[Nerindel]

"You've guessed my course well enough, Lady, but I've no such skill. Pray, what be you a-doing in the Shire?"

"Ah, Two things bring me to the Fair lands of the Shire. One joyous and one not so." She sighed slightly as she spoke the last words.

"I know not if you knew the Elven Lady Piosenniel, the previous innkeeper of this fine establishment, but she has recently given birth to twins and the time of the naming ceremony of our people is near at hand."

Eodwine's head bobbed up and down as he eat and listened to her words. "The good lady innkeepers name is much used in Rivendell. The hospitality that she has shown many a weary elf that has travelled these parts is sung in many a song. Therefore in gratitude and celebration of the birth, the Lords of Rivendell have sent gifts" a light twinkled in her eyes as she recalled the present innkeeper's astonishment at their gift.

"And what gift would the Lords of Rivendell send a humble innkeeper" Eodwine couldn't help asking.

"Miruvor! my friend the drink of the Elves." she laughed, Eodwine joined in her mirth.

"And for the children" he asked

"Ah" She took a quick glance around the room to be sure that no one was eavesdropping, then she leaned over and whispered softly in his ear, "Circlets of the finest Elven craft, Each set with a silver star, That they may always guide their way."

Smiling she sat back taking a long sip of her tea. "A fine gift indeed m'lady," he said smiling broadly. "And what of the other reason you mentioned for being here?"


At his words she slowly lowered her cup, She looked deeply in to his eyes wondering if he would know any of the people that she would be naming in her tale. As Eodwine looked back at her he could see the the sparkle had gone from her eyes.

"I am awaiting word from my twin brother Lóthaniel. He is on his way to the rebuilt city of Annúminas on a mission most urgent and personal to him. Skaikrish the Maimer is holding Halwain The Dunedain Captain of the guard" at the mentioned of the Orc cheif's name she clearly saw a fire in the usually warmed natured mans eyes, She wondered if he knew this Orc or if it was just memories of old.

"Skaikrish and a band of his kin escaped from mordor but as they passed through Ithilien they killed a female ranger, they were then persued by the Ithilien Rangers into the misty mountains and there they hid and laid an ambush. The Ranger's were reluctantly force to retreat back to Ithilien with many injured men, but not before the Ranger Fawian Isilmeleo had killed Skaikrish's favourite mate. Now the Ranger that I mentioned that Skaikrish had killed was Fawains mother and the Captain of the Guard of Annúminas is her Father."

As she paused to take another sip of tea she noted Eodwine's puzzled expression as he tried to figure out how the Elves were involved.

"After the ambush in the Misty mountains Fawain had been injured and separated from her companions she managed to make it to the passed were she was set apon again and that is were the elves come in my friend," she smiled as she had yet again correctly read the man's thoughts.

"Lóthaniel and I drove of her assailants and took her to Rivendell to be healed, at once my brother recognised the young lady to be of the same blood as his good friend Halwain. When he quiz his friend he told him that Fawain was indeed his daughter, he asked him not to tell Fawain of her heritage for it would only bring her grief. At the time we knew not what he meant by this, but we know belief that he many have some of the foresight of is kin. Halwain has dedicated his life in the persuit of Skaikrish and his evil band, he found them hold up in the blue mountains but their numbers had multiplied and Halwain was captured, but some how Skaikrish found out that Fawain was the one who killed his mate and that the man he captured was her father so he sent messengers to Annúminas calling for them to bring Fawain to him or he would hang Halwain on the top of the mountain torn and broken for all to see." She sighed as she took another sip of tea, then continued...

"Word was sent to Lóthaniel and he immediatley sent word for Fawain to meet him here. He asked the Lords leave to take their gift to the Shire and then join Fawain and the Ranger of Annúminas in the rescue of their Captain, the Lords agreed then sent their own messengers to Gondor to inform the king of the situation."

"So, it was that two day's ago Fawain was told of her father and his peril, they left but yester morn with heavy hearts. I fear for my brother as he is deeply in love with this young woman but she knows it not. His love for her is so great that he would gladly die in her stead. A single tear fell down her soft pale cheek as she spoke.

In different circumstances she would be happy for the pair for Fawain and Léspheria are great friends and she is a perfect companion for her restless brother, but they weren't so she would have to just sit here to wait and hope that they would stay safe and well.