Thread: Fellowship Of Forodwaith (Karameida & darkangel76)

Brynne felt her cheeks grow warm as Vaemyr looked down upon her, his face kind despite the clear concern she saw etching the lines about his mouth and eyes. From the tone in his voice, she could tell that he'd been through so much and was attempting to ease her by taking on the burden of having not been back in Dale as he'd once been several years back. Yes, he hadn't changed a bit. The way he used to be at her father's side, doing his bidding and protecting their home. Vaemyr had been an asset to her entire family. She might have been young, a mere shadow to most, but she noticed... even as she'd busied herself in the gardens whether it was reading or working on a project requiring needle and thread. Immediately, Brynne's fingers began to twist and tangle themselves through her long, dark curls. Her thoughts drifted to lighter times. Times before she was ripped away from a life of comfort and familiarity. She remembered that day in the gardens, the air smelling especially sweet as the breeze wafted in the scent of the freshly blooming honeysuckles. Vaemyr had found her in what she'd always thought to be one of the more secluded areas of the gardens, the paths like a maze where one truly could get lost if the light was right. She'd been so focused on her embroidery, an elaborate piece she was planning as a surprise for her mother, when the light of the sun was suddenly blotted out. Looking up, her dark eyes trying to focus, there he wasVaemyr. It had been the first and only time they'd ever truly spoken without anyone else around. He'd been kind and complimented her, praising her skill as a seamstress. It was in those moments that he'd made his request... Brynne's eyes focused on the crest that Vaemyr donned, her cheeks growing warmer by the second. Yes. She remembered the heaviness and loss she and her family felt when he'd left. Her heart had broken... Blinking rapidly, she drifted out of her small reverie and blushed. Thank you, Brynne said, a smile playing at the corners of her lips A warmth began to spread throughout Brynne's body knowing she'd managed to earn the respect of such a man as Vaemyr. He was honorable, admirable. There was no man who held her opinion higher than he did. She sat in thought as she mulled over his proposition to join him. It was nice to see someone familiar once again, someone from home, from Dale. But most of all, it was nice to be in the company of Vaemyr. She never thought she'd see him again, that the rest of her days would be spent wondering where he'd gone and if he fared well. But fate had brought them back together. Biting down on her lower lip, she let go of the dark curl she'd twisted about her one finger. I've been staying in Pynti-Peldot for the past month, Brynne started, her dark eyes gazing up into Vaemyr's. But this is not my home. She shook her head. Yes, the people have been kind, but... her voice trailed, going soft, a mere whisper. Absently, she reached up for her hair again. It's nice to see a familiar face, she continued, her eyes suddenly staring at her lap. Her free hand began to play with the fabric of her skirts. To not feel so alone. It was an admission of sorts, but one she felt compelled to state. With reddened cheeks, she looked back up into Vaemyr's eyes. So, I shall continue to do Dale proud, she stated, sitting up straighter. I will come with you. I promise not to be a burden, but to help you whenever and however I may. Meanwhile on the outskirts of Pynti-Peldot, Maran stood still in the darkness and waited. With her Elf eyes, she could see the skulking shadows in the distance. Goblins! They were close, so very near. Trembling with fear, she felt her body freeze with terror, her mind swirling with morbid images of her mutilated family as those beasts ripped them to shreds and worse. Tears streamed down her cheeks, her heart thumping hard beneath her breast as she stood there feeling both helpless and hopeless. She reached for her dagger though her skills were only mediocre at best. Her true talents were in healing, not fighting or battle. Choking on a sob, Maran noticed someone approach, no doubt the person she'd called out to and alerted moments before. Truly, this was a night of nights and somehow Illuvatar was smiling favorably upon his most beloved. Peering into the darkness, she watched listening to the voicefamiliaras she approached. She felt a sense of comfort in her presence and both the shadows and violent sounds she'd heard started to suddenly move away. Her steely eyes went wide and her breath hitched in her throat. Could this be happening? How? But she was grateful, the relief attempting to take over her tense muscles though she knew they were still in danger while outside the safety of town. Maran glanced at the retreating shadows and swallowed hard. It was like a dream to be so far from the safety of Rivendell. As her thoughts drifted to that horrific and gruesome memoryher family's screams echoing in her mindshe could feel her heart begin to pound, the panic settling in once more. Trembling both from the cold and out of fear, Maran worried that they hadn't seen the last of the goblins. Her ears perked up and she could swear she heard a rustle of movement in the darker shadows cast by the spindly brush that surrounded them all. Were the skulking creatures coming back? Maran clutched at her arms, her mind reeling with grief and terror. Suddenly, she heard the word... clear as the night she recalled during her last one in Rivendell before setting out to the frozen harshness that awaited her in Forodwaith. Run! Run! Glancing up into the starless sky, a whipping wind moved through the area, blowing her snowy hair across her porcelain cheeks. Furiously, she brushed it away and without further hesitation, she nodded at the woman by her side knowing that they were in this togethertheir destination Pynti-Peldother slender fingers clutching tightly at the filmy blue skirt she wore and she set out into a dead run. Her cloak billowed behind her as she ran, her steps light and leaving no tracks in the snow. Her eyes peered out into the distance, pricking with tears as she ran through the bitter cold of night, terror coursing through her veins as she hoped to find shelter, some kind of safety away from whatever it might be that lurked in these frozen wilds. As Maran and the woman ran, she could see the soft glow of the Pynti-Peldot in the distance. As they neared, she saw the innThe Snow Eagle. Her heart pounded while her tiny hands shook as they fumbled for the door handle to the inn. She glanced upward at the somewhat rickety sign, her chest heaving as she pushed all of her weight against the door as she pushed it open. The heat that kissed her pale skin was welcoming as she entered the glowing warmth, the fires roaring, the people milling about with drinks in hand as she all but staggered into the place. Pausing, she glanced behind herself. The woman was with her and her face! She knew her! Oh how long it had been! Maran moved along the perimeter of the room, wanting to avoid any local drama and sat in her chair, her body shivering from the residual cold. She blew a hot breath against her hands in an attempt to warm them, wringing them together to help circulate the blood as her heart pumped and her body soaked up the heat of the fires she sat next to. Sitting quietly, she was a stark contrast to the patrons milling about, her lithe elven form so different from the Lossoth. She wondered if any of her kind had ventured into the frozen wastes given the news that had reached Rivendell. Considering how close Lindon was, her curiosity on the matter was piqued, however those were questions for another time. Dearest En! Maran exclaimed, her eyes suddenly brimming with happiness. I never expected to see you here. What brings you this far north? she asked, her expression showing worry. She wondered if news of the growing poison had reached the ears of the wizards. If it had, this meant that the trouble was far greater than her family might've thought. And the darkness that could mean for her kin in Lindon and all of Middle-Earth...she didn't want to even dwell on it.