As darkness fell, the elven patrol took to the trees, which at this point were still thick enough to walk from branch to branch. The talk of riddles had stop, and instead was replaced with a tension in the air, like the string of a harp. They stopped for a while to eat, when Maer began to laugh. The others gave her a look. "What is it?" asked Hannasiel. "I've just figured the riddle. It is a map!" said Maer, continuing to smile as Handion conceded defeat. They lapsed back into silence for a while.

Eventually Handion spoke. "I know you all must feel the tension in the air. We must not ignore it. We need to investigate. What say you?" They all murmured agreement. "Then we must rest as it is dark. We wil arise early. The rain shall cloak our progress." They settled into the trees, some of them watching the progress of the storm, others the ground and trees around them.

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Reasons I love England #217:
I saw "whilst" on a traffic sign

Deawen sent out a message rider to the elven patrol. he wore the Livery of Deawen's private messengers black trimmed in silver. He stopped a respectful distance to their location and Hailed them. Some thought Deawen was very ambitious as if she was trying to be the equal of a Man, but she didn't see it that way she saw herself as the equal of a King and felt that this allaince should prove this.

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Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

Long before the riders were in sight, the entire patrol had heard them and were at the ready. Handion gave the order, "Bows at the ready. I want Hannasiel, Lithônion, Maersiniathwen, and Daermaethor on the ground with me. Shoot on the word 'sereg.'" All four jumped to the ground while the others, another 11 or so, ready to shoot at anything that moved. Once the riders approached and hailed them, he called out, "Who calls upon the realm of Oropher Elvenking?" He rested his hand upon the hilt of his sword, looking straight ahead. Maer took the hint to do the same.

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Reasons I love England #217:
I saw "whilst" on a traffic sign

" Lady Deawen of the Phantoms wishing to have an audiance with King Thranduil!' the messenger shouted up clearly he had never seen elves before and was not sure on how to send a message. Deawen watched from a distance she rolled her eyes urged her horse into a smooth gait towards the Elves she looked proud and regal as she came to the messenger she gave him a look that could mean no other " go home you are finshed"
her guards followed suit ready to srping if the elves should attack or try something foolish. Deawen waited a few seconds before addressing the Elves. " Mellon Nin I wish to form an allaince with your king, as of late my messengers have been either lost or killed along the way... If you would be so kind as to send a message to your King i would be in your Debt" her voice was smooth and well rehearsed though she hardly used it.

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

( My apologies for my absence and delays.... I should make a side note before posting: Oropher, father of Thranduil, was the king of the Woodland realm of the elves until his death at the end of the Second Age in the Last Alliance. Thranduil, however, was around at the time of this RP, just not ruling.)

Dalria scowled towards the familiar scroll, her hand clenching her hilt as she returned her angered gaze towards Daenfol. “I am well aware of the bounty upon our heads, yet it would increase if we were to truly be in league with the Dark Lord. I defy you still!”

At the sound of raised voices, many of the Sae’Athkorbrar had ceased their preparations and had gathered to listen, aware that their fate may hang in the balance. One glance told of their doubting expressions as they murmured amongst themselves, a mixed opinion forming in many places.

With a stronger voice, meant to be heard by all, Dalria eyed Daenfol, “If it is the wish of my men, those who will go, may leave my command and seek Sauron’s protection yet if I am not mistaken, such a scattering of the Sae’Athkorbrar would defeat his purpose. Such deserters of a well trained force would be useless to him…”

With those words spoken, she looked to her men and gave her offer. “Do any of you wish to leave my command? Speak now afore the time comes when we must leave these shadowed woods and seek safer grounds until the storm of war has passed.”

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I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

(alright...well then I am corrected...)

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Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

Tallain quickly spoke up. "I will not leave your command, Dalria." He took a step forward, not looking at the men around him. "I am not a coward, to flee to the slightest offer of safety." He knew his words were risky, and he was likely making a few enemies in the crowd.

(Wow, I really need to reread the Silmarillion.)
Handion smiled ever so slightly, but his voice remained proud. "Why should we trust you, a common mercenary?" he spat. "How can we trust any with the name of Elsent?" Maer came forward and spoke into Handion's ear, drawing a strange look from the other two elves on the ground. "Her reply is eranest, if she would risk talking straight to a race that is unfriendly to her kind. We should relay the message." Handion hesitated, sighed, then whispered back, "You are sure of this? I trust your judgement in these matters, but if you are wrong, it is on your head." Maer nodded and stepped back to her place. Handion gathered his focus and returned attention to the foreigners. "Your messengers were trespassing in our wood. As to the message, we shall relay it, though with one condition: an elf from my company shall accompany you." Maer could feel every single elf in their party tense slightly, though she dared not look and reveal their position and numbers.

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Reasons I love England #217:
I saw "whilst" on a traffic sign

Deawen let the insults slide by unheeded though she thought deep down how do you like your forest? it would be such a tragedy if someone was to oh i don't know accidentaly drop a barrel or two of tar and forget to pick up his torch...." though her bodyguards surpressed smiles at Deawen being called a common mercenary.
Deawen stiffened at the conditions " certainly you understand I cannot leave my men at this critical point...How about this...I will send an emissary(sp) in my stead...and you may send an Elf to accompany us back to our camp?" Deawen asked as if she were bartering in the market, but the truth of the matter was she could not leave her men if she was held prisoner there went the whole mission and by having the Elf there it would hold the Elves in check.

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

Handion laughed. "You are in absolutely no position to barter! No one shall enter this forest until the King allows it. We will deliver your message with all haste, and one from our company will accompany you." He could sense the hostility from Deawen. "At the very least, consider it a gesture of trust. If you trust us with your message, we will trust you with our youngest scout, Maersiniathwen Indil. What say you?"

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Reasons I love England #217:
I saw "whilst" on a traffic sign

Deawen was clearly snubbed of her victory on this matter..." Fine let it be done then" she said turning her steed around and cantering off back to her camp. Her bodyguards waited for this supposed Elf to join them before following, Eston joined with Deawen looking worried Deawen without looking down said " remind me again why we haven't torched this forest down yet?" Eston's frowned deepened " it's too wet" he answered at a fault of words Deawen smiled slightly " ah yes" she said entering the camp. her bodyguards looked alittle skiddish now that Deawen had left it would only be a single signal and they would be human pincusions. though thier lady's wrath would be swifter than Sauron himself if such an event would occur.

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

Maer looked at Handion helplessly. He smiled a bit. "You will be fine. There is a reason I chose you. You have an uncanny ability to read the moods of many beings, be they elf, man, or orc-kind. You will be fine. They should worry more about you." This made Maer smile. She nodded and said, "Ae anírach." He squeezed her shoulder, and she heard whispered blessings from her comrades. With that, she jogged to catch up with the emissaries.

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Reasons I love England #217:
I saw "whilst" on a traffic sign

no one dared stare at Deawen when she rode into the camp finding Drad she dismounted " The Elf is to be treated as I would understood? " Deawen commanded as a hostler took her horse she sat down at the fire infront of her tent. Drad nodded he was eager to meet this Elf he liked Elves but his lady didn't seem to get along with Elves or with anyone at that matter. THe body guards led Maer to the camp to where Deawen was seated sipping some form of tea, she didnt look up when she talked " I suppose you are here to spy on me and my Phantoms? I will have you know I will tolerate it as long as i don't find my scouts as pincusions...I am on a dire mission and would rather not be heeded or hindered. " she said smoothly.

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

Maer could see the hatred in her face. "I am here as part of the negotiations. This is not my choice either. I do not intend to spy. I don't know what your business is," she said. "If you work for good, I would be willing to help...or as you say, heed your mission. But if I am indeed to be treated like you, I will require a horse."

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Reasons I love England #217:
I saw "whilst" on a traffic sign

Deawen gritted her teeth she would have to be careful of what she said around this one. " A horse?" she asked " Drad? my blue mare Cam-ria is she shod?' Deawen asked glancing over her shoulder " no my lady she is not. " " have her shod then!" Deawen commanded " you will have my blue roan mare"

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

"You have my thanks," said Maer, bowing slightly with her hand over her heart. She looked for any more changes in her face and eyes to show what she was feeling. Maer could tell that Deawen had worked hard to cloak showing her emotions. Stony face, upright demeanor, body cloaked, hands hidden, she thought to herself. Very good. Except for the jawline. It is tensed. That is her tell. "Lady Deawen, I hope we can come to an understanding."

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Reasons I love England #217:
I saw "whilst" on a traffic sign