GA Writing Prompts - 7. # 2 Eschaton (Elanil)

Eschaton (Elanil)

Elanil hugged the tree as she looked down at the ground far below. The fight was going on, but she was not able to see what happened. It was dark for night had already fallen. Clouds covered the moon and the light was poor. A violent thunderstorm raged in the distance. The wind was already getting stronger and the first raindrops started to fall.

Elanil hugged the tree tightly. Her arms hurt. Her whole body ached. But Elanil did not move. She was barely able to think. Elanil was terribly scared. All she sensed was her heartbeat and all she heard were the sounds of fighting, the clash of swords and the furious shouts of men. Elanil heard words in her own Elvish language and words in the foreign tongue of their enemies. Elanil was not able to make out the exact number of men. Five or six, she guessed. But she was not able to make out which group held the upper hand.

Elanil hugged the tree tightly. The bark of the tree was rough and scratched her face. The rain was getting stronger. The drops were heavy and cold. Elanil started to shiver. She pressed her face against the tree and suppressed the tears that came to her eyes. Why had she left the village in the afternoon to gather herbs in the wood? Why had she not told anybody of her plan? She was so very imprudent. At least, she had immediately climbed the tree when she had heard the distant noise of a group approaching. They had not seen her. But instead of passing, the men had stopped to prepare a camp for the night. Elanil had not seen them. They were hidden by the trees. But she had recognized the tongue of their enemies.

Night had fallen quickly. Elanil had not dared to move. She had hugged the tree until her muscles had started to hurt.

Then, suddenly, Elanil had heard the clash of swords. Another group had approached and had attacked the men. Well trained Elvish fighters apparently. They had approached unseen and unheard.

Elanil startled at a vivid flash of lightning. She hugged the tree more tightly. The lightning was almost immediately followed by a violent clap of thunder.

And then there was silence.

Elanil listened anxiously into the night. But all she heard was the pouring of the heavy rain. A few moments went by. Elanil’s heart beat faster. Again, she listened into the night.

And then her heart jumped at a familiar voice calling out her name. A stifled sob escaped Elanil’s mouth.

"Falael," she cried out.

"Elanil," her brother responded.