[maikafanawen]

The temperature had gone down greatly, and Ani Dao discarded her Rivendell traveling cloak, rolling it up so she could attach it to her pack. Leather gauntlets had replaced her gloves, and her hair had been tied back up with a thick leather strap. Her boots were still damp from the snow, but had begun to dry out gradually due to the exposure to open sun they were getting. The past two days had been spent slowly descending the great plateau of Caradhras.

“Here it comes!” yelled Ani Dao to Hathalas, who stood below, ready to catch her pack. Once all the supplies were down to the elf, Ani Dao helped the others slide down the face of the steep boulder. Then she followed, running up to the front to catch up with Hathalas, Astarielle and Burzdol. Their trek had gone fairly well since the drastic occurrence where they experienced the loss of the Gondorian soldier. Now they walked on, anxious to leave the forbidding mountain behind them.

Ani Dao had found herself getting to know Hathalas and Astarielle better. They were the only other pure-elves on the journey, and closest age-wise. Ani Dao found herself more and more grateful for their company as time wore on. The assassin often assisted with the scouting ahead, and Hathalas taught her to read signs in the snow, and on the ancient rocks to tell of past passer-bys. In turn, she showed him how to throw a knife.

They stopped to make camp when night fell. Since there was no fire available, they had to pass on a fire and ate a cold dinner of bread and dried fruits instead. Ani Dao was seated by Hathalas who was showing her the different uses for each green and flower she had in her pack. Since he had studied long at Rivendell, he knew much about the plants and herbs from that area. After he finished, they leaned back against the stone and looked at the stars. Joined later by Astarielle, they began to talk of their childhood. As elves, they had been able to break the tension of the climb by talking with one another like old friends. Ani Dao began.

“Well, I come from Mirkwood. My father is Ghoran Silverspur, head of the Guard of Thranduil. I trained to become one of them with my brother Gyld. On completion of my training, I was immediately given over to Ahret Ban to further my education in weaponry and was schooled to become a personal assassin to Thranduil. At that time, it was called Greenwood. Before my training could be completed, Ahret Ban was called on assignment to take out a Southern Man chief that had been causing trouble in the northern areas of Greenwood. He was gone for five hundred years. And when he returned, he carried with him the head of Shash-Na-Kurk, the tribal leader. And did he have stories to tell! Furthermore, his skill had been refreshed and my training was finally completed. Use for an assassin was rare, and I finally became extremely bored. Taking leave, I ventured to Umbar. There, I hid my elven identity and signed with a corsair ship. Adventure came in surplus then, and I was given my share of treasure. Then, I met Tr Dalon.” Astarielle looked up, remembering the man from the Prancing Pony.

“He was an evil man. Devising a plan to take out an entire village of innocent Umbarians just to uncover a mythical treasure that had was rumored to be located there. I planned to stop him before he could carry out his plan, but he struck sooner than I perceived. I arrived too late, and found the town ravaged and burned to the ground. After settling survivors with homes in the main city of Umbar, I left. All my accumulated treasure I dispersed among the survivors.

“Then I went to Moria. After convincing them that I was not a grudge-holding elf, I spent much time with them, drinking, and storytelling with them in their thriving mines. I grew close with that race, but after four centuries of residence, I decided that I wanted to see other elves. From there I went to Lothlorien and met for the first time, the Lady Galadriel. She is by far the wisest and fairest of all the elves in Middle Earth.” The elf glanced then at Hathalas and gave him a wink. “Don’t tell Annanoldowen.” He laughed softly and she continued. “Lothlorien was beautiful, and its silent and peaceful atmosphere was welcoming to me. I learned much of the lore of the elves there, and was well educated in my own histories. It was in Lorien that I first met Arwen. We were the same age and got along incredibly well. When she was called to return to Rivendell, I went with her.” Ani Dao sat back then at fiddled with her feather pendant.

“In Rivendell, I met Annanoldowen. She and I became very close friends. She suggested that I train with the scouts of Rivendell, or live with the Dunedain for a time. I declined the offer though, and continued to drift purposely through life. After spending a great deal of time in the elven city, I journeyed to the Shire. It was so different from anywhere else I’ve ever been. I enjoyed it there very much, speaking with eager hobbit children, and staying with the families. I eventually made it to the Green Dragon. I had not been there a week when Bali posted his proposal on the bulletin board. Bored with my wanderings, I immediately replied.” Ani Dao let out a great sigh, concluding her story. “So now I’m here.” Her brows knotted as she recalled the brief summary of her life.

“Hmm, now that I really see my life laid before me, I realize how—how dull it is. This sure is an improvement.” Laughing, she looked towards Hathalas. “Okay, scout. Your turn.”