The Dark Tide

The dark clouds loomed menacingly in the distance over Mordor, blotting out the failing sun. Filthy black smoke rose before the ridges of Ered Lithui as the wild cries and wicked horns of the enemy issued forth, striking fear and uncertainty into the hearts of the gathered soldiers of Gondor. The slopes crawled with masses of orcs and goblins as they gathered and charged murderously toward the Soldiers, like a swarm of angry hornets. Forming a line of shield and spear, the forward row of soldiers held fast despite being heavily outnumbered. Down the line the sweaty, grime streaked faces showed every aspect of fear, determination and a sickening awe as the black tide rampaged ever closer, stirring up thick plumes of red dust in its wake that rose and billowed behind the ravenous hordes like some immense, wraithlike crimson beast. “Hold the line!” bellowed Elhyas, his lip curling into what could be perceived as a smile under any other circumstances, eyes gleaming with anticipation. The men of the left and right flanking regiments shifted uneasily, murmuring nervously amongst themselves. “HOLD THE LINE!” Elhyas bellowed again as he scowled left and right to the wavering flanks. An enormous roar broke the din and from the clouds of dust emerged a great troll, awkwardly lolloping along to keep up with the charge. The soldiers on the left and right flanks broke up and peeled away as the men abandoned the formation and scattered in fear, away from the impending battle. “COWARDS!” Elhyas roared to the fleeing soldiers but there was no time. He braced himself with grim determination, shield and spear in hand. The monstrous charge picked up pace and hurtled towards the lone formation of warriors, hideous faces snarling viciously, and cruel, twisted blades, seemingly hungry for flesh. The black tide broke and raged into the Gondor army; the two forces clashed in an incredible uproar of clashing steel, ripping flesh and frenzied cries. Elhyas ripped his spear from the shuddering, beastly corpse and lunged forward, skewering another two orcs that collided into him, black blood spurting forth. Releasing the spear, he freed his blade and hacked into the crowd of scrambling beasts, lopping off heads and severing limbs with great, powerful swings. Elhyas snatched a glance down the line between felling his foes and took in the violent, blood spattered chaos; the army of orcs was swelling around his own regiment, flooding around the flanks. Orcs and men alike were cut down screaming in the clamour, their palsied, writhing bodies piling up. Elhyas barely avoided the deadly sweep of an axe as he grasped a horn in his left hand and cut down another orc. He raised the horn to his lips and blew a long, sonorous note that almost stemmed the tide of beasts to a halt. Taking advantage of the confusion, Elhyas hacked into two more orks, his men rallying around him and pushing forward with renewed vigour. A definite smile crossed his bloodied face as the flanking regiments that had retreated, answered his call with horns of their own and charged in now to close around the forward attacking enemy hordes. The beasts still came on strong but the tide was slowly turning. Elhyas, in his element, danced a deadly dance, whirling and striking with power and finesse as the bodies of the enemy fell about him, ruined and broken. An incredible roar ripped through the commotion and the troll clambered into the midst, battering and smashing the bodies of men and orcs flying. “The troll!” yelled Elhyas, “Fell the beast and they will break!” Elhyas watched in dismay as the troll struck a colossal blow with its bare hands and felled five of his men in a mess of bone, flesh and mangled metal. The beast roared again and turned to face Elhyas. With the surge of battle-lust coursing through his veins, Elhyas raised his sword above his head and roared back at the troll, charging forward to meet it. The troll raised its enormous, boulder-like fists and Elhyas hurled himself to the left, just as the troll slammed the earth with a ground-trembling smash. Elhyas lashed out and his blade glanced off the trolls elbow, barely drawing blood. The next swing of those enormous arms caught Elhyas off guard and clipped his head as he tried to duck under the swing. Reeling and dazed, Elhyas scrambled up, grabbing half of a broken spear from the floor and turned just as he was snatched up by the beast. Elhyas felt his bones crack as the troll squeezed with those immensely powerful hands and pain wracked his body. Some of Elhyas’ men charged at the troll to save their captain and it relinquished its hold slightly as it stamped down and struck at the attacking soldiers. Elhyas hefted the broken spear in his right hand and then launched it, hurtling at the troll’s face. The spear point struck true, plunging into the troll’s left eye and with an ear piercing howl, It staggered back, dropping Elhyas to the ground. Elhyas’ legs buckled as he hit the floor, his body weak and wounded but he hauled himself up and staggered towards the flailing beast. One of his men struck the troll in the side with a spear but then was crushed beneath the beast’s feet. “Captain!” called a soldier from behind and Elhyas turned to catch the sword that was thrown to him. Elhyas stumbled, watching the troll carefully and then moved in. He hacked and slashed awkwardly at the beast’s flailing arms and as his men closed around the troll, inflicting damage with their spears and blades, it stumbled forward on to its knees. Elhyas drove his blade up under the troll’s chin and buried his sword up to the hilt, into the creature's brain. With a spasm, the troll lashed out in its death throes and struck Elhyas fully, smashing him away and the world winked out of existence…