"Nevcawen?" Lord Elrond called to his maid
She appeared a few moments later, "Yes My Lord?"
Things were going smoothly now, with few knots in plans regarding the party. A messenger returned with a report that the Lothlorien invitations got there safe and sound. Elladan, Elrohir and their hunting party had returned and they were helping to get ready for the party.
Elrond smiled at Nevcawen, 'she seems happy today' he thought.
"Would you please take this to the kitchen? It is the menu for the party." Elrond informed
"Of coarse." Nevcawen replied before she took the list and curtseyed politely
She smiled when she caught site of Vilya, Elrond's Elven ring of power.
'There it is' she thought. The small but powerful thing that so many were after, the ring that someone would die for.
Nevcawen pushed a lock of raven colored hair out of her face and headed to the kitchen.
The kitchen staff was already busy preparing. They were gathering basic baking essentials and going over lists and recipes.
Nevcawen looked at the menu. There were lots of things on it. Cakes, bread, fruit, cookies, various meats and wine.
Blood red wine, Nevcawen hoped. She thought that would be appropriate for the situation.
She set the list down on the counter and slowly walked away. Suddenly she had a sharp pain in her neck. Nevcawen stopped and rubbed it.
The pain was getting worse. Ever since that day last spring it hurt her everyday almost constantly. She couldn't remember why though. That day was a mystery to her.
All she remembered was, that morning she was outside brushing the horses. The horses were acting strange they were jumpy and nervous. Then suddenly she passed out and woke up outside close to her room.
What had really happened, she would never have guessed.
Something had attacked her, a great black shadow of Mordor.
A Nazgul, some called it. Nevcawen was lucky to be alive. Not many that encountered a Nazgul live to tell the tale. Unless the Nazgul did not mean to kill them that is…
Although Nevcawen didn't know it, she had been touched by darkness and would soon give in to it unless she learned to fight it.
The Nazgul in fact, had not intended to kill her. No, it needed her help. The Nazgul needed a minion to do its masters bidding.
The nameless one, the dark shadow, desired something and what he wanted. He got.
The Nazgul needed someone close to the Lord of Rivendell, someone who would not be expected or questioned. Someone who would bend easily to his will.
In all ways, thought the Nazgul, Nevcawen was the perfect choice.
So it took her. Just for the day, or she would have been missed. Lord Elrond's trusted maid was never late. No, just for the day was enough to make her a prisoner within herself.
The happy, joyful Elf maiden was gone. Dark were her thoughts and she was determined to complete her new masters plan. She willingly served Lord Elrond no more.
Nevcawen shook her head to clear her thoughts. Just trying to remember made her feel dizzy and sick. She silently walked back to her room. It was dark outside, dark and rainy. Soon now, it would be soon. The poison of the Nazgul was slowly seeping through her veins.
()()()()()()()()()()
Lana walked up the stairs of her Talan. She met up with her brother at the top.
"And where were you all day?" he asked her
"Out." She replied simply
"Out where Lana? Nanith was looking for you all day." Endil replied
"Oh! What does she want now!? She only punished me in the worst way possible this morning! I expect that she told you about it." Lana hissed
"She did. But you still didn't answer my question." Endil said
"I went out for a ride okay?!" Lana exclaimed, "Why is that so important to you? Must you know everything!?"
Endil frowned, "I was just wondering because you are not usually gone that long! But, I am sorry that you have to miss the party. I know how much you were looking forward to it. It won't be the same without you."
Lana didn't reply but smiled to herself. She was going to the party and no one was going to stop her.
Lana walked to her room, she wanted to change before she went to go see her mother. She would just fuss about Lana being messy and wet.
She changed quickly and headed back down stairs. Endil told her that their mother was working in the kitchen like she usually was at this time. Lana was supposed to be helping her but she tried to get out of it as much as possible.
Lana hated working in the kitchen. It was always crowded and hot, even in the middle of winter. It would be hot and crowded again tonight, here in mid-October.
She was actually hoping to see Haldir on her way. Lana had to tell him about her new plans on going to the party. Lana sighed and continued walking. Haldir wasn't around.
Lana wished that her father would get back from Harad. He wouldn't make her work in the kitchen. Lana sighed again. She started to wonder if he would ever come back. Three years ago he and some other elves from Lothlorien and Rivendell left to aid Gondor in their many wars with the Haradrim.
Lana entered the kitchen and grabbed her apron from the rack. She tied her hair back and was about to start her chores when her mother came over.
"Where were you today Lanawen? I was looking for you all over! I thought something happened to you!" she exclaimed
"I went out for a ride." Lana replied
"All day?! I needed you here Lana!" she said, "I can't do all this work by myself."
Her mother continued to lecture her as Lana started to sweep the floor.
()()()()()()()()()()
"Nia, don't move." Legolas whispered
Nia was standing right in front of a giant spider web that her foot happened to be caught in. A slight motion to her left had caused her to jump.
"Legolas, it's the spider." She whispered back
"No, actually it's a whole nest of spiders." Legolas said
"That makes me feel so much better!" Nia hissed quietly
"Can you cut yourself free?" Legolas asked
"Yes, but won't they feel the disturbance in their web?" Nia asked
"I think they are sleeping, but be careful anyway." Legolas replied
Nia took a dagger from her boot and began to saw at the web. She was almost free when she noticed eight red glowing eyes staring at her.
The spider squawked quietly and started crawling towards her.
Nia sawed at the web faster. The spider was almost to her when Legolas shot an arrow at it, piercing the spider's heart.
The spider shrieked and fell dead.
The noise aroused the other spiders in the nest and they started to swarm.
Nia had made the final cut on the web only to realize that her other foot and arm were now stuck. She spiders were quickly advancing on her. Nia knew that she wouldn't have enough time to free herself again even with Legolas shooting spiders left and right.
Nia was so involved in trying to get out of the death trap that she didn't she the huge spider creeping up behind her.
"Nia! To your left!" Legolas shouted in warning
She spun sideways just in time to see the spider open its mouth and show its fangs. Nia screamed and stabbed the spider's stomach with the dagger that she was using to cut the web. The spider limped to the side and died soon after.
Nia looked around for something that might help her to cut the web. She found nothing and was pulling furiously to get the web off of her when Legolas grabbed her and pulled her backwards. This was enough to break the web just as one of the spiders pounced.
Legolas and Nia quickly ran to their horses and rode away quickly.
"Damn spider web." Nia cursed
The rain still continued, now harder than ever. Both Legolas and Nia were soaked and covered with bits of spider web.
Someone is going to die at Elrond party the question is, who?