Mirkwood

Part One: http://laurelinarchives.org/node/36106

Part Two: http://laurelinarchives.org/node/36221

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“It's too hard! I can't do it!” Caethel wailed, almost overbalancing entirely. She stamped her foot on the ground, scowling at his serenity, arms crossed in front of her.

Part One: http://laurelinarchives.org/node/36106

Green blades of grass caressed the elleth's bare feet as she walked across the clearing before swaying back into their upright stance as if no one had passed by. The mellyrn leaves high above in the canopy changed the lighting of the forest floor and illuminated the strains of gold in her hair. For once, it was not held up close to her ears with tiny jeweled pins and ornaments. Only starry white flowers graced the crown of her head, as her long tresses freely cascaded down her back.

She had been planning to go rejoin her old patrol for this, their final night in the forest. She knew they were still near enough to reach, to the North of their planned stop - Erion's failed attempt at a signal had told her as much, and she'd appreciated their careful eyes keeping watch over her progress, as she led the healers back to Echad Sirion. The paths they'd told her about made the journey entirely quiet – only a single warg scout had interrupted their travel, and Caethel had dispatched that easily enough.

Remember.

She might already be dead.

Remember.

It’s your fault.

A tree, another one, the swamp, the lights... Seven days and no findings. My hands, my bag, my phials, all empty.

The sound of Elvealin’s crystal bell pendant. Norliriel knows I do not want to go back yet, I am sure. The crystal bell, once again. Norliriel’s hand is on my hands. I feel woozy.

I have to ask. “How much more do you think we can keep looking?”

 The watchful eyes of the lone sentry found her as soon as she stepped out from the shadows of the trees, but he only nodded, eyes flicking to the stitched mark of her company on her arm, and gestured for her to pass.

As she moved closer, one corner of his mouth lifted in a wry smile, and he remarked: “You're getting sloppy, Cae. Saw you coming from miles away.”

This letter is written on fine parchment, in an elegant and flowing script. It bears an ornate seal  depicting an embossed mallorn flower surrounded by two golden leaves.

Fuirgam, Commander of the Malledhrim forces in the Greenwood, by leave of Lord Celeborn of Lórien,

To Lord Ambassador Parnard of Bar-en-Vanimar, Greetings.