[Gandalf_theGrey]

* The Butler glided in open-mouthed, eyes-bulging amazement towards the sparking rods. Maladil's chief servant reached a hand into a cluster of crackling bits of light waved aloft by an Elf with a flute who didn't seem to notice. Meanwhile, Menelduliniel gasped at the flickering milky-white Elven ghost who had approached so near to Estelarion. *

* When the tiny flashes fizzled out, The Butler then darted back to the Castle to stand at attention by his master's side. Maladil fixed him with a dark glare. The Butler cleared his throat. "Such tricks as these intruders bring cannot harm us. Their light is fleeting, and harps can be broken." *

* Kenelm cringed at the Butler's words, then drifted a short distance away. Without looking at anyone, the ghost-lad softly plucked out a few notes of his own on what strings remained intact on his bent mithril harp. *

* Tiroedrath ran over to an Elf-warrior who stood a little apart from the others, clenching his rod without looking at it. Tiroedrath howled a curt battle cry whose words were fuzzy and run together. Meanwhile, Nardol looked up on hearing the distorted wavering sound to see a dim milk-white figure. The two wrestled with the rod until it went out. Nardol's wrist felt cold where the ghost had grasped, but the chill quickly subsided with no lingering effects. Nardol smiled grimly, for the rod was still in his hand. Tiroedrath retreated to stand beside Maladil and the Butler, bowing as he joined them. *

* Halblung strode out to meet the tiny lights with sword drawn. With a rough laugh, he cleaved in twain one of the lit rods held aloft by a woman wearing a bandage around her waist. Meanwhile, Alearindu pulled her hand back instinctively and dropped the shorn rod stub as the sword wielded by an invisible hand menaced uncomfortably near. Halblung then withdrew to stand beside Maladil, the Butler, and Tiroedrath, bowing as he joined them. *

* Daerohil smiled, laughed, clapped his hands, jumped up and down, sped over to a woman with a harp who stood close by two Elvish musicians. Daerohil grabbed the lit sparkler from her hand and raced with it across the reedy lawn with its hollow stalks. Hinura watched the glimmering trail weaving in and out through the grass until the light winked out like a tired firefly. *

* Cirgon the Cook loped with an unsteady gait over to Gandalf, clutched at the wizard's robes, and cried. Gandalf handed his sparkler to the pitiable ghost with a soothing invitation. "Stand near us, if you like." Cirgon stood. *

"Mithrandir?" Menelduliniel asked, "What shall we do? What is the plan for us? What exactly are we to do?"

* Gandalf counted again. "Still three missing! We light a second round of sparkler-rods, Menelduliniel. Then come what may, we'll have to continue, even if some of the castle residents do not appear."

“Gandalf!” Poppy cried, before kneeling next to Andreth, putting the gold beside her. Andreth’s face was pale, what had she seen? What was this place going to do to them all? *

* The wizard dropped to his knees next to Andreth, blinking as he peered at her, for she shifted suddenly into half-transparency. Gandalf reached out to ease Andreth onto her back from where she'd pitched face forward onto the ground. But he could not grip her, for there was only an empty chill filling in the trembling outline of her form. Gandalf rose to his feet, backed away from the castle grounds, spoke a spell "Entule cuivië!" Simultaneously he lifted his staff, drew it back, and set it gently down.

* Andreth levitated two feet up in the air. However, she was unable to cross the invisible boundary of shadow, and was forced to remain on the grounds of Castle Maladil, just as if Andreth had been Kenelm. Several minutes later, Andreth returned to consciousness. *

* Gandalf, whose own face had gone ashen with concern, breathed a sigh of relief for small consolations. Then, an idea formed. The wizard stroked his beard, pondering aloud. "But then, this waning of Maladil's heir grants a special immunity … Why Andreth, you may walk through the castle more safely than any other living Elf, Man, or Hobbit here present!" He smiled suddenly, walked over and sat down in the grass next to the girl until after several more minutes, Andreth recovered her strength and could stand again. *