Living with Death

Chapter 4

the next couple of days they kept a close eye on Elen, but she didn’t have any more visions. Until one day as she and her mother were in the palace, at the market to get some fruit when Elen saw a patrol of guards walk past, she saw one in the back and her vision got blurry again and it showed him in the forest, other guards around him. It wasn’t just flash of images, it was a sort of scene. They were walking along and there was a sudden sound of creaking. They turned around and were suddenly ambushed by spiders. It flashed and he was on the cold ground, his face slashed and his chest gapped open. She blinked out of the vision and lost her balance, falling on the ground. Satariel hurried over to her and helped her up, “are you ok? What happened?” She frantically asked as she checked to make sure Elen wasn’t injured.

“That guard is going to die from spiders.” She deadpanned as she pointed to the guard as he went towards gate. Satariel lost her breath as she stared at the guard, exiting into the forest.

“Come on honey.” She ordered and quickly picked her child up and hurried home. Satariel had Elen go to her room and stay there for the rest of the day as she prepared the chicken for dinner. When Randur returned from the stables Satariel hurried to him and spoke in hush manner.

“Elen just said a guard was going to die by spiders! She saw the guard in the market today and went into a sort of trance. When she snapped out of it she fell on the floor! This is getting worse, more detailed, we must speak to King Thranduil now!” Randur quickly hushed her and placed his arms at the sides of her shoulders.

“Hush my love there’s no need to fret. Look, we’ll see if her little prediction comes true, most likely she’s just letting her imagination run wild and got lucky with that one horse.” Satariel calmed a little and suddenly heard the pit pat of Elen coming down the stairs. They turned and saw her, hair bouncing.

“What’s for dinner?” She asked, climbing into the chair. Satariel was hesitant for a moment, not knowing what to say. Finally she gave her daughter a plate and filled the pork. Elen ate, smacking her food, she finished quickly and put her plate up. Randur put her to bed and the two laid in their bed, drifting off into a dreamless sleep. The next morning Satariel kept a open ear to any incidence with a patrol, but nothing came, the whole day they kept one eye on Elen and another on the gate, waiting for the news. At the end of the day, when nothing came and Elen was in bed Randur kissed the Satariel’s forehead, saying.

“See, just her imagination running wild.” Satariel sighed and nodded, rubbing her temple.

“I guess I was just overreacting.” They kissed and got ready for bed, feeling more realixed now that this was settled. However, before dawn came, their door was being hammered at, Randur shot up and hurried to the door, opening it he saw several guards there.

“We need your fastest horses! Spiders attacked us on patrol and got several men!” Randur was suddenly filled with adrenalin, rushing to the stables he quickly got his horses ready, using his nimble fingers and years of experience it only took about two minutes for all five horses strapped and ready. The guards got on the horses and sped off. Satariel now stood next to him, her eyes filled with worry, and fear. They didn’t sleep for the rest of the night, sitting, waiting for the guards to come back with news. When the sun was barely over the horizon they heard the clops for hooves they shot up, opening the door they saw the five horses, men riding on the back of all of the, all except one. They stopped, the other gueards helped the injured men to the healers, the others handed Randur the horses, Satariel questioned.
“Did everyone survive?” The guards face droop, but before they could explain Elen sounded from inside the house.

“A guard died, didn’t they?” The guards nodded, faces greifed. Randur nodded and took the horses, the guaurds left, Satariel starred at Elen, horror and shock. Elen only looked at her parents with confusion, wondering why they were starring at her.