Rûdhchamion sat hidden among the large gnarling roots of the trees. He would glanced occasionally at Khelek as the young white wolf would growl back at the nocturnal beasts of the woods. The dark elf smiled inwardly, the pup would learn the way of the wilds well – he was very spirited, but still quite young.
The dark elf cursed himself once more for agreeing to have the elf maiden along. Now there was an addition to the group – Taralphiel the half-elven. And he doubted getting into the Hill of Sorcery would prove nothing less than perilous. He was tempted once again to continue alone, but that would endanger… his companions.
His thoughts wandered to the task ahead. What he had heard earlier was not just the sound of the badger that was scavenging for food. It seemed to have been an unnatural beating against the wind. It had been but an instant, and then no more.
Towards morning, before the sun started to peek from the horizon, he had left them silently to forage alone for food. The solace helped him with his thoughts. As he returned he found the young wolf yawning then looking at him questioningly. The young maidens were stirring as well. He began to prepare their small fare of nuts, fruits and berries, and several fishes he had caught in a nearby stream.
“We best start early. We cannot use the straight road to Dol Guldur,” the dark elf began to explain his plan. They would follow a trail he had marked that would keep them hidden. It would be a slow trek, but caution was needed. He had detected orc and warg tracks several days old, going both south and north of Greenwood. Human tracks were from the east, and it looked to be even older.
“Are you certain of the tracks?” Anarya asked worried. North would mean towards Thranduil’s kingdom, towards home.
The dark elf guessed her worry and nodded grimly.
After finishing their morning meal, they headed towards the trail Rûdhchamion had marked.
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