[maikafanawen]

Ani Dao rode close behind Burzdol her thoughts closed up inside of her, her face bereft of any emotion. She did not react even when Hathalas Ashen-Shield rode up to greet them. The assassin recognized the elf from her stays with the Rivendell elves from years past. Ani Dao recalled seeing him training or riding horses with the others. His soft features and light blonde hair had always averted her eyes in his direction. But as he stood there speaking with Arlome, Ani Dao’s face remained covered by her traveling cloak’s cowl, her eyes watching protectively on Burzdol.

He was recovering slowly, elvish medicine would be needed on arrival in Rivendell. His fall had greatly disturbed the poor elf, and she too would need the comforting sanctuary of her River Dwelling kin. Hathalas spoke more with Belegond who was stationed in front and then led them on to the deserted elf city, a previous resting spot of the famous, Frodo Nine-Fingers.

Burzdol’s head drooped a bit, and Ani Dao rode up beside him quickly. Extending her arm towards him, he shook his head,

“I’m all right.” Ani Dao nodded and rested her hand on her knee as they rode on through the light rain.

In the trees beside the rough trail, figures moved quickly, but noticeably. Ani Dao moved nervously in her saddle. She rode up to Durin and dismounted so she could speak level with his ears.

“Do you hear the movement in the forest? We are being watched.” Durin nodded and replied:

“Watched … and followed.” Ani Dao looked around. The noises had stopped but she could still feel the presence of eyes.

“Go, stand beside Burzdol while I back track and see if I can find anything.” Durin nodded and fell back to stand beside the wounded elf. Ani Dao remounted and left the company riding swiftly back, her eyes searching the forest. Suddenly an arrow shot from the shadows and narrowly missed her head. Rearing Uesse, she turned and ran back towards the company, shouting in warning ...


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OOC: If anyone wanted anything else to happen before the orcs attacked us … Post it in the discussion thread and I’ll put it before my post. Okie dokie?