Gypsy's Way

Akilah had barely seconds to register that she was in deep trouble. She had been separated from Helaku and Senon and being together had been their best chance to survive.
She barreled after the deer, almost matching their pace. Yet because they were many, she had been missed by the stray Uruk-hai arrows.

Instinct guide her to the center of the heard, she could be hidden there. Fear drove her into the forest that was known as Lothlorien.

She had made it a good distance into the wood when her foot gave way, sending her falling. A root had caught her boot and she tripped over her skirts, landing hard. Her head connected with the ground, and for the soul purpose that it was soft earth, she did not break open her skull.
Groggily lifting her head, she blinked away tears of pain from her jaw. She had landed hard on it, and now it stung with pain.
Taking a breath as one last deer leapt over her, she pushed back her shawl quickly to watch a young buck take off after his heard.

Out of lack of air and pain from falling and tripping she let her head fall once more. She would hopefully be safe here.
All thought of anything left her mind for many minutes, it seemed as her breathing softened and slowed.

Their was no sign of the approaching footsteps. A tall form appeared, seeming to move seamlessly about the foliage.

He move closer and went down on one knee, tilting his head in a most Elven fashion. Long silky black hair was kept tied back into a single complex Elven-braid at the back of his head, the rest of his hair spilling forward as he lean over the girls still form.

Tinnuldur was not sure what he should do. Before him lie a human, a female none the less. And young by the looks of her. What if she were dearly injured, perhaps even passed on?

His Azure blue eyes searched her over and up and down. Finally one hand moved slowly toward her head, thinking to push back the red fabric to give him a clear view of her face.

Even the skill by which he gained over many thousands of years could prepare him for what was to come. He had not expected it, after all she was human and a child none the less.

With surprising speed for a human, she gripped his arm and moved.
He was swung quickly upon his back and pinned to the ground, her hands firmly on his shoulders, her weight upon his chest.
So stunned was he that he did not think to move. His beyond blue eyes just staring at this being who now sat atop of him, his quiver digging annoyingly into his back.
As instinct kicked in, it was his turn for action.
With frightening reflexes he revealed his Noldorin dagger, holding it at a killing position on her neck.
The silky material of her red head covering was swept back with a 'swooshing' sound by the super quick action.
Yet with the air of an Elf, she did not even blink.

For minutes they stay their like that until Tinnuldur decided to be the one to speak.
"You would perish by my blade" he reasoned with cool Elven tact.
The look of a slight grin on her face only made him frown. He did not comprehend what was so humorous. To him the situation was completely in his favor.

He was an Elf, with an Elven blade pressed to a delicate mortal neck, in Elven lands. He had the upper hand in every way.
Yet to Akilah, she had the upper hand. She had a full grown elf pinned upon his back. Held firmly to the ground. And on top of this, he was pouting.
This would be the last time he would underestimate a human female.

And again with the coordination of a illusionist, she revealed a short yet efficient dagger from her sleeve. It slid down and into her waiting palm, her hand on his shoulder being close enough for her to position it on his neck. She stare at him, her expression serious "Then it would be mutual, as you would die by mine".

It was the most melodious laugh that Akilah had ever heard. And even she could not help but smile at their situation.
Both moved their daggers away at the same time and Akilah shook her head, hands on her hips a she allow him up slightly and off his quiver and arrows. His bow cast aside from where she flipped him.

"Well I guess all the legends of the Elves being more highly skilled than Mortals was highly over embellished" She commented, one eyebrow raised saucily .
He mimic the expression slowly nodding, then with speed that could rival lightning it was her turn to be tipped over and pinned.
Tinnuldur's Elven strength and speed being far superior to even hers.

His face hovered dangerously above her own, Akilah's eyes wide with surprise. Her hands pinned to the sides of her face and her body under him, she could not move even if her life depended on it.
"I think not, my lady" He spoke soft in a thick Elven accent of one not accustomed to speaking Westron.

He did not movie right away, and Akilah became painfully aware of his body pressed to hers. Their breath mingling until he finally pulled back.
He removed himself from her person and stood with fluid grace, offering her a hand.
She took it after a moment and stood, readjusting her clothes and trying not to seem as flustered as she felt.

She would never underestimate the abilities of an Elf.
Especially this one.

After she had seemed to straighten herself out, Tinnuldur handed her blade back to her. Re-sheathing his own dagger, and sliding his bow back across his shoulder.

With a yelp that took Tinnuldur aback she started for the fields.
Tinnuldur caught up with her easily and grabbed her arm, afraid that perhaps she walk into danger if any Uruk-hai still lived, just waiting to ambush them.
"Please I must find my companions." She pleaded trying to pull away, only thinking about Senon and Helaku and how she had been separated from them.

"It is dangerous. I would escort you if you permit me, my lady. I can be of much assistance to you in your search of your friends."
She nodded and allowed him to take her hand, turning her to the left and a wooded path.
He looked at her once as they went, "We are safer by the cover of the forest"








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Alden heard the telltale sounds of fighting in the distance, and after assuring that the other members of the caravan were safely inside their homes, he turned to go after the noise.
Sheathing his sword at his side, Pendran hurriedly led a stocky black stallion to Alden. The creature was already properly saddled and bridled, leave it the boy to be one step ahead.

Mounting 'Angul', he nudged the horse into a gallop, its feathered feet tearing up the distance.
Alden's heart was pounding hard in his chest. Despite being a peace loving gypsy, Alden was a seasoned warrior. He did not fear death nor pain.
Yet all he could think about was Helaku, Senon and his beloved Akilah.

One hand firmly placed on his sword, the other with reins firmly in hand they rushed to meet whatever came. He would save his family, even if that meant diverting danger away from them. And upon himself.

He passed under an eve of old trees and up a small hill that lead into the plains. He had no sooner reached the grass when his horse spooked and nearly reared completely up.
His sword was instantly in hand and he ready to fend off any oncoming danger.

"Whoa Alden, its us." A familiar heavily accented voice came, Senon stepping quickly out to the path. Alden sighed with relief, but it was only half hearted.
"Helaku, Akilah?" he asked quickly.

"Here" Helaku said, and appeared also. And to Alden's utter surprise, he was followed by a tall blonde elf who was instantly familiar.
The elf made an expression that Alden knew was a hidden smile.

"Mae Govannen, Alden unin Dunadan" The leader of the Elf party said, nodding at the Gypsy.

"Suliad, Haldir o Lorien" Alden said, dismounting his horse.

Senon just looked confused between Elf and Alden.

Alden looked around and his eyes met Haldir's once more. "A o nin iell..."

"She escaped the Orc, I believe she has sought refuge in our wood. Their she will be safe. I came to seek you, and tell you of what transpired. But now that you are here, shall we go seek her together?" Haldir knew the answer to the question. And Alden nodded.

"Helaku, would you mind taking Angul back to camp. And assure that all is well there?" Helaku nodded, and respectfully bowed his head to Haldir, then quickly squeezing Senon's arm mounted and rode off back to camp.

All watched him go for a moment then Haldir turned back to Alden.



"That one has a quiet spirit." He nodded in Helaku's direction, "and his companion be his exact opposite".
A resounding laugh echoed as the Elves laughed along, even Alden.
"Very funny" Senon mummer, not very happy they were enjoying a laugh at his expense.

As they began to walk to back to the Golden-wood, Rumil slung a hand around Senon's shoulders. He smiled and laughed lightly. "Do not fret friend Senon, My dearest brother Haldir is just jealous because he is the boring one."

Again a resounding round of laughter from both elf and man, this time Haldir was not amused.


"Concentrate on finding the little one" Haldir ordered in a most stately way taking the lead. He was not humored at all.
But another echo of laughter carried above the old forest.

"Trust me Haldir. He no bell sen min" Alden said with a grin as they began to cross the fields at a sprint.









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Once they reach the woods that were Lothlorien, Haldir lead the whole group directly along a path into the woods.


He knew that if they were to find her, best to see if she had been discovered already.
They all walked along silently, Alden following directly behind Haldir and Senon behind him. The younger mans eyes seemed to want to be everywhere all at once. The wood here was very beautiful and he could tell how they got the name The Golden Woods.

A sound almost too soft for Elven hearing caught Haldir's attention, and then Alden's. The former Ranger had very good hearing enough for a human, but it was his attunement with the actions of his companions that served him best.
It was a Rangers trait, from his younger days when he served as one.

And to their right, moving as if meshed with the forests itself came a tall Dark haired elf.
Out of instinct, and as if they had a silent signal, the Galadhrim archers turned their arrows toward him. But just as quickly as the motion had been, they dropped their defenses recognizing their kin.


Behind him tailing closely, the young gypsy's woman.

"Akilah?" Alden was quick to question, and the girls head shot up instantly. A smile appeared on her face as she rushed forward into her adopted fathers embrace.
He pulled her tight into a hug, relishing having her safe and back with him. "You gave us quite a scare tithen aras"


Akilah hugged back tightly, and then was swept up into Senon's arms.


"Don't ever do that again" he warned playfully and chuckled when she smacked him upon his arm.

Akilah turned her face from between Alden and Senon's embraces and met eyes with Tinnuldur.


She smiled, and he smiled back.









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Translations:

"Mae Govannen, Alden unin Dunadan"= Welcome, Alden of the Dunadan

"Suliad, Haldir o Lorien" =Hello, Haldir of Lorien.

"A o nin iell..."= And of my daughter...

"He no bell, sen min"= She be strong, this one.

"tithen aras"=little deer, title...nickname given to Akilah by Alden because of her affinity for Deer.



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