Osgiliath: Battle on the Bridge

Osgiliath: The Great Bridge - Western Section

Here is the westernmost end of the once great bridge of Osgiliath, which spanned the Anduin in happier times. Once a place of wonder and splendour, with proud homes and palaces built astride the cobblestones, all that remains now are ruins dark and cold. The sound of a rat skittering by may startle you for a moment, but otherwise all is still in the air, and only the smell of decay and rot lingers.

[Barsaphad(#23963)]

The night bleeds.

Anor has fallen behind the western horizon, bathed in crimson pools that cling to the edge of the inky black that spreads unyielding from the East. The stars struggle to shine through the choking bands of dark clouds that wreath the rising moon -- it\'s silver sheen reflecting back the sunset\'s ruddy glow. The summer winds blow hot from the South, carrying with them the hint of the sea\'s salty tang.

Osgiliath churns, despite the ruins\' eerie still blasted rocks and pillars reach achingly for the sky, a shattered skeleton of ages past now fallen to dust and ruin. Far below the bridge, the Anduin pulses -- a slow rising mist curls upward off the river through the broken stones with tendrils that writhe atop the surface menacingly.

And it is through this fell landscape that riders now come -- their torches dim against the prevailing gloom, and their banners dark in the oppressive darkness. The faint outline of the ship and swan of Dol Amroth can just been seen atop the rippling silks. The Knight that leads them stares out upon the wasteland through a carven helm fashioned as a diving seakbird.

The Lord Azrabar speaks to the Knight at his side in a tone hushed, but clear, \"Not too far now...if the rumors speak true...then soon enough we shall upon them.\"

[Faramir(#28937)]

The mounted Knights and their array glimmer in the moonlight, but Gondor\'s force is twice as many men for the dark cloaks of the Rangers have swarmed \'round the ruins, longbows poised to loose a volley at the first sign of the enemy. Their leader is a tall man, his station near the knights, and he speaks softly to Barsaphad.

\"It is wisest to stay the course here, Lord Azrabar. Here we are sure of foot and safety beyond lie further traps of the Enemy. And if my men report truly, we shall have little time to advance any further. The battlefield is well-chosen for us while we have time to prepare.\"

Among the Rangers are a few Scouts as well. One, Ceredir, is in their midst, and though he says nothing for the moment, his eyes search ahead, looking for signs of the Enemy.

[Barsaphad(#23963)]

The Osprey Knight winds his reigns to check the charger beneath him and stares out through the steam that rises from the beasts flaring nostrils. He listens quietly as beside him a shadow speaks, and then nods, \"Yes, my Lord.\" He risks a glance skyward toward the bloodstained moon, and shakes his head his expression turns dark.

\"Besides...even here is shall be difficult to maneuver the mounts...the terrain is treacherous in the daytime...never mind the night.\"

[Lorbag(#28583)]

And as the noble men of Gondor press on, the ruined towers seem to watch their progress. The shadows grown long and deep across broken streets keep an eye on the west, and under cover of scarred archways the night itself seems to stir.

Dark shapes move, hisses slip from wall to wall and here and there amid the rubble there is the flash of a blade in the meager, bloodshot moonlight. For while eastern Osgiliath lies in tatters, it is far from deserted, and the new inhabitants keep a close watch it would seem.

Lorbag, warlord of Dol Guldur is far from his home, but he seems to care nothing for the heat his red eyes squint westward as his lip curls. The orc stands atop a great stair leading down to the bridge, joined there by a dozen or so burly guards -- though who knows how many more lie in wait unseen. Sniffing the air he spits a moment after, and turns to the uruk by his side.

\"Something\'s out there,\" he hisses. \"Loose the olog.. let him go huntin\'.\"

[Spunk(#15492)]  Two orcs return to a small gather of granite pillars, \"Spunk! Is time for food!\" The smaller of the two says before both almost run away from the olog.

Like a dog, the troll moves from his surrounding stones and snatches up his axe. The sound of steel on a whetwheel fills the area as the olog approaches, his axe dragging on the ground, and his other hand raised up to his face as the titan suckles on his thumb.

[Faramir(#28937)]

A nod from the Captain of Rangers is all the reply that the knight receives Faramir returns to his position beside a slender grey column of stone, and draws an arrow, as the distant shape of the troll moves ever closer to the bridge.

There is no call of command to the Rangers, but each knows his station for as the Olog wanders within bowshot, a half-dozen arrows spring toward it!

Faramir launches an arrow...

Faramir\'s arrow flies wide, doing no harm.

Without a bow, there\'s not much Ceredir can do, so the scout settles against a piece of rubble to use it for cover, loosening his sword in its scabbard and settling his shield in his left hand.

[Barsaphad(#23963)]

\"Troll.\" Wearily the Knight\'s words drag through his teeth as the arrows overhead whisper through the mists. Amid the clatter of steel upon the stones and the lumbering of the charging Olog, he calls back along his column, \"Light some more damn torches so we can see what we\'re fighting!\"

His horse he pulls to one side, the shod hoofs striking sparks on the stones, \"Give the Rangers a clear sho...\" He grunts as his mount\'s leg slips into a fissure of ancient stone. The beast screams in pain as its knees buckle, and the Knight is thrown from his saddle with a curse.

His mail rings painfully as he slides to a halt in the dust. The Sea-Knight rises with an oath on his lips, but the curses are drowned out by the ring of his steel as he draws the blade of his forebears.

[Daerien(#21777)]

Daerien is, if anything more useless at this point in time. Armed only with his skinning knife and a long stick. He is here, more to observe the goings on. He moves easily from shelter to shelter, dodging behind tumbled rocks and scree falls until he finds a place whereby he might overlook the scene and watch, and perhaps if chance allows poke someone with his stick. He doesn\'t seem overly worried at present, either due to innate stupidity or distance from the action, but either way, it is with clear grey eyes and a soot stained shaved scalp that his head pops up over the rocky shield to be a voyeur to the battle.

[Lorbag(#28583)]

Cries of alarm and hatred go up as the torches come closer, and the whistle of the arrows is followed by a whistle from the east. Loud and sharp it echoes over the broken buildings to be met with a roar in reply. Lorbag himself snarls at the dancing flames that advance towards him, and taking up a hefty sledge into his hands he barks down orders.

\"Tarks!\" says he, to another roar of disapproval. \"Skin \'em lads! Stamp their skulls into the ground! Don\'t let a one of them get back to their filthy little hovels!\"

At his command, the shadows yield the new denizens of eastern Osgiliath though it may not be to the men of Gondor\'s liking. A full score of vicious little brutes come scurrying into view, led in teams of twenty by captains wearing red helms. On they surge, following the stomping troll and in search of the archers that assail him. Spears smash against stone as they go, and cruel blades slice the air with relish.

[Spunk(#15492)]       \"Hey!\" Spunk growls loudly as the arrows whistle harmlessly by, a few bouncing off his thick hide. Suddenly the olog\'s eyes go wide and he turns to the knights before charging at them. One giant hand waving in the air as the other hefts the large troll axe ready to swing as he charges to meet the knights head on, the lone troll\'s steps resounding as he splits the stone under his feet during the charge.

[Faramir(#28937)]

Remaining aloof from the battle for now, Faramir draws his bow once more, sending another arrow speeding into the fray. As hand-to-hand combat breaks out across the bridge, Rangers swap bows for swords, though a handful keep to their concealed positions.

Faramir launches an arrow...

Faramir\'s bowshot hits Spunk, mildly wounding him.

[Barsaphad(#23963)]

The moon\'s red glow burns in the twin embers of Barsaphad\'s eyes, gleaming out from the shadows of his helm. He hefts the blade in his hand, casting a sidelong look at the arrow-beleaguered Troll before charging the Uruk hordes with a cry on his lips in the tongue of Numenor fallen.

The Knights that follow him do so from horseback, their swords shining bolts of white fire that flash down as silver wave meets black upon the soon-to-be bloodsoaked cobbles.

As arrows are loosed and the Knights charge forward, so too, do the Scouts hidden here, breaking in a run after the horsemen. Among them is Ceredir, and, sword drawn, he and his fellow Scouts head--perhaps foolishly--toward the troll. It is with a two-handed swing of his sword that Ceredir strikes at Spunk\'s leg, the blow coming just after Faramir\'s arrow hits home.

You attack Spunk with your Longsword...

[Combat(#13388)->Ceredir]

Spunk dodges your attack.

[Daerien(#21777)]

Unable to do much, and without any orders otherwise, Daerien can do little but observe. But a few small stones are picked up and thrown, the distance to the nightmares too far to do more then skip across the ground at their feet. The shaven scout watches the suicidal charge of those he has seen before and with a shake of his head he climbs up atop his hiding place, making himself a target for any of the flying missiles, even if most seem to be going from the stern hosts of Gondor to the attackers rather then vice versa. Still, it is not without trepidation that he moves ever closer to the onrusing troll, his pointy stick held in front of him for what little protection it might provide.

[Lorbag(#28583)]

Meanwhile battle is joined between the riders and their hated foes gnashes of fangs and hollers of malice to meet the brave charge of Dol Amroth. Scimitars slice upward at the flanks of the horses, even as several of the foul horde are trampled into the cobbles. Spears stab out in search of chinks in armour arrows loosing from shadowed crannies to harry the horsemen.

Lorbag watches it all with a cackle and a sneer, caring little for the death of his cronies it would seem but loving the scent of blood. Sniffing the air a fire lights behind his eyes, and peers frantically about for a target of his own. Barsaphad\'s cry draws his gaze, and with a black tongue licking his lips he charges down the stair hefting his maul in his hands as he closes with the Swan-Knight.

[Combat(#13388)] Lorbag hefts a huge black sledgehammer into his hands the head viciously wrought into spikes.

[Spunk(#15492)]       As the little pale-skinned creature slashes at the trolls knee, he smiles wide. The sword, it\'s shiney, as single shaft protrudes from his breast, as the olog scowls in Ceredir\'s direction. \"No!\" he calls and swings his mighty axe with one hand at the man almost half his size.

Spunk attacks you with his Axe!...

...and he hits! Ouch!

[Faramir(#28937)]

\"Scout! \'Ware the troll!\" Faramir calls, down to Daerien. He looses one more shot from his longbow at the Olog, before he casts it aside, drawing his sword and shield. And in the space of ten heartbeats, Denethor\'s second son plunges into the fray.

Faramir launches an arrow...

Faramir\'s bowshot hits Spunk, mildly wounding him.

[Barsaphad(#23963)]

The Knights of Dol Amroth face the Uruk tide with a nobility to rival the monstrosity of their enemies -- their eyes gleaming and their faces set with fell smiles as they fight black blood mingles with crimson as men are dragged from their mounts to die upon the stones.

Through the mill of men and orc wields Barsaphad, until his fiery gaze is drawn by Lorbag as the orc descends the broken stair. The Sea Lord checks his grip upon the hilt of his blade, and pulls his shield tight upon his arm \'ere he loses himself in the charge that carries him through chaos to his intended foe...

Being lighter and shorter than your opponent has its advantage, in this case, quickness on his feet allowing Ceredir to leap out of the way of that deadly axe blade. The troll still hits him, but the blow is taken mostly by the Scout\'s armor, which will have a nasty gash in the back. Stumbling off balance from the hit, Ceredir hastens behind the troll, swinging another two-handed stroke at the back of the beast\'s knees. Meanwhile, the other Scouts try to harrass the troll from its side, though none have closed with him yet, save Ceredir.

You attack Spunk with your Longsword...

[Combat(#13388)->Ceredir]

Spunk dodges your attack.

[Spunk(#15492)]       As the troll spins, to follow the little Ceredir, he falls to his rear as a cloud of dust explodes around him. An unearthly roar is realeased as the troll is shot in the back. Being a bit bigger then orcs, Spunk uses two hands as he swings his wood chopper to cleave Ceredir down the middle.

Spunk attacks you with his Axe!...

...and he hits! Ouch!

[Daerien(#21777)]

Bending over, his fingers digging in the dirt at his feet, Daerien scrapes up a handful of dirt and flings it over Ceredir\'s head as varied scouts of the Mormegil houses attempt to distract the might troll like creature, no wounds being inflicted, but at least sparing the more combatively inclined members of the hosts free to face down others. His own attacks more in the way of distraction, of annoyance. His voice is raw, hoarse from lack of use as he yells insults in common, imprecations and invectives that are entirely unsuited for a man of refined breeding, but this isn\'t a ballroom.

[Lorbag(#28583)]

Blades meet in the violent night cold steel upon jagged iron as the battle rages on, and the momentum of the Knights\' charge finally slows to a halt. But small comfort this might be to the uruk-hai, who fight on upon the corpses of no less than a quarter of their number. They hold their line all the same, perhaps given courage by the arrows that continue to pepper their foes, and slowly but surely a ring begins to close around the soldiers of Gondor.

As Barsaphad closes with him, Lorbag spits upon the blood-stained stones, lifting high his maul to slam it into the ground a moment later. No words of challenge escape his sharp teeth, save for a hiss and a snarl, followed by a second heft of his weapon. With little warning he sends it arcing around in a low swing at the Swan-Knight\'s shins.

Lorbag attacks Barsaphad with his Maul Hammer, but he misses by a handspan.

The axe blade slashes downward, and Ceredir lunges to the side to avoid being cut in half. So, too, does he raise his shield, but the movement is a second too late and the axe cleaves through the leather armor, with a loud crack as his collarbone breaks. Staggering at the blow, he again tries to plunge his blade into the back of the troll\'s knees, but this time the blow is with one hand and done as if by instinct, the Scout\'s eyes clouding in pain.

You attack Spunk with your Longsword...

[Combat(#13388)->Ceredir]

Spunk parries your attack with his Axe!

Endaerion lurks in the shadows somewhere behind the ruins. Issuing a command to a small group of his brethren, thet emerge to unleash a volley.

[Faramir(#28937)]

After trading blows with an Uruk, Faramir\'s steps take him ever closer toward the troll. The Captain looks up, and seeing the Scouts in combat with it, lunges forward to engage the great beast.

[Barsaphad(#23963)]

The Knight is equally mute as his charge over the flagstones closes the gap between himself and the Uruk. He draws back his blade for an overhand strike as the Orc attacks The Swan-Knight leaps off a low, shattered piece of rubble at the last moment, tucking his knees to his chest as the maul swings beneath him.

As he falls hard back to the stones, so does his blade -- the steel arcing for the flesh between the monster\'s shoulder and neck...

Barsaphad attacks Lorbag with his Longsword and moderately wounds him!

[Combat(#13388)] Faramir unwields Longbow.

[Combat(#13388)] Faramir draws forth his sword.

Faramir attacks Spunk with his Longsword, but he misses by a mile.

[Daerien(#21777)]

Grey eyes widen, as sand is momentarily kicked up by shuffling feet in front of him, blurring vision and forcing him to stop, long enough at least to rub the grint from his eyeballs. Just in time to see the axe descend on Ceredir. A grimace across his features as he rushes forward to try and step in the way of the next blow, or at least drag the fallen man from beneath the onslaught of the vicious troll. His stick held up, scant defense, but it\'s all he has as fingers search, hunting from some hank of clothing with which he might gather into his fist to drag Ceredir off the field of combat.

[Spunk(#15492)]       As the second-son comes forth, blade drawn, the troll scrambles to his feet as both Ceredir\'s and Faramir\'s longsword strike the stone where the troll was just sitting. Looking down, he finds himself stareing at the strange one of Gondor\'s Nobles. The troll swings his axe at the shoulder of the Faramir, hoping to unarm him with another brutal two handed swing.

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

[Lorbag(#28583)]

Something about the Ranger captain must draw the evil eye, for as Faramir runs a volley of vicious barbs come speeding out of the ruins to hinder his progress. The darts may well hit the troll instead, but the archers seem to care little.

Meanwhile Lorbag\'s zeal seems to have been misplaced, for the sword of Barsaphad rips through his guard and into the rings of his mail. The smithies of Dol Guldur are not poor, and so the orc\'s life is saved, but neither is the steel of Dol Amroth. Several links part to admit the keen blade, and the orc warlord stumbles back more than one pace as dark blood seeps out to stain his armour.

\"Gah!\" roars he, far from quelled, and though he lacks the time to swing anew he is not powerless. Up comes his sledge once more, and Lorbag punches out the spiked head as swiftly as he can at the helmed head of his foe.

Lorbag attacks Barsaphad with his Maul Hammer and moderately wounds him!

[Faramir(#28937)]

Faramir springs aside, the troll\'s mighty swing unavailing. Skirting the beast\'s flank with nimble steps, the Captain of Rangers darts in once more for a thrust at the troll\'s armpit, his blade flashing brightly in the torchlight.

Faramir attacks Spunk with his Longsword and mildly wounds him!

[Barsaphad(#23963)]

As the Knight\'s landing is softened by the flexing of his knees, though his mail slows what would normally be a quick rise to his feet. From bended knee he wrenches back his steel -- the Uruk\'s blood flecking from the edge to dapple the Knight\'s face and tabard. He pushes himself up as the maul hammers toward his visage, and instinctively he hefts his shield of studded and boiled leather.

The spikes from the hammer make mince of the would-be barrier, and the Knight snarls as a black iron spike pierces through the flesh of his forearm, and further to stress the rings that protect his chest. Barsaphad grimaces and with a cry he wrenches his arm off the spike, splattering his tunic with red to match the black.

He lets the momentum of the pull spin him \'round, letting his steel arc into a backhanded slash at the Orc\'s neck...

Ceredir\'s sword clangs uselessly on a rock, and with that, whatever strength the Scout had left seems to leave him. He sinks to his knees, but Daerien\'s fingers find a grip, and Ceredir is half dragged away from the troll, the Scout\'s attempt to walk resulting in his stumbling. \"Here..\" he mutters to Daerien, trying to press his sword into the man\'s hands. And then his eyes are rolling up in his head from the pain, his legs giving out, so that Daerien will truly have to drag him now.

Barsaphad attacks Lorbag with his Longsword, but Lorbag parries the attack with his Maul Hammer!

[Spunk(#15492)]       As the swift blade of his opponent misses the vurnerable area under his arm pit, Spunk the Troll hisses as the ground is splotched with beads of troll blood. A jagged line from the Sword of Faramir is seen on the arm of the olog. Howling, the arrow shaft once embedded in the same arm, snaps as the arrow head digs in a bit. Trying not to move his injured arm, the olog arc\'s his axe in a wide sweeping motion towards the one who drew blood. Another shrill roar is released from the maws of the behemoth.

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

[Lorbag(#28583)]

Shorter than the valiant Swan-Knight, Lorbag is no less wily perhaps, and as Barsaphad\'s blade come singing in for a second strike he is not caught unprepared. The spiked head of that dreadful hammer is used to turn aside the sword, and the orc\'s mail jingles as he whirls about. Stepping deftly into a spin of his own he drags the sledge about with him, launching yet another swing at the man\'s face. But even as he does his feet do what they may to put distance between them still the blood wells from his flesh where the steel of Gondor was not denied.

Lorbag attacks Barsaphad with his Maul Hammer and badly wounds him!

[Daerien(#21777)]

A growl comes from between Daerien\'s lips. \"What do I know about using a sword?\" pushing Ceredir\'s hand back down, forcing him to hold onto his sword as he picks him up bodily, carrying him back up towards the rocks so recently vacated and laying him on the leeward side, to avoid any loosed arrows or to become an unwilling part of any futher battle as the unqualified scout hurries back to his perch, to hunt with his eyes for sons of Gondor that might need a help leaving the battlefield. Taking a few shots with thrown stones to add that little bit more confusion amongst the attackers.

[Faramir(#28937)]

Faramir skips backward, his feet his first line of defence. Giving the troll a wide berth and allowing time for some of the Scouts to scramble for safety, the Captain slashes at the weapon-arm of the troll, with clear intent to disable it.

Faramir attacks Spunk with his Longsword, but he misses by a mile.

[Barsaphad(#23963)]

The helm of the Azrabar Lord was forged in ages past, and not for naught has it been worn by many before he. The spiked maul catches the etched steel with a flash of sparks and the muffled squelch of flesh \'neath a bell tone of steel. The Knight spins where he stands, dropping to one knee with both hands flat in the dust. He faces down, his features hidden, and several tendrils of blood flow freely from the Osprey-shaped steel to pool beneath him.

The Knight does not afford himself long to real from the hideous blow, but rises again -- pushing himself onto a single knee. From that high boot does Barsaphad draw a sliver of steel and, flipping the dagger into a reverse grip, headlong hurls it toward the retreating Orc...

[Combat(#13388)] Barsaphad slides his ancient blade back into its sheath.

[Combat(#13388)] Barsaphad wields a dagger

[Combat(#13388)] Barsaphad throws a dagger...

[Combat(#13388)]

Barsaphad\'s dagger flies wide, doing no harm.

[Spunk(#15492)]       \"Stay still!\" The olog roars as his fustration builds at the speed of his opponent. As the uruks continue to fall all around the troll, he turns about and looks to Barsaphad. As he throws his dagger, the troll glimpses something shiney yet again and hums for a moment. With inhuman rage, the beast throws his axe at Barsaphad hoping to at least kill one who doesn\'t expect the attack.

Spunk attacks Barsaphad with his Axe and badly wounds him!

[Lorbag(#28583)]

But once again the warlord of Dol Guldur is wary, and even as the dagger arcs towards him he ducks urgently. Skittering off the top of his helm the dagger continues into the throng behind Lorbag, embedding itself into the throat of another orc poised to open up a soldier\'s gut. As the hapless uruk falls to be trampled, the warlord rises again with a growl in his throat.

\"Oh?\" he sneers, hefting his maul once more. \"Want to play like that eh, tark? C\'mere and let me split open yer craven skull!\"

Lorbag charges then, sledge raised high against the bloodshot moon, and with a murderous swing his weapon sweeps out in a bid to make good on this threat.

Lorbag attacks Barsaphad with his Maul Hammer and terribly wounds him!

[Daerien(#21777)]

Daerien, for wont of something more to do, to help his beleaguered colleagues throws his stick, but the light bent piece of wood flops harmlessly onto the blood splattered trail. Leaping down from the rocky ledge upon which he was perched, his gangly legs carrying him at speed towards where the most bloodied warriors lay, Barsaphad seeming the most abused, trying to avoid flying daggers and axes in his efforts to retrieve the armored bloodbath to carry him from the field towards where he has already stashed Ceredir, but unable to get too close lest his efforts result in only yet one more death, but finally it is too much and he crawls forward to try and grab the man by the shoulders to leave a trail of blood and gore in the dirt. Head down, eyes wide hunting for yet another flung piece of steel that might put his unarmored body in the same shape as the knight.

[Faramir(#28937)]

Grimacing, Faramir sees the Lord Azrabar fall, and motions towards some nearby Scouts. \"See to the knight!\" But the tall Ranger himself springs forward to engage the orcish leader, and his blade swings round swiftly to ward Lorbag from his prey.

Faramir attacks Lorbag with his Longsword and badly wounds him!

[Lorbag(#28583)]

Ward is too modest a word for the Ranger\'s effect on Lorbag, for as Faramir\'s sword slices into the warlord\'s flesh he is flung a clear foot ere crashing to the cobblestones. Dark ichor flows freely through the broken rings of his armour, and for a moment the captain of Dol Guldur lays still.

At length he sits upright, and begins to clamber to his feet, but he is far from ready to retaliate.

[Spunk(#15492)]       As the orcs are attacked, and the Gondorians are the ones to attack them, Spunk\'s eyes go blank for a moment before he runs up and tries to squish Faramir under his bulk, as well as move closer to his axe mere feet from Faramir.

Spunk attacks Faramir with his Bare Hands, but he misses by a mile.

[Barsaphad(#23963)]

Luck has shown her whimsy this night -- and not in favor of the Swan-Knight. His vision still swims as he pushes himself to his feet, only to turn and face the whirling axe hurled by the Olog. The blood-soaked face of Barsaphad is devoid of expression as time slows for a split-second, \"Damn...\"

The axe rips through the Knight\'s feebly raised shield, cutting a dark line across his torso and driving him to the ground in a heap of tattered cloth and broken rings of mail. With shaking hands he tries to rise again, only to have the dark shadow of Lorbag cross the crimson light that pools blood-like about him. The Knight does not give up in that last moment, but pulls at his blade with arms that slowly leak lifeblood onto the stones. The maul pierces his shoulder and back, and black tips burst forth from his front. His lips mouth a soundless scream.

His vision swims, and the pain of the spikes as they are pulled from him doesn\'t register in his addled mind. Hands grope for his frame, and the Lord is too weak to fight them off...

[Faramir(#28937)]

His aim achieved, Faramir turns to signal the Gondorian withdrawal. He regathers himself in time to evade the onrushing form of the troll before clambering atop the ruins and giving voice to his commands. The remaining Rangers in their concealed positions provide cover in the form of a warning volley, as casualties are dragged from the field.

[Daerien(#21777)]

Pushing aside Barsaphad\'s hands and muttering in Sindarin, \"Ease yourself Knight. And be still!\" annoyed as he is with any distractions at this point, until finally he is able to slip an arm, and carrying the man like some newly wed bride he dashes back towards the fortifications, the skin along his back shrinking as if his body is attempting to hide behind itself as his long legs hurry along the rocky path up behind the tumbled ancient stone brestworks. He is not gentle, but at this point speed is of more import then tenderness for this man who he has seen but once before under entirely different circumstances.

[Spunk(#15492)]       As the orcs rush one way, the humans flee the other way. \"Where do Spunks go?\" The troll asks no one in particular as he takes up the haft of his axe. Scooping up two dead orcs, the troll stomps off towards the orcs humming something to himself which sounds like \"Bum bum be Dum bum bum be dum dum.\"

[Lorbag(#28583)]

Meanwhile the battle is dying down for every son of Gondor lying slain upon the stones a trio of uruk-hai join him, and those who remain are losing heart with each passing minute. Even Lorbag, eyes blazing with rage but wincing from pain seems to have lost the will to fight, and he starts off with a limp towards the safety of the shadows.

At the sight of the retreating warlord, a crude horn or two blow from hidden nooks, and the orcs try to disengage as best the can to follow Lorbag\'s lead.

[Barsaphad(#23963)]

Sensing the tide of battle has broken once more, the remaining Knights begin their slow withdrawals -- stopping only to aid their fallen brothers with grim faces. Horses run riderless among the stones, and the groan of the injured rises eerily from the low-lying mists.

[Barsaphad(#23963)]

The night bleeds.

And now, so do the warriors of Gondor and Mordor -- their crimson and black ichors the mirror of the inky sky and ruddy moon high above.

[Lorbag(#28583)]

FIN