[maikafanawen]

Annanoldowen sat very still in her ornately decorated cedar chair in the Rivendell library. Premonitions had come strongly these past few weeks of a company of all races journeying towards her deserted city from the northwest. Her eyes were closed and each of her delicate hands rested on the table before her, her left hand scribbling madly on a piece of parchment. Golden hair fell around her body as she recalled every dream and copied it down. When she was finished, after three days of revelation she sat back and opened her eyes, rubbing them clear with her cramped fingers. Clearing her head finally of the cluttering visions she rose. Her legs unfolded beneath her, and she stood elegantly tall, her rich purple robe falling gracefully around her. The elf walked over to the platform that looked out over the old elven city.

It was sunset, and the city of Rivendell was bathed in blood red light. Darkness crept out of the east, pushing back the stain of the dying light, swallowing up the land in its black maw. The sun had settled behind a low bank of clouds, turning both sky and land first orange and then red, painting with vibrant, breathtaking colors, a defiant parting gesture as the day came to its reluctant close.

An elven scout appeared suddenly at the entrance to the library.

“Lady Annanoldowen?” The she-elf turned then and acknowledged his presence.

“Yes Menetwan?” The scout bowed. It has been three days since you shut yourself in this library and our scout has returned with much news. I was ordered to inform you of a company of –”

“Dwarves, elves, and men coming our way from Bree. They were attacked by orcs and four of them are crossing the ford as we speak.” The scout stared dumbfounded at her as she completed his own message.

“There are?” he queried speaking of the latter part of what she had said. The other elf turned and looked back out of the balcony toward the ford. Four elves, a pair on two horses crossed across the water. Then she nodded.

“Three are wounded. Two of which are conscious, and their wounds will be easily healed, but the other is fading fast from a poisoned, orkish arrow. Ani Dao is with them,” the scouts’ ears perked up and he ran over to stand beside Annanoldowen. “She carries an antidote that will aid in sucking out the poison.”

“Who is the poisoned elf?” Annanoldowen eyes suddenly grew wide as her vision was complete and revealed to her the fading elf’s identity.

“Hathalas!” The scout tripped as he ran quickly from the room. Recovering right away he leapt down the stairs to meet the newcomers. Shouting for other guards to aid him they intercepted the four arrivals and led them to a great bedroom, housing an elf of royalty now bound for the Undying Lands. Hathalas was laid in the bed and a healer was summoned. Using the poultice from Ani Dao he went to work and the others were ushered from the room. Another healer tended to the elves’ wounds and when they were bandaged, the three were presented with food and drink. After they were fed and satisfied, they two were given quarters and they slept until the arrival of the remainder of their company.

* * *

Ani Dao awoke in late afternoon the next day. Finding an elegant gown of emerald green draped over the sofa in place of her rugged traveling clothes, she donned it quickly and emerged silently from her room into the shadows of the abandoned palace. The elf wandered the spacious hallways, gazing in recognition at the age-old murals and statues. She brushed her hand over a railing, stirring a layer of dust as she entered an old council room. A voice then interrupted her thoughts.

“Good to see you again, old friend.” Ani Dao turned to see a shadowed figure watching her from the far side of the room.

“Annanoldowen.” She said. The figure emerged into the sliver of light illuminating the dreariness of the room, a broad smile on her pale, but exquisitely beautiful face. The two elves embraced as old friends.

“Too long has it been since I’ve seen you Ani Dao. We have all missed you here.” They pulled apart and walked side by side down to the gardens and sat on the edge of a healthy fountain.

There they talked of the events that had befallen them since their last parting, over fifty years ago. Summarizing the majority of her tales, she skipped ahead to the most recent and dominating one yet. In great detail and length she told the elven seer of her part in the company headed for Erebor. Annanoldowen listened intently. At the conclusion of her story, the elder asked if she could produce the magic stones for her. Ani Dao had hidden them under her pillow as she had slept, and then hung them around her neck yet again on awakening. Now she withdrew them and held them before her for Annanoldowen to examine. Turning them over in her hands, the elf began to glow as the magic of the stones sensed the magic of the elf. The two sources began to hum softly. Then Annanoldowen set the stones down on the side of the fountain as if setting down a heavy burden. She breathed harshly as the bonds between the two broke. Ani Dao was alarmed at what had just happened. Annanoldowen then began to laugh softly.

“Kementurien is a fool. But it is all for the better. How long has she had these I wonder? Long enough I suppose. What she told you about the stones is true. They will be of great importance to your company.” She stood up looking still at the stones. “Kementurien is clever, keeping these hidden from me as well.” Shaking her head she bade Ani Dao collect the stones and replace them in her pouch.

“Isn’t there anything else about the stones? If their magic is so great, why do I bear them? Shouldn’t I leave them with you? No doubt they can be put to better use somewhere else.” Annanoldowen smiled slyly and shook her head.

“Come, now that someone who can relate to my work is here, I would like to show you some new maps. Also, there are some things perhaps you should know about some visions I’ve had recently.” Annanoldowen walked back towards the palace. Ani Dao stared after her, a bit cross and frustrated at the mystery of the stones. Following her finally, she gathered the folds of her dress around her and left the gardens.

The next few hours the two spent in the library reviewing the visions Annanoldowen had been having about the past present and future of their expedition. Finally Annanoldowen concluded:

“I would not be having such dominant premonitions if this journey were not so important. I think this adventure, Ani Dao, is more vital than you perceive.” The assassin shrugged. They were reading over books and maps when a servant informed them that supper had been served and the other two that had arrived with Ani Dao were awake and eating already. The two elves then followed the servant down to the dining room.