Last Temptation - I am so sorry for the delay! (If you're still reading this and haven't given up on me completely) There have been still more internet issues. But hopefully that's all come to an end. To reward your saintly patience, I come bearing updates!

Chapter 16 - The Eaves of Region

In the days that followed, the land about them changed little, and the weather was for the most part mild and pleasant. Yet the bite of Winter was in the air, and the raw silence of the shifting season lay all about. Ten days had passed since their first meeting with Elmarië, and they drew now close to the land of her home. Gradually, a hush had fallen upon the companions, and they each seemed reticent to speak. Carnil was sombre and distant, and would sit alone deep in thought staring into the cold sky; and when they travelled he would gaze blankly ahead, speaking only when spoken to, and even then being distinctly unresponsive. Thaliondil was sullen and icy. He regarded Elmarië with unmitigated scorn, making it clear with the occasional dismissive remark or sharp glance that he liked her not at all. Elmarië made not the slightest effort to retaliate, yet as the days drew on, her silent fury became more alarming than any retort or insult she may have uttered. After a time, as though gradually perceiving that her silent, wintry contempt for him was far more lethal than his own aimless and immature anger, Thaliondil ceased to insult the Elven maid, and attempted to ignore her altogether. He deliberately avoided her perilous glances; yet when their gazes did happen to meet on rare occasions, his eyes were invariably the first to flinch away. Elmarië began to realise that for all his blusterings and aggression, her own will was by far the stronger of the two. She was pleased to discern that the more her blazing eyes strayed in his direction, the more pains Thaliondil took to avoid them. Although it seemed that he observed her quite often out of the corner of his eye, by the time the company neared its destination, he was either unwilling or unable to look her full in the face. However, the pleasure gained by such petty triumphs was gradually eclipsed by a creeping sense of dread, as Elmarië drew closer to her home. The dark line of the forest of Region began to march upon the Northern horizon, growing by the hour, chasm-black and illimitable as the Void.

Darkness fell heavily upon the eaves of the forest, and a thick, black night held the land in its grasp. Elmarië looked upon her companions silently, the high, twisting branches of the trees casting ghostly silhouettes upon her white face, and her eyes gleaming faintly in the pale starlight.

'The time has come, I think, to say farewell,' she said quietly in a voice that shook.

'It has indeed.' Carnil replied awkwardly. 'For I do not wish to venture within the land of Doriath. It is perilous.'

'If there is such deadly peril, then we ought not abandon Elmarië to face it alone.' Tinuial objected, ignoring the sharp glance of Carnil. Looking at Elmarië now, she felt nothing but pity for the girl, and a pang of shame for her previous dislike - the maiden had, after all, done nothing to warrant it. Her only fault, in truth, was being outstandingly beautiful, and that was scarcely sufficient reason to despise her. All day Elmarië had been subdued and utterly mournful, and Tinuial had scarcely heeded her, her thoughts having been utterly preoccupied with Carnil. She felt now that she had wronged Elmarië with her envy and unjust suspicion (though admittedly, a stubborn trace of it still lingered) and she could not now abandon her to the peril of the Forest without shame.

'I do not wish to be alone in such a place,' Elmarië admitted forlornly. 'Yet I can demand no more of you. Thus far you have led me, and for the kindness you have shown me I am grateful indeed.'

'She might die within the forest, if she is alone!' Tinuial looked pleadingly at Carnil. The concern in her eyes, though new, was unfeigned.

'It is her own choice to venture within Doriath, and to brave the enchantment which lies upon it!' Carnil exclaimed with some annoyance, 'Spells of bewitchment lie amid the trees, cast there by Queen Melian herself! We possess not the power to elude such snares, and we shall become lost - enmeshed in an endless maze of impenetrable trees!'

'Your words do not dissuade me, Carnil!' Tinuial answered stubbornly. 'They merely prove to me that I have not the heart to allow Elmarië to enter such a place alone. I at least shall accompany her!'

Elmarië looked at Tinuial in surprise, and the ghost of a genuine smile touched her lips.

'Very well,' Carnil said wearily. 'I too feared for the safety of Elmarië, and as Tinuial refuses to desert her, neither shall I.'

'I thank you indeed!' Elmarië cried, with a dazzling smile. 'These past days I have dreaded not only my journey through the forest, but also my return home. I fear what may lie there in wait for me.' Her smile faded, and her eyes seemed clouded by a mist of memory.

'Do not fear, for you shall come to no harm.' Tinuial said firmly. Tinuial glanced at Thaliondil, expecting him to object to her decision to remain with Elmarië, for she had noted his hostility towards her. Yet Thaliondil, to the surprise of all, said nothing. He merely shrugged, his face expressionless and grim. Without another word, the four companions plunged into the darkness of the forest of Region.

For hours they marched onwards, feeling their way in the breathless shadow, and stumbling constantly upon the protruding roots of the sprawling trees. A mute darkness closed in about them, and the forest seemed tightly netted in a mist of dusky silence. Even the sound of their breaths and hesitant footfalls seemed muffled. They did not dare unveil the lantern, for fear of drawing danger to themselves. They eventually halted for the night, weary and downhearted, and within minutes each of them lay deep in slumber.

Though sleep held him still, Carnil could not escape the sensation that he was being watched. He lay caught amid dark dreams from which he could not break free, yet a sudden noise caught his attention, and dragged him headlong into wakefulness. He sat up with a jolt, looking about him frantically. Before him loomed two dark shapes, veiled in the gloom. They advanced with great speed, and ere he could drag himself to his feet they towered tall above him, resolving themselves into the forms of two Elves. They were huntsmen by the look of them, and grim expressions were upon their fair faces. Though they bore no lanterns, their forms and faces appeared to shimmer dimly, almost imperceptibly.

'Declare yourselves, strangers!' The foremost Elf demanded sternly, drawing his sword. 'What is your business in the Realm of Thingol and Melian?' The blade gleamed with a chill light, which reflected upon his clear grey eyes. Tinuial and Thaliondil both stirred, and eyed the two Elves in wonder.

'Lower your sword at once!' Came a sharp, authoritative voice from behind Carnil. It was Elmarië. She stood tall and proud, gazing hotly into the eyes of the huntsmen. She seemed now more beautiful than ever before, glimmering like a remote reflection of the lost radiance of Valinor. The glow she emitted, though subtle and fine, was far stronger and clearer than that of the other two Elves. Whereas their radiance teetered on the brink of perception, hers was plain to see. Her companions blinked dazedly, wondering how she had concealed it before, or how they had failed to notice.

'Lady Elmarië!' Cried the Elf, a look of dismay upon his face, 'Forgive me! For in the shadow I did not perceive you.' He promptly slid his glittering sword in its sheath, and both Elves bowed low to her. Elmarië ignored the bemused glances of her companions.

'It matters not,' she said kindly, smiling at them. 'What are your names?'

'I am Alkanto,' the Elf replied nervously. 'My companion is named Nurram.'

'Many weeks it is since your sudden departure, Lady!' Nurram cried, gazing intently at Elmarië. 'We feared that you had perished. The King was grieved indeed at your loss.'

Tinuial started, shocked by his words. Elmarië was evidently of greater importance in Doriath than she had led them to believe. Although the maiden had admittedly told no lies concerning her origins, she had clearly been somewhat frugal with the truth. Tinuial considered fleetingly whether her wariness of the Elven maid had, after all, been justified.

'Who are these others?' Alkanto asked, surveying them with interest. The keen eyes of Nurram, however, remained fixed upon Elmarië as though he could not bear to tear his gaze from her.

'They are Thaliondil, Tinuial and Carnil.' Elmarië replied, gesturing to each of them in turn. 'My worthy companions. They have led me thus far, and were it not for them I would have remained lost! Indeed, I believe I owe them my life.'

'Then they shall be treated with great honour!' Exclaimed Nurram, 'For the King values you highly - Fairest Lady of all his kin, save Luthien only.' Elmarië smiled at him. Nurram was very fair, with laughing blue eyes, and light golden hair which curled about his merry face.

'Would you be so kind as to lead me to Menegroth?' She requested courteously.

'If you wish it, Lady,' replied Alkanto. 'Though it will be a journey of several days!'

They started off almost immediately. Alkanto led the way, and strode out before the others. He was courteous, yet sombre, barely uttering a word - unlike Nurram, who talked much, telling the strangers of the ways of Doriath, and the glory of Menegroth. Now and again he would raise his voice in song, and the woods would be filled with the sound of his clear voice. Elmarië and Nurram walked side by side, a little behind Alkanto. Tinuial, Carnil and Thaliondil followed on behind, feeling somewhat lost and unheeded, for as time progressed Nurram spoke to them less, and sang no more, whispering only in hushed tones to Elmarië. Their path twisted tortuously through the dark trees, and how Alkanto found his way Tinuial could not imagine. Yet she felt in her heart a deep longing to behold the wonders of Menegroth, which Nurram spoke of with such delight.

The days passed slowly, and it was with growing dread that Elmarië drew closer to Menegroth. She could not imagine quite what would befall her when she reached her home, and the gathering dusk only increased her sorrow. In the deeps of the night, while her companions rested, she quietly stole a short way into the forest and sat apart from them. She did not wish to wake them with the sound of her weeping, as it would inevitably lead to awkward questions. She wondered bitterly if upon returning home she would be forced to wed Lord Culdir after all. That would be a heinous development indeed; after having gone to such extravagant lengths to avoid the marriage. Although their acquaintance had been brief, she had quickly identified him as the cruellest, most malicious and arrogant man she had ever encountered. She would sooner be dead than joined in matrimony to him. Yet surely, such a proud and savage man would have no desire to marry her after she had so publicly disgraced and insulted him, even if her father still had a mind to be rid of her. No; whatever lay ahead of her, she felt fairly secure that she could dispel that particular worry from her mind.

The darkness about her seemed to take on a life of its own, pressing in upon her like the bars of a cage. How foolish she had been, to hope for an escape from her shadow, for all the world was plunged into a deep pool of anguish and darkness, and none were truly free from it. Even her anger at Thaliondil had largely corroded, and she was face to face once again with her own sorrow. A sudden noise, as of a sharp intake of breath startled her out of her gloomy reverie. She turned about, and saw Carnil sitting up, his eyes wide. His hands shook visibly, and his heavy breathing rent through the silence of the night.

'What is the matter?' Elmarië whispered curiously. He turned his head sharply and caught sight of her.

'Naught.' He snapped, with a sudden anger she could not comprehend. 'It was a dream, nothing more!'

'I asked a simple question, I do not believe it warranted such rudeness.' She remarked.

'Go back to sleep, Elmarië.' He answered wearily. She turned her back to him, yet as she turned her face caught the pallid moonlight, and Carnil saw that she wept. He sighed, and drew himself unwillingly to his feet. He trudged over to where she sat huddled upon the ground, and knelt beside her. His green eyes were clouded with weariness, and his face was worn and solemn, yet his words were soft.

'You are grieved, Lady,' he said slowly and wearily. 'Though I know not why. For was it not your desire to return to Doriath?'

'It was.' She said bitterly, 'And now I am afraid. We are not far from Menegroth, and soon I must explain myself to King Thingol. And then I shall have to face father, and mother, and -' she paused for an instant, and then resumed, 'And Lord Culdir. I have no doubt that they all are furious at me!'

'You must abide by your own decision to return,' Carnil said simply. 'You knew quite well what you were returning to. There can be no turning back.'

'I am aware of that.' She said, frowning.

'If you do not mind my asking, Lady, what did you hope to achieve by your actions? They seem to me somewhat fruitless.'

'I know not, in truth. All my choices of late have been foolish. I hoped, perhaps, for the love of one whom I cannot have.' She murmured. Carnil remained silent, unsure of how to reply. He hoped with all his heart that she did not refer to him.

'Did I not say to you, that the fair voice of Elbereth told me many things?' Elmarië continued faintly. 'She told me that beneath the darkness of the trees, my love would be given to one who would bear me away from my sorrow.'

'Perhaps you have yet to meet this man.' Carnil answered, backing away from her slightly. 'For I tell you truthfully, I do not love you.' Yet she persisted, her eyes pleading with him.

'No more do I love you, if I am entirely honest!' She cried sadly, 'Ah, the strange workings of my heart! I desire you not greatly, and yet I feel that I should; that fate was at work when we met beneath the trees. So greatly do I long to love you that it terrifies me. Yet such things can grow, given but a chance! I beg you to take me from this place! I beg you!'

'Know you not that my love is given to Tinuial?' He retorted, in growing displeasure. 'Would you have me desert her?'

'Aye, I would - I would, at that. Much as my own callousness disgusts me,' Elmarië whimpered. 'For she has already the protection of Thaliondil, who would no doubt lay down his life to see her safe. I am alone and friendless - I need you more than she could ever know!'

Her eyes were alive with silver tears, kindled by the watery moonlight, and the desolation in her face was an anguish to behold. She was heart-rendingly exquisite, Carnil thought, and her beauty was that of another world. The magnitude of her misery struck his soul like a bolt of fire, and it pained him greatly to acknowledge that he had some part in that grief, yet it could not be helped. He did not love her; at least, not as he loved Tinuial. No man could look upon such a face as Elmarië's and be unmoved by desire. And yet he realised, with an inward shudder, that his feelings for this Elven maid amounted to more than a passing admiration for her fair face. He could have succumbed to her, there and then, but for Tinuial. He could have loved her, perhaps, had he but given himself the chance; had he not been so certain that his place was beside Tinuial.

'You are the one who will save me. You have to be!' She breathed softly, clutching at his arm with her delicate, quaking hand.

'I am sorry.' He enunciated to the mournful darkness which surged about them both. Tearing himself from her grasp with a stab of regret deeper than he would ever admit, he retreated into the shadow and left Elmarië to her silent thoughts.