[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 ]