Cold Winds Of Darkness

"Are you all right, Azira?" Orien bent down to take a closer look at her face.

"I think so but the blood still keeps running and I cannot stop it," she whispered, as it was obvious that speaking caused her pain. Orien glanced at the blood-soaken cloth on the ground.

"I think I can handle it but it will hurt. A lot."

"I'll survive. I hope."

Orien laughed bitterly and took a piece of white cloth pouring it over with nicely smelling potion. She put the cloth lightly on Azira's face and slowly wiped it clear. Azira drew in her breath and winced.

"Shhh! Soon it will be over. There is just a small area left and then your face will be as good as new."

"Do not lie to me, Orien. We both very well know that these scars will stay forever."

"I could use my magic to..."

"NO! Leave your magic for something more important and besides if you will use it they will continue to set traps for you."

"But somehow you are the only one who falls in them. You know girl - you are a trap magnet. And just how do you manage to do it?" Orien tried to turn it into a joke.

"Don't know. I guess they love me more than you," she smirked.

"No, seriously. Why do you always fall in them? As I can remember you haven't missed any of them but I have safely avoided every trap."

"Must be your heritage," Azira silently spoke while Orien finished drying left cheek.

"You may have right because every time you have fallen into a trap I realise that I have been on the same path a bit earlier but there has been something that has made me to turn back or go to another path. It's like someone's guiding me wherever I go, whatever I do..."

#~*~*~#

"Nice beginning for your visit here isn't it?" Haldir smiled cheerlessly.

"Sort of," Elladan responded with a similar smile. "Is it always so much fun here?"

"Fun!" Haldir laughed bitterly, "My brothers are a bit obsessed with Orien trying to force her to reveal her powers."

"What powers?" Elrohir glanced at March Warden.

"I shouldn't have said it."

"But you did." Elladan assisted his twin. "So go on and tell us - what kind of powers?"

"I suppose that you will find it out anyway because my brothers do not know how to keep such secrets," he sighed. "She has quite specific magical powers."

"Is she an Istar?" Elrohir frowned.

"No she is not and that is all I will tell to you."

"Then..." Elladan started.

"No!" Haldir cut him off.

"But..." Elrohir tried to say but Haldir gave him a warning look. The twins started to laugh.

"All I wanted to say was that..." Elrohir managed to say between the cheerful laughter.

"...that we should go and see..." Elladan started to laugh again.

"...if the girl is seriously hurt." Elrohir finally finished the sentence.

"You mean Azira? Well that we can do if only we do not run into Orien."

"Why?"

"I prefer not to confront her when she is in THAT mood."

"Have you had some adventures with her before?" Elladan teased.

"Sort of."

"And?"

"You'll laugh."

"No, we won't," Elrohir promised.

"Well..." Haldir still hesitated.

"Oh, come on! Tell us!" twins insisted.

"Well, I accidentally injured her wolf during a battle with orcs and she gave me a death glare. When she decapitated the orc without looking at him but instead at me I had a feeling it was me who just had lost the head. Literally."

Twins exchanged their glances and started to laugh.

"I believe it is useless to ask you not to do this," The March Warden sighed seeing two agreeing nods. "But when you will be in a similar situation..."