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Child of the 7th Age · 09-20-2003, 10:45 AM

Peachblossom stood stunned in the middle of the circle, looking down at the small figures that now turned their faces up to meet her eyes. For a moment her heart dropped. One or two in the camp seemed frightened and were hastily reaching for their weapons.

Out of instinct, she drew back. Fear welled up in her heart. She had seen so much endless cruelty and violence, so many of her sisters threatened with burning brands, that it was hard to imagine these or any other strangers welcoming her. She had learned to expect the worst.

But then the little creatures stopped, and discarded their weapons on the ground as if to confound her expectations and fears. One or two cautiously came forward, holding out empty hands to show that they held no weapons and that their intentions were good. Still, she could not decide. Should she run away or stay? Perhaps, this was only a trick to ensnare her into their clutches. Perhaps the brands and chains lay waiting round the corner.

It was then that she saw the Elf. A distant memory flooded through her mind of misty tales repeated at the Elder's knee when she was just a strippling. Elves....those who gave us the precious gift of words. The ones who love the forest and would never wish the Ents or Entwives ill. She walked forward to the slender figure. How many years had it been since she had last seen or spoken with an Elf? She could not remember.

Then she bent down and talked, remembering to say her words much faster than she usually liked, since these creatures, just as the Easterlings, were very fond of speed.

"Please, master Elf, can you help me, as you helped my kin long years ago. I am hurt." Peachblossom thrust out one of her roots showing where the chains had cruelly chafed her and how the shackles were still attached. There were gashes in the bark and sap ran freely down her body.

"Can you remove these and tend to my wounds? Then I have something to tell you. I have risked much to come here" She looked over expectantly in the direction of the Elf and then nervously towards her own back wondering if she'd been followed.

[ September 20, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

09-20-2003, 10:45 AM	#113
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Peachblossom stood stunned in the middle of the circle, looking down at the small figures that now turned their faces up to meet her eyes. For a moment her heart dropped. One or two in the camp seemed frightened and were hastily reaching for their weapons. Out of instinct, she drew back. Fear welled up in her heart. She had seen so much endless cruelty and violence, so many of her sisters threatened with burning brands, that it was hard to imagine these or any other strangers welcoming her. She had learned to expect the worst. But then the little creatures stopped, and discarded their weapons on the ground as if to confound her expectations and fears. One or two cautiously came forward, holding out empty hands to show that they held no weapons and that their intentions were good. Still, she could not decide. Should she run away or stay? Perhaps, this was only a trick to ensnare her into their clutches. Perhaps the brands and chains lay waiting round the corner. It was then that she saw the Elf. A distant memory flooded through her mind of misty tales repeated at the Elder's knee when she was just a strippling. Elves....those who gave us the precious gift of words. The ones who love the forest and would never wish the Ents or Entwives ill. She walked forward to the slender figure. How many years had it been since she had last seen or spoken with an Elf? She could not remember. Then she bent down and talked, remembering to say her words much faster than she usually liked, since these creatures, just as the Easterlings, were very fond of speed. "Please, master Elf, can you help me, as you helped my kin long years ago. I am hurt." Peachblossom thrust out one of her roots showing where the chains had cruelly chafed her and how the shackles were still attached. There were gashes in the bark and sap ran freely down her body. "Can you remove these and tend to my wounds? Then I have something to tell you. I have risked much to come here" She looked over expectantly in the direction of the Elf and then nervously towards her own back wondering if she'd been followed. [ September 20, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ] __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.