The Eldars

55

"Call the eagles and set up times for pickup. The eagles have already agreed to be transports for the supplies and men. Set up harnesses for the provisions. We need those provisions yesterday, I wasn't joking about that. All the humans are gathering at my former village, the southern villages refuse to leave and are being decimated. The numbers of the evil ones are even greater than they were during the last war." Montani reports tiredly to Mauntie and Molani as they sit relaxing after dinner.

"Are you sure? If things are so bad in the south the reports could just be exaggerated."

Teondae shakes his head. "My people are the ones that brought the reports and they had it confirmed by mother. Even with everyone we are severely outnumbered. But with this dissension, dissension among the humans and lack of commitment of the dwarves it is devastating odds we're facing. I wish I could tell you differently. The people that remain here will be safe as long as at least one Vacar lives, mother has guaranteed that for you."

Mauntie scoffs, "You mean she has promised that to Montani. I won't tell my people just how outnumbered we are."

"No, Mauntie, they need to know. Men fighting against hopeless odds either fight their hardest or they give up. I need them to fight their hardest."

"How are you going to do that and not have them give up?" Mauntie demands.

"I'll be the one to talk to them. I don't know what I'll be telling them yet, but they have a right to know. Gather the people together tomorrow and I'll make the announcement to the people."

"The people will gather but they won't be happy to know the truth."

"Yet, the truth is what is going to set them free. I don't have time for anything but full hearted help. The elves, vacar and humans are working their asses off preparing defenses against the evil ones. I should be there helping. You should be there as well."

"I will be in the last group to leave, I fear should I leave sooner then all preparations will cease." Mauntie sighs. He would prefer being there to help set the defenses and scout out the ground. He's never actually been to Katiri's human home. He'd only seen her memories of the place. She has since given him a mental tour and told him what they planned on doing, but plans have a way of changing unexpectedly. 

"I expect the Eldar to be fully mobilized by the end of the week." Montani says flatly.

Mauntie shakes his head. "It will take that long just to gather some of the supplies. Not to mention some of the men. As you know we sent people out to start colonizing and building another city. It too is hidden and they have yet to have any evil ones around."

Teondae looks startled by this announcement. The Eldar have gained sufficient people to once more branch out?

"You will have to pull them all back. They are too isolated there. The ruins aren't strong enough to hold off the attacks should the evil ones discover them. Hold that place as a last resort. Should the rest of us fail that will be where the women and children will flee to. Many of the children have taken lessons on the vacar magic and are proficient. They will be able to hide the people should that become necessary." Montani doesn't want to speak the words. If they fail then it will lie on her children to save the remnants of the good people's.

"Ruins?" Teondae questions.

"We found some of the fabled ruins of the Eldar from before the war. We have also found some of  the lost treasures. Somehow the evil ones didn't find them when they over ran the city." Mauntie says.

"They didn't have time," Montani says after listening to the music.

"I don't understand," Molani says in confusion.

"Mother killed them with the curse the last of the Eldar uttered. The city died, but so too did the evil ones. They didn't have time to despoil the city and it's now dead inhabitants and she released the souls of those that died there. They stand as protectors of the rightful heirs." Montani smiles sickly, "The city is protected by the dead. We will not send more living there unless Malinor is about to fall." Montani states. 

Mauntie and Molani stare at her shocked. "Very well, the living have no business disturbing the dead unless there is no other choice." Mauntie finally states.

"We or rather the Eldar are the rightful heirs, you will be safe. I am unsure if I would be or not." Montani says thoughtfully.

"We chose to have you become one of us and humans came from us." Molani says in the silence of the room.

Montani smiles at Molani sweetly, "Yes, but the dead don't see the same as the living do. I would rather have Malinor shining and whole thank you."

"That is the preference for us all, of course." Mauntie says snapping out of whatever daydream he was in.

The others seem to relax, but Montani withdraws from the group and goes to her children's room to watch them. Soon she will have to leave them. She is weaker than she should be, weaker than she was before. She doesn't think that she will be returning to see her children again.

"Montani, this won't be the last time that you see them." Teondae states.

Montani smiles and sniffs. "Of course not. I'll see them tomorrow before we leave with the first group of men and supplies."

"That's not what I mean and you know it." Teondae says not in the mood for her game.

Montani loses her smile, "I know and you can't know that. I'm not going to live through this war Teondae. I'm dying, I feel it. You have given me so much more time. I can't thank you enough."

"You are a fighter, Montani. If anyone can survive this fight it will be you."

Montani turns from her fascinated watching of her children to stare at the vacar. "Yes, I am a fighter. But I'll be fighting two battles to your one. One battle I might win, but both," Montani shakes her head. "No one has ever won against that opponent. I should have died months ago from that opponent. I'm living on borrowed time and we both know it.

"If you survive watch out for Mant. Promise me that Teondae. When I die he's going to take it hard, beyond hard. He's going to need someone to keep him from going crazy." Montani stares at Teondae until he looks down.

"I promise, Montani, but I also promise to do all in my power to keep you alive." Teondae's voice is adamant.

Montani smiles sadly, "You will do your best. I'm counting on it actually. I haven't had nearly enough time with Mant or my children.

"When the fight is over help my children as well. They will need to know how to use their abilities. Mant will teach them of course, but he's still figuring things out. They are stronger than him and will need further teachings."

"I will do all that I can and if I am unable to serve you in this way then another Vacar will. That is the promise of the mother." Teondae states.

Montani nods her acceptance. She turns back to her children, "You should get some rest. I know you've been out patrolling instead of sleeping lately. Your mother is getting miffed at you for not communing with her as well."

"Very well, good night Montani," Teondae says and doesn't wait to hear Montani's return words. He makes his way to his room and starts his communing.