Faorie searches for Thendryt in the Misty Mountains.
Ebrail had been left behind, for their journey had reached heights unsuitable for him to travel. Step by step, Faorie had carefully examined the tracks left behind by Bryn and his men.
It had been an hour since she had watched the group pass her in the mist of the mountains, shortly discussing their intention to find Thendryt. By their tone, it was clear that they had nothing good in store for him, and with this suspicion weighing on Faorie's mind she knew she had to discover his whereabouts before they did.
Pools of heated water sources would be crossed on Faorie's search, causing clouds of mist to float just above the ground, blurring any view of far distances. She shifted her gaze across the pools, quickly realizing she was losing the tracks she had followed for some time. A new strategy had to be considered.
She turned herself in different directions, studying her surroundings for any advantageous spots. Looking up, she took particular interest in the over hanging cliff from a steep mountain. It was there that Faorie would no doubt have an improved sight of the trail.
She made her way through the melting snow and various temperatures of mist where upon reaching the base of the mountain she immediately noted something sticking out of a snow pile nestled over a pointed rock. She took hold of a straightly carved stick and dusted off the snow around it. A red arrow.
Holding it close, Faorie examined it. Several of the men she had seen traveling closely behind Bryn carried weapons in leather wraps strapped over their shoulders, including a collection of red painted arrows. They had traveled up the mountain. Once again, there was a lead, which caused Faorie great concern, for in finding the arrow there was proof that the group of men were ahead of her in finding Thendryt.
Hurriedly, Faorie nearly began to run in search of a safe path up the mountain.
In search of a path up the mountain.
Thendryt, please... Faorie began to think to herself as she nearly reached the top of her climb, Do not act hastily. Wait for me. But how was Thendryt to know that there was anyone in search of him? Surely he thought himself alone. How very wrong he was if it truly was what he believed.
Faorie reached the summit, pulling the rest of herself up and propping up her leg to stand. There was a thin mist where she stood, but in the blurred distance she could see a clearing where snowflakes would gently fall to the ground. Slowly, she would take one step in front of the other, listening for any sounds beyond her feet pressing against the snow.
Then in a sudden moment, Faorie heard a number of low voices. She took a few quick steps forward and placed herself behind a tall, white blanketed tree where in the distance she could see a faded number of figures. It was Bryn standing before a dark figure... and farther around the two stood all the men she had seen earlier. But who was the other?
Men stand faintly in the distance, far from Faorie.
“That's harsh, even for you.” That voice was familiar - Bryn. It was the rough, deep tone of his voice that remained memorable to Faorie from the moment she had first heard it.
Then came another voice, significantly louder and clearer that Bryn's, and yet low as a growl. And it was the intensity of the voice that caused Faorie to hold her breath, for she knew that hateful sound all too well.
“You have no idea what I went through there.”
It was Thendryt...
“Or wait...”
It was the first time the darkness in his voice synchronized perfectly with the darkness of his eyes that she had witnessed many times before.
“You know exactly what I went through, don't you?”
“Look boy,” said Bryn. “We had to be sure.”
“You had to be sure I didn't know of Odak's discovery? You needed...” Thendryt's voice was getting quieter and became difficult to understand from where Faorie stood.
Lowering herself, she quietly neared herself to the men and hid behind another collection of trees. She placed her hand upon the cold bark and continued to watch the exchange.
Thendryt's expression was serious and full of a determination she could not study. “I would die before turning my back on my fellow warriors. I will not betray them or all that I protect.”
“Oh Thendryt,” Bryn said with the hint of a smile in his tone. “That's something I can help you with.”
Faorie watched on as a number of men stepped forward towards the two. Thendryt quickly reached to hold on to the hilt of his sword and the end of his spear but he had not yet released them from their sheath and strap.
“Don't worry boy,” Bryn continued, “These elves from Rivendell will be taken care of.”
“You underestimate them,” Thendryt growled.
“I don't think so. I'm pulling the strings, and there will be no mistakes.” He turned and began to walk away.
“You can't hurt them.”
Then he stopped. He turned he head only slightly to the side as he spoke to Thendryt. “What was that boy?”
“They're a trained collection of warriors. They will not go down easily.” Lowering his head, yet keeping his eyes steady, Thendryt said lowly, “If I am to die here, I'm taking all of you with me.”
Swinging his hand straight in gesture, Bryn ordered, “Enough of this.” He looked over his shoulder at his men, who all in turn faced him waiting for direction. “He's all yours.”
The men all grinned simultaneously.
“Shame I can't stay and see you leave this world myself, Thendryt... but there is an Elf on her way back to Rivendell that I need to dispose of.”
He knew. He knew she was there all that time ago. He knew she was aware of it all.
“Bryn!” Thendryt called out furiously.
It was then that the men all ran towards Thendryt and challenged him to an outnumbered battled. Bryn continued to walk forward, continuously nearing himself to Faorie.
Her heart beat hastened. He was coming. She reached for her blades and waited for him to call to her, to challenge her... but he did not. Faorie furrowed her brow as she watched him continue walking, but his path had shifted diagonally - away from her. He did not know she was there. She had a chance to end his torment on Thendryt. She took it.
Faorie wasted no time in sprinting towards him while unsheathing her swords. Bryn turned towards her with widened eyes and evaded her first swing. He collected himself quickly and reached for his own large blade that hung on his back, using it as a temporary shield as Faorie continued throwing her swings at him. Hurriedly, Bryn readjusted himself over the snow and pushed Faorie back several steps. “There you are,” he snarled. “I've had enough of your interruptions to my plans.”
Faorie said nothing. She glared deeply into the man's eyes, for hers were to be the last he'd ever see.
“I will end your life and destroy the lives Thendryt and his kin have worked to defend. May Imladris burn!”
Faorie widened her eyes at the familiar words from long ago. She crossed her swords over each other, cutting off Bryn's vertical swing at her. She pushed herself up, shoving him back and stepped forward as she turned her grip on her blades in attempt to bury them into Bryn's chest.
Bryn turned to his side and brushed his shoulder against Faorie's swords, slicing his arm deeply while shoving them away. With his opposite arm he threw his weight against her in attempt to force her off her balance, but Faorie fought it off easily.
With Bryn so close and far from his only defense, Faorie dropped one of her blades to grip on tightly to Bryn's collar. Pulling him back, she took that only moment of opportunity to dig the sharp iron blade into his stomach.
Bryn's eyes widened as his arms weakened and his body slouched forward. He dropped his weapon as all his strength rapidly drained out along with his blood. He fell to his knees, reaching for Faorie's blade but never managing to take hold as he dropped on his side.
Half his face buried itself into the snow, blood dyeing white with crimson. He uttered not a single word as his last breath left him. And there Bryn laid dead.
Faorie reached down and unsheathed her sword from his flesh, staring at his closed eyes. No time could be spent concerning herself with a proper disposal of his body – she had to rush to Thendryt's side.
Thendryt had been fighting, exhausting himself with the many attacks coming at him from every direction with no sign of end. Two men had already been defeated with their blood coloring the snow as Bryn's had.
“Thendryt!” Faorie sprinted into battle, encouraging attention to turn towards her. By Thendryt's side she fought valiantly as he had.
One by one the last three had fallen, leaving Faorie and Thendryt as the only two standing... but something had gone wrong. Although the last enemy had fallen, Thendryt's rage had not ceased. He turned towards Faorie and without hesitation began to challenge her in combat.
Thendryt challenges Faorie to battle while blinded by rage.
“Thendryt, enough!” Faorie called out. “They're dead!”
Nothing changed. Thendryt had continued to lunge towards her, and Faorie continued to evade as best she could. “Thendryt!”
Thendryt's spear sliced past Faorie's waist and his blade across her leg. Quickly understanding that Thendryt was not aware of his actions, Faorie swung her swords against his weapons and disarmed him. His spear and blade shuffled against the snow as the two stood still momentarily.
“What are you doing?!” Faorie shouted.
Thendryt's eyes were completely black in fury. He reached for a dagger tucked at his side and swung. “I must stop Bryn,” he mumbled lowly. “I must warn Faorie.”
“Thendryt?!” Faorie's shock was short lived, for Thendryt's anger could not be tamed. Furrowing her brow in sudden decision, she reached forward and took hold of his wrist in attempt to disarm him again. She shoved his grip from the dagger with her own and twisted it out of his reach.
Faorie quickly disarms Thendryt.
As she lowered her arm with his blade in hand, Thendryt threw himself at her without a second thought. Then came the loud crack of his armor.
Thendryt's movements ceased suddenly and his arms fell to his side as he eyes began to stare blankly at Faorie. Where once a blind monster raged now stood a weakened warrior at his most vulnerably moment. Looking down, the two stared at the shocking view of Faorie's hand gripped around the dagger that had penetrated Thendryt's abdomen.
They remained in silence, blood dripping from Thendryt down onto Faorie's hand. She held her breath, slowly raising her gaze to Thendryt's.
His eyes had shifted to something she had not seen in a very long time... his eyes no longer housed darkness. Nor did it house the call for death...
His eyes spoke sadness.
“I...” Faorie stuttered.
Thendryt's voice was raspy and quiet. “Faorie?”
“Thendryt...”
“I'm...” Thendryt smiled gently, “so glad you're safe.”
Faorie released the dagger and pulled herself back, her palms spread wide.
Struggling with his balance, Thendryt took a step back.
“Wait, Thendryt!” Faorie said loudly. “Stop!”
Thendryt took another step back.
Behind him was a steep ledge where the fall would lead to inevitable death.
Thendryt and Faorie stared intently at each other... until Thendryt's heel broke off the edge of the cliff's peak. With one hand held firmly over his stomach, Thendryt reached for Faorie as his footing failed.
Faorie reached for him in return, but it was too late...
Thendryt had fallen into the misty pools below where no sight of him could be seen.
Faorie looks down to the spot where Thendryt had fallen.
“Thendryt!!” Faorie called desperately.
But there was no answer.
A wind rushed past Faorie, forcing her cloak over her shoulders, and on the edge she leaned forward, watching into the shadowy mists for any hope of Thendryt's survival...
But such a thing was not possible.
Thendryt was dead.
End of Part 4 of 4
Thendryt's Version of this Story
