The Fall of Greenwood the Great RPG

[Nerindel]

Taurëwen held Gil's bow tightly, she was angry that they were abandoning their search for their friend, but she also knew that Ceros was right, still it didn't make the guilt any less. Her sharp green eyes searched the forest for their silent follower.

"Do you smell that!" Ainemetion whispered behind her, she took a deep breath then frowned as she recognised the foul stench. When she was young her father and some other warriors had returned from a battle in the lands outside Greenwood and she remembered that they all bore the foul stench of the orcs they boasted they had killed. Taurëwen hurried forward to Ceros, the only elf among their company that may have actually encountered these foul beasts before.

"Do you smell them?" she whispered, he looked at her slightly surprised that one who had never left their woodland home would know of such creatures. "I have treated wandering Elves who have returned smelling of these foul creatures, my own father among them" she offered as explanation, but she was sure that some of the others would also have read the lore of their people and know of these foul beasts.

"Taurëwen!" Reynion whispered nudging his head towards her sheathed sword, she drew it half way out so they could see the runes glowing a faint blue, "Enemies of the wood are near!" she told them slipping the sword back and lifting Gil's bow, she felt Reynion take her back as her eyes searched the tree's for their foe.

Seeing a yellow pair of eyes in a tree ahead she let loose her arrow, there was a hissed yell as the orc fell from the tree clutching at the arrow in it's throat. As he fell they were rushed by a whole band of Orcs, Taurëwen instinctively turned her bow on the charging orcs and fired, hitting another in the eye. Her next shot bounced off the next orc's black breast plate, but as it grinned leering at her another arrow with green fletching went through it's throat. "Tree's" Reyn said to her as she turned to thank him. She nodded her understanding and turned just in time as a black arrow passed between them. Eyes blazing they both turned on the orcs hiding in the trees and let loose their arrows, knocking the creatures from their perches as the others fought the orcs on the ground.

By their estimation there had been at least fifteen orcs in the trees, some taken out by Ihwesta, Arië and Ceros before the orcs on the ground got too close for their bows to be of much use. Taurëwen and Reyn between them had felled nine of the foul creatures and now turned their attention back to the main battle. Their four friends were outnumbered and being pressed back.

"its a trap!" Reynion exclaimed pointing to the tree's that their friends were being herded towards.

"How many?" Taurëwen shouted as she push her arrow through the throat of an orc who had stepped in front of her and pulling it out she nocked it and fired it into the left shoulder of the next orc.

"At least six!" Reyn cried back as he pushed his long knife into the stomach of the orc before him.

"Do you think we can take them?" she cried slinging her bow over her shoulder and drawing her sword.

Reynion's leg burned but he would not let her see his pain, her fierce spirit seemed to give him strength. "Let's see" he laughed as the pair of them dashed into the trees to take the unexpecting orcs from behind.

"Gurth gothrim Tel'Laiqataure" (Death to the foes of the greenwood) They cried as they beset the orcs from behind. Taurëwen's sword flashed next to Lachril as she and Reyn cut through the orcs to their friends.

"We're out numbered!" Reyn cried to Ceros, but Taurëwen had not heard him her anger that these abominations infested the greenwood burned within her and she fought with the fury of the whole wood within her. One orc after another she cut down, "How dare they desecrate the sanctity of this great wood!" she screamed as she hacked them down mercilessly...

[ September 04, 2003: Message edited by: Nerindel ]

[Everdawn]

Arië was caught off guard when the orcs had attacked, and found herself in the middle of about seven angry orcs. What evil is this! she called to herself before drawing her bow and slaying two of the foul creatures. She caught a glance of Ceros and Ihwesta both fighting as many as she, Ainemention had a lesser number and Reyn and Taurëwen seemed capable in slaying all orcs which they encountered.

There were still five orcs clambering around Arië, each wondering who would get to kill the dainty elf and have her for supper. The Younger had never felt so small in her life, she had never lay eyes upon her putrid foe before this day. Only the tales that were told by the guards of the king and other elves that were friends of her parents. They had always spoke of these creatures dimly and Arië had only ever been curious. She wished now that she had not been.

After three more orcs were felled at her hand, The Younger was horrified to find that she had run short of arrows in her quiver. A cold sweat ran down her spine and her blood ran chill. The two orcs remaining laughed at her. Go ahead, laugh your ugly heads off... she thought, for it was well known that she was more able in hand to hand combat than she was with a bow.

Arië raised her hands inot the air and dropped her bow on the ground as if in surrender. The orcs inched foward. As soon as they were close enough she took from her side, the handiest of all weapons that she posessed, A shining engraved dagger, withing two seconds her handiwork had prevaled and both remaining orcs fell dead to the ground, one gutted. The other slashed in the throat.

Just when she thought she was done, form the corner of erh eye came another. Arië ducked, but not in time as the orc brought the crocked end of his sword across her back, scraping away her skin in a 4 inch tear. Not knowing what had happened to her Arië dropped to the ground and rolled and stabbed the orc in the back making sure to drag the dagger the length of his torso.

"Ihwesta! What are we doing! We cant get out!" she cried.

[ September 05, 2003: Message edited by: Everdawn ]

[Eladain Moruviel]

Gil had been carried downstream for about 15 minutes before he finally found a place where he could struggle out of the water. Using all of the strength he had left, he dragged himself onto the riverbank and collapsed. Finally recovering his breath, he stood up to get his bearings. Much to his dismay, he found himself in an even darker part of the wood than the fellowship had just left. The trees were all either hacked, uprooted, or charred. “Out of the pan and into the fire” he thought dismally to himself. “Well, I don’t want to stay here any longer than I have too; I’d best try to find the others”. And so he started off back upstream.

As he walked in silence, that strange feeling he had felt before returned. It was no longer just in his limbs, but had spread throughout his body. Now that’s odd he thought It was only a small wound, and it shouldn’t cause this. Stranger still, where the dark thoughts that now lurked on the edges of his mind. Thoughts of death, not the deaths of his enemies, but those of his comrades. Then a sudden waive of anger struck him, and drawing his sword, he clove a young tree in twain. He would have continued hacking and slashing , had he not called up all of his will power and forced these dark thoughts and feelings down. He dropped to his knees sobbing “what’s wrong with me?!?” he screamed “what has happened to make me do such terrible things!?!”

Then all at once it was clear to him, like clouds passing after a summer storm. He could feel it; it was writhing around in his mind, like a serpent trying to free itself. He had heard of it before, wizards, or mages that could take over a person’s body, control it like a puppet, and bend it to his dark will. It would take time, especially if he resisted with all of his might, but sooner or later, even the most stouthearted of men would succumb. He would resist, and it would be one devil of a fight, but it was only a matter of time…


Then he heard the sound of battle up ahead, he instantly knew it was his comrades and charged forward with renewed strength. In the clearing he saw his friends surrounded by a multitude of orcs, at least he thought they were orcs, for he had only heard tales of them. He knew they would die just as easily if he had seen one, as if he hadn’t, so he moved forward. Unsheathing his dagger, he crept up behind one of the orc archers and silently slit its throat. Then he saw a large orc charging towards him, dropping his knife, and drawing his sword, he hammered into the orc, killing it instantly. "Gurth gothrim Tel'Laiqataure!" he screamed lunging into another group of orcs, and soon they all lay dead.

He saw his comrades fighting gallantly, slaying many of the foul brutes “We may win this!” He though hopefully. Then he saw something that made his blood run cold, 10 or 15 more orcs charged out of the forest straight towards him. Getting into a defensive stance, he prepared himself for death, though they would pay dearly for it with their lives….

[ September 06, 2003: Message edited by: Eladain Moruviel ]

[maikafanawen]

"Ihwesta! What are we doing! We can't get out!" Arië yelled.

"Stay together," the eldest tracker said firmly. "And fight." So they did. It was a madness that had cast its net over them and given them a devilish strength. Like wasps protecting their nest they horned in on their foe and smote them.

Arië, the youngest seemed to grow to an empowered height and bore down on the orcs with the cruel grace of a striking snake. Taurëwen, who all looked upon as a gentle and benevolent person, was now full of hatred and she loosed her wrath on the maltreatment of Greenwood. Even though the water had filled him and the current pounded his body, Reynion also gave more than his all, fighting gallantly alongside his companions. Finally Ainemetion appeared from where he'd been taken, joining his friends and pouncing upon the enemy as a cat would its unsuspecting prey. Ceros led them all with the will and commanding presence of a god. His strength was unchallenged by the hordes of orcs that rained down upon them.

How they all hated the darkness that had plagued their realm! Ihwesta was moving in a quick and fluid fashion, refusing to pause and give the goblins a standing target for even a second. Now with just seven against the score of orcs that came upon them, her sense of hope flickered like a candle in the wind. Yet she fought on, oblivious to the strain on her wearied muscles, and the cuts and scrapes from the wild swings of goblin scimitars.

Suddenly, their lost companion united in the battle. Gilbereth with one hand had a newfound energy and he tossed himself carelessly into the web of certain death. Ihwesta smiled. His determination had renewed her drive for the moment and she plunged her sword into the bowls of the retched. But her glory was short-lived.

There was a tremble in the earth and the orcs began to squeal and run off into the woods. The larger goblins stayed though and fought on, keeping the elves rooted to their fighting stances as the unseen enemy drew closer.

"Pull away!" shouted Ceros, trying to get the elves to run from the clearing between the forest and river's bank. It was fruitless. For every step an elf took farther away, a goblin was there to beat him back and soon, they would all be separated. Then the beast that was the size of ten small orcs packed in one broke through the wall of trees and crushed a goblin under its foot. It was a hill-troll, come down from the Misty Mountains and across the Glâdden Fields by some miracle untouched by the sun to reach Greenwood unscathed.

"Dear Eru...." Ihwesta gasped. "RUN!" Breaking through the net of orcs, that appeared docile compared to this new monster, they made their way through the dense forest away from the clearing, listening with unsurpassed fear as the troll barreled through the trees after them....

[Nerindel]

Taurëwen heard not the shouts of the others as she battled the foul smelling creatures that held no regard for the Greenwood, but as she finished off her current attacker and turned to face the next the ground shook beneath her feet knocking her to the ground, she pulled her sword into guard position expecting a blow from the orc she had been facing, but the orc was squealing and running in the opposite direction, as she rose to chase after it the ground shook again.

Her eyes widened with fear as she saw the mammoth creature barrel through the forest, but it was short lived! for as the creature knocked down trees in it's wake an anger that Taurëwen thought she could never possess burned within her and with no thought other than to stop the monstrosity doing any more damage she charged towards it! She did not get far though! For Reynion who had been behind her and was now running with the other away from the troll, saw her run forward and grabbed her about the waist pulling her back.

"What are you doing!" she screamed at him, trying to break free of his hold.

"I was going to ask you the same thing," he replied calmly as he struggled to keep a hold on her and follow the others.

"Look!" she yelled pointing at the Troll as it knocked over another tree, "If we don't stop it there will be no forest left to call home!" she snapped, her eyes glistened but her anger held back the tears.

As they regrouped, Reynion turned her round to face him his hands sitting firmly on her shoulders,

"Taurëwen we all feel the same, but you do not think you could take on a fully grown hill troll on your own! do you?" She knew he was right, but the anger was still within her,

"No, but at least I would died trying, not running like a coward letting this...this monster tear down our home!" she retorted bitterly.

"And what help would you be to those left behind if you die!" Reynion calmly told her. As she defiantly looked into his eyes she saw his concern, the anger melted away and was replace with shame. She dropped her head as she felt the others looking at her, stunned by her harsh words. But there was no time for apologies the ground shook with the strides of their current foe.

"Ainemetion! Arie! Flank right, Gilbereth! Eruwen! flank left, Reynion do you and Taurëwen think you can get behind it?" both elves nodded at Ceros' question then he continued, "If we surround it I think we can take it down, now go!" Taurëwen nodded and dashed off with Reynion to attack the creature from behind.

"I'm sorry" she whispered as they ran.

[Tinuviel of Denton]

When Taurewen ran for the troll, Reynion's heart seemed to stop beating for an instant and he pulled her back before she got herself killed before his eyes. As the two of them and the other elves fell back from the melee, she turned on him.

"...At least I would died trying, not running like a coward letting this...this monster tear down our home!"

Reynion refused to show how much Taurewen's words had hurt him. He wasn't a coward, he wasn't! He was just being prudent. That was all...wasn't it? Oh, stop it! This is NOT a time to let your emotions run away with you. he ordered himself, as he refocused his attention on what was going on. Ceros looked at him measuringly, as if trying to determine if he was still up to battle after that swim and the orc-fight, then he started giving orders.

"Ainemetion! Arie! Flank right, Gilbereth! Eruwen! flank left. Reynion, do you and Taurëwen think you can get behind it?"

Reynion nodded, determined to do his part. He was no coward. And so he and Taurewen ran stealthily to get behind the troll. As they ran, he was warmed to hear her whisper, "I'm sorry." Those two words did a great deal to lift his heart, even if they were about to die.

"I know," he replied, and that was all they had time for.

[Everdawn]

Throught the trees came the horrid monster, and The Younger had no idea what it was. Eru! This is a nightmre i shall never wake up from! she screamed to herself inside her head. Gilbereth had returned to them, Arië was relieved, and it seemed that there was relief in her eyes as it was her bridge that was not strong enough to hold them all when it was struck.


No time for apologies now.she said to herself, You can say sorry later.
Ainemention and Arië ended up on the right side of the creature. "What is it?" Arië yelled over to Ainemention. "What?" he asked back. "Well! i have never seen one of these creatures before!" She yelled back whilst killing another orc.

"Its a troll" Ainemention answered back, coming over to her. "Youre bleeding" he remarked to the Younger. Arië wiped her dagger blade on the grass, "I know" she answered. "Well, ok then" the other elf looked at Arië as if it were strange that she did not feel the pain.

"Now Younger, look at Ihwesta and Ceros for direction. Reyn and Taurëwen ran behind the troll, she supposed Gilbereth was nearby with Eruwen. "Shall we bide our time, yes, thats what we will do, wait for the others to initiate the attack" Arië whispered to the other elf.

[Arien]

Ceros thrust one of his knives into the chest of an on coming orc, the other was thrown at another coming towards his left. The knife was quickly recovered and his attention turned to the Hill Troll in front of him. He had only seen a troll twice before and it was not so easy to fell as other opponents might be. His mind rushed with thoughts as the grip around his knives grew stronger; how to eradicate such a foe? Perhaps to lure it into sunlight; or into the river. But that would be hard and neither was near. The vile creature looked round widely at the eight elves that surrounded it, wondering which pair to strike first.

“Try and lead in into a clearing, the sun will shine upon it….” He cried above the mighty roar that the beast had just let out. Ceros hurriedly sheathed both knives and grabbed his bow. He swiftly reached for an arrow from his quiver, and notched it on to his bow. He took aim and shot. The arrow spun through the air hitting the troll on his left shoulder. Now his companions from each side of the monster released other shots, some pierced its thick skin but other ricocheted of its body harmlessly.

“Ihwesta,” he spoke softly to the She- Elf beside him, “Aim for its eyes, maybe if we blind it, it will stumble into the clearing.” He could see it ahead. The group all the time had been gently leading the troll unknowingly into a trap. Ihwesta and Ceros advanced forward slowly firing at its vulnerable spots.

Of course it retaliated with roars of anger and lashes from it crooked club that it carried, but it was too slow to hit any of them. Although if it did the strength behind it was overwhelming. Ceros looked behind him to see were Ihwesta was, she just released an arrow from her bow and a look horror came over her face. Ceros turned round speedily, the troll swung its club in a rage towards Ceros, he tried to get out of the way but was too slow.

The club made contact with his upper body and he was carelessly slammed into a near by tree. He could feel his ribs crushing against the club and then the breath was taken from his lungs as his back hit the tree.

“Ceros!” He heard someone cry, but he did not know whom.

His bow was cast aside idly, and a sudden stinging sensation came to the left side of his lower chest. Ceros tried to stand, but failed as the troll took another swing, luckily missing him, but hitting the tree he leaned against. It shook violently and leaves and branches fell to the ground. He watched as he friends fought with the beast, he got more and more frustrated with himself as he found he was unable to stand, or do anything for that matter.

His bow lay just a few yards away from him, if he could just pull himself together then he would be able to get back up and fight. But his vision was failing and his head was spinning. Ceros was too stubborn to realise when he was beat and so he tried again to get up, and once again it failed. He fell to the forest floor, his vision blurred even more and now it grew darker. He could hear the echoing sounds of a struggle far away in his mind as he fell into darkness.

[ October 01, 2003: Message edited by: Arien ]

[maikafanawen]

The hill-troll's club whizzed through the air, slamming into Ceros before Ihwesta had a chance to yell out. It sent the elf slamming into a nearby tree. The troll made a second swing but missed. Ihwesta recovered from the shock quickly enough to grab the end of the rope that Ainemetion had tossed her and together, pull the troll backwards. The giant monster staggered then turned, trying to move away from the elvish rope.

Then it faced Taurëwen and Reynion who were stationed behind it, hoping to snag it from the rear. This gave Ihwesta time to help the fallen elf.

"Ceros," she said, kneeling beside him and patting his cheek urgently. "Ceros!" He was unconscious. She crouched behind him, getting hold of under his shoulders, and dragging him back into the forest, looking for a relatively safe place to harbor him. There it was: a small outcropping of stone making a sort of cave. Once they were inside, she laid him flat, trying to figure out what she could do. She was certainly no healer, but Taurëwen was fighting.... Tears of frustration welled in her eyes, and she blinked them away impatiently.

His legs were not broken, though they held a few cuts and scrapes. His arms were not broken, though his right was heavily bruised. Then, she tore Ceros's tunic to reveal his wound. The tracker opened her water canteen and rinsed it out. Upon doing so she saw the bruise that covered his whole chest. Ihwesta felt gingerly around and discovered that multiple ribs had broken. She hung her head. His body worked to heal the wounds. But it worked slow and he needed the healer's hands. The tracker wished she'd learned the skill that was so valued in Taurëwen.

She knew that the others would need her help in the fight, but there was no way she was going to leave Ceros. Ihwesta folded a clean tunic from her own back and used it to stop the bleeding in his side. It was all she could do. The internal wounds were beyond her and needed the healer.

The elf held the cloth to the wound for a spell, then rinsed it again, and re-applied the rag. The bleeding slowed. She tilted the canteen to Ceros's mouth and he drank instinctively. Ihwesta breathed a sigh of relief. He was lasting.... She prayed that Taurëwen got there soon.

Ihwesta sat back on her legs and gazed into his face. It was loosing color from the pain and his features were twisted in anguish. It caused her pain to see him like this and she began to stroke his gold hair out of his face, whispering elvish words of love into his ear.

She looked deeper then, past the visible lines of agony written on his countenance, and deeper into the histories between them. Always had he been her elder brother's friend, and she had known him as just that. True, as a younger maiden she had felt a sense of attraction towards the handsome elf, but as time wore on, and the politics of the realm, and duties of battle consumed him, she slowly grew out of it. But this expedition had given her, her own sense of obligation and duty to the realm, and in this way they were connected.

Ihwesta smiled and bent down over Ceros, kissing him gently on the lips. She wasn't going to think more or tell anything of how she felt until they both returned to the palace. Now was not the time for such things. So knelt between him and the woods, weapons drawn and ready for anything that might bring further harm to Ceros.

* * * * *

Ainemetion dropped the end of the rope and shot an arrow into the monster's nostril as it turned towards them. It roared and the hand the size of a table went to its flat face, trying to pull the small arrow from its nose. The other held the club and it swung towards Ainemetion. He dropped and rolled out of the way just in time. When he looked up, he saw a faint glow coming from fifty yards into the woods. A clearing!

"Arië!" The tracker appeared beside him. "Look there!" The she-elf saw and jumped excitedly.

"Alright! How do we get it there?" The two looked up to where the hill-troll towered over them, trying to see where they crouched out of sight. Ainemetion's mind raced.

"I doubt we're strong enough to force him there physically, but perhaps we could lead him there?" Arië looked up at the troll, then into the woods towards the clearing.

"How?" Ainemetion shook his head, deep in thought. "There's no way," Arië protested. Then she got an idea, "But if he can't see where he's going, perhaps he'll depend on his ears to follow his prey!" Ainemetion threw his hands up in the air then gave Arië a great hug.

"AH!" he exclaimed. "You're brilliant." The two jumped out the clearing in a blur of greens and blues. When he was standing right before the troll, Ainemetion aimed very carefully as the fell beast lumbered towards him. When it stopped, he loosed one of his shafts and it his its mark right in the troll's left eye. The elf yelped excitedly and moved just out of the way of the troll's club that he had let go of and sent flying through the forests. Ainemetion flinched as the trees bent and snapped under its force, but moved again to put out its second eye.

"Move Ainemetion!!" Arië screamed. The elf looked up and dove out of the way as the troll stumbled and fell momentarily to his knees right where he had been standing. When the elf was on his feet again, he saw that one of Arië's shafts stuck in its right eye. He looked at the young she-elf appraisingly.

"Very nice," he complimented. The two united with Gilbereth, Eruwen, Reynion and Taurëwen and told them their plan. They were going to run through the woods, back and forth in front of the troll, leading him slowly towards the clearing. "But don't let him get to close," Ainmetion warned. "They've got devilishly good sense of smell. You must to be quicker than he."

Then the chase began.

[Tinuviel of Denton]

His leg throbbed in time with his heartbeat as Reynion and the others ran in front of the troll. The foul thing seemed almost to anticipate his movements, and he wondered if it could sense that he was not at his full capacity, like other predators could. The idea was not comforting, and Reyn resolved to ignore such thoughts. He was probably attributing far more intelligence to the troll than the creature could possibly have. At least he hoped so.

His left foot caught on a root, and he stumbled slightly. The troll got closer, and Reyn’s heart lurched. For all of his brave words to himself, he didn’t relish the thought of dying just yet. He put on a fresh burst of speed, just as Gilbereth called out, drawing the troll away from him. Reynion took a deep breath, and continued running. He would have to thank Gilbereth later. If there was a later.

Ahead of him, the light from the clearing beckoned, bringing new heart to the elves and spurring them to greater lengths. The troll roared with frustration, if that be not too intelligent an emotion for such a creature to feel. Apparently, it had come close to catching one of the elves, but the note in its voice indicated failure. Which was just as well, since the plan certainly didn’t include any d.eaths. Sometimes, Reyn’s mental running commentary surprised him, sardonic as it was. It seemed to be very out of place in the current situation, certainly.

He shrugged a little, and shouted to call the troll’s attention away from Gilbereth again.

[ September 14, 2003: Message edited by: Tinuviel of Denton ]

[Nerindel]

Taurëwen reach the clearing as Reynion drew the stupid creature from Gilbereth. The sunlight shone down on her golden hair warming her heart and her spirit, she knelt down and stuck several arrows into the ground and nocked one in her bow and fired it into the creatures thick hide.

"Hey! Yes you, Did your mother drop you on your head?" she cried out to the troll hoping that it understood the common tongue she was using. As it spun round she nocked another arrow and fired drawing the creature towards her. As she hoped it picked up her scent and it's triumphant grin almost made her laugh, the others watched in horror as the Troll lunged towards their Healer.

But as the trolls huge hand shot out to grab her it stopped short, but a few inches from where she knelt. She let out the breath she had been holding and laughed at the stone creature before her, it still wore its look of triumph.

It had been a gamble whether the troll would turn before it reached her but it had paid off and none of them had been badly hurt, she sighed with relief. But her relief was short lived as she realised that two of their company was missing.

"Were is Ceros And Ihwesta!" She asked pulling her remaining arrows from the ground. The others looked around and shook their heads, We will go back Ainemetion and Arië cried together, Taurëwen nodded and they headed back to where they had battled the orcs.

"Where are they?" Reynion whispered, Arië at once began searching for the tracks of their friends, But Taurëwen realised that Reyn had meant the orcs who seemed to vanish with the defeat of the troll. He and Ainemetion kept their eyes sharp and their weapons drawn as Arie picked up Ihwesta's trail.

Before long they found Ihwesta weapons drawn guarding the entrance to a small outcropping of rock that looked like a small cave. "Taurëwen! it's Ceros!" she cried running forward and literally pulling her towards the wounded elf.

Taurëwen frowned as she saw the extent of their leaders wounds four broken ribs at least and a number of small cuts and abrasions, even if she gave him elixir and bound his chest he would still find it hard to breath never mind walk, their was only one thing she could do! she would have to invoke her gift.

Kneeling beside Ceros she closed her eyes and placed her hands on his blackened chest, using her skills she used her senses to find the broken bones she invoked her gift to speed up the mending of his bones and to relieve the pressure on his chest.

As Ceros' breathing returned to normal hers shallowed and she became pale, as the bruising faded and Ceros began to open he's eyes, Taurëwen her strength diminished fell back from him and rested against the out cropping next to him. She was relieved when the others went to Ceros and did not question her on what she had done, for the gift of healing was usually only associated with the Eldar.

Taurëwen rarely used her gift as it left her weak and the strain of taking anothers pain was great. Taurëwen turned away hoping the others would not see the silver tears run down her cheeks as the Pain of Ceros' injuries flooded her mind.

After a few minutes the pain passed as it always did, but she was still weak. She used Gilbereths bow to support her weight and moved off from the others to the comfort of the trees, though they offered none, they were gnarled and twisted and their branched seemed to pull at her hair and clothes.

wearily she looked down at herself, her clothes were torn in several places and stained with the blood of her enemies and friends, her hand were also black and smeared with blood. She hoped they would find somewhere safe to rest so she could wash and change, but it was to dangerous to stay here, they did not know were the rest of the orcs had gone to and she felt that were ever they were they would not forget the handful of Elves who had diminished their numbers.

"We can't stay here!" she told them earnestly, Leaning on her bow, her eyes searching the trees for danger.

[Arien]

Ceros’ eyes opened hurriedly as breath rushed back into his lungs, the aching in his torso was intense but he did not worry about that, his first instinct was to rise but Ihwesta’s hands restrained him. He looked up into her face and then to those of his companions around him.

“The troll?” He gasped weakly; his breath was still short, although whatever Taurëwen had done was working well, and fast. He was grateful for this but he could not see her amongst the Elves gathered around him.

“It is forever stone,” mumbled Gilbereth moving out from the circle with the rest and leaving Ihwesta by his side. They did it! At least one foe was rid of, but the orcs were a mystery. Where did they appear from, there must be some kind of camp near by of some sort? Even though Ceros dreaded to think of such a thing.

“Thank you,” he said to Ihwesta as she looked down on him.

“What?”

“Thank you for taking me from the clearing, I know for certain I did not end up here. And anyway I was conscious for some parts…” his eyes looked upwards to her fair face and then down again.

“You were…. I mean, there is no need to thank me. It was instinct.” She sighed and helped him to prop himself against a near by rock. As his stomach bent the pain became almost unbearable and his face showed the pain; even if he tried to hide it. Ihwesta saw the pain and impulsively grabbed his hand.

“Is the pain…?”

“It will cease in time,” he replied hastily, although he was not sure how long it would tarry. The group was silent for some time; all reflecting on the most recent battle. Wounds had been received, but no wound was greater than the pain that they suffered knowing what now haunted Greenwood. Monsters for their own selfish means had defiled the once majestic forest, her dignity and greatness had all but disappeared. And been replaced with horror and terror.

He himself found his mind not only thinking about the forest but Ihwesta. He had never felt so strongly about her before; she had always been his best friends younger sister. Never had he dreamed of thinking of herself in such a way. But the journey had brought some kind of new light onto her fair face and he had never witnessed previously. Whether it was for better or for worse he could not tell, but whatever happened his own desire could not be pursued.

“We can’t stay here!” Came the voice of Taurëwen, from the front of the cave.

“I know,” Ceros nodded getting up, with a little help from Ihwesta. “We must leave quickly, who knows what other may attack.”

“Are you able to continue?” questioned Arië.

“Yes, I will be fine for now. Let us take our leave.”

[Everdawn]

"Stone" Arië repeated when she saw it. Ugly stupid creature! she said sitting on down by log catching her breath. Ainemention was standing by another nearby tree. "Nice job" she muttered to him as she counted her friends.

Ihwesta was tending to Ceros. "He looks bad." she said to her elf friend, she was a little afraid to go near him for fear of making his pain worse. She watched Ihwesta and Ceros for a while, they just looked, well, right for some reason.

"Do you think you should get Taurëwen to look at your back, it looks like it is a bit sore." said Ainemention lightheartedly. "In a while, she has bigger things on her hands than me." she said as Ainemention offered her a hand to get up. "Well, ill just put something on it to stop the bleeding then until you do see her, will that Suit?."

"Fine then" Arië answered then turned to Ainemention. "Now that i have seen this horror, i dont blame the others for not wanting to come, only its that... i wish they did." she said weakly.

"What will the king say when he finds out." Ainemention said. "I imagine he will call for help form the other elves in distant realms, perhaps even men, none can be sure." Arië looked again across camp. Gilbereth was sitting quietly. Now would be a time to apologise. she said to herself and made her way over. "Gilbereth" she said. "I just want you to know that i am sorry for my bridge, im sorry that you fell in the water. If you had died it would have been all my fault." but her attention was diverted.

“We can’t stay here!” Came the voice of Taurëwen, from the front of the cave.

“I know,” Ceros nodded getting up, with a little help from Ihwesta. “We must leave quickly, who knows what other may attack.”

“Are you able to continue?” questioned Arië.

“Yes, I will be fine for now. Let us take our leave.” Arië moved to the front of the company keeping a keen eye out for any danger.

[Eladain Moruviel]

Gil was so caught up with killing orcs that he didn’t notice the troll until it was almost too late. The troll’s club whizzed into a tree two feet from his head “ That would have left a lasting impression if it had hit me” he chuckled to himself. The next blow he dodged easily and ducked behind the troll. “This only last until one of us makes a mistake. Oh Eru please don’t let me be the one.” he thought darkly.

Them he heard Ceros shout “Try and lead in into a clearing, the sun will shine upon it….” “ Not a bad idea” Gil thought. Then the long chase began. At first it was difficult staying one step ahead of the troll, but when some of the other elves had shot its eyes out it became decidedly easier. Just then Gilbereth noticed Reyn trip on a root and go down. “The troll’s right behind him, eyes or no, it will still kill him” Gil gasped in horror “Hey! You! Over here! Yeah you!” He shouted at the top of his lungs. It worked, and the troll followed Gil’s voice.

Gil had only his sword now, so he shoved it back into it’s sheath and began throwing rocks at the beast. After a while, it started off after another elf Reynion he thought, but it was hard to tell in all of the confusion. But then an arrow whizzed through the clearing, and into the creature’s side. "Hey! Yes you, did your mother drop you on your head?" He heard Taurëwen shout, and then the troll shambled off after her. Then, to Gil’s horror, she stopped. “The fool, she’ll be killed!” he screamed in his mind. But just as the troll reached out for her, it turned to stone. “Of course, she’s in the clearing” he told himself.

After the troll was killed, the rest of the group headed of to find Ceros and Ihwesta. When they did, it wasn’t a cheerful sight. “He doesn’t look good” Gil whispered to Arie. “The orcs may come back” he mumbled to no one in particular “ I’m going to go have a look around” And so he left the cave and entered the forest again.

Gil headed back to where they had fought the orcs; bodies lay everywhere. Then Gil noticed a strange device on one of the orc’s helmets. It was what looked like an eye, crudely drawn with red paint “I should probably show this to Ceros” he told himself, and headed back to camp. When he returned, he found that Ceros and Ihwesta were talking, not wanting to interrupt, he quietly sat down under a tree.

As he was sitting there, Arie came up to him "Gilbereth" she said. "I just want you to know that i am sorry for my bridge, im sorry that you fell in the water. If you had died it would have been all my fault." but their attention was diverted. “We can’t stay here!” Came the voice of Taurëwen, from the front of the cave. “I know,” Ceros nodded getting up, with a little help from Ihwesta. “We must leave quickly, who knows what other may attack.” “Are you able to continue?” questioned Arië. “Yes, I will be fine for now. Let us take our leave.”

When Gilbereth finally found a moment to talk to Ceros alone, He showed him the helmet he had found. “What do you make of this?” he said “I found it on one of the dead orcs” Ceros took a little while to reply, and when he did, his voice sounded concerned…

[Tinuviel of Denton]

Reyn's first thought when he saw the red eye on the helmet of one of the orcs was a sarcastic little comment. I rather doubt a painted eye helps one's vision any. Certainly it did nothing for you. His second was more serious when he saw that Gilbereth and Ceros were deep in worried conversation over a similar object. As far as he could tell, this had belonged to one of the more important orcs. At least its armor was better quality than most of the others.

He sighed. This was getting stranger and stranger the farther they went into Greenwood. The spiders (his leg gave a slight twinge at the thought), the river, the troll, and these strange 'eyes' on orc-helmets. The shadow in Greenwood was growing.

His eyes scanned the trees around the clearing, looking for any sign of the remaining orcs. Their sudden disappearance worried him more than their appearance. As his eyes passed over Taurëwen, they softened, then grew worried as they took in her tired state. She sagged against a tree and he began to stride across the glade to her.

His leg had other ideas.

About halfway across, his left leg buckled and collapsed under him. He cursed, and tried to get back to his feet, but his injured leg wouldn't cooperate. It had had enough; after being bitten by a spider, he'd barely treated it, walked on it for some distance, swum a freezing river, fought orcs, and run from a troll.

By this time, he was surrounded by the others, who were obviously worried. He tried to wave them off, pleading fatigue. "I'm fine, truly. I just did a little too much today. I'm fine." No one seemed to be listening. They insisted on helping him to his feet, despite his protests. Taurewen seemed to have been startled into motion and she crossed to him.

"What happened?" she asked.

"It's nothing, I--it's nothing. Just tired, and, I suppose my leg hurts a little. One of the spiders bit it, but it's not too bad."

[ September 19, 2003: Message edited by: Tinuviel of Denton ]

[maikafanawen]

Nerindel's Post


Taurëwen slumped against one of the tall trees as she waited for the others, she saw Gilbereth show Ceros the helms that the larger orcs wore, the red eye upon them had made her shiver and although it was just paint she could not shake the feeling that something or someone was watching them!

As she looked round she saw Reynion coming towards her, She managed a weak smile, then gasped as he collapsed to the ground. Fear strengthening her she got to her feet and hurried over to were he had fallen, pushing passed her companions as they surrounded him.

"What happened?" she asked, her face full of concern.

"It's nothing, I--it's nothing. Just tired and I suppose my leg hurts a little. One of the spiders bit it, but it's not bad," Reynion replied.

"Spiders! That was days ago!" Taurëwen exclaimed as she gestured for those holding him, to gently set him down against the tree she had just come from. Kneeling down she ripped open the black makeshift bindings, though she really didn't need to. Reynions lower leg was black and Taurewen knew that even if she was at full strength her innate abilities would not be able to mend the dead flesh, she was surprised that he had even been able to stand, but as she removed the bindings she could see that it was spreading and that there was only one option left to her. She slowly raised her head and turned to Ceros as he stood over her supported by Ihwesta and shook her head, then turning back to Reynion her eyes filled with sorrow she told him that she would have to remove his leg, else the infection spread to the rest of his body.

"I will need water!" she told Ceros as the others again helped Reynion to his feet, He nodded and let Taurëwen lead the way. She had heard a stream to the southeast so she made for it the others helping Reynion and the still weak Ceros behind her. 'Why had he not told me of his injury when we returned to from the spiders lair? And why did I not see that he was hurting?" she sighed and as she looked up she saw the stream. Her heart was suddenly heavier that she had ever imagined possible as she knelt down by the stream next to Reynion and told the others that she would require, "Water; fire and a sharp long knife or dagger!"

[ September 22, 2003: Message edited by: maikafanawen ]

[maikafanawen]

Arien's Post


“What do you make of this?” Gilbereth said “I found it on one of the dead orcs”

Ceros took the helmet from Gilbereth’s hands and examined it, turning it over and then tracing his left hand gingerly over the red eye. He had never seen any such mark before and he dreaded this new evil that it brought with it. His heart was disturbed by the new findings; no good would come of them.

“This is new to me. I have seen many orc and many have fallen by me. But never in all my years have I seen such markings,” he whispered to Gilbereth, “But no good can come of this finding and I dread that there is worse to come. Thank you for informing me of this Gilbereth. But we can’t delay leaving any longer than we have let us…”

”Ceros!” Hissed Ihwesta coming up behind him. He turned and looked upon her as she motion to Taurëwen. The She- Elf was bent over Reyn, her face full of concern and distress. Ceros threw the helmet to the floor and the three made their way over to Reyn and Taurëwen.

As he drew nearer Taurëwen looked up at him she was very upset as she told them that Reyn’s leg would need to be severed. Ceros rubbed his forehead, this was not good. Reyn was a valuble member of the company, as was everyone else. Ceros could not afford to loose any of them.

“I will need water,” Taurëwen told Ceros as she rose beside him. The others helped Reyn up and Taurëwen lead the way back to the river. The company entered the dark forest again; the air was stagnant and stale and not a sound could be heard but the oncoming river.

When the reached Reyn was lain down onto the hard ground beside the river. Before Taurëwen joined her patient she mumbled under her breath, “Why had he not told me of his injury when we returned to from the spiders lair? And why did I not see that he was hurting?" Ceros replied.

”’Tis not you fault, it is no ones but those wretched creatures.” He was not sure that she had heard him as she fell to the floor beside Reyn, she told the rest what she would need: “Water; fire and a sharp long knife or dagger!"

[ September 22, 2003: Message edited by: maikafanawen ]

[maikafanawen]

Tinuviel's Post


Stunned, Reyn could only stare at Taurëwen. "Cut it off? But how—what can—what use could I possibly be with only one leg?" The idea sickened him. Lose the leg entirely? He'd expected to need a long time of recuperation for the wound, but could it really be so bad as to need amputation? There was no way he could even begin to grasp the consequences of such a thing. If he had only one leg, how could he live alone in the middle of the forest the way he did? How would he even manage to live alone among the other elves? He would have to live with his father again. And that he would not do.

"Is there no way to save it?" he asked, not daring to hope. He already knew the answer. If she said that he had to lose the leg or die, she spoke truth. He would be a cripple. A freak. There were no elves that were crippled in this manner. A few Men, yes, but never elves. None he knew of, at least. Surely, surely there was a way to save his leg. He just couldn't face a future of living on the charity of others. The idea horrified him. To depend on someone else for the very staples of existence, that, that would be terrible. He would have none of the independence he so loved. That, most of all, would be the worst thing about this whole business.

"I'm sorry, Reynion."

"You needn't be. It's not your fault." No, no, it was his own fault. He should have done something about it immediately. He shouldn't have tried to hide how bad it was. He should have, he should have. There was no use wasting time this way. "Let's do it." He looked at his legs, and knew that this would probably be one of the last times he would ever see both whole. It was like dying, at least partially.

****

He refused to let her put him to sleep for the operation. It would hurt dreadfully, she warned, but he didn't care. There was no way that he would be sleeping, oblivious to his loss. He didn't want to go to sleep whole, and wake up in pieces. He knew that she would do her best not to cause him undue pain, but he couldn't bear to look into any of the others' eyes. He didn't want to see the pity there. He knew it would be, just as it had been there when Gilbereth had lost a hand to the spiders. It had been in his own eyes, he knew. Somehow, he felt that he could understand the younger elf better now. At least he was given a little time to get used to the idea. For Gil, it had been hardly a moment, in the heat of battle.

They tried to make certain that there were no orcs or spiders about before Taurëwen set up for the operation. It was a surprisingly peaceful glade, with a little stream running through one corner. Reyn knew that Taurëwen had chosen that glade because there was a stream. They would all want to wash their hands once she was through.

"Are you sure?" she asked him a final time, meaning would he please let her put him to sleep for the duration. He shook his head, adamant. He didn't trust his voice. She told him to lie down, and had Ceros and Ainemetion sit one at each of his shoulders, to hold him down during the operation itself. It did not reassure him that she thought he would need to be held down.

He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them. "Do it." Taurëwen nodded, trying to meet his eyes and reassure him, but he looked away. He didn't want any pity, from anyone. Especially not from her. Instead, he looked at the leg, now bared nearly to his hip. It was swollen and red above the knee, with angry swirls of color around the wound itself, while below the wound was black rotted flesh. It looked like a piece of meat, or perhaps that painter had lost his temper and dashed his palette against the canvas. It felt as though it were afire. He gritted his teeth, as she set blade to flesh.

If he'd thought that it was painful before, that was nothing compared to the pain when the blade parted his flesh and sliced deep into the muscle of his thigh. He arched his back, fighting to keep from screaming in agony. Ceros and Ainemetion leaned on his shoulders to keep him from thrashing. Taurëwen pressed down on his good leg, and sliced deeper into his leg. Reynion gritted his teeth again, determined that he would not scream. By the time Taurëwen had begun to saw through the bone, he wished he'd allowed her to send him to sleep; being awake for this was more painful than he'd imagined. He cried out, the last of his pride eroded by the intense pain.

Then, mercifully, the world went dark.

****

Reyn woke some time later with a mild headache. It paled in comparison with the dull throbbing pain from what was left of his left leg, but that was a far cry from its former pain and quite bearable. What was unbearable was the fact that his own stupidity in hiding the wound from Taurëwen had cost him his leg entirely. He was a cripple now. He would always be a cripple. For a moment, Reynion nearly gave in to the tears that threatened to seep out of his tightly closed eyes, but that moment passed soon enough. He wouldn't give any more cause for the others to pity him. He would not weep.

Someone tapped him on the shoulder. From the faint scent of herbs, and the gentleness of the touch, he knew it was Taurëwen. She was the last person he wanted to see. He didn't want her pity. He had wanted her affection, even, perhaps, her love. But now, certainly all she would find in her heart would be pity, if even that. He almost would have preferred dying to this half-life he saw stretching out before him. Perhaps there was no 'almost' about it. Perhaps d.eath would be preferable. Perhaps he'd been fooling himself when he thought that Taurëwen might possibly feel anything more for him than respect. And surely even that must be gone now.

He had never felt quite so miserable in all of his thousands of years. All he wanted to do was weep, but he refused to do even that. There would be no more show of weakness from him. His pride was truly all he had left, for his sword was useless, and he had never recovered his daggers from the body of the spider, and how could he manage to shoot a bow with only one leg? And there would be centuries of this, millennia, even.

Taurëwen seemed to sense that he wanted to be left alone, because she said nothing, merely walked away, leaving him with his morose thoughts.

[ September 22, 2003: Message edited by: maikafanawen ]

[ September 22, 2003: Message edited by: maikafanawen ]

[maikafanawen]

The next three days after Reynion's surgery were spent in recovery. Ihwesta had shed her share of silent tears over the pain. She could never understand the agony Reynion felt, and that made it worse. No one had anticipated this additional and injurious impediment to their progress. It came as a shock to everyone when Taurëwen announced what she had to do. The operation was uneasy for the whole fellowship and the following days of peaces and recuperation were sorely needed. Finally, though, the sun peaked over the golden leaves of the forest and its rays shone down on the company of elves and Ceros announced (with a bit of persuasion from Ihwesta) that they needed to get moving again.

So they were off, Reynion hobbling on a pair of makeshift crutches and being more or less spotted by Taurëwen or Gilbereth. Arië brought up the rear by about fifty yards. They were making very slow time on account of Reynion but Ihwesta didn't care. She was very sore that her friend had to loose a limb, especially a leg. As a tracker she went continually back and forth telling Ceros and Ainemetion every detail of what lay ahead and making up idle excuses that kept their pace slow enough to accommodate Reynion. She wished there was more she could do.

On the fifth day after they set out again, Ihwesta caught an unpleasant scent in the air as she wandered ahead of the company. She froze completely and concentrated her senses on her surroundings. Something was very different and very wrong. A few paces further and she broke the forest to look across and up an awesome hill atop which sat a monstrous, ugly, black tower that seemed to reach the sky. Smoke was coming from what seemed to be small industrial stations scattered at the tower's base and there were orcs everywhere, bustling to and fro with their vile tasks and manufactures. Then she caught sight of a new sort of devilry. It looked a lot like a man: a very large and muscular man with big hands and broad shoulders. Its face was pallid, though and the eyes had an inclined, devious look to them. The aura about him was not that of a man, Ihwesta noted, and when he spoke, his accent held the croaks and wheezes of an orc. The vile means of producing such a monster surpassed Ihwesta and a hand flew to her mouth to keep her from expressing her disgust.

Trolls there were as well. She blinked again as she realized that they moved, breathed, and even roared in the morning sunlight. Trolls that did not turn to stone under the great star? They stood chained to the sinister tower as smaller underlings worked before them on Eru knows what. The fortress, as it appeared, was set up incompetently. Obviously designed only to keep things in, and even so very poorly. There were not visible sentinels at the gate. Ihwesta guessed that there were other devices within the tower and possibly below that did the job for whatever it was that had designed, built, and kept it.

She wasn't sure who or what it was that lived there, but she had little desire to find out either. Ihwesta was so terribly captivated by the colossal tower and its mechanics that she forgot about the company. They soon appeared beside her and also gazed in awe and terror upon the sight before them. Words escaped them and hope fled their hearts.

"Dear Eru, Ceros," breathed Ihwesta at last. "What do we do?" The leader elf placed his hand on her shoulder and looked again out to the nightmare before them.

[ September 22, 2003: Message edited by: maikafanawen ]

[ September 22, 2003: Message edited by: maikafanawen ]

[Arien]

"Dear Eru, Ceros," breathed Ihwesta at last. "What do we do?" Ceros placed his hand on her shoulder and looked again to the nightmarish sight before them. So this was it, the thing that had threatened their realm and slaughtered the forests beauty into a state of darkness. His grip tightened slightly on her shoulder as the other came up behind the.

He heard a gasp come from behind him, it was Taurëwen, “What….” She trailed off. They were too shocked to speak; too shocked to move.

Ceros’ eyes looked around the great monstrosity, Trolls and orcs walked freely in the sun light… This can not be…but it is...how?” Such an ugly thing marring such a beautiful area. And what delivery was hidden in its dankest, darkest chambers. Ceros dreaded to think.

“We must go back,” he said finally, he turned but the other stood still.

“Ceros?” questioned Taurëwen sternly, “Go back to what? Go back to a realm that will be ravaged and mutilated by these creatures? We must scout the are for more…more”

“More information.” Finished Arië coming up from the rear. She stared momentarily in awe and Ceros saw a stray tear sweep down her cheek.

“I know,” he replied, “but we must get out of sight; we are not indistinguishable to their eyes or any others. We do not know what else could be watching.” He finished softly making his way back into the gloomy forest. The others followed slowly.

“So we have found it,” he said firmly when they had all arrived. “We have found…”

“We have found the misery of this world, the evil that no one whished to uncover.” Ihwesta said defiantly.

“We need to look around, scout.”

“Yes, I know Gilbereth,” Ceros said, he thought for a while. Did they not realise if they were captured it would be the end.

The enemy would not set them free! They would not bargain with their lives. And if they died no one would no of the darkness in the forest. But what of Reyn, if they were taken or if they had to fight his life might…..it was even worth lingering on.

But they must find what was causing such destruction and the decision would be let to him.

“We will scout the area,” he said finally.

[Tinuviel of Denton]

While he appreciated the concern of Ihwesta and the others, Reynion couldn't help but resent it too. He knew why they were making such slow time; Ihwesta was all too clearly trying to go easy on him. He also knew that he needed it, which was as galling, if not more so. Reyn had never depended on anyone in his long life, and he didn't want to start now. Unfortunately, he didn't have much of a choice.

The empty place where his leg used to be felt very strange, it was almost like he could still feel the missing limb, which was nonsense of course. If he looked down, which he avoided doing as much as possible, he saw the ragged edges where the leg of his trews had been ripped off. Protruding from that was a white-wrapped stub that ended about a foot above where his knee had been. No more black bandages, this was white so Taurëwen could make certain that the wound hadn't reopened. He dreaded when she examined the end of his leg; he didn't dare look at her face for fear of what he would see in her eyes.

While he was thinking, he wasn't paying attention to what he was doing with his sad excuses for crutches. One of them caught in a hole, causing him to stumble and almost fall, though Gilbereth caught him before he went very far. Reyn couldn't help thinking that the young elf had grown up a great deal since the beginning of the mission, especially after he lost his hand. It was one of the few things that lent the two of them a kinship...

"Dear Eru, Ceros," breathed Ihwesta. "What do we do?"

Reyn hobbled forward to see, and immediately wished that he hadn't. The sight of those beasts and what they had done to the beautiful forest, even without the ominous tower, would have been enough to drive him into an incoherent rage and send him storming down, heedless of any danger, before he had lost his leg. As it was, he had to swallow several times before he regained his composure.

He could hardly believe that this was the same forest in which he'd spent his life. It was enough to make him forget his depression in his utter fury. Had eyes the power, the entire valley, orcs, trolls, tower, and all, would have been powdery ash in moments. He didn't know it, but he stood a little straighter, held his head a little higher, and looked better than he had for several days, since the spider had wounded him in fact.

“We will scout the area,” he heard Ceros say.

Good, he thought. Maybe I can ki--oh. Never mind. I can't do much at all...

[maikafanawen]

"Scout the area...." Ihwesta mused then nodded. "Good. Arië!" she called softly. "Let's go!" The two trackers made their way around the edge of the forest that thinned as it moved down towards the valley surrounding the hill. Using the bare trees as cover, the elves moved swiftly and undetected closer and closer, searching around for answers to unasked questions. How long had they been there? What was their ultimate goal? And what could be done to stop them?

The hill was mostly of dirt and rock. Only haphazard tuffs of grass remained underneath bristly shrubbery that was long dead. The barren waste ran about forty-five yards up the side of the hill all around except for a steep stone staircase that ran up the Southern side of the hill. On the Northern side there were layered turrets and climbed up the side of the hill all the way to the tower. The way it was built, one could not simply walk a circle around the tower without walking the perimeter of the outer wall.

Ihwesta crept closer, in a crouching-walk, her hands testing the ground before her as if though it would cave under her should too much weight be distributed incorrectly. She risked getting closer and actually crouched behind the very last tree that stood closest to the battlements. She was no longer intimidated so much by its size but by its origin. What devilry held enough power for such a fortress to be built, and who would have located it in such a place as Greenwood? Dear Greenwood the Great!

Ihwesta backed way up into the woods and located a climbable tree that would enable her a descent view of the inside of the wall. What she saw didn't exactly thrill her. Inside was a dreadful sight of instruments and machinery that baffled the mind. At each "station" stood no less than ten orcs worked it with rough unfeeling hands. It wasn't skill that drove their ways but necessity. They were needed to work the equipment so they did. And regrettably they did it fast and flawless.

As the tracker scanned over the area inside she noticed for the first time structures made of both iron and wood that appeared to be some sort of cage. There were living things inside. Living, but unmoving. She squinted her eyes giving her already enhanced vision an extra hundred yards or so of sight. What she saw then took her breath away and she nearly fell from the tree. They were elves! Elves of Greenwood! They were the missing, about two-dozen or so. Their clothes were soiled and their expressions unresponsive. It tore at her heart to look. She watched painfully as a goblin unlocked the cage and threw another exhausted elf roughly inside as though he were no more than a sack of flour or wheat. After the goblin had walked away, a she-elf stood and walked over to the new addition. She lifted him carefully and brought him to the back of the prison where she turned her back on Ihwesta's eyes and began to work on the comatose elf's wounds.

It was too much.

The tracker began to make her way so that she could face the entrance again. She met Arië standing there already. "Seven hundred and thirty-two," said the Younger.

"Seven hundred and thirty-two what?" Ihwesta asked. "Stairs," Arië answered. The Elder rolled her eyes. "And why did you count the stairs?" she asked. The Younger shrugged. "Have you ever seen that many stairs leading up to one thing before?" she interrogated. Ihwesta looked again and imagined orcs in perfect succession walking up to the gate that was being opened by footmen of the Most Wicked who lived there and a large black banner flying from the ramparts. It was a lurid thought. "If they stood side by side in groups of three," she began, "the orcs I mean, almost two and a half thousand of them could set at hand." She sighed, and then lowered her voice for some reason. "Come on, let's go back."

The trackers made it back to the other elves and told them what they'd discovered about the layout of the castle: its weaknesses and strengths—the latter unfortunately outnumbering the former. Ceros rubbed his forehead and glanced nervously over his shoulder even though they were well out of sight of the stronghold.

Ihwesta hadn't mentioned the elves yet. She wasn't sure how. She didn't want to tell them all. Especially those whose family members were among the Missing.

"Ceros," she said quietly as the others talked. "May I have a word?"

"Of course." The two moved off, away from the group and out of earshot. Ihwesta turned to tell him about the elves and looked into his eyes. It was a mistake. The moment their gazes met she forgot her purpose. It was terrible. She was needed to help keep the company together and see this madness through to the victorious end! But now she was unaware of the fellowship off in the clearing just beyond the handful of trees and even worse, she was unaware of the tower atop that malicious hill in that immoral glen.

She shook her head slightly, and blinked. "There was something else," she whispered and Ceros leaned closer so that he might here her words. "I saw...." her voice began to break. "I saw...." a tear fell down her cheek and she brushed it away angrily. No, don't cry now. "I saw the Missing," she breathed. "They were in cages only fit for rabid dogs. And they looked frightened and full of hopelessness." Tears streamed down her face again and she looked pleadingly into Ceros's face. "We've got to help them." Then she began to cry openly and the elf held her against him, stroking her hair.

Ihwesta needed to cry, but hated to. It was not a good time for tears but as she thought on it, the more the misery filled her and she sobbed on. Soon it felt as though the blackness of despair had taken over her and the tears subsided. A part of her screamed and tried to tell her that the tears were needed. They are a shield against the anguish that consumes you! the voice pleaded. Shaken, the she-elf allowed them to flow once again and the silvery drops seemed to clear away the darkness.

After what seemed like a long time that in truth was but five minutes, Ihwesta shivered once more and the tears of sadness stopped. The misery was replaced with a vague feeling of optimism that had lighted like a candle in the night. The arms of Ceros wrapped comfortingly around her softened her and only out of modesty for the situation did she pull away. The tracker wiped her moistened eyes and looked shamefully at the ground, her gaze glued to the many blades of grass around her feet.

Then Ceros placed his hand under chin and lifted her head so that she looked at him. Emotions threatened to devour her in a lovely way. Then he spoke.

"We must tell the others. We'll think of something." He gave her another reassuring hug and they made their way back to the clearing. Ihwesta blinked her eyes rapidly. She didn't want them to know she was crying. Her efforts were fruitless and they came again to the elves.

To save Ihwesta the pain, Ceros relayed her story and after he'd finished, there was a mournful silence as the she-elves cried softly. Ihwesta kept her tranquility and prayed that those who cried wouldn't let the despair fill them as it almost did her. She opened her eyes somewhat suddenly as she felt Ceros take her hand. He put a finger to his lips and placed his other hand on the back of her head pulling her forward so that their foreheads touched. "We'll both pray." And so they did as the elves comforted the silently weeping Taurëwen, Arië and Eruwen.

When the tears had subsided for the most part, Ainemetion's eyes grew dark with hatred and he looked at Ceros with heroic determination.

"We've got to do something." Faces turned towards the elf to hear what he had to say. "We've got to get them out of there."

"But how?" Ihwesta asked, sitting cross-legged now. "It won't be too difficult getting in there. All we do is shout a bit. Wave our arms around enough and they'll open the gates and escort us right to them." Scowling, Ainemetion sat back on his feet and furrowed his brow, trying to think of something else.

"We'd have to sneak in," Gilbereth suggested. "Free them, and sneak back out." He shook his head even as he spoke the words. No one knew the condition of the elves. They could be brainwashed for all the fellowship knew.

"Well," Ihwesta said. "What should we do then?"

"You should come with me," said a grotesquely hollow voice. Swords were drawn and arrows were notched in seconds, flying at orcs and slicing into goblins but it was fruitless. They were quickly surrounded and overtaken. Ihwesta struggled against the impossible strength of her captors who quickly bound and gagged her. "Just in case you have any sort of eloquence," the voice said. "You understand." Out from the shadows stepped a man, no, an orc— He laughed at the confused terror on their faces.

"Rhtalk the Half-orc," he said with revolting pride. "We're a delicate breed, and a valuable one." The goblins snarled and Rhtalk's face fell. "Bring them to Amon Lanc," he ordered. The orcs pushed and pulled on the ropes binding the fellowship and dragged them through the forest towards the fortress.

[Tinuviel of Denton]

Reyn found himself between two of the smelliest excuses for orcs he had yet scented. Their effluvia was rank and reminded the crippled elf of a midden heap, though their odor was perhaps not quite as pleasant. They had left him his crutches, preferring that he do the work of moving himself along, rather than having to carry him. One of them, with a mean-spirited, if not too intelligent, smirk, put the butt of his spear between Reyn’s leg and his crutches, causing the elf, who was still figuring out the temporary replacements for his leg, to stumble and end up almost underneath their heavy boots.

“ ‘Ey, lookit this ‘un ‘ere! ‘E ain’t all there!” There was loud guffawing at this remark from the other orcs, who were all quite amused at this attempt at wit. Reyn was not so amused, though there was little he could do with only one leg and no weapons. If only he had his knives, they wouldn’t be laughing at those. He’d have died very quickly, of course, and probably painfully, but it would have been so satisfying to take a few of them down with him. It was probably a good thing that he was gagged, he reflected, or he might have said something that would make them angry, instead of merely amused. And while it was uncomfortable in the extreme to bear the brunt of their amusement, it would be much worse to be the target of their anger.

“ ‘Ere, lay off, fellows. ‘E ain’t goin’ anywheres, an’ we kin do as we loike t’him later,” remarked another orc, with a glance at the fallen elf that Reyn did not like in the least. It reminded him of the look he sometimes gave to a specially ripe bit of fruit…

“But wot yew want is a deal diff’rent then wot we want, ain’t it?” smirked the one who had tripped Reyn in the first place. It looked at him with an almost proprietary air, as though Reyn were his own special amusement.

Under their various scrutinies, Reynion had but a few thoughts running through his pain-and-rage-fogged mind. One was that he hoped Taurëwen didn’t see him thus humiliated. The second was a vague wish for some sort of super-weapon that would be useful to him even bound, gagged, and one-legged. He might as well wish that Manwë would come down in person and send all of the orcs to the Void where they belonged, destroy the tower and renew the valley, revive all of the captured elves into their former state, and replace his missing leg. Both were equally likely. The third thought wasn’t a proper thought at all, more of a boiling rage at the beasts’ treatment of Taurëwen, the others, and himself. He surged upward, futilely trying to at least get a kick toward one of the stinking, filthy creatures.

CRACK!

An armored boot crashed down onto his right leg, not quite breaking it, but definitely causing a great deal of pain. He would have cried out, if it weren’t for the gag, which he was almost grateful for. He’d lost enough dignity in the past few days; no need to add to it.

[ September 25, 2003: Message edited by: Tinuviel of Denton ]

[Everdawn]

All the words that Arië could muster when Ainemention asked her what she had seen was the same phrase, "Seven hundred and thirty two stairs." Ainemention had no idea what she was talking about as he stood over her. Arië was still in shock. She had no idea what was going on.

Ceros was busy telling the fellowship about what they had found, all the time the images of elves in capture filled her mind. She was not yet sure whether she knew any of them. She then felt Ainemention clutch her hand tightly and Eruwen lean against her shoulder.

Arië came out of her trance, to find tears falling from her face. "We are so few, and they are so many. What hope do we have." she whispered. After a while of discussing what they should all do, and Arië staying silent, Ihwesta spoke.

"Well," Ihwesta said. "What should we do then?"

"You should come with me," The voice sent a chold chill down her spine. Arië barely had time to remove her dagger before she was thrown to the ground, Eruwen was beside her. They bound her hands and as she was able to walk, one orc hit her over the head while speaking to his friend. Arië cried out.

"This one eh! look at 'er," he said taking her white hair in his hand and looking at hte tiny white jewels that had always littered it. "Little princess eh?" the orc hissed in her face. Arië did not answer. The orc was getting angry, "If tha's the way you is going to be, ills jus' be havin' some o' these then." and with that yanked out a portion of her hair. Arië screamed.

"Get your hands of her!" Ainemention yelled and was hit himself over the head by an orc shield. Tears began to stream down her face. Her chin was lifted by someone, She closed her eyes tight. "You are a pretty little morsel arent you." came the voice of Rhtalk, "You could be very good to us." he stroked her hair pulling gently out more tiny white jewels and thew them on the ground.

She pulled away from him and he siezed her neck. "Is that how you are going to be eh? Would you like to be an orc servant." Still Arië said nothing.

Rhtalk released her and began to walk away, when Arië said in a strong voice. "I serve no man, nor orc, and i will never!" The half orc strode up to her and hit her in the stomach with such force that she was doubled over and sent inot the front of Ihwesta.
What has become of us! she cried over in her head.

[Arien]

"Rhtalk the Half-orc," he said with revolting pride. "We're a delicate breed, and a valuable one." The goblins snarled and Rhtalk's face fell. "Bring them to Amon Lanc," he ordered. Ceros’ hand automatically reached for Ihwesta’, he held it tight, even if he did not know he was doing it. They were all immediately stripped of their weapons and their hands were bound tight with ropes behind their backs. Ceros’ were the last to be tied.

“Hey,” said the goblin tying him up, “You can let go ‘ov ‘er.” But his hand did not move from her arm; he instead looked down on it half surprised to find his hand their. “He said you can let go of her…” came the voice Rhtalk as he circled behind Arië. But Ceros did not; he looked up at Ihwesta, her eyes pleaded for him to let go but her face was emotionless. Just as Ceros was about to let go something hard was driven into his stomach.

The pain was immense and he fell immediately to the floor on all fours, his breathing became shallow and blood spluttered from his mouth. He wiped it and stared as it on his hand then Ceros quickly wiped it onto the ground. He started up at the orc who had just pushed him down. Ihwesta stood behind him; her face was still pale, as cold as ice. Then out of nowhere Arië went straight into her, knocking them both to the floor.

Ceros tried to get up but the pain from his chest was too much. Her groped the air with his right hand for help, but it was meet buy a rough hard hand. It clamped itself around his; grasping it as hard a possible. Ceros pulled at it and got up, he looked at the face of the one who had helped him. It was Rhtalk.

“Weak beings…” he spat a Ceros; he then turned his back to him. Ceros suddenly had the urge to attack him. But that would be no good for anyone and Ceros doubted that he could even do it, now that his torso had been bruised hard again. Rhtalk spoke again, “Come on! Get them to Amon Lanc!” He roared at the goblins. The did as they were told and they Elves were pushed forward into a line; Ceros was first, then Arië, Gilbereth, Ihwesta, Ainemention, Eruwen, Reyn and lastly Taurëwen.

They only walked a short distance to the gates that flanked the Tower. They were gates of great iron and as they neared they were slowly opened. Only two guards were posted at the entrance. To Ceros this looked foolish, but he did not know what lay inside. Against his better judgement he decided that these things could not be that foolish. They were pushed forward up the muddy stone path that lead to the door of the Tower.

A dense fog surrounded the whole area. Ceros noted it was much like the one that they had already experienced. He followed the goblin in front of carefully, until in the distance the Tower started to pierce like a sword through the fog.

As Ceros looked up at the enormous structure his heart fell. Not in his wildest dreams had he imagined the threat to be as colossal as this. No. But than it could not just be these stupid creatures behind it there must be some more intelligent power controlling them. Ceros’ eyes widened as the opening front doors revealed a dark hall in front of them. The chill from the hall reached right down into his heart, his soul and it froze them still. A sudden weakness fell over him and his body felt limp, but he was still walking.

The echoing footsteps of the goblins were all that could be heard. All were brought into a line in front of Rhtalk; all were standing until they were kicked to the ground hard by the Goblins behind them. They laughed and snarled at the Elves.

“Silence!” Bellowed Rhtalk, his voice ricocheted off the icy walls and the goblins were silent immediately. “Now,” he said walking in front of them looking at each in turn. Inspecting them as if they were meat. “Looks like we have found some help….”

“Help, we will never help you!” Spat Taurëwen. Rhtalk sent a stare at her, and Ceros saw a Goblin grab her hair from the back. He whispered something into her ear, but Ceros was unable to hear properly.

“As I was saying, you will help us. You, you, you and you,” he said pointing to Eruwen, Ihwesta, Taurëwen and Arië, “You will help us with building. The rest will be drafted his the army.” His? thought Ceros. So they do have someone in charge.

“’ey, what ‘bout this one?” Said a Goblin kicking Reyn forward.

“Ah yes, well we shall see….”

“For now the will go to the cages with the others, it is nearing the height of the sun and you were lucky you weren’t scorched trying to get them here!” Rhtalk said to the Goblins stood behind them, he then walked away.

“Wait!” Shouted Ceros. Rhtalk turned round, “Don’t you want to know what we were doing here?”

“No!” He growled back.

“We are here to rescue the Elves you have taken and we are her to bring you down!” Howling laughs from the Goblins followed this.

“Well you doing well so far!” He shouted back.

[ September 28, 2003: Message edited by: Arien ]

[Eladain Moruviel]

Well," Ihwesta said. "What should we do then?" "You should come with me,” Gilbereth whirled around just in time to be struck across the head. The next thing Gil knew, they were all bound and being marched towards the tower. “oh now isn’t this great” he mumbled to himself “we walked right into a trap!” “ey, you! Shut yer yappin!” came the harsh voice of a goblin, and he was again struck across the face. This time he staggered to his feet and was able to continue walking.

After a few minutes of walking, they reached the tower gates. “Only two guards?” Gil wondered, but then realized that this place was made to keep people in, not out.upon entering the tower, all were brought into a line in front of Rhtalk; they all stood until they were kicked to the ground hard by the Goblins behind them. They laughed and snarled at the Elves.

“Silence!” Bellowed Rhtalk, his voice ricocheted off the icy walls and the goblins were silent immediately. “Now,” he said walking in front of them looking at each in turn. Inspecting them as if they were meat. “Looks like we have found some help….”
“Help, we will never help you!” Spat Taurëwen. Rhtalk sent a stare at her, and Ceros saw a Goblin grab her hair from the back. He whispered something into her ear, but Ceros was unable to hear properly.
“As I was saying, you will help us. You, you, you and you,” he said pointing to Eruwen, Ihwesta, Taurëwen and Arië, “You will help us with building. The rest will be drafted his the army.” “’ey, what

‘bout this one?” Said a Goblin kicking Reyn forward.
“Ah yes, well we shall see….”
“For now he will go to the cages with the others, it is nearing the height of the sun and you were lucky you weren’t scorched trying to get them here!” Rhtalk said to the Goblins stood behind them, he then walked away.

With that they were all pushed forward and out the doors of the tower. They were then marched toward the cages. When they reached these poor excuses for living quarters, they were shoved roughly to the ground and the doors were locked behind them.

The first few days were grueling, up before daylight (and of that there was little enough during the day) and spending the rest of the day drilling or working on weapons. There was little time for talk, and most of the time there was no one to talk to anyway.

On the sixth day as Gil was trudging back to his “quarters” he saw Reynion being savagely pushed along by two of the goblin overseers. When he finally fell to the ground, they started kicking him mercilessly. Gil had had enough, he went into a rage, grabbed a large piece of scrap metal and flew at Reyn’s attackers.The rage gave his muscles added strength as he attacked. They were caught off guard, and he killed them before they knew what had happened.

Gil helped Reyn to his feet. “you alright?” he whispered “fine came the weak reply. So together they slowly walked toward the cages. “things will go badly for me when they find those two” Gil thought darkly, but he said nothing of the incident to the others.

[ September 29, 2003: Message edited by: Eladain Moruviel ]

[Tinuviel of Denton]

Rhtalk watched the crippled elf meditatively. Besides the obvious one, he saw no defects. He had good arms and sound wind; he might be useless in the army, but it could add efficiency if there was more strength on the machines. No, he'd set the elf to smithying; it would free up an abler body for the Master's army.

"Hold!" he ordered the orcs dragging the subject of his scrutiny. "Bring him to me."

Reyn struggled a little, but previous tests of the strength of his captors had taught him it was useless. The orcs felt like they were made of the same stone as the tower. His arms bore mute testimony to their might in the form of several already purpling bruises. The abomination jerked his left arm out of the grasp of one of the two, and looked measuringly into his face.

"You can use a hammer." It was not a question.

"I could do many things, most of them require two legs." Am I trying to get myself killed? Reyn wondered abstractly.

"You will be in the forges. I do not tolerate slaves who don't pull their weight." He smiled coldly. "I don't like backtalk either." His nails dug into Reyn's arm, feeling remarkably like claws, cutting off the circulation. Reyn bit his tongue on the remark he would have liked to have made and kept silent save for a muttered "I hadn't noticed."

The half-orc leaned in, his breath hot and foul on the elf's face, his squinty yellow eyes looking directly into Reyn's defiant grey ones, a cruel smirk on his face. "If you don't keep up, it will be my great pleasure to slit your scrawny throat. I've always enjoyed stewed meat..."

There wasn't much Reyn could say to that.

****

It near broke Reynion's already bruised heart to watch Taurëwen try to heal Talas. He didn't think that she would be able to; her brother's eyes had all the life of the stone he slept on every night. Less, actually, for the stone was at least warm, from all those who lay on it, and d.ead. Talas' eyes were just d.ead.

On the fifth night, he tried to pull her away from her brother. "Taurewen, you'll kill yourself!"

"No! Let me try, please. I have to try..." her eyes pleaded with him, and his resolve melted. He let her go, and watched with aching heart as she tried to wake her brother back to his former life.

****

His arms ached, the stump of his leg was rubbed raw from the rough leg that the orcs had supplied him with, and his eyes were watery from the smoke in the forges. Consequently, he didn't see the orcs who decided that a lame elf would make a good target for sport. His first indication of trouble was the fact that his wooden leg was suddenly no longer underneath him and the ground was approaching his face with frightening speed.

The impact knocked the wind out of him and felt like it might have broken his nose as well. He tried to roll over, but found that the thick leather boots, thankfully not armored, of his attackers were finding tender places to rest in his back and sides. And his already aching head. He held back a groan, wondering when the abuse would stop this time. It seemed that a different set of orcs tormented him every day...

A shriek of rage interrupted and the kicks of the overseers suddenly ceased. Reynion rolled over and looked up in time to see Gilbereth smash in their skulls with a piece of scrap metal. He tried to wince in sympathy and grin in relief at the same time and ended up doing neither. His ribs felt like they were about to stab through his heart and his chest felt like it would collapse.

So of course when Gilbereth asked, "You all right?" he answered with a weak "fine." Compared to some of the others, he was fine. Compared to his condition before this mission, he was nearly d.ead.

The younger elf helped him to his foot, and they slowly trudged back to the Cage...

[ October 02, 2003: Message edited by: Tinuviel of Denton ]

[Nerindel]

Taurëwen cringed as the half orc, half man abomination paced up and down eyeing them up and down, as if trying to decide what to do with them, if only she had her sword she would know what to do with him. The repulsion and hatred she felt towards Rhtalk frightened her a little, but the sight of the captive elves, and the thought that her brother could be among them, had filled her with rage.


"Looks like we have found some help...."

"Help, we will never help you!" she spat defiantly, lifting her head to look the halforc in the eye, the repulsion she felt dripping from her words. Her eyes remained unwavering as Rhtalk shot her a stare, suddenly she felt her head snap back as her hair was grabbed from behind,

"spirited eh, elf witch we wills have fun watching im breaks it, now bes silent else we sends you piece by piece to the wolfses!" he whispered in her ear, She shuddered not at his threat but at the repulsion of his closeness and was relieved when he pushed her forwards but as he did her foot moved slightly and it hit something, 'in the folds of her skirt' she thought, she remained defiant as she rose but kept silent. If she was right Reynions knife lay in the lining of her skirt, hidden from her captors. She had completely forgotten about it, 'it must have cut through the material of her skirt when they fought the troll and slipped into the lining'.

As she fought to suppress the grin that threatened to give her away, she saw Rhtalk point to her, Eruwen, Ihwesta and Arië, he told them that they would assist in building, building what she could not imagine. Then he told the males that they would be drafted to some sort of army, Taurëwen's then turned her head to look at Reyn, what would they do with him, she panicked, he can hardly walk let alone fight. But her panic turned to anger as the Goblin behind Reyn kicked him forwards, "ey, what 'bout this one? "it said gruffly. As she stiffened she felt her goblin guard rest a heavy black blade at her throat, "Just tries it!" it sneered baring it's yellow teeth at her as she slowly turned to eye him.

After Rhtalk ordered the goblins to take them to their cages, she felt her guard grab her up by her hair and push her forwards, 'he will be the first one I kill !' she promised silently as he grabbed her arm and pulled her on.

"We are here to rescue the Elves you have taken and we are here to bring you down!" she heard Ceros shout back to Rhtalk , Taurëwen fumed as the goblins laughed at his words.

"well you are doing well so far!" Rhtalk shouted back mockingly, Taurëwen again remembered the knife in her skirt,lowered her head so none could see the satisfied grin on her face, 'yes we are!' she thought to herself. Her guard then sharply pulled her forwards until they reached a large iron and wooden structure 'no a cage!' she thought as she and the others were pushed inside.

Taurëwen was horrified at what she saw, at lest two dozen elves were housed in this prison many of them suffering from malnutrition and exhaustion, luckily the orcs had not seen fit to remove her herb satchel, but as she started to help the elves she noted a blank emptiness in their eyes, that unnerved her. "What is it?" Arië asked, "I don't know, she said waving her hand infront of a she-elf before her, the elf seemed not to even register her presence, she glanced round to see if the guards where watching, they seemed to be watching something else, so she placed her bare hand on the she elfs skin and using her healing skills tried to see if the elf was injured. Almost at once she jumped back letting go of the elf, "Ungol! Ungol!" she whispered to the others as they stared at her, for a while this is all they could get out of her, there was no other way she could describe it, it was like a Darkness had infected the elfs mind and was slowly poisoning her free will.

As she went around the others she found this darkness in all of them, but some not as much as others, but these elves were to afraid to speak to them and some even believed they were not elves, just some kind of trick to torment them further.

"Taurëwen!" she heard Ceros call from the other side of the cage, as she reached him she gasped, sat on the floor staring at nothing was her brother, "Talas!" she cried flinging her arms around him, but when he did not respond she fearfully pulled back to look at him, he looked at her but there seemed to be no recognition, infact there was no emotion at all. "No!" she cried shaking him gently, until Reynion put a gentle hand on her shoulder, he said nothing but she welcomed his silent gesture, it gave her pause to think.

She reached in her pack and took out three small vials of Miruvore, she tucked one into her tunic, then gave one to Reynion and the other to Ceros, "use it sparingly and keep it out of sight, it is all I have left!" She then took out the small supply of Lembas she kept in her herb satchel and divided it between the seven of them. As they split up to help the weak and exhausted, Taurëwen grabbed Reynion's arm "Reyn could you help me" she asked softly, her sad green eyes pleading with him, "what do you wish me to do?" he replied lowering his head , as if afraid she would ask something he would not be able to do in his crippled state. "Just stay and watch" she said gesturing to the guards, then to her brother,.

"What are you going to do?" he asked, concern tracing his brow, "That which I am trained to do!" she answered, though her voice wavered as doubt crossed her mind, but looking at the blank shell that was once her brother she steeled herself and went to his side. As Reynion watched the guards she placed her hand on his forehead and whispered "Talas it is I, Elle-Taur'othar!" She went on talking softly to him reminding him of things they had done together, of their mother and father and of the great realm they lived in, but nothing seem to work, so she used her healing gift to try to drive out the darkness as she would a disease.

After about and hour, Reynion turned just in time to catch Taurëwen as she collapsed exhausted to the floor, and there she lay asleep in his lap, he could she her breathing and he gently brushed aside a stray golden lock and took the vial she had given him, unstopped the top and let a few drops fall onto her lips and into her mouth, then he too leaned back to sleep.

Taurëwen was awakened by rough orc hands as they pulled at her, "gets up! gets up!" it shouted in her ear, she had barely got up when she was being dragged through the cage door, She saw Rhtalk watching them as they were given a meagre breakfast, was it breakfast she wasn't sure it was still dark, it tasted foul, but she ate trying not to think on what it was she was eating.

Then they were separated from the males and lead off towards a building area, Taurëwen was lead to a dry stony area full of large rocks, on one of the rocks sat a chisel and hammer, she was told that she was to cut the stone, when she refused she heard the crack of a whip and felt a sharp pain down her back, but she refused to wince, 'No! she thought, I cannot help the others if I am injured or weak' she thought to herself, then slowly she lifted the Chisel and hammer and began cutting the stone, But the overseers where brutal and punished any they thought was not pulling their weight, or any that tried to help another as she soon found out, she had instinctively went to aid one of her kin who had fallen and for this he had slapped here hard across the face and ordered that she was to have no supper.

Everyday Taurëwen worked the rough stone, and every night she would return her hands blistered and share her supper with those weaker than herself, then she would go to her brother and continue to try to heal him, from what ever ailed him and each night she would fall asleep in Reynion's lap.

On the sixth day Rhtalk was overseeing their work and he noticed that Taurëwen was cutting blocks for the others as well as herself, she lowered her head as he walked towards them, one of the women that worked with her had been struggling so she cut extra bricks and put them in her pile, Rhatalk throw one of the bricks to her feet, "You did this!" he bellowed and as she defiantly looked up she saw had he had the elf woman that she had tried to help stood infront of him and had a black blade held to her throat, "No!" she cried seeing the elf woman's terrified eyes, "It was me, punish me!" she pleaded.

"She can't do the work she is of no further use!" he sneered as he cut the elf woman's throat.

"No!" she screamed through her tears and raising her chisel and hammer she charged at Rhtalk, he dropped the elf corpse and grabbed Taurëwen by the wrists, spinning her round and pulling her tight into his chest, "Now how are you keeping so strong, my spirited filly?" he whispered in her ear pressing one of his black hands over her body until he found the bulge in her tunic, ripping the material away he held the small glass vial in his hands, "well, well, well what have we here?" he said removing the stopper with his teeth and giving it a sniff.

"Why don't you give it a taste she spat knowing full well that it would burn the foul half-breed. But he just grinned and threw the bottle to the floor she winced as the vial smashed and the clear liquid seeped into the dry ground.

"You are spirited" he laughed "I like that" he whispered pulling her tighter and moving closer to her face that she could feel his foul breath on her cheek, she shuddered as he licked her cheek, but this only made him laugh as he threw her to the goblin guard, "put her back in her cage and see that she does not eat unless I say so!"

Once back in the cage Taurëwen went to her brother, after six days she seemed no closer to freeing him than she had been on the first day and she could see that this darkness was slowly starting to spread to her companions.

"It was time you and the others were leaving, I have a knife that was missed by the goblins, "Tearing the lining of her skirt she slipped the knife to Ceros,

"Here use it to pick the lock when the guards fall asleep, then just sneak away!"

"No! we all go or none go!" he said slipping the knife back to her, "We will think of some other way?" he gently reassured her. She nodded and went back to her brother, but she was not sure there was a way out, would she have to watch as the others slowly became mindless servant like her brother. For some reason she remained unaffected by this strange darkness, although she felt it in her mind, it never took hold, 'something to do with her gift' she assumed. She grew concerned when she noticed that Reynion had not yet returned and as she looked around she noticed that Gil too was not back, but she did not wait for him instead she placed her hands on Talas' forehead and began again trying to heal him, little knowing that she was being watched.......

[ October 01, 2003: Message edited by: Nerindel ]

[maikafanawen]

*Reflection on Gilbereth's Fate*

After just five days in the Cage, Ihwesta began to tire. She hadn't anticipated this weakness during her imprisonment and was dismayed to realize its presence. The two meal a day policy wasn't affecting the tracker and she was doing fine with only a few bites from the breakfast meal. The living quarters were very rough and dirty. She hardly slept and spent a lot of her time helping the others in the Cage. Her effort was very fruitless however and only those most recently incarcerated were saved.

Among them were Rydian, Thillersk, and Dorienne. Rydian was the youngest son of Greenwood's most talented archer. He was plain looking for an elf with chin-length flaxen colored hair. He also harbored his father's skills. Despite his admirable skill, he was only nearing his seven hundredth year. For this, Ihwesta commiserated with him and contributed a lot to his recovery. Thillersk was his older brother who was quite the opposite and she couldn't spare one without the other.

Dorienne was a strikingly handsome noblewoman who was obtained in an ambush shortly after the fellowship departed on their mission. It was unnerving to discover that elf apprehension didn't diminish during their journey. At this Ihwesta cursed and made another round checking the well being of the elves who had been most recently apprehended. Their will was much weaker than Dorienne and so they had all been easily overcome by the enigmatic Darkness that settled over their minds.

On the seventh day there was a problem in the stone cutting station where Taurëwen worked. Rhtalk discovered that the healer was working for others in her group and killed one of the weaker women. Ihwesta had evaded retching and returned silently to her work. Things were getting worse very quickly. She prayed for Eru to grant her sane companions strength. They needed it still.

The next day Ihwesta was confronted about her idleness. "Why don't you do anything tracker?" one she-elf, who worked in the construction of catapults with the tracker, asked as she loosened the bolts on the frame. Ihwesta didn't answer and turned her attention to rubbing the leniency out of the leather strips so that they'd fray and snap quicker. Why did the orcs trust them with such labor? "Answer me she-elf!" the woman demanded. Her eyes blazed and her face was a thundercloud.

"Bide your time," Ihwesta whispered between clenched teeth. "There are six able bodied elves plus the two hunters who can help with escape!" The elf's interrogator lost it then and made a run for the walls. Ihwesta watched helplessly not wanting to risk calling out for her. Perhaps she'd make it through unnoticed. She was very fast.

Hope was snuffed when din rocked the hill and out of the Tower doors glided a wraith. Elves who were overcome screamed and moaned in his presence and in two impossibly long strides he was at the elf's side and he sunk a wicked looking blade into her side. She shouted in agony, and gripped where the weapon has pierced her body. The wraith backed up then and commanded in a raspy voice for two orcs to drag the body into the tower.

Tears welled in Ihwesta's eyes as she watched the monstrosity take place. She knew she couldn't act. Dorienne had said that they were to wait. Returning to her work she quickened her pace so that she'd have time to finish the catapult by that evening. The other three in her group worked steadily though inefficiently and Ihwesta had to go very quickly to get it all done. The tracker did do her very best to make changes that would make the weapon very useless on the field. Hopefully, they wouldn't test them too meticulously.

It was nearing noon, of the ninth day when the orcs were very dormant in their actions and the elves were kept to their confined prisons that Dorienne and Ihwesta had their argument.

"That was very strong of you to stay silent when the Nazgûl came out last night," the noblewoman commented. Ihwesta whirled around to face her and whispered in hushed angry tones so that the watchers mightn't overhear.

"Strong? Keeping my mouth shut as that wraith murdered an innocent elf? I'm missing the part where that was keen of me. On the contrary, I'm so distressed by all this waiting and keeping silent that I’m beginning to think that you don’t really have a clue what you're talking about!" Dorienne tilted her head, her eyes full of pity and understanding.

"Come here," she whispered. Ihwesta obeyed and sat cross-legged before the ancient woman. Dorienne took Ihwesta's hands in hers and looked intently into her sorrowful face. "It's time."

"That one evaded me my Lady," the tracker admitted. "Time for what?"

"Bring all the sane together. We'll call 'council' for the few hours we have to ourselves. We'll decide how to get out of this hell taking as many with us as is possible." Ihwesta beamed.

In a matter of gestures and a few softly spoken words, all those capable of comprehending Elvish speech were gathered in a haphazard bundle huddled in a far corner ready to hear the words of Dorienne and Ceros.

[ October 01, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Arien]

Ceros returned from his ninth day of work with a heavy heart, cuts and bruises covered his arms and his chest was now black. The pain was fading slightly but it could not be completely abolished. Not with the work they were being forced to do. They fought against orcs tirelessly both for the fun of other and to train them up. Ceros had always defeated his opponent, but this day had been different. It seemed as though something had leaked into his mind and was taking over; it was corrupting all his emotions and sucking out his strength. He had nearly been slashed to bits by an over confident orc and he dreaded tomorrows work.

As he reached the cage the door was opened and the guards pushed him in. The door slammed firmly behind him and a few weary elves looked up in recognition. Ceros made his way to a corner of the cage and slip down to the floor. He propped his arms on his knees and looked down at the cold stone floor.

The diminished murmur of once happy Elves could be heard around him. It was of course of the newest addition including him; the others were worse. Some seemed all but defeated; they had given up all hope. It was distressing to see them like this, some, Ceros had known; he had served or grown up with them. Now he could barely look upon their grave faces, their eyes held no spark of life but yet they still lived. It was curious and it was chilling.

Ceros continued to stare at the floor, listening to his breath come slowly in and then out again. He was then lead away from his trail of thought by someone sitting down beside him. He looked up to find that it was Ihwesta. She had just been talking to Dorienne; that is what she came to explain. They were calling a council. In a matter of time all those able to understand Elvish were gathered around Dorienne and Ceros in the corner where he had first sat.

The two leaned against the edges of the cage and the others formed a circle around them. The sun now crept through the dense fog and a few rays’ immersed parts of their enclosure with warm merciful sunlight. The other were gathered around them intently listening.

“We have to get out; but we have to get out with as many as we can,” muttered Ceros. The Elves seated nodded silently.

“The best chance for escape must be during the day, the orcs don’t come out then. There are fewer guards and we will have more of a chance” Pointed out Dorienne.

“But how will we get out from this prison? It will be all very well if there are less guards but what is the use if we cannot escape?” Asked Ainemetion staring around the circle. A few mutters were heard around the cage but no one had anything to shed some light upon his question.

“A distraction maybe?” Suggested Reyn.

“Yes, lure the one guard outside in here. Then we could attack it.” said Eruwen.

“That is all well, but with what will we attack it with?” Asked Gilbereth.

Arië started, “He is right. The guard will have weapons and we are already too weak….” But she was cut off by Ceros.

“The knife..” Ceros said blankly.

“What knife?” Questioned Ihwesta.

“Mine…” Replied Taurëwen holding close to her side so the others could see. It gleamed in the light and the Elves’ eyes lit up with a new hope.

“So it shall be… Nodded Dorienne.

[ October 01, 2003: Message edited by: Arien ]

[Eladain Moruviel]

It took the orcs several days to find out who was responsible for the two overseer’s deaths, so Gil continued to work in the army. Every day he would come back covered with cuts and scrapes. “I’ve got to get out of here. We’ve got to get out of here!” I kept on telling himself.

Then, on the ninth night, all of the able-bodied elves were called together for a council. “We have to get out; but we have to get out with as many as we can,” muttered Ceros. The Elves seated nodded silently.
“The best chance for escape must be during the day, the orcs don’t come out then. There are fewer guards and we will have more of a chance” Pointed out Dorienne.
“But how will we get out from this prison? It will be all very well if there are less guards but what is the use if we cannot escape?” Asked Ainemetion staring around the circle. A few mutters were heard around the cage but no one had anything to shed some light upon his question.
“A distraction maybe?” Suggested Reyn. “Yes, lure the one guard outside in here. Then we could attack it.” said Eruwen. “That is all well, but with what will we attack it with?” Asked Gilbereth.
Arië started, “He is right. The guard will have weapons and we are already too weak….” But she was cut off by Ceros. “The knife..” Ceros said blankly. “What knife?” Questioned Ihwesta. “Mine…” Replied Taurëwen holding close to her side so the others could see. It gleamed in the light and the Elves’ eyes lit up with a new hope. “So it shall be… Nodded Dorienne.

Gilbereth didn’t sleep that night, all he could think about was their plans of escape. “what if one of them was caught, or even killed?” he worried Then he heard the doors to the cage open, and half a dozen hands grabbed him in the darkness. He tried to struggle, but it was of no use.

The goblins led him to the great hall, and stood him before Rhtalk. “So, we’ve finally found our little trouble maker have we?” chuckled the half-orc. It was all Gil could do not to try and kill him right then and there. He knew it would be useless anyway, he would be dead before he could do anything. “the only thing to do with trouble makers, is to kill them” continued Rhtalk “Take him away!”

Gil was lead to a courtyard with a heavy wooden block in the middle, he could easily guess what this was for and it made him shudder. “I won’t go like this! I must help the others!” They bound him quickly and rather carelessly. Then they lead him up to the block. That’s when the idea struck him. He tested the ropes that bound him “the funny thing about having your hands tied” he chuckled to himself “is that you have to have hands” Just as he thought, he could slip the wrist of his left arm out of the ropes, and then he would be free.

“Wait!” He said as the executioner lifted his broadsword “I don’t want my hair to blunt the edge of your sword. Have one of the others hold my hair up while the sword falls on my neck.” The orc grinned and had one of his men wind Gil’s long hair around his filthy hands. The orc raised his sword. The sword swiftly swept through the air. At the last instant Gil jerked his head back sharply. He dragged down the arms of the orc holding his hair. Dragged them down into the path of the swinging sword. The orc cried out in pain as the steel severed his hand from his wrist. At that instant Gil freed his hand, and grabbed the sword from the shocked executioner.

In a few short moments he had killed both orcs. Running too the gate, he made sure it wasn’t guarded, and then
headed toward the cages were the others were being held. Before he reached them he ran across several other goblins. “just my luck” He grumbled “ If I’m not careful, one of them will sound the alarm”
He had caught them off guard, and killed them quickly; cutting the first one’s head from his shoulder and dealing similarly with the others. After going through what seemed like an eternity, he reached the cages where his companions were being held.

Charging into the first guard, he managed to get in several strokes, but this orc was stronger than the others and fought back viciously. Gil was struck several times before he finally dispatched of the beast. He fumbled throughthe orc’s pockets untill he found the key to the cages. He was starting towards the cage door when the other guard caught him from behind. Whirling around, Gil barely managed to block the first blow. The second was harmless as well, then he slipped on the blood of the first orc and hit the ground hard. Taking this opportunity, his opponent slashed down into his side, crushing the bone and ripping the flesh and muscle. He screamed out as pain lanced through his shattered chest. With one last effort he got to his feet “stupid little elf!” the orc roared “ doesn’t know when to die.” With that he started a barrage of blows at Gil, who managed to block most of them until he finally found an opening and thrust his sword home.

Tossing the key into the cage he said, “well, you wanted a diversion” and managed a week smile before he fell. As he lay there, images of his home and family flashed through his mind. His father, his mother, and his brother. “His brother! He had not been among the elves in the cages!” screamed through his mind “what had happened to him?”
Then darkness took him, never again would he wake. But he had found his brother, he was right there with him.

[ October 02, 2003: Message edited by: Eladain Moruviel ]

[maikafanawen]

Ihwesta watched horrified as Gilbereth collapsed. Ainemetion began to shout but the tracker silenced him quickly.

"Draw no attention to ourselves." Then she faced the Caged. "At the cost of his life, Gilbereth has given us our means of freedom. Since dawn is upon us we will have the advantage. Take up all your hope and your courage." She bent down and retrieved the key half buried in the dirt earth where Gilbereth had bunged it and unlocked the cage.

Ceros moved forward. "Ainemetion, come with me. We're going to hide the bodies Gilbereth plowed through so they aren't discovered by Rhtalk too soon. Then Ihwesta, Thillersk, and Rydian, I want you three to recover our weapons and any others you can find. Rhtalk's put them in the warehouse just near the East wall. It's sheltered so you might run into some latent orcs. Be careful." Ihwesta bowed her head in respect towards Ceros and then the three elves left the Cage.

She stopped beside Gilbereth and knelt down beside him. It was most terrible to lose him. Of all the companions, he had been most mistreated. Sorrowful emotions filled her heart and she prayed quickly and quietly over his body. "Be at peace," she concluded quietly. The she leaned forward and kissed his forehead. As a second thought she turned back to Eruwen who stood silently besides Arië in the Cage. "Do something with his body," she commanded tenderly. "We can't leave him like this. And take anything of value from him that we might return to his mother." Looking again at her dead friends she added, "I grieve for her."

Under cover of the sun the tracker and two hunter brothers made out again for the East wall. Ihwesta passed by the dead orcs: five total counting the two near the execution block. She bent down by one of them and searched him quickly. On him she found a wicked looking knife.

She grinned and held it up for Thillersk and Rydian to see. 'Find one,' she mouthed. In a moment, the three each held an ugly but sharp dagger.

"Taurëwen, Lady Dorienne," Ceros continued, "let's get the others ready to go."

It felt strange to Ihwesta, walking out under broad daylight, no more than ten feet at a time away from orcs who were awake, but near blind in the sunlight. Her main fear was the Nazgûl Dorienne had told her about. Was it affected by the sun? The tracker didn't think so. Then another thought hit her: was there more than one? Hopefully not. Keeping a watch out for Rhtalk the three made their way to the small shack of a warehouse.

They found it right where Ceros had said it'd be. It was very crude and appeared to be relatively unused. "Check around for orcs before we go in," she whispered. The two brothers nodded and gripping their own filched weapons, snuck around through the walls and piles of scrap. Rydian encountered the first one and neatly slit its throat, stuffing the corpse into a rough sack and he shoved it one of the unused storage sheds. He picked up four more bags from the pile and handed two to Thillersk. In a few minutes all were full and harbored in the lean-to.

When they had returned, Ihwesta used her knife to cut through the poorly constructed lock and opened the door cautiously. Inside they found a treasure more valuable to them than a ton of mithril. In the closest corner there laid a pile of swords of all makes and nationalities. Among them, Ihwesta located her own sword and those of the others in her original group. On the wall hung Thillersk's and Rydian's bows along with a quiver of arrows. "Why didn't they destroy these?" Thillersk asked suspiciously. Rydian fingered his bow, one eyebrow raised in doubt.

"Or at least keep them locked up more securely," the younger said. Then he stepped back. "I don't like this Ihwesta." The tracker looked around quickly and shrugged.

"It's too late to second guess. Gilbereth's done it now, bless his soul," her voice wavered and it took a moment for her to finish. "And we've got to move now." The brothers exchanged wary glances and then began to gather all the weapons they could carry for those waiting in the Cage.

"What about mail?" Thillersk asked, holding up an iron vest. Ihwesta looked at it and nodded. "Might as well. Grab one for all the men. I'll collect some of the thicker leather for the women, I'm not sure how well those would fit us." Finally they had everything stowed in three of the burlap sacks and made their way back to the Cage.

It must have been something short of a miracle that brought them back undetected. A new hope was kindled as the sacks were opened and weapons were returned to their owners, or those that could wield them.

"It didn't take you long enough," Ceros noted worriedly.

"I know," Ihwesta said. "But even if we run into someone now we're armed." Then she looked at the Succumbed. They hadn't moved or even acknowledged the sudden presence of weapons wrought by man and elf smiths. Dorienne and Taurëwen approached then, distraught written noticeably on the latter's face.

"We can't take them," Dorienne announced quietly to the two elves. Ihwesta met her gaze heatedly.

"Maybe not, but I'd rather die than leave them," she argued. Dorienne shook her head and moved closer.

"Then you probably will, child." Ihwesta rolled her eyes and helped to get the entranced into a tightly huddled group that the rest could guide and maneuver through the camp.

"We'll stay tight to the East wall where the executioner's block and the ware sheds are. The orcs thereabouts have already been taken care of so we'll cross little trouble. Ainemetion returned then, an excited look on his face.

"It's very clear, Ceros. I'm afraid I'm feeling a bit overconfident at the moment." Ihwesta and Arië exchanged worried glances. Anything could go wrong.

"Ready?" Ceros asked everyone. There were murmurs of concurrence and gripping their weapons firmly, the elves exited the Cage making for the East wall and ultimately, the exit.

[Nerindel]

Taurëwen woke to the sound of their prison door opening, slowly lifting her head from Reynion's chest, she saw goblins grab up one of the elves, "No!" she gasped as she realised it was Gil. raising to her feet at jumping over bodies to try to stop them, But the goblin to the rear turned and sneered at her, "Still Spirited, Eh witch!" then he backhanded her across the face sending her to her knees, blood dripped from her nose as she looked up defiantly, but the goblin was locking the door to their prison and grinning at her wickedly.

Reynion had made his way over to her and helped her up silently leading her back to the back of the cage, "Where are they taking him ?" she whispered. Reynion's head lowered and she knew that he knew something, "What is it!" she pleaded. "Gil killed two overseer's trying to help me!" Reynion told her, his face red with guilt, She did not blame him for Gil's actions for if the situation was reversed she knew Reyn would have done the same and she told him so.

For a moment the two of them locked eyes, she felt his hands on hers and her heart burned and a knot started to form in the pit of her stomach, she suddenly felt herself leaning forwards to kiss him ... But the sudden clash of swords violently pulled her from what she thought was a beautiful dream. It's Gil she cried, but as she rose she realised that Reynion was holding her hands, but he pulled them away quickly and rose with the others to see what was going on. 'Was it real?' she thought as she watched him hobble over to the side of the cage.

She gasped in horror as another guard rushed at Gil from behind and cut him deep in his left side, from were she stood she knew that the wound was deep and the flow of the blood told her that he would not survive, but Gil managed to kill his attacker and toss them the key to their prison before he fell, never to wake again. Taurëwen wept for him and prayed silently to Illuvator asking him to honour this heroic elf, she was proud to call her friend.

She had not the time to honour him as he deserved. "At the cost of his life, Gilbereth has given us our means of freedom. Since dawn is upon us we will have the advantage. Take up all your hope and your courage." Ihwesta's words hardened her resolve and she nodded in agreement, brushing away her tears. She then listened as Ceros organised their group, Ceros and Ainemention went to hide the bodies, Ihwesta, Thillersk and Rydian went to retrieve their weapons and she and Dorienne were to get the others ready to leave.

They went around the cage that was their prison trying to rouse the other elves, but it was no use they would not move, when she came to Talas her heart broke she could not leave him . She hooked her arm under his and tried to pull him up, but he wouldn't budge, "Get up! Please, Get up!" she pleaded but he just looked at her blankly , she fell to her knees as she realised she would have to leave him behind with the others.

"Come" said the gentle voice of the elf woman Dorienne, Taurëwen nodded her head sadly and rose to join the other woman, but before leaving she turned and gentle kissed her brothers cheek, "I love you brother and will miss you always" the tears glistened as they rolled down her cheeks.

She followed Dorienne "We can't take them!" the elf woman quietly told Ceros and Ihwesta, Taurëwen could not bear to look at them and lowered her distraught face, Ihwesta's heated words only made her feel more ashamed that she could not help him...them! she slowly turned away as her sword was returned to her, the sword that Talas had made for her and as the runes glistened in the dawn light she made up mind if she could not take him then she would remain.

There was just one thing she had to do, lifting her chin nobly she walked over to Reyn determined that she would not let him change her mind. "This is yours and it is time you have it back." she said offering him the hilt of his knife, roughly chiselled into the black hilt was the elven rune for freedom, she had etched it days ago and the hope had kept her going. As Reynion saw a hint of sadness in her eyes he told her "Keep it you may yet have use of it." But Taurëwen gentle placed the knife in his hands, "Nay, I think I shall not." she whispered turning to what away. "No!" Reynion gasped looking down at the knife in his hands, realising what she was planning to do. Taurëwen held back the tears as she placed her sword next to Talas and knelt down beside him, resigned to stay with him, she squeezed at his hand one last time in the hope that he would respond, then she laid her head on his lap and wept.

"Ready?" Ceros asked "Yes!" she heard a weak voice above her say, It was Talas and he was holding her sword. "Thank you" he whispered pulling her up and handing her back her sword, "But...wha..how.." she stammered as they made for the East wall. She smiled as Reynion came up beside them and handed Talas a sword, he took it and nodded his thanks to the elf both for the sword and for looking after Taurëwen.


*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+

Talas

clouded by the darkness in his mind, he could hear everything that going on but was powerless to do anything about it. When his own sister had been thrown in to the cage he had thought it but another cruel trick of his captors, but every night she came to him and slowly the darkness was clearing, he wanted so much to reach out and hug her and tell her that what ever she was doing was working.

on the ninth night since her arrival he listened to their plans to escape but still he could not break from the darkness that held him, but as he watched his sister say farewell to the elf that he could see that she loved and chose to remain in this prison with him a great anger rose in him, "No! you shall not have her!" he screamed in his mind and suddenly the darkness was gone. Looking down at Taurëwen weeping in his lap he lifted her sword and looked at its glistening runes remembering her strong resolve and determination.

"Ready?" he heard the Familiar voice of his captain ask "Yes!" he whispered tightening his grip on his sisters sword, and smiled weakly as she looked up in surprise. "Thank you" he whispered helping her to her feet. "But...wha..how.." she stammered as they made for the East wall. but before he could answer, The elf who his sister loved came up to them and offered him a sword, "My name is Reynion and it is good to have you back with us!" though as he spoke his eyes drifted back to Taurëwen, as his eye returned to look at him he nodded his thanks for not just the sword but also for looking after his sister.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Taurëwen, Talas, Reynion

The three of them remained to the rear of the company as their going was slow, Talas was still weak and Reynion was still getting used to the wooden leg that the orcs had attached to his leg several days ago, the others had managed to get through the gate, when Taurëwen felt a strong arm grab her from behind, "oh no you don't !" a harsh voice whispered behind her, the others where to far ahead to hear her gasp, but Reynion and Talas turned round instantly.

Talas's eyes burned with hatred as he remembered the beatings he and others had taken at the halforcs hands, he raised his sword ready to lunge at the foul creature, "One move and I will slit her throat!" Rhtalk hissed pressing his blade to her bared throat, reluctantly he lowered his sword. "Fire!" Rhtalk yelled to the wall and both Reynion and Talas looked to the gate as they heard the twang of bow strings and the whiz if arrows flying through the air towards their fleeing kin.

"Just kill me and have done with it !" Taurëwen spat to the surprise of the others, "Oh no you are much more valuable to him alive!" her sneered at her "One who can heal without medicines is useful indeed!" he continued. As he spoke Talas sneaked behind him, he had made his mistake, letting them know that Taurëwen was too valuable to kill.

Reynion lifted his sword and charged forward, Rhtalk threw her roughly from him and blocked Reynion's blow with his sword then with his other hand he punched Reyn hard in the stomach knocking him to the ground, Taurëwen gasped as she saw the halforc raise his sword to deliver the killing blow, but suddenly Rhtalk screamed as Talas' sword went through his right leg.

Rhtalk's scream had alerted the archers and they now turned their fire on them "Come on !" Talas yelled as he helped Reynion to his feet, Taurëwen put her arm around Reyn's other side and the three of them made a run for the gate. "Kill them! Kill Them all!" they heard Rhtalk bellow from behind them.

[Tinuviel of Denton]

"K.ill them! K.ill them all!"

The half-orc's roar from behind them spurred the elves to greater strength; there had been more than enough d.eath in the fellowship. Reynion, Talas, and Taurewen pushed to get themselves out of arrow-range before they found themselves studded with the black things. Unfortunately, Reynion couldn't exactly run, as his wooden leg was only meant to hold him in a standing position and allow him to limp to and from the Cage.

It fell off.

Reynion cursed, but Talas pulled him up and they continued. The brief pause was enough however that Rhtalk almost caught up with them.

CLUNK!

The wooden leg ricocheted off a sickly tree just ahead of the trio, and just missed Taurewen's head. A curse from Rhtalk followed hard after and Reyn turned his head. He wished that he hadn't immediately afterward because a rock joined the leg and curses flying after the fleeing elves. It missed, but the wind of its passing brushed his hair.

"Let go of me," he ordered the other two. "I can't throw when I'm being dragged along like a sack!"

He wrenched his arms out of their grasp, nearly falling flat on his face again in the process, and turned back towards the half-orc. He sighted, took aim, and let his dagger fly. Straight and sure it flew, and he allowed himself a momentary thrill of pride that this at least he could still do right. With a wet THUNK! the blade buried itself to the hilt in Rhtalk's neck. The black blood of the abomination seeped out around the blade, and the creatures following Rhtalk paused uncertainly with the d.eath of their commander.

"Now we can go," he said calmly, much more so than he felt.

[Nerindel]

Taurëwen flinched as Reynions wooden leg narrowly missed her head, she did not look back but kept on going, "Let go of me," Reynion ordered them, something that she suddenly felt reluctant to do! "I can't throw when I'm being dragged along like a sack!" he yelled wrenching his arm free of her grip, she stopped and watched as he sighted his dagger and let fly, she nearly screamed with elation as the dagger found it's mark and bedded itself deep in the foul things throat, but held it as she witnessed the gleam of almost forgotten pride in Reynion's grey eyes, It warmed her heart to witness that moment, 'perhaps he will get over his loss' she thought hopefully.

"Now we can go," Reynion said calmly. Talas offered his shoulder for the proud elf and Taurëwen was relieved when he took it. "Taurëwen go ahead and let the others know we are alright!" Talas said as they ran on, but as she started to protest Reynion cut in "It may be that some of those arrows found their mark and your skills may be required." out numbered she sighed, but kissing each elf tenderly on the cheek she ran on to catch up with the others. They where not to far ahead and she easily caught up to them and from what she could see they too had managed to evade the archers volleys with only minor cuts and grazes.

"Ceros!" she called excitedly, "Talas!" she panted "he has awakened from the darkness and is a short way behind with Reynion, they have sent me ahead to see if anyone requires my skills?" she went on. "What happened!" Ihwesta asked, evidently referring to the sudden appearance of the archers on the walls. At this Turëwen lowered her head "I was not as careful as I should have been and Rhtalk discovered my gift of healing, I think he has been watching to see how he could use it for his own or his masters gain!" she shrugged "Do not fault yourself," Dorienne whispered "anything could have brought him out, but I think if Rhtalk was watching you it would be to determine if you gift was a threat as much as something they could use," she continued.

"No matter!" Taurëwen grinned "The foul orc... man... thing! won't be determining anything, Reyn saw to that, Put a dagger through it's throat." she beamed proudly. At this moment in time Táurewen was filled with hope and elation, although it pained her to leave the others behind, she had her brother back and she did not deny the strong feelings that were welling within her for Reynion and now they where on their way home and Thranduil on hearing their story would undoubtedly sent out his armies to smash down the black fortress and all within!!!!

[ October 03, 2003: Message edited by: Nerindel ]

[Everdawn]

Gilbereth had died to save them all. And after their ordeal in the cage, Arië was eternally thankful to him, for she was weak, , There were dark circles under her eyes, her hair had lost its glow, her eyes no longer bright but dull and her hands were scraped and bruised. Still she fought along side the other elves. Many elf women had been killed by Rhtalk and the orcs, as they walked around watching them work. It was taking its toll on her. Every drop of blood spilled was another reason for Arië to endure the days of torment and survive for the day which she could take their blood back. Today was this day.
Arië lost count of the number of times she had plunged her dagger into the bodies of orcs which came charging at her. Her entire body was sodden with their blood. With all her arrows long spent, she relied on the charms layed into the blade of her dagger by her ancestors. All the time Ainemention, her dear friend was at her side slaying the foul creatures without mercy. She was thankful to him, for without the friendship and protection of him she would not have been alive so far.

Over and over again she was bathed by fresh orc blood, her hand to hand combat was sharper than ever, despite her weaknesses. No orc could match her for her speed. News came to her form one of the other elves that Rhtalk was slain. Ah! Eru willing we have made it! she said in her heart.

"Ai!" she cried to get Ceros' attention who was now a little further away from her. "The gate!" she called. And began to make her way over ot it. Climbing the wall easily (the ladder had been shattered by orcs) she drew herself into the sentry tower and to her surprise, there was a new quiver of arrows, and another orc. Ducking his blow she rolled and with speed that was barely visible, she jammed her dagger into his skull.

It was then that the young elf gazed upon all that was to be seen. A horror built with my own hands! she cried. Down on the ground Ainemention was out of sight and she searched for him but to no avail. She could see some of the other elves. There came a shout from below. It was Ainemention, and beside him was an orc. It seemed to Arië that in that moment pure terror raged through her heart.

Ainemention was stabbed, the orc-blde still in his breast. Wihtout a second glance at the orc, the elf picked up her bow and found one of the orc-arrows and set it loose into the creature that had injured her friend. Ainemention lay still on the ground. Arië made hast climbing down the wall, leaping from it five metres down and made her way to him.

Ainemention was struggling for breath. "Arië!" he said as loud as he could. Tears now filled her eyes, "Its not so very bad!" she cried, covering the flowing blood and wound from his sight as he struggled to sit up. Arië cradled his head in her arms. "It is" he cholked, his words barely audible, trying to be brave, as he knew as well as Arië that the end was near for him. "You must get out of here, go back to your home. Live you life till you are old in the eyes of the elves!" Arië was in shock. "No, no... you cant... you are going to live! Ainemention!" she was finding it hard to stomach her dear friend's parting words to her. "Arië... Biearyn Arië the Younger... Thankyou for all you have done for me..." with his last strength he reached up and touched her cheek then fell back to the earth. His eyes still open to the dark sky above.

"No!" she screamed, looking into his face. "Dont you dare go! Taurëwen knows what to do..." she cried. "Taurëwen! Come!" she sobbed but she knew it was to late. She closed her dead friend's eyes. Her hands carried the consequences of his last stand.

Arië was shaking when she was dragged along by one of the other elves. She could hardly walk. "Ihwesta!" she called crying when she saw her friend. "Ainemention is dead!" There was pitty in her friend's eyes, and she clung to Ihwesta for a while, as Ihwesta attempted to comfort her heavy heart. Arië knew not whether she should rejoyce in their victory as others were doing, or grieve as she would have done. She decided that Ainemention would have teased her for carrying on so. She remembered the sacrifices her friends had made for her, they had given life and at last they were free.

[ October 09, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[maikafanawen]

Tinuviel's post - Talas' death

Reyn watched as Taurewen ran ahead, wondering if this was a mistake and if he would die after all. He clamped down on that sort of thought; that was the road to madness. If he had time to go mad. If he survived the next few minutes...

The orcs were no longer stunned by the knife that had taken Rhtalk's life, and they were coming after the two elves, cursing loudly in the Black Speech and throwing more rocks. Fortunately, there were no more wooden legs for them to throw.

Talas supported Reynion and they limped along at a fairly decent rate. Unfortunately, a fairly decent rate was about half the rate the orcs were running. They were getting closer with every second and both Talas and Reynion were getting tired. Talas, because Reyn was in no way a small man, even minus a leg, and Reyn, because it's frankly rather difficult to run when you have only one leg.

Another rock flew at them, and this time, the orcs had better aim. It hit Reynion in the middle of the back. Hard. They were thrown off balance and tumbled to the ground. They both cursed, loudly and at length, whilst attempting to rise.

"Talas, go on without me; I'm only slowing you down. Go on!"

"I can't leave you to face them alone. Taurewen would have my head," Talas responded, trying to inject a modicum of humor into their bleak situation. They had managed to stand by this time, and Talas was pulling Reynion along, desperation giving him the needed strength. The two elves were crashing through the underbrush in a very unelvish display.

Then another rock hit Talas in the back of the head. His eyes widened, then glazed over. He inhaled sharply, then suddenly Reyn was pulled down by the other elf's weight. Dear Eru, NO! he thought numbly. Please, not now. She's only just got him back; he can't die now!

But Talas wasn't moving, he wasn't breathing, his heart, when Reyn pressed a hand to his chest, wasn't beating. He was gone. Reyn wept, knowing that Talas' body would never receive the honor he was deserving of, knowing also that he would have to leave the body to the tender mercies of the rabid orkish hoards, angry at the death of their leader and the escape of their fugitives, knowing that Taurewen would blame herself for the leaving them behind.

Then he used one of the maltreated trees to pull himself up, and, silently begging forgiveness for his action, but too desperate and guilty to really care (Talas would never go home because of him, what did it matter if he killed a tree? His soul was already stained black as the heart of Rhtalk), broke off two branches to use as crutches and pushed off, sparing no glance for the empty husk that had once breathed and laughed and loved.

With the crutches, his speed was greater, and he half-wondered that they had not thought to do this before. The other half of him knew that only an elf whose soul was tarnished would think to do such harm to trees already sorely mistreated. He did manage to lose the orcs when he got into deeper shadow. His black clothing made that easy.

His heart tore as he thought of Taurewen's reaction when he told her. Almost, he could have let go the crutches and waited for the orcs to kill him rather than to face that. But something in him knew that she would be just as grieved to lose him as she would be when she heard of Talas' passing. It was with more a sense of dread than of relief when at last he stumbled into the clearing where the others were.

"Reyn!" cried Taurewen, rushing forward, but she stopped when she saw that he was alone. "Where--where's Talas? Where's my brother?"

He couldn't tell her after all. He looked away, and she read in his posture and in his face the truth.

"Eru, NO!"

Reyn closed his eyes, but he couldn't stop his ears from ringing with the sobs of the woman he loved, weeping for her lost brother.

[ October 08, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[maikafanawen]

The elves ran for a week straight trying to put as much distance between them and the fortress. Ihwesta ran ahead scouting out the quickest evasion route while Arië backtracked to make sure no vice pursued. Nibbling on lembas and making quick stops for Taurëwen to mend broken things and renew strength in those who faltered, they covered a great expanse by the tenth day and were now a two weeks gentle walk from the palace.

They were allowed to continually slow down as Arië gathered no sign of pursuit. The last battle between the elves of Greenwood and the monsters of Dol Guldur left the latter in a disagreeable state, unfit to give chase.

"How goes it?" Ihwesta asked Taurëwen, setting down the skin of fresh water. The healer was doing her best to keep the Succumbed hopeful enough to continue the journey and make it home. The conscious did their part to sing songs of elven lore and brighten their companions' memories with ancient stories. Ihwesta played and danced for them, drawing an occasional smile.

"They'll make it home," Taurëwen whispered. "But that is all I can be sure of." Ihwesta placed a hand on her friend's shoulder and beamed at her.

"That is all we need to know, Taurëwen. Your Gift has more than saved us all." The tracker left then as Reynion returned with Ceros, who had gone to collect more firewood, and went to sit by Taurëwen.

Ihwesta untied a bundle of faggots herself and helped arrange them about the pit and blew as Ceros held a flame to the kindle. The fire blazed and Eruwen came with a pot to begin boiling water for the soup. "Rabbits." Arië said proudly, coming up to them with her bow slung over her shoulder. She unfolded the sheet of canvas that carried no less than seven good conies. The women helped to cut them up and mix them in with the gravy-like stew.

"What spices will we need for this fine feast of yours?" Taurëwen asked Arië as she came up with her own bag. Three were chosen and sprinkled over the steaming supper. Then it was served and everyone ate their fill, warming their enervated bodies.

Ihwesta finished her bowl, set it down by her side and turned to Ceros. "If I have to eat another soup like that again it'll be the end of me," she laughed.

"I heard that!" Arië called, smiling from where she sat. Ihwesta winked and leaned back against a tree. It was quiet for a while as they all sat there lost in their own thoughts. Then Taurëwen spoke up. "I think we should have a song for them," she said gesturing towards the distant elves. "Before they sleep a while."

Ihwesta nodded. "I shall sing one." With no accompaniment, the tracker began a small song.

"Once, as my heart remembers
all the stars were fallen embers
once, when night seemed forever
I was with you.

"Once in the care of morning
in the air was all belonging.
once, when that day was dawning
I was with you.

"How far we are from morning,
how far are we
and the stars shining through the darkness,
falling in the air.

"Once, as the night was leaving
into us our dreams were weaving.
once, all dreams were worth keeping.
I was with you.

"Once, when our hearts were singing,
I was with you."*

It was brief but pleasant and left them all peacefully tired. Ihwesta leaned into Ceros's shoulder and soon she too fell asleep.

At dawn they were ready again to get moving, and a short fortnight later, they crossed the stone bridge into Thranduil's palace and were home at last.


------------------------------------------------------------
*Fallen Embers, words and music by Enya, Nicky Ryan and Roma Ryan.
ã2000 EMI Music Publishing Ltd, London WC2H 0QY

OCC: I saw that song and it seemed so appropriate, don't you think? Something an elf would sing I thought. It fit.

[Arien]

The group of Elves past the South gates a fortnight later and in one day they had reached the bridge that crossed over the river to Thranduil's Palace. The group stopped for a moments glance at the doors guarded by two equipped male Elves. Ceros looked to them; the seemed almost shocked to see them and one of the guards cried out.

“Ceros?” He cried, leaving his station and approaching his fellow guard, “You have returned at last! Oh what joy it brings me to see you alive; long have the hours been since the departure of your group.”

“How long has it been?” Asked Ceros. He did not think it had been long since they had been absent; but it had seemed like ages had passed since they had left their Realm. For now it looked as though the woodland realm had been through a transformation. Ceros had not noticed before but now no elves walked freely along the paths; there was no singing and the birds and beasts had been hushed by the silence that now lay still among the trees.

“’Tis only been five weeks now, but much has happened. But come you can not stay outside, come inside with the others and let Thranduil tell you the story and then you can exchange yours.”

And so the company ventured inside the hall of Thranduil and they headed straight for the King himself, for Ceros whished to tell him immediately of what they had discovered.

“Thranduil,” Ceros said bowing in front of his King. The Other Elves behind him followed accordingly.

“Ceros, it is with great joy that I see you have returned,” he smiled weakly. “But I see that not all return with and some return that did not leave with you.” Thranduil looked behind Ceros at the rest of the company, holding each of their faces in his glance for a few moments.

“Aye, it is a sad tale; we have lost three of our company: Airelómë Firith, Gilbereth, and Ainemetion. And we also lost some of the company that we had found.”

“Found?” Inquired Thranduil.

“Yes.” And so Ceros told the tale of their journey. The Elves present in the Kings company saw the pain on Ceros’ face and his companions as he re told their troubles on their expedition. And none could imagine, only hear what strife they had been through. It was grave news that came to the ears of Thranduil that day and indeed to every single Elf of Greenwood.

The tale of the tower on Amon Lanc was taken in shock; the hall was still as Ceros told their story. Not as sound could be heard, despite Ceros’ voice echoing from the delicately carved walls. And none of the fires in the hall could warm the hearts of those that stood to hear his tale.

“So, now we know where the spiders are from.” Spoke the elf King after the silence of a few minutes.

“They have attacked? Here?” Asked Ceros, his voice was distressed. The evil was spreading quickly, so quickly.

“Yes, yes they have. But we managed to defeat them.” Sighed Thranduil, he sat back in his throne. The crown of spring flowers adorned his fair hair, but spring had not come to Greenwood this year and Ceros feared if it would ever come again.

“But know,” Spoke up the King, “Let us feast. For those we thought we had lost have been born again from the shadows of evil and let us remember those who have passed.”

And so the company left the hall and returned to their families; they returned in the night for the feast that was to be held in their honour and in honour for those who had lost their lives to that evil that now polluted their kingdom. It was a joyous and happy night and friends and family were reunited. All happy, save for the tears that were shed for the lost ones.

[Nerindel]

Tinuviel's post

Reynion felt very much out of place when the tired group entered Thranduil's hall. His heart was heavy with guilt over Talas' death and with sorrow over his lost leg (and with it his hope that Taurewen could love him) and the reunions of family members were only a bitter reminder of his parting words to his own father.

He stood silently as Ceros told of their journey, and winced when he came to the part where he had lost his leg. Eyes turned toward him, and he held his head high, meeting no one's eyes. He would be glad when this ordeal was over.

His mother and, surprisingly, his father approached him immediately after Ceros' recital. Eldarion was thoroughly sorry for his angry words to his son; the fear that Reynion wouldn't come back had taught him just how important his son was to him. Reyn wasn't entirely pleased to be reconciled to his father under these circumstances, but it was pleasant to be with him without the friction that had marked their meetings for the past centuries.

Well, it was pleasant until the subject of conversation came around to Reynion's missing piece.

"I'm so sorry, son. You must feel it deeply." Pity was one thing that Reyn hated, and from his father--it felt as though his father had traded one way of looking down on him for another. And since he could no longer live in the middle of Greenwood--no, Mirkwood--alone, he would either have to live with his parents, or with someone else. Either way, he couldn't be alone. He'd almost forgotten that during the long imprisonment in the Cage.

"Father, if you never mention that again, I will be grateful."

****

The music made Reynion sick to his stomach. It was like someone was deliberately trying to remind him of all the things he could no longer do. The dancers all looked like they were enjoying themselves, even if the cause of celebration was mixed with sorrow.

Reyn watched them, bitterly contemplating centuries of this standing on the outskirts, forever condemned to watch and never experience that again. He finally couldn't take it, and began to walk out of the hall.

A flash of movement caught his eye. A swirl of blond hair, a hint of green, and he knew that Taurewen had arrived. He smiled almost unconciously--until he saw her dancing with Orodhin.

Then he walked out.
_____________________________________________

Nerindel's post

The return journey was a hard one for Taurëwen, after the death of her brother Reynion had become distant, spending less and less time with her. Her heart was heavy with sadness, but for the sake of the others, especially the ones they had freed she wore an air of care, happiness and hope, even calling for Ihwesta to sing a song to lighted their hearts. A small part of her was glad to be returning, but she feared most explaining that she had found Talas only to lose him again. Every night after she had made sure everyone was well and sleeping she would find a quiet spot and cry herself to sleep.

When they finally passed through the south gate Taurëwen did not fail to notice that the eerie silence had followed them home, She continued on her head bent wearily, barely registered the words spoken between Ceros and the guards.

She stood in silence, head bowed as Ceros recounted their journey for Thranduil, her tear streaked face raising in horror as her king told of the attack by the spiders and the damage they had inflicted, she saw weariness in his noble face as he spoke.

After Thranduil had decreed that a feast would be held in their honour and to honour those lost, she found herself face to face with her father, he had been in the hall when they had arrived and had heard Ceros's account.

"Daughter!" He smiled weakly pulling her into his arms, She burst into tears sobbing uncontrollably on his strong shoulders, after a few moments she pushed him away, "Where is mother, I have news that you should hear together" she whispered unable to look into his eyes, "At home" he replied worry creasing his greying brow, "Then let us go," but as they left she glanced over her shoulder to find Reynion, but he was being fussed over by his parents, so she left to deliver her unpleasant news.

On reaching her home she was greeted by her mother, "Oh! it is true, you are home and you are safe!!!" she cried embracing her daughter so tight that Taurëwen thought she would not be able to breath, but sensing something was wrong she let her daughter go, "What is it! what's wrong daughter?" she asked gently.

"I found him I found Talas, but on the journey home he was slain, I couldn't save him, I couldn't bring him home! I'm sorry" she sobbed falling to her knees. To her surprise her mother and father gathered her up, their eyes were streaked with tears, not only for the news that their son was indeed lost,But for their daughters apparent pain and guilt.

"Do not look for fault in yourself daughter, it was not your blade that stole Talas' life it is these foul creatures that infest our realm, that we hold accountable!" her father whispered softly.

many hours passed as they comforted each other and bit by bit Taurëwen told her tale to them, leaving out the fact that Talas had been over come by the darkness. "You love him?" her mother asked as Taurëwen spoke of Reynion, "Yes I believe I do" she smiled weakly. "Then you should go to him you have both been through alot and will need each others support" her mother urged gently.

"Your mother is right and I believe if Talas was here he would want to see you happy" her father added. Taurëwen nodded, knowing this to be true.

"It is over Daughter, you are home and you should be happy tonight, celebrate your brothers life, don't mourn his loss" her father said lifting her head so her eyes met with his.

"No father it has just begun, but you are right I will celebrate my brothers life and honour him by doing all that I can to help heal Greenwood of it's darkness!"

After washing and slipping into a white and silver dress with matching slippers that had been her bothers favourite, she made her way to the feast, she was late, so she silently slipped onto her seat, during the meal toasts were made for each of those who were lost.

Then when the tables were cleared and the bards and minstrels called the feasting hall was filled with merry music, light melodic singing and light feet dance to and fro. Seeing Ihwesta and Ceros dancing in each others arms, Taurëwen went looking for Reynion, determined to let him know that she loved him and that she didn't blame him for Talas's death.

But as she searched she was stopped by Orodhin, Ihwesta's older brother, "May I have this dance?" he asked softly, Not wishing to be rude she nodded and let him lead her to the dance floor, but as they danced around the room her eyes searched for Reynion, but he was not there.

In that instant Taurëwen felt a gap in her heart as though something was missing, but the festivities of the night swept her away, the company laughed and danced the night away, none of them willing to speak of the horrors they had witnesses, but none of them forgetting those they had lost.

It was the next day before Taurëwen found out about Reynion's departure, it cut her deeply that he had not spoken to anyone about his departure, but it hurt her more that he had not even said goodbye.

Over the following weeks and months Taurëwen was kept busy tending the succumbed and helping them readjust back into everyday life, but the gap in her heart always remained, no matter what she did to try and fill it. The secret promises she made on their journey she never forgot an she dedicated herself to the protection and healing of the Greenwood.

[ October 08, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]