FORBIDDEN - Nainië i indo

[Narya]

Nuredhel wakes up to a crisp and bright sunrise. The fire, burning low, has kept away most of the cold air, but now she feels the wisps of winter slowly creeping through her skin. Opening her eyes, she sees that Terendul has left her side and is now standing in the opening of the cave. She reached her long slender arms towards him and smiled as she recalls their first night together. His gaze pierced her heart and she understood that now that they have crossed the point of no return, a decision must be made, one of them will have to choose. The choice, to side with Melkor who is now named Morgoth, or with Manwe, whom she serves. It was treason to fall in love with the enemy, and both of them are guilty of it. She slowly placed her hand upon the mantle of silk and she covered herself. With gentle footsteps she approached him, and holding his face she looks into his dark eyes, and says, "Manwe will take you back...I will stand before him and face the council and they will take you back..."

This is not an open RPG, pm the topic starter before joining.:D

[Snaga]

'Do not jest with me!' said Terendul in sudden bitterness. 'I know they would kill me in cruel vengeance! There would be no mercy for me in the West.' His voice fell to a soft whisper: 'It is too late for that.'

Terendul looked down at Nuredhel, thinking: 'Why did I not slay you when I had the chance? Now you are not my captive, but a treasure I cannot let go of!'

He felt the cold sand of the cave floor beneath his feet, and looked out across Thargelion. The land was still green and fertile here but there smoke rose where orcs plundered at will. And he smiled, for it was his work, and they were his servants. He would take the war soon even across the Blue Mountains and into Eriador. His dark master had naught to fear, even from the Lords of the West! And yet... Terendul was filled with doubt. He recalled the cruel smile of Sauron, Morgoths lieutenant in chief. He recalled his words: 'Lords of the West dwell in idle contentment and sloth. For they have their land in the West, and will never come forth. So all of Middle Earth will be ours! Go Terendul! Put any to the sword that stand against you!' He shuddered at the memory, but never before had he had cause to doubt his choice.

'Why do you shake?' asked Nuredhel gently.

'I am but cold!' replied Terendul quickly, and he drew away and pulled a blanket to wrap around his bare shoulders, hiding the criss-cross of many scars.

Then he turned and looked at her, trying to harden his heart against her. He had surely enough strength for that! He spoke quietly now with all the persuasion he could muster, saying: 'You, fair maiden of the West, it is you who must turn. Do you not understand? The darkness is falling. The great power of Angband stretches out, and will cover all Middle Earth. This is the hour of his glory, and mine too. Your one hope is to submit, to bow your head to Him. I will protect you, and name you as my own. For else, death will come to you. But not swiftly, but cruelly with all the torments that can be devised. This has ever been his way with those of Eldar that are captured. Do I not know it, better than any?'

He reached out and touched her face. 'I would not have your beauty thus marred. For I find you as fair and precious even as a Silmaril.'

[Narya]

"but not precious enough to denounce the evil that has darkened the light of day..." tears welled up in her sea-green eyes, and there was sadness unfathomed and pain overwhelming in them. She moved closer to him and taking his hand and placing it upon her chest, she asked, "Do you love me, Terendul? My heart has taken power over me, and I have turned my back from wisdom and truth, because I love you. But I do not love your master, nor have I lost all wisdom as to follow your footsteps into his realm. Do you not see that he has seduced you into evil? Iluvatar has permitted us to meet so that you may be saved by our love. Do you not love me, Terendul??"

As she spoke she remembers the words of the council before her departure for Lindon. There was no doubt in her mind that this is the elf who they spoke of, the one who was captured and trained by Melkor himself and is now fighting as the captain of his forces. The very army in which her kindred will have to face and destroy. The thought choked her, and she wished with all her heart that he will listen to her plea.

[Lorien]

Meanwhile in the lands of Valinor, an elf named Veadarion pondered the current situation of darkness creeping over the lands of Middle-Earth. He had recently made a few visits to the land and immediately fell in love with it. Everytime the thought of Melkor destroying and marring that wonderful land for his own purposes crossed Veadarion's mind, his face tightened with anger and frustration of his inability to be fighting Melkor's hordes. Veadarion was a part of a council which was dealing with the darkness and recently they had discovered that an elf, whose name was unknown to them, was captured by Melkor and was now supposedly leading Melkor's armies against the elves.

Sighing heavily Veadarion picked up a small stone and threw it into the air as he continued wondering what would come of all this fighting. Brushing his blonde hair out of his face he turned and decided to pay a visit to some of the other members of the council.

[chrysophalax]

Sitting silently in a sunny window-seat in the corridor outside the council chamber, Earwen bowed her head in sorrow. She had just received a messenger who bore tidings that her daughter had been most foully murdered. Who the killer was he had not known, but her heart spoke to her the answer. Terendul! Who else could be so cruel, so heartless as to take her lovely daughter and...no! She couldn't let herself think any further.

Taking a deep steadying breath, she rose and placed her hand on the window, looking out over the land. "I shall find you, Terendul ! And when I do, you shall beg for Death!

[Lorien]

Veadarion slowly made his way to where the council chamber stood. Upon reaching the impressive structure, Veadarion looked about for some council member to talk to and he espied Earwen at the window. Smiling at her and receiving no acknowledgement, he frowned and quickening his pace reached her side. Tapping her shoulder gently he said, "Hello, Earwen. I see something troubles you, do you care to tell me what it is?"

[Snaga]

'Do you not love me Terendul?' He heard the words but could find no reply.

Love. What was that to him? Most people have a father or mother who held them close when they were young. But Terendul had not even a hazy memory of a mothers loving gaze.

But it seemed to Terendul that all he could recall was a dream, and a slow awakening. He had a dream of chilly lake, darkling woods, and a starry sky. For years he had walked. And he touched the bark of the trees, and delighted in their shade and that they were old already even in a young world. And he had a memory of picking an acorn from the floor in its cup, and finding a chestnut in its spiny case. But he had no father to tell him the names of these things. In this dream he sang to the trees, in words he made for himself. And he saw amongst them great Shepherds, tall and strong, they spoke no word but looked at him with solemn eyes.

And he walked. And he dreamed of a high place and the lay there counting stars, and they were kindled and never died. He remembered before the moon and the sun came to hide their gleam. Carnil and Luinil he saw, and Nénar and Lumbar, and Alcarinquë and Elemmiré. And he remembered that they gladdened his heart, and he seemed to see seven stars set as a crown in the North.

And sometimes in his dream he would run with the deer, and they were fleet: the first stags in the youth of the world, and never again will their like be seen. But Terendul laughed and outran them all. And there were rabbits, and he took joy in their gathered families on the green hills. And he saw a great bear shambling through the trees and hid, watching.

And he listened to the voices of streams that laughed, and flowers that sang, and birds that chattered in the branches of the houseless world.

When had he awoken? He could not say. But he recalled that there were others of his kind in his dream, and he had delighted in their company for a time. But then he had strayed farther than any other, and was sundered from them, and forgot their names. For he saw the crown in the sky, and he hoped to see if there was a King who wore it. Upon a time as he wandered, he heard the sound of a horn calling, but proud but faint upon the edge of thought. But his mind darkened and he perceived a threat that grew. And he wondered. Where now were his kin? And a voice in his mind seemed to whisper then, that he was hunted. So now he ran swifter, fearing to hear the sound of horses…

Until he met Him. And then he knew it was not a dream, but a chill, and dreadful beginning...

‘Are you Lord of the North? Help me! For I fear the Hunter!’ he said.

[Narya]

Seeing that her words have brought back memories in his mind, memories that bring bitterness and despair, she held him close and kissed him gently on his lips. With tears in her eyes, she says to him, "let not the memories of darkness cloud this beautiful day, my love. No longer do I care for the worries of the world, let them be. I cannot bear to see you in pain. If to love you is death, then I have accepted my doom, for to live without your love, is a fate worse than death..." She embraced him tightly hoping that her warmth will take him away from years long past and return to her and their love.

In the back of her mind the thought of returning to Valinor, and to her Mother, Earwen. What she would do if she knew she lives still, and how this union will pain her greatly. She holds on to Terendul tighter not wanting to let go, and forcing herself not to use her power of foresight, for she is frightened to see beyond that time. She would not want to know who between them will suffer death first.

[chrysophalax]

Earwen turned to Veadarion and his eyes widened at the look of grief over-shadowing her face. She closed her eyes, mastering her emotions. Olwe's daughter had to be stronger than this!

"Veadarion, I have just received a messenger who tells me that Nuredhel is dead. Slain by hands as yet unknown..." She turned away from him, not wanting him to see her inner turmoil. When she looked at him again her eyes were like flame. She reached out and seized his arm, speaking fervently. "Do not think me mad when I say this, but my heart tells me that she lives! Help me to find her, my friend! Help me to find the one who has dared do this evil to one of the house of Finarfin!"

[Tar-Ancalime]

Nefaria stood in Lord saurons throne room. The expression on her cruel,death-like face was blank. She kneeled toward lord sauron, her dress, a black and red tunic cascaded down. She pulled a lock of her black long hair out of her face with a hand adorned with tatoos and black nail polish. She kneeled perfectly still awaiting sauron's orders,or just to hear his complaints. "I can't believe he hasn't come back and shown me that elf maidens corpse yet!It's been days. If he isn't back he will be dead!" Lord sauron stated strongly to nefaria."I'm sure he is taking his own time torturing her. he's like that." Nefaria said to counter, but not with enough conviction for she herself doubted terendul. "If the forsaken elf is with that girl and not killing her and not back within one week I"m sending you out to bring Terendul so i can torture him and slay that fiendish elfwoman too. I can't tell Melkor i've failed." He said again. Although nefaria showed no expression inside she worried about trenduls sucess and how more than likely that's what would happen How could she do that after...she thought of the past no more but of the future

[Snaga]

Terendul blinked away the mist before his eyes and looked down at Nuredhel, and stroked her hair gently. He felt unsure. Why was she so different to him?

He recalled many maidens, elves and daughers of Men, that he had seen and captured before. Fit for cruel sport, he thought them all, and it had troubled him not. Often, weak and helpless, they had pleaded to him. For though there was a fell light in his eye, he looked as fair as any of the Eldar. So often when he came to the scene of slaugher wrought by his orcs, his arrival kindled hope of clemency and tenderness from those who still lived. How he laughed when they threw themselves on his mercy... for he had none!

But now, as he returned her gentle kiss, it seemed he felt the bliss of his first days again before he was led to Utumno. For her lips were sweet, and he drank from them. First a sip, merely savouring their delicate touch and shape, then more urgently, more greedily. For he felt as if she burnt him, but he wanted more, as though she was both the desert and the oasis.

Then he stretched out, so that his blanket reached out like a dark shadow of wings about her. Then he drew her up in his arms, and carried her back to their bed. Then he knelt, and laid her gently down. And he could see the trouble in her beautiful face. 'Why must you love me, Nuredhel? he said quietly. 'It is folly! I have been too long in service of the Dark Lord, and you do not have any guess as to what I have seen and done. Such things I would not speak of, yet if it would bring you to your senses perhaps I should. It is only your gentle innocence that tells you there is redemption for me. I should tell you my story: you would soon repent of your love!'

But he bit his lip, and turned away in anguish. For he felt her pity would defeat his scorn, and he was too ashamed to speak. He could not tell her of the horrors of the blackest night unending, the torment and the fear. Nor yet would he tell her how much he wanted in this quiet place to close out all the rest of time and Middle Earth. Who could free him from this fire?

[Lorien]

Veadarion looked at Earwen with an expression of intense worry. He had never seen Earwen look so anguished. Veadarion grasped Earwen's hand in his own and said, "I believe you. By my word I shall bring your daughter back. This elf shall do all within his power to help you. And we will also find the one who has taken her! I will call for a meeting of the council immediately."

[Tar-Ancalime]

Nefaria paced her quarters, she somehow knew terendul would fail. She'd known him since forever it seemed, he had an all to apperant soft spot for eldarion maidens, or women altogether.She wondered why they even chose him to do away with this elven woman, it would've been so much easier if maybe she had done it. In the intermost chambers of her dark, malicful heart she felt something that almost looked like love for him. Bringing him toward Sauron would challenge her greatly.Than the thoughts of warmth depressed her and left her mind. She'd get that romantic fool and he would recieve what he deserved.

nefaria was abandonned as a child after the elves left the shores of Middle earth. She was raised as a favorite of both Melkor and Sauron. She was for the most part heartless, and knew no mercy. Her eyes were piercing and dark. Her body was slender and she was tall. her outfits were practical and far from modest. She excleed in all things considered manly. She was Melkor's and Saurons worst human weapon, outfitted with a poison dagger and looks that were both stunning and useful toward any opponent, especially male.

[Narya]

Before Terendul can say another word or turn away, Nuredhel reached out and touched his face with her soft hands and planted a deep passionate kiss on his lips before whispering to him, Terendul, my love and they share another moment in time filled with love and passion and they forgot the world and left all things behind them. Nuredhel would have loved to stay in this place forever, never leaving his side.

They stayed there together under the safety of the lonely cave and soon they would depart. As they made love, Nuredhel remembers that dark day when she was captured. She was on her way to Lindon, when an army of orcs and goblins and other dark beings unnamed came unto them. Her entire escort devoured like children under the terror of dragons. But she was not without power, child of the eldar, and she had mastery over the wind and with this she used to defend herself. But the onslaught was too much and she was now alone, she fled for her life, then seeing that there was no escape, she faced her enemies and with all her power she cast them assunder, then she fainted, weak and desparate, she wondered is this how I must die? But in front of her stood a dark tall figure. She looked up and saw an elven lord and though his dark eyes reveal evil and wickedness, she felt his heart, and it was not wholly evil. She ventured to speak, but he told his servants to tie her up and take her along as captive.

She was presented to the dark lord Melkor, now known as Morgoth. She faced his evil and did not blanched, she was questioned and seduced, but Nuredhel did not bend to his will and she was imprissoned and not too gently, Terendul planned to save her life, but in the end the Eldar would not submit to Melkor's demands, and he was commanded to kill Nuredhel.

[Lorien]

Veadarion acted with haste and dispatched several messengers to call the members of the council for an emergency meeting. With Earwen, he made his way to the council meeting chambers.
The sight of the beautiful structure always took his breath away. The room was shaped like a hemispheron, with a domed roof, that was not made of stone but was only covered by colored glass so that when the light of the sun shined it caused the room to be filled with light of mixed colors. The room held a single oblong table of white mahogany where most of the members of the council were already gathered. Several of them rose from their seats while others gave Veadarion and Earwen questioning looks as to why this meeting was called.
Veadarion walked Earwen to her seat and then said, "Thank you council members for responding so quickly for a situation has arisen which requires immediate action. I shall let our leader, the fair Earwen, explain the cause for this meeting." Veadarion silently took his seat to Earwen's right and looked at her waiting for her to speak.

[¤-Elessar-¤]

There were noises from the hall outside of Nefaria's room. Then there was a loud crash as the door was pounded on from the other side. She moved to open it, and, as she turned the handle, she could smell foulness from the other side. She sighed, and turned the knob. The door swung open, and there stood Mornarmo, a captain of the Nauro of Sauron. "The lord Sauron wishes to speak with ye', she elf. He seems rather angered."

[Tar-Ancalime]

"Alright," Nefaria said and she began to follow Monarmo to saurons throne room. Nefaria bowed and said ,"What does your worshipfullness ask of me?"

[¤-Elessar-¤]

Sauron looked at her. "You will leave this place, and go out in search of the he-elf. He must be brought back alive. I make no jest, if you cannot follow these orders do not come back. Mornarmo will be going with you, just in case you decide that whatever path he has taken looks better than your current. He shall finish the job if you cannot.

[chrysophalax]

Earwen remained standing and those in the council chamber became hushed as they beheld her face. Never had she seemed so grim, nor so angered. Her eyes flashed as she began to speak. "My Lords, all those whose wise council and advice I have coveted through years untold, I beg you! Hear me!" Her voice took on a slight tremor and she closed her eyes as though in pain.

"Grievous news has come to me this day. News that my youngest child has been slain..." Instantly several of those assembled leapt to their feet, but she flung up her hand, crying, "Hear me! Stay your wrath my lords, for it cannot be any greater than my own! Though these be ill tidings, I feel within my breast that she has not died, though what her true fate is, I cannot see....though I suspect."

She leaned forward, speaking earnestly. "I believe that Terendul is the one responsible for this reprehensible act. Whom shall I send against him, to restore my child to me? Whom shall I send to bring me back his head?"

[Tar-Ancalime]

Nefaria stared obediently at Sauron,"Yes, Milord, I will not stray from my given task." than she bowed out and readied for the trip, being folowed closly by Monarmo

[Snaga]

Turendel at last arose, looking down at Nuredhel who lay still with her eyes closed gently. For when the Eldar are weary it is rarely their bodies that need to recover, but they rest their minds in song and in waking dreams. He held his head in hands trying to blot out his senses, for they were seared with the light of her now, and his head rang with the bliss of her dreams. He stumbled away, lost in a torment of beauty, tears streaming down his face. But he could not be free of her, he smelled her gentle scent about him, and he could taste her in his mouth. And she was in his eyes, in the darkness and the light.

But he must break free from her enchantment, he knew. It was time to decide. He must kill her! This was Sauron’s order to him, and he had tarried too long. He wondered if he had the strength.

Where, within the recesses of mind and experience might he find something to overbear this, to conquer the desire for her?

Was it in the terror of being caught by his dark master? Cruel mockery and torment lay in that he knew. For even as he had done to others, would be visited upon him. He thought of how he had loved to come upon families and have them plead for one another’s life, and then to dash each of their hopes one by one. The father was slain before the eyes of the mother, then the mother in front of the son, and so each in turn until their burning home was stained with their blood, and the smallest babe was left to scream out its lungs on a pyre of corpses.

But what terror or abasement would break him now? For the torment of long years in Utumno never left him. The darkness, filled with tortured shrieks, the malformed beasts and wretched spawn of unnatural unions. The blood-soaked walls, the fear and the fire. The chambers of horror where foes had their flesh torn from their living bodies in orgies of savagery. He knew it all.

But had been an apt pupil. For that first dark meeting with Morgoth, as he was led to the dark throne, he perceived a might and a glorious power beyond measure. And though he lusted for it too, more than that he hoped it might end his lonely wandering in fear in the wide world. And Morgoth had looked upon him with both hatred and yet also with a horrible pleasure, for now dark designs arose in his thought. But at first Terendul did not see it, understanding only the greatness of the Lord be came before: and he worshipped him.

Now he was overcome with nausea, as his mind darkened further, as unbidden the depravity of the darkest years were recalled to mind. Whence came the orcs and other gruesome creatures, twisted and contorted by Morgoth? Terendul knew full well, and now he gagged in appalling memory, forcing the images back into the darkest pits of his mind. He had done his Master’s bidding. He recalled upon a time he had not submitted to the task, and in punishment Morgoth had set his arm among a sea of ravenous beetles and insects that tore at his flesh in agonising torment. And then he had abased himself again and done the foulest things. And they were worse even than the torture, but he wavered no more. For more than the fear, there was the dream of his Lords final dominion. Even now the hour was nigh.

He went and pulled on his black leggings, and his silver mail-shirt. He buckled his belt about him, from which hung his blade. Perhaps he could seek out Nefaria? She would have few kind words, but at least some distraction, he thought bitterly. He put on his boots, and gathered his belongings swiftly, not looking at Nuredhel who lay still in her swoon. Then he threw his black cloak about him, and standing loomed tall like serpent about to strike, a shadow wreathed about him.

Then he went softly and stood over her, and looked again at the soft light of her beauty. Now was the moment of choice: if he left her here she could escape to her kindred. Or else to slay her… Those were his orders. He must! He slowly drew his sword. At least she was asleep: he could bear no words of bitterness from her, no pleading, no more declarations of love. And Terendul berated himself. What miserable weakness is this? Why do you not strike? He raged at himself silently, desperately urging himself on. But he paused then, in a last moment of excruciating desire and long-lost tenderness. And a tear rolled and fell, crystalline, onto her face and she awoke.

Her eyes opened, and he turned away from their brightness at once. So be it! He could not slay her. Now he would have to try to deceive his master. Without a word he strode out of the cave, and a terrible storm was in his eyes.

[Tar-Ancalime]

Nefarias mind was racing, how on earth was she supposed to know which way Terendul went? Her mind bent in thought, maybe he would seek her out she thought. Her thoughts were broken by the impatiennt tap of monarmo's foot, she had stopped packing and was simply paused while she was arming herself. She looked at monarmo and rolled her eyes,"what are you looking at?" she asked in annoyance

[chrysophalax]

Veadarion leaned close to Earwen and whispered to her urgently. A look of impatience, then hope crossed her face and she nodded her acquiescence, sitting down at last. Veadarion called for a meessenger from without the chamber.

"My lords, in his wisdom, Veadarion has suggested to me a path which, in my pride, I would not myself have taken. I shall send these tidings to the Lord Finarfin." At her words, the council members were speechless, then a rush of approval greeted her decision. All there knew of their estrangement and for her to agree to this bespoke the true gravity of the situation.

The messenger entered quickly and knelt at her side. "Listen to me well. Tell my lord husband that my child is supposed dead and that this matter deserves his personal attention. Tell him also that I suspect Terendul to be at the back of this attack upon his House!" She motioned for his dismissal and he arose swiftly and as he turned to go, she reached out and stayed him with her hand. "And....tell him also....that I love him still." she said softly.

[Narya]

Nuredhel stood swiftly and covered herself with the blanket that they have shared. Seeing that her love is moving away, she realizes at once he is to leave her - forever, perhaps. Her heart pounded hard in her chest wanting to go out and follow the elf that owns it. Her tears choked her words, she could not cry out, but endless tears fall down from her eyes. At last she mustered enough strength to speak and she called out his name, "Terendul!! Do not leave me! I beg you!!" But her words seemed to drop like leaves in the autumn wind, he heeded them not. He was bent on returning to Melkor, to save her life, and escape the misery that has now engulfed his heart. She ran after him in the wide open lands outside the confines of their cave, and knelt down on his feet clutching at his leg, he stopped but did not turn around. "I beg you Terendul, leave me not!! I would rather die than live without you!!! I...I...I changed my mind! I will follow you into the dark realm, if that is the only way for us to be together, I will slay the innocent and serve the evil one, but please, Terendul, Do not leave me!!!" She cried out and her tears fell down like rain.

As Terendul ventured to turn and look upon her face once more, behold, an army of Elven archers, and swordsmen came from the southern road and they were chasing orcs who are trying to escape from a night of plunder. Nuredhel turns around and fearing for Terendul's life she cries out to him, "Take me with you, Terendul!!! Take me with you!! Please..." her plea was broken by arrows that hit her back thrice, and she clutch at Terendul as blood streams down her body. The arrows had poison and they immediately took effect, Nuredhel could feel her body numbing and her thoughts slowly fading, and she lost all consciousness and was nearing death.

[Tar-Ancalime]

Nefaria felt something had just turn from dangerous to disasturous. She knew naught of what it was, but was ridding with monarmo along side her to find Terendul and bring him toward sauron. nefaria felt that they would not have to wait long before finding him.

[¤-Elessar-¤]

Mornarmo looked down at the creature below him, and gave a scoffing laugh. Suddenly he grabbed her arm, and pulled her running in the direction he was going. His voice came to her mind. 'The elven woman screams in her own thoughts, she is in terrible pain of mind. This means that she lives still! We must find the dark-elf. And quickly!" They came to the eve of the dark woods, and there was a troop of orcs holding horses. This time he spoke with words, "Come, she-elf. We ride the rest of the way!"

[Tar-Ancalime]

awoken from thought by monarmo, she was glad to have him thier with her or she'd have failed the mission already.She got along the horse and rode beside Monarmo toward the dark elf

[Snaga]

Terendul, even as the fray drew near, could do no other but sink down upon his knees. He looked on Nuredhel face as the life seemed to drain away, and he kissed her, and he wept.

'Beloved Nuredhel!' he cried to her. 'Stay here! I left you because I could not bear to hurt you! You cannot die!' But her eyes closed, and the light seemed to fade in them, and whispered: 'You cannot die!'

He pulled out the black-feathered shafts, and knew them to be an orc arrows.

'Now am I accursed. For I wished your death for a moment, and repented too late. For now, by these servants of mine, your death has come. Why do say my servants? For it is my doing in truth, and it will haunt me.

Namarie Nuredhel! At least by the darkness of your death you have been saved a life of darkness with me. But no! you could not have trodden that path, for does the Sun ever see the night?'

And he wept again, and kissed her hands and brow and lips through his tears. 'Namarie Nuredhel vanimelda! Fairest flower of bejewelled world, daughter of the West forever closed to me, princess of light.'

He looked around him and saw the orcs fleeing blindly not far away. The voices of elves rang through the trees and fields about him.

He laid her gently down on her back on a bed of deep grasses as if in sleep and placed a lily that grew nearby in her hands. There she could rest unseen. And he said: 'Farewell, forever! You depart to sit in forgetfulness, but I must stay here, forever entwined in your love. For I know I cannot be free of you even now you are dead. The vengeful gods the West have their triumph in this bitter moment, and the pain unending for me. If such is my fate, then so be it. I will not shirk it: for it seems my lord is stronger yet and his will is done despite me! Namarie!'

He took from her finger a bejeweled ring of gold, and from her neck, and necklace of silver in the shape of a swan, and placed them in a pouch beneath his mailshirt. Then he kissed her closed eyes, and arose. And terrible was his face in that moment: bleak and bitter, and full of wrath.

He grasped his sword, and threw himself into battle with a heedless abandon. The first company of green-elves he broke upon like thunder. Darting through the volley of arrows, he tore into them like the pounce of a lion, his blade swinging and they fell like straw before him. He hewed them down with merciless strokes, a dozen fell in his first onset.

More came running to where he stood and fought: score upon score. But he ducked and slashed, and jumped and swung, with cruel strokes of vicious calculation and lightning speed. But it was the terror of his face that none could abide, for his fair features raged with a demonic beauty too terrible to look upon him. The flames of the blackest pit of Udun seemed to blaze within him.

At last the rage within subsided and he looked about him again - there lay perhaps a hundred slain about him, and their blood was on him, and ran down his face. And he laughed: perhaps in savage slaughter he might find forgetfulness. All was quiet now, for the orcs now stood silent and awestruck, watching as he turned and walked from the scene.

[Lorien]

As Terendul and the orcs left the bloody field, yet another company of elves came upon the scene and were horrified at the blood and bodies lying everywhere. Some considered following the orcs but realized that they would be too far away and it would be almost pointless. As they looked at the bodies a fair elf leapt from hid horse and ran stumbling. Bending at a body on the ground he cried, "She lives! This is fair Nuredhel!" There was a sudden bustle and Nuredhel was lifted gently and taken away to a camp. The elf who had found her was a rider under Veadarion's company and he quickly dispatched messengers to Valinor.

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

The council meeting had been adjourned for a short while but Earwen and Veadarion sat still in the council meeting room without speaking. Suddenly a messenger burst into the room and he was long-winded and dropped a scroll on the table before sinking to his knees trying to catch his breath. Veadarion snatched the scroll and looking at it he saw it bore the seal of his house. Hastily opening it he yelled out loud and handed the message to Earwen.

The scroll read,

Lord Veadarion,
This news will grieve you for when a company was out on patrol we discovered a field of slaughtered dead bodies of a hundred of our kin and several orcs too. We also found the fair maiden Nuredhel who was wounded by orc-arrows and the poison had spread to her blood. She still lives but barely so and we are doing all we can to improve her condition. The lady Nuredhel as you might not know had been missing for several days and we had heard reports from other companies that she had been captured. Now we know this to be true.


Veadarion turned to Earwen and asked, "Now what shall we do?"

[Tar-Ancalime]

Nefaria stared in front of her onto the horizon. Depressing it was,it showed warmth. From far away Nefaria smelled rotting corpses and poision arrows. She also sensed a man running out of his wits from a doom, he was running towards them. It was Terendul, little did he know he would be ridding from one doom to another.

[Snaga]

Terendul slowed at last, as his senses returned. The pack of orcs were far behind, unable to keep up, and bewildered by their masters behaviour. As they ran as behind him, they cursed the horrible pace, but were revelling in his victory, for they had thought they were doomed.

Terendul stopped at the top of a hill and looked around. About him was a wide land of sweeping meadows, small woods and running streams. He hated it all. Fire rose here and there. The last of its inhabitants were being driven from it, and they would soon press upon the elves of Ossiriand southwards, and the dwarves of Belegost and Nogrod. Those that dared come forth: for they had been greatly weakened in their war with Doriath. And then to Eriador! Looking south, Terendul saw the great heights of Mount Dolmed, highest mountain in the northwest lands, and smiled at the remembrance of how his master had contrived to set dwarf against elf.

He had no tears left for himself. Nuredhel was dead, or so he thought. Then the punishment for his cruel fate would be wrought on all the world. For now he just felt bleak and empty: one small flower blooms briefly in the desert, and dies. A desert it remains: yet harsher for what might have been. Terendul knew the merciless void well: there love could die, and so too the pain of loss - they were insignificant, tiny when set against the vast wastes of despair in his heart, stretching from his earliest days. He drew himself up, a great menace in the hand of his master.

Northward his espied two riders in black approaching, and he percieved with his clear sight that Sauron's servants were come to check on him. His orcs came crashing up the slope, blowing hard and cursing as they came.

'How far do have to run like this?' groaned one, but too loudly, for Terendul heard him. Terendul turned, and looked at him. At first the orc blanched, then he quailed, and then sank to his knees as Terendul continued to look, almost without expression. 'Forgive me Black Father!' the orc cried in fear. 'Forgive me! Please!' It sank lower, squirming on the ground.

Terendul turned away. 'Kill him!' he commanded to the other orcs. Whooping with delight, they set upon the grovelling figure, with swords and knives, slashing at him mercilessly. Terendul left them, and went to meet the two approaching riders. He stood atop the slope, looking down as their horses carried them at a slow walk up the steep incline.

Who was this?... a wolf-man of Sauron. So Sauron was checking up on him. And Nefaria! He licked his lips, as he looked at her beautiful form, and he lusted for her as ever.

And that was how they found him: standing tall and mighty against the sky, looking down upon them. A black smile on his lips, a fell radiance in his blood-smeared face, and the gore of his enemies darkening his silver mail. His sword was drawn, behind him his orcs played in a frenzy of death, and about him was a pall of malice.

'What is your errand?'

[Tar-Ancalime]

Terendul looked enchanting in that light, his flesh and armour bloodstained from the thrill of battle. She had a lust for him now,but she'd had this before. Than they would retire to chambers have 10 or so quick ones and the lust would be gone, and she would put back up her shield. "Our errand Terendul was to seek out you." Nefaria said as if Terendul had failed at something which she knew that he did fail...

[Turgon]

He had ridden hard through the long darkness of the night, coming to Alqualondë with the new risen sun. It had been many years since last he had been here. The mansions of the Teleri blushed a deep rose-red as the dawn light played upon their pearlescent walls, and it touched his heart to see it so. Yet it was not joy he felt, but a deep abiding sadness. Finrod, Orodreth, Angrod and Aegnor - all fallen in the bitter war against the one he would not name; now his youngest child, his little Nuredhel...

'My Lord Finarfin!' the doorwardens rushed to greet him. 'We have been expecting you. Come, let us take your horse. The Lady waits within... shall we announce you?' Finarfin dismounted and passed the reins of his steed to one of the wardens. 'Tell the Lady Eärwen that her husband waits without, and that he is eager for her council in this time of Darkness.'

Eärwen! Too long had they been apart... Finarfin had seldom passed the Calacirya since the bitter days of Fëanor's rebellion. She had grown cold, distant... did she blame him still?

[¤-Elessar-¤]

Mornarmo laughed. "You are coming with me, eldamoor. Sauron is not happy with your performance... Is she dead? Has the she-elf of the elf lord dead?"

[chrysophalax]

A young page ran into the council chamber, eyes wide with importance. "My Lady! The Lord Finarfin is here! He bids you come to him that he might take council with you."

Her hand flew to her heart and she rose, tall and pale from her seat. Veadarion rose with her but she gestured him to remain where he was. She walked to the window, gathering her thoughts, calming her racing heart. She turned to the waiting page.

"Tell my lord husband that I shall await him! I am at no man's beck and call. I shall be in the gardens without. Now go!" The page turned and ran from the room in haste. She looked again at Veadarion and gathering her dignity to her like a shield, she walked from the room with her head high, her pride warring with the desire to feel her husband's arms around her again.

[Tar-Ancalime]

Nefaria knew it, she was no longer in control of the mission, her babysitter was, Monarmo. Her expression was blank, but inside she was screaming.

[Lorien]

Veadarion smiled as Earwen left the room, he always thought that they would reconcile their differences and the event along with the news of Nuredhel still living made the day seem much more brighter. Then he leaned back in his seat and wondered, not for the first time, what it would be like to have someone he loved love him back. Veadarion then toyed with the idea of telling his love how he felt but he dismissed that thought thinking, 'She doesn't feel the same I suppose. And I'm still quite young, time is aplenty.'

[chrysophalax]

She wandered through the gardens, always her favourite place, especially in the moon-light when the softly scented flowers added their fragrance to senses already heightened by desire. Here they had courted, here they had fallen in love, a love so deep that it seemed nothing not even time could ever shake. How wrong they been to become so complacent!

She took a deep breath and slowly gathered herself. Best not to remember, best not to think on the time when he had let her hair fall gently through his fingers, light as spider-silk yet warm and soft as a night in her arms. Was it possible that out of tragedy, their flame might burn as brilliantly as before? All these thoughts ran through her mind as she gracefully walked the path to the labyrinth that lay at the heart of the garden.

[Snaga]

Terendul looked at Monarmo darkly. He veiled his pain, but not his contempt. He had learnt much about the art of smooth deception in Angband. He recalled the words of Sauron: 'Put all you do not wish to be seen in a locked room in the deepest recesses of your mind! Then all that remains to be seen is the lie. Become the falsehood. Live it and breathe it. For then, no trace of falsity will be in your words, your face or your body.'

So he put aside all that had happened besides the fact of her death. The beautiful moment, her lovely skin, her delicious touch, the exquisite sound of her voice... all that he stamped out, crushed it, so it might never resurface... He did it with as one well-versed in the art. But never before had it been such a destructive act as this.

'Of course she is dead!' he said dismissively. 'Three arrows saw to that!' It was the truth!

'So Sauron is not happy? And he dispatches you from the kennels to tell me that! What is wrong? The elves flee before us, the road east will soon be open. His orders are being carried out. Nay! Don't answer! I will not bandy words will you. I will come and give my report to him myself.'

He cast a sidelong glance at Nefaria. 'It will be a pleasure,' he added slyly.

[Tar-Ancalime]

Nefaria saw the pain in Terendul's eyes she looked ,"well ye can walk if ye like," nefaria said while signaling to terendul to get behind her on her horse. Monarmo was a miserable sod

[Snaga]

Terendul gave some imperious instructions to the orc-captains, bidding them to keep careful guard over the lands while he was gone.

Then he swung himself up behind Nefaria, enjoying her closeness as he held on about her waist.

'Lead on wolf-man!' he called to Monarmo. As they rode off he gave Nefaria a playful bite on the neck.

But although he played his usual part with aplomb, with no trace of any difference showing, beneath his stomach churned bitterly and his mind filled with an empty numbness.

[Tar-Ancalime]

Nefaria led the horse with a skill most men have not possesed even with practice and she also bet that with even a blood stained elf lord necking her she could steer the horse well. Monarmo paused and gave a scornful glance at their "playing", she took the oppurtunity and kissed Terendul. A long, powerful and a damn good kiss, just before they're lips departed she bit his lower lip causing Terendul to let out a little whelp. She gave him a most devious smile and then a wink.Monarmo looked at her and frowned, she said,"shall we continue?" to monarmo

[Narya]

*As I lay dying...

Thoughts of sorrow invade my mind
longing for the shores of my home
I return to Valinor with naught but my skin,
for my heart has been stolen...As I lay dying

The sounds of the horses awaken my fear
They have come for his life and my heart
I will return to Valinor once more
face the will of my kindred...my people...my home

I have not ventured too far...Mamil...
do not fear, I return to your arms
Though I fear my doom will crash upon me
tonight, I shall lie in thy love..

As I lay Dying...Terendul...his abandon...my torment...forever.

[Lorien]

Meanwhile, the elves who had carried away Nuredhel to their camp were trying their best to rid her body of the fatal poison of the orc-arrows. It was not an easy job and things weren't going very well but luckily for them a nearby camp of elves had among them an elf who was learned in the healing arts. The elves worked feverishly through the night to rid Nuredhel's body of the poison. Nuredhel's body wreathed and wracked with pain of the poison in her body and at last when the elves were finally done with removing the poison from her body, she was deathly pale and she had coughed up blood because her throat had torn from the inside when she was screaming in pain.
One of Veadarion's company quickly sent a messenger to Valinor bearing the news of Nuredhel's condition and the news that they would be sending her back to Valinor with a small company within the day.

[¤-Elessar-¤]

Mornarmo was laughing inside. What a sight! Two traitors of the west necking, one of them bloodstained with the blood of his own kindred. Ha! What Ironies there were in this world. Suddenly a thought came to his mind. He turned the gaze of his piercing yellow eyes to those of the elf, he searched all that was on the surface, but alas, he was not as talented as his master Sauron. Sauron was the master of deception, and thus knew everything about how to dig it up. He kept his gaze on the eyes, though, and asked another question. This time he did not speak, his voice came like a harsh thought into the mind of the elf, 'You had better be sure that she died. Lord Sauron thought that you may have lusted over the princess, and was rather worried that you might not fullfil your duty. He alone can be the judge of you, though.' He spoke outloud now, "Come, you two ride in front. There are more elves back there, I can smell them. I want to be between you and them."

[Snaga]

Terendul sucked his lip, enjoying the taste of his own blood. He allowed Nefaria her moment, amused.

It was a long ride to Saurons fortress, plenty of time to think. Thinking! It was just what he could ill-afford. Better to fill the journey with playful amusement, than to sit and brood. And he could see the animosity in Monarmo's yellow eyes, which was worthwhile in itself. Sauron he would answer to, not this underling, this wolf-man. Terendul didn't know him well at all, but Monarmo had Sauron's ear. But Terendul felt safe - for he had sat beside Morgoth himself. He took his orders from Sauron, but Morgoth would expect them to work together. Sauron! There was a name he still loathed and dreaded, even without fearing that he would ever kill him. He recalled the time that he entered Saurons chambers for a lesson, only to be set upon and cruelly beaten. When it was over, Sauron had arisen from his throne, where he had sat watching, and walked passed his bloody body. 'Todays lesson is over.' he had laughed.

He wondered what lay in store for him this time. Perhaps he should kill Monarmo, and then ride in with his report anyway. That would be amusing! He looked at Monarmo closely. How good was he? Not my equal, but just enough of a test! A desire to see his blood flow gripped Terendul. How he would love to kill him. His hands clenched, the sky seemed to bleed a moment. He pictured Monarmo's screaming spirit departing to the void in anguish. Feeling Monarmo trying to read his mind, he sent the image jolting into the wolf-man's mind. 'This is what I lust for!' Then he unclenched his mind, and laughed at him. Now was not the time to fight him. War was coming!

Nefaria was a more delicious amusement anyway. Besides... what a kiss! It had put him in the mood.

But he was not going to sit quietly behind her. He leant forward into her smelling her hair for a long moment. Then with a sudden lunge he grabbed the reins in his right hand and in one swift moment had them wrapped tightly around both her wrists. Without a pause he suddenly twisted his legs around hers, trapping them and forcing them out of the stirrups. Without releasing her, he placed his own feet in the stirrups: Now he had control of the horse, and Nefaria found she could barely move.

He laughed, knowing she would be enraged at this. He caressed her with his free hand. 'Ahh! but you are beguiling!' she heard him whisper to her. Then he cried out: 'Let's ride!' He grabbed his sword, and struck her horse with the flat of it causing the great black steed to leap forward into a gallop. And he rode it cruelly, not caring that the horse would be broken at the end of so fierce a journey.

[Tar-Ancalime]

Nefaria didn't care about much, but one thing she did resent was power being taken away from her. She anylyzed the situation, it was quite impossible to get out of. She hated this feeling of entrapment.She felt as she was not in control of her own destiny, but she'd live with this feeling. Her body cruelly smashed up towards Teredul's feeling nearly everything.OH, how he would get his cumuppins she thought.Since this was done merely to annoy her she'd act like she didn't care,and she herself did not mind their clossness. He could have his moment, than she'd have her moment too she worried not."And you are most enchanting, bloodstained and sweaty."she whispered back to him. Terendul grinned, proud that he managed to get someone like nefaria at his personal mercy. she mentioned also,"but you could loosen my wrist alittle, I think the reins are cutting into my skin."

[Snaga]

Sauron's fortress was deep in the forests of Taur-Nu-Fuin, that of old was called Dorthonion.

Long ages afterwards, he would build a dwelling at Amon Lanc in Greenwood the Great. Dol Guldur it was called, tower of the Necromancer, and its shadow was cast across the whole forest. The trees closed in, and turned the forest to perpetual darkness, and travellers feared to pass that way: Mirkwood they called it.

Taur-Nu-Fuin though had a fear more primordial, harsher and more palpable. If the darkness was less intense, it merely served to let different shades of blackness create fearful imaginings in the minds eye. Great beasts could be seen circling on the edge of vision, harsh cries echoed through the trees, shrieks of pain and terror. Here and there, the reek of death and rottenness hung, stifling the air. At times, they felt soft ghostly touches on their face, or tearing scratches on their arms. But the darkness yielded no clues about about the cause.

In the pathless woods in the highlands, the endless tree-covered slopes, and dark dells became a bewildering labyrinth.

But it troubled them only enough to slow the relentless gallop to a slow walk. There were no evils in that wood darker than the three of them! Scarcely heeding her now, Terendul let Nefaria go, and gave her the reins back. He looked about him revelling the corruption all about them, letting it fill his senses.

And there ahead of them, reared the castle of Sauron: a high tower, the source and focus of the malice that spilled out from this land. Its dark height reared up from the trees, to tear the skies asunder.

[Tar-Ancalime]

Nefaria sighed in relief, her life was her own again.Well, almost her own. She felt at home here, the darkness enveloped her she breathed in the corpse stricken air....home she thought to herself. for a brief moment nefaria rubbed her wrists, swolen on the surface with some cuts on the skin. Than put her attention back to the reigns

[Narya]

Slowly, like the waves of the sea, memories unbidden return to Nuredhel as her wounds begin to heal and the poison subside. In her mind she sees the terror under the woods on her way to Lindon. Loud noises from all directions draw closer and like thunder they attack. Her soldiers scattered and fought the enemy as best they could, but there was a strong, terrible captain that leads them. She runs, calling upon her power over wista to overcome the enemy. But she was young and outnumbered and her army vanquished. Then he came and stood over her, and though she can not see through his helm she felt his need, and his bewilderment, beholding her for the first time. Then there was darkness.

"Melkor..."she whispered as she was presented before the dark Lord, he bent his will on seducing her, feeling her great power. Nuredhel withstood his test and the captain, now overcome by a sudden doubt for his masters' power against the west, looked upon her with renewed respect and a desire to free her from this torture. Surrounding them were servants who once belonged to Manwe. She was to be used as bait. But the west won't submit, three times she was presented, and thrice was the rejection. And everytime she would suffer the anger of the tower, whips and beatings and hunger - but the captain came between her and the blade, it was he that saved her from further torture. For months she was imprissoned in the dungeons on Morgoth, but he would slip in unnoticed and just look at her as she lay in the darkness. She could feel him though he did not speak.

"If the west does not deem your life important I see no other reason to keep you alive..." Morgoth says, seeing she is useless to him. He commissioned Nefaria to kill her in the hall, but feeling fear for the first time, the captain asked for her life. And by some unknown and unexplained power, the Dark Lord agreed, without question, though Nefaria and his other servants did. So it was that this captain took Nuredhel and travelled alone to the wastelands. His mission was to kill her, yet inside it was he that was dying ever so slowly. He took her to the desert and there ventured to end her life, but slowly sank to his knees...defeated and shamed. But she was not like him, she approached him and taking away the helm she saw his face for the first time. He was an elf, dark and wicked, yet an elf he still is. With stern pity she looked into his eyes and searched his heart, and to her great surprise she found there love...for her...and with emotions that had been closed and hidden now raveging him with desire and despair...he kissed her.

Countless days of bliss followed as he took her away from the desolation of his master. He wanted her more than ever but his desire to see her in the safety of her kingdom was first in his mind and heart. For a while he forgot who he was, and she healed part of him that has long been wounded.

But now it is but a fading memory from her mind. Darkness crept back into her mind and she cried out,"No!!"

[¤-Elessar-¤]

But Mornarmo had gone. He had dissapeared some time in the night, and they had neither seen nor heard a trace of him.

Sauron's guards led the two elves through the maze of tunnels and galleries that led to the room where Saurons throne was kept. Sauron was a form of evil beauty on his throne. He was tall, and his eyes, of which their image would inspire terror in later ages. were dark red... blood red. They stood there for a second, watching him watch them. The silence was defening, and when Terendul broke it it seemed that it fell, crashing to the floor. "You sent for me, Lord Sauron?" Saruon did not speak, but in that moment an image of such horrid, ever-latsing torture entered the mind of Nefaria that she screamed outloud, only she did not know she was screaming, for she could not escape the image in her mind. To her it was real, it was tangable. Sauron hissed an order, and two guards dragged her out of the room. She would later re-couperate in the darkness of her room. Sauron turned to Terendul. "The problem with the firstborn, and the secondborn also, is this lust. Never have I heard of one who could control it. It will be your downfall, Terendul. You are strong, stronger than many I have seen. You have faced more than most of the first orcs. Do not waist it on lust that is so great that it seems like more." He looked hard in to Terendul's eyes, and Terendul knew that nothing he had done was secret anymore. "You have taken longer than I wished. If you make me look bad in the eyes of the Great One I will make you pay, you know this... But, I can see that you honestly beleive the job to be done. Mornarmo was not pleased with you. He is my captain, you know. He is was a Maiar long ago, he is as powerful as a Balrog. It would be a great trick if that image of yours were to come true... For now lets count that it will stay as it was born." He stood from his throne, and paced over to a window facing northward. "The Great One wishes to go East. A foul she-elf, a relative of Feanaro, and a warrior of the Grey King have traveled there. They took with them the son of Fingon. He will have their spirits sent to Mandos... the time has finnaly come, he will have uncontested rule over all of Arda. Not even his brethren dare to contest him now!

[Snaga]

Terendul smiled at Nefarias torment. That would be a skill worth having - the brutal power of it!

His mind filled with a deathly sweet memory. At the sack of Nargothrond, smoke rose all about, and Glaurung's triumph was glorious to behold. The orcs swarmed through the caves, seeking out the last resistance. An orc-captain had in his lust, sought to gather booty from the rich halls of the city. Terendul had stalked through the slaughter, savouring it. But seeing his orders not carried out, he locked his gaze upon the captain. Unable to escape the torment, at last, Terendul had let him slay himself. And the orc did so gladly: taking refuge in death. But the ruthless assault of Sauron, the sheer bludgeoning onslaught was a fear more mighty.

Now he was humbled for a moment, feeling the icy touch of Saurons mind sifting his thoughts. Unbidden an image was brought forth: of her delicate face, eyes shining. Then he saw himself holding her to him, and he felt her breath on his chest again. And yet now, with Sauron's eye upon it was like a sickening fantasy, shot through with corruption, loathsome. He felt filthy, he felt Saurons contempt seep through every pore.

'My lord!' he bowed his head. 'She is dead! Here indeed is the necklace of the Swan-Queen, a putrid token of their inglorious house.' He drew forth the necklace he had taken from Nuredhel's body, and he liftd up his head, growing proud again, and turning his discomfiture to strength of will. For was he not mighty himself, a fell weapon in the hand of Melkor? 'Yea the deed is done: I saw her die, her body wracked with poison. Only one child of Finarfin the Craven remains. The campaign in Ossiriand goes well: soon the road east will be open to us: then she shall perish too. Let none say that I have let my master down!'

[chrysophalax]

As she walked slowly through the maze, she reached with her fingertips and gently caressed the flower petals that grew from the hedge comprising the maze itself. Memories came to her here, in this , her most sought-after haven. Memories of the great swan-boats, gliding in magnificent splendour upon the water, of Finarfin in their first passion, of.....her children. Quickly, she sought a bench to sit upon, for she felt her legs weakening beneath her at the thought of her beloved daughter, bright child, the love of her heart, being captured, tortured....She closed her eyes tightly, trying to shut away the pain in her soul. "Elbereth!...No! Not dead, please, not.... dead." Her shoulders began to shake and Earwen had no pride left in her sorrow...

[Dengen-Goroth]

Yet it was that even as Sauron awaited the arrival of Terendul, who had just set out for Taur-nu-Fuin; Melkor sat in the depths of Angband brooding over his dark designs. Neath him stood beasts of mythos horror and temerity. His eyes looked upon a feeble and meek creature, like to that whose guise Luthien adopted whence entering that cursed abode of Angband. Its batty wings were folded over its misshapen frame; strange reptilian eyes glanced to and fro. The fire of the two Silamrils, set in the crown of Melkor, light it, and seemingly implored it to fall before the master of fates, tormentor of souls, creature of daemons, who sat before it. He then spoke, to this new report from the plains of Beleriend, with a horrifying tone, condescending towards the creature, yet piously describing his mandate and command. For to him had come news that the Valar were near stirring, that rumour of the Silmaril taken by Beren and Luthein departing to the Sea. This word all from the mouth of that forsaken being who shrank before its masters voice.
“Thou mind perchance has rotted, not more then a putrefied shell of its former existence. Perchance thy eyes perceive folly as they would perceive truth. Fool! Do I not see the doings of mine enemies, do I not know their mind for with them I was bound and dealt out mercy. Fool! Have I not seen the molding of this world and broke it neath by will, as I broke its creatures like to wood neath blade. Fool! For it is I who have sown the seed of discord in the beginning, for it is I who have sown discontent among the Elven beasts and hollow minded Men! You speak of war form the West, when they who dwell there have care but for themselves. They fear me, I the greatest among the Valar, I the beloved of he who no longer cares for his creation, for it is no longer his to have. It is my right, my kingdom. The fickle creator, with his swinehearders and odalisques, shall assault one the other prior to intervening in my affairs. Those who first walked neath the stars, beckons of their demise, do those in the West care for them? Nay!” Melkor paused as a visage of contempt swept over his features, then continued,” For those are foul creatures, guided by haughty principles all for their own increase in majesty and strengths. They are swine who are akin to dirt, far to simple to sow in it what you find wont to. The portents of their end, the end of their accursed rebellion against my dominion I have seen, for I have wrought it. And Man, a shortcoming on the planes of existence, is only to my liking for they do not boast of haughty character as do Elves.” As he spoke the word his face become contorted with rage, “It was far simpler to bait them with lies, for they live and die, and in that time wish to gain all and live without end, at the expense of any and all. For is it not apparent that man more resembles Orc then Elf in behavior? Yet their aptitude for forsaking kindred and foe alike pleases me, thus they shall find what they cursed, death, as a token, a boon from the hand of Melkor, Lord of the Fates of Arda!” Here he paused, falling into a chasm of dark thoughts and repulsive desires. A dark grin passed over his face and he clenched his fist. After a further pause ensued he continued, “So I say to thee, mercy shall not be granted to thy being if thee bring word of such to my knowing again. For then it is apparent that thy mind can not discern what does need to be brought before me with what does not, and indeed by that you are naught but an impertinent wretch who shall be gruel to the wolves and hounds.” By this point the creature was convulsing uncontrollably. About it the hideous beings which were ever present in the court of Bauglir shrank back to be hidden in shadow for fear of their master’s wrath directed at them. A shriek of pain emanated form some deep mine where yet another thrall met its end. Melkor continued, “There has come word from my eyes which are dealt about the lands of Lord Sauron’s interest in a certain affair, this concerning a Captain who has proven himself incapable of fulfilling commands without delay. I am most intrigued by this and thus I order thee to bring word to he who is known as Terendul to be brought before my throne. Make haste else wise there shall not be an opportunity for you to prove your capability in serving as an eye of Melkor.” He let the last word ring through the great hall, and the creature quickly turned, quivering, and made its way from the chamber to make haste towards the elf captain named, as the name of its master rang with fervent frequency through its mind.

[¤-Elessar-¤]

"Nay, Terendul, it is not said that you failed your master. I simply wished to warn you of what your wild lust may bring. Keep a level head, and you will be a lord of many great things when the last of the Noldor have fallen to us..." Sauron lifted a moon-white finger and pointed to a dark window. "Behold, even now the master takes heed of what I have told him of you." The bat landed on Sauron's outstreched finger, and spoke to him. A minute later he flung the beast out of the window, and turned to Terendul. "Lo! You have no time to rest. The Master wishes for your presence again. Maybe this time it shall be less painful for you!" The evil laughter of Sauron echoed in Terendul's head as he turned to exit. "Terendul, wait. Perhaps you should take the she-elf with you. She will be your servant by my command. Do with her as you wish." And now the laugher was not only in his head, but it echoed and shook the foundations of the place.

[Tar-Ancalime]

Nefaria was recooperating from the uncontrolable fear in her quarters, shaken from what she knew as her destiny. What had she ever done??? She was lying face down on the bed weeping to herself. Nefaria heard a knock on the door...she shrieked silently....than breathed again. she got up and said a moment she could not keep the image out of her mind...her voice was clearly shaken...."wh-ho is it?" Nefaria asked fearfully. "Worry not gorgeous, it is just I?" Teredul said. she said," who's worried and what right have you to call me gorgeous?" her words in complete opposition from her tone."You are shaken, what image did he place in your mind....what horrors?" Terendul asked kindly,"who said he placed an image in my mind?" she said...nervously and shaken...Than she opened the door for terendul, he had an evil glare in his eye... He saw her terror...and was sooner or later going to take advantage of it.

[Lorien]

Veadarion waited for a few more minutes and then set out towards the gardens taking the same route Earwen had. Walking briskly it wasn't long before he reached Earwen and saw her crying. Rushing over he knelt down beside her and putting a protective arm about her shoulders asked, "What troubles you fair one?" When Earwen told him what troubled her heart he said gently, "She lives Earwen, I received that news. Don't cry anymore." Slowly Earwen stopped crying and asked, "She lives?" Veadarion only nodded with a small smile on his face. Sitting next to Earwen still with his arm about her shoulders he said, "She lives, so cry no more. Come let us go."

[Snaga]

'Ahhh Nefaria!' Terendul said softly. 'You are shaking!'

He stepped towards her, enjoying how she shrank away from him. She had never been afraid of him before. No, quite the reverse. Always he had felt her arrogant and knowing, toying with him. He had found her as a baby, and taken her to Sauron at Tol Sirion as an amusement for him - but he had never told her that story.

But he recalled their next meeting clearly. He returned to Tol Sirion after many years of destruction and war. Sauron had come to meet him, tall and fearful like a phantom. Yet next to his terror, his glance had fallen on another by his side, tall also but slighter yet as beautiful as he was terrible. Full grown now, she was clothed all in black, lovely beyond his dreams and the more so it seemed for all the grotesque forms about him. He had been near blinded with desire for her, scarcely able to focus on the words Sauron spoke to him for a moment.

Now he saw perhaps it was different: she was still in shock from whatever appalling vision Sauron had placed in her mind: he could see the tears on her face. He savoured her discomfiture for a moment: she would revel if similar fate ever befell him!

'I have news for you Nefaria!' he said standing before her, tall and fair with a devilish look of pleasure on his face. 'I have spoken with Lord Gorthaur, and you are to be my servant! Can you guess my first command to you, my succulent peach?' He began to remove his mailshirt, slowly, looking at her face. Then he threw it down at her feet, steam seeming to curl from his body. He kicked off his boots.

'Clean them! And pack your bags. We ride to Angband within the hour!' He turned on his heel and walked out, pausing only to say: 'I will have horses made ready, lest you would rather share one again?'

[Tar-Ancalime]

In her mind she groaned, what had she ever done to get this much pain in one day.Nefaria made it a point to be as brave and as strong as she could.While Nefaria was cleaning the miserable boots, she thought....what did I do...I was not like terendul and betrayed the order. "I would do anything to get out of this lair right now, but like I have a choice?" she said.Long minutes of silence, he was as a vision of heaven to her, after her most realistic hell, and she determined her self to make the best of her time here. and they would've done it anyway sooner or later, but with more equality. In a sudden move, she walked up and tightly embraced teredul, hoping to gain strength. In a terrorized voice she said,"It was awful, so cruel, so horrifying I saw..." she paused in her speech and began to give Terendul an amazingly romantic kiss, and a strong one being in her state of fear. After the embrace which seemed to bring her some strength, she began to pack the few items she would need.

[Snaga]

Terendul went swiftly to his private chambers, as the shimmering heat of Nefarias embrace slowly faded. He sighed, alone at last.

He sank into a chair for a moment and buried his head in his hands. Nefaria's fearful face appeared first, looking up at him wide-eyed, or was it Nuredhel, tears on her cheeks? His shoulders tensed, and his sat up straight again, why must her face come to him? Then he looked at his filthy bloodstained palms, his red-streaked arms, his dirt-encrusted finger-nails. But worst of all was that smell!

He stood and went to his door, and seeing a slave cowering on its way past he demanded a basin of water, and food. Swiftly, many servants came in silence bringing water both hot and cold, and platters of food, and wine. And they seemed to buzz about him, hoping to earn his favour by performing some small task for him. One sought to draw water for a bath, and another to pour him a cup of wine, a third to comb out his tangled locks.

'Begone! Leave me, fools!' he roared at them, laying his hand on sword-hilt. Was there no peace for him? They ran to the door, shaken.

'Wait!' he said in an icy tone of command, that froze the last servant upon the threshold. 'Saddle two horses, and have them ready at the gate. And a pack of wolf-hounds too!' Swiftly he bowed, and departed closing the door, and Terendul was alone again. He looked at the food, but suddenly felt he could not eat.

He removed his clothes and cleaned himself. His hair, his blood-stained face. He looked into a looking glass that was near at hand, and saw himself the same as ever yet there seemed some stain or blemish there that did not go, or was it some lingering scent, or smell? He drenched himself in water, near-scalding himself as if its scorching potency would sear a poison from his pores. 'It is her smell! Is this a scent real and of this world, or some enchantment she laid upon me? Her dying curse, perchance, that she would live ever as a shade or ghostly form drifting about me? Leave me! Thou art dead! I saw thee fall, witch-princess of the impudence West!' He scrubbed himself again, till his skin was livid. Then he sank upon his knees and wept, but his crying was fallow and dry, as though some force would not let gentle tears cleanse him and release him. The agony and the pain, with no respite or calm to follow. He curled himself into a ball, and hoped never to look upon the world again.

Terendul did not know how long he lay curled thus, until the pounding on his door became relentless. Dimly at first, then clearer came the knocking. 'My lord! Dark Father! Thy will is done. Lady Nefaria awaits thee!' More knocking. 'What ails thee? My lord!'

Terendul got up slowly, looking about him. Angband! They must away! He shook himself, to clear his head. What had he been thinking? He opened the door, and the servants gasped for he was naked. 'What of it?' he glared at two slave women who stood there, blushing. 'Where is my mail-shirt? Dress me now, while I eat!' he commanded them. 'And do not call me by that name! You are not orcs, even though ye be more accursed than they!'

Then while they attended to him he ate a little, for he felt his appetite returning.

'Hey there!' he said sharply to one who had found his pouch where he had let it drop. 'Give that to me!' It still had Nuredhel's ring inside... he would not give it up.

Now fully dressed, and ready, he threw his dark cloak about him. Crouching a moment so he could look up into the humble but pretty eyes of his servants, he held their thin hands, feeling a tremor in them. 'Thank you!' he said simply, so they glowed suddenly at his praise. Then he kissed their fingers lightly with a grin. 'You may finish my food, for you have served me well.' They were speechless, but gratitude was in their gaunt faces. In awe, they watched as he took the wine and two cups, and strode on his way.

He passed through the halls where many great captains and commanders went about their business. Reports he took swiftly, and orders he issued swifter still: four more companies to strengthen the forces in Ossiriand. This he did, scarcely slackening his stride, as he made his way to the gate where Nefaria now stood by two great steeds. And a pack of wolves lay at rest by her lovely feet.

Smiling now, he greeted her. Two glasses of wine he poured, dark red like blood. He passed one to her, then raising his, Terendul said: 'Hail to thee, my beauty! Let us ride!'

[chrysophalax]

Veadarion's concern for her startled her, as did her body's reaction to his gentle touch. A langorous warmth spread outward, wrapping her pain-filled heart in tenderness. She raised her eyes to his and saw there something unexpected.....compassion and a long-disguised love of her. She couldn't move, failed to breathe. His eyes were all her world.

"How came this to be?" she thought frantically, trying unsuccessfully to slow her racing pulse. "Never has he been anything but gracious and kind to me, and now, now that my husband stands without........now he shows me what lies within his thought?" She rose suddenly, seeking to put distance between the two of them, but he grasped her hand, pulling her to him. "My Lady..." he whispered.

[Tar-Ancalime]

Nefaria sipped her wine with a most subtle grace, only an elf had such ability"Indeed we should depart,Lord morogorth is not as patient as sauron.and sauron isn't very patient either," Nefaria said with a grin. and They departed on their journey to angband the inpentrable

[Lorien]

As Earwen moved away from him he could restrain himself no longer, he reached out and gently clasped her hand and pulled her to him. He whispered, "My Lady...I know its not my place nor my status to do this but long have I kept my emotions in control, and I can control them no longer, if I keep my feelings bottled up any longer I fear I might do something foolish. I feel I must tell you that...that I love you. That is all." Veadarion gently kissed Earwen's cheek and letting her hand go turned away from her.

[Snaga]

'Indeed, Melkor is not patient at all, save in watching a plan long nurtured come to its full fruit.' thought Terendul. 'But with his servants, to waver is to risk a terrible fate. I must hope he hath call me back Angband for some other purpose than to sit in judgment over my folly.'

They rode through the deathly pine woods of Dorthonion, and the wolves ran howling about them as sentinels. Many of the evils of this land would set upon any that they came upon, not caring that they served their dark creator.

Without paying any heed, they passed by the still blackened peak where Maedhros had set his beacon, where the signal for the Fifth Battle was to be. But the signal never came, for the designs of Melkor were triumphant and delayed his coming.

'Ah! But those were terrible days, full of sweet savage death!' he murmured to himself. For he recalled now his part, in drawing forth the host of Fingon before the signal of Maedhros had come. 'Do not fail in this, Terendul Black-Elf!' Morgoth had said. 'Or a torment unending I will devise!' And a black dread had filled him, but then he went to the dungeons of Angband and brought forth Gelmir son of Guilin, a lord of Nargothrond. Even removed from those black pits his darkness continued, for his tormenters had burnt out his eyes. Now Terendul has taken him, and with his host of orcs marched unto the fortress of Eithel Sirion. Then he arrayed his forces before the gates and taunted them. But they would not come forth. So his heralds had taken Gelmir, and they hewn off his feet and hands, in full view of all, and lastly his head.

Terendul recalled laughing wildly to see the white hot wrath of the elves, who, driven mad with rage had burst forth before the hour was come. But his host was destroyed utterly, and Fingons folk had pressed right unto the door of Angband. Terendul had only escaped by cutting his way with cruel blows through a sea of foes. Nearly his masters plans had come undone by their onset, but in the end his victory was overwhelming. The pyre was lit not by Maedhros, by the orcs who found it, and had lit it in celebration and mockery.

Terendul brought himself back from these memories, seeing that the forest had now thinned to reveal the grey light of evening. The land now sloped down towards the barren ashen plains of Ard-Galen that that stretched for many miles before the Gates of Angband. A last spring issued from the highlands, tumbling down to fail in the dry dunes below. 'We will let our horses rest here the night where they can drink!' announced Terendul.

He lay himself down on a soft bed of pine needles, looking up at the grey sky, glad there were no stars to glare at him. But now softly drawn in its formless cover of clouds, a beautiful face seemed to appear. He clenched his eyes shut.

'Nefaria!' he said quietly. 'How do you cure a witches enchantment? I hate this curse she has laid upon me: it torments me!' He pounded his hand on the ground in frustration. 'I hate it! I hate it and her too! Why did I delay in my task?'

[Tar-Ancalime]

"Well over the years I've noticed you particular weakness for women of great beauty,you seem to have a feeling stronger than evil for this elven woman. Sad indeed. a weakness of elves Sauron might say. I believe it is a strength. Just preoccupy your mind with a distraction, that is all my advice, or just get yourself really drunk she said with a grin." she said wisely. Than she grabbed terenduls hand and looked at his troubled eyes, "Tell me," Nefaria said in a desperate voice,"Why was a brought to sauron in the first place? Why? I view him not to be a person who is kindly to elves. Was my arrival as a youngling merely an ammusment for him, I must know!!!!!" she said seriously. Terendul looked back,a long moment of silence beheld the two

[¤-Elessar-¤]

... And through the night a tireless wolf moved swiftly, passing trees and streams in a blur of colour, and a light of hatred burned in it's yellow eyes...

[Turgon]

Finarfin stood in the shadow of tall birch tree, his forehead resting against the smooth silver bark. He had heard the exchange between his wife and Veadarion, but what his eyes had seen, his heart refused to believe... and yet it must be so - The words had rung in his head as clear as the Bells of Valmar. I love you...

So this was why Eärwen had been so long from his side? He smiled sadly to himself. Understanding, as he did, the depths of the elven heart, he could not blame her. Indeed he wished her every happiness - her marriage into the house of Finwë had brought her nothing but pain. If this is what she truely wished, then so be it.

[chrysophalax]

"Veadarion...my dearest friend and wisest counsellour, I know what it must have cost you to tell me this." Her heart ached, for she had long held him in great affection, and at times, had thought she was growing to love him. Close by, she heard a twig snap and without turning around, she began to gracefully walk toward one of the climbing rose bushes that grew near to hand. "My lord husband is here, but newly arrived from Tirion. How could I greet him,knowing that I had betrayed him, even in my mind?" She turned to him, seeing the light die from his eyes, only to be replaced by a look of infinite sadness.

"My Lady, forgive my impertinence, I could but speak my heart. Is... there yet anything I might do for you?" His eyes begged for him to be dismissed and she granted his wish. "Nay, my friend. If, indeed, you are yet my friend? I will stay here to await my Lord's arrival." She turned away from him, that he might not see her tears, nor the pain that filled her soul. How could she hurt one so gentle and noble? She tried to shut out the sound of his rapidly retreating foot-steps.

She crushed the rose that she had just plucked with her hand, trying to distract one pain with another.

[Lorien]

Veadarion ran blindly, he couldn't feel anything but a blinding pain in his heart and the air whipping past his face. Suddenly he hit something and then looking around him he noticed he had reached the council's meeting room and had hit the table. He sank to his knees thinking that his heart would burst but nothing happened except for a strangely claustrophobic feeling in his chest. Veadarion panicked, he felt as if he couldn't breathe and he ran again till he reached outside where he inhaled deeply. Slowly he got control of himself. He made his way to a small cliff where he often went when he needed to think. Today he just sat there staring at the sky but not seeing anything, he only noticed that the day that had begun with so much light and suddenly grown dim, as if someone had covered a flame with their hands blocking the light. He stood on a pile of rocks and thought numbly, 'So it goes. Whatever I had, is now lost.' As he finished this thought a solitary tear slipped from his eyes and Veadarion laughed in a hollow manner.

[Snaga]

Terendul rolled onto his side and looked at Nefaria intently.

'So you know it was I that brought you to Sauron? Well that is true. And of a certainty it was meant to amuse him...' Terendul said, but with little malice in it. He could see though it hurt her. He rolled onto his back again, looking away.

She said nothing in reply, and Terendul felt he had to fill the silence somehow. 'But don't ask me why I did it. I could have just put my sword in you. I almost did.'

Just like I did with the rest of your family, he thought to himself.

'Perhaps you were beautiful even then,' he said looking at her out of the corner of his eye. 'It came to mind that I didn't want to kill you, wrapped up in your babes blankets. I remember picking you up, and you grabbed hold of my finger, and you gave me a toothless smile. I couldn't keep you myself of course. What would a Captain of war, do with a baby? I thought I'd give you to some servant of mine to raise, but Sauron met me on my return. So I gave you to him, as a gift: any other explanation would have been hard to find. He was amused. Very amused....'

He sat up. 'Perhaps it would have been less cruel to have killed you after all?' Then he laughed heartlessly, but much of it was directed at himself. 'Yes, that must have been why I did it, then! I am not known for my kindness, am I? I tried to see how you fared for many years afterwards, but Sauron would not let me see you. I got news of you from servants though...'

He smiled to himself, and then went to put his arms about Nefaria, but for no great purpose. 'If my desire for beautiful women is a strength, Sauron does not agree! Neither do I myself. You may be have some kind thoughts for elves and their romantic hypocrisies but I do not. They all left me to be hunted alone! And they left this land for centuries, only to try to conquer it with steel from the West. You should put such thoughts from your head. They are not our friends now: they are cruel and merciless. But... but you are the only elf I have really known for long. Others I have captured, or tortured or slain, and I have spoken with them of course: but I got only curses from them! I am glad I spared you. Sometimes I feel you are my own daughter. At other times you seem like a sister. But mostly... mostly neither of those. Luckily!'

[Tar-Ancalime]

"Wow, I've learned much. So you were the kind looking thing that had carried me for so long until I reached Sauron?" nefaria tried to think of more to say but alas was still taking in what she learned recently. Nefaria fell into his embrace. Looking into his deep elvish eyes.Finally Nefaria broke the silence again,"You have at times been an older brother toward me. But you've always been a friend, always.For that I am most thankful.Indeed, we've had physical relations, but that was no more than an expression of our deep friendship. and your desire is both a weakness and strenght...depending on the day" than she left his embrace and began to meditate

[Turgon]

'Sweet Eärwen!' Finarfin stepped from the shadows and stood before his wife. Taking her pale hand in his he lifted it slowly to his lips and planted a soft kiss upon it. 'Too long we have been apart! Say the word and I shall come. Thus I vowed to you long ago, whilst the Light of the Trees still shed their radiance across these hallowed lands. Do you remember?' He smiled gently at his wife, but his brow was contracted in a knot of sorrow. 'So you have called and I have come - but too soon it seems.' At this he cast his eyes in the direction the young elf-lord had fled. 'I only hope my presence here can afford you some measure of comfort. But come, this is not the time... tell me about my daughter. What news has come to you from the darkness in the east?'

[Snaga]

'No brother of yours am I!' Terendul thought to himself, running his fingers through the pine-needles absently. 'And none live that can say such. I saw to that with my own sword.'

He looked after her. He had never seen her this thoughtful before.

The wolves prowled around, uneasy under the grimy sky. Terendul sensed something too... a dark presence not too close, yet not far enough away. He loosened his sword in its scabbard, but did not yet get up.

Instead he gazed at Nefaria, seeing the graceful arch of her back, and her dark locks tumbling down. She was so beautiful! Friendship? Kindness? He almost laughed out loud. Where did she get that idea from? Sweet fool! Sauron had not poured as much malice into her as he had thought or purposed, Terendul realised. Still, what was it that made folk want to believe such things of him? He did not want to sit and think quietly, nor fall into his darkest dreams of torment again.

So he called out to disturb Nefaria from her reverie: 'Tell me! Why have you borne me no child? That seems strange to me...'

[Tar-Ancalime]

Nefaria giggled at Terenduls remark,"what!" she said with a playful grin. Terendul looked at her and said,"you heard me." with a grin. Than Nefaria lay back on her pine needle cusion. And gracefully stretched like a swan almost. He's looking at me that way again, Nefaria thought and went back into her meditative trance

[Snaga]

Terendul looked at Nefaria lying serenely amongst the pine trees. He saw her delicate feet, her long slim legs, the beautiful shape of her body, her lovely arms, and her dark hair framing her perfect face, eyes closed. He felt he wanted her so much, he was frozen with the aching desire. He did not dare move, lest it break the perfection of that moment, yet he felt he must.

As clear as the world in front of him, came a deeply buried memory. His eyes opened slowly by the cold waters of Cuivienen. The dark mere was so still, the new-born stars reflected perfectly above the tall straight pine trees. He stretched out his hand, and found a pine cone. He picked up its strange shape, and ran his finger across its bumpy surface in wonder. Turned it over and over in his hand, and looked inside its close layers. What else was in this world, that he was newly woken to? Who was he? He slowly turned his attention from the pine cone, to the hand that held it. His hand! He held his fingers, and felt the smooth of his finger nails. He explored the lines on his palms. He looked at his thumbs and laughed at them. And he wondered at the sound. He sat up, so he could see his legs and feet. His legs were long, and his feet had never yet felt the world beneath them. But he looked at them and was glad. He stood up.

He swayed slightly, and learnt to balance in a moment. He looked about him. There she was. She lay not far away. Bluebells grew amongst her golden hair, as she slept bathed in beauty and starlight fell on her naked form. Terendul watched in silence, but did not wake her. At last he walked away, and went on enchanted paths about the icy waters of the lake. He stooped beside its black depths, and first looked upon his own image reflected in the still waters. He stretched forth his hand to touch the face he saw there, and broke the cool perfection. Ripples made the stars dance.

He listened to the animals who told him what to eat. He founds berries on the bushes and apples on the trees. He wandered afar. Ever he came back to see if she had awoken, and to look upon her face. But one day, he came back to find she had awoken and gone, and it hurt his heart.

Terendul returned to the present. 'Verily you are as fair as she!' He stood up and walked lightly over to where Nefaria, and looked down at her. And he knelt down beside her, and as he did so her eyes opened and met his. He held her face gently and kissed her.

[Tar-Ancalime]

Nefaria awoken from her meditative trance to see Terendul's face just above hers, his strong, soft hands holding her face. Moved by the moment she kissed him back, her slender, powerful arms embracing him. Nefaria pulled him downward with a unique mix of physical and emotional strength.The moment was so perfect, so undenyiably right.

[chrysophalax]

As he kissed her hand, she closed her eyes as desire, far too long unfulfilled stired deep inside her. Yet his words..."but too soon it seems.." Her heart froze within her at these words and she withdrew her hand from his. "Comfort, my lord husband?" she thought bitterly, "Aye, but cold comfort you would bring I deem..."

She looked into his sorrowful eyes and read there his steadfast love and concern. Taking a deep breath, she told him all that she knew. "My lord, I received word but a few days ago that Neredhel had been captured and killed. I spoke with the council. I told them that I wanted whoever had done this brought to me, that I wanted his head!" She paced now, her emotions starting to overtake her. "Veadarion..he,...he councilled me to send for you, my lord. I fear he thought me over-wrought." She turned swiftly to him, eyes blazing. "And so I am, my lord! But today I have been brought word that she lives, though is gravely injured..and I know who it must be who has done this! Terendul! she spat. Tears of anger filled her eyes and she trembled. "Then you come...aye! you come in truth...! Bringing with you accusations and innuendo! All I...all I want is my daughter returned safely to me!"

She felt too much conflict within her...she felt as though she were smothering, yet even now, her pride would not allow her to surrender totally to her anger and despair. Reason returned to her as she beheld Finarfin before her. Despite everything he was here and he would help her. She must take what small comfort she could from that.

[Ciryaher]

Having set out with the blessing of Ossë, the crew of the Earama had never expected to encounter what they had.

Sailing out of Alqualonde on a strong westerlie, they made good speed and followed the Straight Path to Arda. They took no heed of the black clouds to their north and south--to their downfall. The great storms converged and released a cataclysm of lightning, hail, and wind such as had rarely been seen since. The light ship was smashed to splinters, and only one Elda survived, tieing himself to a great sea-chest.

Nolë was the lone survivor, and for days he was blown eastward by the storm until one day, the clouds vanished and he lay half-drowned on top of the chest, basking in the sunlight (which nearly shown through him from his famishment). The sound of waves washing upon rocks was heard, and he dazedly found himself in shallow water on a sandbar. As the tide flowed out, he feebly untied himself from the chest and lay against it.

There was a clump of sea-kelp floating near, and he grabbed it and stuffed it into his parched mouth, chewing and swallowing slowly.

Remounting the chest, he slowly paddled his way across the narrow channel to the other side. The only piece of clothing he had left was his shortsword's belt and sheath; fortunately the blade was still locked and in place. With it, he tore into the chest and withdrew it's contents. There was a simple, brown robe and a satchel full of medicinal herbs from the meadows and forests of Valinor.

Nolë donned these, and followed where his feet led him. Through some enchantment woven into the robe, and perhaps a bit of fate, he went unseen by the eyes of man, elf, orc, or beast. He forded the river Narog, and crossed the Sirion on a log. Passing through the forest he did not know was named Region, he made his way across the Aros, and at last came to the Gelion.

His feet told him to stop, and so he sat down on the riverbank and listened; for it was told that the voice of Ulmo ran in the streams and rivers, and perhaps he would recieve council thus.

[Snaga]

Nolë listened and he heard the Gelion rolling ever past, languid but unerring, deep and full of thought, knowing many lands for it passed them all on its way to Belegaer.

Nolë listened and he thought he heard the voice of a young stream laughing, as it danced merrily to join Gelion. But then the laughter stopped, for there was no joy to be heard. Only the solemn voice of the river: deep and sorrowful.

And Nolë understood, for there in the grey of the waters was a face, or was it in his mind? Or did his ears tell him the name of Nuredhel and that he must find her swiftly, for the orcs had laid her low.

But he knew she was the daughter of Finarfin, and the swan-queen Earwen, and there a swan glided by the shore where he sat, and a tear was in its eye. So he arose and the he saw his path ahead as though mapped in the glistening waters: to a glade in Thargelion, and thence across the Blue Mountains to the care of her sister, Galadriel. And stay with her, and guide her like riverbanks do the torrent, for she will run wayward if thou should fail in this. The birds that fly by the waters will ever be thy messengers, to those who wait for her with sorrow in their hearts.

And Nolë knew he was answered.

[Ciryaher]

Nolë stood again, and stepped into the waters. He felt himself rejuvenated and full of energy, and he swam the width of the river in a short time indeed. On the opposite bank, he picked up a heavy oak branch and dashed into the wood, moving swiftly and silently--weaving in and out of the trees.

Days passed, and he now found himself sprinting untiringly across open meadows...then he stopped. The landscape was now dotted with small farms--burning. He ducked low, his eyes just above the tops of the long grasses. In a small depression, on a stream, there was a small clump of willows; there seemed to be some commotion beside them. Orcs!

There was a soft whistle off to his right, and he turned his eyes sharply. A pair of green eyes peered at him, and the owner of the eyes also held a spear.

"Name thyself!" the elf hissed in the sindarin tongue.

Nolë whispered out of the side of his mouth in the same tongue, though with the Valinorean accent, "I am Nolë Ainurandir, and I have travelled far guide by the whisperings of the Vala Ulmo to this place. What goes, friend?"

The elf whistled again, and about twenty dark-haired elves rose from the grass and stealthily converged on the two. "You are wise to not ask my name, and so I will trust you. There are orcs here, and they have driven out the sun-children that dwelt here. We have come to rout them, though we have few numbers. Perhaps you could help us...unless your path lies elsewhere?"

The white-haired elf shook his head, "My path lies in that grove down yond. I am not a master of the sword, but I will help as I may."

"Very good," said the other, and then signalled to his companions. They filed down the hillside, stooping in the cover of the grass. Nolë followed second to last, and listened carefully; the sounds of the orcs below could be heard easily, as could the groaning of the earth.

The group of orcs could be seen now, playing some revolting game with a round object (most likely a head). From their backs, the elves drew short bows and the fanned out into a crescent about 30 feet from the cluster of four dozen orcs. Arrows (one or two per bow) were nocked, and the elves all suddenly rose and fired a volley in one fluid motion.

More than half of the orcs fell where they stood, and the rest were thrown into shock. This hesitation gave the elves time to nock and fire another volley, taking down all but 3 of the orcs. These threw up their arms and begged for mercy, but three last arrows through each of their throats quickly silenced them.

"Come," the leader of the band said, and ran into the grove, Nolë close behind while the others dragged the bodies into the thick grass and recovered their missiles. "I am Haldion, of Ossiriand, if you are curious," said the leader, grinning.

Nolë nodded while scanning the trees, and then ran to something on the ground. A female body lay there, as if dead and left there for that reason. The Valinorean put his ear to her breast and listened. "She is yet alive!" he exclaimed, and quickly rummaged through his pouch and began to mix an elixir.

"How do you know what to do, and how do you know she is alive?" Haldion queried, kneeling beside Nolë. The other elves began to return and hid themselves behind the trees, wary of an orcish patrol.

"I am a priest of the Ainur...and healing is an art we of the Brotherhood practice," he answered, not fully paying attention to the questioner. He finished the potion and poured it down the female elf's throat. While the potion did it's work, he searched her body for wounds and bound them as best he could with his limited supplies.

[Snaga]

After a while Terendul prised himself loose from Nefaria's grip. Something was wrong.

He sat back for a moment and looked at her lovely face. Beautiful as it was, there was something too sweet about her now. As though there was honey to mask the poison. He still could not tear his eyes from her, but her smile was too knowing, her self indulgent writhe too inviting by far. The problem with the firstborn, and the secondborn also, is this lust. Never have I heard of one who could control it. It will be your downfall, Terendul. The words of Sauron came crashing back into his head like a nauseous echo, appalling in its intensity. He stood up, and turned away ashamed. He took a deep breath, hoping to clear out the feeling of disgust but was choked with the rising fume of Ard-Galen before them.

Something else troubled him too: a pair of yellow baleful eyes came into his mind. He felt a chill run down his spine, but looking round he could see nothing wrong.

But he drew himself up, mastering himself slowly. He looked out across the wide land before him: a burnt and ashen land of ruined dunes and shifting foul fogs. But beyond it he could percieve Thangorodrim, the Mountains of Tyranny. For the most part veiled by the mists before him, occasionally they passed to give a momentary sight of their terrible heights, like cruel and jagged teeth in jaws that stretched to engulf the world.

Terendul shrugged. Back again! You are a fool if you there with a light heart, Terendul, he told himself. There will be no welcome this time. Aye, but I need to escape the past, not the future, he answered himself. But the retort was instant and chilling: You may soon have no hiding place in either...

'We have rested too long!' he called to Nefaria with a grim look on his face. 'We must go!' He sprang onto his horse and whistled to the wolves. He rode away, half aware that Nefaria was rushing to follow, dusting pine-needles from her dress.

The ride to Angband was gloomy and disquieting. All about them the land was dead: seared by fire and poison. The air stank of the evil residue of its destruction. They covered their mouth and nose against the dust and ash. Here and there lay bones of the dead of many battles, long since cleaned by the crawling creatures and carrion-birds that thrived, but yellowed and lying scattered. The land only undulated gently: it was for the most part featureless. They followed a track often used by orcs issuing to invade the lands of Beleriand. At intervals it was marked by stone cairns, for the wind could blow the dust across it within hours. But many feet had used it recently, and the cast off items and filth of the orcs were strewn by the path. Flies buzzed: huge with red eyes glaring. At last the great gate of Angband was nigh, vast and fearful.

[Tar-Ancalime]

She folowed to make sure she was not left behind, a tad disapointed...damn that sauron anyway. When Nefaria and Terendul arrived at the gate of Angband, she looked up, she had not been here in so long. The gates were opening for them, to here terendul's report.They approached Morogorths dark throne, in silence absorbing the evil that created. Angband was like mecca to all those of evil.

[Dengen-Goroth]

Echoes permeated through every orifice within that cursed abode, beckoning the two forward, directing them deeper into the earth which was now tainted, marred by the virulence of Melkor. This deep abyss harbored little light, the few torches falling stagnant neath the fetor of the air, which weighed down even the most resolute of spirit. Terendul paused, for though he had the keen sight of elf, the dwelling of Bauglir wrought to naught even that. One would not find the least inclination to roam about there without sight. The sound of wings rose towards the two, and the same creature which had been sent to order them come to Angband now perched on Terendul’s shoulder. Soon it led them, the light of its eyes the only stars in that morose night. As they drew nearer to the throne of Morgoth so did light blanket the dark rough hewn columns and vaulted ceiling of their surroundings. At last it was that the creature which had guided them fell from the air and slid towards shadow. For before them sat the Dark Lord, He who arises in might. Terendul bowed deeply, and fell to one knee. Nefaria lowered her gaze, yet remained standing. A revolting expression flew over his face, and he spoke unto them.
“Are you Terendul, he who is known as an exceptional warrior though coarse in thought.” Melkor paused so as to allow the faint beginning of word from Terendul, and continued. “My eyes see all before me and I perceive you as worthy of such title. But dark tidings come to me, Terendul, and they do not please me,” Melkor spoke with such benevolence and endearment towards the elf that he was taken aback.
“Yet I am not in the disposition to believe all that comes to me, though I am wont to be assured by words which are delivered from servants such as yourself. Speak of how went your assignment, the elf which you were sent to bring to death.”

[Tar-Ancalime]

nefaria caught on late and then eloquently bowed (oops).

[Narya]

Another endless darkness covered Nuredhels' consciousness as her waking mind tries hard to grasp at the reality that bites on her skin and tears at her nape. She hears voices but sees not vision of any face that would fit the sounds of this elven tongue. Then again, unbidden, her memories of Terendul ravage her mind, she sees him now, as they lay there in the dark, his strong arms wrapped around her and he kissed her gently, then outside she sees the gathering clouds and beneath them the cries of children, he slaughtered them all!!! Then she turned her eyes back at him and he slowly bled, then a great shower of blood was about him, and she tried hard to get away from his hold, but now his arms were slender and long, and it was no longer Terendul she sees. As the blood clears away from her eyes, she sees Nefaria and Terendul was standing in the opening of the cave. Then she saw her kissing him! She screamed!!!

Awakening in the arms of this gracious elven Lord whom she could little see, she calls out to him, with tears in her eyes and says, "Do not leave me, please, Do not leave me..." she clutches at his neck and slowly giving in again to weakness and despair she lost her consciousness again.

[Ciryaher]

Nolë held the elf close and looked up at Haldion. "She has seen much evil befall! We must remain in high spirits when around her, lest she be overly reminded of her seemingly dark paths."

Opening a small flask, he poured a drop of a virtuous liquer into Nuredhel's mouth and spoke softly, "Rest now, and let not the shadows return to your mind. I am here for you, to be your guardian."

Evening drew nigh, and the elves returned from their cautious scouting mission. "The orcs have moved on...the echoes of their vileness are fading from the land," they said. The Ainurandir remained with Nuredhel resting in his arms. With the powers that only those born in the Undying Lands possess, he went into her and soothed her spirit from anxiety and fear.

[¤-Elessar-¤]

And above them, on a hill outlined in the moonlight. A foul spirit, born before the creation of Arda, crept upon that hill. His wolven eyes looked down and surveyed the scene below him. 'How displeasing,' he thought to himself... 'Sauron will be most unhappy.' He howled into the sky, a sound that would bend the knees of the sturdiest of folk, before turning and running northward, at a blazing pace.

[Tar-Ancalime]

Both Nefaria and Terendul went to thier assigned chambers,but not beforee Nefaria thoughtlessly apoligized to Lord Melkor for her all to apperant insolence. Than she was plotting how Terendul would get his cummupins for all he'd done, which included avoiding a sure trap altogether. Damn that Elf anyway. Nefaria knew the best way to plot for revenge, meditation.

It was now hours since she began and she had a formulated a calculated plan. So how much could terendul resist, she thought to herself. On that her plan all depended. Since part of her plan was to come in with naught but a robe on, she merely dried off and put the robe on.

Terendul was thinking in his chambers, his servant heard a knock and answerd the door,"Please let me through!" Nefaria asked the servant. Clearly confused he said to Nefaria,"I will ask milord Terendul, but tell me thy name." "Tell him Nefaria needs to discuss a critical maatter with him, It is most important," She siad to the servant, he nodded. He asked Terendul, Terendul was sitting in his chair tossing an empty chalice from hand to hand, debateing whether or not to have a drink. "Milord, Lady Nefaria wishes entrance, she says she desires to discuss a critical matter with you" the servant said, absentmindly Terendul nodded still debating on that cup of wine. The servant opened the door for Nefaria, he gasped, Lady Nefaria had nothing but a sheer robe on. Upon seeing Nefaria, she was irresistible to him at this moment, her hair still driiping wet and the robe clinging to her slender figure. "Nefaria, what was the crtical matter, was it this witches curse?" He asked her urgently. Nefaria decided to play along. "Indeed it was, I have some advice for you, spend your time with a formidable distracting from the elven witch who cursed you so deep." Nefaria said this cleverly as she began to embrace terendul, by the end of the advice she was whispering in his ear, and after speaking she began to nibble on it. Terendul smiled,"That is one solution I can live with." he bought it, his guard was really gone, nefaria thought. She still came closer, and kissed him, such a kiss he had not even reiceved from the elven witched, and it was by far Nefaria's best kiss she'd ever given him. He was now fullly under her enchantment, in a carefully prepared way, but not an obvious way, she stepped back. "I cannot do this, I can...." she said but teredul far to aroused to let her leave pulled Nefaria closer, she put fear in her eyes, but in her thoughts she laughed. In a quick movement Nefaria pulled up her knee toward terendul's crouch. With all her might she kneedhim there. He collapsed from the pain...and Nefaria walked off with a grin clearly on her face...she had given terendul his commupins

**Edited by Ciryaher for questionable language**

[Snaga]

Terendul curled up into a ball for several minutes, closing out the pain. When he lifted his head he was grinning to himself. If there was one thing he knew how to deal with it was pain. Pain such as this was swift to pass compared to the pain of battle wounds, and as nothing to the torments of Angband. He smiled: Nefaria was his favourite person in all the world. What a temper! My! but she had got him all too easily: very sly! He closed his eyes again to picture her. How that hurt! He started for a moment to consider how he could pay her back. Perchance he could ride, dragging her on the end of a rope all the way back across Ard-Galen!

But there were more worrying things to t