Drannor arrived at his Masters hold. He was in no mood to play the brutal games those that dwelled their loved to play. He gave them no chance to attack him. The minute he walked within the dim chamber he zeroed in on the largest of the orc there. Charging them with his whip in hand the flames dance along its tail. The orc made ready and with one mighty lash Drannor had the beast around his middle , yet he did not stop nor slow. The tail tightened around the orc and its clothing was set ablaze. With a mere flick of Drannor's wrist he separated the orcs torso from its hips.

"If any of you wish to challenge me I will send you into the void now. So come on do your worst." He challenged all present as the body of the orc sizzled and burned behind him. None seemed to want to answer his challenge. Flaming whip in hand he stalks off towards the hall and only when he was well within it did he extinguish the flames.

He was allowed into his Master's chambers and upon entering he was struck across the face with such force he hit the ground hard. His gaze immediately drawn to black leather boots that walked slowly around him. He managed to get to his knees. His hand held to the aching side of his face and he spat blood from his lips.

"I hear that you attacked the army of the free peoples. I hear we suffered some most costly losses. 100's of wargs. Several chimera including my magnificent winged beast. Whatever gave you the idea to do such? What were you hoping to accomplish?"

Dannor steadied himself. The mark on his face was already healing and he pressed both hands to the floor before him. "I got the news that the army had entered the lands just outside of my territory. They were so very close Master. I thought you would be angry if I did not attack and at least thin the numbers. I underestimated their might. When I returned I received your summons and came to you, fully prepared for and deserving of your wrath."

Large powerful fingers curled into his hair. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply in the moments before he was pulled up by his tresses. His lips claimed in such a brutal kiss that they were cut against his teeth and he tasted blood on his tongue. "Indeed," his Master hissed. "You will suffer."

Elladan and Kree continued to ride hard. Following the trail left behind by the massive army. They came upon piles of charred remains causing Elladan, for a moment to think the worst. Kree saw the look of terror in his eyes. She could feel the wave of panic roll off of him and then he was galloping off towards one of the piles. She followed a bit slowly, her eyes focused on his reactions. He slid down from his horses back and she watched as he inhaled deeply then exhaled slowly in relief.

She neared her companion and dismounted as well. "What is it?" She asked and stopped beside him.

His hand presses into hers. Holding it as he spoke. "These are what remains of many warg. All of these piles are what remains of them but," He trailed off as one certain charred pile was different. With his hand still in hers he lead her towards it.

"What is that?" She said half in disgust and half in curiosity.

Now he released her hand and crouched down and studied it in confusion. "I do not know."

"It looks like many things but it is one thing. Look this was a serpent, but this is a bird?" Kree stepped back feeling so repulsed she thought she may vomit.

"This is evil." Elladan said lowly. "This is sheer evil, to twist things so. It's unnatural. This is his doing."

Elladan turned towards her his finger pointing at the dark remnants of the beast. "This is what we are fighting Kree. This horrible, foul blight upon the arda. He who takes the creatures of the land and twists them with his darkness. He who steals free people and rips families apart. He who mars the very land and takes and destroys for no other reason but that he feels slighted by his creator. His servant was most terrible but what he wanted was to reshape the world with the order he deemed perfection. His Master desires nothing but chaos and destruction. It sickens me, all of it."

He shook with his fury and angry tears began to fill his eyes. Then he found himself surrounded by warm arms and his body pulled against her calming presence. His arms wrapped around her as well and they held each other until he began to calm down.

"Now," Kree began and stepped back. His eyes lifted to look into hers. "I looks like we are but a few days behind them now. Let's ride on."

Elladan began to grin. "You're right let's go. We don't want to miss the battle."

It was early morning and the army of elves, men and orc were already busy with striking camp and preparing for the day of travel. They had crossed the river and found themselves skiting along marshes. The birds were returning to them as the weather began to warm just enough to give the hint that spring was near.

Juniper was standing at the edge of the camp with her guards near by. She was looking out over the marshes. A fog drifted up from the swampy land and the breeze blew against her small frame making her pull her warm cloak a bit tighter around her. She was beginning to feel a pull towards the north east. As if her being was telling her that was the direction she needed to go. She did not speak of it. Not yet anyway.

Then over the fog covered marshes something was coming towards her. A flock of large birds. The biggest birds she had ever seen. They turned their wings which made then swoop up then gracefully they landed but a few feet away. Her guards began to move and she held up a small hand. Otherwise she was unmoving. "Peace my guards." She said softly as one approached her slowly it stood taller than she on thin legs. His bill thick and looked far to heavy for it's head. It was grey on color with eyes of blue. They stood there so still, just looking each other in the eye.

"Please, go get Thranduil." She said but made no movement otherwise.

Krugge turned and ran off towards the camp and she stepped closer to the large bird that lowered its massive head to her. Her small hand lifted to pressed to the top of his feathered head. "He will be here soon my friend. You can pass along your message then."

Elthian and Thranduil came quickly and stopped in their tracks. There was the Queen who looked even more tiny before the large bird. Behind it stood 5 others. Not as tall as the one the Queen was petting as if it were a pet to her. The large stork lifted his head. Her small hand fell away and she looked over her shoulder to Thranduil.

"He comes with a message for you." She said with a smile. "It's safe Melamin, You can approach."

Thranduil slowly moved closer then stopped at her side. He was looking the stork right in the eye. The bird bowed its head slightly to him and Juniper smiled as her hand slid into his. "Place your hand on his head." She said softly and He began to lift his free hand he felt his heart beginning to beat faster then gently his palm pressed to the feathers.

He gasps, and sees Mithrandir then hears him speaking to him as if he were standing right before him. 'There are at least 100,000 men pledging themselves to the dark lord. He has Balrogs and a dragon. Though we are unsure of how many. You must also know that Sauron's son plans treason against his Master. One of his subjects will come to treat with you. His name is Grah. I have it on good authority that he can be trusted. Also, this last part is even more disturbing than the rest of this news. Among your human people there is at least one most treacherous. They have a palantir. You are being watched closely. You must find this traitor and the palantir. Do not touch it. Place it in a bag made of thick silk and put it somewhere safe from the touch of others.'

The message ended and Thranduil stepped back and looked to the messenger. He nodded gently and the stork bowed to him and then to Juniper. "Thank You." She said softly and then with the flap of massive wings all of them took to the air once more and disappeared into the fog.

Thranduil stood there staring into nothing. His eyes wide and she could see the twitching of the muscles in his face. He frowned more deeply than she had ever seen him frown. She too had heard the message and while she did not understand some of it his reaction told her that it was very bad news.

Finally Thranduil pulled himself from his shock and his icy gaze shifted to Elthian. "Get Celeborn, Legolas, Feren and Minol. I need to speak with you all."

They gathered within a secure and well spelled tent. The last that would be struck that morning. "Mithrandir sends news from the east. Things he says he has on good authority learned. There is a vast army of men that have joined the dark forces. Upwards of 100,000 or more. I suspect this will be the first army we meet in battle. My guess is these are the expendables. He will use these human lives to try and thin out our own army. To slow us down and truly test our strength. I am told we can expect, " Thranduil sighed and inhaled deeply before continuing on. " we can expect to face blarogs and at least one dragon at some point. "

Now those gathered gasped at Thranduil's revelations to them. All but Minol and Juniper. Who now just stared at each other. Wordlessly in conversation.

"This will truly be a final battle will it not." Celeborn murmured and lowered his head. "He was not the only thing to escape the void. He brought with him his most terrible creations. "

"There is more." Thranduil said and looked to all gathered. Minol having finally looked away from Juniper turned his attention to the King. "Among the human army there is a palantir."

Elthian's eyes went wide. As did Feren's and Legolas' but Celeborn just looked down and shook his head. "Of corse there is." He said with an angry tremble to his voice.

"We should search the human camp. We should find it immediately and punish the human that would betray us." Elthian spoke rashly, but Thranduil would silence him with a hand upon his shoulder.

"We can not do that Elthian. If we go tearing into the human camp and search high and low and find nothing we will make enemies of our allies. This must be handled diplomatically, this is when we could use Mithrandir and Elrond." Thranduil explained.

"Cousin, you will have to do with me on this. I have been known to be diplomatic when needed. More so than you oft times." Celeborn said managing to find some humor in it all. Which made Thranduil scowl at first then grin.

"Indeed cousin. I will place the diplomacy in your hands."

They traveled on that day. Minol riding in the wagon with the fae. Once Ryu slept he looked to Juniper and she to him. "We must depart soon." Minol said softly.

Juniper nodded then cast her gaze down to her hands. "I must help them find the palantir first. I am scared Minol. There is this fear that continues to grow inside me."

"Of corse there is. Once everything was new to you yet you had little reason to fear. Now you have been part of this world for sometime. You have learned there are many things to fear. You have seen and brought new life into this world. You have seen life leave it. You have fallen in love and received love. You have a home and a husband. Your children wait for you. The further we go the further into the unknown we go and the closer to your purpose we get. Naturally you will feel fear. It is how you will face that fear that will be most important. " He smiled at her. " and I know you will face it head on and in the end you will not fail."

She did not seem convinced by his words and he smiled to himself as the conversation dropped.

The Fellowship had traveled along the road for a day. Hiroc in the front, Jeven in the middle and Hannibal in the back. They did this to help insure none wandered from their path. The road was line by a dense forest. It reminded the elves of Greenwood and even Fangorn with its twisted trees and utter silence the deeper they got.

The horses seemed skiddish and if not for Shadowfax they might have bolted. The day wore on and the light began to fade but with the thick fog it was hard to tell , for the elves and Gandalf which direction was west.

They made camp and were able to gather enough wood from the roads edge for a fire. The light was a source of comfort in an unsettling environment. Elves were used to knowing and understanding everything around them and while they had Jeven, Hiroc and Hannibal telling them everything around them was clear, it was hard for them to settle. Sleep would eventually come to them but it seemed as if it were only minutes when they were being awakened once more to continue their travels.

The days went on like this. Even with the encouragement from those that could see beyond the fog those who were children of Eru began to show the signs of fatigue. Accept for Minogos and Gandalf. The fog was beginning to give the elves a sense of hopelessness.

On the 6th night Minogos sat up with Gandalf and those who could see. They all were concerned about the elves.

"This is magic I do not understand." Said Gandalf. "The most terrible effects seem to only be for the elves, and why does it effect Minogos and and not Jeven?"

Hannibal chuckled. "Minogos is half elf. Jeven is not. Remember young Gandalf the Avari were not counted among the Eldar. Combine that with his fae heritage and you have your answer."

"Isn't Minogos half fae?" Jeven asked.

Hiroc would give him his answer. "Do you really believe Minol to be fae? He believes himself to be. He claims he is but in truth He is no longer a fae. He has not been fae since long ago. I assure you that was long before he met Minogos' mother."

Minogos could only shrug. "We need to get them out of this fog before it consumes them. How many more days do you think it is before we reach the mountains?"

"Another week at least." Hiroc said lowly. "Do you think they can take another week?"

"They will have to endure." Gandalf spoke in a grave tone.

That morning they continued on their journey. Elrond and Glorfindel were doing much better than Tauriel and Bynsarda. They being far older after all and Glorfindel being who we was and what he was seemed to only be slightly bothered. Yet the lack of meaningful rest was beginning to show in his eyes.

The days droned on and supplies began to wain. The mountains loomed closer with each passing day and those who could see began to notice changes in the terrain around them. There were more hills and streams and while they needed water none left the road.

Jeven and the ancients began to feel like they were being watched though they did not discuss it with the others. They worried over the the impact such news would have on those that could not see.

It was the eleventh night. The fellowship huddled around they fire. Jeven holding a very weary Tauriel. Bynsarda had already given into exhaustion, she slept near Minogos. It was sudden how Jeven jumped up and grabbed his spear. Hiroc and Hannibal making ready. Glorfindel was the first elf with his sword in hand.

"What is it Jeven?" Glorfindel asked lowly.

Now Elrond and Minogos joined in. Along with Gandalf they formed a circle around the fire with Tauriel and Bynsarda within. Tauriel had her bow in hand and crouched near a waking Bynsarda.

Those that could see began to get wide eyed expressions on their faces moments before the figures stepped from the fog. They were surrounded. Completely surrounded.

"Usstan venduin dos ussta le'i. (I greet you my kin.)" Jeven called out.

"Udos xuat zhaun dos kaoveh. Ele phu' dos ghil xuil darthien, faernen, ze'zhuanth, lueth errdegahr? (We do not know you cousin. Why are you here with elves, wizards, ancients, and demons?) One of the asked. His face hidden in the shadow of his cowl.

"F'sarn taudl usstan shlu'ta er'griff telanth nindel usstan'bal tlus fris a lil' Orthae J'nesst. (I'm sorry this one can only say that I've been sent at the holy woman) "

"Orthae J'nesst? (Holy Woman?)" The one speaking pulled his cowl back to reveal his white hair and flesh like Jevens.

All those with him did the same. The Fellowship looked around themselves. Their weapons lowering seeing the faces of many Avanati. Who all lowered their weapons as well.

"Dos phuul uk? dos phuul lil' uss rosin de' qunnessaa vlos? udos inbal tlus kyorlin whol dos. Doer dosst abbilen lor saph lil' zah'har. (You are he? You are the one born of fae blood? We have been waiting for you. Come, your friends look like the suffer.)"

Jeven nodded and turned around Hannibal and Hiroc were already gathering their things and taking them to their horses. Minogos had begin to help Bynsarda get up.

"Get everything gathered up. They are taking us to their village. We will be safe." Jeven spoke and assured them. "Tauriel and Bynsarda should ride but the rest should walk and lead the horses. We wont be on the road."

The camp was gathered and the fire put out. Then with much trepidation the Fellowship went off the road, surrounded and protected by the Avanati. Time began to matter less and less the deeper they got into the fog and forest. By the time they came into the light of the village the elves that had walked slumped down and fell to their knees. The ones on horse back were helped down and they too slumped to the ground.

They were brought bowls of liquid and urged to drink it. Hannibal crouched down beside Elrond and held the bowl for him. "Drink it. It will help with the effects of the fog."

The others began to drink as well and as their strength slowly began to return they were lead to sit beside warm fires and given hot food and drink. Their vision clearing they saw a small village of rough hewn cottages. They were sitting under a pavilion with a thatched roof. At one end sat a very ancient looking Avanati male. Dressed in the traditional black skirts like Jevens. On his head was a crown of multi colored feathers and on his face a kind expression.

"Welcome to our home. We have been expecting you." He spoke in westron, which surprised those gathered. He only smiled to them and motioned with his hands for them to drink more. "The fog would have taken you had you stayed too much longer within it Eru's children. I am Zhuanth Uss, I know why you are here. So eat and rest. Tomorrow we will take you the rest of the way."

His red ringed gaze fell upon Jeven then as everyone else ate and drank more of the potion they had been given. "Il zhah naut xuil dos. (She is not with you.)"

Jeven shook his head. "Il chu a natha endar colbauth. Ud'phuul ulu orior lil' i'dol (She comes by a different path. We are to prepare the way.)"

"Il chu xuil lil' zhuanth errdegahr. Lil' ilharn d'lil waelin uss (She comes with the old demon. The father of the young one.)" The old one said and looked to Minogos who was doting over Bynsarda. He was happy to see the light returning to her eyes.

Jeven nodded and watched the old one.

"Ji ol inbalus llaar tlusher. Udos z'klaen morfeth kr'athin udos inbal tlus orior whol natha verve draeval. (So it had really begun. We must make ready we have been preparing for a long time.)