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Old 09-14-2003, 06:15 AM   #48
Elora
Shade of Carn Dûm
 
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Kalrienmar
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Elora has just left Hobbiton.
Sting

Naiore & Vanwe

The trail had been clear of any sign of pursuit for some time before Naiore dared halt. A clean snatch, she dared hope. As she had riden behind her daughter, Naiore's mind had been swiftly turning. Vanwe was a curious puzzle of emotions: confusion, alarm, an undercurrent of fear and something utterly unexpected - hope. It was this hope, bright and strong, that opened up a host of possibilities. Naiore had not the chance to examine them now, not on open trail. But she certainly would do all she could to keep these possibilities alive until she reached the relative saftey of Bree.

She swung down from the gelding and urged Vanwe to dismount after her. Her daughter complied, the fear surging as she attempted to read her mother's blank, serene face. Above her gag, large blue eyes were open windows. Naiore barely needed her abilities to read Vanwe's emotional state.

"Stand silent and still," Naiore commanded. Vanwe nodded, uncertainty causing her to glance about. Hanasian had warned her to watch her steps but what danger was she in? According to the tales, she was as good as dead. But Vanwe was not convinced the tales were true. Afterall, her mother had said that she had come and waited in great danger especially for her. Besides, if the tales were not true, then her father also was alive!

Naiore slung her pack from her shoulders and delved into it. Vanwe studied her mother in the better light. She looked fearsome indeed, inky leathers and finely wrought black mail. For Vanwe who had grown up surrounded by fierce warriors, she could see that her mother wore expensive gear. The worksmanship was exquisite. Naiore did not look like a bloody handed, mad murdering demon.

She was heavily armed. Indeed, Vanwe had never seen a woman so armed with swords and daggers. But then, how many times had Vanwe wished for the protection of weapons on her road... Naiore soon straightened with a vial in her hand. It was a small bottle, firmly stoppered and sealed with wax. Naiore tucked it behind her baldric and turned back to where Vanwe stood like a frozen rabbit.

Naiore's expression changed as she walked towards Vanwe, becoming intent and focused. Vanwe shivered as her mother's grey eyes came to life and seemed to peer through her. Her hair swayed in its thick braids, the same pure colour of the hair that Hanasian had given her. That lock of hair lay in her pouch, dropped in the woods near the inn.

"Not a sound," Naiore said as she reached for her daughter. She reached behind Vanwe's head to untie the gag. Vanwe nearly broke that order when her mother's gloved hand sank hard on her shoulder as she turned her fierce gaze onto the trees around them. Vanwe had heard nothing, but Naiore listened intently. Then she turned back to her daughter and took out the vial.

Breaking the seal and unstoppering it, Naiore pressed it to her daughter's lips. “Drink,” she said. To her mild surprise, Vanwe did so. Naiore watched Vanwe relax as the stimulant took effect.

Her eyes glazed a little, Menecin’s eyes. Naiore waited just long enough to be certain and then undid the bonds around Vanwe’s wrists. “There now, isn’t that more comfortable daughter?”

Vanwe nodded, brow furrowing as her senses started to weave about. Vanwe smiled at the solicitous tone of voice from her mother. “Yes, mother,” she replied in a disconnected voice.

“We have a long way to go today. Let’s get started, Vanwe.” Obedient, Vanwe nodded once more. A desire to obey and please emerged. Naiore smiled in triumph. “Quickly now, mount” she said turning to collect her pack and sling it back over her shoulder once more. When she turned, she found Vanwe sitting upon the horse. Naiore’s smile was bright as they moved off on the trail again.

With nothing but bedraggled ruffians half starved, on the run from Elessar’s “justice” to contend with, this was proving easier than she had expected. Vanwe’s inexplicable emotional state, combined with the mind numbing, body strengthening infusion only made it smoother sailing. As they travelled, Naiore gave thought to the potential Vanwe had.

Provided she remained ammenable, Vanwe could be used to achieve much. Vanwe could get her into the Shire, and bring her Kaldir. If she strengthed this maternal bond she would not need to continually dose her with the expensive infusion. Mordor’s downfall had made most useful elixirs all but impossible to get at reasonable prices. Naiore had only a small store with her, depleted by the necessity of use in order to get this far. With an ally blinded by the strongest love of all, that of a child for its mother, who had both their bodies and their minds at their disposal, Naiore’s opportunities expanded with each passing moment.

That she would not have to expend precious coin on purchasing more of that infusion was the cincher. From time to time, Naiore spoke to Vanwe. She fed her daughter what Vanwe wanted so badly to hear. It would lodge in her hazed mind and strengthen that bond. Others she had served with upon a time would have laughed long and hard at the sight of the Ravenor in full gear feeding her daughter sacchrine words of endearment and care. But there was a good reason why Naiore lived still and they consigned to mouldering defeat and ignominious graves.

"Often I have thought of you, Vanwe and never did I think I would ever find you again," Naiore said. Vanwe murmured something indistinct. It was not untrue. Naiore had often given thought to her daughter's whereabouts and possible threat, which is why she had left Vanwe lost in the South. She had not anticipated that her daughter would slip free, but now that she had, perhaps there was yet a gain to be made of her daughter's incipient treachery.

Vanwe's head sagged forward, long fair hair falling like a curtain around her face. But her body remained upright. Naiore would have to ration the elixir so that it would last until she reached Bree.

Last edited by piosenniel; 12-28-2006 at 10:38 PM.
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