Snippet Post #1

[alexcat.livejournal.com]

Now's the time to show off a few words for the rest of us.

Please give us your fandom and no more than 500 words please. This is NOT mandatory but it is fun. There will be another unannounced snippet post sometime later too!

Alex

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The Sweetest Thing

[zeedrippyvessel.livejournal.com]

My fandom is Tolkien - the Rohirrim (of course) Elfhelm/OFC

The Sweetest Thing 01



It had been a bloody, bloody battle.

The Rohirrim’s new Captain surveyed the field, strewn with bodies – both Dunlendings and Riders… more Dunlendings than not, thank Béma.

“Who’s missing? Dead?” Elfhelm, Rohan’s youngest captain jumped from his horse and began to sift through the bodies, praying to find life. “Where are Mathye and Gauwyn?” His eyes searched frantically. One was his brother in law. The other was his youngest brother.

“Here. I’m here!” Mathye shouted. “Bastards knifed my horse, though.”

“How bad?” Elfhelm made is way over bodies, trying to pick out the Rohirrim, still searching for his brother.

“Not bad, but I need to get him tended to and this isn’t the place for it.” Mathye looked around, his face in a scowl. “This place has eyes. We need to grab our wounded and get out of here.”

His sister’s husband had the gift of second sight, a hackling on the back of his neck that had proven correct more times than not. Elfhelm learned early that when the man said ‘run’, you’d best run. His instinct was not often wrong. “We ride as soon as we find… oh… Béma!”

Gauwyn, Elfhelm’s brother was struggling to rise from under his fallen and bloodied horse. The man was covered with filth from head to foot. Mathye took Elfhelm’s reins from him as he rushed to his brother’s side. “How much of the blood is yours?”

Gauwyn’s mouth was a white line. “A lot actually.” With obvious great effort, he stood almost straight up. He peered over his horse. “Damn. I really liked that horse.”

Elfhelm inspected him quickly. “Where is the worst?”

“Leg and my side.” He was holding the wound at his waist and both brothers grimaced when he pulled his hand away. “Is there a horse? I don’t think I’m going to walk out of here.“

“Can you get up on one?” Despite his injuries, the look on Gauwyn’s face said it all. Elfhelm whistled, motioning for Mathye to bring his charger. It took both men to get him up into the saddle. “There is a outpost about an hour or two from here. Will you make it?” Gauwyn’s head was starting to droop, but it looked as if he nodded. *Béma, please let him make it.*

“Elfhelm!” Mathye hissed. “Druncenig Ende is a haven for swine and human rejects!”

“Aye, I know it’s unsavory reputation.” He pulled up behind his brother, gently cradling him between his thighs. “But we have no choice. Several horses need tending to and Gauwyn isn’t the only one injured! At least there will be healers there.”

“I’m fine,” Gauwyn slurred. Elfhelm gritted his teeth to keep from swearing.

“Aye, you’re fine and I’m the lost king of Gondor,” the Captain muttered. He didn’t see the lop-sided smile on Gauwyn’s face. Quickly, he made his round of his gathering éored, mentally going through the roster. He shook his head in regret at the few injured bodies that were struggling onto steeds, thankful there were only three and no dead.

Yet.

“Elfhelm,” Mathye was now reining tight on an ever-irascible horse. The stallion was still smelling blood and trying to work back into a war frenzy. “The air is restless and the sun will be setting soon. We need to make haste.”

“Aye. They want to bury their dead as well. Or burn them.” Taking one last look at the field, making sure they left nothing that was Rohan. “Whatever it is Wild Men do with their dead,” he snarled. “Bring up the rear, Mathye. My hands are full.” With that, Elfhelm moved to the front of the ragged group of Riders and made way quickly to outpost.