[maikafanawen]

“So what are your stories Ani Dao?” asked Nevlhachien, looking at the newest member of their table. Ani Dao flicked her eyes between the two elves a bit nervously, then deciding there was nothing to hold back, resolved to narrate her story.

“Well,” began the elf, “I’m originally from Mirkwood.” She began to fiddle with her mug. “My father is the Head Guard under king Thranduil of Mirkwood. I trained for the Royal Guard for many years, alongside famous elves such as Legolas. You’ve heard of him maybe. After that course was completed, I went on to train privately with Ahret Ban, the king’s assassin. I was to be his successor. I did very well and succeeded, but the king had no use for me. He did not have any specific enemies, only the random band of orcs. So I left the kingdom in search of adventure.” She glanced up haphazardly and saw that both elves were listening intently so she continued.

“I remember one time in Mirkwood, when we had enemies, and a band of Easterlings had entered the forest, and attacked some of our people. I was still young, and not done training for the guard. A friend of mine, Lakr Bo, and I were told to stay in the Great Hall, as is customary for the peoples of Thranduil’s realm when a threat is imposed. We decided that the Guard needed all the help they could get, so we crept out, disguised as real guards, and made for the battle site. Once there, we joined the skirmish. But as I said, we were not fully trained and quickly failed. The recognized us as just young elflings so they simply drugged us and bound our hands and feet.”

Ani Dao paused to take another sip of her ale and clear her throat. She enjoyed sharing some of her past with her new friends.

“When we finally regained consciousness, we were in an Easterling camp not five miles outside Mirkwood forest. We guessed that the Mirkwoodian guards had won, and pushed the enemy out of their realm. That was good for them but bad for us. We had no hope of rescue. The ropes were strong and well knotted. Our hands and feet were swollen from the pressure of the cords and slipping out was not an option. One evening, the Easterlings said that their leader wished to speak with us. Dragging, Lakr and me to our feet we half walked and were half dragged to the Easterling Lord’s tent. On arrival we were violently thrust to the floor. The Easterling Lord introduced himself. ‘I am Benosh. Welcome to me camp.’ He then bent down and untied our hands but had two guards securely hold us from fleeing. ‘Food water?’ He had asked us. We refused to say anything, and he continued, ‘Maybe not. I do not wish to argue with you two ruffians, I simply ask for some cooperation. We were pushed back a ways from our last battle. But we do not give up. Once Mirkwood is achieved, we have a better vantage point to claim the lands of men with.’ Lakr must have guffawed quietly at that comment because a guard struck him hard making him fall to his knees. ‘Hihm! How will I get cooperation from them if they are uncomfortable!’ He dismissed the guard called ‘Hihm’, and another one took his place. ‘I apologize for that. Here, some ale?’ Lakr decided to take a drink. I watched him out of the corner of my eye. He seemed to be all right, but I decided to wait a minute longer before taking one myself. ‘There, now, where were we?’ Benosh went on to explain his plan of infiltrating the Mirkwoodian palace. He claimed that no elf should be harmed and that as soon as he had accomplished his goal, which he didn’t care to inform us of, he’d restore the realm to its rightful owners.’ At the end of his ‘claim’ he stopped and looked at me.

“ So I pondered the matter. I did not believe one of his lies for a minute. He was full of lies and deceit. His intentions were beneficiary to him and his army only. As for no elves shall be hurt, he did a poor job of expressing that at the last battle sight where many of my kin were slain. He seemed a bit nervous as I thought, which reinforced my sense of confidence in this matter. His success deeply depended on my cooperation. In the end I decided that this was our only chance of escape. But I did not give in right away. I had to play out that I was oblivious to his true motives, and would seriously aid him in his devilish plot.”

Sofiya and Nevlhachien’s eyes were wide as Ani Dao told her story. The warrior elf smiled to herself basking in the attention she was getting for her story. She had always liked storytelling, and had done much of it with the dwarves in her many travels. She took another swig of ale and continued her story.

“‘What’s it in for Lakr and me?’ I asked leading him on. He thought about it for a minute and said, ‘I think the reestablishment of your home is payment enough.’ I smirked and stood up straight, ‘What would that matter to us, once we betray the elves, we will find no welcome there.’ He nodded, ‘What is it you want?’ I snuck a quick look at Lakr Bo. His face was fierce as well looking at the Lord Easterling like he was his equal. My friend had guessed my plan and was playing along nicely. ‘We want glory and power too. When you conquer what you will of Middle-Earth we want a share of it.’ I cocked my head and looked challengingly at Benosh, ‘Think of it this way Benosh,’ his name rolled smoothly off my tongue, making him pay attention, ‘if we refuse to aid you in this first step, there will be no power and glory. You have either most, or nothing. It’s your choice. We also want protection when we have our share. You must not turn against us, and your army must protect us from any challengers, deal?’ I made to stick out my hand but remembered it was tied. Benosh glanced to the guards holding us, his fingers on his chin. He then stared with his narrow yellow eyes. I returned the stare unwavering until he finally looked away and he muttered, ‘Deal.’”

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[TO BE CONTINUED]