Another Darkness

Chapter 4: Ithrandur

This dwarf they had found turned out to be brighter than any of them were expecting. His black hair was unruly and free of binds, other than the odd braid. He had steely grey eyes and a beard. He was rather young and seemed to assess each of them individually.
"So, let me get this straight. You have found a woman from the North who you believe can lead you to this...person...you're looking for?" asked the dwarf.
"I have not been...completely truthful. I told Ithil this, but the truth is... I believe she is the one who will lead us to whatever it is that has Lady Galadriel worried. The lady elf sent me to the North to find someone. When I asked around, I had no doubt it was her. I spoke to one who said she had visions, that she weld magic wilder than any beast and that she was an unknown race. When I saw her in that tavern, I knew I had found the one to lead us to whatever it is calling out," Gandalf spoke with a small amount of shame at having lied, but it was for the best. The group looked at Gandalf over the crackling fire in their camp.
"Hold on...what does this Ithil look like?" asked Jorund the dwarf.
"She has raven hair, with purple undertones," Voron told him.
"And eyes like the sunset," Legolas imputed.
"She has the beauty of an elf, but the frame of a human," added Orma. Jorund looked at them all like they were idiots.
"And why isn't she here?" he asked, dreading the truth.
"She stayed at Mirkwood with my father to learn of what she is, he seems to know," Legolas told him, trying to figure out what they had missed.
"Well of course he does. Or he should! So, what you bunch of trolls are telling me is that you left an Ithrandur with a bunch of elves? What's wrong with you?" Jorund reprimanded. They looked at him in confusion.

"You know, and Ithrandur?" Blank stares. "Oh, my...The Ithrandur are a special type of creature predating that of man. A kind of companion race to the elves. They are pretty much a special kind of succubi for elves. Only, not the usual kind of harlots you see. They are powerful beings above even you wizards, older too. Do you know how old this girl is, has she told you? If she doesn't know what she is then she is in trouble, Ithrandur magic left unchecked is a dangerous thing."
"Is she in danger with the elves?" Voron asked stupidly.
"Of course she is! You better hope she doesn't stray too far from that king, otherwise the elves with go nuts. She'll be like a drug for them. And you better hope that king is old and powerful, because he will need all the restraint he has."
"My father wont harm her," Legolas defended. Gandalf looked down, he was such a fool! Only now was it all coming back to him. How could he have not seen this? Then again, the Ithrandur were supposed to be extinct.
"So, we need to go back and save her," Orma spoke boldly. They nodded in agreement. Jorund hoped they could help this girl so carelessly left behind.
"How did you know about the Ithrandur?" Orma asked him.
"It's the elves only bloody weakness, every dwarf knows. The best way to kill an elf is to kill an Ithrandur they've fallen in love with." It seems the party had more to worry about that the elves' infatuation.

**Mirkwood**

She felt it again, the throb through the land that seemed to find her, pulling her. She was too afraid to follow her instinct and find whatever was calling her. It woke her from her nightmares. She knew where it was. Her visions told her that, the pull could lead her there. But she was stronger than to walk blindly into what could easily be a trap...so why was she moving so silently through the halls, trying to find the exit as though she was trapped in her own mind. Her body moved on it's own. She tried to fight it, but the pull pulsed and suddenly pain ripped through her, her scream echoed through out the entire cavern. Something was manipulating the pull. She could almost feel their claws ripping into it, trying to direct it towards themselves. She screamed again. They knew she was there, they knew...they knew where she was. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head and her visions started.

Ithil saw a shadowed man with long, black hair and red eyes, fire at his fists and a snarl on his face. He looked straight at Ithil.
"I can see you now. You're the one I need..." his voice was smooth, but held a very dark tone in them. She saw a forest on fire...she saw Thranduil lying on the ground surrounded in blood on the snow.

"Ithil! Ithil!" She was being shook awake. Thranduil was beside her accompanied by a dozen guards. She was shaking in the kings arms, pain still flowing through her body. She could feel her wet cheeks and wondered when she was crying.

Thranduil knew for certain that there was no way he could be mistaken now. Not know that he held her so close, not now, knowing that she had a vision. It was unmistakable.
"Thran-Thranduil! He's going to find me! He knows where I am!" Her sobbing caused all the elves to stiffen uncomfortably. Thranduil held her closer.
"Shhh, Ithil. Be calm. No one will hurt you here." He rose, carrying her in his arms. Trying to avoid the red in her eyes.

Ithil awoke in an unfamiliar bed. Her eyes were saw and her body was stiff, but she was otherwise fine. She sat upright, the sheets fell away from her and she slipped out of the bed. The dark haired woman looked around the room, surprise to discover Thranduil sleeping on a chair beside the bed. Her heart melted a little. He was a rude, arrogant man. And over the last few weeks he had infuriated her, but he was not one to ignore her pain. She ran her hands down his arms to his hands. She felt power flow through her as she touched him, the only other time she had felt that...She shook her head. No, she would not remember that. Thranduil awoke slowly, seeing her standing above him with a soft smile replacing her usual scowl whenever she was in his presence.
"Come on, there is still time for you to rest properly." She lead him to his bed and he sat down, unsure why he was following her lead.
"Lie down." Ithil's eyes were shining a bright pink. Thranduil followed her instructions. She pulled the sheets over him and brushed his hair away. He seemed thoroughly confused by the entire thing. Ithil leant forward and kissed him lightly as a butterfly on his forehead.
"Thank you. Sleep now, dear king." Thranduil felt whatever energy he may have had disappear with that light kiss and he fell into a deep sleep immediately.

Ithil stepped away. Unsure what to do. The man she saw was after her. If she stayed, then Mirkwood would be in danger. If she went with Gandalf and the other's they would be in trouble. With one last glance towards the king she sighed softly and knew what was right. She had to find what ever was pulling her before that man did. And she had to do it without being seen.

She slipped out of the room and went to gather her things and change from these elves robes into her old, worn leather armour. When she was ready she began sneaking out of the stronghold. She felt an overwhelming sense of sadness as she left. It was easy to dodge the guards. It was stupidly easy. Before she knew it, she was outside in the forest. The night her long lost companion in cover. With one last glance back she wished Thranduil a good sleep. And then, Ithil slipped into the night, heading North with ease. After she found whatever it was she was looking for, she would hide away in the North. Further than Ensam where no one could find her.

**The Party**

When the group got to Mirkwood, the last thing they expected was to find the elven kingdom in chaos. When they entered the throne room chamber, they still in fear as a very angry Thranduil was barking orders at his guards.
"Father, what is happening?" Legolas bounded up to his father in concern.
"IS SHE WITH YOU?" Thranduil demanded. His cold eyes like a storm.
"Who? Ithil?"
"Yes!"
"I haven't seen her...is...is she gone?" he asked his father in worry.
"She vanished, no one saw her leave.
"What did you do to her, Elf?" Jorund asked angrily. Thranduil's pale eyes narrowed on the dwarf.
"Cease your tongue, Dwarf. I did nothing to her!" Thranduil had never felt so angry. It was worse that for some reason he had slept for a week!
"Thranduil, where is my Northerner?" Gandalf asked in threat. The elf king scowled.
"I do not know, wizard. That is the problem. Last I saw her...she was sleep walking and then she had a vision. She was in pain. Damn Ithrandur!"
"I see you figured out what she was..." Orma spoke slowly, trying to leave an accusations out of her voice.
"After the visions yes, and the fact she made me slumber for a week!" Thranduil was no longer in control of what he was saying or doing. With a breath all his anger faded away and he was his usual cold, calculating self. Boredom etched onto his face. Although everyone knew it was just a mask, they did not argue. It was better this way.

"Did she say anything before she left, my lord?" asked one of his advisors. Thranduil stood straight, remembering what she had said.
"She said that someone was looking for her, that they were going to find her." The group of odd creatures looked amongst each other in worry. Ithil was in danger, and they had no clue where she was. Each wanted her safe for their own reasons. Thranduil and Legolas looked at each other, they knew it would be a danger for them to get too attached to this woman, but they knew in that instance they both wanted to get her to safety.

Gandalf grouped the party together to go through their plans.
"I will go to Rivendell to seek Galadriel, hopefully she can shed some light on what is happening. Orma and Voron go North, hopefully she went that way, I doubt even she would be foolish enough to head to Mordor. Legolas, you may want to stay here with your father in case she returns."
"I want to help look for her!" He argued. Gandalf frowned at the elf.
"I understand. But I don't think it would be wise for you to be around her. It was hard enough for your father. She may very well return, in which case we will need you to find Orma and Voron. I will come straight back here after my counsel with the other elf lords."

Legolas paced his chambers in frustration. Who was that old wizard to tell him what to do? Thranduil entered his son's room silently, watching him pace.
"Legolas," Thranduil spoke softly. His son turned and stared at him in accusation.
"This is your fault!"
"Hold your tongue. I want you to ignore Gandalf and go after her. Follow those mortal morons sent North. I cannot go, otherwise I would. But, some of us have kingdoms to run." Legolas smiled warmly.
"Thank you father!"