Ara chuckled at being called ‘beautiful’. She was far too coarse for most elves but from dwarves, she’s had a few compliments. She looked at Jord genially, relieved that he responded favorably to her. She relaxed her stance and leaned closer toward him to express her interest in continuing the conversation.

“Somewhat like you, but the opposite. I was a child who fell sick in Khur; being too frail to travel I was left there to heal,” she explained with a little sense of nostalgia. “I was brought up by a small clan, gem miners by the name of Rockshapers. My allegiance is to Khur, though I am here as a favour to a friend.”

When Ara mentioned Khur, she spoke of the name with much love and fondness; the rough guttutal syllables flowed off her tongue smoothly, along with the accompanying winsome smile.

“I took up their trade and did the rites of the dwarf,” she said proudly. “and you’re probably more wood-elf that I’ll ever be.”

Elhadron rolled over in the grass, feeling the cool leaves sliding across his skin. How had he gotten here? Sitting up, he found his boot next to him on the floor of the tiny clearing. He was reminded of why he'd stopped. He'd had a stone in his boot, and after half a mile he'd tired of it. Pulling off his boot, he'd happened to look up at the sky in time to catch a falling star.

So there he'd stayed and eventually he'd fallen asleep. It was darker out now, and things were beginning to take on their nighttime glory, all motion and blazing color to the eyes of a drow. What had woken him?

There it was. He heard it again and sighed deep in his throat. There was a sound he hated. It came again, a low moan in a woman's voice broken by quiet sobbing. He stood and nudged his bag into the undergrowth where it would be safe for a couple of minutes.

Finding his way back to the path, the dark elf followed the muffled sound. Huddled under a tree he found an elven woman who couldn't possibly be more than a century old. She crouched with her hair over her eyes and her arms around her knees, apparently doing her best to be as small as possible. She was dirty, and her clothes were torn, and Elhadron didn't need to ask why.

She started when she heard the drow's footsteps, and the sight of a dark elf creeping along the path didn't help much. With another little sob she curled up more tightly in fear, closing her eyes and waiting for whatever came next. He lifted his hands so that she could see he carried no weapon and approached her slowly.

When she looked up again, he slowly lowered himself to one knee. "It's okay," he told her. "You're okay. I promise I mean you no harm. I..." What could he say? He knew better than anyone there was really nothing he could do for her. "Look. You don't have to tell me anything. Is there somewhere I can take you? I'll see that you get there."

She brought her gaze to his slowly, and something in the sincerity of his grey eyes broke through.  She dropped her head onto her knees and cried. He took a careful step closer and laid a hand on her arm. Though she jolted at his touch, she allowed it and he sat next to her, drawing an arm over her shoulder.

"You're all right. You're all right," he whispered over and over. "I'm so sorry. This isn't your fault..."

Her name was Baimeldis, and eventually she told him where he could take her. Her mother lived a mile or two away, and she seemed to feel she would be safe there. He knew that there were other elves nearby, and as the darkness deepened he could see their heat glowing through the leaves.

They were watching him. How much had they seen? Perhaps enough. Perhaps if they'd been watching the whole time they'd know how he came upon her but then again... if they'd been watching the whole time they should have helped her themselves.

Her mother didn't even seem to notice Elhadron when he brought Baimeldis back. She rushed to her daughter and only after a long, tearful embrace did she turn to the dark elf looking on with his hands in his pockets. Suspicion darkened her eyes, but when Elhadron dropped his gaze and shook his head, it occurred to her that he might not have been the one.

"Do you know?" She demanded.

"Who did this?" He answered. "I don't. I'm so sorry. This is how I found her."

She nodded and led her daughter away. Elhadron scuffed his boot in the dirt and watched them go. There was nothing he could do now, not for her. Perhaps her family would be enough. With a sigh he turned...

...and was promptly sent skidding across the ground from a solid blow to his jaw.

"I know what you did, you lying son of a drow whore!" Before Elhadron had a chance to pull himself off the ground, the toe of a boot slammed into his ribs and drove him back down again.

He coughed and rolled over, speaking into the grass. "I know that you--" His sentence was cut off by a brutal drop-kick that sent him back to the ground again. He bit his tongue when he hit the dirt and swallowed blood. "Agh. Look, I--"

"Shut up!" Fingers dug into Elhadron's collar and dragged him to his feet. He found himself face to face with a very, very angry elf. Brother? Lover? No way to know. "No one here believes you, understand?" The stranger lifted the smaller dark elf right off the ground and turned to slam him hard into the trunk of a tree. Elhadron's head hit the bark and his eyes spun upward to the treetops.

In one odd, preoccupied moment, Elhadron noted how beautiful the sky still was.

His gaze was pulled away from the stars when the stranger released him to let him drop to his knees on the grass. "I found her. I just brought her home. I wou--"

"That had better be true. Or you'll be dead before the next sunrise hits your filthy black skin. Understand?"

Elhadron nodded wearily. The stranger gave him one parting kick and he spat disdainfully onto the ground next to Elhadron's head before he left.

The dark elf rolled over to stare into the sky again.

There's nothing to be done about it, he thought. He overreacted, but perhaps she'll be safer with him by her side. If nothing else, maybe he can protect her.

With a groan he steadied himself on the trunk of a tree and stood. One backward glance toward Baimeldis' people was all he needed to remind himself to find his own way out. Perhaps someday she'd tell them, and eventually they'd know they'd been wrong.

As he found his way back to his clearing to retrieve his belongings, it occurred to him he didn't know whether she was a high elf or a wood elf. It was worth wondering about these days, but he dismissed the concern with a shrug. It didn't make much difference either way.

Things can be better than this, he told himself. There's always a way.

In fact, that was where he was headed tonight. It wasn't that he didn't understand why people felt about him the way they did. He knew, and he couldn't hate them for it. Most of the time they were right, and they probably felt better knowing they were safe, even if it was at the expense of a few men like him. Better safe than sorry.

Just the same... things could be different. Maybe someday people would be safe, wouldn't have to hate each other on sight, and maybe there was something he could do.

He stepped to the edge of the clearing. It was a diverse band, and the presence of a dwarf in particular gave him some hope. He lifted his hands defensively and hung back at the fringe of the group.

With a tentative smile and undisguised worry in his eyes, he addressed the others. "Excuse me. My name is Elhadron. If you'll have me, I'd... I would like to help you."

Awkward silences. Of course, the only thing worse than an awkward silence was open hostility.

Elhadron took a deep breath, and nodded. He figured that might be their response. Just the same, it was a little ironic. How many times had high elves sneered at wood elves, degrading their values and way of life for no good reason?

He wondered sometimes what he would be like if he were in so priveleged a position among his own kind. Would he look down on the others? Would he have any idea what it felt like to be less than everyone else, to have his appearance carry with it a judgment on his character? Would he be so picky about what constituted a "proper" elf?

Not for my kind, he thought. My kind. Seems like everyone has their own opinion of what that one means. It'd be nice if every now and again someone gave mine a little consideration.

"It's...yeah." He lowered his hands and shrugged. "Don't worry about it. Glad you've all got someone to look out for you, then. You're right you'll... You'll... probably be fine without me." He shrugged and muttered just loud enough for the keen elven hearing he knew he could count on from these ones. "Guess wood elves are the only ones with problems worth solving."

Elhadron sighed and gave a tiny half-hearted smile. He tipped the hostile crowd a brief salute. No cause to be spiteful about it. There was nothing surprising about any of this. It just... hurt a little, like it always did.

"Well. Anyway. You all have a fine evening, and...heh, good luck with... with everything, then." He gave a nervous little laugh and scratched the back of his head awkwardly as he turned on his heel away from the crowd. Probably some better way he could help, anyway. What was he thinking?

Same thing he was always thinking. At least he made the gesture, whether they took it in the spirit it was given or not... well, that was up to them. They felt they had their reasons and he was the last person likely to change their minds.

Guess it's better to try and fail, though. At least now I won't have to lie awake wondering if there was something I could have done to help. There's something to be said in favor of stripping the mystery from a problem. Least then you can see where everybody stands and move on if you need to.

He licked blood out of the corner of his mouth as he walked away. This wasn't shaping up to be a good night. Any evening that started out with a series of wasted noble gestures was bound to end even worse.

Even before Arayala began to speak, Kyne was striding forwards towards the edge of the clearing that Elhadron had appeared from, the ranger's face an image of pure fury and outrage as he marched angrily towards the Drow, stopping between Elhadron and the abusive crowd, and turning to face what was fast becoming a mob. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!" he yelled at the gathering, at the top of his voice, the Wood Elf's rage echoing around the grove.
"So fervently you denounce the fascism of Gathodel, so passionately you maintain that all Elves should be equal, and yet you would meet one who comes to your aid with such derision? Look at yourselves! You claim you will bring a new age to Elentari? Well I for one will have NO part in it, if THIS is anything to show for what is to come," the crowd was quiet and subdued now, silenced by Kyne's ardent scolding, and, seeing this, he continued at a more comfortable volume. "If you truly say that all Elves are equal, then you will accept any who come to join us in our cause, High Elf, Wood Elf, or Dark Elf. Let us join together in our fight, rather than becoming what we strive to destroy."
Turning to face Elhadron now, Kyne spoke to the small Drow in a welcoming, and friendly tone, "come, I for one will happily have you with us," and with that, beckoning for the Dark Elf to come with him as he did so, Kyne began to lead Elhadron back towards Jord, Ara, and Lily, where he could speak with the newcomer more comfortably. As the ranger and his new companion drew closer their small group, Kyne nodded thankfully to Ara with an appreciative smile, he had heard her words as he had charged forwards to deal with the troublemakers, and although he did not share her distrust of the Drow, he agreed whole heartedly with her sentiments.

Can this really be happening?  The actions of this monster Gathodel have sparked actions beyond anyone’s belief.  Elentári was a peaceful nation, for hundreds of years there have been no need for war or even resistance against the queen, and now look what it has become.  “Gathodel has stirred up conflict I had had never thought I would see in Elentári.  He is destroying my homeland as if it were his chore.  I can’t take any more of this.  It is time I take some action, for the sake of woodelves, no, for the sake of all Elentári.”  Lord Turin of Ellrion spoke with caution.  These were hard times, especially for woodelves.  Gathodel was out to imprison all the woodelf nobles, but all he lacked was a simple warrant, and Turin would do nothing to give him that warrant; however, he knew that Gathodel’s main reasoning is to deter any noble participation in resistance groups.  Turin, however, would not let this stop him.  Someone had to step up against him and Turin felt as if it were his duty.  Simply put, if he were imprisoned, that alone muster up a magnitude of support that no rider could claim.  Turin was a key instrument and he was determined to play his part.

The time had come for him to make his was to the secret meeting.  He and two of his personal guards snuck out the back door disguised as lowly elven peasants.  They were able to make their way past all who would stop them if anyone actually would.  Once out of the guards vicinity they called upon the three dire wolves they had prepared and began to race through the forest.  The trees around him were almost blurs and the wind raced through his hair.  He hadn’t felt so free is years, the confines of the palace keep him constantly busy on a daily basis, and this issue with Gathodel isn’t helping anything.  Turin closed his eyes and absorbed the moment; it was this that he was fighting for.  A full-fledged war would destroy the harmony of the woodland, it would destroy the beauty of elves and especially a war would taint their homeland forever.  This was something Turin would not permit.

They had been traveling for some time now because the sky was darkening.  They were traveling to another area of Ellrion that was very hard to reach, but nevertheless, Turin would make an appearance and endorse their efforts in the war.  This would not only make their actions semi-official, but then they would have a boost of morale with the thought of a elven noble of their side.  He hoped that this would be the case.  He was risking his life for this rebellion of sorts and he would not let it fail.

The two guards riding in front of him began to slow; they were drawing closer to the meeting place.  Turin prepared himself, they were to see no weakness in him, it was his duty to provide a sense of security and stability for this resistance.  He would act as every thing he would expect in a ruler of Elentári, he would act as the opposite of Gathodel.  Finally, the wolves came to a stop and the three elves dismounted, refastened their hoods over their heads and began to travel on foot into an area of the woodland that Turin had never been before.

He had extended a personal invitation to an elf named Kyne who he informed of an idea of a resistance group agaist Gathodel and asked him to assume leadership, and Turin would make an appearance or simply provide private endorsement.  It took a long time for Turin to send the letter.  His guilt was too strong and he cast aside the letter as traitorous.  But after Gathodel’s latest actions he felt it necessary to do something, Gathodel was on the line of peace and war, and if the nation fell into war, Turin would want to be on the righteous side.  At that moment he decided to take action and activity, yet secretly, work against his King.

He could hear whispers in the trees.  They were getting closer.  He moved along quietly until it seemed like the group of people were simply beyond the light brush directly in front of him.  His guards made the first move by walking through the brush and into the sight of every person at this meeting.  Silence meant that it was safe for Turin to enter.  He passed through his guards and walked straight up to the conspiring elves.  One shouted at the others for denouncing a drow who came to join their rebellion.  This is what Turin was looking for: unity.  He approached the crowd and spoke.  “Night falls on Elentári and chaos and deception flood the land.  Now is not a time for discrimination, as displayed by this fine elf.  Now is the time to undermine this illegitimate authority and unite against a common cause to rid our homeland of such mindsets.  We must fight to set things right, and I will help as much as I can.”  It seemed as if all eyes were on him.  “I am Turin, Lord of Ellrion and I offer my support and services to the cause of this resistance.”

"My biological family visited me once in a while," Ara answered Jord, repositioning herself slightly nearer the tree as the drow made his way toward them.

"Miss, I wanted to thank you for what you said, but most of all for being the first to say it. It was a risk for you, but it didn't go unappreciated."

Ara raised an eyebrow when she heard the drow address her. She wasn't expecting him to talk to her, much less actually inform her that her gesture was appreciated. After all, Stormchaser had simply acknowledged her words with a fleeting smile, an expression she met with a slight nod of her head and nothing more. She turned her face towards the drow, surprised to see his open and earnest expression. "It was the logical thing to do," she finally responded in a plain tone. "You may call me Ara." Her eyes regarded him for a moment, realising that he was smaller than she had estimated. She practically towered over him, her own shadow menacingly larger than his. She realised his eyes were looking at her arms. Drow could see, more than anyone else, that they were different. She was used to it but this one... was probably the first time, she had come across someone who knew immediately and didn't ask her about it.

She looked at the group, now many times its original size and wondered if they had forgotten that this was supposed to be a secret meeting. Her suspicions increased when the Elven Lord Turin of Elrion openly declared his support for the resistance. Ara would have liked to see a little more subtlety. It only made more sense if the ongoing affairs were conducted in a more clandestine manner.

So this is what a dead man walking looks like, she noted darkly, remembering Alish's promise. He had promised to save what lives he could... but Ara had assumed he was speaking of the commoners and peasants, the farmers and labourers who had joined the banner of the rebellion under what he considered a terrible case of misunderstanding of epic proportions. Lord Turin did not fall into that category. Alish would kill him as the lord's status alone required total obedience to the recognised monarch, no matter how much of an ass he was.

She sighed, the first outward indication of her dislike of how the situation was turning out. The meeting had started at dusk, with the dying light of the sun colouring the orchard with a palette of hues that could make rainbows weep, and with the growing number of people, it now impressed upon her the idea that the message was more of like an open secret.

Surely, someone in Gathodel's ranks was informed of this. They had to be silly not to know. This group met so openly, not even bothering to split themselves into cells. There seemed to be no structure to the ranks. If it was an informal meeting, Ara had assumed only a few would know and the important positions in the rebel group had already been filled. They were brave to risk such democracy in choosing their roles and discussing, at times their loud voices pierced the quiet ambience of the garden, but she was not sure if they were wise.

Such openness only encouraged trouble if someone from the crown were to take advantage now. It would surprise her if they were all caught in one fell swoop. Surely it cannot be this disorganised? she countered.

Still, the increasing numbers and enthusiastic responses only confirmed her less-than-impressed assumptions.

Ara stood up and excused herself from the dwarf's company. She looked to the drow. His talents would come in handy at this point. "I do not like the way this is turning out," she opened the vein of conversation without emotion in her voice. "We are meeting too openly and boldly for my taste. One raid and we could all be caught... and this would be for naught. In fact, we'd be the easiest resistance force captured in the history of Entar - something I don't want to be part of."

She beckoned him to step out with her towards the fringes of the group. "You can see their heat, can't you?" she whispered. "I'd like you to keep a look out for figures in the far dark... I don't think I need to tell you how they'll look like. If you see anything, let me know..."

They'll have it coming, she added quietly to herself, unsure if she meant the rebellion or the possible soldiers that might lie in ambush.

"Lord Turin Ellrion..." Kyne mused nostalgically, with a strange half smile, his voice low yet projected, so that it spread throughout the grove, and all were able hear his words. "I might have known it would be you who would call our people to arms, you never could stand such injustice." As the ranger spoke, he began to casually stroll forwards towards the noble, one hand resting on his sword hilt and the other hanging loose at his side, the soft, warm breeze catching at his cloak and hair as he walked, lifting them both a little so that they floated gently behind him on the summer wind, swaying with the rugged Woof Elf as he moved. The grass swished against Kyne's boots with a soft rustle, and as the tall ranger approached Turin, time in the grove seemed to slow down, as though the entire clearing was holding its breath, waiting to see what happened next.

Bowing sincerely to Turin as he reached him, Kyne rose slowly with a wide beam, chuckling as he came upright again. "Truly, I am graced by Livana to meet with you once more my Lord," he announced happily, "your presence lends strength to our cause. I will gladly fight under your banner again, to rid Elentari of this evil." Drawing his sword, and holding it lengthways in front of him, Kyne knelt before the Wood Elf noble, "I offer you my sword."

Kyne was the first and only one to present himself to Turin as if he were from a Royal Elven bloodline.  This really didn’t surprise him simply because of the type of people that were at this meeting.  He wasn’t expecting loyal and traditional elves, instead those who would ignore the presence of a royal.  Turin put that aside, it wasn’t important.  He had to shake off the formalities of traditional elven society if he was going to connect and provide some sort of support for this cause.

After Turin greeted Kyne, he sent his guards to patrol the area around where they were meeting as to provide a small sense of security, if any at all.  As he glanced around him he saw only a few elves, but that is all that is needed in the beginning, the ranks will grow as Gathodel is allowed to be more oppressive.  He would eventually dig himself into a hole he cannot escape from.  There was no way that Turin would be able to appeal to these elves that gathered near him, he was not like them, there was a difference and this difference is the very thing they were plotting against.  He would prefer that they choose a leader from their own ranks, someone they could relate to and trust.

“Truly, I am graced by Livana to meet with you once more my Lord,” Kyne announced happily, “your presence lends strength to our cause. I will gladly fight under your banner again, to rid Elentari of this evil.” He drew his sword, and held it lengthways in front of him, and then he knelt before Turin, “I offer you my sword.”  Turin’s face did not alter from a very serious glance, after a second he reached out and took Kyne’s sword from him.  Then he turned in vertically and handed it back to Kyne.  “It should be me on my knees offer you and your cause my services.  I am here to help stir up opposition to the crown and we cannot achieve what we desire if it does not come from the people.”  Turin continued.  “I wish to say that I support what is happening here full heartedly and I wouldn’t hesitate one second to offer you anything that you needed.  I would give up my bed if one of you needed shelter for the night; however, I do not wish to lead this opposition, this is something that must be lead by one of your own, and not by me.  That is the only road to success.”  Turin spoke clearly and firmly, his words came from his true beliefs.