Tiphereth stood fast. These were seasoned warriors trained to fight as one and each of them were worth ten Orcs in battle. For a moment he cast his eyes upon, Jalisa studying her carefully and as he surmised she lacked what one would expect to find in a woman who did not carry herself as warrior. She lacked fear.

The Phaerie kept his sword-staff lowered and relaxed. If these warriors wanted them dead, they would have attacked instead of corral them for questioning. They wanted answers and something else that the he could not be sure of. Within each of the men he could sense loss. The anguish was clear to him, all had somehow suffered at the hands of this undead army that plagued their lands. They were only defending their lands and he would not raise up against them unless he was forced to defend himself or his companions.

As Sorrelwind stood silently, awaiting their lord and leader to respond to the Rohirrim warrior, he could feel their eyes settle upon him. 'Fair one', they said, one of the many terms for his kind, but it was quite evident that their kind had much reason not to trust those of the Faerie. The lore was heavy about them, story upon story of men, succumbing to the charms of what, Sorrelwind referred to as the Lesser of his kind, but his kind they were, nonetheless. The superstitions ran deep within them and in their confusion as to the return of this foul enemy the sinister magic of the Fair-ones was as good as reason as any.

Brianna held up her hand to the Rohan warriors, gaining their attention to her.

"Hold riders of Rohan. I am Brianna Rodreven and known throughout the land as the dark Rohirrim for I am of Dunedain blood but raised Rohirrim. I am trying to return home to my village and these are my friends. Please, can you tell us what has happened here? And, has this happened further into our lands?"

Brianna kept her dark green eyes focused on the leader, no fear in her eyes, only wariness and uneasiness. After seeing the boy or what was left of him, she only wanted to hurry to her own village and see if it was still there. Her heart, though, told her it wasn't.

Sighere, stared down at the woman who spoke to him in their native tongue. "Rodreven?" he replied in the common language so that all might understand, "I knew of your father. I am sorry to inform you that Dresinton is no more. It was the first settlement to fall."

His heart hardened by battle and loss there was little sympathy in the man's words. He turned his eyes away and settled them upon the ranger who bore the look of the leader if indeed the band had one. The fact that they traveled with one of their kin did not sway them. These were dark times and even the familiar sound of their own language was not enough to lower arms. The Riders awaited an explanation for the intrusion into their lands and they would have it.

Lac raised his hand ......
I am Lac'nal of Oron_D_Narr, these are my trusted companions and allies. We enter the lands of Rohan as friends. " he said calmly as he jestured to each in turn "The Priestess Ssinjin Dalhar K'Nyan of Elistraee; Tiphereth Sorrelwind of the Deithir; Othargren Ironfist of the Orocarin Mountains; The Druid Augustine; Jalisa of Fargon Forrest and Brianna Rodreven of Rohan." He then bowed his head slightly in respect and continued ...... We journey to my home in Oron_D-Narr in the north, gathering allies to raise an army to battle the darkness that once again threatens all our lands. To once again renew the old alliances, alliances that once brought the peoples of earth together with your King Theoden and all the races together to defeat Saromon. ....... A shadow now grows in the east and spreads across the lands a shadow darker than any before. I sense Morgoth himself has awakened and means to rule over all."

Jin slowly lowered her cross bow when Brianna and the warriors exchanged words and when Lac introduced the entire group, she lowered the hood of her cloak to reveal her true heritage. While the sun was setting it still pained her eyes and she couldn’t help but squint in what could only be interpreted as a hateful glare. Still, she refused to pull the cowl of her cloak back up over her head now. But she still kept the cross bow laid across the horn of the saddle.

While the tension wasn’t as thick as it was just a second ago, it was still very prominent and tension had a way of leading to actions that should never take place. The Native language of the Rohan people sounded very articulate and while she didn’t understand it, she could respect why Brianna had used it. Jin herself would have done the very same thing had the roles been reversed.

When the Rohirrim leader spoke in the common language for all to understand, Jiin was just slightly relieved. At least now she would know when things were getting heated and could take the necessary steps needed to try and either defuse the situation or….prepare for a fight.

Just to be on the safe side, though, the Drowess moved her fingers in what could be seen as random, nervous motions but in truth, she was weaving a spell she could let loose should the situation call for such a thing. Of course, in the back of her mind, Jin was hoping it didn’t come to that. Diplomacy seemed to be the higher road to take at this point.

For now.

Jalisa remained perfectly still. Only her eyes moved and that was from one person to the next. She couldn’t directly see the Pharie but there was no doubt he was looking at her. Or at least, she could feel eyes upon her for a moment. And that insistent buzzing in her head grew quite annoying once more for a short time. If she could just remember what it was that caused that noise. She’d perhaps be able to find the source and quiet it. Forever.

When she heard the dark haired human woman speak to the horse warriors, Jalisa was able to understand the entire conversation even before they switched to the common tongue for all others to hear. It was something she cherished most with her kind. The ability to understand several languages as though they were natural to you. His words were meant to be sincere but the tone in which he used to deliver them was anything but. Jalisa knew the things that caused a man to lose his compassion and none of them were good. Obviously. Why else would he lose such a natural emotion for humans?

As Lac made introductions, the disguised dragoness let her strange blue gaze rest on the leader of the horse warriors. He pushed his fear to the back of his mind but the suspicion was still very prevalent. These brave, strong and noble people had suffered greatly in the recent past. Jalisa would love nothing more than to bring peace back to them but she dared not reveal her true nature. And somehow Jalisa knew the only way to help these people were to become that which they feared worse than the Gorrinvul.

Or did they?

Bah. She wasn’t going to take the chance. Besides. Her duty was to make sure Lac’Nala made it safely back to Oran-D-Narr. Once she delivered him into the safe talons of Loki, perhaps then she would return and see what she could do for these people, if they were still in need of her services.

Still, as she stood there, Jalisa could feel the current of magic moving around her and she wondered what, or more precisely WHO, was delving into it. Casually looking around at the others, Jalisa tried to find out who was casting a spell and it wasn't until her eyes passed by the Drowess a second time that she recognized the movement of the fingers. A small smile eased over her features then as she realized how clever the Drowess really was.

And how dangerous.

Knowing things were dragging out unnecessarily Jalisa finally spoke up then in an effort to prevent Jin from doing something they would all regret. Taking a step forward, she bowed respectfully then rose and placed her right fist gently over her heart before lowering her hand to her side.

"Beg your pardon, but we've been traveling for some time and grow weary. We humbly ask the Rohirrim people allow us to stay and rest up before we head out once more in an effort to reach the lands of Oran_D_Narr. We mean no harm to any of the citizens of this fine and beautiful land. Perhaps we may even be able to share some information we might have learned in our travels. As Master Lac'Nala has indicated, a shadow of darkness grows and it will be up to all of us to seek a way to defeat it. What say you, brave Rohirrim Warrior?"

Brianna's breath caught in her throat at the leader's words of her village. She quickly composed herself, the only thing showing her inner anguish were her eyes which had darkened with deep sorrow, her heart breaking at the news. To think of how her parents and village had suffered tore at her.

She heard little after that on what was spoken between Lac and the rider leader. She wanted to scream her grief and rage at the world but held herself in check. She gritted her teeth together, her hands forming into fists as she fought to retain control of herself, a myraid of emotions running through her. Oh, how she wanted vengeance now...more than anything she wanted the heads of the 'Dead who Walk' laid before her.

Augustine let his hands slip from his long heavy sleeves, he held them up for the riders to see, it was not a gesture of fear or surrender, it was a gesture of peace. The druids never carried weapons, it was forbidden and often they would let both friends and foes know that they were unarmed.

Augustine was next to Sorrelwind, he could sense the Pharie gathering lore from the Rohirrim, the Pharie was reading the pain and loss of these fine people, they carried it like a great heavy stone.

Augustine remained silent as Lac'Nala and Brianna spoke with the horsemasters, the druid was far from home and was not sure how the men and women of Rohan felt about druids and druidic magic.

The warriors seemed to recognize Tipereth for Phariekind, Augustine wondered if any of his kind lived in Rohan or had in the past.

The quiet mysterious Jalisa broke the ice as she formally asked the Rohirrim for their hospitality. Augustine thought that this was very forward and very brave. Keeping his hands up for the horsemen to see Augustine wondered how the warriors would react.

The apparent leader had yet to speak, he just sat quietly upon his mount and listened while the other Riders curiously studied the Drowess. Many of them had never seen a Dark Elf before and her presence aside that of one of the Fair Ones was regarded as a bad omen.

As Lac made introductions, the Rohirrim warrior scrutinized the names but did not reciprocate the gesture, he merely continued to stare down the strangers in his land. Only one among them seemed to catch his interest. His blue eyes settled on the druid, a holy man by their standards and such users of magic and wisdom were well respected in Rohan in honour of the White Wizard who long ago came to their aid.

When Jalisa began speaking, the warrior turned his eyes to her and by the time she was finished was quite bemused, in fact he laughed a little but it was not at her expense, rather it was the ruse that the Rohirrim often played. Turning behind him, the lieutenant bowed his head and backed his horse away, clearing the way for a larger, more striking man to come forth.



"I am Lord Ceolwulf Raegenharr." he told them, "We know of you, but one can never be too careful in these dark times."

Ceolwulf then turned and waved his hand across the ruins behind him. "Behold, the remains of Ironglade. Our home. We are the last and have sworn vengeance upon the Gorrinvul." he announced, then turned back and regarded each member of the party with his piercing eyes and sullen face. Only when he came to Lac'Nal in the end, did he bow his head respectfully.

"Come!" The Rorhirrim Lord bid them and he drove his horse into the lead and road eastward back toward their encampment.

All those without a mounts were offered rides by the soldiers, and the lieutenant himself who had originally presented himself to the group reached down and took the hand of the druid. "Up you come, Augustine. I am Sighere Sabertson. I'd be honoured if ye'd ride with me."

Lac bowed his head slightly and brought the fist of his right hand to his heart then said in the Roherician ( The native language of Rohan ) "We thank you Lord Ceolwulf Raegenharr for your hospitality. The halls of Rohan have not darkened and the light of Rohan still burns bright in these dark times." Lac and Ssinjin rode eastward, beside Ceolwulf, with Jalisa colse behind, Shape and three of his companions stood on a hill side and watched . Shape bounded down the hill, as the other three spead out across the plain. As Shape trotted next to Lac, the other three wolves seemed to vanish and only their holw could be heard in the distance as the patrolled the perimiter of the group.

Then in the common tounge of man Lac asked "How long has it been since the last attack?"

Ceolwulf turned to Lac'Nal, his eyes drawn to the Drowess who rode with him. "Three days." he answered in his deep accented voice, "Our home was the last to be attacked. They come with the mist at night, always in the fog. We will not see them again for many days now, but their scouts attack randomly through the night. We have yet to encounter any of these smaller troops." Cleowulf reported regretfully, his hands clenching his reigns tightly.

The Horsemaster Lord then turned his head northward and spoke again, "When news of you and your companions came that you were passing through the Riddermark, we sought you out. The Gorrinvul are like phantoms, they come in the night and vanish without a trace. They return to their barrows but we have yet to discover them, perhaps you and your companions might be able to locate them."

Cleowulf was direct. It was the nature of his people and the right of his position. He knew that if they could find the den of these creatures they might be able to destroy them, though he knew not how. He did know, however, they would surely fall should they stand against their entire force. As brave and as skillful were his men, they were but a handful in comparison to the hundreds they would face.

Lac looked at Ceolwulf "You have my sword Lord Ceolwulf and I am sure my companions and I shall do all within our power to find these foul creatures and destroy them."

When the fate of Brianna’s village was reported, Jin cast her glance at the human woman and saw her reaction. Subtle physical actions could be seen and in those actions, Jin knew the internal grief Brianna felt was nothing short of numbing. Seeing the group was no longer in danger and Augustine was offered a ride by one of the warriors, Jin moved up beside Brianna and reached over to lay her gloved hand on that of Brianna’s. When Brianna’s water filled eyes glanced at Jin, the Drowess nodded her head and spoke softly, keeping her voice hushed.

”Your time for grieving will soon be at hand. If you wish, I will join you for no person should go through it alone.”

With another curt nod, Jin sat back straight in her saddle then nudged her heels lightly into Wally’s side to move up closer to Lac’Nala. When Ceolwulf glanced in her direction, Jin let her now iridescent, blue eyes settle on his gaze directly. Sitting proudly with her back straight and her shoulders squared, Jin showed she was as proud of her own heritage as they were of theirs.

Listening to Ceolwulf describe the Gorrinvul, Jin took special interest in knowing they took refuge during the daylight hours. When the Rohirrim leade got done speaking, Jin spoke up.

”Perhaps, Lord Ceolwulf, it is because you are not thinking like a dark dweller. Sometimes, in order to seek out that which you are looking for, you must become that which you despise. You are fortunate for now that we are here, you will not have to do such a thing. Myself and the Deithir are more comfortable in the darkness than surface dwellers.”

Jin nodded her head towards Tiphereth.

”Perhaps, after we have eaten and rested while you give us more information on the Gurrinvul, Tiphereth and I can go on a…..Walking Dead hunt.”

There was something sinister about her words and she once more glanced back at Tiphereth with a devilish smile on her face.

”What do you think my Deithir friend?”

Jalisa recognized the laugh and while others may have been offended, she wasn’t. Perhaps she should have been but she knew they didn’t know what they were dealing with. Literally. So while they chuckled, she simply smiled. It was a smile that had many hidden secrets.

When Ceolwulf rode forward, she knew things were about to change and within a short time, they would be warm, safe and sound. For a while, anyway. As the group began moving forward, one of the horse warriors offered a hand up to Jalisa and she gladly accepted, thanking the warrior.

Settled behind the warrior, Jalisa let her gaze sweep over the land. While she couldn’t see as well as she could if she were in her true form, she could still see quite a bit. This….Dead who Walk were like a swarm of locust to Rohan devouring anything and everything in their path. These proud, noble and respectful warrior people didn’t deserve this plague to their lands.

She would speak to Loki when she delivered Lac’Nala to the wise, old dragon and get his insight on this land and these people. She was looking for a place to call home, other than Oran_D_Narr, and so far, this place was looking rather….inviting. Besides, it was apparent these people needed a little help now and then.

Question was, would they accept it from a large, black dragon?

Not one warrior had offered to share a mount with the being, the Rohirrim called the Fair-One. Instead he had been given a spare horse without a saddle to ride. A fine gesture, the Phaerie considered until he realized that it was only done because none of them cared sit along side his kind. Truly, Tiphereth bore these people no ill will for their prejudice, it was probably well warranted considering how mischievous and malicious the lesser of his kind could be. The Deithir themselves were once such creatures and so how could he stand in judgment? He could only hope, that perhaps in time, these fine people might try and understand the differences that existed between the many faerie races by his example.

Making sure that he stayed close to Lac'Nala, the Deithir directed his mount by whispering words in strange melodic tongue, and so fluid was his motion on the bare backed steed that even the horsemasters took notice. He listened intently to the words of the large blonde warrior, Cleowulf and surmised as did the Drowess that these barrow wights had the wits of cunning subterranean dwellers. For them to move across Rohan and leave little trace of their passing meant that they may be using an underground network of tunnels to avoid detection.

His attention was then caught by, Jin as she compared her kind to his. It was strange, but he never actually considered himself a dweller of darkness, none of his kind did, and yet born of the Forest of Perpetual Night, never seeing a sunrise nor feeling its golden warmth on their skin the Deithir were indeed creatures of the night. At times, so black were the woods, that few save his kind with their highly sensitive eyes could see through it and so in many ways their two kinds were similar. That, and the fact that his kind were akin to Elves paralleled them all the more.

When Jin suggested that she and he seek out these creatures, Sorrelwind actually smiled. Not just a slight curl of the corners of his mouth, but an actual warm smile stretched his fine, pale porcelain mask of a face. It was an uncontrolled reaction and the Deithir was actually embarrassed by it. He bowed his head quickly in agreement to Jin's suggestion then navigated his mount nearer to the druid. For some reason, Tiphereth felt more at ease around, Augustine. Maybe it was his serene nature or perhaps his discipline but when the Phaerie was around him it was as if he were shaded by a great oak.



It was twilight when Lord Ceolwulf lead his men and the seven companions along a narrow ravine. It spiraled round a hill as they followed it, an old bridge came into view, traversing the dry gorge. On the other side of it was an ancient keep set into the mountain side, its walls weathered by the elements but still capable of fending of an attack.

"This is Arostburn." Said Ceolwulf, "An old sentry post used rarely in these peaceful days, but it is now once again time to light the fires and brighten its halls."

Four soldiers dismounted and began the complex task of gathering hidden parts and rebuilding a winch that would allow them to raise the portcullis beyond which was an open gate. Evidently, they designed the gateway to keep out intruders while they were away, but once inside could also close the heavy doors for added security. A half hour elapsed and the portcullis was raised enough that the men could ride into the keep. All moved in, and the horses were taken to the stable that was yet well stocked with hay and while the men tended to their duties, Ceolwulf and Sighere surveyed the walls and towers.