Of Stars, Smoke, and Schemes

[Envin]

The paladin named Envin was far afield in the north of Middle-earth, far from him comfortable home in Minas Tirith where were the offices of his Order, the Holy Paladins of Light. Envin was an accomplished holy warrior, and in truth sat upon the Council that governed the doings of the Order. He was the Warmaster, advising the Council on all matters which dealt with battle. But ever and anon, Envin would journey abroad throughout Middle-earth, seeking out evil in all its forms that it might be destroyed, and bringing aid to simple and high folk alike. These journeys refreshed his faith in his creator and his strength with the skills engrained into him through years of training.

This particular evening, Envin had lately departed from a small village south of Bree, where he had spent some few hours aiding a peasant family find the thief responsible for multiple disappearances of their sheep. Two days prior to this, Envin had succeeded in slaying all the members of a gang of hardy ruffians as they attempted to take the Prancing Pony by main force. And all throughout this sojourn, ever since he had left Gondor behind him, he had been conducting himself in this manner, righting wrongs and bringing swift death to those who opposed the righteous teachings of Iluvatar.

But, as has been said, he was riding his strong charger Vael south along a dirt road, wondering to himself what fine adventures might yet befall him, whether upon this day or the next or the many still to come. He did not push his magnificent steed too firmly, rather permitting him to canter at his ease; for never was it known when the valiant horse might be called to serve his master in battle, and Envin would not have Vael over-tire himself. Envin's great mace Herald of Woe was in his right hand, and the reins of his mount in his left. The paladin wore his helm, but remove it he would when twilight arrived and it was time to camp for the night.

All that day and for much of the previous week, our good hero had felt the presence of intelligence upon the road, whether around or beside him, or to his rear some few furlongs, as was most common. He had oft circled back silently on foot, attempting to see what wayward fiend was foolish enough to attack a paladin crusader in full armor, but always he found naught. Furthermore, whenever he backtracked to find his pursuer, he felt the presence continue about him, almost as though it could see him and knew well what his purpose was in returning.

But he had become used to the feeling by now, and eventually came to attribute it to his heightened senses keeping him alert in this little-known land. So when the sun finally departed the face of Middle-earth for the night, it was with a glad heart, one anticipatory of a good night's rest under the stars, that Envin halted his stallion, dismounted, and proceeded to make camp. He lit a small fire, roasted several apples the townsfolk had given him, and removed his helm; though he kept it nearby close at hand. He ate his apples contentedly, and then stretched back to enjoy a pipeful of magnificent pipeweed, fruit of the Shire that the townsfolk had scraped together as thanks. Such was the calm of the evening, and the cool of the breeze, and the relaxation of his pipe, that Envin sighed with contentment, rather drowsily. The first of the stars was winking into view, and our good crusader smiled with the simple pleasure of a man gazing at the distant lights.

[vanya]

Night fell quickly while the paladin rested at his little fire and the first stars appeared in the darkening sky, growing brighter with every moment. Soon the moon rouse over the hills, big and red and in his full size and a chilly wind came up as well from the east.

The sounds of the evening turned into the sounds of the night. Owl's send out their sad shout and foxes barked in the distant. The paladins steed turned its ears to listen to the different speeches. It snorted quietly and stepped from one foot to the other.

With progressing night the sounds went dead and suddenly the howling of a wolves pack cut through the darkness.

[Envin]

Envin had been drowsing lazily by his fire, sleep just out of his reach, when the cry of wolves abruptly ended the silence of the fields and trees. He was suddenly on the alert. He did not sit up suddenly, nor did he make any sound, but his eyes darted about the little clearing where his fire quietly blazed. He was conscious of the same presence he had been feeling for these days past, but much stronger now, and nearer, if that were possible. He hardly breathed, but waited in silence with bated breath to see what the next few minutes would bring his way.

[vanya]

In the distant appeared quite a dozen green eyes, catching the fire and reflecting it in bright spots. The pack was close and the animals seemed to be interested - be it at the rider or his horse. They surrounded carefully the camp and didn't dare to come closer but stood away in the same distance. The shadows of their gray fur was visible sometimes for a second, but disappeared quickly in the night again. The pack knew that humans were dangerous and this one had fire, and they were hungry but not so desperate to loose their guardedness.

The night wind grew steady and blew the little fire more alive. The brighter light scared the pack and they backed off and vanished. Silence followed their disappearance, only disturbed by the soft sound of the wind.

[Envin]

Envin snorted to himself at the typical cowardice of wolves, or any predator for that matter, when confronted by a being far stronger that itself. He settled himself a bit more comfortably in his relaxed position, but his active mind did not care for the silence that seemed almost maniacal in nature after the wolves and turned tail and ran. He bethought himself of home and pleasant memories, and attempted to find sleep. But still he could not evade the feeling that he was being watched. With an effort he kept himself calm, and kept on trying to fall asleep.

[vanya]

The sound of hooves grow in the darkness and the paladins horse neighed a welcome to the approaching steed. It came with swift feet closer and in the light of the little fire the man could see a tall horse, as gray as mist. On top of it was a young woman, slender and well built with a waving cape on her shoulders. "Good evening good fellow," she said in a feminine soft voice and let her mare stop near the paladins.

[Envin]

Envin cocked one eyebrow in surprise at the appearance of the lithe and nymph-like woman, and rose to his feet swiftly in the presence of a maiden. The woman's steed was beautiful: as grey as a twilight that sees a sunrise, but the mistress atop it was simply breathtaking. Her hair was long and flowing, and her slender frame was picturesque in the glow of the fire. Her eyes glinted in the light of the stars, and for a split instant Envin's breath caught. But he recovered himself at once, and walked to the horse's side, lifting his arm up to the woman. "And a good even to you, fair lady," replied the paladin. "It is indeed now quite late for a young maiden to be abroad alone. Perhaps you would care to descend from your proud mare and take a small bite of bread and meat with me, such meagre fare as the packs of a warrior can afford." He seemed to draw the attention away from the lack of food selections with a flourish of his hand as he reached it out to her to take that she might descend, and his lips parted, his teeth flashing a mischeivous smile that gleamed in the firelight.

[vanya]

She gave him a smile and a curious view when she prepared to dismount her steed and took the paladins help as a young lady was used to. "Thank you my lord, I wouldn't mind to join your meal. I have some fruits and bread with me, if you like to share." As soon her feet reached the ground, she took a bag with food from her saddle and followed the man to the fire.

"Its late and coldish and I had to make my own camp or to ask you for company, but then I heard the wolves voices far away and I am glad not to be alone with my little fire."

[Envin]

Envin smiled, and offered her the place where he had been sitting, dry as it was and him being a gentleman. He took the fruit and bread that she handed to him, and brought forth his own salted beef from his pack, and his waterskin, filled with crystal clear water from the last town, and arrayed everything on a small blanket he set upon the ground. "Please, eat what you will, m'lady. The night is long and cool. Have no fear of wolves in my company; they will not dare to harm you. I trust that smoke will not offend?" He brought out his pipe and prepared to relight it. "But what, if I may be so bold, is a fine lady such as you doing so far afield on this night?"

[vanya]

She smiled and casted her eyes down in grace. "No my lord, please smoke if you like, it reminds me of my father." She raised her glance and looked into his eyes. All brown hers were and only the flames of the fire danced in them. "I am on my way to him but the way is long around the mountains." A smile played on her red lips and when she moved her hair split around her ear and revealed the pointy shape.

"May I ask you, what the errand of a great hero in shiny armor is in this wilderness?" she asked and took a piece of meat with her long graceful fingers.

[Envin]

Envin smiled at the reference to her father, and lit his pipe before answering. He nodded when she told him of her journey, and then his breath caught and he smiled when she revealed herself to be an elf, though indeed he had guessed as much from her slender form and the grace and poise with which she carried herself. "It is with my sincerest hopes that you are able to reach your father soon, gracious lady. And it does my heart great good to see one of the fair folk again. It has been many a long year since last I was in the company of Elves. As for me and my story, I am merely a warrior in travel across the wilderness, searching for adventure. And 'twould seem adventure has come upon me this very evening." He smiled and offered her a piece of fruit. "My name is Envin, and I am a simple fellow at heart. May I have the honor of knowing the name of the elegant maiden with whom I am conversing?"

[vanya]

She blushed and took the fruit out of his hand. "Thank you my lord Envin. My name is Elanor," she said and took a bite with her pearl white teeth, still looking into his eyes. The wind from east came now in waves. Elanor shivered under its chill and draw closer to the fire.

And in that very moment when she got closer, the flames changed. Elanor didn't seem to notice it but they were behaving like a pet, longing for comfort from its master rather than trying to feed on everything they could reach. The paladin could see it clearly that this young woman was not quite what she pretended to be. Not far the voices of the wolves pack howled through the night again, but a whisper rose as well and wheeled around the little camp like a protection spell.

[Envin]

Envin inwardly gasped, for he had heard of such affinities for fire before, but as he had yet had no cause to think this elven maiden evil, he merely assumed that she was an accomplished magician. "Why, my lady! You have been holding out on me!" He smiled at her. "I have seen great spellcasters in Gondor ere now, men who had complete control of the elements, but never this closely. Tell me, is your friendship with the fire element natural, as in you were born that way? Or was it something that you had to learn?"

[vanya]

Elanor looked surprised at the fire and smiled shyly. "I wasn't even aware I was so close." She reached out her hand and played with the flame, tickled it like a kittens belly and laughed happily when it twisted and jumped in something looking quite like pleasure. "I was born with this gift, I think. Well, a little child wouldn't be brought close to open flames, but as long I can remember I was never scared about fire and played with it whenever my father wasn't watching. Only when I was already almost grown up, he noticed my gift and toughed me the history of my family and that we all have a gift with flames and fire. We don't produce them, we just like each other." She looked lovingly into the fire and then up to the paladin.

"You know people who are skilled with flames? Tell me about them. Everybody I know is scared about them, except my family. I like to learn about this people who are fond of fire."

[Envin]

"I know little of them, only that they are spellcasters and wizards, who have through years of training taught themselves to master the art of wielding fire as a weapon. I have actually never heard of folk who have such a friendship with fire as you. So all your family is the same? Born with this affinity? How very interesting. So you treat fire much as a pet, very differently from anything I have ever seen. I am used to fire being used as an offensive power in battle, either that or to heat homes and cook food, never aught else."