[maikafanawen]

Searching the eyes of the people in the room, Annanoldowen noticed that they were all trying to think of a question that they wanted answered before they left on this expedition. The feeling when there were so many questions to ask that weren’t entirely formed in the mind was obvious on everyone’s face. Laurel sat in the chair opposite the group and answered patiently the little questions that were asked. Annanoldowen knew of the odds they were against and their advantages and disadvantages. There was, however, one question to which the answer was hazy. This question was directed to the whole of the people before her. Her voice broke through the momentary silence like a summer breeze in a meadow, soft and calming.

“There is something that has not been clarified. We have all been summoned here to help rid Alphirion of these marauding foes? In this room are collectively the best warriors of Middle Earth. Gondorians, Rohirrim, a few elves.” She nodded in turn to each category of aid in the room. “It is to my understanding that your people have been fighting this enemy for a recent amount of time but using different battle tactics. All have failed so you called for help. Only fifty percent of your plea has been answered though. The givers of assistance have arrived, but will it be enough? What methods shall they take to give true help?

“We will need time to become familiar with the geography.” She paused then, her eyes looking into the faces of every soldier before her, but not seeing them. Instead she was looking inside her mind, picturing the forest again that she had seen so long ago. The elf nodded then, a fateful smile crossing her face, “Time. Laurel? How much time do we have? How many people are left in Swan Wood?” The council became silent as Laurel addressed them precisely.