Tale Of The White Wolf [River Of Wonders - 2]

10: Slain Their Hopes!

Lalaith grabbed her sword and ran out into the courtyard. Soon Shisen and warriors joined her. They went towards the main entrance of the palace, where Curunir was already waiting for them. Curunir, Lalaith and Shisen took the command of the army and drew their weapons out.

When Rose reached Lily, she was unconscious. Rose lifted her head and pat on her face. "Wake up, Lily. We need you and Lord Shadow."

"I am already awake. What is it you need my help for?" Lily asked, lazily.

"Thank goodness. We need you because the elves have attacked us without warning. Stand up now." Rose almost said in a commanding voice. Lily opened her eyes with surprise and stood up at once. Shadow ran towards her.

"Lily, Rose, both of you go and find Lalaith and tell her that we will lose this war so ran away. The elves are attacking with their full strength. Go. I will see a way out till you return." He said urgently. Lily saw a big wound on his arm but pretended that she haven't seen anything. Rose grabbed her hand and together they ran away. Shadow looked at his wound and smiled. As he stood there his shadow appeared behind him. He turned around and looked at it carefully.

Lily and Rose ran as fast as they could. Soon they reached the front yard of the palace, where the army was gathered. Both of them make their way through and reached Lalaith.

"My Lady." Lalaith turned around confused and saw both sisters standing behind her. "Lily go on and tell her what Lord Shadow have told us." Rose said. When Lily didn't utter a single word she looked at her. Lily was staring at the ground. She was looking worried and sad. Slowly she looked up and bowed.

"We can't win against the elves, for they are attacking with full power. Father have told us to leave and find refuge. I hope you understand, Lady Lalaith." On her words Lalaith looked at her horrified. Shisen turned abruptly and stared at her. Curunir stared at her with anger.

"This is not possible. We are surely going to lose. But it's too late." As her last words left her lips, the gate of the palace vanished with a blast and behind it stood the elves. Lalaith turned around and smiled sadly. "You both go away." She ordered Lily and Rose.

"I have learned to fight and Lily is the White Wolf. We will fight." Rose said and looked at Lily, who nodded and vanished. Within seconds she was back with two swords. One was pure red with a ruby rose on its hilt and the blade was as red as blood. On the blade was a serpent. And the other sword was white. On its hilt was a winged dragon. Its wings spreading at its side and its tale was making a design on the blade of the sword. Its blade was as white as snow. Lily gave the red sword to Rose and tighten her grip on her own sword.

"Kill the royals and slain the hopes of the riders." Queen Finduilas commanded and the elves raised a war cry and ran forwards. Curunir, Lalaith and Shisen drew their swords and held them high above their heads. The army behind Shisen and Lalaith took arrows from quivers and fitted them in their bows and aimed for the coming elves. Curunir's army drew their swords and started waiting for the next command. As the elves came near tears stared rolling Lalaith's face. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. After few seconds she opened them and pointed her sword towards the elves and the archers released the arrows. Shisen waited for few more minutes and then did the same as his mother.

"Draw the swords." Lalaith ordered and the warriors put the bows back in the quivers and draw their swords. "Shisen" She said to her son in a low voice, "You stay back and command the archers. I will take my army forward with your father. Cover us from behind." Shisen nodded.

Together, Curunir and Lalaith said, "We will die protecting our land and will not let them take over it. We lived to protect the red of this forest. And now the time have come to fulfil our oaths with our ancestors."