Smoke rose hundreds of feet into the air above the city, and as the company traveled forward they could clearly see the dark pillars billowing ahead. No sun rose that morning, dark clouds filling the sky instead and a chill wind blowing. Glorfindel and Caledorn rode at the front of the group, their eyes watchfully on the road. So far there had been no sign of the enemy, but both elves knew that their luck wouldn't last long.

As the came to the city they heard the growing din of a battle that had already begun. The faint clash of steel and the cries of elf and orc alike indicated that the walls had been breached, and the orcs were already inside the city.

"I'll ride ahead," Caledorn said, casting a grim look towards the rising smoke. "We should know what is going on before we rush blindly ahead."

"I'll go with you," Taliel added. "Going alone would be folly."

Glorfindel let out a weary sigh. "Very well. We shall await you here. If you don't return by noon, we'll follow you."

Caledorn spurred his horse ahead without further comment, his jaw set in determination and his emerald eyes narrowed. Taliel followed, her horse nervously swaying its head back and forth as the smell of smoke reached its nostrils.

They rode until they came to a hill overlooking the city. By the time they reached it the smoke had abated slightly, and it was clear from where they stood that the attack had been repelled. Destroyed siege towers lay smoldering against the bleached walls, and several corsair ships were aflame in the bay. The miniscule figures of elves could be seen hurrying about the city, attempting to put out fires and shoring up damaged portions of the wall.

"It'll be more difficult to enter the city now," Caledorn said quietly as he observed the enemy regrouping around the city. It was clear that while they had taken casualties, much of their force was still intact. It appeared as though they had erected dirt and wooden walls around the city, and had hastily constructed camps behind them.

"Their backs are unprotected," Taliel said, noting the lack of defenses at their flanks. "If we had more soldiers we could easily overwhelm them."

"Alas, twenty odd rangers and a few elves would do little more than give them another week's supply of food," Caledorn replied with distaste. "I do not see a way to break through."

Just then, a horn sounded from the city. The two elves looked down into it, attempting to find the cause of the call.

"...What is that?" Caledorn asked, pointing a gloved finger down into the valley.

"I don't believe it..." Taliel replied in disbelief.

Out of one of the shipyards a lone ship sailed forth. It was smaller than an elven warship, and rather than a single large sail it had two smaller ones, spread to either side like the wings of a great swan. No soul could be seen on the deck, and the ship was sailing straight forward, not steered by anything aside from the breeze.

In the bay ahead several dozen Corsair ships lie anchored, their black sails furled. Caledorn could make out movement on the decks, but he was unsure if they had even seen the elven ship.

It continued forward at a crawl, meandering towards the unwary fleet. Caledorn noticed an archer on the docks, a flaming arrow fitted to his longbow.

"What's he doing?" Caledorn asked in confusion.

"I do not know..." Taliel murmured, distracted by the sight in front of them.

Suddenly, as the elven ship reached the fleet, the longbowman loosed his arrow. The flames were not orange, rather they were silver, and the arrow looked like a shooting star as it arched across the dawn sky. In a few seconds, it landed on the deck of the elven ship.

As if torn apart by some magic, the ship exploded immediately. A shock wave emanated from it as the corsair ships were caught up in the explosion, and the sound of it rent the air. Both Caledorn and Taliel covered their ears in pain as they watched the carnage unfold.

Planks of wood and pieces of torn sails flew hundreds of feet high as the Corsair ships were ripped apart. The screams of men could be heard as the burning hulks of what was left of the fleet sunk slowly to the bottom of the bay. Caledorn could see a crowd of elves watching from the docks in silence; They did not rejoice in the death, even though it was their enemies. No elf would.

The orcs had gathered at the shore, screaming and running about in despair as they watched their allies sink. Though under normal circumstances Caledorn would've enjoyed seeing the orc's woe, he realized that they had to act quickly. The orcs, in going to watch the destruction, had left part of their camp undefended. It was just enough of a gap for the elves and their ranger companions to break through to the city gates if they hurried.

"Go! Tell Glorfindel that there's an opening!" Caledorn exclaimed, urgency clear in his voice.

Taliel nodded and her horse leapt forward, returning back the way they had come. Caledorn hoped that they would have enough time...

===========================================

Whether by fortune or by fate they managed to take advantage of the momentary weakness in the orcs' defense. And as an even greater stroke of luck, the elves of Mithlond had seen them approaching and had opened the gates by the time they arrived. A company of spearmen met them within, the gates closing behind them with a foreboding thud.

"What brings you to Mithlond, friends?" One elf, seemingly the captain of the company, replied. He seemed young for a leader, and his fair face lacked scars or any other sign of a warrior.

"We bring aid," Glorfindel said as he motioned towards his companions. "We may be few in number, but we are all well-versed in the art of war. These are some of the Dunedain, and this is their leader, Flicker." Flicker bowed as he was introduced, a roguish smile on his face.

"Indeed, it is good to meet you lad," he said as he looked over the young captain. "My, my... They're sending boys to fight now? And I thought elves were noble folk..."

The captain frowned. "I'm older than you by several centuries, ruffian."

Flicker tsked and wagged his finger. "That's no way to talk to your reinforcements little lad. You should run along and play with your wooden sword."

"Enough!" Glorfindel interrupted, frowning at Flicker. "We need to talk to your leader... Whomever that may be at this point."

The captain glared at Flicker before replying. "Ah yes. Cirdan is in the observatory. The fire ship caused chaos in the orc camp, so he's deciding upon a way to make use of our temporary advantage."

"Indeed... Take me to him, if you'd be so kind," Glorfindel replied. "Caledorn, Taliel, take some rangers and tend to the wounded. Flicker, reinforce the walls."

"Aye, sir!" Flicker exclaimed with a salute. "Mind if I take some of baby face boy's spearmen here?"

Glorfindel let out an exasperated sigh. "Go ahead... Just... Please, try and be a little less confrontational. The last thing we need is you getting into a fight with one of these elves because you threw petty insults at him."

Flicker muttered something incoherent under his breath before waving a hand for the spearmen to follow him. The elven captain let out a slight sigh of annoyance as they left.

"Are all men so disagreeable?" He asked as he began to walk down the main thoroughfare. Glorfindel let out a clear laugh as he fell into step beside him.

"Not all, but most. Once you linger around them enough you shall get used to it, I have no doubt..."

===============================

The man that they were speaking of was at the moment enjoying his newfound authority. He paced back and forth in satisfaction, the elven soldiers standing stiffly at attention. The other rangers loitered about, watching their leader harass the elves.

"Did I say you could move??" Flicker shouted as he approached an elf at the rear of the column, unsuccessfully attempting to keep a straight face. "No?? Then stand still elfling!"

The elves were clearly unhappy with their current predicament, though they tried their best to hide their feelings on the matter. To make matters worse, the other rangers were laughing at them now as well.

Fortunately for them, Caledorn chose that moment to appear; and as he was often wont to do, he materialized from the shadow of a nearby pillar.

"Flicker..." He said in a slightly disinterested voice. "These elves aren't like your rangers; you can't just insult them."

Flicker spun around in surprise, a sheepish expression overcoming his face. "Aye, well... Yes... Very well then." He turned back to face the elves. "Man the walls! And be quick about it!"

The elves were quick to follow his command, some even breathing audible sighs of relief. Deprived of their fun, the other rangers slowly dispersed, moving to help shore up defenses.

Caledorn followed Flicker up onto the tall stone walls silently. The walls were spectacular, their blue stoned sides matching the now clear sky. Aside from the isolated fires in the city, it was quite beautiful. White pavestones and carefully shaped trees adorned the wide streets, which were lined with simple yet elegant houses. Caledorn had been to Mithlond thrice before, but he had never taken the time to appreciate the scenery. Now, however, in the middle of a siege, Caledorn saw the elvish beauty of the place.

Flicker came to a stop, peering over the wall at the goblins and orcs that scrambled about on the other side.

"There's quite a few of them, eh?" He said as he let out a sigh. "What do you think our chances are?"

Caledorn frowned slightly. "Low. We're outnumbered five to one at least, and unless Cirdan is hiding something else other than explosive ships up his sleeve we don't have many options."

"Always the realist," Flicker said with a snort. "If you weren't so pessimistic all the time you'd be a kindred spirit."

Caledorn raised an eyebrow. "I'm not pessimistic, I'm realistic. Our chances of surviving the coming battle are next to none."

"True..." Flicker replied. "It's unfortunate in a way."

"It's unfortunate in many ways," Caledorn countered, a slight smile tugging at the sides of his mouth.

"Also true. I'm rather young to die though." Flicker's gaze turned to the sky.

"You shouldn't have chosen such a dangerous lifestyle if you were worried about that," Caledorn said.

"Perhaps, but..." Suddenly Flicker leaned forward and his eyes widened.

"Look out!" He cried.

And that was the last thing Caledorn heard before his vision went black.

Cliffhanger! But at least it's an update right? I finally got some free time and enough inspiration to get some writing done! Hope you all enjoy the chapter!