Hytorax

[Silverstripe]

"I think the idea of distracting them will work very nicely," said Aralle. She whispered something to Glistenfae, at which the elf nodded. Then she laughed.

"I'd prefer not to hurt any of them if possible," said the griffin. "But if it becomes necessary..." Aralle paused and glanced at Glistenfae, and knew from the look in Glistenfae's eyes that the elf had understood.

"If we can get some of these soldiers to leave the group, so much the better. Fewer men for us to face later. And if we lure enough of them away, I will be able to return."

Aralle began to walk away a little, to carry out her part of the plan, but then stopped and looked back at Glistenfae.

"As soon as the company is safely away from the soldiers, tell them a gargoyle is tracking them, a black-winged creature which I believe they have seen before."

Aralle turned again and broke into a run. A few moments later, a golden griffin stood where the young woman used to be, and flew into the sky.

[Mathron]

Aasinav stepped towards Glimdrell, shaking his head. "You felt as well as I whatever darkness stalked the night yestereve! You know there are dark forces amidst - and I suspect you know we are their enemies. Athalt may have his orders, but sometimes duty to one's country must be overriden by duty to the cause of all goodly folk in the world."

"Enough!" Athalt barked. "Your words are sweet to my ear, but I will not listen to them any longer - you have had your chance for discussion, and I have made up my mind." He signaled to his men, and they began gathering up the remnants of the camp. "We will head out soon, and return to Néred."

Aasinav sighed and stepped away, glancing around. If they didn't find a way out soon, he might be forced to take matters into his own hands...

[elvishfaerie3088]

"Expects me to do something does she! Doesn't even tell me what she's going to do! Well then i'll just watch from the trees and hope she does something first! Then i'll just grab what i can and do what i can," I sighed. "but how could she have guessed, how could she know?" I muttered under my breath. I made for the trees but made sure i wasn't too close that they could see me. Now to only wait for a sign of some sort or i'll just go out on a limb and sneek about.

[Silverstripe]

Aralle soared into the sky and above the camp, hoping desperately that Glistenfae (who seemed very bright) would understand that now, when the soldiers would be distracted by looking at the griffin, was the time for the elf to act.

She flew as low as she safely could, trying to attract as much attention as possible. Many lives could depend on Aralle and Glistenfae's success.

[Earniel]

The horses noticed the griffin first and became very restless. Imarwyn noticed the horses' odd behaviour as she was tying her pack onto Merrah. But she did not guess the reason until she felt the wind that came from the beating wings on her hair and a shadow passed her by as the griffin sailed low over the camp. One of the soldiers gave a cry alarm and all faces looked upwards. Some soldiers reached for their weapons, others merely stared at the griffin to determine whether this was an attack or not.

[elvishfaerie3088]

"should of guessed that," I snickered at myself half in amusent and half at my own stupidity. Since all the soilders were now gawking up or trying to figure away out to bring the griffin; Aralle down i slowly snuck up towards the group. Quietly as an elf could which is quite quiet, i kept low and crouched forward snatching the bag in which the weapons had been put. Making sure they wouldn't rattle so as the gaurds wouldn't look back towards me, i snuck out slowly clutching the bag tightly. As soon as i was back in my woods i carefully set the bag out of the way. I then began debate what to do, should i give them back now or set a diversion so Aralle could get away safely. "What a decision," I muttered. "Well if i gave back the weapons right away without drawing the soilders attention away from everyone else they might snatch them up again. But if i grabbed someone from that group told them to give back the weapons and then helped Aralle out. That shall have to work," I sighed. "Talking to myself what next?" I mocked myself. I crept out from the trees and grabbed Glimdrell and pulled him back into the trees with me. Good ol' elf i thought lucky thing that hobbit i had cut earlier wasn't the closest i dont think she trusts me. "okay heres what your going to do, See this bag," I pointed behind me, "Yours and the others weapons are in there, give them back while I go help out Aralle!" I screamed in a hushed voice. I turned away quickly so i didn't even know if he understood what i said or if he understood what was going on, but oh well. I grabbed an empty bag i had found earlier and stuffed it full of leaves and heavy rocks to make it look like it was actually the weapons. I crept out again from the trees once again behind the soilders. I took a deep breath and ran out of the trees pretending to fall over thing until i finally hit the ground, i pushed the bag out in front of me so it looked like i was trying to get them back to everyone else which i had already done. The soilders then drew their atttention to me which i had accounted on. I grinned sheepishly at them and tried to get up but was knocked over again. Well at least Aralle got away without being seen, but now what was I going to do? Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

[Sicirus]

ic:Gil: It seemed the Griffin we had met earlier was soering over the company and making loops in the air as though trying to be seen. I wondered why she would put herself in such a possesion but also noticedthe suddent absence of the two elves and weapons. I then understood that the griffin must have been a destraction. I searched the woods to spot the two elves but found nothing. Adrian seemed to have noticed the same thing as I did and i alerted Aasar to the missing elves as well.
a small dagger was pushed silently into my hand and I noticed a flick of golden hair pass by. Everyone gave a silent gasp at their weapons being given back by the flick of gold.
The griffin left the air and I knew we would be in trouble if found with the weapons in our hands and two elves missing.

[zavron]

I waited. Then the griffin went into the air. I leapt up into the air and grabbed hold off the Griffin and brought her soaring to the Groung with a bang. I started to hover before I hit the ground aswell. I flew down at the griffin and grabbed her with my Feet-Claws. I soared back into the air and dropped her down to the ground from a great height. I flew to the ground and changed into Human form. I drew my Large Black curved sword and stalked over to where the Griffin lay on the ground. She had changed back to human form and she had a broken leg. I kneeled down and raised my sword in the air. I stopped and changed back into Gargoyle form, and took off.

[Silverstripe]

Aralle stared at the gargoyle for a moment, then transformed into a griffin again and went after him. She felt she must try to bring him down, although she knew this was very risky.

The gargoyle had obviously been involved in the war; he'd been trained to fight in the manner of his people. Any fighting Aralle could do in griffin form, she'd had to teach herself. And she'd never had anything like a gargoyle as her opponent before.

But the gargoyle had probably been called back by them, and Aralle couldn't let him reach his destination. She soared after him, and caught up with him at the edge of the forest.

She darted in and attacked his wings, not aiming to kill yet, merely to disable the gargoyle. This time, he was the one caught by surprise. He hadn't expected Aralle to follow, and that cost him dearly.

He stopped Aralle from doing further damage to his wing, then turned to attack her. But though the griffin was not a very experienced fighter, she was extremely fast. She pulled away before he could reach her, then flew back and attacked again.

This time he was ready for her attack, and did not allow her to get to his wings. He lashed out with his claws, striking her across the face, then tearing at her wings. He was using her strategy; trying to get her out of the sky, not kill her.

Why?

In the air, at any rate, the gargoyle was obviously the better fighter of the two. They continued to fight. Aralle's unconventional tactics saved her, for the gargoyle was not used to countering them, and didn't fight as well as he would have against a griffin who'd been trained to fight in the griffin way.

Darting in and out, Aralle managed a few blows to the gargoyle's wings. But it would not be enough. Aralle was tiring, and she couldn't keep this up for long at full speed. The gargoyle was going to win...

Aralle "screamed," a birdlike sound that put all of her airborne allies in the area on the alert. If the gargoyle attacked again, they would kill him.

"We are both dead if this continues, gargoyle. Come. Let us speak together, as griffins and gargoyles once did before the great war," called Aralle in the griffin tongue.

Not that griffins and gargoyles had ever been friends. But once they had sworn not to harm each other, and griffins and gargoyles had often met each other as messengers between warring groups, especially wizards.


That vow, Aralle thought bitterly, was broken by the gargoyles, and ended in death and destruction.

[Silverstripe]

The gargoyle nodded -- he'd been spending far too much time in human form -- and flew to the ground. Aralle followed him, hoping he would keep the agreement he had just made with her. Because he had agreed to her terms, griffins and gargoyles (at least this gargoyle) had again sworn not to harm each other. The griffin hoped that this time, the vow would not be broken.

"What do you want, griffin?" asked the gargoyle. He did not sound angry, only tired.

"I could ask the same question of you. To kill me? No, that could not be your reason for coming, or you would have done so already. What information do your masters seek?"

Aralle changed back into human form, winced at the pain in her leg, and became a griffin again. Only as a griffin could she fly or walk. The gargoyle noticed this, and shifted into the dark-haired man, a rather smug expression on his face.

At that moment, someone charged in at the gargoyle, attacking him and screaming out a battle cry. It was a hobbit! The dark-haired man tried to fend the hobbit off, but failed. He became a gargoyle again, and took off into the sky.

Aralle was frustrated; she'd been close to finding out why he'd come in the first place. Now he was gone, and might attack again when he returned. And she wouldn't be able to surprise him again. Aralle turned to scold the gargoyle's attacker, but her angry glare turned into astonishment as she realized what had just happened.

A hobbit? Defeat a gargoyle? Impossible. Even with the gargoyle in his less powerful human form, the brave hobbit should be dead by now, and the gargoyle could have killed her in seconds after shifting back into his true form. From everything Aralle knew, what had happened simply couldn't have happened. Unless ... unless the gargoyle had no desire to kill.

[zavron]

I flew off not far away south. I landed upon the side of a Mountain and turned to Human Form. I scanned the area with my Infravision.

[Sicirus]

ooc;Ok lets see now.

ic: Gil: I looked at the soldiers and then watched the griffin and the other creature fly away. Asaar looked at me and had ther same expression I did. An expression of "what the heck was that all about?" I looked over to see Adrians reaction but only found Swift who was knowing on a bone.
"were's Adrian?" I cried out in surprise.
"Someone is missing?" said a concerend voice behind me. Osme of the soldiers at once started to scout the forest grounds without commands from the lcaptain who was now frustrated at the commotion.
Bushbark came over to Assar and me and told us quickly to get on his limbs so he could slip us away. He obayed at once and were being taken far away from the soldiers and group. The Ontore(forgot your name sorry) took up Aasiniv and Elise. The two elves were no were in sight and the rest of the company followed quickly behind the ontor and ent. We almost thought we had had a good get away through all the commotion but we soon learned the word RUN.
Everyone ran as fast as they could. Some feeling embaresset(sp)for running but some ran and were just mad enough to swim a swamp to get away.
We neede to get our task done before its toolate I thought to myself As Poko bore the greyhound on his back running by the side of Bushbark.

ooc: What a crazy sight that would look.:D

[elvishfaerie3088]

"Now where the heck did Aralle get off to? I help she disappears!" i mummbled to myself. "Aralle! Aralle! Where are you?!" I hollered. "aw crap, those dratted soilders just had to go into the woods! And where the heck did that elf um... Glimdrell? get to?!" I mummbled again. "Well i hope everyone else has gotten away, have to find Aralle if i can and help if needed plus i still want to know why everyone was in my forest anyhow! Stupid group, stupid griffin, stupid elf, stupid hobbit, stupid things!" I started to get mad for i didn't know the answer to any of my questions and was starting to blame everyone else.

[Arat-Falathion]

Even at day shadows lay in the woods, giving cover, casting darkness. Glimdrell was highly learned in using these shelters to his forfit, for stealth and descreetion. Not even a bird could sence him sneaking when he was totaly focused on his one task, the mind of a warrior, the mind of a shadow, the mind of a silent hunter.

"...I still want to know why everyone was in my forest anyhow! Stupid group, stupid griffin, stupid elf, stupid hobbits, stupid things!" He heard Glistenfae shout in between some bushes, at the entering of the open area the stupid soldiers had just left..


A strong firm grip around the elven mouth and a gleaming blade touching her throut set a sudden stopper to the cursing.

"You should be more thoughtfull of whom you call stupid!" Glimdrell hissed in her ear. "Now why did you help the captives escape!" He grinned at the stiff elf. Glistenfae knew Glimdrell could kill her now in a split of a second, there was no escape.

Glimdrell strengthened his grip. "You've been nothing but trouble since we first met! Beautifull to the eye you might be, but cursed in heart you so truly are! Now I want to know why you are acting this way!" His grip tightened even more. "Tell me! Why in all middle earth do you allow yourself to behave this way!" Glimdrell shouted.

[Earniel]

Imarwyn watched on with a mingled feeling of amusement and annoyance as the soldiers feverishly tried track down the fugitives. Athalt was shouting orders to get the search party organised and was looking very ill pleased. Imarwyn could not blame him, although she wondered if keeping this particular group captive wasn't beyond the power of the soldiers and even Athalt. Afterall it seemed as if the fugitives had conjured a griffin out of the very air as a decoy for their escape.

She wondered where Glimdrell was, she hadn't seen him leave though she assumed he had gone to track the fugitives on his own. Doubtlessly he would have more luck than the soldiers. "Maybe it's time we take a closer look ourselves. I'm still curious who's side these people really are on." she said as she swung herself on Merrah's back. In the confusion no one saw her leave. Imarwyn steered Merrah north, along the border of the wood for a short while before she entered it. The fugitive group would expect pursuit from behind, not from the sides.

"And with some luck, we'll soon know just how much is true from that evil sorceror- rumour." Imarwyn said to herself as Merrah silently trotted beneath the leafy canopy.

[Mathron]

Aasinav ran beside the rest of the group as though in a trance, his eyes half-closed and looking inward. He muttered words beneath his breath, though the others couldn't hear them:
"Ist mordi sur diamrell.."

Back in the camp, Athalt's temper was nearly at the breaking point. His men stumbled about the forest, almost as though ignoring his orders. "Cairen!" he called out, seeking his second-in-command - who he found leaning against a tree. "What is the meaning of this?"

Cairen shook his head. It felt as though it was filled with fog. The sensation had begun the night before, a slow fuzziness to his thoughts, but had only grown since then. He looked up blearily at his commander. "Sir, I... don't... I'm not... sure." Blinking, the mist overwhelmed his mind, and he collapsed to the ground, asleep.

Looking around, Athalt saw the rest of his men dropping the same way, and shook his head in disgust. He had been warned of the enemy's sorcery, but had let his guard down when talking with Hruad. And now they had gotten away...

[Silverstripe]

Aralle became aware that Glistenfae was calling her. Not that she could hear Glistenfae; she simply knew, in the way griffins always had, that she was being called. And who but Glistenfae would even know her name, let alone have any reason to call her?

"Come with me!" Aralle snapped at the young hobbit (Adrian). The griffin didn't want to lose track of her, especially not with a gargoyle around. Worried and angry, Aralle ran off at a fast pace, not bothering to make sure that the hobbit could keep up. But soon the pain in Aralle's injured leg forced her to slow down.

She made her way towards Glistenfae as fast as she could, the hobbit having to run alongside her. For a griffin, even a "slow" pace is still quite swift.

Aralle and her hobbit companion found Glistenfae as Glimdrell shouted "... you allow yourself to behave this way!"

Silently, Aralle cursed. She could not attack Glimdrell when he was holding a knife to the other elf's throat. Yet she had to do something.

Motioning for the hobbit to stay back, Aralle moved slowly towards the clearing. Maybe Glimdrell would believe she was a bigger threat than Glistenfae, and release the elf. Either that or simple astonishment would make him grow careless and forget Glistenfae ... but, no, Glimdrell wasn't the type for that.

Aralle stopped, hidden behind a tree, and surveyed their surroundings. Good, she could get away in flight if she needed to. Knowing that, she darted into the clearing.

ooc: And Adrian, being Adrian, probably ignored Aralle's order to stay back, too! :D :rolleyes:

[Tessar]

"Facing sorcerers and getting away is no problem but running away from a few silly guards..!" muttered Elise, stamping along rather huffily after escaping the uncomfortable grip of the stone creature, but some how moving faster than the sprinters. "I should teach those fools a few manners... Dratted mortal people..."

Elise stopped and turned, noticing a tug of magic, her eyes fell on Aasinav and she drew in her breath sharply. Fool! Rare was the mortal that could truly understand... Well it was certainly too late for her to do anything about it, she would hold her toung for now.

Aldeb nuzzled Elise's shoulder, having just caught up with her, and dropped a bit of cloth, which looked like it had been torn off someone's clothes. Elise’s anger melted away as her horse stood rather proudly and stamped a hoof definitively on the scrap, Elise couldn't help a laugh. With more grace than she normally allowed others to see, Elise mounted her horse, she truly felt sorry for the fool who thought Aldeb would not get back to his mistress.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Asaar crept along, one of his small daggers drawn and ready to throw, although his hand was shaking so badly he knew he would never hit anything.

Every sound, the small snakes slithering past, the birds trills, all shot more quick veins of panic through Asaar; he had never felt hunted like this before.

He had jumped off the ent a while back, thinking he saw Hurad, but it seemed he had been wrong, it turned out to be a rock and by that time the ent had somehow managed to disappear.

A hand clamped down on his shoulder and Asaar almost fainted, dropping his knife and falling to his knees while foolishly scrambling for the knife he had dropped instead of trying to pull out a new one.

“Calm down, it’s only me.� Hurad said quietly and caught Asaar as the boy collapsed limply. “Are you alright?� Hurad asked with concern.

Asaar nodded, knowing if he tried to say anything he would only embarrass himself further, and managed to get his dagger back and up his sleeve.

“Elise is looking for you and the hobbit girls, I suppose the elves got off to somewhere safe. How did you get so far over here ahead of your friends?� Hurad asked curiously.

Asaar cleared his dry throat and managed to keep his voice from breaking more than a few times when he said, “I’m a fast runner, and I thought I saw you so I ran off but it was just… Something else… I’m so glad you’re here, I-I almost thought that… Errrmmm… I mean it’s nice that you’re here because… well… I mean we’re together and that means we’re not apart, or umm… I mean… You know, easier to find this way...� Asaar shut his mouth with a click and felt his face turning a sunset red. Bah! Adults ALWAYS seemed to rub things like this in till you wished you had never admitted fear…

[Arat-Falathion]

The sound of bendt grass caught Glimdrells ear, and in a swift move he turned himself and Glistenfae around. Out from a tree behind him came the woman he had seen earlier stumbling out in full fury, nearly crashing into Glistenfae as she tried to stop, seeing she had been noticed.

Glimdrells heart pumped as if a thousand orcs were coming for him. An enemy of unknown skills and behavour was always a deadly one, and by the looks of this seemingly harmless woman he was even more weary, looks can decieve indeed.

"Release the she-elf!" Aralle demanded in a strang, scary voice, totaly letting go of any impression of harmlessness. Glimdrell eyed her, didn't show any sense of fright, yet his heart was hammering so heard he could bet everyone could hear it. He did not talk, only staring the woman right in the eye.

Then suddenly, in a split of a second, he reversed the dagger away from the elven throat and gave a paralyzing touch with his thomb to the neck, causing Glistenfae to faint. In this very same moment he sheeted his dagger and threw Glistenfae at the old woman, dragged the black surcoat around him and disapeared into the forest.

He doubted he could escape or hide. His chest was pumping so hard it hurted, no way this hammering couldn't be heard miles away. He didn't turn, he didn't stop to listen, just ran and ran.
Caught in the pannic, lost in the fury and fright he didn't notice his running approach towards Hruad and Asaar, standing by a stone.

Even at a running pace Glimdrell didn't make a sound noticable to the common ear, and with his surcoat tight around him the two fugitives didn't notice him untill he was upon them. Hruads reaction pushed to man to the ground before stepping back himself, and Glimdrell, having no chance to stop at such a speed he was holding, thumbled over Assar and crashed, head first, into the stone, nearly fainting.

The elf struggled to get back on his feet, but fell down. A cut in the forehead was pouring out blood, dripping and running down his face. The world around him was spinning. Caught in the dizzyness he tried to clamber to his feet again...

[Silverstripe]

ooc: I'm going to say Aralle's leg was injured, but not broken.

ic: Aralle grabbed Glistenfae as the elf was thrown at her. The griffin did not pursue Glimdrell. Instead, she transformed back into her true form. With an injured leg, walking or running was very painful for Aralle the woman.

Still limping, Aralle carried Glistenfae back to the rest of the company, Adrian at her side. The young hobbit had been very quiet on their journey so far, and Aralle was grateful for that. But now that the situation wasn't quite so desperate, the griffin found herself wishing the hobbit was more talkative. Aralle longed for a bit of conversation with someone who already knew what she was. Then Aralle would not have to be careful of what she said.

[Tessar]

just a note, Assar is human. :P

[Silverstripe]

Aralle stopped just before they reached the rest of the group -- where she could see them, but they could not see her. Gently laying Glistenfae on the ground, she told Adrian to call the others. The sooner the hobbit and elf could get back to their friends, the better.

Aralle limped off in a different direction, then whistled for Rain. The faithful horse came galloping towards her, snorting and shaking his head as if asking Aralle what took her so long. Aralle laughed and stroked Rainstorm's nose.

"Good to see you again, boy."

She mounted the horse and rode back towards the company. She still didn't want them to see her in griffin form, and riding was much less painful than walking.

[Earniel]

A horse passed Imarwyn and Merrah in the forest and Imarwyn now knew that she was close to the group she pursued. She decided to follow the horse slowly and on a distance; far enough off so she wouldn't be noticed but not too far that she lost the tracks.

After following the trail for a while Imarwyn saw human footprints mingling with those of the horse. The hoofprints became a trifle deeper after that so Imarwyn concluded that someone had mounted the horse here and had ridden on.

The trail was clearly visible on the forest floor but the prints puzzled her. She could see the human footprints but she couldn't see a trail how the human had come here. Instead Imarwyn noticed some odd tracks she had never seen before and the image of the griffin came involuntarily to her mind. She wondered how the different prints connected. Had somebody ridden the griffin and then mounted the horse? No, speculation wasn't going to help her. She knew she wasn't the best of trackers so maybe she was misreading the prints. And then maybe not. She wondered what the elf would have made of it.

So she followed the trail further, but more cautiously this time. She listened attentively for any sound out of the ordinary and kept one eye on the forest before her. Merrah seemed to have guessed the intention of her rider and rode more silently. But that might have been just because the forest was unknown territory to her.

Imarwyn knew that what she was doing was rather dangerous as the group before her was more numerous and obviously possessed some talents she could not rival. But what worried her more was the silence behind her. Had the soldiers given up the search already? That was most unlike Athalt. It unnerved her slightly. In any case she decided to be extra careful.

[elvishfaerie3088]

ooc: sorry everyone the *curses* internets being acting up.

Ic: Dizziness hit me, as i awoke from fainting. Where was i? Aw man the edge of my forest again! But how'd i get here? Wait its' coming back that darn elf; Glimdrell made me faint! Now why'd he do that? Hmmm, i'd like to find him and find out why. But what am i to do? what to do? What to do? Well either way i was going back into my forest. Ah heck why should i bother? They'll either just begin to look for me, or leave me without answering my questions. Hmph they don't even care, nobody cares. Quit that! Okay lets see. Now knowing Aralle she'll think i went after Glimdrell but she'll probably get there before i do, so hmmm where's that darn tree? oh right, stupid elf messed up my directions too! Okay, ha found it now up i go. I'll wait here if they find me, they find me. If not i'll probably be better off anyhow. Now if i could only get rid of these pestering strangers! I sat crouched in the branches of a tree, which i knew quiet well, thank goodness for that.

[Silverstripe]

Unaware that she was being followed, Aralle continued to make her way back to the company, speaking softly to Rain all the while. She used her Sight now and then, carefully making sure that no one could see her when she did.

Aralle could just make out the dim figures of some of the company when the hobbit called Gil came running to meet her.

"Glistenfae is missing!" shouted Gil.

Aralle didn't stay to get more details; she knew enough about Glistenfae to have a good idea of where the elf would be. Not that Aralle was surprised.

Aralle shook her head slightly, wondering why Glistenfae always seemed to be wherever she could get into the most trouble, and turned Rainstorm in the direction in which she'd last seen Glimdrell.

[zavron]

Several dark shadows moved below through the forest. Five dark soldiers in armour climbed up the side of the Rock Face. They reached the top. One came up to me.

''Did you complete your mission?'' He asked.

''Yes. Theyre are a band of soldiers from Nered, two Hobbits, two elves, some other Humans, and...that's all.'' I turned and looked out on the forest.

''It better! Destroy them! I must report back to the master!'' the soldiers turned around and skidded down the side of the mountain.

[Silverstripe]

In the darkness of the forest, Aralle searched for the two elves. Glimdrell had moved on since the griffin had last seen him, and Glistenfae was apparently trying to catch up with him.

Aralle was still worried, but now, her concern was mostly for Glimdrell. The elf had pulled a dagger on Glistenfae, and she would be out for revenge. From what Aralle knew of Glistenfae, the elf seemed like one who would extract a high price for any wrong done to her. The griffin had to stop Glimdrell from hurting Glistenfae earlier, but he had been kind to Aralle, and she didn't want to see him injured or killed.

But now Aralle didn't know how to find the elves. She could determine the general direction in which Glimdrell had run, but if Glistenfae had intercepted him, the two could be anywhere by now. Aralle would look for Glimdrell, and hope that she found him before Glistenfae did. As for trying to track Glistenfae, it was impossible. The elf knew her forest well, and would not be found unless she wanted to be.

As she was about to set off after Glimdrell, Aralle felt a chill run down her spine. She looked into the sky to see a black shape hovering overhead. The gargoyle had returned, and was approaching the clearing where the company was hidden.

Aralle turned Rainstorm around, urging him onwards, and made for the company's new camp at a gallop. She was not happy to be leaving Glimdrell to the mercy of Glistenfae or the rough soldiers (the latter seemed the better fate), but she had to protect the company above all. None of them, save one, would know how to defend themselves from a gargoyle.

Without help, none of them would survive!

Aralle decided she had to get help. There was only a single gargoyle for now, but there might be more later, and Aralle could barely face one. She believed there might be a wizard in the company, who would know about griffins and gargoyles, but she was not certain.

Aralle could not leave the company to go find help. Even if she flew, the gargoyle would be there before Aralle could return with any of her allies. She knew that some of them were near, but they were all creatures that moved upon land; those who could fly had all gone.

Now, only one of those who was near would be of any help. Aralle's good friend Losillewen: a wise, noble, and powerful elf.

::Losillewen,:: called Aralle. She could feel the elf respond. The griffin kept "speaking" to Losillewen, more in pictures than in words, showing the elf where the company was, the danger they were in, and what had happened before. Then she stopped "speaking," and listened for Losillewen's reply.

Aralle kept riding as fast as she could toward the company. It would not be long now before she would have to confront the gargoyle again. This time, she had to let him attack her first. It wasn't likely he would remember his promise, but she would not act until he broke their truce.

But if he attacks one of the hobbits first, or the boy? What then? Then keeping the promise would be as least as bad as breaking it, and there would be no truly honorable course of action left for her. Aralle knew that if it came to that, she would defend the company. Their lives were more important than her vow.

[Ms. Undomial]

Losillewen and Aralle had parted soon after they had met near the boarders of Lorien. Losillewen had to take care of some business in the south, and then much father northwest. She was now heading for her final destination before she returned home, Tom Bombadil. At the moment she was in the forests on the boarders of Bree.
As soon as Losillewen heard her friends call she swiftly turned her horse in that direction. ::Inye la ana haira hoyasse lye nar, It will only be few minutes,:: she said quickly, a few moments later she continued, ::Inye hare si, What do you wish me to do?::

[Arat-Falathion]

"You think he fainted?" Assar said carefully, giving the quiet body a light touch with his torsoe, but no reaction. "Might seem like it," Hruad answered bending over Glimdrells facedown body and turning it. A painfull grin came over Hruads face and he backed off for a little second.

Glimdrells face and hair was covered with stained blood, and the cut on his forehead was still bleeding strong. Hruad saw seriously up at Assar. "He hit himself hard indeed. Better bandage his wound." Assar swiftly wielded a knife from a sheet on his belt and cut a nice slise off of his shirt and bendt down on his knees. Hruad carefully lifted Glimdrells head above the ground, causing the elf to let go of a faint sigh of pain. Assar put the texture around the head, covering the wound, and binded it tightly. "That should keep the blood from pouring out endlessly, for a little while atleast. He'll need better tending though." Assar said with a conserned tone in his voice.

"What was getting into his elven mind anyway? He ran right at us in full speed, as if he didn't notice us before he was upon us. As if his mind was so fully focusing on something else, that his awareness of the surroundings were totally forgotten." Hruad nodded agreeingly at Assars theory, indeed it was a strange happening. Elves were supposed to have great sight and awareness. "I wonder what had gotten into him..." Hruad added looking in the direction of where he had come running.

[Servant of the Dark Order]

The gargoyle began to return down the slope, when shadows billowed out of the ground in front of it. They swirled around, assuming the shape of a man, though no features could be seen. The gargoyle paused, unsure, but ready to defend himself if the figure attacked.

"You have violence on your thoughts," whispered the voice pleasantly. "Why?"

The gargoyle hesitated, but felt he could confide in this person. Part of it was the sheer authority the figure wielded - and part of it was the mental compulsion that the sorcerer laid in his mind. "I was told to go back and kill the ones below."

The shadowy sorcerer shook his head. "Tsk, tsk. That isn't your mission at all. Wherever such orders came from, you need not concern yourself with them. Simply return to your scouting, and don't let yourself be seen."

The gargoyle nodded, and then leapt up, spreading his wings. They caught an updraft, and he soared into the night.

The shadow vanished, and reappeared elsewhere on the mountain.

The dark soldiers that had given the gargoyle its orders leapt to their feet. Blades were drawn almost instantly - their eyes flashed with lethal intent, until they recognized the figure. One of their superiors. Not the one they served, but a member of the Dark Council nonetheless.

'What do you want?"

The shadow shook its head. "Do you understand the meaning of the word subtlety? No? Allow me to teach you." His voice was no longer pleasant, but rather was dark and vicious, and their eyes widened in surprise as shadowy tendrils whipped out of the ground and enwrapped them.

The shadow waved a hand, and the tendrils whipped in all directions. The shadowy soldiers were ripped apart in a horrible display of vicious might.

"That," whispered the shadow sorcerer, "was not subtlety."

He shook his head to himself as he vanished. The plan was proceeding as designed, but rivarly among the Dark Council was already beginning to prove to be a problem...

[Silverstripe]

Aralle told Losillewen, still mostly in pictures, that she didn't know exactly what the future would hold for the company, only that their road would be extremely perilous. The griffin knew that the gargoyle wasn't acting alone, as Aralle was. He had help, whether in the form of other gargoyles, wizards, Men, or another race.

Most of the company didn't know that griffins and gargoyles had ever existed. They would need help in fighting the evil they were facing, more help than Aralle alone could give them.

Aralle explained to Losillewen that she did not know what either griffin or elf might be called upon to do. She did know that the company would need Losillewen's help. It was Losillewen's choice to come, of course, but if she didn't, many lives would be lost.

::Their mission is vital,:: Aralle finished.

::I'm on my way,:: responded Losillewen.

::Thank you, Losillewen.::

Aralle rode into the clearing where the company was still resting only moments after that.

[Sicirus]

ooc: I am going to be off the moot for two days(grounded for my very dull memory) so it may be awhile.

ic: The ent moved swiftly through the forest and I held on tight so I wouldnot fall. But after awhile a thick fog purred over the land and I became dizzy and feared for the others. When I looked over at Assar he was gone. I climbed off the ent who took no notice and ran on a trail that I thought Assar had followed. Instead Ihad run into the strange creature called Aralle (your by the way in the wrong concept. I was with the ent and did not notice the absence of Glistfean(sp)) The woman turned to me and I exclaimed that Assar was missing but instead Aralle heard another name and ran off into the forest. But as she ran she stoped and glanced at the sky and then changed her path and ran under the shades of the trees. I looked puzzled at the sky and only caught a dark blurr before it vanished into the clouds. I decided to follow the path Aralle was starting on and found myself face to face my pony Poko. I sighed in relief for it had been getting dark and every shadow was staring to scare me.
I jumped onto Poko and continued on the trail on till I found myself in a claering and two people one big and one short was standing over a body on the ground. I cried out with pure joy to find it was Assar and Hruad. I jumped off the pony and to my surprise hugged the human boy tight.
Then looking at the stiff form on the ground gasped to find it was the Glimdrell. He was bloody all over his fair face and his dagger hung half out of its shief as if he was about to attack something but thought better of it.
What happend?"
"We don't know." Hruad answwered. But all we know is we have to get him back for medican and bandaging before he bleeds to death. " Poko carried the limb elf on his back as we accompinied him on the trail to find the others. As we walked we stumbled into a rather thick foggy part of the trail and tried to find our way without tripping.
Behind us light foot falls could be heard. Then a soft but evil voice came from behind our backs.
"So here you are. I've been waiting for you."
starteld we turned quickly and could only see fog.

[Ms. Undomial]

At Aralle’s answer Losillewen smiled, ::You know that I would always be glad to help you Aralle, whether the mission was vital or not,:: Losillewen then stopped ‘talking’, for she had been in these parts many times, and by what Aralle had shown her, she now knew where she was.

A few moments later Losillewen slowed Namarie down, and arrived in the clearing, where she instantly saw Aralle. But then she looked at the company a bit closer. She had seen many strange companies, searching for many strange things, but this out ruled them all. She brought her head up, and looked questionably at Aralle.

[Silverstripe]

Aralle looked around at Losillewen and the company, about to start introducing people, and instantly noticed that something was wrong. Not all of the company was present.

::This isn't all of them, Losillewen. There are at least two missing, maybe more::

Someone was out alone with a gargoyle loose, a foe they knew nothing about. If they made a single wrong move, they could all be killed. But Aralle went on as if nothing were troubling her. It was important not to let the others see her fear.

"This is my good friend Losillewen," said Aralle, smiling and hoping there wouldn't be many questions.

::We have to find the missing ones.::

[Arat-Falathion]

The world around became more and more unclear to Glimdrells closing sight and distant hearing. A strong pain filled his head as he felt something thighten around his head, and he let go of a sigh of pain, then he fainted and fell into a cursed dream...

Shadows, darkness. Things that always had been his friend and allie, suddenly was his uttermost enemy. He felt helpless, naked. The endless blackness and creepy cold air was terrifying, making foggy smoke leave his mouth at his every shivering breath.
Whispers was surrounding him... Harsh voices, too many to make any sence of any single one, all whispers boiling together into an irresisteble scream of fear and perill.

Glimdrells heart was beating faster and faster, his constant breath following the rising tempo of the hammering chest. The pain struck him down on his knees in this endless despair of helplessness. So blackened was everything, so distant, so shrouded with endless hate...

[Ms. Undomial]

Losillewen smiled at the company, also concealing her fear. Slowly she dismounted, and looked around, “Aralle, úmëa ye hare, mme vanwa ana hirte, nte selma la ana nyarin I nyárë. La mine selma. (Aralle, Evil is near, we have to find them, or they will not live to tell the tale. No one will.)� Losillewen said quietly,

“Tulin, mme selma linna, man mi te?� Aralle answered slowly in the tongue of the elves.

“Selmante na en,�

Aralle nodded, “Tereva,� she said rather abruptly.

The company looked at them strangely, for most of them had never heard the tongue of the elves, let alone understood it, and none of them knew what they were talking about. “Mme selma asca Aralle, (We must hurry Aralle,)� Losillewen said as she mounted her horse.

Ooc: Aralle does have a horse right?

Ic:

They rode away from the company, and deep into the woods, searching for the missing company members. Suddenly in the distance Losillewen heard the words of a shadow, “So here you are. I've been waiting for you.� She immediately turned her horse in that direction, and motioned Aralle to do the same.

They came upon them just as they turned to try and see who was speaking. “Aralle, Take the elf, I will get the others,� Losillewen dismounted, carefully taking the elf off the back of the wolf(??) and handing him to Aralle. “Get him back to the camp, I will be there soon.� She turned back to the other three figures, “Tulin, mount my horse,� she helped the three of them get a good seat atop Namarie, “Heca ar asca Namarie, meldanya rocco, ava hautasi.� The great Black Stallion understood what Losillewen wanted, and galloped towards the company.

Losillewen turned towards where the voice had come from. Now she was alone, but thankfully they had gotten the others back to the company. She now wanted to defy that shadow, and show it what happens when it messes with elves, but she flung that thought far from her; she was not going to let pride get the better of her. She turned her back to the shadow, and started making her way back towards the company; it was about a twenty-minute walk away, and with luck she would not run into any trouble.

[elvishfaerie3088]

"Ahhhhh i can't stand this anymore, i'm not going to wait around to find that dratted elf! I'll go find him myself! And if anyone gets in my way, doom to them!" I muttered under my breath. I tend to mutter under my breath a lot. I jumped down from the tree and began to set out on foot, heck if i was going to find anyone though. But mine as well try, anyhow if they weren't there i could always strorm back to where the rest of them are.

[zavron]

ooc: I'm sorry but the soldiers are still alive and you can't change that. I'm going to ignore that whole post.

ic:

I slid down the side of the mountain and made my way to the camp.

[Mathron]

Imarwyn glanced through the cover of the trees into the clearing. Only a few of the party was there - but even as she watched, some more entered, including a few figures she did not recognize from before.

Looking back at the clearing, she noticed the sage who had taken her horse resting against a rock. She sunk deeper into her hiding place, and continued to watch - for now.

Aasinav staggered to his feet and opened his eyes, looking around. His spellcasting was, for the moment, finished. Elise approached, and handed him a flask of water, which he gratefully took, pouring some down his parched throat. She said softly, "We seem to have gathered most of our members back here. Pure blind luck, I suppose, that we didn't loose more of our band in that mad dash through the wilderness."

He glanced up at the accusation in her voice. Did she suspect... he sighed. Of course she would have noticed him casting the fog over the soldier's minds. He shrugged apologetically as he stood.

Bushbark and Boulderhead were engaged in a casual discussion off to the side of the clearing. They seemed to have been mostly unfazed by the flight from the soldiers, and were discussing the unusual terrain that they had passed through during the escape.

He looked up and noticed that a few others had entered the clearing. Adrian had quickly rushed to Gil-Lorien's side, asking where she and the others had been.

Gil gestured at the unconscious elf (Glimdrell) they had with them. "He was running from something, and hurt his head - we decided to bring him along, rather than leave him in the woods, alone."

Elise walked over. "Let me look at that. You bandaged it well enough, but it still needs more care. Hopefully we can rest here for a bit while I look it over."

Hruad nodded. "A good plan. Especially since we still need to make sure all of us are here."

Asaar looked around. "I see most of us. We even seemed to have picked up some others," he added, glancing at Aralle and Lossilewen.

Aasinav glanced at Aralle. "You were the one who helped our escape, were you not?"

She nodded. "Myself and another, though I don't see her here right now..."

Even as she spoke, though, Glistenfae appeared out of the forest. "There you all are!" She stopped, noticing Glimdrell, and her face grew stormy. "And him - he attacked me!"

Hruad stepped forward. "Whatever his actions were before, he is rather harmless in his current state. When he comes to, we can see where his loyalties lie. And now that everyone seems to be here, perhaps we should prepare to rest for a bit.

"We should be very careful." The others turned at Lossilewen's words. She looked at them all in turn, and then continued. "There is a dark evil in these woods. We encountered it before reaching here, but it seemed content not to follow us. "

Aasinav nodded. "Nevertheless, being careful is assuredly a good idea. Even if this mystery sorcerer is content to let us be, we must recall where we are journeying to - the barrowdowns, which are filled with their own share of dark things. And who knows what strange creatures might lurk in the shadows of this forest?"

"I know," said Glistenfae, loudly, eyes flashing. "You don't have to worry about what is in the woods. The only evil to worry about is what you've brought with you."

Aasinav nodded. "Very well. The dangers continue to mount, and our goal remains a ways ahead of us. Are we all still determined to continue the path we've chosen?"

[Sicirus]

ooc: What happend to our Ontor and ent, aas well as our hobbit Adrian?

ic; I stepped up to the captain Aasinav and nodded to him.
"I will follow you enywere" Is aid to my surprise.
:Adrian followed."This can help us with our training."
Aasar joined us and smilled at me and Adrian then stood by the captains side proudly.

[Mathron]

OOC: Buried in the midst of the above post: "Bushbark and Boulderhead were engaged in a casual discussion off to the side of the clearing. They seemed to have been mostly unfazed by the flight from the soldiers, and were discussing the unusual terrain that they had passed through during the escape.
He looked up and noticed that a few others had entered the clearing. Adrian had quickly rushed to Gil-Lorien's side, asking where she and the others had been."

IC:

Aasinav's eyes opened a bit in shock. "Well, I... I never claimed to be the captain! Hruad was the one who organized all this..."

Hruad shook his head. "I will do what I do best - advise, and try to help my people. But out here, amidst the wilderness, I am hardly in my element. I am but a politician, in the end. "

Aasinav smiled a little sadly. "And I am but a sage. We all have skills that will aid in our quest. I will do the best, then, to see this out, along with the rest of you."

[Lief Erikson]

"My thanks, Aasinav," Hruad said, nodding his head. He turned to the others, and then glanced down to Glimdrell. "It has been a most confusing night. By some magic our escape transpired, then subsequently we were scattered and regrouped.

"Glistenfae, I'm afraid that your quarrel with this elf will have to wait for a time.

"Boulderhead?"

Boulderhead turned his head back to him, stopping what he was saying to Bushbark in midsentence. "What?"

"This elf has a good heart, if misguided. We'll take him with us, and I'd appreciate it if you carried him."

"But-" Boulderhead said, his eyes flicking down to the elf in annoyance.

"You are the strongest and he could do no harm to you."

Boulderhead glanced down at the elf once more and sighed. "Well, all right."

"Good, my thanks," Hruad said, and turned back to the other members of the company. "We must continue. It will be some weeks travel to the Barrow Downs, but I think the worst could well be behind us now. Somehow, Athalt Cranain's men have been disabled, and we must snatch what time that affords us. Come, we must be well away from here by the time they begin to come to consciousness."

[elvishfaerie3088]

"Well if i can't fight with that darned elf! I'll fight with you! You still have not answered my question of why you are here! This little secret of yours is making very angry. Why won't you tell me or why hasn't anyone told me! You shall not leave without my questions being answered and if you do it will be because you have killed me! Now speak up!" I said as calmly as one could, when i have helped them and yet no explanation of why they were there was given to me.

[Lief Erikson]

"Enedwaith is under the control of a sorcerer," Hruad told Glistenfae. "The king is under a spell, and the way to break the spell is to use the Hytorax, a gem of sorts that is a magical item."

[elvishfaerie3088]

"A sorcerer? What kind of sorcerer!? What is he up to? What does he want with Enedwatih or whatever?" I said curiously. "Stupid sorcerers," I scoffed under my breath so none could hear.

[Lief Erikson]

"We don't know what he is going to do with Enedwaith, or what his overall scheme is. But what we do know is that he is in control of our king and has seized control of our kingdom. It is my duty as one of the countrymen of this realm to help him get free, and to save our country. These others are my friends, who are helping me on this quest. But we cannot stand here speaking of it for long, we have to go at once.

"Ah, and the reason why you can't have Glimdrell is that he is an elf who is seeking to do what is best. He still believes the king of Enedwaith to be in his right mind and Athalt Cranain and his men to be in the right. He is deceived, but after he comes to understand the truth, he will no longer be an enemy."

[Sicirus]

The Hytorax is near my home?" i said with shock.
"I have ben to the Barrow downs but once and all who go there even once never wish to return for it is haunted by the dead."
"Well if my brother can defeat them and still be strong then I thinn we can" Said an exited Adrian who recieved encouraging nods from those who knew Frodo apart from herself.
"I thought you would be coming with us" I said looking at the elf Maiden.

[Tessar]

Asaar leaned back against a rock and listened to the conversation with interest, this elf girl was quite odd and Asaar was certain she must be insane.

Asaar noticed that some one else near him was breathing, and very quietly, so he looked around warily to see if Adrian was sneaking up on him to play a prank.

Seeing no one, Asaar listened more carefuly and the breathing stopped, so with a shrug, Asaar walked back over to the others and eyed Elise curiously, how was it possible she still had that rather old looking mare? Well, old women tended to be invintive, and tricky.

Asaar winced at the memory of the white haired woman from his village, granny they all called her, who always seemed to know just when he was about to play a prank on her, plus unless he was mistaken she had kept a special broom with a longer handel just for him.

A hand touched Asaar lightly on the shoulder and caused him to jump and spin away, but it was only Aasinave.

"Sorry." The old man chuckled, he looked like another one of those people who could just tell when Asaar would strike, all old people seemed to. "Could you climb up that tree over there and tell me if the soldiers are coming after us again?"

With a grin Asaar nodded and crouched down, placing his hands firmly on the ground and bending his elbows a bit.

Then with a grunt, Asaar pushed off the ground and leapt into the air, catching a branch with his hands and swiftly swinging himself up, he climbed a little further up and looked at a very strange sight, almost all the solders were lieing on the ground with a man running back and forth between them and waving his arms angrily, rousing some and bullying them to thier feet.

Looking down, Asaar called out, "Well it's rather odd, but it looks like they all tripped or something. But their getting up now and that man who commands them doesn't look very happy."

[Mathron]

OOC: Aasinav isn't too old - he's only in his 40's! Though, I suppose that looks old enough to a young kid. ~grin~

IC:
Aasinav frowned. "I suspect they will have trouble coming after us immediately - and may not wish to pursue after what they've been through. We should have enough time to remain here for at least a short rest before moving on. With luck, we won't have any more dire threats until we reach the Barrow Downs..."

[Lief Erikson]

Hruad nodded at what Aasinav said and briefly smiled thanks to Elise for her assistance in imobilizing Athalt's troops. "Come on then, everyone."

First he led them back to Athalt's camp by a roundabout way, and approached it cautiously. Boulderhead and Bushbark had to be left behind, for even at night their height would make them too obvious to even a casual observor. The camp was empty; Athalt's men were still out in the brush.

Hurriedly, they took horses again, the swiftest they could find. Not all of them could locate the precise horses they'd had before, but the ones they had were good and should be sufficient.

Hruad saw a dagger lying near the fire and picked it up. Walking back to the horses, he moved among them till he reached the posts they were tied to, and proceeded to cut the ropes attached to their halters.

"Athalt Cranain is not going to like this," he said aloud, "and personally, I don't like having to do it. But this should assist us in keeping those soldiers off our back, probably for good."

"Save one for me," a voice came from behind him.

He turned around and was surprised to see Glistenfae standing there.

"I believe I should come with you. If this sorcerer you speak of is taking control of this country, my wood will die within the year anyway, and my guardianship of it will be for naught."

"Choose your mount," Hruad said with a smile. "It will be good to have you joining us."

The horses were all cut loose now.

"Aasinav!" Hruad called out as he got clear of the horses and mounted his own. "Call Boulderhead!"

"Boulderhead and Bushbark!" Aasinav shouted. "Give us a hand scaring these horses, will you?"

A broad grin spread across Boulderhead's face and he lunged out of the shadows, dropping Glimdrell by the fire. He and Bushbark then ran at the frightened horses, swinging their limbs and letting out loud cries.

The horses screamed in panic as those in the middle attempted to climb over their fellows in fright. The horses thundered out over the plain below.

"Now we will have a more free ride," Hruad said, urging his steed forward. "Forward, everyone!"

Their company rode swiftly out into the night, keeping along the forest's edge at first, and then vanishing altogether out into the plains country.

Behind them, there was a movement among the trees and Athalt Cranain stepped out, holding Ruafus' bridle. Imarwyn had ridden swiftly out of the shadows and was mounted at the campfire, staring after the company. She glanced at Athalt as he approached.

"Will it do any good to follow?" she asked.

"At least some good," Athalt answered. "We will be able to learn if there is any truth in the tales they spin. Glimdrell is with them and some night or other I'm going to have a chat with him about what he learns from being in there among them. My men are without horses, and therefore rendered useless to us. The magic that was used upon them has humiliated me and them- they escaped far too easily. My men are capable of more than they showed, but some art I believe dulled their minds. I still have a duty, and by some method I can complete it, I think."

"You're either brave or reckless in accomplishing your duty," Imarwyn said, shaking her head. "They're more than a match for you."

"Are they a match for Ruafus or your steed?"

"What do you mean?"

"We can keep up with them or escape from them as we choose. We can steal the Hytorax from them once they take it, thereby foiling their mission without having to harm any of them. There are ways we can still accomplish this; it's not over yet."

[Earniel]

"Mmmm... There's thruth in what you say."She looked thoughtful at the disappearing company. "None of the horses they ride are a match for either Ruafus or Merrah. We might even be able to overtake them if we wish. It's a good thing I had her with me in the woods this time. But they've taken Tiamar, the horse I borrowed in Néred to pursue them. And as I promised to return him, I cannot go back to Néred without that horse."

She turned to face Athalt. "Therefore I will go with you if you intend to follow them as you said."

Athalt nodded, he had not expected anything else.

Imarwyn continued "However it will not be easy, stealing the Hytorax from them. Their horses may not be a match for ours but their magic certainly is. My heart warns me against stealing magical objects from sorcerors. And I feel that there is danger too, coming from the Hytorax and the Barrow Downs themselves."

"But, " she said as she checked the bonds that held her pack tied to Merrah's back, "I suppose we'll have to see to that when we get there. I am ready to go."

[Lief Erikson]

Dawn's light pierced the darkness, glowing faintly across the plains. The company raced on, and it wasn't until midday that they stopped to rest their horses.

"That run has been tough on our steeds, I'd imagine," Hruad said, "but it has gained a space between us and Athalt Cranain that will be difficult for him to close again. And now we can continue at a more leisurely pace."

Behind them they saw a dust cloud rising, and turned their heads toward the commotion. Hruad frowned and walked toward the front of them as two riders approached. They continued to come closer, and finally he smiled in relief.

"Welcome!" he called out as they reached him. "We lost track of you last night and couldn't afford to wait around and find those by whom our salvation came. Thanks be to the Valar that you showed up when you did!"

Aralle smiled as she and Losillewen reined in their horses. "Your thanks are well placed," she remarked as her horse danced slightly in uncertainty. She reined it quickly to a halt again

"Why have you followed us and helped us as much as you have?" Hruad asked, as he extended a hand to help them dismount.

He glanced at Boulderhead a moment later and noticed something else as well- Glimdrell was awake. "Boulderhead, bring the elf over. We also need to talk with him."

[Arat-Falathion]

Glimdrell shook his head in a vast effort of regaining a clear picture of the world around him. Slowly the fogged sight cleared up. His head was stinging and his back was hurting.

"Boulderhead, bring the elf over. We also need to talk with him." Glimdrell suddenly heard a voice beneath him speaking, Suddenly the rocks he was sitting on began to move, and in a leap in the striking moment of panic he jumped off and landed firmly planted on the ground, turning quickly at the Ontor.

Boulderhead chuckled lightly. "Easy now there, elf. If I wanted to crush you I would have done so long ago..." Glimdrell nodded, it was true. And in this moment a warm hand landed on his shoulder.

"Glimdrell, you are finally awake..." He turned to face Hruad, smiling confidently. In the background Aralle and Glistenfae stood, resting their pace. Glistenfae grinned down at the grass before her, telling Glimdrell all he needed to know. They had told her to stay off him. Aralle seemed nothing but friendly, smiling at him.

"May I ask you how you became involved with Arthain and his company, master elf." Hruad asked. "Little has the interferances with elves been in the city of Néred, and now that the elves has sailed west, I find your presence here even stranger... why?"

Ah, so they had him right were they wanted him. Outnumbered to the extreem, and as if that wasn't enough, they had helped him, given him firstaid. The first impression that had laid upon him as he first met these thugs came back into his heart... Yes, strange indeed would it seem if these were nothing but plain thieves and rebellions. And why whould an Ent and the stone creature be traveling with them for, if their course were not of higher importance then the simple rebell against a city they hadn't even dwelt in? Glimdrell shrugged...

"I am from Lothlorien, as my looks must tell you. Friends of many birds I am, and news they bring me of the world about. News reached me of a whispered name, giving me shivers down the back. I knew something new and evil was at hand, or I thought I knew, and decided to go southwest and search it all out. If evil was at hand, I would be a part of its destruction... I met with Arthain in the Dunlands, on the return to Néred after heroic deeds against villains in that area. He said people in his city would probably be able to answer whatever question I needed to have answered. And so one thing led to another, and suddenly I was riding out from the city again with him and his soldiers hunting you. I did sence something in that city, something strange, something evil..."

[Lief Erikson]

"Your senses are very acute," Hruad observed. "That is the evil that we have fought and are fighting. It is because of that evil that we are out here, seeking haunted hills. Here's another evidence, besides your own senses, that I can bring to you right now to help show the validity of our claims. I was a politician of some standing, a representative of a region in Enedwaith. I had a career ahead of me. If I was an enemy, I would have remained in the place where I could do the most damage. If I was a rebel, having someone in the government would have helped my cause. But I instead am out here with these others, simply because I know we need all the help we can get if we are to succeed in this quest."

[Arat-Falathion]

Glimdrell looked around at the company and nodded solemly. "I believe you, and I shall acompany you into whatever perill that may lay before us..." Looking over the company again, suddenly Glimdrell noticed a third elf, one he hadn't seen before, yet there were something about this elf that reminded him of something, or someone.

OOC: Sorry, have no more time to write :p Celebration time! :D :D :D

[Ms. Undomial]

ooc: BTW, Losillewen’s horse does not use the saddle or bridle.

Losillewen dismounted her horse, but did not answer Hruad, for the elf that was unconscious before was walking over. Namarie pranced a bit, unsure of the company, “Quilde Namarie,� she whispered to her horse. She looked cautiously at this elf, strange and familiar he seemed, as if she had seen him before but she couldn’t recollect precisely where, when, or how. She studied him for a bit longer. She knew she had seen this elf before, and now she wondered as to what his name was. After a few moments she slowly walked towards him, “Vendui’ Elda en’ Lorien, Lótessë inye maquet’, man ye lye essë? (Greetings elf of Lorien, may I ask, What is your name?)� she asked.

“Inye Glimdrell.(I am Glimdrell.)� He answered, eyeing her strangely.
“I Glimdrell en’ yerna(The Glimdrell of old?)?� she questioned, surprise in her voice.
“Inye intya mme nar I ve, manen? (I believe we are the same, why?)� He asked, unsure of this elf.
“Nar lye tanca? Inye Losillewen en Lothlorien, ar inye nyar’Glimdrell ve inye né telellë. Ve lúmë lendë or mme vanwa sóra en’ máca mine, inye vanwa lá cens hota lúmë, ar inye intya aiqu’inye vanwa talmas ata. (Are you certain? I am Losillewen of Lothlorien, and I knew a Glimdrell when I was an elfling. As time went on we lost track of each other, I haven’t seen him since, and I am wondering if I have found him again.)�

ooc: so sorry for my horrible quenya, it works, but is not perfect. :rolleyes:

[Arat-Falathion]

"Losilleven! Andawë hriver ar lairëi vanwaier et nótimë, ar sÃ* vanimelda calanyén! Ciryandilva sÃ* tuliënuva ve mÃ* lumë, yetenye tulyen Lómion..."
(Losilleven! Long winters and summers are gone out of the countable, and now your beauty shine for me again! Our friendship shall blossom now like in the time, before I became a child of twilight...) Glimdrell said with a light smile on his face.

"Indeed you have grown since I last saw you!" Losilleven replied. She raised her hand and touched his cheeck and smiled. "You dissapeared so suddenly and knowone knew of it, but I believe that our past should be discussed under other sircumstances then those we are upon now." Glimdrell nodded solemly. "I agree!"

[Lief Erikson]

*Arat-Falation, your Inbox is full.*


Hruad bowed briefly to the two elves and stepped past them, walking over to Aralle. "A pleasure to meet you again," he said with a smile as she dismounted. "Would you please answer the question I asked? Why have you come and helped us as much as you have? Who sent you?"

[Silverstripe]

As Aralle dismounted, she could not help wincing a little. While riding, she had almost forgotten about her injured leg. The griffin in human form leaned against her horse for a moment, then stood up straight as she answered Hruad's questions, ignoring any pain she felt. She'd become quite good at that over the years.

"I helped you because I had learned what you are trying to do, and believe it is the right thing," said Aralle. "I was also informed that the soldiers you were with were planning to kill some of you."

Aralle already knew that Glistenfae might have exaggerated the danger, but she was glad to have the company away from the soldiers.

"As for who sent me," Aralle told Hruad, "I am simply a wanderer." That was true enough, although not a complete answer. "Now, if all of you are finally together, I suggest we keep moving."

[Sicirus]

ooc:Ok on with our quest. here is a bit of a booster. Hope you don't mind but in case you do than In will delete the post.

ic:We startet off again on our journey towards barrow Downs. We had to get the Hytorax as soon as possible before the enemy decided it would put an extra search on for it. Elise told us off for taking another pause and we all marched off on the path accompinied by the griffin. I mounted Poko my pony and buckled down my dog on the back of the pony by my side. The exited but cold grayhound licked my face and I strocked his soft red fur.
Adrien trotted next to me on Swift who was looking at the grayhound with envy for getting a ride. Assar laughed and passed me by to show he was edging for a race. I laughed and patted the pony and told it to go forword. We raced ahead of everyone and were told off by a very annoyed Elise.

[Lief Erikson]

The days slipped by, and regardless of the apparent lack of pursuit, Hruad said they should take turns keeping watch at night. No one appeared though, and their passage went on uninhibited.

"They can't have given up on us," Hruad told himself quietly one evening. "It's too important to them. They can't give up."

"Athalt wouldn't have," Elise said from behind him.

He turned around to glance at her.

"I could see it in his eyes," she said with a shrug. "He's clever and determined. That parade they held for him in Néred wasn't without reason. Somehow or other, I fear we'll encounter him again before this business is done."

"But how could he be pursuing?"

"I don't know," she answered. "I don't have the answers. I'm simply giving you my opinion that he is."

Hruad lay down and pulled his blanket over himself, soon finding sleep. Bushbark kept first watch, but his eyes saw nothing but the blackness. Nothing moved in the dark.

But someone was watching.

Athalt stepped away from the bush he'd been hiding behind and crawled back several paces before standing up and walking back to the place their horses were bound.

"They aren't stupid," he remarked. "Their ent is keeping watch."

"We never expected them to be stupid," Imarwyn said with a small smile.

"We can pass them and if we ride hard, we can reach the Barrow Downs two days ahead of them. But we'll not do that."

"Athalt Cranain?" a voice came from behind him.

His blade was at the speaker's throat in a moment.

"We meet again, in the same manner," Glimdrell said with a half smile.

"Cursed elf," Athalt said with a grin and reached out, grasping the other's hand. "What have you found?"

"They have many races forming one company," Glimdrell answered. "Races that aren't easily deceived, and which traditionally fight for the good. An old friend of mine is among them. They spoke to me, and I will have to leave your side."

"They have a sorceress among them," Athalt told him, his voice wary. "Her magic could lower your resistance to convince you."

"I am an elf," he answered. "I can sense their magic, and I am strong enough to resist. No, they never attempted anything like that."

"How am I to know that?"

"They are a strong willed and good company. Their whole company would have had to be deceived to get these specific people there. The sister of Frodo Baggins is among them, along with others who were on their way to Gondor. I strongly believe that no magic has been used upon any of them. The two politicians among them, Brilindil and Hruad, have both left successful careers to accomplish something neither of them has many natural abilities in favor of. Most of the others have some skill in arms, but those two would have been far more useful in Néred."

"We don't know what is going on behind the scenes, there."

"They have given me the political situation and it sounds realistic. Vahatres has been acting to seize more power for himself in the country, to deprive the regions of their rights. These things are in keeping with what little I heard while I was in Néred, and they aren't in keeping with what a good king would be doing."

Athalt scowled. "The dissatisfaction of the people is the very reason why a revolt now sounds so possible."

Glimdrell shook his head. "You are blinding yourself because you refuse to take any action but what your government dictates. You want to retain your post and honor among the guard, but in so doing you join the side of evil."

Athalt's face darkened still more.

"What strong reason have we to believe you in this?" Imarwyn asked. "What reason do they claim this sorcerer has for taking the Hytorax in the first place?"

"They don't know. All they know is his presence there-"

"Which shows that they could be just as easily being manipulated."

"Imarwyn," Athalt interupted. "If a sorcerer is in control of King Vahatres, then it is up to us to stop him. Regardless of the reasons for his control."

"Who they are, their reasons for going, the lack of a detectable spell or reason for a spell, the political situation in Néred, everything that I see confirms what I am hearing. Please help us and don't hinder us, or at least watch and wait."

Athalt turned back to Glimdrell and stared at him for a long moment. "I will think about it."

Glimdrell nodded and turned back into the night.





The company moved on at a swift pace, and the remaining days passed uneventfully. Finally, ahead of them dark rocks loomed into the sky. The sky was clouded and the land misty. The grass that covered these slopes and valleys was green and lush, and no bird sung in the sky.

Quiet filled the air, and they slowed their pace to a halt, staring out tensely into the Barrow Downs.

[Adrian Baggins]

ic:"Swift, Swift where are you?" I whisper, moving through the trees. I see him, running ahead, I follow, shifting into wizard form, grabbing for my staff.

I hear a voice, almost singing, calling me, "Adrian, Adrian. Come with us Adrian, you could see your brother again."

I stop, standing still, I am knocked out and the last thing I see is a light, growing brighter at first, then darker and far away.

ooc: okay, Swift comes back to camp and leads the group to me, I am still unconcious.

[Sicirus]

ooc: Er... how do you shift into wizard form Adrian?

ic: I sat by the fire petting the lazy tired out greyhound by my side. The greyhound gave a big yawn and fell to sleep twiching as he dreamed of chasing a rabbit in a meadow of lush (grey in his case) grass.
I smilled and looked around to see if Swift was dreaming too but only saw a horse without an owner and a hobbit who was missing. I gave a small cry of alarm and searched around the camp for the crafty hobbit but did not find her nor the wolf. I grabbed Assar and (I forgot my dogs name so I will just call him Sandyman) Sandyman and led them to the edge of the Barrow downs.
"DO you think she went off by herself? "I asked before assar could ask why I brought him over here.
"Don't know." She said shacking himself back awake.
Before we could utter another word a lardge figure came bounding across the fields its ears back and eyes wild with fear.
"Its Swift." I cried with joy and ran over to the galloping wolf. I hugged him then saw that he came not for a long stay but a warning. I nodded then ran to get Poko and set of with following the wolf to were it wanted me to go.
We arrived in a foresty bit of land and I found Adrian unconcious on the ground hardly breathing. I grabbed her and pushed her onto the pony who shifetd alittle.
A growl started up from behind me and I was surprised to find Sandyman crouched down with his teeth visible and his fur sticking up along the ridge of his back. he lifted one paw and sniffed the air. he gave another growl then bounded in front of me and stayed there. Swift smelled the air then joined him.
Some thing was moving in the depths of the forest that I wanted to get away from as soon as possible. I jum,ped onto Poko's back and tried to make him move but from fear he refused.
In the distance moans could be heard and cold sweat purred down my back and forehead. I heard of the legends of the Barrow Downs and did not believe them. But could they be true?

[Adrian Baggins]

ooc:It's weird charms on a neclace. I'm grounded off net for 2 weeks, sneaking these posts. g2g.

[Tessar]

Excuse me... Elise's magic tricks?...

Erm could you please edit that?

[Lief Erikson]

*:D Yes, it probably would be a good idea for you to edit that thing about the magic tricks, Sicirus.


Adrian, I don't know if you read it, but I had some problems with your shape shifting ability as well, and I brought those up in the discussion area. I'll talk to you about it over PM.*


I see two figures standing before me. I felt the presence of their warm flesh the moment they entered my domain, and was drawn to them. Naturally, they already fall under our sway. There is some chance that their comrades rescue them, but we have always been skilled at leading people onto false trails.

I move closer to the hobbit that is awake, a black shadow that is now vaguely visible to her sight. Only vaguely, but it is still enough to inspire the necessary terror.

The hobbit's mount bolts in terror, its rider still clinging to its back. They run half a mile, not directly toward us, but we are patient.

"Gil-Thalion? Gil, where are you!" Assar cries, and I deflect his voice.

It sounds now as if it came from the right direction, and the hobbit is already disorientated. In day we cloak our victims with mist, but right now we have night as our ally. No one in their right mind enters the Barrow Downs at night, for the legend of Tyrn Gorthad lives on still, and the knowledge of our presence has not faded completely from the minds of our inhabitants.

One of our enemies has powerful magic; I can hear her singing, tearing away the darkness. Gil-Thalion's certainty wavers and she wonders if our trail is the right one.

We attempt to cloak that enemy's song, to cover the small creature's ears. But the power of her magic is too strong for us at this moment, and our opponents gain certainty as they follow in Gil's direction.

We withdraw, leaving our blades within their scabbards, still sheathed. We have one of them, anyway. The hobbit that plunged into our land alone first we still have, and another of my kind is bringing her now into the mounds. She will be gained by us.

We watch in the distance, from the shadows as Gil-Thalion enters the light of Elise's staff and is accepted back into their company in their embraces.

We are strong, more strong than they can imagine. We watch the members of their company curiously, recognizing some of them. The tree and rock creatures we recognize, as well as the female magical being.

While with them, it will prove difficult to reach the other members of their company. The elf we can deceive, given time and effort. But this could prove a difficult problem.

They obviously have come here for some purpose; they aren't just passing through. If they were passing, we would let them all go. But these interlopers have come to disturb our burial sights, to take what is ours.

The magical woman was capable of breaking into our top mounds without support, but she never attempted to crack the deeps of our realm. If she had penetrated our realm of darkness alone, we would have crushed her. We are strong there. The dead dwell with us.

[Sicirus]

ooc: Sorry bout that stupid post. I have edited that part out and give my appoligies.

ic: I arrived at camp led by the light of Elise's staff. The light was like a heavens welcome to safty. I rushed in and ran right to the side of the sorcerer.
" You have our lost memeber?" she asked
"No." I replied gesturing towards ponies.
"Something was out there. It was chasing us." I said with a shiver.
"It was like it wanted something that only I could lead it too. But it could not enter our camp." I looked around the camp but only found a company of brave but tired warriors of all sorts.

[Lief Erikson]

*Sicirus, I'm really sorry to have to make you edit one of your posts again, but I wrote in my last post that they had taken Adrian. It's logical that you didn't notice that though, because I didn't mention Adrian by name. The Barrow Wights don't know it.

But don't call your other post stupid. It's a good post, it's just not in Elise's character to do magic tricks for people. She's not as 'user-friendly' as Gandalf was :D.*

[Arat-Falathion]

"We must stay together!" Glimdrell said quietly, the air swallowed his words, nearly muting them, but the company could still hear what he said. "I sence great evil and magic here, may the name of Elbereth be laid upon Adrians shoulders, and rescue him from the terror he's now confronting."

Glimdrell walked to the front of the company where Elise and Gil-Thalion was standing. "The legends of this place is true indeed! Ever did I pray never to see such a land as this... it weightens my heart with sorrow..."
Looking into the haze before them he stood still and stared. "So, does anyone have any good ideas of how to get him back?" He turned suddenly at the company. "My vote goes for awaiting the dawn..."

[Tessar]

*it's\a\she*

"My heart warns me against any waiting, but I fear they have her." Elise said tiredly and leaned on her staff, watching the mist.

"I dare not go in the darkness." Elise said finally, shaking her head sadly, "It simply cannot be risked untill morning."

[Mathron]

Aasinav stood up suddenly, running a hand through his hair. "Wait until morning? You would abandon one of our companions to the darkness that surrounds us? I have long studied the barrows and their dangers - if we wait until morning, all hope for her... may be lost."

He grabbed his walking stick, and pulled his cloak tight about himself as he stepped away from the fire. "I know more than any of you about these lands and the dark things that lurk here. I shall retrieve the hobbit girl, rather than abandon her to whatever dark fate lies in the barrows." For a moment, his eyes flashed with anger, before he looked out upon the darkness.

With that, he turned and strode into the shadows - and was instantly lost to sight.

[Sicirus]

ic: We cannot leave her at night. Yet if she is like her brother then strength is in her as her brother."
I ran after the disapearing Aasaniv and took out my dagger in preperation of a fight.
The mist was thick and I reached out for a sighn of Aasaniv but only found a rock. I cried out as loud as my quivering voice could muster for an answer but so far heard only a the beating of my heart reaching for my thraot as though also trying to escape the mist and heavy feeling of fear.
Finally I found the hem of a cloak and pulled at it. nothing answered. Fear went through my body again and a shiver ran past my spine. I looked at the cloak and saw that it was Adrians but the only problem was that Adrian was not wearing it. I cried out again much louder then before.

[elvishfaerie3088]

"I do not fear this as much as you do...I have been through this before," I spoke unsurily as if i was still in wait for something. I pulled back my hood and letting my cloak fall to the ground. "Your friends shall not make it, call them back, you must believe me, i know you have no reason to believe me but i shall tell you later or Aralle will, Please let me go, don't let your friends find their death in there," I spoke solemnly looking hopeful and pleading at the other elf. I began to let my past surface slowly.

[Lief Erikson]

"No, this is madness," Hruad said angrily. "Foolishness! Gil, get back here!"

A few seconds later though, he appeared to change his mind. "No, it is too late already. In the Barrow Downs, the living cannot continue. I fear they will kill Adrian if we wait till day. Come, we must all go. Now, if we are to catch the others before they are dead from their own foolishness."

Elise lit her staff, her face showing the forbodding she felt. "I warn you, we are not likely to be able to succeed in this way. But if we must, then we must."

They ventured into the darkness again and it wasn't long before they found Gil, trembling, in one hand holding Adrian's cloak.

Hruad nodded to Boulderhead, who scooped her up and they kept going.

The night was complete about them and they could sense something alive out in the stillness, watching them from the darkness.

"Calling for them will do no good," Hruad said softly as he looked ahead. "Elise, do you know the way?"

"I know how to enter the deeps," she said, turning her face toward him. "But I have never done it before."

"This will have to be the first time, then," Hruad said. "Aasinav knows where to go; he's the one who first located the Hytorax."

They slowed, being more careful as they came to a place where their surroundings seemed no longer green, but gray and musty. The grass looked dead and they could feel the haunting of the spirits. A large slab of stone, seven feet long lay embedded in the ground.

"Lift it," Hruad said hoarsely.

Bushbark and Boulderhead moved uneasily forward, bending over to dig so that they could make room for their fingers to get under the slab. For a minute they remained thus occupied, but then they had their grip. With ease, they lifted the heavy stone slab into the air and threw it to the side.

A dark pit lay before them.

"It's death for any of you to go in there," Glistenfae said. "Let me go."

"No," Hruad answered. "Elise?"

He motioned forward with one hand for her to proceed, but suddenly another shape ran ahead of them. Glistenfae leapt into the darkness and was gone.



*In case anyone's wondering, I'm not making major decisions for Glistenfae without Elvenfaerie's consent. We discussed it over PM.*

[Earniel]

Imarwyn watched the company's movement from a distance. She and Athalt had made camp on a safe distance from the Barrowdowns. But they could still keep an eye on the doings of Hruad's company. The both of them kept watch on turn during the night. They had lit no fire so they would stay unnoticed. Though Imarwyn suspected that at least Glimdrell knew exactly where they were. The two horses were tied for the night. It was too dangerous to let them stray so near to the Barrowdowns.

Imarwyn shook Athalt's shoulder. The commander woke almost immediatly. "Hruad's company has entered the Barrowdowns," she said.

Athalt frowned. "At this time of night? A strange time to search for the Hytorax now that the spirits of the Barrowdowns are in their element."

"True," said Imarwyn with a nod. "Though I do not think the Hytorax is their main objective now. The two hobbits and the boy entered the Barrowdowns earlier. The boy got back soon and the sorceress' magic guided one of the hobbits back to their camp. The other hobbit, however, did not return."

"Then they will search for her, undoubtedly," said Athalt.

"As they are doing right now," replied Imarwyn. "And in searching for the hobbit, they might find the Hytorax. What shall we do?"

[Arat-Falathion]

"Glistenfae!" Glimdrell cried out as he reached out for her in her leap and looked after her as she dissapeared into the darkness. "What is up with her and everyone!?" Glimdrell sighed and shook his head. "Allright, so I suppose we are at the point of no return here, we should all be doing what we do best..." Glimdrell looked around at the company. "Should I merge into the shadows or stand by your side?" Glimdrell looked askingly over at Hruad who had seemed to take the leader role. "I shall follow your command!"

[Tessar]

"Fools!" Elise said with a frown.

"everyone follow me and stay close or you will perish!" She commanded, suddenly seeming... larger and stronger. More commanding certainly.

With a cry, Elise charged into the barrows after Glistenfae, the time for stealth was past, thanks to her foolish companions, and even though she had no TRUE reason to help them other than that they reached for the same goal, Elise now felt protective of any of them. Plus she wanted the satisfaction of hitting Aasinav over the head with her staff.

A mist began to appear around them but Elise waved a hand and caused it to dissipate, the barrow's first and weakest attack was easily beaten by a Miar. But Elise knew there were greater to come, and only a few more would be so easily waved away while others would require all her strength, if she could even beat them at all.

{bah, sorry about no spell check, I have to run for karate though!}

[Sicirus]

ic: I was lifted up by aq giant figure and my hand still held on to the cloak. I shivered.
"were is she?" I cried over and over again. Glimdrill only gave me a look of concern then we stopped at a certain point. Glistenfae
ran off into the mist and was gone.
: Our company should not be parted." I cried out.
"that is what the Barrows want. They want us to be all to be away form each other so they can have a better chance at getting us." I said before struggeling to get out of Boulderhead.
I jumped down and attempteed to runafter the elf but was jerked back by Glimdrill.
"Like you said we must stay together. You will not beable to find the three missing people." He said pulling me by his side.
Elise ran after the elf and used her power to shield the evil of Barrow downs.

[Lief Erikson]

Athalt turned his eyes upon the campsite ahead of them, and then he glanced at the darkness of the Barrow Downs that lay beyond its light.

"Taking their horses is the first thing that comes to mind, but that would be of little use. They could go to nearby settlements to procur new horses before we could make good use of our advantage, and they'd also be put on their guard against us.

"I'm unwilling to follow them now and keep an eye on them. If they survive, they'll be back for their horses and we can take the Hytorax from them as they return to Néred. If they don't succeed in their endeavor though, our problem is already solved.

"I actually think that we must simply wait and see what happens."






"Elise is right," Hruad told Glimdrell. "It's too dangerous to go after her now. I think that Gil also has a point; they're trying to break us up."

Elise's light flashed for a moment, flickering and dimming momentarily. Her footsteps faltered, but then she moved forward again, her staff bright again.

They could feel the presence all about them, watching them, testing them and probing for weaknesses.

A minute later, Elise slowed again, her staff's light fading. It came back to full power in a flash, but she walked more slowly.

"How far have we yet to go?" Hruad asked Elise anxiously.

"I cannot tell," she murmered, her face showing the strain she felt. "But they are a burden on my shoulders and have struck twice now. We are getting close to the Hytorax; I can tell that by the fact that their power is growing stronger. It is the magic of the Hytorax that they are using against us."






I watch them with interest. We have laid out the girl upon the floor a few paces away from me, ready for death. Yet we cannot send her to join the people of Tyrn Gorthad yet; she still has another purpose to serve. As long as she is here, these opponents will not give up. And I want them all. My fingers flow through the Hytorax's smooth surface. They are still some distance away, but already begin to feel the danger of my power. This is an interesting game; I wonder how far they will be able to continue before we overwhelm them.

It was clever of us to have the Hytorax right in the place where the girl is; they cannot get her without coming to the source of my power as well. And that will mean their certain destruction.

[elvishfaerie3088]

ooc: *breathes deeply* here goes nothing.

ic: I ran as fast as i could using what little magic i had to keep myself safe while letting more and more of my past rise from within me. My past began to pound in my head, making me very familiar with the place around me. This is the place i probably should have died so so long ago. i hope the other havn't followed me or maybe i do hope they followed me. God i'm not letting Adrian go through this, i've got to get to her before they do! I'm not letting Adrian go through the same thing i went through, i won't let anyone. I can do this, i can do this i'm stronger now. "Curse you, leave me alone, you will let me pass!" I screamed aimlessly. "I have delt with you before and made it out once and i plan to get out again you can not stop me!" I screamed again but louder this time, i was becoming less afraid as more and more of my past seeped into my head. "Adrian? Adrian, Adrian!" I hollered into the vast darkness around me. I hope she's all right. "Adrian, Adrian!" I came to an abrupt stop suddenly. I saw light ahead of me. It was faint but it was there. I peered around the corner, Adrian! There she was but who was that? Probably that sorcerer they were talking about earlier. Could i take him, no probably not but i had to get Adrian out of there. I drew out my sword and let it flash a little in the dim light. I jumped out into the dimly lit place. "Let her go! Let her go and you won't have to deal with me," I screamed keeping my sword in front of me, i crept closer, "Adrian, Adrian get up, I demand you to get up! Adrian," I pleaded while mummbling a few elvish words under my breath letting them slowly rise to the surface of my voice letting them fill the room.

[Lief Erikson]

The darkness was all around Adrian. She saw burial stones, places where dead things lay. Skulls and bones littered the ground; she could see them, and she drifted among them, terrified to join them.

Then words pierced the dim gray sky. They rebounded through the darkness, blasting through Adrian's head, offering a glimpse of a world that she had once known, but which seemed endless distances from the one that she now dwelled in.

Nevertheless, despite their distance, she grasped at them, blindly and in tears. "Help me!" she cried.




Adrian's lips didn't move, but Glistenfae heard her. She reached into the hobbit's mind and touched her head with one hand, still barely holding the sword up to the towering dark form before her. Between its skeletal, dark fingers she saw a blazing green light.

Adrian's mind was returning, rushing along the pathways back to the light.

Her eyes burst open and she raised a hand to her mouth, letting out a cry. Reaching out with both arms, she clung to Glistenfae, weeping, but the elf woman's eyes were locked upon the unmoving dark form before her.




I stare at them, contempt and anger burning through me, but with it a cold separation. They resist us foolishly, yet somehow they managed to reach all the way to our heart. I will destroy them.

The elf is stuck where she is, Adrian clinging to her, still not fully recovered from our power. Neither of them has a hope.

The power of the Hytorax pours from us, from me, and I lay the two out with ease.




The power blasted Glistenfae and Adrian back to the earth and the sword fell from Glistenfae's hands, ringing on the stones.

The Barrow Wight stepped forward and one of its hands left the Hytorax's surface, going to its side. A long, pale blade was drawn.

It stepped forward, approaching them, and brought its sword down.

Something leapt from the shadows and a weapon flashed, blocking the pale blade. It was a man- Aasinav.

[Arat-Falathion]

"Caugh!" Glimdrell cried in an instant. The company turned towards him. "What is it elf?" Hruad asked quickly, "what do you feel?" Glimdrell met his eyes painfully. "Glistenfae has fallen into shadow... I can feel it!"

"I feel it too!" Elise said firmly. "We must hurry!"

[elvishfaerie3088]

Get up you fool! Get up! You can not stay here! Get up, get up, get up! Snap out of it! Get up! Find your sword, quickly now! Get up! I reached out fumbling all about, where did it fall? I touched something hard, ah ha the hilt of my sword. Confounded thing, how could i let it fall? For that matter how could you have let yourself fall? I gripped on to at tight as i could wincing with an extreme pain, what had hit me? Adrian, you fool! Adrian what about Adrian? I felt around again and quickly found Adrian lying closly beside me. "Adrian, Adrian? Are you alright? Adrian..." I whispered quietly to her. "Come on Adrian you've got to get up, we've got to get out of here! Adrian come on, get up! Get up!" I pleaded with her and then faintly heard a moan, well at least i knew she was alive, hopefully she would awaken completly soon. I staggered to my feet, clutching at my sword. Anger began to shoot through me, i hated who ever had struck me down it was like a reminder of my previous pain years ago, it had struck me once hard, and now it had struck again, but i was stronger now, i will not let it defeat me! I crouched down, gently picked up Adrian and moved her nearer to the way i had come in. I staggered forward towards Aasinav, should i help? Or should i stay back and let him fight alone? Pure anger shot through me again faster and harder this time. Stupid thing, "You may have caught me once but you shall not catch me again! And you shall not have Adrian! Do you not know who i am? Do you not know? You shall not get me nor anyone else that passes through that enterance!" I screamed. You idiot why'd you go and do that!? Suddenly i heard footsteps, many footsteps, faintly at first but they were getting louder. Was it the rest of the group or more evil things in search to destroy us?

ooc: no i believe it shouldn't mess anything up, just watch your step,LoL.

[Mathron]

OOC: Aasinav's a 'he', by the way. ;)

Aasinav's staff held beneath the Barrow Wight's attack, but only for a moment. He staggered backward as the wood was sundered in twain, and the sword swung again, towards the sage's head. He managed to duck under it, and suddenly the creature screamed - whether in rage or in pain, he could not tell.

Glistenfae stood beside him, her sword having cut into the creature. Aasinav took a deep breath, and then ducked past the creature. It spun around, blade singing through the air towards him, slicing into his robes. A sharp flash of pain echoed through his side, but he kept from crying out.

A bright light flooded into the room as Elise and the others entered. The Barrow Wight shuddered, but strode forward, unafraid - even as they all noticed dark shadows around the corners of the rooms. The Barrow Wight was not alone. The creatures circled the party like a pack of dark beasts, even as Glistenfae and Adrian retreated into the light emanating from Elise.

"Stay back, dark creatures!" she spoke, her eyes flashing. "You shall not triumph against me!"

The Barrow Wight seemed to laugh, and took a step forward into the light. For a moment, it seemed to be protected from her power - and then it froze, as if in shock. A shudder ran through it, and it turned to look behind it - where Aasinav stood, his hands placed upon the Hytorax.

Aasinav spoke, and his words were deep and forceful. "This power will feed you no more, phantom. You are a shadow of a distant time, a place that no longer is. Return to being only memory. Begone."

The Barrow Wight suddenly seemed to feel the full weight of the light upon it, and crumpled to its knees. A wordless scream arose from it, and the other shadows fled, and vanished into the darkness as their leader fell.

[Arat-Falathion]

Glimdrell lowered his bow and unfitted the arrow that had just bent the string an instant before. "So much for going into the shadows... I didn't even have time to let a single arrow fly." He snickered and fit the arrow back in his quiver and consealed the bow on his back again. "So we finaly have what we came for..."

Glimdrell picked up his surcoat that had left his shoulders as he drew his bow, and threw it around him, his face showed his approval of momentary victory.

[elvishfaerie3088]

ooc: oops *edit* there fixed it.

ic: "We must get out of here! Quickly now, do not stagger!" I screamed. I leaned down again picking up Adian. Now why hadn't she awoke yet? She should have awoken by now. You'll have to check later, not now, go now! GO! "Hurry it up!" I screamed.

[Arat-Falathion]

*wopsy*

[elvishfaerie3088]

ooc: Wopsy?????

[Sicirus]

ooc: An rpg that is actually getting somewere.:D This is a great story with very good writers.

ic: Elise led us to Glistenfae and found her holding a limb body that appeared to be Adrian. The Barrow Weights came and found that Aasinav held out what looked like a glowing object of great power. It lit up the dark corners and the faces of the many ghost and memories that stood before us.
They fleed from the power and I guessed in my mind that it must have been the Hytorax(sorry if that is not to the story completely but I want to make it short so I can catch up)
I rushed over to my unconcious friend and shook her trying to bring her back to life. She did not respond so I grabbed her under her arms and attempted to lift her. Instead Boulderhead grabbed the limb hobbit and carried her with ease. We rushed back to the camp not wishing to stay in the barron lands. We finally had what we had been searching for but what then?
"What are we going to do with the Hytorax now that we have it and not the enemy?" I asked Glimdrill.

[Lief Erikson]

"Take it to Néred," Hruad answered immediately.

Gil turned her attention from Glimdrell to him.

"There is a sorcerer there whom we must oust from power; that is the very purpose of our coming here. We have no reason to suspect that they will know of our coming. We threw off Athalt Cranain, partly from the help of unforseen assistance," he bowed his head to Aralle and Losillewen, "and partly through some incredible strokes of luck. Let us hope that that luck holds."

"Won't the sorcerer be on his guard now?" Gil wanted to know. "He knows we've escaped by now, probably."

"You're right," Elise told her. "But we have no choice. There is a kingdom at stake."

"And a more subtle plot than we often see," Hruad remarked.

He looked back at the Barrow Downs. "I can still sense some turmoil there, but I don't think they will venture out to strike us. I believe that for tonight at least, we can expect a peaceful night's sleep."





Athalt watched them from the shadows as they all lay down and one by one, drifted to sleep. He kept his eyes on them for quite some time after, and even after it was plain that they were asleep, he still watched them, thinking now.

He had listened in on their conversation; it was plain now that they all truly believed that what they had told Glimdrell. These different representatives of the races all had allied and bonded together on this common purpose.

Athalt got to his feet and walked over to the company, hesitating beside Aasinav. Reaching down, he carefully removed the Hytorax from the man's coat and stood there, considering it. His duty to the king was to take it back to them, where it would be safe. But was that his duty?

He hesitated longer, fingering the brilliant green crystal.

His duty was to prevent them from using the Hytorax against the king. How could he know for certain?

Walking past the rest of them, he walked over to their horses. He searched through the saddlebags quickly, searching for some other clue that would ease his decision.

Then he found something. He pulled his hand from the saddlebag and unfolded the paper.
Narashgul,

My master has raised you above all other orcs. Given you knowledge and a mind that no other orc ever had.

Your task is one of great importance. Find a green stone, a hand tall or a little taller, and bring it back to me.

If you return without it, your soul shall scream for all the ages of Middle Earth.

There are others searching for the stone. Some are with us, but some for the cursed Blue Flame. If you find any that are with the Blue Flame, slay them.

Plainly they had intercepted this from some orc or other. They would have no reason to keep a letter to an orc unless it had some bearing upon their own mission. And their stopping him seemed logical, if they were of this enemy group that was mentioned.

He shook his head slightly as he looked at the picture of the stone, and then looked at the exact replica in his hand. They certainly knew what the item looked like.

He remembered again the icy cold eyes of the councilor who had stood beside King Vahatres, the man to whom he'd taken an instant dislike. But Athalt could do nothing to help them here, even though he was now quite sure that they were telling the truth.

His instincts hadn't ever led him wrong yet; he'd best start paying attention to them now. Turning away from the company, he walked to its edge and dropped the Hytorax on the edge of Aasinav's cloak. Then he strode off into the night.

Rejoining Imarwyn, he woke her and they set out again, heading for Néred.

[elvishfaerie3088]

Beautiful sunrise, i thought. I danced around gracefully letting the sunlight hit my face. I began to hum an elvish song from long ago, it was nice to let my past out for a while, it had been bottled up so long, no wonder i had gone a touch crazy.
"Sunshine Glistening, Daises are in the bloom, And i look up out of the gloom, the trees seem to reach out and listen, hmm mmm hmmm hmmm, The land shall bloom in twilight or at noon, and all shall sing in praise hmmm hmmm mmm mmm." I had turned from my elvish singing to the common tongue. Should i wake the others? Why would they not want to be up! Tis' such a wonderful sunrise. Ah well crazy hobbits and such! I started to pick at the flowers as i began to dance again. Finally i stopped my fun and went and tiptoed back into camp, lazy bums! i thought. I sat down and began to weave at the flowers i had brought back with me.

ooc: There, lol, someone's awake!

[Arat-Falathion]

"Enjoying the arising sun of morning dawn, Glistenfae?" Glimdrell said, resting in a laying position, his body half uprised by the support of his right albow to the grass. Glistenfae was talking silently with the flowers in her hands, suddenly laughing and then touching the flowers gently whispering satisfactly. Truly a new light shone upon this elven maiden this morning.

"Ah! You are awake!" Glistenfae cried and jumped back upon her feet, dancing over to Glimdrell and helping him up. "Seems so..." Seemingly having no choice, they both danced around among the sleeping fellowship, hand in hand, enjoying the sunrise of the new dawn...

[Sicirus]

ic: I woke opend my eyes to see a changed land from what I had seen during the night. Flowers that had not been seen before had risen it seemed during the night and flared out like different clored flames. The golden light of the sun lit up the trees and stream that flowed next to our camp.
I rubbed my eyes and rose up to walk towards the stream. The stream sang merrily as it flowed swiftly and tirelessly(sp) past to a never ending journey. I splashed some cool water on my face then shivered at the sudden shiver that ran down my spine from the shock of the cold. Yet it was pleasent. I laughed watching the fish pass by being driven by the stream. I turned my gaze to two figures walking in the distance smilling. it seemd that the two elves had been up enjoying the beautiful morning atmosphere.
I looked over at Aasar and wished he would wake up. Adrian had fallen to sleep at once when put on a soft pillow. She slept soundly smilling at the new comforts.
I went over to a low branched tree and stared to climb it. I got to a certain pint and looked out at the lands that lied ahead. But when I looked behind us I noticed another camp.
Was that....?

[Silverstripe]

Aralle woke just after Gil did, to see Glistenfae and Glimdrell walking together. Faintly, Aralle could hear Glistenfae singing an elvish song, one Aralle had not heard for many years. The griffin smiled, glad that Glistenfae was enjoying herself.

Aralle looked around the camp. Everyone was still asleep, except Gil.

Then I'll not disturb the elves in their merriment. I will find Gil-Thalion.

Aralle rose quietly, careful not to wake any of the others. They needed their sleep, though it was a pity they could not enjoy this fine morning. Aralle laughed, and started humming the song Glistenfae had been singing earlier.

Though Aralle knew no one was watching, she didn't dare use her Sight to locate the young hobbit. Any use of magic ... or rather, any alteration in the status of magic (since griffins and wizards are always magical) might be noticed by the sorcerer. Elise knew this, too.

Fortunately for Aralle, Gil hadn't gone far away. The rustling of a tree's leaves, when there was no breeze, told the griffin where Gil was.

Aralle smiled, remembering how a companion on a long-ago quest had told her to climb more trees. At the time, Aralle had thought that a bit silly, since if she needed to see things from a high place, she could fly! But this morning seemed to make everyone merrier, and Aralle decided to give the advice a try.

Her ascent was slow (Aralle not being used to tree climbing), yet the climb was easier than she would have imagined. Soon she was near enough to the hobbit to speak to her.

Gil had known the griffin was coming long before the hobbit saw Aralle; Aralle had never learned to climb a tree silently. In fact, the griffin would have looked ridiculous to any experienced tree-climber.

[Lief Erikson]

Hruad woke slowly, and when he did he saw that the sun was shining broadly down upon their camp. They hadn't even set any night guards; they must have totally lost their heads the night before.

Not that they didn't have good reason, he thought to himself as he sat up. They'd nearly been trapped and killed in what was essentially a dark, evil tomb. And if it hadn't been for Aasinav, they might all be dead.

Hruad glanced over at the man, sleeping soundly, wrapped in his robes. The Hytorax lay beside him; he must have been looking at it during the night.

Hruad stood up and stretched. Reaching down, he shook the leaves off of his blanket and started to roll it up. He finished shortly and turned to their horses, thinking to himself. He hadn't ever cooked a meal in his life before and it would probably be a bad idea to start now. But he could at least go and get some firewood. They'd been on the run for so long; they'd not had a hot meal in a long time. And hobbits always knew how to cook, he thought to himself with a grin.

[Mathron]

Aasinav slowly opened his eyes, and sat up. The night's rest had been more peaceful than expected - replenishing the reserves he had drained in the battle with the Barrow Wight.

As his thoughts turned back to the battle, he felt a flash of pain in his side - or rather, the memory of pain, from when the Barrow Wight had struck him in the combat. He laid a hand across the wound, but felt merely smooth unbroken flesh beneath his robes. The same as it had been last night. He frowned - he would have to investigate that. It may have merely caught him with the flat of the blade, but he suspected otherwise.

He shook his head. It wasn't worth worrying about now. Soon, they would return to Néred, and he would see this through to the end.

[Earniel]

Imarwyn glanced sideways at Athalt. The commander hadn't said much since he had woken her up with the comment that they would return to Néred. By now she guessed she knew why. He must have been to the other camp while she was asleep. But he had returned without the Hytorax, she would have known if he had done otherwise. Yet Athalt would have never left the Hytorax with the other company unless he had found some evidence that supported Hruad's claims.

No wonder Athalt is disturbed and silent, Imarwyn mused. Because if Hruad had been telling the thruth, then there is truly some sorcery at work in Néred. And that was directly where they were headed. She shivered unvoluntarily.

"How will you explain in Néred that you return without prisoners?" she asked.

[Lief Erikson]

Athalt shook his head slightly with a sad smile. "My reputation will be damaged badly.

"We'll start by telling them the truth. They'll already have heard that magical power overcame my men and that we were defeated outside that wood. Afterwards, you and I were gone because I had gone to alert another commander to seek for them. Then we helped in the search for a little longer and organized some patrols. That will assist the company by making King Vahatres think that we're already looking for them, so that he doesn't think he has to send a force himself. It also could have the good effect of alaying the sorcerer's fears."

He turned and looked at Imarwyn a little more closely. "I'm sorry for getting you wrapped up in this; it's a political intrigue that could crush the lives of many men. Hardly the sort of thing a horsetrainer gets herself involved with."

[Sicirus]

ic: i looked at the camp and tried to make out who had stayed there who were the people?
A branch creaked and I looked down to find Aralle climbimg up to my spot. She reached a branch just below mine and asked of what I was searching for.
"The morning.star." I replied with a slight smile then pointd out to her the second camp.
"Do you know them?" I asked the griffin who had just spot the camp and the two inhabitants.
The wind blew slightly and blew worm fresh air on our backs. I breathed deep and took in all the spring like air I could manage and waited for the griffins response.

[Earniel]

Imarwyn smiled faintly. "Hardly the sort of thing for a horsetrainer indeed. Ever since I passed through the Gap of Rohan I rolled from one peculiar situation into another. Yet it was horses that got me involved in this in the first place and not any fault from your part. And when things get ugly I'll count on them to get me out of trouble again," she said as she patted Merrah's neck affectionately.

She turned and looked back to the barrowdowns where Hruad's company should have woken by now. "But if we can fool the sorceror into a false sense of security, the more chance the others will have. I just hope that sorceror can't read our thoughts because then the game will be truly up. And I suppose even the fastest of the mearas won't be able to safe us then from his wrath."

[Silverstripe]

Aralle looked out at the camp, straining her eyes to see the people Gil was talking about.

"Know them? I don't think so. But wait. Perhaps I've seen them before."

As the griffin leaned out to take a closer look, the branch she was onbegan to crack. Aralle quickly retreated to a safer location, then said,

"I couldn't see them well enough to tell for certain. One of them looks familiar, though it's not one of my good friends, or an enemy. But what are they doing here?"

ooc: I'll edit my post as soon as Sicirus decides what she wants to have found. :)

[Lief Erikson]

Hruad looked up as he heard movement and saw Gil and Aralle hurrying back down the hill toward them.

"We found a campsite up there," Gil told him as he stood upright, another piece of firewood in his hand. "It looks like one or perhaps two people were sleeping there last night- extremely close to our own location."

"Did you find anything in it?"

"Hoofprints leading away," Aralle said at once. "Heading in the same direction as we're about to go, actually."

"That's not the only strange thing," Aasinav remarked as he approached them, apparently having overheard their conversation. "I found the Hytorax lying on top of my robe last night, not where I'd put it."

"This grows stranger and stranger," Hruad said, frowning. "Yet it cannot mean enemies, I think," he said to himself, sounding all the more puzzled. "Or they would have taken the Hytorax when they had the chance."


A few minutes later, as the hobbit members of their company put together a delicious meal for them all, the answer to their question came. Glimdrell and Glistenfae appeared to have discovered the identity of these people through the animals and trees nearby; it was Athalt and Imarwyn.

"Perhaps they have finally come to believe me," Glimdrell said to himself as he took a seat by their fire.

"Perhaps," Hruad said, but his eyes were already focused back toward Enedwaith. "Whether it was them or not, they made no attempt to make contact with us so our mission remains the same. We must reach Néred as soon as possible; preferably before they do."

[Sicirus]

ic: You mean the leader of those mean soldiers (yes, I am using baby words) was camped here and actually did not try to arrest us?"
I stared to clea and put away from cooking things and packed up my things getting ready to leave for Nered.
"What shall we do with the Hytorax when we get to Nered." I asked.
'Are we going to destroy it somehow?"

[Lief Erikson]

"We will probably attempt to use it to break the magic that binds the king," Hruad said as he assisted Gil in cleaning the dishes.

It wasn't long before the company had finished packing their things and getting everything prepared for their journey. Then they mounted their horses, starting off at a quick pace back toward Néred.

[Arat-Falathion]

Glimdrell rode over to Losillevens side. Looking over at her he said. "So, maybe this will be a better time to talk about our past..." She smiled in return and nodded, "Perhaps it is..."

Immersed in their talk of past times set them oblivious to the others, but their horses led them along with the company...

[Earniel]

Days passed and Athalt and Imarwyn came close to the forest of Dwinei where they had met the elf Glistenfae. Néred was near now. They could ride through the gate within four days. Suddenly Imarwyn pulled Merrah's reins and the horse stopped in the track. Athalt turned to Imarwyn with a questioning look.
"I cannot go to Néred," she said.

Athalt nodded. "I understand."

Imarwyn smiled. "No, I don't think you do. I came to Enedwaith and I do not intend to leave it so soon. What I mean is that I feel I cannot enter Néred now. Alone you'll have more chance to convince the sorceror. My heart tells me I won't do well if questioned about what really happened these last weeks. Besides I gave my word to the stable boy I would return with the horse I borrowed and that horse is still with Hruad's company. I won't break my word. There is also one other thing I wish to do before I enter the city again. I will reach Néred again in a few days probably around the same time as Hruad if his company keeps traveling at the same speed as they have done up until now. They're only a day behind us. Goodbye until then, Athalt." With these words Imarwyn took leave from Athalt. With a nudge of her heels she urged Merrah on.

In the noon of the second day since she left Athalt, Imarwyn reached her destination. She was close to the borders of Dunland and in the east she could see the Misty mountains. It was not far from here that Imarwyn had first met Athalt and his soldiers. The land was hilly with an occasional grove of trees. In one of these groves Imarwyn dismounted. She unloaded her pack from Merrah and tended to the horse.

After that she walked through the grove until she found the tree she was looking for. On its bark a figure of a horse was drawn with a few knife cuts. At the foot of the tree Imarwyn started to dig, using one of her knives. Soon she uncovered a bundle wrapped in clothes. She smiled, it was exactly where she had left it. She wondered why she had left it at all but at that time it had seemed a good thing.

As she wiped the sand of the bundle a twig snapped behind her. In a second she had dropped the bundle and spun around, her knife ready, only to find the last person she expected.

"Hello dear sister," said Tareod calmly.

[Adrian Baggins]

I awoke to find myself on a pillow and it took me awhile to realize where we were, I got up and walked around, Swift walked up to my limping. "Swift, what is it?" I asked bending over and looking at the injured paw, there was a shard of steel in his paw, but how had it got there?"

[Mathron]

Aasinav looked around at the faces of the other companions, seeing most of them lost in silent thought. Their journey to Néred continued quickly enough, but they still had a ways to go, traveling as a large group, especially with some party members still wounded.

Aasinav patted the Hytorax at his side. It was safe there, but his strength had been drained considerably from the battle with the Barrow Wight - he needed the journey back, as well, in order to recuperate his strength, if he wished to prevent the Hytorax from being taken from him by force.

He shook his head, and glanced at his companions again - it seemed he was as prone to drifting off as any of them!

"My friends," he began, his voice seeming strange and unnatural as it broke the silence. He cleared his throat. "That is to say, our journey does not need to be made in silence. We have plenty of time before we return to Néred, and should have advance warning if any enemies approach. Come now - we have just had a great victory, have we not?"

He smiled benevolently at them all, and then continued, "I remain a wanderer and a collector of tales - I am sure many of you have had interesting adventures before, have you not? Please, tell me of them, that I might record them into the record of history..."

[Arat-Falathion]

Glimdrell drew his attention away from Losilleven for a moment when Aasinav spoke. Truly he wouldn't mind to hear what other perill his fellow riders had gone through in the past. It seemed like a logical way of getting the road to Néred seem shorter. He and Losilleven was pretty much done talking of the past anyway, and had more or less gone over to a simple chat of the current journey and what would probably await them in Néred.

"You might considder adding my name." Glimdrell said abruptly. "I did have a name once, feared among the orcs of the Misty Mountains area, and sung among elves in Lothlorien..." Glimdrell quickened his horse's pace and caught up with Aasinav in the lead.

"During the dark tide of Sauron's greatness and Sarumann's betrayal I lurked along the boarders of my country, killing every orc nearing the area. That is the way of fighting I always attended to. Some may call it wimpy, a fight without honor, not dearing to stand before my enemies face to face, but I call it evening the odds and relying in the skills one always was ment to trust. My cunning in stealth has always been magnificent compared to my strength, I do belong in the shadows!"

Aasinav snickered at Glimdrells remark. "And I who thought elves belonged under the shining stars and the glowing sun!"

Glimdrell nodded solemly. "We do... yet my path has taken another route." Glimdrell chuckled lightly as a memory came back to his mind. "Actually I remember a poem that was written of my mysicism. It went something like:

Seldom do they speak of him
for few of them has seen him
yet most of them has felt him
and his gleaming silverdagger
in their back
They know to fear him
They know to flee him
Glimdrell Silvershadow
from the west

...and I do have a story to tell...

A band of orcs, derived from Moria, set one night out after the company, later known as the Fellowship of the Ring. Truly did orcs ever stream out of that dark hole and truly was I awaiting my time of action in the shadows.

Some reached the boarders of Lothlorien and was shot by elven archers, but there were more orcs about. Swiftly did I kill one by one. Orcs turning to see their comrades suddenly fallen behind them, ever pleasing is the helpless panic of these truly dumb creatures." Glimdrell smiled as he chuckled heartedly. "Indeed they fled about, having no idea of what struck them! And as they tried to figure out what struck them, they nearly boiled over by their overworked brains. Indeed they never saw me coming... Truly a hillarious memory of the past!"

The whole company laughed together and all agreed, orcs had never been the brightest creatures walking the land.

"Oh well, that's my two cents!" Glimdrell laughed, "I'd be more then pleased to hear some other stories?"

[Lief Erikson]

Elise wasn't interested in telling tales, whether she had many or not. Aasinav was jotting down notes as the others spoke. Sliverstripe told a story of a griffin's adventure during the war between them and the gargoyles. Adrian spoke to them briefly about how she met Swift, and what he meant in her life. Brilindil amused them all with a tale of an attempt he'd made in Hobbiton at getting people to join him for an adventure- an attempt that had failed. He didn't bother with telling them any of the battles he'd fought in or adventures he'd been through. He'd had his share of those but was content to leave them in the past.

"I'll have a private chat with you sometime, Aasinav," he said, slapping the other man on the back, inadvertently causing him to scratch a long line across several sentences he'd written. "Then I'll give you a more interesting story."

And finally Hruad gave them a last tale, the darkest one so far, the Legend of Tyrn Gorthad. He briefly told them what little was known about the Hytorax, that its origin was unknown but that it had been used in Tyrn Gorthad for many years before its misuse brought about the end of that kingdom.

This set again the dark mood on the company and many of them returned to silence.

"That tale isn't necessary to tell," Aasinav said, laying his pen down upon his parchment and moving his horse at a slightly faster pace so that he could come alongside Hruad. "It already has been written down in several places; no tale can I get from that. Tell me of your last bold swordfight."

Hruad punched him lightly on the shoulder. "Useless. It would be the shortest tale in history."

"Then pray tell us," Gil said, grinning.

"The End," Hruad answered.

The others laughed. Ease had come back on the company, and they continued along, chatting as they pleased.

The days rolled slowly by and they soon began to near Néred.

"They'll have guards looking for us," Hruad told the others as they set up camp a mile from the city on their last night of travel. "Does anyone have any ideas of how we might get in?"

[Arat-Falathion]

"I thought you had this all figured already..." Glimdrell said with a sigh and stepped down from his horse. "It isn't easy to enter a fortress, a city surrounded by high walls, designed to keep unfriendlies out, -if one isn't welcomed..." A sudden change in the elfs face caught Hruads attention. The elf had gotten an half evil smile on his face, as if he had an idea.

"So you meen that we need to be welcomed in order to enter?" Hruad motioned. "Indeed yes," Glimdrell replyed. "That, or being captured..." Hruad shook his head.

"Anyway, I take on my shoulders to scout out the surroundings this night. I'll see if I can find any hints on how to get in..." Glimdrell motioned into the shadows even before anyone had time to reply or argue, and he was gone...

[Earniel]

"Mind pointing that somewhere else?" asked Tareod as he pushed the knife with one finger a little further from his face.

"What are you doing here?" demanded Imarwyn as she sheated her knife. "Do NOT tell me father changed his mind!" she warned him.

Tareod looked apologetic. "Mother became worried a few days after you left. And it's been weeks since we've heard anything about you. She litterally threatened us to go look for you."

"I've been rather busy these last few weeks, I even haven't slept in a normal bed for quite a while. It was a little hard to send any news home. Besides I also thought I had proven enough that I can take care of myself. I'm not coming back yet, you can tell her that."

Tareod made no reply but picked up the bundle that Imarwyn had dug up, he unwrapped the cloths and held a rohirrim helmet and short mail shirt. "So that's how you got by the borderguards unnoticed."

Imarwyn shrugged. "I knew mother would make father change his mind. I figured you wouldn't be able to track me any time soon if the borderguards didn't see me go to Enedwaith."

Tareod smiled. "Rágo is looking for you in as far as Gondor right now. If it wasn't for recognizing Merrah I would have simply returned home without any sign of you. I can understand why you hid this gear. But why did you come back for it now? Are you in trouble again?"

Imarwyn snorted. "I haven't been into real trouble ever since I cut the tail of your horse because you had pulled my braids. And we both know how long THAT was ago." She took the mail and helmet from Tareod and walked back the horses. Her brother followed her. "Although," she continued, "I must confess some real trouble may come up soon now. And I might need that chain mail. Speaking of trouble, have you ever heard of the Hytorax?"

Tareod frowned. "That's a fairy tale, Imarwyn."

"Fairy tales have sprung from the grass in great numbers these last years. The Hytorax is a very real fairy tale. I would tell you the full tale as far as I know it, but I must get back to Néred quickly if I wish to be of any help there before the end." She started to pack her belongings again.

"Then you can tell me underway." said Tareod decisively. "I am not going to let you go back there alone. Plus if there is going to be any trouble in Enedwaith we must learn enough about it to warn Rohan if need be."

[Arat-Falathion]

The elf motioned for the branch, clearing the sight for the gates of Néred. The elf had stealthily made his way through the planes and was now close enough to clearly discern what happened at the gates, out of distance for human sight ofcurse.

The evening was due, and the sun was on its way behind the horizon, painting the sky in a glorious red. The port was fully opened, though he guessed that it would close soon, as nightfall was at hand. Seemed like this was upon the hour of the evenings shift of gateguards, for two new guards came and replaced those that were already standing there, leaning against their spears, looking weary at the end of todays duty. One of the new guards motioned to speak, and Glimdrell strained his ears, trying to hear their conversation.

"Time to go to bed lads!" One of the new guards spoke to the stationed gateguards.

"Finally you arrive, what took you all day!" The guard staggered his support back from the spear and onto his feet. "I really don't understand the meening of guarding the gates, not even a mouse has tried to get through the gates all day, or week for that matter."

"You are absolutely right" The new guard reasoned. "But we must follow orders..." The tired guard shrugged and patted the two new guards at the shoulders as his comrade had turned to enter the gates. "You'll find it difficult to stay awake. Even with the sun stinging in my eyes, sleep found me!" The two new guards chuckled lightly as the other guard walked in the gate, catching up with his comrade.

The swift elf quickly searched over the area, quickly gathering geographical info and laying his strategy. Before the next minute had stroke, he was on the move back to the company...

[Arat-Falathion]

Glimdrell stepped into the camp, getting everyones attention as he suddenly appeared from the shadows.

"Alright, here is the deal." He said jumping onto a small boulder. "There are two guards at the gates. Not having too much to do, their awareness won't be at the extreem. I did not spot any guards on the walls eather, but I believe they are waiting us..." Hruad nodded. "Yes, we haven't used to have gateguards at this hour. They are truly awaiting us..." Talk spread out among the party.

"May I have everyone's attention again please!" The talk died away, and yet again Glimdrell had their full attention. "Alright, here is the deal. This will be a move relied on stealth, so I'm sorry to say Boulderhead and Brushbark will have to be left behind, atleast for the time being. If things really start to heat up inside the walls, I wouldn't mind for their support. But for now, I believe that our comming to the city would best be unnoticed..."

Hruad shrugged. "And how are you supposed to get the whole company past the keen eyes of the gateguards?" He said with an unbelievebal tone in his voice.

"In the moment of distraction..." Glimdrell replied simply. Glimdrell motioned for Glistenfae to stand up. "Me and Glistenfae will draw the attention of one guard each. In this moment the rest of the party will have to get inside the citywalls, so everything will have to happen fast and without failure..." Glistenfae nodded eagerly, she had been rather bored on her way back from the Barrows.

"Ok..." Hruad motioned. "It is the only plan that we have, even if it does sound hard to get through... How do you suppose we'll do our approach over the open planes before the city?"

"The sun is dissapearing behind the horizon, the eyes of men see shadows where none are in the darkness... they also tend to see nothing at places where the swift one walks. Remember what I said, the ones in charge truly awaits us, but the guards seems not to be fully informed. It doesn't seem like they are on special lookout for anything. I truly believe this will go as easily as we ever want it to..." Glimdrell smiled confidently.

"So are you with me on this or not?" Glistenfae nodded eagerly, while the rest of the company seemed a little unsure weather to go for this or not, but with time, one by one seemed to rais their hand in approval, finding no better solution."

Glimdrell nodded as the last one raised his hand. "Boulderhead and Bushbark, you two guard the camp and horses back here, and wait for any commotion before you act!" The ontor and ent nodded, though didn't seem very happy to be left behind like this. With a sudden liep Glimdrell jumped down from the boulder and started into the light vegetation, the others sprang up and followed him as best they could.

Glistenfae cought easily up with the elf on his side. "So what strategy do you have laid down for me?" She asked eagerly.

"I'll go inside the walls, right under the nose of the guards." Glistenfae nodded at Glimdrells plan. "Then I'll start a commotion in there, that will hopefully make one of the guards leave his post. The other guard will hopefully also try to see what is happening, and in this moment I want you to liep behind him and inside, then start a commotion on that opposite side of the gate and hopefully get the last guards attention and he'll walk away from his post."

Glistenfae nodded, though didn't seem confident with the plan. "And you think that this is going to work? They are not stupid orcs you know..."

Glimdrell agreed. "I can't promise it will work..."

Glistenfae giggled. "So in this moment of confusion, the rest of the party will enter the gates as swiftly as possible right?"

Glimdrell nodded. "That is my plan yes, hopefully we won't even have to paralyze the guards, leaving them with the thought that we only were a cat or a dog..."

Glistenfae chuckled. "This plan is truly risky, but you managed to sneak behind me once" The reminder stinged in Glistenfae's stomack, a certain need to hit Glimdrell found its way into her mind, but she had to resist and threw the thought away. "I believe that if you can trick the sences of an elf, then a human should be no match."

"Sorry for putting you to sleep that time, it was really in the best intention..." "BEST INTENTION?!" Glimdrell quickly motioned for her silence, they was getting close to Néred now, and the proud citywalls could be seen in the far distance. Glistenfae sent Glimdrell an unplessant grin, but Glimdrell shrugged indifferently. "We are on the same team here..." Glimdrell reminded, and Glistenfae's grin grew even wider.

Glimdrell suddenly stopped, waiting for the party to gather. "Alright, we need to go more carefully from here. The open plane towards the gates will prove the true difficulty."

[Arat-Falathion]

"Glistenfae and me will go ahead of you, I would really be more confortable if the rest of you crawled from here, if Elise could put some kind of shroud upon you that would help?" He left the desition to the sorceress and turned to Glistenfae. "Ready?"

****

Swiftly the two elves sprang over the open plane, trying to stay away from the sidevision of the guards, who were appearantly telling eachother jokes of some kind, for they laughed in turn and together and seemed to have a good time together, rather oblivious to the plane before them, representing their duty.

The sun was now creaping its last rays of light behind the horizon, leaving the open tundra to the hidious darkness of night. Glimdrell had the feeling that the gates would be closed at that time, but he crossed his fingers and kept on moving with Glistenfae right behind him.

The last few feet before they entered the shadows casted by the high walls they too crept as silently as they could. They were close enough now to faintly hear what happened inside the walls, and that was a sure sign of getting in close...

Glimdrell drew his surcoat tight around him, and truly dissapeared into the covering shadows of the walls. Even Glistenfae lost track of him. Suddenly he was upon her. "Wait at the wall for the first guard to leave..." he whispered as he once again dissapeared into the shadows.

Glistenfae sighed, but could really not do much else then what she was instructed to do. Silently she crept in beside the wall, staying firmly out of the guards sight.

****

Glimdrell moved as silently as all his cunning could produce. Silently motioning forward in a prone, his magical surcoat swept around him, merging him into the shadows. Truly this was an act that would need his full consentration and years and years of training and experience.

He reached the end of the wall, where the gate was carved into the strong bricks towering up above him. The two guards was standing under the gate, leaning on their spears, and talking about a comming event in the town. Some kind of happening to please them all. What it was all about was hard to figure, for Glimdrell came in the middle of the conversation, and it wasn't of interest to him eather.

He knew he needed a little conversion, something that would draw their attention away from his spot, even if it was only for the split of a second. He quickly searched the ground for any hard objects that he could throw into the grass ahead of him, and quickly felt the form of a perfect sized stone under his hand.

Keeping his head low he threw the stone with minimal movement, its impact into the grass on the other side of the gate cut the guards conversation in mid-sentence and they quickly turned towards the direction from which the stone had landed.

Glimdrell knew that there was no time for second judgment on his chanses of slipping through. Quickly he moved behind the closest guard and inside the gates, swiftly bringing the inside wall between himself and the guards, out of sight, a moment of safety.

"What was that?" The one guard shrugged as he turned back on his comrade. "Probably a mouse or something..." the other reasoned. "Well, the boss said we should be weary of any sound or distraction... Let's close the gates!" The other guard sighed. "I really don't think it would be nessesary to protect the city from a mouse..." The first guard shrugged again. "We are closing the gates I tell you!"

The sound of heavy doors being pulled over sand and stone, and the aching sound of rusty doors caught Glimdrells keen ears and he sighed. Ofcurse the plan couldn't go about just as he had planned, now what was he to do?

[Servant of the Dark Order]

Many miles away, a shadowy figure patrolled across the land. Wrapped in dark mists of cloth, it was spying on the machinations of one of its comrades, who was gathering up 'subjects' from a small village to use in experiments. Experiments, the shadow knew, that were already destined for failure.

Suddenly, it sensed a call from the north. More important developments were afoot. The shadow turned from its spying immediately, and flew out, across the land, towards its master...

[Lief Erikson]

"Swift isn't stupid, yes he can understand what we're saying!"

"Good," Hruad said to Adrian quietly. "Then we can make use of him. They've closed the gates up there and Glistenfae doesn't have much to do. I don't know what Glimdrell is planning now, but we can't just wait for him to do something. He made a disturbance that distracted the guards' attention. It's time that we showed what that disturbance was."

"They can't throw those spears, can they?" Adrian asked, staring at the guards fiercely. "Because if they can, I'll kill them both- after I kill you."

"I doubt that they can be any better than that Athalt's men were, and you know how easily we escaped from them."

"All right then."

She knelt down beside Swift and spoke softly in his ear. He moved forward eagerly and ran across the plain, his paws dancing lightly over the ground in the same places where the elves had ran. He reached the wall and leapt away from it into sight of the guards.

Swift instantly had their full attention and Glistenfae dashed noiselessly along beside the wall's base toward the door.

The hair on Swift's neck bristled and he snarled at the guards, snapping at them, dancing toward them and away again the instant their spears got close.

Glistenfae was standing right behind one of the guards now. Reaching out, she picked the key out of his pouch and danced back several steps over to the doorpost. The guard started to glance back in that direction, apparently barely noticing the movement, but Swift snapped at him fiercely and grabbed onto the side of his spear for a moment.

Yelling, the guard dropped the spear and drew his sword. His comrade tried to stab the wolf with his own spear, but Swift danced away again.

"Let's get some help, someone with a bow," the guard holding his sword said, turning toward the door.

"We're soldiers, surely we can take one wolf by ourselves," the other answered.

"I think our commander might want us to report this though, anyway," the other one said again. "It could be a warg scout. You know what the king ordered."

His comrade nodded and reached into his belt pouch. He felt around in it and then turned to his fellow guard. "The key is gone!"

"You must have dropped it. You only had it a moment ago . . ."

"Someone stole it from me! Someone invisible!"

The other guard stopped moving and turned, staring at his face. "You probably left it in the lock."

He walked back over to the door, but the lock was empty. Glistenfae was on the other side of the door now, with Glimdrell.

"Then we're locked out with this creature and who knows what else!" the other guard said.

The one at the door was staring at the ground, scowling to himself.

Swift leapt forward and scratched the first guard's hand. He gave a cry and stumbled back. The two guards were huddled together at the door. The wolf stepped away from them and growled menacingly.

Hruad now had his back to the wall as well, and he and the others were softly making their way toward the door. They were in the shadow of the city's wall.

"Perhaps if we shout loud enough, someone will help us," one of the guards offered.

"No need for that. Our leader will come when our watch is over."

"But what'll we do about the missing key?"

"Find it, now while we have the chance! I don't believe in invisibility, personally. You might have dropped it over there, while we were fighting the wolf."

"I suppose that's possible," the other admitted doubtingly, and they walked over toward the wolf again, picking up their spears and extending them toward it, keeping the creature at bay.

It backed up willingly, but as they turned their eyes toward the ground, snapped and darted forward.

Their attention instantly snapped up to the wolf again.

"Here, you watch the wolf while I look for the key," one of the soldiers said, getting down on his hands and knees and scouring the ground.

His comrade drew his sword and put his spear back down, turning back to the wolf. It kept in front of them, staring at them fiercely through its bright yellow eyes.

Then the door shut, and Hruad couldn't see any more of it.

"We're in."

[Sicirus]

ooc: sorry I could not post for awhile. I took the activity bus last night and ended up at home around 8;30. Lovely huh?

ic: We entered the great city while Swift danced around with his large pink toungh hanging half way out og his large mouth. Our two elves had lentered the gates as well leading us in with the key stolen from the guards who desperatly wanted to aboid becoming wolf chow.
I laughed silently to Aasar and Adrian. Yet Adrian looked worried at her beloved companion hopin the guards were as slow as expected.
We headed off into the city towards the doors of the castle leading us to the king. But then we knew our challenge would be getting into the great fortress without being arrested.

ooc:Ok were are we going in the city???????

[Arat-Falathion]

Glimdrell and Glistenfae suddenly heard a click in the gatedoor's lock. They waited... The possability for this to be the guards was bigger then that it would be the company, Glimdrell knew. Silently he made up his mind. If this indeed were the guards, he would take them out and get the key. Slowly he bent around the corner, trying to get a glimps of the opener of the door, and he sighed out in relief. The company had slid through!

"From here we must really be carefull with every step, we do not want to attrackt any attention..." He smiled at the others. Indeed had they proven sufficient to him now, after they had tricked the guards. His belief in their ability to fulfill this quest was growing, and they advanced towards the castle...

[Mathron]

Aasinav smiled. "This goes easy indeed. I wonder if the king, or the sorcerer behind him, realizes how badly guarded they are?"

[Lief Erikson]

"Are you suggesting that this might be a trap?" Hruad asked, looking at the scholar piercingly.

[Mathron]

Aasinav shrugged. "We should keep our eyes open, to be sure. But I was simply making mention of how poor the defenses seem. Although it is possible that the sorcerer's attention is engaged elsewhere... I could not say."

[Arat-Falathion]

"So you meen to say the guards at the gate were only acting stupid? That they actually let us in on purpose?" Glimdrell said with a doubtfull eye at Aasinav. "You indeed say they already know of our presence here?"

[Lief Erikson]

"He's suggesting it," Hruad said, glancing at Glimdrell. "There is a chance, and we already know that someone was spying on our camp at the Barrow Downs."

"But they took the Hytorax out and didn't keep it."

"Good point," Hruad said. He turned his eyes to the street before them. "There's little we can do about it though; our mission lies ahead. We'll have to be careful, though, particularly if the defenses at the citadel are as weak as they were here. The sorcerer should be on his guard by now."

"Do you think it would be possible for us to storm the citadel?" Brilindil asked.

"They'd increase security around the king at once, and it's the king we want to reach. Perhaps we should wait till morning before making an attempt to get into the citadel, for then more people will be moving in and out with their various petitions.

"You and I know the citadel, Bril, and there are ways in. Particularly if I can get Dolais' help."

"Who's Dolais?" Aasinav asked curiously.

"A representative a region. He has been my friend for several years, so I think I can safely approach him. And through him we will probably gain entry."

[Tessar]

"Probably?" Elise said with a slight arch of her eyebrow.

"If it's only 'probably' then I believe we should find another way. I would rather not dwell on what will happen to us if the sorcerer catches up with us or is lead to us."

She was tired, perhaps she was being too cynical, but this sorcerer was extremely powerful. It would take both her and Aasanave's full strength to repel him, and that was assuming that Aasinav was not in league with the sorcerer. There, she was being far too cynical now. She would simply have to trust him.

[Arat-Falathion]

"Good point!" Glimdrell nodded to Elise. "Though I believe we are caught in a net here, quickly tightening around us... The more we delay, the harder our cause will be to acompish! I believe this connector may be our only way to get in contact with the king. I could always go ahead and spy out the area if need be?" Glimdrell cocked an asking eye at Hruad.

[Mathron]

"I don't see," says Aasinav, "That we have much choice. Unless you plan on simply charging in to a direct confrontation with the sorcerer, straight through all of the castle's soldiers?"

He raises an eyebrow, glancing at Elise.

[Arat-Falathion]

"I do not believe any of us sees that as a possible route, Aasinav." Glimdrell shot quickly in.

He knew that such a confrontation, man to man, eye to eye, would keep him mostly out of the combat. He preferred to go unnoticed, silent his victims before they realised the terror unleashed upon them. This would be made hard in such a confrontation.

[Sicirus]

ic: I watched as the the tall people discussed the plans of entrance and how a trick could have possibly have been set for us tgo fail.
What about us?' I asked Elise.
"Are we to help too?" Adrian and Aasaniv nodded behind me.

[Arat-Falathion]

"Fear not little one. I am sure you will get your share of the final adventure in this quest." Glimdrell smiled at the hobbit who so eagerly tried to become part of the important discussion that took place.

"So let us call it settled and planed then?" Glimdrell looked askingly on Hruad. "With the first light of dawn we'll contact Dolais, your friend, and from there we'll just have to see what happens..." Glimdrell giggled, indeed he liked this exiting feeling of the unknown. Would Dolais help them, or would he betray them? Indeed it was a walk on the edge, but still the safest aproach to the citadel.

"Now, let us blend into the shadows for the rest of the night and get some rest! Agreed?" Glimdrell shot an eye at his companions. It wasn't that long since they had camped outside the city, he knew. Though they would need all the rest they could get before the cunning approach for the comming day. The day of the Hytorax and the day Néred once again should rise above the shadows that now klinged so tight about the city.

Glimdrell felt confident. They would not fail! He felt a light rush of adrenaline through his veins as he thought of the danger they were going into, and he smiled...

[Tessar]

Elise frowned at the sky and muttered under her breath. Not simply muttering though, she was casting a spell of protection.

The Hytorax was evil, great evil. It would corrupt any who held it for too long and already Aasinav had held it for more than long enough. He was strong, but there was no limit to the Hytorax's strength.

Perhaps it was affecting him, perhaps not. But if it wasn't yet then it would begin to soon enough. The silly young fool seemed quite puffed-up about his 'knowledge' at times, but maybe that would aid him a little.

[Lief Erikson]

They didn't feel very comfortable with just sleeping out there in the street, but the inns were closed at this hour, and there was no choice. So finding the most secluded spot they could, they rested, those of them that could sleeping.

They woke early that morning, before most of the citizenry, and after taking some breakfast from their packs, Hruad began leading them to the dwellings of the government representatives.

"I would be recognized," Hruad said, "so I cannot go. Gil? Could you speak to the guard and tell him we wish to speak with Dolais?"

[Sicirus]

I nodded at Hruad and trotted over to the tall standing guard.
"Excuse me?" I said a little louder then my usualle voice.
THe guard turned his face to me and grinned.
"Yes, child?" me said.
"Er...do you know a man by the name of Dolais?"
Yes. why do you ask?"
"I wish to speak to him." I finished.
"About...?"
"That is of his busness sir." I said giving him a stern but decided look.
"He nodded then tuened to go fetch Dolais. I turned to look over at Huad to get a signal on were to go after I met with Dolais and was told....

[Lief Erikson]

An hour later, Dolais arrived. "I wasn't awake when you came," he said, beckoning to Gil. "Won't you come in?"

"No, I have some friends who want to talk to you also."

He frowned slightly, looking unsure.

"I promise you that it's completely safe."

"Then let them come out and show themselves."

Gil looked unsure of herself. "They . . . well . . ." Then she leaned closer to him and whispered fiercely, "Brilindil and Hruad wish to see you."

Dolais looked startled, and he glanced quickly over Gil's head, as if expecting to see them lurking among the other civilians.

"I can take you to them."

He looked behind him quickly and then followed her, the guard approaching and taking his place at the gate as they left.

When he reached them, they didn't get into describing him all that they'd encountered and gone through, but Aasinav produced the Hytorax and extended it toward Dolais.

Dolais stared at it for a moment, and then tentatively took it. He turned to Hruad then, ignoring the others. "What do you want of me?"

"We want to get into the citadel."

Dolais flinched. "Toward the king's apartments?"

"He'll be in the Great Hall or his antechamber at this time of day. He doesn't have any meetings today, does he?"

"Of course he does," Dolais snapped, still looking uncomfortable. "Most of them are . . ."

He trailed off, so Brilindil walked closer up to him. "Are you scared?"

Dolais looked at him.

"You'll be more scared if you don't let us through. Your king will transform this place into a realm of shadow, fear and slavery if we don't save him. Then your position will be worthless. Now you have a time to aid us. If you do, perhaps the next time that you grant us assistance, you won't be doing so with a sword."

There was a long pause, and finally Dolais nodded. "Very well. His primary meetings are in the afternoon; this morning he's reading a report on his subject and spending some time alone in his antechamber."

"Good," Hruad said with a nod. "Then we have some chance of getting to him and solving this without a fight."

Dolais was plainly steeling himself, gathering up his courage. He looked slightly pale, but he nodded to them. "I'll help you inside the citadel."

[Arat-Falathion]

"You will become a hero of the people when all this is over, your help shan't be forgotten..." Glimdrell smiled warlmy at Dolais.

[Mathron]

While Hruad made the plans with Dolais, Aasinav drifted closer to Elise.

"Keep your eyes open," he said, glancing around. "I have felt another's gaze upon us for a time now. It may not be a foe, but it is still best to be alert... and if it is the sorcerer, the others may not be able to deal with it."

[Tessar]

Elise kept her eyes on the others but gave the barest nod and quietly murmured, "That is less than likely to mean anything good whether it's friend or foe. I would suggest sending some one back to check except that if it's the sorcerer no one but you and I together could hold him back, and I dare not leave the others for fear he will strike them... Yes I think perhaps all we can do is keep our eyes open and stay close together."

Aasinav nodded in agreement, rubbing his hands together thoughtfully and muttering to himself.

"I also fear that the sorcerer will know of your and my powers and so attempt to separate us. I believe I could defeat him... But I have ancient promises to keep... I cannot use my full power against him." Elise tisked in vexation and shifted her feet to a more comfortable stance, lightly touching the necklace inside her robes. It was a problem, but she had managed for quite some time and certainly wasn't likely to brake that promise now.

[elvishfaerie3088]

I'd been sitting on the ground and nobody had really noticed me. I heard Elise and Aasinav talking and leaned in to listen more closely. When they had finished i spoke up but only in a whisper. "I'll go, he doesn't know who i am or that i have any powers at all....plus he probably won't even notice that i'm gone i've stayed pretty low and in the shadows. And we already know i'm fairly good at creeping," I gestured a little trying to help as much as i could.

ooc: I can erase this if this interfeers with some kind of plan that i don't know about.

[Lief Erikson]

"I don't think that that will be necessary," Hruad said to Glistenfae. "But we thank you for your bravery. We can reach the king as a group, but if scouting is necessary, we might call upon your talents."

"Follow me," Dolais told them.

He led them around the back wall of the representatives' building and passed a couple guards. They nodded at him, not looking closely at his companions. Elise had her hood up, to hide her distinctive features.

They were now moving along a narrow alley between the citadel and the representatives' building. They reached a damp, wooden side door.

"A back entrance," Dolais said, grabbing the handle and twisting it sharply. It creaked in protest, but he opened it up. There were only a few servants inside, and they weren't likely to recognize any of them.

"We can continue taking side passages most of the way," Dolais said. "Is there anything else you need of me?"

Hruad smiled at him. "You have gotten us in, Dolais, and that's all we need ask of you. From here on you aren't needed badly, so you can get out of it now. Our die is cast, but you needn't be a part of it."

"Thank-you," he said, nodding his head to them all. "Good luck."

[Earniel]

OOC: *gasp* I take two days off at the moot and this thing suddenly erupts with life. I better hurry or I'll miss the finale! :eek:


At early dawn the two rohirrim finally reached Néred. Only a few trees and bushes limited their view on the citygates. Tareod's horse suddenly lifted its head and whinnied softly.

"He smells other horses." whispered Tareod to his sister.
"Here? We're not even in Néred yet."

They both halted and listened but no other sound was heard.

"They're not moving. In that case I think I'm getting a fairly good idea whom they belong to. Wait for me here." Silently Imarwyn slipped off Merrah's back. Walking softly she came across the abandoned camp side where Hraud's company had left the night before.

The horses stood together and a little further off Imarwyn distinguished the large forms of the ent and ontor with their backs toward her. No one else seemed to be present. Taking a detour around the clearing Imarwyn reached the horses. She cut Tiamar's bound and silently led the horse away. The ent and ontor did not hear her. Tareod looked surprised when Imarwyn returned, leading a black horse.

"Where did you get that?" he whispered.

"This is the horse I borrowed earlier in Néred. I cannot enter Néred without returning it. I found it at the camp of the others. They have all gone safe the ent and the ontor. So I assume they must be already within the citywalls. We've arrived just in time."

"And will we be able to enter?"

"We will." said Imarwyn with a grin. "Even if the gateguards are looking out for me, which I doubt, they won't stop us from entering. I'm not branded a traitor just yet. And the stable boy will be all to glad to see this horse returned."

"But that will get us in the city but not in the citadel." pointed her brother out.

Imarwyn shrugged. "The citadel can easily be accessed through the stables."

"Though probably not unnoticed."

"No," admitted Imarwyn "But I don't think that will be a problem. We might even manage to draw the attention away from other things what are about to happen in the citadel. Come! time is running out."

With a nudge from her heel, she send Merrah foreward. Soon both riders reached the gates and entered without much of a problem as Imarwyn had predicted.

[Mathron]

They continued down the side corridors of the citadel, the halls eerily quiet save for their own footsteps - and even those seemed strangely muffled.

"Like a tomb," someone whispered, and then was hurriedly shushed by the others. Like in any place filled with silence, making any sound seemed almost sacriligeous...

Glimdrell, scouting ahead of then, drifted back from time to time to signal the way was clear ahead of them. They all exchanged glances as they pressed on, hands never straying far from weapons. Aasinav walked quietly, his hands folded into the sleeves of his robes. He kept his eyes focused on the path ahead of them, though every now and then he seemed to glimpse a shadow out of the corner of his eye. Grim determination settled upon the group like a blanket, and they continued deeper into the citadel amidst silence and shadow.

[Lief Erikson]

Dagankor glanced at King Vahatres, who was seated on his throne, staring quietly and intently at the door opposite them. Dagankor felt the spell in the man's mind like a soft lump of warm wax, lying around the man's eyes. He couldn't see or hear clearly; Dagankor's voice could pierce the man's thoughts and command them whenever he bent his will that way. The man had been strong, but Dagankor had used that strength against him. What had been justice became harshness, what had been pride became arrogant demands, and all in tune with the wish of the Shadowhand. It acted through Dagankor, keeping complete control of Enedwaith.

He reached out to the table and picked up a green sheath. In it was a dark sword, the handle twisted and runes written on the blade in the Black Tongue of Mordor. The Shadowhand had dealings with Sauron occasionally, and he had been given this many years ago.

He buckled the sword around his waist, and walked back to Vahatres, smoothing his robes.

[Lief Erikson]

"There's something wrong here," Glimdrell said quietly as they reached the upper parts of the citadel. There still were few people, but there were enough that they had to move quickly. They couldn't risk an encounter with the guards this early.

"I can't put my finger on it," Glimdrell continued, "but everything isn't as it seems."

"We can't use our power to seek out the source of it," Elise said. "The sorcerer would sense it at once, and our whole plan depends upon his being caught by complete surprise."

"Here we are," Hruad said as they entered the hallway linking to Vahatres' quarters.

The hallway was long and gold, a new sight for the hobbits, but the same as Hruad and Elise remembered it. The flooring was marble, but the room was completely empty and still.

"I think I must agree with you, Glimdrell," Hruad said. "This room is never empty."

They hurried to the center of the hall, and Hruad put his hand on the doorknob. Even as he did, Elise through caution to the winds and reached out with a powerful probing. Her eyes widened. "Hruad!"

He jumped as the doorknob in his hand was turned and the door was pulled open from within.

Dagankor stood directly inside. He surveyed the company briefly as soldiers in full battle armor poured into the hall from both entrances, drawing their swords. Their tunics each were red, with a broad black hand on the chest of each and on the back. There had to be fifty of them, twenty-five on each side of them.

Dagankor smiled, turning his gaze back to Hruad. "I have been expecting you."

"There's something wrong here," Glimdrell said quietly as they reached the upper parts of the citadel. There still were few people, but there were enough that they had to move quickly. They couldn't risk an encounter with the guards this early.

"I can't put my finger on it," Glimdrell continued, "but everything isn't as it seems."

"We can't use our power to seek out the source of it," Elise said. "The sorcerer would sense it at once, and our whole plan depends upon his being caught by complete surprise."

"Here we are," Hruad said as they entered the hallway linking to Vahatres' quarters.

They hurried to the center of the hall, and Hruad put his hand on the doorknob. He jumped as the doorknob in his hand was turned and the door was pulled open from within.

"I have been expecting you," Dagankor said with a cold smile.

[Mathron]

Aasinav slowly stepped forward, drawing out the Hytorax and idly spinning it between his hands. The light from the rooms torches reflected off of its surface, creating a mesmerizing display of color upon the floor. The res of the party was looking around, warily, at the soldiers that had surrounded them - the odds certainly looked dim.

"The Hytorax," said Aasinav, his voice as calm and collected as always, "is ours, Dagankor. We have claimed the last of what we need."

A shadowy form floated out from behind the party, resolving itself into a dark phantom - one identical to Aasinav, though its eyes were cold and dark. The spectre was absent of color, and as the party watched, it floated over and was draped onto the sage like a cloak of shadow, before vanishing into him entirely.

Aasinav continued speaking to Dagankor, and said, "The others of our order have continued fighting amongst themselves while we have pursued our goals - I shall return to them with this item of power, and put an end to their petty squabbling. See to it that matters here are resolved. And as for you..."

He turned to face the party, looking much the same. There was no malice or cruelty in his eyes - just the same calm gaze. He met each of their eyes in turn, and said, in the same tone as before, "I suggest you surrender, and abandon your quest. I can assure you - you stand no chance against the might of even one sorcerer of our order."

And with that, he gestured, and the shadow reappeared around him. It expanded, and grew darker, cloaking him utterly from view - and then it vanished, leaving nothing there.

Aasinav, and the Hytorax... were both simply gone.

[Sicirus]

ooc: Er..were we just attacked by a group of soldiers and a phantom who resembled Aasinav?

ic: I shuddered at the sight of the ghostly figure. It looked like my friend but it seemed to have a cold heart and a malice in its heart (if it had one) I looked at the room again survaying the size and its odd floors.
HOw did they take the Hytorax?" I asked Elise who stared blankley had the doorway as though expecting another person or thing to come out.
"What will they do to us?" I said with a hint of fear in my tone.
The door swung open letting in an eerie pale light as though the room had but two or three windows in it. Nothing was in the doorway this time and we hesitated deciding if we should turn back or follow the path being offered to us freely.
ooc: Not much I know but I have to get off now. goodnight.

[Finrod Felagund]

I didn't know it was still postable here!

[Arat-Falathion]

Haha :) Nice to see this old thread up again :p