Lorlynia
.....And the Great Seledyne Forest releases a triumphant breath as news of the elve's and human's victory in Idenynia spreads from the active port of Kryndon once again.
It seems that at the beginning of summer, Prince Telendor secretly bade all elves to come back to the Motherland and push the orcish armies and their followers from Idenynia and the surrounding forests. Elves from all over Aerde made their way however they could, as fast as they could. No-one not of elven blood new of the pilgramage and the secret held fast. News stopped coming from Lorlynia and even the nimble elven fleets lay anchored while their crews traveled inland to lend aid to the Nobel Forest. The numbers grew steadily throughout most of the summer, unbeknownst to most of Aerde.
The great Narok, leader of the mightiest army of orcs since the March of Evil, continued with his plans to conquer as much of Lorlynia for himself as he could. He had allied evil dragons of many colors to his cause, had a huge army of undead under his control and had almost taken Idenynia a dozen times. The spring push by the human and elven army had been scattered and most of the survivers were cut off from retreat.
Narok was a great leader, he had more wits than any two orcs put together and the strength of three. It wasn't either of these things that let him down, and he was right, he had broken and scattered the elven/human host. His failing was in understanding is adversaries. An orc, a gnoll, even a bugbear would give up hope and flee to wherever it thought the safest hole was. Humans and elves are another thing. When the chips are down and going tough, an elf or a human digs in it's feet, grasps it sword a little tighter and gives everything just for a chance. This was the begining of the end for Narok, and he was disillusioned into thinking the battle he had won was the end of the elven/human alliance, when in fact it was just the beginning.
The cut-off survivors banded together as best they could and fought defensive battles through-out the summer. They knew what was in store, if only they could last until then. Instead of trying to get back to Idenynia, they pushed further away, attacking supply lines and support troops heading toward the front lines, using the guerrilla tactics taught to them from the Caedmonish mercenaries. The combination of arrows and heavy swords took a heavy toll on the fresh troops, so by the time they reached the front, they were no fresher than the veterans and jumping at shadows.
By the time the leaves of the Great Forest started to change colors, Narok was begining to realize his error and so was looking the wrong way when the end came. Deciding to end the harrasment behind his lines for good, he had thinned his numbers on the front and started sending troops to find and eliminate the guerrillas that were harassing his supply lines.
The colored dragon in Naroks army were the first to feel the change. The forest seemed to hold it's breath for an eternity, when the sky darkened and hundreds of flying forms could be seen, heading toward the defilers of the forest. Metallic dragons of every color had answered Telendor's call for aid, along with giant eagles, owls and rocs. While the evil horde stood looking upon it's doom, Thor Emblem's and Prince Telendor's army rushed from Idenynia to bring battle to the stunned orcs standing helpless before them.
The initial battle was horrific in the amount of causualties. Dragons, eagles, orcs, humans and elves died in astounding numbers. The first battle lasted 2 full days and ended when Narok ordered a retreat, thowing his undead host between the two armies. Covered by the undead, Narok's army got a little breathing room and was able to regroup. It only lasted for a short day, as the newly arrived clerics blasted throught the undead and put them to rest permanently.
Narok continued to retreat to the northwest and home. He would have made it if not for Prince Bjorn of Caedmon's insistance to return the guerrillas to the fold. He had srtuck out to find the stragglers and bring them into the main fray, but it ended up that they found him, surrounded and making a glorious last stand against no fewer than three dragons and 200 orcs. Bjorn's company of 200 was down to 80, when Boris the Mighty and his crew burst from cover and tackled a dragon from behind, while elven archers took down the orcs and the other two dragons. Welcomes and thanks were short and sweet because of the need back toward Idenynia. Prince Bjorn led his army back toward the main battle and intercepted Narok's force retreating towards the northwest,effectivly stalling the retreat.
Meanwhile, Prince Telendor and Thor Emblem had chased Narok' fleeing army, fight almost the whole way, when on the 3rd day, it stopped running. Thor conceded Telendor's right to battle, so it was the Prince who faced Narok in battle on the fateful day as the leaves turned colors. Many elves will say that the year of 65AK had an unusual number of red leaves that autumn. "The trees had there fill of revenge against the defilers", is the often quoted reason. Narok broke three huge swords against Telendors small elven blade before the end. Victory could be seen in the elven eyes of all who saw, and before long, defeat could be seen in the orcish eyes as well. Still it was a battle that will be retold through-out the ages.
On the day the seasons change, when the colors in the leaves make the forest appear to be wreathed in flames, two Princes met on the field of battle, one a defender of the trees, the other, a killer of trees. All who saw, bear witness to the epic battle, almost as if the gods themselves fought. None could tear their eyes from the struggle, swords and axes forgotten in hands or claws, echos of an older struggle resounding off inner emotions to deep to name. Time almost stopped as the giant orc fell to the ground, a mortal after all. No word was spoken, just a mutual feeling of agreement that it was over. The orchish army left the field of battle defeated, in a hushed silence with not a single word or hostile action. Prince Telendor had a tear roll down his cheek as he said his father's name once and joined the rest of the elven/human army as they watched in silence as the defeated walked away, knowing that the battle was over, the war won.