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Tales of Gondor: The Call to Arms - Chapter I
By sithraptor
Tales of Gondor: The Call to Arms - Chapter I
By Daultay Dofine
Baidyn saw the Lights before he heard the calls. He had just finished closing up the shop, shuting down the furnace and locking the door, when he saw them: several small lights, getting steadily larger as they approached the town. Baidyn had often heard the of Lights of Gondor, the torches that would be lit in times of war or strife, but he had never seen them...until now. He knew much about the ways of war, for in his father's shop he produced metal helms and shields for mighty warriors; even Captain Faramir himself had sent orders for specially-crafted armor to be sent to Minas Tirith for his Rangers. Yet, he was a young boy from a small town, and knew not the fear or anger that war brings. However, when he saw the Lights for the first time, he felt the uncertanty of war, a feeling he would grow acustomed to. He stared at the lights, disbelieving.
"Surely," he thought to himself, "These are not the Lights of Gondor. What would bring war and conflict to Jericano, this small town on the border of Gondor, on the corner of the country? No, no they must simply be lights for riders to see their way in the gathering night."
Yet, as the riders drew near, he heard their shouts: "To war! To war! Morder is coming! Osgiliath has been invaded! Lord Denethor calls for all men and boys of age to march to Minas Tithith! To war! The Captains of Gondor call for solders! Imrahil's regiments from Dol Amroth already approach the White City. Haradrim attack small villages! Morder is coming! To war!"
As he heard the continued shouts and calls of the riders, the hair on the back of Baidyn's neck rose; he knew that in less than a day, he would know war first-hand.
"No! Absolutly not! I am not going to die for the crazed fool Denethor, and neither are you!"
Despite working together in the same shop, Baidyn and his father, Calaror, rarely agreed on many issues of the day, and this was only the latest disagreement.
"But, Father - -," started Baidyn.
"No, don't give me any 'but's', young man. Denethor is a fool, who will rush into a war with Sauron and get pushed back and pushed back until the whole of Gondor is a part of Mordor as a result," Calaror declared.
"I must go! All the other boys of age are already preparing to leave," yelled Baidyn.
"It's true," said Anala, Baidyn's Mother. Of his two parents, Anala was thoughtful and insightful, while Calaror tended to be loud and opioninated.
"I don't care if it's true or not! None of use are going to war for Denethor, and that's final!"
"Then what do you propose we do, Father? We must do something! Mordor is coming to wage war on our country, whether we choose to fight or not," said Baidyn.
"Then we will flee to Rohan," stated Celeror. "We have friends there...many friends. We will stay with them, until the conflict is over!"
"When this is over, Gondor and Rohan with it are likly to be full of the Hosts of Mordor," yelled Baidyn.
"Then why fight? You seem to already know the outcome," said Celeror.
"Because we must," Baidyn yelled. "We have no choice! How can you spend all day, making weapons for mighy warriors, yet know nothing of war yourself? Why do you choose not ot become one of those warriors?"
Celeror glared at his son, seeming to become three times larger in his rage.
"You have heard my decision on this matter," Celeror said quietly. "If you must ride tonight, you may accompany Ganadon to the boarders of the town, and return here at once."
"Ganadon? I will never follow him! I believe he's...he's half Haradrim!" It was a lie, and Baidyn knew it, but it was the only suitable insult he could think of for the other boy. He saw that it indeed effected Celeror; his father's grimaced, then slapped his son hard across the face.
"You will never utter that name in this house," Celeror said.
Baidyn made up his mind. He charged out of the house, his cheek stinging.
"Now look what you've done! You've made him run off! You've made him leave," said Anala.
"He'll be back by morning," he heard his Father say.
However, Baidyn knew his Father was wrong. He would not be back by morning, or anytime soon. He planned on picking up some armor and weapons. Then, he would follow the riders out of town. He was going to war.
Chapter 2, Coming Soon!
8/14/2003 2:14:05 PM
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