Seven Devils by Artano  

Maedhros stares through the darkness at barely visible bridge leading over the rushing waters to the grand doors rising over the river bank. A cold wind sweeps through the trees around them, but he pays it no mind. It was no longer as dark as it had been. He can just make out the silhouettes of guards near the doors. His grip tightens on his sword. All his brothers were in place. At the first light of dawn, they would attack. Before the day is done, they would have one of their father's Silmarils. Or they would be dead.

Dior had returned no response to his requests for the Silmaril. He had heard the Sindar regarded the Feanorians as devils. Very well. Seven devils and their armies now surrounded him. Let Dior try to keep them from their rightful possession.

- - - - -

I'll be dead before the day is done.

Dior stares around at the soldiers pressed into the cave. It was a fraction of the force they had begun with that morning. And many of those who remained were wounded. Dull thudding resounds from the barred oaken doors. Everything at hand had been piled behind them, further barricading the doors from those seeking to break through them. His men had been surprised by an attack at the first light of dawn. Feanorians. He had seen all seven of the Feanorian devils during the fight. He had led his men in defending their homes, certain they would beat the Noldor back. But as the hours wore on and they lost more and more soldiers, it became clear they were losing. And he had ordered the civilians to start evacuating.

The fight had changed from one of survival to one of delay. Delay long enough for their families and children to escape. He and his men had fought tooth and nail for each step of ground they gave up. And each step came at the cost of more lives than they could spare.

Now they had been pushed back to the heart of Menegroth. There were no more walls or doors to retreat behind. Dior glances around at the haggard lines etched in the faces of the warriors around him. He could see the resignation in their eyes. Each soldier here knew they were going to die.

A grimace twists Dior's face. I was dead when I woke up this morning. But I can take as many with me as possible. And hold them off long enough for my family to escape.

Leave a Comment