[Ealasaide]

Naiore

As Naiore moved down the hidden pathway that led into Imladris from the north, she chose her steps carefully, knowing that she must leave no tracks, no sign that she had passed that way. With so many elves and Rangers about, leaving even a single footprint in a single patch of mud could lead to her undoing. Belying the fury in her heart, Naiore's fair face bore a serene expression as she slid silently through the shadows of the trees. It was a bold move, entering the grounds of the Elven refuge at the height of daylight, but it was precisely for that reason that Naiore chose to go when she did. The elves would be looking for her at night, that is, if they looked for her at all. She had been careful to make it appear as though she had fled into the west following the pell-mell retreat of the orcs, even going so far as to drop a few strands of golden hair along the trail before she turned north. A cold smile twisted on the corners of her lips. Even if they missed her carefully planted clues that were intended to send the lot of her pursuers charging off like a pack of baying hounds into the west, she knew that they would never look for her within the very grounds of Imladris. Her safety lay in the audacity of her plan.

Naiore slowed her steps as the back gardens and walls of the Last Homely House came into view through the trees. Her inky leathers, stained now with the blood of elves and orcs alike, blended into the shadows as she looked for a suitable place to hole up and wait for her daughter to deliver Menecin. Vanwe would not fail her, she thought with a flash of pride. She had wrought her will too deeply upon her daughter to fail. The pathetic whelp was too green, too raw, to resist the Ravenner's will. Vanwe would deliver Menecin to her. All she had to do was wait, like a leopard at a waterhole. They would come and she would garrote them both. Soon Vanwe and Menecin would be no more, no longer able to betray her to her enemies as they had no doubt already betrayed her in the past. Her beautiful smile broadened. The waiting would soon be over and revenge would be hers. It felt good to be on the hunt again.

Concealing her pack beneath a thick shrub at the base of one of the many tall pines, Naiore chose a nearby oak in which to conceal herself. She pulled herself up into the boughs of the tree with a graceful, catlike motion, her face once more impassive. Now was the time to wait.

In the twelve years since the fall of Mordor, Naiore had done much waiting. She was used to it. She settled in with her back against the massive trunk of the ancient tree. She had chosen a vantage point that gave her a clear view of the back walls and gardens, yet offered her near complete concealment from prying eyes. She had a clear view of the stable as well. Anyone who ventured out through the back would be seen by her. Satisfied, she flicked a golden braid back over her shoulder to join the seven others, and, letting out a long, patient breath, grew still as a figure of marble. Hidden as she was, she could wait for hours if needs be. Days. Even so, Naiore was not idle. Her mind raced with plans for revenge against all those who had conspired to thwart her over the years.

While she had never expected Imladris to fall under the assault of the orcs, the image of orcs rampaging freely through the halls and grounds of the Elven refuge would have amused her greatly, as would have the sight of Elladan's and Elrohir's heads on spikes before the front door. Sadly, it was not to be, but, as it was, the orcs had accomplished what she had required of them. They had thrown the Elven defenses into disarray long enough for her to place her snare and move into position to spring it. That having been accomplished, she was happy to be rid of the vile creatures. She worked much more efficiently alone.

With her silvery gray eyes focused on the back walls of Imladris, Naiore let her mind wander, stretching out into the grounds before her, sensing the mixture of intense emotions of the many souls who inhabited the place. She searched for Vanwe. For Menecin.