Silverpath: The Calling

-----------------------------------------


Zelkier could hear the noisy scrambling of the elves outside, thankful that he had erased the bloodtrail that would have led them right to their hiding place. He nearly got killed last night doing so. Last night when unwanted, dark creatures were stamping around the woods, seeming to be looking for something.
The wolf was busy licking away the blood on the ground when he heard loud footsteps coming towards him. Quickly urinating on the blood to erase the scent, he his behind a tree. Oh how he grew fearful when the creatures emerged out, trampling carelessly on the undergrowth that were near their feet. They had the same form as the elves but were far more ugly and spoke in a dark tongue.
But then, he noticed that he had accidentally forgotten to wash away some blood that was near their refuge. Thinking of only one thing then, he quietly crawled over to the area. Hoping that he would be kept hidden in the dark, he snuck over to the blood, quietly spraying the area. When he was certain that he had erased the scent he walked silently over to a bush.
But, one of his paws got snagged in a tree root, making him stumble and yelp with surprise. One of the creatures heard his cry and shot a sharp object at him. The arrow drove into his leg and he quickly ran away with pain flowing into him. But, he remembered Lekrisa and instead laid low under a nearby bush, watching as the dark figures started sniffing the air.
He laid there for what seemed like forever before they finally left. Zelkier had bit off part of the arrow, leaving the arrow’s point still in the wound to still the bleeding. Sensing that it was now safe to leave, he made his way to the cold stream that was nearby. He stepped into the freezing water, knowing that it would stop the bleeding and numb the wound.
As he listened quietly to the elves’ conversation, he knew that the blood they had found was his. The wolf laid on his belly, watching as the elves wandered around the forest as if they were searching for something.
One of the elves drew closer to them, making Zelkier lower his head closer to the ground. It stood there for a while (he couldn’t tell whether the elf was a male or female), gazing at something near their hideout.
“Ada! I’ve found something!” It suddenly called out, half running to the bush where the wolf had hidden the past night. Zelkier then came to the conclusion that the elf was a man after hearing its voice.
How can they tell the difference? He thought with a sniff. The elves, to his dismay, moved out of his view and he could only hear what was happening.
“It’s an orc’s arrow,” Thranduil spoke. “It looks like the kind they spread wolfsbane on. Good find, Arodras.” Silence followed afterwards and Zelkier could just hear the faint scraping of a boot against stone.
“Does this mean that Lekrisa’s… dead?” The one called Arodras asked.
“No! It can’t be! Lekrisa was always very careful; she wouldn’t get shot so easily!” Keldar said with his voice slightly trembling. “It must have been something else. I don’t believe-”
“Even if she didn’t get shot, the orcs would have found her. It’s either she’s dead, or she’s captured, which is worse than death itself.” Thranduil said quietly. “I am sorry for your loss, Keldar. I know what she meant to you. In fact, I saw her as my own daughter, so I too feel your pain.”
“I’m telling you she’s not dead!” Keldar’s cry echoed through the trees. Zelkier could hear something heavy fall to the ground, quickly followed by quiet sobs.
The wolf turned to the young woman again, who was staring back at him with both fear and curiosity shining in her eyes. After a few seconds, he turned away, this time gazing down at his paws thoughtfully.
I must do the right thing, he thought to himself. But I just can’t.
“…past noon. We must return back before nightfall.” Thranduil paused. “I will tell my patrols to lookout for her and I’ll send out another search party when we get back. Will that please you, Keldar?”
“That isn’t enough!” The elf growled. “It would be better if you would send an army out and find these orcs.”
“And risk losing more men? War already approaches our land and we will need all of our men in order to survive. And what if we do attack the orcs only to find that Lekrisa’s not there?” he sighed. “I’m afraid that’s a risk I don’t want to take. Now come, Keldar. We must leave now so we can get back home before the sun sets.”
Moving closer into the shadows of their shelter, Zelkier watched as the small group left, heading back north. One of the elves was hesitant and slowed down until he was the only one left in the wolf’s view. The elf gazed around him with a determined look, seeming to study his surroundings. He stood there for a while, then ran off to join his companions.
He’s definitely up to no good. Zelkier listened as the footsteps started to get farther and farther away, only feeling safe when nothing but silence rang though the forest. They’re gone.
Zelkier, I’m hungry. The young woman’s thought came into his head, making him turn around to face her.
Ah! The little birdie now wishes to be fed. He padded over to the cloth bag and nosed it open. Pulling out one of the rabbits out, he bit into it.
Now don’t tell me I’ll have to feed you myself, he said as he spat the meat out in front of her. There. Eat it!
He watched as she grabbed the raw meat in one hand. Zelkier, it doesn’t feel right. She thought, staring at him with doubt. It doesn’t leek too good either.
Eat it if you want to live.
She examined the meat for a while, then slowly placed it in her mouth. Zelkier walked around the small room, feeling the pain in his leg worsen. He tried to force himself not to limp because he knew that that would worry her.
There. That wasn’t too bad, was-
Suddenly, he felt a shock run through his body, making him collapse to the ground.
Zelkier! He heard the woman cry out with concern.
The wolf drew in a small breath, which he found rather hard to do. Oh no. He felt his eyes begin to roll to the back of his head and his heartbeat began to slow.
Zelkier, what’s wrong?
Wolfsbane. Poison. He quickly thought before he blacked out.

-----------------------------------------


Chapter End Notes:
A picture of wolfsbane. Looks pretty but is very poisonous. Hmm.. Doesn't work. Well, you can go to this site to see a picture of it: http://www.lazyssfarm.com/Plants/Perennials/A_files/Ac-Ag%20Images/aconitum_carmichaelii.htm