LOTR: The Last Alliance part 1

[Bilbo]

WOTR presents.........The Lord of the rings: The Last Alliance

Being the 4th part of The Lord of the rings


PROLOGUE

It was at that time the time of fear and despair. Many months ago, the ringbearer and his fellowship of companions set out from Rivendell. In the spring, the fellowship broke off and to mount doom went the most sought after token in all of middle earth......the One ring, the ruling ring that the dark Lord Sauron himself needs to achieve total victory over the divided people of middle earth. So forth set Frodo to the mountain of Fire in the land of shadow, MORDOR. With Frodo went his servant, Samwise Gamgee, also a hobbit of the shire. Their task would soon prove the most dangerous cause of all. Soon, the two hobbits had captured a guide, Gollum who was once a hobbit and the holder of the ruling ring. But they were deceived by Gollum in the pass of Minas Morgul, Shelob's Lair. Frodo was wounded and Samwise fought his way up to the dark tower to rescue frodo. They escaped and made their way to the mountain of fire.....

In Gondor, where a last stand was being prepared, hope and fear spread throughout the land as Aragorn, son of Arathorn, heir to the throne of gondor, rode with Gandalf the white, Legolas and Gimli, and the sons of Elrond to the Black gate of Mordor, taking the great eye of Sauron off of the two hobbits. But this all proved in vain, and doom was already at hand as a trap was set.......

Frodo and Sam walked along the path leading up to the door of Mount Doom, Sammath Naur. Destruction of the ring was at hand when from the shadows struck Gollum! The vile Gollum strangled Sam to death and chased Frodo in to the door of the mountain. Gollum seized the ring, killing Frodo by throttling his throat and nearly fell in to the lava in the process. He carried the ring out with him, but the enemy was waiting. Gollum was slain, and a host of a dozen Uruks of Mordor toke the ring, but to take it themselves. They didn't get far because Frodo had slipped on the ring, but lost it to Gollum. The Nazgul, ringwraiths, swooped down and toke the ring of power from the Uruks.

With the ring in Sauron's possesion, all hope was lost. A great host of Orcs surrounded the company at the black gates, and slaying every one of the people who resisted, including the great wizard, Gandalf.

Hope was lost for middle-earth.

First fell Minas Tirith, only a few were able to escape from the city. The rest, who couldn't flee, were taken capture and put to work inside the great stone city. And this happened to many other races: Hobbits, men, Dwarves, Elves, every race was captured or slain, put to work in numerous slave camps. The new ruler of Middle-earth was Sauron, King of Middle-Earth.

The great stone city was now one of the Dark Lord's cities, but it was run by the chief of the Nazgul and the slave drivers who were putting each race to work, sometimes the work not stopping for weeks on end. Outside the city, some people still roamed, but in secret, with no purpose or hope.

This is their story, the hopeless LAST alliance.....

[Bilbo]

ITHILIEN

A green-cloaked figure moves slowly through the deep woodlands of Ithilien. He halts, looking around. All about him are the loud whispers and laughter of Orcs. From the trees creeps another figure cloaked in green.

"Silently. There are Orcs abroad" says the first figure, taller than the second.

The two rangers flip back their hoods, their rugged and dirty hair showing. They are two rangers of Ithilien, JOSHUA son of Yachu and YAMONI, son of Iltimano. By their sides are two sheathed swords, ready to do battle and both have hunting daggers placed behind their waistbands.

"We shall rest here tonight. Keep your hand on the hilt of your sword."

***********************

[Tirithel]

Outside the walls of the White City, a woman walks, stealthy and wary. Her footsteps are silent, and in the dim moonlight, her eyes peer through the hazy air on the lookout for friend or foe.

[Elvenwanderer]

Morwen stood at the top of the former White Tower of Ecthelion, staring out into the air. In her cold heart she felt a sudden pang of pain, as one more elf was wounded against her wishes.

Then, she suddenly felt a cold hand start to massage her shoulder. Morwen quickly moved from the hand.

"Why do you always shrink away, My Dear Morwen?" The King's sinister voice said in her ear. He always sounded inviting, but Morwen knew what Sauron was like in private....

She continued to stare into the mist of the night, when again he came at her, only more forcefully.

This time, Morwen jumped onto the railing, and grew black wings of light from her bracelet. She took off silently and flew over the waste forests and countryside, leaving Sauron staring at her with a lust in his burning eyes.

[Tirithel]

A shadow passed over the moon. Uinen's eyes darted upwards to the flash of darkness floating across the sky.

"What in the name of Varda..." she whispered to herself

[Bilbo]

The sun was only down for a few minutes when Josh and Yamoni reach the outskirts of the Druadan Forest. The forest air is muggy, yet the trees are spread apart.

Josh and Yamoni sit down for the night to rest. Yamoni wants to light a fire but Josh stops him.

"We may be away from the City, but we are not too far. Minas Tirith is just over the Great river, and these lands are inhabitated by Orcs. We should be like Ghosts as we start up again in the morning."


************************


Josh looks up to the sky.

"It'll rain soon."

Morning soon came to the refreshed Rangers. Yamoni awoke to find Josh already awake and dressed, smoking on his pipe and contemplating his thoughts. He wore his cloak, for it was still cold in the Druadan forest. It had rained only a little during the night, enough to make the ground damp.

Yamoni found his breakfast next to him.

"Where shall we fly too? We cannot go to the white city and fight, we'd be alone. We have nowhere to go" said Yamoni while eating the rest of his breakfast.

Josh toke a puff on his pipe and turned to look at his cousin. "We go to Lothlorien. When the city fell, the Elves of Lothlorien could not escape. The lady probably got besieged there as well. I'm sure even the Lord Elrond went there too as soon as the city fell. It'd probably where most of the elves are"

Yamoni's face perked up at the thought of Lothlorien.

"We leave in a few minutes. It's a long journey to Caras Galadhon."

Minutes later they gathered there packs and jogged in to their forest. They had a destination.


*************************************


They ran all that day, trying to get through Gondor. They ran up hills, through grasslands and scorched grass. The leagues between them and Minas Tirith were growing, and they ran in to the night, stopping every once in awhile to catch their breath. They finnaly stopped when they were in sigh of the Firien wood. For the last twenty miles they ran along the "Great West road".

They rested near it, in view of Firien.

"The strength of Gondor was with us. I was only expecting to get half this far by this time" exclaimed Josh.

He sat down, and fell asleep shortly, his cousin Yamoni by his side.

[Ithilraen]

From the Northern borders of Lothlorien Ithilraen peered through the wet boughs of the tree from the talan, and fitted an arrow into her bow. She had a heard a faint rustle from the forest floor. It could be just a squirrel, but these days, it was good to be cautious about everyting.
"Stand down, Ithil, it's just me." Legolas nimbly climbed up the rope ladder and onto the talan. Ithilraen sighed and shoved the arrow back into her quiver.
"How do the borders look?"
Legolas shook his head. "The Western watch just killed off 4 bands of orcs. They come from the Misty Mountains. Thats two more bands from yesterday. They are multiplying. The power of Sauron is helping them grow. How things fare here?"
Ithilraen gave him a grim look and said, "3 bands this morning before the sun rose. All from Mirwood; from Dol Guldor." At the mention of Mirkwood, Legolas' face fell. After the Sauron obtained the ring, Legolas tried to go to his home and help defend against the orcs. All the ways were swarming with orcs, but he still tried. After many tries and almost getting himself killed, he was forced to remain at Lothlorien until he could get home. Ithilraen looked toward the borders again. The sun was setting. The orcs would come soon. Everyday more and more orcs would try to get through the borders of Lothlorien. But the power and grace of the Lady Galadriel and the Galadhrim held them off, for now.

[Tirithel]

Uinen wandered the walls of the City all night. The shadow had been both a fear and a hope to her, but had done nothing to change her course.

But what was her course? She had travelled leagues around the wall and had found none, save only the spies and servants of the Witch King in his tower. All had met there deaths with her, as she quietly slew them at unawares. A chill passed over her heart as with grim realization she thought that she may have to leave Minas Tirith. One wanderer alone on the fences would never bring the Darkness out of the ciyt, though as his messangers continued to disappear, the Captain of the Nazgul may start to wonder what misfortune befell them, and up the guard on the wall, hoping for capture and answers.

She kept thinking, her thoughts pounding to the rhythm of her wary footsteps.

[Elvenwanderer]

Morwen landed in a small clearing, where she watched an innocent leaf float down a stream. A small smile escaped her normal stony contenance. How simple the stream was... just how she wanted her life...

The 'Lady of Sauron' turned and drew her long sword when she heard leaves rustling in the background. A bedraggled elf stood and stared at the dark shadow in the darkness.

Suddenly, Sarvana recognized the shadow as her former friend, Authwen, and started to back away as she remembered what Authwen had become. Morwen.

"Stop," Morwen heard herself say. Sarvana knew it was useless to do anything else, so she dropped to the ground.

"Sarvana? I know that you have escaped, and that I should either kill you or let the orcs find you... But I need you to take this letter to my father in Lothlórien.... go quickly... there is a party of orcs about a minute away..." Morwen said. She surprised herself at what she said.

Sarvana looked up at her old friend, and saw a familiar glint in the unfamliar face. Reluctantly, she took the letter and ran into the forest. She stopped behind a tree when she heard Authwen's smooth voice perfectly execute the rough sounds of the Orcish language. "Thank you..." Sarvava whispered as she stood up and ran into the forest.

ooc: I want to be Sarvana as well as Morwen/Authwen... please!

[Elvenwanderer]

"Go... back to the tower. I will let Sauron punish you for your ignorance." Morwen said. I had picked up a bit of the Orkish language, enough to understand she was trying to help me. I was stupid enough to wonder why, and freezed when one of the Orcs slipped off in my direction.

A black light came straight into the forest, and struck the orc in the back. "I told you to go back, and Sauron will make sure you are paid." "GO" I heard in my head. I stood up and headed in the direction of my home.

I heard and felt many different things in the forest, including a great wind... apparently when Morwen took back off. Also... there were footsteps belonging to no Orc.

[Tirithel]

Leaves crunched softly under her feet as Uinen picked her way into a small grove of fading trees. She had met no one- nothing- for hours, and her thoughts drifted aimlessly through her head.

Suddenly the silence of the night was broken by the harsh curses of orcs, and Uinen slid quickly behind a tree, drawing her father's sword from its sheath. Peeking around the trunk, she looked and saw another, not far off, cowering even as she was. And for good reason- a slanky long armed orc was slinking towards her position. Uinen licked her lips and drew a deep quiet breath, muscles tightening in anticipation. The air stood still...

But before she could strike, the orc toppled over in a blast of pain, gave out one final shriek and lay dead in the woods. Barely containing her amazement, Uinen looked back to the figure shrunken in the brush. It had begun to move. With a few steps and a flying leap, Uinen sprang from the tree to overtake it. Whatever it was...

[Elvenwanderer]

OOC: The last post was from Sarvana's POV... and I will post a different reply for both characters (unless of course, they interact!)

IC (Sarvana):
As soon as I started running, a strong figure caught me, apparently the one with the loud footsteps. There was a sword at my throat, and their other arm was wrapped around my shoulders.

"Hey... careful where you swing that thing.... you could put someone's eye out or something!" I said angrily trying to cover up my confusion and fear. "Let me go... you are no orc, neither am I... therefore we are friends..."

Slowly the sword was released and I was pushed strongly forward and onto the ground. The letter for Elrond in my hand went flying to the ground. I reached for it, but the other got to it first.

"That's mine..." I said, helplessly as the person opened it.

A feminine voice sounded angry. "Then why does it say 'to my father, Elrond' on it? I doubt if you are Elrond, much less an elf."

"Morwe... Authwen told me to take it to Lothlórien... that's where I plan to go. The letter is to Lord Elrond... I assume she put a spell on it so only his eyes could read the original message." I said frankly... though I was insulted not being thought of as an elf, I let it go. "Will you help me?"

[Elvenwanderer]

(Morwen)

When I returned to the main city, I flew down to the work levels to put down the rebellion caused by a certain she-elf that I had helped.

But, Sauron was already down among the slaves, and gave me a sinister smile as he saw me. I assumed that that was his version of a loving glance.

There were orcs all around working the Hobbits, Men and elves past exhaustion. I knew if I did not handle things cautiously, I would be down here working with them.

A man tripped and fell in front of me, sprawling on the floor. Sauron carefully watched my reactions. Falling back on habit, I took my long sword, and lobbed the mortal's hand off. I smirked happily as he wailed and howled in pain. I kicked him to make him shut up.

"That will teach you to fall in front of me." I said evily, the words easy and sweet on my tongue. I wiped my sword on a nearby hobbit, and not by a total accident, cut her arm. I felt no remorse as I stepped in the pools of blood. Sauron smiled even more sinisterly as I walked near him.

[Tirithel]

"Why should I help you?" Uinen glared at her captive defensively, though in truth she was rather glad to find something, er, someone other than orcs roving the woods at night. "You seem more a thrall of Sauron than a royal herald of Elrond." She continued to scowl down on the elf from inside her dark hood

With a repressed sigh and a smirk, she continued. "Authwen, you say? Ah, but you mean the black queen in her tower. I know Morwen and her many names well." Uinen paused as a look of painful memory washed over her face. "Why should I help the servant of the woman who enslaves my people and killed my family?" She her sword to the elf's neck and raised her chin to look directly into her eyes.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

"First of all, I am not a herald of Elrond... I am his student. I escaped thraldom, and was helped by Authwen." I said matter of factly, not caring that I had a sword at my throat.

"Second, I have known her all my life. She didn't use to be evil, she taught me as much as Elrond did. I am her friend, not her servant. I also refuse to believe she is wholly evil, which she has proven by helping me, and killing that orc... which you so elegantly watched." I paused, and looked away from her eyes.

"I'm sorry about your loss. I will not lie, the only elf she has ever killed was the one I loved." I felt a tear form, and I bit my lip as I remebered watching Magol die... and the look on Authwen's face when she realized what she had done.

[Tirithel]

"You speak bravely for one on the edge of a sword." Uinen paused and watched a silent tear roll down the elven lady's cheek. A hard found feeling of pity moved through her, and her face softened as she withdrew her blade and put it back in its sheath. She had been lied to and tempted by the servants of the Witch kIng before, and had grown accustomed to gleaning the true meanings of their words from what was said. This one hid nothing, or hid it very well.

"I did not say they were elves." Uinen pulled back her hood and revealed her very human face, her blonde curls wafting in the breeze. "But for what it's worth, I believe you. Not so much about the Queen, but that you are no servant to the darkness. What is your name, she elf?"

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

I had gathered that she wasn't an elf, from the way she held the sword, and from the sword itself. That was no elven make that I knew of. When she took off her hood, that only reinforced my suspicions.

"I'm Sarvana Manhûniel... an elf of Lórien." I replied, trusting her enough to give her an elven greeting. "And are you known by anything, Lady?"

I thought I heard something in the background, but dismissed it.

[Tirithel]

"I am Uinen, daughter of Earram of the Guard of the City. Where did you say you were going?"

[Bilbo]

As far as the eye can see, Hobbiton has been burnt down to a crisp. The Sandyman mill is totalled, burnt to timbers. Bagshot row has been dug up, and Bag End has been burnt to timbers. But, something stirs in Bag End.

A small figure walks out of Bag End. Then, behind that small hobbit-figure comes several more, all armed with tiny hobbit sized Axes and Bows. Then, from all over tiny spots in Hobbiton many more shapes appear.

The Lead and tallest Hobbit turns to his small army.

"The shire is in ruin. Come, let us go check out Buckland"

The small Hobbit army moves out from Hobbiton and make their way out west. As they leave, they pass a pile of bodies.......ORC BODIES.

[Fairawen]

"What will we do if Buckland is nought?" said a female hobbit as they sat around a fire one night, they were almost to thier destination.
Quite followed for a time, then the tallest hobbit replied,
"Let us hope that is not the case."

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana outside of what once was Minas Tirith)

"Well, Uinen, I was planning to go to Lothlórien, my home. That is if you're planning on letting me. I was also going to give Elrond that letter you're so kindly holding for me. See, his name's on it..." I replied with a bit of sarcasm. My name did not mean Bittersweet for nothing.

[Bilbo]

HOBBITON, "THE GREEN DRAGON"

The leaders of the Hobbits and their men pile in to the broken down Inn/Pub, THE GREEN DRAGON. At the head of pack is the first Hobbit to step out of Bag End, and he is a Took, Ferdibrand Took to be exact. He grows misty-eyed as he eyes a figure placed up against the wall behind the bar of the Green Dragon.

A younger looking Hobbit steps up behind him and asks: "Who is that?"

Ferdibrand looks at the dead hobbit body and then looks back at the young Hobbit warrior. "That, my friend, is one of the fairest of the Hobbit women. Her name was Rosie Cotton, fair daughter of Farmer Cotton".

"ROSIE?!" yells a voice from the back of the group. The Hobbit runs from the back to the body. The Hobbit begins to cry over the body of Rosie Cotton.

"Who is that?" asks the young Hobbit.

"That is Rosie's brother, Nicholas Cotton", says Ferdibrand, looking on with sadness.

Many of the Hobbits begin to chant an old beer-drinking song at the body of Rosie Cotton. Even Nicholas Cotton joins in as the Hobbits repeat the song, but much louder, as if the party never stopped:

Ho! ho! ho! to the bottle I go
To heal my heart and and drown my woe
Rain may fall and wind may blow
But there still be
many miles to go
Sweet is the sound of the pouring rain
And the stream that falls from hill to plain
Better than rain or rippling book......


FERDIBRAND yells the loudest out of all, finishing the final part and lifting his sword high in to the air:

IS A MUG OF BEER INSIDE THIS TOOK!!!

All the Hobbit warriors cheer their loudest, lifting their weapons high in to the air. They repeat this song, almost as a war chant, as they leave the Green Dragon, and bury the body of Rosie Cotton.

And they repeat the song as they march down the road, off east, to the world of the big folk............


*************

[Elvenwanderer]

(Morwen in the slave levels of Minas Tirith)

"Where were you?" Sauron asked me in the language we solely shared. I tolerated his arm around my waist and his hand on my lower hip as I stood next to him.

"Away." I replied simply. Sauron knew when to not interrogate me. Especially times like these, when I let him be so close.

Many of the slaves watched us stand there; most cowered away as either the Dark King or I looked at them. But one stared back into my eyes, he had no fear.

Suddenly, I lurched forward as a searing pain went through my skull. I fell onto the ground and tasted my own blood.

[Tirithel]

(UINEN outside walls of MINAS TIRITH)

"What do you mean, Lothlorien? Lorien fell days into the war." Uinen remembered 'overhearing' her dark masters in their halls gloating of the fall of the Elven CIty and the death of the White Lady. Whether she had heard them because of her desire or theirs, she had not thought of.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana w/ Uinen)

"No, no, Lorien has not fallen, or so I have heard. I do not think she would send me there if there was no hope of the message reaching Elrond." I paused for a second. "The power of the Lady and Lords (if it is true Elrond is there) is far beyond that of Sauron and Morwen put together. I doubt that they would have given up that easily."

I saw Uinen's face cloud over in thought.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Morwen)

As quickly as he appeared, the man disappeared into the multitudes of slaves. Sauron reacted too slowly, and did not kill him.

The Dark King picked me up in his arms, and carried me to a cot. He set me down, and I felt a searing heat on the top of my head as the cut disappeared. Apparently, someone had whacked me in the head with a shovel while the man stared at me.

(It would be nice if someone would come in as the man...)

[Tirithel]

"Then Lorien stands..."

Uinen slipped into deep thoughts. Days of wandering the walls alone had made her cold and nearly unnapproachable. Weeks of repelling the miniscule forces of the Dark Lord had made her irritable and left her feeling small and useless. She had begun to feel that she was the only one left...a star amid infinite blackness, a lonely isle lost upon the sea.

But she could not have been the only one to escape alive. If Lorien stood, then perhaps others had foresaken the White City of Gondor to gather at a place of strength. It would only make sense to go whither hope lead. But to leave the city of her birth was quite a step. A leap into the unknown and a tragic parting. She gazed up to the wall, white and crumbling in the moonlight, encasing the capital of the Realm of Men. Nothing of the interior could she spy, accept for the pinnacle of the White Tower, high off in the distance. But white it was no more; instead, it stood swathed in shadow, dark against the night, with only a single ominous light striking out from a high window. Twas the chamber of the Witch King, from whence he plotted the doom of man and ran his machine of servants. Darkness in the rightful throne of light.

Uinen remembered looking up to that tower as a girl, with its banners flying proud in the breeze and the sun on its face, and the splendour of the King's guard as it marched unhindered through the streets of the City. Her father had marched that course, and fallen in its pride defending the people he loved. She thought of his face and the warmth of his smile as she cuddled young in his lap, and of the smell of leather and armor that followed him wherever he went. Her hand went to the hilt of his sword, passed down in dark times for her keeping, and new resolve took her.

She glared into the lone window high in the dark tower, and then into the face of the bewildered elf before her. "Lothlorien," she uttered. Sarvana nodded slowly, and a light seemed to issue from an unknown source to faint hope kindled in the eyes of the elf. Uinen motioned with her chin for her to get up. "Go," she said solemnly, "I will follow."

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

I took a deep breath. "I understand what it is like to leave your home... even when it is like this. But, Lothlórien is a wonderful place." I stood up. "Thank you." I put my hand out for the letter, which Uinen rolled up and placed back in my hand. I turned and went off in the direction of the Anduin....

[Bilbo]

OUTER LOTHLORIEN

It was in the afternoon, yet it was as black as night, no sunlight hitting the golden wood. Josh and Yamoni aproach the outer trees of lothlorien, the place they have been travelling for days on end to reach.

They grow weary yet are met with a warm welcome, "What business do you have here? I know not of your coming and cannot allow you passage." an elf guard says.

As warm a welcome as can be expected in these dark times, Josh steps up and speaks "I am Joshua and this is by good friend Yamoni, we are great warriors and have come for battle against the dark lord.....Sauron"

The elf looks at them suspiciously "be you orc spies... and your great warrior techniques will be needed to stop me from killing you." he motions for 2 other elves to join him "lead these men to the Lady Galandriel, and do it quickly, dawn draws near and our lives are soon to come to an close with the impending battle."

And with that, an elven guide leads the two warriors in to the woods of Lothlorien.....to the city of the golden light

[Ithilraen]

Ithilraen leaned against the trunk of the tree chewing on a piece of lembas thoughtfully. Legolas was standing at the edge of the talan looking outward into the dark. The whistle for the rope ladder to be dropped was heard. One of the Galadhrim dropped it down and before it even touched the ground an elf had climbed up.
"Ithilraen, two men wearing ranger garb have found thier way into the wood. They came in from the western borders, so they are most likey from Gondor."
"Are they being brought before the Lord and Lady?" questioned Ithilraen. The messenger nodded.
"The Lady Galadriel wishes that you both be present." He looked at Ithilraen and Legolas.
"Then we will go. You will stay here until we return."
And with that her and Legolas climbed down the rope and disappeared into the wood.

[Tirithel]

The moon began to sink behind into the western horizon as the pair marched over the fields away from Minas Tirith. As the Tower of Ecthelion faded into the distance, Uinen turned and caught one last glimpse of her home city. WIth a sigh, she turned and followed her elven guide. In an effort to take her mind off her sorrows, she called to Sarvana ahead.

"Tell me of Lorien, and what has befallen the world, for I fear the tiding I've been given are tainted with other purpose than to inform."

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

"I am afraid I do not fully understand what you ask... Lorien is...." I paused. "Lorien. There's really no way to describe it." I shrugged slighty, and continued on for a bit to think.

"It is a place where time does not seem to pass, everything is ageless, and... so... light. That's the only way it fits into words, but they still do not seem near enough the truth. You will see what I mean if we meet the Lady and Lords... for I do not know if we shall make it."

My answers did not seem to please her.

[Tirithel]

They marched in silence for a day, and night fell all too soon. Though her heart was heavy, her brooding left Uinen tireless and without concern for eating or sleeping.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

Stupidly, now that I think of it, I lit a fire that night. Not for warmth, but to try to cheer Uinen up. I was worried, and I saw that she was quickly losing weight, and was looking quite like a wraith, she did not sleep.

during my watch that night, my elven ears heard small scrapings around us, and occasionally a shrill cry. It seemed like Uinen was sleeping peacefully, so I decided not to wake her.

I stared into a bush, and my eyes widened as I saw a pair of eyes looking back at me. I gasped, and reached over to wake Uinen, but she was already up and drawing her sword.

[Tirithel]

(UINEN)

Uinen stared hard into the brush, her muscles tightening and her body taking a cat like stance, ready to pounce. She swung her sword around with her wrist, and evened her balance with her other arm.

From the corner of one eye, she glanced at Sarvana, whose eyes were wide with anticipation. She scanned the ground, as if looking for something, and Uinen realized she hadn't any means of defense. WIthout breaking her stare, Uinen reached into her belt and pulled out two short daggers, throwing knives, really, and silently handed them to her companion. What good they would do her, Uinen knew not, but the eyes suddenly vanished and a shrill cry went up. Ten figures stood in the shadows, slowly creeping into the firelight.

[Elvenwanderer]

"Thanks..." I whispered. With ease, I twirled them around in my hands and caught the hilts. They were light, and strange in my hands, but we soon warmed up to each other.

I backed up to Uinen, and threw a one of the knives into an orc's neck. He shreiked and fell to the ground. The other nine immediately rushed in, but I felt a darker prescence lurking in the background....

(ooc: do you think we're anywhere near Lothlorien? I know, I know... I'm supposed to be the guide... but, hey, are we getting close?)

[Tirithel]

OOC: I don't really know...we've only been on the road for a day or so, so I'm thinkin we've got a long way to go yet. :huh:

IC:

Uinen gave a cry and turned her sword into the air, clumsily blocking an enemy blow. SHe turned its arm around and thrust her blade through its neck. The rest of the orcs divided themselves and came at Sarvana and her human companion, but were taken care of soon enough. Uinen wiped her sword on the dirty collar of a fallen foe, and breathing hard, put it back in its sheath. The gleaming edge shone still bright and deadly as it went to rest for the time being.

She turned to Sarvana, as if winding down, but the elf peered off into the darkness as if there was more to come.

[Elvenwanderer]

"I feel a shadow... it is far away, but near enough to cause alarm." I said, as I bent down to grab the knife out of the orc's neck. "I advise we leave... quickly... the sooner we get to Lothlórien, the sooner we shall be somewhat safe." I said, looking back at the winded Uinen. She was red in the face, I had forgotten that mortals get tired more easily than elves....

[Tirithel]

The pair stomped the ashes of their small fire, dragged the bodies of the fallen orcs into a heap and covered it with brush.
Silently and speedily, they took off into the night under the stars.

[Ithilraen]

Legols and Ithilraen ran all night, stopping only at key talan's to tell them about what was going on. They reached the gate of Caras Galadhon and were met by one of the Galadhrim, Gilrond, who bowed as they entered.

"Prince Legolas; Ithilraen. The rangers have arrived, but the Lady and Lord wishs to wait till everyone arrives before she will speak."

Ithilraen looked puzzled, " Everyone? There are more Rangers?"

Gilrond shook his head. "They Lady saw that 2 more will join us. But until then, she wishes that you two stay, and that they cannot spare you from the borders, but they must for when they arrive, it will determine the fate of Middle-Earth and the Free Peoples living on her. I was bidden to tell you that. "

Legolas sighed, "If that is what the Lady wishes. Though my heart tells me to just turn and go back to the watch on the borders. I do not like to leave in the middle of a fight."

Ithilraen placed her hand on his arm. " Do not worry. I will send reinforcements to them." She smiled at him, "With you and your skill here, Caras Galadhon can spare a few." She then turned to Gilrond. " Have 3 go to the West borders and another 2 to the North. That should hold the Orcs off till we return."

Gilrond bowed and walked away. Legolas and Ithilraen walked around the Caras Galadhon, to ensure that they were properly guarded and everyone was placed in a good position. They didn't need to, but it was just something to do until the rest of the Lady's audience arrived.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

Finally, after days of travelling, Uinen and I finally neared the borders of Lothlórien... my home. The wind was blowing from the North, I inhaled the familiar scent of the golden leaves....

Hopefully, the Guards would recognize me. That is, if any guard bothered to talk with us, and not kill two strangers immediately, such as the days commanded.

I still sensed the shadow behind us, but it was either losing our trail, or was pulling back away from the forest. No matter, it remained a constant threat in my mind. Not fun, when you are trying to navigate somewhere to have something following you.

Uinen and I stopped at the very edge of the Wood. We both looked around cautiously, trying to sense any elven guards.... we both knew they were experts at concealing themselves, but I didn't know that they were this good.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Morwen)

When I woke up, I was in no room I recognised to be of Minas Tirith... My brain realised Sauron had brought me back to Dol-Guldur... supposedly now my 'home.' As a mockery of my other title, he had 'given' me rule over the former lands of Mirkwood, among other places.

I was laying in my bed, with the black sheets and blankets pulled up to my shoulders. My head swam, and as soon as I could concentrate well enough to talk, I called over a servant... a she-elf. "Where is Sauron?"

Her eyes widened, and her face showed much fear. She curtsied, "I... I do not know, Milady. He le... left about an hour ago." The girl quickly covered her face and head, as if expecting a blow from me.

"Get me water, food, and a change of clothes... now." I commanded, not knowing if His spies were listening. I dared not let them hear me be kind to her (after all, she was an elf). I slapped my hand painfully on my leg, and yelled "Go! You heard me... don't make me say it again!" I then winked and put a finger to my lips.

She caught on, gave out a small scream, then ran out the door to get what I asked. I smiled slightly, then winced as I realised I had a bandage on my head, an now my leg hurt also.

[Tirithel]

The Golden head of Lothlorien reared up before Uinen's eyes and she stared in wonder on it. From afar, it seemed to emit a gilded sheen from the trees, and close up, Uinen could feel cool mists threaded with strange magic wafting past her face. Almost, she feared it. There were not a few tales of the strange and perilous spells bound up in the wood, and had she been alone, she would have turned and ran away.

But Sarvana looked fondly on the gleaming trunks of the trees at the edge of the forest, and soon appeared to be searching for something within their borders.

"What is it?" asked Uinen, her hand creeping to the hilt of her sword. The fear of the unknown had not entirely left her, and she was still quite jumpy from the attack a few nights back.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

"Well... I thought I might have time to find something before we are... ahem... found." Putting my hands on my hip and chin, I spun in circles and looked at the trees around me. "Aha!" I scooted over to (sadly) a tree stump, pressed a knot causing the tree to effectively disappear. Uinen came to stand near me.

"How'd you do that?" She asked me suspiciously, her hand still on her sword.

"That was Authwen's magic, I possess very little of my own.... she hid these for me when I went on my honeymoon." I said as I picked up my set of daggers (yes, they were mine). "This sword was my husbands." I muttered quietly as I pulled it out of its sheath to look at the aqua blade of Galrilion gleam in the pale light. In his reflection, I saw a fleeting image of an elf run behind me. "So they don't recognize me." I thought, shaking my head. "They think me a mortal not to see an elf."

(yo... Ithilraen? now would be a good time to 'find' us! :thumbs: )

[Ithilraen]

Three Galadhrim on the East Border Watch followed the two female strangers that had stepped into thier realm. The taller elf, Fillinor, motioned for the other two to stay behind the two females while he went around to the front of them. He watched the one with the magicks carefully. She had slight features of an elf, but she could be half-bred. She could be using some sort of spell to give herself the looks of an elf to pass the borders. These were dark times, and any creature that possesed any type of magicks were suspicious.

Fillinor quickly manuvered himself to a position where it was best to confront these two females. He silently strung his bow and crept along the forest floor. The other she-mortal was about to speak to the other when he stepped out from behind a tree and pointed the arrow at her. They both turned but were met by the other two Galadhrim.

"Drop your weapons. Do not attempt anything or we will be forced to kill you. Who are you and what is your business here in the Golden Wood? Who do you follow? The Shadow in the east? Talk!!"

[Elvenwanderer]

(Morwen)

I looked around at the familiar objects in the room… my chamber. I recognized it from my previous stays in Mirkwood that it was once Legolas Greenleaf’s. I swung my legs around, and stepped on the cold tile floor. My head swam when I tried to stand up, but the nausea quickly passed.

The she-elfling came back into my room carrying a water skin, and a change of my normal black attire.

“What took you so long?” I snapped, pulling the clothes out of her hands, and causing her to drop the water. I threw the clothes on the bed, and caught the girl’s shoulders before she could clean the spill.

She looked fearfully up at me once again. I put my finger to my lips, and then pointed at the water. Trusting that she could read, I spelled out these words magically with the amiable liquid:

[Bilbo]

LOTHLORIEN

Yamoni lies on one of the platforms high above the Lothlorien trees. He rests his head on a lovely feather pillow, and blanket is over him. He talks to himself in his sleep. Next to him is his cousin Josh, who's still awake. His eyes gaze east, watching the growing shadow of mordor.

He turns around to see his cousin Joshua, cousin to Faramir and nephew to Lord Denethor, wide awake and pacing around the elven leaf shaped platform.


dark Dunharrow in the dim morning
with thane and captain rode Thengel's son:
to Edoras he came, the ancient halls
of the Mark-wardens mist-enshrouded;
golden timbers were in gloom mantled.
Farewell he bade to his free people,
hearth and high-seat, and the hallowed places,
where long he had feasted ere the light faded.
Forth rode the king, fear behind him,
fate before him. Fealty kept he;
oaths he had taken, all fulfilled them.
Forth rode Théoden. Five nights and days
east and onward rode the Eorlingas
through Folde and Fenmarch and the Firienwood,
six thousand spears to Sunlending,
Mundburg the mighty under Mindolluin,
six thousand spears to Sunlending,
Mundburg the mighty under Mindolluin,
Sea-kings' city in the South-kingdom
foe-beleaguered, fire-encircled.
Doom drove them on. Darkness took them,
Horse and horseman; hoofbeats afar
sank into silence: so the songs tell us.


Josh lays down, and sleeps

[Bilbo]

Buckland, THE SHIRE

The small Hobbit army led by Ferdibrand Took crosses over the Brandywine Bridge over the Brandywine river. Right over the bridge infront of them was Brandy Hall, the great hobbit mansion built by the Brandybucks. They all gasped at what they saw.

The great Mansion was half burnt to the ground, it's windows smashed out and the frames turned black from an attempted burning. Bodies of Orcs and hobbits were littered outside and inside the great hobbit mansion. It seemed as if a great battle had been fought around the great hall. The Brandybucks of Buckland against their great invaders. Their must of been hundreds of dead Orcs and Brandybucks alike.

"My god, Brandy Hall......" yelled Ferdibrand Took. Nicholas Cotton stared in horror at the mangled body of the Gatekeeper, hit by Orc Arrows almost as tall as he was.

"We came too late" exclaimed Nicholas.

"We've come too late for everything" said Ferdibrand, a small tear trickling down his eye.

The small Hobbit army looks through the wreckage of the battle, The "Battle of Brandy Hall" which the hobbits would later refer to it as. They all look around, pillage the wreckage, and begin the mass burial of their fellow hobbits.


Inside Brandy Hall

Ferdibrand and Nicholas with a few other braver and stout hobbits walk through the interior of the hobbit-mansion, cautious, their weapons drawn(or with their hands on the hilts of their swords).

THEN, they stop. Noises are brewing inside the house.

"Stop --”

But, before Ferdibrand can finish his sentence, a shadowy figure leaps out from the shadows, and attacks ferdibrand........

Ferdibrand picks himself up. On top of him was not an Orc, not a goblin, but a Hobbit. A brandybuck to be exact. His "attacker" was a hobbit who looked very similar to Meriadoc Brandybuck, one of the nine walkers of the ring.

"Berilac? BERILAC BRANDYBUCK?!"

The hobbit's name was Berilac brandybuck, infact the cousin to Merry. The two(ferdibrand and Berilac) get up and give a great big hug. Nicholas Cotton stood back and would later remark how similar they looked to their cousins Merry and Pippin.

A look of happiness dwindled in Berilac's eyes as he pulled away from Ferdibrand and he looked around the great hall. A great battle had been fought inside the great hall.

"May we leave and stroll up the lane?" asked Berilac, his teeth chattering.

Ferdibrand, the leader of the small hobbit army nodded, and the two left the great hall, and strolled up to Crickhollow together by themselves. They left Nicholas Cotton in charge of the cleanup for the time being.


*************

Moments later, Berilac and Ferdibrand come strolling back down the lane from Crickhollow. They're putting away their pipes. Nicholas comes running up to meet them. the other two-hundred Hobbits are busy salvaging what they can of Brandy Hall. Berilac smiles at the size and sturdiness of the Hobbit army.

"I am impressed, a good sturdy size army you have their. It'd been even better if we brandybucks were all around. Alls I need is a good bath and some nice Ale to fill my stomach"

He then begins to sing an old bath song:

Sing hey! for the bath at close of day
that washes the weary mud away!
A loon is he that will not sing:
O! Water Hot is a noble thing!

O! Sweet is the sound of falling rain,
and the brook that leaps from hill to plain;
but better than rain or rippling streams is
Water Hot that smokes and steams.

O! Water cold we may pour at need
down a thirsty throat and be glad indeed;
but better is Beer, if drink we lack,
and Water Hot poured down the back.

O! Water is fair that leaps on high
in a fountain white beneath the sky;
but never did fountain sound so sweet
as splashing Hot Water with my feet!


He stops, as a little tear rolls down his eye. He turns to Ferdibrand and Nicholas. A look of stearness has rolled across his face.

"Where shall we go now?"


***********************************

[Tirithel]

LOTHLORIEN (Uinen)

Uinen glared hard at the elf with no respect; she hid the fear in her eyes and full of a certain darkened pride called out: "I serve no one but Gondor. And if you be enemies of the darkness than I profess to be your ally, but nobody's servant. I am Uinen, daughter of Earram, and sole heir to his house." She bowed low, but kept her eyes with the elf's and maintained her hand's position on the hilt of her sword.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

"So many questions.... I am Sárvana Mánhunîel, a fellow elf of Lórien. Should I put down my husband's weapons? Nay, I think not. I travel with and vouch for Uinen from Gondor, she is good, and would never join the Shadow. Besides, I do not think the Lady would kill any elf that entered her borders." I paused. "My business: I bring a letter for Elrond from his daughter."

Fillinor (or at least that's what I think his name was... I don't really remember) looked into my eyes, and slowly put his bow down, the other elves followed his lead. I maintained his gaze easily, and he said....

[Ithilraen]

"Forgive me Lady Sarvana. For I did not realize that you were of our kind. With the dark arm of Sauron moving westward it is hard to tell friend from foe these days. Any strangers that come from the west and wander into our borders are brought before the Lady. I will take you before her and Lord Elrond, for you have business with him also."

Fillinor then strode over to the other two elves and instructed them to stay here at the watch while he was going to take the two females to Caras Galadhon. One of the elves whispered to Fillinor, "Watch your back. The she-mortal has a strange look about her."

Fillinor nodded then turned back to the two females, " We must reach the city before nightfall. I know you are travel worn. But we must hurry. I know you have the endurance, Lady Sarvana, but the mortal, will she be able to run with us and keep up?"

[Tirithel]

Uinen raised an annoyed eyebrow at the elf who spoke about her as though she wasn't there. With a slight smirk spreading over her lips and a sracstic, mocking tone, she replied before Sarvana had a chance; "That depends, my good elf- am I to run behind you or swing from the tree branches?" She had heard tales of treehouses and ladders and the like in the City of the Elves and never really thought them feasable.

She cocked her head to one side and rudely awaited a reply.

[Ithilraen]

Fillinor gave the she-mortal a hard look.

"I could care less how you reach Caras Galadhon, just as long as we get there before nightfall. If you feel as if you will last longer by traveling talan to talan, then Lady, go right ahead. Though I would not advise of it. The last Galadhrim who did that missed a branch and broke his leg in two places. I do not have time for childish arguments. We must hurry."

[Elvenwanderer]

For the first time, I turned to glare at Uinen, and I'm sure my eyes flashed in anger. Mortals, always taking offense to everything. Filinor was being especially kind, and he did not have to leave us alive, much less lead us to the city. I waved for him to lead on.

[Ithilraen]

Fillinor nodded at Sarvana and began to run. The two females were right behind him. As he was running many thoughts came to Fillinor's mind. But the one that kept repeating itself was "Why did Lady Sarvana bring a mortal to us? What can she do to help?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile back in Caras Galadhon, Ithilraen and Legolas were sitting at the foot of a great mallorn tree. They both couldn't sleep knowing that thier friends were most likely being assualted by orcs at this very moment and they were just sitting here, doing nothing.

Legolas rested his head against the tree and looked at Ithilraen. He owed her so much. She had saved his life, and healed him back to health. She stopped him twice from walking into death, by knocking him unconsious, but it still worked. And he has never truly thanked her.

Legolas turned and took Ithilraen's hands into his. Ithilraen looked at him with surprise, but was pleased.

"Ithil, I never got a chance to thank you for saving my life. If you had not showed up, those orcs would have killed me. I also want your pardon for hitting you when I tried to leave here to go to Mirkwood. I appreciate everything you have done for me, my life is in your hands."

Ithilraen smiled and said, " You have my pardon, though I do believe that knocking you unconsious makes it even between us. I do not want your life."

Legolas looked into her eyes, " I must offer you something. If you do not want my life, then what do you want? Your heart must desire something that I can do for you?"

Ithilraen smiled, "My heart does greatly desire something. I will not tell you what it is now. Time will allow it to reveal itself."

Legolas nodded and released her hands. "Come, lets go make another round in the city and see how the Galadhrim fare."

[Tirithel]

Uinen was exhausted and famished, but a chilly strength had long taken hold of her heart, and a cold but firey spirit sustained a tired body.

She kept pace near effortlessly with the arrogant elf at the front, and shot him dirty looks at every other step, while Sarvana glared dissapprovingly in her direction. They moved as if on wings, stepping daintily yet with tremendous speed over the leafy path. Uinen's hood flew back with the wind and her blonde curls rushed out grapsing at the air behind her. The moon peeped down occasionally through the golden trees around her, and the air of the wood was cool and refreshing, a far cry from the heats and fowl breezes that had occupied the city of late. The displaced maid breathed deep the free air and felt her muscles relax into their run and let the pleasant breeze blow over her skin.

When they finally reached their destination- the foot of an enormous tree, Uinen felt refreshed and full of vigour. The lights of many candles emitted a soft glow that danced in her cheeks and seemed to bewitch her eyes with beauty. Evidently, not all elven magic was something to fear.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

We had halted below a large tree, and after a bit of searching through his pack, Filinor shoved a small green package at me. He then gestured with it towards Uinen. It took me a moment, then I recognised this as the leaf wrappings of a Lembas cake.

"I suppose we should let it... her... eat. It wouldn't be exactly courteous for her stomach to be growling while in the presence of the Lords and Lady. Though, of course, it wouldn't be a long stretch from her current, crude, mannerisms." Filinor said mentally to me. I smiled in return at his joke on Uinen... which was rather mean, I admit, as she was at a disadvantage not to be able to hear what was said.

Nonetheless, I took the Lembas and had to get her attention. Uinen's eyes seemed to shine in a different manner than I had before seen.

"Here, this is called Lembas.. it's an elvish waybread of sorts made by Lady Galadriel. Only take a single mouthful though, otherwise the occurring indigestion is quite horrid." I broke off a corner and ate it, proving it edible.

We all looked up at the high branches of the tree, when.....

(help... someone? is anyone out there? lol)

[Elvenwanderer]

(Morwen)

How long have I been here? The water formed into wobbly letters on the adamant floor.

With a bit of help from my magic to reword the water, the girl managed to reply: About three days. I've taken care of you since He brought you.

Does this place have a stables?

Yes.

Thank you... do not tell anyone of this, all right? I command you.

The girl nodded and left the room. I slowly stepped out of the nightgown, and waited as another wave of nausea blew over me. Just as I had gotten into the change of clothes, Sauron appeared at my door. I looked at him in the mirror, his reflection more appealing to the eyes than the real thing. <Another ploy to get me to **shudder** > I would not let myself finish that thought.

[Ithilraen]

"Fillinor!" Gilrond ran over to the trio. "It's good to see you."

Fillinor nodded in return. " You too Gilrond. How are things in Caras Galadhon?"

Gilron gave him a grim look, "It's been tense." Then motioned toward the females, "who are they? I hope they are the rest of the people the Lady is expecting."

Sarvana stepped forward and said, "I am Lady Sarvana. You might not recognize me. I have not returned and dwelt in Lorien for some time now. This is a she-mortal. Uinen, from Gondor."

Gilron nodded. "I will tell the Lady and Lord that you have arrived. Please come into Caras Galadhon and wait till the Lady and Lord wish to recieve you." He then turned toward Fillinor.

" I will take charge of them now. You may go back to the border watches."

Fillinor gave a nod and disappeared into the wood.

They arrived at the gates an hour after midnight and were greeted by Ithilraen and Legolas. Ithilraen smiled warmly at the two females, then gave a startled look on her face.

"In the name of Eru..... Lady Sarvana....." Ithilraen whispered. " I....I...where.... welcome back."

[Tirithel]

Uinen was still dazzled in the lights of the city, but followed the elves to their destination, munching quietly on a small piece of lembas. For once, she shut her mouth and let Sarvana do the talking. She just wished that the elves would stop referring to her as "that she-mortal." It was getting irritating. Elves could be soooo arrogant.

Already she was missing her own fair city again, and the company of those of her own kind. Her head bounced this way and that, looking for other signs of life besides her current companions, and was glad when Filinor took off back into the bush.

They had halted in front of a great silver gate, and two more elves stepped out to greet them, apparently most surprised at Sarvana's appearance, moreso even than Uinen's. Sarvana introduced them and Uinen bowed her head in reverant greeting. But still she missed her home and her brothers and parents, and longed for the glimmer of the White Tower through her bedroom window.

[Elvenwanderer]

I bowed to Ithilraen and Prince Legolas. "Thank you, Lady. It is relaxing to be home at last... I would like to introduce to you Uinen from Gondor." I swept my hand back at her. Though it was obvious I was talking about Uinen, who still had a glassy look in her eyes, I decided to throw in the hand motion anyway. "How has Lothlórien fared recently?"

[Tirithel]

Sarvana slipped into conversation in her own tongue with the two elves, and Uinen was left to entertain herself. Her eyes strayed around the landscape, and suddenly became fixed on a single light that shown high up in the trees, like the sun against ordinary stars.

Its beauty enamored her, and without thinking, she began to walk in its direction, until she reached the foot of the mighty silver barked tree it perched in. She circled the trunk until she found a well camoflaged staircase sank deep into the green around the base. She pushed her way through its velvety leaves and began to climb the stairs.

Sarvana and the other two elves had not even noticed she was gone yet. The stairs wound on near endlessly, and her legs began to wobble slightly underneath her, when she finally approached a roof over her head at the top of the stairs. After some searching, she found a trapdoor in the 'ceiling,' and pushed it upwards and open.

She pulled herself onto the platform and was near blinded by the brilliance of the inhabitants.

[Ithilraen]

"No Lady Sarvana, we have not talked with the Lord and Lady yet. They were expecting two more to join us and the Rangers. I'm guessing that you two are it." Ithilraen said.

Legolas then quickly looked around, "Where did that she-mortal go??"

The elves quickly looked around and then Gilrond cursed under his breath. Everyone looked at him and followed his gaze up. They saw the feet of Uinen disappearing into the flet of the Lord and Lady. She some how found the hidden stairway that only the Lord and Lady uses.

The four elves quickly followed suit. The Galadhrim who guarded the talan might see Uinen as an intruder and kill her. That was the last thing they needed.

Ithilraen then turned to Gilrond, "Gilrond, looks like we might have our council early. Go find my father, he is talking with the Rangers at this moment near the glade. Bring the Rangers too."

Legolas nodded in agreement, "It's best that we have the council now, with everyone here. The sooner the better."

They three remaining elves then quickly climbed the set of stairs that everyone else uses. It was shorter and they didn't want to give the guards any more surprises and reason to kill.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

I shook my head the entire time I was climbing the stairs. Don't get me wrong, Uinen seems like a really good person. But she is a bit nosy and.... ummmm... disrespectful at times. It gets to be more often that I think I should have left her somewhere between here and Minas Tirith. It might have been a better idea for me to have slipped off while she was sleeping....

Anyway, when Legolas, Ithilraen and I reached the flet, we found Uinen effectively plastered on the trunk of a tree. She had her hand covering her eyes, and her other hand was reaching for her hood to pull over her face. From below I could hear guards climbing to the flet, no doubt to 'handle' the intruder who used the Lord and Lady's private stairs.

I looked over on my left to see the Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel standing there watching us. Sometime in my youth, I had heard that they gave off a signature white light, but I believe that only mortals were greatly affected by it. Which meant Uinen (obviously).

I turned and bowed to the Lord and Lady, only to find that Legolas and Ithilraen already had. While on my knees, I managed to pull Uinen down next to me. Apparently the Golden Pair 'turned off' the light, as Uinen was able to pry her hands away from her face.

"It is an honour to see you again, Lord and Lady." I said quietly. Authwen had introduced us when I was about ten, but I was quite shy then and hadn't had the courage to talk much with them. I looked over, and saw Lord Elrond walk over a bridge to our flet with Gilrond in tow. I slightly stood, then bowed again to Elrond.

OOC: (BTW... who is talking for Elrond? I will do that if no one else wants to... )

[Ithilraen]

OOC: go right ahead EW!! i hope Dawn comes in soon)

Ithilraen and Legolas knelt down as soon as they noticed the Lord and Lady.

Lady Galadriel was about to speak when the guards burst in. Ithilraen immediately stood up to stop them from accidentally shooting anyone. When the guards realized that the Lord and Lady were in no danger them immediately along with the others dropped to kneel.

[Tirithel]

I was struck dumb. Elves were appearing one by one and numerously on the platform, but their hustle and bustle had no effect on me. The brilliance and the beauty of the pair standing before me captivated my eyes, and it was all I could do to pull my hood up and bow my head before the light of their beings pierced my soul. Though others were scraming and shouting at eachother, I remained in reverent silence, eyes fixed on the White Lady before me.

Sarvana appeared and pulled me to my knees, but I took no notice.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

{Here I am! }

I looked at my surrogate mother and sighed.

'There is nothing I can do?' I asked quietly, knowing the answer that would come.

'Must I answer it again?' My mother replied patiently. 'They chose their fate. There is nothing we can do.' I inhaled slowly and turned to leave.

Then I heard the loud footsteps on the stairway only we used. I looked at my father in confusion and then nodded to the gaurds.

We headed for the stairs as a she-mortal entered. As she threw her hand over her face in obvious pain I creased my eyebrows in confusion and motioned the gaurds back.

Then Ithilraen and Prince Legolas appeared, followed by Sarvana. 'She hasn't been here for years.' I thought to myself as the four knelt.

'No, she hasn't Feldor.' I heard my father's voice say as I walked to his side. 'Yet she is still welcome.' Mother's voice added. I swallowed slightly and nodded.

'Of course she is.' I replied to them mentally as Elrond entered.

'We have some business that must be attended to immediately.' Galadriel said as the guards stood and left the chamber.

Elrond nodded and I sat at my father's feet.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

I stood, and walked over to Lord Elrond to hand him the letter from Authwen... Morwen... I have yet to chose one name and stick with it.

"Sarvana, it is good to see you again. Who is that?" Elrond tilted his head in Uinen's direction after he put his hand on my shoulder in greeting.

"That is Uinen from Gondor... she came with me here, when I escaped Minas Tirith...." I paused, and handed him the letter. "This is from your elder daughter, she helped me."

He took the letter but did not unroll it, as if he had some idea of what it would say.

I turned around to see Fildor... no that's not it... Feldor sitting near Lord Celeborn, and watching me. I raised my eyebrows, but he didn't look away. Neither of us really liked each other (at least so I thought), mostly because we didn't move in the same social circles. I preferred to talk mostly with Rivendell and Mirkwood elves, whereas he spoke almost exclusively with those from Lothlórien.

[Ithilraen]

While Ithilraen went over to her foster-father to talk to him about what had happend with Uinen, Legolas walked over to the guards and Gilrond to tell them that everything was alright and that they could leave now.

"Ada, I don't know how she found the stairwell. She was there one minute and the next we saw her feet going through the door. I hope the Lady isn't angry with me or Legolas. Is that Arwens letter? What does it say?"

Elrond smiled at Ithilraen. " I will tell you later what Arwen says. Do not worry about Galadriel. She isnt' angry. If she was we would've felt her wrath. Though you probably do not know how that feels like. She hasn't unleashed it in years." Elrond grimaced at the thought of Lady Galadriel unleashing her wrath. "Be a good girl. Go sit. The Council of the Lord and Lady of Caras Galadhon will begin."

Ithilraen nodded and sat next to legolas in a chair that faced Galadriel and Celeborn.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Morwen)

Sauron walked over to me and started rubbing my shoulders. Apparently he noticed the travel bag by the door. "You want to leave so soon? Morwen, you just awoke, don't you want to spend some time together? I know of this comfortable cottage hidden in the trees...."

I gently slid his hands off of my shoulders and stood up. I grabbed my daggers off of a table, and tied my sword around my waist, which had previously hung on a bedpost. I also slipped a small trinket into my pocket, which hopefully he didn't see.

Without much trouble I found the stables and ordered the boy to find me a black stallion. When he stupidly returned with a dark blue mare, I picked him up and threw him at a wall. He slid down and fell into a pile of broken bones on the ground.

"No decent help these days..." I personally hunted down a black stallion, but settled for grey, as the boy was right: there was no black stallion. I rode off towards the West.

(Elrond in Lothlórien… 3rd person)

Elrond shifted the letter in his hands once again and sat down near Sárvana. Reluctantly, he unrolled the cream-colored parchment, and silently read the words that appeared in Authwen’s hand.

Ada,
I expect you are reading this in Lothlórien, as that is in fact where I told Sárvana to go, so I hope this met you there. I want to talk to you, as well as to my grandparents, and written correspondence will not work for this purpose. I will appear on the Eastern borders of that land two days after the first reading of this letter. I know to expect that I will not be trusted… all I ask is for the guards not to try to kill me.
Your daughter,
Authwen Randirel

Elrond passed the letter to Sárvana to read, she then got up and walked across the circle to hand the letter to Galadriel and Celeborn who seemed to converse with each other about the letter’s contents.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

'Unbelievable.' I thought as Mother and Father conversed.

'That it is my son.' I heard Father's voice say. I looked up at him and he smiled softly.

I smiled back and looked at Mother. 'What do you think?' I asked as she looked at Father.

'I trust her.' Mother said. 'How can you?' Father asked suddenly.

'She's lied to us before.' He finished. 'She's our grandaughter.' Mother replied quietly.

Father sighed and Mother looked at Elrond.

'What shall we do?'

[Elvenwanderer]

Instead of looking back at Galadriel, Elrond's eyes searched through the flet, and landed on the Rangers, who were just entering. He then looked at Sarvana, who was staring strangely at Feldor. The Rivendell lord's vision finally settled at the letter the Golden Pair were holding. He shrugged.

"It doesn't look like there is anything we can do. As her father, I will fall for anything to once again be able to rightly place my trust in her. That is what any father would do. She knows she will not be trusted here, so Authwen is resigned to the fact that she will not be treated as my daughter, but as a traitor, and a very dangerous traitor at that." He stopped for a second, thinking. "But, there is no avoiding the fact that she will arrive here in two days, whether we trust her or not."

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

'But as a traitor, and a very dangerous traitor at that.' Echoed through my mind as I felt Sarvana's gaze.

'I want to meet her.' I blurted suddenly and without thought. I felt the gaze of those in the room and my eyes sought the floor.

'Idiot. What are you thinking?' I asked myself as the flet remained silent.

[Tirithel]

OOC: I was going to reply to this last night, but got cut off, so this may appear a bit out of order, but oh well! This is getting good! I'm going to post a bit for Galadriel if no one minds...

IC: Galadriel had bent her gaze on me momentarily, and it seemed that I heard her voice inside my head. An hour's worth of conversation took place within a minute, and the Lady understood as only she could the unique combination of what I felt: true and complete loneliness combined with unimaginable grief. To this she replied: "Cast not your thoughts into the shadows. Hope remains, and though you may feel it, you are not alone in the world. Look to the stars over the sea, as I have done for ages, and harden not your heart."

My eyes were let free of their bonds of the light, and I tuned into the present conversation. I caught only the tail end of what the elves were discussing, and the name Authwen smacked me across the face with the cruelty of a leather belt.

"Authwen?" I questioned rather harshly, "You mean Morwen. Do you mean to tell me that the Dark Queen perched in the tower next to the Enemy is your daughter?!" The chestnut haired elf in the middle nodded solemnly. All I could think of were the Queen's harsh dealings with me and the rest of her servants in the short time I had spent in her service, and the way that Sauron looked at her. It made me sick to my stomach.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

I looked away from Feldor (what a strange comment he made, by the way), and I glared at Uinen once again. I could feel my face growing hot in anger, and my eyes must have been flashing light like usual when I was angry. "I thought we went through that already back in Minas Tirith."

Elrond laid a cool hand gently on my arm saying I was overstepping my bounds. I gripped the birds' heads that ended the arms of the chairs with such ferocity and strength that I was sure they would break. Mortals.... I shuddered.

(Morwen)

In leaving the Palace, I could feel a change already. Sauron called out to me, asking where I was going (his voice was weak in my head). I told him that I was going to put down a rebellion of hobbits in the Shire, but (what I would not tell him) I was really going to Lothlórien, the last free city of my people whom I so disloyaly betrayed.

Near the borders of Mirkwood Forest, my bracelet started to flash a putrid greenish-bluish-blackish light. I looked behind me as small specks of dust began to fly away from my hair and patches of a chestnut brown began to reappear. The same brown hair as my father....

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I looked at Elrond, concern on my face as he nodded in response to Uinen.

'Authwen made her choice long ago.' I heard Mother say gently as Sarvana gripped her chair.

My thoughts wondered back to my earliest memories of Imladris and I saw a young, happy and beautiful Authwen. I shook my head.

'Uinen is right to speak her doubts. Authwen has commited several atrocities in her life time.'

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

I would not give up hope that Authwen (dare I say it, Morwen) was still good somewhere in her deep soul. "Cannot everyone try to fix the mistakes of their past? Do not the laws of the elves - laws she, as our Queen, put in effect - allow forgiveness and retribution?" It was obvious I was fighting an uphill battle.

Elrond looked at me. He removed his hand from my arm to place his chin in his fingers, taking up his classic meditational position. "Does she see the mistakes is the question, young Sárvana. This whole thing might be a ploy. I know the three of us have no small price on our heads; our death would be valuable to them, not to mention to her." He of course meant himself, Galadriel and Celeborn.

I moved back in my chair away from his strong eyes, and looked feebly for help from the Lord and Lady of the Galadhrim. My wits and conversational battle skills were drips of water compared to their oceans of wisdom. I knew help in this fight would not come.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

'I cannot help but feel the Authwen is coming for help.' Father said quietly. Mother nodded and looked at Elrond searchingly.

I leaned back into the stairs and patiently waited for the conversation to continue.

[Elvenwanderer]

"Help with what?" Elrond muttered as if to himself. His eyes searched the floorboards.

Galadriel was implying he had some secret knowledge about Authwen's reason for departure from her new life with Sauron. If the Rivendell Lord did have any other information, it would take some soul searching.

[Tirithel]

"Hear hear, Sarvana," Uinen broke in as Sarvana shot silent yet effective curses in her direction. "Whatever service you paid the dark queen was obviously more tenderly accepted than my own. As perceptive as your kind might be, I've noticed you are also rather self-concerned, so perhaps you did not see the way she was with those outside the Elven bloodline. My people were treated tenfold worse than those that shared her roots, and my entire family died at her will. If I hate her, it is not without reason. My house was wiped from the Earth by her hand, all but me, by luck alone, and much more than luck guards me now." She moved her hand to the hilt of her sword.

Suddenly, a cloud passed from her face and she spoke again, "But a daughter is a daughter, whatever measure of good or evil she may possess, and a father's love is not easily cast aside." She looked to Elrond, speaking as one of the wise and far beyond the youth of her face. "Not for all the stars of Varda would you utterly forsake her, though I daresay you would consider it a fair trade."

A pause. "I will add one more riddle: should the Dark Queen turn back to the light, she could be a valuable asset in this war, one not to be trifled with and perhaps embody the winning stroke and our final hope. If you love her, let her in. If you do not trust her, turn her away. But if you want to win this war you must chance your trust and trust your love.

"I will love her not, but I may trust her by the end. I may have to. We all may."

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

"I will not say that I directly served her or what serving her embodies, but would you not have followed a King (or Queen) anywhere, and given trust to their actions?" I defended weakly. It was true... I had helped her. Once, only once. I stood by and watched as Uinen's family was killed, and I did nothing. Although I saw Uinen escape death, I said nothing to Morwen, but I did not help Uinen flee.

Elrond tried to meet my eyes to see what truth he could extract, but I would not look back at him. He stood up and spoke to the council. "Uinen is right in two points. It seems we all have made mistakes in our past that we wish to recind, some graver than others, but still mistakes. And, Authwen could be a valuable asset to our side." He looked to all of the members of the Council, posing a silent question: Should we trust her, or will she betray us once again?

[Tirithel]

(UINEN)

"I follow no one that stands for the killing of innocents." I shot Sarvana a hard but not angry look, somewhat understanding her plight but sympathizing not at all.

Addressing the rest of the group, I continued. "This war has gone ill indeed. Not many chances for victory have we, and to throw away this chance out of fear would be dearest folly. Should we let her [Morwen] in, we may hasten the end, be it good or evil. But what is the use in delaying the imminent? If she betrays us, sooner do we fall. But if she truly means well, she may be our last hope."

I do not know where the words came from, but in my heart I understood them. I no longer feared Morwen Authwen, and, however false it may have been, trusted my own meager strength as defense against her. To look on her without fear was a great advantage in tactical thinking, but the Elves surrounding me had too many past dealings and betrayals with her to forget the lingering fear in their hearts and see the truth. We needed her.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I remained silent as the she-mortal spoke, yet my soul was doubtful.

'Elrond asks if we can trust her again.' I said suddenly.

'This I do not know.' I paused for a moment before continuing.

'But, I think we should be careful around her until we know she can be trusted.'

[Tirithel]

I fingered the hilt of my sword uneasily as Fildor spoke, my eyes jumping to each member of the assembled party in turn. Sarvana looked hopeful and Elrond doubtful, but the White Lady, alone of all of them, returned my stare. She had a thoughtful smirk on her face, and I realized where the words had come from. Why she hadn't spoken them herself, I couldn't say, but truly I understood her thinking, and spoke again, this time from my own heart.

"I will watch her."

[Elvenwanderer]

Sarvana nervously fingered at a hole in the coarse dirt-encrusted cloth of her dress.

-------------------
(Morwen)

My father... that thought echoed in my mind. Throughout my whole life I could withstand the cold, hard stares of Sauron and easily lie to the truthful eyes of Galadriel, my maternal grandmother, but against my father I was helpless. Even now, I knew I could not look into his hurt filled eyes very long without seeing and regretting my mistakes…. I started hardening my heart against his eyes when I remembered I had to go through with my plan, which would depend on their trust of me. Authwen.... That name did not seem to fit me anymore... neither did 'Morwen Naereth' when I was like this...

On the horse, I flew by the goblins that feebly and uselessly guarded the borders of Mirkwood, the evil that dwelt there needed no protection.

An hour passed and I reached the Great Anduin about sixty miles north of the Gladden Fields. I would follow the river south for a day and a half before I reached the borders of the Golden Wood.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

'A she-mortal against the most dangerous Elf in Middle-Earth?' I asked sarcastically.

I caught Mother's disapproving glance and said no more.

'Feldor asks a worthy question.' Elrond said thoughfully. I nearly smirked, but contained myself.

'Feldor has also volunteered to meet Authwen.' Father said. I nodded slightly and half-smiled at Mother.

[Elvenwanderer]

Sarvana's hands left the hole in her skirt, and she again looked at Feldor, this time with mild annoyance.

"Do not discredit what you have not seen, Feldor Gilrond. I alone here have watched Uinen fight (though we were on the same side), and she is not someone you would want to have as an enemy. From the times I practiced swordplay against Authwen, I would say that she and Uinen are almost rivals, with a single mistake as an equalizer in a fight. Uinen would be worthy to be Authwen's guard. Besides, any elf that would guard her would be too afraid of Authwen to do anything against her." She paused, and her voice fell. "If indeed it came to that... which I hope for both parties' sake it does not." Sarvana looked again to the Lord and Lady of the Galadhrim for either a nod of acceptance or a frown of disapproval.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I scowled at Sarvana and threw a stony gaze to the she-mortal.

'Authwen has improved since she left.' Mother said quietly as Father remained silent.

Elrond leaned back into his seat and Father shifted slightly.

'Could we send both of them?' Asked a Ranger hesitantly.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

I glared back at Feldor, but answered the Ranger. "That sounds like the best plan to me. Though how 'I-want-to-meet-a-known-mass-murderer-Feldor' could be of any help to Uinen if Authwen became hostile I can see not."

Elrond shot me a look of anger, and quietly threatened to make me leave.

"If the Lord and Lady of the Galadhrim, not the Lord of Rivendell, wish for me to go, then I will gladly take leave of this council." I replied coldly.

(OOC: will you kick Sarvana out please Dawn?)

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

(OOC: My pleasure :evil: )

I gasped at Sarvana's remark and angrily stood.

'I'd be careful whom you insult around here!' I said, my voice strangely calm.

'Calm down Feldor.' I heard Mother's voice say gently as I noticed two guards escort Sarvana from the council.

I smirked at her as she threw a icy look at me and slowly returned to my seat at my father's feet.

[Tirithel]

(UINEN)

I hadn't a chance to speak in the brief pauses of the conversation that followed, and watched helplessly as two guards pulled Sarvana from the court. In the dead silence that followed, I spoke for myself once again.

"Frail as you may feel the words of the elf-maid are, they are the truth. I neither fear, nor trust Authwen, and will not let her stray from my sight while she is a guest in this city- whether she knows it or not. Let me offer this: that Feldor and I should guard her from a distance, watching and waiting, espying her every move, and reporting back to you in intervals. If her motives are truly treacherous, then she will do her best to make it seem otherwise, betraying our eyes and our minds in our presense. But left alone, and she assuming so, we can see what she is really up to, and stop any malicious activity before it creates a real problem. If she means well, then her days may be as peaceful as those of a gamebird who knows not that the hunter watches it."

The Elves pondered my words again, still doubting in their minds if my strength dared to match that of the Dark Queen encroaching on the borders.

To this unspoken doubt, I replied: "And as for fighting ability, Sarvana's words ring still true. I am capable. But if you do not believe me, believe this: watching Morwen from a distance will 'inhibit' her hostile intentions and make her less apt to strike out, lessening the need for strength. Besides, I believe that away from her master's stronghold, her dark powers will lessen."

[Elvenwanderer]

(Elrond... 3rd person pov)

"Authwen is very powerful, Dark or good, here or there. It is probable, in fact I would not doubt that she does not need Sauron’s backing to remain that strong.” Elrond replied. He looked into Uinen’s eyes and she stared calmly back.

“Though there is another issue that we here must also consider. You said yourself, Lady; that you served her, as did Sarvana. How do we know that either of you won't do so and betray us again? How can we be assured it will not be one (or both) of her former servants doing her bidding against us and blaming it on her? Do not misunderstand, I mean this as no insult if you are truly on this side, but just as a viable possibility. We must also judge Sarvana now in that same manner, be she Lórien elf or mortal."

(Sarvana.... 1st person pov)

I stared at Feldor with malice in my eyes, he stared back at me. He wasn't afraid, but neither was I of him.

"Let go of me!" I yelled pulled my arms from the two guards' grasps. "I know where my own flet is, thank you very much." Nonetheless, they followed me to my talan and only disappeared into the trees when I climbed the ladder.

In my flet I realised as I plopped down in a dusty chair, that even though I remembered much of this place, there was much I did not remember. I quickly stood up; I had sat too much today, and I was too angry to remain in one place very long. I started pacing across the flet, kicking up dust and fallen leaves as I went.

Feldor... I'm glad we never moved in the same social circles, I don't think I could ever stand talking to him... he makes me sooo angry... always crawling to Celeborn and Galadriel when he's in a pinch, thinking they're his parents when he knows he's just as much an orphan as I. (insert your favorite embarrassing Feldor dialogue here...)

Anyway, I went into our (my and my husband's) old bedroom, and fell over onto the still-mussed sheets of our bed. I stared at the moving leaves of the ceiling in deep thought about many things before I fell asleep.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I heard Sarvana protest and smiled slightly.

We had never understood each other. She was a grovelling she-elf, running to her husband when I hurt her.

I was much stronger.

I kept my hurt to myself, yet I'm sure she thinks I ran to my parents.

I know I'm adopted, but their the only parents I've known. I treat them as such, because they have told me to.

'Watching her from a distance will do no good. Authwen will know we are watching.' I said as I fixed my grey eyes on the she-mortal.

'Authwen knows Lórien, and she knows she will be watched.'

[Tirithel]

(UINEN)

"As to your comments of my possible betrayal, I understand your doubts. But rest assured that I serve no one but Gondor, least of all the one who gave me this." I turned around and let my cloak drop to the floor. After much shuffling of clothes and poking and proding, the right section of ribs on my side was revealed. A long, ragged slash was slowly healing itself, and dark spots of blood had clotted all around it. Where the fabric of my undershirt had ripped away fromt he skin, new blood had begun to seep out, and as the crowd stared in a combination of amazement and disgust, I pulled my gear back into place and looked them in the eyes once more. "Besides, Feldor will be watching me as well as Morwen."

I paused for a moment. "And if you are sure that secrecy of observation will be no avail, then only one of us shall remain secret while the other stays at her side. However you want to arrange it, it will work. Should one of us fall, the other can fetch help. At any rate, I do not think it wise to let her wander all alone, creating mischief wherever she may please."

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

'I will be watching you.' I answered Uinen as I examined her wound with my eyes.

'And, if it helps, I somewhat trust you.' I added hesitantly, even though in my short life I had learned to trust no one.

Especially those you loved.

Father nodded and looked at Uinen gently.

'Your suggestion is sound. We will accept your help. Authwen will be under total supervision once she passes the borders of these lands.'

[Elvenwanderer]

"Which means we have about a day and a half to prepare for her arrival." Elrond said, agreeing with Celeborn. "Will you also send a normal guard out when Authwen arrives? She expects it, I would believe. Are there any other issues that we must cover here?"

[Ithilraen]

Ithilraen spoke up, "If the council will allow, Legolas and I would like to intercept and escort Authwen when she comes in. I don't believe that a normal guard would be sufficient for her. Also she might not be that hostile if she sees a friendly face."

Legolas nodded in agreement. "Though I have not seen Authwen for many years, we still have a good friendship. I agree with Ithilraen. We should go to escort Authwen to Caras Galadhon, if the Lord and Lady and Lord Elrond will allow."

[Tirithel]

Other issues? Uinen thought. Yeah, that and the takeover of the Dark forces and what to do about it. But she said nothing; elves were arrogant and presumptuous, and would more than likely chide her rather than take her comment seriously. Besides, the arrival of this single enemy (or ally) seemed to be enough on the hands of the Lorien occupants for now.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

I woke up and again stared at the ceiling for a few minutes while I worked out a plan of action.... I got up and grabbed a Border Guard outfit of my husband's and gladly put the pants and shirt on. The clothes still smelled like him, and the shirt was a bit baggy, but it would work.

I grabbed Magol's long bow (not the one he normally used, but the one for special occasions) and sped down the stairs to the ground.

Elrond and Galadriel would certainly not let me meet Authwen at the borders with Uinen and the Unspeakable, so I would find her first.

(Authwen... a day and a half later)

I had about five miles left before the edge of the forest, so I dismounted and let the horse return to... I don't know *shrug*... wherever. After all, I still had working feet; I could walk the rest of the way through the long grass to the trees.

Before I sent the horse off though, I pulled a black cloth from his saddlebag and wrapped it around the trinket I took from Legolas' room. I would give it to him there... if Legolas was there. I slipped the small black encased object into my pocket while I was walking.

Soon (with about a mile to go), I felt many pairs of eyes watching me but I passed them off as outer guards of the forest. I knew they would be on orders to kill any suspicious person (me... hem hem) that made any sign of a threat, so I did not put my hands near my sword or daggers. Even I don't want to be killed, I'm not that crazy... I'm just crazy enough to betray the Dark King Sauron. Yep, I must be reallly sane. I shook my head from the irony.

The guards. I had never known the wary Galadhrim to place elves so far outside the protection of the trees... But they were not causing me harm, so I decided not to do anything.

Dark days like these coupled with dodgy visitors like me called for extra precaution... right?

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I jumped from my bed and chided myself for sleeping past sunrise as I pulled a finely carved bow from its holder on the wall.

'It's been too long, my love.' I whispered as I walked to the edge of my private flet and jumped from the edge. I landed gently and walked to the gates of the city.

'Authwen arrives today!' I reminded the gatekeepers as I caught a distant glimspe of her. Sarvana.

'The ungrateful wretch.' I said in my mind, though in my heart I was calling her worse names.

'I'll return with Authwen.' I said as I pushed the gate open. The gatekeepers nodded and pulled the gate shut behind me.

I secrued my weapons and began tracking Sarvana with a comfortable, yet speedy, loping stride.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

I reached the last trees, and suddenly felt a searing pain course through my lower leg. I looked down to see a black arrow sticking through to the other side of my leg.

I whipped around and saw her, Authwen, striding towards the forest dressed in black. How could she...she brought them... I hobbled backwards, and my vision began to degrade.

(Authwen)

Just as I stepped inside the borders of the forest I heard a whistling noise and an arrow went shooting past my head. I turned around and ducked just in time as another two arrows pierced a tree where my head had been. I reached forward and pulled one of them out of the tree.

I brought it to my mouth and I cautiously licked the tip. I spat after I tasted the foul poison that the orcs carefully dip the arrows points in. I had long been immunized to the poison, but for the other elves I could not say.

There was a border guard coming toward me, and behind her was another elf... I shook my head to clear my vision.

Him… please let it not be him, I pleaded with my heart. He can’t be the one elf that I could not see without afterwards regretting it… he just can’t.

[Tirithel]

Morwen's expression kept steely as ever, but I saw a gleam of either pain or rear behind those dark eyes. In my short service of Sauron's mistress, I had quickly noticed that where harsh words and cruelty proved quite a convincing visad, Authwen's eyes betrayed her instantly.

But Morwen was not quavering at me; her gaze flickered to Feldor behind me. I didn't know why and I didn't care. My voice was hard and emotionless as I spoke to her; "Drop your weapons- sword, daggers and all. Leave them here and come farther into the trees." I raised my sword, holding it straight out from my arm with the point inches from her face. "Now," I demanded, my eyes still fixed on hers and my face unflinching.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sárvana)

I could no longer discern my feet from the forest floor, and I was wobbling so badly that I fell over at the foot of a tree. Little whizzy things (birds, maybe? They had feathers...) were coming through the trees, but I was too delirious to care. Someone stooped over me and pulled something... my leg, I think… I’m sure there was a reason….

(Authwen)

I glared down at this... mortal... that dared order me about. But I slowly untied my sword and daggers anyway, saying nothing about the small knife hidden in my boot. I handed them to her and I backed away a few feet.

“I hate to remind you, Lady, that there are orcs attacking the forest… and that there is already a wounded elf." I tilted my head toward Sárvana who was lying and twitching on the ground. "I also know that neither elves nor men have developed an antidote for that poison (I cultivated it myself)… so I may be the only one that can help her….”

I looked over at Feldor to see if he approved for me to heal Sarvana. Actually, I didn't care what he thought, I was going to heal her anyway.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

'You realize of course that I do not care whether she survives or not. But, you may as well go ahead.' I said quietly as my eyes feasted on her face.

Authwen had returned.

Yet I was ever mindful of the orcs attacking.

'Why in the name of Elbereth did you bring them?' I asked Authwen as I stepped aside and let an arrow meant for my head literaly bite the dust.

[Elvenwanderer]

"I didn't. You seem to forget, Feldor, I am just as much a target in attacks like this as you. Besides, these orcs are outcasts... deserters... abusers of the Darkness. They do not hold allegiance to Sauron, and they want me dead for hunting them."

After glancing at the she-mortal, I leaned down over Sarvana and clamped my hands around the arrow. I pulled it out and as a result she seemed to twitch harder than earlier. As I worked to clear the poison, my mind repeated what Feldor's sweet voice had said. "I do not care whether she survives or not..." I paused and looked up at him to meet his strong and unwavering yet beautiful and powerful eyes.

"You are taking a bad example from me if you do not have a preference for the life of an elf. I don't want to believe you said that." I commented quietly to him and looked down... could I really think his eyes beautiful?

[Tirithel]

I moved my head from one elf to the other following their conversation. It didn't take long to pick up on a certain air of feeling between them, and I rolled my eyes as another black feathered shaft whizzed thorugh the air and stuck the ground behind me.

"Enough with this lovers' quarrel!" I interrupted coarsely. "Into the trees, or you'll have more than one poisoned wound on your hands." I gave Feldor a quick shove and picked Sarvana up under the arms and dragged her farther into the trees, before motioning for Morwen to follow.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

'I do care about Elves.' I said, defending myself as Uinen shoved me towards the trees.

'Just not this particular one.' I finished as I pulled my bow and turned, trying to pinpoint an archer. I spotted one behind a tree and released one of my arrows in that direction.

I heard a scream of pain and saw another orc replace the wounded one.

'There are to many.' I said as I turned to the she-mortal.

'I know of a flet near-by.'

[Tirithel]

"Well we'd best find it soon," I replied with a hint of obviousness in my voice, as I hauled Sarvana's weight up by her arm, which I drew around my shoulder. An arrow whizzed by Morwen's head, and she flinched slightly. "That means you too." I looked at her. She did not approve of my tone.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Authwen)

Being now slightly angry I opened my mouth to say something quite nasty to the girl (I still couldn't recall her name... she seemed familiar somehow though). But, right before my words had voice, I felt a gentle hand touch my arm. I glanced nervously over at Feldor as he removed his hand and shook his head a fraction of an inch to either side. I shut my mouth and stared down at the ground where an arrow had just skidded past Sarvana's twitching feet.

I looked up from a nearby tree root as Sarvana started moaning deliriously and her head began rolling about her shoulders.

"Let me take her." I volunteered suddenly, suprising even myself. I put my hands out to pick up and carry the she-elf to the flet that Feldor spoke of. "Then you two can fight if need be and I'll be preoccupied and less likely to do something... err... not to your liking."

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I smiled slightly at Authwen's words and nodded.

'Follow me.' I said, somewhat roughly as I turned to my left, shooting an very unkind look at Uinen in the process.

I scanned the ground at my feet and looked up a majestic mallorn.

'Stay here. I'll lower a ladder soon.' I said to Authwen as I walked to the tree.

'You can't climb that.' Uinen said suddenly as I circled the base of the mallorn.

'Watch and learn.' I said as I pushed on a small black dot.

A ladder appeared, but I was the only one that could see it. I began climbing and as I made my way up, I thought of how we had built the flet.

Oh yes, it had taken effort. But we finished it. And then Mother added the ladder.

I emerged on the flet and spotted the conventional ladder, exactly where I had left it, almost fifty years ago.

I picked the ladder up and dropped one end of it down the trunck, seccuring the other end around a limb.

'Quickly climb up.'

[Elvenwanderer]

(Authwen)

I watched Feldor climb something up the tree and then he put a long wooden ladder down for us. The girl motioned impatiently for me to climb up first, she wouldn't leave me on the ground alone. I shrugged.

Sarvana groaned again... she was waking up. I shifted her weight to my left arm to use my right to climb with.

Testingly, I put my foot on the first rung and pulled myself up to the second. And the third... finally, at almost the top of the ladder, she woke up.

Sarvana jumped in surprise at being suspended twenty feet in the air, and I almost dropped her from the extra strain on my tired arm. I even felt like her mother (I'm not... I assure you) when I tried to get her to stop jabbering nonsense. At last, I got to the flet and dropped Sarvana on the floor.

"Where am I...? Authwen? Is that you?"

I nodded, and quickly turned my head as the three of us heard a loud clatter coming from the ladder. The graceful she-mortal had tripped.

I let out a huff of breath, trying (not too hard, mind you) to make it look like I wasn't laughing. I walked back over and put my hand down to help the girl up.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I watched Authwen emerge onto the flet with a delirous Sarvana on her arm as I sat down at a small wooden desk near the small sleeping cot.

A loud clatter met my ears and I made no attempt to disguise my pleasure as Authwen reached down to help Uinen into the flet.

'Sarvana, lay down on the cot. Authwen will attend to you soon.' I commanded harshly as Uinen's unhappy face appeared.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

Feldor. Perfect. So he gets to join this little party too. And he's laughing... at me again most likely.

I reluctantly crawled towards the cot. My one leg was virtually useless. It felt like it had fallen asleep and it tingled painfully, but I didn't know why.

As I sat down, I saw Uinen's angry face pop through a hole in the floor of the flet (aha.. so that's what he's laughing at!).

I pulled my leg up and looked at it. There was a hole clean through my calf; the edges of the hole were a sickly putrid green and dark blue... ew.

(Authwen)

"Don't touch it!" I called as Sarvana's fingers strayed a bit too close to the wound for comfort.

The girl's face appeared and she roughly pushed away my hand.

"I'm just trying to be nice...." But I wasn't at all offended by her show of independence.

"Not that I want to touch her either..." I added to Feldor and Sarvana with a grin.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

'I understand perfectly.' I responded to Authwen as Uinen collasped near the enterance hole of the flet.

'If you need water, there's a fountain over here.' I explained as I pointed to a small marble statue near my desk.

Uinen shot me a very impolite look and I turned back to my desk.

[Togo Bleecker]

(OOC: okay so i've caught up and from what i can tell the hobbits are all at Brandy Hall so i will make my intro there)

Sitting far up in a tree, was a small scrawney hobbit, he could be plainly seen if someone was looking, his clothes, shades of brown clashed with the green leaves of the tree. In his small childlike hands held a book bound in blue leather. Indeed he did look very peaceful until he heard the noise. It was almost like thunder..no...it wasnt loud enough but it was banging, moving and clashing. Leaning over to try and tell where the sound was coming from the small hobbit, whose name was Togo fell and with a loud THUD landed on the not so soft ground below him, his book still lodged between two branches in the tree above him. He arches his neck glaring at it..but decides to return later. Right now he was more interested in what was going on in town.

Not being very social he was hesitant to approach the large mass of hobbits he saw gathered around a very shocking burned Brandy Hall and the mass of dead a sudden churning began in his stomach and he held back the overwhelming desire to loose his lunch. He had heard, of course, that dark times were among them but never did he expect them to reach the shire. When they eventually did it was like someone had chucked a rock at his head forcing him to come out of his dream land. The air still fresh with the smell of burnt wood tickled his nose as he approached a hobbit he reconized at one of the Cotton children "come now...what is this all about??" he asks his voice, graced with a shire accent is quiet and shaky, he didnt like conversation, only with friends and he did not have many hobbit friends. He places his hands down into the pockets of his tan trousers and hangs his head full of messy brown curls down to look at the oh so interesting ground, awaiting an answer patiently.

[Tirithel]

"Quite gracious," I bowed half in mocking, half in gratitude to Feldor's offer, and walked to the fountain. A silver basin sat near its edge and a few small goblets. I poured myself a glass and sat down to watch Morwen tend to Sarvana.

We were far from the cries and arrows of the orcs now. Starlight mingled in the golden leaves overhead, casting a bluish haze on every face in the flet. Fireflies flickered in the background and there was a cool breeze, but I somehow could not get totally comfortable.

My eyes were fastened on Morwen, and I studied her every move. Memories of her treatment of me flickered through my mind; images of cold stone walls and red firelight on fresh blood, and the cold stare of the Dark Queen's eyes filled my head, and so with silent vigilance I watched for the old Authwen to emerge.

But it never came. She poured over Sarvana's leg with a tenderness in her face and a gentle hand. This manner was completely opposite the Morwen that I knew. Even her hair color seemed less black. Feldor sat nearby and they gabbed in Elvish words I could only guess at, seemingly about me. They shot knowing looks and secret sniggers my direction every minute or so, and even Sarvana, who'd brought me there, joined in every once in a while.

As irritating as it was, something else was mixed in Morwen's gaze. I watched her eyes dance from Sarvana to Feldor and back, in conversation. And in silent spots they fell on him and lingered softly. It was the same with Feldor. They looked at eachother with a dim secret to hide; a longing and a desire.

As alienated as I felt, sitting up a tree nearly amidst the stars, in the company of a different race, I still knew what they said to eachother in those silent spots, and I began to read the signs they let slip: Feldor had loved Morwen once, and she him. Maybe they still did.

But it was too inconclusive. I coundn't rely on information I had drawn merely from facial expressions. It could have been all from the way the light danced on faces up her, or maybe even the altitude. Never-the-less, my suspicions were aroused, and I began to wonder what motives Elrond and his lot had in putting someone with a deal of compassion and pity for his prisoner in her charge. But alas, it was only empty suspicion.

"How is she?" I asked Authwen, the coarse words of the common speech jutting into their conversation like a bird flying against the wind. "Will she be okay?"

(LUINIL in ITHILIEN)

AAAAAaaaaaaaaAAAACK! I swung my arm around and plunged every inch of my knife through the orc's chest. It screamed in pain and writhing fell to the ground, the cold metal of the blade sliding backwards into the moonlight, now slimed with black blood. Arrows sliced through the air around me, one after one after another, and I knew I had to get away. I turned and took a few fleeting steps into the trees when another orc burst out in front of me, his sword waving and eyes flashing.Quickly I pulled my bow from my shoulder, strung it, and let an arrow fly at its chest. It too fell.

With grim realization I finally understood that staying in the Moon Gardens would be my end. Orcs patrolled it at every hour- even in the day time, and no hiding spot would be safe. I abandoned the glade and set off for the river, on foot, with no plan whatsoever, and only the moon shining down on my lonely path.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Authwen)

I turned slowly around to look the girl who had so awkwardly broken in our conversation during a great joke... about her. There was a slight smirk on my face, and in passing my eyes met Feldor's again for a very fleeting but satisfying moment.

My eyes moved to the girl's. "Sarvana should be up and walking within a few minutes. The poison was cleared and she now has an immunity to it.... The wound will turn into a small scar, but nothing more. She'll be fine." I told the girl with a humerous edge in my voice.

For some reason, this situation seemed very similar. A memory flashed through my mind wiping all jest from my expression: Minas Tirith... dungeon... firelight... blood... a large gash on her back... Morwen healed her...then Morwen killed her family. What was her name... Morwen knew then and she told me, but I passed it off, not thinking I would ever come in contact with one of Morwen's greater servants... and rival. {we'll go there later} I know her name... I silently racked my brain.

Uinen.

My eyes widened and I looked away from her to study the blue-looking floorboards. "Uinen..." I swallowed loudly. "That was not me."

(Sarvana)

"And she..." I was just getting to the punch line of a joke when Uinen so rudely broke in.

Authwen again met Feldor's eyes as she pivoted around on her knees. Now that I think about it, Feldor wasn't so bad - sometimes. He could tell good stories (mostly about Uinen, but hey), and Authwen seemed to like him (I'd even border on something more than like), so I tried to rethink my rashly formed opinion about the Lórien elf. He was mean to me, but I wasn't so kind to him either....

Anyway, Authwen answered Uinen about my leg, and I cautiously put a finger to the scar when I thought Authwen wasn't looking. She knocked my hand away anyway, she knew me too well.

Suddenly, Authwen tensed and there was a certain ring of fear in her voice when she next spoke. "Uinen... that was not me."

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

When Uinen's harsh voice interrupted Sarvana's story I cringed and caught Authwen's gaze.

I smiled slightly and turned to the fountain, as a sigh escaped my lips.

'I must be careful.' I reprimanded myself mentally as I drew a cup of water from the water basin and offered it to Sarvana hesitantly.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

I murmured a small word of thanks to Feldor and took the slightly dripping goblet out of his hand. I took a sip of the crisp, cool water and looked over the rim of the glass at Authwen.

She stood up, walked across the flet and looked out from the edge with her arms folded in front of her stomach. She sort of hopped from one foot to the other, and I knew she would be picking at the fabric of her cloak and shirt. She was nervous.

I looked over at Uinen, who seemed to know what Authwen meant, for an answer.

With a loud-seeming whoosh, Authwen turned around and also stared strangely at Uinen. Something was different about Authwen though: her eyes were black.

[Tirithel]

(UINEN)

Each elf looked at me in shock as though a monkey had spoken in words, and it took a while before Morwen finally yielded an answer. It was flimsy and her words obviously did not match her thoughts, but her expression turned darker as her gaze retreated to the floor and she sank into silent thought for a bit. Her face contorted and her brow furled, and I thought I glimpsed a look of shocked horror in her eyes for two seconds. She spoke in a pleading I had never heard in her cruel voice before: "it wasn't me."

OOC: The following is a profound moment of emotional outburst. This is a warning/disclaimer/clarification just so you all know. ;)

IC: "It wasn't you?" I replied, a cold glaze covering my eyes and my tone dropping from concern for Sarvana to hatred for Morwen,as I realized what she was talking about. She had finally remembered my face, alone among her millions of thralls, and was looking for either forgiveness or innocense. My rage balled up inside of me and I spat out: "Don't tell me that wasn't you! I cried when I learned of the death of my father in front of the morannon as you laughed from your tower. I saw your troops crash like a tidal wave over the city and slaughter my mother as she fled for her life. And I watched you break my dying brother's body over your knee and laugh like it amused you." I stood up; I had worked myself into a frenzy. "As my life crawled on soul-less and empty I watched your every move for days afraid that I would breathe too loudly and you'd snuff me out as you did the rest. I know every malicious glint in your eyes and every evil curve of that twisted mouth that you call a smile. I know you and I know what I saw, so don't tell me it wasn't you, because I know you Morwen, and if you think that I'll be as easily taken in as that one," I threw my arm in the general direction on Feldor-"then think again. No lover's pity shall come from my direction, and there is no forgiveness left in my heart for the dark deeds of others."

Feldor and Sarvana gaped at me, their eyes wide and mouths still, but Morwen spun around and glared at me as though ready to strike. As tears welled silently in my eyes, I continued, but more softly. "That violent stare will do you no good...not anymore. This is not your dungeon and I am no longer a disposable little girl. If you wish to kill me, then go ahead and try, but know this: I fear you no longer, Morwen Sauron's queen, and if the last of the house of Earram dies it will be on her feet and not without a fight."

I gripped the hilt of my sword in my left hand and stared into her eyes unblinking, tears spilling down my cheeks. But underneath those cold tears was a face of stone, and an expression of pure and unadulterated hate.

[Ithilraen]

(back in Caras Galadhon)

The rest of the council stood at the gate waiting for the arrival of Sauron's mistress.

Ithilraen was standing alone with her arms comfortably wrapped around her bow, staring up into the cloudless night. She thought back to the times when her foster-sister, Authwen, showed her how to find certain herbs and plants in the wild, and how each of them helped or didn't. Ithilraen still could not imagine her older sister who she loved dearly and once looked up to, as evil, and hated among the peoples of Middle-Earth.

She quickly blinked away the tears that were beginning to form and she hoped that Authwen truly has come back to fight against the evil and not with it.

Legolas leaned against a trunk of a tree and watched Ithilraen blink away the tears that were starting to well up in her eyes. He knew she was thinking about Authwen. Before Authwen turned, he and Authwen were the best of friends, and he knew that Authwen adored her little sister and Ithilraen the same. Seeing her so sad made him want to run over to her, embrace her, and and tell her that everything would be alright.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I shrank back at Uinen's outburst, a slight hint of pity in my face.

As Uinen issued her challenge and gestured in my direction I could feel the anger seeping onto my face.

I kept my cool, waiting for Authwen's reply, not knowing what would come of this.

All I knew was that we had to get back to Caras Galadhon soon.

[Tirithel]

(LUINIL approaching southern ANDUIN)

The long grass swayed in the wind and whispered around me. The night was beginning to pass to the other side of the world and the eastern sky ahead of me was edged with pink. I marched along slowly, in no great hurry to be anywhere, as thoughts tumbled through my shaken mind.

Where to go, where to go...

I could head for Rivendell...Elrond would still be there. I got along with him fair enough, even if that dratted prissy daughter of his would be hanging around fussing with my hair and giving me gowns and trinkets to wear. "Ugh," I sighed aloud as I shook off the prospect of Arwen's bubbly presense making me want to beat her. Mithlonde? I asked myself. No, no...much too far. Without a horse I wouldn't reach it for months,and besides, going east of the Misty Mountains would mean either the Pass of Caradhras or the Gap of Rohan and that cursed traitor Saruman and his ghouls. The entire east of Middle Earth was out of the question until Saruman had been dealt with properly; he'd be looking for me, after what I did to his man-servant from Rohan. I snickered aloud thinking of the look on Worm's face when he found himself under my boot. Harad was out of the question. My last allies there had been killed when their true feelings of the Dark Lord had been discovered, and any elf walking that land now risked great peril. Erebor then? No, Dain was ever wary of travellers these days, and I'd probably end up shot before I reached the gate.

One choice seemed alone to remain. Mirkwood. Thranduil was a good king and used to the wild side in his subjects. He had always liked me and treated me with honour whilst I resided in his woods. I would be under his rule but not at his command, under his protection but not at his mercy, and free to walk the paths of his woods unhindered by guards and snivelling elf-princesses. Perhaps Legolas and Ithilraen will be about; it would be good to see them again. Their good natures and warmth for eachother was refreshing.

Mirkwood it was then. But one thing in my resolution did I lack: news. I had no idea what was going on in the world abroad of my little glen in Ithilien, and usually it wouldn't bother me. But being chased from the only home I'd ever known was not a common occurance, and I wondered what had come about to make orcs so bold in their attacks. Bold orcs were not good for travellers on the road, but, then again, it was nothing I hadn't dealt with before, and I supposed I was no ordinary traveller.

Mirkwood. I took a deep breath and looked up from my feet, my eyes meeting far off the glimmer of the sun's rays on the waters of Anduin. The night had ended, and a new day begun.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Morwen)

My lip curled disgustedly, and Uinen nodded strongly.

“See?”

I opened my mouth to speak, and indeed any word with an “s” in it was hissed (my normal) and I sneered at her. “Use your brain before your mouth next time, Uinen. Had I wanted you dead, I could, would, and should have killed you long ago. Besides, with those two here and me weaponless, it would make a lot of sense for me to attack you. Even I’m not that crazy that I want to die. As for your brother, he was quite a complicated story between the Resistance and Sauron, which I will not tell you now. But I won’t lie… he was fun to watch being tortured, and even more fun to kill. All I ask is that you do not take your pent up anger and hatred out on Authwen; she did nothing… we are two completely different people sharing one body, but hey, pobody's nerfect.”

I paused and looked at Sárvana, who would not meet my eyes. She knew the story; she had worked with me then; we were sent to Minas Tirith by the same source.

As for the other elf standing there… (whassisname?) Feldor, I didn’t know if he heard and understood the account of Uinen's brother. Personally, I couldn't stand this elf; Feldor's Authwen’s true love, not mine.

Oh yeah, and he was Galadriel’s foster son. Galadriel wouldn’t tell him anything then; Grandmother wouldn’t want to scare him with that multitude of valuable information.

“I only want to talk. Nothing more. There is news from Sauron that I am completely sure is valuable to the Resistance; meaning I have to talk to Elrond, Galadriel and Celeborn now. Uinen, If I try anything, I swear that you can take the pleasure to kill me.”

(Sárvana)

I knew what Morwen was talking about: how… why Uinen’s brother died. He was a valuable part of the Resistance to Sauron, but also, secretly, His informer. Alerting the Dark King to all our movements he almost hit on a major factor of our plan only known to a certain few. Morwen couldn’t let him tell Sauron about our secret, so she killed him. Uinen would naturally not understand, for more than one reason.

I looked miserably over at Feldor, who was staring at Morwen, and forgetting our earlier arguments, I said: “We have to get back to Caras Galadhon.”

(Authwen)

Morwen left again (long story… think of an elven Gollum/Sméagol relationship), and I looked lovingly over at Feldor with my blue eyes (as opposed to Morwen's black ones), knowing full well how much Uinen’s comment must have stung. I also gave Feldor a comforting smile as Sarvana spoke.

Like with any common bee sting, at first the pain is ever present, but the anger at the annoying pest is what comes strongly next.

[Tirithel]

(UINEN)

"Don't you ever talk about him again-" I said through clenched teeth. It was the first thing that came to mind. Two identities? No- it couldn't be.

"Young children in trouble will often blame their mistakes on imaginary friends, m'Lady, but very rarely do they try to protect them at the same time. Perhaps it is you who needs a bit of brain-work." She tried to interrupt, but I continued. "Besides, you've never needed a sword to do your dirty work for you before. Whatever your story is, I don't believe you and I don't care; if you or Authwen," there was a harsh sarcastic tone in my voice, "put a toe out of line, don't expect any sympathy from me. I'm onto your little game.

I turned from her before she could reply. With my most dramatic tone and arms flaining in false excitement, a bellowed, "To Caras Galadhon, it is, fellows! I anticipate the journey with full heart!" I leaned against the tree-trunk and crossed my arms, beaming with my fakest smile, awaiting directions.

It seemed no one had anything to say.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

'Very well. We go to Caras Galadhon as soon as Saravana can travel.' I said after a moment as I smiled back at Authwen.

'My mother, father and uncle are waiting.' I added as I walked to the center of the flet and stepped onto the ladder.

Uinen shot an uncertain look at Authwen and then to Sarvana.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

Authwen glided over towards me, her cloak flowing behind her and she had a hurried look on her face.

I tried to stand, but wobbled painfully a bit and Authwen put her hand on my shoulder bracingly. She had a strong grip, but she was shaking from nervousness.

"I'll be fine."

Feldor then disappeared down the ladder, and Uinen after him. Authwen helped me walk towards the trap-door, and she looked through the whole to the ground.

"Feldor, would you catch Sarvana if I dropped her from here? I don't want to put any extra strain on her leg."

[Tirithel]

(UINEN)

I descended the ladder after Feldor and with a wary leap skipped the last couple of rungs. One of them was extra slippery and on the way up I had tripped. ( ;) lol) A quick look around confirmed that there was nothing around besides us, but I could still here orcs screeching off in the distance. I didn't know if they'd be brave enough to venture this far into the wood. I'd always been told that they feared the "Magic in the Trees" of Lothlorien. But many things had changed lately. Feldor seemed to hear it too; he shot me a nervous glance and gestured with his chin in the direction of the cries.

"They are not too far gone," I mumbled to myself, and I drew my sword as Morwen prepared to drop Sarvana the distance of the ladder and Feldor positioned himself to catch her. My eyes darted this way and that, waiting for something unexpected to happen.

**************************
LUINIL travelling along ANDUIN

The glades of Ithilien were fair as ever; April had passed softly into May and summer was coming in full swing in the south of Middle Earth, but there was a chill and a tension in the air that had nothing to do with the weather. I could feel the trees quivering at the roots and speaking fearfully of current events as I journeyed north. Animals seemed more jumpy than ever; those that would have normally welcomed Elvish company now fleed my footsteps and hid themselves from view at my passing. More obvious than that, however, were the ungraceful tracks of large orcs mushed into the soft mud of the banks of Anduin, all up and down the river.

I'd been travelling for days. Elven feet are swift and tireless, and Elven eyes do not need to be shut to sleep, but a weeks worth of journey with no rest and no meals was starting to take its toll. Out of caution, I dared not hunt, lest the prey make some startled noise and find the ears of my foes. Also, I dared not venture too close to the river and out of the cover of the trees. Hence, I'd eaten nothing but wildberries and drank very little since I'd started, filling my water-skin only in the depths of moonless nights.

I do not think myself a coward, and indeed I've seen enough fright to fill a million faerie tales with a million horrors, but this new tension in the air was unlike anything I'd experienced before. The fear in the air found a way to coil itself slowly around my heart with every breath I took, and my paranoia grew substantially- I was sure I was being tracked. I dared not stop lest my persuer finally catch me.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Authwen)

I didn’t wait for an answer and dropped Sárvana down to Feldor anyway. When my feet hit the ground, I was sure that Uinen and Feldor felt the same nervous rush as me. We needed to hurry, it wasn’t quite safe in the trees; even this far from the borders.

Suddenly, a black shape whooshed between two trees, and an arrow came straight for my head. Right before it hit me, I caught it (I was amazed, I can’t usually do that), and stared at the tip.

Feldor looked at me with a worried expression on his face. Uinen seethed and stared into the trees, I’m sure she thought I brought these too.

Another arrow whizzed by inches from my head and landed harmlessly on the ground.

My lip curled and I broke the arrow I was holding over my knee. “Men.”

Another arrow flew through the trees, and had Uinen not at that moment involuntarily raised her sword by a few inches, I would have been killed.

“Don’t say that, some elves are no better.” Uinen said, earning a hard stare from the two elves and one half-elf around her in attendance.

“Orcs do not come this deep in the forest, men do. They are aiming for me… you three are safe. Sauron has discovered Morwen’s betrayal faster than I thought. We must go to Caras Galadhon with all speed.”

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I sighed at Authwen's request and opened my mouth to answer when Authwen dropped Sarvana.

I acted out of instinct and caught her gently as Authwen made her way down the ladder.

As the arrow headed for Authwen I scanned the forest about us uneasily and turned toward Caras Galadhon.

'Quickly. We cannot stay here.'

[Tirithel]

UINEN

Sarvana's legs wobbled uneasily under her, as more arrows poured into the wood. "Would it be faster for someone to carry her?" I suggested nervously, as my feet began to wander opposite the direction of my gaze. Muffled whispers and croaks could be heard close, and I was all for the city, and soon. Feldor gave a quick nod and with a short stoop and a quiet grunt, swept the bobbly-headed Sarvana up into his arms. Morwen shot him a strange look, but said nothing.

"Go!" I urged. "I will follow!"

But as the three turned to run, a dark scraggly shape sprang from the bushes and nearly landed on top of me. It swung a scimitar mercilessly for my head, but I missed it with a quick duck and thrust my sword upwards into its gut. With a loud groan of pain it fell to the leafy floor. My eyes scanned the brush for more, and seeing none, I turned on my heel and ran as fast as I could behind the others.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

'Would it be faster is someone carried her?' Uinen asked as Saravana wobbled unsteadily.

I rolled my eyes at Authwen and then stooped and placed an arm behind Sarvana's back and another behind her knees.

Lifting gently I found that Saravana was lighter then I had supposed.

'Come!' I said as Authwen looked at me strangely. I smiled at her softly and began loping towards Caras Galadhon.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Authwen)

Again, Uinen motioned for me to go first, and I ran off after Feldor.

I strongly wanted to tell him to go faster, so we could lose Uinen in the trees, but restained myself. That would be what Morwen would do, not Authwen; I wanted to keep a big gap between the two.

[Tirithel]

(UINEN)

I crashed through the trees, thorny bushes scraping my legs and branches wasping me in the face. My legs took great bounds in every step, and it was not long before I could see the moon glinting off of Feldor's hair at the front. But where we were going, I had no clue. This was not my forest and I had come to believe that it was hopeless to become lost in it.

[Ithilraen]

Ithilraen felt someone watching her and looked around. She caught Legolas looking at her. He smiled at her, and she returned it.

Legolas saw that her smile did not have the radiance that it usually did. Whenever she smiled there was always a radiance with it, and her deep green eyes had a slight michevious twinkle to it.

He found Ithilraen to be quite different from the other elves that he's met, besides the fact that she was the only elf of her race on Middle-Earth. Her skill with the bow nearly matched his, and her knowledge in tracking astounded him. Sometimes he was intimidated by her.

She seemed more like a male than female sometimes. Always volunteering for the most dangerous missions and going with her twin foster-brothers on orc hunts. If she was at Rivendell when the council commenced and Elrond had allowed, she probably would have been in the Fellowship.

The Prince of Mirkwood sighed. He had never felt this way about another she-elf before. He's known Ithilraen since she was found and watched her grow up from a troublesome akward child to a beautiful mature elf. He wanted to tell her everyday how much she meant to him, but everytime he got the courage, he'd look upon her face or hear her voice and he'd become speechless.

Legolas would rather face 100 orcs by himself than tell Ithilraen how he felt. He then laughed at himself. How could he face 100 orcs and not tell a person whom he knew cared about him also how he felt? Legolas felt silly then.

" I am going to tell her," he said to himself, " After the Dark Lord is taken down, I will tell Ithilraen how I feel."

[Elvenwanderer]

Elrond leaned on a mallorn tree and looked nervously around the group. From a jumpy Legolas and quiet Ithilraen [his foster-daughter] towards Galadriel and Celeborn sitting on a stone bench together. They, of all of the company at the gates, looked as placid and as calm as ever.

"Authwen returns today." Kept repeating itself in Elrond's mind before a silent battle raged in his head. "She is my daughter, but can we trust her?" His brow furrowed deeply in thought.

"Possibly. She has now betrayed Sauron twice, but the elves only once. Is there not one more tally to even the score?"

"But, if she was as Uinen said - Morwen, Sauron's Dark Queen - then what reason could she possibly need to come back when she had everything close at hand? Back to a place where she knows she will be treated as dirt and never again trusted as she once was?" Elrond answered himself with another question. He hated it when he did that.

He thought back throughout Authwen's life looking for any possibility of this reason.

The first time she left as a Ranger with her brothers had been when Celebrian departed. Authwen had loved her mother dearly, but Celebrian shunned her when Authwen asked to accompany her to Valinor.

The second time, a little less than 1,500 years ago, Authwen had returned to Imladris for the first time for a visit; Feldor Gilrond was a child there then. Authwen would stay up for nights on end and watch him sleep, but would otherwise avoid Feldor by daylight. She left when he did, and she wandered Middle-Earth as an outcast after that.

Suddenly, it struck Elrond like a cruel hand striking his cheek with a fire-hot brand.

Love. Authwen was returning for love.

Feldor. That was why he wanted to "meet" and "guard" Authwen so badly. Feldor loved her also.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I paused slightly, giving Authwen the chance to near me.

'We could reach the city before morning if we didn't have the she-mortal.' I whispered quietly as we quickly walked side-by-side.

'She's moving too slow.' I added mentally as I looked back and noticed the she-mortal lagging further behind.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Authwen)

"I wholeheartedly agree with you. But do you want to stop to rest for a few minutes, or do you want to keep going and risk the unbearable chance that she might get lost?" I asked Feldor, careful not to also glance behind us at Uinen, lest she think we were talking about her.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

'Unbearable?' I echoed Authwen as I stepped over a small brook and glanced at her.

'It would not be unbearable for me.' I added playfully as Authwen stepped over the stream herself and smiled slightly.

'We'll stop for a moment.' I decided aloud as we neared a small clearing.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

Feldor came to a halt by a stream, and I gladly took my arms from his around his neck as he set me on the ground again. I wobbled and tottered a slight bit on my leg, and Feldor grabbed my shoulder bracingly.

I looked cautiously at Authwen, who was now staring strangely at Feldor. I smiled happily as I recognised the gleam in her eyes and I quickly thought of something.

"Um, Uinen? You don't seem too tired; could you lend me a hand, or, well, a shoulder? I'd like to try to take a short walk, and I'd appreciate a bit of help." I lied, I know. I could walk just fine without aid, but I put my arm out as if I wanted to lean on her shoulder hoping she wouldn't know that.

(Authwen)

I walked over to a tall, smooth and wide mallorn tree and leaned back onto it. I watched sadly as Uinen finally caught up to us; she was almost gasping for breath.

"Not unbearable for me either. You know I'm only trying to be kind to her. Well, not exactly kind... but fair." I replied quaintly to Feldor and reluctantly stopped watching Uinen inhale great gulps of forest air to glance at Sarvana. She was standing waiting for Uinen to help her walk.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

'Aye. Fairness is what she deserves.' I said roughly as I knelt by a stream running through the clearing and cupped my hands to drink. I drained the makeshift goblet and flopped onto the grass at Authwen's feet.

'What made you come back?' I asked casually as I twisted a blade of grass between my calluased fingers.

[Tirithel]

I tumbled out of the trees into the clearing where Feldor was sprawled on the grass talking to Authwen. I rolled my eyes and turned around to survey the scene. The air was cool and dry, with a fleeting touch of winter in its taste.

A wobbling Sarvana paced up to me and asked me to be her crutch.

"Yeah, sure. Why not?" I agreed. It was never wise to just flop over after a run; it made my legs sieze up and put an ache in my side. "As long as this is not merely an excuse to get me out of earshot for your friends to make more jokes at my expense."

I paused with my eyebrows raised waiting for an answer.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

I highly doubted that there would be any joke-making going on... but I just put my hand on Uinen's shoulder.

"I do not think they will make any jokes." Authwen nodded in concurrence to my statement.

(Authwen)

"No jokes. I promise." I answered Uinen. I silently thanked Sarvana.

When they had gotten through about ten feet of forest, I looked at Feldor, who was holding a piece of long grass to his nose. There was a drip of water remaining on his chin.

"What made you come back?"

Slowly, I sank down with my back against the tree into a sitting position. I reached over and lightly pushed a piece of stray hair behind Feldor's ear; the point bounced back as my fingers brushed past it.

"Guess."

[Tirithel]

"Mmmm hm," I answered, with the tone projecting the fact that I knew better. Sarvana cast her eyes to the ground. In a hasty attempt to change the subject, I asked her a question that had casually been gnawing my mind for some time now.

"So," I uttered non-chalantly. "What's up between Feldor and Morwen?"

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

I sucked on my teeth. "Do you want the whole story from the beginning?"

Uinen opened her mouth to answer, but I broke quickly in again.

"And that-" I jerked my head towards them. "That is Authwen, not Morwen. No offense intended, but it would probably do you good to learn the differences between them."

[Ithilraen]

Ithilraen could not stand it any longer. She wanted to ask so many questions at the council, but she did not know how to say them. Her father would be the next best thing. He might not have all the answers, but he response would surely allay her concerns.

She walked over to Elrond, who was in deep thought.

"Ada?" Ithilraen asked. Elrond didn't respond. "Father..?"

Elrond looked up with a start, "What? Oh, sorry. What's wrong Ithil?"

"Ada, I am concerned about somethings that were not covered in the council. I hope we have another one because I would like to bring up a problem that we might have."

Elrond nodded, "What bothers you Ithil? We most definitly will have another council as soon as your sister arrives. But tell me, what things are you talking about?"

"What are we to do with Sauron and the ring? Gandalf is dead, we will need another Istari, and what of Mirkwood ada? we don't know what has happend to King Thranduil and his people. He does not say, or show it, but Legolas is sick with worry. And ada, i am not doubting Lady Galadriel's ability, but how long can the defense of Lothlorien last?"

Ithilraen looked at her father, waiting for an answer.

[Elvenwanderer]

Elrond did not meet Ithilraen's sad and questioning eyes, and instead he looked at the floor.

"Sauron now wears the ring, and, much like in the second age, he uses it to control others. Concerning how long this forest is here depends on which force Sauron would choose to unleash upon it. I do not think Lórien would fall unless he himself came here, which is now a viable possibility. He would be looking for something he has just recently lost.... As for the elves of Mirkwood, Legolas' father, I would doubt (and this is only a speculation) that they remain alive today. You will most likely have to wait for Authwen and Uinen to answer your questions, because I do not know anything else."

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

'I couldn't possibly guess.' I whispered softly as Authwen gently brushed back the strand of my hair.

I rolled onto my side and studied her intently.

'Answer me with the truth.' I said as I rolled back onto my stomach and picked at the blister on the heel of my right hand.

[Elvenwanderer]

"Two reasons, really. You should already know of one." I smiled at him, but I could feel tears welling in my eyes.

"I came back to see you. But I also returned to say good-bye to you." My voice was rough and I had a huge lump in my throat.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I looked at Authwen in confusion.

'Goodbye? But, you can't leave again.' I said angrily as I stood and began pacing.

'You cannot. I won't let you leave again.'

[Elvenwanderer]

I stood up also, and tears started coursing freely down my cheeks. I turned around and put my hand on the bark of the mallorn tree, not wanting to see Feldor angry.

"I don't want to leave. If you believe me in nothing else, believe me here: there is nothing more in the world that I want than to spend the rest of eternity with you. But I also know that that is impossible." My voice died down to a hoarse, choked whisper.

"I am almost certain now that I will not live through this war to see brighter days." I stared blankly at the tree while seeing the image of my oncoming death over and over again in my head.

I forced my eyes shut to block out the image and waited for his answer.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

'I am almost certain now that I will not live through this war to see brighter days.' Authwen said.

I creased my forehead and paused my pacing.

'Why? What's going to happen to you?' I asked rapidly. 'What do you know?'

[Elvenwanderer]

I didn't want to tell Feldor, but I knew I had to; I loved him too much not to. I turned to look at him and I took a deep breath to steady myself.

"Morwen was sent to the Shire, supposedly, as Sauron knows that this forest is the only thing that stands between him and his dominance over the thing he wants most; Morwen. She has been conveniently and temporarily disposed of." I paused, trying to think of the best way to continue.

"He is coming here, Feldor. He is coming with a army -greater than any known to date- to squash the Resistance. With this forest hung over our head as leverage, Sauron knows that Morwen nor I will be able to withstand him for long. So, to answer your earlier question: I came back to spend as much time with you and those few others that I love." I looked at his face, and tried to catch his eyes. "It will take all that Morwen and I have to fight him, and it will be the end of us."

[Tirithel]

(UINEN talking to Sarvana)

"The difference?" My eyes widened in disbelief and I stared at Sarvana questioningly. "You speak as though there are two people involoved. Last I looked, it was only one."

LUINIL approaching OSGILIATH

Fear and paranoia had been gnawing my heart for days. As tired as I was, I moved ever quicker, hoping to escape the peril behind me, not knowing that the true danger lay at my feet. A day ago Emyn Arnen loomed up to my right, and I was coming fast up on Osgiliath, a city of men. I had never gone into it for long, and was not well acquainted with its ways and streets, but I had the feeling that if I could just get beyond it I would be okay. From there on the journey to Mirkwood would be swift and easy, and I could leave this ache in my heart behind.

But as the Citadel of the Stars crawled into view, I could tell something was very wrong within. Great towers of black smoke billowed up from it, and the guard that was always minimally but strategically posted was nowhere in sight. The city had been deserted for some time now, save the band of troops that held the remnants of the bridge, but now it was eerily quiter than before. A new pang of suspicion sank into my stomach and I halted briefly to consider my course.

In the end I decided to cross the River and pass the city on the Minas Tirith side. That bank after all was held by the foes of Sauron, and I would not be hassled.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

As I hobbled along (limping on the wrong foot by the way) attached to Uinen's shoulder, I contemplated my answer.

"There are two people, well, personalities. Morwen was created by Sauron when Authwen wouldn't do what he wanted. But Authwen is the owner of the body. It's confusing and strange. You can always tell them apart by their eyes: Morwen's are black and cruel, Authwen's are blue and kind. That's about all I know, otherwise, ask them."

(Authwen)

I stepped forward and gently took Feldor's cool hand in mine.

"Please, I beg of you, do not tell anyone. I don't want them to worry."

[Tirithel]

(UINEN)

"So, two people in one body." I looked sideways at her as if expecting a punchline. She said nothing. "Interesting." I replied. "Well, I guess I must have missed the opportunity to meet Authwen back when I first met Morwen," my voice took on the fake cheerful tone that accompanied my sarcastic bouts. "So I'll just stroll on up to the body and knock on the proverbial door and ask for the lady of the house. Is that it? And if the eyes are blue, I'll just introduce myself. If they're black, I'll take a leap backward and hope I don't get clubbed, right?"

OOC: I think this would best be answered in kind of a disapproving I-hope-I-set-you-straight manner, with some stretched patience. I feel another emotional burst coming on! ;) lol

[Togo Bleecker]

OOC: where have all the hobbits gone??

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

Humans. Mortals. They get to be so sarcastic, always thinking that things aren't serious... when they are.

I shook my head with clenched teeth. I took a deep whistling breath though those teeth and I glared at Uinen, my eyes flashed as they did only when I was seething with anger.

"No. You know perfectly well what I meant." I almost growled.

Why, oh why hadn't I left Uinen in Minas Tirith? Or better yet: why didn't I tell Morwen to kill Uinen as she ran from her burning home? Even better: Why hadn't I killed her myself?

My free hand balled into a fist by my side and it took all of my self control -thankfully I'm an elf with lotsa control- not to punch Uinen square in the face.

"Yes, actually. You're right. Go ahead, get yourself 'clubbed' by Morwen... or Authwen. See if I care."

OOC: enough stretched patience for you? ;) :) lol

[Tirithel]

UINEN

"well, it won't be the first time! you expect me to believe that all of that elf's wrongdoings are to be blamed on an alternate personality conjured by Sauron?" Sarvana's fists remained in tight balls and she nodded her head in a 'well DUH' fashion.

"I'll believe it when I actually meet Authwen, and not some cruel jeering Morwen." I jerked my shoulder free from the elven-maid's grasp. None to my surprise, she did not fall.

[Elvenwanderer]

"Don't you see, Uinen? You have met Authwen. She was the one who came into this forest, and the one you yelled at back at Feldor's flet! No wonder she hasn't been kind to you recently, you haven't been quite gracious with her... at all. Feldor'll..."

I tried to finish, but she interrupted, making me get angrier. Not a good idea. I muttered a few sindarin curses at her and started pacing.

(OOC: how about maybe a "Feldor will what?")

[Tirithel]

(UINEN) OOC: Gotcha! ;)

IC:

"Feldor'll what? Push her aside and boldly stand up for his dark lady love? Brandish his sword and make me swear apologies for tarnishing her already non-existant honor? Pish- shah! Morwen killed my parents- she wiped my family from the face of the earth and now you expect me to embrace her as a sister and leave it all in the past?" My eyes were wide in frustration and anger, and I shook my head glaring at Sarvana. "No. I will treat her as what she is- a pained guest and a traitorous queen to be watched with suspicion and shrewd eyes, whatever Feldor says. All I know of her and her past is Morwen, and the chidings of a few elves too blind to see what I know will not alter my perception.

"She is Morwen to me until I find different."

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I looked at Authwen disbelieveingly and turned away from her.

'Why is it always like this?' I asked myself as I noticed Sarvana and the she-mortal watching us.

'Everything I loved it taken from me.' I finished bitterly as Authwen sighed quietly behind me.

'Well, I suppose we have no choice but to try to fight him.' I said resignedly as Uinen jerked away from Sarvana.

I turned to Authwen and she nodded, a look of dispair on her travel-stained face.

'I will keep it secret.' I promised her as I stowed my bow in its place.

'Move on!'

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

"THEN SHE WILL REMAIN SO!" I screamed loudly at Uinen. I shuddered and blindly pointed at Authwen. Not Morwen, but Authwen.

When I finally looked directly at her, I saw Authwen's eyes shine in the moonlight as if she had been crying. Her face was a blotchy red, and her expression was... for lack of a better word, terrible. In all the days that I knew her, I had never seen her like that. Ever. My already angered mind turned to one person who could have caused such a reaction from my lifelong friend. That... that... mouse Feldor.

Feldor had his back to her, and I could just make out an angered expression on his face as he secured his bow around his shoulder. He made me even angrier now and I forgot the lull in our perpetual bickering as he yelled mercilously for us to continue.

I ran over and slapped him (hard) across the face before I mentally yelled at him. "How dare you do something to make her cry?!?! I thought you loved her? Is that how you show your affections? By hurting people?" I recoiled and swung my hand behind me readying myself for another blow.

(Authwen)

"Thank you... my Love." I whispered inaudibly to Feldor as tears slid down my face. I scooped up Sarvana's bow from against a tree and meant to hand it to her, but she stormed past me to Feldor.

I couldn't hear what she said to him, but when she slapped him -she slapped him? Unbelievable. Totally out of her character- my eyes widened in shock and I ran forward to catch her arm before she could do so again. There was already a bright red hand-shaped mark forming on Feldor's cheek.

I slowly turned my head to look at Uinen and I raised a silent eyebrow as I pulled Sarvana's hands painfully behind her back (I couldn't help it. She kept trying to hit Feldor).

I mouthed a silent "What's with her?" to the she-mortal. I didn't really expect an answer, but I asked anyway. There was always a chance that she would be kind to me. Not much, but it was a chance all the same.

[Tirithel]

UINEN

"What's with her?" I replied, in a state of confusion. "What's with you?" Her face was all splotchy and her blue eyes were all glossy as though she'd been crying. It seemed rather out of her character.

Blue eyes...blue eyes...blue eyes...

"What happened here?" I asked again, a more tender but still suspicious tone in my voice.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I stepped back angrily and glowered at Sarvana as I rubbed my cheek gently.

'Yes. I love her. Yet the ones you love most often cause the most pain.' I said icily as I turned my back to Sarvana and stepped across the stream.

I could hear Authwen trying to explain to Sarvana and I knelt by the stream.

I dipped my hands into the water and brought my cupped hands to my face, splashing the water against my still throbbing cheek.

'She's very violent.' I thought to myself as I easily stood and wiped my face with my cloak.

'Enough delay, move out.'

[Elvenwanderer]

(Authwen)

"Come on, Sarvana... what you did was quite rash." I was annoyed that she had struck him.

"Rash? You dare call me rash...? You're the one who fell in love with him!"

I interrupted her, I was now starting to get angry. "Yes, I do love him. But any decent elf would have thought before they hit someone with something besides words."

Ohh... that stung, that stung deeep. I could see it in her eyes. Being called something similar to mortal was a grave insult to someone like Sarvana. But my point stuck with her, however; never again would she hit someone without thinking first. Regrettably, I had to go easily on her, she was not yet a full grown elf; her birthday was in a few months but she still would not come of adult age for a fair amount of years.

I took a short raspy breath and glanced over at Uinen who (almost kindly) asked me what had happened. For my response, I tenderly chose my words.

"I'm going to be killed... by Sauron. That's what we were talking about. Sarvana overreacted, and thought that Feldor hurt me." I said lightly, another tear sliding slowly down my face, I wiped it away with a dirty finger. Uinen stared at my eyes, not into them, but at them.

Before any answer or following comment could be made from either of us, I turned and jogged after Feldor into the trees, grabbing Sarvana's arm on the way by.

[Tirithel]

UINEN

Without even blowing me off, Morwen, er, Authwen took off into the trees at a run, grabbing Feldor and the miraculously healed Sarvana as she went.

All I could do was follow and wait and wonder.

**********************

LUINIL in OSGILIATH

By the time I'd gotten to the city, the sky had darkened with the departure of the sun, and the only light that squeaked through the sky was from the sliver of a moon that hung in it. The stars were no where to be seen, and black clouds rolled ominously overhead.

I had crossed the river just early enough; the wind had shortly begun to blow and the surface became a trap of waves like broken glass. Even if I'd had a boat, crossing would have been difficult. A chill settled into the air and the smell of coming rain filled my nostrils. The trees and undergrowth began to thin as I walked northward along the bank, and I quickened my pace to a run, moving from cover to cover as fast as possible.

Before long the trees ebbed into nothing, and shortly across the plain I could see the white walls of the city of Osgiliath, looming up tall in the night. Smoke was still billowing up from her center, but it seemed otherwise quiet. Peeking out from behind the last tree, I slowly scanned the area, looking for anyone who'd be looking back. No one.

In a flash I was out, running at full speed with the wind cooing in my ears and my hair streaming out behind me, heading for the wall. I could creep along it easily enough- it was better cover than attempting to crawl through the grass and hoping not to be spotted.

I reached it in moments and began to sneak along in silence, eyes wide and bow ready. Every once in a while, warm light from a fire would flicker out of a window, but the wall was predominantly dark and deserted.

I'd made it a good two leagues before it happened. A wide gate swung open less than 20 feet out in front of me, and a pair of figures sauntered out, speaking casually. But these were not the Rangers sent from Minas Tirith that I was used to- these were orcs, hunched and long-armed, moving crookedly and laughing with cruel laughs. I crouched low into the long grass and drew an arrow from my quiver, bow down but ready to fire. They were talking in the common speech, and as they dawdled, drew close enough for me to hear their crude conversation.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

'What have I gotten myself into?' I thought to myself as I heard Authwen approach me.

I turned slightly and would have spoken to Authwen if Sarvana hadn't been tagging behind her.

I sighed quietly and scanned the forest ahead.

'We'll never reach Caras Galadhon at this speed.' I muttered under my breath as I watched the she-mortal try to keep up with our pace.

[Tirithel]

(LUINIL)

"It will be good eating tonight," a course voice like gravel crunching underfoot muttered. "No more of this spoiled man-stuff. If the Captain over in the Tower wouldn't be so stingy with his slaves, perhaps he'd find himself better served. Give a little, get a little, eh?"

"Hmmm," an equally unlovely voice answered, this one high and seething, hissing like a snake in the grass. "Yes, I suppose. The day will come when there'll be no more of this shoddy outpost duty. When Lugburz finally has the last of the squabblers, it'll be manflesh every night!" It let out an apparently gleeful squeal and jumped in the air for joy, clapping its gnarly hands.

"Won't be long now," the first voice said again. My brow creased and furled and my mouth hung open a bit as I pieced together their speech. "News from Ithil says troops have gotten as far as the, the, what do you call it? The home of those little rat-things that were caught with the Master's trinket. You know, the, um,-"

"Shire," hissed the other voice, a menacing gleam coming into his eyes.

"Yeah, that's it," the first continued. "Burned near everything from Bree to the Blue Mountains, I hear!" His speech broke into a horrible jeering laugh, the other joining in. Shortly he followed with,"Yes, it won't be long. Did you hear that those filthy tarks have been all but eradicated. I guess the Kingdom of those sorry Horse-boys toppled like a chopped tree a week ago."

Rohan? I thought. Did he mean Rohan?

"And Mirkwood is surrounded on all sides, 'cept where those bear-men roam. Old Thranduil must be shaken on his leafy throne! Wargs will have him soon,"

Mirkwood? Mirkwood...my eyes began to gloss over.

The gravelly voice rattled on. "Only standin' fortress of the rebels left is those cursed tree-people, east of the Moria gate. But that won't last long. Now that the Lord's got 'is Precious back, can't nothin' withstand him for long. Look at what he did to the Anor City!"

"Yes, yes," interjected the hissing voice. "He made the Man-king bow and beg for his life! Slaughtered him on his knees, he did!" The pair erupted in laughter. "And look what that snivelling mortal accomplished! Nothing! Anor is ours again, and the Captain of the Nazgul sits in his tower!"

"Men gone, hobbits gone, dwarves caged in their mountain...soon," he paused to laugh some more, "Soon even those blasted elves will be eradicated, fled and gone, and Lugburz will have his way!"

In shock I reflected on what these vile creatures just said. If all this was true, then...then...

BOOM!

An explosion of fire burst 50 feet into the air from inside the city (I could see the light and the sparks and the flames jump into the air behind me, over the wall), followed by the jeering yells of "Hurrah!" from what sounded like many more orcs inside.

"Come! Come!" said the high-voiced orc again, "The roast is about to begin! Ah ha, this will send a message to those blasted Wood-elves up north, always prying, always spying. Look what happens when your skulking spies get caught as flies in a trap!"

They turned and walked back through the gate. Did he say wood-elves? My heart sunk like a lead weight to my knees, and my throat closed up. Elves, caught in there? Couldn't be. But what if, what if...oooooh...

Combined with the shock of this new news, my curiosity got the best of me and I darted through the gates silently behind the orcs. At the end of a straight lane, 75 feet or so, were the footings of the bridge over Anduin, and right before the bridge, a giant fire leapt and licked at the night sky. Morbid curiosity slowly taking over, I ducked behind a pillar and watched.

Orcs danced around the flames, shreeching war songs in their vile tongues, waving their crooked scimitars in the air and hooting and hollering with delight as a large platform was rolled into view by a dozen orcs pushing it from behind. On top of the platform was raised, oh Eru, was raised a gallows, underneath which stood two tall and one shorter but still straight figures. The fire-light gleamed on the silvery-blond hair of the two, and I could just make out the green and brown colors of their rament through the smoke. Thranduil's people, I thought, alump rising into my throat. The third was no elf, but a man, as tall and as proud as I had seen them. He stood unwavering next to my woodland kin, his face stern and his head held high. Handsome, really- for a mortal.

The platform was pushed ever closer to the fire, accompanied by cries of, "Hang them!" and "Burn them!" rolled into one fearful drone. Hang them and burn them? Ugh, orcs!

A bolt of lightning streaked brilliantly across the sky, followed close by an echoing BANG! of thunder. The orcs cheered ever louder as one of their number threw a blackish powder to the fire and it jumped and boomed as it had done before. I crept closer.

Suddenly, the noise died down and a tall figure strode up the crude steps of the platform. It was no orc, but a man, wearing a long, tattered black cloak with his hood drawn deep over his face. When he reached the top, and drew his hood back, another fistfull of stuff was tossed into the flames.

BOOM! The orcs cheered even louder, but the figure raised his hand and they were quiet again. I strained to see through the smoke and realized to my shock that it was not a man, but a woman.

She looked like a man though. Tall and broad, clad in mail and travel stained. Her hair was close cropped, black, spiky, and shining in the firelight. Her skin was fair as could be, and her lips were the color of fresh blood. Had the Dark not twisted her features and years in Sauron's service blackened her heart, she would be beautiful. Even from where I stood 60 feet away, I could see the malice gleaming in her green eyes.

Mornie, I realized with a pang of dread creeping into my stomach.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

As I silently fumed over the she-mortal's slowness I scanned the forest again and remembered.

I put my hands to my mouth and released a high-pitched whistle.

I smiled as I let my hands fall to my sides, for I could almost feel the she-mortal cringe.

'The she-mortal can ride to Caras Galadhon.' I said to Authwen.

[Elvenwanderer]

I raised my eyebrow at him, not fully understanding of what he meant... ride meant a horse, I know, but through the middle of the forest?

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I smiled at Authwen's expression and nodded.

'I have a small pony that is used for riding through the forest. That way Uinen will at least be able to keep up with us.' I said aloud in explination.

[Elvenwanderer]

"Aha..."

Feldor never seems to run out of surprises... I smiled to him until Sarvana pouted behind me and I rolled my eyes annoyedly.

[Tirithel]

(UINEN)

The elves had halted in front of me. They were looking at eachother in question as I strode up.

"What is the matter? Is something wrong?" They turned in unison to look at me.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

'I've taken the liberty of procuring a ride for you.' I said to Uinen as I smiled back at Authwen.

'I figured you must be tired.'

[Tirithel]

"Procuring a ride, Feldor?" I asked with a hint of jest in my voice. "What, am I thatslow?"

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I clasped my hand over my mouth to prevent the laughter that was trying to escape from my mouth.

'Guests should be treated as guests.' I said, trying to sound kind as I heard galloping in the distance.

I listened carefully and turned to Authwen.

'Do you hear four horses as well?'

[Elvenwanderer]

I strained my ears listening intently to the rumble of horses' hooves. One... two... maybe three or four different patterns of hoofbeats were evident as they broke through the misty stillness of the forest.

"I believe so. Though we shall soon find out, I imagine." I answered as I absentmindedly fingered a dangling thread on my cloak.

(Sarvana)

We had halted, and Uinen asked The High and Mighty (aka Feldor) what was wrong.

I wasn't really listening to their conversation, but in the distance I heard a noise like that of rolling thunder.

"What's that?"

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

'I hear four.' I answered Authwen as I considered climbing a nearby tree.

'Don't think about it.' I heard Authwen say.

I blushed and smiled at her.

'Very well.'

[Tirithel]

(UINEN)

I rolled my eyes and gave a huffy grin as they all turned to listen.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

'I suppose Elwen was with her brother and sisters.' I thought aloud as four horses appeared in my view.

'Well, looks like there's a pony for each of us.'

[Tirithel]

(UINEN)

Four horses pranced into view, their coats glistening in the soft light of the trees. I can't say i wasn't relieved; we'd been running non-stop for a day already without rest, and my legs were beginning to groan with every step.

"...one for each of us," Feldor stated unnecesarily. I nodded and thanked him for his graciousness in lending me a ride, and stepped lightly to the side of a dapple-grey mare, holding my hand out for her to sniff. She took a good long smell, her large black eyes blinked and her ears bent in my direction. I patted her neck and smiled; she gazed back at me and nuzzled my side. I looked straight into her eyes.

After a quick minute or so, we reached an agreement, and I grabbed her withers with a quick jump and pulled myself onto her back. It was no easy feat; she was not of shorter stature- by no means a "pony" as Feldor kept calling her, and she wore no saddle.

Seated comfortably behind her withers, I waited until the others were mounted and ready (Sarvana, I noticed, had no problem fly-mounting the chestnut given to her) I turned back to Feldor.

"She is beautiful," I exclaimed. "What do you call her?"

******************

(LUINIL)

Mornie again raised her hand and all was still.

"This night is but one in a long dark triumph. With the death of these rebels, the power of the Dark Lord grows steadily more firm, and the light further chokes in his grasp!"

Orcs burst out cheering again, and the fire boomed and spurted. She continued : "While he wears the Ring, nothing can withstand him, and soon enough even the foul sun shall bow her head in his shadow!"

The orcs cheered more loudly, but I did not care. The Ring? I thought. She couldn't possibly mean the One Ring- it was lost to Anduin ages ago...

Mornie spoke further. "Dwarves and Halflings, Men and Elves, be you Ent or bird or tree or beast: all shall wither in the flame of his wrath, until naught but the dark and the mountains remain! With the death of these spies and traitors shall the night live forever!"

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! The fire smoked and spat ever higher. But through its might and tumult, I could spy the grim faces of her captors; the fair complexions of Thranduil's folk, and the stern regard of the dark man next to them. Lightning and thunder now shook the sky in regular turns, and soft drops of rain began to pitter idly from the black swarth of clouds overhead.

Mornie gestured to orcs on the platform, and one by one, they tied three nooses round the necks of elf and man, as the firelight gleamed ever hotter in Mornie's cruel eyes.

"For you, oh Master of the Earth and Lord of the RIng, do we sacrifice these lives! May their deaths strengthen your hold over the world, and day never come again!" The cheers were deafening, and the screeching rang in my head. Mornie raised her sword slowly in signal, and with a scream of malice let it fall again. The orcs standing behind the captives gave wild kicks, and the bench they'd been standing on flew backwards. The ropes at their necks tightened, and I raised my bow.

A brilliant flash of lightening split the sky in two, and one after another in its blinding radiance, three arrows tore through the air, each aimed true, and snapped three taught ropes. Each in turn the elves and the man fell to the floor, gasping for air. The rain began to pour as the crowd became a tumult of panic, and two by two, eyes turned frightfully in my direction. Orcs swarmed at me, and three I felled with arrows before I was forced to shoulder my bow and wield blade instead.

Many I had killed in few minutes, as they circled round me waiting their turn. My hair dripped with the rain and my cloak was streaming with water, when suddenly a shrill cry brought all to a standstill, and I looked round to find out what had happened.

Slowly the sea of orcs around me parted, forming a straight lane back to the fire, and a solitary figure strode menacingly through it.

The fire glinted on the black hair and the rain fell uselessly on the mail and height of Mornie.

My breathing was heavy and my heart was pounding as she paced proudly up to me. I raised my knives and stared coldly into her eyes, urging her to try it; try and mess with me.

A cruel smile twisted across her face and she threw her head back in an evil laugh. "What have we here? More of the spies and servants of the Wood and the Mountain, come to rescue thy friends?"

"I am no spy, nor anyone's servant, unless it be to the foes of Mordor," I answered back, staring hard at her through the crossed blades of my knives.

"Dangerous words, elf, in such a crowd." The smile had passed from her lips and she held my gaze with her own. "But if you be allied with the foes of my master and Lord, then I am afraid I cannot let you leave, at least without a fight."

"I have already fought here, and won back many times over the lives of those that you had named spies and rebels." I led her eyes to the piles of slain orcs around me, and a grim smile formed on my lips.

"Aye, but these soldiers are not the match of a great warrior such as yourself. I have heard of you, I think; a great marked warrior and traveller from the south," My cloak I'd let fall, and with the edge of her blade, she brushed the bands burned into my bicep. "Come, and let me test the true might in thy arms, Luinil, and we will see if you may buy your own life, though all the stars in the sky will do thee no good!"*

She bowed low before me, and with the ferocity of a tiger, leapt forward, sword outstretched. I blocked her, and for eons it seemed, we danced in the light of the fire to the music of our ringing blades and the jeers and cries of the orcs. But at last, very weary and becoming careless, I slipped over the arm of a body thrust across my path, and before I hit the ground, several orcs bore down on me, and seized my weapons and held my arms fast, picking me up to face my foe.

She walked toward me shaking her head and smiling grimly. "A valiant effort, Luinil of the South, but not good enough. These I think," she picked up my knives and tossed them in the air, catching them with ease and swinging them with her wrists, "I will keep. You will not need them where you are going."

Her hand raised to strike me, and with a mighty blow, the darkness took me. I don't know what happened to those I had saved from the rope, but in saving them, I sacrificed myself. One thing was clear: she did not mean to kill me, but to take me prisoner. But where she was taking me I did not know.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I whispered a command and my mount stepped forward as I turned to Uinen.

'You are riding Celewen.' I smiled, for the name did not fit her anymore. 'When she was young she was silver, but then she grew up.'

I chuckled slightly and looked at Sarvana.

'You ride Nimwen, she was once a lighter shade of brown that glistened like my mother's hair.' I looked in Authwen's direction and sighed.

'And Authwen is riding Morwen.' I finished slowly.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Authwen)

I shrugged and smiled, not dismayed at all. "It's all right. One's name is not always a clear reflection of one's character. Is it, girl?" "Come on, dear, prove me right..." I added to Morwen (the horse) as I looked in her eyes.

I patted the starlight grey mare's neck as I swung up on her back, hoping she would like me. Horses, unlike names, are a good judge of character, and thankfully she let me stay on.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I nodded silently and scanned the trees surrounding us.

'All settled?' I asked. Silence prevailed.

'Good. Let's ride.'

[Tirithel]

(UINEN)

With that, Feldor turned and shot through the trees. I wondered at the pace of the horse below him; surely this was too fast and the beast would stumble. But as Celewen turned to follow and eased through her gates, I found that she too was remarkable at picking a path amongst the roots and undergrowth of the forest. Her step was light and sure, and her paces smooth and comfortable, yet incredibly swift, and under the golden roof of the Mallorns, her coat indeed seemed to gleam silver in the sunlight as she ran.

I hadn't ridden in a long while, and it was quite a joy to resume the practice on the back of such a fine animal. All too soon I feared this unexpected pleasure would have to close, and Caras Galadhon would zip into view.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I nudged my mount and he responded eagerly.

'We should reach Caras Galadhon by moonrise.' I remarked as scanned the darkenening western sky.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Authwen)

I nodded, and Morwen fell into stride a few lengths behind Feldor.

"Do I still want to do this?" That thought and few others raced through my mind constantly. So much so that I did not heed the pace at which we were travelling, nor did I see the travelling of the sun through the sky.

[Tirithel]

(UINEN)

I was breathing the deep air as the wind rushed by my face, the mid-day sun warming my skin and my hair flying behind me. It was a freedom my spirit hadn't felt for a long time, and I relished it.

The sun crossed the sky more quickly than usual that day, and before long, she was sinking into the west behind the tops of the Golden boughed mallorns. The horses slowed, and we approached a shady cliff. The land dropped off, and as we finally halted, I found myself overlooking a wide valley, fresh with the lingering warmth of the sun and the life of the trees within it. In the middle a prominent cluster of trees rose above the rest, and seemed to house a soft light, there and yet not so.

"We are almost home," said Feldor, in the kindest tone I had heard him use since I'd met him. A fondness was in his face, and a softness in his expression. The horses eased down the hill, slower than previously, but still with notable speed, and by the time the sun had disappeared and nothing but her pink trail remained in the sky, we had wandered into the treed halls of the City of the Elves, Caras Galadhon.

OOC: Anyone want to take it from here? Please? ;)

[Ithilraen]

The company that was waiting for Authwen hushed as they heard the sound of hoofbeats beating lightly over the leaf carpeted floor of Caras Galadhon. An elf on watch ran over to the Lord and Lady and bowed.

"Milord and Lady, Lord Feldor has arrived along with Morwen and others. Shall I let them in?"

Galadriel nodded, and the Gate Guard gave the signal to raise the gate.

Legolas loosened his long knives and along with Ithilraen stood behing the Lord and Lady. Everyone stood still, and waited with abated breaths as Authwen walked into the Golden CIty.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Authwen)

I gulped loudly as I felt everyone's (and I mean everyone's) eyes on me. 'I'm not used to this... I'm sooo not used to this... ug.' I wrung my hands nervously around Morwen's reins as I tried not to meet anyone's gaze. I couldn't even look at Feldor for comfort; I didn't want to taint his reputation if no one knew about us....

Somewhere near my side, I saw Sarvana's face light up as she observed my nervousness. Traitor....

[Tirithel]

(UINEN)

Celewen seemed almost to bow her proud head as we entered the corridor of the city. There the lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn stood, as well as many other elves, who were doubtless uninvited but gathered round anyway. There was a tension and a chill, way out of season, in the air. All eyes seemed fixed on one thing...

At first I thought it might be me...did I look that odd? But no, no...they were looking too far in front of me. In a moment of calculations, I realized they were all staring intently on Authwen, knowing her for what I had: Morwen.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

As the company intently studied Authwen I silently slid off Morrandir and signaled a nearby servant to take him to a stable.

The servant bowed his head in respect and quietly lead the black stallion away.

'Well, here she is.' I said nervously, breaking the uneasy silence, as the clearing suddenly darkened.

'Fetch some lanterns.' My father commanded suddenly.

I looked in Authwen's direction fleetingly and bowed my head towards my mother.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

Authwen was nervous, I could see it. She was wringing her hands, and not yet... whoops, I'm mistaken, now she's picking at her clothes... haha... classic.

I dismounted from Nimwen, and , following "High and Mighty's" example, handed her reins to a servant. I could see a shaking Authwen do the same.

(general third person)

Elrond, like many others that night, was staring at Morwen... and, as if sensing his gaze, she glanced back at him, mild fear embedded in her glazed eyes. But there was also something else there in the copies of her mother's eyes.

For once glad he was not in Rivendell, the elven lord tore his gaze from Authwen's and looked to Galadriel and Celeborn to speak.

How could that atrocity be his daughter?

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

'Father.' I began quietly, trying to break the akward silence again.

Father held his hand out in my direction and I silenced myself quickly, longing to take Authwen into my arms and run away.

Not that I could, but I still wanted to.

'My Lord and Lady, I introduce Authwen.' I said somewhat roughly as I glanced at Elrond.

[Elvenwanderer]

Not knowing exactly what to do (I admit, my mind always wandered to other things when Ada... Elrond... tried to pound etiquette into my soggy brain) I bowed, my eyes focusing on the ground at their feet. Thoughts of possible statements flew through my mind when it occured to me that I should say something.

"I am honored to be permitted in your presence, Lord and Lady." I squeaked lightly.

(Sarvana)

I snorted in waves of derisive laughter, earning stares from all that could take their eyes from Authwen. When I could control myself enough to speak, I stared straight at a mortified Authwen with a sneer on my face.

"Honored Morwen? Really... that's interesting. I would have thought that you would order them to grovel (sp?) at your feet while you towered over them with a whip in hand. I heard that you always favored the whip for elves."

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I wanted to slap Sarvana. Or at least cause her pain, as she had caused Authwen pain.

I shot a glaring look at the disrespectful she-elf and sighed.

'Please forgive her My Lord.' I began softly as I turned to Father.

'Her journey was long and she was wounded on the border.' I explained, trying to keep the hatred in my soul from leaking into my voice.

Mother searched my eyes and I looked away, a blush creeping onto my cheeks.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Sarvana)

"If I remember correctly, someone didn't care whether I lived or died when we were out there on the borders... Feldor ." I snapped in defense.

Authwen stared at me, her blue eyes wide in disbelief. She had always gotten the attention, from the day she left to the day she helped kill the Fellowship. Even Sauron showered her with gifts. Now this little party today was being held in her honor.

"Why are you doing this to me?"

She sounded hurt. Awww... poor spoiled baby. Not.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I growled slightly at Sarvana and bit my lips to prevent the flood of curses that was ready to pour from my lips.

'Well...You should be grateful that the one you're wounding cared that you lived.' I said angrily as I glowered at Sarvana.

'Enough!' Elrond said suddenly. I must admit I jumped as Elrond spoke.

'Is there anyway we can get to business?' He asked, his voice quieter now.

[Tirithel]

(UINEN)

I watched in morbid amusement as Feldor and Sarvana pecked at eachother like vultures at carrion not yet dead. My eyes were wide, but I kept my mouth shut. Were elves always like this? So subtle and cruel with so few words and so many shady glances? The old tales must have been wrong...

Finally Elrond broke their squabble with a dignified command of silence, much too formal for these two bickering children. When no one spoke for a few awkward minutes, I could take it no longer.

"Lord," I said, bowing my head and taking a formal and most respectful tone, "we have returned from the borders with your...daughter, without incident beyond an attack from the wild men near the edge of the wood."

I could think of nothing else to say that would befit the subject of "business." I awaited his reply hoping not to be embarrassed.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Authwen)

Sometimes it was nice to constantly be among orcs... there was a simple solution to spats among their ranks: death to both parties. Now that certainly wouldn't work in this situation, but I took a deep breath and was about to step in when Ada silenced the whole crowd with one word. After a few eerily awkward minutes of complete silence, Uinen spoke.

Elrond nodded in acceptance of her words, apparently appreciative of her report.

"Thank you, Lady Uinen, for your report. The maturity you obviously possess to do so as compared to others in our precense is greatly respected." He looked again to Celeborn and Galadriel, expecting one them to speak.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

'Uinen reports justly.' I said quietly after Elrond had thanked her.

'Times indeed grow desperate.' Father said quietly as Mother stood silent.

'Get some rest everyone. We will continue this council in the morning.' Mother said later as she met my gaze.

I nodded slightly and silently stole away to my flet.

As I slowly climbed the small staircase I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead.

Upon reaching my bedroom I slipped out of my cloak and dropped it onto the floor at the foot of my bed.

I turned around and collapsed onto my bed.

'Why must everything be like this?'

[Elvenwanderer]

Sárvana stalked away towards her flet, and I watched as many of the gathered elves shot one final consternated glance at me before going about a normal day’s business. Galadriel, Celeborn and Feldor disappeared in two different directions.

I spun around when an elf tapped me apprehensively on the shoulder.

“My Lady, I was instructed to take you to your flet.” The blonde elf said after bowing slightly. It took me a moment to dig up his name… Gilrond.

“Um, yes, thank you…” I smiled nervously. I would have thought that they would have put me in a cell… that I totally deserved.

“That won’t be necessary, you are dismissed, Gilrond.”

“Yes, Milord.” Gilrond left as quickly as he appeared, only to be replaced by Elrond.

Uh oh.

After a slight hesitation, he looped my arm in his, and set off down a pathway, pulling me reluctantly behind him.

“Your grandparents gave you the flet next to mine.”

“I’m sure that that can be fixed. I can be moved somewhere else.” Meaning of course, if he didn’t want me near him, I could be put someplace further away... a hole with metal bars maybe?

“I requested for you to be there.”

“Oh.” Whoops. That didn’t go over too well. “Sorry.”

He said nothing and just stared straight ahead while he took long strides past trees and elves. “Who is it?”

“Excuse me?”

“Is it Sauron?”

“I don’t understand.” My eyebrows knitted and we stopped at the bottom of a stairway.

“Your eyes give it away. Do not try to lie to me again, do not turn into your sister and hide.”

I had no clue what he was talking about. I would have expected him to tell Arwen something to that effect… not me.

Ada grabbed my chin, and forced me to look at him. His blue eyes were angry and strong, and his long fingers dug painfully into my face and neck.

“Who has taken your heart?” His grip loosened after a moment, though only slightly.

I paused, my face resembling a freshly caught fish. I stuttered and he dropped his hand, continuing to stare appraisingly into my eyes.

“It is not Sauron.” He sounded reassured, and I shook my head.

“No, not Sauron. Never Sauron.”

Ada turned and started climbing the spiral stairway, beckoning me to follow. About one hundred feet from the ground, Ada crossed a bridge to another tree, and he pointed at a door before opening another and going in.

[Tirithel]

(UINEN)

OOC: Yeah! I'm mature! lol

Ahem, *cough*, anyway...

IC: One after another, elves started filing out, including Morwen and Elrond, and soon I was left nearly alone on the flet. The dark she-elf dismissed the servant assigned her and was presumably being lead by Elrond to her sleeping quarters. Curious and not quite tired enough to forget my oath, I tip-toed after them, eyes fixed on Morwen's chestnut hair. From where I was, they looked a lot alike.

After an abusive chit-chat, Elrond stalked off on his own and Morwen followed far behind. I followed still, forgetting to care if I was heard.

OOC: He he he EW you've got a tail...

[Elvenwanderer]

(A.)

My father slammed his door, the echo from the sharp noise reverberating through the humid air like a ripple in a pond.

"That family reunion went over really well, dontcha think?" Morwen told me quickly.

"Shut up."

"No reason to get angry; I'm just stating the obvious." She said defensively, raising my hands to my head.

"Then don't." My hands dropped to my sides.

When that topic didn't work, she tried another. "It's no use, he knew it was Feldor before he asked."

"Thank you Morwen, I'm sure I would never have figured that out. I'm totally dense to things like that." I replied sarcastically while flicking a piece of dead bark off of a handrail and watching it fall the hundred-something feet to the ground. I winced when a string of elvish curses rang through the air. Whoops.

Quickly turning the other way, I strode off in the opposite direction from where Elrond told me to go. Well, he didn't order me to go anywhere - namely that door- he just pointed, leaving me to explore wherever I pleased.

Over this bridge, up... no down these stairs... around that tree trunk... ouch, that log-like branch is going to leave a mark.

On a more serious note: have you ever noticed how very loud mortals' boots are when they are visiting a colony of elves? Talk about me sticking out like a sore thumb among all these blondies.

I slowly turned my head, and my suspition was affirmed. Uinen (also a blonde, by the way)- the only loud-footed mortal in this forest- was following me. Wahoo... let's everybody have a party.

OOC: sorry... a case of very baaad humor...

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I heard two voices approaching and creased my forehead.

'Who would that be?' I thought to myself as I suddenly recognized the voices.

'Who has stolen your heart?' I froze, wanting to hear more.

Elrond and Authwen.

I silently slid off my bed and crawled to the edge of my flet, leaning over the edge to catch a glimspe of the two.

I scanned the forest surronding them and noticed Uinen following, her eyes fixed on the back of Authwen's head.

I cursed mentally and considered joining the two, but decided against it when I heard Elrond's door slam shut.

'He knew it was Feldor before he asked.' I heard the Mistress of Sauron say.

I gasped and crawled back toward my bed.

'Congratulations Feldor...What did you do wrong?'

[Tirithel]

(UINEN)

I looked the Dark elf in the eyes. When I saw nothing but frustration and weariness, a small wry grin spread over my face and without expression, I quipped, "Evening stroll?"

[Elvenwanderer]

"Evidently..." I replied quietly, wondering what Uinen meant by following me. I tried to stifle a yawn by turning around and looking out over the city.

"How did you happen to come here, Uinen? Lothlórien certainly doesn't seem like the kind of place you would inhabit by choice." This was one question that had bothered me since I first remembered her name, though I had not found the opportunity to express it earlier.

[Tirithel]

(UINEN)

"On my own two feet, Lady, for most of the way." I was still in a joking mood, but it was beginning to fade. "I stumbled on Sarvana nearly a week ago on the outer wall of Minas Tirith, and she agreed to lead me here." My voice grew quieter and my eyes lost the sterness in their glance as I worked backwards through my tale. "The rings of a city overrun by the Dark powers did not seem a fit choice for survival after I escaped...when I escaped the tower." Vivid images of my last days in the service of the Witch King and his mistress solidified before my eyes, and the memories of my mother and brother and father's normally smiling faces twisted in pain and tears tightened in my throat. My voice fell to a choked whisper and I stared off into the distance over the Lady's shoulder.

"They were all gone...killed or captured my the enemy...I had no reason to stay." Whatever trust or possible affinity I had found for her was fading, blurred, into the darkness, and my eyes found their mark again, staring deep and with a barely concealable hate into Morwen's face. "They were innocent, but now they are gone, and I am the last of my house."

[Tirithel]

(LUINIL)

My eyes burst open and I gasped loudly for air. It was muggy, and I could see nothing but a pale, shrouded beam of light floating through a high narrow window. I struggled to get up; my hands were bound behind my back, and my face was crushed against the dirt floor. I could feel a burning sensation on my forehead, and my throat was choked with dirt.

All at once a horrible wave of memory washed over me, and I remembered the rally of orcs in Osgiliath, and the duel with Mornie, and...

I closed my eyes and ceased my thoughts. Finally on my feet, I stumbled around in the darkness, calling softly in many tongues, looking for others.

"Hello?" I tried finally in the Common Speech. "is anyone there?" But the only answer I received was the dull echo of my voice on the walls and the sweet but far away chirping of crickets outside the window.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Authwen)

I wouldn't look at her; I personally hadn't killed her family, but it was still me, if you catch my meaning. "I" killed so many individuals that I couldn't distinguish one fear or pain-filled face or one grieving family from another. In my mind they were all the same.

This was also one of those annoying situations where, if you say something, it's wrong, and if you don't say something, it's considered really wrong. I thought I'd go for the just plain "wrong."

"I'm sorry..." I muttered weakly, wishing Feldor was somewhere nearby. "They were good people..."

(Sarvana)

Ug. She got away sooo easily. Then again, so did I. Oh well. I picked an apple off of a tree and bit into it before I kept walking, my flet visible from the small fruit tree.

What else could I do to make her life miserable? I wonder. I took another thoughtful bite of the red apple.

Suddenly I noticed a wierd taste in my mouth, as well as something chewy. I stared at the apple in my hand, and saw the back half of a worm... ew.

I chucked it in the direction of the city, hoping I would hit Morwen, but when I heard a string of elvish curses, I turned tail and ran the rest of the way to my flet.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

'Uinen. Be easy.' I whispered aloud as I heard their debate.

I slid off my bed again and crawled to the edge of the flet.

'You don't have to put up with it Authwen.' I said to her mentally as I watched the hate in Uinen's eyes.

[Ithilraen]

"Ithil, go to her. I'm sure she'd be very happy to see you."

Ithilraen shook her head. "No, not yet. I want to give her some time alone. There are so many things I want to say, but I dont' know how. And the tension between her and father... "

Legolas smiled, "I understand, but you will have to face her eventually. It is not goo-"

Legolas was cut short by an object that came flying out of nowhere and hit his head. He turned in the direction of where the object came from, rubbing the place where the object hit him and began a long string of elvish cursing. He turned back to Ithilraen who was stifling her laughter with a hand over her mouth, and the other holding a partially eaten apple. Legolas tried to keep a straight face but couldn't and began to grin himself.

Ithilraen moved Legolas' hand from his head. " Your fine. There isn't even a knot. Though you do need to clean your mouth out. No one would want to kiss you with that mouth."

Legolas gave her a suggestive look and said, "I'm pretty sure someone would kiss me."

Ithilraen began to blush and tried to avoid his gaze, "I...uh...mm..."

Legolas reached up and gently forced her to look at him. His blue eyes were locked onto her green ones. He could read everything that Ithilraen felt about him. Her eyes betrayed her feelings for him. He leaned in till his face was only a breadth away from hers. Ithilraen's heart began to race. "I'm pretty sure that someone, is you." He whispered. He closed the gap between them and gently kissed her lips.

[Elvenwanderer]

(ooc: awww... Ithil, that's so cute!)

(Authwen)

I glanced up at Feldor - or at least where I thought his voice had come from - extremely relieved that he was somewhere nearby. I sighed and shrugged, then was momentarily put off by a thump and another string of curses after a red and white projectile sailed past us.

"I do sometime, Feldor. If not now, then when?"

In my own mind, I thanked Feldor immensely. I looked back at Uinen, my face hardened and I stared into her eyes.

"What would you have me do now? Your family, Uinen, face it: they are gone, so stop dwelling on the past." My voice trailed off and I paused, letting this sink in. "I have given apologies tenfold since I arrived. It is obvious that you dislike me, hate me even, and that is fine: hate me all you want. But, realistically, what else can I do to earn some semblance of amnesty from you?"

My eyebrows raised in question.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I started to answer Authwen's query, but paused.

'I do not know Authwen...But tonight is not the time.' I explained quietly as Authwen challenged Uinen.

I could take it no more. I stood and slid down a rope that was tied to one of the main branches of my tall mallorn.

I kept myself hidden from Uinen, yet in view of Authwen.

[Tirithel]

(UINEN)

"You want me to let it go? Just like that?" My voice was rising. " Why don't you have your entire family wiped off the face of the Earth with the snap of a finger and then ask me about amnesty." My eybrows raised and in a namby pamby mocking voice, I continued, "I'm sorry I've been left completely alone in the world and won't you please excuse me for being a little bitter about it, because I'm just a lowly mortal and I can't control my emotions." I knew how they all felt. "I suppose it would do me heaps of good to bow and kiss your feet and instantly wave aside the fact that you were responsible, directly or indirectly, for the death of near everyone I have ever loved." Breath... "And you want me to feel sorry for you? Ha ha- The one at the origin of all my pain? Forgive me, my Lady, but, no. It is enough I do not strike you down where you stand. Elf or Woman, deadly or not, it would be a last strike worth a song."

I took a deep breath and let it out shakily. My fists were trembling at my sides.

[Elvenwanderer]

“‘My entire family wiped off the face of the earth?’ Ok, let us look at it this way: Nazgul number 8 helplessly tied me to a chair in Barad-dûr and forced me to watch as my three brothers** were killed at the Morannon. Then a few weeks later, my sister, Arwen Undómiel faded and died soon after the word was brought about Aragorn’s death. My mother deserted my family to go to Valinor, and my father and I used to be the best of friends. He hates me now. At least you know your parents and grandparents can’t see what you have become, and know what you have done. Believe me in this: it is far worse.” I paused to take a breath and consider what I would say next. “I know I killed your family, but what can I do about it now? They are gone, and their suffering is over. Surely you have not thought about the families of the people you killed. Even if it be an orc or a cruel Easterling; they still have someplace they call home, someone they love to go home to… well, went home to, would be a better way of putting it, right? They can’t go home anymore can they? No, because you killed them. Yet, you are not remorseful. Then why should I be? Hm? Why should I feel something that you, the subject, do not also feel? For have we not committed the same crimes? At least some woman or child from Harad or Khand is not coming and bawling her eyes out at you.”

I leaned back onto the railing on the edge of the flet, putting my hands behind my back and giving Uinen a perfect opportunity to open my stomach with one slice. She would be inexplicably stupid not to take it. “But, if you want to kill me, go ahead. I’m sure you’ll be in plenty of songs, that is also what you want, is it not?”

OOC: ** I consider Aragorn as a foster son to Elrond, as Estel grew up in Rivendell thinking Elrond to be a father to him... o.k. this post is bad. I'm sorry. I will rewrite and repost, if you guys want :):)

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I bit my lips and wrapped my arms around the rope hanging near me to prevent myself from jumping Uinen.

As Uinen made no move I sighed quietly and blinked as I began pulling myself quickly up the rope.

I reached my flet and quickly pulled the rope onto the floor. I sighed quietly again and went to sleep next to a coiled rope.

[Tirithel]

OOC: No need for rewrites, EW; I like arguing with you. lol :)

(UINEN)

IC: For some reason, as I listened to her speak, I felt the ground level out between us. There was hate and passion in her voice, and it was not directed solely at me. Her eyes caught a glint of moonlight from above and mirrored a far off look. If I hadn't known better, i'd swear she was about to cry.

I regained control of my emotions, and my voice dropped to a deadly whisper. Someone was watching, more like eavesdropping...I could feel eyes on me. Finally I responded. "I care not for songs or personal glory. Believe me when I say that I would fly back to the days when I was nothing more than the simple daughter of a guard of Gondor, riding carefree over the Pelenor and washing the dirt from my hands before meals, in a heartbeat. It cleans off much easier than blood. And before you go so far as to draw yourself and me into the same boat, know that there is a difference between defending one's life and slaughtering innocents."

Her expression remained stonehard and unflinching. I couldn't do it. All the talk of memory had made my head swim, and a single tear had sliced a path down my face. In this awkward pause, I sighed, and my breath was as shaky as a rickety bridge. Reflection and wisdom unfolded before my eyes, though I knew not how it came to be there, and in a clearer voice, almost not my own, I continued.

"Yet, perhaps we are alike in this, Lady: we are both utterly alone and know not where our paths may lead us, accept if by some elvish foresight. What I do know is that I have taken it on myself to be your guard and watch, though it may prove fruitless. If you will have none, then, I suggest this: we shall walk together as companions, you and I. Perhaps that way we can learn to master the darkness of our worlds, and in the end not feel so alone."

I stood up straight, and breathed freer.

[Elvenwanderer]

I looked at Uinen's eyes, trying to detect any buried falsehood in them, but I was actually pleased that I could not.

In the green tinted moonlight, I could see she felt about the same way I did at that moment: on the verge of crying, yet still not trusting enough of the other to let the emotional and physical defenses down that much.

"I would much rather have a friend to speak with than a cold-faced warden following my every motion like a hawk. But I understand that a guard on people like me is inevitable." I paused, slightly apprehensively. I wondered quickly whether Feldor was nearby and still able to hear me.

"You and I have both seen better, happier days, Uinen, which we would give dearly to have a chance to return to. I would try alongside thee to help regain days like those." I hesitantly put my hand out to shake a truce, trusting the idea that I might as well try.

[Tirithel]

(UINEN)

For the first time in days, a real, honest smile came to my mouth, and I gripped Morwen's forearm firmly around the wrist, the way my father had greeted and parted with his friends. I breathed the cool air of the night in a deep sigh, and to my shock, exhaled a loud yawn. The stars had moved, and the night was beginning to age.

"It is getting late," I pointed out needlessly. "I don't know about elves, but the people of my country generally turn in long before Carnil reaches the heights." I motioned to the Red Star swinging high up into the heavens.

[Elvenwanderer]

The handshake was a bit stronger than I had been ready for, but I also smiled, feeling such a wave of relief wash over me that finally I noticed my fatigue.

"Some elves can go days - even a week - without sleeping more than a few minutes at a time and still come off the better for it. I am not one of them...Bah et seebs thab dat awn wah -hmm- contagious." I laughed lightly: forcing the last sentence out through a yawn proved amazingly challenging.

Instead of looking up where she pointed, I looked at the city around us: not an elf in sight, and relatively no lights, save those used for safety of the inhabitants; illuminating streets and bridges and the like. I smiled again, a happy memory resurfacing in my groggy mind.

"As young elflings, my twin brothers and I would wreak (innocent) havoc on nights like these, many years ago, but I have a feeling tonight is not one of those nights... garo daw vaer, híril-nîn, good night, my Lady." I managed a small elven bow to go along with my words.

[Tirithel]

(UINEN)

I smiled softly as the Dark Lady bade me goodnight through many troublesome yawns, and bowed my head politely in return. In my best and only Elvish, I returned : "Namarie, Authwen, until the morning."

She turned and with another excusable yawn, stepped lightly up the stairs to her flet. As with all the elves I'd seen, in the soft moonlight filtering through the trees, she seemed to emit a radiance of her own, like the glimmer of stars mirrored fleetingly on the sea. For the first time, I began to liken her to the beings in all the old tales of beauty and glory, and another smile, softer and more personal, came to my face.

Quite abruptly, as she disappeared into the treetops, I had another thought: where was I to sleep?

None, including myself, had given any thought of it until now, and I was not about to go tramping around looking for an inn at this hour of the night. I felt my thoughts getting fuzzier as sleep encroached, and a warm breeze filled my nose with the sweet scent of oncoming summer. The leaves overhead rustled softly and the grass beneath my feet was fresh and green. Whether it was the climate or the sleepiness or just plain stupidity, I dropped to the ground on the spot. Wrapped up in my cloak and breathing the free air, I fell fast into an easy slumber, the best I'd had in weeks.

Just before dreams took me, I thought one final thought: I had called her Authwen. I went to sleep smiling.


**********************

(LUINIL)

I was alone. The air was dank and cold, unclean and thick with a rotted reek. The floor was dirt and in places pitted with filthy pools formed by water dripping from the ceiling overhead, and I was surrounded by walls of uneven rock that gleamed moistly in the faint starlight from the tiny window above.

Otherwise it was utterly dark, and unless I was standing slose to the slender beams of light over head, I could see nothing. As far as I could tell, I was completely alone in this cell, lest my companions be deaf, dumb, and nimble enough to always avoid my groping hands. My captors had taken my weapons and my cloak, but my gauntlets and clothing I still had. Most painfully of all they had plundered for my jewelry, and taken the thin chain of mithril[/i[ from my neck. It had been a present of Dain, the Mountain King, long ago, and was set with a single pendant of sapphire, in which flamed the light of [i]Luinil, the star of Varda I was named for; it shone so brightly at my birth that my mother took it as a sign, but that was long ago.

Many days and nights passed without event. Once a day a burly man-servant was sent down with scraps of food and water; I head keys jingling in the door and then he would swing it open and flail a torch around to make sure I wasn't waiting with a surprise for him. The platter was set on the ground near the door, and then, with a twisted grin, he left again, slamming the door behind him. I never ate the food; orc-stuff probably, so I threw it as accurately as I could out the window, to be rid of its stench. But the water I deemed good enough and drank it gladly.

A thought grew and grew in my head; they were keeping me alive, but for what purpose...

[Elvenwanderer]

I ascended the stairs in moderate stealth (I was tired enough to trip, and so had to be careful), soon coming to the level of my flet. Momentarily I considered barging in the next door and apologizing to my father also, but no: not tonight. The morn would prove better for apologies on a more familiar level perhaps.

I stepped through the thin door into the sparsely decorated room, and was surprised to see (besides a decorative but fully functional sword, bow and arrows hanging on the wall) two dresses lying on the bed.

I slipped off my boots and left them by the entrance. Padding over in barefeet, I fingered the two dresses. One garment was of a lightweight gauzy material and was obviously for sleeping in, while the other was of a denser weave, most likely what I was to wear tomorrow. Hoorah. A dress. I had to be thankful of the hospitality of my grandparents though.

I quickly removed my cloak and hung it on a delicately carved wooden hook, along with the other dress, before stepping behind a screen and changing into the nightgown. I folded the clothes I arrived in, and, thinking the mountains of black leather distasteful in the moonlight, I shoved them under the bed.

That finished, I pulled the blanket from the bed and wrapped it tightly around my shoulders. I walked over and sat on the small bench in a western window staring up at the silver and blue stars, looking to my grandfather's namesake for advice about many matters. I slowly fell asleep with my back up against the wall; my last clear thought was that Uinen had called me Authwen.

[Ithilraen]

Legolas slowly parted from her lips. "Ithilraen, I have waited 30 years too long to tell you this. I love you."

Ithilraen placed her hand upon his face. "And I have waited for you to utter those words, so that one day I could return the favor. My love for you cannot be described by any language known on Middle Earth."

A moment of silence hung between them. The moment allowed the sudden confession to sink in and take affect.

Ithilraen broke the silence with an audible yawn. She grinned and said, "It is time for me to retire. You should go to bed too. The council tommorow will be very interesting and quite long."

Legolas nodded and grabbed her hand. They walked in silence to thier flets. Both still stunned and overwhelmed by all the events that had taken place.

"Good night, my love." He whispered and kissed her softly on the lips.

Ithilraen watched Legolas along the walkway until he went into his flet then she turned into hers.

She pulled off her weapons and laid them against wall. Making a mental note to go to the armoury tommorow to replenish her quiver and tighten the bowstring. Ithilraen then changed into her sleeping tunic and crawled into bed.

Before she fell asleep her last thought was of Authwen and her father, and the fate of Middle Earth would be determined tommorow morning.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I jolted out of my sleep, tears running down my face.

It had been so real.

It reminded me of something, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

As I pushed myself off my bed I mulled over the dream.

'Orcs, some mortals. Two Elves. The female carrying a bundle...' I trailed off as it hit me.

Those Elves were my parents. They had been attacked in the wilderness.

I rummaged through my desk and found a blank sheet of paper and a piece of thin charcoal.

I stared at the paper blankly for a moment and cursed.

It was gone.

'I need Mother.' I whispered as I stood and tried to run my fingers through my tousled hair.

A moment later I snatched my cloak from the floor and quietly made my way to Mother's flet.

'Is she asleep?' I whispered to the guard at the foot of her stairs.

'No my lord.' The guard replied.

I nodded to him and quietly mounted the stairs.

'You finally arrive.' Mother said as I reached the top.

I nodded slightly.

'You need to know this my son, I do not think you will ever totally recover the memory of what happened.'

I sighed sadly and looked at the faint pink that adorned the eastern sky.

'Thank you Mother.' I said as I leaned over and gently kissed her forehead.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Authwen)

I woke up to see the sunrise, hear the singing of the nightingales, and feel a stiff neck.

"Note to self: never sleep in a window again..." I grumbled as I stood and stretched, wincing at the shooting pain in my neck when I turned my head to the left.

Looking back outside, I smiled at seeing the clouds of mist rising from the dark forest, creating a gentle blue haze to contrast strongly to the pink of the sunrise.

Feeling a small pang of abrupt urgency, I pulled the lavender dress over my head after stepping once again behind the screen.

The garment hung differently than I was accustomed to (of course, leather doesn’t really hang, and leather is all Morwen would suffer to wear), and the sleeves were rather longer than I was comfortable with. I persevered by pulling the belled fabric up to my elbows, only for them to slide down again.

Pull up; slide down. Pull up… slide down.

To take my mind off of my annoying clothes, my gaze fell on the door. My mind was soon decided, I could explore the city a tiny bit before anything important begins; hopefully I wouldn't get lost, as I was prone to do. Padding towards the door, the door opened just as my hand floated inches from the catch.

(I’m not saying it has to be any of you guys, but if you want to be opening the door… whatever. Might be Elrond himself… wahoo.:))

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I slowly walked to Authwen's flet, telling myself I was merely going to tell her about breakfast.

As I neared the flet of her father I noticed what appeared to be a pile of fabric lying near Authwen's door. I walked to the pile and examined it silently.

When it groaned I jumped slightly and then rolled it over gently. It was the she-mortal.

'Wake up Uinen.' I said quietly as I stood. Uinen groaned.

'Wake up!' I said again, somewhat louder as I nudged her with my foot.

The she-mortal groaned again and I sighed.

'Breakfast time Uinen. I've got to go escort Authwen to the main hall. One of the Elves will be here to take you to breakfast soon.' I explained as I walked away from the unconcious she-mortal and crept up the stairs to Authwen's lodgings.

I inhaled deeply before gently pushing the door open.

[Elvenwanderer]

I jumped backwards as the door swung in; accidentally leaving a rather aghast look on my face. That was only until I saw that it was Feldor who had come in.

"Oh... umm... Feldor. Good morning." I smiled, feelings of happiness to see him outweighing the surprise. I welcomed him inside with a small wave.

[Tirithel]

(UINEN)

I awoke to a painful nudging in my side and the gruff voice of Feldor barking at me. Considering that a night of sleep in this enchanted setting was as good as a year, I was in no mood to put up with him, regardless of the breakthroughs I'd been having with elf-kindred. I rolled over and ignored the elf completely.

Five minutes later (ah, the snooze button...), I could keep my eyes closed no longer, and opened them to the radiant morning. Soft sunrise was creeping through the treetops, and the same refreshing breeze blew across my face. I breathed deep and smiled- again.

Standing up and stretching as usual, I yawned the last winks of sleep away and looked around. Not surprisingly, there wasn't an elf or man in sight. I ran through last night's events one more time in my mind, and wondered where Authwen had gone. I had no clue how to get around this city, and would need a guide. She would know better than I.

As I plodded up the stairs towards Authwen's flet, still shaking the stiffness from my limbs (however refreshing it may have been, I still slept with a tree root in my back) I slowly reminded myself that there was to be a great council today. Whether invited or not, I wanted to be there. Just not next to-

Feldor. I opened the delicate door to Authwen's room, and he was standing there, looking as disapproving as ever.

[Ithilraen]

Ithilraen woke as dawn began to find her ways through the limbs of the trees. She did her morning hygeine, dressed, grabbed her weapons and headed down the flet. She walked to the tree that held the armoury flet and climbed the stairs two at a time. The guards nodded her in at recognizing her face.

The armoury was massive. It had rows upon rows of racks filled with long bows against the right wall. The left wall contained long and short elven swords, daggers, and long knives in every size. Every elf in Middle Earth would find thier blade here. From the back wall to the middle of the armoury were barrells filled to the max with arrows. And sitting at a worn but sturdy wooden table was Rilathir. The elf that watched over the armoury. Rilathir has been here since the time when the armoury was a third of it's size.

Ithilraen strode over to the table and Rilathir looked up from the inventory sheet he was reading.

"Morning Ithilraen! How can I be of service to you today?"

"Morning Rilathir. I need my quiver to be refilled, and my bow restrung. It did not have the usual tension the last time i used it."

Rilathir motioned for Ithilraen to hand him her bow. He inspected it carefully, "Ah, it just needs a good tightening. Go ahead, fill up your quiver." She walked around the table to one of the barrels and began to put arrows into her quiver. When she was done Rilathir was also done tightening her bow.

As Ithilraen was writing the number of arrows taken Rilathir asked, " Is Elrond's Dark Daughter back? Has she decided to give up the powers of darkness and rejoin us in the fight against Sauron?"

Ithilraen shook her head. "I do not know, Rilathir. We are to have another council as soon as everyone is done breaking thier fast. I must join them now. Thank you. Good day." She walked past the guards and down the flet toward the main hall. No one was there yet, just her and the servants that were setting up.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

((*Arwen*Evenstar* IF you want to join please check out the OOC thread...I'm going to delete your post. Please post a character profile in the OOC thread and then post an introductory post.))



I smiled at Authwen and stepped inside her room.

'Good morning.' I said quietly as I let the door go.

'I'm here to take you to breakfast.' I explained.

'Well, I'm here to escort you.' I said nervoulsy a moment later.

'I suppose you remember where the dining hall is.' I finished a moment later as my eyes sought the floor.

The door creaked open behind me and I turned around, my face red from embarrasment, yet disapproving as well.

'Good morning Uinen.'

[Tirithel]

(UINEN)

"And a glorious morn to you also, Feldor." I raised my eyebrows so high my eyes were nearly bulging, and used my cheekiest, most peppy grin.

I glanced past him to Authwen, who stood in her nightclothes looking sort of, awkward.

"So," I asked, "what is the plan for this morning?"

[Elvenwanderer]

(Authwen)

“I suppose you remember where the dining hall is.” Feldor looked down as his sentence ended, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink. I was about to reply to him that I needed a bit of guidance to the Hall, but my bedroom door swung open again.

After a small greeting to the woman from Feldor, I smiled embarrassedly as Uinen gazed at me around Feldor’s shoulders, quite a strange look on her face. My hands unconsciously twisted the sleeves of my dress around my wrists, and I shifted my weight from foot to foot.

“Ah, um. Hello, Uinen. Yes, good morning. In answer, I believe that breakfast was first on the list of things to do… Feldor was going to take me… I mean… bring me there. I mean… yeah. You get it. There is to be a Council of sorts later... I think....”

I could feel my face flushing as I looked between the two of them. “Perhaps I would be allowed to change before anyone else barges in? You caught me at a bit of a disadvantage….”

[Tirithel]

(UINEN)

"My apologies, lady. I shall wait for you at the foot of the tree." I gave a slight bow, and turned again to Feldor. "Coming, sir?"

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I inhaled deeply and looked at Uinen.

'I suppose I am.' I nodded to Authwen as I pulled the door shut behind me and sighed.

'As Authwen said, there is to be a council after breakfast. Eat heartily, I feel that this council will be long.'

[Elvenwanderer]

'That was awkward...' I thought as the door latched shut with a small click. Sighing, I gingerly grabbed the other dress from the hook and stepped behind the screen to change. The overly gauzy and clingy garment proved to be a pale lilac - the only plus as it was my favorite color - in the morning light, as it had looked an ashen gray in the moon shine.

I pulled my green Mirkwood cloak over my shoulders, more for self-asurance than for being chilled. I had never liked dresses, knowing myself to be too clumsy not to trip within the first five minutes.

Sighing again, I pushed open my door and (almost graciously, thankfully, I had only one minor blunder) made my way down the stairs to the ground where Feldor and Uinen were waiting. I smiled to them, another blush rising on my face, while wrapping the cloak tighter about myself.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

As I watched Authwen slowly make her way down the stairs I smiled slightly and brushed some dust from my sleeve.

When she reached the bottom I smiled at her blush and watched her wrap her cloak about herself tightly.

'Cold morning, isn't it?' I remarked casually as I offered my arm to her.

[Elvenwanderer]

(Authwen)

"Somewhat..." I answered lightly as I slipped my arm into his, a small smile gracing my lips in answer to the smile he gave me. "I very much hate wearing dresses..." "Which way is that dining hall again?"

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

'I gathered that.' I replied to Authwen, another smile on my face.

'That's why I'm here. Follow me.' I said quietly as I began slowly walking down a path that lead us towards the center of Caras Galadhon.

[Tirithel]

Feldor had that lovey look in his eyes again...ugh...but Authwen seemed happy so i said nothing, and gazed obliviously around in the chill morning air, humming and dancing to myself. Something about this place made me feel like a little girl again.