Prince of a Life of Darkness by Lira_of_Imladris

Chapter 3 - Antcrist and Dae

Neithan has a bad dream before he names a few things

As Neithan slept, he dreamed of many eccentric things, including his demise. He’d been dreaming about his parents when suddenly, everything had gone pitch black before he’d found himself running through an eerie black forest.

Neithan had been in this dream for many hours now and he was growing unbelievably tired. His legs ached with a need to stop running but something continued to propel him forward. Suddenly, the terrain he ran across changed from a never ending forest to wide open desert in a blink of an eye. This caused Neithan great surprise and not watching where he was going; Neithan tripped on a rock and fell flat on his face. Everything became dark and Neithan felt the darkness once again take hold of him and for another few hours he lay in the dust as the wind tangled his hair.

When Neithan awoke once again, he slowly pushed himself onto his hands and knees before he flopped onto his back. The movement caused the dust to flare up and Neithan hastily covered his eyes before he rolled onto his side as he heard the wind roar around him, it was getting stronger with every second.

When the wind finally died down, Neithan looked up to find a band of orcs and a few elves sitting around a fire nearby him. Neithan stood and tried to sneak away but something – rather someone – caught his eye. Sitting amongst the group was an elf. He was tall, had dark hair, dark eyes and a sword identical to the one Neithan had been given by Gil-galad. When Neithan really focused he realized something absolutely horrible: it was him.

Neithan stepped back before he suddenly walked into a tree trunk. Neithan turned around to see the towering trees of Taur-en-Faroth, a forest south west of Doriath. As he looked at his surroundings, Neithan’s confusion grew greater than what it had already been. He was completely surrounded by trees now. Where was he?

“You know where you are penneth,” someone called. Neithan spun around, trying to find the source of the dark yet soothing voice. A tall dark creature then emerged from the trees and approached Neithan.

“Who are you?” Neithan asked, his voice breaking mid-sentence.

“I am Morgoth you stupid elf.” The creature spat before he unsheathed his sword. Neithan stepped back, trying not to trip on anything but to no avail. Neithan fell when he tripped on a tree root before Morgoth advanced upon him, sword ready. Neithan tried desperately to scramble backwards out of harms way but Morgoth stopped him.

The foul being unsheathed a whip and with one stroke, he wrapped it around Neithan’s waist and pulled the elf to his feet before dragging Neithan towards him. Morgoth pressed his sword to Neithan’s throat and wordlessly slashed it before he let Neithan fall to the ground as he bled to his death.

Neithan sat bolt upright in bed, letting out a gasp of surprise. He felt around his throat to find it uncut. It had only been a dream yet it had been so surreal, when Morgoth had killed him, Neithan had actually felt it. He’d felt it when Morgoth pressed the blade to his throat, he’d felt it as his veins had been ripped open. Neithan shivered as he thought about the dream.

He looked around to find Amrod, Amras and Maglor all sleeping around the room. His sword still rested against the wall and Neithan felt a sudden urge to grab it and hold it to his chest, as if it were a child he didn’t want to lose as his home was invaded by orcs or other minions of Morgoth. Neithan shook the thought before he stood, grabbed his sword and ran down to the gardens where he was stopped by Gil-galad.

“Where do you think you are headed off to Neithan?” Gil-galad asked as he stood and folded his arms across his chest.

“I apologize for this milord, I cannot stay here.” Neithan whispered.

“Why can you not stay here? Where will you go?” Gil-galad asked as he approached Neithan, worry flooding his voice for the young boy.

“I do not know where I shall go but why that is I would prefer to keep to myself.” Neithan answered his voice guarded and secretive.

“Is there any chance of me stopping you?” Gil-galad asked hopefully.

“Nay, I am afraid there is not Gil-galad.” Neithan answered before he walked away. He turned on his heel and looked back at Gil-galad. “Tell Maglor I am sorry.” Gil-galad nodded silently before he watched as Neithan disappeared into the dark of night.

As Neithan ran through the trees, he was reminded of his nightmare and gradually slowed to a stop again. He looked around to make sure he was alone before he slumped down against a tree. Neithan heard a low whimper from somewhere before a black figure emerged from the shrubs covering the ground. Neithan scrambled away from the creature before the moonlight revealed it to be a young, black wolf.

“You are not going to hurt me are you?” Neithan asked the animal warily. The wolf slowly came forward before he laid down his head on Neithan’s knee, his eyes wide with fear.

“Are you lost?” Neithan asked as the wolf came closer, it’s confidence building. The wolf looked down and snuggled his head into Neithan’s side. Neithan scratched behind the creature’s ears before he remembered something.

“You need a name,” Neithan said to the wolf before he began to ponder. “What about Dae?”

The wolf seemed to nod before Neithan stood. The wolf copied before he looked up at his new master. Neithan smiled before he realized how big the wolf actually was. It was muscular and came halfway up Neithan’s arm, to the crease of his elbow. Dae wagged his tail happily before he barked playfully.

Neithan smiled down at his new friend before he looked into the trees surrounding him. He had no idea where he was and he had no idea where he wanted to go, all he knew was that he had to get away from Angband, not that he was close to it now. Neithan looked down at Dae and smiled.

“Do you know how to get out of this forest?” Neithan asked feeling like a complete idiot for asking a wolf something like that. Dae barked again before he ran off. Neithan chuckled before he grabbed his sword and ran after Dae.

End chapter 3

Chapter End Notes

Antcrist - Gift Sword
Dae - shadow

What about this chapter, this one required the least work in my opinion but i'll let you decide the final verdict. I'm gonna see if i can finish the fourth chapter now but i'm not quite sure what'll happen so it mightn't be up for a while. Thanks for reading - Li