Skeletons Your replies

April 2006

By Ciara Hodge, aged 11, St.Michael-at-Bowes Junior School, London.

The Fight for the Snake

The Quest Has Begun

In the dark volcanic mountain, the dark Lord Eylon was creating the Snake. The Snake was made from lava. It was a deadly device. Eylon killed hundreds of people with it until the war with elves and the men. Eylon was fighting the king of Rodor. The Snake would curl around the bearer’s finger. The king slashed his sword at Eylon’s finger. The finger with the Snake. Eylon sent a wave knocking everyone off their feet. Eylon was defeated or so they thought. 3000 years later. An elf found the Snake and brought it to the elf forest city of Lothlorien where they held a meeting. The lady of the forest came in “SILENCE!” she cried and everyone was quiet. “This is a dangerous device and we are not safe with it” she explained. “We need someone to go to morsengard. But who will go?” Just then an elf walked in. “I’ll go” he cried. His name was Leragon. He had long blonde fair hair and blue eyes. “NO!” Shouted the lady of the forest. “Not you my son!”

“I have to mother. It’s my only chance” said leragon sadly. “your only chance!?” What do you mean by that?”Said his mother sharply. Leragon wouldn’t say. Eventually, he said “if I am to go on this quest, I am going to some companions to protect me.” “Very well.” Sighed his mother. Just then two of Leragon’s best friends jumped out.Their names were Aralas and Haldir. “We will go” said Haldir. “Yes Leragon goes nowhere without us” cried Aralas. Leragon beamed at them. “I’ll go” a great booming voice cried. It was the wizard Sarudalf. He smiled at Leragon. “But what about my dwarf friend, Gimli?” “He shall come too” said Leragon’s mother. “I almost forgot about my dwarf friends” laughed Leragon as four hobbits jumped out. “So be it. You shall be the fellowship of the Snake. Off you go and be careful.” By the time they had left the forest, the cold wind skinning their faces, it was night time so they settled down under a cold, dark blue, starless sky, falling asleep one by one.

Leragon awoke with a start. He looked around. Just then someone appeared. It was the king of Gonhan. “Quickly you must not- ” He was cut off as a shrill voice filled the forest. It was someone from the troupe he had brought with him. “WAR!” He cried. This woke the rest of the fellowship. Leragon felt the ground shaking, armour rattling, leaves crunching under feet.Just then, out of nowhere, one thousand Orcs appeared with weapons ready to fight. The fellowship pulled out their swords and fought. Leragon and Haldir were fighting. Just then Leragon went off to help Drogo, one of the hobbits. Haldir was alone. He turned his back on Leragon to fight. There was no-one there. At that moment, a cold iron sword struck him in the back. He was finished. “HALDIR!” Leragon ran over to his dead friend tears rolling silently down his face.

That was the last straw. Leragon got up and started fighting. Just then a bright, white light lit the meadow. It was Sarudalf. The Orcs ran. Aralas ran up to Leragon. “Where’s Haldir?” He asked. Just then he saw the tears on Leragon’s face. “He’s gone.” Leragon whispered. “What,” replied Aralas. “He can’t be.” Leragon walked away. He could see Morsengard. “NIERENDE!” He shouted. This was elfish for move. They left. Morsengard was getting closer. Finally, they reached the gates. Aralas walked over to some stairs. They climbed. When they got to the top Sam, another hobbit, cried “Run Shelob has come!” Who was Shelob? Suddenly a giant spider came. They ran. They ran like the wind. Cobwebs coming and going like birds. Leragon looked behind. Shelob had gone. He hit something. It was the volcanic mountain. Just then a fiery light fell on him. It was Eylon’s spirit. They ran into the mountain. Leragon rummaged through his bag. He found the Snake. It glistened in his hand. It dangled above the lava. He had a momentary look of greed on his face but let go. It fell. It was over. At that moment the volcanoe erupted. “ALUNIE!” Cried Aralas. They jumped on a rock and watched Eylon’s spirit evaporate as the tower on which he had been resting on tumbled over.

The heat of the lava was taking over him. Leragon could barely breathe. He heard a screech. Sarudalf had summoned the Eagle’s. Leragon smiled as the heat took over him and was drifted slowly to sleep. Leragon Awoke very suddenly and was blinded by the light. He squinted. He was home. He sat up straight. There was Sarudalf looking at him smiling. Drogo, Sam and the other two hobbits,who names where Mirrin and Perry, ran up to him and hugged him. Gimli came in and smiled. He was always silent. Aralas came in and bowed. Leragon asked “where is my mother?” They all stopped smiling. “While we were away the Orcs attacked at night and killed your mother” Sarudalf explained. “I am so sorry your majesty.” Leragon looked striken. “That means I am the king,” he muttered. “The ceremony will begin tonight, your majesty.” Aralas said. Leragon walked into the hall. There was Sarudalf waiting to crown him. Leragon watched as the crown came down on his head. He was king. Everyone cheered. “May your wisdom guide us through many years. Leragon vowed he would give them more than wisdom, he would also give them eternal friendship. He said this in the name of Haldir.