[Child of the 7th Age]

For the longest time, there was darkness and silence. Then Lindir felt a gentle tugging at his sleeve, hesitent but welcoming, as if beckoning him forward. The Elf could not see or hear anything, but he had the strangest sensation that someone was with him in this very odd place.

The tug came again, only this time insistent and a little less friendly, pulling him forward and upward. A tiny flame of fear flickered to life in some piece of himself that still bore life. Lindir realized he had very little control over what was happening. Surely, this can not be Mandos, he grimly mused. Someone wants something from me, and I am not so sure I want to offer it freely. His mind screamed out a warning for his body to resist. He tried thrashing out, struggling with his legs and arms, but he could not move them.

His resistence faded and was replaced by a heaviness, almost like sleep: an enticing siren call to leave this place and continue on. Suddenly, he sensed a gentle reassuring touch, whether on his head or within his fea he could not tell. There was someone with him. And then the words came, soft and sweet, impossible to resist: Rest easy, my fellow Elf. Struggle no more. We welcome you to our midst. Only a moment, and you will be free.

Something cracked and there was no more reason to struggle. Lindir had broken loose and was gazing down with a puzzled look at his own body. The poor, broken thing lay on the ground, ashen and lifeless, with his companions gathered around in a tight circle of concern. He wished he could have spoken to them, to let them know he was alright, but no words came out of his mouth.

The presence, the Elf, whoever or whatever it was, urged him ever forward. Lindir turned and followed the strange grey shadow up the hill and through the broken gates into the heart of the old stone fortress.....