[Annunfuiniel]

"Well, I'm back!" [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Tara - could you paste this post under yours of September 09, 06:32 AM; thanks! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] (And I know this is extra work but if you could put the italics and such in due place that would be great.) More is coming but I needed to do this post before bringing Annunfuin into the Village. Will post again tomorrow!

~Annun
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Annunfuiniel's post

The refugees of the Swan House reached the foot of the hills in the grey light of early evening. Before them the sheer slopes rose to heights beyond eye's reach, casting shadows that shrouded the forest behind them into sad colourlessness. Annunfuin glanced up, smiling a small, almost triumphant smile; We made it!

* * * * * * *

A grey shadow stood in the opening of one of the largest caves and watched people stream in and out, faces lined with fatigue but freed from despair. For the first time in a long while the Gondorian felt relatively relieved; things seemed to be in better shape than he had dared to even hope for.

For starters the caves were dry, their floors mostly covered with soft sand instead of bare stone. In the light of flickering torches Annunfuin stepped into the cavern and took in every detail of the surroundings. In the middle of the floor he observed a shallow pit lined with round stones; already one of the old men of the company squatted there, setting a fire. Neat stacks of dry wood were placed against the cave's left wall; Enough for days, Annunfuin concluded contently. Finally, in the farthest corner of their refuge the soldier found a mow of clean, dry straw, perfect for simple mattresses to make the wounded's rest a little more comfortable.

During this short inspection the Gondorian's lips curved into a knowing smile; the Lady Taralphiel's hand reached far and her influence was clearly to be seen even in this place in the borders of her realm.

"Sir?" A sudden question interrupted Annunfuin's musings.

"What can I do for you, Briana?" he questioned back, delighted to hear the familiar voice, and turned around to meet the young maiden's glance. But the girl's grave expression made his smile fade and quickly turn into a frown. "Is there something wrong?" he continued, worry colouring his tone though he tried to hide it.

"Yes, I believe so. It's miss Rian... Her sisters are missing."

Annunfuin's brows knitted even closer together as he conceived what the maid was talking about. "That can't be; they must be here somewhere! The House was emptied - and no-one lacked behind on the way here." But even as Annunfuin spoke he saw the weakness of his own logic:

"Unless they left before the evacuation was ordered..." the Gondorian foolishly spoke his thoughts out loud. Upon hearing his words Briana blanched and her eyes grew round as she whispered, quivering: "Then they could be anywhere - and all alone!"

Annunfuin took the girl's trembling hand into his own and pressed it, first sternly, then reassuringly: "Not a word about this to Rian! Just tell her I went to get her sisters." The doubt he saw flash in Briana's eyes was the same that his heart felt - but firmly he pushed this sensation aside and stepped out of the cave, the girl following close behind.

"Have you seen the elf Rudchamion?" Annunfuin turned to question the maiden before she left to find Rian.

"Last time I saw him he was there," Briana gestured towards a bend in a narrow trail on their right; "In the first cave just around that corner."

* * * * * * *

Annunfuin found the dark elf in the cave, organising the first night watch. The refugees' only hope rested in staying hidden, yet they had to know what was going on outside. See, but stay unseen... the Gondorian reflected instinctively as he watched Rudchamion deliver orders to the guards. First shift took their leave: a grey, bent man, leaning heavily on a staff which seemed to be his only weapon, and a boy, who had seen no more than fifteen summers, trying to appear a stern man but fear behind his eyes. Annunfuin's eyes saw of their steps before turning to face the elf.

"Rudchamion, a word with you..." he began and gestured the elf to follow him into the open air. "I had planned on staying here for the night - just in case…" Annunfuin could feel Rudchamion's dark eyes on him and he sought them in the gathering darkness to meet their gaze.

"The plan has changed." The elf quoth solemnly after a moment of silence. Annunfuin nodded and went on to explain 'why'. Just minutes later the two mounted their steeds and began a wild race back towards the Swan House.

* * * * * * *

They flew across the forest, Rudchamion in the lead and Annunfuin following blindly behind, trusting wholly on Fëadûr's instincts. The Wood seemed to be on their side still; it opened in front of them, it let them pass. Yet darkness was all over them as they finally were back at the Swan House. And the House was nothing but a darker shade against the grey, starless sky. Lifeless, abandoned it seemed; not a single flame in a window welcomed the travellers. Annunfuin dismounted Fëadûr, suddenly thankful of the darkness that veiled his pained expression and obvious limp. He managed to the arched doorway and leaned heavily on the cold wall.

There was a soft, chinking sound - a sound so familiar in the soldier's ear that he didn't even realize hearing it before his own blade was drawn. Steel flashed in the darkness.

"Step in and die cursed." The voice was cold and hollow like… Death! Death has come for me! Mad fear nearly took the Gondorian. But his nature wouldn't give in; the soldier inside didn't let the sword fall, he didn’t step back.

"This you won't take from me!" The voice croaked again – but this time there were anger and despair filling the dread emptiness. And Annunfuin understood.

"Swan Lady! This is friend not foe!" He backed a step from under the arch's shadow into the yard; "Friend of Alphirion." And even as Annunfuin spoke the moon suddenly broke free from the hold of the clouds, bringing its light to testify to the man's words. Rudchamion was now also there, standing beside the Gondorian, sword drawn from its sheath but resting on his side.

"Friend…" Lady Taralphiel's whisper echoed from the darkness. The Swan Lady seemed to come to their sight like from under the surface of black waters; slowly she departed from the shadows, as if unwilling to leave their safety, and stopped in front of them. Finally believing her own eyes she lowered her sword and sighed with relief; "Thank gods!"

* * * * * * *

Swords were sheathed and Rudchamion lit torches to lighten the darkness that had yet again thickened as the moon slid back to its hide behind the clouds.

"But what are you doing here? I thought you meant to stay there over night," Taralphiel questioned Annunfuin as the three moved into the House. Annunfuin began to tell her about the missing girls but she soon interrupted him: "Yes, they have left…for the Village, for their home. Foolish girls!" Annunfuin glanced at her, though he knew without looking that her words held more worry than blame. "No use to take after them now; in this darkness you would just ride past them. They are not stupid," Taralphiel continued, contradicting her own previous words so that Annunfuin couldn't help but smile; "They will seek refuge, they will hide…and they will survive." Annunfuin's smile was gone.

"From the bottom of my heart I hope so…" he spoke, staring at the flickering flames of his torch. They walked through the passages, Lady Taralphiel leading her guest to his room. Rudchamion wished them good night and left for his chamber on his own.

"I will ride out with the sunrise." Annunfuin addressed Taralphiel as they arrived at his door. "Rudchamion has agreed to stay here; You will not be left alone again." Annunfuin paused, then coughed uneasily; "And I'm sorry we scared You like that…"

Taralphiel's face hardened with these words, her eyes narrowing as she recollected their encounter; and as she spoke her voice was strangely distant:

"I was not scared; I was ready." But then her features relaxed and her lips curved to a sad smile; "But yet it wasn't my time to go… Good night, my friend; and fair rest to thee."

"Good night, M'lady…" Annunfuin whispered and watched as she drew away from him, silently like a ghost.

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