MIRKWOOD RPG

[Thalionyulma]

The dark elf drew close to Anarya and the young wolf. He looked grimly at the white pup, reaching out to stroke Khelek. He glanced at the young elf maiden, who looked at the young wolf sympathetically.

"Take heart, Khelek, perhaps several of your family was able to escape," Rûdhchamion tried to comfort the white wolf. Then with a cold glint in his eyes he said, "but know that they will be avenged."

"It is but another piece of the puzzle. Khelek's encounter is but a duplicate of the fate of my kin," He sighed, his brows furrowed thoughtfully. He was once more in control of his emotion, and as before, did not allow himself to grieve until he fulfilled his oath. "Long ago when I was but a few summers old, in the great battle of what was called The Last Alliance, the Dark Lord was defeated. Alas, many great warriors paid with their lives. I witnessed from afar the banner of Gil-Galad held high by Master Elrond. I had seen the flash of Aeiglos until Gil-Galad had fallen, and his spear broken. Your own lord, Thranduil, too was there - and a few men considered steadfast friends to the elvenkind.

Before the great battle, a great shadow seemed to cover Greenwood. Even now it seems, the darkness still lingers. It is rumored in hushed whispers among my people that another has taken the Dark Lord's place. Some say he was not completely vanquished. How this is so - I cannot say."

Rûdhchamion fell silent. He was in deep thought, a dread filling his mind, but he did not voice it out. He was still unsure, and until he was certain, he decided not to worry his companions.

Khelek listened thoughtfully.

"There is but one way to truly find out the answers we seek. There is little doubt in my mind that we go towards the heart of the matter."

The dark elf found himself looking at the young maiden before him. He silently cursed himself for allowing her to be in harm's way. He should have never agreed with Legolas to have her come with him.

Without thinking, he reached out to brush a strand of the elf maiden's golden hair away from her face. It startled her and she looked at him and slightly blushed, sitting up straight.

"I did not mean to worry you so," the dark elf finally said, he caressed her cheek softly and pulled his hand away. "A dire task is before us. One I cannot shirk from. It is were my fate leads me. But my heart fills with dread that you would come to harm."

[Anarya SilverBranch]

Anarya said nothing for a while, too surprised at his touch.

"I won't come to harm," She answered softly, "I haven't even been injured yet. You've been wounded twice,"

Rudhchamion grinned at that.

"And anyway," Anarya continued, "If we did get into some more combat, a group of three is better than two. You might need protecting and Khelek would need protecting too. Isn't that so?" She asked, the pup wagged his tail and said nothing back, looking up at her.

"Besides," She said, "I am quick and silent maybe I can help looking and spying upon the orcs or whatever we may meet there."

She knew she was being a bit flipant with her description of the inhabitants of Dol Goldur, but she had never seen this great dark place and could not fathom its evil.

"Why do I find myself always having to defend my stay with you anyway?" She asked smiling, "I also have some ideas on this Dol Goldur that may be put to some use, and how do you know this is not where my fate leads me?"

[ July 03, 2002: Message edited by: Anarya SilverBranch ]

[Gayahithwen]

Just when Gayahithwen was about to reach Sauche and Amaryllis, they ran off again and suddenly two wolves got out of the forest and chased after them. Trying to stop as fast as possible, Gayahithwen once again tripped. One of the wolves heard her and looked around at her. In an instant she got up again, desperatly trying to get up her knife, the only weapon she was carrying. The wolf was so near her that she knew that if she ran away, it would catch up with her in only a few paces and kill her right away. Finnaly, she got up her knife and in the same second, the wolf jumped at her. She tried to stick the knife in him somewhere, but wasn't sure if she managed to or not. Finally, her knife fell out of her hand and rolled away. Shutting her eyes she tried not to think about the wolfs aproaching fangs.

[Gayahithwen]

Daegon was just some few steps behind the elven girl when she tripped. She got up again really fast this time, not slow as the last time, when he had nearly decided to see if she was allright. She tried to reach her knife, looking at something he suddenly realised was a wolf. Getting his sword out, he moved closer.
Then, the wolf attacked. Everything went so fast that when Daegon finally got to move, the girl was allready under the wolf, her knife without reach from her. She had closed her eyes, as if trying to escape the horrible fangs in front of her. With a scream, he hit the wolf from the side with his sword, not killing it, but enough to get it away from the girl. Now, the wolf turned towards him, but as he repeatedly hit him with the sword, the wolf slowly collapsed in a heap on the ground. Sighing hard, he sat down on the ground, looking at the elven girl who lied next to him. She was covered in blood, but most of it seemed to be the wolfs. He looked through his pocket for some piece of cloth and started whiping away the blood from the face of the girl.

[GreatWarg]

Khelek watched the affair with a look, both knowing and slightly amused. Elves, he thought to himself. Grim and remote at some times some times, almost too happy at dark times. No wonder other folk tend not to go into their affairs. Khelek shook his head, ruffling his fur to keep it from tangling. Fate or something else? Khelek thought.

"For a pup not more than one summer, you sure think an awful lot," Anarya said.

[Thalionyulma]

The dark elf chuckled as he turned towards the young white wolf. He was amused by Khelek's insight at times, but it was Anarya's quip that made him grin even more.

Rûdhchamion, still smiling said, "It is said that one should not think too deeply of the affair of elves." He ruffled Khelek's fur, looking fondly at the young wolf.

The dark elf fell silent. The two could see he was in deep thought once more.

"A great task lies before us. More dire than what I had thought," the dark elf finally said.

"I feel I must remember something more..."

Rûdhchamion fell silent once more, gathering his thoughts.

[Anarya SilverBranch]

"Would it be too painful for you to recount to us what happened with your family?" Anarya asked, trying not to bring the question on too quick, for it was obviously a sensitive subject for the dark elf.

Rudhchamion looked up his grey eyes wide with sadness and remembrance, and Anarya immeadiatly regretted her question.

"Please," coaxed Khelek, "Tell us,"

[Thalionyulma]

The dark elf was in deep thought. He carefully analyzed the past events, trying to connect the past events together with what was happening. He could not push aside the persistent nagging at the back of his mind.

Rûdhchamion sighed deeply, turned to face his companions once more and he began his tale.

“As I said before at the Elvenking’s court, my people were few. We lived moving from one part of the Vale of Anduin to another, along the eaves of Eryn Galen. Last we settled near Leog Ningloron. Hunting was good as we prepared for our feast, as narbereth, sun waning, was about to begin.

It was at this time that one of my mother’s kin came upon two travelers. They were headed for Dale at the foot of Erebor, or so they claimed. They seemed travel-weary, and had but a small horse to carry their burden.

We were about to begin our festivities. My father was presenting the antlers of a large stag that we had hunted that day. There was a sudden shout and several cries of alarm.
We were soon on our their feet, still bewildered. Orc raiders suddenly appeared from around us, and we all went for our bows and spears. Darts and arrows filled the air as armored orcs began their butchery.

We all fought back desperately, but our wooden spears and leather armor were no match against blades of steel. More and more orcs and armored men came with poisoned darts and iron spears.

I watched helplessly as an orc shot a dart at my mother, and as I ran to give aid to my father as he tried to reach her, he too was cut down by one of the men. I heard my sister, Pennnauriel shout out a warning. As I turned to look in her direction, she ran to me and pushed me aside. I caught her as she stiffened and suddenly went limp, a dart embedded at the side of her neck. I felt utterly helpless as I knelt there holding her as she breathed her last.“

He paused a moment, refusing to give in to the dark despair and grief that had washed over him.

“I remember there was an orc who was about to strike with an axe. But several arrows had forced him to back off. He too had an emblem. A red emblem on his armor. It was the Eye.” The dark elf turned a troubled look at Anarya.

“Wait… before we had settled there. There was rumor that a king among men was ambushed around those parts of Leog Ningloron. He was among those that had help defeat the Dark Lord in the battle of the Last Alliance.”

Rûdhchamion sighed and sat back, thinking.

[Anarya SilverBranch]

Anarya nodded mulling the story over in her mind. What could be missing? It seemed as though all the holes in the tale had been filled, there were no obvious mistakes.

Her thoughts were interupted for the moment when there came a sound in the bushes nearby that caught her attention. Khelek's head was alert and his ears were twitching from side to side. Anarya reaced for her dagger as Rudhchamion grabbed his bow, but a stern thought from Khelek made them both put their weapons down,

"Wait,"Khelek's nose seemed to taste the air around him,"That is not the scent of orcs or evil creatures, that scent is plainly human or elf,"

[GreatWarg]

The pup was sure of the scent - it was mixed with fear, but fear of dark things that lay in the forest, not of being found by Elves. A faint cry could be heard by the wolf's sensitive ears; it had apparently not heard Rûdhchamion's tale. Khelek's tail twitched.

"I think she needs some help," Khelek said, turning to the two Elves next to him.

[Nice-Smeagol]

The cloaked figures were riding horses. Huge black ones, not at all like the horses remembered from Mornovarion’s home village. There were nine of them. "The Nazgul?" thought Mornonovarion in horror, he had been one of the wisest in his village, "No, why would the Enemy waste the Nine on a group of mere prisoners". When the riders got within about five meters of the group of orcs and prisoners the lead one leapt of the back of his huge horse. The orcs cowered backed away nervously, forming a group behind the elves. "What are these things?" thought Mornovarion, "They must be terrible indeed if even the orcs retreat in fear".
The leader of the riders now approached the group, and though they could not see its face, Mornovarion was sure it would be smirking, laughing to itself. Suddenly, it spun around and leapt up to face one of the elves. The elf must have seen what lay inside the hood for he screamed and leapt backwards. One of the figure's gloved fists shot out and found its target on the elf's stomach. The elf bent double and the rider grabbed him by the throat and lifted him clean of his feet. Mornovarion gasped; even though the elf must have weighed less than it had done due to malnutrition, lifting it with one had been an amazing feat. Then the figure dropped the elf to the ground and watched him attempt to pull himself to his feet, and then it grabbed the back of his head and thrust it into the murky water. Though some of the elf's flailing arms and legs hit the figure, he didn't seem bothered. Soon the flailing stopped and the elf was still.
Mornovarion was shocked, he knew he could have used this spectacle to escape but his body would not respond to his minds futile commands. He had stood as if spellbound. Why had that ... thing ...killed the elf in cold blood? Why? But there was no time for thinking, the rider had got back on his horse and shouted 'Come!’ Slowly the group had started following.
The mountains of Mordor were in clear view now, like the spine of some great dead creature, with the maggots that were His servants crawling all over it. The orcs were not as rowdy now as they had been, they now hung around at the back of the group as far from the riders as they could. The ground was soft and squashy underneath their feet, and the bottoms of their tunics were stained in mud. The long nights were the worst, when the Candles came. They had been warned against going to see what they were, and any elves who had succumbed to the temptation had been killed outright. The orcs and riders were greedy with their prizes, not willing to let anything else kill them.
After several of what Mornovarion thought were days, it was impossible to tell in this Mordor-Darkness, they came to the Gates of Mordor. The leader of the riders cried out in his sibilant, hissing voice, 'Open in the name of Mordor and Sauron!’ The gates creaked slowly open, and the company passed inside. They were taken by the orcs (the riders had left them, thank Eru) to a room. The sound of screams echoed around the place.
One of the orcs climbed on top of a pedestal and shouted ’Alright, you miserable maggots, you are now prisoners of the one true lord Sauron. Who is you lord?!’ None of the elves answered. The orcs brought out cruel whips and cracked them menacingly. ‘I’ll ask you again,’ shouted the orc, ’WHO IS YOUR LORD?!’
‘Sauron!’ shouted the elves meekly. The ones who hadn’t were quickly dragged into another room. The screams grew louder.
Now the elves were taken to a room that was obviously a prison. The elves were thrown into tiny cells just large enough for one elf to lie down in. It seemed that a timetable had been drawn up, with each elf being allocated a little time to sleep and eat before torture began again. The elves were taken out in groups of five of six to the torture chamber. It was filled with racks and thumbscrews and other such instruments of pain and death. Mornovarion found that the only way to stave off insanity was to not surrender completely to the pain, to keep part of the mind active. He would play little games while he was being tortured, like “Count The Number Of Orcs” and “Spot Patterns On The Walls And Roof”. When in his cell and not sleeping or eating he would beat little tunes on the stone wall of his tiny room with the small wooden spoon that was his only possesion now. He had never been musically-inclined before but it was better than doing nothing. But one question always stuck in his mind; what were the Fell Riders?
Long, long after his first few days, Mornovarion didn’t know how long, in Mordor days were virtually non-existent, one of the fell riders had come into the torture chamber. The orc guards and torturers had cowered behind the racks and the other torture equipment. Then it had said in the common tongue, ‘The Lord requires one of you elves to do a task, it will mean freedom for you and the rest of your village, but take your time. I am willing to wait.’ The torture began again with vengeance. Eventually Mornovarion broke and cried out ‘Stop! I will do your task.’ The orcs had untied him from the rack he had been strapped to, and lifted him following the rider. He got one last view of some of his family and friends, who looked after him with disappointment in their faces, before the door had slammed shut and the screaming began again. He knew that he would never see them again. The Enemy would not keep his promise. It was for himself, that he had chosen to give up, and he hated himself for it. Soon the rider had turned into a room and the orc and he had followed. The rider was sitting at a table with an empty chair facing him. Mornovarion sat down and the rider started to speak, ‘The Lord Sauron is troubled by a realm to the north of where you used to live. It is ruled by King Thranduil. We feel that without a king, this realm would be easily destroyed. However, the watch on his realm is too great for an orc to slip through. We want you, to go into the realm and kill Thranduil.’
Mornovarion was horrified, if he declined now he would be killed, or put back into the torture chambers, but the collapse of Thranduil’s realm would mean the collapse of the whole North-East of Middle Earth. The Dwarves might hold out for a while, but eventually they too would be destroyed. Yet, he could not decline; he was gripped by a sudden urge to accept, to end his own pain. ’Yes’ that was all he said.
‘Excellent’ said the rider. The orc grabbed a branding iron with the shape of the Eye on the end and rammed it onto Mornovarion’s shoulder, he screamed in pain, but it was over in seconds, there was still pain but not as bad as before. Mornovarion looked at the Fell Rider and asked, ‘What are you?’
The Rider laughed, ‘You would like to know, wouldn’t you. It’s been driving you mad all this time. What am I?’ The Rider pulled off its hood. Mornovarion reeled backwards in horror.

[ July 12, 2002: Message edited by: Nice-Smeagol ]

[ July 12, 2002: Message edited by: Nice-Smeagol ]

[ July 12, 2002: Message edited by: Nice-Smeagol ]

[Taralphiel]

Taralphiel wandered through the forest undergrowth. She had been wandering for months, and had gotten used to the pace of it. She had learned to hunt and forage, and had taught herself not to be disgusted by the sight of dead animals. She had learned how to skin rabbits and the like, but this had all taken her a while. She looked at where she was now. It was a dense forest, some parts where thick and dark, almost choking, others were more green and pleasant. But she preferred the dark parts of this forest, it allowed her to hide.

She didn’t know where she was. All she knew was that she was far from home and she wanted it that way. She would never go back.

It had begun to grow dark and the pale moon began to show in slithers through the trees. She picked a tree close to the roadside and climbed it. There she nestled herself against the stump. Looking around, she wondered if this place had a name, or if it was of importance. She had to keep herself steady, she was still not very good at climbing trees, or much else.

It was at these times that she thought about home. She came from the town Calambel, between Gondor and Rohan. She remembered it with both bitter and sweet thoughts. She thought of the hills of Minrimmon, and Calenhad- blue and beautiful in the morning. She also remembered squinting to see the white towers of Minas Tirith over the plains. There were few forests, and so much smaller than this one. She remembered her mother telling her about elves being in a huge forest, but she dismissed that. Her mother had a preoccupation with elves. She always told her that she had elven heritage, and that was why she was given that name. She wished she had been given a more normal name when she was younger, but she didn’t care now. Someone loved her name. He loved her name.

That was when she tried to sleep but couldn’t. She would not sleep all night, and began to talk to herself. “You’ll find him Don’t worry” she whispered. But it had been a long time, and she hadn’t found him. It had been far too long.

That was the reason she had left. Her mother didn’t want her to marry him but she had, and then he left. He was ordered to leave. He said he would find her. So she left too. That was what had happened. But Taralphiel felt no shame. She needed to leave that place. Her story was beyond her home, she knew that much.

And so she sat in that tree and eventually dozed off. In the morning she was woken by a small beam of sunlight that had shone through the trees onto her face. She got up and managed to ease herself out of the tree. She then went to collect firewood to keep her warm. She spotted a large felled branch and went towards it.

Making her way forward, she tripped over a tree root. Cursing under her breath, she heard voices.
“Defeating dark lords? Hmm…better lay quiet”

[Anarya SilverBranch]

Anarya crept to a fallen brach where the figure sat, crumpled up, trying to hide.

"Hello," she said softly.

The figure looked up at her, it was a mortal woman. Anarya looked in surprise at the human.

What was a mortal doing in Mirkwood, especially a woman? Her grandfather had told her about mortals, nice mortals who didn't go around giving alliances to dark lords and such. He had said that mortal women marry and stay close to home with the children. Well this woman didn't have any children and definently was not close to home.

"What are you doing here?" Anarya asked. She heard Khelek trot up to the mortal. He sat quietly wagging his tail and smiling his puppy smile at the newcomer.

The woman seemed speechless for a moment. Anarya decided that was too much of a question for the moment.

"Would you like something to eat?" Anarya asked.

"Yes," came the reply, slow and wary.

Anarya smiled wider, "What is your name?" She asked.

"Taralphiel."

"Its nice to meet you Taraphiel, I'm Anarya," She held out her hand to help the mortal woman up from the forest floor...

[ July 12, 2002: Message edited by: Anarya SilverBranch ]

[Thalionyulma]

The dark elf stayed hidden in the shadow of the trees, yet making sure he would be able to act should anything force him too. He eyed the female suspiciously. Noticing her features, he guessed she had some elven blood. Rûdhchamion stayed still, watching the exchange between Anarya and the girl.

What could possibly have brought the girl out in this part of Greenwood? She was not raised in the wilds, but seemed to have adapted to it. Her presence arose both his curiosity and suspicion. With so many strange events, it was best to be alert.

He recalled suddenly the strange elf, Mornovarion, wondering silently how Tinuiel was dealing with him.

Rûdhchamion watched as Khelek drew near the young mortal. The young white wolf slowly wagged his tail in greeting. He decided to come out in the open, but he kept his thoughts to himself and stayed silent.
He still kept a wary eye on the half-elven girl.

[GreatWarg]

Khelek let out a long whine, as if to get attention. He gave a sly wolf grin as the mortal gently rubbed his stomach. Anarya smiled, but saw that Rûdhchamion, however, was not so quick to trust this mortal as the wolf pup was.

[Anarya SilverBranch]

Anarya led Taralphiel to their little encampment. She gave her some rabbit meat they had had the night before and watched the mortal hungrily devour the food.

"How long has it been since you ate?" Anarya asked with a smile.

"Too long," came the answer,

Khelek sat contentedly at the feet of the woman, his tail wagging.

Anarya looked over at Rudhchamion. He stood to the side, out in the open now, eyeing Taralphiel suspiciously. Anarya stood and walked over to where the dark elf stood.

"Whats the matter?" She asked looking at him then their newcomer, "Does something trouble you? Why don't you come and meet her, she is really quite nice,"

She smiled encouragingly at him, hoping he would take her advice...

[Thalionyulma]

Rûdhchamion kept silent as he looked at Anarya. He turned his gaze towards the girl and was about to say something, but thought better of it. The girl continued eating the meal she had been offered, confirming his suspicion that she was not use to the life in the wilds.

He took a step back, trying to avoid the elf maiden’s gaze. She would expect him to welcome her, of course. He sighed inwardly, it would be no good in arguing with her. And Khelek seemed to find no malice in the young female.

He finally drew near the girl, Taralphiel, and offered her a waterskin. She stared up at him before taking it warily from his hand. He sat on a fallen tree across from her.

“You are not from these parts,” the dark elf said, his face a mask. Anarya noticed the guarded look still in his eyes. Khelek gave out a silent inquery which Rûdhchamion ignored momentarily.

The young female slowly met his gaze as Anarya sat near Taralphiel.

[Anarya SilverBranch]

Anarya shook her head as she next to Taralphiel.

"Really," Anarya said with a grin, "He's not as serious as he seems,"

"I like her," Khelek looked up at Anarya with his big blue eyes. She smiled.

"Now," Anarya said turning to Taralphiel, "You must tell me what brings you to Mirkwood"

[Taralphiel]

Hearing the sounds of movement towards her, the maiden cringed and curled away from the oncomers. She looked up, dumbstruck. An elf maiden looked down on her. Her eyes sparkled brighter than the stars and were filled with compassion. She had never seen such elven beauty and did not know how to address it. She said her name was Anarya, and asked where she was from. She could not make out the words, but responded gratefully when asked if she was hungry. It had been so long since she had tasted proper food.

Taralphiel looked down to see a wolf pup come cheerfully up to her. Its snow white coat had a brilliance she had never before seen. She was seeing many wonderful things today, she thought. This puppy cane to her with such trust, and its eyes seemed to be crying something out, though she could not read them.

She was lead back to their camp and took their food and ate it with haste. It was then she first saw the strange elf appear, as if from nowhere. But she had a slight feeling this maiden had not come with only the pup, who was now enjoying her attention. She noticed he was not light haired like the girl, Anarya, but dark haired. “A dark elf” she thought, remembering her mothers’ tales. He warily offered her a waterskin, and she soothed her parched throat. She thanked all the gods for this clean, cool water and this merciful elves and friendly pup. Anarya walked away and talked in hushed tones to the elf before, and she new he was hesitant. She could not blame him, and continued to eat.

“He’s not as serious as he seems” said Anarya as she took a seat beside her. She then asked for her story. Taralphiel slowly began

“I come from the town of Calembel, in Gondor. I did not know I was in Greenwood, but was following a trail. You see, I married a Rohirrim in Gondor, but my family did not approve. He was ordered to leave. I gave him my ring to keep him safe and told him I would follow him. He said he would leave markings for me to follow….” Taralphiel then drew the elven rune for T in the dirt with her finger.

“I’ve been following his trail since…You will not arrest me will you...” She trailed off, realising she had told some of her most private thoughts to strangers. It had all come out so easily. She figured it must have been because she had been alone for so long, that she needed to tell someone. She looked up at their faces, to see of their reply

[Anarya SilverBranch]

Anarya smiled. It all sounded terribly romantic to her. A forbidden marriage, a banishment, a secret trail to follow to true love. She smiled and wished inwardly that she was a mortal to have such wonderful adventures. It seemed to her that her own adventure was more dangerous and serious than that of Taralphiel's.

She glanced over at Rudhchamion. He sat unmoved by the mortal girl's tale. His grey eyes set as they were a few minutes before. She shook her head and smiled softly.

"Oh, Rudhchamion," She thought to herself, "If only you could learn to loosen up around others,"

"Here, here!" came the answer from Khelek.

Anarya looked down at the wolf and ruffled his fur on the top of his head.

"Well Taralphiel," Anarya said with a smile, "We won't arrest you, so worry not, you will be able to find your love,"

Taralphiel smiled brightly.

"But we seem to be heading in the direction, so why don't you travel with us for a while?"

Rudhchamion coughed, "Um, Anarya, may I speak to you for a moment?"

Anarya looked at the dark elf, puzzled for a second, then turned back to the mortal.

"Will you excuse me for a moment?" She said then stood and walked over to Rudhchamion who led her away from the encampment. Once they were out of an earshot he began to speak.

"Anarya are you crazy?" He inquired looking down at her.

"No," Anarya answered, "I just felt some pity for the poor girl-"

"and that is exactly what my mother told my father before they were killed!" Rudhchamion interrupted, "Pity is a dangerous thing,"

"Rudhchamion," Anarya continued, "Look at her, she couldn't hurt a fly! And we haven't felt the presence of any unwanted guests anywhere,"

"Yes, but she could lead us into a trap or-" Rudhchamion tried to reason.

"Shes not leading, we are," Anarya said.

Rudhchamion sighed, "Alright, alright, but only for a little while,"

"Thank you," Anarya said, smiling so wide that she felt as though her cheek would burst. She gave him a small kiss on the cheek and ran back to the camp area.

She was so curious about mortal life and promised herself to ask every question that entered her mind...

[GreatWarg]

Though the girl couild not hear the conversation, Khelek could. And he knew by the slightly surprised look at Rudhchamion came back with meant something too. Secretly, the wolf grinned. "I wonder what Anarya did..." Taralphiel slowly stroked the pup's soft, silky fur. Anarya was smiling, in a mischivious sort of way. "Hm... yes, Rudhchamion was certainly taken by surprise too..."

[Thalionyulma]

Rûdhchamion was not surprised when the elf maiden argued on behalf of the half-elf. He was more surprised when Anarya kissed him on the cheek. It had taken him a few minutes to shake off the initial shock and control the grin that was starting to form at the corner of his mouth. Knowing the young wolf’s attentiveness to details, he waited a few seconds more before joining them.

He sighed inwardly. As he came nearer, Khelek flashed him a wolfish grin, even the young female glanced slightly at him.

“Very well, Taralphiel. My companions have convinced me that it would do well to let you come with us, “ he caught Khelek’s mischievous wink at Anarya, who was smiled back at the pup.

“I am curious though of your tale. You mentioned you were following his trail… but we are in the vicinity of the enemy. Dol Goldur has never been a warm place to those of the Rohirrim. Tell us, if it you know more on the circumstances of your separation.”

She needs our aid, the young wolf stated firmly, still amused at the dark elf’s reaction to Anarya unexpected kiss.

The dark elf sighed and turned to his two companions, smiling slightly, if not somewhat shyly at Anarya. “It may be that her tale can be of aid to our quest as well.”

He returned his gaze to Taralphiel.

[Anarya SilverBranch]

When Rudhchamion came stumbling back into camp, Anarya could not help but want to laugh. She smiled inwardly and looked over at the mortal. In truth Anarya had looked the same way Rudhchamion did right then when he had been so open with his feelings. It served him right.

She was happy, though, that she had convinced him to let them travel with the mortal.

She waited patiently for the moment to ask her all the questions about the outside world that buzzed in her mind.

[Taralphiel]

The elf maiden smiled at Taralphiel and told her she would not be arrested. She sighed with relief.
"All I needed now is to be thrown in jail...But what will happen to me now?"
Anarya then sent forward the invitation to join the troop. No sooner had she said it then she was whisked away by the dark elf for 'a waord'. She began to feel nervous.

"He will never trust me. But that is his way I suppose"

She looked at the stern look on his face as he turned away. She 'felt' something. She had an ability of observation from a young age and studied Rudchamion's manner. He was holding a burden on his houlders-a heavy and painful one. But one that was very secret. Could this be the reason for his cold manner?

While they were gone she patted the wolf pup. Khelek almost smiled at her. He looked at her so intently, she thought.
"What are you trying to say to me Khelek?"

At that moment Anarya came back to the camp with a smile on her face. Rudchamion came in after, looking shaken, or shocked.
"What did she say?"

Rudchamion then told her she was free to come with her. He then looked at her sternly and said: “I am curious though of your tale. You mentioned you were following his trail… but we are in the vicinity of the enemy. Dol Goldur has never been a warm place to those of the Rohirrim. Tell us, if it you know more on the circumstances of your separation.”

She stared at him, but did not know what to say. It was then, for this first time, that she ever feared what Eriador was doing. She looked him in the eyes. They were unforgiving. She stood up and said clearly,
"I understand youre concern, Rudchamion. I do not know a lot of these things. I know that Eriador is high in the guard among the Rohirrim, and his father is a close servant to their king. What he is doing, I do not know. I now fear for his life"

She bowed her head and avoided his eyes. Khelek and Anarya watched them. Then he spoke...

[ July 17, 2002: Message edited by: Taralphiel ]

[Thalionyulma]

It had been a long while since Legolas had left, but the patrols had kept their vigilance. As was expected of them. They had earned Thranduil’s displeasure before, and had no plans of doing so again. The tall elf was on patrol and a commotion had caught his attention. He had run ahead of his companions.

Rinurion saw the stranger leaning over the unconscious female elf he often saw at the kitchens. As he crept silently unnoticed towards him, he noticed he wiping blood off her face. It was another male elf, but unlike the one who had gained the Elvenking’s pardon. He readied his bow.

“Halt, stranger! What is your business in the Greenwood? Intruders are not welcome here.”

He was wary, and kept his arrow aimed at the stranger. He heard his companions’ footsteps drew near.

[Leighlei]

Sauche sighed. "C'mon, let's get you home..."
[OOC-uhh...hey...bored.]

[GreatWarg]

Khelek curled up where he sat and listened to the conversation. Rudhchamion has gained his usual composure back, and started to take interest in the mortal, though not as much as Anarya did. Would they be taking this mortal to Dol Goldur with them? It might lead to that. But what could they hope to do, once at Dol Goldur? Certainly two Elves alone couldn't storm the Tower alone? Khelek's tail twitched.

"We shouldn't stay here too long," he cautioned. "There are evil things about; I can sense them."

[Gayahithwen]

When he just had finished with whiping away blood from the elven maids face, Daegon heard the a sound and then a harsh, male voice.

“Halt, stranger! What is your business in the Greenwood? Intruders are not welcome here.”

When he looked up, he saw an elven male he had seen sometime before, ages ago, pointing his bow towards him. Behind him some other elves were aproaching. Swallowing hard, he stood up, his hands in front of him, so the elf wouldn't hurt him.

"I'm Daegon, commander of a smaller group of guards that patroll in a totally different area. I had some business in these suroundings, when I saw this girl being attacked by a warg - the same one as you see there. You are.. Tina.. Finu.. Rinurion, right?"

In the corner of his eye, he noticed the maiden starting to move. Aparently, she was starting to wake up.

[Anarya SilverBranch]

Anarya looked down at the wolf pup seriously. Khelek seemed to have a very keen sense of others around him.

Anarya looked over her shoulder into the shadowed wood. Something was lurking, something dark. She looked over at Rudhchamion. He seemed to feel it's presence too. Even Taralphiel, the mortal, seemed to sense something.

A dark shadow caught her eye. Rudhchamion stood and drew an arrow, Anarya following suit. She drew her dagger and passed it to the mortal.

"Be wary," She heard Rudhchamion say, "Something draws near,"

[Taralphiel]

Taralphiel was about to weep when a strange feeling fell over. It seemed to shroud her and she felt cold. She looked up to see Rudchamion had allready drawn his bow. Anarya handed her a dagger. She looked at it warily.

She moved close to Khelek and pointed to the forest "I can feel it coming". The pup consoled her and they waited.

[Thalionyulma]

Rûdhchamion felt an icy chill suddenly surround them. It was as if a blanket of ice was slowly being spread about them. He sharpened his senses, letting his mind reach out to whatever it was beyond the trees.
A deep foreboding began to grow in his mind, as once again the woods seem to come alive with creatures that were enemy to those of light.

He heard a faint hissing sound, Khelek heard it too it seemed. His fur bristled and a soft growl could be heard from him. Anarya was still, also listening. Shadowy figures seemed to form from beyond their left.

The dark elf swore softly under his breath. They were in a vulnerable spot. He quickly motioned for them towards a thrushwood. It could offer a cover and a way to retreat to the safety of the trees should the need come.

Just as they readied themselves, several more sounds came. And the sound of something huge crawling along the ground...

[Gayahithwen]

Gayahithwen awoke. She tried to move a bit and felt glad she could do so. What had happened? Oh, yeah, the wolf had.. attacked her and she had tried to hold it off, but hadn't succeeded.
Wait a minute.. Where am I? If the wolf won, aren't I supposed to be in the Halls of Mandos? And then, later on, possibly get reborn, right?
She opened her eyes and looked around. If this was the Halls of Mandos, some ents must recently have gotten angry at the ainur and tried to destroy it. It couldn't be this many dark trees in Valinor, could there? She smiled briefly and then slowly sat up. She heard voices talking in the background, but didn't really listen. Looking around, she found her knife and then, finally looked at the people talking. There were two elves, on of the pointing a bow towards the other, while questioning him. Behind the first elf there was some other guards aproaching. She stood up and brushed away some of the dirt from her clothes, before she opened her mouth and spoke:

"I do not know to whom of you I owe my life, but I am most deeply grateful."

The elf holding the bow nodded to her. She vaguely remembered him as a guard she saw sometimes, but she hadn't noticed his name. He opened his mouth to speak, but adressed his speech to the other elf, whom Gayahithwen hadn't really seen untill now. He had brown hair, was some inch shorter then herself and green, sad eyes. He was wearing a dark brown cloak - probably really good to hide in, if that was what he wanted.

"You do not speak as one of the loremasters, but you seem to speak the truth. I can see the girl, I can see the warg, yet, I feel something isn't right here.."

[Anarya SilverBranch]

Anarya's chest churned with fear. She looked over at Taralphiel. The mortal was shaking. Anarya soon felt herself trembling with terror as she heard a sound that sent a shiver down her back.

Like something dragging its stomach along the ground like a snake would, except it sounded bigger than a regular snake, and seemed to be far more fearsome.

Rudhchamion motioned for them to ascend into the tree behind them. No one ignored the order. Taralphiel held Khelek in her lap, brandishing her dagger, while Rudhchamion and Anarya were on either side of her, their arrows drawn and taut upon the bow string.

Anarya gazed through the growing mist that had descended and shivered in the drawing cold.

She looked at her companions. Taralphiel was pale but had a courageous look upon her face. Anarya smiled at the mortal encouragingly. Khelek's ears twitched back and forth, nervous and alert. Rudhchamion seemed deep in some concentration of his own mind.

Then, the thing came into view...

[Taralphiel]

Rudchamion ordered her into the tree and she complied. She tried to force herself not to shake as she lifted Khelek up. Once in the tree, she fumbled under her robes and found her knife.

It was a simple one, silver with the handle wrapped in leather, and small. It was easy to throw and was the one thing that provided her with food for all of her long journey. She remembered the kind peddlar that gave it to her for a very low price, considering it's worth :"I forsee you will need it in the future milady. May it bring you safety, though I would rather you never see danger" She thanked the old man and told him she would never forget his kindness...

The cold of the air almost froze the breath in her throat. She studied the ground, though her eyes did little service. She saw the elves and wolf pup react just as she saw a movement below. Both released arrows and a bloodchilling sound let out from the forest floor. Taralphiel poised her dagger but could not see enough to throw. Then she saw a faint movement, and took the chance. The dagger sped downward and she listened to see if it hit...

[ July 21, 2002: Message edited by: Taralphiel ]

[Thalionyulma]

A large shadow loomed in the shadows of the trees. The forest menace could be felt around them. The dark elf kept alert, readying for the right time to attack.

Rûdhchamion wasn’t quite prepared for what appeared before him. A large reptile reared up, hissing from where they had been encamped moments before. The width of its body was as thick as the trunk of a large tree. Its large green and brown scales glistened, and the dark elf doubted if his stone-head arrows could penetrate it. Perhaps the elf maiden’s red-feathered arrows could. Its tongue flicked from its mouth, its long fangs dripping with venom. When the venom fell upon a plant, it shriveled up and withered.

The dark elf had encountered countless creatures, but this monster he had never seen before. He knew it was trying to locate them by their scent. He held his breath.

The giant snake suddenly turned its massive head in their direction, and the dark elf heard a gasp from one of his companions. He felt Khelek’s sudden fear, and sent a thought to calm the young wolf.

Keep calm. Do nothing rash!

Judging the distance to the next branch, he signaled for Anarya to stay put. Pointing to his eye, then to the gigantic snake, she knew he meant to aim for the eyes first. Rûdhchamion jumped swiftly to the branch of another tree. And as he had hoped, the monstrous snake headed his way.

He quickly secured his footing, and choosing one of the red-feathered arrows, aimed at the creature’s head. Anarya was able to release one of her arrows, hitting one eye at once. It turned towards the elf maiden, giving the dark elf the opportunity to shoot it in its other eye. He saw the girl throw a knife towards the snake.

In an unexpected move, the giant reptile lashed its tail towards the dark elf’s tree. The impact was strong enough to make him loose his footing.

[Anarya SilverBranch]

Anarya screamed as Rudhchamion fell forward, she heard her yell joined with Taralphiel's and Khelek's.

Rudhchamion slipped but before he could hit the ground he grabbed the branch where he had been sitting and swung his body over it.

The dark elf now safe, Anarya turned towards the creature once again. It hissed, its black forked toungue tasting the air. Anarya handed the mortal another dagger, for she had already thrown her other one.

"This time be more careful before you lose it," She said with a grin.

Khelek growled and squirmed in protest to Taralphiel's strong hold about his pure white body.

The creature recoiled in anger and set its surviving eye upon the small company. The color of it was dark and rich as the blood that flowed through Anarya's veins and pounded through her chest. It seemed to be boring into them like a knife, knowing their secrets and past.

It was cut off when suddenly a pearl handled dagger struck its eye. Orange ooze slipped out of the now empty eye socket. Anarya looked over at the mortal, she no longer held the dagger in her hand.

Anarya and Rudhchamion let a barrage of arrows fly until they had killed the creature. It moaned in death's final call then went limp, its head landing with a thud upon the ground, now wet with its blood.

Anarya looked over at the mortal who gave her a weary smile...

[GreatWarg]

Khelek squirmed under Taralphiel's grasp, signaling her that he wanted down. She set the wolf pup gently down, and he staggered to greet Anarya and Rudhchamion. Anarya bent down and picked up the wolf pup, letting him lick her face.

"I only wish I could've helped in some manner," the wolf pup told Rudhchamion sadly. "I feel like dead weight. There's nothing I can do."

"You have done your share by alerting us, Khelek. WIthout your senses, we would have been caught unawares by that creature," Rudhchamion ansered.

[Fair Amaryllis]

Amaryllis turned around and saw that Gaya wasn't with them.

"wait. Where's Gaya?" there was panic in her voice as her mind came upi with a thousand different possibilities of where gaya was and what had happened to her.

"We have to find her."

[Taralphiel]

Taralphiel watched as her dagger hit the scaly body of what she now knew was a hideous snake. It's eyes seemed to bore into her, and while her fear made her shake, it's gazed also seemed to harden her resolve. She would not be useless in this fight.

Anarya strung another arrow as Rudchamion motioned for them to hit it in the eyes. As Anarya struck Rudchamion leapt to another branch. The snake lashed out clumsily, but still managed to shake the tree enough to make Rudchamion lose his footing. She cried out as he stumbled. She watched gracefully swing to safety and smiled. Aanrya aimed and put out its first eye then quickly handed her another dagger "This time be more careful before you lose it," She aimed for its other eye and threw. Seeing it hit she breathed relief as the elves finished the foul thing off.

In the fear of the fight, she had still not let go of Khelek. She heard a sudden voice cry out "Please! Let me down!". She let go of the pup in amazement and watched it run to the elves. She stood there watching them, and brooded over what Khelek had 'said' to her. Was she hearing things? She decided she must ask the elves about this. But later, this was not the time...

[Thalionyulma]

Rûdhchamion smiled at the young wolf. The elf maiden held the pup in her arms as he licked her face, relieved that it was now safe. The dark elf looked up at the young half-elven girl. She had shown spirit, but he could not quite get used to trusting a mortal – even if she had elvenblood. He wondered if she knew of her elven heritage.

He walked over to where the fallen beast lay. He ran his hand over the creature’s body. Its hide would make an excellent armor, or shield of sorts. The dark elf took out his knife and began to skin the monstrous snake.

“What are you doing?” Anarya asked curious at what he was doing.

“We need some protective coverings… suitable armors, “ he replied. “The leather tunics we have will be no match for most darts and arrows. But this may give us some advantage.

Better get some rest. We must break camp soon after and be on our way.” He paused a few moments, and as Anarya was about to turn to Taralphiel he said suddenly, “the girl did well.”

The elf maiden smiled slightly. Khelek whined and jumped down, examining the dead snake.

Khelek, you did well. You will be a hunting wolf one day, but for now stay alive. Do not think that you are ever a weight upon our company wolf-pup, many times have you proven your worth. Rûdhchamion smiled and stopped a moment to scratch the white pup behind his ears. He then turned back to his work and continued skinning the huge reptile. He cut it into several large pieces, cloak-like.

“I’ve never seen a snake that huge before.” He heard Taralphiel say softly to Anarya. Khelek gave her a whine.

When the dark elf stood up, he saw that his companions were sitting expectantly waiting for him. He walked over to them and set down the bundle of skins next to his pack, he would prepare those later. It would need to be dried properly, smoking it would help – later when they camped in the night. Anarya handed him a waterskin, which he took gratefully, sipping a few drops.

“We’d best be off.”

[Thalionyulma]

Rinurion frowned, hiding his surprise that the elf knew his name. Daegon? He was unsure who the elf was. It was not uncommon for them to know every single elf’s name, the woodland realm was a wide area to cover. But something in him told him to keep wary.

He saw the dead warg and noticed the girl sit up. "I do not know to whom of you I owe my life, but I am most deeply grateful."

He glanced quickly at her, but returned his gaze once more to the elf who called himself Daegon.

"You do not speak as one of the loremasters nor of the elven patrols known to me, but you seem to speak the truth. I can see the girl, I can see the warg, yet, I feel something isn't right here."

The other elves of his patrol stood with their bows ready as well. One of his companions asked him softly, “is something amiss here?”

[Taralphiel]

Taralphiel followed behind the troop of elves and Khelek and began to wander about what was going on in the rest of middle earth. How her older sister and brother were doing, and if the town was safe. A daydream began to form in her head...


It was a place she had never been before, a dark and ominous clearing of trees. Shewandered in to see a young man sitting by a small fire, holding something in his had that glinted. A ring, silver, with small carved flowers on the top holding three milky blue stones. She let out a yell and ran towards Eriador.

She woke up to taste blood in her mouth and dirt in her face. She looked up to see where the elves were. They were not far off...

[Anarya SilverBranch]

Anarya looked squeamishly at the snake skins. They looked very slimy and uncomfortable, but it didn't seem that she had a choice in the matter. Rudhchamion seemed to have his mind set on using them and it was a good idea considering that they would need armor.

They walked for sometime, the sun getting lower and lower into the purple and pink stained horizon. Scenes like these made Anarya forget all the trouble that they had gone through. Beauty always made her forget that kind of stuff.

As they walked, Anarya noticed a thin bumpy line in the distance to the west. Deep blue in the hazy twilight.

"What is that?" She asked pointing in their direction.

"Those are the misty mountains," Rudhchamion answered.

"I had to travel through some of them," Khelek commented, looking over at them with a faraway look in his porceline blue eyes.

Taralphiel seemed quiet and deep in thought. Anarya smiled. She was probabaly day dreaming, she knew that look on her face. It was the same look Anarya had when her mind wandered off.

Twilight deepened into evening, and evening gently edged off into night. The company stopped in a little groove of aspen trees, their white bark glowing with the new born light of the stars shimmering overhead.

"We'll rest here for the night," Rudhchamion announced stopping.

Khelek laid down immeadiatly at Taralphiel's feet and began to close his eyes. In turn Taraphiel lay down, her head propped against a bed of grass, and began to fall into a mortal slumber. Anarya lay close to her companions, staring up into the deepening expanse of stars above her. When she finally fell into a state of elvish sleep, she could smell the dark, heavy scent of somthing being smoked. It was the snake skin...

[Taralphiel]

Taralphiel caught up with her companions and dusted herself off. She still felt a little light headed. Once they got to camp she settled down to sleep with Khelek at her feet. She drifted again, back to where she had seen Eriador...

She ran towards him, not knowing if he would see her. He stared into the fire, his brown eyes filled with sorrow. He looked up and gave out a yell "Who is there?"

She stood in front of him and watched his face. He sat back down, staring at the ring. She crouchd near him and put her hand on his face, but he felt nothing. With tears in her eyes, she listened to him speak,

"I keep thinking it's you Taralphiel. My heart weeps"
"This place is so dark and cold. The Dark forces are here, and close by. I sense them. The Rohirrim will not like this. I promise you Taralphiel, when I see you again, I will tell you everything, the reason Im here, all of this business"

He placed the ring in his pocket and took out a knife. He walked over to a tree stump and carved an elven rune into the wood before heading back to the fire.

Taralphiel woke to find Khelek still at her feet asleep. Rudchamion was standing watch and turned to her and asked if she was well. She nodded before he said...

[ July 24, 2002: Message edited by: Taralphiel ]

[Leighlei]

"Oh yes, let's go back in the woods and, you know, GET EATEN!" She sighed. She wasn't frightened, she just was really tired of this whole ordeal. "I mean, she's probably right behind us.. somewhere...."

[Fair Amaryllis]

They both stood looking around them for a moment.

"Yep, right behind us. Maybe she's just invisible."

Amaryllis started back towards the forest to look for Gaya again. maybe she could convince them to let her stay there for a day or two if she promised to be very careful and stay in a safe part of the forest.

[Leighlei]

"Amaryllis..." Sauche narrowed her eyes. "FINE! But stay a few steps behind me, allright?" She quickened her pace until she was a few steps ahead of the maiden. "...So just, calm down..."

[Gayahithwen]

Daegon sighted when the girl spoke. Hopefully that would do some good. He opened his mouth to speak, when Rinurion spoke, telling him that he still didn't trust him. Lowering his hand an inch or two, Daegon answered him.

"I do not wish to flatter you, but the reason I remembered your name was that you was one of the most skilled archers last time I went to the castle to speak with the king. Having one of your arrows pointed towards my head makes me remember your name.

"I promise you that I am a guard of Mirkwood, usually in a district quite far away from here. Will you believe me and lower your weapon?"

Some of the guards lowered their weapons a bit, but Rinurion stood still, seemingly thinking. The girl moved behind him.

"Is it you who saved me then? When wakening here, I thought I ought to be in the Halls of Mandos. Opening my eyes, I was surprised by how much wood there was inside the Halls."

Daegon smiled a bit, as did Rinurion, who quickly tried to get his face back in order.

[Fair Amaryllis]

Amaryllis took deliberately slow steps to become further behind Sauche as they looked for Gaya. She looked at bushes to find any tracks of anyone being through the woods.

"Look! Broken twigs!" She exclaimed, calling Sauche over. "Oh! and footprints!"

[Thalionyulma]

Rûdhchamion turned as the girl stirred from her sleep. Khelek was next to her. He glanced at Anarya who was also resting. He was busy smoking the skins he had gotten from the monster of a snake they’d fought earlier. Smoking them would toughen it further, so they could use it for armor. He got his light pack and looked for a needle.

“What is it?” He said, but the girl went back to sleep.

He smiled slightly. He looked towards the darkness of night, several stars winked down, though the gray clouds threatened to cover the black sky. The dark elf turned slightly towards the western horizon before he gazed towards south.

He began to work on the skin he deemed ready and began to “sew” and shape it to his need. But he kept alert for anymore surprises, keeping his short sword near his reach. He continued to keep watch and work until the horizon began to change hue.

[GreatWarg]

Khelek opened an eye when he felt warmth on his back. Clouds partly obscurred the sun, and the smell of rain soon to come hung dense in the air, but the sun cast a few of her rays to the ground. Rudhchamion was watching the sunrise after a dutiful night. The pile of snakeskin was stretched over the ground near him, and the fire was burning low. The wolf pup arose, careful not to stir Taralphiel, and sat down next to Rudhchamion.

"We should find some cover after the human wakes up," Khelek said, inhaling deeply the cool air.

"I was thinking about that. The woods may provide some cover from the weather, but our provisions are quite low," Rudhchamion answered, scanning the surroundings. "And it will be difficult to hunt in such weather." The Elf and wolf pup continued their watch.

[Taralphiel]

Taralphiel drifts back to sleep and back to the same dream.

She looks around Eriador's campsite. She wandered into the forest. The branches moved by her face faster and faster and she began to feel dizzy. Soon she could see dark mountains and a mist that cluded all her senses...

She saw foul creatures, indescribable and gave out a shriek of horror. The last image she saw was an eye, blood red. It was surounded with flames and it seemed to bore into her heart.... "Help me!!!!" she screamed...

She woke up to see the group staring at her in astonishment...

[Anarya SilverBranch]

Anarya looked at the mortal. She tossed and turned in her sleep, restless and uneasy. She suddenly sat up and screamed, sending a shiver down her spine. Taralphiel sat, sweating and shaking.

"Are you alright?" Anarya asked looking at the mortal curiously.

"Yes," Taralphiel panted, "I'm fine,"

Anarya looked over at the snake skin pile nearby the fire. Rudhchamion must have finished them in the night. Khelek sat next to Rudhchamion.

"Well," Anarya started, breaking the silence, "Where are we off to now? In what direction I mean, I know our destination."

[Leighlei]

"Really?" She hurried over to her friend and knelt, running a hand along the ground. "They're pretty new..."

[Fair Amaryllis]

"Let's follow them!!!! Can we can we can we?"

Amaryllis bounced up and down. She loved following tracks almost as much as walking around town all day and talking to all her friends.

She bounded off in the direction the tracks were going without waiting for Sauche

[Thalionyulma]

Rinurion held his amusement of the kitchen elf in check. He lowered his bow slightly, but kept wary of the elf Daegon.

"Daegon? I thought you missing or dead," said one of the elves in Rinurion's patrol.

The tall elf glanced back to the one who had spoken. "You know him?"

"Yes. He was in the patrol assigned to patrol the southern border of Greenwood, the same as one of my brother. But it was said that after they was attacked, no one knew of their fate."

To this the tall elf frowned slightly. Daegon was of the realm and he had saved another's life. Still, something gnawed at the back of his mind and he could not shake of his uneasy feeling.

Gayahithwen smiled at him as the male elf nodded. He grew curious of the elf's story... where had he been?

[Thalionyulma]

Rûdhchamion smile slightly at Anarya's question. He took one of the skins he had been working on and tried it on. It was a snug fit, but it allowed him to move freely. The "armor" covered most of the torso area but did not obstruct him. He nodded satisfactorily of his handiwork, it was crude, but it would do. he looked up to see the two maidens eyeing him with a skeptical look.

"It would be best that we forage what we can along the way. When the rain comes, we better have shelter as well. But first, let us break our fast and be on our way towards Dol Goldur."

He handed Anarya one of the skins. "See if it fits well. It should not hinder your movements. The skin is quite tough, my needle nearly broke sewing them..." He handed the other to Taralphiel.

"Can you detect any nearby game Khelek? We shall have to look for a stream or river and try our luck in fishing if none can be found.

Come, we forage or hunt if the opportunity rises." He smiled ath the young wolf, to the other two he said, "Wait awhile... we will be gone but a moment and not too far."

The dark elf taking a waterskin along, left with the white pup at his side. They were back after a moment with a large fowl. Rûdhchamion scratched the young wolf who had a proud grin on his face.

"You'll be quite a hunter someday, pup," the dark elf said. They began to prepare and cook the bird.

[Gayahithwen]

Daegon sighted, when thinking about those events. He closed his eyes hard, overwhelmed by bad memories, then looked up again.

"Yes, we was attacked.. some were killed and some was captured.. Myself, I managed to slip away from them, to my big embarrasment, since nobody else managed to do that."

He didn't tell them that the reason he had run away was because of concern about his sister, who he thought was in their home not too far away from there. He had felt embarrased because of deserting his friends in battle, but seeing as they was losing, he did not want anything to happen to his siter. When he had come back, their home had been all ruined and his sister gone. Furious, he had tracked the footsteps, which he allready knew was from the orcs. He had went up there and talked with the leader..
Daegon stopped thinking and tried to come up with some way to continiue his story. He couldn't tell these elves the truth, or his sister would never be free.

"After that, I've tried to find some people who could help me.. After all, they were not that many and.. I think we could handle them with a small band of elves. The reason they was winning was that they caught us with surprise, just when we was packing up our camp."

He went silent, not telling them that they hadn't at all been caught of guard, but outnumbered by all the orcs. The elves had managed to kill quite alot of them, though.. and had lost some of their own while doing it.

Rinurion made a sign to him that he could take down his hands and then looked at the others. Daegon looked over at Gaya, when he heard a noise of girls voices, not too far away.

[Taralphiel]

Taralphiel watched Rudchamion cook the bird they had caught and praise Khelek on his skill. She smiled. The skin fit her very well and she was glad for some extra warmth.She thought about her dreams and visions and thought about why she, of all people, would have them. She remebered the eye with the most clarity. She began to get the picture of it in her mind, burning.

She tried to clear her mind but it would not go. She began to feel dizzy as she heard words 'Your journey is futile. Turn back or suffer'. She fell forward and saw no more.

[GreatWarg]

Khelek's ears perked up at the sudden movement and he looked back in time to see Taralphiel fall, as if she had gone unconscious. The pup tagged behind Rudhchamion and Anarya as they inspected the human.

"Are you alright?" Khelek whined, worried.

[Fair Amaryllis]

Amaryllis burst in on the group of elves and stopped dead in her tracks. Everyone looked straight at her and all she could do was stand there and stare. Finally, she managed to look around to see Gaya.

"We were looking for you Gaya," she stammered.

She had seen most of these elves before but that one standing in the middle was one she had not seen. In truth, he was kind of scary. She stepped to Gaya's side but kept a wary eye on the elf.

[Thalionyulma]

Rinurion was still not completely at ease. But since he could not think of any offense the stranger had done he unnotched his bow. He looked at the female elves that had just arrived.

He looked curiously at the approaching fingure of the "wild" elf, or so had she been branded. Even if she was now accepted into the fold's of the elvenking, her brash manner was the one thing that often singled her out. Whether at the training grounds, or at the halls.

The one that came before her he knew as Amaryllis. Her beauty was well known among his comrade... as well as her recent loss.

"Aglavin, lead the rest of the patrol back. Bring news to the court of the draug's attack . I will follow a bit later."

Slinging his bow across his back, he took out some herbs from his pouch and approached the kitchen elf. It seemed she was not seriously hurt. She took the athelas from him, smiling her thanks.

He stood back. "It would be best that we head back to the halls."

[Thalionyulma]

Rûdhchamion and Anarya hurried to the young female's side. She seemed to have fainted, somewhat. Though he was puzzled to what had caused it. Khelek, too was concerned.

As she began to stir Anraya stroked her gently, a worried look on her face.

"What is wrong? Are you ill?" She asked.

"N-no, I'm f-fine. I-", the girl answered dazed, and a bit disoriented.

The dark elf looked on. He felt something was amiss. Though he knew she hid no secrets, there was something about this meeting that seemed a part of his fate. A premonition, if one could call it that. He had tried not to be overly worried about their journey. But now it seemed more was at stake than his need for vengeance.

It seemed as they approached Dol Guldur, he felt he was drawn to it. That he could not ignore the path he had chosen, nor did he have any choice.

He looked up and saw the rainclouds gathering.

"We must find shelter from the storm."

[Taralphiel]

Taralphiel walked to where Rudchamion had found shelter under an overhanging of a cliff. Water streamed down as they huddled away from the cold. She spoke up
"Is there such thing as a visionary?"
The elves looked at her and Khelek pricked up his ears
"Is this brought about by your fainting perhaps?" Rudchamion looked at her and she nodded
"I saw some evil things. They froze me to the bone. And this eye..."
She put her hand to her throat as if she was having trouble breathing. Anarya quickly spoke
"An eye? What did it look like?"
"Covered in flames" she breathed, shivering "It looked right into my soul. It told me this journey was futile? What...who...was it? Do you know?"
"Yes we do" said Rudchamion gravely "And it is a thing that I fear to speak of. A thing that has brought much suffering to us all, and much fear..."
The group sat in silence
"It may be that you do have a talent for such things Taralphiel" he said "And if you will, I would ask you to recount this vision in full"
She went into the description, and Rudchamion pondered on it, his grey eyes fixed on the rain cascading down before he spoke
"I suggest you all get some rest. I shall take watch while I think on these things"
With that Taralphiel rested her head on her bag and closed her eyes.

[ August 07, 2002: Message edited by: Taralphiel ]

[GreatWarg]

Khelek curled up next to Anarya, whining anxiously, his large eyes wide-awake with fear. As they neared Dol Goldur, the uneasiness grew, and a sickly shadow hung over the southern part of Mirkwood.


"I don't like it here. It's too quiet. And a growing dread is ever in my mind," Khelek told Rudhchamion, more to have someone to talk to him than to soothe his fears.

[Thalionyulma]

Rûdhchamion looked at the dark forest in deep thought. The half elven girl was a puzzle to him. he wondered once more what they were all going to... and to what end.

He suddenly sensed Khelek's uneasiness. Something was disturbing the young wolf. The dark elf peered intensely into the darkness, using his keen senses to detect any danger about them.

The woods were silent except for the steady rhythm of the rain. The forest was hazy in the downpour. The elf stayed wary, their bows would be useless in the rain should they be attacked. He placed his sword near him.

"Easy Khelek. What is it you sense?"

[Anarya SilverBranch]

Anarya stroked the uneasy pup's white fur. Fear was beginning to coarse through her body. She began to feel sick with dread. The pup had a sixth sense about things and if he was fretting about something you knew it was bad.

She looked over at Taraphiel, wondering if she should wake the girl from sleep, just in case something happened.

"Easy Khelek. What is it you sense?" Rudhchamion asked the pup snuggled under Anarya's arm.

Khelek whimpered a bit before answering, his breathing was shaky beneath Anarya's arm...

[Gayahithwen]

Gayahithwen smiled when she saw Amaryllis and Sauche, hugging them both tightly and at the same time noticing that Amaryllis didn't seem as depressed as earlier. The guard, Rinurion, had sent away his people, now only him, the girls and Daegon being left.

"It would be best that we head back to the halls."

Gaya let go of Amaryllis and Sauche and looked over at Daegon. He seemed shocked. He opened his mouth, shut it and opened it again.

"Bu-but I have to do something NOW, or else the orcs will get away with my friends! They are probably almost out of Mirkwood by now!"

With that, he turned around and started to halfrun through the forest. Gayahithwen sighted.

"Do I recognize this behavior or not?" She asked, glancing at Amaryllis. "And now, we will all run after him for a while, untill he gets sane enough to talk with. Hopefully."

Dragging Sauche and Amaryllis with her, she began to run after him. She wasn't sure what Rinurion was doing, but hopefully he was coming after them. After all, there could be more draugs nearby.

[Fair Amaryllis]

Amaryllis rolled her eyes but started after Daegon. She was running with the others as she jumped over twigs and stumps. She could hear the birds in the trees above and she was nearly distracted by one flying by her. Her long hair whipped in the wind and she struggled to tie it back somehow wihle still running. They ran deeper and deeper into the woods but Daegon showed no signs of stopping any time soon.

"Are you sure he's going to stop? Maybe he'll just run forever," She managed to get out between breaths. "I don't know how much longer I can keep up."

[Leighlei]

"Leave this to me." Sauche said, with one mighty jump, she was in the trees, and she ran along the sturdy lower bows as surely as if they were solid ground. Then, suddenly she flung herself down at their query, grabbing him in a tackle.
((ooc- sorry so short... very depressed. so...yeah))

[Gayahithwen]

Daegon slowed his steps when he heard some of the elves following him. Now, all he had to do was to find the Orcs again. He stopped and looked around to see who it was that was following him. It was the three girls. Smiling, he waited for them to get closer to him. When they came close enough to see his face, he had allready changed the smile into a desperate look.

"I need to save them. If not, I'm going there to die with them. I can't abandon them, as a captain can not abandon his ship!"

[ September 21, 2002: Message edited by: Gayahithwen ]

[Thalionyulma]

Rinurion was caught by suprise by the elf, Daegon. The other female elves followed in his direction, which caused him to worry. After a few moments he followed them.

He noticed that Daegon seemed to be leading them away from the elven path and he grew suspicious. He quickened his pace to match those of the elf girl, Sauche.

"Keep wary and be ready. I do not trust him quite entirely," the tall elf said under his breath that only Sauche and Gayahithwen would be able to hear.

Ahead he began to notice, the trees seemed to be thicker...

[Thalionyulma]

Rûdchamion felt the young wolf calm down a little. The elf too sensed the eerie quietness. It was too silent, like the woods was holding its breathe and was watching. He noticed as they drew nearer to Dol Guldur, the forest seemed more darker... with a taint of evil that seemed to linger about.

I know Khelek. But we must be prepared for the unexpected. I feel much will depend on our quest. We must not fail. Rest now. He tried to reassure the wolf pup.

"You must try to rest as well," he smiled at Anarya trying to calm her as well. "I shall keep watch, the rain bothers me not."

He laid down his pack. After adjusting his "armor", he kept his bow ready, though unstrung. He began his uneasy vigil.

[Dark-Caranthir]

The thing was an elf!
At least it looked like one, the face was haggard and more pale, but when the thing opened it's mouth Mornovarion paled. The thing had fangs! Mornovarion was shocked with a sudden realistation... Vampire!
'But they were all destroyed in the War of Wrath, weren't they?' thought Mornovarion.
"I know what you're thinking," the vampire said, "Vampires were all destroyed in the War of Wrath, Yes?"
Mornovarion nodded weakly.
"Well, we weren't actually destroyed, as such, we simply lost all our powers of shapechanging. And the elves took us and trapped us in caves, deep beneath the Earth. So when Lord Sauron rose again, he rescued us from our tombs. We joined to his cause, as have you..."
Now an orc entered the small room, carrying a branding iron and rammed it against Mornovarion's shoulder, as he screamed in pain, he could see the Vampire laughing.
And then he passed out...

[ September 06, 2002: Message edited by: Dark-Caranthir ]

[Thalionyulma]

Rûdhchamion was whetting his knife when he sensed his companions stir. It had been an uneasy, yet uneventful night. He had been in deep thought, and the dark elf could not completely shake off the dread that was growing in his mind. He pushed the thought aside for now, they needed to plot their path ahead.

The elves were soon eating a small meal to break their fast. The young mortal was still asleep, and they thought it best they let her.

“What direction should we take towards Dol Guldur?” asked Anarya suddenly as she finished her meal. She had noticed that Rûdhchamion seemed distracted.

“It would be best we stayed near among the trees but follow the stream that leads near there,” the dark elf answered still in thought.

The Hill seems less evil by day… yet the woods cannot hide the malice totally, said the young wolf. He too felt apprehensive.

They were startled by Taralphiel's shout as she cried out in her sleep. It was the dark elf who reached her first.

“What is it, Taralphiel?” Asked the dark elf, startling the young maiden suddenly. He rarely addressed her, and she quickly glanced at Anarya. The elf maiden looked quite concerned.

[ August 27, 2002: Message edited by: Thalionyulma ]

[Taralphiel]

Taralphiel woke up with sweat dripping down her forhead. Her breath rasped and she wanted to scream. She had trouble standing up and when Rudchamion asked her if her sleep was pleasant her leags faied her and with a yelp she fell.

Rudchamion leapt forward and grabbed her shoulders. 'What is the matter?'

Taralphiel beagn to shake 'They are coming. Terrible thing. Living dead. They know we are here' she ranted

'They are here!' she looked at him and saw a slight look of concern and dread.

The faces of the creatures appeared and blurred her sight. Their pale face and sunken eyes seethed with want of life and pain.

Taralphiel's voice cleaed and she spoke again 'They are here'

[Anarya SilverBranch]

Anarya picked up a water canteen nearby and handed it to the shaking mortal. Taraphiel took it gratefully and had her fill of the water. As she set it down it seemed as though sanity creeped back into her eyes and the smoke that had filled her distraught face cleared, leaving the Taraphiel Anarya knew.

"Now Taraphiel, try to breath slower," Rudhchamion coaxed.

Suddenly Anarya felt as though the wind had been knocked out of her. An ill breeze swirled around where they sat, kicking up and leaving as quickly as it had come.

"Something is about," Khelek warned, shaking slightly with cold and anxciousness.

"Its them," Taraphiel breathed.

Anarya looked over at the mortal in horror, "Who Taraphiel?"

"Them." was all the answer she got back.

[GreatWarg]

"There is some evil about. Those shadowy figures... there is something about them I do not like. They seem to possess queer abilities. They are following us and sending news of our journey to the Dark Lord. I do not think we can approach Dol Goldur in secret anymore. And there is also the Eye."

Even as he spoke, the wolf's eyes were watching the sky. Something covered in darkness was flying southwards, and blood was dripping from its throat. The pup shuddered, turning his gaze to the company.

[Thalionyulma]

The dark elf followed the wolf pup’s gaze. He too was horrified by the sight. He had heard of such, in whispered stories of creatures of darkness. Though it was now early morning, the sun was blighted by a thick dark cloud. The air seemed heavy with dread.

Several more dark shapes flew across the gray sky. Rûdchamion quickly motioned his companions to take cover among the trees. Anarya nearly dragged Taralphiel half way before the dark elf finally helped her to her feet, Khelek was close at their heels. They all crouched beneath a group of thrushwood.

Rûdhchamion signaled them to stay still. Anarya saw his uneasiness. He was gripping his bow tightly as he listened and waited. She too found herself readying her bow. The young girl was pale yet readied her knife.

[Anarya SilverBranch]

Anarya held her bow close to her, the arrow fitted neatly in the now taut string. She shivered against the cold and looked over at Taraphiel. She shook violently, from either the grey early morning chill or fear. Anarya soon began to shake as well then looked up into the sky again. It was beginning to lighten in the east, yellow as cream casing the black and silver blue to flee withe th rest of night into the west. No one dared to breathe.

"What were they?" Anarya spoke when she finally felt as though she could move.

"I know not," Answered Rudhchamion slowly, as if it pained him.

"Let us leave this place," Khelek said turning his pale blue eyes to the sun, "It reeks of the evil that has passed"

[Taralphiel]

Taralphiel continued to convulse and her eyes began to dart around. Anarya looked at her
'Where are they Taralphiel'
They are here...and there...'
Suddenly she gasped and let out a cry, thrashing her knife out backwards
'Behind you!' she yelled

[Dark-Caranthir]

Mornovarion opened his eyes.
He was in the woods, at least he wasn't back in the Dark Tower. But then he thought of all the lives he was about to betray, and began to weep. He cursed himself for being so weak-minded, so foolish. In the future, people would remember him, Mornovarion the Weak-Willed, Mornovarion the Traitor.
He began to look for a stream to drown himself in. But a voice rang in his head, "No, you must do the Lord's bidding, now!" With this a jolt of pain shot through Mornovarion and he set off north.

[Leighlei]

Sauche continued to leap from tree to tree, keeping a wary eye on the runaway.
(00c-Strike the tackle... hey, someone IM me when they post: all4vindiesel)

[GreatWarg]

Khelek spun around, eyes glaring. A figure quickly darted back, leaving stains of blood upon the ground. The wolf pup shuddered.

"Nowhere is safe anymore," he said silently. Khelek nudged Anarya. "They are waiting in the shadows for us."

[Anarya SilverBranch]

Anarya stood frozen. It felt as though fear choked her throat and quickened the beating of her heart, yet somehow in that one moment of ultimate terror and danger shards of a melody, a song long ago heard came into her memory, awakening her from her dreamlike state. Like pieces of a broken sword, gleaming and pure, they came.

"Do you know the song of the High Elves?" She asked rapidly looking over at Rudhchamion.

"I do!" said Khelek looking up at the elves.

"Then try to sing with me, and you and Taraphiel try to follow along with us. Perhaps it shall send these things away."

And with that the song began,

Snow-White! Snow-White! O Lady clear
O Queen beyond the Western Seas!
O Light to us that wander here
Amid the world of Woven trees

Gilthoniel! O Elbereth!
Clear are thy eyes and bright they breath!
Snow-White! Snow-White! We sing to thee
In a far land beyond the Sea

O stars that in the Sunless Year
With shining hand by her were sown
In windy fields now bright and clear
We see your silver blossom blown!

O Elbereth! Gilthoniel!
We still remember, we who dwell
In this far land beneath the trees,
Thy starlight on the Western Seas.

[Dark-Caranthir]

It was a pretty uneventful journey north for Mornovarion. Whenever something came out of the shadows to threaten him, it would pause and as if reconsidering backed off. Mornvarion coudn't understand it, he was an easy target. All the enemy had given him to protect himself with was an Orcish knife, admittedly it was a very good blade. One side had a serated blade and the other was sharp and pointed. But that wouldn't beenough to scare away the monstorous beasts in this forest. Another thing that bothered him was the bat that seemed to follow him, wherever he went...

[GreatWarg]

The stooping figures stopped, and quickly retreated into the shadows.

"That was a close one," Khelek commented.

"We will have to be more careful in the future. We do not want to be followed everywhere," Rudhchamion agreed, taking a deep breath.

[Thalionyulma]

The dark elf had stayed silent as the young elf maiden began to sing to the Lady of the Stars. As he listened, something deep within him moved him to join the song that he had never once sang before. But Rûdhchamion knew it for what it was, a song sung by the High Elven. And it seemed that he was no longer in Mirkwood, but another woodland. A place where the land was untouched by evil and the sky was bright under the light of the moon and stars. And as the song ended the fleeting vision faded from his mind’s eye, but stayed engraved in his memory like a wondrous dream that he had just awakened from.

He looked towards where the vile creature of darkness had come from. Not one creature was in sight, much to his relief.

“What was that song Anarya?” Taralphiel asked softly, her eyes shining in wonder. “It was very beautiful.”

“It is the song of the Lady of the Stars, the most beloved among the elvenkind,” Anarya answered, smiling slightly at the young girl.


Rûdhchamion crept warily out of their hiding place, looking around. Though there were no signs of any danger nearby, he could feel the eerie silence that surrounded the woods.

"We will have to be more alert in the future. I doubt that we have heard the last of those creatures," the dark elf said taking a deep breath.

[Taralphiel]

Taralphiel stumbled as the creature quickly recoiled from her dagger. She looked around to see the elves quietly talking. Anarya then began to sing in her own tongue.

Taralphiel watched the creatures retreat in pain as if some unseen force was smiting them into submission. Anarya's beautiful voice floated softly through the trees and Taralphiel felt herself taken away to a mystical place. It was filled with elves singing and dancing and beautiful houses and places beyond her wildest dreams...

When Anarya had finished she stared at her “What was that song Anarya?” “It was very beautiful.”

Anarya explained it was the hymn to the star-queen. Taralphiel smiled at Anarya, and Rudchamion soon gave a warning that the group should be on their guard.

Taralphiel looked around and began to walk alongside Khelek. Although he could not speak, the look in his eyes were more comforting that any words any of them could have told her. She wrapped her arms around him and whispered to him 'Thankyou'. She then stood up and asked the group what would happen next.

[Dark-Caranthir]

Mornovarion cut out of the woods for a short time now, the stifling dark air, which reminded of the dungeons he had been in not too long ago, had been driving him crazy, if he wasn't crazy already. Besides he needed food and whenever he tried to hunt, animals noticed him and sped off, even though he had been quiet and stealthy as only an elf can. He hoped to find a town nearby where he could spend a night at an inn and in comparitive comfort. The voice had protested, but Mornovarion had convinced it that it was for the best.
He had come to a town after a few days and after stealing food and money from a grocery shop had booked in at an inn for a night. While sitting at the bar surrounded by fat men drinking pints of beer, he himself only had a glass of water he noticed that there were other elves at the inn; an old female elf all in white and two younger women, probably her handmaidens. When Mornovarion moved to approach them, he would feel better talking to those of his own kin, than those oafs at the bar, the old elf silenced her two friends and got up and walked past Mornovarion. As she strode past him, she whispered, "I know what haunts you,". Mornovarion's eyes widened at these words, she knew! Something had to be done...

[GreatWarg]

For once, Rudhchamion did not look like he knew what to do. Though the draug had only known the dark Elf for a short time, he was well aware that the Elf had a quick mind. Anarya's sweet song of the Lady of the Stars had stayed the shadows and brought a gleam of hope and light back to the group.

"Well, Master Elf, I suppose you have another one of your brilliant schemes planned?" Khelek teased lightly. "Or shall we ask our young maiden what to do?" Either Rudhchamion was crushed by the last sentence, or he was thinking of something to say.

[ September 13, 2002: Message edited by: GreatWarg ]

[Anarya SilverBranch]

Anarya smiled softly looking into the shadows. The song had given her strength and made her feel braver than before. Taraphiel had taken interest in the song. Maybe someday, when they weren't in such a precarious position, Anarya would teach it to her. She watched Khelek and Rudhchamion exchange thoughts as they first exited their hidden hole in the thrushwood.

"Now we must go on, we cannot rest here any longer," Ruhdchamion said as Anarya and Taraphiel came out into the open, "Perhaps the sun shall warm this place and our path."

"Perhaps," Khelek thought gloomily.

"We should keep in mind that those things are replused by the name of Elbereth," Anarya commented as they started down the road again, "It may help in the future."

[GreatWarg]

Khelek trotted beside Rudhchamion, alert and tense. This part of Mirkwood was guarded little by the Wood Elves, for they did not come so close to Barad-dur. Strange things lurked in the shadows, and the eyes peering out would startle the draug and quickly blink out if he growled slightly. Anarya followed. Light were her footsteps, and her bow was gripped in her hand. She was chanting softly still, driving away the evil things of the dark wood. Taralphiel kept close, shuddering slightly, but staying as quiet as she could. Phantom beasts and things unseen in the shadows went through the young maiden's mind.

"How do we plan on getting to Barad-dur, Master Elf?" Khelek asked, breaking the silence. A twig snapped, and the company twirled around.

"Sorry," Taralphiel mumbled.

"I have not planned so far," Rudhchamion answered, after the group had been going on for some while again. "Our original plan was to come unseen from the north way. But because of the Enemy's spies, we may have to go around. A way which he will most likely least expect."

Khelek paused and looked up at the tall, dark Elf. Alarm was in his posture. "You do not mean to take the road eastward?" the draug asked, eyes growing wide and pupils narrowing.

"The way will be least expected. We will wait until high noon, where his fell spies will be hiding from the face of the Sun. We will have to keep hidden during the day."

"You do not know what the Enemy expects." Khelek refused to say anything after that, and a drear silence fell over the company again as they marched closer to the dreaded fortress. All was quiet except for the chanting of Anarya.

After several hours and many miles, Rudhchamion began to look for a place to spend the night. It would be dangerous to be caught wandering around in the sheer darkness of Mirkwood under the pale Moon.

"The Moon will not rise for some hours yet," Khelek warned, ears perking at the slightest creak of a branch, the snap of a twig, the drip of dew, and the silent padding of some unknown beast.

Rudhchamion grunted, peering at the shadowy forms of barely seen trees. "The trunks of these trees will have to do for tonight. We must be silent, and light no fire, nor stir. I hope we shall not be found before the Sun shines again."

Taralphiel and Anarya retired to one large trunk of a tree. Its large roots twisted and snaked through the ground, and its highest branches constantly creaked. Khelek and Rudhchamion took the other one. The dirt inside the trees was dry at least, although the scent of termites and other assortments of insects was stiffling to the draug's nose.

"Pray we make it through this night," Khelek said grimly as he curled up tightly.

[ September 17, 2002: Message edited by: GreatWarg ]

[Thalionyulma]

Rûdhchamion was still as he stood watch. The dark elf had left the young wolf resting inside the large tree and positioned himself between the two trees, hiding among the gnarling roots. He was alert for any sound and movement that was not of the forest. His sharp elven hearing heard even the leaves that rustled in the evening breeze ever so slightly.

It was true that he had not planned getting this far… at least not with companions. He had planned on coming alone. He sighed inwardly. How did he get entangled with the Elvenking’s troubles? He had simply wanted revenge for the senseless killing of his people. The killings were so coincidental to the beginning of trouble in Greatwood, nay, it was Mirkwood now. For even he, whose people had never troubled themselves with their kinsman could not but suspect the connection to all of it. An evil and dark connection.

A faint sound from his right caused him to stir. He cast a glance at where the pup was resting, but decided to scout alone a few meters ahead. Taking his bow, he crept silently towards the noise.

”What is it Rûdhchamion?”

The dark elf was nearly startled off his wits by the white pup who had stirred noiselessly. Quietly! I heard something ahead. Stay- He was just about to tell Khelek to stay where he was when he felt the white wolf’s muzzle touch his palm. Oh nevermind, come with me if you want, but keep quiet.

The white wolf hesitated a second to look back where the maidens were, then followed the dark elf.

[ September 18, 2002: Message edited by: Thalionyulma ]

[Dark-Caranthir]

Mornovarion strode up and down his room, he was debating with the voice; "I don't think we should do anything, I should leave now, noone will notice."

"She will know, she will warn Thranduil, then all will be over, you will have failed... and the Lord knows what failure means."

"Well then, what do you suggest we do, oh wisest of the Wise?"
This comment got Mornovarion a jolt of pain.

"I suggest we kill her, then noone will know, you will be free to continue with your mission,"

"But, but then I would be a... kin-slayer," he spoke the word with loathing.

"You will be one soon anyway, so why not get it over with, go".

Mornovarion had noted that the elven-maiden's room was one floor above his, and two rooms to the left. He had followed her back to her room. Sticking his knife in his belt, he clambered out of the room, climbed onto the ivy, and set off.

[GreatWarg]

They Elf and the wolf drew closer to the strange noises, an unlikely hunting pair. A snuffling noise, followed by the heavy tread of feet could be heard. It sounded like some beast prowling about.

"Is there any beast in these dark woods that sounds like that?" Khelek inquired the dark Elf quietly. "It may just be passing by," he added hopefully, peering into the darkness. A lurking figure caught the Elf's keen eye.

"Yes, it is a beast, but I do not know what it is," he answered, crouching low against the ground, a hand gripping with wolf pup's ruff, the other hand clutching his sword. "It may just be passing us by, or it may be a spy of the Dark Lord." The two were silent for a moment. The creature seemed to have paused, and continued sniffing about. A splinter of wood suddenly echoed through the dim wood.

"What has happened?" Rudhchamion asked urgently.

"I - I think it has knocked over a tree," Khelek answered uncomfortably. He imagined a large beast with lethal claws, ripping wood into shreds.

Suddenly Rudhchamiom laughed gently. He stood up, unafraid and sheathed his sword.

"What are you doing?!" the draug hissed, frowning up at the Elf.

"It is a harmless beast, looking for insects to eat. Watch."

The Elf carefully stripped the bark away from a rotting tree, revealing millions of squirming grubs, and a few other species of insects could be seen. Gathering some of this on a stick, the Elf gave a shrill call. The snuffling stopped. A large beast, black with a small crest of white rumbled over, snuffling cautiously at the Elf's outstretched stick. It moved closer. Then finally approving, it stuck out a pink tongue, lapping the grubs and snorting contentedly.

"There is nothing to worry about, Khelek," Rudhchamion reassured, slowly starting to pat the animal's head. The beast began lapping up the grub from the tree, eating with relish.

"It is a simple beast, spending all of its time looking for insects and grub to eat." Khelek sat down, still watching with disgust as the squirmy white grub were being slowly eaten.

"It seems much better to eat meat from a deer," Khelek sniffled unapprovingly. Rudhchamion smiled and laughed gently.

[Taralphiel]

Taralphiel slept uneasily. Her mind was a torrent of foul things. She felt something drawing nearer to her, searching her out, but she could not place it. She sat up to notice that Khelek and Rudchamion were both gone. She looked out and felt the presence again. She could not breathe. She gently roused Anarya.

'What is the matter?' she asked
'They are gone. Rudchamion and Khelek' she whispered

Anarya stood up and loked around. She took her bow and looked at her

'Can you 'tell' anything?' she asked
'Well, there is something seeking us out. More than one thing. I do not no if its intentions are good or ill'

Anarya made her way carefully across the forest floor 'Well we had better find out then'

[Dark-Caranthir]

Mornovarion clambered through the elf's open window. He crept silently through the room.
This was the older woman's room, the other two must be in the room next door. He walked silently over to her bed. He placed his knife on her throat just enough to wake her up. Her eyes slowly opened, but there was no terror in them.
'She must have known I would try and kill her' thought Mornovarion.
"Who else knows? Who did you tell? Tell me or I'll cut your throat," Mornovarion asked threateningly, but the woman would say nothing.
Eventually Mornovarion cut her throat. Her eyes rolled back into her head. Mornovarion checked for a pulse, but there was none.
He began to weep as he realised what he had done, but the voice spoke; "Fool, now is not the time for crying, she won't have told anyone,apart from those girls, you'll need to kill them to,"
Crying, Mornovarion crept through into the other room where the two women were sleeping.
He decided speed was now more important, and quickly slashed both of their throats. They didn't give up life as easily as the older woman had though. The second one had screamed before he had chance to kill her.
The door creaked open, and the bartender looked in. "I heard noise an..." His eyes widened in shock. Mornovarion leapt towards him, dagger outstretched. The dagger caught the fat man square in the chest. Mornovarion pulled it out quickly, he would die soon enough, and clambered out the window and clambered down the side of the building.

[Anarya SilverBranch]

The air was thick with the scent of the pine trees, old and green with age. Anarya went forward through them, her bow and arrow ready. Taraphiel followed bradishing her knife, the blade glowing white in the cool night air.

The sudden sound of a stick breaking underfoot sent both into a frenzy of readying their weapons.

"Who is it?!" Anarya called out into the shadowed eaves.

"Not so loud!" Taraphiel whispered back harshly, "They might not be friendly."

It was too late though, someone had already heard them...

[GreatWarg]

Rudhchamion and Khelek both heard Anarya's shout, and the startled beast clambered away quickly enough. They both ran flat out back to where they had left the maidens. Bursting through the trees, the point of one of Anarya's arrows greeted them.

'Rudhchamion!' Anarya cried gratefully, lowering her bow. 'I thought you and Khelek were some beast.'

'There really was a beast, but it is gone now,' Khelek replied, tail swaying slightly. 'A bug-eater.'

'A bug-eater?!' Anarya echoed skeptically.

'A bug-eater?' Taralphiel asked, confused. 'How do you know it's a bug-eater?'

'Because Khelek told me.'

Taralphiel looked at the young wolf, who was now curling up on the spot. 'Khelek told you it was a bug-eater?'

'It is called osanwe, a form of talking between those with strong minds,' Rudhchamion explained. 'Many travellers and Dark Elves have the ability to communicate with animals in this way.'

'Nice way of putting it short and simple for a Mortal,' Khelek scoffed, grooming himself.

'You have big words for a pup,' Rudhchamion retorted.

'And you have big tempers for an Elf,' Khelek teased back, now looking at Rudhchamion.

'Would we rather be caught arguing by a spy of the Enemy, or would we rather be going to Dol Goldur?' Anarya interrupted. There was silence from both sides. 'Good. See you in the morning.'

[GreatWarg]

Khelek rested his head upon his paws. It was his watch, and the dawn was still an hour or so away. The forest was quite eerie at night. The flapping and whirring of bats wings was most unnerving, and the snuffling and grumbling of passing beasts just as. Some of the more rude beasts would growls and snarl at the draug, and the eyes peering forth from the gloom were everywhere. Khelek sometimes rose to growl at them, daring them to come a step closer. Most of the eyes blinked out, only to return again.

=============================

Gayahithlum stubbornly stepped right up to Daegon. 'You are going to fight Orcs. We are coming with you. Just because we are maidens does not mean we cannot fight.'

Daegon was slightly shocked at the maiden's response. So shocked, in fact, that he could only mutter a few words. Weren't maidens supposed to be quiet and polite?

'Then it's settled,' Sauche said eagerly. 'We're going in together!'

===========================

Mornovarion stealthily continued on his way through the dark woods, going southwards. Stopping for a little rest, he properly cleaned his blade against a leaf with large droplets of dew gathered. Wiping his blade against his cloak to dry it, Mornovarion resheathed the Orc blade and continued on.

[ September 23, 2002: Message edited by: GreatWarg ]

[Anarya SilverBranch]

Anarya looked out into the night shadowed forest from her perch. Next to her the mortal slumbered peacefully, a rare occurence for Taraphiel. The waning moon was riding high in the west. A sudden sound made the elf maid jump and stir at her place, her hand reaching for her bow. Eyes in the forest peered at her with emnity, an indignation she had not meant to stir. Anarya felt her heart beating against her ribs with fear. She felt ashamed all of the sudden.

She glaced over at the tree across the way. Khelek sat up upon his haunches on his branch, challenging the night. Taraphiel slept without terror of the dark all around to her. Rudhchamion sat in the tree with Khelek, cutting away at a piece of wood, looking up once in while with his grey eyes to peer into the trees. Everyone seemed completely at ease, or brave beyond measure, except for Anarya.

She selfconciously tucked a curl behind her ear and slid deeper into the little burrow of the branch. Taking a deep breath Anarya sat, waiting for dawn's herald to ring soon. Waiting, just waiting for morning light...

[Taralphiel]

Taralphiel slept soundly. No vile visions haunted her. She woke for a brief moment and looked around. The elves and Khelek were not sleeping. But they did not seem afraid. Anarya was still wary it seemed. But that was to be expected, she thought to herself.

She marvelled at how peaceful her sleep was. Something was calming her nerves, more so than before. She felt safe in the company of the elves, but now even her dreams were guarded. She knew they were nearing a place of great danger, but she was comforted. It almost puzzled her. Something good was coming. She felt it. She could only wait patiently for it to arrive...

[Dark-Caranthir]

Mornovarion sat down against a tree panting and weeping. He had got a hang of himself after several minutes, when suddenly he heard a voice, "Stand up", he froze suddenly, but felt a sharp prick on the back of his head. So he didn't disobey. He stood up slowly. "Now turn around" Mornovarion did so and was shocked to see an elven maiden with a bow drawn in his direction.

[Thalionyulma]

Rûdhchamion sat hidden among the large gnarling roots of the trees. He would glanced occasionally at Khelek as the young white wolf would growl back at the nocturnal beasts of the woods. The dark elf smiled inwardly, the pup would learn the way of the wilds well – he was very spirited, but still quite young.

The dark elf cursed himself once more for agreeing to have the elf maiden along. Now there was an addition to the group – Taralphiel the half-elven. And he doubted getting into the Hill of Sorcery would prove nothing less than perilous. He was tempted once again to continue alone, but that would endanger… his companions.

His thoughts wandered to the task ahead. What he had heard earlier was not just the sound of the badger that was scavenging for food. It seemed to have been an unnatural beating against the wind. It had been but an instant, and then no more.

Towards morning, before the sun started to peek from the horizon, he had left them silently to forage alone for food. The solace helped him with his thoughts. As he returned he found the young wolf yawning then looking at him questioningly. The young maidens were stirring as well. He began to prepare their small fare of nuts, fruits and berries, and several fishes he had caught in a nearby stream.

“We best start early. We cannot use the straight road to Dol Guldur,” the dark elf began to explain his plan. They would follow a trail he had marked that would keep them hidden. It would be a slow trek, but caution was needed. He had detected orc and warg tracks several days old, going both south and north of Greenwood. Human tracks were from the east, and it looked to be even older.

“Are you certain of the tracks?” Anarya asked worried. North would mean towards Thranduil’s kingdom, towards home.

The dark elf guessed her worry and nodded grimly.

After finishing their morning meal, they headed towards the trail Rûdhchamion had marked.

[Thalionyulma]

The sky overhead was thick with dark clouds, it hid the stars that would have been shining bright and blunting even the bright rays of the moon. The air was had a foul hint of evil, as swirls of faint mist seem to crawl out from the very ground. An eerie howl could be heard followed by the baying of wolves as if in answer.

A large black shaped figure flew above the treetops, as silent as the evening wind, leaving a cold chill to those that was touched by its shadow. Enormous bat-like wings spread wide as it continued on towards its goal. A company of bats followed along in a frenzy, their squeaking sound heralding the one whom they followed.

The smaller orcs from the camp looked up, pointing towards the incoming creatures. Wázrárz came out from his tent as he heard the sound of wings. And a few moments later the winged shadow melted into a human-like form. Clearly a female form that sneered coldly at the orc captain. The large orc was not moved, though the smaller orcs of his battalion were clearly disturbed by the female’s presence.

“It took you long enough to return,” Wázrárz growled in greeting as he glowered at the vampire.

Her cold and empty laughter filled the air.

[Gayahithwen]

Gayahithwen caught up with Daegon, and by the sound of it, the others was doing allright as well.

"What are you going to do? One elf can't outrule those orcs, you know that!"

Inside, Daegon didn't know if he should smile or cry. This elfmaiden was actually buying his story! He didn't know about the other two - he had a feeling that the guard wasn't trusting him, but at least they followed him and that was all he needed for now. On the outside, he had seemingly calmed down and gained controll over himself again, in a way that ought to convince the maiden that he had lost all controll over himself and was just about to start thinking about what to do. He turned his head towards her.

"Well, I don't know. I.. I have you and the other girl.. and the guard with me, haven't I? But.. well, they wasn't SO many.. and four smart elves would probably utrule them... I hope."

***

The had run quite a bit now and even though they had slowed down the tempo a bit, they was still moving fast. Judging by it, Daegon thought, they would probably encounter the orcs pretty soon. In the same moment, Gaya stopped.

"Look over there" she whispered. "That has got to be the orcs camp, right?"

Daegon nodded towards her and smiled on the inside. Soon, sister of mine, you are going to become free! Even though I hate myself for doing this, I hope you won't hate me too much.. Struggling with himself, he closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again.

"Yes. That has got to be it."

[Thalionyulma]

The orc captain frowned at the new arrival. Though he knew of Murú’s reputation, the vampire was also known for her cruelity – to both her enemies and allies. Her cold smile and piercing stare bore into him, and he felt her contempt. It mattered not much to him, the Dark Lord’s command was clear.

“Well?” Wázrárz inquired, if a bit impatiently.

“The pawns have been planted. Though the failure of the humans were known, and expected. The elf whom we released has reached Thranduil’s realm. Or shall we say elves?” Murú smiled mockingly at the large orc. His size did little to daunt her, she had after all been under the servitude of the Dark Lord’s Master at the time when any of these meager creatures even existed. “My pets have reported strange occurrences in the woods. I’ve added more patrols to the skies… they will be revealed eventually.”

The orc grunted, unmoved by her haughtiness. He had been angered by Micanar’s failure to return with the information he had needed. Though Wázrárz did not entirely believe that the human was actually dead. The easterly was very resourceful, he added grudgingly. The orc knew a small group was around the eastern eaves, though not towards what direction it was heading to.

“Will they do as they were bent into doing?” He said referring to the enslaved elves.

“Do you doubt my… abilities? The first was a mere weakling when he was released… in mind and spirit. Besides the other whom we could not completely enthrall was made to think that his sister still existed – though in a way she still does,” she chuckled softly. “ With that sort of inspiration, how can our plans fail?”

A rumbling, throaty chuckle too came from the orc. He could not help but delight in some of the vampire’s game with the slaves.

“Alive… but to what extent?”

[Taralphiel]

Taralphiel followed the group as they headed along the path. It was now leading them further into evil and danger. Secretly, Taralphiel wished she could turn back and see the place her mother had talked of for so long,the elven lands, but knew that that was dangerous for a mortal.

She watched Rudchamion and tried to sort the feeling that were moving in her. She sensed that overwhealming burden on his shoulders again, something carefully concealed. In Anarya she felt concern for him.

Taralphiel looked down at Khelek and thought 'Can he really tell my thoughts?'. She was surprised when he turned and looked at her with a desire to speak, or so it seemed to her. She smiled and said to him 'thankyou for watching out for me' then continued along the path.

[ December 04, 2002: Message edited by: Taralphiel ]

[Dark-Caranthir]

"Declare yourself, who are you and what buisness do you have in Thranduil's realm?" asked the elf, cautiously.
Mornovarion decided that he would have to fight and at least try and escape, if he was captured the voice would torment him forever. Silently drawing the orcish dagger, he spoke, "I am Mornovarion, and I come seeking sanctuary, I had heard that the elves of Greenwood had more manners towards strangers,". He smiled but could soon tell that his ruse had failed, by the look on the elf's face.
He didn't want to hurt any more innocents but he would have to do this, placing the blade about the elf's stomach he stabbed it in just enough so that it pierced her cloak and no more. He spoke freely now, " If you loose your arrow I shall stab you ere I fall, so we shall both die. Now, take me to the halls of King Thranduil, or I shall be forced to kill you..."
The elf however did not flinch, on the contrary, her face hardened as she spoke again,"I would not be the one to speak of manners, stranger. And if you truly believe that I am daunted by your knife point, then I pity you, for you are more foolish than you appear. I would sooner shoot you and die myself than bring you before King Thraduil unbound and carrying a weapon. Put down your knife, and you will live to kneel before the throne of the King of the Green Wood. If not, then you shall receive judgement from my bow. So choose, and choose wisely. And keep this in mind: My arrow is crafted by Anarya, finest crafter of arrows in all of Middle-earth. We shall see which weapon hits home first. The choice is yours, but choose swiftly, or I shall choose for you."
Mornovarion decided that if he could get into Thranduil's realm hewould have a much better chance of succeeding in his mission. "Do not hurt me, for I was daunted by your bow and I would dearly like to meet this Anyara of whom you speak with such high-regard". He said trying hard to look pathetic and wretched which wasn't all that hard.
He knelt down to put his knife on the ground, stood up on again and stood expectantly waiting for the elf to tell him what to do.
The elf's expression did not betray any emotion, but she spoke again, "You have chosen wisely,", but as she was motioning for him to stand up, there was a rustling from the bushes behind her...

[Thalionyulma]

Rinurion was wary still of Daegon. But he did not want to leave the three elf maidens, and decided it was wiser to follow. He was still suspicious of him, though he was vouched by an elf of his company. Something was amiss.

He noticed that they were drawing near to what looked to be some sort of encampment and he slowed his pace. He wished the other female elves weren’t so eager to aide this elf. He worried that Gayahithwen was too trusting and naive. He drew closer to Sauche and Amaryllis.

“Lady Amaryllis,” he said that only she and the other elf maiden could hear, “I believe we should be cautious.”

“Why so?” Amaryllis asked a bit uncertain.

The other elf maiden, Sauche, was silent and looked calculating at the situation before them. Rinurion braced himself for what was to come.

[ March 27, 2003: Message edited by: Thalionyulma ]

[Fair Amaryllis]

Amaryllis, a bit scared now, was unsure if she wanted to go on. She didn't really like confrontations. She rather liked to compromise.

She stepped behind a large tree and tried to be inconspicuous. Perhaps she could climb up and let the others take care of things.

[Thalionyulma]

The dark elf looked towards the horizon. They had been traveling several days and were but a few miles near the foot of Dol Guldur now. Rûdhchamion had led the small group near an alcove of trees that was near a small stream. They had spotted several patrols and had luckily evaded them before the enemy had noticed their presence.

Khelek was getting impatient. Rûdhchamion had had the need to lecture the wolf pup on several occasion on caution. Even Taralphiel was fidgetty. Anarya was more precautious and quietly observed the dark elf.

“Let us rest tonight. Tomorrow I scout further on before we all go together.”

I wish to go with you! The white pup said stubbornly. Rûdhchamion had often gone alone He felt it was safer that way. We are closer to enemy territory and having another go with you would be wiser.

“Khelek has a point, Rûdhchamion. Either he or I shall go with you, “ Anarya said. Khelek had raised a brow. Either you or me... he takes too many risks. Besides I am not a child that needs protecting all the time!

The elf sighed. “Very well. Khelek will come with me.”

The elf suddenly looked up to see a a small group of bats heading towards their direction. He quickly signalled them to take cover in the alcove.

[ October 29, 2002: Message edited by: Thalionyulma ]

[Anarya SilverBranch]

The bats flew over head in a fury of shadowed wings, blackening the already dark sky that hung in the heavens, foreboding and heavy. Anarya put her hands over her head. She was beginning to regret going on this "adventure" if you could call it that. All this was becoming, rapidly, was a suicide mission.

The bats passed and the travellers found a secluded area that had sufficent enough cover so they would not be seen from the air. They did not risk a fire, so close to the Enemy's dwelling and sat in the cool twilight eating some smoked meat. The taste was not very appitizing so Anarya put hers down and gave it to Khelek who took it thankfully. Anarya's mind was too full to eat.

She pondered for quite a while what was going to happen to them as she sat on the branch of a large tree on her watch. Night was coming quickly and with it new dangers more perilous every dusk. A sound startled Anarya. She turned and saw Rudhchamion on the branch across the way.

"My turn for watch," He said simply as they switched branches, Rudhchamion perched on the lookout branch while Anarya stood on one of the lower branchs which one used to climb up on to the top.

Anarya beagn to edge her way down but stopped resting her arms on the branch in front of her, her chin resting on her hands.

"Do you think we'll get out of this alive?" She asked quietly the question that had been bothering her.

No answer came. Anarya looked up. Rudhchamion sat silently in deep thought, a slight breeze made his arrows in his quiver tremble slightly, her hair moving with them.

"You can tell me," She added softly, "I won't tell anyone else."

[Leighlei]

Sauche nodded, her male companion was right. Something, a small voice, in the back of her mind was wailing. 'Danger! Thing aren't what they seem!' But she had to silence it to make room for the voice of reason, watching the maiden try to ascend the tree, she adressed the other two;
"Keep your eyes open." She said in a calm, forceful whisper. "Don't let anything catch you off guard." Looking up with a subtle arch of her neck, she inhaled sharply. "The first step to defeating anything is to not be shocked by it."

[Thalionyulma]

The dark elf looked at the elf maiden silently. He had not dwelt on the matter, but simply did what was needed to be done. He took in her sight, still young in their race’s reckoning.

“I can not foresee what is ahead of us, though I do not deny the dangers,” he chose his words carefully. “I was once told that the spirit grows stronger, the heart bolder when our strength lessens, perhaps these are the times of such. I have sworn to find my kin’s slayers, but not just for vengeance, but to assure that no other –“

A sudden noise had made both elves tense suddenly. Anarya glanced quickly towards where Taralphiel and Khelek were resting. A shadow once again flew overhead, though its shape was hidden in the dense foliage of the trees. Its passing presence could be felt more rather than seen, like a cold winter chill in the dead of the night.

“The more we near our destination, the enemy’s minions seem to grow in strength, “ the dark elf said grimly after a time.

A soft rustling revealed both Khelek and Taralphiel peeking from their place of rest. They too had felt the passing shadow.

As the dark elf stood up and before any of his companions could cry out a warning, a huge black creature leaped upon him and knocked him down. Rûdhcamion was slammed into the rough trunk of the huge bole, his breath knocked out of him. Looking up he came face to face with what seemed to be a wolf-like giant- and suddenly realised it was a werewolf!

The creature was as black as night, its eyes as red as burning ember and its breath as foul as death. It reared up once again. The elf barely escaped as the creature swiped out with its long sharp claws.

[Thalionyulma]

Rinurion was about to reply to Sauche when a rain of arrows suddenly fell upon them. He quickly grabbed Amaryllis as Sauche leaped up a branch.

“Yrch! Hurry and take cover!” He cried out as he helped Amaryllis up another tree. He then looked around frantically for Gayahithwen. He spotted her with Daegon who was, to his horror, actually going towards the orcs.

“The enemy will be upon you! To the trees! “ Rinurion shouted to them. He heard Amaryllis call out to the kitchen elf.

As he tried to come to Gayahithwen and Daegon’s aide an arrow nearly missed him. He took cover behind the oak as he strung his bow, he quickly took aim and an orc fell. In the corner of his eye he saw Sauche's frustration and anger as she too could not reach the kitchen elf.

[Leighlei]

Sauche graped the branches that held her aloft so tight the bark began to scrape her flesh. Every muscle tensed, she wanted to leap from the tree and save the two headed for danger. But she knew it to be folly. Even if she did jump, she knew she wasn't fast enough to save them. She looked around, frantic.
"What are they doing?!" She cried, confused. "Why are they going towardsthem?!"

[Gayahithwen]

Gayahithwen looked over at Daegon. Why was he moving towards the orcs? She followed him, confused. Did he know something she did not? Surely, it had to be more safe to stay with him, right? Everyone was fighting around her.

"Daegon? What's going on?" She looked over at Daegon, who had turned half way around. "What are you doing?"

Daegons expression was horrible. It looked like horror, angst, regret and a various mix of other feelings. He opened his mouth, couldn't get out a sound and closed it again. He took a deep breath and said "I'm sorry"

Gaya didn't get it. Why was he sorry? What did he mean? But.. he was heading for the orcs! Suddenly she understood. He wasn't one of the 'good guys' at all.. He was betraying them! She looked back towards the others, only to notice that the way back was filled with orcs. Looking around, she realised that she was surrounded. Her hand went towards her belt, where her knife had last been. She grabbed it, thinking that if this was the end, even a servant without any combat training ought to be able to take at least one orc with her. She cut some of the orcs a little, before finally getting struck down by a huge, black orc in front of her. The last thing she saw before passing out was the big orc, and behind him the blue skye.

[Fair Amaryllis]

Amaryllis nearly hyperventilated waiting in the tree. All she could do was watch the orcs surround Gaya. "No. They can't take her!" she thought. With little more than a brief thought, she jumped fromthe branch and collided with an orc standing in front of Gaya. The impact with the ground, however, knocked the wind out of her and she had to take a moment to catch her breath. IT was a moment she didn't have because soon she was in the same state as Gaya, passed otu onthe ground withthe last visions of blurry orcs and arrows flying.

[Taralphiel]

Settling down in the alcove, Taralphiel closed her eyes and attempted to sleep.She now knew that whatever heritage her mother indeed had, had given her the ability to sense things in her surroundings above that of the realms of Men. And with that she then reasoned that she must use this to aid in whatever way she could.

She slowly cleared her mind and listened to the steady rustling of the leaves in the wind and the cold of the night on her face. She smiled at the comfort darkness used to give her. But here there was foreboding, and a deep shock ran through her. She shot her eyes skyward, though her mortal eyes saw little.She noticed Rudchamion also observing the night. At that she felt her breathing shallow painfully. She tried to call out that there was danger, but no words came.

A creature, one which she had never before beheld, launched itself at the elf and caught him off guard. Swiping with its razor sharp claws at him, he weaved the blows almost gracefully.

Taralphiel took her daggers and aimed them at the fell beast. They hit their mark, but only seemed to anger it more. He turned from Rudchamion and raced towards herself and Khelek. The wolf pup growled and sprang forward. Taralphiel feared the pup would be no match, but was surprised at his strength and bravery. It was knocked to the floor and wrestled with Kehlek. She watched Anarya take aim to shoot the creature, and Taralphiel feared that the arrow may not be true. She knew little of elven skill. The arrow flew swiftly...

[ December 09, 2002: Message edited by: Taralphiel ]

[Thalionyulma]

Rinurion felt frustration well up in him as a cold, black suspicion began to form in his mind. Too trusting, Gayahithwen had been too trusting of Daegon. Now Amaryllis was in danger as well.

He downed another orc as Sauche threw a well aimed knife at another.

He tried come close to the fallen elf maidens to no avail. They were out numbered by the orcs.

[Thalionyulma]

The dark elf quickly got his bearings and swiftly unsheathed his sword. The snake skin armor had luckily saved him from more serious damage. Taralphiel had tried to stop the beast by injuring it with her knives to no avail. Anarya’s arrow hit its mark upon the thick hide of the werewolf, Rûdhchamion saw that Khelek was no match for the great beast, but the young wolf stood his ground valiantly.

Anarya strung another arrow, and the dark elf moved swiftly to reach the pup. As the werewolf reared up in pain and anger, Rûdhchamion grabbed the pup. The huge drauglin snapped its maws towards the elf who had taken his would be prize.

Making sure he had dropped Khelek carefully as close to Anarya, the dark elf turned once more towrds the monster. The elven arrows had weakened it, and all the elf had to do was quickly draw his sword, slashing at its neck.

[Thalionyulma]

The dark female silhouette turned towards the orc captain as the last group of bats flew overhed. An evil smile played on Muru’s lips as she addressed Wázrárz. The enormous orc captain raised a brow.

“What news?” He grumbled imptiently.

“The elf, Daegon, has pushed through with the plan. It will make up for our lost hold on Mornovarion. Though I shall not completely give up on my hold of the elf. His mind can still be manipulated.”

Wázrárz grunted skeptically. “You under-estimate the Elvenking’s powers.”

“And you under-estimate mine!” Muru hissed, her eyes glowering dangerously.

“Never the less, time grows short and the Master grows angry. His generals in Dol Guldur grow impatient as well. Ill pleased were they when they learned of the elf’s failure. Now news come that Thranduil sends his scouts further south. We have enough trouble in penetrating Lorien.”

“Ahhh, yes. Several scrimmages have been reported. But they are erratic.”

“Still, “ the orc captain growled,” I’ll have the warg riders go with the patrols. Have you’re “pets” sweep both the north eastern and western parts of the region. I like not the news of the scouts… though no match will the elven forces be to our great armies.”

[Dark-Caranthir]

Suddenly three elves appeared out of the bushes behind Mornovarion's captor. Two maidens and a dark-elf. His captor seemed to know them and said: "Mae govannen, Anarya, Novannon. We meet in strange times. I have caught another tresspasser in these woods. It seems that Thranduil's lands are beset from many directions, but we have yet to see if this elf means harm. I think perhaps more harm was done to him than he means toward anyone. But," and now she turned to face him, "you have threatened me, and I am of Thranduil's realm. That was ill done. You would have had more chance of mercy had you not done that thing. But mercy you still may find, if you are honest and humble."
Now she turned back to her friends, "Anarya, who is this elf with you? I have not seen him before."
Before she could answer, out of the trees to their left there came a huge rustling, and suddenly a huge flock of giant bats flew out of the trees. Mornovarion drew his knife to defend himself and a quick glance showed that the others were doing the same. Two of the monsters flew at him, their claws outstretched. Mornovarion managed to force them off but they just came back. One scratched his face and knocked him off balance, and he looked up to see Tinuiel pointing her bow at him! He was about to cry out, but she loosed her arrow not at him, but above his head. He looked up in time to see one of the huge bats diving towards him. Tinuiel's arrow hit it, but not in time to stop one of it's huge teeth penetrating his shoulder. A sudden drowsiness took over him and he fell to the ground.

[Taralphiel]

The blood dripped from the still body of the thing that had attacked them. Taralphiel slowly edged towards it and stared. It was a wolf of a sort, with massive claws and menacing eyes that now stared away into the sky.

Rudchamion stepped beside her and noticed her shaking 'It is a warewolf, as far as i can tell. Though such creatures i have seldom beheld'

Taralphiel turned her gaze towards the place in which they were headed. She felt pain, and suffering, so much that it almost overwhealmed her. She then saw an image, clear as day, in her mind. He was there, chained, in the dark, his hair covering his eyes but a look of pain spread across his lips.

She dropped to her knees, and Anarya ran to her. Lifting herslef up, she said 'We must make haste, there is evil there, and i must save him from it, and destroy it'

[Gayahithwen]

Daegon swallowed and bit his lip. He had betrayed them, and even though that was what he had planned to since he met them.. He tried not to think about it. Some orcs were surrounding him. He glared at them and started talking with them.

"I've done what you wanted me to do. Now, hand over my sister and let us leave."

The orcs looked at eachother and laughed, exchanging some words in their foul tounge. Daegon frowned. All he wanted was to get his sister and leave this place. The orcs made no attempt to do so, though. He glared at them.

"Get me my sister now!"

Seeing as they still made no attempt to do anything, he sighed deeply.

"Take me to your leader, then. But do something, you.. Just take me to your leader, ok?"

[Dark-Caranthir]

When Mornovarion opened his eyes again he realised he was not in the forest where he had fallen, but on a bed in a large hall, which from the look of the other beds with people on them appeared to be a hospital. Sitting in front of him was was an elf-maid. Speaking with great effort he asked, "What? Where am I and who are you?".
Smiling, the elf replied"You are in the House of Healing in the City of Thranduil. My name is Anarya,"

[Thalionyulma]

The elf was shocked at the betrayal. Rinurion was about to bead Daegon with one of his arrows in anger when Sauche pushed him out of the path of an axe thrown from a few distance from them. Another group of orcs had gone around and surrounded them.

The two dashed behind a nearby underbrush just in time to avoid a hail of arrows from the enemy.

“How could have they escaped the detection of the patrols?” growled Sauche, “Surely the Elvenking’s men are better than that!”

Rinurion stood suddenly as he fired several shots at the oncoming orcs. They held their ground in futility. When the orc leader held a sword at Gayahitwen and Amaryllis’ throats they could do nothing but surrender in frustration.

As they were bound tighty, Rinurion’s cold gaze never left Deagon.

[Thalionyulma]

The dark elf stood silently in deep thought over the dead beast. Anarya brushed a wayward strand of hair from Taralphiel’s face before she looked towards Rûdhchamion. Khelek had regained his poise and sat up alert.

“Hush, we must stay cautious”, she whispered comfortingly to the young girl. “You must rest as well.”

“But first we must find a safer place to regain our strength,” Rudhchamion spoke suddenly. A look of grim determination was on his face.

”Is there such a place anymore?” Asked the young wolf.

“It’s a dark, foreboding place we go to…” Taralphiel whispered softly.

Rûdhchamion kept silent as he led them to another alcove. As they began to rest, he turned to look at their destination.

Dol Guldur. What awaited them there, he thought as he felt a cold chill in the air.

[Fair Amaryllis]

When she regained consciousness, there was a sword at her throat. She could see Gaya in her periferal vision but dared not turn her head.

She saw Daegon standing near the orcs. She feared for his safety but when he was not being harmed, she realized that he had betrayed the group. He had deliberately led them to the orcs. She vowed that he would feel the repurcussions of his actions. And she would personally see to them. She may have been somewhat fragile-looking, but she could pack a lot of power into a punch.

She wouldn't move now; not with death hovering idly at her throat in the hands of an orc who didn't care whether or not she lived, only that he got dinner that night. So there she stood, with no choice but to be still, and waited.

[ January 31, 2003: Message edited by: Fair Amaryllis ]

[Taralphiel]

Taralphiel lay in the alcove watching the moon on its course through the sky. She had noticed a sickly coloured sheen had defiled its white hue, making it brown and almost disfigured. Evil was brimming from Dol Goldur.

But there was more. She felt him there. Eriador. The man named after the lands his fathers longed to journey to and behold. The Rohirrim. He was there and an urgency took her to save him.

Anarya looked at her 'He is there, isnt he?'
She nodded and shuddered
'What happened to you both? how did you come to be here like this?'

And so Taralphiel told her long story to Anarya, from Calembel to here, and for a moment she smiled amidst all the despair. For then she knew her allies were dearer to her now then she knew.

[Mithadan]

This RPG has been moved to the Shire.

[piosenniel]

~~~ First, let me welcome this great game and group of writers to the Shire! ~~~

I do need some things put in place once it is moved:

1.) Can one of you please take charge as the Game's owner. You will be in charge of directing the flow of the game.

2.) The players and the Game owner need to discuss both an end date for the game, and a reachable end goal which will signal the game's end. This is a requirement for all games in the Shire

3.) Will you be accepting any new players into the game, and what sort will you allow (Elves, Men, etc.). If you do accept any players, is there a limit to their number?

4.) All players please remember to disable your signatures for all future postings in the game itself. (A general rule now in all Barrow Downs games). You may, of course, leave your signature on for the Discussion thread.

Thanks! -- Piosenniel (Pio), Shire Moderator

[Fair Amaryllis]

She watched, still silent, formulating a plan to get away somehow. She noticed a stick close to her foot which apparently held a large boulder in place. The rock sat close enough that it would be distracing to the orcs should it move suddenly. She slowly worked her foot to the stick and started trying to pry it loose. It was jammed in tighter than it looked and it took a minute for her to really get it loose. She saw the rock start to tip and then it rolled making a large crashign noise as it broke through trees and underbrush. The orcs were distracted long enough that she could grab Gaya's hand and pull her up a large tree.

[Gayahithwen]

Gaya looked down from the tree, over at the place where the other elves stood. She wasn't sure how she had gotten up here so fast, but.. Her eyes went from Amaryllis to the elves, then onwards to the orcs, who had already spotted them. One of the larger orcs grinned a bit and held a knife to the throat of Sauche.

"Come down, small elves, or your friend here will get hurt.. and you wouldn't want that, would you?"

Gaya sighed and looked over at Amaryllis, before starting to climb out of the tree again.

"It was worth a try," she said, while looking for a spot to place her foot, "but it seems our fate is no longer in our own hands."

She jumped down the last bit, before turning towards the orcs, who quickly surrounded her and bound her, before pushing her off towards Rinurion and Sauche.

[ March 03, 2003: Message edited by: Gayahithwen ]

[Fair Amaryllis]

she tried to decide whether or not to leave the tree. she looked at the branch she was holding, then at her friends, and back at the branch. She made a slight wimper as she climbed down the tree. Who knwos what would or could come next...

[Taralphiel]

Taralphiel walked along the forest path, watching the trees. It had become alltogether darker and much more loathsome in the forest than she had ever expected.

She moved beside Rudchamion and whispered 'What shall we do? This place is full of evil spirits, I feel all of them. How shall we get him back?'

Rudchamion did not answer for a long while. Taralphiel stared into the darkness in his eyes and felt a strange kind of fear

'I do not know yet. But we will, do not worry'

He then walked ahead and left Taralphiel to brood on his strange mood.

[Thalionyulma]

The woods were still in these parts of Mirkwood. It was as if the woodland creatures did not exist among the flora of the forest here, or perhaps were hiding. The trees and foliage looked darker and foreboding. It was often then naught that the forest floor was carpeted with an unearthly mist that swirled around their feet as they silently trudged along their way. Even the sky seemed to dim, clouding the moon and stars from view.

They had been travelling for several days now. The small company had avoided several groups of orcs, though it had hindered them somewhat having to hide some hours before they could go on. Rûdhchamion was quiet as they trekked down the path they had chosen. The group grew closer to Dol Goldur, and his companions noticed the dark elf brooded more deeply, keeping his thoughts to himself.

“We’d best find a place to rest for the night,“ the dark elf looked towards the horizon. “It will soon be twilight, we’ll need to forage for food again early in the morning.”

Khelek gave an uneasy glance towards the Hill. ”The closer we get to Dol Goldur, the darker seems our journey”, the young wolf said quietly to no one in particular.

“The brushes near those trees will serve us well,” pointed out Anarya. “One can keep watch, hidden atop the branches without being seen. And we can camp out behind the thick folaige.”

As they were finishing their scant meal, Rûdhchamion had a sudden cold feeling that they were being watched. He took his bow and arrows and handed Taralphiel his short sword. Absently patting his hunting knife in its place at his thigh before clambering up the tree he had chosen for his watch.

The maidens looked at one another. This would be another sleepless night it would seem. The wolf pup stationed himself near the females Rûdhchamion noticed, closing his eyes to rest, but keeping his other senses alert.

The dark elf readied himself for whatever it was that watched them in the coming dark.

[Thalionyulma]

Rinurion clenched his teeth, helpless to do any more to aid his companions. The orcs gathered around him and rounded up Gayahithwen and Amaryllis. All the while the leader of the group of orcs kept the blade at Sauche’s neck.

An orc had jumped them and had gotten the upper hand, disabling the warrior-maiden. As he was about to aid her, he too was attacked by two larger orcs.

The treacherous Deagon would pay for this, he swore silently. They were tied by their captors.

He could hear Deagon arguing with the orcs.

[Thalionyulma]

Wárzárz watched as another patrol came into camp. He had received word that another battalion would be rendezvousing near the outskirts of the Dead Marshes near the area of Gladden Fields, west from his location. There were no new orders, so he had stayed near the foot of the Hill. His own battalion was growing in strength and number.

Múrú kept her minions patrolling the different areas of the woods. She had informed him of the coming of the trolls and giants from the south. He smiled at the news. No pointy-eared elvenking could withstand them. The group near the marshes would prevent aid from the Lorien.

It would only be a matter of time.

“My pets tell me of news from near Thranduil’s lair. The traitor has captured another group of elves. “

The huge orc captain grunted, “We need another slave to penetrate the elven lair. Your last one was taken from your clutched.”

“Mornovarion was easily broken! This one, I have a stronger hold,” The vampire hissed at him.

“And when he finds out the truth?” The orc smiled evilly. “It will not matter much. But another failure will displease the Master.”

He did enjoy watching Múrú work her arts. She could twist the mind of any strong elf or man, to bend to do her bidding. But he enjoyed the process even more, the torture, the pain and guile she used. Though it was said her powers came from within the Hill, and she too did the bidding of another.

[Taralphiel]

Taralphiel followed the group along to where they had decideed to rest. As they settled, Rudchamion felt the presence of someone and leapt into the trees, giving her his sword.

Taralphiel stood there with the glinting metal reflecting her time worn face. She sat beside Anarya and waited.

'I want to help' she said
'what would you do?' asked Anarya, also wishing the same
'I could try to use what I have been ordained with to see where he cannot' she said and placed the sword on the floor as she closed her eyes.

'Be careful, you know not the full nature or extent of what you have' warned Khelek.

It came to her. Eyes, hollow and fey. They were searching for something, moving through the forest, and quickly. It was a face. Pale, and evil and dead. A woman.

'Hello little maiden. Where hast though recieved such power of thought?' her smile made the colour in Taralphiel drain

'You....cannot...'

'see you? I can little girl, and I can find you. You are near the Elf king. I want his throne. Tell me where it is or you will
suffer, I swear it'

She moved forward and Taralphiel shrieked. She then saw an evil creature looking up through trees in a quick flash, but those eyes, those same, dead eyes. And with him, a lone orc.

Taralphiel fell forward and picked herself up. Khelek pressed her for an answer.

'Her name I know not, but she is dead and alive, and commands all that is evil. She has minions that are watching us, and she sees too, with her unliving eyes. An orc and dead thing are there where Rudchamion is watching'

Khelek motioned to Rudchamion who gave a quick nod and regarded Taralphiel quickly, then peered down through the trees.

[Thalionyulma]

The dark elf breathed in deeply to clear his head snapping himself out of the sudden panic he had felt. Rûdhchamion had sensed that they were being tracked. Taralphiel's revelation was alarming, yet he felt something was not quite right. He had a suspicion on what the young half-elf was saying - "dead yet alive...". He had heard of stories from the loremasters. The undead, similar to the Nazgul under the Enemy's power.

"Taralphiel! Stop scrying, she can only sense you if you too are attempting to locate her, " he quickly warned the maiden.

Anarya looked up at him bewildered. She had never heard of nor witnessed what Taralphiel and Rûdhchamion were talking about. Khelek quickly tried to awaken the young half-elven from her trance-like state.

"What -?" Taralphiel looked about her a bit disoriented. "I know they're near by."

"Yes, that may be so. But we do not wish to have our location known to them", the dark elf told her.

"How so?" Asked Anarya.

The dark elf jumped down from where he had perched. Looking around first before answering.

"I know not in the Elvenking's realm how the mage or spellweavers use their craft. There were a few of my people who were greatly gifted with the ability of foresight. And there were those that could see and communicate beyond what most of our kind could do. But the Enemy and his minions too have capabilities that they often use to waylay and trap the unwary."

"Remember this," he turned to Taralphiel, "She can only speak with you and hold you in her thrall if you let her in your mind. That one is of an ancient age past. Do not always believe what she whispers to you, for as her Master, she too can weave deceit as though it was the truth."

He looked towards the south. They were a few days from Dol Guldur. He suspected that whoever had spoken to the elf maiden would be there as well.

"We hold a cold camp tonight, we cannot risk a campfire," he said grimly.

Both females nodded. Anarya picked a spot near one of the large boles where they could easily climb should the need arise.

[ March 27, 2003: Message edited by: Thalionyulma ]

[Thalionyulma]

A cold smile spread across Múrú's cold pale face. A pleasant suprise it was to have detected the girl. Through the girl's eyes she had vaguely seen two elves. A female and a male. She now knew that they were nearby, though not exactly where. Soon though, she would have them in her clutches.

Now if only the foolish child would open her thoughts more. For now she would return to the bowels of Dol Guldur.

The huge orc captain watched with a look of disinterest as the vampire shifted into a large black bat. And turned his attention to another group of warg-riders that had come in from the west.

Across the cloudy night the dark silent form of the bat flew towards the Hill.

[Taralphiel]

Taralphiel settled down to rest. Rudchamion's words still sayed with her.

'I will talk to him more tomorrow. He knows of my skill, and I need to master it if I am to keep us concealed'

She thought of the living dead woman and shuddered. Her hollow eyes and piercing voice stabbed at her brain with many pains. Among them was the knowledge her distant beloved was in pain too, and that her memories of him may be all she now posessed of him.

'Could I..' she though painfully 'find him? talk to him?' She stopped that thought and tried to sleep. But her dreams were filled with him calling her name, and praying to be with her.

[ March 17, 2003: Message edited by: Taralphiel ]

[Thalionyulma]

The undead female sat silently thinking. Word from her minions had told her that the elf she had sent to the Elvenking's realm was slipping from her grasp each day. Something she was loathe to admit.

Múrú did not easily accept defeat.

She stretched her mind once more and felt for the mind holds she had set on Mornovarion. The elven healing had started, but was still incomplete. To dreams they had sent him to heal. Then that would be where she would speak to him.

But there was one that was close to him that could do her works, unintentionally. The elf maiden sent to aid in his healing.

"Greetings, Mornovarion! I know you can hear my whispers... ignore the elven maiden. You now belong to me. Do you think your betrayals will be forgiven once the Elvenking gains knowledge of all you've done for the Master?"

Thus Múrú began her evil works in deceit and lies.

At Thranduil's realm, the elf Mornovarion stirred uneasily in his dream-state. Tinuiel, too felt a chill as a small bat hung unnoticed near a branch by the window.

[Thalionyulma]

Rinurion seethed in his bonds. He was badly bruised from the orcs' beatings, and his side hurt badly. He glanced to his left where Sauche was bond as tightly as he was. The Wild Elf's countenance left no room to what she had in mind, should the opportunity show itself. Amaryllis was showing a brave front, and the elven warrior grew angrier seeing how the elf maidens were being handled. Gayahithwen still looked with disbelief towards Daegon.

They were made to trot along side the orcs southward for several miles. Their captors dragging them for sport, sneering at them should they falter. The group made camp after a few hours after dusk.

The elf was roughly pushed down along side his companions. He heard Daegon arguing heatedly with the orcs once more.

"The traitor will pay," he muttered under his breath. Sauche snorted in agreement. The hatred in her eyes made the golden one seem alit with fire, and the green glow coldly like ice.

[Gayahithwen]

They had gone for several miles, Daegon arguing with the orcs all along. They were all so stupid. The orcs talked with eachother, laughing at something. Daegon glared at them. All he wanted was to get his sister and leave. He did not wish to converse with some moronic orcs.. the orcs told him to sit down, and after taking away his weapons, they laughed and walked away.

"Stay here, elf.. we'll have someone along in a bit to talk with you.."

Gayahithwen pulled at her ropes, in another hopeless effort to free herself. Not that she knew what she would do if she actually succeeded, but she felt better when actually doing something. She looked at Rinurion, who were muttering things about 'the traitor'. She knew who he meant - Daegon. She still hadn't gotten over his betrayal.. He had seemed such a nice person, although she hadn't known him for very long.

The orcs made him sit down a bit from the group of elves he had betrayed. Gayahithwen realised none of the orcs really cared, so she edged closer to Daegon, not knowing really what to say, but still trying to say something.

"Daegon?"

He looked up at her, his eyes filled with different feelings.. Guilt was one, hope another, then, there was despair and doubt..

"I.. I tried to do what seemed right," he began. "I.. they.. it's.. my sister.." The words failed him, and he turned away from her, ignoring her pleads for an explanation.

[Taralphiel]

Taralphiel stretched out her aches as the sun rose. Looking around hazily, she saw the twisted shapes of Greenwood. She found little cheer, and even less sunlight in this place. Sitting by the fire, she looked across at Anarya, who seemed in her own world. The she-elf soon looked up, and smiled at her.

'You must miss your home' she said. Taralphiel shifted 'I suppose I do. It was very beautiful. But I am now convinced that my heart wasnt there' she smiled sadly.

'What of your home Anarya? Do you miss it?' She looked at the Elf, and it seems she caught her off guard. After a while she whispered 'Yes, I think I do' She played with a silver feathered arrow, and her face gave away a distant look. Taralphiel stood up then, and left her with her musing.

Walking to a nearby tree, she spotted Rudchamion. He was standing at the base of a tree, watching the dark of the forest. She moved slowly towards him, and he turned to look at her. She still found it startling he could hear her from so far away.

'I wanted to ask of what you know, good Elf. I understand little of this power, if that is what it is. Temptation has been getting greater to use them. I do not want to endanger you...'

Rudchamion looked at her with what she could not discern between pity or indifference, or even annoyance. Khelek appeared beside him, his strong eyes shwoing nothing.

Rudchamion then said...

[Thalionyulma]

“For one with such skills, I am surprised you have not been taught accordingly. I am no sage in such lores, though in our heritage such talents are quite common to certain levels,” The Dark Elf tilted his head to one side, considering the young half-elf in front of him. “Have you always lived among the humans? Were there no elven teachers to guide you?”

Hurrmph. She would have been more careful if she did. The young wolf said, a bit impatiently.

Rûdhchamion had been aware of the young girl’s fidgeting. He knew she would confront him with questions. She had mentioned that she lived in a human settlement, but surely there had been some teachers who would have taught her about elven lores.

“As I said before, caution is needed. It is possible, I believe that you could use your skills in scrying to aid us. But you have not the subtlety to do so, therefore risk exposing yourself to dangers. “

[Thalionyulma]

The huge orc captain, Wárzárz let his gaze wander towards the oncoming band of orc raiders. He frowned, his thick brows furrowing. The number he had sent out were had lessened on their return. Another failed attempt at Lorien, it seems.

He motioned for one of his sergeants who promptly obeyed.

“Ready another group to patrol the eastern flanks! Bring along the warg-riders.”

“And the Olog hai?”

“They’ll serve better on the next raid, they don’t travel as fast as the wargs.”

He looked up as another battalion entered to join camp. He smiled. Let the pointy-eared fools hide in their precious woods. They would be no match for the might of the Dark Lord’s armies.

[Taralphiel]

Taralphiel trudged slowly back to the campfire, feeling a slight dejected. Wondering what she could do, she stared out into the darkness.
'You feel useless' she mused 'Well be useful' a calm whispering of comfort came over her 'Go and find him and then travel in joy, knowing you are wanted and loved' A pang of pain came over her.

She looked at the Elves, absorbed in their own work, and wondered how easy it would be to slip away. She knew where Eriador was, she could feel how close he was. They did not need her after all.

Again the temptation called out in strength, and she could barely contain it...

[Thalionyulma]

Rinurion had controlled his rage and had finally calmed down. He refused to look at the traitor, until due time when he would be dealt with. He needed to find a way out of this and warn the patrols.

The elf looked about, gauging the ropes that bound tightly him as well. They were hidden from view and the orcs seemed familiar of the paths. The trees and foliage in this area were still familiar; he had past this way a few times in a patrol. He wondered how the orcs had been able to slip thru.

The elven warrior heard Gayahithwen address Deagon, and heard the elf’s reply…
"I.. I tried to do what seemed right," he began. "I.. they.. it's.. my sister.."

Rinurion clenched his teeth and caught Sauche and Amaryllis’s reaction. One had the look of contempt; the gentle elf maiden Amaryllis had a look of pity. She caught his eye and glanced down.

[GreatWarg]

The young wolf sensed the sick uneasiness coming from Taralphiel. A bond of affection for his companions had grown in the time he had spend with them. They were now his pack. Gently, Khelek nudged his nose against Taralphiel's leg. Rûdhcamion had told him of Taralphiel's abilities, and that danger could come through them.

Khelek whined in a wolfish pout, wishing himself to be older so that he could help Taralphiel. Despite his weakness, he did not want to alert Rûdhcamion.

[Fair Amaryllis]

his sister, that was so sad. she might have done the same thing. she sighed, and winced as she tried to move her hands within the tight bindings. She looked up, thinkning she heard something in the forest and noticed Rinurion looking at her, she quickly looked away. She shouldn't look at him, lest she begin a conversation and get herself punished by the orcs...

[Taralphiel]

As Taralphiel walked deep in self pity, she felt movement beside her. She turned to see Khelek nudge pitifully against her.

She knelt down and stoked his soft fur mururing to him

'Even you are stronger than I. I wish to be a warrior an I cannot even understand who I am'

The wolf seemed to frown at her comment. And her deep mood was not lifted. It was onlt the friendship of the wolf that kept her from running as she had contemplated.

She sat by the dying fire, the pup nearest to her. She slowly began to doze when she heard a small voice 'Rest. You will find your courage and strength in due time'. Sighing, she did not start at it, but slept softly

[Thalionyulma]

They were on the move once more. The orcs had forced them to travel during dusk until late evenings. Rinurion knew that they were heading towards the deeper part of Mirkwood, where the patrols no longer venture and have marked dangerous.

The foul orcs were not very gentle. And were often pleased at giving the captives any discomfort. Sauche had been fought back in retaliation, but was forced to submit once more when a blade was drawn to Gayahithwen and Amaryllis neck. As a result, both Sauche and Rinurion’s bonds were tightened. Daegon had looked on helpless and fighting off his guilt.

“Fool, do you thing the minions of the Dark Lord would ever keep their word?” Rinurion had hissed at the traitor under his breath that only Daegon could hear. He was nearly shoulder-to-shoulder with the other elf, and if he had not been bonded, would have done more.

[Fair Amaryllis]

Her wrists burned constantly and her hair was a tangle of burs, leaves, and twigs. The feet that were so unused to walking felt like they were about to fall off. They rarely got food and never enough rest before they were off again walking at an unbearable pace. She missed home. Missed all the people she knew. would she ever see them again? Or would she die out here in the wilderness? Her thoughts drifted too often and she found herself lagging behind, which caused her to have the bonds tightened even more. How would she ever get through this?

[Taralphiel]

The troop marched through day and night. Indeed night and day seemed to meld the closer they got to Dol Goldur, and the more persistent nightmares of the living dead Queen became.

The last time she had slept, the woman was reaching out to her, calling her to come to her and help her, but she always fled, unsure if they were illusions of her own mind probing to find her. She would wake in a cold sweat, trying to stop the shaking of her thin limbs.

Eventually the break between legs of the journey would get smaler, and Taralphiel had gotten used to the steady pace. Striding along to the wolf pup, she was slowly getting used to conversing with him in the mind. Just as she was about to attempt again, he stiffened. She looked about, and a heavy, probing, and cold malice filled her. She glanced at her party who were allready heading for the trees, and she scrambled to cover, waiting to face what would come...

[Thalionyulma]

The Dark Elf had kept cautious throughout their journey. He had chosen a path that seemed to go roundabout, but one he deemed safer. He felt young Taralphiel’s uneasiness and unasked questions. He was glad that both Khelek and Anarya were giving her as much comfort and support as they both could. The young pup was very compassionate to the young girl’s predicament.

The sky overhead was gray and overcast. It seemed as they neared Dol Guldur, the sun’s warm ray was blighted by something dark and evil. Even the sky at night was cloudy, neither letting the moonlight nor stars shine through. The woods that should be filled by the sounds of woodland creatures were eerily silent most of the time. The trees felt void of warmth, but rather it gave the elves a feeling of unwelcome.

Rûdhchamion stopped suddenly in his tracks as he felt a menacing presence. Quickly signaling to his companions he motioned for them to take cover behind a large boulder that was partly covered by heavy brushwood.

Like a silent panther, he was swiftly atop a large branch of an old bole. He was already beading his arrow, alert for any surprises. Anarya, too, had her bow strung and ready for an attack.

With his keen eyes, he searched carefully, tensing when he saw what he feared. Beyond the trees, several yards away from them was a pack of wargs. Above the pack were a growing number of large bats that seemed to be just hovering in the air. The foul creatures in the air were like the once that had attacked them near Thranduil’s realm.

There were too many of them, they would be outnumbered easily. Quickly deciding on what to do, he scrambled down swiftly. He squatted next to Anarya as Taralphiel and Khelek came closer.

“We have no choice. We must double back and find another route,” he said in a low voice. “Anarya, Taralphiel, head for the creek we last passed. Khelek stay with them. I’ll cover our tracks from behind and follow you.”

Filled with anxiety, the group quickly left their hiding place and headed back towards the creek. The sound of the wolves could be heard.

[ April 24, 2003: Message edited by: Thalionyulma ]

[Thalionyulma]

The elven healer had a sudden feeling of uneasiness. Several times he had passed the room King Thranduil had forbidden any to enter but a few. He knew of the two elves within, and had felt a pang of pity for the maiden Tinuiel.

He stopped at the door, putting his palm upon it. As his skin brushed upon the wood, he felt it. A malevolent presence that should not be there. He quickly headed towards the hall to the Elvenking’s throne.

As he turned a corner he came upon the King’s son, Legolas.

“Greetings, Sire,” Thallig bowed in greeting.

“You look troubled, Thallig,“ Legolas said.

The healer quickly told the prince his uneasiness regarding Tinuiel and Mornovarion.

“Have you looked in?”

“Nay, my Prince. Your Father has forbidden all but a few to enter the room. I was about to go and seek the aid of Tathar.”

“Go then quickly! “ Legolas said as he darted towards the room where Mornovarion and Tinuiel were in.

[Taralphiel]

Stumbling across the small river took great strength, but Taralphiel exerted herself and headed deep into the forest on the other side, finding refuge in the trees. Evil monsters had once again been looking for them, and it would make their journey all the longer.

Sighing, Taralphiel tried to ease herself into the branches and make herlself as comfortable as possible. After many hours, the dark Elf returned from making sure their tracks were covered. Pangs of guilt waved in her mind We would not have to hide if I hadnt been seen by that woman...Taralphiel began to turn in her mind all the things she could do to repay these three that had been so kind to her.

After staying aloft for a few hours, the party eventually moved on another path. Hearing screams of agony in her mind, she simply walked along and said nothing.

[Thalionyulma]

The Dark Elf scouted up ahead the path. Although they had been forced to back track from their trail, he was not taking chances. He knew they were going to go northwestward before going south once more. It seemed another roundabout route.

He sighed. It would be no good getting annoyed by it all. Two elves, a young maiden and a white wolf pup would have a slim chance against a large band of warg riders and orc patrol.

He noticed that a group of black bats regularly soared the skies as well. This was adding to his suspicion that their presence was being observed, if the enemy already knew their exact whereabout.

He headed back to his companions.

Rûdhchamion found that Anarya had a fire going and was preparing their scant meal. Taralphiel was sitting nearby, absently stroking Khelek, in deep though. The young wolf whined a greeting.

”No, Khelek, it looks like we may have a restful stop this time. The enemy did not follow. But I like not what patrtols the sky at night” the Dark Elf answered the young wolf’s unasked question.

Anarya nodded and handed him a waterskin before she sat next to Taralphiel.

“What troubles you, Taralphiel?” The Dark Elf asked the young maiden quietly.

[Iarbarion]

Laryelion stood on top of the tall boulder he had just finished climbing. His hawk-like eyes wandered aimlessly through the dark, dense vegetation. Even though he was an elf of Lothlorien he was in Mirkwood. The home of the elf had dealt with a small loss of a few elves. Uruk-hai had killed all of the unlucky group including Laryelion's own grandfather.

The Lady of the Wood had sent him with a small company to follow the Uruk-hai. When the group had finally caught the evil warriors Laryelion became lost in the confusion. He had found his way to Mirkwood alone and was welcomed as a guest. He wandered aimlessly most days waiting for something to do, something like a quest. He also wished he could somehow find his way back to Lothlorien.

One of the many days when he was wandering through the forest, he saw what seemed like orcs of some sort. They may have been Uruk-hai but the trees blocked even the view of his elvish eyes. He thought to himself I might as well go see what is going on, I have nothing more important to attend to.So he began to wander through the trees towards what seemed like a small group of creatures. His dagger and bow comforted him and gave him enough courage to wander on.

[Taralphiel]

Taralphiel wondered if it was compassion in his voice, but answered him in one tone.

'I hear screams of torture. Elves, Men and Dwarves are being tortured and executed Rudhchamion. And Eriador is there. He calls to me when I sleep and when I am awake. My mind is not my own'

She heard Rudhchamion shift in his spot. 'He is wondering if I can see his thoughts'she thought to herself 'What else could he be thinking?'

Rudhchamion's movement stopped, and she noticed Anarya and Kehelek were also watching. Rudhchamion took a while to reply...

[Iarbarion]

Laryelion trudged on trying to find what had just shortly before looked like a group of elves. His ears waited for any small sound. His eyes never moved the spot he had before seen. He could almost smell something was wrong, terribly wrong. He stumbled over a stick and fell to the ground. Still his eyes did not blink or move from the spot they seemed so fixated upon.

He had walked on for what seemed like at least an hour when his eyes spotted something move again. Laryelion's pace quickened. They searched for another sign of movement but whatever he was searching for looked very cautious. Laryelion wondered what sort of foul creature would be waiting for him.

He kept on going until the Sun began to sink behind the tops of the trees. His legs began to tire but he would not stop for anything. His throat begged for water and his stomach craved Lembas, but still he sauntered on. The creature or creatures moved again but this time Laryelion was within distance of them.

He jumped into what seemed like a small clearing of trees and looked around at many orcs. At once they attacked. His bow wipped out and shot many of the creatures. His sword sliced open many black wounds. Laryelion spotted what seemed like captives lying on the ground nearby. He shot another orc and cut one of the captive elves free.

[Thalionyulma]

Rinurion had sensed that they were suddenly being observed by... someone. But he was somehow sure it was not that of the enemy. The elven warrior had felt the change in the forest, a certain point of tense focus. He kept close to his companions, still keeping alert, yet he did not want to alarm them. He kept his silence.

All of a sudden, after the group passed a clearing, a rain of arrows seemed to suddenly fall upon them coming from a grove of elms. Keeping his head, the elf had turned to the nearest orc and kicked out. Sauche, too, had vented her anger at a nearby orc while the confusion erupted.

It was another elf, but not from Greenwood it seemed. This tall elven stranger was dressed quite differently, yet he was garbed in a distinctly familiar leather armor and cloak. It was that of Lothlorien! Rinurion had found his bonds freed suddenly, giving a quick nod of thanks to the stranger, he swifly disarmed an orc, and using his enemy's sword, whirled and cut down another at his left.

Swiftly going to Sauche's aid who was being attacked by the orc she had vented her anger on. Amaryllis was seperated suddenly from them as an orc roughly pulled her away from them. Gayahithwen, too was having her own problems but kicked out as another orc, too tried to grab her.

After cutting Sauche's ropes, he turned to Gayahithwen's direction to help her. Rinurion saw the orc double up as the elf maiden kicked out once more, hitting her attacker at a vunerable spot. He quickly cut down the foul creature and freed the maiden.

Looking towards the stranger, he saw him come to Amaryllis' help. The struggling maiden was resisting three large orcs. She too was fighting as best as she could, but being bonded, it seemed futile.

That was when Rinurion spotted Deagon.

[Iarbarion]

Laryelion had just cut free what seemed like an elven warrior when he saw that a nearby elf badly needed his assistance. The elf was being attacked by three orcs. He shot one of the orcs and ran over to where the orc fell. He pulled his sword out and sliced off a second orc's neck. The first elf that he had freed had released other elves and noticed that the bound elf needed help. Laryelion had barely sliced off the second orcs head when the third orc's neck was struck by an arrow. The last of the foul creatures fell.

"Nice shot," Laryelion commented to the originally freed elf.

Then the elves conversation started...

[ May 15, 2003: Message edited by: Iarbarion ]

[Fair Amaryllis]

She had been nearly drug off by those three large orcs but thanks to this stranger she was alive. She hugged Gaya and Sauche, happy they were all still together. sHe would have hugged Rinurion but she thought it might not be wise. She was sore and tired, and hungry but she was silent as Rinurion greeted the other.

[Taralphiel]

...Rudhchamion muttered something inaudible and turned away to other duties.

Taralphiel stood up, and walked out into the forest. The sharp pains in her head did not relent. Crouching to the floor, she could not help but weep

'Why has this come upon me?' she rambled out loud. 'Why can I not find rest and happiness??'

'Some are destined for things greater, and harder than that' said Khelek. Taralphiel stared into the dark eyes of the wolf, and found his wisdom beyond hers.

'You have a task, as we all do. Now is not the time for tears, or pity, but for action. I see you becoming a woman of great strength and wisdom, and a leader of Men, as Haleth of Old. But you must put away your tears, and take up your courage'

Taralphiel felt a hardening come over her heart at his words, and her tears stopped. She saw many thinkgs in her minds eye. A house of beauty on a cliffside, rolling hills, and swans flying gently in the breeze. She saw beyond her time.

Standing back up, she looked at the wolf 'You have changed me for the better, good creature! I will not go back to pity, nor meek whimperings. You have seen the last of that, I assure ye!' The wolf simply nodded.

Striding quickly back to the campfire, she took up her daggers and found a stone to sharpen them on. Anarya stared at her in disbelief, never thinking she would be the type to prepare for battle. Taralphiel grinned, and said to Rudhchamion:

'When do we leave for the stronghold? My fate is calling me good Elf, and I do not wish to leave it waiting!'

[Thalionyulma]

The dark elf was distracted by something beyond his normal vision. His senses were sharp and tensed, as if hidden danger ahead had tapped him mentally.

Rûdhchamion had been speaking to the young female Taralphiel. He had felt guilty for seeming insensitive to her feelings. He wanted to ease her troubled mind the best he could, luckily Anarya was near to give her comfort and support.

He had asked Taralphiel what was troubling her, when something in his mind's eye caught his attention. He could remember what he answered the young female.

He walked a few yards into a cluster of trees and let his elven sense to wander... searching about. Something, probably the woman again, was trying to reach out and find them. He noticed the stillness of the woods. The silent eeriness made the surrounding seem like it was holding its breath, waiting.

Anarya stood up from the campfire as he came back to the campfire. She, too was concerned. Rûdhchamion noticed that Taralphiel was nowhere around and looked questioningly at the elf maiden.

"Khelek went with her. She needs to have time to herself."

He nodded. "She is still young, even in terms of her kind. Many things will come about to test her."

"As it will to each one of us, Rûdhchamion."

They both turned as Taralphiel came back. A determined look was on her face. The young girl took out her blades and began to whettle them. She looked up at the dark elf and said:

'When do we leave for the stronghold? My fate is calling me good Elf, and I do not wish to leave it waiting!'

Rûdhchamion's face was masked, showing no emotion. After awhile he answered, "In good time young Taralphiel."

[Thalionyulma]

Rinurion had been distracted by another orc before he could reach Deagon, and when he turned towards the elf he was gone. He saw his companions were now safe together. Gayahithwen was gathering her composure, as was Sauche. Amaryllis was smiling with relief.

The elven stranger stood to one side and waited for him.

"To whom do we owe our lives?" Rinurion said to him by way of greeting and gratitude.

"I am Laryelion of Lothlorien."

"I am Rinurion of Greenwood, Northern Realm of Thranduil. It has been many ages that one of our kin has visited us."

Amaryllis and the others drew near and greeted Laryelion as well. They began telling their tale of capture to the elf who listened, concern upon his face. Laryelion knew though he was deep within Mirkwood, the border was not far from Lothlorien.

Rinurion was noticeably irritated at having lost the chance to get hold of Deagon. He had caught Gayahithwen's eyes and the elven maiden looked away.

Laryelion had caught the exchange, but kept to himself.

[Taralphiel]

Taralphiel followed the Elves and wolf on their new path through the forest, which was becoming more and more hazardous. But it seemed the closer they came to their destination, the louder and stronger the visions Taralphiel had became, so that at least could be seen as some guide. Soon the signs of buildings and life could be vaguely seen.

Travelling along their path came to a quick halt, and one nod from Rudhchamion sent them into hiding as a presence moved into sight...

[Taralphiel]

Anarya took refuge in the trees as a host of orcs came past. She eyed them closely as they filed through the undergrowth, and pondered their situation.

'We are close to an enemy force of great size. We must alert the King' she mused 'But how will he get here before a great attack meets him unawares?'

She met the gaze of the Dark Elf as he held his bow. He seemed to understand her troubles, and his expression gave a small amount of reassurance.

She also watched the human and Khelek. Great changes had come over her, and indeed their whole party. Anarya knew that she had withdrawn and become melancholy over the lst few weeks, and she did not see the need to hide such emotions. Such a great burden was on them, and she did not know how they would be able to release it.

At that moment, she felt a darkness sweep through her mind, and it shocked her. Looking up, she saw the human turn pale. All she could do was mouth to the she-elf... 'She is here'...

[piosenniel]

Thalionyluma

Please contact me about reopening this RPG for play.

Thanks!

~*~ Piosenniel, Shire Moderator