The forest leaves crunched under our feet as we crept forward. It was a simple mission, find the nest and destroy it. It took us a week to find it, following the traces of spider web and dead animals, their blood sucked dry. We watched the nest for days, wanting to make sure no adult spiders patrolled the area. We had already killed nearly forty of them between attacks on the way and the few that were here and we waited for more to show.

But none did. I motioned for six of the soldiers with me to take one side as the other six and I took the other. We would surround it and take it on my signal.

I waved a hand and the soldiers fanned out around me. Two of them took to the trees and we continued forward. I watched the grounds, praying there will be no movement from within. If the babies had hatched, we might not stand a chance. There will be hundreds and though baby venom isn't as powerful, too much of it can be more dangerous than an adult spider.

I had asked a healer about it once and she said it had something to do with the corruption in their core. They had darkness in them and that darkness was most powerful as babies because they had yet to come into contact with the light. I took a breath when I saw no movement and raised my fingers to my lips, giving a piercing whistle.

We moved forward, swords drawn. The two archer's bows creaked as they pull their arrows back. I led the assault, entering the dark, web spun nest. The musty air filled my nose and the darkness blanketed my eyes. I blinked, still moving, trying to see where the eggs were.

White balls, each the size of a fist covered the floor and the walls. I stabbed one, pulling up my sword to be rid of it as the web held it in place. I used my foot to be rid of it. Then stabbed the next one. My soldiers followed my lead and we quickly made our way towards the back, careful not to miss even one.

Then the hairs stood up on the back of my neck. We were being watched. A breath caught in the back of my throat. I stood, not bothering to wipe the egg from my sword and swallowed. Before me, red eyes gleamed in the dark.

I raised my sword. "Spiders!" I called and ran my blade through its eyes. It shrieked and then fell at my feet, its legs curled under it. I stared at its body. It wasn't an adult. It was too small.

I looked to my second beside me. Amras' eyes grew wide as we both realized what that meant. We were too late.

"Retreat!" I called and we began to back out. But we were too late. The baby spiders swarmed us, quickly covering the hole of the exit and blocking out all light that might have helped us. Only small beams of the sun made it through the sheets of web.

We formed a circle to cover each other's backs, but they dropped from the ceiling too. They tried to shoot webs but were thankfully too young to do much damage there. So instead they closed in around us.

I held my sword out before me, striking the first one to come close enough. It screeched like its dead counterpart, shriveling up on itself as others crawled closer. One landed on Amras and he fell with a cry. I turned to him and kicked the spider off him. It didn't budge so I pulled my dagger out and stabbed it. Its cry was washed into the cry of the others as the rest of the soldiers took up the fight as well. I reached down and grabbed the spider by the back of its neck, picking it up and throwing it at another incoming one. Amras laid there in a daze, white foam trickled from the corner of his mouth. I cursed and then helped him to his feet.

"Thank you," he wheezed. He stood on his own and killed a spider who tried to get revenge for its sibling. I turned back to the fight at hand.

Panic as lost in the chaos of battle as I stayed near to Amras' side. I didn't trust his compromised strength.

The fight went on and my arms wearied. Soldiers fell around me and I wondered if the other six outside knew what had befallen us. I prayed to any of the Valar that would listen to get us out of here. I could stand to die on the battlefield, but not trapped in the web of my enemy, far away from daylight.

The thought renewed my strength. I had to get us out of here. I released a battle cry and renewed my vigor, killing any spider that dared to come close to me. I looked over to see Armas' movements slowing. The venom was beginning to set in. Out of the corner of my eye, a spider moved along the edge towards him, watching, waiting.

Then it jumped. I cried out a warning and jumped with it, pushing Amras out of the line of fire. The spider landed and agony shot through my side, splitting pain wracked my body up to my head. A choked cry escaped my lips as I tried to fight it off, but my body wouldn't respond.

Then someone stepped forward and pulled it off of me, much in the same way I had done earlier. I laid there, mind in a fog as my body tried to respond the pain. Finally, I released a breath and a soldier helped me to stand. I couldn't tell who though as the darkness made my blurred vision nearly impossible to see. I thanked him regardless and picked up my sword again as another spider came. I fought it off, but more kept coming. There was nothing we could do.

One got passed my weakened defense and its stinker scraped my leg before I could move away. Agony wracked my body but adrenaline kept me on my feet until, after a while, the pain faded and my vision turned red. I fought on, ignoring the brushes of pain in my arm here and in my side there. I had to get us out of there.

False strength kept me on my feet, killing one spider after another. Soldiers fell around me, their cries fuel to my fire. I looked around, only two of us remained standing. I tried to move towards him, but the world tilted and I stumbled. Beady red eyes glinted in my peripheral vision and I turned, but not before it leaped up and slammed itself into my chest. 

I stumbled back, mouth gaping as its pinchers swarmed into view just inches from my face. My vision turned white for a moment as my hearing faded to nothing. Then it's blurred pinchers opened, ready to bite my face when a blade came in from the side, stabbing it in the side of the head.

Its pinchers snapped shut, grabbing hold of the skin on my cheek. I felt its body jerked and it fell away. Hot blood trickled down my face, mingling with the gore of my other wounds. I looked straight ahead as my mind tried to keep up with what was happening.

A soldier stood before me, his sword held out in front of him as he fought off the others. The darkness tilted as I watched him stumble. Or maybe I stumbled? And the world blinked dark for a moment. Then the nest shook and the spiders screeched a cry. Fear tore through me.

We needed to get out. My mind spun and the world blinked dark once again.

Then light exploded. I faltered, my knees buckling as I fell to the ground. The nest cracked and silhouette of soldiers entered, swords drawn and ready. I shook my head, spelling the dizziness. I had to help them get out of here.

I stood, using my own sword to hold me steady as the world tilted again. I caught myself and took a deep breath, anything to clear my head. I cried out, raising my weapon and jumped back into the fray.

My voice filled the place, mingling with the cries of the soldiers and the spiders. I made for the light, hoping to make a path to help the others get out. But they simply continued to fight. I reached the opening and turned back. "We need to get out!"

They immediately fought off the spider they were engaging and ran to the nearest fallen soldier. They pulled them over their shoulders as the others protected them. I ran to Amras and heaved him up. He groaned, but the sound was nearly lost in the chaos.

The others ran out and I ran after them. We reached the doorway just as another grazed my lower leg. I stumbled but kept my feet. We ran as fast as we were able as the sound of arrows joined the cries. Spiders fell to them behind us and the fresh attack gave us time to reach the tree line.

Several soldiers climbed up first and others handed the most injured up to them. The trees were going to be our quickest retreat. They managed to get all of them up save for Amras and me.

"Hand him up, Captain," one of them said. Blood trickled down his face and his hands shook as he reached and took my second from my grasp. He took him up and then another came and pulled me up with hem.

"What are our orders, captain?" one of them asked. The voice sounded distant, muffled, and I shook my head.

"Move out," I said, breathless. "We're outnumbered and it's only a matter of time before we run out of arrows."

He nodded and moved away. I leaned against the tree trunk, gathering myself. We had to get to the nearest outpost. But that would be at least two days away in our sorry state. The order went up and the progression moved, most of the soldiers carrying another. I moved after them through the branches, using them to hold me steady.

We kept going until the battle cries slowly died. I wanted to order the two archers to come with us, but no command would leave my mouth. I stumbled again, just barely catching myself. The soldier in front of me wasn't so lucky. I watched as his bloodied hand reached out, trying to grab at anything, but his hand slipped and he pitched forward, falling through the black, dead branches.

A cry finally left my lips as I looked down to see him sprayed on the ground, the soldier he carried beside him. I pulled myself together the best I could.

"We need to stop," I said. The soldier leading the way turned back to me.

"I'm sorry, Captain, but I think it may be too dangerous to stop."

I shook my head and pointed to the ground. He came over and looked to where my trembling finger indicated. He gasped at the sight and scurried down the tree. I made my way after him. He knelt beside the soldier who lost his footing and I moved to the other. I reached my hand to his neck, feeling for a pulse. I found it and lowered my head in relief. He wasn't dead, yet. The dangers showed all the more when I looked up. The ground was covered in bones, both spider and those of animals long sucked from life.

My stomach churned at the combination of the sight and the posion in my system.

The soldier came over to me. "We need to set up camp here, Captain, by your leave of course. I think we ought to start a fire to keep the spiders out and assess our situation. It won't take long for the spider to catch up to us. Dagon and Elben will be here as soon as their arrows run out and then it's only a matter of time."

I sat back, looking at the two injured soldiers before me. He was right, as much as I didn't want him to be. We were sitting ducks as they say. Not without some reluctance, I nodded permission then reached up for him to help me to my feet. I swayed slightly then held firm.

"You get them all down here, I'll work on getting the fire started." He nodded with a salute and headed back to the tree. Soldiers were already making their way down. I moved away, intent on finding firewood when my stomach revolted and turned to the side. Vomit burned the back of my throat and the force sent me to my knees. I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for it to stop before I finally sat back.

"Captain?" a soldier asked. I tried to move, to stand, to do anything, but my body wouldn't obey my mind's commands and I felt the air rush past me as I fell forward. Someone caught me before I could hit the ground. They called to me, but I could not answer. My head felt heavy and every wound on me burned like fire. My body trembled of its own accord and then my vision faded to nothing.

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Pain wracked me as I woke, and I turned in an attempt to get away from it. Agony shot through me at the action, but I could move. I forced my eyes open, blinking at the blinding strips of light. Dark branches hung above me, draped in web and dead leaves. I looked around. Other soldiers lay around the dying coals of a fire. I furrowed my brow. What happened?

Then I closed my eyes with a groan as memories started flooding back from the night before. Or had it been longer? I forced my eyes open again and pulled myself up. Pain flared up in my side and I pressed my hand to the wound as the world spun. My fingers met damp fabric and I pull my hand. Blood trickled from my fingertips, staining my already torn and bloodied leggings. This didn't make sense. All injured are supposed to be checked hourly. I shouldn't be bleeding like this.

I looked up and was immediately horrified by the sight. Bloody bodies covered the ground. Only one sat on his own accord. Dolenel sat near the fire, slumped over, leaning on his sheathed sword. He was turned slightly away from me so that I could only see his side, his hair covered his face.

I cleared my mouth to speak, but it quickly turned into a coughing fit. I doubled over, holding my bleeding side. Dolenel jumped up at the sound, pulling his blade out of his sheath, his eyes wide as he held the weapon out before him.

"It's alright," I said between coughs. He waited a moment then lowered it, though he didn't put it away. He came and knelt down before me, placing his hands on each of my shoulders as I continued to cough.

"Easy, captain," he said and, making sure I was steady on my own, moved back to the fire. A moment later, a warm cup was placed to my lips and I brought shaky fingers up to grasp it. I sipped it hesitantly. My stomach churned but thankfully didn't resent the gentle tea. I looked up. Dolenel had bags under his eyes and his hair had become matted in dirt and quite possibly blood. I held the cup close, keeping its warmth for myself.

"What happened after the attack?" I rasped, the sound barely above a whisper. Dolenel sat back and tried to run his fingers through his hair only for them to get caught part way through. He took a breath.

Most of the soldiers, as well as yourself, weren't able to make it to the stronghold so we stopped here, building up fires to keep the spiders away." 

It was then that I realized there were three other fires beside's the one he had been sitting at. He sighed, bringing my attention back. "You collapsed just after we stopped, you had a lot of venom in your system and likely still do. Most of the others fell shortly after. We've only lost one, but it's only a matter of time, captain, before more pass from this realm. I've been up for days doing everything I can but I'm the only one still standing and quite frankly, I don't know what to do."

He bowed his head and a sob escaped his lips. I reached forward and laid a comforting, though shaking, hand on his shoulder. He was too young to handle such a responsibility, barely old enough to be out of training.

"You've done well, soldier. I'll take it from here. Now go and put more fuel on the fire and then get some rest while I figure out the best way to get us home." He nodded and stood, taking his sword with him as he went to do as he was ordered.

I tried to stand, but my vision darkened the second I attempted to push myself up and I thought better of it. I continued to sip the tea as I scanned the area.

Dark, forbidding trees surrounded us. Bones of creatures were scattered across the ground as if this was the spider's dumping ground. Probably not far from the truth I realized. My head pounded but I forced myself not to think about it. We had to get out of there.

There were originally thirteen of us, but now, I guess there's only twelve. I let out a long breath, not wanting to think of who it was that didn't make it. 

I looked to the ellon lying in the pallet next to mine. Amras. His dark hair stuck to his head as sweat glistened on his brow. I reached over, placing my fingers on his forehead. His skin burned as expected but he groaned and moved away at my touch. I pulled my hand back, realizing how cold my fingers must have felt compared to his skin. I wondered how long he had laid there like that.

None of them looked well enough to be dragged home or even to the nearest outpost, but I didn't know what else to do. I could send Dolenel to get help, but I'm not healthy enough myself to defend the camp should spiders attack. Then again, Dolenel couldn't protect us all either. I shook my head. Sending him would be our best option, as much as I didn't like it. I would simply have to keep the fires going hot and hope he was able to bring them back quickly.

My head felt heavy at the thought and I lowered myself down. Normally I would keep watch, but spiders will avoid the fire and if orcs attack, we wouldn't stand a chance anyway. I laid my head down, falling asleep within seconds.

Morning dawned, but I had no way of knowing how long it had been. My head seemed clearer, but the pain still raided through my body, the venom still in my system. A short cry left my lips as I pulled myself up and looked around. None of the soldiers had moved, but one more cloak was draped over the top of one opposite where Amras lay.

Grief tore at my heart as I leaned forward and pulled the cloak away from the soldier's face. His lax expression brought on a counterfeit image of peace and I could only hope his body didn't mirror his fea.

Tears sprung up in my eyes and I didn't have the strength nor the desire to hold them back, weeping for the death of my brother in arms.

I pulled the cloak back over his face as I felt a presence beside me. Dolenel sat beside me, pulling my gaze away as he handed me a steaming mug. I barely had the strength to hold it as my hands trembled at the mundane feat.

Dolenel bowed his head and gestured to the soldier. "I did all I knew to do, sir. But his fever rose too high and I couldn't lower it. He passed early this morning."

The news seemed to shatter a piece of me I didn't realize could break after so many years. Losing ellyn would never get easier.

Finally, I turned to Dolenel. "You should go get help. It's our best chance--" but he was already shaking his head moving closer to the elf laying on the other side of me. I closed my eyes the moment I realized who it was. Pethon, Dolenel's brother. "Dolenel, you're our best chance. You are his best chance."

He hung his head as the truth set in. Then he looked up tears in his eyes. "Alright, I will go. But please, captain. Will you...?" his words trailed as he realized who he was about to ask a favor of.

I set my mug down and moved over to him. "I will do everything in my power to keep your brother alive until you return."

He smiled, though his eyes were red and puffy. "Hannon le, captain."

He left within the hour after building up the fires and stacking wood nearby so that I wouldn't have to go far to get it. The nearest post was about a day's travel out, but it would take another day for them to get back and I could only pray we would still be here.

Time trickled by and I did my best to stay alert and keep watch. But as the hours passed and night came, I found myself fading with the sun, vision blurring and agony wavering my balance.

I trained my eyes on the light of the fire and pressed my fist into the dirt. I had to stay awake. I shook my head and turned back to Pethon. Dark spots danced on the edge of my vision at the movement. I closed my eyes with a groan, feeling oblivion slowly crept over me.

I jerked myself awake, heart pounding and lungs heaving. I looked around, relieved to still see the fire burning. I hadn't been out long. My gaze moved back to Pethon. He hadn't moved. A thin glean of sweat covered his forehead, sticking his hair to his skin.

I started to reach over, but my vision tilted and I decided against it as my stomach churned and the wounds in my side sprung to life. I bit back a groan, not sure how much longer I could stay awake. What was the point anyway? I couldn't defend any of them like this. What was I going to do if the spiders attacked?

I started to lay down, but then the light of the fire caught in the corner of my eye. I had to keep that going. It was our only hope.

The slightest of whimpers left my lips at the thought and I squeezed my eyes shut, preparing myself to move over to the soon-to-be-dying coals. I clenched my fists and began pulling myself across the ground. Standing had never been an option.

Agony rippled through every part of me, chilling my very core. A quiet cry escaped my throat but I kept moving. I had to keep it going.

Something hissed and I knew we had been found. I forced myself to move faster. The light of this fire would have to cover the entire unit. I reached the logs and pulled myself up. I sat there for a moment, catching my breath as the pain slowly died.

Another soft hiss made the hair on the back of my neck stand up on end. I opened my eyes and ignored the dizziness as I threw several logs onto the coals. Flames quickly caught on and light spread throughout, even as my vision tunneled.

I felt myself sway and unable to catch myself, I hit the ground just as my vision went black.