Disclaimer-
A/N- okay boy and girls. Wait a minute boys? This fic is billed as a romance, (he he by the way I'll be getting to that in the next few chapters, which I promise I already have written, I just have to type them.) there are very few boys in the fic arena at all let alone any reading this dribble (if I do say so myself). Then again I doubt That ANYone is still here after I abandoned you for so long. Sorry, grovel, grovel, sorry (hides behind computer) I am a lost and lonely wretch without you please, please R&R. Oh on a side note, (name) Taraween will be no more evil than a harmless litl bunny. (Tee hee. For those of you who got the joke please share with the class) Because she was not mean to a servant as there was no servant, only a rather bitchy fan girl and we all know how those can be. In conclusion LOV YA
Bang, Bang, Bang. "Arrgg." Ennairea moaned rolling over and hoping that whoever it was would bugger off and leave her to her sleep.
Bang, Bang, Bang. "Fine!" she yelled in the general direction of the door "I'm up!" Dragging herself up from her pillow Legolas's voice issued from the other side of the door.
"You've got half an hour to get ready, I'll meet you outside." Ennairea glared silently at the blond elf that was standing on the other side of the door sure that if she could only concentrate hard enough she could kill him, and end the annoyance he represented. Unfortunately no screams sounded from the other side of the door so he either hadn't had the decency to die painfully or it hadn't worked either way she would have to get dressed and check. Ennairea rubbed her eyes and pulled herself out of bed and began to dress. She carefully checked her weaponry, replacing the string on her bow, and running an oilcloth over her twin knives and sword. After a final check of the little armor that she wore she slid her sword into its sheath and stepped outside. Ennairea re braided her hair as she walked through the halls finishing tying the thong at the end of her braid as she stepped into the pre-dawn light. She spotted the patrol group easily, standing at the front gate talking quietly, as she made her way over Legolas spotted her and waved her over.
"Morning." Ennairea all but growled. Legolas smiled sympathetically and repeated her sentiments with less hostility but just as much loathing for mornings. Ennairea sighed rubbing her face sheepishly, which was about as close to an apology as anyone was likely to get this early. "Who am I to be partnering with?" Ennairea asked fighting to keep the hostility that permeated her being every time she had to get up before mid afternoon out of her voice.
Legolas in clipped business like tones that made Ennairea struggle not to knock a few of his blindingly white teeth said, "You will be patrolling with Tathar and me, you got lucky we will be second shift, so you'll be able to get at least a little sleep." Legolas's voice softened as he finished, shifting in sympathy to Ennairea's obvious tiredness. Ennairea just growled at the stupidity of being forced to wake at dawn, tramp out into the woods, at dawn, just so that when she got there she could go back to sleep. On the whole it seemed like a hurry up and wait sort of operation to Ennairea.
"Fine, fine, just tell me when we start moving." Ennairea generally had a hard time keeping sarcasm out of her voice, but the ridiculousness of the situation was too much for her to handle and the sarcasm exploded unable to contain itself. "Rrrrrrrr. I'm sorry, that was uncalled for." Ennairea took out her frustration by ripping her hand through what she could of her tightly bound hair. "It's just that it seems, so, wrong somehow that I am helping you." Ennairea gazed beseechingly at the two elves in front of her. Legolas ignored her; the dark elf beside him on the other hand managed a sympathetic expression.
"Tathar." The brunette, violet-eyed elf introduced himself. Legolas cut between them breaking the fragile bond that had been forming.
"Come on we're heading out." The elves around them began forming into ranks, Ennairea began to follow suit when a hand on her forearm stopped her. "Wait, this group takes rear guard." Ennairea followed the elegant fingers in what originally was meant to be a threatening way but as her gaze worked its way upward a to a exquisitely worked wrist guard, to a tailored sage tunic, silkily blonde strands led from the shoulder to a set of deep blue eyes, it changed softening.
Ennairea nodded both of them momentarily unable to speak. They shook themselves free and started out the gate behind Tathar. At first everything seemed normal but as they got deeper into the forest a silence settled over the forest, birds and animals where silent, even the twisted animals that had invaded the forest made no noise. Though the Greenwood had not been known for its songbirds for many years, the hush that pervaded the forest was unnatural. The uneasy stillness that hung over the animals began to cling to them, like cobwebs strung across the path, gathering over them, deadening their hearing, and filling their mouths, stopping even the normal whispered conversation that took place. As they approached the camp the feeling only increased, as they approached the first sentry point the feeling intensified sharply. No one called the all clear from the trees. Legolas sent out a scout to see if they could find the sentries. They returned a few moments later with worried expressions.
"There is no one sir, the only thing we found was an abandoned meal, not even signs of a struggle. Apparently he simply left, swiftly, but he left on his own." The scout gestured helplessly. Legolas considered for a moment, hoping that his caution would be unneeded.
"You and Gleran scout ahead to the camp, see what is going on. Find out the situation and come back, I have to know what's going on before I will take in anyone there." Legolas turned to the rest of the group, "I want everyone on alert. Sentries will be posted on the perimeter, anyone not on duty will keep their hands on their weapons." Ennairea rolled her eyes not about to risk being left out of a fight because of some bureaucratic nonsense.
Ennairea tapped Tathar on the shoulder, "I'm following the scout group." and without waiting for him to turn leapt into the trees that overhung the game path they traveled on. Tathar paused for a moment shocked, then turned swiftly catching the barest flash of Ennairea's red-black braid disappearing into the foliage.
"Legolas!" The shout ripped through the silence like an icy breeze on bare flesh. Legolas turned drawing his long knife from it's side sheath.
"What, what is it!" Legolas asked as he jogged back to where Tathar stood.
"It' s Ennairea, she has gone after the scout group" Tathar said marveling at the speed and grace Ennairea had used to disappear into the trees.
"Dam it! Can you follow her?" Exasperated Legolas was a bit sharper than he meant to be.
"I'm not sure. She's the best anyone has ever seen at tree walking. Maybe she will be nice enough to leave a trail but somehow I doubt it." Tathar's violet eyes sparked at the challenge, and an unconscious smile formed. Legolas shook his head.
"I've seen that look before." Legolas said trying hard to sound disapproving. Tathar half-smiled and brushed a dark curl of hair from his exquisitely shaped eyes.
"You've seen her can you really blame me?" Tathar's half-smile exploded into a full-fledged one as he noted Legolas's expression.
"I've seen that look before." Tathar's mockery was ruined by the sniggers that where sprinkled through the phrase. Legolas's mouth opened about to deliver a retort when Tathar jumped into the trees after Ennairea disappearing into the green-black foliage.
Ennairea smiled as she heard Tathar jump into the trees behind her, she considered for a moment allowing him to catch up but decided instead to see how well he could keep up.
The path was easy to follow, the scout had been far too hurried to try and cover it's tracks. Ennairea moved along the path of broken twigs and scuffed bark quickly and easily, noticing the mood of the trees almost to late. The tree, the ground, the air itself was heavy with grief and anger. Farther along the path opened into a clearing, as she drew closer the breathless air became a miasma of blood and ripped earth, the stench of goblin blood and cold steel permeated the very trees, and clung to her clothing. She knew what lay in that clearing, knew beyond any doubt, but it pulled her forward, so she went and saw the true meaning of slaughter.
In case you couldn't tell things will be getting darker from here on in. Sorry but its one of the reasons it took me so long to write. Love and kisses to everyone who has reviewed and anyone who is still willing to read this Drek after so long an absence.