Refuge in a Baren Land

[Dorfanen]

A sleek black steed was seen galloping amongst the hills. The footfalls of the beast were heavy and evenly paced, yet his rider pushed him harder still.

The rider was a tall, handsome man who was decked out in light armor. In his arms there was a woman, tall, fair and pale. They had rode for many nights and still she was unconsciouness. Yet the man did not worry. Where they went, she could scream and yell for her life but none would come.

In the distance, amongst the rocky hills lay Dol Guldur...the fortress of evil. None resided there now, for all feared it, but this man aimed to go there. And so he did....

The two arrived at nightfall in the ruins of the great fortress, and he laid her down on thick furs. He would wait...

[E'vesash]

E'vesash roused from her restless and unconscious slumber. She did not know where she was, but she recognized the man as the one who had taken her from her home. "Why, have you...brought me here?" She moaned, looking up at him, recoiling as he set her down upon the furs. Her eyes were filled with anger...there had to be some way out.

[Dorfanen]

Dorfanen ignored her, setting her down and leaving to go and fetch food from his saddle-bags. He took out a small bottle of wine which he handed to her, along with bread he had procurred that morning. As he set them down next to her he answered her question.

"I was asked to watch over you...and to let nothing happen to you... Your sister pays well, and so long as I receive what I need I am satisfied with knowing nothing more."

[E'vesash]

E'vesash rose from the bed, feeling the sharp pain on the side of her face where he had struck her. She reached up, touching the tender area with the tips of her fingers. "Why do you seek to hurt me?" She asked, more confused now than ever. She flinched as he set down the food and wine, afraid that he would once more try to come near her. "I have done naught to you."

[Dorfanen]

Dorfanen laughed coldly.

"Indeed you speak truly. How could one bring himself against one so fair? And yet your sister is certainly just as fair as yourself...but she is leagues away by now and beyond my grasp. But there is one as fair that is near me..."

Dorfanen leaned towards E'vesash, attempting to kiss her unawares.

[E'vesash]

E'vesash glanced up at him as he spoke, shuddering at the look in his eyes. As his lips came near to hers, she squirmed and slipped away from him. "Nay!" She cried reaching out to strike him once more before sliding to the other side of the bed of furs. "Please..." She cast her gaze to the ground, unable to look at him for fear of what she would find there. Legolas, where are you? She wondered, wishing she could escape this darkness.

[Dorfanen]

Dorfanen smiled coldly, watching the woman's anxiety. Somehow he seemed to understand her thoughts and spoke in a mocking tone.

"Go ahead...call...scream... He's gone, and from what your sister said, it isn't only leagues that will seperate you...."

[E'vesash]

E'vesash shook her head, disbelief filling her mind, but also the subtle possibility that he spoke the truth. She must not let that happen! She pushed herself up from the bed, shoving past him as her eyes searched the darkness for a way out. "Just let me go!" The elf maiden pleaded, turning to him. "You must!"

[Dorfanen]

Dorfanen watched her, making no move. "No... I cannot... By now it is likely you have no husband. Look at your garb and it will be plain enough what has happened..."

[E'vesash]

E'vesash watched him intently, and by now she was very confused. She looked downward at her garments before glancing up, apprehension in her voice. "I...I do not understand."

[Dorfanen]

Dorfanen allowed a brief smile to creep across his face before going into an explanation.

"Your husband has never seen your sister? Indeed, it is quite likely he would never know the difference between the two of you were one to take the place of the other? Your sister switched garments with you before leaving...leaving for Gondor. Your husband is dead..."

[E'vesash]

"No!" E'vesash cried, suddenly realizing the full impact of what he said. It was true, she had not even recognized the exchanged garments...until now. She flung herself at him, attempting to push past him and see if there was another way through this place. She had to get out. She could not let this happen...not to her love. Tears streamed down her face. "You can't do this!"

[Dorfanen]

Dorfanen pulled away from her in fright. He had been quite taken by her before, but now he would have given anything to be rid of her. Her fit of madness caused him to push her away in fear.

"I have no choice..."

[E'vesash]

E'vesash gave up and collapsed onto the bed of furs, realizing her efforts would get her no where. Tears coarsed down her cheeks as she sat their silently. "He cannot be dead." She whispered, glancing up at the man. "How could you do this to me? What would you do had someone taken you from your love and told you they were dead." Her voice was full of intense sorrow and defeat.

(Hehe, I changed what I wrote in my last post...sounded to weird)

[Dorfanen]

Dorfanen's eyes began to be filled with a thin mist as he fought back the tears that threatened. He shouted out in rage, letting the anger pour forth from his soul.

"I did do it! I lost everything...everyone I ever cared for! Don't lecture me on the affections of mankind. I know it all. I've felt it all!"

Dorfanen's voice fell to a hoarse utterance as he let out the remainder of his despair.

"What they did to me was worse. I have mercy for no one...for none gave it to me. What I lost will never be replaced, and so I will make others pay the same price I did..."