[Maegaladiel]

Nahai watched with suprised confusion as Annalalaith ran out of the Green Dragon. Was it something she had said? Was it Celecu?

It occured to her that she knew very little of Annalalaith's past, save that her father had named her Gift of Laughter. Had hers and Celecu's reunion opened some old emotional wound in Annalalaith's heart?

She ran outside, but the elf maid was nowhere to be found. Annalalaith must be one heck of a swift runner, she noted. Nahai hoped that the elf would return to the Dragon and not hold any ill grudges against her and Celecu.

Re-entering the Green Dragon, she sat beside her lover. She had many questions for him.

"Where have you been all theses years?" she demanded, sounding angrier than she meant to. He looked up at her, remorse in his eyes.

"It is a long story," Celecu said wearily. "But I shall tell it. When I left you to defend the forest, our company was taken by suprise by a gang of orcs. We made short work of them, but little did we realize that they were but a mere distraction. While we were busy fighting this small opposition, a second group of larger yrch moved in on us from behind. Outnumbered and unprepared for such an attack, we were driven back. My company was small; we were meant as scouts to spy upon the enemy, not fight in combat like that." He shifted uncomfortably, remembering the times.

"Many of my people were murdered in that battle," he continued. "No one remained unscathed." His hand went to the scar on his cheekbone. "The blade that dealt me this small wound was laced with poison. The same wicked instrument also peirced my shoulder. Many others recieved worse wounds, but we fought on.

"Finally, we managed to push the bloodthirsty creatures back into the hills as the sun rose. But all was not well. The poison had already begun to take affect on the afflicted.

"The healer of Mirkwood could do little to stop the poison, but could delay its affects. He said that a healer in the Gray Havens could save us, and so we were sent across the sea. I was unconcious, so I had little say in the matter." he added, looking at Nahai's expression.

"Shall I continue?"