The Fourth Age (closed)

[KieranSoares]

Uther didn't answer for several seconds, then muttered, "He knows we're coming... he's probably already got something planned for when we reach shore... We don't know the beasts and trees here, it won't be anything like Fangorn or any other wood. It'll be like Mordor all over again, if not worse." He sank down to sit against the rail, finding a position comfortable enough to lean back without causing himself further pain.

 

[queenclaire]

Eruve let her gaze drift to the sea as Uther spoke. She knew he was probably right. She tucked a piece of loose hair behind her ear as she looked out on the horizon. She sighed softly as she tried to think of something comforting to say, but she could not think of anything. She looked down at Uther as he finally sat.

After a several silent seconds, she sat down next to him. “He considers us a threat though,” she said softly. “Of course all these attacks so far are a show of power, but it is also to diminish our ranks and put fear in our minds.” She looked at Uther, “Fear will be his strongest ally. I know the men are strong, but even I cannot help but fear what is coming. I know I should not admit to it, but it is the truth.” She started to wonder if she should have even joined the group, but she was sure she was not the only one doubting all this.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Fear is nothing to worry about. It's whether you can overcome that fear with courage, that's the tipping point. We might be afraid of him, but I know that every single person in our group is brave enough not to let fear stop them.

 

[queenclaire]

Eruve remained silent for a moment after he spoke as she stared at the floor. She wished she had the faith in the group he did. Then again, these people he knew well. She was a stranger in the group. She was probably their weakest link at this point. She drew in a deep breath and looked off, “I hope you are right.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Are you afraid, Eruve?" Uther asked quietly, looking up at her, his eyes showing genuine concern for her. "Whether you are or aren't... I will protect you. I promise you will make it home."

 

[queenclaire]

Eruve looked at Uther as he told her he would protect her. She was surprise and touched by what he said and the look on his face. She smiled sweetly at him, “Thank you Uther, but you cannot let if I am scared or not be your concern. You are meant for much greater things than trying to protect me while all this is going on.” She paused for a moment, breaking eye contact with him, looking to the ground, “I don’t want to be the reason you get hurt again.” She felt bad enough as it was. She would be a distraction for him. Yet, his concern for her meant a lot to her. “That is what I am scared of,” she said in almost a whisper. She looked at him again, “I am scared I will get you hurt.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I will get hurt," Uther told her honestly, "we all will. But I intend to see you home." He reached out and gently set his hand over hers. "I will protect you whether you wish me to or not. I'm very fond of you, Eruve... You're already a dear friend."

 

[queenclaire]

Eruve knew they would all get hurt, she just did not want to be the reason why. Deep down she knew she could never forgive herself if Uther died trying to keep his word to keep her safe. She could not bear that kind of sorrow.

She watched him place his hand over her own and said he was going to protect her no matter what she wanted. She knew she would not be able to change his mind on this. She looked at him as he stated he was fond of her and she was a dear friend. “I am fond of you as well, Uther,” she replied, “but you need to remember one thing for me. Your life is more important than my own.” She gave him a smile.

 

[KieranSoares]

"No, no it isn't." He answered with another smile, and before she could say anything in return, he'd dozed off, exhausted and finally resting.
.
It wasn't til late afternoon that a shout came over the deck: "Oswyn!" Lexan called. "Delnirith! I see it!" And within minutes, the humans could make it out too. It was absolutely stunningly gorgeous. Greenery everywhere, not a single sign of civilization. Trees stood almost as tall as Isengard and the forest was thick as Fangorn. The breath was taken from everyone aboard the ship.

 

[queenclaire]

Eruve watched Uther as he fell to sleep. “You are stubborn,” she whispered as she left him to finally get some rest that he so badly needed. He needed to let his body heal some before they arrive on Delnirith.

She heard Lexan exclaim he saw the shores a while later as she rested as well. She quickly joined the men to see the shores. She could not believe her eyes as they neared it. It was beautiful. If it was not for the evil that lived there, she would have wanted to explore the place for a long time. She stood there silently as she looked at it.

 

[KieranSoares]

Oswyn anchored the ship and they came to shore on longboats, where they were met with the sight of a herd of strange-looking red elk passing by. They looked more like antelope with their horns, but had the large bodies of elk with reddish fur. One let out the telltale trumpet of an elk, and the herd disappeared into the forest, away from the humans.

Uther stood in awe of it all. It was all familiar, but things here and there proved it was a new world to them. Strangely colored plants, odd creatures... but it was not their job to explore. "I imagine Dache's hidden in the center of the island, or on the opposite side. Our best course is to head straight forward."

But then, from the forest appeared a long, lithe lizard creature. It looked just like a dragon, but was only a bit bigger than a horse and had no wings. Its powerful legs, rippling with muscle, told of its speed. Its snout was bloody, telling the group it'd just eaten. It paused and looked upon them with lazy curiosity, not bothered at all by the sight of a new creature. in his territory.

 

[queenclaire]

Eruve watched everything with a keen eye. Things may seem peaceful and somewhat familiar, but that could be deceptive. She was going to remain cautious. She agreed with Uther’s idea that Dache was somewhere in the middle or on the other side of the island. And it was best that they start moving to avoid attacks off the bat. She smiled as the large reptile looking creature came out of the forest and looked at them. “We should probably go around him though,” she said casually, but in a joking manor. She had an urge to pet it. It was an eagerness her father had always had to control since she had to “tame” all creatures since she was younger. Not that she actually tamed them, but gained their trust. Her race could speak with animals and had an understanding of all things around, but she was even more gifted in that sense. And since this world was alien to her in a sense, she wanted to understand it. She bit her lower lip as she tried to quell that urge. She thought about talking to it telepathically, as she did with most creatures, but was not sure it would be wise and she did not know if any creatures were being used as eyes or ears for their enemy. Though, it could help as well. At least they would know then.

 

[KieranSoares]

The great lizard snorted, bored quickly with the humans and their lack of action, and he padded toward them and right past them to the water, dipping his snout in and washing off blood with his clawed front feet. They were quite like hands in dexterity, but he had no thumbs. He padded soon back toward them and began snuffling about their feet. None of them made a move, afraid to anger the beast. He sneezed, and kept going til he came to Gimli. Gimli gripped his axe up remained still as the drake nosed his pack on his back, and eventually, the drake got his snout inside and stole Gimli's small bundle of jerky.

"Oi, give that back!" Gimli roared as the drake took off at an incredible speed, then pulled up quickly. He gave a play-bow like a dog, waiting for Gimli to come to try to take it, and Gimli chased him about for several minutes while the rest of the group laughed or at least tried not to laugh. Finally, Gimli gave up, "Let the scaly bugger have it..." He grumbled and returned to the group. The drake watched him, almost a little sad at the end of the game, and he fell into a crouch and crawled up close to Gimli's boot, dropping the undamaged bundle of jerky as if apologizing.

 

[queenclaire]

Eruve laughed softly as she watched the creature play with Gimli. It was quite entertaining. She smiled as it dropped the bundle at Gimli’s feet. “That is adorable,” she said out loud with a smile, “Gimli, you have a new friend.” She stepped forward, looking at it, she spoke in elvish, “And he is beautiful. What exactly are you?” She held back from reaching out to touch it since it might not like that and she did not want to scare it, though it seemed friendly enough. She walked up to Gimli and smiled down at him, "He seems to want to play."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I ain't playin' with the thief," Gimli grumped. The drake flopped down on its side, looking to any of them for some kind of attention. It was Lexan who stepped forward and stroked the drake's snout, and the drake stretched out, enjoying it. Soon, Lexan took hold of the mane of fur ridged down its back, and as if out of instinct, the drake rolled into a crouch and Lexan climbed on its back. The drake stood, looking as if he did this everyday.

"There must be people somewhere nearby," Lexan smiled, "this drake is trained to carry a rider."

 

[queenclaire]

Eruve furrowed her brow as Lexan said the drake was trained for a rider. They would be either friends or foes and the latter was not what they needed to deal with. There was no doubt that the drake was used to a rider. She looked back at Uther to see what he was going to say about it. He was the leader after all. Though she had to admit she was curious as to who lived here, but she feared who they may align themselves with. They did not need more enemies to fight off at this point. She did not envy him at all. It had to be hard to lead people to what could be their final moments. Her face fell as she now understood her father a bit more now. He too had to make decisions that ultimately could end their reign in the forest of Mavanue. She had been stubborn about the path her people should travel, that is lost sight of the reason they should stay behind. She knew her path and why she was on it...well, she did not really know why she was on it, but she followed it hoping it did not end in her death quite so soon.

 

[KieranSoares]

"We will seek them out," Uther spoke decisively, "perhaps if we return their drake, they will be peaceable til we understand their alignment." Lexan nodded, patted the drake's neck, and smiled.

"Go home, friend," Lexan spoke to him, and when the drake made no move, Lexan tried it in Sindarin. Still, nothing. But when he spoke in Quenya, the drake immediately dashed off. "WHOA!" Lexan called, pulling the drake's mane just enough to get him to stop. The drake turned in circles, and Lexan gave him a gentle nudge. The drake took the hint, and went on at an easy lope the horses behind could keep up with. Uther mounted his own horse as Oswyn brought it out, and cantered on after.

The drake led them through the forest easily, his clawed and nimble feet more suited to the uneven, root-strewn ground than the horses. Uther knew the island to be covered in this greenery, and he knew they needed steeds who would not run the risk of breaking legs on the roots. Hopefully the people they were about to meet could help them with that.

Soon, they came upon a cobbled path that tapered into the woods, and the drake followed it all the way to a hallway of beautiful silver trees unlike any in Middle Earth, all with carvings of a strange script and with crystalline jewels hung from their branches, glimmering like stars. They were then met by three men of unknown race that stood incredibly tall, nearly seven feet, lithe and slender and beautiful in shape. They all wore helms and full armor and had their bows drawn full, facing the intruders.

One spoke up, and not a single person of Uther's group could understand him. Then the second spoke in an entirely different language, realizing they did not comprehend. Still, none of them knew this language. Finally, the last, in a booming bass voice, snarled, "State your business and your names, strangers."

Uther stepped down off his horse with his hands raised unthreateningly. "I am Uther Boarsbane of Rohan, my companions and I have come to this land to face a threat to our homes. We came upon this drake and asked him to lead us to his home so we may return him. We also seek better mounts for the forest than our horses."

"Your companions' names. All of them."

Uther turned, gesturing to each, "Prince Bheyard of Gondor, Lords Gimli and Miras of Moria, Lady Eruve of Mavanue, my brother General Oswyn of Helm's Deep, Lords Samwise, Meridoc, and Peregrin of the Shire, and Lords Lexan and Legolas Greenleaf of Lorien."

"Lorien...? Lothlorien?" the leading man lowered his bow. "Lord Legolas..." He immediately dropped to one knee with the other two following suit. "My lord," the man removed his helm, revealing elven ears and a smooth, beautiful face. But his skin was darkened by weather, not the pale look of Lorien elves.

"Kascus... Is that truly you?" Legolas slid down from his horse.

"Yes, my lord!" Kascus smiled brightly.

"But I thought you had died hundreds of years ago... You and the others, you were lost at sea."

"We were lost, but not killed. We ran aground here and we could never get back, so we created our new home here in the image of Rivendell and Lorien, sir. Please, please come in and forgive us for not recognizing you," Kascus rose and the gates behind him, which the group had previously thought was a solid stone wall, were opened outward to let them in. Within was a great tree-city just like the mystical Lorien, with architecture on the ground like Rivendell. Drakes were everywhere, pulling cards, ridden, or being led by elves. Many elves recognized Legolas and came running, happily greeting him, and Legolas remembered them all.

 

[queenclaire]

Eruve rode along with the group as they followed the drake. She was amazed by the landscape. She wished she had time to just let it all sink in and enjoy it all. Maybe once this was all over and if she survived.

She watched as the men they encountered tried to speak with them. Luckily one of them knew a common langue for them all. Much to her surprise, they knew Legolas. It was a nice surprise. It was better than meeting an enemy. Still, finding elves was not expected. She watched as they rode in and everyone greeted Lord Legolas. She smiled as she watched. She was impressed with the home they had created as well. It was almost like her home.

 

[KieranSoares]

Soon, they found themselves invited into the elves' leader's home, their horses placed in stables for them. The leader was rather young, at least as elves were concerned, and Legolas had never met him before. His name was Garrogan, and he was extremely tall, just like the other elves. Even Legolas was mystified as to how they grew so tall, as Kascus had not been that way before.

"Lord Legolas, it's an honor," Garrogan spoke warmly, shaking each of the travelers' hands. "Welcome to Delnirith. What brings you here?"

"We have come to face an evil threatening our homeland," Legolas spoke sadly at the memory of the destroyed homes and lives. "A man with access to magicks, called Kaan Dache."

Garrogan froze at that name, "Please, please don't speak that name here," he practically begged. "We have been left in peace by... that man... for some time now, and he knows when and where his name is said. Please, don't say it again."

"Of course..." Legolas placed a hand on his shoulder, "I'm sorry, my friend... I didn't know."

 

[queenclaire]

Eruve was amazed by the height of these elves. It must be the land, she assumed. She stood silently as the lord of this city was introduced to them all. She furrowed her brow as he asked for Kaan Dache’s name to not be spoken and that he knew when it was spoken. That was very interesting information and she now knew she would not utter it again. She looked to Garrogan, “Any idea where he is on this island?” Any idea would help them find him quicker.

 

[KieranSoares]

"He is not on the island," Garrogan told her quietly, "He is beneath it. His domain lies in the heart of the island. The only entry point which we know of is hidden in what we call the Spiring Cliffs at the center of this land which a great river, the Crusade River, runs through. A door like that of Moria stands there, it can only be opened by one of... HIS people. Erygonians, they call themselves, worshippers of the Lord of the Underworld, cannibals and killers. But do not mistake the Lunars for them, the Lunars are of the same races the Erygonians are, but the Lunars are kind and speak and gentle tongue by the same name. Erygonians speak a black language... Even Sauron would've been frightened by them."

 

[queenclaire]

Eruve raised an eyebrow as Garrogan told her who they sought did not live on the island, but in it. “Well, that makes it easy,” she said softly to herself as she shifted, crossing her arms over her chest. She drew in a deep breath as she took in all he said. She nodded in understanding of it all, but she was trying to figure out how they would get to him now. She was sure it was possible, but it was not going to be easy. Then she started to wonder if he knew they were in his land, were they putting the elves in danger now. He had left them alone so far, but they were not trying to stop him. She shifted again as an uneasy feeling over took her.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Please, remain with us for the night, we will hold onto your horses for you til you return, and give you drakes which are far more suited to this land," Garrogan offered.

"Thank you, my friend," Uther shook his hand gratefully. "We'd be honored."

Garrogan showed them to a cozy area in which three small one-room dwellings stood, and in the center lay a firepit. A fire was set for them and they were left to rest. The men all split themselves into two groups and would sleep in two of the huts, agreeing to give Eruve her privacy in the last. They were such gentlemen. But Uther opted to sleep outside under the stars to give them more room, as the three hobbits could take up his space. Eruve would soon find herself alone at the fire with Uther, who lay on a simple bedroll staring up at the sky quite calmly.

Uther soon looked over to her. She'd noticed him glancing at her every now and then since they'd gotten there.

 

[queenclaire]

Eruve was thankful that the men gave her some privacy in her own hut, though she was willing to share so they were not cramped. Still, they gave her her own place to sleep. She was not pleased with Uther not sleeping in the hut, but she hoped he could sleep well outside on the ground.

She looked over as Uther looked over at her once they were left alone at the fire pit. He had been looking at her on and off since they arrived. “Something on your mind?” she asked with a slight smile as she undid her braid and ran her fingers through her hair. She knew she had a lot on her mind, but she knew he had to have a lot more. He had many decisions to make coming up.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Yes and no," he answered quite simply, watching with a soft smile as she ran her fingers through her hair. It was really quite clear that he was thinking about her rather than anything they were facing. He rose and came to kneel behind her, helping her to straighten out her hair. Though his skin was rough, his hands were very gentle and agile, smoothing out each strand of hair with great care. He was enthralled by her, and once he'd discovered this on their travels, he quickly found it very hard to resist glancing at her now and then, even daydream of maybe, just maybe, getting a little closer.