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The splash of water against her boots was welcome as they crossed a narrow span of tumbled rocks, the water flowing strongly here but not too deep. They spread out as they reached the bank, and ran quickly along the rivers edge. Ananynse looked at it longingly as they ran, the river to the left side and the Golden wood to their right. A shiver ran up her spine as the men behind her loped easily along. She glanced at the wood, but only the trees looked back. She’d felt an uneasiness all day, since leaving the rocky ledge this morning. Glancing back at the trees there was only one reason why. She raised a hand and they stopped, gathering about her as she whistled a piercing not in the air. In moments Delvan ran up to them, breathing hard.
“An Orc patrol a couple leagues back, didn’t seem to be on our trail, maybe just using the same path, although I’m surprised they’d get this close to the wood.” He looked behind him.” I suggest we keep on till nightfall and hopefully we can find a place away from the trail.”
Ananynse nodded and Delvan turned back. A couple leagues more they slowed, the trail veered off to the left crossing the river again. They left the trail to follow the riverbank further south until finally stopping at a small grove of trees on the rivers edge. The Golden wood sat back away from the river here as it branched off into a smaller stream that flowed into the forest. Slipping her quiver and sword from her back she sat down, stretching the tired muscles in her legs. A few moments and Delvan reached them, squatting down beside her.
“The Orcs turned off a few miles back. But I don’t trust them.”
“Double the guard tonight, but we all need a rest. No fires. I’ve felt uneasy all day today, I have a feeling we’ve had more company than the Orcs behind us.”
Haldir stood in the cleft of the branches of the tree, watching the group of men make camp near the edge of the river. The Elves had tracked them for days now, waiting to see if they would turn into the Wood, but they only skirted the forest. The Orc patrol stayed a few miles behind them, unaware of a quarry just ahead. They could thank the wind for that, blowing continuously from the north these last few days, but their luck would more likely change soon, he felt the wind shifting slightly. He could leave them to their fate, but something about the men in the group didn’t seem right.
With a slight motion another elf lowered himself quickly to the ground, creeping silently to the edge of the forest. Even here, where the trees thinned, the elves melted into the trees. Settling himself into the branches of the tree, he adjusted the bow on his back, and leaned against the trunk of the tree.
The other elves settled in for the night, two heading north to watch the Orc patrol. The light deepened to it’s purple twilight as the Evening star rose, the sky clear. Haldir’s vision did not dim in the darkness and he made out the shapes of the men as they settled down easily. Rumil had moved close to the group, his shadow blurring the trunk of the tree he knelt behind. The men talked softly, and as he watched, the smaller one that led them, rose to walk along the bank of the river. Haldir leaned forward, as he watched, another one broke from the group, following. Whistling almost soundlessly, Rumil turned, and with a wave disappeared into the trees behind them.
Ananynse knelt along the bank, and pulled the helmet from her head, reaching down to splash water on her face. Delvan sat down next to her. “ I have double guards set, and will relieve them in a few hours.”
She smiled and sat back, “I’ll be glad to leave this land behind. Once we reach Gondor, we shall be able to relax for once. You think the Orcs have gone? We have been lucky with the wind at our backs, were it to change they would catch our scent and be on us.”
Standing up she pulled the quiver from her back, and removed her scabbard. She pulled out the sword slightly, checking the edge, then slid it back into place. Nodding to Delvan she walked back to the edge of clearing, and pulled her cloak tight about her as she laid down, laying the quiver and scabbard next to her. She checked the knives she carried in her boots, then laid down, staring at the stars above her. The wind shifted slightly and she turned her head to stare at the trees that stood only a few feet away. The shadows danced as the breezes whispered through the branches.
She looked back up at the sky, then glanced quickly out of the corner of her eyes and yes, the shadows did not lie. Not only did she have her own guard this night, but an elvish one as well. What did they want? They had not crossed into their territory except for this night. If they thought she was a threat, they’d be dead now. No, something had caught their interest, and she smiled. In the morning, she’d give them a reason. Laughing to herself she closed her eyes and slept.
Rumil knelt next to the tree and pulled an arrow from his quiver, running his fingers through the fletching, smoothing them. The woman had lain down again, near the others, the one she had called Delvan still sat by the river. He shook his head. Haldir would be most interested to know the leader of this band was a woman. He smiled as he watched her shift to get more comfortable. Why they were headed to Gondor, he did not know, but her weapons and the dress of her men told him she was of the Mithrin. Only one was known for the flaming copper hair that this one had. Galadriel, the lady of the wood might like to know her kin was traveling but a few miles from her. But that was for Haldir to decide. He settled down to wait for the morning.
Ananynse sat up as the wind picked up, blowing bits of sand in her face waking her. The moon was setting and the air was crisp with a bite of a cold damp breeze from the south. The wind had changed, but hopefully the Orc Patrol was far enough away to not notice them. At any rate, morning would break soon and if she wanted to take advantage of the river, the time was now. She rose silently, striding back along the bank, out of sight of the men behind her. Delvan stirred as she passed him, rising quickly as she slipped by him.
“You not thinking what I think you are.” He whispered as he reached her, grabbing her arm.
“Yes I am, it’s been almost a month, and I can’t stand it anymore.”
He growled low in his throat, “ and if you are right about the elves?”
“Then they’ll get a nice show, won’t they.” She smiled as she stopped.
Delvan groaned. “Ananynse, this Is madness, it’s too damn cold, for one thing… he stopped as she turned toward him, one long eyebrow raised in question as she dropped her quiver and scabbard on the bank. Seeing she was not going to give in he turned stiffly about, “I’ll be back here, call if you need me.” Ananynse grinned as he walked back, then turned toward the riverbank as a shiver ran up her spine. Behind her the trees rustled in the wind, and she turned her head quickly as a quiet birdcall sounded on the wind. Quickly she pulled off her outer tunic, then sat down to pull off the soft boots, tucking their knives back inside as she slid them off.
Rumil groaned silently as he looked back toward the forest. Had Haldir heard his call? The woman was undressing quickly, and watching her do so was making him extremely uneasy. What was he to do? He sighed in relief as he felt Haldir touch his arm, and turned away quickly, as Haldir looked toward the river bank, his brows raised suddenly in surprise. Turning back to Rumil, he frowned as Rumil smiled and spun, running silently back into the forest. The sky was turning a bright pink as he turned back toward the river. A Mithrin, as he had thought, or should he say The Mithrin. The Oracle of their sect was well know for her visions. He had heard rumors that she had left her city. Galadriel, the lady of the wood, would be interested to know she was so close, but as yet she had not approached the Golden Wood.
The woman stood on the bank, now, and Haldir’s eyes narrowed as her shirt slid down her back, as she struggled with the ties that bound it tightly to her wrists. Her back was smooth in the dim light, but even so, Haldir could see the scars that crisscrossed it. Turning his head he waited until he heard the splash from her entering the water, and then strode quickly to the edge of the bank. He sat down on a rock, knowing he was in full sight once she broke back through the water, and he turned his back to her, glancing back from the corner of his eye as she came up for air. He heard her gasp, but whether from his presence or the cold of the water he was not sure. She stood in the water, her arms creating small waves about her shoulders, the light of the coming dawn reflecting in the surface before her.
“So I do have an elven escort, how nice of you to drop by.” Ananynse grinned, gritting her teeth to stop them from chattering. The elf turned his head slightly, and the early morning light wreathed his head in gold as it came up behind him. He had a strong profile and the long silvery blond hair was pulled back at the sides into a small braid. A long sword rose from his side as he shifted slightly, “You take many chances, my lady, bathing in a cold stream with an Orc Patrol only few leagues distant.”
Ananynse dipped herself further down into the water, swirling it about her. She knew the elves had excellent vision, but she hoped in the dim light that they couldn’t see through the water. She really didn’t want to have to put on a show, but she would not call for Delvan.
“ And who do I have to thank for my guard this night. You’ve been following us.”
Haldir glanced again out of the corner of his eye, turning his head slightly he could see the bank behind her, he scanned it quickly, as the wind had changed in the night and now blew from the south. It did not bode well. “I am Haldir.”
“Haldir? I have the March warden of Lothlorien to guard my bath?” Ananynse laughed, then sank back under the water.
Haldir stared at the water in consternation, then shifted quickly as she rose thru the water again, plastering her hair to her head and revealing the slim pointed ears, and the high arching brows. She stood once again with the water lapping about her shoulders.
“I should think the Oracle of the Mithrin might know better than to endanger her men.”
Ananynse slapped the water, snorting, “Endanger? What with my guards and yours, I should think we were quite secure.”
Haldir turned to face her fully, and she sank rapidly back into the water. The light glinted off his blond hair as he looked down at her sternly. “And do you think we would raise a hand to save you if the Orcs attacked?”
Ananynse gritted her teeth harder as she shivered, “then why are you here, other than to annoy me.”
Haldir turned away again, but not before she saw the slight quirk of his lips. “I suggest you remove from the water, you lips are turning blue. The wind has changed and comes from the south, taking your scent directly to the Orc patrol on the other side of the river. I fear you may not have much time.”
Ananynse sighed and then waded out from the water, staring at the elf as he turned away. She grabbed her tunic, wiping the water off the knife she’d held, then sliding it over her damp shoulders. Her fingers shook, she had stayed in the water much longer than she planned. Sliding her breeches up and knotting them quickly she gathered the over tunic and was sliding it over her shoulders when he turned around. She slid the knife into her boots and rose quickly, just as he stepped near her. Reaching up to his neck he unfastened the clip that held his cloak and with a quick movement had it thrown around her shoulders.
He turned suddenly as she heard Delvan shout behind her. With a quick nod, Haldir turned and as she watched strode into the forest, in moments lost to sight, even without the cloak she now wore about her shoulders. Fingering the light weave she stared as Delvan gripped her arm.
“Was that an Elf I saw, or do my eyes deceive me?”
Ananynse smiled, as Delvan stared at the cloak. “Yes, Delvan, that was an Elf. The March Warden Haldir himself.”
“Haldir? Of Lothlorien,? I have heard much of him, why did you not call.”
Ananynse shrugged her shoulders, slipping the scabbard and quiver back over her shoulders. “I was in no danger, Delvan. Rather, he was quite courteous. I think they were curious as to who we were, and why we are here on their borders. I did not give him any answers,” she said as she took her bow and helmet from Delvan. “Come, we head for Minis Tirith and The Great Library there.”
Haldir watched the men as they broke camp, and turned as his scouts ran to him. “The Orcs have gone back into Moria.”
Haldir turned back, watching the river. The men had gathered together and he could see her speaking to them. Quickly they began to disperse, lining in single file as she stood and turned to face where he stood. He stepped back deeper into the shadows of the forest, certain she could not see them, but she had unerringly looked directly in his direction. She wore his cloak still, a long sword and scabbard hanging down her back. Gripping her helmet she walked toward the trees, and behind him the elves drew their bows.
He motioned to them and stood as she continued to walk toward the wood, stopping only a few feet from entering the forest itself, waving her men to wait. Turning back she continued the few steps into the forest then stopped, hands on her hips as she looked about. Haldir smiled as he saw the elf perched directly above her look in his direction in question, his bow held ready. Shaking his head he stepped out of the shadow, his brothers stepping behind him.
She raised her eyes to him, tall for a human, she still had to look up at him, and he could see her jaw clench as he looked down at her. “Your cloak, my lord Haldir?” she said reaching up to remove the quiver.
He shook his head and reached out to stop her, but she stepped back quickly before he could touch her. The sounds of leather and wood creaked loudly as the elves shifted position imperceptibly, and she bowed her head to him briefly. “I thank you for the loan of your cloak then, someday I will return it to you.” She studied the elves behind him for a moment, “ I go on to Minis Tirith, to the great library. I may not be able to pass this way again for sometime, and I would appreciate it if you would send greetings to the lady Galadriel. I would come to speak with her, but other things must be done before I can.”
Haldir nodded, “ I will do so. Perhaps the answers you seek at Minus Tirith could yet be answered by the lady of the wood.”
Ananynse looked away for a moment, “there are many things I have yet to seek, My Lord Haldir. Galadriel would answer many, but there are some she may not yet understand. I am led to the White City, and so my fate I must follow. May the light be with you and yours.” She bowed once more and turned, looking up into the tree above her. Rumil and Orophil stepped up from behind Haldir.
“She see’s much.” Orophil murmured in elvish. Rumil laughed softly, “ Nay, I think perhaps it is Haldir who saw too much,” as Haldir turned toward them, scowling. “ I saw nothing, Rumil, that I have not seen before.” Rumil grinned as Haldir brushed by him, winking at Orophil.
“I am not the one who ran at any point,” Haldir spoke a moment later and Orophil laughed at Rumil’s expression of disgust, slapping him on the back as they slipped into the forest.