Me!\" ere his axe descends, aimed to split Endaerion in twain, beginning at his crown.

Grox attacks Endaerion with his Battle Axe, but he misses by a handspan.

[Sethikh(#16098)]         And so the Knight makes contact with the Captain\'s sword breast bud his mail is well made and absorbs all but the physical impact. The Captain now returns to silence and he dances about with his mount. A thrust now comes forth from the Demon of Sarn Goriwing as he decides it is his turn to strike.

The Howling Fangs continue their bloody push against the cavarly of Gondor. Though some sixteen now lay upon the ground, their courage does not falter. These orcs are of the North and are accustomed to fighting the elf kind, and as such are some of the best fighters the Eye can provide.

Sethikh attacks Arathis with his Scimitar, but he misses by a long shot.

[Raugsaul(#29253)] The marshal misses his next run on the troll perhaps due to the arrival of a second troll. There is something seeming more formidable about this new arrival. Raugsaul doesn\'t change targets though, still coming back around at the first troll for the moment taking another swipe

[Spunk(#15492)]           The axe of Spunk is halted for the moment, before the wound upon Spunks shoulder is split open upon by two pairs of claws. Both Raugsaul and Laegtiri continue their work upon the shoulder of Spunk, thin lines overlapping as small bits of troll flesh tear from the olog\'s hide. Howling, the troll tries to use both arms for an thrust up into Laegtiri\'s crop(under the beak above the throat).

Spunk attacks Laegtiri with his Axe and lightly wounds him!

[Gurtir(#30678)]

\"Get out of Gondor\'s way.\"

Thus speaks Gurtir as he continues the swing of his spear to the side and then moves it upwards just as he bends his body back and away from Zerg\'s hammer. Then the spear tip descends, slashing at the orc\'s face. Or chest. Or wherever it might hit.

Gurtir attacks Zerg with his Spear and severely wounds him!

[Zerg(#20393)]

Zerg topples over and his hammer falls from his hand. He coughs blood from his mouth and other wounds spew forth the black substance as well. His beady red-eyes blink once, twice, three times, then lie horribly wide.

DOOM AWAITS!

[Endaerion(#30487)]

The axe cleaves into the air before Endaerion\'s face, sending the hood of his cloak flying off his head. Raven locks take flight in the wind of battle.

The Dunedain scoffs in the face of the Olog-Hai. \"Doom finds every man, but it will not find me bowed before a slave!\" And pressing the advantage of the axes follow through, Endaerion finds the moment to counterattack. Leather bound hands clench tightly the hilt of his sword as he defiantly strikes for the heart of his opponent.

Endaerion attacks Grox with his Longsword, but Grox parries the attack with his Battle Axe!

[Gurtir(#30678)]

Gurtir makes no fancy movements. It is a cold and precise choice of actions: the Ranger pulls back his spear and then thrusts it forward at the orc\'s shoulder, so that it may cleave itself through the soft flesh by the neck and inwards into the body.

Zerg collapses to the ground, defeated by Gurtir!

[Arathis(#30050)]

The footmen of the Prince Imrahil attempt to further near their mounted brothers-in-arms, engaging the yrch before them with flurried zeal: shields together, their blades flicker in accord, albeit each step is met with the resistance of the Enemy. Nonetheless, they are not too distant from the warg squadron, and threaten to soon enclose them.

The Knights, for their part, fare well, maintaining yet a unity against the split of the warg riders. Just over half-a-dozen have fallen, however, and their mounts moan dreadfully in their death. The sentiment is echoed by Arathis: a cry falls from his lips, even as he ushers his own destrier to avoid the incoming blow of Sethikh. Pivoting in return, his destrier raises its hooves against the yrch\'s beast, as if to repay its bite its rider, then, thrusts downward from his higher position, attempting to sever the collar of the warg Captain.

Arathis attacks Sethikh with his Longsword and lightly wounds him!

[Zerg(#20393)]

And the spear has no line but that which is true.

Zerg\'s eyes close as black blood continues to spill over the ground.

[Grox(#31869)]

Most beasts with the immense size and strength which is Grox\'s to wield would merely imbed their weapon in the ground with just such a manuever, leaving them vulnerable. Not so with the Overlord.

Redirecting the momentum of the swing, the axe skims the earth, the top spike drawing a furrow in stone, as sparks fly. The wicked weapon halts beside his left shin, ere it is brought across in a vicious swing, batting aside the Ranger\'s blade to avoid a blow.

\"You. Will. BOW!\" roars the monstrosity, his blade continuing to swing as massive hands wield it expertly, the axe head sweeping up towards his shoulder. Yet, the attack does not come in another downward swing, but in a thrust of the butt spike, aimed for the weak point in Endaerion\'s shoulder half way betwixt shoulder and collarbone.

[Gurtir(#30678)]

Gurtir kicks at Zerg\'s body as he pulls his spear upwards to free it. Then his eyes quickly scan the battle field after which his next target will be... finding the great form of Grox in the distance, he throws his spear at it.

\"Forward, Men of the Hosts! Victory is to be ours!\", he glances at the men of Ithilien with him, freeing his longsword from its scabbard \"With me, let\'s flank these foul hordes!\"-- and thus they proceed to harrass the side of the Mordain army.

Grox attacks Endaerion with his Battle Axe, but he misses by a mile.

[Combat(#13388)] Gurtir throws a spear...

Gurtir\'s spear throw hits Grox, mildly wounding him!

The spear lies now upon the ground now at his feet.

[Laegtiri(#30836)]

More blood covers the claws of Laegtiri, yet he now lacks feathers beneath his beak as the troll rips them out. The Eagle cries in anger as he quickly speeds into the air to be followed by a quick turn and dive. A fourth attack is made on the shoulder continuing to attempt to draw black liquid forth.

Laegtiri attacks Spunk with his Eagle Claws and lightly wounds him!

[Spunk(#15492)]           Eyes glazed over as the battle pursues, Spunk howls as the diving eagle rends new wounds upon his chest. The worst attack so far, but still not enough to down the great beast, who growls before letting loose a rage filled howl. \"SPUNK SMASH,\" the beast yells and aims at the eagles chest hoping to down the beast.

Spunk attacks Laegtiri with his Axe and moderately wounds him!

[<#16098>]        The blade does not find its marks however and as such rebounds after a heavy impact against the orc\'s shoulder. Sethikh\'s response is cold and calculating. Rasing his long curved blade his swings out in his saddle at the Knight\'s neck hoping to deeply wound the man.

As for his mount the horse\'s kick is taken with a grunt before the Warg takes a claw and swipes at the horse\'s face hoping to finish it with one quick move.

Speaking now in orcish, the Teguk says \"\" A horn is blown and the Warg Riders begin to orderly withdrawl.

Raugsaul strikes again lightly not his intent for sure to keep tapping at the troll. The second of the eagles swings around once high enough coming back down with intent his wings folded back. He takes another swipe at this troll even as it attacks the other knight of the king.

Sethikh attacks Arathis with his Scimitar, but Arathis parries the attack with his Longsword!

Raugsaul attacks Spunk with his Eagle Claws, but he misses by a mile.

Blork and his orcs have been hard-pressed in this fight, and many of the cretures lie fallen about his feet. So, too, though, do men of Gondor, and Blork now swings out with the flat of his axe blade, smashing into the back of an orc that is looting a corpse already. Then the uruk turns, seeking new foes, and with swift footsteps he hurries to where Zerg has fallen.

[Endaerion(#30487)]

Endaerion must know this weak spot well, for he quickly denies it from the advancing spike, contorting his body to evade the danger. The Ranger ducks now and rushes forward with two steps under the shadow of the Olog\'s mighty arm. The advance brings him face to face with troll\'s callous flesh, miles and miles of it from his vantage point.

The opportunity cannot be wasted, and Endaerion thrusts his steel upward for the beast\'s gut.

Endaerion attacks Grox with his Longsword, but Grox parries the attack with his Battle Axe!

[Gurtir(#30678)]

As Blork comes towards Zerg\'s corpse, the Men of Ithilien that follow Gurtir are moving away from it. Thus the Carmayar Ranger and the orc officer meet again. Yet now the Gondorian indeed wields a sword!

\"Yo, handsome!\", the Ranger taunts the orc, slashing at it with his blade.

[Grox(#31869)]

Struck by what he considers an errant spear throw, Grox ignores the spot where part of his stone skin has chipped away and formed a swelling of black ichor from beneath. However, instead of turning his attention upon Gurtir, the behemoth once again focuses on the pesky, annoying little runt known as Endaerion.

In the blink of an eye, Grox is no longer where he stood. His massive, muscular legs sprung him backwards and out of harm\'s way of the advancing longsword. Landing with a ground-shaking \'THUD\', the Overlord spares no time on words this time. Instead, even as feet strike earth, his axe is descending in a diagonal stroke, aimed for the cleft between Endaerion\'s left shoulder and neck. It is a diagonal stroke, aimed to split the human from shoulder to opposite hip.

Grox attacks Endaerion with his Battle Axe and badly wounds him!

[Arathis(#30050)]

As the wargs begin to withdraw, the footmen of the Prince Imrahil reunite with the Horsemen. Yet they are not unrelenting in their Enemy\'s route: no chase is given as the wargs depart. Instead, the sons of Amroth position to hit the flank of Mordor\'s larger force.

The Knights too begin to break contact, allowing escape to those yrch who escape the final efforts of their blades. Arathis, for his part, issues one last thrust at the warg Captain, thundering once again in attempt for the beast\'s chest.

Arathis attacks Sethikh with his Longsword and moderately wounds him!

[Laegtiri(#30836)]

The up-swing of the troll catches Laegtiri in the chest after he had swiped at the shoulder. Yet, as the fist connects, the claws of the Eagle latch onto the arm while the head of the bird swings down towards the face of the monsterous creature and a peck of the beak attempts to poke an eye out. Just as smoothly as the bird attacks, he swings his head back up and takes flight again.

Laegtiri attacks Spunk with his Eagle Beak and mildly wounds him!

There\'s a clang of steel on steel as Blork parries Gurtir\'s blow with the blade of his axe. Unable to attack with his weapon, the big uruk thrusts an armored arm forward, trying to push Gurtir back. The call from the wargs to withdraw, though, distract him as he does so...

[Spunk(#15492)]           The troll howls as that beak comes down upon his face, however the great eagle\'s target is off, he misses Spunk\'s only eye. Nipping into the empty eye-socket, Spunk howls lucky that his brain is small enough to avoid being struck. Turning about he throws his shoulder up and smacks at the outstreatched wing of Laegtiri.

Spunk attacks Laegtiri with his Axe, but he misses by a handspan.

[Gurtir(#30678)]

Thus is the battleground: the hordes of Hostmen march steadily, the fallen men replaced by fresh men from the back the light infantry of Rangers of Ithilien now harrass one of the flanks of the Enemy, while the Men at Arms of Dol Amroth attempt to maim the other, free from the wargs. And of the Knights, their next move is yet unknown, as right now they are but breaking contact with the retreating wolf-riders of Mordor. The massive troll beasts are respectively engaged with the Eagles of Manwe and the heroic Endaerion.

In the middle of the fray, amidst the Rangers at the flank, Gurtir gets pushed by Blork, though no further damage is suffered. And then the Ranger attempts to pierce the orc\'s armpit with his blade.

[Sethikh(#16098)]         As the Knights begin to break away, Sethikh\'s silence continues. When the blow lands it is hard and breaks through the rings but it is not deep and thus the life of the Captain is still far from ending. Deciding to try and give a parting gift of his own as he puts all his strength into one last blow at Arathis. \"We shall meet again, tark. On another field of battle. But you shall not be leaving it alive. Enjoy your remaining time on this earth.\" Not waiting to see the results of his attack, he turns his warg and kicks it in the direction of his own lines.

Sethikh(#16098)]         As the Knights begin to break away, Sethikh\'s silence continues. When the blow lands it is hard and breaks through the rings but it is not deep and thus the life of the Captain is still far from ending. Deciding to try and give a parting gift of his own as he puts all his strength into one last blow at Arathis. \"We shall meet again, tark. On another field of battle. But you shall not be leaving it alive. Enjoy your remaining time on this earth.\" Not waiting to see the results of his attack, he turns his warg and kicks it in the direction of his own lines.

Sethikh attacks Arathis with his Scimitar, but he misses by a handspan.

Raugsaul grumbles rather angrily at missing his target yet again. He is not done though coming about for another strike at the troll the battle raging around them still he is focused on at very least turning away this foe.

Raugsaul attacks Spunk with his Eagle Claws and lightly wounds him!

[Sethikh(#16098)]         The Standard of the Howling Fangs follows its Captain and the dark cavaliers of Mordor depart the front lines of the battlefield. Behind them they leave more than two thirds of their breathren, dead or dying upon the ground. It is a injured force but not dead, and the howling warg shall be back to strike fear into the hearts of men once more. Of that fate can be sure.

Mordor\'s numbers are many, and wave after wave of nameless orcs have streamed onto this battlefield. And yet, the attention of the Eye is elsewhere this day, and the full might of Mordor\'s forces is not here--not now. The retreat of the warg riders has started a trickle of forces off the battlefield, retreating for the safety of the East, and now more companies are starting to follow, though a general retreat has not been sounded.

\"Hold!!\" Blork barks out angrily as the orcs he leads start to scurry off to join the growing movement east. \"Hold or I will have you skinned alive! And...\" The bark of orders changes to a howl of pain: Gurtir\'s weapon strikes home and, blindly, Blork lashes out with his battle axe, an overhand blow trying to crash the blade down on Gurtir\'s head.

[Arathis(#30050)]

\"Until then,\" answers the Isilrim Knight, his tongue wry with the temper of a laugh. Turning his destrier then, he readies with the rest of the Swansmen, as they await the call of their Captain.

[Bor(#30834)]

\"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!\"

A horn pierces the darkness! And it is the Knight-Captain who issues it astride his armored steed. \"Flee! Flee, you servants of evil!\" he calls out.

His eyes blaze wildly in the throes of warfare, emboldened by the strength of Amroth. He bears his horse up aside Arathis and calls out to him.

\"Come, kinsman! Fell deads await us yet!\"

He stirs his horse forward, and the Prince\'s flank descends inwards upon the Mordain hosts and it lacks not speed nor power nor bravery, only mercy.

[Spunk(#15492)]           Oh how the past ologs of Mordor would bow, as the troll holds his own against two of the feathered vassels. With his back turned briefly to Raugsaul, the eagle opens Spunk\'s back revealing several gashes still not the deep wounds the troll expects from such wicked beasts. A side swipe comes from Spunk as he tries to get Laegtiri out of his way to retreat to the Mordain lines.

Spunk attacks Laegtiri with his Axe, but he misses by a handspan.

[Laegtiri(#30836)]

Agility is on the Eagle\'s side as he dodges the continued attacks of the troll. Coming in once again with claw ready, Laegtiri attempts to do as much damage as possible before the creature gets away. As the ringing of the horn echoes in the night, it is once again joined by the cry of the great bird.

Laegtiri attacks Spunk with his Eagle Claws and lightly wounds him!

[Endaerion(#30487)]

\"I bow for no one!\" shouts Endaerion as he is subsequently bowed. Suddenly the Ranger is upon his knees, his blade clangs beside. There is a dazed look upon him, a moment of disorientation. Grey eyes glance down to notice his left hand cupping a growing pool of blood. More trickles down his arm. No. It pours. Its source appears to be a great canyon where once his strong shoulders held together. It is occupied by a thick wedge of steel. The Olog-Hai\'s axe bites hard.

Color leaves his face, leaving it so pale as to rival the moon above. The Dunedain has no more words his face contorts with what fury he can muster and clenching his dropped blade, he raises it for one desperate though feeble attempt at finding the Troll\'s blood. It may be too late.

Endaerion attacks Grox with his Longsword and mildly wounds him!

[Gurtir(#30678)]

Blork\'s axe clashes against Gurtir\'s head, though the Gondorian wears a helmet. Thus, in spite of the pain and his grunt, the Ranger\'s life is spared. And he does not withdraw his blade this time: if the uruk makes no motion to get out of the steel, Gurtir will not release him. He rather twists the blade, trying to push it further beneath Blork\'s arm.

[Arathis(#30050)]

\"Aye.\"

The answer is singular: blade aside, the Isilrim Knight shuttles his destrier inwards upon the center of the Mordain army.

So the banners of Amroth near the Ologs of the Enemy.

Raugsaul turns quickly this time glaring at the troll, he swings around as well this time taking his chance pecking at the troll ever as the other attacks keeping up the focus as to drive him off away from the soldiers of the land.

Raugsaul attacks Spunk with his Eagle Beak and moderately wounds him!

The hosts of Mordor part before the war horses that ride into them: this is not their day to stand and fight this enemy. And so where the Knight-Captain Bor charges, Mordor flees or falls. A cry now goes up among the forces of the Dark Lord, as well. \"Retreat!! Back!! East!! Fight another day for our Lord!\" Many take its suggestion, turning tail and running, and many more fall as they are chased down.

Another scream of pain is drawn from Blork as Gurtir twists his blade, but the uruk lurches backwards with a massive effort, black blood flowing readily over the Ranger\'s blade. Blork stumbles backwards, weakened, but about him are the now-fleeing members of his company, and a few orcs reach to drag him with them, their own blades now threatening Gurtir to approach.

[Spunk(#15492)]           Again his back is scratched by those wicked claws, and Spunk flees towards the ranks of the trolls and orcs. From raugsaul, the troll\'s shoulder is nipped and the muscle is exposed from the constant battering of the two eagles. However still the orc flees towards the ranks of Mordor.

[Arathis(#30050)]

The field closes further for the Mordain: the Men-at-Arms of the Prince, victorious over the Wargs, arrive now upon their side. Cries flare up from among their ranks as the Knights of their City thunder past and a new might links their shields as they push again into the Enemy\'s ranks.

[Gurtir(#30678)]

Yet Gurtir does challenge the many blades that surround Blork, even as the orcs retreat, for the Ranger knows the comrades of Ithilien at his side and at his back, pressing ever on, and he hears the rhythmic march of the Hosts as they set out to finish their bloody deed.

And hence, even though the Carmayar Ranger may not strike at his chosen foe, his blade works, choosing new ones. The cost he pays by watering the ground with his Dunadan blood. But the reward, ah, \"RETAKE OSGILIATH!\"

[Grox(#31869)]

Tearing the massive lodged axe free from it\'s momentary prison of tark flesh, Grox recieves the punative blow from Endaerion\'s longsword. A glance about confirms that the retreat has indeed been sounded, and the behemoth growls low and dangerous.

\"You are fortunate, /human/.\" he growls as softly as a Troll may to the Ranger upon his knees before him. \"You have bowed to me, and my reward to you is your life.\" A wicked gleam comes to his eyes, however, as he adds, \"I shall also give you something to remember me by.\"

With these words, Grox utilizes the butt spike as a slashing instrument. It\'s aim is diagonally upward from it\'s low position. From the Troll\'s left, it comes upwards, aimed to split flesh, and possibly some manner of bone, of the Ranger from the right side of Endaerion\'s jaw, towards the top left of his head.

[Laegtiri(#30836)]

As the troll flees and slowly darts from the area of battle, Laegtiri attempts to score one final departing wound. Moving in with great speed, be brings his claws directly forward and attempts to plant them into the back of the creature. This is followed by great wing beats as the Eagle pulls himself back into the air where there is safety.

Laegtiri furiously attacks Spunk with his Eagle Claws and lightly wounds him!

Blork has disappeared into the ranks of the orcs, too injured to fight. But the ranks of orcs close in now, offering a challenge of black and bloodied steel to the Ranger and his kind. Retreating though Mordor may be, they don\'t give up this land easily, and Gondor will have to win it inch by inch at the cost of their own blood. Orcs fall, the bodies piling up and getting in the way, but more come to take their place and fall. Black blood stains the ground and makes footing treacherous.

[Spunk(#15492)]           As the eagle comes in, Spunk growls loudly as his shoulder is bitten. Turning back he lifts his axe over his head and lets it fly into the air to give the eagle something to remember him by, a vicious bite from that axe.

[Combat(#13388)] Spunk throws an axe...

Spunk\'s axe throw hits Laegtiri, badly wounding him!

The axe lies now upon the ground now at his feet.

[Bor(#30834)]

As the Prince\'s men fall in upon the Mordain, the sight of the Olog-Hai catches the eye of their Captain. Too, he spies the Ranger standing at his fore.

\"Isilrim! Upon the troll!\" yells Bor.

And as the the axe of the giant beast aims downwards for Endaerion, Bor comes aside the Ranger and drags him by his clothing away from the strike!

[Bor(#30834)]

As the Prince\'s men fall in upon the Mordain, the sight of the Olog-Hai catches the eye of their Captain. Too, he spies the Ranger standing at his fore.

\"Isilrim! Upon the troll!\" yells Bor.

And as the the axe of the giant beast aims downwards for Endaerion, Bor comes aside the Ranger and drags him by his clothing away from the strike!

[Arathis(#30050)]

Amidst the departing Enemy quakes the requian of the Prince Imrahil, their hooves shredding the grounds as they advance upon the remaining Olog. The Knight Arathis turns briefly to heed his kinsman Bor, and, some note given to the Captain silently, hurdles his steed against Grox.

At full gait, the destrier of the Isilrim Knight carries its rider against the Olog, a passing strike aimed to cleave the beast\'s belly.

Arathis attacks Grox with his Longsword and mildly wounds him!

Raugsaul flies by the other eagle in his chase of the enemy. The hulking figure of the other troll lumes infront of him he flaps quickly gaining height and he strikes out again with his beak this time at his new foe.

Raugsaul attacks Grox with his Eagle Beak and lightly wounds him!

[Spunk(#15492)]           Not even caring for the axe, Spunk rushes past the lines of troops, black blood splays them as he howls in rage, fury, and pain. Slowly the hulking figure moves from the lines of ranks out of sight, lost amidst the moonbeams of the night.

[Laegtiri(#30836)]

Laegtiri screeches loudly as the axe makes contact with his back, yet does not slow down as he observes the continuing battle below. He listens to the words spoken by the troll before he calls out from above in a voice fitting of a vassal, \"Creature of darkness, heed the words of the messengers of Manwe! Know that darkness shall not live while light still remains. The wrath of the Valar shall be upon you and to any who attempt to destroy goodness, there shall be only death.\" With these words, the great Eagle glides to the lines of the Men of Gondor and hovers above them.

[Endaerion(#30487)]

With this last action, Endaerion\'s strength is depleted and he begins to slump over to the Olog\'s mercy. Mercy of a sort is given, however with a price. But exaction of that price is nearly waylaid by the interference of the Knight-Captain\'s valiancy. Not nearly enough, though. The troll\'s spike still draws a deep line across the Ranger\'s chin, extending to his lip. It is a price unacceptable to the Cuthalion. A new rigor stirs in him, though his body is unable to see it through.

He struggles against his rescuer\'s attempt, clawing with his dwindling strength out toward the retreating Olog. \"You will rue that you did not see me perish! The Hound of Ulmo has met his Enemy, and he will seek out your throat!\"

[Grox(#31869)]

Watching as Endaerion is pulled from before him, Grox grins wickedly. However, this victory is short lived ere a troupe of horsemen sweep in, most drawing but glancing blows off his thick hide. One, however--that of Arathis--draws a trickle of black ichor from his gut, distracting him enough that the Eagle assault from the rear--his beak striking behind his shoulder--strikes true.

Growling at this turn of events, though satisfied at the fate of Endaerion, the behemoth bellows, \"I leave you to your toy buildings, men of the west. But know this: I shall return! And on that day, there will be no haven for any of you pathetic beings!\" And with that, the axe sweeps out, cleaving a path away from the Gondorians, and towards the retreating lines of Mordor.

Echoing back are the loud bellows of orders given the retreating throng.

[Bor(#30834)]

As Endaerion struggles against the Knight-Captain\'s grip, he peers down quizzically at the man for a moment. And then he lets go, dropping the Ranger.

\"Shut up, you fool.\"

[Laegtiri(#30836)]

Laegtiri screeches loudly as the axe makes contact with his back, yet does not slow down as he observes the continuing battle below. He listens to the words spoken by the troll before he calls out from above in a voice fitting of a vassal, \"Creature of darkness, heed the words of the messengers of Manwe! Know that darkness shall not live while light still remains. The wrath of the Valar shall be upon you and to any who attempt to destroy goodness, there shall be only death.\" With these words, the great Eagle glides to the lines of the Men of Gondor and hovers above them.

[Raugsaul(#29253)] The attack on the troll a success the marshal turns quickly gaining some air under his wings. \"Yes flee back to your dark lands.\" Raugsaul calls out beak clacking as he turns back approaching the other. \"Are your wounds serious?\" he asks concern in his voice now the menace is gone and victory is achieved for now.

[Laegtiri(#30836)]

Though there is evidence of pain in his voice, Laegtiri replies, \"I shall heal in time. What of the casualties of the people of Gondor? Do they have enough men to defend the land they have won?\" The amber gaze passes over the battlefield which has begun to smell with death and decay.

[Arathis(#30050)]

At the delivery of the Eagle, the Isilrim Knight halts his steed. He dismounts his destrier, then, and turns to face the West. Humility marks him: his helm bows, and it is held so for some minutes.

Lowering then, he collects a palm of soil, and spreads it across his steel. With this, his weapon is at length relinquished to its scabbard.

The once infantry Captain strides slowly among the men of the Silver Ship and their fallen littering the territory of the Olog, descending in aid upon one of their injured.

[Arathis(#30050)]

At the delivery of the Eagle, the Isilrim Knight halts his steed. He dismounts his destrier, then, and turns to face the West. Humility marks him: his helm bows, and it is held so for some minutes.

Lowering then, he collects a palm of soil, and spreads it across his steel. With this, his weapon is at length relinquished to its scabbard.

The once infantry Captain strides slowly among the men of the Silver Ship and their fallen littering the territory of the Olog, descending in aid upon one of their injured.

[Endaerion(#30487)]

Endaerion falls to the ground with a thud. Unconsciousness begins to overtake him.

All around the forces of Gondor stand victorious. A strange silence befalls the ruins of Osgiliath as last remnant of the Enemy vanishes from sight, crawling to some unknown corner of the east. Then, slowly, man by man, realization sets in. Osgiliath is won. \"Gondor.\" an old veteran speaks. He raises his sword. \"GONDOR! GONDOR!\" It is not long before he is joined. Throughout the many battlegrounds of the city, everywhere the cry is taken up. \"GONDOR PREVAILS! OSGILIATH IS WON!\"

But for some, their silence remains. Grey eyes look to the east, beyond the rubble and ruin that is Gondor\'s once ancient capital, beyond the battered walls that once de-marked the city\'s limits. Further those grey eyes seek to the land that lays beyond a green, fair land saturated now in the light of the moon overhead. For this land they see is the Land Under Moon. Ithilien. And the men who stare into her with longing are the sons of those who once called it home. Rangers mostly, and scouts among them as well.

Some of them take the first steps onto Ithilien\'s fertile ground. Immediately they drop to their knees. For some of them, tears well up in their eyes and their lips descend to kiss the newly won soil. Tears mix with blood. The price for this prize has been great, but in the hearts of many it has bought a sight none of them ever expected to bear witness to, though the dreams of their fathers made hopeful promise of it.

[Bor(#30834)]

\"Ithilien, take your captain!\" calls out the Knight-Captain amongst the revelers. \"He is injured and speaks as a madman.\" Thus, Bor dismounts.

Osgiliath is Gondor\'s.

Following the old veteran, the voices of men raise up in the skies thanking the Valar, thanking the Eagles, celebrating their success. In chants or mere cries, the throats of Gondor intone a single note: victory.

Again the City of Stars is in the hands of its rightful masters, again hope can be kindled, again are dreams allowed. For at least the might of men has proven itself in these younger days.

Let the Rangers, let the scouts be. Let their cold hardness melt at such a long-expected sight. Let them stir even in victory. Their lands are still to be reclaimed, their lands still thirst for their blood. Their lands call to them.

But it is not to be. Not tonight.

There are wounded men who need rest and healing thus, as the Hosts already set off to, as Laegtiri well remembered, secure the field they won, there are those who fan out to gather they wounded. And Gurtir nearly stumbles upon Endaerion, Bor\'s words bringing all the explanation required.

\"We win.\", he says softly.

[Bor(#30834)]

\"We hurt as ever we do, Servant of Manwe,\" says Bor to Laegtiri, then.

\"But you have afforded us a great victory, and for that we thank you.\"

[Bor(#30834)]

And slipping his blade back into its scabbard, Bor turns to Gurtir.

\"So light are your words, Ranger. Is this not your land on the horizon?

He narrows his eyes. \"Or do you sense as I that such jubilance is folly, when the Enemy is not vanquished but only momentarily routed?\" he asks.

[Arathis(#30050)]

As the Isilrim Knight approaches their cohort, one among the Men-at-Arms of the Prince farts wildly. These offenses are unbetrayed, however, their barks lost amongst the thunderous cheers of the Sons of Gondor.

Yet a stink stalks amongst them.

[Laegtiri(#30836)]

Slowly Laegtiri lowers himself to perch one what had once been a wall. Turning towards the man whom had spoken to him, the Eagle replies, \"We, too, seek to free Arda from darkness as it had been when the lands were first wrote into time. Know that the desires of the Valar coincide with yours.\"

Gurtir\'s eyes turn to Bor as the Knight-Captain speaks to him.

\"The Servant of Manwe has already spoken the concern in my heart.\", the Ranger replies, reverently indicating Leagtiri with his chin, \"It is my land in the horizon. But are we to transform our victory into defeat by taking steps longer than our legs can allow?\"

\"It is not foolly, for it has been well bled for. It is... fleeting.\"-- and yet, at the Eagle\'s new words, he can\'t but dip his head. A deep sigh scapes his lips.

Endaerion pages: I\'m still bleeding on the ground :(

And then he sees Endaerion still bleeding in the ground. He knees to pick his kinsman up in order to drag him to safety, \"We win\", he repeats, as if that sole soothing could already offer some measure of healing-- they, men of Ithilien, they speak the same language.

[Bor(#30834)]

\"It is good to know that the thoughts of the Valar are with us,\" says the Knight-Captain to the Great Eagle. \"We have held them before with less.\"

He pauses.

\"Are you injured? Perhaps we can offer you assistance.\"

[Bor(#30834)]

\"We will secure these grounds for now,\" says Bor to the kneeling Ranger.

\"If the ban exists yet upon your land, only your Captain has knowledge of whether your legs are enough to carry forward the victory of this day.\"

[Endaerion(#30487)]

The Cuthalion\'s body is limp in the hands of the Carmayar, and he will find no aid in its movement from its possessor. The wound is quite deep upon closer inspection, and there is much broken bone. Much of the Ranger\'s blood is left behind.

\"They are not.\"

Gurtir stands up, holding Endaerion as kindly as he can. His green garment is soaked red with his own Carmayar blood, with the Cuthalion\'s blood-- with Mormegil blood. Thus he turns his back on Ithilien.

\"Perhaps we could claim it tonight. What would it be in the morrow?\"

[Laegtiri(#30836)]

\"Heal your own wounded first and then I shall take up your offer,\" replies Laegtiri to the man. \"Are there plans for reinforcements to arrive? Mayhap the dawn shall bring new hope that is unlooked.\"

[Bor(#30834)]

\"Reinforcements,\" muses Bor. \"Perhaps. I know only the numbers of my own.\"

\"Let us hope it is as you say, and the dawn brings hope.\"

He moves closer to the perch now. \"If you are not too greviously injured and your own healing can wait, it would be good to know what lies on the horizon.\"

Gurtir will not look upon such a sight of a free Osgiliath and unobstructed Ithilien ever again in his life. Yet he does not turn-- he does not know where lies his Doom to catch this last glimpse of a dream not to come this age. Instead, each wobbling step carries himself and Endaerion farther away from it, practical matteres coming first.

\"Let us hope indeed. Though the sun rises in the East.\"

[Bor(#30834)]

\"Ranger,\" says Bor to Gurtir\'s back.

\"Well fought.\"

[Laegtiri(#30836)]

\"I shall see what lies beyond,\" answers Laegtiri as he stretches his wings. \"Before the next battle, I will bring news.\" With a few great beats of his wings, the Eagle takes flight and soon disappears into the dark blanket of Varda.

\"Ranger\"-- Gurtir halts, glancing over his shoulder. And the wind of the Eagle\'s take off makes his hair and garment flutter messily as he stares at the Knight-Captain of Dol Amroth, eyes narrowed for protection from the raised dust.

A faint nod. And nothing more.