The story of Dalkar Ecthelon, by Druvi
This is actually a piece of writing i did as a story for my character on a MUD, and it isn't exactly how i wanted it. Yet, it served the purpose, i suppose. Tell me what you think! Some characters are fictional, created by the great JRR Tolkien, and some are real, played by friends of mine. Here it goes, the story of Dalkar Ecthelon on the Two Towers.
Chapter 1 - Beginnings
The sky was dark, and the night was as still as could be in the deep eastern reaches of Mirkwood, formerly known as Greenwood the Great. Not a sign of life, no owls hooting, no wolves howling, no crickets chirping. One clearing however revealed a quietly crackling flame. Two dark figures sat hunched over it, speaking little. The bigger of the two rose. In a quiet voice he murmered something to the slighter figure, who nodded in assent. The man removed his cloak, and tossed it to the other person, who caught it deftly and searched through it's pockets, finding a flask of miruvor, elven healing draught. "Where did you steal this from, Daukar?" she asked, in a soft feminine voice. The man called Daukar merely chuckled under his breath and walked away. The woman pulled off her own cloak and donned his. She then reached into her undergarments and drew out a blue-tipped dagger, one of the vilest weapons ever to be possessed by a human... Poison. A common strain to belladonna, not half as lethal but twice as painful. As she donned the man's cloak, her dark hair spilled over her face, but the light that shone from her eyes could not be hidden. The light of the Eldar. She was a mere wood-elf, but an elf nonetheless, one of the first children of Iluvatar. She stood to her full height, and in one hand grasped the dagger firmly, in the other was the flask of Miruvor given to her by Daukar, who was a rascal, a crime lord, a thief. Once upon a time a warrior of fame, but now a lowly thief, skilled in the arts of stealth and robbery. The elf-lady seemed ungainly as she stood, and did not seem to be in tune with herself, as wood-elves usually are. For a simple reason. She was expecting a child. A tear fell from her eye as she looked at the dagger, and then strength seemed to flow through her veins as she wound up and threw the dagger at the small of Daukar's back. While the dagger was in mid-flight, she screamed out his name. It was a long, blood-curdling scream, and it saved Daukar's life. Upon hearing it, he snapped around to look at her, and the dagger pierced his hip instead of his lower spine. He staggered from the impact, and then looked up at the elf. Her hands covered her face, as tears streamed down from between her fingers onto the forest floor. Daukar fell. As he lay, he tore the dagger out of his hip, and then intense pain overcame him. Everything went black... The elf rose. She would find her way to the kingdom of Thranduil, he would give her shelter. Many weeks did her journey take, and every step was fraught with peril. When she finally staggered through the gates of Thranduil's abode, she was almost overcome. It was only the knowledge of the forests and of wildlife that had kept her alive. But no more so than the miruvor. Four times, when she felt Mandos calling to her, she had drunk from the flask. Every one of those sips had saved her life. But she had one more thing when she passed through the gates. She had a child in her arms. It was a male child, and it had many of the usual elven features. She called him Dalkar.
Chapter 2 - Her story
Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of the mirkwood realm, elder son of King Thranduil was curious as to this traveller who had staggered through the gates on her last legs. He went to her, and engaged her in conversation. The woman did not yearn for company, but how could she refuse this Prince? She did not reveal to him much, but his wise eyes saw what her mouth did not tell. Legolas had heard of these elves, almost strays, wandering in the wild, friends with no-one. He also saw the way she wielded her knife in the process of cutting bread, she seemed to be an expert with short blades of any type. He deduced that she must practise one of the dark arts.. namely assassination. He could see no evil in her eyes.. An evil profession maybe, but she had slain no-one pure. Legolas was troubled. What evils had she been through, and why had she a child in the depths of Mirkwood? She finally spoke. "Legolas, if i may abandon titles for this instant, i must address you as an equal, and maybe as a friend. My story is long and tiresome, but i would tell you some of it, in the hope that your wisdom would show me a path. Your eyes tell me that you know who i am, and what i am. I do not deny it. I also do not deny the fact that i have not spilt clean blood. However, i am impure. Not by the taking of life, but by the giving of life.." Legolas looked at her and nodded. "My wisdom is not great, but it tells me that you must seek greater counsel. Go to rivendell, and seek out Lord Elrond. There in his house you will find help, healing and refuge. I will send a guardian with you." And she went to rivendell, and met Lord Elrond.
Chapter 3 - Daukar
He lay unmoving for days.. poison writhing through his veins, and without the strength to even open his eyes. He now lived in a world of nothing, of swirling hazes and mists clouding all thoughts and senses. A pathetic state of being, but it was not permanent. A man approached his still form, and knelt beside him. One glance at the prostrate form showed that Daukar was alive. A strong man was the stranger, and he picked up the thief as if he was a mere sack of vegetables, and slung him across his back. The man walked steadly for some hours, and then placed Daukar upon a black stallion who had galloped out of the trees upon hearing his master's whistle. The man mounted the horse, and they set out on a journey. From mirkwood, into the lands of the horse-lords, Rohan. To adornas did the man take Daukar, and laid him upon the bed in a room of the White Stallion inn, and paid a hefty sum to keep the room undisturbed. Then he rode off once again fo find a master of healing, and over time did Daukar heal. The poison had damaged him more that herbs could heal, and for several years was Daukar constrained to living in Adornas, and tales of him were few. The man who rescued him was gone as soon as Daukar began his recovery. Daukar, truth be told, was a highly skilled lord of heart and purse, who could manipulate men with his tongue as easily as he could manipulate their pockets with his fingers. He was soon into mischief, and aided Dunlending spies in the town as much has he could. His arm was not steady yet, and he could not wield a blade.
Chapter 4 - A random event..
A gossiper in adornas told Daukar of a group of men who snuck into rivendell one night, and met Elrond and his guards in battle. The fight raged between the men and the elves, and it was said that one female elf tried to sneak up behind one of the men, a sorcerer. She slew him with a single blow, and did the same to another man, but was then hacked down by the other men. She had struck vital blows, however, and the remaining men had to retreat. The gossiper could not tell Daukar her name, but he was able to tell him that a boy had watched in horrer from a corner as the woman snuck up behind the two sorcerers and slew them, and continued to watch as the warriors with crimson blades cut her down. The boy had run off, and no more was known about him. Daukar took the news with a frown, and sent off a spy to Bree, to try and get to know more about the boy. Weeks later, the dunlending returned and went straight to Daukar. "The boy lives in Bree, and they call him Dalkar. He reveals nothing besides his name, and i only found out that it as him while i watched him in the night.. he sneaks out of Bree with a sword. I did not follow, but i watched for him to return. He came back just before dawn broke, with a number of short swords sheathed in his belt. They looked like orcish blades, but i am not a weaponsmaster. The next night i folloed him.. They were indeed orcs. He slays them with ease, Daukar, it is good to watch. He moves so fast that they can not even touch him. He sneaks back into the town before dawn, and he sells the blades as Brand, the shopkeeper, starts business for the day. Then he disappears i know not where to. But this is his daily routine." Daukar silently handed a few gold coins to the dunlending. "So he is a swordsman, this Dalkar. And yet a boy.." Daukar started musing to himself "She was so greatly influenced.. she saw assassins kill the Master of Esgaroth, and she chose assassination for her own trade.. and now the boy... he sees his mother brought down by blademasters, and he takes up the life of the sword.. and at such a young age. An elf child is but a baby at 12 years.." Daukar shook his head to clear these thoughts, and dismissed the dunlending. "Drink merrily tonight, my man, for you have earned the right to do so"
Chpter 5 - The boy
He was given the name Dalkar by his mother, and from boyhood he enjoyed swordplay. With wooden swords he would beat other little elves, even those older than him. His mother taught him how to handle a sword, and he learnt the rest himself. Lord Elrond himself watched over the child, and saw in him greatness. Elrond gave Dalkar another name.. Ecthelon. Not the same name, but a similar name in honour of the great Captain of Gondolin who fell at the waterfall, who slew and was slain by the greatest of the Valaraukar. Dalkar took this compliment from the great Elf-lord with a bow, and kept it with silent pride ever after. Dalkar was uncommonly strong for an elf, and could take blows much easier than any young elf he knew. He practised with every weapon he could find in the Homely house, and became used to the feel of most of them. Then it happened, it was all a blur. The assault, the fighting, his mother sneaking up on two sorcerers and slaying them, and then the warriors turning toward her and cutting her down in a whirl of blades. He ran to her. Her last words to him were those of apology, though he did not understand what she meant. She mumbled words about men and elves, about life and death, about the Valar and the Dark Lord, and she apologised for doing to him what she did. And the light from her eyes vanished, and her torn lungs ceased to spout blood forth. He covered her face with the hood of her cloak, and took from a pocket the flask of miruvor, with just one draught left in it. And then he ran, not looking back.
Chapter 6 - Adventures
Dalkar had heard of many tales in the songs of Elrond's minstrels, and he hadn't believed many of them. He could not bring himself to imagine the glory and wonders of the elves of the Golden Wood, the deep delvings of the filthy dwarves, and the cities of men. Dalkar ran from Rivendell that fateful night, and run he did. He ran until his legs took him no further. Then Dalkar slept. He awakened to find himself within sight of mountains, and the ground on which he walked was rocky. He came across a path when walking further south, and followed it east, and he found himself upon the mountains. The Redhorn pass was before him, a perilous route for such a young one to take. But he took it. He journeyed across the redhorn pass, sliding down the snow, crawling in places, and risking life and limb. Dalkar persevered, and his reward was safety at the banks of the Mirrormere. Venturing further east, he came across orcish squads, but these looked to be a lot stronger than the lone orcs in the breelands. He managed to conceal himself in the undegrowth, and passed by undetected. he was untrained in the way of nature, so he did not move noiselessly. An arrow pressed itself to his temple, and he turned slowly to face a tall blond elf clad in green, with a bow in one hand, and an arrow in the other. He spoke "I do not need to wield my bow to pierce your skull with this arrow, so before i do so you may reveal who and what you are, and what business you have in these woods.". The elf smirked, and Dalkar was not a bit pleased. "I am Dalkar, an elf like you, and i mean you no harm. I am merely exploring these woods." The elf chuckled at Dalkar "I am Haldir, defender of Lorien. Begone from these woods, lest peril fall upon you". Dalkar scowled at Haldir, but knew there was no arguing. he turned back the way he came, but a thorned branch tore at his cloak, and the flask of miruvor fell to the ground. Haldir let out a roar of anger "Thief! From where have you stolen elf-draught?" Dalkar turned to see Haldir nock the arrow to his bowstring. In a quick movement, he took off his cloak and threw it at Haldir's bow, disturbing his aim. Then once again, Dalkar ran.
Chapter 7 - Meetings
There was commotion at the gates of Adornas. An elf lad of around 14 years of age had confronted a dunlending, and had a sword in his hand. The dunlending gripped his knife, and smirked at the lad's shouts. Dalkar had seen this dunlending before, in the woods near bree, dead at night, following him. And now he was asking the man why he had followed him. Dalkar had spent the last two years after his meeting with Haldir wandering the lands and adventuring, and near Lothlorien he had found a hollow tree. And within this tree was a vengeful spirit, which Dalkar had slain. His prizes was a sword which seemed to look into his soul, which seemed to ask him for vengeance. This sword filled Dalkar's mind with visions and images of horrors unknown, and also with rage. To this scene at the gates did Daukar saunter up to. Looking at the dunlending, then at the boy, he quickly gathered what was happening. Daukar stepped in, and advised the boy not to try anything silly. They eyed each other, and then the boy with a cry leaped at the dunlending and hewed at his head with a vicious stroke, embedding the sword deep in his skull. Dalkar then yanked the sword out and wiped it clean on a dirty rag, and grinned at Daukar, who was rather taken aback at the boy's speed and venomous intent. He looked into the Dalkar's eyes. "You will be a force to reckon with, sooner than you know..your skills are evident. Drink with me". And thus a friendship was formed.
Chapter 8 - More adventures
Many of Daukar's friends visited them at Adornas, and he introduced some to the elf lad. One of them traded Dalkar's sword for another, and a month later brought it back, but it spoke no more to Dalkar's soul. "Do not dismay, boy. the hate is dimmed but the blade is strong now.. Very strong indeed!" To prove it the man crashed the blade into a stout iron door at the bar. The door was dented but the blade seemed unmarked. He grinned and handed the sword to Dalkar, and tossed a few coins to the angry bartender, whose frown quickly turned to a smile. In the next few years, Dalkar grew stronger and bigger, until he was as tall as most men are, and able to match them in strength, and easily outdo them in speed and skill. Daukar's strength had returned,and he was also able to wield a blade like he used to, and the duo adventured far and wide in the lands. One fateful day, as they sat at the bar accompanied by ale, Daukar started talking about Mordor. Daukar had spent much time in the lands of the dark lord, and knew them intimately. "Dalkar, if you were human you would be of age now. As an elf however you are but a baby, but still, you have many attributes that men have. We have travelled all over the world, but there is yet one place we have yet to journey to. This will be a great test of your skills, and your courage. I will take you into the lands where shadows lie, the home of Sauron the dark lord. Mordor. But we cannot just walk in, i can alone but you will not be allowed. We must take other routes.. and only one can i think of. We must pass through the very abode of Ungoliant's offspring, we must pass through Shelob's lair". Dalkar didn't reply immediately, instead he turned to the bartender. "Give me whiskey, the best you have". Dalkar drank the glass in a gulp, then grinned at Daukar, "Lets go!"And they lived to tell the tale. Through Shelob's lair they went, quietly as they could. Only when the last web was cut did She appear, and with a squeal of derision she lunged at the two, hurting them slightly. And they made their escape, and emerged from the lair to look upon the vast expanse of black, torn land that is Mordor.
Chapter 9 - Death
Dalkar had made other friends in Adornas besides Daukar, and wandered the lands with them as well. One of these was the sindar elf-lady Lydia. Old in comparison to young Dalkar, but still a youth in the reckoning of elves, she was just some years older than Daukar himself. Dalkar and Lydia would sneak into Lothlorien at night, exploring the woods, Lydia's expertise in the ways of the wild keeping them from being discovered. They also journeyed into the lands of Gondor, visiting the cities of men. One fateful day, Dalkar and Lydia were walking the banks of the Ringlo river, and they spotted a girl atop a tree. They climbed to join her. Lydia reached out to the girl, who grabbed onto her arm, then fell into the Ringlo, taking Lydia wih her. Dalkar leaped after the two, into the raging river. Too late did he realise hat he had a suit of armour on, and even his strength could not keep him afloat long enough to fight the current and get to safety. Water choked his lungs and he slowly sank under, to a watery grave. As everything went dark he thought he imagined Lydia at his side tring to pull him up to the surface, but it was too late. Dalkar passed into the halls of Mandos..
Chapter 10 - Words from above
It is impossible to know what went on, but Dalkar was returned to middle earth, as elves always are.. but this time as a mortal. One of mixed race cannot choose forever the life of the immortal, they must accept the gift of mortality. Dalkar the dunedain returned to Arda...
Chapter 11 - A new life
Life went on as before, but Dalkar wondered about his past. How could he be of mixed race? Why? Is that why she apologised? There were so many questions, and so few answers. And above all Dalkar yearned for immortality again. He had gotten used to the lands he lived in, and did not want to face uncertainty in the future. And then he met Larion. A friend of Daukar, Larion was a man of nobility, grace and power. he spoke with an unseen knowledge, and none dared challenge a statement he uttered, not even Daukar himself. Larion was a great warrior of the lands, and a elder in a cult, or a brotherhood of fundamentalists calling themselves the Aina Amarth. Larion kept an eye on Dalkar, now a full grown man of some 20 years, and got to know him easily. Dalkar learned much from Larion, and also learnt of Larion's religion. It gave Dalkar many of the answers he seacrhed for, and seemed to promise him a life and a cause to live for. Larion slowly intoduced Dalkar to many of his fellow cultists, and Dalkar began to appreciate the unifying nature of their religion and beliefs. Soon he was acquainted with the Aina Amarth, and made a desicion in his heart to follow the path that they took. Time passed slowly, every day bringing new adventures.
Chapter 12 - Raiders
Dalkar sat at a desk in his room one night, in the White Stallion, when his vigil was interrupted by the door creaking open. Larion strode in and dropped a bundle on his bed. "There's someone who you ought to meet. Be prepared for a headache on the morrow" He grinned. "He sent this as a token to make the meeting worthwhile". Larion stood at the window for a minute, then continued. "Do not be afraid. This man is no stranger to me, neither is is companion.. but you will not see much of her!" Dalkar got up and went to the bundle Larion had dropped. Unwrapping it slowly, a smile started to form on his face. A black mail shirt and matching pants shone darkly before his eager eyes, and the hilt of a sword was visible inside a studded shoulder-baldric. Dalkar slowly donned the mail, baring a tattoo of a panther across his shoulder. Larion grinned, noting Dalkar's unwillingness to draw the blade.. an old habit of keeping the best for last. Dalkar then slung on the baldric, and with soft hands withdrew the blade. His jaw dropped as he noted the sheer quality of the sword's crafting. A magnificent longsword indeed. Dalkar's grip tightened on the hilt, as he tested the weight, and suddenly flames shout out of the blade, enshrouding it in a fiery aura. Larion's smile was wide as he met Dalkar's whistle of appreciation with a chuckle of his own. "Not a bad little weapon, if i may say so myself. Nicely weighted, and comfortable to grip. And rather deadly, too." Dalkar released his grip on the blade, and the flames vanished. "I think i might like this friend of yours, Larion!"Dalkar descended the stairs slowly, scanning the crowd for anyone new. He spotted two figures in dark blue garments, and walked over to them. The smaller of the two approached him, while the other remained at the bar. "Suilad, Dalkar" was her greeting, uttered in a soft silky voice. "It is good to meet you at last." And she was gone, before he could reply. He proceeded towards the other figure, turned towards him with a similar greeting "Suilad Dalkar. You must excuse Ardnas, a high priestess has many matters to attend to." With a grin he said in a lower voice "I'd advise you to adress her as 'Tar' Ardnas. Else you might find yourself fed to the wolves. But enough of that. I am Laon, and i hold the rank of Luinhir, if that makes any sense to you. A drink, perhaps? I hear the mead from Edoras is halfway decent." Dalkar nodded, noting Laon's powerful build and the unique tattoo of a mask on his forehead. A dwarven mask! Laon wore his sword in a simple sheath by his side, but Dalkar could not tell more about it besides the fact that the blade was long and very light. Laon turned to the barkeep "Two meads from Edoras". Tossing a couple of coins on the bar he added "Not glasses.. i mean kegs!"Dalkar opened his eyes, and felt two sensations hit him hard. Very hard. A shooting pain in his head, and the sun streaming in through the window. He vowed never to engage in so much drinking ever again. The morning chores completed, he strapped on his gear and adjourned downstairs, where Laon was ready and waiting. "A merry morning, Dalkar. We have two and a half day's travel ahead of us, and then we shall have some fun." The duo set out for Edoras, and the journey was uneventful. Reaching there, they set off in the direction of Lothlorien, the golden wood. Their destination was reached, just as night began to fall. And the two cloaked warriors cleaned themselves up, and walked into the fair city of Caras Galadhon.Laon and Dalkar looked positively radiant. They wore crystals upon their breast, and no trace of travel was upon their faces, and the elven guards took them as elf-friends, for their appearance was so. Dalkar walked comfortably among the boughs, but Laon's hand never left the hilt of his blade. Soon they came to a majestic tree, bigger and more beautiful than all the others they had seen. "This is the abode of the Lord and Lady of the Lothlorien, and this is where we complete our task this day. An elf-general also lives here, and it is him we are after. Legoral has fought us too long, today he shall visit Mandos." whispered Laon in Dalkar's ear. They climbed up into the first level of the tree, and came to face with a number of elves, attired in honour guard armour, and at the back of the room stood an elven bowman. Laon grinned at the guards, while Dalkar casually strolled up to the bowman "Greetings, elf. The night is quiet, is it not.." to which the bowman replied "what are you doing here, stranger?". Dalkar recognised that same tone in the archer's voice which he despised.. It was the same attitude that fueled the growth of his hate towards his former kindred. Dalkar drew his flaming sword, and smiled darkly "I am here, mellon, to send you to the halls of Mandos!" With a fell slash, he tore at the archer's arm, setting it aflame. With hatein his eyes, he slashed at the other limbs, crippling the elf, who was now screaming in agony at the flames eating at his skin. Paying no heed to the screams, Dalkar calmly turned around and what he saw shocked him. There was Laon, blue flame dancing in his eyes, his sword smiting at all three of the honour guards that faced him, displaying unbelievable mastery of the blade. Dalkar shook his head once, and with a growl entered the fray. Within minutes, all the guards on that level and the ones above lay on the ground, charred and hacked to peices. Dalkar and Laon silently approached the general's quarters, having made sure that the lord and lady of the tree were undisturbed. The elf was poring over some maps, when the two cultists entered the room. Dalkar and Laon approached him from either side, and greeted him in unison "Suilad!" The startled general looked up, too see two blades swing towards him in blinding arcs. The same look was in his eyes, as his severed head fell to the floor. The two raiders chuckled as they exited the chamber, pleased at a task well done. Climbing down to the lowest level, a shock awaited them. Two maidens stood facing them, clad in preparation for battle. One of them held in her hands a staff with the head fashioned akin to that of a dragon, and by some illusion it seemed to be aflame. The other slowly unslung her bow, and as she nocked an arrow to it, a clap of thunder broke the silence of the night.. she had in her hands the famed longbow of storms, and she held it in the manner of an archer of unprecedented prowess. Cherra and Phaedriel, guardians of the golden wood, had come to the defense. The battle was brief, and the blades of the cultists sang as they cut through the air and their opponents' flesh. The arrows of Phaedriel pierced Dalkar as he shielded Laon from her, as he brought down the elf-mage with dazzling strokes. Finally the elves ran, gravely wounded, as the two cultists stood triumphant upon the boughs of the tree, now stained with blood. "I think our work here is done" growled Laon, as he yanked an arrow out of his thigh.
Chapter 13 - An unfinished tale
A knock on the door. "Do you have a few minutes to spend on an old man, master Dalkar?" came the voice from the other side.. it was Armand. Dalkar smiled inwardly. It was time.
Okay, i know that was rather long. But that's my style, when i get into something i like to finish it up! (hinthinthint) The tale of Dalkar is ongoing, and maybe i will add more to his story. But for now, thats that. Note : Chapters one and two are fictional, but things actually went the way they did from chapter 3 onwards. Mad props to Daukar for being such a stud in my imagination, and he now goes on the Two Towers under a different name. Love ya Jens!
To see samples of T2T action, see the links below.
For a fight between Dalkar and Teion (Another guardian of Lothlorien), logged by Helicopter.
http://logs.dyndns.dk/viewer.php/8557
During a war between Gondor and the Aina Amarth, Larion and Dalkar enlist the aid of the Daen Hecil to bring down two of Gondor's finest, logged by Larion.
http://logs.dyndns.dk/viewer.php/8915
Chapter 1 - Beginnings
The sky was dark, and the night was as still as could be in the deep eastern reaches of Mirkwood, formerly known as Greenwood the Great. Not a sign of life, no owls hooting, no wolves howling, no crickets chirping. One clearing however revealed a quietly crackling flame. Two dark figures sat hunched over it, speaking little. The bigger of the two rose. In a quiet voice he murmered something to the slighter figure, who nodded in assent. The man removed his cloak, and tossed it to the other person, who caught it deftly and searched through it's pockets, finding a flask of miruvor, elven healing draught. "Where did you steal this from, Daukar?" she asked, in a soft feminine voice. The man called Daukar merely chuckled under his breath and walked away. The woman pulled off her own cloak and donned his. She then reached into her undergarments and drew out a blue-tipped dagger, one of the vilest weapons ever to be possessed by a human... Poison. A common strain to belladonna, not half as lethal but twice as painful. As she donned the man's cloak, her dark hair spilled over her face, but the light that shone from her eyes could not be hidden. The light of the Eldar. She was a mere wood-elf, but an elf nonetheless, one of the first children of Iluvatar. She stood to her full height, and in one hand grasped the dagger firmly, in the other was the flask of Miruvor given to her by Daukar, who was a rascal, a crime lord, a thief. Once upon a time a warrior of fame, but now a lowly thief, skilled in the arts of stealth and robbery. The elf-lady seemed ungainly as she stood, and did not seem to be in tune with herself, as wood-elves usually are. For a simple reason. She was expecting a child. A tear fell from her eye as she looked at the dagger, and then strength seemed to flow through her veins as she wound up and threw the dagger at the small of Daukar's back. While the dagger was in mid-flight, she screamed out his name. It was a long, blood-curdling scream, and it saved Daukar's life. Upon hearing it, he snapped around to look at her, and the dagger pierced his hip instead of his lower spine. He staggered from the impact, and then looked up at the elf. Her hands covered her face, as tears streamed down from between her fingers onto the forest floor. Daukar fell. As he lay, he tore the dagger out of his hip, and then intense pain overcame him. Everything went black... The elf rose. She would find her way to the kingdom of Thranduil, he would give her shelter. Many weeks did her journey take, and every step was fraught with peril. When she finally staggered through the gates of Thranduil's abode, she was almost overcome. It was only the knowledge of the forests and of wildlife that had kept her alive. But no more so than the miruvor. Four times, when she felt Mandos calling to her, she had drunk from the flask. Every one of those sips had saved her life. But she had one more thing when she passed through the gates. She had a child in her arms. It was a male child, and it had many of the usual elven features. She called him Dalkar.
Chapter 2 - Her story
Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of the mirkwood realm, elder son of King Thranduil was curious as to this traveller who had staggered through the gates on her last legs. He went to her, and engaged her in conversation. The woman did not yearn for company, but how could she refuse this Prince? She did not reveal to him much, but his wise eyes saw what her mouth did not tell. Legolas had heard of these elves, almost strays, wandering in the wild, friends with no-one. He also saw the way she wielded her knife in the process of cutting bread, she seemed to be an expert with short blades of any type. He deduced that she must practise one of the dark arts.. namely assassination. He could see no evil in her eyes.. An evil profession maybe, but she had slain no-one pure. Legolas was troubled. What evils had she been through, and why had she a child in the depths of Mirkwood? She finally spoke. "Legolas, if i may abandon titles for this instant, i must address you as an equal, and maybe as a friend. My story is long and tiresome, but i would tell you some of it, in the hope that your wisdom would show me a path. Your eyes tell me that you know who i am, and what i am. I do not deny it. I also do not deny the fact that i have not spilt clean blood. However, i am impure. Not by the taking of life, but by the giving of life.." Legolas looked at her and nodded. "My wisdom is not great, but it tells me that you must seek greater counsel. Go to rivendell, and seek out Lord Elrond. There in his house you will find help, healing and refuge. I will send a guardian with you." And she went to rivendell, and met Lord Elrond.
Chapter 3 - Daukar
He lay unmoving for days.. poison writhing through his veins, and without the strength to even open his eyes. He now lived in a world of nothing, of swirling hazes and mists clouding all thoughts and senses. A pathetic state of being, but it was not permanent. A man approached his still form, and knelt beside him. One glance at the prostrate form showed that Daukar was alive. A strong man was the stranger, and he picked up the thief as if he was a mere sack of vegetables, and slung him across his back. The man walked steadly for some hours, and then placed Daukar upon a black stallion who had galloped out of the trees upon hearing his master's whistle. The man mounted the horse, and they set out on a journey. From mirkwood, into the lands of the horse-lords, Rohan. To adornas did the man take Daukar, and laid him upon the bed in a room of the White Stallion inn, and paid a hefty sum to keep the room undisturbed. Then he rode off once again fo find a master of healing, and over time did Daukar heal. The poison had damaged him more that herbs could heal, and for several years was Daukar constrained to living in Adornas, and tales of him were few. The man who rescued him was gone as soon as Daukar began his recovery. Daukar, truth be told, was a highly skilled lord of heart and purse, who could manipulate men with his tongue as easily as he could manipulate their pockets with his fingers. He was soon into mischief, and aided Dunlending spies in the town as much has he could. His arm was not steady yet, and he could not wield a blade.
Chapter 4 - A random event..
A gossiper in adornas told Daukar of a group of men who snuck into rivendell one night, and met Elrond and his guards in battle. The fight raged between the men and the elves, and it was said that one female elf tried to sneak up behind one of the men, a sorcerer. She slew him with a single blow, and did the same to another man, but was then hacked down by the other men. She had struck vital blows, however, and the remaining men had to retreat. The gossiper could not tell Daukar her name, but he was able to tell him that a boy had watched in horrer from a corner as the woman snuck up behind the two sorcerers and slew them, and continued to watch as the warriors with crimson blades cut her down. The boy had run off, and no more was known about him. Daukar took the news with a frown, and sent off a spy to Bree, to try and get to know more about the boy. Weeks later, the dunlending returned and went straight to Daukar. "The boy lives in Bree, and they call him Dalkar. He reveals nothing besides his name, and i only found out that it as him while i watched him in the night.. he sneaks out of Bree with a sword. I did not follow, but i watched for him to return. He came back just before dawn broke, with a number of short swords sheathed in his belt. They looked like orcish blades, but i am not a weaponsmaster. The next night i folloed him.. They were indeed orcs. He slays them with ease, Daukar, it is good to watch. He moves so fast that they can not even touch him. He sneaks back into the town before dawn, and he sells the blades as Brand, the shopkeeper, starts business for the day. Then he disappears i know not where to. But this is his daily routine." Daukar silently handed a few gold coins to the dunlending. "So he is a swordsman, this Dalkar. And yet a boy.." Daukar started musing to himself "She was so greatly influenced.. she saw assassins kill the Master of Esgaroth, and she chose assassination for her own trade.. and now the boy... he sees his mother brought down by blademasters, and he takes up the life of the sword.. and at such a young age. An elf child is but a baby at 12 years.." Daukar shook his head to clear these thoughts, and dismissed the dunlending. "Drink merrily tonight, my man, for you have earned the right to do so"
Chpter 5 - The boy
He was given the name Dalkar by his mother, and from boyhood he enjoyed swordplay. With wooden swords he would beat other little elves, even those older than him. His mother taught him how to handle a sword, and he learnt the rest himself. Lord Elrond himself watched over the child, and saw in him greatness. Elrond gave Dalkar another name.. Ecthelon. Not the same name, but a similar name in honour of the great Captain of Gondolin who fell at the waterfall, who slew and was slain by the greatest of the Valaraukar. Dalkar took this compliment from the great Elf-lord with a bow, and kept it with silent pride ever after. Dalkar was uncommonly strong for an elf, and could take blows much easier than any young elf he knew. He practised with every weapon he could find in the Homely house, and became used to the feel of most of them. Then it happened, it was all a blur. The assault, the fighting, his mother sneaking up on two sorcerers and slaying them, and then the warriors turning toward her and cutting her down in a whirl of blades. He ran to her. Her last words to him were those of apology, though he did not understand what she meant. She mumbled words about men and elves, about life and death, about the Valar and the Dark Lord, and she apologised for doing to him what she did. And the light from her eyes vanished, and her torn lungs ceased to spout blood forth. He covered her face with the hood of her cloak, and took from a pocket the flask of miruvor, with just one draught left in it. And then he ran, not looking back.
Chapter 6 - Adventures
Dalkar had heard of many tales in the songs of Elrond's minstrels, and he hadn't believed many of them. He could not bring himself to imagine the glory and wonders of the elves of the Golden Wood, the deep delvings of the filthy dwarves, and the cities of men. Dalkar ran from Rivendell that fateful night, and run he did. He ran until his legs took him no further. Then Dalkar slept. He awakened to find himself within sight of mountains, and the ground on which he walked was rocky. He came across a path when walking further south, and followed it east, and he found himself upon the mountains. The Redhorn pass was before him, a perilous route for such a young one to take. But he took it. He journeyed across the redhorn pass, sliding down the snow, crawling in places, and risking life and limb. Dalkar persevered, and his reward was safety at the banks of the Mirrormere. Venturing further east, he came across orcish squads, but these looked to be a lot stronger than the lone orcs in the breelands. He managed to conceal himself in the undegrowth, and passed by undetected. he was untrained in the way of nature, so he did not move noiselessly. An arrow pressed itself to his temple, and he turned slowly to face a tall blond elf clad in green, with a bow in one hand, and an arrow in the other. He spoke "I do not need to wield my bow to pierce your skull with this arrow, so before i do so you may reveal who and what you are, and what business you have in these woods.". The elf smirked, and Dalkar was not a bit pleased. "I am Dalkar, an elf like you, and i mean you no harm. I am merely exploring these woods." The elf chuckled at Dalkar "I am Haldir, defender of Lorien. Begone from these woods, lest peril fall upon you". Dalkar scowled at Haldir, but knew there was no arguing. he turned back the way he came, but a thorned branch tore at his cloak, and the flask of miruvor fell to the ground. Haldir let out a roar of anger "Thief! From where have you stolen elf-draught?" Dalkar turned to see Haldir nock the arrow to his bowstring. In a quick movement, he took off his cloak and threw it at Haldir's bow, disturbing his aim. Then once again, Dalkar ran.
Chapter 7 - Meetings
There was commotion at the gates of Adornas. An elf lad of around 14 years of age had confronted a dunlending, and had a sword in his hand. The dunlending gripped his knife, and smirked at the lad's shouts. Dalkar had seen this dunlending before, in the woods near bree, dead at night, following him. And now he was asking the man why he had followed him. Dalkar had spent the last two years after his meeting with Haldir wandering the lands and adventuring, and near Lothlorien he had found a hollow tree. And within this tree was a vengeful spirit, which Dalkar had slain. His prizes was a sword which seemed to look into his soul, which seemed to ask him for vengeance. This sword filled Dalkar's mind with visions and images of horrors unknown, and also with rage. To this scene at the gates did Daukar saunter up to. Looking at the dunlending, then at the boy, he quickly gathered what was happening. Daukar stepped in, and advised the boy not to try anything silly. They eyed each other, and then the boy with a cry leaped at the dunlending and hewed at his head with a vicious stroke, embedding the sword deep in his skull. Dalkar then yanked the sword out and wiped it clean on a dirty rag, and grinned at Daukar, who was rather taken aback at the boy's speed and venomous intent. He looked into the Dalkar's eyes. "You will be a force to reckon with, sooner than you know..your skills are evident. Drink with me". And thus a friendship was formed.
Chapter 8 - More adventures
Many of Daukar's friends visited them at Adornas, and he introduced some to the elf lad. One of them traded Dalkar's sword for another, and a month later brought it back, but it spoke no more to Dalkar's soul. "Do not dismay, boy. the hate is dimmed but the blade is strong now.. Very strong indeed!" To prove it the man crashed the blade into a stout iron door at the bar. The door was dented but the blade seemed unmarked. He grinned and handed the sword to Dalkar, and tossed a few coins to the angry bartender, whose frown quickly turned to a smile. In the next few years, Dalkar grew stronger and bigger, until he was as tall as most men are, and able to match them in strength, and easily outdo them in speed and skill. Daukar's strength had returned,and he was also able to wield a blade like he used to, and the duo adventured far and wide in the lands. One fateful day, as they sat at the bar accompanied by ale, Daukar started talking about Mordor. Daukar had spent much time in the lands of the dark lord, and knew them intimately. "Dalkar, if you were human you would be of age now. As an elf however you are but a baby, but still, you have many attributes that men have. We have travelled all over the world, but there is yet one place we have yet to journey to. This will be a great test of your skills, and your courage. I will take you into the lands where shadows lie, the home of Sauron the dark lord. Mordor. But we cannot just walk in, i can alone but you will not be allowed. We must take other routes.. and only one can i think of. We must pass through the very abode of Ungoliant's offspring, we must pass through Shelob's lair". Dalkar didn't reply immediately, instead he turned to the bartender. "Give me whiskey, the best you have". Dalkar drank the glass in a gulp, then grinned at Daukar, "Lets go!"And they lived to tell the tale. Through Shelob's lair they went, quietly as they could. Only when the last web was cut did She appear, and with a squeal of derision she lunged at the two, hurting them slightly. And they made their escape, and emerged from the lair to look upon the vast expanse of black, torn land that is Mordor.
Chapter 9 - Death
Dalkar had made other friends in Adornas besides Daukar, and wandered the lands with them as well. One of these was the sindar elf-lady Lydia. Old in comparison to young Dalkar, but still a youth in the reckoning of elves, she was just some years older than Daukar himself. Dalkar and Lydia would sneak into Lothlorien at night, exploring the woods, Lydia's expertise in the ways of the wild keeping them from being discovered. They also journeyed into the lands of Gondor, visiting the cities of men. One fateful day, Dalkar and Lydia were walking the banks of the Ringlo river, and they spotted a girl atop a tree. They climbed to join her. Lydia reached out to the girl, who grabbed onto her arm, then fell into the Ringlo, taking Lydia wih her. Dalkar leaped after the two, into the raging river. Too late did he realise hat he had a suit of armour on, and even his strength could not keep him afloat long enough to fight the current and get to safety. Water choked his lungs and he slowly sank under, to a watery grave. As everything went dark he thought he imagined Lydia at his side tring to pull him up to the surface, but it was too late. Dalkar passed into the halls of Mandos..
Chapter 10 - Words from above
It is impossible to know what went on, but Dalkar was returned to middle earth, as elves always are.. but this time as a mortal. One of mixed race cannot choose forever the life of the immortal, they must accept the gift of mortality. Dalkar the dunedain returned to Arda...
Chapter 11 - A new life
Life went on as before, but Dalkar wondered about his past. How could he be of mixed race? Why? Is that why she apologised? There were so many questions, and so few answers. And above all Dalkar yearned for immortality again. He had gotten used to the lands he lived in, and did not want to face uncertainty in the future. And then he met Larion. A friend of Daukar, Larion was a man of nobility, grace and power. he spoke with an unseen knowledge, and none dared challenge a statement he uttered, not even Daukar himself. Larion was a great warrior of the lands, and a elder in a cult, or a brotherhood of fundamentalists calling themselves the Aina Amarth. Larion kept an eye on Dalkar, now a full grown man of some 20 years, and got to know him easily. Dalkar learned much from Larion, and also learnt of Larion's religion. It gave Dalkar many of the answers he seacrhed for, and seemed to promise him a life and a cause to live for. Larion slowly intoduced Dalkar to many of his fellow cultists, and Dalkar began to appreciate the unifying nature of their religion and beliefs. Soon he was acquainted with the Aina Amarth, and made a desicion in his heart to follow the path that they took. Time passed slowly, every day bringing new adventures.
Chapter 12 - Raiders
Dalkar sat at a desk in his room one night, in the White Stallion, when his vigil was interrupted by the door creaking open. Larion strode in and dropped a bundle on his bed. "There's someone who you ought to meet. Be prepared for a headache on the morrow" He grinned. "He sent this as a token to make the meeting worthwhile". Larion stood at the window for a minute, then continued. "Do not be afraid. This man is no stranger to me, neither is is companion.. but you will not see much of her!" Dalkar got up and went to the bundle Larion had dropped. Unwrapping it slowly, a smile started to form on his face. A black mail shirt and matching pants shone darkly before his eager eyes, and the hilt of a sword was visible inside a studded shoulder-baldric. Dalkar slowly donned the mail, baring a tattoo of a panther across his shoulder. Larion grinned, noting Dalkar's unwillingness to draw the blade.. an old habit of keeping the best for last. Dalkar then slung on the baldric, and with soft hands withdrew the blade. His jaw dropped as he noted the sheer quality of the sword's crafting. A magnificent longsword indeed. Dalkar's grip tightened on the hilt, as he tested the weight, and suddenly flames shout out of the blade, enshrouding it in a fiery aura. Larion's smile was wide as he met Dalkar's whistle of appreciation with a chuckle of his own. "Not a bad little weapon, if i may say so myself. Nicely weighted, and comfortable to grip. And rather deadly, too." Dalkar released his grip on the blade, and the flames vanished. "I think i might like this friend of yours, Larion!"Dalkar descended the stairs slowly, scanning the crowd for anyone new. He spotted two figures in dark blue garments, and walked over to them. The smaller of the two approached him, while the other remained at the bar. "Suilad, Dalkar" was her greeting, uttered in a soft silky voice. "It is good to meet you at last." And she was gone, before he could reply. He proceeded towards the other figure, turned towards him with a similar greeting "Suilad Dalkar. You must excuse Ardnas, a high priestess has many matters to attend to." With a grin he said in a lower voice "I'd advise you to adress her as 'Tar' Ardnas. Else you might find yourself fed to the wolves. But enough of that. I am Laon, and i hold the rank of Luinhir, if that makes any sense to you. A drink, perhaps? I hear the mead from Edoras is halfway decent." Dalkar nodded, noting Laon's powerful build and the unique tattoo of a mask on his forehead. A dwarven mask! Laon wore his sword in a simple sheath by his side, but Dalkar could not tell more about it besides the fact that the blade was long and very light. Laon turned to the barkeep "Two meads from Edoras". Tossing a couple of coins on the bar he added "Not glasses.. i mean kegs!"Dalkar opened his eyes, and felt two sensations hit him hard. Very hard. A shooting pain in his head, and the sun streaming in through the window. He vowed never to engage in so much drinking ever again. The morning chores completed, he strapped on his gear and adjourned downstairs, where Laon was ready and waiting. "A merry morning, Dalkar. We have two and a half day's travel ahead of us, and then we shall have some fun." The duo set out for Edoras, and the journey was uneventful. Reaching there, they set off in the direction of Lothlorien, the golden wood. Their destination was reached, just as night began to fall. And the two cloaked warriors cleaned themselves up, and walked into the fair city of Caras Galadhon.Laon and Dalkar looked positively radiant. They wore crystals upon their breast, and no trace of travel was upon their faces, and the elven guards took them as elf-friends, for their appearance was so. Dalkar walked comfortably among the boughs, but Laon's hand never left the hilt of his blade. Soon they came to a majestic tree, bigger and more beautiful than all the others they had seen. "This is the abode of the Lord and Lady of the Lothlorien, and this is where we complete our task this day. An elf-general also lives here, and it is him we are after. Legoral has fought us too long, today he shall visit Mandos." whispered Laon in Dalkar's ear. They climbed up into the first level of the tree, and came to face with a number of elves, attired in honour guard armour, and at the back of the room stood an elven bowman. Laon grinned at the guards, while Dalkar casually strolled up to the bowman "Greetings, elf. The night is quiet, is it not.." to which the bowman replied "what are you doing here, stranger?". Dalkar recognised that same tone in the archer's voice which he despised.. It was the same attitude that fueled the growth of his hate towards his former kindred. Dalkar drew his flaming sword, and smiled darkly "I am here, mellon, to send you to the halls of Mandos!" With a fell slash, he tore at the archer's arm, setting it aflame. With hatein his eyes, he slashed at the other limbs, crippling the elf, who was now screaming in agony at the flames eating at his skin. Paying no heed to the screams, Dalkar calmly turned around and what he saw shocked him. There was Laon, blue flame dancing in his eyes, his sword smiting at all three of the honour guards that faced him, displaying unbelievable mastery of the blade. Dalkar shook his head once, and with a growl entered the fray. Within minutes, all the guards on that level and the ones above lay on the ground, charred and hacked to peices. Dalkar and Laon silently approached the general's quarters, having made sure that the lord and lady of the tree were undisturbed. The elf was poring over some maps, when the two cultists entered the room. Dalkar and Laon approached him from either side, and greeted him in unison "Suilad!" The startled general looked up, too see two blades swing towards him in blinding arcs. The same look was in his eyes, as his severed head fell to the floor. The two raiders chuckled as they exited the chamber, pleased at a task well done. Climbing down to the lowest level, a shock awaited them. Two maidens stood facing them, clad in preparation for battle. One of them held in her hands a staff with the head fashioned akin to that of a dragon, and by some illusion it seemed to be aflame. The other slowly unslung her bow, and as she nocked an arrow to it, a clap of thunder broke the silence of the night.. she had in her hands the famed longbow of storms, and she held it in the manner of an archer of unprecedented prowess. Cherra and Phaedriel, guardians of the golden wood, had come to the defense. The battle was brief, and the blades of the cultists sang as they cut through the air and their opponents' flesh. The arrows of Phaedriel pierced Dalkar as he shielded Laon from her, as he brought down the elf-mage with dazzling strokes. Finally the elves ran, gravely wounded, as the two cultists stood triumphant upon the boughs of the tree, now stained with blood. "I think our work here is done" growled Laon, as he yanked an arrow out of his thigh.
Chapter 13 - An unfinished tale
A knock on the door. "Do you have a few minutes to spend on an old man, master Dalkar?" came the voice from the other side.. it was Armand. Dalkar smiled inwardly. It was time.
Okay, i know that was rather long. But that's my style, when i get into something i like to finish it up! (hinthinthint) The tale of Dalkar is ongoing, and maybe i will add more to his story. But for now, thats that. Note : Chapters one and two are fictional, but things actually went the way they did from chapter 3 onwards. Mad props to Daukar for being such a stud in my imagination, and he now goes on the Two Towers under a different name. Love ya Jens!
To see samples of T2T action, see the links below.
For a fight between Dalkar and Teion (Another guardian of Lothlorien), logged by Helicopter.
http://logs.dyndns.dk/viewer.php/8557
During a war between Gondor and the Aina Amarth, Larion and Dalkar enlist the aid of the Daen Hecil to bring down two of Gondor's finest, logged by Larion.
http://logs.dyndns.dk/viewer.php/8915
posted by Count Dalkar - Ohtar and Jedi Knight at 10:35 PM
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