Misty Hollow (RP)

[Nóm]

Ranuial gets up and heads back to Bregor's room.

[Anamatar IV]

"did i not say the townspeople could not be trusted! Bolon it is good to see you up again. Come out of the cold and sit by the fire."

[Goldberry344]

While Anamatar and Bolon head outside, Goldberry walks into the healers kitchen. The healer is no where to be seen. Worried, Goldberry draws her sword and rushes to the healers back room, just in time to see the healer pouring some powder into the jars of wine used by the group.
"why are you doing this? whats in it for you?" Goldberry asked, then, before the healer could respond, Goldberry called for the others.

[Anamatar IV]

Anamatar strode into the room where goldberry had confronted the healer with edellond, both with swords drawn. They came just in time to see the healer back into the wall frightened of the 3 swords pointed in his neck. "speak now! If you wish to keep silent then you will find 3 blades through your neck!" The healer was slowly but surely reaching for something. He stuttered "I..I..please..no...i didnt do...DONT KILL ME!" Suddenly he grabbed a hidden knife and ran towards edellond.

[Goldberry344]

swiftly goldberry flicks her sword to the side, causing the healers knife to go flying from his hand. "Dont think i called for the others because i cant deal with you on my own. i think that some of the things we hope to learn now will be beneficial for all of us to hear."

[Anamatar IV]

Anamatar picked up the knife. It had a notch in it. "SPEAK!"

[Dwarf Lord]

Bolon Fell in front of the fire, and stared into the hearth. He could not speak, and hardly move. He heard the fight in the back. He tried to yell have mercy, but nothing came forward. he was to weak, and fell limp on the floor.

[Nóm]

Stepping into the room where Bregor lay, Bolon see's Bregor and his wife talking. Bregor shows no signs of worsening.
Ranuial heads back out front in search of Bolon.
"Keep an eye on Bregor, he may be poisoned too,. but what do I know?(Ranuial now appears to be speaking to the early morning sky, now colder than ever, but still) Nearly a thousand years I have wandered, leaving home because of shame of my failure, in vain were my attempts because I was too young. Now at last, shame has caught up with me again, and has been renewed by my recent foolishness, in vain were my attempts to help this town, because I am a fool. (Ranuial turns to Bolon, with a colder look in his eyes than Bolon had yet saw on this Elf's face) I am going for a walk."


Ranuial headed down the the street and the sun came as he left so that just when you thought Ranuial would be gone from sight, he remained. Until eventual the elf was out of sight of the Inn.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Back in the healer's house, Dregor felt like the world was coming to an end. As soon as Bolon had taken a drink from the flask at his side he had felt a little better about the look of thing, but not much. Now it was clear that the healer had had a hand in this. Perhaps his father was ill, poisoned or worse!

Ranuial came out of the back room and told Bolon, who was looking very ill, to keep a watch on Bregor. He then strode out the door looking at the morning sky muttering strange things. Dregor took no notice. He answered the elf's question himself. "Don't worry, nothing will happen to my father, nothing!" He grit his teeth, jumped up, and ran into the back room where the others were confronting the healer. He was very angry at these towns people - a good many of them deserved to die it seemed! He brushed past the others and ran at the healer with his sword drawn. He was furious. He grabbed the man by the front of his shirt and shook him with gritted teeth, while his sword hand turned white from his grip on the hilt. "You heard Anamatar!" he growled. "What is the meaning of this? If you have hurt my father, or anyone else for that matter, I swear that you will die!"

[Phenix]

Phenix rushes into the room "calme down Dregor, he's of no jouse if you kill him"

[Nenya Evenstar]

"No use if I kill him?" Dregor was seething. This healer was filth! "I won't kill him - yet. He deserves to die! He tried to murder Bolon, then Edellond, as well as my father, and who knows who else. Just for that he deserves nothing less than death. But he must be questioned first. He will tell all he knows!" Dregor lifted his sword threateningly towards the terrified healer and pulled him closer.

[Anamatar IV]

"Dregor! Release the man." Anamatar said as he grabbed dregors hand the held the sword gently. Dregor slowly lowered his sword. "It will make no difference if 1 sword peirces him or 4. He cannot talk with a blade against his throat." He sheathed his sword and beckoned dregor to do the same.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor glared at the healer for a moment more and slowly followed Anamatar's example. He sheathed his sword with a look fit to kill. "It may make no difference how many swords pierce him, but I swear that if he hurt my father mine will be the first."

[Anamatar IV]

"Back to business. Something seems to be troubling ranuil so we must not wait for his judgment. Who told you of our coming?" he asked turning to the healer. "How much did he pay you to poison us? Obviously enough to buy a nice knife!"

[Nenya Evenstar]

The healer still hesitated. He was looking from Dregor to Anamatar with fear-filled eyes. Dregor took one step towards the man manacingly. The healers cowered and whimpered, "No one, no one, please don't hurt me! I haven't done anything!" Dregor rolled his eyes. How long was this whimpering ninny going to resist?

[Nóm]

Ranuial wanders far into the morning just along the edge of the woods before going to the Misty Inn.
There he speaks with those of the King's men who are awake. He tells of what happend with Bolon, and that the healer was the likely suspect.
"I did not stick around that place, I was too shamed by my foolishness. I will have to go back now that I have collected my thoughts. You men would do well to trust no one other than your Lord, Bolon, Phenix , and Bregor's family. I can not speak for that ranger, I do not know her...but she does not seem evil...(Ranuial shakes his head)...neither did that healer. Perhaps it was his wound afterall...but Bolon himself suspected that healer. I do not yet know what moves will be made today. I do not expect we will be attacked, at least not openly. I think we should seek out this evil Wizard. I must go back to healer's and take counsil with the others. Bolon was not well when I left, I must get back. Those of you who wish to stay...move freely as you will but be careful."

Ranuial, with one of the King's men, heads back to the healers.

[Phenix]

when everyone has calmdown Phenix decides to finaly get some sleepso he walks out of the door and heads for the misty in. on his way he sees two men walking from the in when he gets closer he see that it's Ranuial and one of the soldiers. " hey ranuial, were did you go.

[Anamatar IV]

"If thou shalt not speak the truth then we will offer thou a drought of the poisoned wine." Said anamatar quietly. although he had sheathed his sword he was fingering a hidden knife under his cloak. He did not trust this healer.

as he saw anamatar grab the bottle of wine the healer squeeled. "FURIN! He payed me gold! Do not kill me!!" at this point the healer was weeping on the ground. Anamatar placed the bottle back on the table.

"dregor--who is furin? I havent met people from this town often."

[Nóm]

"ah, Phenix, past is catching up with me at last. I was overwhelmed back there and needed to clear my mind. King Anamatar's men are back at the Inn. I told them to trust no one other than you, Bolon, Dregor's family and of course, their King. How goes it back at the healer's? Is Bolon well?"

[Goldberry344]

Goldberry lowers her sword, but doesnt sheith it. "why did you do this?"

the healer sputters, "it seemed worth the money at the time, they didnt say you'd be armed"

Goldberry turns to the others. "well, what should we do with him? we cant let him go."

[Anamatar IV]

"It sounds like they wanted him to die." said anamatar. "I heard that bolon and ranuial had already fought tonight. The people that paid him thought that he should die as well. We must not let him go. If his stroy is true Furins men will kill him. If we kill him and realise that bolon and bregor have not died we will live with that untill our end. Edellond, what do you think shall be done?" "Arm him and let him go. If he meets murder on the road he will fight for life."

"Oh yes please let me go!!!!" the healer screamed.

"edellond-ride to my room at the inn. get your company and also bring him a mattock."

[Nóm]

Ranuial and Phenix see Edellond aproaching quickly.
"I hope nothing awful has happend again"

[Anamatar IV]

"Ranuial--the healer has confessed to being employed by a man named furin." Said edellond. "We have agreed to give him a weapon and bid him off. we also agree that furin wants him dead." Edellond then continued his ride.

[Dwarf Lord]

The Dwarf sat up on the cold floor. he looked to the front of the building. Light was filtering through the dirt, and grime on the window.
He felt relieed after the shot of liqour. It had gotten him through much. He felt for it finding the metal flask at his hip. He rubbed the smooth slick steel, and the indented runes. He got to his feet, and walked to the door. He hadn't notice, but much was happening. Instead of bothering himself with such things he went out in the morning for a smoke. The morning was a splendid change from the gloom that was constantly over the village. He filled the bowl, and lit it woth his flint and tinder. THe smoke filled his lungs, and he immediatly felt relaxed. The smoke was of good make. He had gotten it in a small village on the edge of the land of gondor.

[Anamatar IV]

Anamatar turned and saw bolon leave the house. He followed. "are you feeling allright bolon? Normally a healer wouldnt recomend smoking when you have been poisoned.

[Dwarf Lord]

" I thank you for your concern, but I am fine. My drink has taken care of me." And he wasn't lying. His arm wasn't hurting, and he was refreashed. Bolon puffed on his pipe thoughtfully while watching the sun rise over mountains.

[Anamatar IV]

"It is around 6 oclock. I will go to the inn for breakfast." at that moment edellond rode up with a helm, small sheild and a small sword. "Give those to the healer and bid him off." Anamatar then rode his horse to the inn for a small breakfast.

[Goldberry344]

Goldberry leaves the room with the healer and walked outside. She started towards the stables when she found Bolon. "hello, bolon. how are you doing? you recover quickly from such a shock."

[Phenix]

Phenix turn to ranuial" I think bolon is fine, I wish we could talk more but I've haven't got any sleep for the last 24 houres so I'm really tiered" then he walk toward the in. when he got in he ask the owner if his room is ready. then he walks up to the second floor, into his room and fell aslee whitout even take of his clotes.

[Nóm]

"I do not like him being there alone while he sleeps, I am going back to the Inn" Ranuial tells the King's man.
They turn back to the Inn, the King's man meets up with his people.
"I ask that someone come back and let me know how Bolon is doing, and bring any messages that your Lord deems you should"
With that the Kings men ride off. Ranuial goes to his room near Phenix's and thinks things over for awhile, but he is eventually taken by pleasant dreams" he listens still, for anything or anyone out of place.
An attack on the Inn does not seem likely.

[Phenix]

Phenix wake up almost direcly after he fell a sleep by a strange smell when he go upp he sees that one of the walls in he's room are on fire. he quikly grab his bow and run out of the room to warn the others. when he get's to ranuials rom he see a cuple of men whit torches, he take up his bow and shoot a arrow in one of the mans hand so that he drops the torch then he runs toward them and starts fighting them man to Elf seins they're unarmd.

[Nóm]

Ranuial grabs one of the men and pulls him out of the room and down the hall t'wards the common room.
"There is fire" he calls to the barman

[Phenix]

Phenix take his bow and shout a man whos trying to escape in the leg so he falls. then he walks forwards and grab him in the neck. Mean while Ranuial takes care of the last man. " thanx ranuila... help the oders whit the fire I'm taking care of this scum" he says whit a look on the man he's holding

[Nóm]

Ranuial sees the men of the common room stir, they get up and head back the rooms. Ranuial steps outside with the man that he pulled from his room. Inside he can hear the shoutings of "fire fire!, Anybody here? Everybody out!"

"'Maybe I aught to have tied you to the bed in my room and placed your torch under it! Why would you set fire to this Inn? Or perhaps you are so foolish that the torch just got away from you! there are children in that building!"

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor bade those who were going to the inn goodbye and entered back into the healer's house. He walked back to where his family was still gathered. They were still shaking from the fright of the last episode witht the healer. After a quick glance at his father, Dregor knelt down in front of his younger brother Bregon. "I am needed in town. I cannot stay here for much longer - there are evil things going on and I am needed. You and Ma stay here while I go and find my friend Shardon. He will be here soon and make sure that Father stays safe, alright?" Bregon nodded. "Also, make sure that Bolon is ok." Bregon's face broke out into a wide smile, and Dregon laughed. "I knew you'd love that job! Now I will go find Shardon." He turned quickly to leave, but his mother cought his arm.

"Dregor," she said, "be careful, but more importantly think before you do anything. Don't go around killing needlessly! We have known these people all of our lives, and you should think first before you do anything rash to them. Remember that sometimes the best revenge is to let people live with what they have done instead of putting them out of their misery." Dregor gave her a look which she was unable to translate. "Be careful!" she said with a sigh.

Dregor left the house and saw Bolon smoking. "I'm going to find someone to stay here with my father so that I can be of some help where the action is taking place." he said to the dwarf, who looked like he was doing much better and was actually enjoying himself. "Do you need anything while I'm away?"

[Phenix]

outside the inn:

"Pleas don't kill me I'll tel you every thing" the man says to ranuial
"talk"
" ok.. we where sent here to kill the elf that betraid our master" the man then quikly put his hand in his jaket and gets a bottle of poison which he drink befor ranuial can do anything to stop him. the moment later hi's dead

[Goldberry344]

"I'm going with you, Dregor." shouts goldberry as she runs to catch up. "Im not sure whats going on, but i want to find out."

[Nenya Evenstar]

"Ok," Dregor answered. "I don't blame you for wanting to come. I can't stand staying here for one more second!" Bolon seemed very content with his pipe so Dregor and Goldberry headed off behind the house. Dregor led the way across country to an outlying farm a few miles from the town. "I hope Shardon is home." He said to Goldberry as he knocked on the door. It was answered by Shardon himself.

"Hello! What brings you out here at this time?" the tall, dark-haired boy asked. "And who is this?" He asked looking at Goldberry and winking.

"Oh, keep you flirting to yourself. We don't have time for this!" Said Dregor, rolling his eyes. "Go to the healers house now. I don't have time to tell anything so you'll..."

"Whoa, wait a minute!" Shardon answered. "I ain't going anywhere unless I know what I'm going to find there. Things are too creepy right now."

Dregor looked at Goldberry. "I guess we're gonna be longer than I thought. I hope you don't mind."

[Phenix]

by the time the town people got the fire ounder controll te whole upper floor was destroyd and Phenix sat in the commonroom and drank a beer. " hope teh guy didn't tell ranuial about me " he thought. then he got upp heading towards the house of healing to see if anything had hapened there. on his way he rememberd ranuials worlds that he had told the kings men to only trust him bolon and ranuial him self. it feelt like he had stabbed a knife in his own hart

[Goldberry344]

Goldberry nods. "Not at all. Personally, i dont feel like going into town without an extra set of eyes, anyhow."

Goldberry follows Dregor and Shardon into the house.

[Anamatar IV]

Anamatar was sitting in the common room with all his men when ranuial rushed down the stairs yelling fire! He held a shot man by the throat. At the sight of the man anamatar drew his sword and directed all the people out. "GO GO! Leave your items! I myself am leaving a quiver of arrows to be burned and a knife to melt!" As anamatar got out side he saw a horse man riding fast away from the inn. Edellond-summon your men and overtake him!" Edellond and his man got onto their horses and rode faster than the northern wind. Minutes later the townspeople had the fire under control. anamatar went back in to finish his breakfast. He saw phenix. "How many men were there phenix?" he said as he dug into a peice of bacon like the fire hadnt even happened.

[Dwarf Lord]

Bolon woke suddenly! he had fallen a sleep standing outside the healing house. His Pipe had burnt out, and was rested between his lips. He turned back to the healing house, but didn't go in. Instead he walked off. He fallowed the road until it crossed a gurgling stream. There he turned into the woods, and began to journey among the trees. He walked through the woods for a few hours. by then the sun was straight over head. He came to an open meadow filled with tussocks of small prickly dead trees. He climbed in between them, and sat in the exposed grass. He watched the fresh snow being blown around by the wind. He wrapped his cloak around himself, and looked at the sky. The clouds passed over swiftly. His heart heart then, and his breathing became hard. He cupped his face in his hands, and a mournful sob escaped his lips. His lips curled back, and he began to cry. His throat began to hurt. The clouds were so beautiful! He had no reason to cry, but that he was alone in this world. He got up from his spot in the shrubs, and walked over meadow to a small dell set between two large hills. At the center of the dell was small pond fed by a small trickling stream. He bent next to the stream, and cupped some water into his mouth. He watched his reflection in the stream, seeing the tears drop from his cheeks. He wiped them away, and told himself to stop being a baby.
He thought of Ranuial, and the others. He would hate to leave his good friends to the fight, but the preasure was begining to take hold. "Come on Bolon take hold of your self!" He cried yelling at the sky. He wanted to stay, and be honorable! He wanted to help his good friend Ranuial! But he didn't think he could.

[Anamatar IV]

Edellond and his company rode fast after the man. When they were in range one of the archers bent an arrow and shot the horse. The horse fell and rolled over the rider many times. The company surrounded the horseman with swords drawn. They reached the rider only to find that he was dead. They all sheathed their swords and rode back to the inn.

[Dwarf Lord]

His inner peace had been challenged again! "I had to do it!" Bolon tried to convince himself. He was slowly turning angry at himself. His mistake may be a fatal one, and not just to himself.
He Walked slowly along the stream. He came to a small cleft at the bottom of one hill. He stood there for many minutes staring into the day. The sun was passing farther over head, and his stomach began to growl. He made no sign to turn back to the village. When he hadnit found what he didn't know he was searching for he walked on. His path led him farther into a terrace of valleys streatching farther into the distance then was possible to see. The snow was thick among the deep vales. It glittered in the bright sun light. The beauty of it gave no comfort to Bolon.
Something to his right caught his sight. There was a streach of dark ominous cloud rolling in from the north. The cloud spread from horizon to horizon. Thunder was raging, and a torrent of snow could be seen from far off. " He is ready to fight!" Bolon said holding the handle of his axe. With that he ran off into the distance leaving no trail, and trace. He had succumbed to the power of the drink, but turned it to his own uses. He did not want to take his friends into danger, so he must go into danger himself.

[Phenix]

" I'll only saw 5 ot 6 men but there was probobly more outside."

[Nóm]

To Phenix Ranuial says. "That's a shame. What was he doing with that poison anyhow? keeping it for suicide?...If so, he must quite dedicated. I would say that this man has been on the side of the enemy for awhile, and was not intimidated into acting against us. I think he truely wanted to harm us. I am going to run over to the healer's to see how things go with Bolon and Bregor. What will you be up to?"

[Phenix]

"I'll come whit you raniual...by the way, did the man say something before he killed him self?"

[Anamatar IV]

just then edellond and his riders entered the common room. In edellonds arms he held the trampled rider. "This is the one that rode away" said edellond. "Ranuial, Phenix-you 2 have been in this town far longer than i. DO you know this man?" Anamatar said.

[Nóm]

"This man is from here in town, I have saw him around....At the Frosty Inn with Furin and his gang. Anamatar, Phenix and I must be going now, do with this man what you will (Ranuial looks into the man's eyes while he points out the Window to the dead man lying out front." With a grin, he turns to Phenix, are we off?"

[Anamatar IV]

as ranuial and phenix walked out one of anamatars riders came in. "Bolon is not in the house" he gasped. Without word anamatar got onto his horse and on the new fallen snow made tracks as he rode off with great speed to the healers house. He passed ranuial and phenix on the way but didnt heed to their calls. He got to the healers house and went in. Noone was there except for Bregor and his family. Dregor and goldberry had gone. "Did the healer accept the weapon and helm?" anamatar asked bregors wife. "Yes. He left long ago." she answered. "Do you know where bolon is" he asked.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor and Goldberry entered Shardon's house and sat down in the sitting room. The bright sun filtered in through the windows and filled the room with a warm light. Dregor suddenly realized that he had not slept since the night before last. He was exhausted. There was no hope for that now. He then proceeded to tell to Shardon all of the happenings of the past night. Shardon listened with intense interest and fingered his side like there was a sword present. Goldberry added in parts of the story which Dregor was hazy on, and kept his mind from wandering because of a lack of sleep. As soon as the story was finished, Shardon jumped up from from his chair and said calmly, "Go, Dregor and Goldberry, wherever you are needed. I will make my way to the healer's house immediately and make sure that your family stays well protected. I will even try to find some other people to help."

"No," Dregor answered. "Go to no one else. Tell no one else of your involvement in this. I do not think that I can trust any more of the towns folk well enough to let them be a part of this resistance against evil - too many of them have fallen prey to it already, and I must know that the people on our side are true!"

Shardon stared at Dregor for a minute. "Very well," he said finally, "I won't tell anyone - I just hope that if any trouble comes to the healer's house that I will be able to defend your family by myself."

"That is a risk we are going to have to take. I know of no one else that we can trust. Just hide my family in the loft of the healer's and watch all around. I'm sure that they will be safer than most of the towns folk are right now. I know that you will be fine." Dregor's voice cracked.

"I will keep them safe." Shardon told him. He knew what Dregor's family meant to him, and he knew what Dregor was feeling.

"Thank you," Dregor said, "I know you will." With that he turned and left the room followed close by Goldberry. She could see that he was struggling hard inside himself to keep his emotion from showing, and knew that if anything happened to his family it would not go well with whoever had caused the harm. "I guess we should go to town now," he asked her, "what do you think?"

[Goldberry344]

"I'm worried about Phenix and Anamatar. They went into town earlier. I think we should see whats happened and try to find them." Goldberry replies, jogging to catch up with Dregor.

[Nóm]

Ranuial and Phenix start up the street t'wards the healer's house. Ranuials hums to himself for awhile, clearing his mind and soothing his nerves."Oh!" Ranuial suddenly speaks" No, the man said nothing just before he ended his life. A couple minutes before, just as I pulled him out through the door and into the cold, he said that he would tell me nothing. 'I will tell you nothing' that is exactly what he said. I am not used to dealing with these things. I've spent over 900 years wandering, but never did I care to bother with the troubles of others, but to keep things simple has been my way. I care about Bregor and his family though, he is a good man, as are so many others in this town, not least of all Bolon who wanders himself.. This town is young, and many here do not know how to survive hardships. Hobbits, they remind me of at times. How are you doing Phenix?"
Hooves could be heard in the distance....approaching?...From behind.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor slowed down and nodded. "Me too. Let's go to The Misty Inn." Goldberry and Dregor made their way as quickly as possible into town. Smoke hung thick about some of the buildings and wreathed itself through the streets. The air was choked with smoke. "What happened here!" Dregor exclaimed. He hurried on to the inn and saw the entire upper floor burned. "Ranuial! Phenix! Anamatar!" he cried running into main floor of the burned inn, "are you here?"

[Nóm]

A man outside the Inn calls to Dregor..."Ranuial left with that other Elf, then these men came by on horses saying someone is missing and that man took of like a bat outta hell on his horse, Whats goin' on around here anyways? these Elves hiding soemthing?"

[Nenya Evenstar]

"NO!" Dregor almost shouted. "These elves are hiding nothing! They are trying to help, that's all. Which way did they go? Did they say who was missing?"

[Nóm]

"Okay okay, Balin? Rollin? or some such thing aint at the healers no more they said." Told the man to Dregor, eyeing goldberry.

[Nenya Evenstar]

"Bolon!" Dregor exclaimed looking at Goldberry with a concerned look on his face. "So did they go towards the healer's place?" he asked the man.

[Nóm]

"That man on the horse sped off over yonder (pointing in the general direction of the healer's) I think them Elf boys went that way too...and whats with all these strange people about? You say they are helping but trouble didnt get bad until you all came to town" Again the man eyes Goldberry "I know you're Bregor's boy, but who's she?" The man seems that he will talk forever if Goldberry and Dregor stay to listen

[Anamatar IV]

As anamatar turned to leave the house he saw a strange man approching. He carried a knife at his belt. Anamatar ran outside sword in hand and stuck the point to the edge of the mans throat. "Who are you" "I...am shardon. My friend sent me to look after his healing father." Anamatar sheathed his sword. "Very well. go inside. But if you are attacked that weak knife will provide no protection." With that anamatar got onto his horse but did not ride. He was studiing the ground. "Dwarves make deep footprints" he said to himself. He started riding in the direction of the prints.

[Nenya Evenstar]

"I don't have time to talk!" Dregor told the man. "But I will let you know that we are all here trying to help things get back to normal - you've got to trust us. Don't worry, we aren't trying to hurt anyone or anything. And I ask you to do the same." With that he turned and left, followed by Goldberry, leaving the astonished man contemplating Dregor's last words and staring after Goldberry. They had to hurry, so they ran. "Oh, what I would give for a horse right now!" Dregor said between breaths.

[Nenya Evenstar]

"All I have is a knife!" shouted Shardon after the man who had just stuck a sword to his throat. He was staring at the ground as if looking for something. "I guess it'll just have to do." Shardon said to himself looking at the small blade and then back at the man. "Never had a need for a sword before. Never thought I would."

[Anamatar IV]

anamatar was following the tracks when suddenly they led across a stream. the stream was so cold that even the horsres out of the far north wouldnt tread across it. anamatar turned back. He reached the inn as he saw shardon leaving. He had blood on his knife. "WHO DID YOU CUT!" yelled anamatar as he drew his sword and pointed it in the same place. "Dregor told me about the healer and, well the scum showed up again and you know it was my job to protect the family and well the healer he had a knife. So well uh...a i did what dregor told me to-protect the family..." shardon shudered greatly.

"Why are you leaving." anamatar asked

"I was going to the stream to wash off the knife." he replied.

anamatar went inside and into the back room. Indeed on the threshhold of the back door he saw the healer. He was on the ground, helm cloven and body cut. He had a deep stab in his back aside from the rest of the slashes on his body. 'looks like he got a peice of shardon.' anamatar thought to himself. The mattock that was given to the healer was soaked in blood. At the healers side was the sheild given to him. That was also in shards.

[Goldberry344]

*Goldberry snorts* If you werent in such a hurry to begin with, we could have bridled my horse and ridden her bareback. i wish we had.

[Anamatar IV]

anamatar left the house and ran to the stream. He saw shardon laying with his face in the water. "SHARDON" he yelled. He lifted his face out of the water. he had a deep wound in his back but he was alive. Anamatar picked up shardon and ran with great speed to the healer.

[Dwarf Lord]

Bolon ran for many miles trying to skirt the forest at a great distance. He had been searching for some sign of the dark forces, but had been foiled at every step. He dared not go to close to the forest. the dark eaves were made even darker by the clouds moving in over head. The wizard was in a rage, and felt no reason to spare anyone from his wrath. And Bolon was not going to stand it. The wizard must die.
He stopped, and breathed in a breath of fresh air watching the sun dwindling behind the clouds. He looked at the forest again, and slowly walked down from the hill he was standing on. He did not want to enter the forest, but he knew he must. He walked for what seemed like hours. When he had come to the first tree of the forest he whispered in an ancient tongue " Give me strength, Give me power." With that he crosed the rrier into th darknss of the forest.

[Nóm]

Before Phenix could answer ranuial, the aproaching rider behind is so nearing that The Elves turn quickly to see that he is nearly past them. "Anamatar!" They call to him. He Rides on.
"How what do you imagine that could be about?...Perhaps he heard word of trouble up that way...at the healer's" The Elves run quickly after him, lightly over the snow."
Near the healers, they turn again to see Dregor and Goldberry approaching.
"Phenix go back to them, and I will go on ahead"

[Nenya Evenstar]

"Well, I'm sorry, but your horse completely left my mind," Dregor answered, "or else I would have made use of him. Wait! That looks like Ranuial and Phenix." Dregor made an obvious effort not to run this time because Goldberry seemed annoyed at his hurry. Phenix was running towards them lightly upon the snow. "What is going on? Is Bolon alright?" Dregor shouted towards him.

[Anamatar IV]

anamatar reached the healers house as ranuial did. He showed her the wounded man. "He has been stabbed. If there was a healer to be trusted in this town i would pay muh gold for it."

[Goldberry344]

Goldberry ran over to Phenix. "what's happened in the town? Where are the others?"

[Nenya Evenstar]

Goldberry ran towards Phenix, and Dregor shook his head. He couldn't win, could he. He ran up alongside her and looked expectantly at the elf.

[Anamatar IV]

Anamatar and ranuial went into the healers house with the injured man. "He fought the healer and got stabbed." anamatar said. They laid him on the table and anamatar dusted the wound with a strange powder. "It is ground athelas. I only use it in the most dire needs."

[Nenya Evenstar]

Shardon was groaning with pain as the two men dusted his wound. His back was burning, and his mind was slowly slipping away. He tried to hold onto reality and only barely succeeded. But still, he was going down, down into blackness...

[Anamatar IV]

"Ranuial, is there anything you can do for him?" He was deep in thougth when he said that. 'council gone astray' he thought to himself.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Suddenly Shardon let out a shark groan and fell back limp onto the table. He was still breathing in short gasps, but they seemed labored and painful. His eyes were rolled back into his head and his body was limp. There was still life in him, but soon, if nothing was done, that would be gone too.

[Anamatar IV]

"The wound is too deep. What ever the healer may have said he did know how to fight." Anamatar bathed the wound in steaming water mixed with powdered athelas.

[Nóm]

Ranuial tells Anamatar "There is a town north of here, a days ride there and back again. Whoever is fastest must go there and bring a healer to us. I will go since I have been to that town before but I should not go alone. Who is coming with me? and Where is Bolon?"

[Anamatar IV]

"Thats what i came for. Bolon left earlier. I followed his tracks to the stream. I will go with you. I can ride fast." anamatar whispered unheard words in the ancient numenorean tongue to shardon.

[Phenix]

"we where ataked at the inn... it was townfolks who did it, what do you mean the others aint they at the house of healing"
Phenix answers Goldberry and dregor

[Dwarf Lord]

Bolon walked among the trees looking at there trunks. Many were twistedd,and knarled. Some had branches that were withered, and broken. It looked as though something had turned the forest into a wasteland. There were many swamp lands that ranked, and boiled. Even though the winter had been terribly cold. The waters were boiling, and smoking. Once Bolon stepped into a pool of some horrible mess.
Inside the forest the heat was rising. Every step he took became more humid, and sickly warm. He had to remove his cloak, and his helm. When he had gone deep into the swamps, and past the fetid stink the air began to grow cooler. The midge flies weren't as thick, and he placed his helm upon his head. His Cloak was wet from the moisture in the air, and it would have been of no use on, so he walked on cloakless. He dropped his cloak by a tree that was near by, and resting against it's trunk. He sat there for about an hour. When it was near what he thought was night he walked on. He stopped.
In the distance a fell cry could be heard in the woods. Bolon jumped at the sound, and looked around. He had never heard such a sound, and never wished to again. He walked on, but more warily.

[Nenya Evenstar]

"They are at the healer's house!" exclaimed Dregor. "Good, then we came to the right place. Come, let us go meet with them." He started walking towards the house, and Goldberry and Phenix followed behind. "Phenix," Dregor said to the elf, "someone at the inn told us that Bolon was missing. Do you know anything of this?"

[Nenya Evenstar]

As Anamatar bathed Shardon's wound the wounded man began to breath a little easier. He began to mumble strange words that made no sense over and over while moving his head from side to side. Anamatar listened to what he was saying with interest. Suddenly, he distiguished, in the midst of the babbling, two words: the family. Shardon kept repeating, "The family, the family," in short, uninteligable words.

[Anamatar IV]

anamatar heard these words. he continued the bathe the wound for a few more moments and then ran to the loft. Indeed the healer had done more than walk by the door. Anamatar climbed down the ladder and in his hands were 2 bodies. Bregors wife and youngest son. "It appears we are too late. They defended bregor valiantly but the healer has stabbed them both. There is a bigger story behind this knife of yours shardon." he continued to bathe the wound.

[Nenya Evenstar]

"Bregor, where is he?" mumbled Shardon painfully, "is he dead too then?"

[Anamatar IV]

NO bregor is alive. You came just when he was going to kill him." Shardon told the story: "the healer came in and he stabbed me. He ran up to the loft and killed bregors son and wife. I came up and he held his sword up. We fought and i broke his helm and sheild but he ran away. I caught and killed him in the door. Thats when you found me." "You have fought valiantly. You could not alter the fate of the dead.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Pain and sadness spread slowly over Shardon's face. He had not reached the house in time, and now his best friend's mother and brother was dead. His grief steadily grew as he stared at the two bodies. "Dregor!" he cried. "If only I had reached here sooner!" He looked at Anamatar with a lost look in his eyes. "Dregor will not be able to handle this!" he warned the other man.

[Anamatar IV]

"Dregor will not be able to handle it but he will not die if not cared for. Dont worry yourself with thought of failing. If you hadnt been there then bregor would be killed as well. You have avenged their death rightfully." anamatar again chanted ancient numenorean lore. He continued to caress the wound. He stopped for a moment and mixed different herbs into more water. "Drink this." it burned shardons throught. "the healer has payed. If u had been here sooner u wouldve been dead along with bregor and his family."

[Goldberry344]

"We should hurry" Goldie hisses urgently as she breaks into a run, "we'll find out everything when we get there"

[Nenya Evenstar]

The Numenonorien chants that Anamatar was using were working wonders for Shardon. He already felt much better, albeit very week. His heart, however, was very heavy inside, and he was not sure how much more mental stress he could take. He laid his head back on the table and let his grief overwhelm him. "No, how can the death of one bad man avenge the deaths of two perfectly good people?" he asked. "I will get behind this and find out who ordered this deed done!"

[Anamatar IV]

anamatar walks out for a moment and sees goldberry and dregor running towards the healers house. He greeted them. "We have very fell news. The healer has returned with battle skills." he looked towards dregor. Anamatar placed his hand on his shoulder. "he killed your mother and bregon. He stabbed shardon and he is under my care but improving. Come." he led them inside. He heard dregors muffled curses and sobs.

"Shardon-anamatar said as goldberry comforted degor. "do not speak such words. You will not be any use if you are on the brink of dying while youre trying to help. We go nowhere untill bolon is found and i wont look for him untill you are healed." He gave shardon another healing draught and started a new chant which, translated into the common tongue means You will heal hearts if you heal this wound.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor shook his head. This Ranger was too much! He broke out into a run followed by Phenix who was given no time to answer his question. Dregor could see a few horses out in front of the building and knew that there were people inside. As soon as he and his companions reached the door of the house, Dregor ran inside and was met with a living nightmare. There on the floor next to Anamatar lay his mother and little brother stabbed to death with a sword, and on a table lay Shardon with a deep wound in his back. Dregor stopped dead in his tracks, indeed time seemed to stop for a moment, as his mind labored and attempted to cope with the sights that his eyes took in but his brain did not want to believe. His father still lay on a nearby table sleeping just like he had been only a few hours ago, but the rest! Dregor stood frozen like a statue unable to move, speak, or even think. His mind was reeling.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor only vaguely remembered meeting Anamatar outside the door and hearing him say that his mother and brother were dead. He couldn't even think - nothing was making any sense. He only half heard Goldberry trying to comfort him and realized that he was sobbing uncontrolably and cursing under his breath.

[Goldberry344]

"Anamatar" Goldie calls, "were is Bolon? How did this happen?" she turns back to Dregor and tries to comfort him.

[Anamatar IV]

anamatar went back to where dregor was. "Bolon has left. I came and tracked him to the stream. When i got back i saw shardon coming out with a bloody knife. While i healed him he told me that the healer snuck up on him and stabbed him. He killed ur family and was gonna kill bregor but shardon got to him 1st." Anamatar went back and bathed the wound once more.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor looked over at Shardon and shook his head. "No, it is not his fault." he said quietly. "At least he is alright. It is not your fault either. Indeed it is my own folly - I left them here alone so that I could go help in town." Dregor dropped down into a chair and stared at his mother. There she was as she always had been, but only dead. He buried his face in his hands and let his grief overcome him.

[Anamatar IV]

"If it is any comfort dregor---shardon has told me that they fought valiantly to protect bregor. even bregon. He picked up a torch and gave the healer a burn he would carry untill the end of his days. which happened to be about 10 minutes later."

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor lifted his head up. "It does not surprise me," he stuggled to say through his tears, "Bregon was always very brave. If only it had been me instead, and he had been able to live his life like he ought to have!"

[Anamatar IV]

anamatar bathed the wound and chanted to shardon one last time. "I have done all that i can do. If he rests for a few days he will be fine. In the mean time i must go look for bolon." with that anamatar left and rode to the stream where he saw the tracks dissappear. Anamatar followed the stream untill he found the tracks again. He followed them and followed. Suddenly he stopped in his tracks. He turned and rode fast back to the houses. The tracks led into the woods.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor nodded and watched Anamatar leave the house. He sat lost in thoughts of his family that once was, but which was now broken and empty.

[Nóm]

Ranuial stands by Anamatar watching all that unfolds. Dregor's greif is the one of most pianful things Ranuial has witnessed in all of his long years.
Shortly after Anamatr leaves,Ranuial goes outside to see Anamatar riding back quickly.

Ranuial thinks: 'it is just as well that he comes back, why should we go alone? Bolon went into the woods after that evil wizard, I am sure of it. We have sat idle for too long. This Evil must be found and destroyed'

[Anamatar IV]

"You know what news i bring ranuial. I see it in your eyes. Goldberry and dregor must stay here but with what strength we have we must go into the woods." As he said this anamatars men came riding up. 'The inn was pillaged!' they said. "They went room by room and killed some men. We killed many but the regained strength."

[Goldberry344]

Goldberry longs to go and search for bolon, but she knows that she should stay and help her friend Dregor. She watches Anamatar leave sadly, goes to the kitchen and gets some tea. she offers a cup to Dregor.

[Anamatar IV]

"Come ranuial." anamatar said as he got onto his horse. "we will ride to the forest together, fight together, and if it is our doom, die together." Anamatar and his 13 men rode with ranuial to the forest. Their horses would not go in so they had to walk. They slowly and warily walked through the trees.

[Nóm]

Ranuial walks through the snowy woods and considers this town of Misty Hollow. Could good win over evil without the heroism of a town person? Ranuial thinks of tales and songs known long ago to men. So it seems that whenever a town was in need that one of it's own would stand to fight and win renown and peace through great heroism.
He recalls a song that he heard many years earlier away East of Mirkwood.

Bard the Guard
the dwarves brought hope and joy
but the dragon would destroy
approaching fire in the air
the towns people despair
some hid, but Bard was there
looking up in the night
behold this sight
with the hope of the past
so too comes the terror, at last
Thrush, to Bard rush
the dragon's soft spot
A black arrow caught
Bard the King

Ranuial thought of Dregor.

[Anamatar IV]

"Ranuial! Look!" before their feet was bolons cloak that he cast away.

[Nóm]

"It looks like it was cast away, probably by him. It would surely be ripped in half if it were pulled from him in a struggle. I think Bolon is after this Wizard with a burning vengence that will last until he has either slain or been slain. We must move faster."

[Anamatar IV]

"yes we must run." anamatar turned around. His men were not far behind. "they can keep up!"

[Goldberry344]

After giving dregor his tea, she sits to think of the wizard who killed her half elvin mother. She hopes with a mighty vengance that she will be there to get revenge before the wizard is killed

[Dwarf Lord]

Bolon walked for many miles. He saw a light in the darkness. The light seemed to be coming from a fire. Bolon hurried forward while pulling His axe from his belt. He found five men standing around talking of Ranuial, and the rest of his companions. They were talking of death, and someone not known to him. He felt a sudden hot wrath take over his body. He gripped his axe, and raced into the clearing. He took off the first mans head , and spun on his heel bringing his axe down upon the man next him's head. The mans helmet was now cloven. He stood quivering with fear. he looked upon the other men, and gritted his teeth. He Let out a horrible cry, sending spit onto all the men. His mind was turned into that of a predator. The man stood, and drew thier swords. Bolon charged them. He brought his axe around from the side, and sliced the mans stomach apart. He kicked the second one in his knee, breaking it at the joint. The cried out in pain, but before he could finish Bolon slammed the butt of his axe upon his forhead. The mans head was crushed. He stopped, and looked at the last man. He looked back with an exprssion of fear. Out of pure instinct he swung his sword out against bolons arm. Bolon did not flinch. Blood began to drip from his wound, but Bolon did not heed it. The man threw down his sword, and ran. Bolon let out a beastial laugh, and threw his axe. It thudded into the mans back in mid stride. it sent him flying into a tree. Bolon's rage was beging to dwindle at the site of the dead men. He dropped to his knees, and began to weep.

[Anamatar IV]

as the 15 of them ran through the forest a deepening fear fell on them. They slowly reduced their speed. As they trotted through the forest anamatar thought of goldberry, dregor, and all else who needed revenge against this wizard. the wizard killed goldberries mother, dregors family, anamatars son. Only 1 could get vengeance though.

[Nenya Evenstar]

"Goldie," said Dregor suddenly looking up. The Ranger was sitting in a chair by the fire drinking tea. "I cannot sit here. I cannot look at the bodies of my family and do nothing. I will have revenge and I cannot get it by doing nothing. Come, we must get my father and Shardon to someplace where they can be safe."

[Goldberry344]

Goldberry stands, secretly glad that Dregor has decided to do something. "I will go tack up our horses. You get your father and we will ride to somewhere safe." Goldie throws on her cape and walks to the stables.

[Anamatar IV]

the company ran again. Time was not on their side. They passed through many trees untill they found a red mark in the snow. "This is blood! Recent too." they continued in that direction untill they found 5 dead bodies. "Axes cut these men. Bolon was here recently.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor nodded. He stood up and went over to where Shardon and his father lay. "Wake up you two!" he said softly. They both started out of their sleep. "Come, I am going to take you to Uncle Dregon's house - you should be safe there." He helped the two up and led them to the door. While Goldberry was helping them onto the horses, Dregor went back in the house and moved his mother and brother back upstairs to the loft. He did not want anyone finding them while he was gone. Afterwards, he went out side and mounted the horse waiting for him. "Follow me," he said to Goldberry and the others as he led the way back towards the town.

[Goldberry344]

Goldie trots her horse up next to Dregor's "are you sure we should have left them alone there? I want do do something! I hate being cooped up while the action is going on!" Goldie is next to tears due to her frustration, but she tries to hide it from her friend.

[Nenya Evenstar]

"Hey, Goldie, what's the matter?" asked Dregor with concern in his voice. "I don't understand what you mean - Shardon and my father are here with us."

[Goldberry344]

Goldie looks up and stammers...."Nothing. i dont know. where are we going?"

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor looked at her confused. Then he answered, "We are going to my Uncle's house. That is the only place that I can think of where they will be safe and where no one will know of their wherabouts."

[Goldberry344]

"Ok," Goldie aggrees, "But what will we do after that"

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor thought for a minute. "Well," he said, "I was thinking that we should go look for this wizard - he will not live, he must not live." It was odd, but Dregor did not feel all angry like he usually did. Instead, in place of anger was a great sense of duty and of bitterness. He knew that the wizard must die, but not only for his own revenge, but for the people who the wizard would kill in the future if he was allowed to survive. "What do you think?" he asked Goldberry.

[Dwarf Lord]

Bolon got up, and wiped his tears away. He walked to the man witht the axe in his back. He was still breathing. Bolon knelt beside him. "Hello." What an odd thing to say to someone who is dying he thought.
"Hello!" the man said with a deep gasp.
"Please, you must tell me all that you know of this wizard that you know as your leader!"
"Why? Why should I?"
"It would redeem your soul for all the terrible things you've been apart of!" Bolon cried at the man.
"Aye, I would not have done this if it was not for my family. We needed food, and I couldn't provide."
"Your family will be fine if only you tell me of this wizard. please you must hurry!"
"He has many powers, and can change forms. He has only exposed himself to us servants as a shadow. That is all I know. please help my family."
"Alright, I will!" Said Bolon putting his fist acrossed his chest. The layed his head down. Bolon acted like he thought he was dead, but drew his small knife. He stabbed the man in the back above his shoulder blade. The man cried out in pain!
"You think you could fool me?" with that he sliced his throught. He pulled his axe from the mans back only to find that he was wearing double armor. He had on a second vest of some hard chain mail.
Bolon sighed, and strapped his axe to his waist. He felt a great urge to go further. So he took up to running. He dodged between the trees, and around the tussocks of dead bushes. He ran like this for many hours.

[Phenix]

Phenix catch upwhit the 15 men searching fo bolon.
" hey you are fast couldent you wait for me." he says as he sees the bloody snow " what has happend here??"

[Nóm]

"Phenix, I knew that you would catch up. As for this blood, we think that Bolon has killed some men. *Ranuial points beyond some shrubs* There are bodies of men there...they have been killed with an Axe. Also that *Ranuial gestures to one of Anamatar's men*
The man Hold up the cloak found earlier.
"That's right Phenix, it is Bolons, and was found just a little way back. It apears to have been cast aside by him, probably before the slaying of these men. Bolon is close and we must press on quickly."

[Phenix]

"ok lets go then" Phenix says and starts follow the trails left by bolon

[Nóm]

Just as they move along Ranuial turning back sees something that make him stop.
Ranuial turns back to the bodies of the slain men.
Walking over to one Ranuial lifts him..
"This, look.I think this man was stabbed after he fell. The blood does not run down his back as it would if he were standing or wrestling after the wound....But that is not all, this larger wound was here first I am sure of it, look how the body lay. Did Bolon do this? I do not like the feeling that I get from this."

[Phenix]

"you're right...we beter find bolon quikly." Phenix says after looking at the body

[Nóm]

As they move on through the woods Ranuial speaks with Phenix
"I have not known Bolon for long, but I think maybe he is not being himself?..I wonder if the poison is effecting his mind. It's even entered my mind that that knife of his may have some power over him...It could be that I just do not know him very well, but it feels like there is soemthing that I can not put my finger on. How were Dregor and Goldberry as you left?"

[Anamatar IV]

"Ranuial-bolon did not stab a dead body. If you had noticed the axe did not cut him. There was no blood. The man was wearing a strong armor. bolon had to stab him." Anamatar looked to and fro his sides. Something fell was coming close. He fought the urge to draw his sword and just fingered his knife.

[Nóm]

"I did not say that Bolon stabbed a dead body, O Mighty King!"

[Dwarf Lord]

Bolon began to get tired, but he fought the urge to drink more from his flask. He had never drinken twice in the same day, and had no idea of the consiquences. Even though the power was still in him, it had fell dormant after the fight, and left him feeling weak. He decided against it, and slowed to a walk.
When The time came for the fight with the darkness he might have to use more of liqour, but he did not want to think of that. He walked through the many trees looking up to the dark sky ever so often. The wind had picked up, and snow had began to fall when Bolon found what he thought to be the home of the darkness. HE was stopped in his tracks by the sight. It was a tall dark tower of some sort set between four tall fir trees. If looked at from afar it could be mistaken for another tree.
The tower was a broad tapered shape, coming toa point at the top. Spikes of some sort stuck in rows from top to bottom. The black metal from witch it was made of glimmered, but looked dull all at once. The base was an octaganol shape with the tower set at the center. There were two entrances to the tower. one facin east, and one west. THe stairs were set in the base. Bolon followed the base around the bottom using the high wall as cover from any windows in the tower.
When he reached the steps he hesitated. "This is it!" He whispered to himself. knelt down, and leaned against the wall. He was tired, but he knew he must go on. He stood, went to the stairs, and walked up to the doors at the top. He reched his hand out to push one of them, but it slowly swung on it's hinges before he touch it...

OOC: dudes I put in one of my posts that I left no trail. I had the story plotted out in my head. But oh well let's hope it turns out fine this way. Good Luck guys! :D

[Phenix]

ooc: sorry DL I missed that. hope this will be god:

ic: " dreger was pretty upsett, but I thing he'll be alright" Phenix answerd Ranuial. Sudently the trails stop as they had newer been made. " what now" Phenix ask the others

[Nóm]

"We seek for this evil wizard."
Ranuial paused and listened to the air about him. "I do not know which way the leads to the wizard, but the land north of here is barren of trees. He mayy not be that way because it would provide little protection for his hide-out, and yet he could be underground. What do you think Phenix? Anamatar?"

[Goldberry344]

"Alright Dregor," Goldie aggrees. She cant wait to get revenge on this wizard, who has tormented her for years.

[Dwarf Lord]

Bolon walked forward into the door way. By some magic, or a trick of the eye. There was a hall twice as big as the tower it self inside. There were many hall ways leading off. When he stepped in Flames shot up at from every torch in the room. The room was filled with flame for mere seconds. The fire then receded back to the torches, and lit up the room. There were many old weapons mounted around for show. The walls were black, and shone with many dark gems molded into them.
Bolon took a step forward, but stopped. an evil laugh sounded from one of the halls, but it was impossible to tell. The sound echoed throuh the hall.

[Phenix]

"this way" Phenix says " It's the right way to the wizards castle..."
then he start walking into the woods.

[Nóm]

Ranuial, with Anamatar and his men, walk in the the direction that Phenix sugguests.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor nodded. He then led the way into town, past the burned inn, and to a little house on the main street. He went in for only a minute and spoke with his uncle and then helped to haul the two injured men into the house. "Keep them here," Dregor told his uncle Bregon. "Do not let anyone know of their whereabouts." Bregon nodded and wished them good luck and safety. Dregor and Goldberry then made their way toward the woods.

[Anamatar IV]

"If we find the castle then what? I doubt we would be able to get in all together. The wizard is wise and will only let one at a time in." Anamatar was almost out of breath from running.

[Goldberry344]

when they reached the woods they halted. "where do you think they would have gone in? where seems the most logical place?"

[Nenya Evenstar]

"Somewhere close to the healer's house, I would imagine," answed Dregor dismounting his horse. He then began to walk slowly along the ground, searching for any sign of footprints.

[Goldberry344]

Goldberry dismounts as well and leads her horse a bit further into the woods looking for a trail.

[Anamatar IV]

As the 16 warriors ran they came upon 4 trees surrounding 1 extremly large tree. Anamatar stopped in his tracks. He knew this was something but some trick was being played on his mind that made him think it was just a tree. "Ranuial, Phenix...is this a tree or something more?" His mind was enchanted. From deep inside his head he heard a voice telling him to rest. To rest next to the trees. He shook his head and drew his sword.

[Dwarf Lord]

Bolon was startled by the fire, and was ready to turn back when he heard the laigh, but he oushed himself forward. His first step was slow, and little. He expected to be hit with an arrow, or ambushed by fifty men when he wlked forward, but nothing came. When he got to the center of the room he stopped. It just ocurred to him that he had no idea of where to go. There were six different hallways, and a large staircase. H stared at his choices for many minutes before he came to a conclusion. He decided to go up the stairs. He thought the wizard would be up in the highest part of the tower.
The stairs were covered in red velvet, and split half way up to the top. each side going to a different door. Bolon didn't want to tarry to make a decision, so he picked the left one for no reason. He walked to the door, but couldn't find a door handle. he tried to push it open, but he was foiled. He then took to the other door. It was a large black door with a large flaming creature of old myths called the balrog. Bolon had heard of it in the tales his father had told him.
He turned the handle, and the door swung inward with little more then a squeek. He enterd through into a large dark area. Unlike the first room it did not light up when he stepped forward, but remained dark, and ominous.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Goldberry and Dregor stooped down and searched the ground for any sign of their friends. Only after they had backtracked quite a way towards the healer's house did they find a light track heading into the forest. It was very small, and it was obvious that the people who had made it had been very careful to leave behind as little as possible for inquisitive folk to follow. "Goldie," Dregor said straightening up, "I think this is what we are looking for. Let's follow it and see." Goldie nodded, and the two plunged into the dark forest.

[Phenix]

" it's something weird about it... but I don't know what" Phenix answer.

[Anamatar IV]

"This might not be the place to rest." anamatar said. "We should go back." The voice in his head was speaking for him. "This is not the place for elves." He could not control it. Something was forcing him to go back. It had a stronger will than the king of numenor. Anamatar did a great battle in his head with the voice. He could not defeat it though. It had a power over him. No matter how hard anamatar tried to come to his senses the voice in his head drove him back. At last when he could fight it no longer anamatar collapsed and fell face first into the snow. The voice was still upon him. He gave a loud scream. "WE MUST GO BACK! THE DWARF IS HIS!!!" the voice that spoke these words was not anamatars. He tried to stand up but fell to his knees. His sword dropped at his side.

[Anamatar IV]

he was in that position for many minutes. He had given up hope of defeating the voice but did not surrender to it. Those who were near saw a weary and overworked face. He struggled silently to contend with the devilry. Suddenly he looked up. The control on his mind had passed. He saw there the 2 elves and the rest of his men looking at him with pity. Anamatar slowly stood up and retrieving his sword he said "I am sorry. That voice...ive heard it before. It is the wizards voice that poisoned my mind last time i met this feind." he then went to tell the tale of what happened the last time they met. How anamatars eldest son, Fengil, was killed. "Fengil was both wiser and more valiant than I. The wizard knew this. he overpowered my mind and told me to kill him. I struggled for many minutes to defeat this voice but the wizard was too strong. I stabbed my son." anamatar sat in the snow with his head down. "The wizard has defeated me before but i will not let it happen again." but at that moment the voice came back. The voice commanded anamatar. "THE DWARF IS TO BE KILLED BY THE MOST POWERFULL BEING IN THE WORLD!" that voice was deep and loud as anamatar said it. "HE WILL DIE!" anamatar again collapsed.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor and Goldberry followed the track with swift feet. In some places it was quite easy to see because of the snow, but in places where the ground was frozen the Ranger had to use her skill to find the track again. The two companions were making their way slowly but steadily toward their friends.

[Goldberry344]

Goldie plunges through the forest next to dregor. her eyes are sharp and pick up any trace of a trail, a bent twig or dented leaves. she and dregor are on the sure path to their companions

[Nenya Evenstar]

Goldie and Dregor suddenly began to run. It was as though something or someone was prompting them to hurry. As Goldie picked out a path Dregor looked about for anything that looked out of place. Suddenly Goldie stopped and Dregor almost ran into her. Right in front of them were the bodies of five men.

[Nóm]

Ranuial calls In the wind some words in a language known only to Phenix

this is roughly what he says

"Wind take these words to evil ears" he speaks
"you hold no power over us
you will not stop us
evil being, you will be destroyed"
Ranuials words hang in the air for a moment and are gone, but after a moment are heard again on the wind, this time not as the voice of an Elf, but the wind its self.

[Anamatar IV]

Anamatar stood up. The voice had halted. "We must get in there somehow anamatar said. "Bolon doesnt stand a chance alone."

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor stoops down to examine the bodies. "What do you make of this Goldie?" he asks the Ranger who is busy with her own examinations. "I have no skill in this sort of thing."

[Goldberry344]

Goldie bends over and takes a closer look. "they were killed. but why? and who are they? i don't know"

[Nenya Evenstar]

"Well, we have no time to figure it out," said Dregor. "We must continue on our way." The two of them plunged deeper into the ever darkening forest following the trail which they had found.

[Nenya Evenstar]

They were running hard now. A strong sense of urgency had overtaken both of them and they wasted no time with talk or thought - they just ran. Suddenly, as though floating on the wind, came the sound of a voice, far off, but clear. It sounded like some sort of chant or incantation, and Dregor paused a moment to make out what the wind was saying.

"Wind take these words to evil ears
you hold no power over us
you will not stop us
evil being, you will be destroyed,"

the wind said, and then swept past the two people leaving nothing behind. Dregor stood puzzled for a moment, and looked at Goldie, who was puzzled herself. Then both of them took off running again as if they had reached a mutual agreement without words. They were needed.

[Goldberry344]

Goldie runs,following a path that she bazes using clues. all thetime sheis thinking of the words they heard on the wing. they ran on for quite a ways.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor and Goldberry suddenly ran into a clearing with five trees in it's middle. Four of the trees were shaped in a square, and the last tree, which was much thicker and very un-tree like, was situated directly in the middle of the other four. Next to the huge tree, Anamatar stood looking as if he was laboring for breath. Ranuial, Phenix, and Anamatar's men stood looking on with pained expressions on their faces. Dregor and Goldie stopped short and suddenly next to the two elves. "What is going on?" Dregor asked in a quiet voice looking with concern at Anamatar.

[Nóm]

Ranuial does not turn to dregor and Goldberry, but looks on and with a blank but far seeing expression he replies in a calm voice "This evil wizard has powers beyond that which I had imagined"

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor looks from Ranuial to Anamatar to the huge tree and thinks of the song he heard on the wind. "Is the wizard near?" he asks. If the wizard was near then he would be able to help Bolon - and get his revenge.

[Anamatar IV]

Anamatar looked and saw dregor and goldberry. He put his hand on his forehead. A look of weariness came over his face. "The wizard is inside the tree somewhere. We cannot get in though unless he allows us to. He surely will not let 2 elves and 14 numenoreans in with a ranger and a townsperson. Bolon will have to fight himself." Anamatar picked up his sword which was at his side again and sheathed it. He too an arrow from his quiver and fired it into the middle tree in frustration. As the arrow hit the tree a loud scream, almost a war-cry came from the top. None could behold it and remain strong of will.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor felt himself realing as he tried to stop up his ears, for the scream was terrible to behold. He knew that he was most likely laying on the ground as he was trying to block the sound out. "We must get in," he heard himself gasp, "we have to find a way!" He struggled to his feet, and said, "Let us try to chop at the tree, burn the tree, or anything!"

[Anamatar IV]

"We cant do anything to it. First bolon is in there and second there must be some magic protecting the tree. My arrow bounced off. It didnt peirce the bark." Anamatar had remained standing as the cry went through the air but his morale was almost completly shattered. "It is not a good omen for us. He is having things his own way. Things are going as planned for him." anamatar recomposed himself on the inside. "The trees around it are more than just decoration I deem.

[Nenya Evenstar]

"What if we burn them?" asked Dregor following Anamatar's lead in trying to compose himself. "Surely that would not hurt Bolon."

[Anamatar IV]

"Have you a match? indeed we could burn them and would provide more usefull than standing in thought." anamatar searched his pack and found one match. He struck it and set the base of the tree to a small blaze. It didnt grow for some time.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor stood watching the little flames as they danced to and fro. The fire stayed very small until, suddenly, it burst out into full flame and crawled up the tree as though it was alive. Then flames from the burning tree leaped to the branches of the other three outlying trees, and lit the wood with an uncanny light. The huge tree in the middle, however, remained untouched, and it glowed black in the light of the fires.

[Anamatar IV]

anamatar watched in silence as the flames engulfed the trees. Little sparks dappled the snow. Suddenly one of the trees came crashing down. Out of it poored a vapor that dissappeared in the wind. "What was that?"

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor shook his head. It looked evil whatever it was. "Let us hope that the rest of the trees fall down and get rid of the same vapor," Dregor said, "I have a feeling that it may help us get in the main tree. Anamatar, you may want to send some of your men for some water. I think that we underestimated the powers of this wizard, and I don't want him moving this fire to burn down the town."

[Goldberry344]

Goldie was deep in though, unaware of the fire. when she noticed the inferno, she almost cried. She was the granddaughter of Tom Bombadil, the trees listened to her and obeyed her. they need not have burned them. she tells anamtatar this, and also tells him that he should never kill a plant until she has talked to it. "also," she adds, "you're going to have to put out the fire if you dont want to burn bolon alive."

[Anamatar IV]

anamatar spoke to his men in the numenorean tongue. Edellond led his company to go get water from the stream some hundred yards back. "The wizard is preoccupied. He knows the dwarf is strong so he will put forth all his power and magic into killing him. He had failed before and i doubt he will want to fail again. He has nothing more to do with us until the dwarf or himself is dead. Goldberry-the center tree is not burning. The other trees are not hollow. But none the less these 5 trees are evil. I can feel it."

[Goldberry344]

Goldberry nodded, "I feel it as well. but the center tree is alive, though hollow. perhaps the wizard has kept it alive. A dead tree would not create much of a support." Goldie walks over to the tree and speaks to it, asking and requesting it to open. the tree insists that it's master is the wizard. Goldberry finally convinces the tree that her grandfather is the master of all trees, and she carries some of the power as well. the tree tells them where the opening is, but will not open for them. goldie continues negotaiations.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor watches Goldberry with interest as she talks to the tree. "Can you find out what significance the other four trees have?" He asks her.

[Anamatar IV]

anamatar watched in wonder at goldberry as she whispered to the enchanted tree. He had heard of what the line of bombadil could do but he could not beileive it. At that moment anamatars men came walking up-each carrying 2 buckets of water. They set the buckets down and watched aswell.

[Nenya Evenstar]

"You see," Dregor said continuing his thought, "if we find out what the four other trees are for, we might be able to find a way into the main one."

[Goldberry344]

Suddenly goldie sits up and grins. "the other four trees are guard trees. they are supposed to contain a shield that hides this tree. however, the wizard hasn't been paying attention to that lately, or at least thats what the tree says. He also says he'll open the pass for us, but only because he must." Goldie leads the men to the entrance. suddenly the bark folds back like a curtain and there is a hole in the inner wood. stairs lead down from the hole. Goldberry leads the men in.

[Anamatar IV]

are ranuial and phenix coming? I would like elvish help when we reach the wizard." anamatar had turned the page of the wizard voice. He hardened his will and thought of the sight of the child and mother dead in cold blood defending bregor. a look of rage came into anamatars eyes and he ran after goldberry.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor followed Anamatar and Goldberry into the crack of the tree. He, also, was seeing visions of his family as they lay helplessly slaughtered by this evil phantom. Dregor grit his teeth and hoped that he would have the pleasure of killing the wizard with his own hand.

[Goldberry344]

"I know not where they are. I will tell the tree to open for them" *Goldberry whispers to the tree and describes the elves to him. he complies* "they will catch up."

Goldberry is furious. every step nearer to the wizard she takes the more vivid the night of her mother's murdur becomes/

[Nenya Evenstar]

The men and Goldberry make their way down a short flight of steps. Suddenly, a black pit opens beneath their feet, and they stagger back. Across the chasm is seen a tower of octagonal shape and evil to look at.

[Anamatar IV]

the vision in anamatars mind changed from the other family to the sight of his own son with a knife in the top of his back. his sword flashed like lightning as he drew it from its sheath. He looked at his reflection in the cold steel. It would taste wizard blood.

[Nenya Evenstar]

The intruders have no idea how to cross the huge pit. In the dim light, which was spawned somewhere high above them, they could see no crossing or bridge of any sort. "One thing after another!" muttered Dregor savagely under his breath.

[Anamatar IV]

"I knew the wizard would not let us get far. He can split his malice in 2. He will not let us pass until half of us are dead. We must find a way to cross but how!?"

[Nenya Evenstar]

"Goldie!" exclaimed Dregor as an idea hit him. "Perhaps the tree knows - it's always worth a try."

[Nóm]

Phenix and Ranuial confer for a couple moments, then follow after the others. Seeing an opening in the tree they stop and listen.
"They're gone inside of this thing"
Ranuial readies an arrow to his bow and steps inside with Phenix near behind him.
Inside it is dark, cool and feels quite open.

[Anamatar IV]

"the power of bombadil is unmatched by any of this world but how do we know the tree is not decieving us? It has led us to sudden peril. We walk like a mouse into the trap. We are led by something we think we can trust into more danger than we could have imagined. Ask the tree how to cross but we must contemplate what it says."

[Nenya Evenstar]

"Yes, true," answers Dregor to Anamatar. "I was not thinking clearly." He turns around and sees at the top of the short flight of steps down which they had just decended. A light was shining from up there as though a good will was clearing out the evilness of the air. Dregor shouted clearly as the two elves came down the steps.

[Anamatar IV]

"RANUIAL!" anamatar hissed. "We must get across somehow." anamatar put his head to the ground. "It is only a fathom and a half long. Many of us could jump across but we might not. I will try though." anamatar ran to the edge of the abyss and leaped. He came down with a thud back where he had jumped. the octagonal shape provented his movement across. "as i feared. It will not let us cross. We will need to distract it.

[Nóm]

The eyes of the elves quickly adjust to the dark from the light.
"look! there are stairs over at the other side...they start near the top and go down into the hole as far as I can see"

[Anamatar IV]

AH! the eyes of elves are keen." anamatar strained his eyes and indeed he saw stairs. "I will go first." he started to climb the stairs with edellond and some of his company behind him.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor watched worriedly beside the elves as Anamatar led his men up the stairway. He knew that whatever the stair's purpose was, it certainly had many surprises awaiting anyone who tried to trespass up it. The men ascended up in the gloom.

[Anamatar IV]

as anamatar took a few steps up the stairs torches along the railing lit. All the men behind anamatar drew their swords and waited. nothing came.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor could stand this watching no longer. He turned and leapt up the stairs after Anamatar with his sword drawn. As he did so, a low, eerie wail came from high above them. Everyone looked up.

[Anamatar IV]

anamatar drew his sword as he heard this scream. The torches grew bright. Fires leapt from the walls. 5 of anamatars men ran back down the stairs. They could not stand what was going on. They continued to climb. Suddenly the stairs stopped. They walked down a long hallway until they came to a door. On it was a small statue of a terrifying creature. A balrog. Anamatar looked back at everyone. They all had swords drawn and arrows bent. Anamatar knew not whether to go through or not.q

[Goldberry344]

Goldie stands behind anamatar with her bow bent and loaded, ready to fire. after a few seconds, she slowly lowers her bow and says, "Our weapons will not harm this monster. I do not know what can. our only hope is to find another way by, i think."

[Phenix]

"it's just a statue I say we continue" Phenix say

[Nenya Evenstar]

"I may not know much about this sort of thing," Dregor said thoughtfully, "but I do not believe that is a statue. I think that Bolon is inside of it - it looks more tower-like to me. I also think we should continue."

[Goldberry344]

*mutters something about enchanted statues and follows Dregor*

[Anamatar IV]

anamatar looked at the statue. He knew not what to do. "we should go in" he said.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor nodded. "Either we go in or we turn back," he said, "I would rather take the path set before me than turn back and try to decipher something better. I will go if any will follow."

[Goldberry344]

"i'm going even if no one is going," Goldie growled.

[Nenya Evenstar]

"Good!" Dregor almost shouted, "And who else will join us?" He stood next to Goldberry at the top of the stair looking at Anamatar and his men.

[Nóm]

Ranuial moves on at the rear of the bulk of Anamatar's company. He looks closely and listens intently to all the surroundings, with an arrow ready.
"This wizard's power is in fear." Ranuial speaks with that enchanting power in his voice, again " The measures taken by him to both hide his dwelling and scare us away, tell me that is not ready to attack us, he only will if he must. He tried to keep us away, and probably fears us as much as we fear him. Do not let fear of this place overpower you, but fear of us shake him."

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor turned and listened to the soothing sound of the elf's voice. It was as though the evil of their surroundings lessened whenever Ranuial spoke, and with that lessening came greater clearness of mind and greater strength of will and body. Dregor turned and walked back down a few steps. "Ranuial!" he cried, "what course do you think we should take from here? I would have your opinion before we take our next action."

[Nóm]

"I think that we should stick together, be wary, and move on. Bolon may be a danger to himself, we must find him soon."

[Anamatar IV]

anamatar stood silently with his men. Of course he would go. He would lead his men in under threat of bannishment from numenor. He looked back at his company. All but edellond were shaking and appeared nervous. They drew their swords at every little sound. the archer spent 4 arrows firing out of fear. He could not lead them to face this foe. "Men of numenor, if i may speak the words of king of gondor elessar, go but keep what honor you may." A few of the men walked slowly down the stairs. Some ran. Only edellond and 6 men remained.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor watched as the men turned and left. He looked with a new wonder and respect in his eyes at Anamatar. This man was just as merciful as he was strict and wise. A sudden wish to follow Anamatar and be in his service came over Dregor as he witnessed the mercy and wisdom which the king showed. He would give his life for this man, if the need came.

[Dwarf Lord]

Bolon Walked straight out of the doorway. His footfalls echoed off the lofty archway that he was in. A light was shining farther down, but it was distant, and dim. He walked for what seemed forever. He only took short, ad very careful steps. He did not wish to disrupt something, and make his presence known. When the light began to grow brighter he could see he was in some sort of passage way with shackles, and many grotesque paintings on the wall. The scent of blood was feverishly rank. It was being blown in on a cool wind from farther down the hall.
At the end, the passage opened into a deep cavern with high beams carven into beastial shapes. But for the most part the large cavern was bare, and bleek. He walked out onto the smooth stone floor. The light in the cavern was coming from a doorway acrossed an unmeasurable depth. He followed the path acrossed the chasm. It was made of some sturdy stone craft, and made smooth. Bolon did not dare stray to close to one of the edges for fear of falling. Instead he kept to the middle, and moved as fast as he could. When he reached the other side he found himself at the bottom of a staircase. It had been seperated at the center for a small waterfall that fell far down below.
With his feet shaking he grudgingly put his foot on the step. After a few seconds of silence he took the second one, and looked up to the high doorway. The light was very bright, and seemed very ominous. The doorway appeared as an eye to him. It morphed it self into a dark fiery face, and began to cackle. Bolon tried to turn, and run, but he found he could not move. He could only stand bare, and exposed in front of the face. His fear slowly began to dwindle, and was replaced by pure wrath. His muscles surged, and pushed forward, and up. He hefted his axe from belt, and held it ready as he clombed the stairs. When he came close enough to the face to feel it's breath, he charged, and swung his axe downward into it's nose. Only for it to fall and hit the steps with a loud clang that echoed through the immense space of the cavern. He stood looking around for many minutes trying see if the fiery face had moved, but nothing remained except the doorway.
The light the passed through the door was blingingly bright, and Bolon had to hold his arm up to shade his eyes. Slowly he went forward, and past through the doorway. To his surprise when he crossed through the light was gone. The room on the other side was dark, and rank. IT was filled with many horrible, and vile things for some evil twisted use. He looked back at the door, and saw the light shining out on the other side. But it did not penetrate the doorway.
Feeling obligated to move on he moved acrossed the room to a doorway with another Balrog upon it's face. He knew this was it, and that the next hour would mean either life or death for him. He reached down to the hadle, and pushed the dorr inwards. It opened into a large elongated room. It's ceiling was shrouded in darkness, but large tapered pillars reached down to the floor on either side. There was a row of twenty on each side that led down to a high platform. On the platform was a large golden chir with many adornments carven into the arm rest, and back rest. It's back reached up almost out of site, and grew wider the higher it went. Upon the chair was a figure cloaked in darkness, and quivering with anger. "YOU COME AT LAST YOU FOOL. YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE COME." THe voice boomed. It shook the floor, and rattled the walls with it's emensity.

[Nóm]

Ranuial halts one of the exiting men to speak breifly with him.
"Catch up with those who ran wildly out and into the woods. You men should stick together while near Misty Hollow."

Ranuial then turns to the remaining company..."'The advantage now is that with them gone, we are a braver group"

[Phenix]

"you're probubly right, lets go" Phenix says

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor turned from his musings about Anamatar and made his way back up to the top of the stair. He peared up at the towering octagon which he was confronted with, and then looked back at the group. "Let us just keep on," he said, "for that is the only way that I can see to go."

[Anamatar IV]

as anamatar started towards the door he heard a horrible booming. The walls and stairs all shook. His men wavered and some fell down. "He has found bolon!"

[Phenix]

"that means that we must hurry" phenix say and walk towards the door.

[Anamatar IV]

as anamatar and the rest of the company went through the door and light as bright as fire met their eyes. None could be in that room and not cover their eyes. Anamatar shaded his eyes with his arm and walked forward.

[Phenix]

Phenix kept walking whit his bow ready and his eyes closed

[Anamatar IV]

suddenly all the light went out. "It is perilous to walk in the dark. We must wait for morning."

[Nenya Evenstar]

"We cannot wait until morning!" exclaimed Dregor, "I, for one, will keep going. There is no time to lose!" Dregor took another step further and then stopped and looked back at the others.

[Anamatar IV]

"Dregor-i do not choose to stop because i cannot see someone in the dark. I choose to stop because if you take one more step you will fall to an endless abyss." At this anamatar walked over to dregor and hit the side of the path with his sword. "It is perilous. Very perilous. We have little to no light. We cannot risk it." another rumbling went through the walls and floor. "Those movements would throw you off the path. That is what He is trying to do. He does not want us to come to bolons aid.'

[Nenya Evenstar]

"Then we must either find some light or risk our death in some deep chasm." Dregor answered. "We cannot wait until morning. Someone must return to the wood and get us some branches so that we can make light with fire."

[Anamatar IV]

"If we find wood we need a match. I have naught but one." Anamatar turned to his remaining men. "Go back carefully and find wood. Only 2 go. I am not certain if you will be let back inside."

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor stared into the darkness glumly as he watched the two men turn slowly around and make their way back towards the bright light. He hated this suspense, hated waiting, and most of all he hated the wizard. He would die the worst death imaginable!

[Goldberry344]

Goldberry aggrees with Anamatar, it is unwise to travel inthe dark, but she also wishes to go further. She struggels with her feelings, and follows her better judgement, to stay with anamatar. she walked over to him and said, "once we make a fire, we could use sticks as torches, then we could keep going. unless you feel that the company needs a rest." Goldie suddenly realizes she has been up and on her feed for over 2 days. however, she is not tired, she is to close to the wizard to be tired.

[Anamatar IV]

yes...we will use them as torches. I for one will not rest. I have met bolon only days ago but i wont leave him to face the wizard alone for very long. We will find him as quick as possible." Anamatar drew his sword and looked at the steel. "You can take whatever part of the wizard you wish when we find it but the head is MINE!"

[Goldberry344]

Goldie stiffened. " I want no part of the wizard except my revenge" she replied,

[Anamatar IV]

Anamatar stared at goldberry. He heard rushing steps coming. He drew his sword only to see his men approaching with fire wood. "We dursnt stay out there any more!" they said.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Dregor remained silent. He would have a part in killing this wizard or he would feel incomplete for the rest of his life. However, he did not voice his wish out loud. The men came running back to Anamatar with some firewood. "There is an evil greater than you can imagine out there!" they said. The men were pale and shaking. "Shadows blacker than the blackest night were moving in and out of the trees and the wind is full of the wailing of fell voices. There are brief flashes of fire, and smoke fills all the air so th