Thread: Fellowship Of Forodwaith (Karameida & darkangel76)

Vaemyr Uinen Alatar Vaemyr watched Brynne closely as her eyes darted about and her finger twirled through her hair. And while she tried to conceal it, he'd caught a brief glimpse of unshed tears. He felt his body go cold as understanding slowly dawned on him. There were not many reasons for a young female noblewoman to be so far from home with no escorts. He had a nearly overwhelming desire to go to her but he forced himself to remain where he was. It would not be appropriate. He waited for her to speak to either confirm his suspicions or deny them. While he was fairly certain he was correct he always preferred to have definitive answers so he waited patiently for her to speak. It didn't take her too long to begin speaking and though he thought he was prepared for the news when he actually heard it he felt as if all the air had left his lungs and a dark anger unfurled within him. He wanted to find the ones responsible and make them pay dearly. However he forced himself to calm down, there was nothing he could really do anyways. He had other things that required his attention at the moment. He was a bit puzzled at his own reaction though, he'd already guessed as much before she'd said anything but there was something about hearing her say it that had gotten to him. He had guarded her and her family and would always be grateful to her for sewing him the tunic he now wore and she as well as her parents had always been kind to him but that didn't explain why he'd reacted so strongly. She'd been but a child last I saw her. And I understand a little of what she must've gone through. he rationalized. While true it didn't quite feel right, he shook his head slightly pushing the problem of his reaction to the back of his mind. He wasn't sure why but he had no great desire to dwell on it. You do Dale proud. he finally said giving her one of his rare smiles. I am sorry you've had to endure so much... he said trailing off. But I am relieved to see that you are safe M'lady. he said after a moment. You have been through quite the ordeal. I must say, you are a surprising female. he said as he watched her with a curious expression. Not much surprised him but she certainly did, first as a child with the beauty in her sewing despite her position in the world and now, having been taken from everything she'd known and left in a strange land. And not only surviving the experience but landing on her feet and doing what she did best to get by. A female who'd not ventured far from her home, one who'd lived a life of luxury. With no training and no knowledge of how to protect or provide for herself, she had beaten the odds and had survived in this cursed land. You have my respect M'lady. he said bowing his head to her. While she had survived this long on her own he didn't want to leave her again because she might not be here when he finished his task. He mulled the problem over in silence for awhile, he didn't want to put her in harms way but neither did he want to spend his time worrying about her as that would get him killed. He also knew the pain of losing someone dear, she had probably felt the agonizing pain within her chest. Her family must also be suffering. He could not abandon her, but he couldn't abandon Forodwaith either as the people here had suffered too long under this cursed winter. He looked at her for a long moment in silence. In the time he'd been away she had grown into a lovely woman but she was still much the same as before. Shy, quiet, kind, warm, nervous and so innocent. Her eyes shone with that kindness and warmth but all that she had been through had left its mark. How could it not? Darkness such as that always left a mark on the person. It had certainly left a mark on him. If it were possible I would've preferred to take you back home immediately but I cannot leave my task unfinished. he said slowly at first as the idea formed in his head. I also can not leave you unattended. he said furrowing his brows. He went over every possible plan until he concluded the only way to remain certain that she was safe was to take her with him but he didn't particularly want to because of the dangers he was bound to face. He hesitated a moment before speaking There are not many options available here...it is to that end that I ask you to join me in my quest so that I may better protect you and return you home to your family. I can not force you to come with me if you would prefer to stay here. he said watching her face closely. I will be doing much traveling throughout these lands and my task is not free of danger but I vow on the name of my family that I will see you safely home M'lady. he said. He knew her parents loved her dearly and were probably sunk deep in despair. It couldn't have been any easier on her. He hoped that the ones who'd taken her had not also killed her family. He just had to pray that they were alive and well and desperate to find their daughter. En continued walking at a slow pace despite the lack of any light from the moon and stars. Then there was the biting cold that had worked its way through her clothes and threatened to freeze her to death. And don't forget the strong winds that moaned and tugged at her cape and hair. The cold burned her lungs with each breath, it made her thighs and arms tingle painfully and she was exhausted. She came to a complete stop and looked around herself. She tightened her grip on her staff and turned in a slow circle to see if she could see anyone. She had heard someone speak, the woman's voice was uncertain and shaky and surprisingly, she spoke in Elvish. That piqued the maiar's curiosity, the voice also sounded very familiar. It was on the tip of her tongue but she couldn't pin-point it. A small gust of wind reminded her that she was very close to freezing to death in this desolate place, shaking her head she moved in the direction the voice had come from. She didn't have it in her to leave whoever was trapped out here alone, from the sounds of it she'd been through quite the ordeal. Hello. she called out in response to the woman who'd spoken. Please do not panic, I won't hurt you. If you would please stay where you are, I'll be there soon. she said her voice gentle and calm. She didn't want to scare the poor woman and cause her to run away. A night like this was sure to bring much death. En looked up into the inky black sky that held not even a single glimmer of the stars and pursed her lips as she made her way slowly to whomever had spoken. It took En a few minutes before she finally located the source of the voice. The woman had been a little ways away and the task was made harder by trying to traverse the land with little to no light. And here I am like I promised. she said. She couldn't see the Elf too well as Pynti-Peldot was still a ways off. You could see the lights glowing in the otherwise impenetrable darkness. En reached out and gently grabbed onto the Elfs arm We should not linger out here long otherwise the cold will get us. she said. That or the orcs....and very likely some of the natives... she added silently. She pulled the woman along behind her and made her way to Pynti-peldot, the two traveled in silence and before long they found themselves inside the settlement and much to En's relief there was an Inn. Without thinking about it she pulled the woman with her as she made for the Inn. Opening the door, she felt warmth touch her cold skin and she let out a long slow breath as the heat slowly seeped into her skin driving away the cold. She looked around at the patrons, her eyes searching for a place that they might be able to rest at. She spotted an open table near the back and pulled the woman with her. She turned to the woman and smiled Finally, I thought I might freeze to death out there. I apologize if I startled or scared you. she said. Opening her eyes she finally got a look at the woman and her eyes widened in surprise and recognition. Why are you here? she asked clearly shocked. She wondered if maybe something had happened in Rivendale or perhaps she had been taken? Numerous questions and concerns flitted through her mind as she stared at the Elf who'd once been her pupil.