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[CAP Ireland]

''That dozen't sound like it's ok...'' Toxin sat back and looked up at the stars.


''You know I'm here if you need me. I've decided I'm not losing anyone else on this quest.'' he wasn't sure exactly how he would keep this promise, but he'd be damned if he would't try and keep it.

 

[Fluffy-Kat]

(ONG I HAVENT GOTTEN ALERTS DX catching up gimme a sec)


 
Eleniel stood by for watch. She was never really great when it came to joining groups, especially strangers. She was a quiet person, always thinking more than talking. She was an observer and never took the inititive to get buddy-buddy with others. She was afraid to... Either way, when the commotion died down and the guards walked off, she was able to put herself at ease, now that it was the group again. Her sapphire eyes, luminous in the dark, glanced at Talvin and Toxin. A small smile crept in her face, she was glad to see that the two of them have each other's back. A bond ic essential in a group, but at the same time, could also be your downfall. her smile faded, as memories flashed in her head. Her eyes narrowed and for a second, she was almost jealous of the two. She shook her head. A sigh released from her lungs and out through her mouth. Her arms crossed, and her eyes turned to the star-littered sky, making her eyes twinkle with the lights. Eleniel turned in her heels, making her snow white hair turn with her and swing a little. Glimmer and Moon were tending to the fire that was destroyed by those bumbling idiots of guards. And when Moon almost got fire to the face, she chuckled playfully. They two have each other's backs. She turned away from them and walked to a small rock, a little ways away from the others. She planted herself to sit on it there. Her chin placed its self on her hand, and she watched each and every single person now involved in this group. Observing their behavior, their facial expressions, their mannerisms, just looking at everything from the outside. In a way, she was kind of admiring them.

 

[Shadow]

Moon glanced over at Toxin and took a deep breath to calm himself. "I know. Just because you are the leader doesn't mean you are responsible for our lives though. You know that right?" He said, turning back the other way and resting his head on his knees. He took another calming breath and shut his eyes. He shivered and pulled his knees closer to his chest for warmth.


Glimmer cast a concerned look up at the tree that Toxin and Moon were in. "Right. Well, is anyone hungry?" She asked, looking around the clearing for her bag. She found it and brought it closer to the fire and proceeded go through it to make sure all her stuff was still in it.

 

[CAP Ireland]

Why does everyone think I'm the leader. Toxin didn't hate the idea, but Talvin seemed much better suited to the role than he. He was a coordinator and a strategist but not a leader.


When Glimmer brought up the subject of food Toxin realised just how hungry he had become.


''Oh hell yes.'' Toxin rose and took some of the lembas bread he had on him and breaking it up into two pieces. He threw one to Talvin and walked over to Eleniel with the 2nd piece.


''I wonder, does this taste better or worse than the bread your kind make here?'' he asks as he offered her the piece. He pulled one of his other slices out as he offered her the piece in his hand so she knew he had more.

 

[Fluffy-Kat]

Eleniel's eyes had moved from the dirt to Toxin as he approached her. She tilted her head up slightly to look at him. In his hand sat a piece of bread, broken and outstretched with his arm. She gave a little sly smile, "Im not sure, guess I'll have to try it," this time she playfully acted stuck up instead of genuinely being so. "Then again, bread is just bread to us elves," she shrugged and giggled lightly. She stuck both hands out and cupped it around the piece of bread in his hand. She bowed her head low, a way of showing gratitude. She raised her head again from where she was sitting and jerked her head to the side, flicking aside her white bangs from her face to get a better look at him. "Thank you," her smile was as kind as her blue eyes but neither were as gentle as her words.

 

[CAP Ireland]

Toxin was taken back by her show of gratitude. He had not know what to expect of the elf but, if this encounter was anything to go by, he would be looking forward to her company on the road ahead.


He bowed his head a little before turning back to Glimmer.


''Need any help with that?'' Toxin asked, kneeling down next to Glimmer.

 

[Reaper.44]

As the group became more relaxed, at least Toxin seemed like it, he looked towards Eleniel. She was beautiful, no question there, but she looked like she had a weight upon her. That curiosity of his felt like a double edged sword though. He didnt want to pry upon old wounds. He still had a few of his own. Still, he knew the rest of the group, just not her.


He began to walk over, removing his helmet and putting it by the fire. Thing was cold all the time. Trying to look casual, he sat next to Eleniel with some space between them.


"We...didnt get much of a chance to talk since I was shot." He said with a smile. "Did the rest of your old group get out ok?"

 

[Fluffy-Kat]

Eleniel watched Toxin walk away. She shifted her weight and adjusted her position on the rock she sat on. She looked down at the bread and lifted it to her lips. She hesitated for a moment, in a way, she saw this as accepting friendship. She wasnt sure if she was ready to get close to people. She pushed away that thought that was tugging at her. She sighed, and took a bite. It was a femine bite, it wasnt big or montrous, not a starving bite, but a small, dainty, lady-like one. She chewed and the sound of footsteps caught her attention. Once again her eyes moved, and looked upon the owner of those steps, being Talvin. He came to her, and sat by her side, leaving a good distance between them. Her chewing slowed and she cautiously watched him plant himself. She swallowed then looked back down at the bread. "We...didnt get much of a chance to talk since i was shot," he said. She could almost hear the smile in his voice. Her gaze was kept away from him, and from hearing his words her eyebrows furrowed inward, an upset expression formed,'Why is he smiling? He couldve gotten killed. We thought he was dead! What is there to smile about?' she thought. On the surface, she just stood silent. Then he spoke again and asked of her old group. "We did what had to be done, lives are lost everyday...." her voice was cold, and her tone was heartless and almost emotionless. She of the times friends and comrades had to be left behind, or how some sacrificed themselves for the sake of others. But that was just a facade, thinking of her old team made her a little sad. The was one in particular she had a hard time losing. A human that had befriended the elves after being captured by them. Unfortunately, time caught up and took him away. She glanced at Talvin then quickly looked away,"Being immortal isnt always a good thing. You see things you dont want to, and surpass the lives you wish you never did," her voice was softer this time.


Its funny, elves being immortal, they have so much life to spend in their time and yet theyre probably the ones that know death better than everyone else. "Being a captain isnt easy," she looked at Toxin then at Talvin,"no matter who you are. You carry the lives of everyone on your back. Its a responsibility you cant get rid of."

 

[ajafueko]

Grace sat quietly as the men left.


She got up ''Anything for me?'' she asked as she walked over to Glimmer and Toxin.


She glanced quickly at the fairy and the new guy before she reached Glimmer and Toxin.

 

[Shadow]

Glimmer smiled at Toxin. "Yeah, that would be nice. Thanks." She stuffed the non-food items back into her bag quickly. She looked up at Grace when she came over. "Um, sure. We have some dried fruit and elven bread. I'm sure I have some other stuff too." She said, opening one of the smaller pockets in her bag. "Oh, here it is! This is dried bear meat from a while back. It should still be good though." She laid the paper wrapped meat on the ground next to the other food. She motioned to the array of food. "Take your pick and I can heat it up for you if you want."


Moon heard Toxin walk away. He leaned into the tree trunk and sighed.

 

[Reaper.44]

Talvin sat back and looked at the stars, frustration in his brow. "Yeah, I can relate to that. I've lead groups now and then on missions. I didnt have all the answers sometimes, and I lost a few, but we got out good in the end all the time." He then lost what smile he had. He was going to lead an army to their deaths if they werent careful.


He turned back to Eleniel, and noticed the sadness in her eyes. He assumed she knew loss better than he did when it came to comrades. "I'm sorry. I didnt mean to raise an uncomfortable subject." He turned back to the fire, almost losing himself in the sadness to. "I remember leading a small group of men to take down a bandit encampment. We were a small number of eight (our employer couldnt afford more) but we had a fair plan. One of our number was a guy a year older than me at the time, and I was sixteen. He said he saved up to experience a few things before he died. Wine, women, that sort of thing. Next day, we went to a tavern and indulged ourselves. I partook the wine, but wasn't interested in the rest. Next morning, he was happier than a bride at a wedding day. After we took down the bandits at their fort, yeah a big one at that, we only lost one man to their thirty or so... the guy who became a man at the tavern."


He looked back at Eleniel. "I still think about those moments of loosing someone under my command. Even after avenging them. Strangely enough, I was furious at the loss, but he smiled at the end. He died satisfied. Maybe soldiers under our rule fall, but dying happy is a rare thing. I take some comfort that I made my men happy before the end. You caring for them like that is an invaluable quality. I'd take my hat off to you if I had one."

 

[Fluffy-Kat]

The crackle of the fire seemed loud in the silence that followed after Talvin's words. She blinked at small blaze, thinking of what he said. "Still not an excuse..." she finally spoke up. "For those reasons, Im not looking to get close to anyone here," her eyes narrowed at Talvin,"Im only here for reasons of my own. Your suspicions maybe raised from saying so, think what you may, but my business is mine alone." her words were stern, but her opening up to him may have opened a door to friendship. She couldnt afford that. She looked back at the fire then at Toxin,"I mean look at him. Whether we want to admit it or not, this group looks up to him, he puts people before himself, and takes initiative. If hes gone we'll fall apart," she looked down at the bread Toxin gave her,"Hes a tragedy waiting to happen." At thats why she didnt like getting close.

 

[Reaper.44]

"That's the whole point." Talvin replied. "We follow him because he looks to us. Heck, I followed because I wanted to get a damn hunting trophy. Now, after everything we've been through, I want to avenge his friend and...fulfill a promise I made a while ago."


He took another swig from his bottle. "Besides, I wont ask your story. Mine was forced out, as you can imagine. I'm a lot of things, but a hypocrite isn't one of them." He then raised his eyes in realization. "Just out of interest, I was singing something to get everyone's attention a while ago. I wanted to know if you were real or not anyway. Did you happen to hear it?"

 

[Fluffy-Kat]

"A hypocrite huh?" She looked up at the sky,"You could be other things, human." Her tone was cold again. She referred to him as human, once again keeping that distance, stopping her from getting close. Just cause he wasnt a hypocrite, doesnt mean he could be a lier, or a murder, or a thief. She still didnt know him, it was only natural to have doubts. But then the conversation took another direction. Eleniel took another bite of the bread,"If i was real or not?" her eyebrow lifted and she spoke with food in her mouth. Her deep blue eyes looked directly into his,"Oh yes, I heard you...I think." She mumbled the last part. She remembers hearing some sort of tune when she was in the brush keeping an eye on the two guards just begore Talvin reappeared. But she couldnt be certain it was him, or if that was the moment he was talking about.

 

[Reaper.44]

Talvin took cold tones all the time with some men under his command, but this was a bit much. Still, she must have had her reasons. "I am other things." He mused. Wondering why she was cold, he thought to himself if she had a rough upbringing. Then again, he thought elves we fair, graceful, raised to be kind to their own, even firm for righteous reasons.


"I only ask because this place plays tricks on my mind now and then." He looked back into the fire, a smile returning to his lips. "While I was in Numenor, my father took passage over sea for a friend. He came back with a ranger to train me. That ranger had a whole set of sailor songs he'd fill the air with. Randy Dandy was his favorite." He imagined what he'd say if he was here. That Talvin was playing a game too dangerous for anyone. "My mother got used to it after a while. She liked how it kept things happier in dark times. Didnt like the idea of a child growing up in a place like Numenor."


If his own mother was alive for this, she wouldnt have been proud. She wanted Talvin to grow up without worries from Gondor. Build a life to be proud of in Angmar, unlikely though it was. His father on the other hand had plans for the family. But all that was cut short later on. Still, he had happy thought that kept his head afloat.


"Can I ask something?" He turned to Eleniel. "What's it like for elves growing up? Not just children turning into adults I mean."

 

[Fluffy-Kat]

Eleniel thought for a moment, gathering her words and rearranging them in sentences,"Fairly easy i guess. Depending on who you were. The elven realms were always protected, children do not have fear there, we're raised to keep tradition, to have manners, and most things you wouldve been taught as a child. However, like i said, who you are made all the difference. My father was a captain before I, and Thranduil treasured his skills. I started small when i had begun training. Even after my father died i continued, but Thranduil was not easy to please. He was like my second father when my parents died. I had already knew what i was going to be," she looked at Talvin," a captain, like my father. I tried so hard to prove myself to him, 200 to 300 years of my life really. And he still wouldnt..." she hesitated and shook her head,"Although i was born in Mirkwood, Im not a Mirkwood elf, my parents were from Lothlorien and Rivendell." She chuckled sarcastically,"When i told Toxin Thranduil doesnt like outsiders, I meant it. He only liked my father for his skills other that, Thranduil didnt favor him very much." she took another bite of the bread and chewed quietly. She swallowed and added,"Thats why it was so easy for me to leave."

 

[Reaper.44]

"...I'm...well...impressed would be putting it mildly." Talvin said, trying to find the words. "I had to do more or less the same to every group I was paid to be a part of. But that..." He didnt have anything left to say after that. He didnt even have much else to compare with. A human matching two to three hundred years? Unlikely on all accounts. He had a fine up bringing, but was cut short. She had a better one, cut short, but was looked after under strict conditions. "For what its worth," Talvin said in a strong tone, looking back into Eleniels eyes. "if he doesnt care much for you leaving, then more the fool he is. I dont know much of Elven politics, nor do I claim to know better. But looking at you in the brief time we've met, you're worth more than any army a king could muster."


He looked back at the fire, pondering his future. Since Eleniel was out of a job, after they killed the dragon (if they bloody could, and that is a big 'if') he wondered about having her as a captain of the guard in Angmar. Then again, he knew she'd shoot him on the spot for asking. He almost chuckled at that. "Did Toxin tell you where we were going yet?"

 

[CAP Ireland]

Toxin began to munch of some Lambas bread as he slowly made his way over to a tree. He climbed up onto one of the lower branches and carefully lay down.


''I'm exhausted, nighty night night.'' he muttered, closing his eyes. He harden't rested in a while now and was getting pretty tired of Mirkwood and the paranoia that came from within the dark that surrounded them.


Still, it seemed that he had no trouble getting to sleep as he was out a few minutes after closing his eyes.

 

[ajafueko]

Grace took some fruit from Shadow's sack and ate them silently. She walkover to Talvin and the fairy and asked Talvin ''Do you want me to take a look at that wound?'' she pointed at where she thought he had been shot ''I would't mind having a go at it.'' she quickly realised that that last part might be misunderstood and she began to panic ''Not like that!!! I can help heal it and all that.'' she smiled then. She relaxed then. It waxen't that she didn't find him attractive it was just that she usually was a little less forward about her intentions.

 

[Fluffy-Kat]

Eleniel chuckled when Talvin called Thranduil a fool, because she knew he really could be one. Talvin's compliments couldnt help but make the she-elf smile. She looked at the fire and curled a lock of her white hair behind her before looking back at him again,"Thank you," a small and shy smile broke through. Then Talvin asked if Toxin had told her about where they were really going. Eleniel lifted an eyebrow,"Not much....why, did he--" her question was cut short by Grace's voice. Immediately Eleniel stiffined. Talvin managed to make a small puncture through Eleniel's defensive barrier, letting her guard down. But with the distraction of Grace, that puncture was quickly patched up. She took the last bite of her bread and she watched Grace interact with Talvin and scoffed at Grace's panic. Sapphire eyes looked over at Toxin, who was already asleep...not a bad idea. They had quite the journey ahead. The she-elf stood up and turned to the two beside her. Her eyes were piercing again, almost supernaturally luminous in the night, and her hair seemed to glow with the moon's white light. With her arms crossed she spoke,"Dont stay up too late," was all she said, with her voice not as soft as it was a moment ago, it was back to its almost commanding tone. She turned on the black heels of her boots and walked a few steps before stopping. She turned her head over her shoulder,"Ill take the night watch," she placed her self in the position. "Elves dont need sleep very much anyway," she mumbled as she started to walk again. Her white-haired figure disappeared into the thickness of the forest. She didnt go far but she was away from the clearing where they set up camp.


Eleniel knew these woods like the back of her hand. From their clearing, she knew every spot where someone could see them, where they could be hiding. Her elvish senses helped aswell, especially in the night. The trees in Mirkwood were large, and windy, some of the branches wound down by the ground and were big and thick, you really could just walk on them. And that she did, she walked on one of the large branches of a tree far bigger than her, far bigger than a troll. She didnt go all the way to the top, but she sat at a place where she could see pretty far into the forest around her. It was quiet, all the day creatures were gone, and the stillness of night had came in. Night almost seemed...timeless....everything was slow, dorment, and still. A small breeze blew, and even it was quiet and gentle.

 

[Reaper.44]

Talvins eyes perked up at Graces comment. A wider smile came form her use of phrase, but he knew she meant well at least. "Umm, sure." He said, lifting up his shirt. "It was pretty much a makeshift operation anyway. Things clean, but it could do with some improvement."


Revoming some of his armor to get the shirt off, his athletic upper body totally exposed, he had a number of scars on his body with extra bruises. A red and very sore looking wound on the left of his chest was seen with stitches. Some tightly closed to avoid blood loss, but it was dont by a random soldier. So it looked like it could do better assistance.


Still, it was better that then bleeding on the riverbank.

 

[Shadow]

Glimmer watched Grace go over to Talvin and then he pulled up his shirt. She rolled her eyes and stuffed everything back in her bag, trying to ignore her annoyance. She went over to a small boulder and laid down behind it, using her bag as a pillow. She sat back up halfway and saw Moon and Toxin in a couple of trees. She watched Moon for a moment then laid back down and went to sleep.


Moon jumped down from the tree, landing quietly. He looked around and saw everyone spread out over their camp. His gaze paused on Talvin and Grace. "What---" He said quietly, trying to figure out what they were doing. He finally gave up and just sat by the fire.

 

[ajafueko]

Grace began feeling the wound, as usual, before she realised that she had just began grabbing at a topless guy ''Ehh, sorry.'' she took her hands off his torso and went straight to her pouch grabbing some vials of fluids and some bandages ''Ok, this might sting so just don't move too much.'' she leant in and began to administer the liquid to the wound. This wasn't uncommon for her to do on the ship, but few of the shipmates had been so well defined or muscular. She fumbled here and there, distracted by some of the more exiting parts of Talvin's body.


''Ok, done.'' she put a layer of glued cloth onto the wound to seal it ''All done.'' she packed the vials away and handed Tavlin his top.

 

[Fluffy-Kat]

Eleniel reached her hand into the pocket of her trousers. Out she pulled a small cloth that seemed to be wrapped around something. Unfolding it, there rested a snall handful of berries she had picked up when she was patroling with her team before she left them. She had forgotten about them until now...


Toxin's bread kept her from hunger, but only for so long. She remembers meat being offered by someone but elves are strictly vegitarian. These berries were rediscovered just in time.


There she sat. In the darkness of night and Mirkwood, shrouded by the leaves of the large trees. The trees grew together so closely that their branches overlapped and developed a dense canopy. Occasionally the moon's light would poke through, when the breezes would disrupt the barrier the leaves had and rustle them. Much different than the clearing the others were in, lots of light there. Even then they were unsafe.


Eleniel's slender and delicate fingers picked the berries one by one. She ate them patiently, and savored the taste. Brief memories and thoughts floated back into her mind. Talvin had her thinking. She tried seceral times to shake them off but they kept coming. There was no use for them, that was in the past, and right now things are different. She swallowed the last of her reserves and she looked around sighing,"This is going to be a long night...."

 

[Reaper.44]

Talvin looked at his redressed wound. Aside form the numb stitching, it felt better than its last attempted bandaging. Taking back his shirt that Grace handed him, he slipped it back on and stood back up. Giving her a smile. "Thanks, umm...Grace was it? That silk patch is a nice touch."


He walked over to the fire and picked up a piece of food Glimmer lay out before the group. Taking a piece of dried fruit, he looked back up at Eleniel. Before a part of his could wonder what Mirkwood women were like, a thought crossed his mind. He picked up an apple from the pile before walking away.


He glanced back at Moon and Grace. "You two get some sleep. Eleniel and I will take first watch."


He then started walking towards Eleniel. Standing against the base of the tree she was sitting in. He gave a small whistle to her and threw the apple her way for her to catch. He then looked back into the darkness of the wood. "Thranduil wont let us pass through Mirkwood, will he?" Talvin asking in bluntness. "And if he knew who I was, he wouldnt let me leave alive."