The Crosses Enigma

The sound of loud talking and grumbling woke her from her slumber, and she slowly raise her head out of the blankets to see what was passing her trail.

By what she was hearing whoever it was were preparing to make camp quite close to her.
She momentarily wondered who in there right mind would be traveling so close to Angmar. They would have to be those that were native to the area or at least had been to the Westron lands often.

Yet if she were correct, they sounded as if they were speaking the common tongue.


Silently rising from her rest position to get a closer look, she viewed them in the distance setting up camp.

Stuffing her blanket quickly into her pack she hid it under the tree she was sleeping beside. The inside was hollow and made a good hiding place for treasures she acquired. Grabbing worn dagger holders and strapping them around her thin waist, she began sneaking towards the camp.

There weren't many travelers in this part of the world she had found. It was said to be the passage between two Elven cities, or so she had heard. And not much more than said Elves crossed her path.
Moving about silently and quickly over the mountain passages.

But even so, she hadn't found enough to travel further out into the wild's as of late. She was no fool and would not pick Elves as her targets.
This group however, could provide her with much.

Balancing on the balls of her feet she took in the group from a safe distance.

A handsome man with dark slightly wavy hair stood surveying the area, one hand stuck upon his swords hilt. His clothes were black and his expression dark.
A Ranger.

The stout being whom was aiding in building a fire had the tell tale long beard.
A Dwarf.

Speaking something that she could not catch and towering above the stout creature was an Elf. This surprised her immensely, as if she were not wrong there two peoples were said to be enemies.

Yet these two stood beside each other with ease, the Elf turn his head sharply in her direction...seeming to stare at her. Then turning back he collected his bow under his arm and began too to survey the area as well.

She pursed her lips, the Ranger and Elf would be a problem.

So caught in the forming of a plan she had to blink when she caught sight of something almost as rare as a Dwarf and Elf in the same company.

Hobbits!


What the wee folk were doing so far from there native Shire land, she knew not. It was interesting to watch as she had seen perhaps only one or two in her life, when she traveled to Bree.

And among them was something to make her cringe in disgust. A gypsy.

She weighed her options; it would not be wise to attempt nothing. They very well might be the last few faces she saw in a long while.

She watch the group, her mind working quickly in her plot.
Suddenly the tall woman, coppery curls hanging to her face, bit her tongue....

Gandalf the grey.


Her eyes focused on the now different looking old man and she began cursing her luck.
"Of all the people to travel this trail, why him?" she muttered and began to turn back towards the place she left her things.

The hit was a miss, she turned to leave. Yet before she could turn completely away, she noticed the gypsy break off and head away from the group.

The lanky woman sneered again.


Gypsy's were a known enemy of the thieves she grew up with, she decided this was her chance to at least get something of profit.
A gypsy was a gypsy, and she had to have some baubles.




She climbed the nearest tree and began to follow the girl, quietly. Easily moving along the branches and eves as silent as any woodland creature.

It was a typical gypsy alright. Colorful robes and head wrap, darkened skin, and the same snooty looking face that made her growl in dislike.
Thieves and Gypsy's were like fire and water.

Finally the girl stopped and Greer took one more quick look to make sure no one followed them to there seclusion.

With practiced control she dropped from the heights and crouched low to the ground before moving in on the girl. Standing to her full height she softly grinned, this was the fun part.

"Hello, gypsy, mind handing over your valuables?"





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For all her alertness Tempest had heard no one approach.

She sucked in a breath silently and turned completely around to find one of the persons she was least happy to see.
A thief.

Tempest was cold, wet, and weary from the poison that had attempted to sap all life from her body. The usually soft spoken young woman was in no mood for this tonight.
She wished but to seek the bit of herb for the evening meal, and return to camp to rest.

Tempest stare up at the taller woman before her, suddenly not knowing what to do. She had nothing truly of value, had she?

"Leave me alone Thief, I have nothing of your want and have no time for such games" The words came of there own accord and Tempest hopped she infused enough force into her voice. Decidedly turning away, walking back to camp.

"I know gypsy's well." The taller woman sneered the warning in return, ready for a fight if need be.
The other looked rather worn and tired, it wouldn't be hard to snatch whatever it was she had and was hiding.
"You have to at least carry a small bit of provisions, or a gold chain I could make use of. Hand it over or I'll be resorted to take it from you." her hand rested nicely on the hilts of her daggers. If the gypsy wanted a show she'd give her one.


Tempest could not help but roll her eyes, then turned dark blue orb's that seemed black in the dark light, back on the Thief. One eyebrow rose as she truly began to become frustrated. She had no such provisions; she had left all she had behind with that dolt of a Baron.
And did not wish to think about it ever again.


She came away with simple silver ear jewels that hung from each ear, and a typical gypsy cuff round her wrist which she had since childhood. And a few other such wears that were back in the camp.

She realized suddenly that gypsy crafts were considered very valuable.
This one was basically priceless to anyone other than one of her kin.
If there were any left.

Her hand slid slightly behind her without thinking. Perhaps she could call out before the woman attacked her; she was in the company of warriors, and a wizard. She had nothing to be afraid of, her chin tipping up definitely. Only if her nervous heart would feel the same.

"Oh, go and bother someone else...thief" She mummer the last word under her breath, the title taking on the form of a curse.

Gypsy's and Thief�s were no allies.

Never have been, probably never would be.
She tilted her chin up, something learned over years of being treated as a royal and turned rolling her eyes making her way back up to camp. Retrieving herbs forgotten for the moment.

The copper haired woman growled lowly and began walking after the gypsy. "Ah, I see you know the rivalry between our kinds. So let us not play stupid, hmm?" The thief wasted no time and drew a dagger and started for the girl in a lunge. "I know you at the least have the bands of your peoples making, every gypsy has them."
The tall thief caught tempest by the wrist and held her with surprising strength, the glint of the said cuff shining in the dim light.

Looking from the point of contact up to the woman's face, Tempest hoped her anger shown fully in her gaze. It was usually something that was shockingly unnerving to most people.

She went to yank her hand away from the woman's grip but to no avail.
"Let...me...go" hissing the poison laced command. It had turned into a contest of silent wills.

Tempest was not afraid to die; she had faced it all her life. What she was was highly annoyed. She did not like to be touched, not at all. Yanking again with surprising strength of her own, both women became unbalanced.
The gypsy's girl took the moment and pushed hard against the Thief.

The taller of the two fell backwards and flipped over so not to loose her footing completely. "Stubborn woman." she growled and came up off her knee, dagger in hand she moved forward again this time tackling the gypsy to the ground and pinning her, using her taller body as leverage.

"Give up what you have, your already gifted with a band of travelers and a few jewels missing will not hurt other than your pride." she stopped and pushed the dagger tip to the girl's neck. "This is much better than forfeiting your life."

This time Tempest turned dead eyes on the Thief.
The quiet helpful demeanor slipping away to reveal the truth that was deep inside.
She had never been afraid to die, sometimes, she had wished for it.

The threat of the Thief meant nothing to her. Her eyes reflected this, mocking the Thief.

She made no motion to move to give her cuff up, or to refuse. She would not give it away willingly, it was one of the only things she had left to her, to remind her of what she truly was.

"Kill me then and take what you wish. I will give you nothing." Tempest secretly thought she saw surprise in the Thief�s eyes. What did Tempest care if it ended later or now, to her it was all the same.
The Greer's cobalt blue eyes flashed in surprise at the sudden cold unafraid look in the smaller woman's own.

She started at the gypsy in dead silence. Kill. Here was where her regard for life got her in trouble. Some people just had too much pride left to give up what they had and let her have some fortune of the night. She straightened a little and took the tip of her dagger away from the neck of the gypsy.
She couldn't kill.

Before she could get off of a swords edge came surprisingly close to her own jugular and she froze where she was.

"Tempest?" a voice called from ahead of her and she knew the gypsy's companions had come to her aid. She was in trouble.
She dropped both daggers and slowly stood, hands held up to show her surrender.

She hated when she was caught.

"A thief." a rough voice said and she caught glimpse of the dwarf. The elf was helping the gypsy stand and get away from her and the ranger was well intent on beheading her if she made any false moves.

"I surrender my self." she uttered lowly, keeping her gaze un-threatening.
"Your friend's bold disregard for her own life forced me to give up this hit and I'll be returning to the forests if you don't mind."
Her hands were kept raised and empty with daggers on the ground, but she almost smiled at the feel of the cold metal of the gypsy's band that had slipped from her palm down her sleeve.
The gypsy would be none the wiser.

The ranger regarded her faintly amused, yet the deadly seriousness never left his eyes. "Why should we let you roam to hit other unsuspecting passer-bys? To do so would be folly on our part, wouldn't you say?"

She groaned. Damned Ranger's sense of right and wrong. She was about to make a break for it when a laugh made her stop and groan even more.

"Lower your sword Strider." the kind voice said and she knew instantly Gandalf had decided to join them. "This young thief I know well."

The ranger's sword lowered and she lowered her hands. "Gandalf the grey, to what do I owe this honor?" she muttered.

"Greer, what luck it is to run into you." the old wizard leaned on his staff, which she noticed to be different from what she remembered. "A thief in the wilds is rare indeed. And I am known as Gandalf the white Now" There was a strange glint in his eyes she did not like, he was up to something.

"A thief in the wilds is also dangerous," the ranger said to Gandalf, his sword ringing clear as he re sheathed it. Greer smirked to challenge his assumption.

"Greer holds no danger. She is a rather honest thief if I might say."

"Oh thank you oh honorable Istar." Greer scoffed. "Again I ask why you trail this far from the tower Isengard or lands of the elves."

In the slight distance a sarcastic snort could be heard as Legolas guided the young woman back to camp.

"The word honorable and thief do not belong in the same sentence"
Tempest paused and watched the group behind her, arms upon her hips defiantly. Legolas stopped slightly behind her, warily watching.

"And a gypsy is worthless away from her caravan." Greer shot back. She wanted to jump the girl again and see how far she could get before the ranger killed her.



At the mention of her caravan Tempest waste no time in lunging forward, luckily Legolas was in such a close proximity that he easily held her fast around her waist.

"You no NOTHING of my Caravan..." she spat at the Thief with an anger that made even Legolas start in surprise.
The emotions of humans were usually easy to discern, but not so to understand. He could neither discern the complex whirl of feelings than he could begin to understand and separate the hate and the sorrow that was now emanating from her.

//Such emotions for one so young// he thought shocked.

He hold her even closer because it seemed that if he were to let her go, she would indeed try something that would not end well. For someone who had been on the verge of death less than a few days ago, she was surprisingly strong.

Greer only smirked a little. "At least I left my guild on my own accord; I heard it's not the same for gypsies."

Before Tempest could respond Gandalf stepped between the two and glared hard at the thief.
"Enough. Both of you." he said while glancing at Tempest then returning his gaze to Greer.

"I will deal with you myself; Legolas take Tempest back to the camp."






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Gimli was slightly amused.

He knew perhaps he should not be, but these two females were a bit more feisty than the thought. He liked the lass, though he did not approve of her attack on the young gypsy.
Standing with feet apart and axe hold firmly before him, he watched as Tempest continued to struggle against Legolas hold.

Even more confounding to him was the fact that it seemed Legolas was actually having a bit of a problem holding her back. He didn't see how such a small thing could be strong enough to pose any challenge to an elf.

Gimli noted that thought away for later, perhaps something he could use against him later on. Imagining the look on Legolas face as he restated the fact that she was barely taller than himself and weighed almost less than the Hobbits, and He was a 'Great Elf lord and Prince". It would make for interesting conversation.


A grin was hidden by his beard in the dark as Legolas, with a sigh, finally reached down and then suddenly lifted the girl completely off her feet, over his very shoulder, and turned and delivering her away from the group.

He could not help but chuckle softly as Legolas blend in seamlessly into the woods behind him, his form silent, but the child's resounding protests to be let down rang clear.

"Glad someone else finds her amusing." Greer noted, watching the dwarf's small hidden smile.
"And deal with me?" she turned to Gandalf. "I find it amusing Gandalf that you would have to deal with me when I am not under your rule."

"You come under my rule when you attack one of my companies." Gandalf eyed her.

Greer only crossed her arms in front of her and held the gaze with the Wizard. "...and such an interesting company you keep. A Ranger, a Dwarf, Elf, I believe I saw some Hobbits and of course, our dear Gypsy friend!" She managed to raise her voice to a yell at the mention of the gypsy, relishing the sound of struggling in the brush.


From the distance a resounding answer to her last word echoed.
"...bitch!"


All heard clearly what Tempest had said, and if Aragorn didn't know better, that was Gimli chuckling.
He turned a sideways look on the Dwarf who silenced immediately.

Aragorn had to admit, it was difficult to keep the grin from his face well, and Gandalf's eyebrows rose at him.


Not even the wise Istar had known that the youngest of there group could be as turbulent as the weather she was named for. After a moment the struggling was to far away for him to hear without effort, and so he looked from Aragorn, whom was smirking behind the thief, back to Greer herself.

"I have a proposition for you Greer of the Eagle Guild"





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Legolas reached one side of the Camp where her things had been.

Pippin was trying his very best not to ask questions, eyes wide as he watched the scene unfold.
Merry just seemed to be trying not to look overly scandalized, or to burst into a fit of laughter.

Finally Legolas put Tempest back on her feet. After a moment of struggling, he was able to gently but firmly shove her to the ground. Guiding her with both hands into a sitting position, and he crouch in front of her. Now eye to eye he waited as she breathe in and out heavily.

"Is it well for me to release you or must I resort to restraining you with a rope" he asked with a glint of humor that was not lost on Tempest. She took one huge sigh and looked at him square in the eyes.

"I�m done" she mummer defeated.
He smiled, realizing this was the most interaction between any of the travelers and Tempest, with the exception of Gandalf.

"Now see what you've accomplished with such anger? You are spent. She is not worth the emotion if you are to harm yourself further" Legolas eyes caught hers again.

She could not help the tired half smile, noticing the wisdom in his words.

The light of the fire caught her face momentarily and it was Legolas turn to do the noticing.
"Your eyes...they are, blue" He mummer somewhat surprised at his conclusion.
"Very astute of you Master Elf." she said with her own humor this time.

"So are yours" It had been meant to be sarcastic, yet came across softer than she had wished though. This time her eyes like the blue-sea met his of blue-sky.






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Pippin slipped from the log he was perched on, and slid down into a comfortable position on his sleeping blanket. He yawn and turned to ask Merry if he shared in the Took's newly awoken hunger when he noticed that Merry was watching Legolas, who was very closely watching Tempest.

Though he wouldn't call that watching, it was more like...gazing?


Legolas did a lot of those types of looks. He would never call anything he did watching. There was glaring, oh did he glare, and when he glared you felt it.

He gazed, yet, this definitely was not gazing. When he looked afar, he gazed.

He peered, and could see things that no one else but an elf could.

And he even glanced...but this was more along the lines of staring.

He had seen Sam look at a pie like that once; it was the same look he gave Rosie. And as most things, it hit him a little late that it was not a normal look.






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Legolas was aware of the small distance between them. How could he not be? Even stranger and more vexing than his inability to ignore there proximity, was the fact that the more he tried the more he took notice of it.
He still had his hands firmly placed on her shoulders to keep her from rising from her sitting position before him. There was something he should be saying. Why could he not remember?

It was her eyes.
He had not noticed they were blue. Something seemingly so obvious.
Perhaps he had fleetingly taken note, but it had not occurred to him that most humans of her dark skin-tone did not have eyes of that shade. Not that he came across any.

They were penetrating, as penetrating as any elf he could say.
Like the sea.

Humans should not have that kind of power he decided.
His mind agreed with his conclusion, and would have nodded that agreement. Then why in the Valar was he not moving away. He wished to shake his head empty of all such thoughts.
Instead he was dangerously close. She had made no effort to move or look away from him either. She just watch him with those eyes.

He suddenly realized that she was indeed lovely, as lovely as one so young could be. Her skin was smooth and flawless except for a few freckles that graced her cheeks. He found his stubborn hand moving and gently touching one of them before he could chastise himself.


Tempest could hardly feel his touch. It was so feather light and gentle that she did not think to move away. In that moment she trusted Legolas completely, and knew she would perhaps forever. How she could tell she did not know. He had saved her very life, and never pushed her to speak or to do anything that was not for her good. And in her book, these were enough.

She found she was not vexed by his touch, more so, she enjoyed his gentle hands and protective glances.
She enjoyed the attention...

This was perhaps why she did not move away but closer to him when his hand graced her cheek.
She wondered what he was looking for in her eyes; he seemed to be searching for something.

For a moment in time there was a peace about the two and neither wished to break whatever spell they had been gifted, but a sound behind them made them wish they had.
Tempest eyes suddenly shifted to look behind him.

The obvious sounds of one clearing their throat echoed across the camp.
And to each ones horror, Aragorn stood, arms crossed and a grin plastered across his face.

Tempest swallowed and turned her face away, hiding the dark flush of her cheeks. She felt Legolas stand before her and move away, eyeing the Ranger with a look that could melt Mithril.

Aragorn watch Legolas lean against the closest tree and shifted his attention so suddenly one would not have thought he had just been caught ogling Gandalf�s young Apprentice.

Of course in the Princes mind, he did no such thing. Simply admired her in a harmless way.

To Aragorn, it was ogling in the true sense of the word.

Legolas looked once back to Aragorn, the scathing glare still in full power. Aragorn would have laughed if he did not hear Gandalf approaching at that moment. He shrugged at Legolas, and the elf sent him a 'speak a word and ill shall come to you', look.

Again Aragorn hold down his mirth.

He had been correct, as less than a moment later the Wizard returned with Gimli and the Thief Greer in tow.

The same look Legolas had just sent Aragorn�s way was now being pinned on Greer by Tempest.
And the thief did not hesitate to glare daggers in return.

Gandalf sighed and sent Tempest a warning look, then turned and sent one in Greer's direction. Seriously looking from girl to girl, setting a metal barrier on behavior.
Then he settled his gaze back on the thief.
"Now..." he mummer to her, and she sighed deeply and moved slightly in front of Tempest.

Only Aragorn�s keen eyes picked up the tension suddenly making its way to Legolas' shoulders. He too tensed, wondering what her intentions were.

"You should be more careful Gypsy and remember. I am a thief..." Greer flicked her wrist downward, and in her palm appeared a small silver-colored wrist cuff. She tossed it to the gypsy, who caught it deftly and examined her arm which was indeed void of the bracelet.

To everyone�s surprise, Tempest did not make another angry attempt to behead the Thief. This time she almost seemed amuse and reach to her back.

"Hey..." she called to Greer and wait as the Thief turned and eyed her warily.
"You would do well to remember something also..." For a moment all were tense as it seemed the air filled with scathing electricity between the two females.

"And what�s that" Greer did not hold back her annoyance or sarcasm this time, if this little tart was going to push her not even Gandalf could hold her back.

"That I am a Gypsy" Tempest sent the object flying through the air and it was Greer's turn to catch, and she examined the dagger in her hands, it was still in its sheath.
Then reaching down to her waist she realized it had been missing. She hadn't even noticed.

With lips pressed together in an annoyed gesture, Greer popped the dagger in air the lightly and caught it, turning in the opposite direction.

"Ill be back, I need to retrieve my things" she stopped before Aragorn, hands in air in a surrendering gesture. Then vanished momentarily to do as she had said.
Aragorn�s ears were tuned to her moments just down the way the whole time, and by Legolas still tense posture, he was more than sure so were his.

The thief known as Greer returned shortly with her said belongings, and taking a place as far from everyone else, without being out of camp, she settled and was quiet.

Aragorn sighed in return; at least there would be peace tonight if none ever again during the journey.

// I said this Mission would become interesting, and why do I have a sense the oddities have yet to stop?// he thought with a long deep sigh.


He sat, leaning on his sleeping roll. Eyeing the rest of the camp.








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Gimli removed his pipe from his pack, filling it and lighting it with steady hands. It had been something he had done countless times, and he enjoyed the first lung full of smoke. It billowed out and away by the wind.

Musing over the day�s events he suddenly began to notice how elemental each girl was.


Greer's snappish, intense, and with a quick anger that blazed like fire. She could have made a fine Dwarf woman indeed.

Tempest was quick to change from deathly calm to turbulent at a moments notice, as she proved this night. It reminded him much of Legolas extremes in temperament.
Too much like an elf that one.

He smiled, biting down on his pipe and settling deeper into this spot, content to play this game for a little while longer.
His hands working against the blade of his Halbard examining it closely.

He hold back a smile and made a deal with himself, to keep tally on the two lasses arguments.
He was sure there were plenty more to come. After he was sure his weapon could use no more inspection he set it aside, close enough to reach if need be, and rest his unused hand over his chest. The other gripping the pipe firmly.

His eyes began to drift and he puffed contently,

//Fire: 1 Water: 1//

Gimli was sure it would not remain a tie for very much longer.