Halsarn and Geirdrifa stood with the rest of their unit in an open plaza amongst the ruins of Osgilliath. Beyond the tumbled walls and broken rooftops there was the undeniable howling of orcs and even the primal growling of trolls, .. Geirdrifa's bowels fluttered while he grabbed one of his javelins. His slick hands gave him the impression his shield and weapon would glide from him, but he knew well enough this to be a trick of the mind. Halsarn gave one of his looks to Geir and spoke in a low tone, "Do not worry, when you fall I shall take good care of your shoes." A queer smirk appeared on his face and with that so did the corners of Geirdrifa himself curl upwards a little. His grip strengthened or so he felt and a chuckle or two came from the line behind and front.
Then a thickly armoured Gondorian man approached, hands held behind his back and sweeping one leg forward after the other with the clunking of his iron boots on the broken cobblestones that shaped the streets. His pace went along the battleline and every pair of eyes followed his footsteps as he went by. Then suddenly he halted and drew his sword, "Brave men! .. You all have come in service to the Stewards and the White Tree, now is the time to show your mettle, remember your training and keep your eyes straight ahead! The old enemy has returned again.. as it has many generations ago and I would sooner kiss a man of Umbar rather than see any orc pass by us! Now hold on to your weapons and training and let us see it done!" With some whistles and cheers from the ranks the officer found his way further to encourage the men further in the line. Geir and Hal exchanged glances for a moment, "Shining knight there is going to stay far back in the lines or I'm a troll while we are out here.", Halsarn muttered.. Geir answered, "Keeps him from bothering us I suppose."
All the men of the unit looked up and most smiled as suddenly their leader raised his hoarse voice, "Alright boys, let us show these elven princesses around us how the work is done. Missiles at the ready, shields raised and keep your heads down!", the big man had barely needed to finish his sentence as the men set to their task, the first two lines held their shields out before them while the second created a roof with theirs over the first , spears and all sorts of weapons sprouted from the wall made with one unified shout. "Bet I take the first one straight in the eye.", Geir said as the first of his two javelins was held in his hand and ready to be thrown. Halsarn said nothing but kept looking from beneath his frown, merely laying his sword at the ready with his shield raised up..
Then the orcish horde came from the rubble, like an anthill being disturbed so they crawled and ran in ragged lines , yelling insults and swinging their weapons around! Their numbers seemed not many yet and before they could be formed up the officers that held the upper balconies yelled their orders! Arrows whistled from all around in volleys that would find themselves in orcish flesh and ragged shields, either stolen or crudely made. From the unit that consisted of the mercenaries shots were released from the few bowmen, firing all about the same pace without needing any commands to heed.
The two northern mercenaries glanced at the sight to see numbers drop left and right in such droves and rapid pace, yet it was only a small reprieve. It seemed an eternity, yet it may well have been a dozen slow heartbeats before the horde hastened towards the line of men! "BRACE!! BRAAACE!!", the mercenary captain yelled! Geirdrifa had flung his first javelin and took up his heavier one with a thickened shaft, while the first would go reasonably far.. perhaps thirty feet, his second was hurled over the men in front of him and landed straight in an orc that was pinned to the ground by the impact, several others of the like had gotten stuck in shields and left the ones carrying them without protection! Then dozens of numbers crashed in on the mercenary unit and many were swept off their feet while others slowly slided back due the pressure upon them.
Spears stabbed home with ease as the enemy tried to overwhelm with their numbers, the ones behind pushing while those in front were pushing back and fighting their own to get out of reach of the menfolk! Geir and Hal stood firm in the line, then the mercenary captain spoke again, "Give a breather!" A whistle sounded.. and during the midst of the fighting the men of the first line sidestepped and went between the ranks to the backlines while the men on the second line came forward to form the first and hack and stab at yet more orcs! Geirdrifa took his axe from his belt and did not notice the crude arrow bouncing off his helmet.. ..
((to be continued at some point.))
