TEoV Excerpt #4

Cirindiel trained harder then anyone, he became the best lore-master that any of the elves had heard of.  Malladryl also trained hard in her study of runic use.  At their sixteenth birthday, Daelinia gave Cirindiel a yew staff.  And Malladryl as a rune keeper picked her element of runic choice and received The Runes of Fire.  “Cirindiel, you have trained hard in the ways of lore, this yew staff will allow you to call any animal to your aid, at any time, take care of it when you go,” She said handing the beautiful staff to him, “I will mother,” He replied, “Malladryl, you have trained hard also in your studies of runes, take these, they will allow you to control fire, and no harm will come to you from fire as long as they are with you,” She handed her a satchel that carried the two runes, “Thank you ever so much mother,” Malladryl smiled and hugged her mother.  Cirindiel also hugged his mother, then walked out of their house and strode towards the training field, Malladryl followed from behind.  Strapping the staff on his back he walked over to the trainer, “15 trainer dummies, level 8 please,” He said, “Level 8? You’re too young for level 8, come back in a few years or try the level 5,” The elf said, Cirindiel took his staff from its place, “Level 8, now,” He replied, “Your death,” The elf shrugged, the elf prepared the dummies, Malladryl sat on a bench waiting for her turn.  Lifting his staff he said aloud, “I summon from the ancient lore a companion of choice,” He chanted, his staff began twirling, “An eagle companion I call upon for protection,” He continued chanting.  An enormous shadow covered the field, Malladryl looked up.  The eagle flew down by Cirindiel.  Cirindiel held out his arm and it perched on his shoulder, he turned and winked at Malladryl.  The training dummies attacked, “Attack!” Cirindiel commanded the eagle.  Using his staff he disposed of two attack dummies, a third, the eagle had the forth and fifth.  Easily they disposed all 15 dummies and walked back towards the elf who sat stunned, “Your turn,” He said smiling to Malladryl, she nodded and stood up, “Same I assume?” Asked the elf sighing, Malladryl nodded and readied herself.  Grabbing the runes out of her satchel, her eyes lit up red, and the drawings on them dazzled with light.  The dummies appeared, she let out all the stored up energy through the runes, blasts of fire shot from the ground, striking the dummies down.  She ran towards one, flipping over the top she struck one down with her foot, fire fell from the sky.  One by one they fell, until 15 burning dummies, strewn in piles were all that was left.   Malladryl smiled and put her runes away.  Hidden behind a tree Elrond smiled and nodded, “Daelinia has taught them well,” He said folding his arms behind him and walking away in thought.  

They continued to learn even more of their new found skills.  Cirindiel learned how to control air and fire and lightning, Malladryl learned to control ice, fire, water, lightning, and others.  Cirindiel and Malladryl had just turned 20.  Daelinia had grown elderly and was dying, Cirindiel and Malladryl lay watch next to their mother.  “Do not worry about me my children, I will be alright, Cirindiel, now that you have turned 20 you will be thrown out of this fair city,” She explained, “Because I am man?” He asked, “Yes, that is the reason, you are old enough to take care of yourself, I have fostered you well,” She stopped and smiled, “Goodbye my children,” She finished, “Goodbye mother,” They replied, Daelinia died and was buried.  Later that day, Cirindiel was kicked out of the elf city.  And Malladryl was banished, for she had refused to let them kick Cirindiel out, they wept.  Slowly they wandered towards Bree.