She had thought she was dead. What was this then? The afterlife? She pondered this possibility, and dismissed it almost immediately. Again she heard the rattling of pots, and soon the soft thrum of boiling water. She summoned up the courage to open her eyes. Fire light suddenly flooded her vision, and left her dazed. She could just make out her surroundings. A forest clearing and a small coking fire. A cloaked figure was hunched over a black pot, his broad shoulders indicated he was a man.
"Awake?"
She started.
"Y-yes," she swallowed, her breathing was labored, "who are you?"
The man chuckled, and turned his head to look over at her. He was only young, her age. His skin was fair and un-tanned, as one would've expected, with the colour of travel. He was clean shaven and has hair the hue of pale gold. He had appeared a human ranger at first, but she saw no he was an elf. Pointed ears protruded from long stands of his almost perfect hair.
"I am Silinde Vardamir, elf of Mirkwood," he answered, getting up, "alas, I have abandoned my past life. And who, pray tell, might you be?"
Vaskay reharded the strange elf with curiosity, she had never laid eyes on a being of such beauty. It was captivating.
"I-I am Vaskay Celeberan of…" she paused, "of Far eastern Rhun".
"I see," he bent down next to her, a harsh wooden cup filled with water in his fair hand, "drink".
She took the cup and downed it gratefully, as she did, Vaskay caught a glimpse of her own hand. It was almost skeleton thin, malnutrition had taken its toll on her body. She was fortunate Silinde found her when he did, she was fortunate to be found at all. Angband was far from any settlement, nestled at the feet of the Iron Hills.
"I am indebted to you, Silinde of Mirkwood," she recited solemnly, "and I thank you".
Her palm was across her heart in a grave oath.
"Think nothing of it," he smiled, azure eyes twinkling, "what were you doing, if I may ask, in the Ruins of Angband?"
Vaskay didn't answer immediately, debating whether or not this elf was, indeed, trustworthy.
"I heard the legends…"
"Of Morgoth, and Sauron? The War of Wrath has destroyed all that once lay here, save for a few towers left standing".
"Yes, that's where I fell," she recalled, "but there was a stone on an alter. Somehow, it bears some significance to me, yet, I cannot see what…"
"We can return," Salinde assured her, sensing her intentions, "when you are well. Now get some rest".
She nodded sleepily, she new she could trust this elf. There was just something about him, she couldn't determine it as of yet. There was just something…