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piosenniel · 11-12-2003, 03:02 AM

For Erkaliel, joy was tempered with sorrow at the reuniting of the two groups. Joy that her companions once again surrounded her, and sorrow that some of them had been injured in the fight against the Orcs. She herself had escaped any physical harm, but there was a growing doubt now that all of them would come through safely to the Grey Havens. Sauron, it seemed, had marshaled all his forces, and it would be a grim struggle for all against his growing shadow.

Sleep was beyond her. Her nerves were snapping with tension. She sat just outside the circle of firelight from the small camp fire several of the others had made, her sword laid across her knees, her senses alert for any other dangers. There was soft talk among the Elves as they moved about the small camp, and many were bringing up stories they had heard of this region.

Eregion it was called, the land of holly; where even now the prickly leaved trees dotted the countryside, though not as often as they had. In the Second Age it had been a peaceful, prosperous land where Children of Ilúvatar and the Children of Aulë, the Elves and the Dwarves, were friends. Great craftsmen of the Elves were the Noldor of Eregion led by Celebrimbor. Gwaith-i-Mírdain, the people of the jewel smiths, they were named, with only Fëanor, who made the Silmarils, to outshine them in skill.

For nearly a thousand years the Gwaith-i-Mírdain and Durin’s folks worked together. Celebrimbor helped wrought the great West Gate of the Dwarven stronghold, Khazad-dûm.

Then came Sauron and the making of the Rings of Power by the Elven jewel-smiths. The Elves were betrayed in the end, Celebrimbor slain in the great War between the Elves and Sauron, Eregion laid waste. And the doors of Khazad-dûm were sealed against invasion by Sauron’s forces.

Erkaliel shivered though the night was warm, remembering the Elven peoples’ part in the war now being fought in this Age against Sauron. ‘Had we not been so greedy, or yearned so much for more skill and beauty, then perhaps there would be no One Ring and Sauron would have faded from power long ago,’ she murmured to herself.

The stars glittered coldly in the late night sky. Little jewels, set in darkness. They brought her no comfort as she looked up at them.

11-12-2003, 03:02 AM	#56
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	For Erkaliel, joy was tempered with sorrow at the reuniting of the two groups. Joy that her companions once again surrounded her, and sorrow that some of them had been injured in the fight against the Orcs. She herself had escaped any physical harm, but there was a growing doubt now that all of them would come through safely to the Grey Havens. Sauron, it seemed, had marshaled all his forces, and it would be a grim struggle for all against his growing shadow. Sleep was beyond her. Her nerves were snapping with tension. She sat just outside the circle of firelight from the small camp fire several of the others had made, her sword laid across her knees, her senses alert for any other dangers. There was soft talk among the Elves as they moved about the small camp, and many were bringing up stories they had heard of this region. Eregion it was called, the land of holly; where even now the prickly leaved trees dotted the countryside, though not as often as they had. In the Second Age it had been a peaceful, prosperous land where Children of Ilúvatar and the Children of Aulë, the Elves and the Dwarves, were friends. Great craftsmen of the Elves were the Noldor of Eregion led by Celebrimbor. Gwaith-i-Mírdain, the people of the jewel smiths, they were named, with only Fëanor, who made the Silmarils, to outshine them in skill. For nearly a thousand years the Gwaith-i-Mírdain and Durin’s folks worked together. Celebrimbor helped wrought the great West Gate of the Dwarven stronghold, Khazad-dûm. Then came Sauron and the making of the Rings of Power by the Elven jewel-smiths. The Elves were betrayed in the end, Celebrimbor slain in the great War between the Elves and Sauron, Eregion laid waste. And the doors of Khazad-dûm were sealed against invasion by Sauron’s forces. Erkaliel shivered though the night was warm, remembering the Elven peoples’ part in the war now being fought in this Age against Sauron. ‘Had we not been so greedy, or yearned so much for more skill and beauty, then perhaps there would be no One Ring and Sauron would have faded from power long ago,’ she murmured to herself. The stars glittered coldly in the late night sky. Little jewels, set in darkness. They brought her no comfort as she looked up at them. __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.