The forest was soaking in the pouring rain. Lightning shot ahead in the dark sky and thunder rolled across the land. Strong wind was making the trees unsteady. Even though it was not even mid-day yet, it was dark as night. The storm was getting much worse and the forest was becoming a dreadful place. Haldamir was sick from the road, and so was his horse. The mare was tired and soaked in the rain as it trotted through the muddy road of the dark forest.
The road seemed perilous and every shadow could have been an enemy waiting to attack. Haldamir tightened his black cloak around himself; suddenly the bushes at the side of the road moved and frightened the mare. Haldamir quickly patted him on the side and the horse calmed down for a few seconds, but quickened its pace. Lightning flashed overhead and Haldamir felt an unwanted presence of staring eyes. Holding the reigns with one hand, under the covers of his cloak he slowly reached for the hilt of his sword.
There was a heavy fog and the aroma of burning wood spreading across the forest. Now Haldamir could clearly make out the sound of the roaring fire ahead. The rain began beating harder and soon it was almost impossible to see through it. The trees have cleared up ahead, revealing a small village, ablaze with flame. There was blood everywhere; dead women, children and soldiers. Haldamir stopped his horse at the sight and his breath was gone.
All that he was hoping for, all his last dreams and wishes; they were gone like the last stars consumed by the rising sun. Even the down pouring rain was no use to the roaring flames that the buildings were catching, one after the other. Thoughts were racing through his mind; in a desperate decision, he directed the horse at a gallop towards the village. The mare was unwilling to come too close to the fire, but Haldamir urged him on, the hood now slipping from his head as the wind rushed into his face. He jumped off the horse and ran through the wooden gates of the village. Everything around him was burning, there were dead bodies everywhere and the earth was filled with blood. Elves, men, dwarves and among them were orcs.
Haldamir’s childhood memories, those wonderful days of his life, those marvelous days when he was in the comfort of his parents, all was now burning in this hating flame. His thoughts flooded back into his mind. He ran towards the house where as a child he spent hour upon hour in the garden playing. It was burning, everything burning and the door was hanging ajar at a strange angle. Quickly he darted inside, the tongues of the flame reaching for him as he ran into the ruin of his hopes. His mother was laying on the floor with a dagger sticking out of her stomach. Her robes were soaked with blood; there was a crumbling sound overhead and Haldamir rushed forth, grabbing her body and jumping out the door as the roof collapsed.
He put her down gently on the ground, she was breathing still. She opened her eyes with difficulty and looked upon him, a small and painful smile of recognition emerged on her lips. He brushed her dark hair out of her face and she opened her mouth, “you are finally here my son.” Those words were her last and she was gone. Everything began to spin in Haldamir’s mind, every memory and every pain. Everything he loved and cared for, was gone.