Heirot

Carnthir acknowledged the announcement with a nod. "We've got to stop them or there will be nothing left of our home."

He looked at the human that was ready for battle. "I hope you're ready to use that thing." he gestured at the bow.

Lightning lit the heavens and shook the earth.

Thomas nodded determinedly, ready to use his bow for their cause. He was ready to die for them, if he had to.

A few swift hand motions from Carnthir and elves were perched all around the enemy. The wizards looked around and found that they were cornered in.

"Come on," he told Thomas. He stepped back out into the open with his bow in hand. "Y'all shouldn't have came here." he yelled.

Dol marched his men around the magicians as well and stood at their head.

Thomas watched the wizards closely. He would tell them if a spell was about to be cast, but they probably would figure out themselves. He readied his bow, ready to put an arrow through their heads on an order.

"We've done what we've come to do," The wizard at the head said in a cold, coarse voice. He raised his hands and a bolt of lightning struck them both. Leaving the area empty.

Carnthir looked around stunned. He looked to his father and then to Thomas. The elves stepped from their cover and looked around with confusion. The rain stopped and the clouds began to break as the morning sun shown through.

Thomas looked around closely, looking for any sign of them...No, nothing. They were completely gone. It was as if they had never been there. "Where did they go?" Thomas asked aloud, quietly

Carnthir shrugged with a confused look on his face. "I don't know." He walked over to where the warlocks had stood moments earlier. Dok met him there with a similar dumbfounded look.

"This will not happen to our people again," Dol said to Carnthir. Elves walked out of the midst of the rubble.

Thomas said, "I'll pray for that." He looked around, almost certain that they weren't gone.

Dol face countenanced Thomas' offer of prayer. "That will be appreciated my dear friend." After Dol gave his thanks to the human, he and some of the other elves began chanting softly in their own tongue.

A barrier formed around the village of Camthalion. As it touched the ground the magical barricade, vanished to the naked eye.

Later that evening Dol assembled Carnthir, Thomas, and a few others into the chamber of the Elders.

"I have called you hear this evening to ask a great favor," Dol began. His voice full of majesty and grace. "We have suffered great loss." A moment of silence filled the room honoring the dead. "However, this must not happen to our kindred. That is why I'm sending y'all out to warn them and to stop the enemy of the dark lands. This is not a forced task and I ask it only as a favor. Will you fight for Camthalion and all of the Elven race?"

Carnthir and the other elves bowed holding out their bows. They uttered a few words in their own tongue then rose to their feet. Dol nodded then turned to the human. "And what of you? Will you fight for the elves? It is not required of you and you are free to do what you wish." Dol's eyes were grateful and full of thanks for Thomas' help.

Thomas gripped his bow, bowing his head, "I would be honored to help you in any way I can, sir." The runes on his face glowed softly for a moment, though he didn't notice it. He probably got a few stares because noone had noticed the runes there before.

Dol nodded. "It is greatly appreciated my friend."

Carnthir stared at the human that stood at his side. He had proven to be quite different than most humans. He had earned the respect of Dol and all of Camthalion. Carnthir inclined his head towards Thomas, as did the others in the chamber. That was the way they showed their gratitude.
"May the wind stay at your back, and an open road in front of you." Dol said. "I have nothing left to give nor anything else to say."

Dol turned and exited the chamber with the other Elders following behind him. Estela kissed Carnthir on the cheek and held his face in her hand. "Come back to me my son," she whispered. She turned and followed the others out of the room.

Thomas got up, following the elves as they walked. He felt that he belonged with these elves. He wouldn't live nearly as long, but he certainly felt like he could. That is if they all weren't slain by the dark elves first. He trusted these elves with his life, though, and they did the same for him.

Carnthir led the Silinde out of the hall with Thomas close behind. No words were spoke between any of them as they walked through the rubble. Soft whispers of sorrow filled the air as the elves sang songs of sorrow. Carnthir fought the lump that tried to build in his throat. He couldn't show his sorrow, his pain. For in sorrow and pain come weakness. Weakness a leader couldn't show in front of his men.

Coia stepped to his leaders side. "How are you my friend."

Carnthir just looked at him with crystal orbs. His face didn't waver from its emotionless expression.

"You can speak to me Carnthir," Coia said softly. "I am your friend, not just one of your soldiers." The air swept through their hair making it ripple like a golden lake.

"This was not right," Carnthir finally answered. "The world is growing evermore dark."

Thomas looked about the carnage. He hoped to never see it again, but he knew that as long as the dark elves were afoot, there'd be no end to this. He'd do everything in his power to put a stop to their reign of terror.

"Aye," Coia answered, "It is."

Carnthir put a hand on his friends shoulder. "You and the men get some rest tonight. We have a long day ahead tomorrow." Coia nodded in response then scurried off into the distance. The morning had quickly passed into evening and the sun was already beginning to set in the western sky.

Carnthir walked to where Thomas stood. The runes on his face were rather peculiar. "It is greatly appreciated, what you are doing." Carnthir spoke sincerely. "It has been many years since we have trusted a human to stay amongst us. However, it seems that in these times there are far worse things to account for.

"Why do you choose to help us? What do you seek to reap from it?" he asked after a long moment.