His Corrupted Mind [Witch-King x OC]

Chapter XVIII : Imparting of Wisdom and Warning

"We are not made wise by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility of our future." -George Bernard Shaw

Dimrill Dale Hillside

Inconnu was careful to not disturb the wound in her shoulder, but even with that caution it still pained her with the slightest. The orc arrow was still buried deep, but there was had so far not been enough time to remove it in fear of the coming night and the goblin horde the company had left behind. It would take time and great care to remove a barbed arrow as crude as the one lodged in her.

The Fellowship was weary with both exhaustion and grief, the loss of Gandalf heavy on their minds. Inconnu had only briefly known the grey wizard but considered him a great friend and ally and was glad to have known him while his light still shined.

Aragorn led them onward, often rushing ahead to scout and waiting for them to catch up before doing so again. He would also throw the occasional glance Inconnu's way, checking the shaft and any signs of poison before keeping the company moving forward. Already they could see in the distance a soft, shimmering light. A great forest lied ahead of them, and Inconnu knew it to be Lothlórien. Like many other places in the world, Inconnu had not been here and had only seen it from afar.

Dictated by her wanderlust, she had spent nearly all of her life in the far reaches of the north where no Man, Elf, or Dwarf dared to tread. Places where monsters dwelt and all life, however little there was, was ruled by survival of the fittest. Those that adapted lived and only death awaited those who did not.

Inconnu sighed, though lightly as to not move her shoulder too much. She looked to where the forest awaited them, and Inconnu couldn't help but feel a deep hum of magic emanating from it.

The Edge of Lothlórien

From the first step into Lothlórien, Inconnu felt anxious though she could not determine as to why. She knew she had little to fear here, but the feeling would not leave her even with this knowledge. Still, Inconnu kept with the Fellowship as was able to admire the canopy of golden leaves, the contrast to the silvery-grey of their trunks, and the small and delicate yellow flowers that remained in bloom despite the current late mid-winter season. Legolas then spoke, talking of the forest as if he were returning home.

"Ah, Lothlórien. The fairest of all the dwellings of my people. There are no trees like the trees of this land, for in autumn the leaves fall not, but turn to gold. Not till the spring comes and the new green opens do they fall, and then the boughs are laden with yellow flowers."

The awe of this forest was quite apparent within the company, and Legolas continued, only building it.

"And the floor of the wood is golden, and golden is the roof, and its pillars are of silver for the bark of the trees is smooth and grey. So still our songs in Mirkwood say."

However Gimli looked very nervous, showing what Inconnu hid. His eyes darted around constantly, as if expecting to be attacked at any given moment. Inconnu didn't feel like they would be attacked per say, but she couldn't really pinpoint the exact cause of her anxiety.

"Stay close, young Hobbits," Gimli said to them in a somewhat hushed tone "they say a great sorceress live in these woods. An Elf-witch of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell... And are never seen again!"

This caused Inconnu to pause momentarily in her stride. Could this be what was causing the deep feeling of trepidation within her? She had indeed heard the very same rumors, though could not confirm them as she had not ever been among the otherworldly trees of Lothlórien.