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alaklondewen · 03-20-2004, 06:56 PM

Cuilad reached over slowly and tugged on Calumdril’s sleeve. When the ranger turned toward him, the boy pointed to a spot above the trees. A billow of smoke rose, stopped, then another followed.

“Ah, so the rangers have made the first kill,” Calumdril sighed. “A second prize will be given to those who bring in the most game…there is still hope, my lad.”

Cuilad turned away from the ranger and gazed straight ahead. He was beginning to doubt they would bring back any game at all. The day before, Cuilad had been so excited to be allowed to join the team of settlers on the hunting competition, but now, as he lay on his stomach against a log camouflaged by fallen leaves, he wished he had stayed with his father. Or did he? The boy had had high expectations for this competition. He had placed Calumdril on a pedestal, and believed that if he followed the Ithilien he would be seen as a man, a fighter, a hunter. He didn’t feel like any of those things at the moment, and it was to no blame of Calumdril’s. The ranger probably didn’t realize how much the boy look up to him…he was different from Cuilad’s father, who had a never ending fascination with herbs and medicines. Although he would never tell his father, Cuilad did not possess that same passion.

The sound of a broken twig brought Cuilad out of his thoughts. Calumdril slowly pulled out his bow, and Cuilad did the same. Some twenty-five feet from where they lay, a doe stood gently picking the bark from a nearby tree. The ranger nodded to Cuilad, letting him know he could make the shot. The boy slowly placed the arrow to the string of his bow and smoothly pulled it back. He had the deer directly in his path…all he had to do was let the arrow fly. Something within him filled and he felt overwhelmed by a sense of compassion for this animal. Just do it…shoot the arrow! He inwardly yelled at himself, but he still didn’t make the shot.

Cuilad heard the arrow released from Calumdril’s bow and a moment later the doe collapsed. The boy turned crimson from the neck up…he had blown his chance…he had failed.

03-20-2004, 06:56 PM	#100
alaklondewen Song of Seregon Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Following the road less traveled Posts: 1,193	Cuilad reached over slowly and tugged on Calumdril’s sleeve. When the ranger turned toward him, the boy pointed to a spot above the trees. A billow of smoke rose, stopped, then another followed. “Ah, so the rangers have made the first kill,” Calumdril sighed. “A second prize will be given to those who bring in the most game…there is still hope, my lad.” Cuilad turned away from the ranger and gazed straight ahead. He was beginning to doubt they would bring back any game at all. The day before, Cuilad had been so excited to be allowed to join the team of settlers on the hunting competition, but now, as he lay on his stomach against a log camouflaged by fallen leaves, he wished he had stayed with his father. Or did he? The boy had had high expectations for this competition. He had placed Calumdril on a pedestal, and believed that if he followed the Ithilien he would be seen as a man, a fighter, a hunter. He didn’t feel like any of those things at the moment, and it was to no blame of Calumdril’s. The ranger probably didn’t realize how much the boy look up to him…he was different from Cuilad’s father, who had a never ending fascination with herbs and medicines. Although he would never tell his father, Cuilad did not possess that same passion. The sound of a broken twig brought Cuilad out of his thoughts. Calumdril slowly pulled out his bow, and Cuilad did the same. Some twenty-five feet from where they lay, a doe stood gently picking the bark from a nearby tree. The ranger nodded to Cuilad, letting him know he could make the shot. The boy slowly placed the arrow to the string of his bow and smoothly pulled it back. He had the deer directly in his path…all he had to do was let the arrow fly. Something within him filled and he felt overwhelmed by a sense of compassion for this animal. Just do it…shoot the arrow! He inwardly yelled at himself, but he still didn’t make the shot. Cuilad heard the arrow released from Calumdril’s bow and a moment later the doe collapsed. The boy turned crimson from the neck up…he had blown his chance…he had failed.