Okay. Here it is. Do what you can and what you will with it Himaran. Thank you so much.
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Gheriwen ran through the woods, her boot clad feet barely touching the forest floor. Like many of the other Mirkwoodians, Gheriwen could find her way through the Black Forest like a spider could its web.
Gheriwen caught her breath in her throat as she swung herself up on a branch. Ascending it with the agility of a cat, she broke the canopy and gazed out over the wood. The wind whipped through her long white-blonde hair as she took in the scene. A thin trail of smoke wound up into the sky. She narrowed her eyes. Silent as a ghost, she slid down the tree and followed her trail back to the palace.
Crossing the bridge, and appearing in front of the gate in the form of a shadow, she whispered the password, and the invisible door swung inwards. She slipped inside and the door shut tightly behind her, blending into its original form. The guards nodded their greetings towards her as she made her way to the throne room of Thranduil.
“Gheriwen,” she said to the bodyguards, “Tracker.” The elf heard the messenger on the other side of the door run to inform the king of her desired audience. About a minute later, three knocks came from the within, and Gheriwen was permitted entrance.
The large double doors opened up into a room, ornately decorated with gold and silver vine motifs that encircled the entity of the room. A thick green carpet led to a large gold chair in which sat a thin, but regal looking man.
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On his head was a crown of berries and red leaves, for autumn was come again. In the spring he wore a crown of woodland flowers. In his hand he held a carven staff of oak.
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Gheriwen fell before him in a long and graceful bow.
“My king,” she drawled. Gheriwen was not fond of the old fashioned king. She preferred to interact with the outside races, though she was the only one in the noble court who thought that. Missing her mocking remark, the king gestured for her to stand.
“Tell me what you will.” Gheriwen told him of the trail of smoke she had spied on the southern side of the forest. Thranduil gazed at her, expecting more. He narrowed his eyebrows then and said,
“Do you have another instinctive feeling—”
“Of something coming my lord? Yes, I do.” She kept her eyes averted from the face of her king out of respect.
“Unfortunately, you have never been wrong. We must have company.” He gestured to his messenger and spoke quickly with him. Then he waved his staff and dismissed Gheriwen. “I am sending out the regular group of trackers: Rhanduin, Syverwen, Ghanden, Perragorn, and you. Bring me our visitors.”
The company was spotted on the second day. Rhanduin, Syverwen, Ghanden, and Perragorn ran back to tell the king. Gheriwen stayed to make sure the company meant no harm, and did not enter the palace until she had the king’s consent.
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The company stood at the edge of the forest before it broke away to the little clearing before the great drawbridge that led to the door of the palace.
“Ani Dao,” whispered Bali. “You go.” Nodding, Ani Dao wrapped her cloak around her and emerged from the shadows, making her way slowly towards the gate. Suddenly, like a bolt of lightening from a cloud, an elf shot out of the shadows by the gate and barreled into Ani Dao. Yelling out, Ani Dao recovered quickly and drew her knives. The source of attack was not to be seen. She motioned for the company to stay back and looked around once more. Swinging from the top of the nearest pine, a pair of boots hit Ani Dao in the back, throwing her to the ground. Cursing she rolled over and caught sight of a figure crouching before her in the long shadows. She sheathed her knives and laid her hands out before her palms up, as a sign of disarmament.
“Draw your sword fool,” commanded the shadow. Judging by its voice, it was a she-shadow. Ani Dao peered into the shadows. Two gray eyes stared back. “Fine.” Shooting like an arrow, the figure leapt towards Ani Dao. The assassin kicked out, throwing the figure off her course. The assailant landed on her feet and charged again. Ani Dao threw out a punch that the figure blocked easily. They fought hard for a good minute, giving every kick-punch combination they each knew. Ani Dao had the disadvantage because she did not know whom she was fighting, if she should harm the person, or simply defend herself, and she had been caught off-guard. Finally the figure got the better of the elf and pinned her to the ground, her fist raised in a final punch. The two had rolled into a sliver of light, and the shadow caught a glimpse of the elf’s face. Gasping, she stood up quickly. It was Gheriwen. Ani Dao’s eyes narrowed and she stood as well.
“You!” shouted Gheriwen angrily as she stared amazed at Ani Dao.
“Nice to see you too, Gheriwen,” drawled the assassin. In anger, Gheriwen advanced towards Ani Dao, but an arrow was pointed towards her throat and she stopped suddenly.
“I’d stay back if I were you, she-elf!” Astarielle had emerged as well and was now at Ani Dao’s side. The assassin laughed.
“Very good. But don’t hurt her Astarielle. She means no harm I’m sure.” Ani Dao faced the stone gate.
“Now, Gheriwen, my old friend. How do you open this again?” Gheriwen shouted the password in elvish and the gates swung open to reveal large stone hall. The entire company entered. The guards were young and new, the original having been sent off. Neither recognized Ani Dao. Instead they looked suspiciously at the company. Syverwen snickered at the site of Gheriwen being held at arrow point by another she-elf.
They were brought before Thranduil who welcomed Astarielle kindly, and bid her release Gheriwen. She did so reluctantly then bowed before the king. The elf king ignored Ani Dao. Obviously he remembered her, and also that she had ‘abandoned’ Mirkwood. He looked right past his ex-assassin towards Bali.
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OCC: Thranduil doesn’t enjoy visitors. Especially dwarves. I don’t think he’d just let us enter Mirkwood unquestioned. Not sure how you want the king to greet you Himaran, but I think he should be suspicious before he accepts the presence of five dwarves in his palace.
[ April 07, 2003: Message edited by: maikafanawen ]