The sound of crackling fire was all he could hear besides the ringing in his ears. The old man lay bloodied and beaten in front of his modest cottage. He lost his wife many years ago, then his son took sick and died 10 years ago. This left the old man with just his grand child. Without her he would not be able to survive. He was far too old to chop wood or hunt.

The men that had beaten him laughed and chuckled as they passed his grand daughter between them . Utterly terrifying her. Then without a word they rode off with her. Leaving the old man to die before his modest cottage.

He had been following the trail of 3 horses and the smell of men. Now the scent was mixed with blood. He paused to look at the dark heap that lay in the moons light. The inside of the cottage still lit with the door wide open. Inspection of the road told him they had moved on but the deep groaning coming from the heap needed his immediate attention.

The dark hooded figure stepped from the darkness and into the dim light of the moon. He was surprised to find a very old man lying beaten, or perhaps he was not all that surprised. With care he lifted the elderly fellow and carried him into the cottage where he lay him on one of the beds. As he looked about the cottage was ransacked. There were 2 beds. He had but a moment to consider the other occupant but the old man was in a bad place.

He pushed the hood back and removed his cloak. Revealing long silken hair the a shade of gold that was tinged with red. He began to look at the medicines and herbs that were available in the cottage. Finding a few things then one thing he needed was not there but he knew where to get it.

In the mean time he began to prepare some willow bark tea. As it began to steam he got the old man more comfortable and took the chance to inspect his injuries. He was rather clean and well cared for. His face bruised and bloodied but he didn't appear to have anything broken. This was a blessing.

Once he was satisfied that he was stable the dark figure crept from the cottage and into the woods. With his keen eye sight it took him little time to find the plant with the small white flowers. Fresh was always better than dried and this was as fresh as it could come. He carefully dug the plant up. Roots and all. and after gathering several handfuls he began to make his way back to the cottage.

The sun was beginning to peek over the horizon and the darkness among the trees faded to a deep misty grey. The old man groans and begins to stir. His caretaker was beside him and speaking gently. He was encouraging him to drink some rather bitter tea. "Small sips but this will help with the pain."

The old man took sips and looked on his caretaker with his one good eye, the other seemed to be bandaged. "Who are you?" He asked and when the tall golden haired man looked at him the old man gasps. " An elf?"

"I am Moravar, You are lucky I was coming this way last night or you would not be breathing this morning." He said gently. "Now drink a bit more of this." He leaned in and gently held the cup up and the old man drank.

"Did you find my grand daughter?" He asked with a cough following.

"I only found you."

The old man lowered his head and began to weep. "They took her. Wild Bandits took her. I have to find her. I can't be lying about." He was getting more upset by the minute.. Moravar lay a hand on his shoulder. "Calm down old man you are in no shape to be moving. I will go after her but I need to get you taken care of first."

The old man looked on this elf and nodded as his tears stole his words.

Calvin ran down the well worn path he took every morning. The talk among the villagers did not bode well for the the old man and Selwyn. None wanted to go check. They were all too afraid to get involved. Not Calvin, though he did not know what he would do, should he meet with trouble.

The cottage was just around the bend. He could smell the smoke from the fire. As he was just coming about the trees he slides to a stop and looked on the rather tall man in a dark cloak that stood between him and his destination.

Moravar chuckled a bit. "Are you Calvin?" The ruddy haired boy nodded and stood up straighter. "The old man said you would be coming. He needs your help."

Calvin now walked with this stranger. He didn't think he was out to kill him. He could have done that on the road. Calvin could tell something bad happened here. Things were scattered in the yard. He finally finds his voice and asked. "What happened?"

The tall stranger paused and looked to Calvin. "They were attacked last night by men. The old man was beat up and the grand daughter was taken."

Calvin blanched at being told this and he ran to the cottage. "No not Selwyn." He cried as she opened the door.

Moravar gave them a few minutes to talk alone though he could hear every word of it.

"Calvin I am glad to see you." The old man croaked out.

"they took Selwyn."

"I know I know Calvin but I need you to listen to me right now." His hands rested on the lad's shoulders. "I need you to take care of me. The Hunter left some money on the table. I need you to stay and in return I will take care of you."

"What about Selwyn?"

"That is the hunters job."

Calvin came out after a few moments. "I will get you some food packed up. Seems like they didn't destroy all of it. You're going to bring her back right?"

Moravar ran his tongue against his teeth and looked at this rather brave boy and smiled slightly. "That is what I plan to do but, You know things do go wrong all the time in this line of work. I was after the 3 humans and happened upon this. I will do my best."

"At least you're honest. I'll be getting you that food now."

Moravar nodded to Calvin and walked to the cottage. He ducked at the door and looked to the old man. "I will do my best to return her to you but if what you say is true. You might be dealing with this a lot."

The old man sighed and nodded. "I have seen and done many things in my long life Hunter. It is sad that it has come to this for those few of us that are left."

Moravar bid the old man farewell and gave Calvin a speech about the money and it being spent. With a whistle the black stallion came from the trees. It was the most magnificent horse Calvin had ever seen. The Hunter rode bareback but strapped his gear to the horse to carry. There was no bridle either. He simply rolled his hands in the horses long mane and turned about and rode off at a fast pace down the road.

Moravar lowered down against the steeds neck and whispered to him. "Undómë we must be swift."

With that the Stallion began to move faster. His stride changes and suddenly Moravar experiences the smooth ride of such a speed. They had at least 12 hours ahead of him. He knew where they were heading. He just had to get there.

They had put miles between themselves and the old man. They stopped so the horse could drink from a creek. Moravar studied the road and could see their trail as the moved past here. Not but 5 hours ago no more. They were more than likely rather drunk as they rode. The party would really pick up in the next town.

Undómë's return shook him from this thoughts. "Yes my friend." He grumbled, "I know you are tired. It is but a few more hours then you can rest a leapt back upon the horses back and off they went, rising to full gallop within moments.

Kal Entered the dining room where Brand was waiting. The table was set with what would appear to be finery but upon sitting down and looking the plates were mismatched and most had a chip for two. This was endearing to her. He was trying so hard to look like he was doing just fine but truth was even the King had lost everything as well. Yet he had this easy going optimistic quality. She liked that.

There was little time to talk, the food was being brought out to them. Berth was wearing her best dress. She placed the soup bowl on the table and carefully ladled out the soup into small bowls that sat on small saucers. There was some fresh baked bread in a basket.

"The soup looks delicious Bertha." He said softly.

"Thank you Bran.. My Lord. It's mostly vegetables made in rabbit stock. I will have the main dish out soon." Her voice was cheerful and kind. She looked to Kal and smiled before leaving the room.

Kal lifted her spoon and dipped out a bite. With her free hand she lifted part of the veils and easily took the bite. "This is very flavorful." She began to move the spoon around in her bowl and she studied what was in it. "These are root vegetables. Things like this are not well known among my people. They need to learn how to cook with these."

"Well if you speak to Bertha and Hilda I bet you a silver coin they could come up with some way to teach them. Today she was talking to me about building a school. She is setting it all up in the ballroom." He seemed to be proud of this fact.

"I will seek them out. Tomorrow." She was smiling he could tell by her eyes.

The soup was finished and Bertha cleared the table before bring out the plates holding the main dish. It was roasted rabbit with onions and peppers. Then more root vegetables mashed up and seasoned. Kal could not help making little noises of satisfaction with every bite.

"Who had time to hunt rabbits?" She laughed.

"One of Haldir's younger brothers is here. His name is Rumil and he sent Rumil out to hunt today. It just happened to be rabbits that he brought back. He actually had so many that we fed all the house with them tonight." He explained.

"The food is getting better in the camp, we just need to learn how to cook with all these new things. We are used to using many beans. All types of beans with spices and little meat. Of course we have cheese from the livestock we keep. Mostly goats sometimes a cow. It was simple but a happy life." She seemed to trail off as she got a bit emotional but she continued.

"Then the first raids began. Many were killed or taken. Then more raids happened and they took me."

Brand's expression changed the more she spoke. "You do not have to tell me this Kal."

"I want to." Her eyes lifted then. "I was lucky that I was taken by men and not the orcs. They put me to work cooking as they traveled. Taking us further and further south. The land changed from vast flat plains to tree's and mountains but luck would change for these raiders. They would soon be raided themselves. The fighting was vicious, there were many dead from both sides and we slaves stayed huddled down near the wagons." She sighed and took a drink of her wine. The veil lifting and dropping with ease.

"It was then that the fighting began to come to us. Our captors retreating to the wagons. The raiders chasing them. Then one fell and another and their weapons where there for the taking. I picked up the sword and it was heavy but I found my strength and I began to protect the others. Some picked up swords too and fought beside me. Something hit me in the face and after that I do not know what happened." She paused again and took a deep breath.

"When I woke up my face was bandaged but I was alive. I hurt everywhere and it was Muta who was caring for me. Seems we had been victorious that night. The men killed each other and we killed what was left. We were free but we were in a bad position. Muta took care of me the whole time. They had pieced together some wagons and captured horses that lost their riders and we were traveling back north."

"How many of you were left?" Brand asked.

"There were 80 of us left out of 137." She answered. "Most women and young girls, but there were men too. Muta is not really my brother but he is my Brother. We became family then. All 80 of us are here as well."

That news surprised Brand, who now just smiled at her. "They follow you because you were the first to fight for them."

Kal nodded. " Yes they follow me because I was the first and I am still fighting for them."

Brand had never met a woman like this before and his breath was taken by her. He was astonished by her spirit and her presense. It had nothing to do with her looks. He just wanted to be beside her.

"Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me."

She smiled again. "You have given me reason to trust you. Instead of focusing on rebuilding you own house you are building homes for your people. You served me a delicious meal on chipped plates. Instead your focus is on other things and that speaks a lot about you."

After the meal they walked about the palace grounds which were still mostly a disaster but it was the company that was most important. The evening turned out to not be about business after all and Kal and Brand couldn't have been more thrilled.

Outside of the village the Hunter stopped and watched. He was somewhat familar with this small back water place. It was only doing so well because of how close it was to a small river port. There was a rougher crowd here most nights. Bargemen mostly with coin to gamble and spend. He left Undómë in the trees and walked into town along with several other woodsmen coming in for the night.

His attention was on a tough looking tavern with the name The Wooden Pillow. The party seemed to be the loudest there and that is where the Hunter believed they would be. He walked in with no fanfare. None took even a single bit of notice in him. He sat at a table along the wall and when the the wench came by he ordered ale. As he relaxed he scanned the room.

Eyesight was not needed for him to tell who was there. He just listened and honed in on conversation was was of interest. The loud laughter from the back alcove had his attention immediately. That was the voice of the last one they picked up. He remembered it from when he almost had them in Green Vale. That one was the patsy. The only reason he was involved was because they needed someone to blame it all one and he was the perfect candidate.

It was his companion he was more interested in. The man with the scar. It ran down his cheek like a pinkish river on a map. He was keeping the patsy in line and would kill him probably in a few hours. Girls began to dance around the tavern and the call of money had them dancing back towards the alcove. He was no stranger to this certain troupe of dancers.

He stopped the wench and asked for a glass of their most expensive wine. After she made sure that was what he wanted and the cost he still agreed to it and she sauntered off to fetch it. He looked over the dancers and did not see their leader with them. She felt no need to dance herself, the money she made off the top was enough to keep her happy.

She was a master at her craft. They called her the serpent, I-lŷg. Her movements like water and often seen as unnatural yet many were drawn to her and He was familiar. When the wine came he took the goblet in his free hand and just began to walk through the tavern. Things were lively with conversation and music. Then in a quiet and dark alcove in the back he found her.

The smell of incense was strong as he passed the curtain and looked down on the lovely I-lŷg. "Fancy seeing you in a dump like this." The words rolled off his tongue with ease.

She barely even took noticed of him and simply reached out for the wine he was carrying. "Indeed mellen now let me sample this most expensive wine." She smirked and he lowered into a seat.

"This dump is thick with coin a few days out of the month and I try to come by as much as I can. I suspect you are here looking for someone and I also have a feeling it has to do with the gentlemen in the back. The ones my girls are entertaining." He looked to him as she placed the wine down and lifted a pipe.

"You know me well." He leaned forward and took the pipe from her fingertips and began to light it with the candle on the table. The smoke puffing from his lips as he take a long draw off it and laughs as he hands it to her. "That is an interesting blend my lady." The acrid smoke fills the alcove.

"Give it about an hour and they will be so distracted you could walk in and cut their throats with a butter knife if you so chose." She began to puff on the pipe and smiled to him. "I am sure we can find something to do in the meantime."

"I thought you would never ask." He smirked, then pulled out a deck of cards. "You are down down about 300 you know."

"I have about an hour to win some of that back." She laughed.

The tavern had begun to quiet by the time he had lost to The Serpent and was leaving the alcove. No one noticed him heading to the back where the sounds of a party were still heard. The music slower from the musicians. The light was very dim in the back. The show a bit more personal. One of the girls noticed him and started to herd unattended girls out of the room slowly.

Those that were still distracting them with their wiles were going to have a bit harder of a time. Though neither of them were amateurs. One was so lost in the lips of one of the girls his hands dangled to the sides of the chair and he was easily bound to it. The other would feel the cold steel of his dagger against his throat.

"Ladies thank you for your service tonight." The Hunter said lowly. They picked the pockets of the men quickly as they began to come from their stupor. The girls were out in seconds leaving them with him. The patsy was tied to the chair each time he moved his arms the bindings tightened and he was the loudest when he cried out. Though he quickly shut up when he realized the man before him mean business, a little blood trickled from his friends neck. The blade pressing in harder until he stopped crying.

Now the hunters attention was on scar. "You took a few things that did not belong to you. One was a jewel of blue then other was a girl. Now I know there were 4 of you and I only see 2, where are your friends?" He asked carefully this time.

"I dunno what yer talkin bout." He slurred out. "Fred over there is the man with all the money, he just invited me to the party." He was lying and Moravar knew it. The patsy's name was Fred. That was good to know.

He shook his head, "Wrong answer." He said lowly and within a heartbeat he was beside Scar his fingers curled into his stringy hair. He forced Scar's face down into the table so hard the wood cracked and shook. Scar's cries were immediate. The Patsy gasped and cried out almost like a girl. "Oh Valar please stop. He is bleeding." His expression was one of sheer shock and terror as he looked to Scar just laying against the table bleeding.

The Hunters hand gripped at the stringy hair tighter and he lifted Scars head to pummel it once again. Patsy screamed. "Stop please!" The Hunter did stop just inches from slamming Scar's head again. "What do you want from us?"

The Hunter grinned and lifted Scars head up and let go. Only for Scar to fall forward and smack his own head off the table with a thunk. His eyes shifted then to the obvious weak link. The one they would have been done with tonight. He had no idea what Scar had in mind for later. "You have seen the faces of the other 2 yes?" He hissed out and tilted his head to the left a bit.

"Y-Yes, I have seen them. I know their names too. One of them I grew up with." Patsy stammered out. Scar coughed and lifted his head. He spat out blood and snarled at Patsy. "Now I know why Buster was so keen on being rid of you at first chance. You simpering pathetic spineless worm."

Patsy blinked, "Wha - doya-mean get rid of me? You was going to kill me?" He sat there mouth agape. Shocked that they would betray him like this. The Hunter chuckled. "Yeah boy you hear that. He was to kill you tonight and take whatever money you still had."

Patsy narrowed his eyes and nodded. "Well then, I will be walkin naked through the streets of Gondor before I bother to help the likes of you. You can go ahead and kill him I will tell you all that I know." He just looked off and listened to the sound of someone bleeding out and the thud as their body hit the floor.

The Hunter pulled up a chair right beside the Patsy and poured himself a drink from the bottle of top shelf whiskey they had purchased. "He was to kill you tonight then he would just disappear with the money. You would catch all the blame for all that happened. You were the Patsy." He explained to him softly then offered the drink to him. He went to pouring himself another drink. "As soon as the others hear you are no so deceased they will send someone else to kill you."

Patsy looked up with fear and tears beginning to form in his eyes. "You gotta help me. I can't fight these guys off. I suck at sword play. I am the sneaky type. I burgle, in and out in a flash. I am not a killer. They would have never gotten that big blue rock if it weren't for me."

"I am Moravar." He lifted his glass. "Let us drink to our partnership." Patsy tapped his shot glass to Moravar's.

"I am Fred."

Moravar laughed. "You are Patsy. I will call you Fred when you earn it."