[The Barrow-Wight]

Far below the crebanic horde, but growing closer as it plummeted earthward, the horsemen of Rohan rode full speed into a hastily erected square of orcish axe-wielders. Undisciplined and unprepared for such an assault, the goblin lumberjacks split like a chopped piece of firewood, and the cavalrymen charged over and through them, dividing them neatly in half. The horse soldiers, like their enemy but with deadlier purpose, split left and right, each turning a tight circle to override their remaining foes. They lowered their lances again as they charged.

Still nearer, for the crows were almost upon the scene, the twin groups of rushing horsemen seemingly stumbled, and much of their forward motion was checked as they dodged a hail of black arrows that rained out of the forest edge. Uruk archers, until then hidden in the undergrowth and unseen, fired volley after volley of deadly darts into the midst of the Rohirrim, and many of the Men and horses fell and did not rise. Those that remained mounted crashed again through the axemen, but this time they had less effect and suffered more casualties. Those warriors that rose from their unhorsing found themselves between the bloodied orcs with axes and the angry Uruk-hai that continued to menace them with arrows.

Mere yards beneath the talons of Akaaw, for he and his massive murder had at last descended so far, the Rohan cavalry swung around again, this time with shields raised to defend against the deadly hail from the forest’s edge. The two forces joined together in one mass of horses, wounded and hale, and rode to the rescue of their trapped brethren. Their horses plummeted into the gap where the fallen soldiers stood valiantly, and , one by one, each standing warrior was scooped up by a rider. Still, many fell pierced by arrow or hewn by notched axe, but many more escaped to a safe distance where they turned to face their enemy. The Uruk-hai, more than 50 strong, traded their bows for blades and rushed in pursuit of the fleeing straw-heads.

Inches above the fray, Akaaw gave his commands!

“Krikaw and Kadwyr! Lead your companies after the fleeing horsemen. Harry their retreat until the Uruks can catch them!”

“Pip’kha, over the hill and have a look for more horses. Another force of them approaches!”

“Brak, check the forest. These trees are treacherous and may aid our enemies!”

“Fingot, you and your cronies come with me for a bit of the spoils.”

With his orders given and the horde split into three distinct wedges, Akaaw dove to the wounded body of a still moaning Man and pecked violently into its face until its movements ceased. Fingot and the older birds that formed his entourage settled onto the carcass of a great horse pierced with many arrows. They tore into its rent flesh with a vigor that belied their age.

Akaaw looked up from where he feasted and spoke to Fingot, who was near. “Let us fill our bellies while the young ones assist in adding to our table.”

“Aye,” croaked the ancient crow, a long strip of horse flesh dangling from his beak. “Let us hope they provide a bountiful harvest. We will need much strength for our journey, and such plentiful pickings will be hard to find west of the mountains.”

[ December 28, 2002: Message edited by: The Barrow-Wight ]