Tiny drops of dew reflected the pale oranges and pinks of the morning sky, a cool breeze caressing the tall grasses and wildflowers in the valley that sat between the Misty Mountains and the Greenwood. Ellawyn breathed in the sweet scents of autumn as she began her march towards the stables of her host. Beorn would not return to his homestead where she stayed for another few days, as he scouted the perimeter of his lands. She sighed as her mind traveled to the increasing dangers that crept down from the Misty Mountains, troubled by the unrest she could feel with her elven senses. Something evil was beginning to stir. More and more orcs, wargs and other fell things were crossing Beorn's lands, traveling toward the Greenwood, polluting its former strength and glory, turning it dark.
Pushing the thoughts from her mind with a shake of her dark brown head, Ellawyn shoved the heavy wooden door across the stable's entrance. Little white mice danced across the golden straw laid across the dirt floor, dodging the swishing tails of the few cows that resided there. Striding across the alley way, the elf gave one of the cows a fond scratch on her white forehead. She smiled as a Chestnut head emerged from the stall on the far left of the barn. Before she could reach her destination, a friendly whinny left the horse's mouth as his sweet brown eyes followed her approach. Ellawyn could not help a small chuckle leaving her lips at the sight of her faithful friend,
"Good morning to you as well, Vorondil." Opening the half door leading to her horse's stall and slipping in she gently kissed the velvet white snippet on his nose. The pair had a day's journey ahead of them, skirting around the border of the Greenwood in hopes of finding her long-time friend at his small cottage. Ellawyn had grown up under the wing of Radagast the Brown since as far as her memory would reach, and lately the two had been investigating the causes of the rising threats east of the Anduin. Vorondil ruffled her long braid with his lips as she turned her back to him, picking up the saddle she had lain over the stall door. Within a few moments, her loyal steed was ready to go, and they made their way out of the barn.
Ellawyn attached her saddle bags, strapping her bow and quiver to her back before tightening the leather belt sat upon her hips carrying her sword. Satisfied that both Vorondil and herself were prepared for their travels, she placed her left food into the stirrup. Just as she pushed off the ground and sat atop the horse, she heard a familiar dull, sliding sound approaching from her right side. Turning her head in mild surprise, a smile crept onto her lips as a dozen little feet pounded on the cold earth. She called out to the approaching figure, a smile on her voice,
"It is glad that you make an appearance at this time my friend, for I also seek your counsel. What brings you here, Radagast?" The elf jumped from Vorondil's back just as the rabbits came to a halt beside her, The wooden sled they pulled containing the closest thing to family she had ever had.
"Oh! My girl! How I had missed you!" Radagast leaped from his sled with his arms spread, welcoming her with a fatherly embrace that she gladly accepted. She pulled away to study his face. His warm brown eyes shone with fondness and his aged face smiled at her, his gnarled wooden staff was clutched in his right hand.
"How do you fare? Are you well?" She asked. His grin faded and his eyes became clouded with concern. His voice growing guarded and quiet he spoke,
"I am well. Although I cannot say the same for the forest and the creatures who inhabit it, the evil that has remained dormant is strengthening, Ellawyn. I fear for all life that resides in these lands." He sighed, looking around as if the bushes had eyes and ears. Then, lowering his voice once more,
"Something has taken up residence in Dol Guldur…" A sharp chill ran down her spine at the mention of the dark fortress within the Greenwood.
"You do not think he is back?" She knew the answer as Radagast averted his eyes with a wince at the mention of the Dark Lord. After a moment, he spoke again,
"Mirkwood is what they call King Thranduil's Greenwood now, the Fortress is the origin of the spread of evil, the poisoning of the lands." Her face grew pale as she watched him reach into the sled, withdrawing a long and thin object, shroud in fabric. Resting the item across his upward facing palms towards her in offering, a look of warning glinting in his kind eyes. Her hand shook lightly as she grasped the fabric, slowly peeking at the hidden object. Her fears were confirmed as her gaze fell upon the short sword, withdrawing her hand quickly and squeezing her eyes shut. A Morgul Blade. This was not good. Ellawyn opened her eyes to meet Radagast's again as he spoke the three words she had been dreading,
"He is back."