As the sun rose over the Lonely Mountain, Legolas and Relaen wandered the
twisted paths of Mirkwood. Both elves led their horses, Arod and Shadow
Mane, along the paths beside them, as they did every morning.
"What are you thinking about, Re?" Legolas asked. He was tall with long blonde hair down to the middle of his back. He had blue eyes, as most elves do, and his hair was pulled out of his face by a half-ponytail with a few small braids.
"Same thing I am always thinking about." His sister, Relaen, answered. She was slightly shorter than Legolas. If her hair were down, it would be down to her lower back, but she wore it up in a braid that curled into a circle at her neck.
"Why do you keep thinking about it? The War of the Ring is over and Sauron is not coming back." Legolas insisted. "Frodo destroyed the One Ring years ago."
"I know Sauron is not coming back and I know the Ring was destroyed. It is neither of those that I fear." Relaen said. She paused and looked at the Misty Mountains. "I do not know what it is I fear, but something. I dreamt that a ring was found and it destroyed all of our homes, including the Rohan, Gondor, and the Shire."
Legolas put a comforting arm around his sister's shoulders. "Do not worry. Nothing will happen." He assured her.
Relaen smiled at her brother. "Thanks, I am sure you are right. My mind is probably just playing tricks on me."
"You have a mind?" Legolas asked her with a playful grin.
"More of one than what you have in that head of yours. I could probably see clear to the Lonely Mountain if I looked through your head." She shot back with a smirk. The two laughed and headed back to their home.
When Legolas and Relaen returned to the palace, where they lived with their father, Thranduil, they found that many of the elves that lived there, were gone. Slowly, they made their way to the throne room and found it crowded. In the middle of the room was a Man bowed before their father.
"Lord Thranduil! I come with a message from King Elessar of Gondor." The messenger said.
Legolas and Relaen pushed their way forward when they heard the name 'Elessar'. "What did the king say?" Relaen asked eagerly.
Thranduil greeted his children and had them take their seats beside him before the messenger continued.
"Throughout the kingdoms, many children have disappeared!" the herald said, choking back tears.
Thranduil looked at his own children before returning his gaze to the herald. "How many are missing?" he asked.
"Hundreds, maybe even thousands, my Lord." The messenger said sadly. "And, unfortunately, even some of royal blood have disappeared."
"Who?" Legolas asked eagerly.
"The great-granddaughter of Galadriel, Lllyana, a daughter and granddaughter of Elrond, Viqi and Liera, the daughter of Faramir and Eowyn, Zayin, and the two youngest sons of King Elessar, Exor and Reysh." The herald announced sadly.
Relaen and Legolas glanced at each other, fear and sadness in both of their eyes.
"Does the king have any suspicions as to what happened?" Thranduil asked, ignoring the growing fear that one of his children will be next.
The messenger shook his head. "No one knows how it happened. The White Wizard himself is coming from the Western shores to investigate."
Thranduil nodded and then called to some of his manservants. "Show the herald to a room and give him food and drink. He will stay with us for the night." He said. Once the herald was gone and the hall had cleared, Thranduil looked at his two children sadly, his eyes shimmering with tears.
"Are you alright father?" Legolas asked worriedly.
"So many children, lost. No one knows where they are and we have no way of telling." He looked up, meeting the eyes of both of his children. "And I can see no way of helping them."
Relaen knelt beside her father and took his hand. "Do not worry. The children will be found. You heard the herald, Mithrandir himself is coming over. He will solve this puzzle." She said soothingly.
Legolas knelt on the other side of his father. "The children will return safely to their homes, father. I feel it."
Thranduil sighed. "I must think on this more. Both of you go, but stay close to the grounds." He said as he stood and left the room to go to his bedchambers.
After Thranduil had left, Relaen and Legolas stood. Slowly, they made their way to their rooms, each secretly pondering the discussion they had had earlier that day; could this be the work of a Ring?
Relaen closed and locked her bedroom door. She then lay on her stomach, on the floor and crawled under her bed. She ran her hand across the floor and found a small lever. She pulled the lever up and a small hole, just large enough for one person to fit through, opened on the wall. She slid through the hole and entered a large cave-like tunnel. She stood and closed the small door to the hole and then walked down the tunnel.
The tunnel had many branches, most of which you could not see the end. All of the separate tunnels lead to different parts of Mirkwood Forest and two ended underneath Lake Town and the Lonely Mountain. Relaen turned into one of these branched off paths and walked until she reached the end of the path.
The end of this particular tunnel opened into a large room that was surrounded in flowers and shrubs. Small holes could be seen in the ceiling of the room where sunlight entered. In the middle of the small garden was a log that Relaen used as a bench. She sat on the log and began running the information on the missing children through her mind again.
Shortly after she sat down, Relaen heard the sound of crunching pebbles on the ground and was brought out of her thoughts. She knew she didn't have to worry, only one other person knew the whereabouts of the tunnel system. It was the one place she was totally safe.
Legolas sat down next to Relaen. Neither spoke. Neither wanted to openly announce what they both were dreading: the possibility of another Ring. Instead the two sat in the thick silence for hours. They were torn from their thoughtful solitude by the sound of their names being called.
Legolas looked up and could see five elfish guards running over the holes in the ceiling of the room. He pointed up, indicating to Relaen that that was where the noise was coming from. They silently headed down a tunnel that laid to the right of Legolas. Going as quickly, and silently, as they could, they ran to the end of the passageway. They climbed up a rope that was hanging there that lead into a hollowed out tree trunk. They climbed out of the trunk and were abruptly met by one of the guards that Legolas had seen above the tunnel system.
"Lord Legolas, Lady Relaen, here you are! Your father has had us searching for you for hours!" the guard said breathlessly.
Legolas and Relaen exchanged confused glances and then looked up at the sun. It was now setting behind the Misty Mountains. When they had last looked upon it, it had barely risen above the Lonely Mountain.
"I didn't realize we were gone for so long." Relaen mumbled. "Where is father?"
"I will take you to him." The guard said as he led the two back to the palace and to Thranduil's bedchamber.
Legolas and Relaen entered the room and found their father sitting near his desk, his head in his hands and his face tear streaked. They immediately knelt by their father's side.
Legolas put a comforting hand on his father's shoulder. "What is it father?" he asked, concern thick in his voice.
Thranduil lifted his head and looked into his son's eyes. "Many horrible things have happened. The disappearances of the royal children are affecting every country. I have just called for a headcount of all of the Mirkwood elves." his voice faded and tears began to form in his eyes again.
"What is it father?" Relaen asked. She took her father's hand. "Tell us."
Thranduil took a deep, shaky breath. "Nearly fifty of our own elves are missing.they have been missing for a week at least.maybe longer." He said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Relaen and Legolas let a small gasp escape their lips. "Are...are we positive? I mean, could the missing just be on a journey or something like that?" Relaen suggested.
Thranduil shook his head. "They would have told their families if they were, but they didn't.no one knows where they disappeared to."
"Let us look for them father." Legolas said, a sudden resolution in his eyes. "They cannot have just disappeared. Let us search for them."
Relaen nodded her agreement. "Yes! We are the best trackers in our realm. Let us search the woods for them, father."
Thranduil looked into they eyes of both of his children. Their faces were resolute. But so was his. "No. If so many of our people are missing, I will not risk you going into the woods. I do not want you to leave the palace grounds." He said.
Relaen's mouth dropped. "What? Y.you're grounding us?" she asked in disbelief.
Thranduil nodded. "I care to much about both of you to risk you wandering the forest. I do not know what I would do if something happened to either of you. I know you do not like this, but I feel that it must be done."
Legolas sighed. "Father, they must be found and you know that if anyone can find them, we can. We are the best fighters in this realm and we would be together. Please father, we must find the missing elves!" he insisted.
"Legolas, I have never been very firm with you and your sister. I have let you two decide your own lives. I do not give you rules and guidelines to follow and I never have. Until now. I have never asked you to listen to me until now. I want you to do this." Thranduil insisted.
Relaen stood. "Fine." She said, trying to keep the anger from her voice. "We will do as you have asked." She said before storming out of the room.
Thranduil sighed. Legolas walked over to his father. "She'll calm down father.she just doesn't like being confined to one area. Give her some time and she will be fine.she isn't mad at you, she is mad at the situation." He said soothingly.
Thranduil smiled slightly. "You know your sister so well. Thank you, Legolas."
Legolas smiled and hugged his father. "We'll see you at dinner father." He said before leaving to find his sister.
*****
Over the next few weeks, Relaen spent most of her time in the tunnel system around the palace, wishing she could leave. Legolas spent half of his time with her and the other half with their father, assuring him that everything would be fine.
"I have never wanted to leave home as much as I do now." Relaen said with a sigh.
Legolas smiled and put a comforting hand around her shoulders. "Don't worry. This whole thing will blow over soon and you'll be able to steal into Mirkwood every hour of the day."
Relaen looked at her brother with a raised brow. "This won't blow over until all of those missing people are found and they won't be found unless people look for them!" she said, exasperated.
"It's been a few weeks. Maybe we can talk father into letting us go as long as we are together or with guards or something." He said, trying to make his sister feel better.
Relaen nodded. "Maybe.it's worth a try." She conceded. The two siblings made their way back up to the palace and found Thranduil in the throne room. They walked in and waited to be acknowledged. After a few minutes, Thranduil motioned for his children to step forward and say what it is they requested.
Legolas decided to speak before Relaen. "Father, we have a request to ask of you. It has been nearly a month since the disappearances and Relaen and I are becoming restless. If we are together, will you grant us leave to spend some time away from the palace grounds?" he asked hesitantly.
Thranduil looked at the faces of Relaen and Legolas, looking from one to the other. With a sigh, he conceded. "Very well. You may leave, but you must stay within sight of the palace gates."
Relaen smiled and hugged her father tightly. "Thank you father!" She then ran out of the room and to the stables to ready Shadow Mane for a ride.
Legolas thanked his father and then ran after his sister. By the time he reached the stables, Relaen had already ridden off. He quickly mounted Arod, his horse, and followed the small trail that his sister had left behind.
*****
Relaen looked behind her. She was so far into the woods that the palace was just a speck in the distance. She slowed her horse down to a trot and began contemplating where to begin searching for the elves that were still missing. She heard a horse galloping behind her and assumed that Legolas had finally caught up.
"You were supposed to wait for me." He said breathlessly.
Relaen grinned. "Well, you run slow. I can't help it if you can't keep up."
Legolas glared at her. "Father only let us out here because we said we would stick together. If you aren't going to do so, then we'll go home now."
Relaen rolled her eyes. "Loosen up Legolas. We can still see the gates. You are with me. Calm down. Now, let's start looking for some clues about those missing elves."
Legolas sighed and began inspecting the ground for any signs. Relaen let out a small gasp. There was a barely visible trail heading deeper into the woods. Forgetting the rule set by her father and the fact that Legolas was a few feet behind her, she carefully followed the trail, not paying much attention to where it led her.
When she finally stood up straight and looked around her, she was in a very dark part of the forest. She was actually in the very spot that Bilbo Baggins had saved his thirteen dwarf friends from the spiders all those years ago. The trail had ended and slowly, she looked around her. Many of the cobwebs were still in the trees. In fact, many of the spiders were still in the trees, scared to show themselves in front of an elf.
"Hello! Is anyone here?" she called out, but only received an echo for an answer. She walked around the area, her eyes inspecting each corner and dark spot, looking for any other clues. After about an hour of this, she returned to the end of the trail that she had followed, only now it wasn't empty. A small boy, no older than five, with brown eyes and short, black hair stood there.
"Hello little one." She said, kneeling before the boy.
"Hi." He said. His face and the tone of his voice were expressionless.
"Where are your parents? Are they around here?" she asked. The boy shook his head. "Who are you here with then?" she asked. The boy shrugged. Relaen looked at the boy. She didn't recognize him. She had never seen him in the woodland realm or in Gondor or Rohan.
After a few moments, the boy's face lightened and he smiled. "Are you a princess?" he asked.
Relaen returned the smile and nodded. "Yes. My father is the king of Mirkwood. Why don't you come with me to see him?" she asked, hoping to take the boy back to the palace and hopefully find his parents.
The boy shook his head. "I'm not allowed to. Look!" he said. He lifted his hand, which was balled up in a fist. On his ring finger was a simple gold ring.
"That's a very pretty ring." Relaen said.
The boy nodded. "My daddy gave it to me. It's very special."
Before Relaen could say another word, a bright flash escaped from the ring. The next thing she knew, Relaen was standing in a small area of grass underneath a dead oak tree. She frantically searched around her. She wasn't in Mirkwood anymore. What appeared to be a form of house stood behind her and a woman and a small girl, around the age of four, stood in the doorway, looking at Relaen as if she had dropped out of the sky.
"What are you thinking about, Re?" Legolas asked. He was tall with long blonde hair down to the middle of his back. He had blue eyes, as most elves do, and his hair was pulled out of his face by a half-ponytail with a few small braids.
"Same thing I am always thinking about." His sister, Relaen, answered. She was slightly shorter than Legolas. If her hair were down, it would be down to her lower back, but she wore it up in a braid that curled into a circle at her neck.
"Why do you keep thinking about it? The War of the Ring is over and Sauron is not coming back." Legolas insisted. "Frodo destroyed the One Ring years ago."
"I know Sauron is not coming back and I know the Ring was destroyed. It is neither of those that I fear." Relaen said. She paused and looked at the Misty Mountains. "I do not know what it is I fear, but something. I dreamt that a ring was found and it destroyed all of our homes, including the Rohan, Gondor, and the Shire."
Legolas put a comforting arm around his sister's shoulders. "Do not worry. Nothing will happen." He assured her.
Relaen smiled at her brother. "Thanks, I am sure you are right. My mind is probably just playing tricks on me."
"You have a mind?" Legolas asked her with a playful grin.
"More of one than what you have in that head of yours. I could probably see clear to the Lonely Mountain if I looked through your head." She shot back with a smirk. The two laughed and headed back to their home.
When Legolas and Relaen returned to the palace, where they lived with their father, Thranduil, they found that many of the elves that lived there, were gone. Slowly, they made their way to the throne room and found it crowded. In the middle of the room was a Man bowed before their father.
"Lord Thranduil! I come with a message from King Elessar of Gondor." The messenger said.
Legolas and Relaen pushed their way forward when they heard the name 'Elessar'. "What did the king say?" Relaen asked eagerly.
Thranduil greeted his children and had them take their seats beside him before the messenger continued.
"Throughout the kingdoms, many children have disappeared!" the herald said, choking back tears.
Thranduil looked at his own children before returning his gaze to the herald. "How many are missing?" he asked.
"Hundreds, maybe even thousands, my Lord." The messenger said sadly. "And, unfortunately, even some of royal blood have disappeared."
"Who?" Legolas asked eagerly.
"The great-granddaughter of Galadriel, Lllyana, a daughter and granddaughter of Elrond, Viqi and Liera, the daughter of Faramir and Eowyn, Zayin, and the two youngest sons of King Elessar, Exor and Reysh." The herald announced sadly.
Relaen and Legolas glanced at each other, fear and sadness in both of their eyes.
"Does the king have any suspicions as to what happened?" Thranduil asked, ignoring the growing fear that one of his children will be next.
The messenger shook his head. "No one knows how it happened. The White Wizard himself is coming from the Western shores to investigate."
Thranduil nodded and then called to some of his manservants. "Show the herald to a room and give him food and drink. He will stay with us for the night." He said. Once the herald was gone and the hall had cleared, Thranduil looked at his two children sadly, his eyes shimmering with tears.
"Are you alright father?" Legolas asked worriedly.
"So many children, lost. No one knows where they are and we have no way of telling." He looked up, meeting the eyes of both of his children. "And I can see no way of helping them."
Relaen knelt beside her father and took his hand. "Do not worry. The children will be found. You heard the herald, Mithrandir himself is coming over. He will solve this puzzle." She said soothingly.
Legolas knelt on the other side of his father. "The children will return safely to their homes, father. I feel it."
Thranduil sighed. "I must think on this more. Both of you go, but stay close to the grounds." He said as he stood and left the room to go to his bedchambers.
After Thranduil had left, Relaen and Legolas stood. Slowly, they made their way to their rooms, each secretly pondering the discussion they had had earlier that day; could this be the work of a Ring?
Relaen closed and locked her bedroom door. She then lay on her stomach, on the floor and crawled under her bed. She ran her hand across the floor and found a small lever. She pulled the lever up and a small hole, just large enough for one person to fit through, opened on the wall. She slid through the hole and entered a large cave-like tunnel. She stood and closed the small door to the hole and then walked down the tunnel.
The tunnel had many branches, most of which you could not see the end. All of the separate tunnels lead to different parts of Mirkwood Forest and two ended underneath Lake Town and the Lonely Mountain. Relaen turned into one of these branched off paths and walked until she reached the end of the path.
The end of this particular tunnel opened into a large room that was surrounded in flowers and shrubs. Small holes could be seen in the ceiling of the room where sunlight entered. In the middle of the small garden was a log that Relaen used as a bench. She sat on the log and began running the information on the missing children through her mind again.
Shortly after she sat down, Relaen heard the sound of crunching pebbles on the ground and was brought out of her thoughts. She knew she didn't have to worry, only one other person knew the whereabouts of the tunnel system. It was the one place she was totally safe.
Legolas sat down next to Relaen. Neither spoke. Neither wanted to openly announce what they both were dreading: the possibility of another Ring. Instead the two sat in the thick silence for hours. They were torn from their thoughtful solitude by the sound of their names being called.
Legolas looked up and could see five elfish guards running over the holes in the ceiling of the room. He pointed up, indicating to Relaen that that was where the noise was coming from. They silently headed down a tunnel that laid to the right of Legolas. Going as quickly, and silently, as they could, they ran to the end of the passageway. They climbed up a rope that was hanging there that lead into a hollowed out tree trunk. They climbed out of the trunk and were abruptly met by one of the guards that Legolas had seen above the tunnel system.
"Lord Legolas, Lady Relaen, here you are! Your father has had us searching for you for hours!" the guard said breathlessly.
Legolas and Relaen exchanged confused glances and then looked up at the sun. It was now setting behind the Misty Mountains. When they had last looked upon it, it had barely risen above the Lonely Mountain.
"I didn't realize we were gone for so long." Relaen mumbled. "Where is father?"
"I will take you to him." The guard said as he led the two back to the palace and to Thranduil's bedchamber.
Legolas and Relaen entered the room and found their father sitting near his desk, his head in his hands and his face tear streaked. They immediately knelt by their father's side.
Legolas put a comforting hand on his father's shoulder. "What is it father?" he asked, concern thick in his voice.
Thranduil lifted his head and looked into his son's eyes. "Many horrible things have happened. The disappearances of the royal children are affecting every country. I have just called for a headcount of all of the Mirkwood elves." his voice faded and tears began to form in his eyes again.
"What is it father?" Relaen asked. She took her father's hand. "Tell us."
Thranduil took a deep, shaky breath. "Nearly fifty of our own elves are missing.they have been missing for a week at least.maybe longer." He said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Relaen and Legolas let a small gasp escape their lips. "Are...are we positive? I mean, could the missing just be on a journey or something like that?" Relaen suggested.
Thranduil shook his head. "They would have told their families if they were, but they didn't.no one knows where they disappeared to."
"Let us look for them father." Legolas said, a sudden resolution in his eyes. "They cannot have just disappeared. Let us search for them."
Relaen nodded her agreement. "Yes! We are the best trackers in our realm. Let us search the woods for them, father."
Thranduil looked into they eyes of both of his children. Their faces were resolute. But so was his. "No. If so many of our people are missing, I will not risk you going into the woods. I do not want you to leave the palace grounds." He said.
Relaen's mouth dropped. "What? Y.you're grounding us?" she asked in disbelief.
Thranduil nodded. "I care to much about both of you to risk you wandering the forest. I do not know what I would do if something happened to either of you. I know you do not like this, but I feel that it must be done."
Legolas sighed. "Father, they must be found and you know that if anyone can find them, we can. We are the best fighters in this realm and we would be together. Please father, we must find the missing elves!" he insisted.
"Legolas, I have never been very firm with you and your sister. I have let you two decide your own lives. I do not give you rules and guidelines to follow and I never have. Until now. I have never asked you to listen to me until now. I want you to do this." Thranduil insisted.
Relaen stood. "Fine." She said, trying to keep the anger from her voice. "We will do as you have asked." She said before storming out of the room.
Thranduil sighed. Legolas walked over to his father. "She'll calm down father.she just doesn't like being confined to one area. Give her some time and she will be fine.she isn't mad at you, she is mad at the situation." He said soothingly.
Thranduil smiled slightly. "You know your sister so well. Thank you, Legolas."
Legolas smiled and hugged his father. "We'll see you at dinner father." He said before leaving to find his sister.
*****
Over the next few weeks, Relaen spent most of her time in the tunnel system around the palace, wishing she could leave. Legolas spent half of his time with her and the other half with their father, assuring him that everything would be fine.
"I have never wanted to leave home as much as I do now." Relaen said with a sigh.
Legolas smiled and put a comforting hand around her shoulders. "Don't worry. This whole thing will blow over soon and you'll be able to steal into Mirkwood every hour of the day."
Relaen looked at her brother with a raised brow. "This won't blow over until all of those missing people are found and they won't be found unless people look for them!" she said, exasperated.
"It's been a few weeks. Maybe we can talk father into letting us go as long as we are together or with guards or something." He said, trying to make his sister feel better.
Relaen nodded. "Maybe.it's worth a try." She conceded. The two siblings made their way back up to the palace and found Thranduil in the throne room. They walked in and waited to be acknowledged. After a few minutes, Thranduil motioned for his children to step forward and say what it is they requested.
Legolas decided to speak before Relaen. "Father, we have a request to ask of you. It has been nearly a month since the disappearances and Relaen and I are becoming restless. If we are together, will you grant us leave to spend some time away from the palace grounds?" he asked hesitantly.
Thranduil looked at the faces of Relaen and Legolas, looking from one to the other. With a sigh, he conceded. "Very well. You may leave, but you must stay within sight of the palace gates."
Relaen smiled and hugged her father tightly. "Thank you father!" She then ran out of the room and to the stables to ready Shadow Mane for a ride.
Legolas thanked his father and then ran after his sister. By the time he reached the stables, Relaen had already ridden off. He quickly mounted Arod, his horse, and followed the small trail that his sister had left behind.
*****
Relaen looked behind her. She was so far into the woods that the palace was just a speck in the distance. She slowed her horse down to a trot and began contemplating where to begin searching for the elves that were still missing. She heard a horse galloping behind her and assumed that Legolas had finally caught up.
"You were supposed to wait for me." He said breathlessly.
Relaen grinned. "Well, you run slow. I can't help it if you can't keep up."
Legolas glared at her. "Father only let us out here because we said we would stick together. If you aren't going to do so, then we'll go home now."
Relaen rolled her eyes. "Loosen up Legolas. We can still see the gates. You are with me. Calm down. Now, let's start looking for some clues about those missing elves."
Legolas sighed and began inspecting the ground for any signs. Relaen let out a small gasp. There was a barely visible trail heading deeper into the woods. Forgetting the rule set by her father and the fact that Legolas was a few feet behind her, she carefully followed the trail, not paying much attention to where it led her.
When she finally stood up straight and looked around her, she was in a very dark part of the forest. She was actually in the very spot that Bilbo Baggins had saved his thirteen dwarf friends from the spiders all those years ago. The trail had ended and slowly, she looked around her. Many of the cobwebs were still in the trees. In fact, many of the spiders were still in the trees, scared to show themselves in front of an elf.
"Hello! Is anyone here?" she called out, but only received an echo for an answer. She walked around the area, her eyes inspecting each corner and dark spot, looking for any other clues. After about an hour of this, she returned to the end of the trail that she had followed, only now it wasn't empty. A small boy, no older than five, with brown eyes and short, black hair stood there.
"Hello little one." She said, kneeling before the boy.
"Hi." He said. His face and the tone of his voice were expressionless.
"Where are your parents? Are they around here?" she asked. The boy shook his head. "Who are you here with then?" she asked. The boy shrugged. Relaen looked at the boy. She didn't recognize him. She had never seen him in the woodland realm or in Gondor or Rohan.
After a few moments, the boy's face lightened and he smiled. "Are you a princess?" he asked.
Relaen returned the smile and nodded. "Yes. My father is the king of Mirkwood. Why don't you come with me to see him?" she asked, hoping to take the boy back to the palace and hopefully find his parents.
The boy shook his head. "I'm not allowed to. Look!" he said. He lifted his hand, which was balled up in a fist. On his ring finger was a simple gold ring.
"That's a very pretty ring." Relaen said.
The boy nodded. "My daddy gave it to me. It's very special."
Before Relaen could say another word, a bright flash escaped from the ring. The next thing she knew, Relaen was standing in a small area of grass underneath a dead oak tree. She frantically searched around her. She wasn't in Mirkwood anymore. What appeared to be a form of house stood behind her and a woman and a small girl, around the age of four, stood in the doorway, looking at Relaen as if she had dropped out of the sky.