Jin watched the others gather around Lac after his proclamation and wondered if they were all fighting a loosing battle or were the on the verge of defeating this evil. Even while she knew it was dangerous to allow herself to get close to Lac or any of the others, she also knew there was no way they could defeat it without banding together.

Tiphereth’s words echoed in her ears and Jin knew this Dark Lord had an endless reach. If he could reach into the veil of the Phaerie, what would stop him from conquering the rest of their world if they didn’t stop him?

There was only one answer.

“I will give all that I have to defeat this evil presence. There will be no doubt this Dark Force will know it has angered the Drow for I shall bring down the wrath of my people upon him. And do so with vengeance.”

They would feel the cold wind again as Jack returned from the ethereal realm, stepping forward to join the group. "You do not know me and nor do you trust me as of yet but I would like to aid you in your quest. The spirits have led me here in my own journey against this evil. There must be a reason."

Tiphereth could no longer hear the caws of the crebain and stretching his senses beyond their dank refuge, nodded to Lac'Nala affirming their departure, and though he could have quickly stole out of their refuge and confirmed their parting, stood fast and offered not 'til the ranger provided counsel.

To pass time, Tiphereth rejoined Beldegir and engaged in quiet conversation, although the booming voice of the Dwarf tended to draw attention. He told the tale of the Battle of Azanulbizar also known as the Battle of Nanduhirion to the Sindar and Dimrill Dale to Men. It was the last battle in the War between Dwarves and the Orcs of the Misty Mountains. "Many great Dwarves fell in that, the greatest of all the battles." He recounted. Then went on to describe the legendary fight between Nain of the Iron Hills and the Orc leader, Azog, who felled him battle, but his son Dain Ironfoot, avenged his father and hewed off Azog's head with one fell blow from his red axe. This ended the battle and the war, and to commemorate their fallen, they were stripped to avoid being plundered and all the trees in the valley were felled with which were made funeral pyres for the dead. The Dwarves were unable to honour them with tombs of stone so they burned them and to this day not a single tree has ever grown again in the valley.

Upon hearing the story, Tiphereth wondered what the barren valley had in store for them, if anything at all.

Lac bowed his head to the others, brought his right fist to his heart and said "If it means the forfiture of my life, my sword and bow stands with each of you, in this task we undertake, the defeat of Sauron and his minions."

As the others moved off to their own counsel, Lac began to explore the underground cavern, following the shoreline of the aquaduct. The path began to rise slowly and Lac emerged just beyound the tree line. There before him lay a meadow with several deer grazing, Lac slowly knelt, drew his bow and notch an arrow. Just a large buck snorted and stomped his hoof, Lac loosed an arrow striking a small doe in the lungs. She fell instantly as the others ran off across the meadow. Lac, rose from his knee, walked over withdrew his arrow and said a prayer thanking the Gods and the doe for her sacrifice that he and his companions might have sustinance and strength to continue their journey. Lifting the doe on his shoulders Lac then returned to the others. He laid the doe down and said "Let us eat and regain our strength, I have found an easier way out and we have many leagues to travel yet before us. .... This noble animal as sacrificed its life that we may regain our strength and have means to carry supplies."

Tiphereth bowed his head to Lac'Nala to honor his effort for the provision, but within he wept for the fallen deer. "Such is not the way of my people, my lord. By the Aelaeydium I am forbidden to take from nature that which I am able to provide myself through magic and agriculture." He explained calmly with no derision or malice to his words. He then melted into the foliage of the grove, while the deer was butchered and cooked. As he moved through the trees, his hair, flesh and even clothes seemed to mimic the the plant life about his form, allowing one to discern his presence only by his movement. Tiphereth then leapt high into the air and floated to the top a tall tree. Balancing upon branches that could hardly support the weight of a squirrel he swayed in the breeze keeping watch for any intruders that may be lurking in the trees at the fringe of the barren valley.

Before taking to the solitary sentry position, the Deithir paused to hear out Brianna's directions to the berry bushes. He looked to where she pointed then turned the faerie-fire of his gaze upon her once more and remembered that unlike the others she had not witnessed the conjurations granted by the Aelaeydium. "Thank you." he told her if only to be polite, took a chew of his jerky then carried on his way.

Lac looked to the sky and said "Yes I think we have time to make jerky and prepare bags fron the skins to carry our food supplies and more water with us. Then we must make haste for we have many more leagues to travel before nightfall. We need to be off these plains and into the Lands of Rhovanion, before the sun sets."

In the meantime Jack stayed within the shadows just watching the group for the time being. It had been some time since he had worked with a group. Usually he was forced to take on challenges by himself. Kneeling down he began to trace his finger along the stones. Before long the man seemed to go into a bit of a trance.