Note: Yes I know another short chapter, unfortunately due to my relapse (ME/CFS) I cannot concentrate for very long. Stopping and starting destroys the flow so I'm afraid it may be short or disjointed chapters for a while. Hopefully I will be back to normal soon (well as normal as I get anyway). – Grimreaper PT
Nariel the Red
Chapter 53- Flowing Sap and Living Flesh
As soon as the sun rose the group made their way into the trees. They followed the hobbit's tracks slowly through the forest until they found a small clearing next to a rock wall with high steps. "Let us go up and look about us" Nariel stood and sniffed the air. "What is it?" Legolas asked as he stood beside her. She had that look on her face "There is a strange scent on the air" Well that was specific. "What sort of strange scent" The others stopped and turned to the pair. If Nariel had sensed something they didn't want to go on. "I do not know. It is strange, like flowing sap and living flesh" The elf turned to his mortal companions. "We must be careful" Nariel sniffed the air again. "Whatever it is it is long gone" As the prince relayed her message she started to climb the stone steps.
At the top she stopped and sniffed again. "The smell is stronger up here" And there was something else in the air. Something incredibly familiar and comforting. Slowly a smile spread across her face, especially when she overheard the others talking. Legolas had seen something. "Look! Down in the wood. There is a figure moving through the trees. The white wizard approaches." The others stiffened and drew their weapons. "Do not let him speak; he will put a spell on us." Aragorn warned. Nariel grinned wider until Legolas turned to her. She let her face go blank, she didn't want to give away the surprise.
"Nariel Change!" the elf hissed to her but she shook her head. "Not this time" She wasn't going to do anything but sit here and watch the show. She sat back against a large tree cross-legged. If she could have she would have laughed loudly at the look on his face, on all of their faces. "What are you doing?" She placed a finger to her lips "Shh" Then there was a flash of white light and the wizard spoke. "You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits." They couldn't see the figure as he stood surrounded by bright light. "Where are they?" The figure stepped forward, moving closer to them. "They passed this way the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?" Nariel stood up and walked towards the figure but Legolas put out an arm and stopped her. "Who are you?" Nariel shook him off and stood in front the figure. The light faded. "Gandalf?"
