Amlarad

Ruadan opened the letter as he leaned with his back to a tree in Chetwood. He had been watching the comings and goings around Bree for sometime now. The elves appreciated that he could travel where he could not and his skills meant that often not even men did not see him. They would perhaps see a trader on his way home as he would often tell people if they enquired of him, or perhaps a trapper setting out in the early dawn to set his traps.

None were aware of his true purpose, that of gathering information.

§ Author's note: As Amlarad's player and I already said to each other afterwards, it has been some time since last there was a good cloak-and-dagger exchange. But last night certainly saw a very interesting one. Thank you, Amla, for being an awesome player, and dare I even say 'friend'. I feel this story doesn't begin to do our exchange the credit it deserves, but I fear it will have to do. ;-) And at Lori's request; This one is a little shorter, hun, I did try!! §

~~~

Randir, my friend and son-in-spirit,

By the time this message and it's bird has reached you I will no longer be within the confines of Rivendell. I write to you to inform you that I am taking leave of my Sentinel duties in Rivendell and permanently abiding within Lindon until I have been called. My reasons for this is a tale for another time, if you and I should ever meet or chance to cross paths, perhaps. I would greatly desire You to join me in my journey if you would. I feel wary of the company in Rivendell.

Tip. Tap. Tip. Tap
A breathless footfall on the cool marble. In the eerie silence, it resonated within the hall.
Creak.
The door opened wide and the Elf-maiden stared into the sunny sky.
Rustle.

She walks barefoot over the lawn. To my eyes it seems that the grass itself leans towards her, yearning for the blessing touch of her feet. I cannot keep my gaze away from this dreamlike figure, breathing in the real world before me. Nor can I look over-long into the radiance of her face. I hover in a twilight of wanting and running. What she is, and what that means in the world, is too great for me today.

Once I went out on a merchant ship. A useful exercise for any of our family, even the girls, my grandfather said. Two days were enough for a child of the groves like me. Before we were out of sight of the land a summer squall blew up. The ship pitching and yawing.