A traitor revealed

"Red, stop, you'll only hurt yourself more." Bremen implored as the Rover rammed all his weight into the wooden door, the only exit to their marble tomb. It was a cramped room with no windows or furniture save piles of straw. The only extra features were the tiny vents in ceiling to allow air flow (though it didn't help much* and the swinging slot their food was pushed through. Redden Alt Mer gave one final charge which too failed. Exhausted and beyond anger, the rover took the druid's advice and collapsed with his back against the solid door.

For long moments silence cloaked the room and Red looked up and found Bremen's green eyes. Those aged eyes were tired and weary, heavy with worry and sick with hopelessness. Yet, they reflected more strength than the rover or the mute seeress in the corner. Finally, Red broke the silence, speaking aloud; "I wonder how Allanon's fairing. He, Tay, Risca, Brom and little Meia," Bremen chuckled, and the room seemed to grow slightly brighter. He waggled a long finger at Red.

"I know she wouldn't be too pleased to hear you calling her a child, especially with Brom in the same sentence," Red chuckled thinking of the young girl with her blue-grey eyes flashing in anger. He could see her with her hands defiantly on her hips, demanding that he take the phrase back.

Ryer Ord Star said nothing. She merely watched them from behind blank violet eyes. She no longer seemed nervous since coming to Middle-Earth, but something was amiss. She had not uttered one word since coming to this alien place. Bremen and Red had long given up trying to get her to speak. Both were convinced she would speak when she needed too.

Then they heard it. The echoing of footsteps on marble. Red leapt to his feet and prepared himself to jump the coming guard should he open the door. Bremen's senses were on fire. His hair was standing on end. This was no ordinary guard.

"Red, get back. This is not our opportunity, stand down,"

Something rippled across Red's senses and he understood what the druid said. He jumped back and placed his large body in front of Star's sensual frame as she smoothly rose from her spot on the ground.

The sound of jangling keys made everyone's nerves jump. Finally the steps came to a halt and there was a loud click as the keys were turned in the lock. The wooden door swung open with a creak and there stood Rimmer Dal.

Red snarled, wishing he could leap forward and rip off the First Seeker's smirk, but knew he wouldn't get close enough to breath on his skin before Dal blew him away.

"Are we comfy, my most celebrated guests? I would move you to new quarters but I'm afraid all the rooms are full," No one answered and the Rimmer Dal's teasing smirk turned to a look of boredom. "Come on, Ryer, I have more work for you," The pale seeress looked over the rover's shoulder with dark dancing eyes. She slid past Red's body but he grabbed her slender arm.

"No, Star, you don't mean your part of his-that you're, you're not!"

She jerked away from the rover and spat in his face.

"I'm not what, Redden? I don't have the heart to turn on you, is that what your trying to say? Well, wake UP!" She struck him across the face. " You think bringing you here was an accident? You think your muddle-headed Meia brought you here? Well, you'd be wrong?"

Dal stepped forward and took Ryer Ord Star's arm. He then stepped toward the door, bringing her with him.

"You seven were outwitted from the start." He wrapped an arm around Ryer's middle; "My little mink tricked Meia into using her powers, leading you all here. I used her shadowen as a window and followed. It was all so deceivingly simple," Dal cackled.

Red trembled with anger as Bremen asked in a quiet voice, "Why here, Dal?"

"Why indeed," Dal sneered, "You're a druid, Bremen. You figure it out." And with that Dal and Ryer Ord Star left, slamming the door behind them, leaving only anger and the echoes of their laughter.

A/N I LIVE! After ~counts on fingers~ a really long time, I've added to book2. I've had a horrible writer's block, plus I'm moving, plus Fanfic.net has been having troubles. I'll try and update as soon as possible. I'm gonna work on finishing book 2 and 3 before going back to Return to Middle Earth but I doubt I'll keep that promise. Tell me what you think and any ideas or suggestions you have!