[VanimaEdhel]

Menelduliniel looked at the Butler, along with Poppy. Estelarion looked at the spot where he heard the word "Butler" spoken. He looked at Menelduliniel and Poppy, who mouthed, "Butler" at him. That was not very helpful, but he did not complain. The three of them arose and Menelduliniel approached the Butler.

"We look for deeds," she said to the Butler, who listened to them, "They-they will free you from the curse that holds you in these bitter walls. If-if you can help us find them...well...will you aid us? We only desire to aid you."

The Butler looked at them, an image of hope passing over his ghastly face. Then, it quickly changed to worry, and then a look of serious contemplation came over that transparent face. The three stood there with the shade for some time, awaiting a reply. Finally, Menelduliniel and Poppy saw him look up.

"I will try to help you," he said finally, "But you must promise me that you will never tell anyone. Never, never, never tell anyone that I aided you. Do not even tell Maladil. If you tell," he said, adding a hint of ferocity in his voice, "You shall have a dark future indeed. You should not break a vow to a spirit. If-"

"We will tell no one," Menelduliniel broke in, catching about every other word of what the Butler said. She knew that they needed to get moving if they were to break the curse. The Butler looked at the three closely, then, taking a risk and trusting them, he ran off into the Castle.

The Butler made a show of running into various rooms and rummaging through compartments. After a good while, all three became a little nervous.

"You do suppose he is leading us correctly and is not trying to trap us, right?" Poppy whispered.

"I think he would have trapped us already if he wanted to," Menelduliniel replied, "Anyway, we are helping him."

"But what if he does not trust us?" Poppy asked.

"We must take that risk," Estelarion hissed.

Suddenly, the Butler's shimmery image disappeared from Menelduliniel and Poppy's view. They spun around with concerned looks on their faces.

"Where did he go?" Poppy asked. Menelduliniel spun, her eyes wild.

"You cannot see him?" Estelarion said, a hint of desperation in his voice.

The three stood for some time, worried. Finally, the shimmery form of the Butler appeared through the wall, carrying some papers.

"I hope these might aid you," the Butler said, handing some papers to Menelduliniel. "I assumed you could read the letters, as you are of the Elven kindred. And that one there," he said, gesturing to Estelarion, "Cannot communicate with me. You seem to have a talent with speaking to the dead."

Menelduliniel smiled at the compliments this spirit gave her, "Yes, I can read it."

Menelduliniel looked at the papers and began to read them to herself...

[ March 07, 2003: Message edited by: VanimaEdhel ]