The Greater Share of Honour

[la_samtyr]

This was written for huinare's June of Doom and Gloom challenge.



Title: The Greater Share of Honour
Author: samtyr
Rating: PG
Theme: June of Doom and Gloom

"They have retaken the high ground. We have lost our advantage."

Oropher bit back a sigh. He dared not show any weakness before Amdir and Malgalad, for they had refused to understand how important it was to accept the command of the Noldor king, Gil-galad. As the eldest of the cousins, he was in charge and his difficulties in keeping them in line had cost him dearly with the Noldor.

Not, he reminded himself, that he cared what the Noldor thought of him. And he was thankful that his last surviving son, Thranduil, had remained at home to rule in his stead, for Thranduil had yet to fully recover from the ruin of Doriath; Oropher had hoped to return and find him truly well again.

It had been a vain hope though, and Oropher suddenly realized he had known it all along. Thranduil would be forced to wed now. Perhaps a wife and family would bring him a measure of peace and happiness that he needed so badly.

Amdir and Malgalad shared a quick glance before Amdir spoke.

"Well, cousin -- do we turn back?"


No, my fair cousin;
If we are mark’d to die, we are enow
To do our country loss; and if to live,
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.

Rather proclaim it, through my host,
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made,
And crowns for convoy put into his purse;
We would not die in that man’s company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.

He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam’d,
And rouse him at the name.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,

Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he’ll remember, with advantages,
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words-

This story shall the good man teach his son;

From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd-

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon this day.

Author's Note: Oropher really knew how to have men follow him even when the odds were against them. Sadly, they did not face a typical 'mortal' enemy. Oropher's speech is obviously from William Shakespeare's play Henry V, Act IV, Scene iii 18–67.

My motto is: When needing help inspiration, look to the best. (And then borrow what is needed. :)

Comments

[chaotic-binky.livejournal.com]

I thought I recognised the source :) You fitted it in very well, and my mind's idea of Oropher would be right at home with it.

*Hugs*

[samtyr.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Yes, I thought you might recognize the source material. :) Oropher must have been a very charismatic leader to have men fellow him as they did and he no doubt had the oratorial (sic) skills to match. And I looked for a really good quote but this speech just seemed so perfect that it begged to be used. Who am I to argue?