[elven maiden Earwen]

Orofaniel's post

Lenwe had now joined the company, which Ewinda thought highly of. The elf had sacrificed to meet his family and freinds again in the Undying Lands. She and the company were very pleased about this, and Ewinda almost felt that she owed him. "That ws a very brave and thoughtful thing to do," she had said to Lostlondwen as soon as he announced that he was joining their company. Lostlondwen had agreed of course.

The next morning they were all leaving the Havens heading for The Blue Mountains. Lenwe had held his word of course, and followed them. Oh, well it was more like the company following him. He was very knowledgable about the Mountains and the area surrounding it. When the reached it, they were all amazed by it. It was much taller than they had expected.


~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~


The next day they felt the bright wind from the north-east blowing softly in their faces.

They had all taken a break and all of them seemed to be in deep thoughts, it was probably their minds that were troubled, which was understandable. Ewinda however didn't know what to think. She only felt that they had yet more to climb and they had to do it quickly if they wanted to see any of the captives alive. Poor Lostlondwen and Alcyávëiel. It couldn't be easy thinking that your husband or your mother was in such a danger.

Ewinda was sitting quite by herself, when she heard a sound that she thought was Vráin's voice. It had to be! Was he in danger? She ran to her feet, towards the others and saw that Vráin was perfectly safe. He was sitting by Farin, but there was somthing with him that seemed different. Then she heard it again:

"I see!"

Ewinda hurried ower to him. She had understood what he'd just said. She thought so at least. He was not blind anymore, he could see. She felt such a joy streaming in her, she was so happy for the dwarf that she started to laugh, quite loud.

The dwaves, Vráin and Farin, lookd at her in suspicion. "You can see Vráin!" she almost yelled! "Isn't that worth a good laugh???" "I mean a joyful laugh," she added quickly.

_____________________________________________

Elentari Greenleaf's post

Elentari was thinking much the same as Callo. I should have left earlier, she thought. She looked up at Lostlondwen. If only I hadn't let us waste so much time along the way. The families of those around me, they are at risk. Have I been selfish? If it were my family perhaps I would have destroyed that dragon by now. Elentari sighed. And now their lives are at risk. They are not fighters, not the fighters I should have bought along. I will have their lives in my hands in the final battle, for they will be relying on me to guide them in a fight.

Elentari looked over at Lenwe. But perhaps Lenwe will help me. He seems to know his way around here so well, and therefore he would be the best of my companions to consult on where we should attack from. Elentari's eyes now shifted to Grain. The dwarves, they would know the best plan of attack, and which weapons to use. They have far more knowledge of dragons than I.

Elentari now looked over to where Vrain and Farin stood. Elentari had noticed a change in their relationship lately. It was odd, and impossible, but Elentari felt that Vrain and Farin were becoming more than just friends. She stood, for she had been sitting, and walked towards the two, for it was high time they were leaving again. Elentari must have walked very quietly, for the two dwarves did not hear her approach, so she heard the last of their conversation.

"Vráin…our day has come."
"Yes, my love. So I see. I see!"

Elentari gasped. Love? Could it be? Could Farin be a woman? But when Vrain said he could see, Elentari was over joyed and ran foward.

"Vrain! I'm so glad you can see again," she said with a smile spreading across her face. "I would have felt so bad if your eyesight had never returned."

Vrain and Farin blushed as Elentari ran forward. Had she heard their conversation? If she had, there was no going back now. Farin's secret would be out in the open.

"I thought there was something going on between you two," Elentari said. "Don't worry Farin. If it is not your wish for your secret to be revealed, it is not for me to reveal it."

"Thank you Elentari," said Farin.

"And Vrain," Elentari said facing him once more. "You should hurry along and tell Grain that your eyesight has returned to you. He will be overjoyed."

********************************************

Annunfuiniel's post:

The "charges" of Ewinda and Elentari had left Vráin and Farin quite speechless. They just stood there, together hand in hand and smiled.

Ewinda had ran to them and then off, to tell the happy news to Lostlondwen and Alcyávëiel who had gone some way down the eastern slope and were out of reach of hearing. She obviously had not heard Vráin’s incautious words.

But Elentari had heard them and Farin feared, quite justly, that she would sent her home like she had threatened to send Vráin. Their relief was great when Elentari smiled and spoke soothingly;

"I thought there was something going on between you two," she said. "Don't worry Farin. If it is not your wish for your secret to be revealed, it is not for me to reveal it."

Farin somehow managed to mutter a 'Thank you' while tears of joy and relief rolled down her cheeks.

"And Vráin, you should hurry along and tell Gráin that your eyesight has returned to you. He will be overjoyed." Elentari continued and Vráin slammed his palm to his head. Of course! Stupid dwarf!

"I’ll do that right away!" Vráin exclaimed and ran off towards where his brother sat with Selvren. Before Vráin had time to call out his news Gráin turned around, as if urged by some outer will. In a blink he gasped, stood up and yelled:

"Vráin! You…your eyes…!"

The brothers stood, face to face and smiling though tears gleamed in their eyes. Then Vráin took Gráin’s trembling hands and nearly whispered:

"Thank you, brother. Without you I would have been lost…" Shadow of pain swept over his face but then it was gone – nothing but a memory.

"No, thank you… for being my brother…" Gráin stammered. But then his expression changed too and he laughed out loud. "My brother can see! Come all and praise this day!"

[ July 11, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]