The Ranger and Melenet walked together in silence, side by side. Geomyr was not sure what to think of his new companion, she was a sorceress after all and he had never befriended one before. She intrigued him to say the least, she was beautiful, no doubt about that. Her skin had a tan that enhanced her eyes and flattered her chestnut hair, which hung down her back in delicate waves.

Her eyes were what struck him the most. At that moment as they were walking they were grey, but he could have sworn that when he first saw her, for that split second that she locked eyes with him for the first time, they flashed entirely white.

Now Geomyr was not known for his subtleness with the women folk of Middle Earth, and this moment was no exception.

"Look at me." He said bluntly as he stopped walking.

"Excuse me?" Replied Essence as she too stopped. She looked at him, perplexed.

"Your eyes.."He began looking deep into her eyes as he leaned towards her. He was so close that she could feel his breath on her face; his nose was almost touching hers.

"I am not sure I like your manner." Essence snapped forcefully, backing away. What was he trying to do?

"I'm sorry?" Geomyr asked, one of his dark eyebrows raised.

"Are you always this forward with your lady friends?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Well, going to kiss me! I barely know you! You could have at least asked!"

"There, they did it again!" the ranger cried, pointing at her eyes.

"What in the world are you ranting about, you fool!" Essence was becoming rather irritated.

"Your eyes, they keep changing." Geomyr said, still staring. "That's what I was looking at, your eyes. I was not trying to kiss you, please, I do have some decency."

Essence felt herself blush slightly. "I am sorry." She looked down, avoiding the gaze of his olive eyes, which shone with an innocent charm.

"It matters not." Geomyr grinned. "But why do they do that? Your eyes, I mean."

"Oh, just one of the traits of my people." Essence explained. "Our eyes change colour to reflect our mood."

"A moment ago they were as black as Mordor! Rather frightening if you ask me!"

"Black means anger, and do not try to tell me that you did not deserve it!"

Geomyr looked sheepishly at her and grinned. "What about white?"

"White? That means fear."

"Fear? So you were scared of me?" Asked the Ranger, his roguish grin still graced his lips as he continued to walk.

"Well, I was expecting to wake up alone this morning!" Laughed Essence as she strode along beside him. "What did you think white meant then?"

Geomyr moved round to the front of her and walked backward so that he faced her. "I was hoping for something more along the lines of, 'By heavens look at that handsome, dashing vision of a man!" He let out a gloriously musical laugh, that made Essence smile, despite her situation.

"There you go," grinned the ranger, still walking backwards. "I was wondering if I were to get a smile out of you. There they go again!"

Essence could not help but laugh at his childlike excitement. He was so different from what she thought a ranger should be, he was sweet and full of enthusiasm. It was like he was so grateful for her company, even though she had been lead to believe that rangers preferred to travel alone.

"What colour do they turn when your mind is glad?" Asked the ranger, his face glowed with interest.

"You tell me." Essence smiled, she found herself feeling joyful, though she knew not the reason why.

Geomyr peered at her eyes. "Blue. Blue is the colour of your joy. I shall strive to keep the sapphire glow in your eyes my lady." He returned to her side.

"A noble quest indeed good sir." Essence nodded to him. "Although I feel it may be in vain." She stopped in her tracks, the sight that met her was not what she had hoped for. Her eyes faded to a dreary grey.

The ashes were still smouldering when the two new friends arrived. There was not a soul to be seen, just piles of ash and hints of structures that were once the homes of Melenet families. There was no way of telling if the dust and ash was that of people or buildings, devastation was all around.

Essence's worst fears had been confirmed, she was the only one left. Her mind was numb as she made her way over to where her home once stood. Her tears fell onto the dry earth as she dropped to her knees, she felt so lost, where could she go? She buried her face in her good hand and wept as she tried to comprehend what had happened to her people. She hated the elves with all her heart and vowed to herself that she would never, ever have anything to do with them.

"Essence?" Came a voice from behind her. She stood up to face Geomyr; a look of concern was etched into his features. "What on earth happened here?"

"Elves, that is what happened." Growled Essence as she whipped the bitter tears from her cheeks.

"Elves? But they are such a harmonious folk." The ranger looked confused as he took in the devastation around him.

"Every race has evil within it." Essence stated flatly. "Elves are no exception."

She started to walk away, back the way they had come, back to their camping place, when she turned her head to find Geomyr was not following. Essence stopped and turned around to see him staring at the ground, at the pile of ashes and house remains. She went and stood beside and put a hand on his shoulder. She could feel him trembling as he stared blankly downwards.

"Geomyr, what is it?"

Her voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He looked at her, forcing a smile. She could see his eyes were glazed with tears, but tears for what? He had no connections to her people. Why should he feel anything for them?

"What is it that pains you so?" She repeated her question. She stood before him searching his face for an answer.

"Nothing but the past." He murmured, avoiding her query and her gaze. "Come, it is time to leave."

The two companions headed back to their camp in silence. Both were mournful inside, Essence was grieving for her family, Geomyr was grieving for his.