Solitary Mortal

The ranges of the mountain of terror spread far to the horizon, it's sheer precipice frown unrelentlessly to any who face it. Dare not any soul brave this treacherous pass for long would one wonder among the labyrinth of razor sharp rock and secrets better left untold inhabited the terrible ranges.
The wind blew though comfort it did not bring for whispers of voices speaking a nameless fear swept through the mountain pass.

Lone was he, great son of the Edain as he tread the rocky surface of the cursed mountain ranges. The terrain was impassable to those who's strength waned easily but for those who remained strong at heart with will undying shall pass and if so accept death let not to turn back to whence they came.
So was the son of Barahir who fled and found himself in here, a vast wilderness of great expanse with shadows lurking in his midst. Fear would take his heart but falter he could not for a sense of purpose burned fervently in his heart though wounded by so great a tragedy.

He felt his heart give in and his legs weakened, no rest would he allow himself but it seemed that his strength waned and so he scouted through the nearest convergence of rock for a place to rest his weary soul and by grace or strange fortune did he find what he seeked, a small sturdy cave that did not proceed to expand, just enough for him to be sheltered from the elements and any attack that might come his way.

That night he fell into a deep sleep though it was not untroubled, his hand clutching the hilt of his sword as his chest rose each time he took the air in, His body tense and restless. The night grew older as beren slept but earth seemed to warn the mortal, his eyes opened as he was greeted by the pitch black darkness of the said night, he crawled to the entrace of small cave as his eyes remained enstranged to the darkness for this was indeed a moonless night and to venture further seemed difficult. Standing up slowly as his eyes slowly grown accustomed to the darkness, he warily listened to his surroundings.
The silence was indeed deafening, the moon did not shine and the stars were veiled. A sleepless malice seemed to linger through the night's shade.
Beren sensing that no being neither friend nor foe seemed to roam the cursed path slowly made his way to the rocky path, he dare not risk a small torch for fear of being detected, thus moving only with his senses he was gropping in the dark, stumbling frequently and risking small bruises to his tired body he resumed his quest to the rising passage that seemed to grow fouler and dangerous every step he took.

~o~

Strangely fortunate was Beren for it seemed that Elbereth heard his need and has not forsaken him for in the midst of the sky were a group of stars that shined distinctly, It illuminated the rocky labyrinth with a faint glow that was enough for one to know his path. A solemn prayer of gratefulness he offered to Elbereth to who's mercy did he depend as he made his way through the mountain pass.

A small smile escaped his worn face as he reached the beginning of the path through the top of the mountain though as he approached the said pass he did not expect what his eyes saw with the faint light of the stars, the smile faded only to be replaced by so much horror as he saw things that sent shivers through his spine. The light illuminated intricate webs that seemed suspended in the vast expanse of rock and stone, suspended in them where the victims of this monstrous creatures who devoured them whole and fed on their flesh. These were offspring of Ungoliant, the monstrous spider who destroyed the Trees of the Blessed Realm. Fear crept into the heart of Beren for a harsh cold swept through his body like a harsh blow that left you breathless, evil seemed closer now and doubt filled his heart as questions came to his mind.
"Shall I flee to be slaughtered in a land foreign to me?" this question lingered in his head as fear and doubt swayed what courage was left in his soul.
His body seemed to turn back but his soul held firm, he stood for moments there as one does before taking a deep plunge. Emotion whirled on him like a swirl of truth plunged deep into his soul, he was out of thoughts as he felt a numb, like a thousand needles antagonizing every inch of your body.

Taking a deep breath, He ventured into the pit as he unsheathed his sword and walked warily in the rocky labyrinth. He would stop at times as he waded his hand in the air, feeling through the emptiness if there is a trap laid before him. He soul was restless as every second seemed a lifeage to him, his throat was parched as he remembered the last drink he had for days near. The dew of the morning tasted somewhat bitter but his thirst was great that he cared not what it tasted like. He looked around once more, hoping that all remained still and quiet... He smiled gratefully though it seemed too quiet, the unnerving silence meant something as the smile again vanished, he listened intently to his surrounding but he heard nothing.

Anxiety filled the weary mortal as he stood there quietly planning his next move, his shoulders tensed as he heard something moving... He heard it again but from a different direction, again he heard one after another as the fearful sound seemed to come from all directions. He did not wait, nor did he linger in where he stood for he legs carried him with much haste as he seeked higher ground. He heard the rumbling movement from behind yet he did not look back, he hastened up the hill as the ferocious eight legged terrors tried to outrun the mortal but Beren quickly swiped his sword to the unwary creature thus slowing the beast down. He found the spot that was suitable enough, the glow of Elbereth's stars seemed to outline the rock that stood high as he made it to the rising slope of the chosen rock quickly facing the path to which his enemies where hastening. He spoke a silent prayer before his blade sang at the defense of his life as countless enemies swarmed to the Lord of the Edain, hewing one after the other Beren stood his ground as more foes came. The vile offspring of Ungoliant wouldn't let the son of Barahir last the night.