A Matter of Blood

The Edain had gotten them through the forest without incident. The warnings of Imlach had not been in vain. The forest was old, anger from the wars echoed around them, though they were left in peace, the air was thick and the trees groaned their protest. Small creeks and streams wound their way from the Forest River, drawing you in, their cool spray inviting one for a drink. However, that one little sip would be enough to render one drunk, a few more after that and one is left unconscious for hours, usually with no memory of what happened, as so the cycle would start again.

Imlach and his people had to quickly discover the secrets of the forest as they lived along its borders and traveled its paths. She was sure they would have all been out like a light had they chosen to travel this trek alone.

The mountain pass had been a much more difficult time of travel. Imlach's guides could take them no farther than its base a few miles south of where they exited the forest. The higher they climbed, the weather deteriorated. The cold bit them to the bone. They quickly realized how unprepared they were. Desert nights got cold, but they did not have the frigid winds and side blown snow, and there clothing was nowhere near up to par. Fires would not stay lit, caves were out of the question, too many animals made homes in caves.

As luck would have it, their fortune changed when a small pack of wolves descended upon them one night. They had tried their best to make camp against a small jagged overhang that offered a small amount of shelter, huddled tightly together for body warmth. The wolves came on them silently, but not quite enough. A thousand years listening and hunting minions of Melkor, few things got past the Avari. They made quick work of the beast, saying a prayer to the Valar thanking them for the meat, and for the warmth their pelts provided and remorse over their death. They did not take joy in killing living creatures, but hey valued their survival more.

It was on the fourth day when they came. The orcs traveled from the north, a large group, fifty at least, and they blocked their path. They had two options, they could attempt to go around the pack, risking being seen and having to engage. In any other case, they could have easily taken them on, but the mountain posed new challenges, ones they dared not risk. So, they crept south as quickly and quietly as they could, while hoping the creatures did not venture higher up and see their tracks. It was a risk they had to take, and luckily for them it worked. There was only one downfall.

"So where in the hell are we?" Faelon asked, holding out the map as they sat around their camp at the base of the Misty Mountains.

"I believe we must be somewhere around here," Meldiriel stated, point to a location on the parchment.

"So, the question that remains is which is the best path to take us to Lake Evendim. We could travel back north along the mountains and find the Great East Road; however, we risk running into the orcs should the leave the mountains." Faelon replied, looking up to the others.

Veryan spoke up next, "Though it is not the path given to us, I suggest we travel south along the Loudwater. It looks to run into a road here," He slide his finger along the path.

"I agree," Elarinya spoke, "I do not wish to fight the orcs unless we have no other option. When we get to the road, we travel it north until here," She showed, "This bridge seems to cross over a stream from the lake itself. If we veer off there, we can have a straight shot.

They all nodded, everyone understanding her need to avoid fighting. It may take longer, but it may be there safest option.

"Elladyr," she called to her faithful owl. The beautiful brown bird landed lightly on her outstretched arm. "I need you fly ahead, my friend, scout our way." The owl cocked its head looking at her before giving a soft hoot and taking flight. The animal knew which path to take from its bond with Elarinya Since the day she saved her, they had been connected, the owl never aging and each being able to share in the other's sight.

The group did not wait for the owl to return, the trip could take her days, days they did not wish to waste. The threat of nearby orcs weighing heavily on their minds. Besides all their leader had to do was tap into the owl's eyes and they would see what lay ahead.

This was how they found themselves not two days down the river preparing to meet another group of travelers on the road. She could not gather much from Elladyr from the height they flew but it was clearly a large party, traveling slowly with much luggage. But friend or foe was unknown. Slowing their pace, they kept their position, wanting to seem relaxed and unthreatening. However, they had their multiple weapons within easy reach should things not go as planned.

Elarinya kept her vision linked with Elladyr as she spoke, "They have a scout, he knows we come, he rides back to the group." She paused for a moment watching the exchange. The scout spoke hurriedly to those in front, two fair haired people rode up from the middle, having the others stop. "A group of ten rides to meet us."

She pulled herself from Elladyr's vision, shaking her head as she adjusted back to her own. She looked at her group, all giving the other a nod. If needed, they would and could defeat the riding party.

They arrived in a cloud of dust. Fortunately, Elarinya and her friends had many years of practicing schooling their features, because the last people they expected to meet upon the road was a host of elves, but that is exactly who stopped before them. The majority of the group had long silver blonde hair. Each were obviously tall and well built, their skin a porcelain ivory. What drew her attention, however, was the lady in the middle. Her hair seemed to be rimmed in starlight, her face beautiful beyond measure, but that was not what drew Elarinya's attention, it was the aura of power and knowledge that radiated from her. No matter who spoke to them, she was who held the power, and the man beside, her mate she guessed. Watching their faces, she saw first their shock and confusion, then their wariness. It was clear they did not know what to make of their party.

"What purpose to do you have ridding in these lands?" The ellon in the front ask, as he urged his horse a step ahead of the others. His brows creased and he drew his shoulders up, attempting to put on a show of intimidation.

He spoke in a Language they did not understand; however, they knew it was some form of elvish, but it was not their native Avarin.

"Speak common tongue?" Veryan asked, also moving his steed forward, "Not understand your language."

The elf before them cocked an eyebrow, as he held back a smirk. "From where do you hail?" He asked, a clear haughtiness to his voice they did not detect when speaking to the woodsman.

"Dorwinion." Veryan answered, not looking to Elarinya for her input, though she did not mind, she did not like having to play her part as a princess.

His answer brought a murmur through the fair-haired elves before them, "Dorwinion?" He questioned.

"Yes. Have traveled far. Dorwinion along the Sea of Rhûn.

"You are Avarin—dark elves," he spat, disdain dripping from his words, Elarinya and the others narrowed their brows. The party seemed to hold some grudge against them, though they had never met, she was sure. What had her people done that caused such hate?

Veryan, ever the diplomat, attempted to lighten the atmosphere, trying to create some peace between the group, "Have only met one other group, group of man, is nice to see our kind." He could see the sneer forming along the fair elf's features. It was as if the ellon was snarling at them. He had heard rumors of other elf tribes of Middle Earth, but being so isolated, their knowledge was limited. Could these elves be in league with Sauron? Veryan was not used to such open hostility from the races they dealt with, unless they were enemies.

"We are not your kind Avarin…we are not barbarians and heathens. We are Noldor." The elf before the seethed.

"Should that mean something to us? Noldor?" Ellethwen asked under her breath, causing many of the others to stifle smirks, only Elarinya and Veryan kept straight faces.

"If a matter of blood," Elarinya spoke up, "I fear we bleed the same, Noldor." Her words laced with much venom as she eyed the elf before her, unimpressed. The ellon snarled, starting to urge his horse forward when the elleth of their group spoke.

"Arandur, enough." The silver haired she-elf spoke in Sindarin, though they all knew she called him back to his place as his eyes flashed in anger, but he held his tongue and halted his steed.

"What do you wish us to do?" Veryan asked, not looking to his princess, but rather kept his eye on Arandur, his knuckles white gripping his sword.

"Travel around them, leave the road to them, we need it not."

"We apologize for our inconvenience; the road is yours." Veryan stated, sweeping his arm out as he sidestepped his steed off the road, the others following suit without questions, though they now too, eyed the new elves with contempt.

It was the powerful elleth who spoke up, forcing Arandur back, her eyes boring into Elarinya's, "We shall make camp soon, I offer our fire for you to join. There should be no hostility between us."

"We know little of your ways, but we know when not wanted. Continue we will, find friends with Belemir of Edain." Elarinya dismissed the offer with a nod of her head. Ignoring the snide comments of Arandur that made many of the others snicker. Her friends also talking in whispers behind her in Avarin.

"Very well," she stated, also with a nod of her head.

As they turned their horses away she sent out a call to Elladyr, whom she knew was traveling back to her. Lingering behind she cocked her head in thought, eying the tall elleth leading the other party. Finally, she made up her mind, "Take care to north, travel to large party of orc." As Elladyr landed on her arm, she turned the stallion away and cantered off through the hills.