Err...post away.

[Join by posting in the Amon Lanc OOC Thread]

Several thousand miles from the valley of Rivendell, a lone Elf trudged in the wilderness outside her home. In the mounting dusk, her shadowy figure could barely be descried in the shade of trees. In her arms, she carried a woven basket, half filled with the wildberries and fruits she had collected in the woods. Undisturbed and at ease, Tîwele strolled the stray paths of wooded valleys, singing softly to herself and allowing her voice to carry itself upon the gentle breeze.
Several feet away from where she stood, a bay mare ran free on the open moors, silky mane and tail whipped out behind her like the waves on the ocean.

Her mistress watched her prance playfully, then pause to graze on a grassy hilltop. Tîwele watched the horse for several minutes, a contented smile playing across her features. This was the first taste of freedom she and Laeren had experienced for weeks, and glad was she to feel the wind grace her hair now, and walk the land at will, wherever she will. Though the mere idea brought sweet temptation, she knew the joy would not last.

Doomed souls, they were, she and Laeren, that freedom itself was a beauty she could not fully grasp. All her life, she dwelt in desolation from the world, if not from life, and she longed for a day that all would change. Her heart longed to flee its caged cell. I do not hate my father, she murmured, Only his ways. He is noble, wise, and loyal. Yet, changed he is from the ruler he was once, before my mother fled and did not return. He does not keep me from danger, but rather from my heart's will, from myself. In the attempt to bind myself to him lest he loose another, he deprives me of life's essence. What does he fear? Loss? Elbereth knows in her soul that he loved her deeply, but his boundaries have cut me deep. She could hardly remember what she looked like, for her face swam constantly in and out of her mind, wavering on the brink of memory, but never clear enough for her see her.

She sighed, and placing her laden basket carefully by the path, approached Laeren where she stood, silent now, her deep eyes watching Tîwele intently. 'Come, beauty,' she whispered when she was near, and lent a hand to the trusting animal. Letting Tîwele slip her hand in her soft mane, she followed her mistress under the shade of the tree cluster from where Tîwele had stood watching her before.

Tîwele sat and leant back on the brambles that brushed against her back, and stared up at the sky. 'Look, Laeren' she pointed to the night sky, where the first stars of heaven had begun to release their light. 'Tis truly the first time I have gazed the heavens, near as they are, yet far. It is beautiful.'

Laeren whinnied in answer, as if she wholeheartedly agreed.

[I could somehow find a way to let her join Erelith and Varsis... but more likely, they could come riding like knights in shining armour and rescue her ;) because she can't leave. (Might make ya just a tad late for the Council XD) Should worm a way to persuade her, too... she doesn't take easily to strangers.]

[I granted that request ^_^ Oh, ''the stranger'' is of course, none other than your character and the horse near the end returning with Erelith's is also your character's...and now the annoying stuff begins, darn interupptions! =O ...but I'll let you read for yourself. By the way I think by posting this I've beaten my previous record of long posts. Man, it's like a friggin' novel, I'm sorry, it just kept making me write. :P]

Erelith and Varsis trotted along conversing happily, a little bounce in the horses step. The deep slope ahead, lush with trees made them take it slowly, step by step. Erelith dismounted, leading her horse beside her carefully. Varsis did the same and continued to hum as he had been for the past half-hour. He watched as Erelith kept to herself, as she had for the most part of their journey so far. He tried to think of something else he could do to get her to smile, and all ideas failed except one. He grinned deviously and knew she never could resist evening cracking a smile at it. He bit his lip before he decided to make a fool of himself, hesitating.

The minute Varsis started hitting higher notes than she could reach, Erelith stifled a giggle. She clasped a hand over her mouth, trying to keep it shut between holding the laughing down. Varsis made sure he walked in front of her, backward so that she would see his face. Erelith turned away and tried not to look, a smile bursting over her face before she could try to resist it. He made sure he was very extrovert as he sang, making Erelith stop in her place as he made a complete fool of himself. After a few more verses of the song, he stopped and went back to letting the smile fade from her face, stepping carefully up the hillside.

“Sometimes I question if you really are an elf Varsis.” Erelith laughed lightly, shaking her head at the non-elf-like scene that had just passed. He laughed as well, knowing it was worthwhile if it made her break a smile.

“You won’t tell anyone will you?” Varsis wondered if she would tell anyone he’d made a complete idiot of himself.

“What, that you can sing higher than a woman?” Erelith rubbed it in, laughing deeply as she taunted him. “Now why would I do that….?” She looked at him with a pair of shifty eyes, grinning cleverly.

Varsis could tell Erelith’s spirits had lifted only a little at his antics, so casually he walked on, inching ever closer to where she was walking. She seemed to notice this after a few moments, looking up just as she was tackled mischievously by Varsis.

She gave a squeal and wriggled from his tickling grasp, only to be caught again. “Ahh! Somebody help me!” She shrieked teasingly as Varsis threw her over his right shoulder, as if it were nothing to him. She struggled to freedom, toppling them both over so they tumbled onto the level ground together in a bundle. Their eyes wandered to each others for an instant, both looking shyly away as they did so.

A more serious mood set between the two of them as Varsis started to hum softly in her ear. He closed his eyes, letting his voice trail off from simple humming to words. Erelith’s heart was pounding in her chest, ready to leap out. Varsis let his hand wander over to Erelith’s own, holding it gently as he let the musical tune roll off his tongue. Erelith felt frozen to her spot as she locked eyes with Varsis. His deep voice swept a warm and calming feeling around the two, and it lasted even when he sang no more.

“I love you.” He whispered the one thing he had wanted to tell her since the moment they had fallen apart.

I can’t do this, Erelith thought to herself. I can’t let him risk his life because of mine. I can’t lose someone I love again. Erelith pulled back from Varsis, hesitantly and sadly. She regretted every step she took back from him.

“Varsis -” Erelith started, knowing it would be hard. “I can’t…” She broke off, looking away shamefully from his gaze. “I can’t lose someone else I care about.”

Varsis’ eyebrow perked up just a little at the fact she didn’t deny she had feelings for him. He stood to his feet and tried to reason with her, “Doesn’t denying yourself that love make it as if you’ve already lost them? I don’t want to lose you again; my heart could not bear it.” Varsis couldn’t believe he was telling her everything he had honestly felt for her all at once.

Erelith let a small smile sneak across her lips, glad to know how Varsis felt, finally; standing to her feet. Varsis wished he could take her in his arms and kiss her, but waited as had had for several years. A tear rolled down Erelith’s cheek, still wanting to deny herself what she wanted more than anything in the world. Varsis took a few fingers and held her chin delicately, wiping away the small tear that had trickled down her face.

“I’m here beside you; I won’t let anything happen to either of us.” He said softly to Erelith, making sure she understood that he would protect both their lives with every breath in him. Still, Erelith was hesitant to let her guard down, letting a few silent moments pass between the two of them.

Why not? Erelith thought to herself, when will this chance come across again? It’s a once in a lifetime thing, to find a true love if you do at all. Varsis would go to the ends of the earth if I asked him to, so why should I deny him something we both want?

Erelith stood there, feet unmoved from Varsis as well as her eyes. She was all but silent, as if waiting for something to happen. The breeze rustled gently through the grass and swayed the branches of the trees gently; Erelith’s hair tickling her face. The crickets began to grow louder; a soothing sound to the ears. The stars veiled across the heavens and small lights flickered in the air, dancing around them.

You better do it soon, no time will be better. Don’t be scared; don’t try to hide it now. Varsis looked at her, putting a hand on her cheek and locking eyes with her. They drew in closer to each other, both their insides filling with butterflies. Varsis went in for the plunge – inches away from pressing his lips against hers, and closing his eyes.

There was a rustle in the bushes not too far from where they stood, and a low menacing growl, as if a dog was concealed within. Pulling away quickly he saw a Warg and its rider grinning maliciously and charging towards them.

So much for a perfect moment, Varsis broke the mood pulling his sword from his sheath; it began to grow a pale bluish color. The fact he had been so close, finally, after all these years and it was interrupted by a lousy Warg. Drawing his injured arm back, he threw it as hard as his strength would let him, watching as it flew right into the Warg’s chest before it could even come close to touching either of them. It let out a squeal of pain and trapped the rider’s leg under the now dead Warg, struggling to free himself before Varsis did the same to him. Walking over somberly, Varsis pulled his blade from the beast and stuck it in the rider without a second thought.

The sound of multiple growls caught his attention and he looked up suddenly, seeing there was not just one this time – but quite a few. He glanced to Erelith who was still standing there wondering if they were going to try to outrun them or stand and fight. Varsis concealed the fact he had already been injured from the Morgul Lord and decided since Erelith was still on her own recovery, it was best to try and outrun them.

Pulling his sword from the rider Varsis sheathed it back on the side of his sword and leapt on his mare, gesturing for Erelith to do the same before bursting his horse into a fast canter. Erelith was shadowing Varsis on Morernil, both pushing their horses as fast as they could go. The night air ran through their hair, and both ducked low moving in closer to the horses’ bodies to ride faster. Their hooves pounded rhythmically on the hard ground, the sound of a thundering not to distant behind the pair. Varsis wondered if his Morgul wound had given them away.

There was at least one Warg rider that made it within a close distance between the two elves; the beast trying to snap viciously at the horses’ legs. Looking far ahead as they approached the level ground, he saw a flicker of what seemed to be a figure.

“Steer them away from here,” Varsis shouted to Erelith, motioning for her to direct the horses and the Wargs aside from where he thought he saw the figure.

“I can’t!” Erelith shouted above the thundering of feet, “We’re coming up too fast.”

Varsis gave a whisper to his mare, who snorted and picked up her feet even faster, and he hoped Erelith would be right behind him. Hoping he could pull it off he watched in confirmation for the person he thought he had seen. With barely the blink of an eye, Varsis let go of his mare’s neck and grabbed the female elf, throwing her to sit behind him so she wouldn’t be stampeded by the small group of riders trailing behind them. He had noted that her own ride had been spooked and ran – but didn’t take time to note it the horse was still riding with the flow of the crowd.

“Hold on tight!” Varsis yelled to the elf now sitting behind him, knowing she would be in for a rough ride. “We’re going to lose them.” Varsis had no idea how they were going to do so, but knew he had to think of something fast.

Erelith rode aside Varsis and the stranger, pulling her bow and arrow from off the side of Morernil, and gripping her legs tightly to his sides, trying to hang on as she followed the riders with her arrows. Erelith wasted no time between letting her arrows fly, her constant practicing finally paying off as they hit nearly dead center each time. Each time there was a squeal from the hideous beasts, knowing their riders wouldn’t be able to follow them so quickly on foot. Her quiver became empty quickly, only having a handful of them in there originally, and she took her last shot at one.

Erelith looked to Varsis with a devious grin, knowing how to solve their little problem. Sheathing her swords to her side, she grabbed hold of the nearest tree branch, letting Morernil ride on without her. Swinging over the branch and back down, Erelith landed pulling out her swords and glancing just behind her to watch as Varsis was slowing his mare. He growled lowly, shaking his head at Erelith’s own plans. He had thought she would try and do something like that, secretly hoping she wouldn’t.

“You want me, come get me!” Erelith taunted, watching as the Warg riders slowed and turned to her, grinning maliciously. “Yeah, that’s right, I’m talking to you! I’m what you want, right?” Erelith shouted, pulling them away from Varsis and the stranger.

Varsis cursed under his breath, trying to pull his mare to a stop. Her hooves dug into the ground, and she snorted, finally dragging her master and the stranger to a halt. He patted her in appreciation, while she held her head high, nickering proudly. He pulled his sword from his horse’s side, and grabbed the shield as well, giving a momentary look at the female elf, and glancing back to where Erelith stood.

Her silver hair glinted in the moonlight filtering through the thick trees, and she held her knives close to her ready for the first strike. She was clad in what looked like a long red dress at first, but as she swung around to face her enemies, the fabric showed a long split starting from where her belt hung, all the way to the bottom of her thick black boots.

“Stay here.” Varsis instructed to the elf still on his mare’s back. With that he bolted into a run to join Erelith.

“Are you insane?!” He yelled as the Wargs came charging in close to them.

“Just follow my lead.” She said, standing back to back with Varsis now, both turning their heads to the side to plunge their blades into the charging riders. With that, Erelith gave a cry and plunged her first knife into a Warg creeping up on her, foaming at its mouth with a greedy look in its eye.

Varsis wasn’t so sure he wanted to follow her lead, but he did and kept his back to hers, so that neither would be snuck up from behind. Their movements were graceful, even though in battle it seemed as if Varsis and Erelith were dancing across the air elegantly. A Warg and its rider snuck up past the demanding blades of Erelith and Varsis, large fangs showing and bearing a growl as it crept up on the blond-haired elf, and the white mare.

Seeming to have some common sense about her, the mare made sure she was holding on before giving a rear of her hind legs and punting the rider and its mount far from reach. They tumbled quite a distance, and the rider fell unconscious when the beast gave a squeal and hit against a thick tree. Nickering proudly to herself, the mare trotted around as if watching her master.

There was a high whistle, and she trotted over gently to Varsis, arching her neck downwards as he stroked it. “Good girl.” He whispered to his mare, for keeping the female elf safe. The horse seemed to acknowledge his words and nuzzled his shoulder. He gave a short lived laugh, patting his horse’s nose before returning the shield and sword to their proper place.

“Hey what about me?” Erelith said, raising an eyebrow at Varsis congratulating his horse. She was of course jesting with him, but kept a serious face.

“I don’t know, what do you think?” Varsis asked his mare, who snorted and shook her mane about the back of her neck. “Didn’t think so either.” He played along, laughing as he made his way towards the horse’s torso.

“I wonder where mine went…” Erelith muttered, “…again.” She did a turn around; trying to spot her dark stallion anywhere it might have run off to. Putting a few fingers to her lips Erelith made a high pitched whistle for Morernil to show himself. He neighed, and came running; but not alone. Playfully he pushed another horse along with him, nickering as he pushed his nose into the horse’s neck softly.

Erelith shook her head at her stallion, scoffing lightly as she realized what a flirt her horse was. “What a handful I got.” She muttered, mounting Morernil as he brought the other horse along with him. She turned him around to face the girl sitting on Varsis’ mare. Erelith studied her for a moment or two, before letting a welcoming smile cross her face.

“Mae govannen,” Erelith spoke, letting the words roll off her tongue. She bowed her head slightly in her own acknowledgement and respect for the stranger.

[Argh, that is long :O eeek. tehe]

Recovering from the initial shock of the unexpected warg attack, Tîwele inclined her head in a friendly gesture towards the female stranger in answer. 'Mae govannen,' she returned. The words that pronounced themselves on her tongue sounded familiar, as if they were in some remote way connected to the tongue she was used to. She remembered hearing the wood elves speak such a phrase in greeting to each other, and decided that these strangers that she met with were no doubt Elves, aside from their well-placed poise and talent in their combat with the warg riders moments before.

Observing the brief battle from her corner atop the mare of the other stranger, she had been hit with sudden puzzlement at this sudden threat of evil not far from the borders of her home. These vicious monsters had dared assault several unwary travellers outside Órelindë's bounds. Tîwele smiled grimly to herself as she pondered the violent end these creatures and their drivers would have surely met had the archers of her people been roaming at large that evening.
Now however, she felt naught but graciousness towards the two Elves who had surely just saved her life back in that clearing. Caught at unawares, she had certainly not armed herself against such an attack.

'Thank you,' she said to them, 'for saving me from those creatures back there. I should have been more wary.'

Weaponless and unarmed, she felt suddenly vulnerable there in the empty wilderness. Her sole purpose had been a simple stroll at dusk, channeling that tunnel of thought inside her that threatened to burst from their mind enclosed cell, before she had to face what awaited her after her journey home... She reached behind Laeren's ears and stroked her mane tenderly. The mare whinnied softly in answer, pressing her side against the stranger's horse in answer to its playful affections. Tîwele now wondered whether other evils more terrible roamed the encircling lands, brooding in shadow and maliciousness. Realising that for many years she had dwelt in protected borders, completely oblivious to the occurences of the rest of Arda, she did not like to think now under whose orders the prowling wargs had been sent.

What seemed a long ago conversation with her father entered into her mind. What concerns the rest of Middle-earth does not always concern us. If all the world sinks into the depths of shadow, this realm is one that will stand in glory, always. At the time, she had accepted this wisdom, entrusting her elder's words to be just. But now, she wondered at this. Did she always have unconditioned faith in her father? Honour, power, were these not always among the things that he sought? Evil's brooding, she thought, evil that has the power to change all as we know it. I should not trust so readily to our country's defences.

The sun's light was beginning to seep beneath the hilltops. Turning now to the two strangers, she invited them to sit with her as they watched the last rays of day dissolve beneath the rim of the horizon, content to let the three horses wander free nearby.

“No problem at all,” Varsis cut off any chance of Erelith speaking first, knowing how charming her hospitality could be sometimes. It also occurred to him that Erelith perhaps would not take too kindly to a stranger, let alone another female elf.

“It was not you they were after at any rate,” Varsis said, reassuringly. “Just didn’t want you to get stampeded by a rush of…probably hungry, Wargs.” He smiled a little, his blue eyes wandering over towards Tîwele. His hair was slightly disheveled and out of place, having been tied back into what ended up to be a very ruffled tress. His sword was at his side, hanging around a black leather belt that seemed to enjoy being lopsided. He let his hand wander over to its hilt almost instinctively, seemingly unnoticed by his conscious self. Varsis’ silver hair and loose shirt billowed in the cooling breeze, bringing a few autumn leaves trailing past the two of them and over the edge, dancing below them.

“My name is Varsis,” He remembered to introduce himself after a few moments of silence, and held out a sleek gloved hand to Tîwele. Looking down he saw his blade beginning to flicker with a pale blue color. He held his hand with a finger up, silently gesturing for her not to say a word. Turning around, Varsis saw that Erelith had left the two of them alone, and for a moment he wondered where she had run off to, though knew she could more than adequately take care of herself wherever she went off too.

“Looks like I’m not the only one who wanted to introduce themselves.” He said in a soft tone towards Tîwele, though his dark blue eyes were scanning the woods for any sign of what was out there. Varsis narrowed his eyes, walking away from her as he pulled the now shimmering blue sword from its sheath.

Two more beasts with riders seemed to have delayed their appearance before, now riding fast towards Varsis. He wondered if it was Erelith they were looking for, or him. Ever since he had gotten his niche of a wound they seemed to be an easy target to find. Varsis stood there openly, waiting, and as if daring the beasts and their riders to come closer to him. Their paws dug into the ground, coming up fast on where Varsis had rooted his feet. They appeared to be quite large and hideous wolves, with a larger mouth, fangs protruding outside the mouth, where it foamed with a vicious rage.

Varsis swung his blade upwards as the first one came upon him, bringing it down swiftly on the second beast. Both Wargs immediately, squealed and fell over on their side, leaving their riders in a struggle to get to their feet. It seemed like an irrational move at first, leaving his glowing sword in the second Warg.

Varsis just gave a smirk, letting the two riders take their precious time in getting up.

Once his enemies were on their feet, he grabbed the first by the shoulder, shoving his fist to the Orc’s jaw smoothly, knocking them over on their backside again. Sensing the other one ready to hit from behind, Varsis gained some momentum, turning around and slamming his foot into his opponent’s side and sending him flying hard into a tree. Realizing he hadn’t nearly finished off the other one, Varsis spun around, just dodging the angry knife of the orc. He grabbed their wrist, overpowering them and slamming the last one against a tree as well. Turning the knife on themselves, Varsis preferred to use his own fist and smack them upside the head again.

The orc groaned in pain, though still remained standing on his feet. Varsis decided that wasn’t enough, and grabbed them by the collar, throwing them against the tree again to finish the orc off. His rival fell down, slumped into unconsciousness against the tree.

Pulling his sword back from the Warg, Varsis wiped the dark blood on the grass next to them and sheathed the dimming blade back beside his waist. Casually he made his way back to Tîwele, a few thoughts running through his mind as he did so.

“My apologies,” Varsis said, extending his gloved hand again. “I didn’t catch your name.” He said casually, then wondering where exactly Tîwele had come from. He had seen nothing but thick trees through their wanderings around here, and he wasn’t sure she was just aimlessly wandering, though he could never be sure.

He furrowed his brow slightly, in wonderment and curiosity at his own thoughts. He opened his mouth to speak, but found he lacked words to form his question properly. Falling silent, he began to think to himself, all the while giving a glance at Tîwele every now and then.

“You wouldn’t happen to know a certain …place we could stay in, would you?” Varsis was never much for beating around the things he easily figured out. He smiled a little, remembering that if his maps were correct, that’s where the details to his maps ended. Surely there had to be something here, more than just a forest. Varsis looked up at her, offering his hands to lift her down from the horse.

[psst, remember, they're all sitting down at the moment near the hilltop.]

Tîwele now glanced at the dark haired Elf, the starry sky, now littered with several pinpricks of light, were reflected in his eyes. She extended her arm to him in return. 'I am Tîwele,' she said quietly, and hesitated.

She felt reluctant to answer his second question, not out of unfriendliness, but from uncertainty. What would happen as a consequence if she was to lead two such strangers through the secret entrances of her land? Sure that she was forbidden to give information about her land's whereabouts to strange wayfarers, even those who had saved her from danger, she nonetheless could not find a way to avoid the question. Sustaining the guilt that was in her, she fought down her doubt.

'I cannot be certain about shelter in these lands,' she said, gazing about her. 'Travellers can camp under the canopies of these forests. These trees are planted closely together, and their thick branches are capable of providing both protection from harsh weather and prying eyes. Few souls venture into its shade at nighttime apart from birds and small beasts, so it should be a safe place to camp temporarily. Other than the wilderness, I know of no dwellings or settlements anywhere near fit for travellers to abide. And I...' she started, in answer to Varsis' questioning gaze, 'I come from lands far from here. I am travelling, though my errand in these parts is best left unspoken.'

She brought her cloak further around her, hoping the oncoming dusk would shade her face so that Varsis could not read her expression. Hoping against hope that neither he nor the other Elf he travelled with had noticed her lack of the usual packs or provisions carried by any traveller on the roads. Even Elves would not hope to last without ample sustenance. Nor did she carry any visible weaponry, but that was a small fact she hoped they would overlook. A short dagger she carried in her horse's saddlebags, but apart from that, all she carried with her were in fact nought but her basket that lay now momentarily forgotten several yards away, and a small trinket of great sentimental value that she would not lightly show to any but herself. The memories it carried within its small gold casing were too precious and too dear.

'Where is your companion?' asked Tîwele. 'The Elf who was with you before. I do not know her name.'

Turning away to survey the forest entrance for any further signs of potential danger, she said, 'You had best find her. These lands do not seem as safe as they were before... before...' Her voice trailed away, leaving the word in hanging in silence in the air between them. 'It would not be wise to let her wander alone, especially with night coming on,' she continued, a trace of something other than her words wavering on the edge of her voice.

Finally, she stood, freeing her dress from the brambles that had caught on the flowing material as she sat. Lightly, she whistled, allowing the simple tune to carry across the evening breeze. From afar, Laeren came trotting, her silken mane flowing freely behind her, and next her was the other horse, the one that must belong to Varsis' companion. Taking her mare's halter, Tîwele led her a short pace away.

She turned back to Varsis. 'I thank you again for fending off those beasts. Camp in the forest tonight, it should prove a safe place to set up your shelter for the night, but I cannot tarry here any longer. Night will soon be here, and I will not be able to stay. I will be looked for... elsewhere than here.'

Gathering her basket, Tîwele mounted Laeren. 'Namár-' she started, then paused, opting instead for something else. 'Sílo Anor bo men lín. Navaer!' The words freed themselves from her tongue as if they were spoken by someone other than herself.

With a soft word, Tîwele urged her horse on to the rough gravel path. Laeren whinnied, as if in protest of becoming separated so soon from a newfound friend, but submitted to her mistress' firm word. Needs and duty called. They rode away with the wind along the forest path, as silent as shadows at dusk, leaving no trail for all but those with the keenest eyesight. Tîwele forced her eyes to away from the silent figure still standing, overting them to the ways of the road ahead, praying to the Valar that she would not be followed. She needed to reach the gates by nightfall.

[It'll take a fair bit to persuade her to befriend total strangers, and abandon all reason to leave. Also, she has a dislike, more like loathing, for Moriquendi. Be glad she doesn't know yet! The reason's something you'll have to find out, and yes, she's got secrets of her own...]

[Bwhaaha. Your post totally worked for the ideas I’d already worked out for the one before yours (but never posted) XD …and I’m definitely curious why she doesn’t like Moriquendi, but yay ahaha. *mental image* Erelith will definitely have more than just a bone to pick with her about that. XD I can see it now…also I assume your character’s secrets are partially payback for all the ones I never let you know :D Oh, and I apologize in advance for Erelith being a big…*insult rude word here*]

Varsis suspected a cover up, but said nothing and let the female elf ride off without another word. It was quite reasonable to him that she would not trust him with certain information right away. He figured he would eventually weasel it out of her, if they did in fact see her again. He knew it would only make Tîwele distrust him more if out of his own curiosity he did follow her, and so he took the elf’s advice and began to make camp for the night.

Varsis hadn’t known where Erelith had gone to, but figured she had gone to scout the area as she almost always made sure to do before nightfall. He poked at the fire he had tried to start, getting the flames to burst from between the pieces of wood, generating a small amount of heat for Varsis to keep warm. He wondered for a moment or two if he should go look for Erelith, but decided it would be best if he stayed put, in case she decided to come back. He threw out his blanket on the ground, laying it so that he could gaze at the forming constellations in the darkening sky.

Originally, Erelith had only wanted to scout the area they’d stopped around, as she often did, but found she was soon overhearing the conversation between Varsis and Tîwele. Erelith shook her head, she had concealed so many lies of her own, and she could nail anyone else’s in a heartbeat. What are the chances of crossing paths with an unarmed elf? Let alone, she appeared as if she was still well-groomed, not worn from the travels she claims…Erelith’s thoughts trailed off as she watched the stranger ride past her, while she concealed herself in the thickness of the trees.

….and Varsis thinks I should trust people more. She couldn’t contain a low laughter to herself, and whistled for Morernil to come for her. She’d let the strange elf get far ahead of her for good reason, being that Erelith would have been able to keep on her trail better with Morernil, without getting noticed. Erelith wondered for a brief moment if she should tell Varsis, but then again, he probably already suspected.

So, you want to keep secrets do you?…not for long. Erelith mounted her black stallion, letting Morernil take off at his own pace; Erelith had enough time to spare. Erelith followed the imprints of Tîwele’s horse with ease for several moments, before coming to a halt. She had lost track of the prints in the ground, suddenly hearing Tîwele’s horse approaching quickly. Giving Morernil a light slap on the rear, her heart leapt into her throat, and Erelith tried not to breathe heavily, slipping into the shadows behind a thick bunch of trees. She closed her eyes, as if Erelith wasn’t able to see her, Tîwele wouldn’t be able to either. Erelith’s heart was pounding in her chest, and she tucked her knives in closely to her body.

The whistling night air sent a chilling sensation down Tîwele's spine. The breeze swept her hair backwards as it did over a soft, flowing stream as she rode, gently letting her horse's gait shift from a gallop to a slowing canter. At that moment, a soft, almost inaudible rustle of leaves in the dimness several paces behind her made her pull Laeren to a dead stop in her tracks. Straining her ears against the eerie sounds of night animals in the wood, she scanned the surroundings quickly. Though she saw no sign nor sound of movement, she could not be sure her senses had deceived her. It may have been just an animal, she assured herself silently, gripping the reins tightly in her hand again.

After a few paces, she drew Laeren to a halt once more. Now fearing unfriendly pursuit, Tîwele steered her horse several paces back silently down the path the way they had come. Dismounting, she stole silently into the shadow of the trees where she was sure she had seen a shadow of movement flicker momentarily and disappear in haste. Though search as she might, she could not find a thread of evidence about the pursuer that hunted in her tracks. The darkening day was growing too dim to see any tracks or signs amongst the leaf litter on the ground.

Nonetheless, she bent and scanned the encircling ground, hoping to descry some sign or shadow that would point her in the right direction. Then, as she was preparing to retreat back to where her mare stood waiting for her, she made out in the dirt some distance ahead, a scurry of light marks. By her tracking skills, she read that these might likely have been left by someone or something who had leapt hastily into hiding at a sign or sudden encounter. Hiding from who? She wondered.

Finding no further clues to help her decipher the mystery, Tîwele saw no choice but to continue on her way. Light was fading fast, and she would reach her destination too late if she did not hurry. Remounting the patient mare, she eased her into quickened gallop, and they passed down the hills like swift lightning. Not caring now that the pair had left tracks as they rode, she thought now only of speed, hoping too, that their speed would throw off any sign of possible pursuit.

In the gathering dark, the forest soon dwindled to a dark mass in the distance behind them. It was not long before they came to the edge of a rocky crevice set aside from the path. There, the path narrowed and passed into the shadows of several sprawling trees whose gigantic roots barred the pass. To outsiders, it seemed as if no living person could possibly walk into the gap between the shadows of those trees, except maybe a small animal. Near these trees more grew, spanning the sky and shutting out the light in a rich canopy underneath the stars. Into the the shadow of these trees Tîwele dismounted and led Laeren, tredding carefully on the dirt ground.

The familiar sound of flowing water met her ears as she entered the woody clearing.
*space* Tîwele stopped and called silently through the trees, 'Túrelië!' A slight rustle was followed by the appearance of a male Elf, clad in green-grey. In his hand, he held a magnificently carved bow.
*space* 'Ah, Tîwele, lady.' He said, coming forward. 'Where have you been this day? It is already late, and I was started to become worried.'
*space* 'I was walking over near the hilltops,' said Tîwele simply. 'Come, let us head in.'
*space* She released her horse and let her go free. 'Go rest, my friend,' whispered Tîwele. 'It's been a weary day, but may peace be with you till the morning comes. Let the dark fade.'

Without another word, Tîwele, and Túrelië beside her passed into the shadowy depths of that vast place and disappeared from sight in the pale moonlight.

[Ah dun worry, Erelith can do what she likes, but she'll have someone to deal with ^_^*cackles evilly for keeping people in suspense* tehe.]

[If anyone gets confused I posted two dreams of Erelith’s but they are at the same time her own memories. She’s going to start to remember a lot more from her childhood, whether she wants to or not.]

Erelith’s chest fell in relief when Tîwele decided to keep moving; Erelith waited a few moments before continuing to follow. She made her way through the forest, coming to a stop when the tracks led to a stream. Narrowing her eyes she looked around for the direction they went in, seeing a small imprint of a hoof mark near the soft edge of the stream. She smiled, looking up in the direction she suspected Tîwele had gone. A small roguish grin tugged at the corners of her mouth, and she made her way towards the forest’s edge. Erelith scanned the forest, looking for Morernil while she whistled for him. He came towards her, trotting silently along and coming to a halt when he came near to her. Bareback, she mounted him and gave him a small kick to get moving. Erelith had no idea where to go from there, but headed in the direction she thought Tîwele may have gone to. A few minutes passed as Erelith rode along the path, and it was soon after which that she came upon a rock-strewn crevice to one side of the path. Curiously, she dismounted, knowing that even though she was up to no good, she felt she had to keep going to the end. Erelith’s curiosity would never let her rest if she didn’t.

A sudden gust of chilling wind blew from behind her, running up her spine and making her shiver momentarily. Her hair danced in front of her eyes as she looked down the crevice holding her hands around her arms to keep warm. She narrowed her eyes in attempts to see down the dark and thin pathway. A chilling sensation crawled up her skin, a sudden silence causing Erelith to feel nervous. She wondered if this had been where Tîwele had gone to, or if she was merely getting sidetracked. She looked at the overgrown roots again, pulling her hood up so it overshadowed her face. She decided to wait until morning to do anything, even go back the camp.

Putting a hand on the nearest tree branch, swinging up. It grew cold, though Erelith found a snug crevice in the trees. She let her hand wander protectively to her knife, letting herself drift off into a sleep.

Erelith shivered, drawing her arms closer in attempts to keep warm under the canopy of the tree. It did little to compare to the blistering rain that froze her skin. Clenching her teeth, she tried not to think about it. For a moment, and only a brief moment, Erelith wished that she was back in the wretched prison of Dol Guldor. At least there was food.
----
‘Caught again!’ Meren scolded, grabbing his daughter by the arms as she struggled. Erelith kicked and screamed violently, but this only made him grab her tighter. She gasped for breath, painfully hoping her lungs would expand against the crushing hold of her father. Erelith bit down savagely on his hold and Meren grabbed his arm, cursing. He dropped his daughter to her backside, and relieved, she took a deep lungful of air before she was left breathless from a swift kick to the stomach. The force of it sent her flying straight down the end of the hall and into the nearest pillar. She groaned in pain, unable to move, and Meren grasped her by the collar.

‘One more time, and you may find your luck has changed. Understand?’ He hissed, slamming her against the pillar again. She found no words to reply, but only nodded silently.

--------------

Erelith shot up suddenly from her vivid memories, seeing the sunrise just coming over the horizon. Most of the scenery was still in a grey color, untouched by the sunlight of a new day. Losing her balance, she nearly fell from the low canopy of the tree and tried to regain herself. Looking down she saw someone familiar waiting for her to wake up.

“Bad dream?” Varsis asked, crossing his arms in chastise at Erelith, having known what she was up to last night.

“Yeah,” Erelith said, trying to regain her composure and holding a hand to her head, sitting up. “Haven’t had one of them in a long time.” Erelith finished coming down from the tree branches.

“What were you doing out here?” Varsis asked, already knowing the answer but hoping Erelith would confess anyways.

“None of your business,” Erelith butted him out of her own actions, even though she knew he had already figured out what she was up to.

“Why do you have to make things complicated all the time?” Varsis asked, “Can’t you ever give a straight answer?” He felt a little too easily frustrated with her games sometimes, and wished for once she’d take certain responsibilities. “Can’t you just pretend you care enough to trust someone for even a minute?” To anyone else this might have seemed like a harsh thing to say to Erelith, but it wasn’t the first time Varsis tried to knock some sense into her. She still went uncaring, and scoffed at his words.

“No?” Erelith asked rhetorically with a hint of sarcasm to it as well.

“You’ll get both of us in trouble.” Varsis said, still trying to knock some sense into her.

“Doubt that,” Erelith said, gladly taking the blame for her own actions.

“You know how much you frustrate me sometimes?” Varsis asked, starting to feel his blood boil from her uncaring attitude.

“Yeah.”

[Everyone holds memories inside them, don't they? Without them, your soul would be empty...]

As soon as she reached the familiar outer entrance of the candlelit hallway, Tîwele stepped softly through the doorway and closed the door warily behind her before stealing away. She had bidden Túrelië a hasty goodnight at the outermost gate, and now, as she crept cautiously across the marble stone floor to the stairway, she became aware of voices conversing in the dining chamber not far from where she stood. The palace guards appeared to be deep in discussion. Nonetheless, she did not stop to investigate, nor was it her business to intrude upon others' businesses. Had her curiosity bade her halt to listen for a fraction, however, she might have overheard some unwelcoming news. Though not wanting another forray of questioning about her disappearance, she passed and made straight up the stone steps.

Once she entered her bed chamber, she locked her door, wanting no one to disturb her solitary thoughts. Without hesitation, she flung herself upon the bed, and there, as she collapsed in relief, her mind strayed to the crystal pendent she carried. Slowly, she drew out the small box and lifted it open. The stone shone, like a thousand gleaming windows reflected against her pale face, windows unto yearning memories that had been yanked from her like the snapping of a golden thread.

'What is it, Atar?' she asked, approaching elderly king with uncertainty.

'Ah, you have come, my child.' He said, fixating her crystalline eyes in his gaze and holding them. 'Come, sit by me. We should entreat some time to discuss what I am to tell you.'

Stepping upon the dais, the young girl sat by him. Her unease intensified as she noticed his furrowed brow.

'Tidings reach us here, Tîwele,' he began. 'From whence, the messenger does not lightly tell. What he brings with him, however I imagine would concern you greatly.'

'Messenger?'

'Yes, a man. He came yestereve, a wanderer, and became lost in the forest. Our archers discovered him, and by my consent, brought him in. As you know, I hold steadily by our rule, and was reluctant to grant him access to our secret entrances. A stranger, mortal, what's more, what tidings could he possibly bring that would be of use to us? But he needed to speak to me desperately, or so he claimed. And hesitant though I still was, he persuaded me.'

'What did he tell you?' She wanted to know, wishing her father would not delay the news any longer.

'Nought,' said he. 'Instead, he produced this.'

To the girl's wonder, he reached within his robes and when his hand reappeared, there lay a small, intricately decorated box in his palm.

'What is that?' asked Tîwele, her eyes caught on the intertwining designs that were wrought on it, willing it to stir some thought or memory.

'Do you not know?' said Lolindir. Lightly, he flipped open the lid.

Tîwele gasped as she caught a glimpse of what lay inside. Whether from this sight of beauty beyond recall or sudden recognition, she did not know. But deep within the recesses of her memory, she knew she had seen the item before. The crystal pendent lay, encrusted with diamonds enclosed by the wings of a swan. The jewel held itself within its bosom almost lovingly as if it were a child. Tears trickled silently down the girl's face, oblivious now to what her father was now telling her, that which she knew already.

'It belonged to your mother,' he told her. 'It was very dear to her. She wore it close to her heart, said it symbolised her soul, and what she held dear... She was here, my dear,' he told his daughter, 'Long ago when you were but a young shoot in Spring... She was a symbol of bliss, and her every footstep, joy.'

'Atar...' whispered Tîwele. 'Why did she go?'

'She passed on,' he answered, his now shaky voice almost inaudible. 'She could not contain herself here anymore.'

The young girl said nothing. She did not understand her father's words, and she did want want to understand. Overwhelmed by a sense of loss, she took her mother's pendent and treasured it. Not once did she inquire what became of the messenger or whence he had come. Those truths might prove more painful than the loss that had pierced her heart.

Tîwele lay back, worn, and gazed at the stony ceiling. Blank and emotionless, the dark wall did nought but enclose her, shut her from her desire. She sighed. She hoped morning might bring her hope. Slipping in and out of awakening, she drifted finally into replenishing sleep, but even in her dreams she visited forgotten periods that stirred and would not dissolve. Outside, the moon waned.

Erelith went over to a nearby stream to wake herself up more, splashing water into her face as she bent down near the water. “We should get moving.”

The sunlight peaked over the edge of the mountains, bursting the light of a brand new day over the horizon. Varsis let his fingers creep up towards his wounded arm, still something Erelith had no idea about. He wondered how much longer he would be able to keep her in the dark before things got worse. He made no mention of the darkening dreams he had started to have since his night with the Witch-King. Varsis took in a sharp breath as his fingers traced the outline of a very sore cut, one that was slowly finding its way up and down the upper part of his arm, consuming him piece by piece. He was inches from telling Erelith, though at the same time held his tongue in hesitation.

“Varsis? What’s wrong?” Erelith asked, seeing the concerned lines traced over his brow.

“Nothing. Nothing at all.” Varsis lied to her through his teeth, and his chest pounded as she studied his eyes. He struggled to hold his mouth, hating when she gave him that ‘I know your lying’ look. He still held his hand on his arm, crossing it with the other to cover the wound, and make it look nonchalant. Erelith took a few steps around him dissatisfied, while Varsis waited impatiently for her to stop.

“Let your arms down.” Erelith demanded, knowing he was hiding something.

“Why should I?” Varsis let the words out before he could think, and mentally hit himself for saying anything. The words alone practically gave away he was hiding something, and now Erelith would only want to know more.

“Fine,” Erelith grabbed his sword from his sheath, and threw it aside to make Varsis defenseless. She pushed him against the nearest tree, pinning him there with a good grip. Varsis couldn’t help but admit he liked it a little, despite the circumstances of the situation. Erelith pulled his hands from around his arms, ready to rip the shirt open.

“Okay, I’ll tell.” Varsis didn’t want to waste the shirt, and pushed her off of him, pulling the shirt over his head. He’d hoped by telling her instead, she would perhaps be less upset though he doubted it. Erelith backed up and waited for him to finish before letting her dark eyes fall on his arm. It was an array of colors, and the veins along his upper arm were easily seen by even a pair of blind dwarves.

“It was bound to happen.” Varsis tried to defend himself now that she knew.

“I hate this.” Erelith growled and threw her unsheathed knife into a nearby tree. “No matter what I do, the people I love are constantly the ones to pay.”

“You’re saying you love me?” Varsis said, furrowing his brow at her.

“You’re missing the point,” Erelith said, turning to him. “Meren wants me; I should go to him so no one else gets hurt.”

“That’s exactly what he wants you to do though.” Varsis said, now missing the point completely. “You’d be walking straight into a trap.”

“I suppose your right. I don’t know what to do though. I can’t let you or anyone else get hurt because of me.” Erelith felt responsible for Varsis’ wound, and for everything that ever happened to anyone else she cared about; they all seemed to get hurt, and all because of her.

“That’s a risk I’m willing to take. Erelith I -” Varsis found himself faltering when he remembered Erelith wasn’t ready for any feelings they might have for each other. He was quite surprised however when he found himself pinned back up against the tree. Erelith found herself coming in close to Varsis, eyes meeting and chest pounding. He didn’t move, waiting for what he thought was coming to him. Behind her Erelith held a rope in her hands, taking hold of Varsis’ hands and binding them together.

“What- ” Varsis said suddenly, looking down at Erelith binding his hands together.

“I’m sorry, but that’s a risk I’m not willing to take.” Erelith said, feeling guilty inside about tying him up and leaving him.

“You little fiend!” Varsis shouted at Erelith, trying to fight against his bonds as she tied him against the slender tree. He wondered how he could possibly fall in love with such a stubborn person.

Much to his surprise, Erelith bent in close and placed a hand on his cheek. “I’m only doing this because I love you.” Erelith admitted to Varsis she did have feeling for him, thinking this would be the last time she would be seeing him for a long time. Everything that they’d been through – she loved Varsis, and he was the only one who was there for her through everything and anything Erelith had ever gone through. She admitted to herself that the moment she laid eyes on him – she’d fallen in love, and stayed as such ever since.

Leaning in close to Varsis, she kissed him fervently before pulling back. She smiled a little, seeing Varsis unable to move from his spot, bound against a tree. Frustrated and surprised by the kiss, he struggled against his ropes with a futile effort. Erelith whistled for Morernil, who quickly came running towards her. Erelith gave Varsis a few moments of acknowledgement to Varsis, waving goodbye to him with just a few fingers, and mounting her stallion. The warmth of a new day filtered through the canopy of the trees, as Erelith rode off into the distance, leaving Varsis for someone to find.

He cursed at the top of his lung at Erelith for as long as she could hear him, as well as shouting for help in the process. He wondered if it was all a trick and if she would come back for him, or she was really going to leave him here, in the middle of nowhere. Through it all Varsis still loved Erelith, as he always had. After giving a few good minutes of struggling, he gave up wasting his energy on an escape. Varsis let out a long sigh, watching Erelith disappear into the distance.

[She's prepared to leave him there to die??]

Morning light filtered through the windows into the chamber. An airy breeze drifted into the room, playing gently across Tîwele's features. She woke, still half in a dream. Bringing herself into a sitting position propped up against a cushion, she sat for awhile, staring into empty space. Reflecting upon her dreams, she remembered only that for but a while, she had walked in bliss, but what it was that she had dreamed was now lost to her.

Frowning, she realised that in her weariness the previous night, she had failed to undress before falling into sleep. Now, she gladly relieved herself of her dress and put on a clean frock from the dressing room. Someone, for which she was grateful, had evidently visited the night before and laid out a myriad of fresh clothing for her while she was asleep. Her maid, most likely.

'Tîwele!' A familiar voice called from outside the still locked door. 'Is my lady awake?'
'Yes, Erilinn, what is it?' She called back, wondering what was the matter.
'Morning tea is set out ready for you,' answered the maid. 'And once you are ready, the lord desires to speak to you.'
'I'll come down soon,' said Tîwele. 'Tell my father he need not wait for me.'
A scurry of fading footsteps told Erilinn's departure.

Tîwele sighed, and relieved the bed of the entangled bedsheets, folding them neatly and spreading them evenly on the bed once more. Next, she drew and parted the satin curtains that hung in front of her balcony. As she stepped out onto the balcony, the crispness of the early morning air hit her. She stepped up to the spring and bathed her face with refreshingly cool water from the stone basin. The water trickled down the side of the stone, the sound almost melodic to her ears. She ran her fingers over the surface over the water, which slipped over and under her hand, gentle and cool to the touch.

Tîwele stepped back inside her chamber and made for the doorway. With the grace and poise that were gifted to her people, she passed down the staircase, crossed the hallway, and entered the dining chamber. There, several palace soldiers were indulging in their early morning tea before leaving to their duties. Erilinn and her friend were conversing nearby. Laid out was tea for her and several others. Her father was not there.

As she sat, she could not help overhearing the conversation that was passing between the two maids.
'Strange, indeed,' her maid was heard saying to the other.
'They cannot guess what happened,' said Mariette.
'And there was no one else?' asked her friend.
'No, none,' she answered.
'I can't imagine...' began Erilinn, when she noticed the lady watching her closely.
'Go on,' said Tîwele, 'I'm curious to know what has happened.'
'I daresay you will find out from the lord soon enough,' said Erilinn. 'But it is like this. A man was found outside the borders of our country.'
'In fact, on the borders of this country,' added Mariette. 'And they say he is not a man, but in fact an Elf.'
'An Elf?' Repeated Tîwele, her memory straying to the revels of the previous day.
'Indeed,' said Mariette.
'Is he here? Was he brought in?' asked Tîwele.
'I do not know whether the lord consented to grant him entrance, not knowing his origin, but...' began Erilinn.

Tîwele stood up. 'I will go and find atarinya.'
She laid aside her barely touched food. She was not hungry that morning. As she departed from the room, the two maids stared after her, wondering what had possibly crossed Tîwele's mind at that moment. Tîwele went straight to the entrance hall, where she expected to find her father. As she had expected, he was sitting there, perched upon the deep carved throne. His shape was leant forward, as if conversing or examining something. Upon entering the hall, however, she realised that he was indeed not alone.

On the ground, there knelt a man, it seemed. His cloak overshrouded his eyes and she could not catch a glimpse of his face from where she stood.
'Herunya,' she nodded as she alerted them to her prescence.
'Ah, Tîwele, aranel, come,' said Lólindír when he saw her. 'I would grant a word with you.'
She approached him where he sat and stopped when she had found her place beside him.
'I do not know if it was wise of me to pass such judgement without careful thought,' he told her, 'But if he proves false, we will have no choice but to retain him by force.'
'Atar, you speak of "he",' said Tîwele, 'Who is this person?'
'Him,' answered her father, now gesturing to the stranger who knelt on the floor. For the first time, she caught a brief glimpse of his face. Shocked, she did a double take. It was Varsis.
'Where... how...?' Began Tîwele, surprised.
'This Elf was found on the borders by the Night's watch, bound tightly to a tree. There was no way for him to escape. His weapon had been flung away, they found it several feet nearby. Who or what did it to him, friend or foe, we do not know. All I know is this: It is our business to question strangers that stray within the limits of this land. He looked too, as if he was desperately in need of help.'

This piece of news was also a surprise to Tîwele, and she could not imagine who might have done such a thing to him. When she had left him the day before, there had been nothing wrong. It was then that her thoughts strayed to Varsis' companion, the female Elf. Whether for good or ill, she was worthy of suspicion, and the only candidate that was near, apart from, perhaps, yet another warg rider... If it had been a warg rider, she reasoned, Would they not have killed him, or taken him away hostage? Or rather, left him to die? But Varsis was not visibly wounded anew in any way she could tell, though he was doubled over with pain, that she could sense. Damage beyond the art of a mere Warg Rider.

'And what did he tell you?' Tîwele asked the King.
'He has barely said a word since he came here,' he answered. 'But that was not long ago. Though, abiding by our ancient laws, I have made him swear, under payment of death, to both deny his stay here and keep secret the ways by which he came here from others, friend or enemy regardless, if he ever departs from here again.'
'I am sure we can trust him to keep to his word,' said Tîwele in a firm voice, though she was sure she sounded more sure than she felt. After all, she had only briefly met him once, and of his nature she did not really know.
The king nodded in answer. 'He has not yet revealed where he came from, or where he intended to be, nor why he was in these lands. Perhaps he will answer if you speak with him.'
'That I will do, atar,' answered Tîwele, glancing briefly at Varsis. 'Is he wounded or hurt in any way?'
'To be honest, I do not know. He has talked little. It is likely, though, that he may be hurt...'
'I will take him to the caring wing, by your consent, father,' said Tîwele. 'He looks worn, if not hurt. Once he has rested, I will speak to him.'
'Of course, Tîwele.' He turned to his sentry and spoke to him.
'There will be no need for accompanyment,' said Tîwele quickly, guessing her father's intention. 'This stranger will not hurt me. I will lead him there by myself.'

With that, she turned and gestured for Varsis to stand. Slowly, she heard his footsteps behind her as he followed her from the hall. As they reached the outer hallway, Tîwele lowered her voice to a whisper, 'Follow me, Varsis.'

Their footsteps echoed on the marble floor as they reached the end of the hallway. Here, sure there were no others around, Tîwele turned finally to Varsis and asked in an undertone, 'What happened?'
After a few moments silence, she gestured for him to keep moving as she led him on their way to the caring wing, all the while waiting patiently for an explanation.

[It's what Erelith gets paid for being a little devil ^_^, more problems. Have fun devising a miraculous plan of escape to get two now, not one, out. And I tell you, Tîwele's father's a hard one to deal with... unless you have your wits about you.]

[Haha Varsis will be getting back at her for it, no doubt. I could see them meeting again and Varsis being like ‘you know how much I hate you?’ and then grabbing her and kissing her, haha. It won’t be like that though I’m guessing, has to be more devious.]

Varsis fell into silence as he was asked what happened. He honestly was trying to sort it out himself, what would he tell her? He was quite frustrated Erelith played with him like that, though he couldn’t say he didn’t kiss her back. He had known she was only trying to protect him by doing it, but every time she tried to stop him from following, didn’t she learn yet? He let out a small half-satisfied sigh, and a grin to himself, he’d waited a long time for Erelith to admit her feelings. Varsis could still feel the kiss, and her voice had not faded from his mind yet. He wondered what he would do when he saw her again, if he did. At that moment, he remembered what she was up against, now all alone, and he felt sparks of anger that she should do it alone.

Rubbing his wrists, Varsis saw they were sore from the ropes. “What happened?” Varsis asked again, thinking of the answer to himself. “Quite a lot,” he laughed a little to himself at it all. He knew when he saw Erelith again he would get her back double fold. “It’s all a little complicated still to me.” He laughed again, wonder what changes would happen between himself and Erelith, if any. “Well for starters, my friend, err…” Varsis found himself scratching his head, wondering how to make his words clearer.

“Okay, I’ve no way to explain this.” Varsis found himself saying. “So I’ll just tell you, and if you get confused, which you might, because I am…” Varsis stopped his nonsense and finished, “Just ask me.”

“Erelith tied me up and left me.” Varsis looked worn and tired, and his arm was sore. He was surprised how easy that was to tell her at first, though knew he’d have to explain why no doubt. He felt he had no choice but to tell Tîwele the entire story, even about Meren and his own intentions if it came to it.

“She said she was doing it for my own good.” Varsis left out the real words Erelith had said to him, and about the kiss. “Well, in her words, she said she was doing it because she loved me. Erelith has good intentions; she just doesn’t realize she can’t expect to do things on her own sometimes.” Varsis felt a twinge of hurt from Erelith leaving him there, alone. He felt awkward confessing everything to a complete stranger.

“Sauron’s forces have been moving near Southern Mirkwood, and Erelith tied me here in hopes she would save me from getting hurt again.” At this, Varsis pulled his shirt over his head again, and showed Tîwele his wounded arm shamefully. Bare-chested Varsis exposed his well defined torso and arms, silently self-conscious about them. The wound itself had started quite small, but was creeping over his arm slowly every day it went unaided.

“Witch-King.” He said, answering for his wounded arm, though he figured at the same time it explained itself. “I can’t let her face this alone,” Varsis said, feeling a little downhearted. Varsis felt now more than ever he needed to follow her, still ignoring his wounded arm.

“I swear to you I will tell no one of this place; please release me.” Varsis wanted to leave badly, and follow Erelith. “I have to find her before she reaches Meren -” Varsis said, realizing he’d blurted it out, though continued in hopes he wouldn’t have to go into detail. “She’s walking straight into a trap, and worse, she knows it.” Varsis let his eyes fall down on the floor; he didn’t want to think of what might happen to her alone. He’d always been there for her, even through her worst moments and now he couldn’t be. Worry overcame him, and sadness, letting the worst scenarios play through his head.

“Please let me go,” Varsis let out a heavy breath, and a sniff trying to retain his emotions from bursting out. A small tear escaped however, making its way down his cheek. Varsis turned away so that she wouldn’t see it.

For a moment, Tîwele elapsed into silence, short of words to say. His words had suddenly sprung on her out of the blue, where she had least expected. They? Yet some feeling deep down told her that Varsis had told her a truth that came from his heart. That day the clearing came back to her, the fleeting glimpse hovering like mist within her mind's eye. Moments before the warg attack, she had seen them together, and they had seemed close. Too close. Love knows no limits... With a pang, she realised that her spirit ached within her, but that thought she forced to the back of her mind, not daring to revisit the dreams she had been having.

Before she had realised the hallway had passed, the brass door that led to the caring chamber loomed before them. Lightly, Tîwele reached for the handle and pushed the door gently ajar. Inside was a spacial room brightly lit with the daylight of morning that peeped cheerfully through the window shutters. Armchairs and a bed lined with deep mattresses were strewn, eyeing them invitingly with promise of ease and comfort.

'It's nice here,' commented Tîwele to Varsis as they walked inside. 'Please sit or lie down, and have some rest before you decide to do venture after your friend. If you resolve to find her wounded as you are, the wound will take over, sooner or later.'

She herself took an armchair close to the bed. 'I do not want you to collapse on the road far from help, knowing you are hurt. Maybe Erelith would have the sense to come back and find you? I do not know how she intended to keep you from harm by tying you to a lone tree in the wilderness. If it were not for our guards, I cannot imagine what might have happened last night, especially with nightly beasts on the prowl.' She shuddered.

Tîwele got up for an instant. 'What you need is some healing herbs,' she said. 'I will see if I can find some in the gardens.'

With that, she left the room. Letting herself through the glass shuttered door into the herb gardens, an immediate essence of refreshment filled her senses. Approaching the far corner of the garden that lay directly beneath the windowsill of the caring wing where Varsis waited, she stooped and lightly plucked several leaves of the sweet athelas plant. When she returned, she saw that Varsis had lain himself down upon the bed and appeared to be staring towards the ceiling.

'I found some,' she said, alerting him to her return and held up the fragrant leaves that lay in her palm. 'It is lucky for you that we frequently grow the athelas in our gardens.' As she poured and laid the leaves in a steaming bowl of hot water, immediate calm fell upon the room as the fragrance drifted slowly throughout the chamber. Tîwele breathed in the sweet scent with relish, and brought the bowl to the bedside.

'I think once we bathe your wound with this herb, your hurts will wear away and you will feel refreshed straightaway. It may even heal in due time. You need some rest right now. Once you feel better, we will go down and talk to my father.'

She was glad that Varsis had not questioned her about their whereabouts. She knew he had probably suspected her words the day they had met had been untruthful. It was to protect him from straying anywhere near, for his safety, she murmured to herself. Though that attempt had been vain, she nonetheless could not predict what would happen to him now he was here. She could not deny that she was beginning to like him, and after what he had admitted to her, she felt he deserved some truth from her, in due time.

She knelt beside the bed and held out the cloth, which she dipped lightly in the sweetened water. 'May I?'

[*grins* I think I have a large part of those interconnected secrets of hers worked out ;) ... Now you'll have to guess what they are... *hums and looks annoyingly knowing*]

“Of course,” Varsis said, yet again having to pull off his shirt so she could properly tend to it without the annoyance of trying to pull his sleeve up that far. He felt a cold draft of air against his bare, defined and pale skin bushing is off as he lay there.

“I think she would have not left me as such, if she hadn’t suspected of this place.” Varsis came to a conclusion out loud, thinking logically she had assumed there was a hidden city. “I found her just outside it, though she still had not yet reached the gates, or the pathway down. So, all in all, I was safe.” Varsis laughed at this, “Well for the most part that is.” He remembered their hospitality upon coming here.

“Let’s hope she’s still alright as well.” Varsis knew Erelith wouldn’t last against another attack Meren sent, and all alone. They would kill her, or take her captive no doubt.

“Did they take my mare in as well? Your guards…” Varsis wondered if his horse was still wandering, out looking for her master. He couldn’t help but look around, wondering how the city had stayed in secret for so long. Though, he supposed everyone had their own ways of concealing things they didn’t want people to know about. Varsis felt like a million questions were overwhelming him, wanting to know all about the place he’d been brought to.

“How have you managed to stay in hiding all this long? It’s nearly impossible I’d think.” Varsis started to say, feeling his thoughts trail off into other ones. “I could never stand by and watch the rest of Middle-Earth fall to…” Varsis stopped himself, knowing he’d probably already said too much. “I suppose though when you live here you’d have little reason to fight. Even Sauron has no idea this place exists, so how could it fall to him? Unfortunate we aren’t all that lucky.” Varsis let his free arm wander to the hilt of his blade, remembering how hard it was to keep fighting, though he wouldn’t have had it any other way.

“If you’ll satisfy my curiosity,” Varsis felt he couldn’t contain his questions, his prying. “I’m curious to know the lineage of this place. Perhaps Moriquendi, or …” Varsis felt himself fall silent, unknowing what the history of her city would be, nor the lineage.

---------

Erelith had headed far off now, leading her stallion downwards towards the bottom of a hill. “Well, it’s just me and you now, mellon.”

Morernil seemed to know what she was saying, and nickered at the words nudging his mistress affectionately in the shoulder, though it nearly made her lose her balance. She let out a long sigh, wondering what was ahead for her, though at the same time dreading the thought.

'This city...' said Tîwele, struggling to find the words, 'I have dwelt here all my life. Órelindë, we call it, in the High Elven Speech, which I know is rarely used in this age of the world. But we seldom have dealings with other Elves nowadays, and men, hardly. My people keep mostly to themselves, and since the days of Radhein, one of my kin who lived long ago, we have adopted the speech, partly because of our ancient longing to see the two trees of Valinor, which none of my ancestors had the joy to behold. In those days, they feared and shunned the sea, but we have changed. Yet there are those who have not.' She paused, beguiled by some hateful memory at the mention of these words.

'This city was built only in the days of my grandfather. My father told me that we had never settled and built a majesty of our own in all our existence, though the Eld-' she trailed off, then continued in a stronger tone, 'though the other Elves built many. Órelindë became our motherland. For the first time, we symbolised something other than what others originally thought us to be. But in my father's youth, rumours such as that that spread over all of Middle-earth reached us concerning the brooding power yonder East. I guess, fearing the rising of a new Dark Lord that had once sent a large part of our people into darkness...' She did not know whether Varsis would be able to understand her words. It pained her to speak them.

'...We hated their ways, what they became. My people summoned all that was in their ability to hide our kingdom, to protect it forever more from the evils of the world. We had already wounded, and we wanted nought more to do with the wars of Arda. So you see that it was not strictly my fault I told an untruth when we first met, I could only abide by the laws. Many countless seasons have passed since that decision was made, and our existence and the existence of this kingdom, to mortals especially, has become legend once more. I will not be surprised if we are not remembered any longer, but there are those of the Elves who know us. The rare few, even, know the entrances that we have worked long to keep secret, and you are one of them. Most of them are our allies, apart from those we did not invite... and I hope I have not judged wrong the fact that you are a friend, too.'

As she washed Varsis' wounds with her gentle touch, she found her gaze shifting upwards to search Varsis' eyes. She realised as soon as she met them, however, that she regretted doing so. Sadness overwhelmed her being once again, such that she had not felt, or forced herself to not feel, for many seasons. It needed all her willpower to not let tears escape her eyes. That dark dusk when she met Varsis and her companion for the first time, she had fled once. She did not know whether she had the will left to escape any longer. She looked away, wishing she were alone. She did not know how to tell Varsis, nor any of those she thought she had once trusted. Her old wound ached within her, and her heart was dying.

A deep sigh escaped her, and she forced herself to keep talking despite her inner pain. 'We... hoped that Sauron knew nothing of this place, and pray he will never find out. The borders are strong, yet against the growing evil, I do not know how long it will stand. For, if all fell, if the power of the Elves failed, where then, would there ever remain a safe sanctuary here on Middle-earth? They, many of the firstborn, are granted the passage into the West, so that they may seek refuge by taking ship to the undying haven of Valinor, but where is there a safe haven to those whose passage there is eternally denied? The Valar may, in time, have the heart to accept those whose deeds were wrongly accused, but who knows when that will be? Maybe we will live to see these times through.'

She found herself speaking more than she intended, but the hurt was no less. How much does Varsis know? Tenderly, she bound his arm with a clean cloth, and sat back, letting the scent of the Athelas relieve them both.

[Everything will become clear eventually :) *wants to cry*]

[Damn you Varsis, always trying to be the hero. Ah, but it’s why love you so. :D…that compassion and understanding for everything.]

“Your have my word I will tell no one of this place,” Varsis knew how much it meant to her that he keep this secret.

“If there is anything I can do -” Varsis began, stopping Tîwele from what she was doing and holding a hand to her chin, making her eyes look straight back into his dark blue ones.

“I wish you no harm, nor to your people. Ask anything of me and it will be done to prove myself honorable.” Varsis finished, wanting Tîwele to know he was a friend, and that she could easily trust him. He felt the need to prove himself upright and just, undeceiving through her eyes and anyone else’s who questioned his honor. Varsis pulled back his hand from her cheek and placed both over her own hands, looking into her eyes genuinely.

“If you feel your place is here,” Varsis said pausing for a moment, “then I am no one to tell you otherwise. As for me, I cannot idly sit by and watch the people I love and care about stand against such evil without me there by their side to fight with them.” Varsis stood to his feet and smiled, pulling his shirt back over his now bandaged arm, and well defined torso. He adjusted his belt to that his sword laid by his side once more, smiling reassuringly at Tîwele.

“The riders yesterday were not after your city, so have no worries – it would seem Sauron’s overlooked it.” Varsis said, feeling the need to explain the situation to her. “They were after one thing, and only one thing.” Varsis let out a long sigh and sat down again, it was his turn to tell his own set of tales.

“My companion, Erelith,” Varsis began, hoping she was still alright out there alone, at the same time he knew she was able to take care of herself. “The riders were after her. That’s why I can’t let her go on alone. She’ll get surrounded, though I’m sure she’ll convince me otherwise, she can’t stand up alone to such forces.”

“Her father Meren is after her. We were supposed to confront him together, but as you can see, she kind of left me stranded.” There was a tiny hint of resentment in Varsis’ voice as he said it, though he quickly hid that. “She would not only be confronting that, but perhaps Sauron himself, and all alone if I don’t find her before she reaches Amon Lanc.”

“I know from what I’ve told you it would seem she can’t be trusted,” Varsis began lowly, letting his eyes fall downwards. “But when it comes down to it, Erelith has a good heart, and the best of intentions. She just doesn’t see it like most I suppose.” He scoffed a little at this, a few memories drifting through his head.

“Erelith never had much of the freedom you or I take for granted everyday.” Varsis let his dark blue eyes fall back on Tîwele, “She was born in Barad-dur,” Varsis hesitated wondering if he should have said it, “but hopefully I can trust that this will stay between the two of us?” He asked, letting out a little sigh, “She doesn’t really like it when other people know about her….past. I’m one of three she’s probably only ever told.” Varsis felt like he was being disloyal to Erelith’s wishes, and fell into a deafening silence.

'I understand,' nodded Tîwele, though a momentary shadow passed across her face when Barad-dûr was mentioned as the birthplace of Erelith. A dark question rose in her thoughts, one that she did not want to address, could she be of of them? 'I will keep this a secret. But I also trust that in return, you should keep secret the fact that you have been here and travelled within these walls, even from Erelith. I know she must be close to you, but she must not know.'

These last words she emphasised. Despite Varsis' claims of Erelith's goodness, she brooded in dark doubt now in the wake of Varsis' last words. Is she one to be trusted? If her misgivings proved true, she knew she would not, could not accept the fact... could not accept her. She had seemed friendly enough at first, she reasoned, before the thought hit her, Where did she disappear to? Who was the one who attempted to track me? Surely not Varsis? She gave him a slightly quizzical look, but turned away lest he wonder. She cast these thoughts away and turned back to him.

'If we can persuade my father to let you go, you may leave... if your heart lies truly with Erelith,' she said slowly. She knew old passion had seized her unchecked the moment they had met again for the second time. She did not yield the power to force Varsis to stay, but neither had she the will to let him go.

'But you speak of freedom,' she said. 'In that, either you misunderstand me or I have not told you what I ought... this city has always been a protective border for me, my home for all of my life. Yet I am ill at ease here. For as long as I have known, I have always abided here, and have not travelled the wide lands that stretch far beyond its limits. I may have gone to places, when I was young, but I do not remember those days now. They only appear, sometimes, in my dreams, those happy days that are lost now, when this family lived in reunion. Since... my mother went away, my father has become a changed man. I wish I could say I were content in this sanctuary that promises lasting safety, but in his attempt to protect me he has enclosed me here. Sometimes, I feel like a caged bird longing to fly free, with a thread tied to my ankle that may for a small while permit me to fly, but sooner or later it tightens, and I can go no further but turn back.

Some nights I seek solitude in the woods near here without my father's leave. Túrelië, one of the guards and my noble friend, secretly grants me access to the entrance on evenings, with the promise that I return before dusk descends. His kindness is the reason that I may for awhile breathe the free air. I cherish those nights, and yet they are but a mockery of what I do not have. But I may not stray far, for if my father ever found I were gone, he would send archers skilled at tracking after me. There is nowhere I can go, far enough for them to never find me. After the initial loss of my mother, which devastated us all, my father was cast into despair. He sorely misses her still, because in truth he loved her more than anything else in the world. He believes that he protects me from harm by shutting me from the world, but in truth I know he is unwilling to let me go, for I am the only one he feels he has left. He fears to lose me the same way he lost my mother.

Though I know he means the best, I cannot be happy here. No, my place cannot be here when my happiness lies elsewhere. And yet, I do not know whether it is for me to choose to leave the kingdom, and my father, if were able to follow my longing. I feel torn.

In sadness, I possess not the freedom that you speak of,' she said, turning away sadly. A trace of longing passed across her eyes. It relieved her to speak her thoughts out loud to Varsis, a silent listener but a presence who comforted her.

***
Whether one day and night, or several, had passed as they talked, Tîwele could not tell, nor did she feel she wanted it to end. Although several times during the course of the period she was with Varsis, she heard her name called occasionally, the voices seemed removed and far away, and she did not feel inclined to heed them... All she knew was that she was lost in a daydream, and had lost the power to pull herself from its grasp.

Varsis nodded in understanding to Tîwele’s words, “It’s unfortunate for both of you. Whether it is being cooped up here, or as Erelith’s situation was, both are just as terrible. I am grateful for my parents.” He grinned at this, as if recalling some fond memories of his kin.

“They do not always approve of my decisions, but they will always love me just the same. My mother sometimes tends to think I’m still her little boy.” He laughed, recalling how his mother would always try to straighten his hair whenever he visited, acting so overprotecting, but in the end Varsis knew it was merely because she loved him as a mother should her son.

“At least you see your kin daily, for that I envy you just a little. Several winters have passed and I have not seen my parents, or my siblings. My sister should be all grown up now, last time I saw her she could barely walk on her own two feet.” Varsis smiled, remembering his little sister’s first steps. “Though, I told her she had four all the time.” He said with a fiendishly mischievous tone to his voice.

“I remember this one winter, when I was still quite young I locked my father out in the cold.” Varsis felt his face flush, but he laughed none the less. “He told me I thought it was all very amusing at the time. I made faces through the window, just as any fiendish child would.” He flashed a smile, still quite proud of his childhood accomplishments. “I think he was ready to murder me when he got back inside the house.”

“I never could keep attention enough to behave.” He laughed lightly again, but there was a longing in the words how much he missed his own family, and how much he wanted to return home at times. “I don’t know how my mother dealt with me as a small child; I was quite a handful. I doubt she’ll ever think otherwise of me.” He flashed another smile, thinking at the same time perhaps he would finally be able to visit his family this year for longer than he had the previous time.

“Ah, enough about me,” Varsis broke off and stood to his feet. He always hated talking about himself feeling conceited in telling the smallest parts of his own life in any situation.

“Thank you.” He said, letting a warm smile come over his face as he put a firm arm to his wounded one in reference. “Perhaps I could repay the debt by gaining your freedom?” There seemed a doubt in the air for a moment, and then Varsis finished his words. “I have been in worse situations before,” Varsis started, pulling the sleeve up his arm and turning it over to show a thin scar. “The first of many, so it would seem to me exchanging words usually prove easier than battle.” He laughed a little at this, knowing it was easier in fact to exchange even a heated discussion instead of a few cuts and bruises, or worse. Even sitting and rotting in a cell proved better than swordplay at times, having roguish tendencies in his younger years paid off in those situations.

--------

The sun was slowly finding its way into the afternoon sky, and Erelith’s dark eyes found their way to the horizon, already regretting her impulsive behavior. She scoffed a little at this, remembering it was a familiar feeling, one that always found it’s way to her after she’d done something rash. Halting her steps she looked over her shoulder, wondering if for a moment she should turn back. It hit her that her actions probably hurt herself more than Varsis was feeling presently, and her face was lined with remorse over it. Erelith wondered if she would see him again, whether it was after this was all over, or they would meet up again before she made it there. Tears welled up behind her eyes, but none managed to escape and roll down her cheeks. She let out a downhearted, long sigh and stroked Morernil a few times along the neck.

“I don’t think I should have done that, mellon.” Erelith looked to her black horse for confirmation, as if he could understand her. Morernil let out a snort and tossed his mane back and forth over his neck as if telling her it was a bad decision as well. Erelith’s second thoughts seemed to fade after that, and she turned back around to continue on her way.

Tîwele felt the hint of a thin smile cross her lips as she listened to Varsis' mischievious childhood antics. She felt she could almost picture in her mind's eye a much younger Varsis, plotting schemes and going about his roguish ways. The thought enlightened her.

Absentmindedly, she gazed out the open window, from which a steady draft of warm Summer's air flowed. She listened to the sweet chirping of birds somewhere in the distance as the gentle breeze played across her face. They brought back to her the memories of sunny Springtime days from long ago. Things were not as they were. Then, she had been but a child, an alien in the world, and carefree. Happiness was a thing she possessed. But her world now was tainted by bygone sorrow, loss and passion. Bitter things of the past she had tried to overcome, but in those times when she felt almost vulnerable to heartbreak, they still managed to overcome her desperate flights of escape. The locket that told the tale of her remorse lay still locked, hidden away in the darkest corner of her sunlit chamber. She had left it unopened, and unwept for, for too long. Many nights, she fought over silent tears, lamenting in her heartache. It lay now, untouched, its owner fighting for its symbolism to be forgotten. It lay encased in a thin layer of dust. If only dust had the power to envelope memories.

She sighed with relish. Freedom. It was an overpowering longing that had knawed at her almost her entire life. If I could stray out into the sunshine, wander the rich pastures again... I would not for the world encompass my desire to leave here. I would wander the open fields again, dance beneath the arch of the rainbow, gladly fly free as rain comes lashing down in torrents, and let the coldness seep into my skin. But what aid could Varsis give to me?

'I cannot deny my desire for freedom,' she told Varsis. 'I could never survive another day within these walls. This palace chains me inside, hides me from the world. I do not love the boundaries that enclose me. I want to walk where I will, and where my stray feet lead me, not take a forsaken path chosen for me by others. But there, I am lost. However much desire overwhelms reason, I cannot leave. I am chained, physically to this place, and emotionally, to my family and my blood kin.'

Suddenly, she felt like screaming her frustrations to the world, to the silent Elf that sat beside her, intent on willing him to do something. But she did not know what he possibly had against all the might of Órelindë. She felt powerless, as one was rooted in the thickets of a wild bushland. She could watch the days pass, the wind howl, the animals scamper into their burrows as the onslaught of night came on, but she herself was powerless to move. A puppet, dangling on strings that belonged in the hands of her director, the gods of her passageway. What is there to do but treat with reason?

'But I cannot stay here. My life's essence does not belong here.' She stared, unseeing into the distance. Her eyes glimpsed the last sight she had of him. Though she ceaselessly denied it, his departure had lain deep within her, and she bitterly repented her decision. And someday, I will find you. She stared downwards, refusing to stare Varsis in the eye. She could not stare into those bottomless depths and see see reflected there her own self, she would not, lest fresh tears well once more from her eyes. 'If you will help me,' she finally managed, 'Maybe we can reason with my father to free both of us. I refuse to believe that he has not a thread of compassion left. Perhaps there is a shred of chance he will let us go... He must, for my mother's sake.'

Tîwele fell silent. She had not yet spoken of her mother in front of Varsis, but the thought of her calmed her at that point in time. Her gaze drifted aimlessly to the window once more. She was surprised to see that the light was not still at his fullest.

It seemed morning not that long ago, but as they had talked, the day had slowly trickled away, and now, as the deepness of a young dusk was starting to descend, she realised that the daylight was already beginning to fail. 'But that must wait until morning,' she added with a sigh.

'We have talked long,' Tîwele said. 'Are you feeling any better? No doubt the athelas has relieved me greatly,' she smiled. 'Do you feel fit to visit the dining hall with me? I do not know when you last ate, but you must be famished... and I am sure a traveller such as yourself would be most welcome. If my father questions,' she paused, her face darkening slightly, 'You are a dear friend of Túrelië, and thus, mine also. I did not recognise you in your guise this morning.'

[Varsis isn't a... dark elf, is he? I should probably check his bio, because I can't remember. He'd better not be, because he'll cleave her bleeding heart in two if he is... :'( ]

As the two walked away they didn´t notice that they were beeing watched.
Elissa looked after them and was asking her self if she should fallow them.
she took a deep breath and started wakking..

Varsis couldn’t help but bear a smile when he saw that Tîwele was amused at his antics. Varsis stood to his feet, tall and straight. His long hair was shining like silver moonlight, and his face was ageless, neither old nor young, but across his face was written things both glad and sorrowful. Varsis’ face was young and fearless and full of joy, and his voice like a deep calming music.

Varsis seemed to sit there, as if all sense of time had stopped for him. There was such beauty in Tîwele that Varsis had never seen before, nor imagined in his mind. For a moment he found himself outwardly staring, and a little confused with his feelings. Though he understood fair enough it was a fool who looked for logic in the chambers of the human heart. He felt nervous, and in a moment his clear blue eyes were looking down at the floor, face flushed with a shame he had been boldly watching her.

‘Forgive me.’ His voice was very small, and soft, and he found himself quickly failing in even the slightest words. There was something different about how he seemed to be taken around Tîwele that left him speechless. ‘We should,’ He began to say, stumbling over his words, ‘...get moving.’ He gestured to the door and stood suddenly as if hot embers were under his feet

Varsis let Tîwele go before him, as ladies should, closing the door of the room behind them. They found their way down the long hall, and into the previous room where Tîwele first found him. The hall was empty now, but it seemed it could have been enough to fill all sorts: Elves for the most part, though probably a few other guests if the situation arose. Varsis found his bright blue eyes wandering over to the King, Tîwele’s father. He could tell from afar he revealed himself as a lord of dignity and power. Above his brow, his head was covered with a cap of silver lace wrought in silver glittering leaves. He seemed as a king crowned with many passing winters, a lord among the elves here in Órelindë.

Before they could approach her father, one of the guards put a hand against Varsis’ chest for him to stop where he was. His clear blue eyes found their way toward the guard, soon realizing he was to surrender his sword if he wanted to go any further. He eyed Tîwele’s father for a moment before pulling the sword from its sheath and handing it over.

Varsis made his way to the king, studying him for a moment or two with a high head. The words Tîwele had spoken about him still echoed through his head. Then, finally a soft smile came across Varsis’ lips and he lowered his eyes and his head to show his respect.

Erelith found she could go no further, and sat against the edge of a rock nearly embedded into the back of a tree. She let out a long sigh, the guilt overwhelming her that she could leave Varsis behind in his condition. She knew all too well why she had done it, but now the second thoughts were beginning to sink slowly in.

‘Mellon, I believe it’s time to turn back.’ She said, stroking the soft edge of Morernil’s black nose as he nickered her and nudged her off her balance, sniffing her over for food. Erelith broke into a smile, and couldn’t help but laugh at this as she stood on her feet. Mounting him, she took hold of his mane strongly and gripped him around the sides as they took off. The thoughts of something happening to Varsis began to set in, if she found the bonds loose and his presence all but disappeared.

When they arrived, her suspicions were confirmed, and all trace of Varsis was gone. Even the bonds she had set him against. Dismounting, she found herself beginning to get infuriated with anger, at her own self, and whatever had caused his disappearance. Her chest heaved with anger, and she swiftly pulled the knife from its sheath and slammed it into the tree where he was supposed to have been. Hot tears stung her face, and she forced them back and wiped them away with her long sleeve. She let out an enraged scream as the knife jammed itself into the nearby tree, and she could feel the hate overwhelming her. Whether it was by Meren’s hands or not, someone would pay. Though, at the same time she knew it was her own fault for risking leaving him there. She could feel her own self, all her criticizing thought beginning to pick away at her slowly. She was her own worst critic.

It was then she reminded her self of who she was, what she was. The daughter of a cold, heartless murderer. She refused to let the hate overwhelm her as it did Meren, letting his heart turn to complete ice. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the thoughts, sliding her back against the tree. When she opened them again, the brimmed with tears and burned like a wildfire, still choking the tears down. It was then Erelith thought the worst.

Elissa had been watching everything from where she was hidden, disguised as one of the guards. The diseppearing of Varsis made her more determinded to fulfill the plan.
she watched the princess and smiled to her self.
Soon, all her hard work would pay off.
Herion would be pleased when he would hear how well she had been doing her mission. He would presumably give her a raise. But for this missin, gold ment nothing to Elissa. All she could think of was revenge.
And when she would have it, it would be like having a birthdayparty.
She smiled to her self and observed the princess.

Tîwele, with Varsis by her side, approached the throne of Lólindir. As they did so, her father narrowed his eyes to survey his new company, and it seemed to Tîwele that he opened his mouth as if to speak some word, but decidedly acted against it. Instead, he threw his arms open in a gesture of welcome, smiling, as he would to a son and daughter, as he greeted them.

'Ah, Tîwele, my daughter,' the elderly king acknowledged as she drew near. 'I see you are accompanied by our visitor.'

He turned to Varsis as he said this, eyes widening ever so slightly as he ran his eyes over Varsis' face for the first time, for his features were no longer overshadowed by cloak or hood. As Tîwele watched her father, she noticed a hint of surprise cross his aged face, but it quickly passed, to be replaced by a smile. She could not be sure what the expression she had read in the King's face meant, though she knew that, at that moment in time, a part of Varsis that might have triggered in him a strand of recognition was the last thing she wanted.

Hoping her expression remained perfectly neutral, though her fluttering heart felt far from this, she answered him. 'Yes, father.'

'I hope he is rested and refreshened now,' said the King. A greatly knowing look crossed his face as he chuckled and said to Varsis, 'It almost made me wonder whether Tîwele had already met you before this day by the way she hastened to tend to you this morning. I see she has already taken to trusting in you.'
Tîwele gazed at him, startled, though she remained silent.

'I trust that you feel a little better than you did earlier?' He continued.

Tîwele did not see Varsis nod in answer. She had turned away, now contemplating her father's earlier words. Already met before this day... Surely, that could either mean that Túrelië had betrayed her secret, or... he knew part of, if not all of what she had strived to keep locked and hidden for so many years. Her thoughts strayed to the hollow wooden chest away in a shadowy corner of her bed chamber, empty save for one small treasure, and a scripted scroll. The chest's key remained still with her, and she had left it still unopened for long years. Impossible, almost, for someone unbidden to descry its contents without its right key unless they forcefully jarred the lock or dashed the chest itself to pieces. No one in Órelindë could be as desperate to force open her treasures, even in the miniscule likelihood that they might have knowledge of the items it kept within, for these were sentimental to Tîwele, and her only.

'...Please forgive the harsh behaviour of the guards,' Lólindir's voice carried across her thoughts. 'They, nor me for that matter, knew your purpose or origin. Though that still remains to be known.' He surveyed Varsis questioningly, before turning to his daughter again. 'Or perhaps, Tîwele knows already the answer to this, and might tell us?'

Tîwele's heart pounded in her chest. He could not possibly... 'I...'

Forcefully reassuring herself that this statement carried no deeper meaning than simply curiosity about Varsis, she said in a voice as calm as she could muster, 'No, I do not think he has yet told me.'

'Well, there will indeed be a time when we must discuss these matters thoroughly, to gain a better understanding of our visitor... But for the moment, let us not delay the prospect of tea any longer, for there are others waiting.' He gestured to the well lit dining hall past the doorway of the hall where they now stood. He turned to Varsis, 'I invite you to dine with us tonight. Afterwards, maybe we will allow some time for talk. Let us go.'

Tîwele and Varsis accompanied the King from the throne room. 'I do not rightly believe I have yet asked you for your name, above other matters?' Lólindir asked Varsis as they left.

The Dining Hall ahead was illuminated by the bright light enamating from two golden chandeliers of grandeur that hung from the glass patternwork of the ceiling. Through the misty glass, Tîwele saw that dim night was beginning to descend on the world, and darkened clouds were shifting slowly across the sky. Perhaps there would be a storm in the night. Tîwele shifted a fleeting glance at Varsis, and felt slightly uneasy, though whether the prospect of what awaited them afterwards or some other misgiving that troubled her, she did not know. The great table was already laid, its beautiful elven carvings, in Tîwele's eyes always a great source of admiration for the talented craftsmen who had sculpted the fine piece of furniture in her younger years. On it were ladden a lavish variety of light foods on glass platters, and around the great table, many of the household were already seated. Túrelië, she saw and several others of the main guard, including one of the archers, Anithrawyn, who she had always admired greatly, as well as several maids. With the familiar pang that she felt almost every night as she sat in this familar hall, her eyes involuntarily gazed upon the empty chair opposite her father, the place where her mother would seat herself, in the days when she was still here. Casting her mind forcibly away from this painful fact, she gestured for Varsis to take her lead as they seated themselves in the empty places left for them.

'Do not trouble with politeness,' she told him. 'You are now a guest, and at home here, for now.'

[Karo, see the Amon Lanc OOC thread ^^]

In the same moment Elissa was sitting in a dark room and a man in front of her. "Is everything going as we planned..?" he asked with a dark voice.

"Yes, the King is not suspicious and the princess hasn´t noticed that she is being followed." Elisssa answered with a voice with absolutley no emotion.

"...and the man who is with her?" the man asked.

"He looks like a good fighter..but he won´t stand a chance aginst our men..they would be to many." she said, confident.

"I hope you are right." he answered. Then he looked at her with his blue eyes that looked like ice and smiled. But the smile didn't reach his eyes.Elissa caught herself shiver.

"Are you cold?" ha asked still looking her into her eyes.

"No I am not.." she answered but she know that he knew that she was lying. He suddenly stood up and walked over to her. He put a hand on her shoulder.

"Are you hesitating?" he asked.

"I just dont understand why the princ-"but she was interrupted.

"I've already explainned to you all that, don´t you trust me..?" he asked her with anger.

"Yes I do, you know i do..." she answered eagerly.

"Yes..I know you do," he said warmly "I'm the only person in this world that you can trust too," he whispered in her ears. Elissa felt a tickling through her back.

"Yes, you are the only one that I can trust." she whispered.

"Go and continue working, we will talk later." he said and returned to his chair. Elissa closed the door behind her.

'Yes he was the only one she trusted..' she thought.

...and she would do anything for him.

Quite unexpectedly, Varsis was put on the spot to answer his intentions. He had merely assumed Tîwele would do so for him, and found he felt slighted just a little when confronted about it. For a moment Varsis paused, and let out a mental sigh that he did not await a sudden answer from him. He looked to Tîwele, meeting her eyes for a fleeting moment before letting his own thoughts trail off with the King’s words echoing through his head. In a sudden moment, he realized he was being motivated for a name and introduction.

“Ah,” He started suddenly, “Varsis.” He said with a refined tone.

The doors were thrown open, and Varsis found he paused for a moment, letting his blue eyes stray to the glass ceiling. He was struck with a sense of awe; every detail of the room was not left untouched by intricate elvish design. I all his elf years, this marked the first time Varsis had been in the presence of real nobility. There was such a sense of beauty in it all, and for a moment Varsis felt a twinge of envy against her. Suddenly Varsis felt small compared to the people aside him, he was but a mere wanderer, with nothing to offer. There was an instant where Varsis felt as if he had strayed into some beautiful dream he never wanted to awaken from.

Placing his hand against the wall he held himself up as to not lose balance while he took in the enormous room. His eyes strayed to the table laid out with the vast amount of food, and his eyes quickly found their way to Tîwele’s. He smiled, entertained by every detail around him.
****
Erelith shot her head up; between her thoughts something strayed in the distance. At first she could see little, dusk had begun to settle in and she seemed to be in a world of shadow and mist now. Far into the distance, between the thick trees something moved. The tears moving down her face halted to a stop, and she stood to her feet. As she looked northward, the visions began to get clearer.
****
Varsis found his feet walking toward the feast, escorting Tîwele as he pulled a seat out for her. He took the seat aside from her, he felt himself stiffen on what he should do next, and he awaited further instruction.
****
The world seemed to have shrunk and fallen into a deafening silence around Erelith. The mist that had strayed in beneath her feet made her uneasy, and the heart inside her chest pounded nervously. Her dark eyes darted around the darkness, searching nervously through the mist and shadow. Erelith wondered if death lay in the black darkness for her this night, passing thoughts of wanting to see the next sunrise were all too familiar now. The howling of wolves was now all around her, sometimes nearer and sometimes further off. In the shadow of night many shining eyes were seen peering over the brow of the hill. A great dark wolf-shape could be seen halted, gazing at her. A shuddering howl broke from him, as if summoning others to attack.

Erelith strode forward, curling her knife inside a tight grip. “Listen well!” She shouted, the wolf was within ear range of her shouts. “I will shrivel you from tail to snout if you come within range of my reach! So fly if you value your foul skin.” She hissed out the last words. Truth was, she doubted she could take on the large wolf on her own, especially if he decided to bring friends. The wolf snarled and sprang forward with a giant leap. There was a hideous cry from it, and the leaping shape bore a pair of dripping, hungry fangs at her.

Erelith grabbed it by its thick furred coat, and shoved her knife into its very gut. Another cry rang out from it and it thudded to the ground, its watching eyes promptly distinguished. Erelith strode forward, ignoring the mess she’d made on the hand gripping her blood-stained knife. The hill seemed to be deserted now; whatever Erelith had thought she saw was now gone. All about her the darkness grew into a deafening silence, and no cry came in the sighing wind.

The night was beginning to grow old, and westward the waning moon was setting, gleaming fitfully through the breaking clouds. Erelith had set a camp up where she had left Varsis previously, in hopes she would see him again soon. The fire was just beginning to die down, the embers still sparking the last of their light. Suddenly, Erelith startled from her sleep. Without warning, a storm of howls broke out, fierce and wild all around her. A great number of wolves had gathered silently and were now attacking her from every side at once. Quickly, Erelith stood to her feet as if the dying embers were under her. She took hold of her knife, passing it through the throat of one huge wolf. Another leapt at her, and with one great sweep she took the head off another. They all growled, bearing their teeth and lunged at her together. She let out a piercing cry that could be heard a good length off, and tried to find the strength within herself to even crawl away before she became wolf food.

Deep cuts seared their way into her legs and arms and with one move she stuck her knife into the belly of a wolf just over her. Erelith was bleeding in several places now from deep scrapes from the wolf-creatures. She let the wolf fall over her, its large body protecting her from the others while they remained. How is it I get myself into these situations? She let out a long sigh, as if disappointed and half wondering where Varsis was when she needed him the most. She held her knife in close to her body and waited for what seemed like hours passing for the wolves to leave. Finally, they seemed to stray thinking she was finally done in after no sign of her moving.

She pushed the now lifeless body of the wolf off her, and saw the others eyes still glinting at her in the distance. She made her move quickly, rising to her feet and limping into a run. Blood lashed out from her wounds, and her strength was beginning to fade quickly. In her last moments, she found she cried loudly for Varsis, calling his name in the darkness. Erelith was no match for the speed of the large strides of the wolf pack, and they quickly found their way to gnawing at her ankles. She doubted now they were merely wolves, the size alone was unnatural, as was their vicious nature. Her heart pounded, as if ready to jump right through her chest. Erelith found her way to a thin, trodden path and fell to her knees from her weakened state overwhelming her. The let out a long groan of pain, letting her head hit to the ground.

Pulling the other knife from her sheath, she let out the last of her strength with her better hand and gutted the last two wolves that had followed her. Her hand slammed against the ground, the light elvish blade now feeling the heaviest it had ever felt in her hand before. Long, deep cuts were strewn up her legs and arms and through it the clothes had been torn nearly to shreds. In the name of Elbereth, someone better find me. A pool of warm blood was forming just under her from all the wounds, and her body felt numb and frozen in its place. The ends of her once long white hair were beginning to stain red. She was beginning to tremble and she felt as if death was about to take her over. I’m fine. I’m just fine. She fought through her thoughts, knowing she always made things out to be worse than they actually happened to be at times. Don’t panic. You’re fine.

She laid aside the path, somewhere between it and a rocky crevice. The stream she had passed on the way was laid with traces of her dark blood, and there was a long thick trail of blood that had dripped into the grass below. Finally, Erelith was alone as she wished it, and it was the one time she wished she hadn’t. There was nothing more she could have wanted than for Varsis to be by her side at that very moment. Her head rolled to one side and the life in her eyes rolled back and she passed into darkness.

[She’s outside Tîwele’s city; I had no idea on how to mention it without making it abrupt. Perhaps a guard could find her? Awwh. Poor Ere’s torn to shreds nearly. Stupid werewolves! *growls and bites them back* Ohh, you know, that makes things interesting…I mean, if she didn’t get healed properly or something Ere’ would be a big bad wolfie ;) ]

Elissa had just recieved the news from one of the spies, Erelith was in the forest outside the city wounded. Angry with her self, she saddled her horse and took a couple of men with her and rode away to find her.

"I hope she's not dead or he would kill me.." she thought.

They arrived to what looked like Erelith's camp, not far off laid a dead wolf. Elissa understood what had happened and sent out the guards to find her. She started searching after her as well and followed some traces, it was clear that she had been hunted. Soon the traces became bloody...

Elissa found her laying on the ground between some trees. She was badly wounded and needed healing very fast. She wasn´t that good with the healing part and made fast a desision. Erelith was mumbling and unconscious..she called for her horse and ride with Erelith back to the city and to him. Silently she was hoping that it wouldn't be to late, and that Erelith wouldn´t wake up. No one would no what had happened, they would think that she was killed by the wolves.

Shadow overtook Erelith as she laid over side the back of Elissa’s horse. She was still slightly aware of someone carrying her, someone had found her, but she could sense nothing beyond that. She fought to open her eyes, but found she could barely even move her body without a searing pain. An unnatural wave came over her limp body; the bleeding began to slow to a sudden halt.

Any traces of the wolves were not to be found now, even if a search went far and wide across the hills near it. The remnants of a fight remained however, and the consequences. They were no ordinary wolves, hunting for mere food in the darkness. The weather changed suddenly, as if under the command of some power. A drenching rain poured down, washing against her wounds and cleaning the tattered clothes Erelith wore. This cold sensation against her skin woke her.

All trace of the Erelith anyone had known to be, was gone now. Her eyes had turned an unnatural golden-green, with a slit of black in the center. Thoughts raged in her mind, primal thoughts, and a hunger. Wolves cried out from the shadows as if knowing she had awoken, and they were ready to come and retrieve her as one of their own. Their eyes glinted from the darkness, not too far off and watching, waiting for Erelith to join them. The moon above filtered through the black clouds, just visible through the thick canopy of the trees. The wind and the rain picked up against them, stinging her pale skin.

Without warning, Erelith leapt from the back side of Elissa’s horse, landing on her own two feet. She paused with her knees bent, leaning into the stance and her arms folded just over her upper thighs hanging inward, as if ready to attack. The bleeding had come to a halt all together on Erelith, and some of the smaller wounds were beginning to heal on their own accord slowly.

Erelith watched Elissa intently, emitting a low vicious growl at her. It grew louder as the seconds passed, and finally Erelith stole away at her horse shoving it off its balance and onto its side. The horse screamed out of fright and terror, trying to defy the ground and rise to its feet helplessly again. There was a sudden loud snap of the legs, and the horse screamed louder crying in pain now, and knowing it would never walk again. Enraged Erelith went after the other men’s horses, attacking them the same way and leaving the entire company without mounts.

The men got up after her, holding their swords steadily out ready to defend themselves to the death. Crouching on all fours, Erelith backed away letting a fierce inhuman growl out and snapped at their glinting swords. One of the men backed away, while the other swung his blade at her. Darting past it and narrowly missing she attacked the man’s ankle, taking hold and piercing his skin with her new found sharp set of teeth. There was a cry of pain from the man, and he tried to shake her off terribly and suddenly without warning. Finally she let loose and went flying some distance away, landing her backside into a tree. There was an inhuman squeal of pain from her, and she rose to her feet promptly. Her bright eyes glinted in the darkness, watching and studying them for a moment before letting out a loud growl, and bearing her teeth as if daring them to follow her. Quickly she moved into the shadows, limping away into the darkness and the solitude of the thick trees.

---

I am woman! Hear me ROAR!

Haha I had to add that. Elissa, let Tiwele find me next please.

[Haha, bad werewolfie... Maybe I'll let Erelith be found sometime in the night ;) I wonder what Varsis will say to this... What's Erelith done now that's made all these people starting wanting to hunt for her? Trouble follows her everywhere ^_^]

Though the relishing smell of the food before them tried to distract Tîwele, the mere thought of eating could not distinguish itself amongst the thousands of thoughts that plagued her. She contained herself, however, and, turning to Varsis, said simply, 'Help yourself.'

Varsis, seemed to have taken her invitation gladly, and all prospects of what would come seemed to dissolve as he became lost in the merry feasting and delightful chatter. The uplifting atmosphere, the tonal murmuring of clear voices as the Elves all around her conversed, would on any other occasion have enlightened her. Yet the plaguing prospect that in the event her aim succeeded, this would perhaps be one of the last nights that she would spend in Órelindë was a thought which brought a feeling of deep sadness. Discerning only several cheerful remarks aimed towards