The Gift

The Gift Part 5

Tauriel personally led the second party out of Mirkwood. They traveled swiftly and soon encountered the wine shipment being escorted by two of Golvan's soldiers. She questioned them quickly then advised them to continue to Mirkwood. Grimacing, she hoped they would not be too late to provide aid to Golvan.

Distant sounds of a fight came to her keen ears but were faint... the coming storms causing the interference. Pushing her soldiers harder, they raced through the woods towards the sound. As they neared the area she felt was correct, the sounds dissipated. She raised a hand, indicating they were to move slowly.

She picked up the sounds of talking and recognized the lilting tones of elvish voices as well as the harsher tones of humans. The battle appeared to be over. She threw caution to the winds and picked up the pace. They entered the opening and saw the remnants of the battle, the field strewn with bodies of dead humans. Her eyes quickly picked out the elvish party that had been heading towards Mirkwood. She did not recognize them, but easily was able to ascertain this was no ordinary party of elves. There was something about the one... the one mounted on the black horse.

Golvan spied Tauriel the instant she appeared out of the forest. "Captain! A few of the travelers have sustained injury and require the aid of our healers."

Natulcien hearing the comment turned her head to take in the view of Mirkwood's Captain and was surprised to find that it was an elleth. Her hair like autumn fire and nearly as long as her own. She was beautiful in the way of their people and she had to admit she was a bit pleased to discover her as a captain. She could not wait to tell Haldir and his brothers!

Tauriel was aware of the other woman's scrutiny but chose to ignore it and respond to Golvan as she approached him. "Send word ahead so the healers are prepared for their arrival." She gave a cursory glance at Tran. She recognized him from perimeter watches but had never come face to face with him.

Golvan caught her glance. "Targul Tran, this is our captain of the guard, Tauriel," he offered the introductions. "I have met with him a few times while guarding the borders," he explained.

Tauriel nodded, looking the man over. She was about to speak when she noticed the black horse moving away. Keeping one eye on the horse and rider, she turned her attention back to Tran and Golvan. "You were traveling somewhere?" she asked the human.

"Well, actually I heard rumors of a plan to attack your latest shipment of wine. When I found out from Ragnor that a company of elves had also joined up with the shipment, I was concerned that they might be in danger," Tran offered his explanation, also keeping one eye on the black stallion.

Natulcien looked towards where Golvan and the human Tran were standing, then to the field littered with bodies. Something was still off...but what? She urged Ranewen past Durion and away from everyone else, she needed to get a better feel, to see what could not be seen. Halting Ranewen she tore back her hood and merely sat. But the energy that was off would not be revealed. The moonstones on her crown glittered and twinkled as did the huge moonstone upon Dreamweaver. Quickly she dismounted and as soon as her feet touched the earth there was a slight vibration, a tone of welcome that only the keenest elvish ears would have caught it. One moment the chime was there and then it was gone. But all would have felt the slight tremble of the earth. She moved fluidly over the earth, like water. No hesitation or stumbling in her stride, her long black braid shifted down her back to bounce about her knees with her movement. Ranewen paced at her side and as another mounted human neared he tossed his head and rolling his eyes struck out with forelegs causing the mare the man rode to squeal and kick, nearly throwing her rider.