Mirkwood Endgame RPG

[piosenniel]

Eiz’ post for Deagon

Deagon walked silently through the path in the forest. He had just finished with the patrol, and as usual left the group to be alone. The tall elf was aloof nowadays, even from those who were his friends and companions.

He was in deep thought when he caught sight of Gayahithwen and the other kitchen elves. She waved to another elf. He stopped when he saw who it was- Rinurion. And with him was the elf from Lorien, Laryelion.

Rinurion was the one elf in Mirkwood he had constantly tried to avoid. Everytime they crossed paths, he could see in the other's eyes the distrust. And the heavy guilt he bore pained him as much as the helplessness he felt.

He sighed and walked away. To be alone again. Alone since Elenloth was captured by the enemy. It was because of that fact he had tried to trade Gayahithwen and another elf maiden Amaryllis for her release. Rinurion had foiled that, and with Laryelion's aid, had rescued them. There was an argument between him and the orcs. They refused to take him to Elenloth, nor assure him of her release.

Amaryllis and Gayahithwen had persuaded Rinurion not to deal harshly with him. He had been released after being cleared. The elf maiden had said that the orcs had ambushed them. She had not revealed he had led them to the orcs. She had spoken to him afterwards, but he had kept silent.

What could they do even if he told them that his sister had been captured? Should he seek aid, it would endanger Elenloth's life. He had made a bargain, forced upon him. He had tracked down the orcs, but they were many. His companions were killed or taken, but he was released. And he was promised the freedom of his sister if he fulfilled part of that bargain.

[Tevildo]

Turon watched as the early morning sunshine filtered through the leafy bower in which he had slept. He had tarried longer than he had intended; it was time to be moving again. Forcing himself to swallow a piece of lembas, he climbed down from the tree, softly whistling for his horse Lessa who was off nibbling at some foliage in the next glade. Lessa was a common pack animal, nothing fancy to look at, but well suited to the rugged terrain; King Thranduil had presented the steed to him almost a week before.

His welcome at the court in Mirkwood had been warmer than he had expected. Thranduil had listened carefully to the words Galadriel had sent. When Turon had finished his explanation, the King had told him what little he knew of the shadow that was spreading over the forest. Mostly, it was a tale of woe, one filled with threatening spiders and attacks of unknown origin that had befallen many an unsuspecting Elf. Turon listened carefully, scarcely believing what he was hearing. He wondered whether his own beloved Lorien would someday find itself in such a dire situation. But, no, that could not be. Surely Galadriel would protect them. Still, he felt uneasy.

Thranduil had told him about an expedition sent into the woods, led by Rûdhchamion, that was to search out the cause of all these dire happenings. The King had suggested that he attempt to pick up the trail left by the travellers. He had given Turon a fine map to take with him as well as a number of supplies he was to bring to Rûdhchamion: food and weapons and other useful things. The map had proven useless but after a week of searching Turon had finally stumbled upon the trail of the Elves. Today, or tomorrow at the latest, he should meet up with them in person. Turon was somewhat puzzled by the footprints he had found. The group appeared to be travelling with someone not of Elven blood; the prints suggested a young woman who was barely older than a girl. And there had also been some strange animal paws that reminded Turon of a wolf. Thranduil had told him nothing of these things.

Filling his leather bottle with water, Turon tightened Lessa's cinch and led her forward through the woods. The scent of the dog made the trail easy to follow since it was so distinctive. Very soon, in perhaps another hour or two, he hoped to catch a glimpse of the campsite. An uneasy feeling stirred inside him. The King had treated him with courtesy and good faith, but what sort of reaction would he get from Rûdhchamion and his crew? Perhaps not quite so open and welcoming? For the hundredth time, Turon sincerely wished that he was back home with his family instead of chasing after shadows inside a dark and foreboding land.

[Thalionyulma]

A visitor had come from the golden woods of Lorien and Deagon had begun to feel uneasy. Another elf ,Laryelion, had also came from the same woods. He wondered if the Lady had sent both of them.

He felt he had to move soon. His contacts had not left any sign nor message. But last night he had a dream- or was it a vision? He was not certain.

It had seemed a dark spectre kept reaching towards him. And voice had whispered that it was time for him to act.

"Deep in thought again?" The female voice had startled him. Looking up from where he sat under the elm, he stared up at Gayahithwen. The elven kitchen maid was holding a basket filled with herbs from the woods.

"I was just resting a bit," he looked away, avoiding her eyes. "I'm waiting for the others. We're to patrol the eastern area, near the border." He lied.

Deagon noticed her hesitate a split second, as if she was about to say something but changed her mind. Then she sat down on the ground, setting her basket to one side.

"Our visitor from Lorien has gone. I asked Laryelion if he knew where Turon would be heading to, but he did not. The two had spoken awhile before Turon left," Gayahithwen said as she watched him carefully. Another elf called out to her to hurry. Sighing she asked, "Will you be gone long?"

"Several days, perhaps longer," he answered. Another lie.

He watched her join the others towards the Hall. He would have to leave as soon as he could slip away. He would have to be careful to avoid further suspicion.

[Thalionyulma]

Rinurion was inspecting his weapons when Legolas arrived with the other elves from his patrol. He threw a questioning look at the ElvenKing's son. The latter gave him a grim smile in answer.

"It has been quiet as of late. Like the calm before a storm," Legolas said. "Have your patrol sweep the southern area. The sentries will be going with your group. They will stay at the appointed areas to keep watch."

"We are nearly ready. Laryelion of Lorien will be joining us to lend his talents."

"Good. His kinsman left early today."

Rinurion double checked his bow and arrows. After resheathing his hunting knife and courteously bowing to his prince, he walked towards the direction of his patrol. They were five all, plus the three sentries who would be arriving soon.

"We wait for the sentries, they shall be joining us." He informed his group. He saw Laryelion appear ahead, walking towards them. Behind him were the sentries.

They headed towards the woods.

[Eiz]

A group of bats would have been detected instantly by anyone, specially by an elf. Since a small elven group was detected in the area, Muru opted for more subtle way of sending them about.

They silently stayed hidden in the dark foliage or in holes of the trees. Their wherabouts hidden from sight unless they suddenly reveal themselves from their hiding place.

The woods were shadowed and a thick mist covered the ground. Any woodland sound seemed muffled. Small birds could be seen once in awhile, their beady eyes looking about before they darted away.

An elf rode by on horesback. The woods made it difficult to travel, so the elf rode slowly. The horse was already showing some uneasiness. The small bat watched as the elf got off and checked the ground and nearby bushes. So intent was the elf upon his task he did not see the tiny creature fly off in the other direction. The tiny creature sent out a silent signal and flew towards his dark mistress' lair.

The mist began to swirl about slowly and the thick roots near the elf seem to move, sluggishly at first. Silently, a serpentine head appeared above the misty forest floor, then two.

A piercing cry sounded cutting through the stillness of the air, startling the horse and its rider.

[Tevildo]

Lessa threw back her head with a sharp whinny and came to an abrupt stop, her forelegs planted firmly on the soft dirt of the forest floor. Turon tugged gently on the reins trying to get the horse to move forward, but she stubornly refused to budge.

"I don't like it either," Turon muttered through clenched teeth. "Too many shadows and strange sounds. Still, we're better off moving forward than standing in one place." The Elf slipped his sword from its sheath and stood motionless in the middle of the glade. He could see no strange prints on the ground, no indication of another living thing. Yet something seemed to whisper that he was not the only one in this woods. And whatever strange creatures lurked in the shadows, they gave no hint of their presence to the Elf.

His fingers tightened on the hilt of the sword as he raised the blade into the air and waved it over his head. "Show yourself, you craven beast. Or are you too cowardly to unveil your face?" Turon threw back his head and howled in defiance, but the only immediate answer was the wild wind, which was now swirling defiantly through the darkened glade.

Peering through the heavy curtain of mist, Turon could barely make out the figure of a tiny brown bat flitting in his direction. Such a small creature seemed no threat. His grip on his sword hilt relaxed as he resheathed the blade. Shaking his head in frustration, he chided himself for giving in to childlike fancies and imagining threats that were not there. Yet not an instant later, a darker blanket of shadow emerged behind the smaller bat. At first, it was impossible to say what shape this shadow took. Yet the cloud of blackness continued its relentless path, trailing images of power and evil in its wake, a memory of times far more ancient than any the young Elf had seen. A bat loomed over his head, but this was no ordinary beast: as large as a wolf, with teeth and claws extended and a wingspan that reached some seven feet. As the shadow came down to greet Turon, the Elf felt little fear of the sharp teeth or claws. Rather it was the overwhelming sense of loss and emptiness, as if all the missed chances and failings in his life had come back to haunt his fëa and suck out its very essence.

[Taralphiel]

Taralphiel had only settled well into a dark, empty sleep when she felt the sickening swirls of another nightmare around her. All those watching her sleep would have heard was a small groan. The shadows parted somewhat, and she peered about, seeing even leaves flitting from the canopies above her and resting at her feet. She was still alarmed at how the clarity of her dreams was increasing.

Though as she looked around in this forming dreamscape, she noted it was not like all her recent nightmares. The scenery was familiar. Closeby.

Taralphiel took small steps forward, casting weray glances around. She heard a movement, and leaned forward to gain a better view of what was moving.

It was an Elf, though not one she was familiar with. He was on a horse, moving through the forest. She did not make a movement of sound. Though she had Elven companions, she could not be certain this one would appreciate her travel in Mirkwood.

Before she could get a clear view of his face, she felt a strong involuntary shudder take over her body. It was almost strong enough to make her drop to the ground and curl up tight, hiding. She gripped to a tree as she saw a small creature fly towards the Elf. But before it could reach him, a greater darkness seemed to blanket over the small patch of path, and the poor Elf.

Taralphiel let out a shriek and stumbled forward with such force that it woke her, giving her sleeping companion a good jolt. She did not pause, but let out a small cry

"He's in trouble. It's so close. We must save him!"