The Blue Mountains

[Iaurlachien]

Originally posted by Mattias

The sun was beginning to sink behind the trees of the un-named forest as Mattius rubbed his chin in thought and worry. The tracks had all but disappeared in the dense woodland and darkness was approaching, fast. Mattius didn’t like tracking the Beast in the darkness, not at all. He loosely felt the hilt of his sword, Angmarth, and took security in it. He noticed something on the floor, something small but helpful to him, a small piece of broken flint. He crouched down and took a closer look at it. I seemed Dwarvish in fashion. ‘Strange…’ he thought to himself but his thoughts were cut off when he heard screams coming from the thicket some five hundred yards away. He sprinted forward, not heeding the cuts he was receiving from the branches either side of him. As he got closer to the sounds he realised that the screams were that of a child and probably a small girl at that. At last he burst out into the opening unsheathing Angmarth and caught the glimpse of the Black Beast sprinting back into the forest away from him. Quick as a flash he began to run after the shadow but he was stopped in his tracks by the whining of someone on the ground. He turned around to see the small figure hunched up against a tree. Caught in two minds he quickly sheathed his sword and bent down to the tree. Now he could see that the little girl that he thought had been attacked was in fact a young female Hobbit!
“Are you okay?” Mattius asked sternly. The young hobbit moaned and mumbled ‘yes’ to him, eventually.
“Stay here, I will be back soon. Don’t move.” With that Mattius leapt into the woods the way the Beast had taken.
After around thirty minutes Mattius returned to the opening to find the hobbit still sat up against the tree. She looked up and her blonde hair trailed down her face. Mattius helped lift her to her feet.
“You’re a tough little hobbit and no doubt. Perchance you would tell me why you are out here in the un-named woods and how it came about that you were attacked by that Thing that I hunt.”

[Iaurlachien]

It was extremely cold in the forest, being winter. The wind was rushing through the trees. Their leaves seemed to sparkle in the soft morning sunlight. It had stopped raining and everything was quiet and peaceful. Through the un-named forest walked a black thing. One that would have come upon the beast could hardly have told what it was, it being as black as the forest itself. It’s fur was shining like polished silver, water dripping from it. Almost cat-like the animal seemed, by watching the way it moved. No-one was usually out at this hour, and the beast knew it. It was looking for something, but did apparently not quite know what, because it was wandering around in no particular direction. It looked about the trees and turned its head up to the sky, day was coming. The night was fading quickly now. The cat sat down to lick the water from it’s paws. Suddenly, a flash, a black flash it seemed. The sound of hooves on the wet soil ground. Then it was gone. Quickly the cat got up from the ground and disappeared behind a big strong oak tree. When coming back into sight, the beholder would not have known what to do or to thing. First one bare foot stepped onto the wet grass, then another. A hand was trying to find a grip through the branches. Then a black figure climbed out of the bushes behind the oak tree. It was a woman, Rothallë was her name, Muirë she was also called. She swung her black hair behind her delicate shoulders. Drops of dew fell off it sparkling like a thousand stars on a clear night. Clad in black she was, wearing a black cloak around her shoulders pinned with a silver brooch that looked like a leaf. Her eyes shone, bright green with spots of yellow. One could say that the sparkles of the brightest sunlight were in her eyes. Then, another black flash came, but she did not appear to be afraid. She cried out in a language unknown to most of the living creatures of her age and only spoken when being with beasts. Out of the thick forest stepped a horse. It was a fierce and noble steed, it was her horse Winter’s Sorrow. Rothallë leaped upon its strong back and grabbed its long beautiful manes, for the horse had no bridle on. “Quick”, she said to the horse, and away it leaped into the breaking daylight, heading South.

[Auriel Haevasawen]

"Slow down, slow down daughter of shadow," Radagast sighed as she passed him on the road. Rothallë reined in her imposing beast and turned back. She had keen ears and even the old man's whispers came as clear sounds to her. She walked the horse the few steps back to his side.
"You should not be alone here old man," she said in faltering Common Tongue.
He chuckled. "I fear little in this world my dear, I keep watch over living things and in a place such as this I think they keep watch over me."
Rothallë shrugged and carefully turned her horse back to its southern path. She meant to leave the old fool to his babbling.
"I would not go much further alone night-sister. There are others in this forest this morn. All will change your life, some good, some not. Walk awhile with me and see what the daylight brings."
Again she reined in her horse. This time she made no attempt to ride away but fell in step with an old man quite capable of keeping pace with her.

[Ithaeliel]

Awakening to a cold, grey morning, a tall figure stood alone upon a precipice, the chill winds blowing her long black hair everywhere. Her name was Endereth. She looked down upon the forest, cold and dark, the trees creeping up the side of the mountain and barely stopping a half-mile from where she stood. She pulled her blue cape tighter about her, and her tears fell freely. She was young, still a child in the eyes of her people, and had suffered great loss. She had been out chasing a rabbit for that night's dinner, and the rest had waited for her in the glade... there was Blackmage, Flyer, Anoroth, Eranor, and the youngest, Flyer's daughter Nessa, named for the Vala. She was but ten years old, still innocent and cheerful. But Endereth had returned to find them dead. Nessa was next to her father, still barely alive, bleeding to death. Endereth had tried to save her, and she asked what could have done this. The child replied with few words: "The black beast..." and it was then that she, too, did pass into the shadow world, a child barely given a chance to live.
Endereth had spent weeks trying to find this murderous creature, but to no avail. Today, she was ready to give up, when suddenly she heard screams and the roaring of a horrid monster echoing across the valley. Endereth heard it coming from nearby, and she somehow perceived that her time had come for vengeance against her 'family's' killer. Jumping down, she sprinted lightly as a deer down the mountainside, never stumbling, until she reached the trees.

[Brinniel]

It was still morning when Calentoliel wandered into the forest. She was in search of her horse, Bragoldal, who had disappeared the night before. The cold wind nipped at her skin and blew her black hair in all directions, but Calentoliel did not take notice. She was worried, not only for her horse, but for the others she knew were in peril. She had heard the screams last night, but had not come to help for it was dark, so dark that even her sharp eyes could not find the way. Though she was in doubt, Calentoliel hoped that the victims of whoever attacked them were still alive and that she could help them.
Wrapping her black cloak tightly around her body for warmth, she walked deeper into the forest. Suddenly, a twig snapped from behind her. Quick as lightening, Calentoliel unsheathed her sword as she turned around to find that someone had been following her.

[ August 26, 2002: Message edited by: Brinniel ]

[Ithaeliel]

The elf turned and she saw a bright flash of cold light as the shadow of the sun reflected off of her blade. Endereth drew her own sword as a precaution. Her opponent was startled. "Who are you, and why were you creeping up behind me like that?" she asked in a flurry. Ender's face was hard. "I did not see you before either, though I walk a straight path. Are you some elven-witch trying to deceive me?"
The woman was angered by being called a witch. "You have a bold tongue for one so young, ranger girl. Speak with a little more caution next time you meet someone you suspect is a... a witch."
"And who are you that advises me, Endereth 'Fireflight' Naurelyr who has wandered the wilds and been called 'wise for my age' by many a traveler I have met, as though you were a teacher disciplining a young child?"
"I am Calentoliel," she said proudly.
Endereth calmed down a bit, sheathing her sword. "Mae govannem, if you call drawing swords on one another being well-met," she said, smiling. "I have already mentioned my name to you. How did you guess that I was a ranger?"
Calentoliel looked Ender up and down, shrugging when she finished. "You certainly look the part," she suggested before they both laughed. But Endereth soon grew grave. "I know you could hear those screams, Calentoliel. I myself am going to investigate the source. Would you be doing the same, walking alone in these forests?"
Calentoliel's eyes were cast down. "I have lost my horse and am trying to find her."
Endereth nodded. "I am loath to say, but your dear mount stands little chance against the black beast that roams this area. None have a chance against its might, not even the rangers," at this point her grief returned, and she fought back tears. "Yet as soon as I find out who has been attacked, I would gladly help you search for her."
Calentoliel smiled. "I will go with you, then. I thank you."
The two elves ran away on their light feet in the direction from which the screams had come.

[Mattius]

The hobbit opened her mouth to answer but all that came from her was a scream like no other. Mattius' graven face caught a refelction in the halfling's eye, a darkness leaping from behind him. Like a flash he spun and unleashed his fury through his ancient father's blade, Angmarth, there was no time for fear as the Great Cat, claws drawn and teeth out sprang from the trees. Huge it was, and darkness followed it like a foul stench. Mattius managed to bat away its claws with his blade and head butted the beast's great skull with a thud! With a foul shriek the Cat jumped up, and Mattius had just enough time to slash at its face, not cutting deep enough to cause permenant harm but a nasty scar would always be there. Now the Thing's howl awoke everything in the woods as it sprang back into the cover of the trees.
"Aurë Entuluva!" Shouted Mattius; the day shall come again!

[Auriel Haevasawen]

Radagast and his unwilling companion halted. The air was torn asunder with soul wrenching shrieks somewhere close. He clasped his staff firmly. Rothallë reined in her mount and stared in the direction of the sounds that pierced the early morning air. The beast was close.

[Brinniel]

Calentoliel and Endereth traveled together in silence. They kept at a quick pace for several hours until they discovered a still figure lying not far ahead.
The two elves slowly approached the figure only to discover that it was a corpse. The body was so mangled, it was unrecognizable. They both studied the dead creature closely until Calentoliel realized who she was looking at. She swallowed hard, trying to hold back her tears.
"Bragoldal, my horse," she choked. "It is what I have suspected then. He is dead."
Endereth looked up at Calentoliel, her face white. "The black beast," she whispered. "It has killed the poor horse, along with the others."
"The black beast?" Calentoliel questioned, but Endereth did not have time to answer, for she was suddenly thrown down by a creature clad in black. The thing was was hooded so that only two glowing eyes were seen. It was on top of Endereth, who was struggling for her sword while it wrapped its dark hands around her neck. Calentoliel, who was just as surprised as Endereth, opened her mouth and without warning, began to sing.
Calentoliel's voice was different from any other living thing in Middle-earth. She sang words that though were unknown, sounded clear as day. Her song rang and echoed throughout the entire forest. And though many would find this song beautiful, the hooded creature did not. It howled in pain and shuddered, letting go of its grip on Endereth. Endereth gasped for breath as the creature fled. Calentoliel did not stop singing until the shadow of the black thing disappeared. She then glanced down at Endereth, who stared back at her with an amazed expression. Weak from her own song, Calentoliel fell back and rested against a tree and took a deep breath.

[Mattius]

Now this was a strange thing. Mattius listened intently to the song ringing throughout the forrest. It was winter, yet around him all flowers came into bloom and birds began to sing in the trees, harmonizing with the original song. Then, as qucickly as it had begun it ended. As if out of a dream, Mattius' whole body jerked. He grapped the unconcious hobbit and tossed it over his shoulder, sprinting into the woods, the way from which the song came...

[Iaurlachien]

"You've felt it too, haven't you?" Rothallë spoke to Radagast. The old wizard sighed before speaking in his low voice "I know what you speak of, but you need not fear it yet." "Not fear it yet, it seems to kill everything that gets in it's way." Radagast spoke no more for a while. The wind was whispering soft words through the thickets. But they were not however words of comfort. On the contrary, they whispered words of horror. Then suddenly Rothallë broke the silence. 'How come this forest doesn't have a name? I mean, someone must have thought of one, the forest is more than a thousand years old. Forests don't name themselves you know!" "Now why are you so sure of that, sister of the night? Have you forgotten what was taught to you in your younger years? Have you then forgotten about Fangorn?" Radagast smiled at Rothallë. She started blushing. "You are right, I should be carefull what I say these times, there is always someone on my back to correct what I'm saying. I had actually forgotten about the woods of Fangorn. How could I have, for my staff is made out of it's wood." "You have yet much to learn, daughter of the night." Radagast answered. "I haven't used my powers for some time now, since all has been quiet and peaceful for such a long time now. I can feel that will be over very soon." "I forgot to mention to you," Radagast continued, "that there is absolutely nothing wrong with your sences, my dear, for I sense the same strange thing as you have been for the last few days. And about that staff of yours, you will come to use it in time, do not worry, you need not to, yet." They strolled on and came to an open field. The sun had risen now and it was shining brightly onto the bright green grass. "Radagast?" said Rothallë, about to ask another question. "Not so hasty now, daughter of the night. All in good time, all in good time, now..." They walked further, heading south, through the forest. The forest that has no name.

[Mattius]

The singing voice was further away than he had percieved, thought Mattius. It was easy enough to find the direction however, with an un-concious hobbit on one's shoulder or not! There was a great path made freshly, huge trees were uprooted and tossed to make a clearing. Mattius cursed to himself and his mind was full of tearful fear. The Beast had changed, and now it was more powerful than ever.

Mattius knew this and now knew that the Beast would be a terrible horror to behold. In fact, Mattius wondered if any had even hurt it as much as he had when he slahed its face open. At length he saw the end of the trail and a small opening. He gently laid the hobbit down, unsheathed his sword, and approached...

[ October 01, 2002: Message edited by: Mattius ]

[Brinniel]

Endereth stood up slowly and approached Calentoliel. Calentoliel watched her every step, knowing what she was about to ask. She waited.
And then the expected question came. "How did you do that? It was magic, wasn't it?" Endereth stuttered.
"Yes," Calentoliel replied. "It is a gift, a gift that comes to me unknown. I am able to sing magic, whether it is to destroy, to heal, or to create images."
Endereth stared down at her, looking even more amazed than before. "So you can do anything then?"
Calentoliel smiled. "I wish I could. I try to avoid using my magic, for as you can see, it drains the energy from my body. I wouldn't have sung just now, as I probably would've been better off if I hadn't, but sometimes I am unable to control myself."
Endereth nodded in understanding. "I see. And you do not know how this magic came to you?"
"No. I know nothing of my past. I do not even know who I am. That is something I am trying to find out."
Calentoliel was beginning to feel uncomfortable speaking to a stranger of her personal life. She wished to change the subject. Looking back in the direction the black creature had disappeared, she asked,"What was that black creature? Was it the black beast you speak of?"
Endereth shook her head. "It couldn't have been. If it was, you wouldn't have been able to chase it off like you did, even with your song. I have seen the destruction of the black beast. It is too powerful for anyone."
Calentoliel was about to respond when she heard a noise come from behind the trees. Endereth heard it too, for she already had her sword out. Calentoliel stood up and joined her, ready to fight whatever it was that was heading towards them.

[Mattius]

Mattius' keen eyes percieved the two elves in the opening and sheathed his blade before making himself fully known to them. He slowly walked to them and looked them both in the eye before talking, Endereth and Calentoliel remained ready with swords up.
"Greetings fellow travellers," he began, "I am Mattius of Minas Tirith and Lothlorien, of Men and Elves." With this the two companions lowered their swords somewhat,
"If you would give me but two minutes, I will return to you, for I left a chance companion some what behind, to keep her from danger should I find it." The two female elves looked more suspicious at this remark but Mattius unsheahed his sword Angmarth and laid it before their feet and then spoke,
"Here is my father's ancient blade, that has cut the face of the Beast, I will return for this, with my companion in a mtater of minutes." The two elves gazed upon him in new wonder, a mighty warrior of Men he seemed, a high captain of Minas Tirith perhaps, yet he had a strong Elvish air about him that they could not ignore, his race was extremly difficult to decipher.
"Then perchance I can discuss the somewhat important matter of the Great Beast that walks in these woods." With that he turned around a walked back to where he had come from. Calentoliel, who was still feeling weak, looked at Endereth, who sheathed her sword. Calentoliel followed her lead before seating herself up against a tree again to catch her breath.

Mattius returned shorty, a hobbit was lying over his right shoulder, asleep, or more likely, unconcious.
"Is the hobbit hurt?" Asked Endereth meaningfully.
"Nay," replied Mattius, "she will be fine in due time, she looked the Beast in the eyes for too long, she will sleep for a day or two and then wake up wondering what has gone on. It is one of its tricks, to freeze prey before attacking it." Mattius laid the hobbit down on the ground next to Calentoliel who was wondering how he knew so much about the Beast, "But nothing lasts forever." He said.

After picking up his sword from where it lay and re-sheathing it he sat down on the soft ground too.
"Come my good elf," he signaled to Endereth, "let us talk for a while, at least until morning." Endereth looked to the dark trees, half-expecting to see the monster jump through that very second. Mattius saw her face and reasured her.
"Come come, it will not trouble us tonight, not after the trouble we have given it." Endereth wasn't convinced and refused to sit. Mattius sighed,
"Belive me, I have hunted the Thing from the Misty Mountains, across Eriador and now past the Ered Luin, it will not attack us this night, I swear to you!" At last a very reluctant Endereth seated herself beside Calentoliel.
"Now," Mattius began, "may I ask you first to introduce yourselves seeing as though I was kind enough to tell you my name, even whilst having your sword's tip's almost upon my chest, and also why you are here, in the un-named forest hunting, it seems, what I hunt."

[ August 30, 2002: Message edited by: Mattius ]

[Auriel Haevasawen]

"You seem less wary of me child. That is good. I do not usually concern myself with your ways but we live in strange times and even those of us who try to remain blind to the goings-on about us, get dragged into your affairs eventually. Still, I heard her singing and that will prove useful to us if we should manage to cross paths with them." Radagast seemed to be talking more to himself than his companion on the road. Rothallë found herself smiling at him. He seemed to speak nonsense and yet wore the robes of a wizard.
"Who are you?"
"Radagast, the watcher of creatures, the listener to trees, the ... Oh I forget. I am Radagast the Brown and I am no one of importance save as an extra pair of eyes and ears for you my impetuous sister of shadows."
"I wondered as you spoke with me if that was whom you were old one. I have a head full of questions for you but I can't imagine why you should think I need your help."
"Oh you do my daughter of night, you all will eventually."
"All?"
Radagast smiled to himself and shook his head. "Come along shadow-sister, we are headed south are we not. I would not linger in so open a space." He paced ahead and Rothallë was surpised at having to force her mount into a trot to keep up with the old fool.

[Auriel Haevasawen]

It was that the travellers crossed the remainder of the meadow in silence. Rothallë stared ahead as she rode, her eyes focused upon the edge of the wood as it began to close in on them once more. Radagast kept his eyes and ears about him. Every movement between the swaying grasses, every sound upon the air, the old man seemed to listen or watch intently and yet never slowed his pace. It was as if he were tracking something and not merely acting as a companion to the shape-shifter.
"Slow your pace Rothallë, there is something on the road ahead that will bring distress to your horse. Hold his head high, so not let him smell the earth."
Rothallë was both surprised by the instruction and the fact the elderly wizard had finally used her name and not some ancient title she had not come across in what felt like centuries. Still, she did as she was bid. There was something in his tone of voice that gave her warning, but it was more than that. She could smell something. It was deathly, foul and un-natural. Even one as brave as she felt uncomfortable as her nostrils filled with the stench.
They entered the forest once more and left the sunny clearing behind them. The road was nevertheless well lit and nothing around them bode evil intent. The horse side-stepped, disquieted. They paced steadily along the narrow track, side by side where it permitted; Rothallë in front where it did not.
As their foreboding grew the track widened a little and they were once more able to walk abreast. It rose gently to a blind summit and the sight that met them at its crest was unwholesome indeed. They had come upon the remains of a butchered horse. Rothallë in her horror forgot the words of Radagast and let her own mount see the carnage. It reared wildly in fear and anger.

[ September 02, 2002: Message edited by: Auriel Haevasawen ]

[Mattius]

Borin the Dwarf sat on the edge of his doorstep. He liked to call it his doorstep now that he was the last dwarf in the Blue Mountains, save a few travelling dwarves that would sometimes come by. He seldom left the caves of his home but for some reason he had decided to take a look outside, and now that he was there, he couldn't remember why he had come up in the first place!
"Bloomin' typical..." he mumbled to himself. He was used to talking to himself in this way for he had been alone for many years. "Well, now that I'm here, I may as well make the most of it!" He stood up to his full height, around four foot, and gazed upon the green woods below and then out to the blue sea. He shivered when he saw the water, he never liked the look of the sea.
"Hmmm.." he said thoughtfully, "supply of woods getting pretty low, best get some more before winter sets in!" With that he jogged down the rough path marked from his mountain abode to the un-named woods below.

As he came closer to the trees he heard a quiet sound. He checked his axe at the side of him, he always carried it, the same one he had used in the Ork-Dwarf war of Moria. Borin thought the noise was becoming louder, yes he was certain it was. Suddenly a great black shape appeared in front of him and the Dwarf was frozen with fear and dropped his axe. Only a few yards away from him was a great Uruk-Hai, larger than any seen on Middle-Earth and none more fearful, to Borin at least, he was terified of even normal Orks and had to fight the War of Moria with all his courage. Now running towards him was the largest Uruk-Hai ever seen. It ran on Borin's left but as it passed him it swung its giant left arm and knocked the dwarf out cold.

The Black Beast of Fear was raging in the un-named woods...

[ September 12, 2002: Message edited by: Mattius ]

[Auriel Haevasawen]

Radagast lept forth and tried to grasp at the horse's mane for Rothallë rode without a bridle. It was to no avail, the horse stamped and refused to be calmed. Rothallë leaned close to its ears while clamping tightly to its back with her thighs. She whispered ancient words and eventually the horse was brought to peace. Radagast smiled and stood back in admiration. The stallion snorted its distaste for the corpse of his fellow creature but was calm. "I knew that you were a special individual my dark sister." He pushed his hat back on his head to admire her work the better. Rothallë did not smile but stared at the bloodbath at the roadside.
"Pray what do you suggest we do now old one?"
"We follow the road. There are others to meet and this calamity shows they will need our support when we find them." He scanned the ground about the body of the horse. "Yes, two have passed this way. They will not be too far ahead and if I am not mistaken others will be there too. Let us make haste moonchild." He beckoned her onward.

[Brinniel]

Calentoliel looked over at Endereth, who remained silent. Finally, Calentoliel spoke.
"I am Calentoliel, and this is Endereth. We are searching for the black beast if that is what you hunt."
Mattius nodded, staring at her. "You have magic in your voice," he said.
Calentoliel glared at him. She did not wish to explain her magic again. "Nay," she lied. "Why would you say such a thing?"
At that Endereth began to laugh. However, Mattius kept a straight face, his eyes fixed on Calentoliel. "Do not lie to me, Calentoliel," he said gently. "I heard your song and I recognize you voice. But you do not have to explain this mysterious gift to me if you wish not to."
Calentoliel smiled, relieved that she did not have to retell her story. She shivered as snow flurries fell from the dark sky.
"I wish we could build a fire," Endereth sighed.
"I wish so also, but I'm afraid it is too risky," Mattius replied, pulling out food frozen from the cold.
He shared with them his food and they talked for some time. Calentoliel leaned against the tree and closed her eyes, listening to the quiet voices of Mattius and Endereth. Before she knew it, she had drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

[Mattius]

Calentoliel slept silently beside the small hobbit while Endereth and Mattius spoke in hushed voices. The sun was sinking and the moon was slowly rising overhead. As silence fell between them the voice of the sea could be heard from the west. Endereth turned her head towards it and at this moment Mattius knew she was of the ancient race, the Noldor. At length she turned back and covered her face with her dark blue hood and bowed her head. Mattius could not see it but she shed a tear in rememberance of her friends killed and also of her yearning to travel west. When she removed her hood and looked at Mattius she asked,
"Do you not feel the same pain as me, when you are near the sea, for you are an Elf are you not?" Mattius looked west for a moment and turned back,
"No, I feel no need to go west, I love Middle-Earth and hearing the sea-birds or smelling the sea-air does not hinder my mind. I am a Child of Lorien but a Man of Gondor." There was a lengthy silence of admiration from both of them before Endereth spoke.
"This thing that you seem to hunt as do I, do you know what it is?" Mattius stretched his arms out and cracked his knuckles.
"I have my suspicions and I can guess but I don't exactly know."
"What do you know and what do you guess?" Asked Endereth quickly. Mattius saw in her icey blue eyes that she hunted the Beast for a similar reason as he.
"What I know," started Mattius in no more than a whisper, "is that it attacks with fear."
"Fear?" Endereth frowned.
"Yes," he said even quieter,"what you see when you face it is what you fear."
"You mean that it changes?"
"Yes, but I suspect only in your mind it changes."
"But what if," started Endereth, "two people see it together?" Mattius sighed,
"I do not have all the answers but it may be that it appears different to the two people and maybe its power diminishes somewhat so the fear is lessened. I do not know." Endereth sat back and began to let all she was hearing sink in. She had learnt a lot but Mattius had more to say.
"But what I do know, is that creatures like this do not simply 'exist'. They are created." Endereth moved foward again,
"You mean," she said so quietly that even Mattius had trouble hearing her, "it could have been... Sauron?" Mattius let out such a loud sigh and sat up so qucikly that Endereth almost jumped out of her skin.
"Thats always a possibilty I guess. But it could have also been one of those wizards. Not Gandalf of course or even Radagast but Sauraman or either one of those Blue Wizards should they have turned to evil." Endereth looked at Mattius with more respect,
"You are quite learned for a very young elf, or man if you wish to regard yourself as one."
"Thank you! They taught me a lot of history when I was in Lorien." Endereth jumped up in surprise,
"Lorien! You must have arrived there just as I left!" She sat back down again, "Oh to see those fair woods again..." The elves began talking of times in Lorien before they were interupted by a noise comming from behind them. Endereth quickly woke up Calentoliel and with Mattius they readied for a fight. The noise was close and a voice could be heard before a figure could be seen.
"Now now my friends, no need for all this!" An old man and a woman came into view and Mattius could see it was one of the wizards he had heard of during his tme in Lorien. He sheathed his sword and approached the Brown Wizard. All that separated the youthful faces of the Elf-Man and the Istari was ten inches of cold air and snowflakes.
"Radagast...?"

[ September 10, 2002: Message edited by: Mattius ]

[Auriel Haevasawen]

"Indeed I am dear boy. You must be Mattius. I see your troubled brow. Do not be concerned. I know who you are and what task you have set your heart upon." The wizard turned to the womenfolk who huddled against the icey wind. "I know who you are too singer to the stars and her companion. My fellow traveller will introduce herself to you in time. I fear she trusts you little." He spoke the truth for as he spoke she hid behind her stallion, eying the group with caution from behind his head, the wind blowing his mane about her and providing an extra cover. Mattius gave a sharp bow of his head in greeting but the frozen and exhausted ones merely stared at the brown clad old man mocked by flurries of flakes. "Lead us on Mattius. This is too open a place for the exhausted to rest."

[Mattius]

Mattius stared at the old wizard in great wonder. He had loved hearing the stories of Gandalf and Sauraman from the elves in Lorien. To him they seemed like stories of old but they had happened only a few years before he himself arrived at the Golden Woods.
"Greetings good wizard, lover of animals and guardian of all living things on Middle-Earth." Mattius hoped this was the correct way to address a wizard and from the sparkle in Radagast's eyes he could see that he hadn't done half bad! "I will lead," he continued, "if you will follow me. There is a place we can rest from the cold for tonight not far from here at the foot of the mountains." He motioned away eastward. Its not a long march but at least there we can light a fire and keep a bit warmer." Mattius looked confused, "In fact, I don't know why I didn't think of it before to be honest!" Radagast laughed quietly,
"Perhaps your heart told you that if you left this place you would not come upon my companion and I!" Mattius scratched his head and looked at the two elves who frowned back at him.
"Fair enough I guess, now let us be going!" With that Mattius hoisted up the hobbit onto his right shoulder but the woman who was standing behind her horse spoke before he could take a step.
"My horse will bear your hobbit friend to this place, I do not want you being slow if you are leading us." Ordinarilly Mattius would have argued with the lady that he was, in fact, not slow and quite strong enough to carry the hobbit and keep a good pace, but he was too joyous to meet an actual wizard to begin a war of words with her.
"So be it, follow me if you will!"

[Mattius]

As they walked Mattius took the lead, talking to Radagast about old stories he had heard concerning the wizards and the War of the Ring. Ender and Calentoliel followed behind them with Endereth helping Calentoliel for was still quite weak. The two of them also talked but about their lives before they met. Finally followed the mysterious woman whose horse now carried the unconcious hobbit. She walked silently, in fact, almost impossible to know she was even there. After around forty minutes of this travelling Mattius spoke,
"We are almost there."

[ September 10, 2002: Message edited by: Mattius ]

[Ithaeliel]

Endereth followed Mattius cautiously, hoping he knew what he was doing. She knew her way around these mountains, and she knew which places were safe or unsafe. Ender saw the ways of the beast all too well ever since the day she had begun to hunt it.

As the travelers approached a grove of trees, an old vision flashed in Ender's heart. She knew this place, and it gave her a dark feeling. Mattius parted the trees, signaling that they had reached their destination, and it was in that moment that Ender knew what her feeling was. She stifled a scream, backing away slowly. "Fool!" she hissed at Mattius. "If you really knew your way around this forest, you'd know that this was the very place where my travelling companions were killed. I can still see the bloodstains on the tree! You may think this place is safe, but the black beast is more clever than that. Most places that appear so in the forest are its most favored hunting grounds. You know not what you have led us into!" she shouted at him.
Mattius looked surprised and humbled all at the same time. "If nothing else, we might rest here."
"NO! I refuse to take a step into that grove. It haunts my memory. Do you know what it is to return and find your friends-- your brethren-- murdered and slain viciously and cruelly? That was all we were doing, taking a rest. I was gone not fifteen minutes, during what time the beast came and ran them down. All it needs is a few seconds... that's all..." Ender's voice was breaking. She hated it and feared it. She knew its ways. For all they knew, it could be in the tree, watching their every move. "We cannot stay here. I don't wish to take the chance of being slain again."

[Mattius]

Mattius exchanged glances with the wizard who showed no sign that he would make the decision for him. Finally Mattius spoke,
"Okay, I do know of another place but it will take us another hour or so to get there. It is safe, its a secret cave in the side of the mountain where the dwarves used to live. Endereth?" The elf looked up and nodded whilst shaking with a mixture of fear and cold.
"Lead on again dear boy!" Said Radagast.

Borin moaned as he turned over. He was very tired but he couldn't remember going to bed. He could rememeber getting up but not going to bed. Wait, he could remember leaving his cave and then seeing....Uh-oh. The dwarf slowly opened his eyes, his head was very sore but at least there was no sign of the Uruk-Hai. It was cold too! As his eyes came slowly into focus he could see the white snowflakes all about the him. Borin hobbled to his feet, leaving a dwarf shape in the snow. Shaking his head to remove the snow he sneezed loudly. Slowly he began walking up to his mountain home but was stopped abruptly by a hand on his shoulder. For a split second he feared it could be the Great Orc again but when he turned around he saw a small band of people and the man with his hand on his houlder was elderly and clad in brown with a great hat on his head.
"Wha-what do you want?" Stuttered the dwarf.
"Master dwarf," started Radagast, "we wish only to be able to stay one night in your halls if you could find room for us." Borin scanned the group before turning again to the wizard,
"Aye, aye fine, I could use company on a night like this, and I can guess pretty much why your here anyway, that terrifying great big orc I'll wager!" Endereth exchanged glances with Mattius. "Come, follow me, I am Borin Iceplate, last dwarf of the Blue Mountains and I will take you to my halls"

[ September 10, 2002: Message edited by: Mattius ]

[Brinniel]

As Borin led the group on, Calentoliel kept her head down. When Mattius glanced back towards her, she averted her eyes from him.
Mattius had led them to a dwarf. Calentoliel hated dwarves. No, she didn't hate them. She despised them. All her life, Calentoliel had been taught to never trust dwarves and their ways. This was the closest she had ever been to one and she did not like it one bit.
But Calentoliel did not complain. Though her strength was returning, she would not fully recover until she had a good night's rest. She did not trust this dwarf, Borin, but Mattius and Radagast seemed to, and she trusted them enough. Besides, this shelter would be safe and dry, and Calentoliel knew she would sleep well there as long as the dwarf kept his distance from her.

Calentoliel sighed. She had not known any of her companions for 24 hours, yet she already felt separated from them. She was a girl that though appeared to be an elf, did not have the personality of one. She had no true identity of herself, not even of her orgin. If she did not belong with the elves, was it the men she belonged with? No, she was even more different than them. While they desired power, she wished for the opposite. She did not belong with the hobbits, for they were too cheerful and careless, which was nothing like her. Calentoliel didn't even consider the dwarves. She was not like them and would never be. And as for the Istari? Calentoliel paused in her thoughts. Though she did not have the appearance of one, she definately had equal powers to a wizard. Calentoliel had never really thought of this, for she had never met a wizard before. Until now.
Calentoliel studied Radagast carefully as she continued walking. If she found a chance to talk to him at all, perhaps she could find out more about her identity. Wizards were supposed to be wise, after all, and surely he would know something.
Calentoliel glanced back at the mysterious woman behind her. The woman had kept to herself, hardly saying any words at all. She seemed to be hiding many secrets and Calentoliel couldn't help but wonder what they were. Before she whipped her head forward, she saw the woman stare back at her. Calentoliel shook her head in disbelief. Strangely enough, there was something in the woman's bright green eyes that Calentoliel had recognized.

[Auriel Haevasawen]

"Good evening to you master dwarf. I'm afraid I have not had the pleasure of our meeting before this evening. I trouble myself little with the afairs of those who can reason for themselves. It is nature that is my care and an imbalance in nature that makes me foister myself upon you at this late hour." Radagast sat upon the stool offered to him by Borin, well back from the fire he was encouraging in the grate. "Go forth and warm yourself my shadow sister," he muttered to the first of his companions. Rothalle whispered close to him.
"I cannot leave my horse in the outer cave. What of the beast?"
"He is protected. Ask no more. Listen and watch your fellow travellers. You will learn much and there is one already who sees into your soul."
"I do not like your words Radagast," she hissed back.
"You may not but they are the truth. Now go to the fire and learn with thine ears whilst you thaw."
The eyes of Calentoliel were upon them all the time they held their hushed conference. Radagast made a very deliberate nod in her direction. It was up to her to approach him. He knew who she was but it was not his business to break such news now. Better that she found out in her own good time. For now she stood in the shadows leaving a wide space between her and their dwarf host. Borin was engaged in conversation with Mattius as to the health of the hobbit girl who they had lain upon a settle by the fire and wrapped in a rough woollen blanket. She stirred a little in her stupor but made no sign that she would waken. Man and dwarf set about brewing what looked like tea. Radagast nodded and watched. He was fond of just watching. Owls learned a lot just by watching and he had a great deal of faith in all birds of prey. In truth the carniverous birds were Radagast's favourite of all the creatures he was set to care for and had not the king of the eagles own son fallen at the hands (if indeed it had hands) of the great black beast he would not have set out on his journey. Quests were not for Radagast, that was the business of Gandalf. Nevertheless he was attempting to clear his fuddled brain and use the skills he had learned in the earliest of times to sort out this blight upon Middle Earth. He knew this rag-tag group would be the key and found he knew more about them than he expected. Now all he had to do was work out what support if any he could provide for them.
He was finally disturbed from his reverie by Endereth sitting by his side and offering him a cup of hot liquid. Her hands shook still, whether from the cold or the shock of seeing the clearing he could not ascertain.

[Mattius]

"Seventeen I killed on that day my lad! Seventeen!" Borin stood up and started swaying an imaginary axe at invisible orcs. Mattius chuckled as he looked at the dwarf. Borin rarely had company to entertain and even rarer were company who wanted to hear stories of his old battles. Well, in fact, he had only taken part in one battle, the Dwarf-Orc war of Moria. With his memory somewhat strained from the actual event he boasted to Mattius of his great bravery and fighting skills. Still laughing Mattius turned to Calentoliel but she was looking towrds Radagast and his female companion who now stood up and walked closer to the fire. Calentoliel followed her movement but her face showed no sign that laughter would come from it. Rothallë had no idea what Radagast was talking about, 'go and listen to them? Silly old fool!' But she listened to them anyway, intent that she would learn nothing. Endereth sat down next to Mattius, Borin and the hobbit and said,
"Do not miss-understand master Borin's tale Mattius, that war was not a glorious one." Almost at once Borin's face became grim and sad.
"Aye, she is right my lad," the dwarf started, "a sad day indeed. So many of our kindred were killed that we had to burn their bodies. Such a pyre has never been seen on Middle-Earth and I hope never will again." There was a long silence before Endereth spoke.
"And the smoke was seen in Lothlorien and that is not forgotten." After another lengthly silence Borin could be heared weeping softly. Calentoliel turned and her face showed total surprise that a mere dwarf could have emotion such as great sadness. Mattius stood and placed his hand on Borin's shoulder and patted it. Borin wiped his tears away,
"I am sorry about that," his voice changed back more dwarf sounding, "now it is getting late and I guess you all must be tired, there is plenty of bedding around if you would like to get your heads down." Borin hurried off down his cave and shouted back up the tunnel. "And then in the morning you can perhaps tell me while your all here and even your names!" He returned with enough bedding for all but Radagast refused politely,
"No thank you Borin, I will not sleep tonight but keep a careful eye over you all."

As the embers burned slowly away the group fell to sleep one by one. Borin snored softly closest to the dying fire with the hobbit next to him. Mattius laid on his back with his hands on his chest and slept peacefully. Calentoliel huddled close to Endereth and shivered as she drifted into sleep but Rothallë stood in the corner of the cave viewing them all one by one but stopping for a long while to look at Calentoliel. Radagast was also awake but sat in the dark shadows of the cave, looking over them all.

[ September 11, 2002: Message edited by: Mattius ]

[Ithaeliel]

Endereth kept her eyes closed as she listened to the dying fire crackling and hissing. She felt the eyes of the wizard bore into her and then pass on to watch Calentoliel.
Although she knew that they were in one of the few safe places unknown to the beast, Ender was restless and uneasy. Carefully turning over to avoid waking Calentoliel, she sighed quietly. Finally, after what seemed to be hours (and it likely was-- the fire had died completely), she heard Radagast step out of his post and retire. After she sensed no waking presence (rangers had a way with knowing who's asleep and who's not... you could say it's a job requirement), Ender slowly stood. Brushing her cloak away from her face, she looked about in the dark of night, hearing nothing but the songs of the crickets in the brush, seeing nothing but the occasional firefly. As one of them flew by, its glow illuminated Ender's vision, and she saw what was around it. Suddenly, a shadow engulfed the light, and just as quickly passed. Ender's heart stopped. No creature would dare to be alone in the forest at this time of night... unless it was the black beast.

Ender's fears worsened when she heard a scratching noise--like claws-- on top of the roof.

[Mattius]

With the fire completly dead, Borin shivered uncomfortably in his sleep and turned over. Mattius half opened one eye but stayed still. 'Must be late,' he thought. He looked over to where Radagast was but it seemed even he had finally decided to go to sleep. He closed tried to go back to sleep again but half thought something was wrong. He opened his eyes and sat up slightly on his elbows seeing the shivering figure of Calentoliel without Endereth beside her.
"Ender?" He whispered. She was stood at the foot of the cave and Mattius stood up and silently walked over to her. He placed his hand on her shoulder and she turned around.
"Whats wrong?" he asked. She didn't need to answer for Mattius could now hear the scratching of claws on the roof above them.
"Radagast, Calentoliel, everyone up now!!" Radagast was up in a flash with his mysterious companion following almost as quick. They reached the opening and heard the claws.
"Borin," the wizard started, "put our hobbit friend somewhere safe." Radagast and Rothallë stood side by side with Calentoliel just behind them. The snow was falling thickly now and it was hard to see more than a few feet from the cave's entrance.
"Get ready, hardern you hearts, we are about to face Fear." They all looked at Mattius save Endereth who understood him. Nevertheless, they all drew their weapons.

[ September 12, 2002: Message edited by: Mattius ]

[Brinniel]

The black beast came on them suddenly. It appeared from nowhere as a fire breathing dragon. Though it appeared to be a dragon, Calentoliel knew it was much more dangerous. She could smell the magic on it as it came closer to the group, snarling. But what terrified Calentoliel the most was that she knew what this beast was. She had seen it many times in her dreams. It was a shapeshifter, the most deadly living creature ever known. Calentoliel took a deep breath. It would take more than swords to bring this beast down.

Once the menacing creature was close enough, the group attacked. Mattius led them, and was the first to bring his sword down on the shapeshifter. The beast flung him away, showing no sign of pain. Calentoliel tried to strike her opponent with her sword, but she was too slow. The beast saw her first, and fire shot out from its mouth. Luckily, Calentoliel reacted quickly and she jumped away from the flames just in time.

The creature was powerful, and Calentoliel knew that she must do something else. She did not wish to use her magic, though. It was not wise to use it so often, and she had only just regained her strength. She didn't even know if her magic would do any damage to the shapeshifter. Her magic was powerful, but not nearly as powerful as what magic Radagast and the mysterious woman had. But Calentoliel knew that soon there would be no other choice. Eventually, she would have to use her song. But not yet, she thought.

Crying out in rage and fear, Calentoliel began to run towards the beast, ready to strike again. But this time a hand held her back.

[Ithaeliel]

Ender gripped Calentoliel's shoulder tightly, although her own hand was shaking. "It's futile," she whispered, and even her strong nerve could not conceal her fear. "We can do nothing but keep it at bay until the daylight. Night is its hunting time. It will tire... eventually," she finished. Calentoliel looked back at Ender doubtfully, although the ranger knew she was right. But another piece of reason soon wound its way into her train of thought. It will tire, but we will tire quicker. You are not far from your doom. A chill feeling ran down her spine as she released Calentoliel.

Ender shifted her eyes to watch the beast. In her mind, it was Death, a shrouded black spirit, and she saw another form-- one more human-- behind it. As she squinted to see, horror gripped her heart. It was little Nessa. Death's hand gripped her by the shoulder, and she was pale and fearful. "Help me, Ender!" she cried, although it was heard by no other. Then she watched in utter terror as Nessa vanished from her sight. She looked back at the beast and drew her sword. She muttered under her breath, "Do not try to tempt me, savage beast. I know your ways. I have my wits about me."
She was surprised to hear a hissing voice reply: Yea, young ranger; thou hast thy wits about thee. But thou knowst not my ways. 'Tis not I you should hunt.

As Ender tried to make sense of his words, she saw that the others seemed to be listening as well. Had it spoken to them?

Before Ender could say any more, the beast seemed to vanish into thin air.

[ September 12, 2002: Message edited by: Ithaeliel ]

[Mattius]

Mattius was roused eventually by Borin.
"Wake up wake up!! No time to be sleeping wake up!" With a great effort Mattius finally lifted himself to his feet. His head hurt and was cut just above his right eye. His sword was just a few feet away and he quickly reached for it and sheathed it.
"Where did it go?" He asked the dwarf impatiently.
"Dissapeared." Endereth said before Borin had a chance to answer. Mattius walked back into the cave with the ranger and spoke to her quietly so no-one else could hear them.
"We share a similar fate and both hunt for same reasons. But tell me, what did you see Endereth?" For a while she was silent but then at length spoke.
"I do not wish to say but I will guess it is not what you yourself saw."
"Nor I," replied Mattius, "for what I saw may not scare you, or at least, not scare you as much." Mattius looked over to Radagast who seemed to be observing them from the otherside of the room, perhaps listening with his wizard ears.
"What did you see?" Whispered Endereth. Mattius turned around and looked at her face, still shaking with fear, as was his.
"A great werewolf, one even in my worst nightmares I thought could not exist." Then against the entire situation Mattius smiled,
"And it still bears the cut I gave him only a few hours ago!" Endereth didn't smile back but Radagast, surprising them both, spoke from across the room,
"Even in the worst situations, there is hope my elves of Lorien." He stood up and lent on his staff. "Sleep now if you wish, I will stand guard while this night lasts and hope may come in the morning light."
"Though I doubt it not." Muttered the woman dressed in black stood behind the wizard.

[Brinniel]

That night, Calentoliel had a dream for the first time in several weeks.

In the dream, Calentoliel was a little girl, perhaps ten or so. She was wandering in a dark forest, but was not alone. A small, dark figure walked next to her, bringing her comfort. The two wandered, with no particular destination.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a giant black serpent appeared, bearing its fangs. It struck out at them, and while Calentoliel's companion was able to dodge the serpent in time, she could not. Poisonous fangs sunk deep into her shoulder as she cried out in pain. After what seemed like moments, the serpent let go of Calentoliel and disappeared, satisfied at what it had done.
Calentoliel collapsed onto the ground, trying to stay conscious. Her companion ran to her aid and dragged her beside a tree for shelter. Calentoliel looked into the other's dazzling green eyes, which belonged to a frightened dark haired girl, not much older than herself. Tears streamed down the girl's face as she held Calentoliel close.
"Oh, Calie, how sorry I am," she weeped. "I was supposed to protect you and I have failed. Now you must stay here and be brave. I will go and find Radagast."
"No, don't leave me here," Calentoliel whispered. "I am afraid."
The girl smiled sadly. "I know you are. But Radagast is a powerful wizard and he will know what to do. That is why I must go to him. I promise I won't be long." And with that, the girl disappeared, leaving a trail of magic behind her.
Calentoliel waited for what seemed like hours. Finally, she could wait no longer. Darkness swam over her body and she knew of nothing more.

Calentoliel awoke in a cold sweat. She sat up, shivering in the darkness. Although she tried to take her mind off it, all she could think about was the dream. Calentoliel had this dream before, but it had been much more vague. She sat there pondering for several minutes. What could this dream possibly mean?
Calentoliel's thoughts were interrupted when she heard someone stir not far from her. She looked up and discovered that it was the mysterious woman. Though she seemed to finally have found some sleep, the woman was quite restless. Then, without warning, her green eyes opened, and Calentoliel gasped in shock. Recognition flooded her once again. It was the girl from the dream.
"Rothallë," she whispered, as if she had known that name all her life.

[Auriel Haevasawen]

Rothalle rose her finger to her lips and silenced Calentoliel. "Hush, I knew it was you also. I am returned. Do not ask me why nor where I have been. Be satisfied that I am returned and that I will protect you better this time."
Calentoliel opened her mouth to say something and again Rothalle stopped her. "No. Not this night."
"But..."
Radagast sighed from his observing corner. "She speaks wisdom child of the enchanted voice. Take heed of it. Choose another subject if you wish to converse together and keep it quiet. There are some within this room who would prefer to get some sleep."
"Radagast, you are a wizard, yes?" said Calentoliel.
"I am of that ancient order."
"Why did you not use your power on the beast?" she questioned him further.
"I have not the powers that you have imagined for me. I am a shepherd of creature, a steward of the land."
"I thought it was you that made it disappear." Rothalle gasped.
"No, that was another in this room although I cannot tell whom."
"Or will not tell," Rothalle snapped.
"What did you see when you looked upon the beast?" Calentoliel asked.
"My greatest fear."
"Which is?" she pressed him further.
"Myself."
The two girls stared at their elderly companion in disbelief. He spoke in riddles and then was so direct. They ached to question him further but at that moment Borin stirred.
"Awake already ladies? Goodness. I see a little light below the door. I think we should wake Mattius." The conversation of the dark was over.

[Mattius]

Mattius was awaken by Borin who shook him quite hard. The dwarf was still scared even though the night had passed.
"Okay okay I'm awake!" Laughed Mattius. He saw Borin approaching the sleeping Endereth and stopped him before he shook her too. "Allow me master dwarf." With that he kneeled next to Endereth and spoke in the ancient High Tongue of the elves that he had been taught in Lorien. He knew Endereth would understand it. "Awake child of Lothlorien, Ranger of the North, Elf of the Noldor. Awake and be ready for the new day!" Almost immdiatly the eyes of Endereth opened and Mattius smiled and stood up.
"It has been long since I have heard words such as those. Not since..." Endereth trailed off thinking of her lost companions. Radagast spoke before anyone could question her.
"Come now, let us to breakfast while we can, for today will be a busy day." The wizard walked over to Borin who was starting the fire again. He looked down at the hobbit still sleeping. Mattius stood next to him.
"What do you think my friend?" Asked Radagast. Mattius stared intently at the face of the hobbit, her eyes closed so tightly that her face was scrunched up.
"I think today she should wake but I cannot be certain, I have only seen this once before."
"Yet hobbits are extremly resiliant my friend, let us not forget Frodo Baggins and the Ring of Power!"

The group sat and ate the small breakfast in silence. The thought of the Beast had affected them all in different ways. Mattius and Endereth particualry noticed that Calentoliel seemed changed from the night before. Quieter and darker, yet more powerful, if that could be possible, and stronger. Their spirits were low save perhaps Mattius', who began telling the story to Borin of how he cut the face of the Beast of Fear.
"Whack whack! I pushed away its claws!" Borin sat with his mouth ajar. "Then THUD! I head butted the thing and then I slashed across its face like this!" What followed was Mattius waving his arms about in all directions and Borin questioning him, how? where? really? At length Mattius sat down and finished his breakfast.

After finishing their rather rushed meal they prepared to leave. Surprisngly to Mattius Borin wished to stay in his mountain home. The dwarf had seen enough action to last him a life time and only wished to see peace.
"So be it my good dwarf!" Spoke Radagast. "We each thank you for your hospitility and are in your debt!" Radagast led them out of the cave onto the gleaming white snow. It was bitterly cold but with blue sky. The prints of the beast were all around them facing different ways. Mattius' mood changed now. He began to realise that this was his greatest chance to defeat the beast since he began his hunt. His parents had been killed and perhaps soon he would be able to act out his revenge. He tightened his cape around him and looked at Endereth who he thought would be thinking a similar thing. Rothalle sat on her horse with the hobbit who was still unconcious. Calentoliel stood staring at her.

Endereth checked the prints on the floor. Being a Ranger she would be able to track the beast in any season.
"Its undoubtly heading eastward," she said after looking about for a while, "but I don't know why."
"Radagast?" asked Calentoliel.
"I do not know why the thing would head that way but we must make haste for eastward lies the Shire, the land of Hobbits." The groups heart's sank furthur, knowing that the Beast would have had a massive head start on them. Mattius hardened himself and stepped foward crunching the virgin snow.
"Then lets go."

[ April 13, 2003: Message edited by: Mattius ]

[Brinniel]

They walked for many miles, and did not stop until mid-afternoon for a brief rest. Mattius and Endereth sat down together and began to talk. Rothalle sat not far away with the sleeping hobbit girl lying by her side. Calentoliel went to join them, but Radagast held her back.
"Come, child. I must speak with you," he said, leading her away from the others. Calentoliel followed obediently.

Once they were far enough from the others, Radagast stopped and looked at Calentoliel.
"When we reach the beast, do you know what you must do?" he asked.
Calentoliel hesitated in disappointment. He wanted her to use her magic.
"I-I can't," she stuttered. "The beast is too powerful. My song will not destroy it."
Radagast sighed. "Unfortunately, that is true. The shapeshifter has more magic than any of us have ever had. You cannot destroy it, but you can at least weaken it."
Calentoliel shook her head. "I have only just recovered from the last time I used my magic. If I use it again, surely I will collapse in exhaustion. I do not wish to become a burden as the young hobbit girl is!"
"You do not realize how powerful you really are, child. You must have faith in yourself. If you do, you will not tire."
"But-"
"Hush, child," Radagast interrupted. "Do not be afraid to use your song. Rothalle and I will use our magic when it is needed, and you will use yours. Who knows, you may surprise yourself."
Calentoliel stared at him in confusion.
"Come now," he continued. "Let us join the others before we continue our trail." Radagast began to walk away.
"Wait!" Calentoliel cried out.
Radagast turned around.
"About Rothalle- how did I come to know her?" she asked. "I feel so connected to her. She's more than just a protector, isn't she?"
Radagast stared at Calentoliel, but gave no response.
"And how about you, Radagast?" she continued. "I feel that I have known before, also. Why is that?"
Calentoliel waited for several minutes before she got a response, and it was one that she did not wish to hear.
"You are not yet ready for those answers, Calentoliel," he said calmly. "You must wait. Wait, and soon enough the time will come when the answers will reveal themself."
And at that, Radagast walked away, leaving Calentoliel scratching her head in bewilderment.

[ September 16, 2002: Message edited by: Brinniel ]

[Auriel Haevasawen]

It was to Rothalle, his longest known companion in this journey that Radagast headed.
"How fairs our halfling charge my shadow sister?" He asked of her.
"Fair to middling Radagast. Is there anything you can do to help?" she asked of him in return.
He knelt down in the snow at the side of the hobbit girl, wrapped in a blanket sacrificed by Borin before they left his cave. Tenderly the old wizard brushed her long curls away from her face and inspected it. He placed his hand upon her brow like a mother with a sickly infant and sighed deeply. "The warmth of the sun and the company of elves will do her much good. Come daughter of the Shire, nymph of the Brandywine. I feel your strength grows in our care. She will survive Rothalle with naught but our protection to assist her."

He rose to his feet making a great show of heaving and creaking till he was upright once more. He looked at those assembled eating a little bread and dried meat from their packs and taking it in turns to sip from the canteen that Mattius passed around. Radagast decided to pass on his feelings about the hobbitess' progress to their young leader.

Mattius was glad to hear the wizard's prognosis and like Rothalle asked why the wizard was unable to help himself. Radagast sighed at the question being asked of him again. "So many questions you all ask of me. I no not the answers, why do you think I wander hither with you? I seek answers to riddles, puzzles and paradoxes. I need to set my mind at rest. A thousand things trouble me and I will not cross the sea until they are solved. All beasts must be in their order before I leave these shores and all I know at present is that the key to all is in the hands of children." He made a sound of patience lost and began to stomp down the hill. "Come on Mattius, Man-Elf lead your fellows. You have a destiny to fill, as have we all."

They were forced to bundle themselves after him at some speed to keep up. Ender assisted Rothalle with the unconcious hobbit back into the saddle who brought of the rear of the westerly travelling line.

[ September 16, 2002: Message edited by: Auriel Haevasawen ]

[Mattius]

The sun was now over head and the snow on the ground began to melt a little. Endereth led the company with Mattius. Being a Ranger she had almost instinctive tracking ability. The many hours of marching had led them to the hilly region of the Tower Hills. Rothalle called them all to say that the hobbit was starting to stir somewhat. They halted on the northside of the hills. They were around a days march from the Shire and they all knew that by then it may be too late.

Rothalle and Radagast tended to the hobbit while Endereth, Calentoliel and Mattius sat a few feet away.
"Mattius," Endereth started dying to know the answer to a question that had been burning inside her for the whole day, "why do you call yourself 'Man-Elf' and Child of Lorien but Man of Gondor'?" For a few moments he was silent and all that could be heard was Radagast and Rothalle talking in whispers a few feet away. He finally spoke,
"It is a painful story, probably just as bad as your own." Mattius looked long at Endereth.
"You do not need to tell it then, if you do not wish." The Noldorian elf spoke.
"Well," Mattius began, "I suppose we may be travelling together for some time and you must both learn my history at some point or other so I will tell you."
"Okay then, if your sure," said Calentoliel. Mattius took a swig of his water and screwed on the top. He wrapped his cloak tighter, the sun was out but it was bitterly cold.
"It began ten years before the War of the Ring. In that year I was born in the Golden Woods of Lothlorien." Endereth smiled at hearing the name of her home. "On the first anniversairy of my birth my parents were sent by the Lady Galadriel to Rivendell with a message for Elrond. My parents wished to take me with them to show their new child to the elves of Rivendell and, of course, Master Elrond himself." Mattius tightened his cloak more. "But on the High Pass of the Misty Mountains they were attacked. Killed. My father fought bravely but fell protecting his child. Their bodies feel from the mountain road to the rocky bottom and were never found." He paused for a moment to collect himself. "By chance there were two more people taking that pass that day; young couple from Bree were moving to Minas Tirith. They saw," at this point Mattius looked at the two elves, "the Beast." Mattius bowed his head again before continuing. "They found me and took me for their own. They had no children and I later found out that they could not by some witch-craft. I was raised in Gondor as a normal boy would be, never told of my true past." Endereth and Calentoliel were beginning to understand now. "When I was ten years old Sauron unleashed his army on the White City and both my mother and father went to war. I was forbidden by my father but I managed to escape and fought on the fields. I saw terible things there that day. Orcs, Ringwraiths and worst of all I saw my parents killed. I somehow survived and after the battle a small band of elves from Lorien found me un-concious and near death. They took me to Lorien and soon discovered who I really was. I was ordered to live in the woods till I was eighteen and then I could choose to live how I wished. Of course I enjoyed it at first but after Galadriel left to cross the sea, the days began to wear on and I longed for the openess of Middle Earth. When I was finally eighteen and allowed to leave I dedicated my life to find the thing that had killed my true Elvish parents. I found it in the Misty Mountains not far from where it killed my parents. The vile thing was sleeping contnet, a black mass of horror snoring in the cracks of rock. It fled at the sight of my face, and my father's sword Angmarth; Iron Doom. I have been chasing it for almost a year now but it seems it has re-found its strength and now wants to be the hunter itself." Mattius sat back hoping his quick life story had made as much sense as possible to the two elves. Endereth and Calentoliel were most surprised that Mattius had showed next to no signs of emotion. Endereth knew herself that if she had been telling her own story of how she came to be hunting the beast she would have broken down.
"Your nineteen years have seen much Mattius and you have answered many of my questions young man." Mattius began to speak but was cut off by a bright young hobbit voice piping a few feet away.
"I'm so hungry!"
"It seems our little hobbit friend has finally woken up!" Spoke Radagast.

[ September 16, 2002: Message edited by: Mattius ]

[Faye Took]

Faye rubbed her bright green eyes. She looked around at the company still a little blurry from the deep sleep that she had fallen into.'What happened?' she asked, her voice a little scratchy.'You fell into a deep sleep from the beast that we seek out.' said Rothallle's voice from behind Faye. Faye turned and looked up at Rothalle and smiled.'How did the beast make me fall asleep?'
'You peered into its eyes for too long. When that happens, you fall under its spell.'
'Oh.' said Faye 'The only thing I remember was Mattius saving me from the beast and then everything went black. And here I am, on a quest.' Faye looked around at the company and smiled. 'Uugh.' Faye mounded holding her stomach. 'What is it?' ask Rothalle. 'Hungry!' cried Faye. Rothalle searched through her bag for some food. Out she pulled a bluebarry muffin. 'MUFFIN!' cried Faye and began to stuff her face into the muffin, almost as if she was inhaleing it.

[Mattius]

Mattius walked over and stood next to Radagast.
"Seems you were right, resiliant is too light a word for you young hobbit!" He took at step foward towards her. "But perchance you could tell me how you know my name?" There was no malice in his voice but Mattius was extremly curious to know the answer. The hobbit swallowed a piece of muffin and began to talk.
"Well I daresay thats easy enough to answer! I have been able to hear every single thing you have all said!" Radagast looked puzzled.
"So," began Rothalle,"you couldn't move or speak but could hear everything?" The hobbit nodded whilst concentrating on the muffin. Mattius and Radagast exchanged looks. Endereth and Calentoliel approached from where they had sat.
"Greetings my young friend, I am Endereth and this is Calentoliel, we are both glad to see you have returned to health!" The halfling slapped her head, quickly swallowed the remaing muffin and brushed her hands of the crumbs.
"Where are my manners." The hobbit cleared her throat. "I am Faye Took of the Shire, kinswoman of the great Peregrin Took, mighty among hobbits." The group smiled at her and those who hadn't already, introduced themselves. With Faye back in good health, they prepared to begin walking again. It was a couple of hours before sunset and white snow gleamed like a million coats of Mithril laid out across the ground.

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

[Mattius]

The Shire was much closer now and the group hastened their pace. Faye was naturally extremly anxcious to return and make sure her friends and family were okay. After a few hours walking they came to a spot where there was much spilt blood on the ground and a few broken arrows. Some of the blood was red, some black. Mattius turned to Endereth.
"What do you suppose happened here ranger?" She kneeled down.
"A battle for sure. Seems the beast came upon a group of well armed hobbits at unawares. Took a few bits of blood from it too." She stood up again and looked at Faye who seemed quite distraught. "Radagast?"
"I agree my dear. My guess is they scared the beast off. However, I am afriad there may have ben a few serious casualties for the hobbits." THe ranger and Mattius studied the ground for a while more before Endereth spoke to the group.
"It seems the beast has fled, but not to the Shire. It seems to have gone south towards the Brandywine River. The hobbits, around seven of them, we suspect have gone back to the Shire."
"So, are we going to follow it then Radagast?" asked Calentoliel.
"Why do you ask me my dear?" the wizard repiled. "I am not the leader here." Without anyone discussing or talking they seemed to looked towards Mattius. He had already shown leadership qualities and they looked for his view.
"Mattius," asked Ebdereth, "what do you think?" The blond haired Elf of Gondor looked east then south before smelling the air.
"Perhaps both." he said. Faye frowned.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Perhaps we should split up, for the time being at least. Faye needs to be returned to the Shire and I feel a great need to talk to the Thain, Peregrin Took."
"So who is going with us?" asked the hobbit.
"Radagast, will you also travel with us, I have many questions for you and I know the hobbits would delight in a wizard visiting the Shire again."
"Of course my lad!" The wizard turned to Rothalle. "You will travel with Calentoliel," he whispered, "and if the time is right, tell her." He turned to Endereth. "Rothalle and Calentoliel will have need for a Ranger of your talents my dear, will you join them?" Endereth nodded without question.
"Then it is done," Mattius started, "I will haste to the Shire and find out what I need to know. It is perhaps less than a days travel there and we will stay no more than twenty four hours." Mattius hoisted his pack readying to split from the group. "I will return with Radagast as soon as I can, for now this is goodbye but not farewell." Faye began walking behind him but infront of Radagast. She was quite dissapointed. At first she was extremly happy about returning to her home but now that she was wrapped up in the adventure she wanted to stay in it more than ever. She sighed silently. Maybe she would mention it to one of them later.

[Faye Took]

Faye pulled Mattius aside. 'Mattius I must tell you something very important.' Mattius ben't down next to Faye. 'What is it?' Faye looked into Mattiuses eyes, 'I...I am not a hobbit.' Mattius looked confused. 'What do you mean.' Faye bowed her head. 'I am a desendant from the Valar put in hobbit form.' Mattius was startled. 'You see, I am the only one left of my people and I didn't want anyone to know but I trust you Mattius, I know your a good person. I can see it in your eyes.' Faye smiled at Mattius.'I just don't know what to do. I'm sick of being a hobbit. I can't stand it anymore. I don't know what to do.'

[Mattius]

Mattius looked over to Radagast who frowned at him.
"What is wrong my lad?" he asked. Mattius looked down at Faye who walked to the wizard.
"My dear Radagast, I am not what I seem. I am old, many years, in fact, much older than yourself. I am of the Valar and have been sent to Middle-Earth to keep a watch on the post war world we live in. In hobbit form I choose to appear as they are none threatening and kind. My mission led me to the beast and I, like you, feel the that the balance of not only nature, but Middle-Earth itself is under threat." Mattius asked the hobbit a question.
"Should we go and join with the rest of them then?"
"No," replied Faye, "we must speak with my 'cousin' Peregrin, he has important words for you." With that a rather gobsmacked Radagast and Mattius were led towards the Shire by Faye Took, apparntly, of the Valar.

[ September 22, 2002: Message edited by: Mattius ]

[Auriel Haevasawen]

As he walked behind the so-called hobbit and the man-elf Radagast hummed quietly to himself, trying to make sense of all that had befallen the group so far. He had developed a fondness for Rothalle and feared that dividing the group may yet serve them ill. The beast may have headed away from the Shire that night but could easily back track as foxes are wont to do when trailed by the pack. When night fell it could be easy to pick them off. Nevertheless he knew the power of the elf-girl's song and had great faith that it alone could save them, providing the wretched girl had the confidence to use it well. The Valar incogneto walked quickly though and he had every hope that they at least would cross the borders of the Shire by sunset.
He studied those who walked in front of him. Mattius behaved as he had every hope that he would. Faye had brought with her the final piece of the mystery which had been haunting him since he had left the King of the Eagles, several days since. This was where the quest truly began and for once Radagast was beginning to make sense of it all.
"Look, see the smoke curl up from the chimneys!" Mattius gasped.
"Yes, the Shire is in sight." Radagast replied. "You have led us here well Valar maiden. Now let us see what we are led into."

[ September 22, 2002: Message edited by: Auriel Haevasawen ]

[Mattius]

As they approached the outskirts of the Shire a great commontion of shouting could be heard. Without warning a band of around fifteen sturdy hobbits surrounded the three companions with swords and bows at the ready. The tallest approached them.
"I am Moro Gamwich Scout of the Shire." The hobbit looked at Mattius and Faye slowly then turned to Radagast. "Gandalf...?" he whispered to himself whilst focusing his eyes.
"I am afriad not young Moro. My name is Radagast, indeed you may mistake me for Gandalf for he is my cousin." The hobbit captain sheathed his sword and wiped the sweat from his black hair. He signalled to the other hobbits to lower their weapons.
"And what is your business here good wizard?" Faye interuppted before Radagast had a chance to reply.
"Now come here Gamwich!" her mood was extremly hobbitish again, "I know you, you know me, let us pass! We need to speak with Pippin!"
"Take no offence please Faye but the rule from the top is that no-one, friend or foe shall be allowed to pass until given permission by either Mayor Gamgee, Merry the Magnificant or Thain Peregrin."
"We shall wait here my good hobbit until such permission arrives." said Mattius.

As the three of them waited they talked to Moro concerning what had happened the night before. It seemed that the beast had come upon a small group of hobbit scouts who had sensed danger in the area. Eighteen hobbits were involved in the fight and four were killed. The survivers said that it had fled but did not talk about the its appearnce and were still recovering in the small hobbit House of Healing. They had carried the bodies of the fallen hobbits with them for burial in the Shire.

At length the messenger returned.
"Come, Master Peregrin is expecting you." With that Faye led the way whistling to herself while Radagast and Mattius took in their surroundings and pondered upon how the others were getting on.

[ September 24, 2002: Message edited by: Mattius ]

[Ithaeliel]

It was late morning, and the three had been traveling nonstop since the first star flickered out of the sky. Ender strode between and slightly in front of Calentoliel and Rothalle. Her eyes continuousy shifted from one side to the other, although not suspensefully. The birds sang in the trees and the air was sweet with the scent of the native plants that grew in the Weather Hills, and it was mingled with the scent of rainwater. "We should look for a shelter before dusk," Ender told her companions. "I smell the rain."

Any mortal can smell a storm before it happens. As elves have much keener senses than men, they can detect it from a far distance. As for an elven ranger, the scent is so strong (although not unpleasant) that it acts as a regulator; one twinge of difference can tell them what is near, even if they are blinded by night.

In this case, barely a thin line of black cloud had peeked over the horizon when Endereth stopped short. Rothalle and Calentoliel turned to her nervously. "What is coming? Is it the beast?" asked Calentoliel.
"No, it is not the beast. That is too far in front of us." Ender took a whiff of the air. "It's a white deer, and it's coming ever closer from behind. If it comes within sight, we must not threaten it. That will bring us bad fortune."
The travelers sat motionless beneath a tree as the deer crossed in front of them. It was a tall, graceful doe, and as she came in front of Calentoliel she stopped, turning her head and looking at the bard with glassy black eyes. Calentoliel stared back, confused as to what this could mean. Suddenly the doe fell onto her side. Ender stood up, drawing her sword quickly and looking about. When she saw no one was around, she turned back to the deer. She was alive, trying to lift her head. "Calentoliel, she was looking at you. Go see if you can't find what's wrong with her."

[Mattius]

Mattius, Radagast and Faye followed the young hobbit messenger. It seemed that news of their comming had gone before them and a great number of hobbits had come out on to the streets to see them. The atmosphere was strange though, there was no cheering at their comming but silence and staring. By now most of the Shire had learned of an attack away westward. The messenger led them into a large hobbit hole, large enough for Mattius and Radagast to stand without banging their heads on the ceiling or the beams, Faye stood behind them. The messenger told them to wait and he went off to find someone. After a couple of moments a hobbit, extremly tall for his age, appeard dressed in fine robes of warriors. His face was proud and at his side was a beautiful and dangerous blade.
"So, it seems the young hobbit has drunk from the Ent draughts!" laughed Radagast. Peregrin, was taken abake, surely this is another wizard, thought he to himself.
"Excuse me but would you happen to be a wizard, akin to Gandalf?" At the name 'Gandalf' Peregrin's face showed sorrow, he missed the wizard dearly.
"I am of the Istari yes," spoke Radagast, "but I am not ashamed to say he became the most powerful of our order. I am Radagast." Peregrin took a step towards the old bent man.
"And I am Peregrin Took, Thain of the Shire!" he bowed low and stood up again. "But please, call me Pippin." Suddenly Faye jumped out from behind the two tall figures,
"And I will call you Pip!" The two of them embraced before Pippin led them to a private room, deep in his hobbit hole. Pippin held back the door whilst Radagast and Faye walked in. Mattius follwed and Peregrin saw his face fully, proud and noble like a man of Gondor, he thought, yet as beautiful as any elf he had ever seen. Mattius stopped before he walked in.
"I apologise for my rudeness, my name is Mattius and I above all have great need to talk with you."
"Then let us begin my good Mattius!"

It was dark and no windows let in any sun, only the candles gave light. The four of them sat around a small wooden table with Pippin at the head.
"I am sorry I had to bring you all down here, but things are pretty hectic up there." Pippin motioned with his head towards the surface. "People are in hesterics, we havent seen a bloodshed in the Shire since Sauraman was here." The Thain looked to Radagast. "I guess that is why they eyed you with such suspicion." Radagast nodded. "Now, Mattius, you said you had need to talk to me!" Mattius sat up in his chair.
"Yes, we wish to know what happened here and also I need to know of the survivors."
"The survivors?" asked Pippin thinking suddenly.
"Yes," Mattius replied, "would that be a... problem?" Pippin scratched his head and sighed.
"I am afriad the survivors refuse to talk to anybody. When they returned they took themselves to the House of Healing and were silent although a few people say they saw them before muttering something about dragons, balrogs or something. A smoke?" Pippin took out his long pipe and lit the weed before puffing smoke rings. Radagast refused polietly but Mattius remained silent with his fingers on his temples and staring intensly at nothing, just thinking.
"Something wrong?" asked Pippin noticing his state. For the time being Mattius ignored the hobbit and turned to Radagast.
"Dragons? Balrogs? This is very bad Radagast, very bad indeed." Mattius looked back at Pippin. "How many survivors were they?"
"Fourteen."
"Fourteen? It seems my suspicions were dangerously incorrect Radagast. The Beast's power does not decrease with how many people it faces. In fact..."
"It seems to increase." Radagast said finishing Mattius' sentence. Faye sprang out of her seat making Pippin jump.
"Then we must get back to the others!" Pippin was beginning to get very confused.
"Beast? Others? I am afriad you have succeeded in confusing me." Radagast rose from his chair, walked across to Pippin and put his elderly hand on his shoulder.
"Do not worry anymore Master Took, for the danger has passed and it seems the Shire has got off lightly. But beware! Keep a tight watch on your borders from this day!" Radagast followed Faye up the stairs back to the surface leaving Mattius and Pippin alone.
"Thank you for your time good Thain," said Mattius, "for bad news is at least important news." Pippin rose and led him up the stairs.
"I am sorry to break it to you, though I do not understand it, but before you leave I will supply you with provisions."
"So be it, I thank you again Peregrin, but we must make haste!"

After quickly picking up supplies the three companions began the walk out of the Shire. The streets were empty now as dusk began to fall on the world. The snow had frozen and cracked loudly under foot. Pippin waved off the three of them and bade them good luck.

[Brinniel]

Calentoliel walked over to the deer and kneeled down, her hands pressing gently against the doe's head. She was worried for the doe, worried about how such harmless creature could be hurt.
Suddenly, a voice entered her thoughts. Calentoliel. Listen. The voice belonged to the deer.
Calentoliel blinked in surprise and looked down at the doe, who was now staring at her. She had spoken in the same language as Calentoliel did in her songs. She had never heard anyone besides herself use this language. Not until now.
The doe continued to speak to her. You and your companions have come together for a reason. Together, you must all kill the dark beast. If you do not, if you shall fail, the beast will continue to grow in power, and soon all of Middle-earth will fall.
Calentoliel swallowed in fear, uncertain of the deer's words. If what she had said was true, then all of Middle-earth was depending on them.
The doe was beginning to grow weaker. Do not be afraid, Calentoliel. You and the others have the strength and power to destroy this terrible monster. It is destiny that has brought all of you together. Now, all you need to do, Calentoliel, is find courage. Find confidence in yourself. You are more powerful than you realize, and soon enough you will discover that. But for now, you, Endereth, and Rothalle must go back to the others. They need you, and you will need them. Find them, and together you can all defeat the shapeshifter. Go. And with that final word, the deer died.

Calentoliel examined the doe's body trying to find the cause of death. And then she realized.
The doe was a messenger. She had come to warn them of what they must do. After she had sent her message, she had no other reason to exist. She was meant to die.

Calentoliel let go of the deer. She had barely stood up when the doe's body disappeared, leaving nothing but a shimmering light from where she once laid.
And then without looking back, Calentoliel turned around and walked towards a very confused Endereth and Rothalle. She stopped, only a foot away from them, took a deep breath, and said, "We must turn back."

[Mattius]

It was deeply dark now and deathly cold. Mattius, shivering, tightened his cloak. Slowly they had walked back west towards the point where they had split with the others.
"When will spring get here!" asked Faye.
"I am not sure," replied Mattius, "I would have thought it to be here by now. Its late." 'Very late' thought Radagast to himself as they continued.

The moon was overhead when they reached the point where they had last seen Calentoliel, Endereth and Rothalle. They stopped for a short rest and a drink but something disturbed them. As Mattius sat on a rock he thought he heard something far off. He noticed that Radagast and Faye had a similar look on their face.
"Something draws near, ready yourself!" said Radagast. As the three of them stood ready there was nothing but silence for a very long time. So long in fact that Mattius was about to sheath his sword but just as that thought began a great sound of marching feet began away westward. As it drew closer they could hear voices, after a few minutes it was clear to what the voices belonged.
"Orcs," whispered Mattius. Their chanting got closer and closer until it seemed the voices were almost upon them and then, silence. Total silence. The stars shone and the snow sparkled and there was no noise except for the breaths of the travellers. Suddenly there was a giant crash as something was hurled towards them. The three ducked as it landed close to their feet. At first they dared not approach it until they realised it was a dead body, the body of a dwarf. Mattius kneeled down and rolled it over to see the face. His chest was cut open and its insides were gone. Then Mattius saw its face, it was Borin Iceplate of the Blue Mountains. Faye and Radagast looked down at Mattius, not realising that it was the dwarf who had helped them.
"Its Borin," Mattius said solemnly.
"But what are orcs doing here, now?!" asked Faye to Radagast.
"Evil draws evil my dear," he replied. Mattius stood up, wiped his eyes and lifted his sword high.
"For the murder of the Hero of the Dwarves you shall all pay dear!" He shouted from the bottom of his lungs. A great laughter from around them shreiked and shook fear through them. But Mattius remained firm.
"For doing the business of the Beast you have signed your own lives away." Another howl of laughter came.
"We think not straw-haird elf," hissed a goblin from the distance, "we out number you three to one and all of you will die this night!" This was followed by a great number of torches being lit and it was clear that the orc was telling the truth, there were at least fifteen orcs, big orcs as well, armed to the teeth but luckly none with bows. Mattius nicked an arrow and shot it towards a flame and a great scream of pain followed. The orcs hissed and began their charge.

Mattius and Faye thought they were going to die but would fight on to the death. Radagast on the other hand did not see death for them, on this night at least. He percived something else behind the orcs, something more powerful than any goblin. Just as the first few orcs approached within a few feet of the three of them a beautiful sound filled the air with wonder. Without thinking about it Mattius smiled to himself. The orcs fell to the ground shreiking in pain and anguish. Mattius wondered what to do but his thought pattern was broken when someone put a hand on his shoulder. He turned around to see Enderth.
"Lets get to work," she said to him. They both drew their blades and slashed and cut at the orcs as they were paralised. As Mattius slit the last throat the song stopped and Calentoliel fell unconcious. Rothalle caught her before she hit the ground and held her in her arms.
"Sleep now child, you have done well but you will have to do better when the real test comes. But for now sleep," Rothalle whispered and no-one else heard.

[ September 25, 2002: Message edited by: Mattius ]

[Auriel Haevasawen]

Radagast wore no sword like his companions prefering to use his staff and weild it in hand to hand combat. The combat over, he now leaned upon it and wiped sweat from his brow with the cuff of his robe. "How fairs the songsmith?" He enquired of Rothalle. "I have a little of a healing herb at my belt which should restore her with its intense smell." He wearily staggered to the maid's side and fumbled in the purse that hung upon his belt. Two, small dried leaved were eventually procured for the purpose of rousing her.

"Why didn't you use that on me?" Faye gasped.

"Two meagre leaves of this sage would not have even twitched your nostrils Valar-Hobbitess. It may yet do as little for Calentoliel." The wizard pushed his hat back from his face and leaned over the girl. Carefully he placed the strong smelling leaves beneath her nose. She twitched, she sneezed, she was back with them again. Rothalle brushed her hair away from her face and patted her cheek.

"Welcome back Calentoliel. When you feel ready I must encourage you to your feet. Mattius will move us on very soon." She said, smiling down upon her.

"Yes, I will." Mattius added. "We cannot stay here. There may not be a single orc left alive from this patrol but how many more follow in their wake we cannot tell."

"As always the boy talks good sense." Radagast sighed as he pulled himself back to standing with the aid of his staff. "I know it will be a bind to you Mattius and perhaps a bind yet to all of us but let us wrap up Borin's body and bare it with us. I would like to see him honestly buried and not left as carrion surrounded by these creatures. Besides, before we bury him I would like to make a thorough examination of his body. Who knows what secrets he may yet share with us despite loss of his voice. For such actions I will need daylight."

Ender made a face of disgust. "I have every agreement with burying him. He was a hero. I don't entirely agree with your other suggestion Radagast. It just doesn't seem an honourable thing to do."

"I disagree," said Rothalle. "Radagast has the highest respect for us all. He seeks the truth and with such knowledge we can exact revenge for the death of Borin." She had also risen to her feet. Calentoliel's head leaning upon her shoulder but although weak concious and listening to the debate.

Mattius listened carefully to the trees and the night air. He considered Radagast's suggestion. He took a deep breath and declared his intention. "What ever passes we must be gone from this place. Let us wrap Borin's body and bare it away with us for a hero's funeral. We shall decide if Radagast's plan is appropriate in the cool, rational light of morning."

So it was agreed by the companions. The dwarf was bound in their largest blanket and tied with rope and as such was born between Mattius and Radagast with as much state as a flight through the woods would allow. Behind them walked Faye, Calentoliel supported by Rothalle and finally Endereth, leading Rothalle's horse with one hand and holding her blade in the other.

[Mattius]

And so it was that in the fresh bitterness of the dawning day the group shivered together around a crude fire to discuss Radagast's idea of a post mortem. For a few minutes they sat in silence before Radagast spoke.
"Friends," he began, "I know this is a very difficult subject to discuss but that does not mean we should forget about it. Borin has died an awful, awful death and he deserves a hero's funeral." Radagast paused before continuing. "However, I believe it to be of the upmost importance that we check his body for any clues that may help us." There was silence again. Calentoliel had a glaring look in her eyes but she kept her head down. She hated dwarves and thought to herself 'why such as fuss for a mere dwarf', yet for the time being she held her tongue. Mattius finally spoke after much silence.
"Perhaps we should vote on such a move, is everyone okay with that?" The group nodded to him. "Okay then, who is in favour of a check of Borin's body before we bury him?" Slowly Rothalle and Radagast raised their hands. Endereth looked at Calentoliel who kept her hands down. Ender did likewise. Faye raised her hand next as did Mattius.
"Then it is settled," said Rothalle, "four to two. But may I ask you why you two oppose such a move?" she frowned at Calentoliel, as if dissapointed in her.
"It is a sign of dis-respect," said Ender.
"And you, Calntoliel?" asked Rothalle. The young maiden remained quiet for a while thinking what to say. Inside, she hated dwarves and wished them all dead but she did not want to upset the group and, she thought, Borin did help them when they were in trouble.
"I just don't like the idea of it, thats all," she said at long last.

Radagast rose to his feet and lent on his staff.
"Rothalle, this act must be done as soon as possible, I will need your help for this." Rothalle was looking at Calentoliel who was walking near by with Endereth and Faye. Rothalle spoke but did not take her eyes off Calentoliel.
"I am sorry Radagast but I must speak with her." Radagast looked surprised.
"So, do you think it is time to tell her?" he asked.
"Maybe," she replied as she stood up and walked away. Mattius, who was sat listening to this conversation, was beginning to get confused. He was going to ask Radagast but the old wizard spoke first.
"Come on my lad, I can not do this deed alone." Mattius stood up next to him and looked at his face.
"I will do this, although it may upset me greatly."
"I understand," replied Radagast as he led him off towards the bundle of blankets that contained Borin Iceplate's last remains.

Enderth watched them walking together. She wondered how many years older Radagast was than Mattius and yet they seemed to have an understanding of one and other. She watched them as together they lifted the weight and took Borin's body out of sight.

[Auriel Haevasawen]

"We tamper with nothing. We show no disrespect." Radagast explained as they lay the body down on the turf some distance from the others. Vapour rose from his mouth in the cold morning air.

Mattius merely nodded. He had agreed that the old wizard must do as he thought best but still felt uncomfortable with the act.

Radagast lifted the cover and kneld down beside Borin. He addressed the corpse directly. "Please accept my humblest apologies for this dear, good dwarf. It will take but a moment or two and then we shall send you to a better place as befits a warrior such as you.
Come now Mattius," he changed his tone to speak to his companion. "I wish to check if this was the attack of Beast or Orc. What signs would you expect if you came upon the body of one who had been savaged?"

Mattius leaned over and looked at the still Borin. "His insides are gouged as if a beast attacked him."

"I know it pains you dear boy but look closer. Look how even the slashes are. Some implement did this." He held up Borin's cold hand to the light. "And see beneath his finger nails. A few long hairs, no fur. I'll keep these. They may yet prove useful. There's many a bruise but I cannot tell from whence they came. I am but an old man, prodding about in the dark. Either the beast took on a warrior's form when it attacked our good friend or it has others in league with it." He rose to his feet and waved his arms about himself in frustration.

"Do we tell the others of your discoveries?" Mattius enquired.

"Discoveries, bah. I have found out he was murdered. We knew that last night!" There was no disguising the torment in the old one's voice. "Let's be having him. It will only be a shallow grave as the ground is almost frozen but I'll rustle up some incantations that will protect his body from becoming carrion for goblins. I'll tell our fellows my skeletal information. I do wonder how the orcs came upon the body though. Are they involved? Does the Beast weild some power over them? Oh bother, every day brings further questions to my tired mind Mattius Man Elf. Come, my task is done. Badly, but done."

[Mattius]

Radagast continued to mummur to himself under his breath. He was asking himself questions with no answers. Mattius sighed and looked once again at the dwarf's body. 'What a waste' he thought to himself as he began to lift him. Mattius reached under Borin's torso and bundeled him into his arms. As he elevated him up something fell off him with a great clash and Mattius looked down to see that Borin's axe had fallen from his belt. Mattius looked closer.
"Radagast!" he shouted. The wizard stopped his conversation with himself and turned around. "There is blood on his axe. And it is black." Radagast quickly walked over and carefully picked up the weapon by the handle.
"We must bury our friend quickly for I fear this to be of great importance." They exchanged looks.
"How could the Beast have got back to Borin, we were tracking him southwards," said Mattius.
"Strange indeed, maybe it is another's blood..." Radagast trailed off. "But whatever the answer we must discuss it with the rest of them but not quite yet. There are to be words out there that need to be said. We will take our time burying Borin's body and give him a worthy send off." With that the two of them carefully dug a shallow grave in the frozen land. The body was placed in and dirt covered it again. Radagast spoke a few words in the common tongue and a few in a language Mattius could not make out. After a long silence they picked up the axe and began the walk back to the others.

[ October 01, 2002: Message edited by: Mattius ]

[Brinniel]

A half an hour had passed and Radagast and Mattius still hadn't returned. The wind picked up and Calentoliel shivered as she stared hard at Rothalle. Rothalle stood in the cold looking back at her. She seemed as if she wanted to speak with Calentoliel, but something seemed to hold her back.

Calentoliel wished Rothalle would spill out whatever she was hiding now. The one thing she hated the most was secrets. Especially secrets kept from her. Calentoliel always wanted to know every bit of information. And since the conversation with Radagast, she wanted to know these secrets more than ever. She wanted all the answers to her questions now.
You are not yet ready for those answers, Radagast had said. But when? When would the time be that she was ready?
The time is now, a voice said in her head. The voice belonged to Rothalle.
Calentoliel looked back up at Rothalle, who was now beckoning her. She then turned around and walk eastward, her cloak billowing behind her. Calentoliel smiled to herself as she stood up to follow.

[Ithaeliel]

And suddenly Ender was alone again. She was not afraid of the forest. If the beast came (which it would not-- there was no sign of it anywhere; the wind carried no scent), she would have ample chance to escape. Her feet were quick and her sword newly honed. Yet still she felt a presence that was unfamiliar.

Ender dropped onto the ground suddenly, and she did not know why. A moment later, she looked up to see the towering figure of Death above her, Death whom she knew from that night in the cave. He knelt slowly until his face was at the same level with hers. Then he spoke, in that hissing tone.

"You do not strike. This is good. It is a sign that you are willing to listen."

Ender clutched the hilt of her sword like it was her life-force. "What conspiracy are you trying to weave me into? I want no part of it," she said in dangerously low tone.

Death laughed. He laughed of amusement, not of malice. "There is no plot here. I only mean to teach you the way to overcome the trickery of the Beast."

"You are the Beast, and this is part of your trickery."

"Nay, no Black Beast am I, nor am I in allegiance with it, nor do I wish its destruction only to cause my own treachery. If you will aid me by destroying it, I shall reward you and your companions with your greatest desires-- the healing of your hearts."

Ender was grabbed now, but she still retained her wits. "Who are you?"

"I am but the one you have befriended before. That is all I shall say, for the Valar permit me not to entrust more information unto you. But I shall tell you this: you have seen nothing. 'Tis merely a shadow, an illusion sent to trick your mortal minds, that you have witnessed before. But you shall have to find the rest for yourself. Should you ever need succour, I shall know. You need not alert me. But now I must bid you farewell. Search not for answers from the greater power, but answers within yourself." And with these last words, Death's figure vanished in a gust of wind, leaving Ender to wonder of her fate. If she had seen only shadows before, where was the real Black Beast? She knew she had to alert her companions of this.

[ October 02, 2002: Message edited by: Ithaeliel ]

[Auriel Haevasawen]

It was at that moment that Mattius returned, pacing purposefully through the undergrowth. Ender was relieved to see him, followed by the wizard who seemed preoccupied with wrapping something large in a length of cloth.
"It is done?" She asked of them.
"Aye, it is done." Mattius replied. "We have buried him."
"I am glad. What of the 'other thing'?" She enquired further.
"That is done too Ranger-Daughter." Radagast answered her. "I have perused his body as we agreed. Under a finger nail I found a long hair which I have kept. It may be folly or vital clue but I have kept it all the same. Mattius and I are in agreement that the blows that robbed out Dwarf-friend Borin were made by a blade, I guess at a sword."
"Therefore not the Beast?" Ender gasped.
"Perhaps not. It could be the work of the goblin breed but it is still my suspicion they came upon him in that dreadful state and presumed him part of our company. Suspisions do not answers give, my child of the greenwood. How do we not know the Beast can weild a weapon. Remember its shape alone is different to every eye that looks upon it."
Ender sighed. Mattius suddenly gave out an indistinguishable yelp, then gasped, "Rothalle and Calentoliel, where are they?"
Ender gestured into the trees a few paces hence. "They walked that way a little. They had secrets to discuss."
"Quick, we must herd them back to the fire. It is not safe to let them wander. Ender, I'm surprised at you letting them go!"
Ender was hurt by Mattius' accusing tone. "I have every faith in them. Besides it has been me in mortal danger in this place not those sisters of mystery."
"What do you mean Endereth of Wilder Places?" Radagast's voice changed its tone and caught the attention of both his companions, causing hairs on the backs of their necks to rise. "Explain yourself. Why should a young woman, a Ranger in all but name be in more danger than they?"
Suddenly Ender was unwilling to divulge the events in the clearing just before their arrival but the change in Radagast, his sudden focus instead of nebulous ramblings, made her feel she must. "Mattuis, go forth and fetch the others, no matter what the import of Rothalle's words to Calentoliel it now can wait. I fear what you have to say far more my child, far more."
Mattius did as he was bid. The girls were as Endereth had said, only a few feet away talking in whispers, using Rothalle's horse to shield themsleves from view. As he came upon them he saw that they had both been weeping. He hesitated a moment. Rothalle stared at him and for the first time since he had met her found a smile directed at him.
"Do not fear Mattius. We are just reacquanting ourselves. We have much to explain to you and our companions but first we must deal with this ourselves."
Mattius wanted to smile back but the gravity of his message prevented him.
"Quickly, we must gather by the embers of the fire. I fear something has happened to Ender, and Radagast bids her share it with us."

[Brinniel]

Calentoliel wiped the tears from her eyes. Happiness swelled up inside her, for her mysterious past had been revealed. She had finally found the answers to all the questions she had been asking her entire life. She knew who she was and had learned all she needed to know about her magic. But most of all, she knew where she belonged. Another tear trickled down Calentoliel's cheek as she thought, I have a family. And soon everyone else would know that.

But for now that would have to wait. What ever had happened to Ender was more important than Calentoliel's personal life. If something had harmed her, Calentoliel would never forgive herself. She and Rothalle headed back to the others led by Mattius.

Calentoliel was relieved to see that though she carried a worried expression on her face, Ender appeared to be alright.
Radagast then came forth. "I hope we have not disturbed your conversation."
Rothalle gave a small smile. "No, not at all. We were just finishing."
Radagast nodded. "That is good. But for now, we must hear Endereth speak. She claims she has been put into danger while you were away."

Calentoliel glanced around at everyone as Radagast spoke. Her heart skipped a beat. Out of the six in the company, only five were present. Someone was missing.
Ender wasn't even able to get out a word before Calentoliel cried out, "Wait!"
All looked at her. "Where's Faye?" she whispered.

[Mattius]

Mattius jumped up.
"Who was the last person to see her?" he asked looking in all directions.
"This morning," Ender repiled now also stood up, "whilst we voted on what to do with Borin." All the group was now up and Mattius was ready to begin searching the surrounding area before Radgast stopped him.
"Mattius," he shouted, "aren't you forgetting something?" The Man-Elf frowned and Radagast sighed. "There is something of extrme importance that Faye told you and I, everyone else needs to know now." Mattius nodded and the group stood in a small semi-circle around Mattius. Radagast was leaning on his staff with his eyes closed, thinking. Rothalle and Calentoliel stood close together breathing simultaneously and seeming, to Mattius, to be so similar they could be kin. He shook this thought from his head and looked at Endereth; tall and elegant yet dangerous and deadly at the same time. Mattius began,
"The hobbit, she is not what she seems." Ender frowned.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"She told me that she was one of the Valar, given the hobbit form, I think there was more of them like her. She told me she was the last one of her kindred." Ender grunted a sarcastic laugh. Mattius' face grew hotter.
"I would think that you would take this more serious ranger, she entrusted to me her greatest secret and now I feel I have to reveal it." Radagast stepped foward.
"Now now my friends, there is no need for seperations in our camp for that will give power to the Beast. Do not fall to the attack of divide and conquer."
"I am sorry Mattius," began Endereth, "I just find it hard to believe. I never thought that I would travel with one person who has come from the Valar," she said motioning to Radagast, "let alone two."
"I for one believe her," said the wizard, "there are somethings in the world that just are and this is one of those things." Radagast streched himself to his full height. "So now you all know who Faye Took really is we must find her. Beware but do not be too scared for her. The Beast may be near but she is one of the Valar. Do not search alone, be at least in two's. Now let us not tarry here any longer, make haste!" With that Radagast led Rothalle and Calentoleil off and Mattius whilst Endereth searched for signs of Faye elsewhere.

[Faye Took]

The company searched high and low for Faye, but she could not be found. The last placed they looked wsa in a near by forest. Radagast spotted her sitting by a stream with her feet in. Her head was low and she was humming a song. 'Faye?' Radagast said walking toward her. She turned around and smilied and looked back at the water humming.
'Shes over here.' Radagast called to the rest of the company. 'Why did you leave us, Faye? With out notice?' Faye got up and shaked her feet out. 'I'm sorry,' she began, 'I just wanted to go wash my feet.' Radagast frowned at her. 'Next time you leave, plesae inform us.' Faye lowered her head. 'Alright.' she replied walking with Radagast back to the company. Everyone looked at her in a sort of odd way. 'What is it?' Faye asked looking up at everyone. 'They know.' Mattius said with his arms crossed. Faye looked at Mattius and tears started forminf in her bright green eyes. 'I told you not to tell Mattius. I was afraid to tell everyone and I know I can trust you. Why did you do it?'

[Brinniel]

Mattius looked rather guilty. "I'm sorry, Faye. I know you did not want your secret revealed, but it had to be told sometime. And after you had gone missing, it was important that I tell them."
Faye averted her eyes from Mattius, in an effort to ignore him.
"Mattius is right," Radagast said. "I myself instructed him to tell the others, for they must know your true identity."
"I must say I agree with you, Radagast," Rothalle said quietly. "That is why I believe Calentoliel and I should reveal our own."

Calentoliel swallowed nervously, for she was not sure if she wanted to reveal to the others what she had only just discovered. But then again, the others would have to know sooner or later, and perhaps it would be better off if they knew sooner.

"Are you sure you want to do this, night-sister?" Radagast whispered. "You and Calentoliel have only just shared your emotions to each other. Are you both ready to reveal your true selves to the others?"
"I am," Rothalle nodded. "How about you, Calentoliel?"
"If Faye's secret has been revealed, it's only fair if ours is also," she responded.
"Alright, then. Go ahead and tell them, Rothalle," Radagast said.
Rothalle turned around and faced the others. Calentoliel drew a deep breath and prepared herself.
After several moments of silence, Rothalle finally spoke. "I know you have all thought Calentoliel and I much alike. I have seen it in your eyes."
The others nodded in understanding.
"But we are even more alike than you think we are," she continued. "We are of kin."
Mattius stared at Rothalle. "Kin?" he repeated.
"Yes," Calentoliel nodded. "Rothalle is my sister."

[Auriel Haevasawen]

Radagast smiled widely. "Well met dear child. All the time I have travelled with you I have hoped this would be resolved. You have chosen your time well for now we need to be pulled together and not forced asunder."
"Sisters? That's truely amazing. Pray tell us all." Mattius cried in enthusiasm. Faye was still glaring at him out of the corner of eyes red from her tears but was also fascinated by the turn of events unfolding in front of her.
"If it seems amazing to you, think how I feel at this moment." Calentoliel chirped.
"We cannot explain to you as yet. We have not shared every detail together," Rothalle added. "Suffice it to say we have found each other."
"This is capital indeed," Radagast sighed. "Why are you so silent Ender?"
"Is nothing as it seems any more? Hobbits that are of the Valar, my friend is kin to a dark woman, Mattius is neither man nor elf, a dwarf is or was our associate, and despite being of the race of Istari you claim to be nothing more than a shepherd. What shall I discover about myself on this journey? I dread to think." Endereth sounded almost bitter.
"We will find the Beast my dear and if that salves some injury worthy of a Mordal blade, then so be it." Radagast replied.

[Mattius]

As the old wizard mentioned the Beast again thunder boomed and lightening cracked in the darkening sky. The rain began to fall and lashed with the strong wind.
"Quickly!" Mattius shouted against the weather. "We must get away from the river!" He began to lead them into the forest, small he thought, but a good enough shelter against the elements. For a good ten minutes Mattius led them on, thinking that the woods must be biggger than he thought. When he found a sutable spot he parked the group and began to make a small fire. It was bitterly cold.

The tall trees gave them a good shelter against the rain but the cold still prevailed. As they shivered they tried to keep their spirits up. Radagast told them of old stories and Faye hepled lighten the mood with tales of the Shire. After a while Radagast spoke,
"In the morning will we discuss what Mattius and I found on Borin but for now, let us at least have some sleep."
"I will take the first watch," said Mattius automaticaly.

The night passed with little let up from the weather. Mattius sat thinking to himself as he looked at the trees. He had lived half his life in woods and loved the sight of trees but these somehow felt threatening and dark. He looked back down at the group. Radagast seemed to be sleeping, Rothalle and Calentoliel were holding each other close, Faye was snoring softly and Endereth laid motionless on her back dreaming of the Golden Woods. Mattius sighed to himself and looked at the moon high above the treetops. It was long past the time he was supposed to wake Rothalle for her watch but he thought he would let her sleep.

It was close to dawn and Mattius was still on watch. He looked up to the treetops to spot the first light of day but saw something else. High above he could see a figure, jumping from tree to tree. Mattius squinted to try and get a better look and as he did the figure looked directly at him, shocking Mattius enough for him to jump a little. Slowly he began to reach for his bow but as he did Radagast stirred in his sleep and muttered in his dream. The tree swinging figure looked in the direction of the wizard and shot off like an arrow. Mattius thought about waking the others but decided against it, he would tell them when they awoke.

[Brinniel]

Calentoliel did not sleep well that night. Not only could she not get the fact that Rothalle was her sister out of her head, but she also couldn't stop thinking about the other things she had told her.

Calentoliel watched Mattius as she pretended to sleep. Dawn was nearing, and he had not slept a wink. Often Calentoliel had thought about taking over watch for him, but she never offered. Though Mattius had not slept, he did not seem the least bit tired. If he had wanted to sleep, he would've awoken Rothalle.

At the first sign of daylight, Mattius stared hard at the treetops. Curious at what he was looking at, Calentoliel sat up and also studied the treetops. Spotting what Mattius had been observing, she gasped. At the same time, Radagast muttered in his sleep, and the watched creature disappeared.

As Mattius turned around, Calentoliel laid back down and closed her eyes. But she did not remain that way for long.
"Mattius," she whispered, opening her eyes again.
Mattius looked at her, surprised to see that she was awake.
"About that thing that you just saw," Calentoliel stated.
"What about it?" he asked.
"Well, I saw it too," she answered. "But not for the first time. I've seen it before." Calentoliel paused. "It is the creature that attacked Endereth many nights ago."

[Ithaeliel]

Ender kept her eyes shut, pretending to sleep, her dark cloak wrapped about her. She listened as Calentoliel spoke of the apparition, the same that had spoken to her that night in the cave. She began to wonder... would all of them see it?

When Ender had said 'mortal danger' yesterday, she had immediately regretted it. The spirit that had come to her was trying to aid her, not make her suffer. But she somehow thought she would keep this to herself. It was a sign of things to come for her.

Finally, as she listened to Calentoliel speak, fatigue blanketed her like a heavy snowfall. She drifted back into the dreamworld. But just as quickly as the image of Lothlorien and her friends bloomed in her mind, it faded. All she saw was black. And then she made out a faint shape in the dark as a sliver of light made its way into the space. She was in a room with a high ceiling and stone walls. Looking around her, she saw her companions. In her right hand was a sword, in her left, nothing. Suddenly some force beyond her ability to fight against turned her head and eyes to face front. There, before her, was a nameless, formless shadow. It flickered and wavered, and she saw horrible images inside its 'skin.' As her eyes adjusted, she saw a small, black orb at the center of the shadow. Looking around, her eyes met with Rothallë's. Looking back at the beast, she was surprised to see it change form. It was now a catlike animal, black and sinewy, ready to pounce on any of them, although it remained so poised.

Curious, Ender made eye contact with Mattius and looked again back at the beast. It changed form. She looked at Calentoliel, Faye, Radagast. It changed form. Ender began to realize with horror what was happening. Then, finally looking backupon the beast, she heard the same thin voice. "Now to unmask your gift."

Ender saw a bright flash and saw the first shapeless, gaseous form of the Black Beast with a black core. Out of the core came a light, and it remained for a moment before it engulfed the company.

And she was back in the forest, standing awake.

[Auriel Haevasawen]

Radagast rose slowly and stood leaning upon his staff. "I fear I am old indeed for such night time shennanigans." He picked a few leaves from his robe and hair before replacing his hat upon his head. "I ache all over but at least I'm rested. How fares the rest of you?" He asked, staring straight at Calentoliel. She seemed to be staring into the middle distance and her face wore a look of disbelief.
"This place is strange," she said eventually when Radagast had been forced to wait several minutes for an answer.
Mattius was also a little distracted as he dusted the fragments of undergrowth from his clothes and inspected his weaponry. Radagast often noticed the under currents within the group and took heed. He did not know what had disturbed his companions, he himself had slept soundly, but knew to watch them carefully and offer support should they need it.
Endereth stamped about trying to get some feeling back into her legs after sleeping on the damp ground. Rothalle combed through her hair with her fingers and bound it loosely back. Only Faye remained asleep on the woodland floor. "Mattius, try to wake the Valar Hobbitess, she may have forgiven you by now," Radagast suggested.
Sure enough Faye was happy to see Mattius when first he shook her from her sleep, although she would have liked a longer rest but as she woke completely she remembered she was angry with him and after her initail greeting returned to sulking.
Radagast approached and pressed gently upon her shoulder. "He did what he believed to be right dear girl. We will make greater mistakes than this in our determination to do what is right. You also."
She made a noise that sounded very much like 'Hurrumph' and stood up. "You may be right Radagast but I still feel betrayed."
"Betrayed? You have not come close to being betrayed, I know very little in the greater scheme of things but I know this Faye Took, none of these people present will ever willingly betray you, now take a little breakfast, your kin in the Shire have provided for us well and for goodness sakes start talking to Mattius."

[Mattius]

Mattius drew out his sword Angmarth, Iron Doom and gently swayed it in front of him. He stared at his reflection in its blade but he didn't know why. In fact, it was his father who used to do the same thing with Angmarth, this was a connection to his past that he didn't realise. He sheathed it back at his side and carried on inspecting his arsenal of weaponary. Hidden on the back of his belt and under his cloak were two exquisite tomohawk axes that were gifts to the elves of Lorien from the dwarves of the Lonely Mountain. Mattius unhooked them to look more closely. The handles were dark bronze but the blades were glistening silver. Along the handles were beautiful inscription pictures of the Lonely Mountain and of the death of Smaug. They were hooked back into place before Mattius tightened his bow string and stretched himself out.

He began to look at the group, Radagast seemed to be the only one who had had a decent nights sleep, except for Faye of course but Mattius did not look to her for the moment but approached the wizard.
"Many things need to be discussed Radagast, what we found on Borin, Endereth's attack, and what I saw last night." Radagast frowned with the mention of what Mattius saw but spoke,
"You speak the truth young Mattius, now if you will allow me, I shall lead us all out of here to a place where we can discuss such matters."
"Lead on," said Mattius, tightening his cloak around him.

[Auriel Haevasawen]

"Gather up your belongings my stiff and wearing companions. I think it is time we struck out from this woodland. The sun is up and steams the night's rain away. Today feels promising indeed." Perhaps it was the night's rest that had made Radagast feel more energised than he had been for weeks or even months or perhaps because he looked upon the others and saw the tiredness in their eyes and knew it was his turn to guide them. Mattius was their leader and Radagast was well aware that he would yet fulfill his destiny. He had watched him with the sword a few moments ago and for a second had seen another in his place. Radagast smiled. Even though he had no understanding as yet of the greater picture, he knew why Mattius was there. He stretched purposefully and turned away from their night camp. "I hope you are all in the mind for walking."
"Where are you taking us Radagast?" Faye asked.
"To stay with old friends."
"I wasn't aware we had any," muttered Calentoliel. "If this means more dwarves I won't be best pleased."
Endereth smiled at her. "As long as he isn't taking us to the Beast's parlour I care not."
They followed the old wizard, striding with purpose through the trees. The sun lit up the moisture in the air in beams between the branches, birds burst into song high above them and the smell of the earth as they stepped upon it was rich and satisfying. It didn't feel like a heavy march at all even though Radagast kept up a steady pace for them. Mattius walked behind him, his eyes scanning for danger at every step. Faye scampered along behind him, watching her companions as much as she did the woods about her. Rothalle and Calentoliel walked side by side where the path permitted it and whispered quietly together as they led the horse behind them. Endereth protected the rear but was locked in her own thoughts about the visitation she had, had and the sighting in the trees and therefore noticed far less than she should.
It was midday when they reached the woodland fence and stepped out into a large expanse of grassland, punctuated with small oval hills. Rothalle's horse pushed itself to the front and began to crop the fresh green turf.
"I do not recommend we cross this land although our aim is over there," Radagast explained and waved is staff diagonally across the meadows in front of them.
"Quite right," said Faye. "It's far too open, we could never hide from the beast if it came upon us there."
"Then again we'd definately see it coming." Endereth pointed out.
"Somehow I don't think it's the beast you have in mind Radagast." Mattius whispered to the old man who stood at his shoulder.
Radagast smiled. "Perhaps, it is living creatures that have always been my duty. Let us say I have no duties here." He whispered in return.
"We will keep to the forest boundary. You may find that to be somewhat like being between a rock and a hard place as we continue but is the best I can offer you." He announced and turned to the left to lead them toward the location he had indicated with his staff.
"I get the feeling this part of the journey isn't going to be as pleasant as this morning," sighed Faye.

[Mattius]

Steam rose from the turrets of the hills and the high spirits of walking earlier that day seemed to have passed completetly and been replaced by feelings a threat and dread.
"I don't like this place much Mattius!" Spoke Faye. Mattius was surprised she was talking to him again and replied,
"Nor I, nor I."

At midday the company was halted by Radagast. They retreated a few feet into the woods to have some lunch which, for the most part, they ate in silence.
"This wood is old," said Endereth breaking the quiet, "perhaps even older than the Golden Woods!"
"Yes my dear, it is perhaps oldest of the woods left in middle-earth," replied Radagast. Mattius looked into the dark trees and something caught his eye. It was a small plant.
"And it seems to have good medicine plants!" he said pointing at the kingsfoil. "Excuse me, I will be two minutes, I have used up my supply of the weed and need a fresh batch." Radagast nodded as Mattius marched off. The weed was furthur than he had percieved and when he got to it he saw his companions as small figures in the distance. He unsheathed his sword on pulled the weed from its roots, thinking to cut off as much as he could. Yet something happened that stopped him, a beautiful small falcon fluttered in the trees above him and flew down to the forrest canopy. It landed right in front of Mattius' face and then with a hop, landed on the Elf-Man's left shoulder. Mattius did not feel threatened but still did not move. Then, to his astonishment, the bird began to talk.
Heed these words well young one for they are the words of Manwe! The protectors know of thee, soon they will make contact with thee. Do not fear them, they are my servants and will guide you well. Go forth Master of Angmarth, Firnlord son of Virnlord and meet thy fate with the Beast and remember, what has been spoken to you, no other must hear. Then with no noise at all the bird flew off into the darkness of the woods. Mattius stayed still thinking about what had been said, Firnlord, was that his real name? Protectors, Manwe? He was moved by the voice of Endereth from behind him and her hand on his shoulder.
"It is time to walk again Mattius, let us go."
"Aye," was his reply, "let us do just that."

[ October 13, 2002: Message edited by: Mattius ]

[Auriel Haevasawen]

"Back to the forest fence I think," Radagast observed while taking a sedate look about him. "Aha, you are returned Mattius, Endereth was as good as her word when she said she'd find you in a blink. These woods hold many secrets do they not?" He smiled and nodded at Mattius who pondered inwardly if the wisard knew anything of the events that had just occured in the kingsfoil patch.
Again they clambered over the roots and back to the edge of the prairie-like meadows.
"I wonder why the ground's so uneven," said Calentoliel, unintentionally aloud. Staring across the grass as it waved like a green ocean in the breeze.
"I get the feeling it's probably best not to ask," Endereth replied at her shoulder.
"It's only a field." Calentoliel observed.
"If that were true wouldn't Radagast lead us straight across it to these friends of his and not stumbling along in the scrub and brambles at the forest edge?" Faye pointed out.
Their hushed conversation was ended when Mattius, some way ahead turned and noticed that he, Radagast, Rothalle and her horse were split from the others. "Hey, don't let us become separated now, hurry along. Radagast says we must reach his friends before nightfall!"
The others did as they were bid. There was something in the words 'before nightfall' that prophesised trouble in this peaceful place.

[Mattius]

Mattius strolled along just behind Radagast thinking whether or not to ask the wizard how far it was to this 'friends' house. No-one was really talking but Mattius could here the old bent figure in front of him humming under his breath. Mattius looked out onto the bumpy green plains and noticed that the fog seemed to have become more dense. For some reason the sight of the small hills troubled his heart greatly and made him shiver. He turned his gaze into the thickness of the trees. Manwe the voice said to him in his head again ...protectors... seek thee... do not fear them... Something flickered in the woods for a split second and stopped Mattius in his tracks. Rothalle stood next to him and asked him what was wrong. Unmoved he spoke,
"I thought I saw something just then, some sort of eyes seeking me." Rothalle looked troubled.
"From what you say it may seem that the Beast follows us," Mattius looked at her, "though I percieve that, like me, you do not feel its presence here. It is something else." She looked into the trees. "But it has passed, do not let it hinder your mind for the time being, whatever it was, it as far from being evil of heart." Mattius nodded but thought to himself if it was not evil, why was it hiding. And the voices, the voices, were they simply his memory playing tricks on him or were they something else? He rubbed his temples and shook his head before falling into line beside Endereth.
"How goes it Ranger?"
"Not quick enough, already the sun races to dusk." She was right.
"Lets hurry on then."

Mattius marched on wanting the group to make good time but he couldn't help looking into the woods again. This time he did not see any eyes or such but clear as a bell a voice spoke to him inside his head and it was not the same as the Falcon earlier, but a more friendly and magical voice, happy and sad with uncounted years. Firnlord, soon I will seek thee in private and Manwe's mind and counsel will be revealed to thee. Do not fear me, I am the Head Protector and will guide you. Mattius found a strange comfort in these words, particualry at his true elvish name being spoken. Content, he marched on as the last rays of the day shot across the plains.

[ October 15, 2002: Message edited by: Mattius ]

[Ithaeliel]

As the last thin line of the warm sun slipped over the horizon, Ender swallowed hard. "Of all the accursed places we could have been caught in at nightfall, this is by far the worst in the western regions of the world," she whispered to Rothalle.
"Why is that?" the woman whispered back.
Ender glanced about as the twilight folded on them like a dragon of deep blue hue stretching its vast wing over the land. The crickets sang in the bushes all about them. The place was riddled with malicious spirits that feared sunlight. That much she had heard. Finally, Ender turned back to Rothalle. "You would regret it greatly if ever you found out," she said, "As would I. Just be sure to keep close to your companions. We must never separate."
After that Rothalle said no more. Both she and Ender walked in front, their cloaks drawn tight about them, each with one hand clutching her hilt. Mattius had gone to talk to Radagast for the moment and they continued to trudge through the area quietly.

Everyone was startled by the sound of Radagast's voice booming out into the night. "Let us rest here for the moment," said he. They complied soundlessly, and as Ender searched in her pocket for a shard of flint, she was careful to keep a close eye on her companions. Finally, Calentoliel brought enough dry wood for a short fire. Ender struck the flint and the fire sparked. She took comfort in its light and warmth though she showed little, if any, emotion on her face. "Now," said Radagast, "let me count thy heads. I see one, two, three, four and five, including myself. But there should be six of us."
Ender's stomach lurched. "Oh no..."
Everyone looked about apprehensively, fearing the worst. But whoever was missing should have seen their fire...
Finally, Faye spoke in a timid, frightened voice. "Where is Mattius?"

[Brinniel]

The five of them continued to look about, hoping to see Mattius appear at any moment.
"Who was the last to see him?" Radagast asked.
Calentoliel spoke up. "It was I. As I went to search for firewood, I saw him wander toward the woods. He seemed rather distracted and was whispering something. Of what, I know not."
Calentoliel hung her head in guilt. She should've given Mattius a warning to stay nearby or at least questioned where he was going. But then again, it was unnatural for Mattius to just disappear. He usually knew where he was going and was able to get back to the others. Something was not right.
"This is not right. Mattius would've been back by now," said Endereth, as if reading Calentoliel's thoughts. "Something has gone awry."
They all looked at her, knowing what she said was true.
"The woods are not safe at night," said Radagast. "We must find Mattius immediately before trouble finds him, if it has not already."
And so the company headed in the direction of the woods, in search of their missing friend.

[Olo Gamwich]

"Faye...F-Faye...my, I am beginning to tire of searching for that poor girl." I'm afraid she might 'a been killed. But no! Why, that girl could live an age in these blamed woods and come home unscathed. Olo had staggered and stumbled through the nameless woods for most half of Blotmath and found nothing. Many a time he had considered heading home, but even when it got the better of him he found that he couldn't remember from what direction he had come.
But he had found more than he had expected in this cursed forest. It filled him with fear. It turned his heart to stone and left him huddled behind trees; never knowing what might creep up on him...or what he might accidentally creep up on. He had once been chased by a black shadow...he saw not what it was, but it was purely...evil. It shreeked into his heart and left him in paralysis for a moment.
But yet, Olo stood strong and searched long for his ill-stricken friend's daughter, Faye, who he also loved dearly. She had kept him company at his shop, constantly inquiring about his work...she was so innocent, so soft and sweet. And it broke his heart to learn of her disappearance.
Snap. Olo dropped to the ground. Flipping onto his back, with his blunt kitchen knife in hand, Olo stared up to see a tall, rugged-looking man...his sword pointed at his throat.

[Faye Took]

Faye ran as fast as she could through the branches of the black woods in search for Mattius. 'Mattius!' she cried, frightened of his odd disaperance. She stumbled on the hidden branches on the hard ground. It was almost pitch black, for the night clouds have hidden the white moon. Faye spotted a dark figure in the distance.'MATTIUS!' she called to the shadow. 'Faye?' he said turning toward her sweet voice. Olo had over heard Mattius and stood up moving Mattiuses sword away. 'Faye!' he cried out. Mattius turned back to Olo had threatened him with his sword again. Faye had reached Mattius and Olo. 'Mattius where have you-' Faye's eyes widened to see her good friend Olo standing infront of Mattius. 'Olo!' she cried happy to she her friend. 'You know him?' Mattius asked still holding his sword at his throat. 'Yes I do.' she said softly smiling. 'What are you doing here?'

[Brinniel]

Though it was dark, Calentoliel could see the three figures clearly as she approached them. Two of the figures she recognized as Mattius and Faye. The other, who was a hobbit, she had not seen before.
Mattius was the first to notice Calentoliel, and smiled as she approached.
"Hello, Calentoliel," he said smoothly.
"Mattius," she repled, not bothering to hide her relief. "We were worried for you. Where did you go?"
Mattius frowned. "You should have not worried for me. I did not stray far."
"Well, it is not safe to stray anywhere alone in the dark, whether it is far or not," she argued. "There are many dangers in these woods and....and....Who is this?" Calentoliel pointed to the strange hobbit, letting her curiosity get to her.
"Olo Gamwich is the name," the hobbit said proudly. "I am a friend of Faye."
"Well, Olo Gamwich," Calentoliel said. "You better go back where you came from. It is not safe-"
Calentoliel was interrupted by the stirrings in the trees to her right. The four looked in the direction the sounds and movements had come from.
"What was that?" Faye asked nervously.
"I don't know, but I will check it out," said Mattius, unsheathing his sword, Angmarth.
"And I will come with you," Calentoliel assured, patting the hilt of her sword.
Mattius rolled his eyes, looking rather annoyed, but he did not argue.
"Stay here," he told the hobbits. "We'll be right back."

Mattius and Calentoliel searched among the trees, but found nothing.
"The thing that made those movements," Calentoliel said. "Where do you suppose it has gone."
Mattius stood still in his tracks and put his finger to his lips to silence Calentoliel. Calentoliel obeyed and stopped where she was.
"Strange," he whispered. "Does it seem....unusually quiet to you?"
Before Calentoliel was able to respond, Mattius was pulled to the ground by something. He cried out in surprise, and Angmarth fell from his hand.
Calentoliel burst forth her song to help Mattius, but it was cut short when long, wiry hands took hold of her throat.
Calentoliel's attacker pushed her to the ground, still clutching her throat. Calentoliel gasped for air that she could not find. She tried to rip the enemy's hands free of her throat, but its grip was too strong.
Calentoliel was pulled onto her left side, immobilizing her left arm and losing any chance to gain access to her sword. She could not breathe at all, and would not remain concious much longer.
Desperate to be free from her attacker's grasp, Calentoliel pulled out her dagger with her free hand. She then thrusted the dagger backwards, piercing the creature's side. The creature howled in pain, letting go of Calentoliel. She turned around to face her foe, but it had already disappeared. She stood up, rubbing her bruised throat and taking large gasps of air.

It was then Calentoliel realized that she was all alone. Mattius was gone. Calentoliel spotted Angmarth, which was the only trace that Mattius had ever been here. She went over and picked up the sword, feeling horrible all over. She trembled, fearing what had happened to her friend.
"Mattius!" she cried, but to Calentoliel's own surprise, no sound came out of her mouth. She tried to speak again and again, but still nothing came out. Her voice was gone.

Calentoliel was still trying to piece together what had happened, when she heard footsteps approach her. She clutched Angmarth tightly, afraid to turn around.
"Calentoliel?" came a voice from behind her. "What has happened?"

[ October 21, 2002: Message edited by: Brinniel ]

[Auriel Haevasawen]

Radagast tried hard to read her face in the failing light. Frantically she waved her arms in desperate movements. Still no sound came from her mouth.
"Oh my dear, dear child. We must leave this place." Radagast engulfed her in his arm and moved with surprising speed toward the others, half carrying half dragging Calentoliel under his arm.
The others stood back to back their weapons pointed outward, corralled against whatever had taken Cal. Radagast had strided off into they knew not what trouble but was amongst them once more. Mattius was with them not. Calentoliel whimpered in distress at his side.
"To the edge of the Barrows and make haste," Radagast shouted sharply. He was usually such a vague soul that his sudden focus suprised them all. Mattius staggered, dazed before them. There was no sword at his side but no one noticed in the upheaval. "Take hold of the hobbit Mattius, we must not leave him here."
They ran, stumbled, leapt or trotted toward the altered greyness that signified the edge of the forest. The grass was wet and soon they were all sliding together down the slope that led away from the dark canopy of the trees.
Rothalle's stallion who had remained waiting for them, cropping the turf peacefully was disturbed by the nature of their arrival and bolted into the mist that seemed to enclose about them. Rothalle called after him but to no avail.
They finally halted, all within a few feet of each other at the slope's foot. Radagast still had his long bony arm swathed about the the wheezing Calentoliel. Mattius had dragged the old hobbit free of the wood by the very hood of his cloak despite being barely able to stand himself. Rothalle was already upon her feet, calling for her mount. Faye and Endereth had landed close to each other. None had fallen on their swords and that in itself was a mercy.
Mattius assisted Olo in dusting himself down and turned to the wizard, who he could hardly make out in the heavy gloom. "We should climb back up to the fire and wait till morning," he wheezed.
"I am inclined to agree with you Man Elf but I see no sign of the fire's glow from here. The mist gathers close around us and we have no way of telling how far we have fallen. We could wander for enternity and never reach the fire again."
"I think you'd find we'd only wander till morning," Faye pointed out.
"I have said what I have said Mistress Took. We are in danger with every step or turn we make. Gather close all of you. Your lives may yet depend upon your neighbours as well as your own keen wit. Remember, my knowledge lies in living creatures, there are no living creatures here."
They did as they were bid and drew as close to each other as possible. Sat back against back in a rough defensive circle, facing outward into the blackness, staring until eyes became sore, trying to see what may come upon them. No one person kept watch and therefore no one person could stay awake as the night drew on.

[ October 29, 2002: Message edited by: Auriel Haevasawen ]

[Olo Gamwich]

Olo was stunned. This all had happened so fast; safe at last with Faye and a band of sturdy, wise-looking big people to fleeing through the woods with who knows what evils on his tail. "This is quite an affair you're in, Faye ma' dear." Olo turned to Mattius. "Sir...I can't thank ya' more. We had a bit of a rough meetin', but it's good to know there are people..." Mattius signaled to Olo to stop talking; it was a time to be cautious, without trouble from him...

[Auriel Haevasawen]

The night wore on and Rothalle found herself jolted awake as she hit the ground with a thud. She had slid sideways into sleep but where Mattius should have been to prop her upright there was a gap. She felt around her on the wet grass, the darkness so complete she could not even see her own outstretched hand. She panicked that she was left alone and grabbed about her wildly.
"Ouch, what is that?" Olo yelped, still sat in his place and until that moment dozing.
"Rothalle, is that you hobbit?"
"Aye, you're the dark one ain't ye? Where's that nice young man who were lookin' after me?"
"I don't know, there's a gap here where he should be sitting. Here, hold the hem of my cloak while I feel for the others." Olo did as Rothalle bid and she turned to feel in the opposite direction. Endereth and Faye were soon roused. Neither of them had seen Mattius either. Nor heard him in that silent place, but like Rothalle and Olo they too had fallen into a deep sleep. Eventually they worked round the whole ring, each holding onto the next until they were all accounted for but Mattius.
Radagast merely sighed. "So it has come to pass, then?"
"What has, and where is he?" asked Ender.
"It is not of our concern at present no matter how much danger he may be in. We must stay solidly here until dawn's light illuminates this plain again or all will be lost. We will then call upon my friends and make a thorough search. Although it pains me to say it, we can do no more for Mattius at present. He is armed and of stout heart. All we can do is hope those attributes are enough."
Calentoliel made an odd noise, her voice still denied her and knowing that Mattius' blade lay upon the forest floor."

[Ithaeliel]

Ender waited out the night in fear. Wrapping her cloak about her, she felt the blood surging through her veins, and it was tainted with black dread. Her eyes shifted slowly from side to side unblinking, and she saw that her companions were no less apprehensive. Looking over at the newcomer Olo, she watched him light his long pipe with shaking hands, and at the moment she wished she could take a puff herself. But she dared not ask.

Her longing was interrupted by a familiar shadow which crossed before her.

[Mattius]

Mattius jolted into concioucness when his dragging head smashed against a sharp rock. He groaned and tried to rub the back of his skull but his hands were tied behind his back. This might not be a good situation, he thought to himself as he opened his sore eyes. As the world came into focus he could see little, but the little he could see was just as he suspected, not good. The grey mist was still all about and Mattius could just make out his legs in front of him being lifted and used to drag him. He caught glimpses of the hands around his ankles, dark red rotting flesh hanging from black bones. Mattius drew a sharp breath, in these few brief seconds he had formulated a plan in his mind. His arms were tied but his legs were not.

In a flash Mattius spun his whole body, jolting his legs free, quickly he stood up and ran into the mist. He didnt have much time, he knew he could not hide forever, but he did have a few vital moments. With his tied hands he reached to his boots and pulled out a small elvish blade, hidden from view. Quickly he nicked the ropes until he could use his own strength to break them. As they snapped he reached to his sheath to attack with Angmarth. For three seconds his heart stopped. The sword was gone, he was defensless. Ofcourse! he thought. How stupid! It was dropped in the woods. He now had two choices, run or fight and Mattius was done with running in the sea of dense stench that was the mist. With his small blade and a clenched fist he readied hismself.

It was in this moment when death seemed to be upon the young Elf Man that help came from the skies above him. The Mist cleared and a bird sang clear and proud, a great eagle shape circled the sky and as it decended the mist around it dissapeared. It landed a few feet away from Mattius with something in its talons. Angmarth. The eagle let loose its grip on the blade and flew back into the sky leaving Mattius alone in the mist. Without thinking, he ran to the place where his weapon lay and in a smooth movement lifted it clean off the gound and sliced at an oncomming foul beast of the night. The decaying flesh stank the area as its decapetated body lay still on the ground. More attacked and everyone fell to the power of the Sword and its Master.
"Firnlord and Angmarth!" Yelled Mattius without thinking as a dozen more beasts fell. The attacks soon died out, and all that could be heared was Mattius panting,
"Firnlord and Angmarth... Firnlord and Angmarth..." As he sheathed his sword another figure appeared in front of him. It was of a man or perhaps an elf, thought Mattius. But he was wrong, it was the Head Protector and he was Maiar.

"Greetings," said a familir voice to Mattius, "I am the Head Protector, sent by Manwe himself to help guide the gifted weilder of Angmarth." The Head Protector was quite short, around five foot five and had white hair and a small white beard. He was dressed in satin blue with gold symbols of Eagles. "Follow me Firnlord," he commanded. Mattius follwed him to a stone wall upon which the Head Protector sat himself.
"Are you the one who speaks in my head?" asked Mattius. The man nodded.
"Yes, and I am here to help thee but first there is a story for me to tell you." Mattius looked on. "At the beginning of time when Melkor first rebelled against the rest of the Valar many evil things were created by him. One of the wrost was a great beast of terrible power. It had no physical appearnce of its own accept to Melkor, its creator. To all others it would appear as a fear."
"The Black Beast..." Mattius muttered to himself.
"Indeed Firnlord, Manwe saw the danger of this creature and took deep counsil with himself how to stop it. Eventually he did something unprecidented. He created a weapon, a sword to be more precise." The Maiar nodded towards Mattius' sheath.
"Angmarth!?" screamed the Elf Man.
"Angmarth," echoed the Protector, "was created by Manwe himself, he presented it to the greatest Elven warrior on Middle-Earth; your ancestor. But he did not succeed, nor did any of his line for many years. The beast seemed to simply dissapear from Middle-Earth. That was until your father found it in the Misty Mountains by chance. He was killed as you know but the sword and its heir were saved." Mattius looked deep into the Protector's eyes.
"You, was it you who saved me?" The small man scratched his head thinking.
"I am the Head Protector. But now the time has truely come to reveal the true powers of the sword created by Manwe. He believes you are truely gifted and connect with the blade, Angmarth will be revealed to you."
"Revealed?" questioned Mattius. The man hopped off the wall.
"Hand me Angmarth Firnlord." Mattius did as he was told. The Protector laid the sword down and chanted in an unknown language to Mattius. A brilliant red light then lit the sky and the ground shook. The sword on the floor shone white and then there was silence again.
"Take Angmarth Firnlord." Mattius picked up the sword and saw it had changed. The helm was the shape of a Gold Eagle, its talons the handle and its wings the balance. Its beak was open and facing upwards and from inside the beak the blade itself shot upwards, white as snow and cold as ice. Mattius turned to the Head Protector.
"It has been done and now I must leave the physical world but I will always be with you in great times of need Firnlord." The Maiar tapped his head. "Farewell!" With a puff of smoke he was gone, leaving Mattius alone in the mist once more with a new Angmarth. He sheathed it and was about to walk away when the Protectors voice spoke to him in his head. I told you I would be with you in great times of need and it seems you are in great need now Firnord. Turn around, that is the way to your companions. Do not tell them of what has passed here, this is between your family line, the Protectors and Manwe himself. Now go! They seek thee!

[Brinniel]

Calentoliel could not sleep at all. Her heart ached for what danger Mattius could possibly be in. She knew he was out alone, swordless, and yet no matter how much she tried, she could not tell her companions this. Calentoliel began to wonder if she would ever be able to use her voice again.

Calentoliel sat deep in thought about where Mattius could be. He had disappeared many times this night for reasons she did not know. Did Mattius wander off again, perhaps in search of his sword? Or perhaps he was taken away against his own will. Was it possible that Mattius was captured? Calentoliel shook her head. If Mattius was captured by something, why were the rest of them left unharmed?

And then Calentoliel made her decision. She had to know what happened to Mattius. If Mattius was in trouble, he would not hold out long with his smaller weapons. She glanced at her companions. They all appeared to be asleep. Though she may be mute, Calentoliel knew she was the only one who could help Mattius if he was in danger.

And so, without further hesitation, Calentoliel slipped away into the night. She was so focused on finding her missing friend, that she did not notice the dark shadow that passed her and surrounded the others, whom she left behind.

[Ithaeliel]

"Greetings, Child of Sight," said the shadow.

"Only you would give me such a title, Bringer of Sight," she whispered under her breath. Standing up, she left the circle and went out into the darkness, despite the danger. She was beginning to suppose the spirit was her guardian.

Once the company was out of sight, the shadow let itself down in front of Endereth. "So you recieved my message," it stated. "That is good."

"I am not so sure," Ender grumbled. "To see through another's eyes is to see their minds. I do not want this ability."

"You haven't a choice in the matter," the shadow snapped. "It is a gift that I was asked to bear to you, and it will help guide you through your quest. You can ward off the shadow now and find the truth."

Ender put a hand to her forehead as she leaned against a tree. "Why me? Why have I been chosen, out of so many who suffer, to embark on this perilous quest?"

"I am not at liberty to answer," said the spirit. "In time you shall know."

"I have not the time for such riddles," Ender burst out angrily. "I only wish to slay this beastly creature and roam the wilderness freely again."

"Then you shall have as is your wont," the spirit said. Ender felt like slaying the guardian right that moment, but she did not, for she then heard a great clamor and screams of terror above on the hilltop. Turning away, her blade rang out as it drew, and she raced to aid her companions.

[Mattius]

Your companions are in need, they have been attacked and you must help them. I will leave you now, it may be some time before I speak to you again but I will leave you with the words Manwe told me to tell you. 'Angmarth does not make you invincible, it has powers that you will not understand but you must believe in yourself, do that and you will succeed.' The voice was gone and it was silence. Such strange things have come to pass thought Mattius to himself. Was this really happening or had the bump on his head led him to belive a voice was talking to him? No, he thought, it had spoken to him before he hit his head. Just at that second the silent was broken by the all too familiar sound of clashing weapons and screaming hobbits. From about a hundred feet away a great light flamed the air. Radagast, thought Mattius. I better not dissapoint him if he is sending out a signal for help. He began to run towards the area but bumped into a figure running diagonally across from him. They both stood and drew their weapons.
"Keep up your bright sword Endereth, for the dew will rust it." With just a wry smile she signalled him to follow her and soon the scenes of battle came into sight. There were many creatures there, and it was the first time Mattius had seen their type- these were the Barrow-Wights. The evil spirits of Demons long dead were attacking their friends when Endereth and Mattius jumped into the fight.
"Angmarth!" shouted Mattius before slaying his first and moving on to the next.

[ November 04, 2002: Message edited by: Mattius ]

[Brinniel]

Calentoliel wandered not long before she heard shouts and swords clanging in the direction she had come from. Calentoliel stopped in her tracks, fearing what kind of danger her friends could be in. Now she would have to have to make a decision. Would she go back and help the others or would she continue her search for Mattius?

Calentoliel never did make a decision, for at that moment a hot breath blew across the back of her neck. Calentoliel reached for her sword, but a hand stopped her, wrapping tightly around her wrist. Calentoliel quickly realized that the hand belonged to her previous attacker, which she now knew was the same creature that attacked Endereth many days ago.
"You foolish thing," the creature hissed. "You use your magic on me and then I steal it."
Calentoliel struggled to get free of the creature's strong grip, but to no avail.
"Your friends also have magic. Much indeed," the creature continued. "And soon enough, I will steal their's also. My master will have much use for all this magic. Yes, he will, indeed."
Calentoliel resisted the creature again, and this time she was able to get free. She pulled out her sword and came face to face with her enemy, who was though small and cloaked, also appeared to be deadly.
"It would be unwise of you to fight me," the creature said. "For you will fail."
Calentoliel ignored its words and with all her rage and anger, swung her sword at it. But she had missed. Mysteriously, the creature had disappeared out of nowhere. Calentoliel turned around in confusion wondering where it had possibly gone. It was then that Calentoliel was struck on the back of the head by an invisible source. She stumbled, her head overwhelming with pain. She could hear the shouts of someone grow louder. It was last thing Calentoliel heard before everything went dark.

[Auriel Haevasawen]

Radagast was no swordsman. He used his staff to fight hand to hand as peasant men might do. He had rarely any need to fight but found it came to him naturally enough when such a need arose. He had sent a flare into the sky. A skill he thought he had long forgotten hoping to scare away their attackers and perhaps alert his friends close by to their plight. All it had done was illuminate the company and show them to e almost all missing. By his side were only Rothalle and Faye. All others had vanished into the night. The very thing he had warned them not to.
The Barrow-wights surrounded them. Rothalle wielded her own blade with deft precision. Heads and limbs were parted from bodies in an arc about her. Faye carried no weapon and found herself scratching in the earth for stones with which to pelt their advisaries. When they came to close for that and made to grab at her she kicked and punched, slapped and sratched with all her might. Radagast weilded his staff above her head, attempting to protect her.
The glow from the flare was fading. They would soon be over run. Faye had already been pulled away twice. Radagast grabbed her about the waist and yanked her free.
"Behind me for goodness sake," he snapped and shoved her between Rothalle and himself.
Rothalle grew weary from the constant onslaught. Her arms swung lower. Her hacks less powerful. The creatures almost had them.
Radagast shouted out, "Get thee to the world's end!" From somewhere in his ancient knowledge an incantation came to him. Slowly he began to recite.
A barrow-wight struck Rothalle. A cut in her sword arm opened up. The blade cut through cloak, sleve and flesh. She shrieked and fell back against Radagast. He continued to chant. The wights pawed at the hem of his gown. They began to tug at Rothalle who clung to his belt with her good hand. The other hung limp but still clasped her sword. Faye had one arm about Radagast's waist and held onto Rothalle's shoulder with the other, trying to keep hold as they tried to pull her away. Her own cloak was being yanked at from behind. Still Radagast chanted. Suddenly he stopped.
"It's no good my children. I cannot remember how it ends. We are lost. All is lost. I have failed you all."

[Ithaeliel]

"Aure entuluva!" came the cry of two voices.

Radagast and the others lifted their heads to see the two warriors Mattius and Endereth standing at the edge of the clearing, side by side, their blades drawn. For the moment they seemed archangels sent by the Valar, invincible warriors sent to rid the world of evil. The barrow-wights shrank back in fear. These were two whose guardians kept a constant watch. The two glanced briefly at each other before attacking with such ferocity that their opponents jumped back before rushing them.

Ender slashed and stabbed at the pallid forms around her, aiming mainly at their arms and hands. She heard their shrieks as they recoiled from the blows that had been dealt to them. Momentarily, there were none who could gain the upper hand, so she looked toward the horizon. Through a thin space in the trees, she could see a thin white line form in the darkness. Dawn would soon come.

Mattius' and Endereth's eyes met. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" he asked her as he hacked at an attacking wight.
"If what you're thinking is what I'm thinking," Endereth said with a sly grin, "then to the barrows!"

Radagast, Faye, Olo and Rothalle seemed to understand what they meant as they saw the first sign of dawn. Running faster than any of them ever had, they took their path to a long row of barrows, which they positioned themselves to block. Turning, they saw themselves being pursued by an onslaught of angry barrow-wights. Shrieking and moaning, the hideous spirits jumped at the fighters, only to be volleyed back by the blows of sword, staff, knife and body. Even as they fought, the sky began to glow with a golden light, and the wights shrank back further westward, fearing and hating the sunlight as a snaga fears its master. Soon the company would be rid of their menace.

[Mattius]

As the full circle of the low winter sun rose above the horizon Mattius took a quick look over his shoulder before ceasing his sprint. He sheathed his white blade and called to the others to stop running. They stood around him with their hands on their knees attempting to catch their breath, especially the hobbits.
"What happened to Calentoliel, Rothalle?" Mattius asked without turning his view from where they had just come.
"I do not know where my sister is or how she is. But since it is day we should search for her." The hobbits agreed but Radagast spoke up against such a move.
"It would be a crime against common sense if we were to go back into the barrow downs. If we get trapped in their at night we would be done for." Endereth sheathed her sword and spoke.
"What do you suggest?" Radagast straightened himself up and looked away in the distance.
"I suggest we go and find the place we were originally trying to get to, an old friend of mine if you must know. He is the master of this land and he will take us to Calentoliel. In fact, I would be surprised if she wasn't at his house by the time we get there!" Mattius looked up.
"Bombadil's house?"
"Very good Mattius," said Radagast impressed, "you have learnt much from the elves of Lorthlorien. Yes Tom Bombadil is the friend of whom I speak and I should think that his house is a mere few hours walk from here. Let us set forth!" Radagast led the way followed by the two excited hobbits. Enderth spoke with Rothalle reasuring her that they would find Calentoliel while Mattius strolled along with Rothalle's horse talking to it softly.

[Brinniel]

When Calentoliel awoke, it was already daylight. The throbbing pain in her head reminded her what had happened the previous night. Calentoliel sat up, rubbing her eyes to clear her vision. The pounding in her head was so painful, she could not think clearly. She brought her hand to the back of her head, where it hurt most. Just touching the wound disgusted Calentoliel. It was deep and though the bleeding had stopped, it was evident that she lost a large amount of blood. Her hair was matted in it, all sticky and tangled, causing her hair to be much heavier than usual.

Calentoliel was furious with the sneaky, dark creature that had attacked her. More than ever she wanted to hunt it down and kill it. How the thing stole her voice, Calentoliel did not know, but she knew that she must get her voice back before the black beast got hold of it.

But that would have to wait. Calentoliel was too weak to hunt down anything. First and foremost, she had to find her companions. Something had happened to them last night, and Calentoliel prayed that they were all right. She was sure that they were in better condition than her, even Mattius who possibly had already reunited with them.
Figures, Calentoliel thought. She was foolish to have run off in the first place, and now she would have to find a way to get back to them, as weak as she was.

Very slowly, Calentoliel stood up. She stumbled a few steps, then fell back against a tree, vomiting. She did not realize how dizzy she was. How was she supposed to continue this way?

She sat back down and leaned against the tree, breathing hard. Calentoliel was frightened by the fact that she could not even walk a few steps. But she would not give up. She couldn’t. Calentoliel didn’t even want to think of the possibilities of what would happen if she stayed here another night. She would have to go on, whatever sacrifices it may take.

Calentoliel stripped off her layers of clothing until she was down to a light tunic and leggings. She kept her cloak, for she knew she would later regret it if she didn't. She threw off all her weapons, except for her sword and a small knife. Whatever Calentoliel didn't need, she took off. Being as weak as she was, she did not need any unecessary weight.
Then hesitantly, Calentoliel took the small knife and cut off several strands of her hair. She was resistant to doing this, but she knew that her matted hair was adding too much extra weight that she did not need. Instead of cutting it, Calentoliel wished to wash her hair and clean her wound before it became infected, but there was no water nearby.
Once she was done cutting, her hair was a shorter, uneven, and still matted. But through it all, the hacking of her hair proved quite useful, for Calentoliel's head felt much lighter and the pain eased a bit.

For the second time, Calentoliel stood up. Still holding on to the tree, she took a few steps without stumbling. She paused, steadying herself, then let go of the tree. Gingerly, she took a few more steps without the support of the tree. Oh, how Calentoliel's head throbbed and she could feel blood trickling down the back of her neck as her wound reopened, but she did not fall.
Taking a deep breath, Calentoliel regained her strength. Then, she continued down the trail in search of her friends.

[Auriel Haevasawen]

Radagast marched purposefully toward the little house that had materialised before them, as if it had grown out of the ground. He was weary but loathe to show it. Inside he still felt as if he had failed in his role of wizard in their quest. He had always led a quiet life. He had long forgotten most of the powers vested in him and of course he knew that was why he was involved. He must face the black beast just as the young folk with whom he travelled must face it and thereby bring the final peace to Middle Earth. His old friend the Eagle Lord and suggested as much when he had said that he would seek out the beast in vengence for the death of his son. The king of the Eagles had told him that Mattius was the key: setting right much that must be done. He just wished his brain did not feel so inadequate for such a task and hoped the boy did not know he leaned on him so much. He was also dependant upon Rothalle a great deal for though she did not know it her powers were more than a match for his and if only he could spend some short time in training her with what little skill he did posess he was sure great things would become of her.
They had reached the door of the little house. Smoke curled invitingly from the chimney and the happy chatter of the hobbits ceased. The winter sun illuminated a homely place and a calmness came to Radagast and the others in its grounds.
"Well," enquired Faye. "Shall we knock or do we just enter unanounced? I swear I shall fade away completely without some breakfast."
"We shall show our manners hobbitess no matter what we have been through upon the Barrows." Radagast snapped at her and walked purposefully to the door.
"I care not for breakfast when I know that Calentoliel is still out there, unprotected," Endereth called out to Radagast in disgust.
"If you partake of no meals you will have to strenght to aid the song sister!" Radagast's tone was grim indeed. He turned to knock upon the door but as his staff tapped upon the ancient wood the door swung open, unlatched.

[Mattius]

The two hobbits snuck under Radagast and poked their heads through the open door.
"Hullo!" shouted Faye. Radagast hurmmphed and managed to push the two of them out of the way.
"What did I just say to you! Manners foolish hobbits. Try to keep your hungry bellies at the back of your mind for just a while longer." The two of them backed off slightly ashamed. Radagast sighed and turned to the door again speaking to himself. He knocked on it again and spoke softly.
"Master Bombadil?" There was no answer.
"No-one home," said Enderth, arms crossed. The group were silent. Mattius was half waiting for the voice to speak to him in his head to tell him what to do. There came no sound, must be easier to solve he thought. He cracked his knuckles and sucked a deep breath through his nose.
"I can smell food," he said as if he were a child. The others sniffed the air and soon they could smell it too, small at first but getting stronger with every breath. Meats, bread, stew- the hobbits spirts picked up massivly. Radagast looked at the door and then Rothalle.
"Should we enter Radagast?" The wizard weighed the situation up. No-one was home, it was possible that it was a trap but nothing could enter Bombadil's house without his permission. AH! he thought, that is it. Mattius read his expression.
"Looks like you have figured something out Radagast," he said.
"Perhaps I have my young friend. Bombadil is master here, nothing can enter his home without his or Goldberry's permission. I suspected it was a trap but I don't believe that it is possible. So, we can try to enter and if we are successful then the master must have allowed us!" The hobbits seemed confused but the others grasped his point.
"Either way we don't have a choice," said Mattius. Radagast seemed confident in the idea and pushed the door open further.

As they walked onto the wooden floor the smell of food engulfed all the senses. It could be seen on the table, smelt in the air and heard cooking on the stove.
"Look at this!" shouted Faye jumping up and down with a piece of paper in her hand. Radagast took it from her.
"Dearest Radagast, if you are reading this then welcome to my home, it has been too long my friend! I am afraid that I am out at the moment, I believe that one of your friends is in a bit of trouble. Goldberry has gone into the forrest to pick flowers. I knew that you would have hobbits with you so I prepared food, help yourselves and see you soon, Tom." Like lightening the hobbits shot off to the table.
"Well, what more is there to say!" said Radagast as he walked over and tucked in to the meal.

[Auriel Haevasawen]

There were some in the group that were so hungry they cared not which order in which they ate their courses. Plates were filled with game pie alongside scones and freshley baked bread. Radagast found himself as guilty as the hobbits of gorging, remembering the last hearty meal he had partaken of was in the Shire. Once filled he settled back on a chair in the inglenook of the fire, scooped up the hem of his brown habit clear of the warm cinders and set about with his pipe. There he remained, seeming to be peacefully smoking as the others ate, chattered and even fell asleep. His head was filled with woes. Troubled by his own failings and troubled by the loss of Calentoliel. Rothalle, her own sister seemed unblighted by her absence but Endereth was silent, sullen and unlike the remainder of the company ate little. He sighed. He hoped his friends would return soon. He had great faith in Tom Bombadil, perhaps his wisdom would prevail where his had failed.
Finally he let his eyes settle upon Mattius. He was passing food to young Faye and listening intently to whatever she was saying through a mouth filled with food. Radagast the Brown allowed himself a smile. Perhaps, just perhaps everything would be solved.
The smile vanished. Calentoliel was still unaccounted for.

[Brinniel]

Calentoliel had been walking for over an hour. She walked at an extremely slow pace, and still had not left the barrow downs.

Though she had not gone far and had taken many rests, Calentoliel felt as if she had been walking for an eternity. Her feet were sore and blistered. Her limbs ached. A sharp pain came from her upper back. But most of all, it was Calentoliel's head that hurt. The pain was intense. She had become so dizzy and her vision was so blurred that Calentoliel no longer knew which way she was going. And the walking was no good for her wound. It bled freely, and she could not find any way to stop it. She had lost so much blood.
And now, after an hour of walking, Calentoliel was beginning to feel feverish. Her clothes were damp with sweat and she was shivering.

Calentoliel had not gone much further before she fell to her knees. Her strength had finally given out, and she could no longer continue. Calentoliel looked about her, searching for any sign of hope. When she failed to find it, Calentoliel looked up into the sky, gazing through the grey clouds and into the bright sun, for what she believed to be the last time. She then closed her eyes and lost consciousness for the third time in a single day.

[ November 20, 2002: Message edited by: Brinniel ]

[Ithaeliel]

Endereth watched as the company gorged themselves on the spread which Bombadil had prepared for them. She cared not much for food. Several times in her life she had gone a few weeks without so much as a few handfuls of water, and she was also too worried abot Calentoliel to eat. Over and over in her mind, she saw her friend staggering half-dead through the woods, pale, hungry and unable to take a few steps without resting. The fact that she was now mute helped not at all.

Endereth tried to restrain herself through the day, but when both Bombadil and Goldberry were finally home, Radagast began to tell them the company's story. Ender's heart began to race as she saw Calentoliel again and again, each time her suffering becoming worse and worse. Finally, without realizing, Ender stopped Radagast in mid-sentence, jamming her sword between the floorboards with a loud THUD.

[Faye Took]

Startled by the thud, Faye fell off her chair. 'Goodness Endereth.' She said rubbing her head. Faye got up and climbed back onto the chair and began to stuff her face with muffins. 'How could you all eat at a time like this?' Endereth said angerly. 'Calentoliel is still out there! What if she is dead? Don't any of you care!' The room was silent and all eyes where on Endereth. Radagast stood up. 'My dear Endereth, Calentoliel is still alive. She is a very brave woman indeed and I know for a fact that she is still alive.' Endereth, looking annoyed, sat down and crossed her arms. I guess Radagast is right she thought to herself as she looked around the room. Maybe she is still alive.

[Auriel Haevasawen]

Radagast hoped the young Ranger did not see into his heart. He spoke the truth when he said that he believed her still alive. He felt her pulse as he did all living creatures but to be so definate, so strong. Radagast knew that was merely an act. He knew not where she was or how he could help her. He had failed them all on the Downs. Perhaps this was his trial. Perhaps it was the responsibility of Radagast the Brown, the shame of the Istari to find her. He looked into the flames that flickered brightly in the hearth, his back to the company. Deep and troublesome thoughts chased each other through his mind.

[Ithaeliel]

OOC: Sorry to not finish my last post. I was interrupted.

Ender stood up in defiance almost immediately afterward, her blood boiling. "I'm not going to sit here while Calentoliel suffers," she hissed. "I'm going out to find her, and I am going now. Mr. Bombadil, you wouldn't mind if I borrowed a horse?" she asked politely.

Tom was so surprised at her fury that he coudln't refuse. "Of course, there should be one right outside."

Ender quickly wiped her sword with a rag before turning to her companions. She looked at each one, and, seeing that they were unwilling to return to the cursed downs where their friend was trapped, gave a sigh. "Expect me back in a few days... a week at most."

"You can't go it alone, Ender!" cried Mattius. "Why not stay here a while, have something to eat?"

Endereth smiled ruefully at him. "Not hungry," she said. "And until I met all of you, I was alone. This shall be no different, except that I shan't be wandering anymore." And with these final words, she closed the door to Tom Bombadil's house. Jumping onto the back of the mare standing outside, she watched the lights of the house getting smaller and smaller as she was swallowed by the darkness of the barrow-downs.

[ November 20, 2002: Message edited by: Ithaeliel ]

[Mattius]

Mattius was in the most beautiful house he had seen since he had left Lorien nigh on twelve months ago. It was night and most of the group were asleep except for Tom who spoke with Radagast softly next to the fire. They seemed to be in deep discussion so bothering them would be a mistake. Mattius sat up on the side of his bed. He rubbed his temples hard thinking what to do. It was night and Endereth was out there alone. Why was no-one going to help her? The Wights, the fear was too close to their hearts. Mattius looked up at the two magical figures of Radagast and Tom and for a split second Tom turned and they met eyes. Just as quick, he turned his gaze and attention to the wizard once more. Mattius sighed. This was insane, he could not let her go out alone, even if she was a Ranger. But he still feared to leave, he had suffered. He bowed his head again and the voice spoke. They fear you, they fear what you are and what you can become. Go forth into the night, they need your help! With that he silently crept towards the door, without ever knowing Tom had turned and watch him leave, smiling proudly.

[Auriel Haevasawen]

"He has gone hasn't he my old friend?" Radagast whispered as he stared into the glow of the dying embers.
"Yes, he has." Tom smiled and allowed the smoke from his pipe to curl up the chimney in random swirls. "No one has thought to ask where she is." Tom observed.
"By whom you mean our fellow host and not our waylaid friends, do you not?" Radagast continued sotto voice. "She intends their proctection?"
"Who am I to say? Goldberry is free but she feels their pain as you and I do. Let us say there are three who seek your companion upon those downs and one of those will pass unseen." Tom replied mystically.
"Ah dear Tom, you speak in riddles I would be proud of." Radagast sighed. "I fear I have failed them all dear friend. I should be strong and wise for this company. I should be guiding them. I lean upon the boy and Rothalle too much."
"I am sure the time will come to pass Radagast that you will feel a true wizard yet,it is merely that your moment is not come. Each of you seek something that is missing from your existance. Something that the Beast feeds upon. Destroy the Beast and you will fulfill your destiny or deny it food and it will be starved out of these lands."
"How can we stop it feeding, when it goes where it pleases with scant regard to anything or anyone?" Radagast sighed and sat back in his chair in the inglenook.
He was suddenly aware of a cough at his side. He turned sharply to see Faye looking at him directly.
"That's not what Tom Bombadil means," she said quietly. "I'm a hobbit, I know all about food. This isn't a matter of normal food. Tom said it feeds on what is missing in our lives and that is the food we've got to deny it. We have to become whole to defeat the Beast. Honestly, Radagast, you really are as hopeless as you feel." She gave an exasperated snort and bedded back down upon the floor.
"Amazing creatures, aren't they?" Tom Bombadil laughed and even Radagast raised a smile.
It was quite the opposite of the foreboding world outside on the downs.

[Ithaeliel]

Ender rode swiftly through a maze of trees and brambles. Her mount was indeed fast, faster than many horses she had ridden in her day. But the speed of the mare didn't compensate for the fact that Ender had totally forgotten a light, and, because the moon was new, she often would run into things that she would have normally not. But she could still hear, and when the pounding of the mare's hooves suddenly echoed behind, she heard it. Stopping short, she beckoned her mount to hide (it wasn't hard; the horse's coat was dark as well as the sky) and crouched behind a tree, sword drawn. The heavy steps of another horse grew louder and louder, going more slowly all the while. As the head came into view, Ender readied herself for a spring. Seeing the rider's face, she relaxed. It was Mattius.

"I thought you might follow me here," she said as she approached.

Mattius retained a serious expression. "We musn't waste any more time. We have to find Calentoliel quickly."

The two rode on for another long mile in the darkness before Ender caught scent of something familiar. "We've not far to go. In fact, she should be..." she trailed off as she caught sight of a limp figure lying on the ground, a dry trickle of blood on the corner of her mouth.

[Mattius]

"Is it her?" asked Endereth. Matttius didn't take his gaze from the body down below them. It looked like it could be Calentoleil.
"Somethings... not right here," he got out finally. It was silent and cold, very cold. Mattius reached out behind his back and under his cloak and pulled out his thin, cone straw hat. He saw Enderth looking at him funny.
"What is this?" she asked.
"It was my fathers and was made for him by Galadriel before she departed these shores. It has always help keep me calm in times of fear. I feel I should wear it from now on."
"So be it," she replied. They both turned their attention back to the figure on the floor. Without a word Mattius began to dismount the steed who neighed quietly at losing the extra weight.
"Now I see why you needed an extra bit of courage Mattius, but fear not, I will appraoch too, to see if it is Calentoliel."
"No," said Mattius, "don't do that, if its a trap then you will need to go get help from Tom and Radagast." Ender agreed after while, she wasn't used to doing thigs this way.

Mattius drew Angmarth and the white blade shone brilliantly, cutting the surrounding darkness. Foot by foot he approached the crumpled figure. With a massive sigh of relief he saw it was Calentoliel, but she was unconcious. After sheathing his weapon he lifted up her head to check the wound but a horrible vision suddnenly shot into his mind and for three seconds it was all he could see, a winged beast, cruel and twisted with red, rotting flesh. He opened his eyes again and turned around to see Ender sat on the horse looking confused.
"Well, is it her?" He didn't have time to answer as from Ender's left came a great rushing of wings, they both turned and Mattius saw it was the thing from his vision. As quick as a flash he pulled one of the tomahalk axes from his back, a gift from the Dwarves of the Lonely Mountain, and threw it spinning towards the flying creature. With its massive body only inches from Ender the axe struck it in the side of the neck, sending it spinning away amist screams of holwing pain, screams that would awaken other creatures in the Downs. Ender was still in a state of shock when Mattius jumped on the horse behind her with Calentoliel layed across his lap.
"Go go go!!" He screamed as she snapped out of the fear and kicked the horse's side.

[Auriel Haevasawen]

Drowsy from food, travel and the warmth of the fire, both Tom and Radagast had slid into sleep on either side of the hearth.
The ear-wrenching shriek had jolted both them and the whole remaining party back to conciousness.
"The Beast?" Radagast stared at his old friend in horror.
"Aye, as is might be." Bombadil replied. He stood up slowly. "Rothalle, are you awake girl?" He asked of the shape that seemed to be sat bolt upright upon the floor.
"Yes."
"You and the hobbitess light every candle in this house and place it at every window." They did not question him but ran to collect candles, first from the long table and then from where their host directed them.
"Can you still cause a little light Radagast?" Tom turned and asked him.
"Aye, that I can do." Radagast replied. "I see what you have in mind old friend. I have heard that ships lost upon the sea may make for a lighthouse and use it to guide them home. We seek to do the same with your abode and make it a lighthouse for those upon the Downs do we not?"
"Yes, indeed." Tom said as he left the room and headed across to the woodstore. Radagast followed. Already candles were burning in each window in one side of the house, letting their homely glow illuminate their close environs.
"Give us a fire Radagast. Light them home." Tom shouted, hurling a pile of sticks on the grass at his feet.
Radagast breathed in deeply. Another un-natural shriek pierced the air. It was matched by the bellow from his mouth. The flames began to rise. Rothalle and the others ran out onto the grass before the house. Undertanding their intend, Faye ran to the woodstore and like Tom gathered armfulls to add to Radagast's bonfire. The flames grew taller still, but brought no harm to those who fed them. They glowed pure and white and lit up the sky in tongues of fire that reached higher than the house roof. All the time Radagast was chanting. Chanting as he had not done in a thousand years. This time he would not fail them. This time.

[Ithaeliel]

Ender ducked her head as the horse tore her way through the trees, all the while being pursued by what Ender knew to be the beast. Looking back at Mattius and Calentoliel, she saw the shadow of the beast flying behind them in its terrifyingly swift gait, waiting for the opportunity to pounce. Turning her attention to the road ahead, she saw a brief glimpse of light that flashed through the woods, and then it was gone.
"The others must be lighting the way for us," said Mattius as he ducked a tree branch. "I knew they'd come through!"

A ray of hope escaped into Ender's heart... but it was only a moment before all of it was ruined.

A familiar shadow-- one Endereth knew as her guardian spirit-- stumbled suddenly in front of the mare. She gave a whinny of fright and bucked, sending Endereth flying into the ground. Mattius tried to turn the horse around, but Ender saw that this was her guardian's way of saying, "It is time."

"Ride, Mattius!" she screamed after the horse. "Ride! Ri..."
As she spoke the last word, her limbs seemed to freeze, and she would have been taken had the spirit not driven the black beast at bay. Pulling out her sword with much pain and labor, she stood and turned to face the aura that was her enemy. "So here it ends," she muttered. "Or does it begin?"

[Mattius]

"Enderth!" Mattius shouted as he looked back to see the Ranger grow smaller and smaller. He tried with all his might to get the horse to turn back but it refused fiercly; it had seen the light from Tom's house and it was racing foward with all its might. With his left hand Mattius held on to the reign whilst with the right he desperatly tried clung on to Calentoliel's limp body. Different thoughts were racing through his head, the Beast was back there and Enderth too. It was still deep night too, likely that lots of Barrow Wights would be on the prowl. Not good.

The horse was only a few hundred yards away from the house now and Radagast came running up to Mattius.
"Hand me Calentoliel!" He yelled, "And come into the house, the Beast is afoot!" Mattius handed down the maiden to Radagast.
"I can't come in yet, Endereth is still back there, she fell off the horse." Mattius tried to turn the horse around but the animal refused to go back towards the Beast.
"Wait wait!" said Radagast. The wizard rubbed the mare's shivering head and whispered into its ears. "Now, be quick Mattius, Tom says Goldberry is out tonight too so look for her! Go!" With a kick the horse spun on its heels and sped off into the night. Radagast ran back to the wooden cabin with Calentoliel in his arms. In the distance he heard a cry go up from Mattius.

"Beast of Morgoth the day shall come when revenge shall destroy you- Angmarth, the Blade of Manwe is alight with hunger for thy flesh this night!"

[Auriel Haevasawen]

The others stood outside the house. They had ceased to feed the fire when Radagast had run from the garden before them. They had watched the shadowy exchange between Mattius and Radagast and now stood like statues as he returned apparently alone.

He ran past them a limp bundle in his arms, kicked the door to force it open and hurried into Tom's kitchen. Jolted from their stunned state they ran in after him. Tom alone, remained outside, steadly adding wood to the fire and watching for those who were still abroad.

"Clear the table!" Radagast bellowed, seeing no place to lay her down.

Rothalle flung the plates and glasses to the floor in her haste. Before the crashes had died down Radagast had lain Calentoliel upon the board.

For the first time they recognised her. Even in the orange glow of the fire she looked deathly pale. The hood of her cloak was so soaked in blood that Radagast was forced to wipe his hand upon his habit once he had settled her head upon the wood. They were silent. Her tresses hacked away unevenly, her eyes closed, her clothes torn and dirty and an ugly wound to the nape of her neck. She barely breathed.

Radagast retrieved a piece of string from the purse that hung at his waist and tied back his hair. He leaned close and stroked her cool cheek with the tips of his fingers. His lips moved barely perceptively. Even Faye could not make out the words he spoke. They were ancient. Radagast spoke in a tongue far older than any member of the company. As he muttered he turned her tenderly onto her side to inspect the gash that sliced through hood and cloak and into flesh. He pulled away the remaining hanks of her hair. The wound was clearly visible to all. He pointed to Faye. "Water, cold, clear water." He returned to his incantations.
Faye did as she was bid, retrieving an unbroken bowl from the floor and filling it from the barrel at the opposite side of the room. The actions of all within that room illuminated by the candles which still burned on the sills.

Rothalle turned up the hem of her gown and tore away a small fragment of her underskirt. She handed it to Radagast who dipped it the bowl offered to him by Faye.

The only sounds in the room were the crackling of the fire, the breathing of the company and the constant muttering of Radagast. Carefully he cleaned the vile cut. Silently they waited. Calentoliel seemed not to breathe at all.

[Mattius]

Mattius encouraged the horse foward in the darkness. In his haste he was sure he had gone ever so slightly of course. Suddenly the mare buckled and threw Mattius clean off. With a thud he landed on his backside before standing up and attempting to regain control of the animal. I must not linger, he thought. With a wild neigh the horse turned and ran back towards the house. It seemed the words of Radagast had not held on long enough. Well, thought Mattius, they probably would have if I followed the correct path.

He stood there twisting and turning his head trying to seek which way to go. His breathing was deep and loud but there was another sound, yes another. Mattius could hear almost silent footsteps but his elf hearing picked it up comming form behind him. He unsheathed his sword and spun around to be met by a woman dressed in gold. He was so taken back with surprise he stopped breathing for a second. It was Goldberry, both beautiful and ancient.
"Follow me Firnlord, I will take you to her," she spoke in almost a dreamlike whisper. Mattius did as he obeyed without even asking how she knew his true name and followed as she led him deeper into the night.

[Brinniel]

Though Radagast had cleaned Calentoliel's wound, he was not quick enough to save her from the fever that would nearly take her life.

As the fever raged through her body, Calentoliel dreamt of her enemies.

The cloaked creature came at her again and again, taunting and teasing her with images of itself, none seeming to be real. It clawed and tore at Calentoliel, never seeming to lose strength. It kept her from the others, who continued their endless search for her. And then, suddenly, from out of nowhere, a dark shape came at Calentoliel- the Black Beast. The cloaked creature- the beast's servant or other half had distracted Calentoliel from seeing Death itself.

Calentoliel awoke with a start, her mouth open in a silent scream. She shivered, cold from the sweat that soaked her to the bone. But her fever still raged.
Someone held her hand and Calentoliel opened her eyes to see who it was. It was an effort wasted, for her sight was blurred. She blinked several times in an effort to focus her eyes, but to no avail.
Calentoliel heard voices, though she could not understand what was being said. She tried to call out to the voices, but nothing came out. She tried to sit up, but discovered that she could not, and instead turned sideways, coughing up blood.
Hands gently placed Calentoliel on her back again as she gasped for breath. The hands stroked her chest softly, relaxing Calentoliel and easing her pain.
The last thing Calentoliel heard before she drifted back into a dreamless sleep were the whispers of an ancient tongue. It was a language that Calentoliel had recognized almost immediately. It was the language of her songs.

[Ithaeliel]

Ender's eyes were locked onto the evil aura that now floated still and silent in the night. A chill ran up her spine, and before she knew what was happening she was combatting the fearsome spectre; now dodging its deadly lunge, now swiping at the great orb with her sword. Her attack was in vain, for the sword shattered upon contact with the black mist, and several shards flew into her, causing sharp pain to overtake her. She turned her head as her knees caved in, a look of pain and wistfulness upon her blood-covered face as she stared at the guardian. "Why do you stand there and do nothing?"
The spirit did not answer. Perhaps it did after all, but if so, Endereth did not hear. Her body went limp and she lost all sense as she slipped into her silent blackness.

***

When she came to, Ender was alone. Looking about, she saw a familiar scene... the forest below the blue mountains. She was on the same precipice as she had stood on so many days ago. She tried to walk forward, but she could not, nor could she speak. She was bound and gagged by a morgul spell, and knowing not any magic, she could not escape its foul hand. Suddenly she heard an ominous laugh, and from behind her came a figure of blackest heart and most terrible fear.

[Auriel Haevasawen]

Everyone in the kitchen began to feel almost hypnotised by the continuous chanting of Radagast. He seemed to have been doing it for hours.

They had settled in chairs around the table where Calentoliel lay, tended by the ancient wizard. Occasionally he would signal with a rapid movement of his hand that he needed one of them to fetch him more water,or cloth to soak up the blood.

The bleeding had finally been staunched but her palor was still unearthly. The wight's themselves would have taken her as their own. Still Radagast would not give up.
She had caused them all to jolt awake at one point when she suddenly sat bolt upright, as if to scream and yet no sound had issued from her lips. They had all rushed to her side uttering comforting words but after coughing up yet more blood she had slipped away from them again.

Radagast had ceased to bend over her and instead changed his position so that he sat,perched on the table's edge, one foot on the floor, one dangling as he looked down upon her. Regularly he wiped her forehead with a cold wet cloth that had been once part of Rothalle's underskirt. He stoked her cheek with his cool finger tips. He never ceased in his incantations. Radagast was facing his own personal beast while he tended Calentoliel. He could not allow her to die. He knew who she was and how important she was as was each member of the company in the destruction of the Beast. It was not merely that which made him so determined. He had grown immensely fond of all of them. He could not bare to lose a single one of their band. Once, long ago it would have been within his power to save her.

The others were now asleep and he alone kept vigil. The candles lit to guide the others home fizzled out. Tom remained outside tending the beacon fire so the one in the grate fell into grey embers with no one to watch it.

Still Radagast whispered Calentoliel's native tongue. The fever was breaking and he was too exhausted to notice.

[Mattius]

He had seen her, close enough to talk to her. And then she had dissapeared, with the other one. Mattius had seen Ender then she had dissapeared followed by Goldberry chanting something and then dissapearing into thin air herself, presumably to the same place.

Following their dissapearence the wights had appeared all around him and Mattius had to battle for a long time before they began to back off from his ever deadly sword Angmarth which shone with bright white fires.

As he limped through the night Mattius noticed a cut along his left arm, nothing to worry about he thought. After wandering in the direction he thought Tom's house was in he saw a small flame shoot up in the distance. He quickened his pace and soon the cottage came into full view. Tom was just going inside when Mattius reached the door. He walked in dripping blood on the wooden floor. They were all sleeping save Radagast and Tom who stood looking over Calentoliel.
"She... they dissapeared," he said, "into nothing and I don't know where they are." Mattius bowed his head in shame but Radagast looked confused,
"Who is 'they' my dear lad?" He asked.
"The Ranger, the Beast and Goldberry," said Tom without hesitation, "they have gone from these parts but Goldberry will keep her safe," he turned to Radagast, "for a short time." There was a deadly silence as the Wizard and Mattius thought this over.
"Ever in riddles my friend," said Radagast eventually, "but now I must turn my attention back to Calentoliel."
"How is she?" Asked Mattius walking over to her sprawled body.
"Not good but not gone either so there is still hope." He looked at the Elf. "Go and get some sleep Mattius, you need rest and the morning will help her more." Surprising even himself Mattius laughed,
"I am weary beyond measure Radagast but I don't think I could ever sleep again after what I have seen tonight. The nightmares scare me too much so I will help prepare our supplies as I am guessing that we will be leaving as soon as Calentoleil is okay." Radagast nodded as he turned to the maiden and began his chanting once more.

[Brinniel]

It was morning when Calentoliel's eyes fluttered open. She found herself staring up into the eyes of Radagast.
He smiled, and then said, "Good morning, Calentoliel. You do seem to be feeling better. We all feared that you were lost to us."
Calentoliel smiled back wearily, and then with the support of Radagast, slowly sat up. The aching returned to Calentoliel's head, reminding her what troubles she had stumbled upon, but oddly enough the rest of her body felt somewhat renewed. She felt much better than she ever remembered being.
Calentoliel looked around the room she was in, seeing old faces. Rothalle, Mattius, Faye, and Olo. She also saw Tom Bombadil smiling at her and suddenly realized that it was his house that she was currently in. But there was one face missing, and Calentoliel's heart nearly stopped knowing this. Where was Endereth?
She opened her mouth to ask this, but once again nothing came out. Instantly, Calentoliel was reminded of the dark creature that had caused all her troubles, and her anger towards it returned. Once again, Calentoliel looked around the room hoping that she perhaps missed seeing Endereth, but no, she still was not there. It was Tom who answered her silent question.
"Endereth has gone missing. But worry not. Goldberry will see that she is all right."
Still, Calentoliel had her doubts. One is not safe if they are missing. She knew that there was more than the black beast that was a threat to them. She knew what the creature that had attacked was. Most of all, she knew what it could do to Endereth.
Seeing the distress in Calentoliel's eyes, Radagast asked her, "Do you know something, Calentoliel? Do you believe you know what has happened to Endereth?"
Calentoliel closed her eyes, deep in thought. She opened them again and nodded her head yes.
"Won't you tell us?" asked Olo. "Please?"
Calentoliel stared at him blankly. Yes, she wished to tell them her knowledge so much. She knew that she must. It may be the only way to save Ender. But how? She had no voice to tell them. Yet she may never get it back if she didn't. Calentoliel gritted her teeth in frusteration.

[Ithaeliel]

Ender stared in utter horror at the ghastly shape before her. In appearance it was an Istar, with long black matted hair and beard and wearing a torn and tattered silvery robe. His hands were but skin and brittle bones, and his face was thin and white with sunken black eyes and an expression of grim death. In his right hand was an ebony staff, and in his left was the blackish aura Ender knew as the illusory black beast. "By Iluvatar... the living dead," she whispered to herself. "Who are you?" she stammered.

The figure laughed, and the mere sound made her blood run cold. "I am he who thou hast sought," he said in a dreadful hiss. Ender knew his voice as the one she heard that night in the cave. "And you know who this is," he continued, gesturing to the Black Beast. Ender thought she heard it whisper the word "hate."

"Ah, yes, my dear," the old man said to the beast. "We hate the ranger from Lorien, don't we? Never you worry, soon she'll never see thee again." He turned back to Ender, a scowl marking his grave features. "Thou and the rest of thy traveling friends have caused her enough trouble. I only managed to attain one of the gifts before I caught thee," he snarled.

Endereth suddenly realized what was going on. "It was you, then! Because of you, Calentoliel's tongue is gone."
"Indeed, o perceptive ranger thee. Though perceptive, thou art a fool. Thou did not manage to see thine own gift. Look to the east! I shall give thee thy last before it is forever lost to thee."
Ender turned her head toward the east as the old man commanded, and to her great surprise she found she was in a great hall. There she saw such glorious figures as the Elven-kings, Beren and Luthien... and she saw little Nessa, who sat alone in a corner, huddled in grievance, tears streaming down her face. Ender took a step forward and was suddenly passing by the great faces of the deceased kings and queens...

...deceased. They were dead, as was little Nessa. Ender gasped, realizing she was in the Halls of Mandos, where all who were not accursed came after taking leave from Middle-earth. But she was actually there. Was she not dead also? She tried to reach out for Nessa's hand, but just as she was about to clasp it, the vision disappeared. She was again trapped on a peak in the Blue Mountains. "Ah-ah-ah," said a teasing voice from behind. "We won't go so far as to allow that. Thou hast had thy chance to percieve thy gift, and now it must be taken."

She could bridge the gap between death and life. What a fool she'd been! It was the only reason she could see her spirit, the true form of the black beast, and most likely the man before her. Now it would all be lost. "NO!" she cried out, and she uttered a strange vexation that she had not known before but simply heard from inside her soul, and the black beast began to shudder, a horrible noise rising from within its ethereal form. As it shrieked and shattered into pieces, Ender heard a song flying away over the mountains toward the west. Calentoliel would soon have her song again. As for Ender, she would not be so lucky.

[ December 16, 2002: Message edited by: Ithaeliel ]

[Brinniel]

Olo Gamwich nodded, almost seeming to read Calentoliel's thoughts as he reached into his pack only to pull out a piece of blank parchment along with a quill and black ink.
How strange it was for him to bring these items on a journey out of the Shire, Calentoliel thought. It made her even more curious about this hobbit.
Calentoliel hesitated before accepting these writing materials Olo had to offer her. It had been many years since she had used words on paper to communicate. But she knew that it was the only way. If she did not tell the others what she knew, Ender may be lost for good.
She picked up the quill and dipped it into the ink. And then she pressed the quill onto the parchment. Calentoliel's hand felt tense and awkward as she formed her words into the Elvish runes that she had learned long ago. It was a long time, nearly a half an hour before she finished writing.
When Calentoliel finally was done, she handed the parchment over to Radagast. He studied it carefully, his face growing more and more concerned as he read every word. When he finished reading silently, he begun to read aloud:

I know what it was that attacked me, and I know that it was not the black beast. Or at least you could say that it is not the beast that we hunt for. The creature that attacked me and stole my voice was the black beast's servant, or rather, his other half.
This black beast we hunt for is much more clever than we expected. From the beginning, he knew we were after him, seeking to destroy him. He knew we had powers of our own. The black beast could not allow us to continue to follow him like we were. So, he took a piece of himself and created something that would sidetrack us and hopefully, destroy us. The thing he created is also a shapeshifter and though it is not as terrible as the black beast himself, it has powers of its own and the ability to destroy us all.
This creature the black beast created can suck up all the magics and powers that a living thing contains. My voice was a piece of magic, and therefore, it was able to steal it. But now it is through with me. It is the rest of you he wants. He wants whatever you can offer it. If you are not wary, it will take whatever powers you have from you.
You were lucky, Mattius. When you had dropped your sword, Angmarth, it easily came within the creature's grasp. In fact, it nearly did. One of the few weapons that could destroy the black beast and its servant nearly came into their own hands where they could alter it and use it against us all. But fortunately, it was saved in time, and you and the sword were reunited once again.
Mattius, you must not part from Angmarth again, I'm sure you know that. Radagast and Rothalle, my sister, both of you must hold tight grip of your staffs and not let them leave your sight. And the rest must simply beware. Once the creature gathers all the magic it can get and unites with the black beast once again, my voice will be lost forever and the black beast will become more powerful than ever.
I fear dear Endereth may be in the hands of the black beast or his servant or worse, both of them. I'm afraid that if this is so, we do not have much time to save her. We must find our friend and save her from her terrible fate before it is too late.

All that were in Tom Bombadil's house stared at Calentoliel. They wondered how she could know so much information about the black beast and its servant. Mattius wondered how she could have possibly known the secret of his sword, Angmarth.

Calentoliel did not mention how she gained this knowledge and she did not intend to. The dreams she had in her state of unconsciousness were to remain kept to herself. Some things she knew were not yet ready to be told.

It took a while for everyone to consume what Calentoliel had said, even for Radagast, but finally they began to understand what was expected of them.
"We must find Ender," Rothalle said, breaking the silence.
"But where will we find her?" asked Olo.
"There is only one way we can find that out," Radagast responded as he pulled a now restrengthened Calentoliel to her feet. "Everyone gather your belongings. Mattius, you must lead us to where Endereth disappeared last night. Only there can we discover where she has gone."

[Auriel Haevasawen]

"If this beast seeks out our magic essences he will find precious little in me." Radagast sighed aloud as he gathered his own things together. As the others packed they heard him clearly whether he intended them to or not.

Calentoliel tapped upon his shoulder. He turned and looked down upon her pale but living face. Her eyes were sad indeed but some fragment of their vibrancy remained. Her wound was bound and although she looked drawn it seemed her strength returned with every moment she was upon her feet. She gave the old man a fragment of a smile and touched his withered cheek. Radagast felt a tear well up within him and could not check it from descending from his eye. She wiped it away with her thumb. Calentoliel knew that Radagast had stayed with her througout her night of torments. He had used magic so strong it had cheated death itself. Radagast was as gifted as the others and was in just as much danger. She turned away from the stationary wizard, picked up his staff from where it lay upon the kitchen table, formally at her side and placed it firmly at his side. Her lips mouthed "You will have need of this" but of course no utterance was forthcoming.

"Come on then old one," called out Mattius who was already at the door. "If you wish me to lead, I am ready to lead."

"Aye young lord of elves and men, lead us on indeed," said Radagast still staring into the silent eyes of his young companion. Was there a little crack in his voice? If there was only Calontiel noticed or perhaps Rothalle who had drifted to his side.

They all proceeded outside and fastened cloaks or swung backpacks onto shoulders.
"Well, Bombadil will you be proceeding with us old friend?" Radagast enquired.

"I think not and I also believe you know exactly why," their host replied.

"Yes, I thought that it would be so. I hope she returns to you soon." said Radagast softly.

"That she will although you may meet her on the road afore I do. Farewell to you all and know that my door will never be barred to any of your company." Tom waved, then turned back within the house, closing the door behind him.

The day looked bright and promising but they had already learned that weather on the downs could not be trusted. The grass was wet and dew decorated all about them. The beacon of the night before was a charred and smoking ash heap. All was silent.

Faye adjusted Olo's pack and looked up to Mattius. "Are we ready then?"

"As we'll ever be Faye," he replied.

The company set off once more, this time in search of Endereth and not the Beast but full knowing that should they find her there was more than a good chance they would come upon the beast too.

[Ithaeliel]

The haggard man's expressionless face changed so quickly that Endereth was frightened. His eyes were ablaze, his crooked teeth gritted, and he ground them in his rage. "Curse you, Endereth Naurelÿr! You have driven her into the Void! Curse you!"

His drawn, hunched figure suddenly straightened, and now he towered over Ender, his silver cloak turning a vile dark purple as shadows billowed out from the earth. The ranger barely dared to breathe. It was in this moment her confidence left her. She had no sword, no way to protect herself, and with the horrific vision that appeared before her she knew that all hope was lost. Backing away, she tripped on a stone, and turning from the ever-growing terror fell face forward onto a boulder, and with a sharp crack she hit her head on the rough rock. Her eyes burned from the dust in the air around her, and a sob escaped Ender's throat. Tears streamed forth from her eyes, but Endereth made no move to stop them. She had not cried since that day on the same crag... the day she had met her company.

"Oh, no... no!" a disdainful voice cried out behind her. "You cannot cry! How shall I obtain your sight if you cannot see?!"
Ender looked back at the towering menace who caused her pain, though she saw but a blurred silhouette of him now. "What... did you say?"

The monster threw up his hands in frustration. "How am I ever to see as long as the Child of Sight is thus blind?"
Ender knew what he meant. As long as she cried, she could not see. If she could not see, he could not take her magic. And she had so many tears that had been withheld in the past... thus, as long as tears came, there was still time.

[ December 28, 2002: Message edited by: Ithaeliel ]

[Mattius]

"This is about where I last saw Ender," said Mattius before turning around and pointing to another spot, "and that is where I last saw Goldberry before she dissapeared." Mattius took off his straw cone hat and scratched his golden haired head. Radagast walked a small distance and bent down to examine something on the ground.
"I believe this is yours Mattius," said Radagast handing him back his dwarven tomohawk axe.
"I struck it with this weapon, no sign of a body though, but of course their wouldn't be would there, luck is not on our side." Calentoliel walked up behind the two of them and put a hand on Radagast. "This is also where we found Calentoliel before we were attacked." Mattius moved closer to the wizard. "So what now Radagast?"

[Auriel Haevasawen]

Radagast stood silently and looked about them. "I have no doubts about your hunting skills Mattius, but how are you at setting traps?"

"Traps? Traps for Black Beasts I presume you are about to suggest." Mattius' expression was one of wonderment. The old man had finally lost his sanity.

"Look about you dear boy. We have no further clues to go upon. A little flattened grass, the return of your tomahawk, the corroboration of Calentoliel but where from here? We know the Beast seeks us out. There is something about us that draws it ever nearer. Then let us not wait for it, instead of following it?"

"We should all perish," snapped Faye. "If we stand here as soon as night falls it'll be upon us and tear us limb from limb. You've gone quite potty Radagast. I usually expect you to talk good sense but this is quite the opposite."

"I wouldn't be so hasty," muttered Olo. "I feel I have an understanding of what the bearded one has in mind. If yon beastie wants nowt better than to feast upon us then what better way to tempt him into the open so to speak. We can't see a path to follow so I see no reason why not."

There were a range of reactions amongst the company, some for, some against and those who could see both sides. Eventually Mattius called them all to order. "I too now see what Radagast's plan might be and yet I do not want to launch into it unless every other avenue has been explored. His plan to use one or all of us as bait is dangerous indeed. Let us first search hereabouts for any other clue that we may act upon before we consider a more reckless path."

"That sounds well enough with me Mattius man-elf but remember no path I tread is reckless. Dangerous I will acknowledge but not reckless.

Come then everyone, search about again but be quick for time is not our ally."

[Mattius]

Your end will be in the beginning, life is a circle Firnlord, walk the grounds of where it came from and then you will be at the final. A voice had spoken to Mattius again. Only this time it was different, not the Protector, some being higher even than him. Mattius knew immdiatly whose voice it was.
"Radagast," he said turning to the wizard who was searching the horizon, "we will find the end in the beginning." The old figure looked confused.
"I am sorry to say that I do not understand Mattius."
"Your plan, it can work, but not here."
"Why ever not?" Replied Radagast. Mattius moved a step closer to him,
"Its not here, it has left back to where we first saw it. The Blue Mountains Radagast." The wizard frowned,
"How do you know that?" Mattius turned to the west hoisted his pack and beginning to walk turned and spoke.
"Manwe has told me." Radagast looked at him in amazement as Mattius turned and began to walk. This was unreal. Radagast knew that each of them was special and unique but this was totally different. Manwe had spoken to him. This elf was special, no, more than that he was a miracle. Manwe had conversed with him and not even the two white wizards had ever had that ability nor Tom Bombadil.
"Come, we must make with all haste to the Blue Mountains, Endereth and Tom's spouse need us!" The group fell into line behind Mattius as he led the way.

[Auriel Haevasawen]

They had reached the forest fence and at last would leave the Barrowdowns. They had in truth only been there a few days and yet it seemed as if months had passed in that enchanted place.

Radagast willingly followed while he pondered the greatness of their leader. He was secretly pleased to have come forth out of his hermit life for this. To be in Middle Earth at that moment was great indeed. They were setting forth to save Endereth and destroy the Beast. For once Radagast felt proud of himself. Perhaps it would be the death of him. Perhaps it would be the making of him. Perhaps when all was done he would return to being nothing more than a shepherd of creatures, waiting patiently for his ship to leave for the undying lands. He looked about him as they walked into the woods and found himself smiling where his companions, began to look set and grim. Scanning the wood about and not his feet beneath him upon the path enabled Radagast to notice her first. He gave Mattius a hearty slap upon his shoulder.
"Do not fear for Goldberry dear boy. It is she who has found us! Look yonder, one who is favoured by Manwe. Goldberry favours you also." He pointed over Mattius' shoulder and a little to the right. Sure enough, surrounded in a golden glow she approached them.

Although her mouth smiled her eyes were serious indeed. She stretched out a hand to Mattius. He took it.

"Come, time is more precious than you can imagine. I have kept watch over her but only you and your companions can be of help."
She pointed her slender arm in the direction of the Blue Mountains.

[Brinniel]

The six companions continued in the direction Goldberry had pointed, desperate to find their missing friend.

They had not traveled long when Calentoliel heard a recognizable humming noise. She immediately stopped in her tracks, knowing what was about to happen.
The others turned around, wondering what she was doing, but if they said anything, Calentoliel did not hear for the humming noise had grown so loud.
The noise surrounded the mute elf and overwhelmed her. She took a deep breath and held it for what seemed like minutes. Finally, strange humming noise stopped abrubtly and Calentoliel collapsed, gasping for breath.
Rothalle and Radagast hurried to Calentoliel's side and helped sit her up. The others stood around her in wonderment.
"What has happened?" Rothalle asked.
Calentoliel just sat there taking several breaths. Then, to everyone's astonishment, she began to speak.
"It seems good fortune has come upon me," she said, half-smiling. "I do not know if this means that the Black Beast's creature is dead, but I do believe this has something to do with Endereth."
"Why do you think that?" Faye asked, still shocked from Calentoliel's ability to speak.
"We already know Endereth has been captured by the Black Beast," Calentoliel answered. "If alive, I doubt its creature would be far. I sense that our friend is in grave danger. We cannot linger here any longer. We must find her now. Let's make haste."

And without any further question, the company of six continued on at a quicker pace than before, Mattius in the lead.

[Auriel Haevasawen]

Radagast wheezed slightly. He believed it was from keeping up such a stiff pace but would not ask for rest from his companions. He was centuries older than them all it was only to be expected that he might tire as they travel.

They moved quicker on their return journey than ever they had done on the outward one. To begin with, this time they knew their path well and secondly they made a crow route, not tarrying in the Shire and the like. No orcs came upon them, in fact their way was strangely clear of obsticles.

Ahead of him by a few steps Mattius called a halt that they might take a drink and eat a little. They stood in a little glade and nought disturbed them but the occasional knocking of a woodpecker.

Radagast removed his hat and wiped sweat from his brow. Calentoliel whispered intently with Rothalle. The hobbits sat upon the grass and ate as always they did when a rest was afforded them. Mattius paced about the glade, eager to be moving again. He pulled his ancient sword from his belt and swung it about him in practice strokes. A few beams of sunlight that had pierced the dense canopy above twinkled upon the blade. Suddenly he stopped and turned to Radagast.

"Do you think she still lives my good friend?"

"I have no doubt of it dear boy. I suggested upon the Barrows that we might tempt it into the open with our lives. Instead the Beast is cunning and tempts us into his lair with hers," Radagast replied.

"I wish us there and done with him," sighed Mattius.

"I think that time may be close upon us. I have felt unwell for some time now as we have been walking. I thought perhaps it was the speed at which we travelled but even now as I am calm and still I feel intense unease. We will face him soon Mattius, very soon." The old wizard sounded very weary.

Mattius stepped forward and clasped him by the shoulder. "Do not fear or falter Radagast. We will share the burden of facing him, together."

[Ithaeliel]

Endereth's eyes were red from crying, and they were closed. She lay on the stone, half-dead, for since she had managed to block the wizard's grasp on her sight he had derived his sick pleasure from tormenting her. Her tunic was sliced open in places on her back from the harsh blows of a fiery whip, not unlike the whips of the Valaraukar. The gleaming mailcoat she wore underneath prevented her flesh from being cut, but the impact of it made her skin raw and burned. O Iluvatar, will no one succour me? Now two days have I been in his keeping; and not since before the battle against the Barrow-wights have I had a bite.

As the tireless flame bore down on her again, Ender cried out for despair, but despite her condition a spark of wile came to her. "O Mandos, if thou truly favor me in life that thou would suffer me to see inside thy dwelling, favor me also in death and have mercy: let me go to you! For I fear that I soon shall," she said loudly enough for her tormentor to hear.

The material black beast-- for that was what Ender guessed he was-- stopped in the midst of raising his whip to strike again. "What sayeth thee?"

Ender managed to turn and face him, her eyes still squeezed shut. She echoed her thoughts to him, save that of succour. The dark being had mercy. He lowered his whip. "Then take some of this waybread I have found from your belongings, and eat it quickly!" he spat, tossing a wafer of lembas her way. "I will not suffer thee to die, Endereth of Lothlórien. Thy companions may think so, yet they are unwise: for even now they come for thee, thinking thy life endangered. But then thy magic will be gone with thee to Mandos."

Ender sat up in amazement, the lembas filling her stomach and giving her strength, as she saw five moving figures cross ino the forest. It would soon be over, for better or for worse.

[Mattius]

"Look yonder friends, surely that is what we seek!" Mattius pointed to a small peak not half a mile away. Above it there was a great black cloud engulfing the area, leaving the ground below it in shadow and darkness.
"Indeed it looks so Mattius," replied Radagast, "and by the sight of it we have only just arrived in the nick of time!" The hobbits looked at each other with anxious faces.
"So what is the plan?" asked Calentoliel. "Are we to use one or more of us as bait, or is it too late for that for it seems that we may be walking into a trap." Mattius and Radagast exchanged looks with Calen and then looked at each other.
"I think we should still use the bait plan, it is our best chance, better I think than seeking the Beast all swords blazing," said Mattius.
"So who is going to be the bait?" asked Rothalle. There were no volunteers but soon the eyes of the elves and Istari looked towards the hobbits.
"Oh great," mumbled Faye as she came to realise what was going to happen.

[ April 13, 2003: Message edited by: Mattius ]

[Auriel Haevasawen]

Radagast smiled down upon her.

"The beast will percieve you an easy prey my child. Your size and innocent aspect he will not be able to resist.

Look ahead and fix your eyes upon the figures atop the slope. Walk steadily forward. I believe Endereth is there, croutched by that tree but my eyes are old and perhaps not as sharp as they should be..."

Mattius interrupted, looking intently up the bank. "Aye, it is Ender, Radagast."

The wizard nodded, "Good, we have him then. We will be no more than a hairsbreadth from you. Go forth my dear." Radagast grasped his staff about halfway down and held it as if a weapon and not something for the old man to lean upon as he walked.

"Why can't Olo go?" Faye snapped. "Why me? It's going to have me flattened in seconds."

For the first time since they met him Radagast looked as if he would lose his temper. "Foolish girl. It is your destiny. Go forth and it will not be merely Endereth's life you save but every one of ours. There is a danger to all Middle Earth in this place. We are lucky we have come upon it while it is but young. If it takes us who knows what power it would weild or what power would be necessary to stop it." There was no mistaking the anger in his voice.

Once more Mattius interupted him. "It's looking this way."

Radagast looked up. The material beast seemed to grow in stature in his position of advantage at the brow of the hill.

"Ender still hasn't risen," said Calentoliel quietly to Mattius. Faye heard her whispered words. This was indeed her moment but she was so, so afraid.

Radagast looked into her eyes and saw her fear. His features and voice softened. "I am sorry I have made you more fearful yet. Perhaps I should go in your stead. The last of the Istari would be a very tempting morsel for him." He squeezed her shoulder and made to leave them.

"No Radagast. I will do it," Faye shouted. "I will face the beast." She pushed past him and began to walk toward the slope. After a few paces she turned back and faced him. "You did mean it when you said you'd all be a hairsbreadth away now didn't you?"

[Mattius]

Mattius looked on at the gathering storm above them. He was hidden in the trees some twenty-feet from Faye who slowly walked closer and closer to the mountain. He couldn't see them, but Mattius knew Radagast and the others were not far away. He waited for a few minutes and began to worry slightly. Inch by inch he edged his way out into the open thinking he would see Faye or the beast. He saw neither and heard a crack of wood behind him. Fearful he turned around to face the beast of fear.
"Radagast," he whispered, "I need your help..."

[ January 29, 2003: Message edited by: Mattius ]

[Auriel Haevasawen]

"I am here dear boy, do not fear." The old man materialised at his shoulder upon his request.

"Where's Faye?"

"No more than ten paces from the Beast. She seems to have much of its attention."

"Then why do I feel that it looks into my very soul Radagast?"

"Because it does. That is part of what makes it so terrible."

The young elf-man held out his sword in front of him, ready to brandish in defence or attack. The blade quivered for the first time in their journey together. "It pours into my mind Radagast. It fills me with fear."

Radagast grasped his own hand over that of his companion so that they both held Angmar. "It is the opposite. I believe it tries to take your courage, your inner strengh and all that makes you more powerful than it. Do not fear Mattius. It draws upon me too. Breathe deeply and think of us as a united force. This of us as one being. All our company." The breaths of the old wizard were heavy but he was determined not to fail. He had become re-aquianted with his powers as well as the world of men during their journey together. He would not let either slip from his grasp again. "Angmar will bring him down. Hold true to yourself and you will weild him for that purpose." He loosed his grip upon hand and hilt. Pulled himself to his full height and the forest was filled with pale blue light.

Faye screamed ahead. Mattius' head cleared and he found himself able to move once more. The forest was alive with the company rushing forth. Radagast waved arms and staff above his head. The light shone out. He used no incantations. The power came from them all he merely channelled it. Mattius began to run toward the Beast. He looked into his eyes but at that moment they held no sway over him. This was the moment. It was time to take on the Beast.

[Mattius]

Mattius lifted Angmar to head height and broke into a sprint, screaming violently. His eyes were full of tears but he did not realise it; behind him Radagast watched with nerves and hopefullness. Mattius was half-aware of Faye running to the wizard. The beast rose to its full height and terror, bringing the whole earth to darkness but Mattius headed it not.

"Not today Beast of Morgoth, not any longer! You days of horror are over!" The beast replied with his cold and terrifying voice.

"You are brave but I am much stronger than thee or the pathetic bird lover behind you!" He laughed out loud but now Mattius was almost upon him. The elf stopped just a foot away from his nemises. The beast looked into the eyeballs of his oposer, desperatly seeking his soul within.

"You will find nothing in my eyes oh beast of cowardice, now you will face Angmarth, Blade of Manwe and myself, Firnlord weilder of the Greatest Sword." Mattius smote down swiftly across the shadow's black shoulder and the beast jumped back with the blade slicing the arm. A scream went up filling the area and forced all but Mattius to his knees.

"Now thou see what is to come," shouted Mattius as he jumped for the beast and the battle began.

[Ithaeliel]

Endereth's strength and will was replenished from the lembas and the sudden appearance of her comrades. Her heart leapt with joy as she heard the scream of the evil beast, and struggling to get up, she looked about. Deprived of her sword, she would have to make do with what nature provided. Ender looked around. Nothing but rocks. She shrugged. "It will have to do," she muttered before picking up a sharp stone and hurling it furiously at her opponent. The beast did not flinch. Ender winced. "No hurt will come by that."

The ranger's mind raced. As she shifted her gaze to the beast, she saw it had dropped its whip. Poising herself on the rock, she waited until the right moment, when Radagast raised his sword for a blow, and then she leapt into the fray, pretending to stumble as she grabbed for the beast's flaming whip.

Raising it high, she gave a shout. "Back to Udûn, foul mage!" she cried in the Quenya tongue before bringing the fire down upon the back of the beast, making a great leap as she did so. "Tyul, mellon nin!" she said to a weakened and fearful Mattius. "If I have lived three days in his shadow, then you are able to show courage in the face of terror. I see him for what he is," she whispered. "He is but a diminished and blackened spirit brought to the form of a human. There is nothing to fear, Mattius Firnlord," she said with a smile.

Then the wielder of the great sword stood his ground, and he brandished Angmarth in the face of the evil that plagued the forests of the Blue Mountains. Endereth continued to slow it with blows from the fiery lash, and the conclusion drew closer. She wondered what it would bring with it.

[ February 06, 2003: Message edited by: Ithaeliel ]

[Auriel Haevasawen]

Radagast strode toward the battling trio. The two of the company against the Beast. Still the topmost point of his staff glowed an ice blue. Faye stood silent and open mouthed at the forest edge. Rothalle was nowhere to be seen, neither was her sister. Radagast did not seek them out. Like Endereth and Mattius his sole focus was the Beast.

"Come Faye, four of us are better than two. Our uniting is what he fears most so let us unite." He placed his hand firmly between her shoulder blades and marched her forth in front of him.

The Beast grasped the end of the whip as Ender lashed out and pulled her toward him. Mattius cut with his blade. He could not risk her becoming hostage once more.

"I am not merely a lover of birds, maggot-breed of Yimir!" Radagast bellowed. "I love all creatures of Middle Earth and in their name we shall strike you down!"

As Mattius slashed with his sword, Radagast jabbed with the end of his staff. The double impact forced him to release the whip and thereby Endereth was freed again.

Faye had picked up a branch long fallen from an ancient tree and driven my the frenzy of her friends joined in the attack upon the Beast.

The creature roared in hate and anger.

[Brinniel]

Calentoliel had planned to strike out at the beast immediately, but instead she found herself crouched down in fear. The beast had brought back memories of pain and death. It had made her head throb once again and wonder why she was here. The beast had frightened Calentoliel so much, she believed she perhaps would have done nothing to help the others if it was not for Olo.

He shook Calentoliel hard, repeating her name over and over.
"We have to do something to help," he told her. "They are losing the battle."
Calentoliel looked up at the hobbit, then at the others to see what he said was true. She looked back at Olo and realized that Rothalle was not near.
The elf stood up and looked around frantic.
"Where is Rothalle?" she asked. "Where is my sister? Has the beast taken her?"
Olo shook his head. "She has disappeared, but the beast does not have her. But Rothalle is not whom we should worry for." The hobbit pointed back at the battle that was taking placing.
"What do we do?" he asked. "How do we help?" Olo burst into tears.
Calentoliel knelt down and looked at the hobbit.
"Don't cry, Olo," she said, wiping away his tears. She hugged him tight, filling the hobbit and herself with a new reassurance. "Stand next to Faye and attack the Black Beast with any weapon you can get a hold of; a knife, rocks, anything. It may not seem like much, but any sort of help makes a difference. But Olo, you must be careful, all right?"
Olo nodded, sniffing. "I will go and I will be careful," he said before leaving Calentoliel to join Faye and the others.

Calentoliel stared at the Black Beast, pushing all her fear and doubts aside. She allowed all her anger and rage to build up inside her, along with her new found confidence. When she thought she could hold it no longer, Calentoliel let out her anger and rage and began to sing.

[Mattius]

The clouds broke and sunlight streamed through into the forest canopy melting the remaining snow. A great wind rose up and was only quietened by the Song of Calen. Mattius jumped back to look upon her in her glory, arched back with a voice more strong and beautiful than anything heard upon Middle-Earth for an age.

The Beast recoiled, stumbling over and falling on his back from the song and the wind. The hobbits threw large rocks that caught him between the eyes. Radagast beckoned Mattius to continue fighting. He turned around and the Beast was on his feet again but with his hands over his ears screaming in agony.

"The time is close Mattius," he shouted against the wind. "Calentoiel cannot keep him defenceless forever." Mattius nodded his head and looked around.

"But where is Rothalle Radagast? She is a part of this also!" Radagast looked around quickly but steadied himself, brushing his hair from his face.

"We must do this my friend!"

Mattius faced the Beast still paralysed in pain. He gazed at his black bottomless eyes and raised Angmarth to head height, kissing the blade.

"Manwe greatest of all Valar, give me strength to strike down our foe"

So be it Firnlord, you bring honour upon your house...

Mattius sliced down vertically with his sword, cutting a huge piece of the Beast's chest open and black maggots fell from the wound. The scream it gave off was of almost the same magnitude of Calentoliel's Song. But not quite. The Song continued. Radagast stood by Mattius' side and helped give blows to their enemy, smoting him down until he lay on the floor utterly defeated. His eyes looked up to them and then the elf and wizard were aware of something. It was silent. Slowly the silence gave way to the unmistakable sound of laughing, dark and evil laughter it was. The black shadow rose again, now more terrible than ever before. It engulfed the light and all came to darkness.

Mattius and Radagast raised their weapons regardless, they would fight to the bitter end. Without warning a black fire smote them both to their knees in terrible pain unlike any other.

"I fear this may be the end my dear friend," cried Radagast.

"Not quite yet, there is still Rothalle," replied Mattius before he fell on his front as the Beast landed another blow.

Behind them Calentoiel lay still. The hobbits tried to revive her but to no avail. Rothalle walked up behind them.

"Find a place to hide good hobbits. I will take care of my kin." As the hobbits ran off Rothalle picked up her sister and whispered in her ear. Calen awoke but was very weak. She could stand though and did so as Rothalle stood behind her with her hand on her upper back. A white glow encompassed the two of them and immediately Calen's song began again in ernest.

The Beast fell back but managed to pick himself to his feet again. The Song had stopped him before but he was stronger now, much stronger. He could defeat them now. He picked up the unconscious elf and squeezed him, breaking ribs and cutting him deep. Now it was time.

Rothalle poured her energy into Calentoiel. It wasn't enough and she knew it. She searched deep inside herself for more, she knew she could, she had to. It was more difficult than anything she had done before, a greater challenge than she had ever faced. Deep down she found a spark, something small but even the greatest fire begins with a small spark. She concentrated and the sudden rush was like an explosion inside her. She screamed as she began to sing in union with her sister and the Beast heard, it heard every part. The wind was up again, stronger than ever before.

Mattius awoke with a start in pain. The Beast still clung on to him but was walking backwards, screaming and crushing him even harder. Below him he saw a small bent figure with a staff held up chanting a mystical incarnation. He broke his ancient song to speak to Mattius.

"Now is the time, do it Mattius!"

Radagast's magic forced the Beast to loosen his grip on Mattius so that Mattius could grab Angmarth. He raised the blade high, it glowed white. The Beast looked at it in fear that he never thought possible.

"For my all that you have destroyed may your spirit surcome to eternal torture!" With that Angmarth sliced down through the neck of blackness and the Spirit of Fear was destroyed and never returned to Middle-Earth nor any of its tales.

Mattius crashed down onto the hard floor with Angmarth laying beside him as the wind died down.

[Ithaeliel]

It was in this moment, when Mattius slew the master of terror, that the world seemed to quiet. Not one of them spoke, there was no echo of wind across the mountains or the forest. Mattius lay breathless beside his sword, whose light, away from the heat of battle, was now diminishing. Looking at each of her companions, Ender saw the veil of fear and darkness lift from their eyes, and they saw. Even Calentoliel, who had fainted from the effort taken to produce her terrible song, seemed more at peace in her unconsciousness. Endereth's voice broke the deathlike silence.

"Our enemy is vanquished," she said, her voice breaking, "but it is what follows the fall of a mountain that I fear..." As she trailed off, her eyes turned westward. Yea, those slain by the wretched thing were not released from their bondage. All in the great halls of Mandos were quiet, their vision fixed east, where the battle had just ended. Ender saw in their faces that the war was not over.

Smiling, she shook her head. The war would never be over, not as long as there was a reason for rangers and warriors to be in existance in Arda. It would last through all three themes of Eru, until the seas drowned out the earth and the mountains crumbled into dust. There would always be fear in the world, but this company had helped to lessen it. Their names would go into history. They had destroyed the fear of the Blue Mountains.

[ February 16, 2003: Message edited by: Ithaeliel ]

[Mattius]

The two hobbits bade farewell to their companions and began the day journey back to the Shire. Faye had thought that she wanted an adventure but she had been wrong, once involved all she wanted was out.

Calentoliel and her sister Rothalle put their first steps into action on their long journey south. They strolled hand in hand and there was no way that there would be silence on their travels for the two sisters had much to catch up on.

Endereth stood on the highest mount on the mountains, a sillouette against the cloudy sky. She stood still and gazed west across the sea, longing in her soul more than ever to journey there but she knew that for the present her time was on middle-earth as a Ranger of great respect.

Radagast supported Mattius as they both limped away from the scene of battle. Angmarth had turned back into the ordinary sword that it once was. However Radagast still believed that some of Manwe was left in the blade.

Now that it is over Radagast," Mattius spoke, "I have a few questions for you that my piers could not answer in Lorien but I believe you as an Istari may have greater knowledge."

"Ask away and I will answer as well as I can!"

"Balrogs Radagast- do they have wings?"

"Well, erm, I don't really..."

"And old Tom Bombadil, what exactly is he?"

"You see, erm, the thing with that is, erm..."

"And female dwarves, do they actually have beards?"

"Ah, that one I can answer my dear boy..."

As Radagast's voice stretched out of recognition the sun appeared from the grey clouds and cut the gloom. Under the melting snow the first flowers of Spring began to flourish. The winter was over.

[ February 13, 2003: Message edited by: Mattius ]

[Ithaeliel]

Her blue eyes turned wistfully away from the sea, and already far away, the ranger of Lorien saw a wizard and his apprentice wandering from the barren Blue Mountains, toward better things, she was sure. Ender gazed long upon them, until finally, slowly, she lifted her hand, palm outward, bidding Radagast and Mattius farewell in the way of her people. "Until we meet again, my friends," she whispered. She knew somehow they would hear her.

Then Endereth Naurelyr began the long journey on foot back to her home in Lorien. There she would rest awhile, for she was wearied with the toil of her travels and the battle and still grieving the loss of the other rangers. Within a few days she saw golden-leafed trees shining from afar. Coming over the crest of a hill, Endereth saw the glistening banks of Nimrodel, and she fell to her knees in relief. She was home, away from fear or doubt, and she and the others would have no more adventures for now.

[ February 15, 2003: Message edited by: Ithaeliel ]

[Mattius]

Here ends the first part of the NEW STORY WITH A REAL FEEL OF MIDDLE-EARTH-The Blue Mountains. The second part is called THE THREAT OF THE TREES since the events recounted in it are dominated by the dangers of Fangorn Forest; it tells of the deeds and perils of Radagast the Brown, Mattius Firnlord, Endereth, Calentoliel and more adventurers in helping to restore peace to Isengard.