[maikafanawen]

Night had fallen and each of the company had laid out their makeshift traveling beds, consisting mostly of blanketts spread over a soft piece of earth. Ani Dao finished the mending she had started on her boot, then laid back. A patch of sky was over her head as she peered through the forest canopy. Stars were bright above her, displaying their lights in splendor. The leaves rustled softly above her head. A peace settled over the land, but try as she might, her mind would not rest.

Thoughts drifted again, but not of Mirkwood or of adventure like they normally did. This time her thoughts settled on the people of the company: the dwarves, the men, the elves, and the little hobbit. She had spoken with the dwarves little, but as time wore on, she would make more conversation with some of her favorite of all races. She recalled Yanithe, the Rohanian girl. Ani Dao had made amends, but she still seemed distant.

Shrugging away any suspicions and suppositions, her mind settled on Burzdol, the magnificent elf whom she had befriended quickest. Ani Dao knew that her deepest friendship would be bonded with him. Their talks were always welcomed to Ani Dao, and his presence calmed her. The she-elf knew this journey would be difficult, and was glad that she felt she could count on him.

The stars hadn’t moved as she lay there. Time was going by slowly. She was so anxious for more adventure, to test her skills to their limits, to use every ounce of strength. The fight with the bandits had ignited the passion for adventure. She could tast the excitement of her future, physical And emotional, she thought, thinking of Burzdol again.

Sitting up, she walked out of the woods onto a little grass-covered ledge overlooking the valley below. The evening breeze brushed over her golden blonde hair. She felt relaxed all at once, just sitting there, letting the night cover her with its warm cape. Ani Dao untied the leather straps and feathers holding her hair out of her face and shook it loose. It cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall, its vibrant glow challenging the moon. She began to sing:

A Elbereth, Gilthoniel
silivren penna miriel
o menel aglar elenath!
No-chaered palan-diriel
o galadhremmin ennorath
Fanuilos le linnathon
nef aear, si nef aeron!

She sang it over again and at the last line, another voice, strong and clear as a river, joined her song. The elf thought it was Eru or Manwe singing in the heavens. Ani Dao retied her hair, giving back to the moon its marvelous glory. Since sleep would not come, and she knew it, she watched the moon make its nightly rounds across the sky, until the sun took its place.

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Carla's Post:

Durin sat on the cool earth, watching the stars wheel around in their endless circle. The trees rustled about him, though it was not loud enough to cover the voice he suddenly heard singing. He got up as silently as a dwarf could and walked towards the singing voice. As he neared a small ledge, he noticed the elf, Ani Dao sitting on the ground, looking up into the star filled sky.He walked up behind the elf, but with her elven senses, she already knew he was there.

"Hmmm, your going to wake the whole camp, which not too many will be happy with. Do you need to sing a lullaby before going to sleep?"He sat down beside her, looking over at a small river flowing by, just below the ridge." I don't know much about elven songs, but I'm sure I've heard that one before." He looked over at her silently as she pulled her long hair away from her face.

[ February 27, 2003: Message edited by: maikafanawen ]