Ornendil was hiding behind a large rock, staring down to the pass, just some 50 meters below him. It was night, but the moon was full and in it`s pale light he could see dark shapes moving in the pass..moving carefully, silently, trying to conceal their presence. Ornendil couldn`t see how many there were in all, but far too many, he knew. He could only see the shapes, but he didn`t have to see any better to know who they were. Everybody knew that the mountaineers were coming. Some settlements in Anfalas and Ringlo vale had already been attacked in last week. The whole frontier was in turmoil, people fleeing or organising militia units. Some believed that nothing serious was happening, and continued their normal lives. Ornendil and some other sensible persons knew that nearest military brigaeds were far away from Lamedon, and they were extremely vulnerable to attacks. Only on ebattalion of the Border Brigade was stationed in Lamedon, spread out along the border without a powerful concentration anywhere. Only one company was guarding the pass from Morthond valley to Lamedon. And then news had arrived, that large armies of mountaineers were approaching the pass. If they could force the pass their wild hordes would soon spread destruction to the peacefull valleys of Lamedon. But non in the army had realised that in advance, and now it was too late. Far too late. The mountaineers were here! Ornendil knew that the men entering the pass were only an advance element, but the rest couldn`t be far behind. The night was full of men armed with spears and bows, silently walking towards the rich valleys of Lamedon. It was only tow days since the company stationed to the pass had retreated back to Lamedon...to Lamedon which approaches it was supposed to guard. The company commander had lost his nerves, and only one man had stayed.

Ornendil was young, but he was not reckless. He knew what he was doing. He was dressed in grey cloak of the regular troops. He had no helmet, for the border rangers of his brigade never wore them. He had his spear and a long sword, and also a bow and long dagger. He was as ready as he ever would be. For his whole young life he had read about great heroes who had saved everything with their valour. He had always wanted to be like that. Prince Gilankil was his favorite, that courageous prince who had saved the day in Grey Lands when Eldacar and Castamir`s armies had fought a bitter fight. The stories told that when Gilanki`s body was found after the battle there were more than 40 bodies of his enemies around him. And the history of Gondor was full of similar kind of heroes. Elendil had fought against Sauron himself, and won. And something similar, thought not as grand, had Ornendil always wanted to achieve. As soon as he was old enought he had joined The Border Brigade, which was the army unit that saw action most often. He had served well, being adventurous and never complaining about anything. He was just the type that border guards were made from. Someday his name would be among the greatest heroes. When volunteers were needed for dangerous scout, he went. WHen troops were needed to escort highborn princes, he volunteere so that people would see him in his uniform, and maybe he would get a chance to save the lives of great people.

He was Ornendil the brave to his battalion, but always he wanted more. But now, in that dark pass, it all seemed like ages ago. Only few months had passed, but for him that was a life time. For in one of the numerous parties that he attented, he had met a girl. A girl who was as beautifull as the women in greatest heroic stories. She was just a plain daughter of a local craftsman in Lamedon, nothing special, not highborn. But in that night Ornendil realised that she was special. He had always waited for the right woman to arrive to his life, and in that night he realised she had arrived. Not a tall blonde haired noble lady with great manners and big future, but instead a short dark haired low born girl who didn`t dress well and had a bad health. Despite all that, or more likely because of all that Ornendil was sold. He couldn`t move his eyes from this girl, and soon he didn`t even want to. She was laughing all the time, telling openly about his problems and disadvantages, being instantly the best friend with someone who she had just met. Her eyes were full of life and her mind quick and refressing with no proudness in it, though she was intelligent and worth everybodys envy. Without wanting Ornendil realised he was falling in love. The girl liked him too, though probably did not love. But the happiness was not meant for Ornendil, for the girl had been dating someone for a longtime, and still liked her spouse and felt obligated to stay with him. So in the next months Ornendil kept on seeing her but only as friends. He loved her even more when he knew the girl better. He still wanted to save the world, but had other thought too. Thoughs about love and companionship. At first he was hopefull that somehow things would turn well, but then he get depressed. For he realised it would never happen. The girl he loved liked her boyfriend better. He would bever be happy. Saving the world suddenly seemed meaningless, being hero was something small. There was now a bigger goal he wanted to have, the most important in the world. Love!

His depression however had not lasted long, for he soon came into even more important conclusion. He already had had love. It was not something he needed to seek anymore. He was in love and he had no choice. The fact that the girl didn`t love him was not important. Better unanswered love than never knowing love at all. He had the moments they had had together and that was enough, had to be enough. If she was happier with someone else then Ornendil was happy too. But he also knew that she was the love of his life. He would never meet anyone else, and being with someone else would be wrong when his heart was already taken.

The news had arrived in the evening, three days ago. The mountaineers were marching towards the pass, and there were thousands of them! The commander of their company had quickly made up his mind. Sensibly he realised that he couldn`t stop the mountaineers with 120 soldiers, and ordered a hasty retreat to Lamedon. The commander was an experienced officer, and knew that his troops were mostly needed were their brigade would gather. So in the last light of the day the company marched away, towards east..this meant fire and destruction for Lamedon. When mountaineers would force the pass, Lamedon would be defenseless to their raids. Even Ringlo valley would be open. Ornendil had sat alone in a large stone, watching his comrads go. They had waved at him, some cheerfully but most sadly. Ornendil didn`t even himself know why he had stayed? What could he do alone against thousands? Surely he couldn`t defend the pass and stop the mountaineers from entering Lamedon. But during those two days of long waiting he had a lot of time to think about it, and now, when he heard quiet footsteps in the night, he finally knew.

It didn`t matter if he couldn`t stop them! It didn`t matter that he would die alone in this distant pass which no one had ever even heard about! It wasn`t important that no friendly eyes would see his heroic fight and write undying songs about it. Tarlang would never hear what he did. No one would ever know what he did, except he himself. And that was what mattered! He would do it for her, trying to save her and all those other people. And he would know it! It was important to try, not to succeed. Finally he realised that those men who fought valiantly in front of big armies were not the true heroes. No, the heroes were those scared lonely men who would go anyway, despite their fear or the lack of hope for success. Finally he was a hero, and it didn`t matter that no one would ever know about it. And he was ready to die, in Eru`s name he was ready!

He saw several men walking carefully in the road. Mountaineers! Ornendil aimed and shot an arrow. First of the men fell, screaming. Others stopped, not knowing yet what was happening. Another arrow whistled and second man went down. What followed was utter confusion, men running to all directions, seeking for cover. Someone was shouting in a loud voice in the middle of the road, telling his men to take cover. Ornendil aimed and shot again. Shouting stopped and mountaineer fell to the ground. Now the road was empty. Several minutes passed, with carefull footsteps here and there among the rocks. But Ornendil had picked his position well, and it was difficult to approach him in cover. Suddenly four men jumped up and ran towards the rocks in Ornendil`s flank. He loosed two quick shots and two mountaineers fell. BUt two made it to his flank. And both had bows with them. Some time passed, and again four men appeared and ran towards the rocks. Ornendil again managed to shot twice, but only one man was hit. Now he had five men in his flank. They had not shot arrows yet, which meant they were still looking for his position. Suddenly an arrow hit a rock maybe two meters from Ornendil. He turned and looked for the bowman. Finally Ornendil saw him, some 20 meters from his own position. Man tried to change his position and Ornendil quickly put an arrow through him. It was number seven, but Ornendil was not running out of time. He saw at least 10 mountaineers in the road, taking cover behind the rocks when someone shouted a warning to them. MOre arrows were now whistling towards Ornendil, and there seemed to be enemies both behind him and in his left side. He was almost surrounded.

Ornendil considered the situation for a moment. Then he reached a conclusion. "Let`s show them how we in Lamedon treat unwelcome guests", he said to himself and put his bow away. It was time! He crapped his spear, waited for some seconds breathing heavily, and then jumped up and ran towards the road. "Adharil, Adharil", he shouted as the men of Belfalas do, and managed to surprise the mountaineers complitely. None of the bowmen managed to shot an arrow during those 30 meters that Ornendil ran. Then he reached the road...there were small rocks next to it, and behind them many mountaineers were covering. Without a hesitation Ornendil charged, jumping over the rocks to the middle of the mountaineers. Ornendil hit the first mountaineer with his spear, and before man was even falling down the next one got the point of the spear to his head and fell, screaming. NOw there was great noise, mountaineers shouting to each other in excitement and fear. One bowman was finally ready to shoot, but Ornendil noticed it and threw his spear. He didn`t have time to notice how badly the man was hurt, for two mountaineers charged forward with swords. Ornendil had already drawn his own bladem and the first attacker was quickly slain. Another man dropped his sword and tried to retreat but Ornendil was in a battle fewer, and slay him mercilessly.

A mountaineer attacked Ornendil with a spear, but young dunadan barried his hit, and with a few quick moves put the spear in pieces and killed his enemy. Ornendil had barely time to turn when next enemy thrusted his sword towards him. Ornendil blocked the hit, but another enemy came from his flank and buried his dagger to Ornendil`s back. He kicked his first opponent back, and turned, hitting the second man with his sword. Man was dead before he even touched the ground. Third mountaineer charged forwards, and Ornendil managed to parry his sword only partly. The sword hit his hand, and Ornendil knew the end was near. He buried his sword to mountaineers belly, but was already too weak to pull it free. Several mountaineers were closing in, and Ornendil felt his legs starting to give up. With his last strength he drew his dagger, and attacked the nearest enemy. Instantly Ornendil received several hits from swords, but managed to bury his dagger to his enemy`s throat. Ornendil fell to his knees, and received two more hits from swords. He fell to his back, and lied there. Around him men were shouting and running, but Ornendil was already falling towards the darkness. He saw the starts in the sky, and for the first time realised how beautifull they were. Dimly he realised that shape of a man was now standing above him, looking down. Ornendil could now only saw his boots. They were those of the Border Brigade. Surely I am dreaming, he said to himself. But still. with his last strenght he managed to speak. "I did well, didn`t I..I tried to save her". And still he was able to continue. " It didn`t matter, after all..if anyone sees me, at least I tried". And Ornendil died with a faint smile in his face. Man standing above him kneeled down and closed dead man`s eyes. In his own eyes there were tears.