The skies had long darkened and although Faorie knew that her walk through the Trollshaws had already been thoroughly patrolled she couldn't help but to continue for another round. There was so much unfiltered concern running through her mind, one after the other, that her supposedly memorised route through the woods began to appear less definite. Her thoughts shifted from the significant amount of time that has passed since last she had heard from her closest friend Ebbephant who had been privately assigned a mission held far beyond the vale, to the sudden appearance of Thendryt who had apparently been missing for several years, as well as his notably secretive tendencies, to the rumour of Lady Elisbeth and Captain Khalis' presence being nowhere to be found in Imladris...
Blackened clouds rolled over the Trollshaws, causing raindrops to fall onto the ground, creating a calming ambience. Faorie continued forward, thinking more over recent events that attracted her attention including her recent grouping with a Malledhrim in the Mirkeaves known as Almrond and their alarming discovery of a pool in the Drownholt emitting poisonous gases, surrounded by numerous unidentifiable corpses and aged skeletons. She had almost forgotten what it was like to be surrounded by so many morbid sights, for her presence had not been required in Mirkwood since the Warband's expedition through the lands. She had remained with Almrond and had accompanied him back to the inn found far North after advising him to refrain from returning to the death-engulfed pool. He had agreed to her advice, though she still worries for his safety... she could not remain with him for too long while aware that the number of those guarding the vale were presently low, and in that she can only hope that he acts on his promise of writing to her of his future findings.
Naturally, one thought would lead to another and it only took a moment for the memory of her time in Almrond's company to remind her of the dream she had of Thendryt and his fall from a snowy cliff. This dream had been had so long ago now, but the heaviness of its message still lingered. “It is simply a dream, there is nothing from it that I should concern myself with,” Faorie had thought to herself. Thendryt is a curious man – one who perhaps holds secrets in his heart. Although she would not like to imagine members of her kin in a negative light, she cannot help but to think questioningly towards Thendryt. Several interactions with him have led her to heavily consider speaking to Lady Elisbeth in regards to his history, including his search for a man who is supposedly a threat to the vale, though he chooses not to share more information involving him, the mysterious blood-stained dagger she had noted on him from Eregion, and his unwillingness to speak of himself or his thoughts beyond his duties.
Faorie shakes her head slowly. “I am overreacting,” she thinks, “I am sure of it. How could I think such things of a warrior of Imladris?” Her steps become slower and slower until she comes to a halt, staring down at the wet ground. The rain was picking up. “But what if...” She stops herself from completing her thought and simply turns her face forward and continues her walk again.
Her path had led her, not to the path leading up to High Moor, but instead to the only other path she takes through the Trollshaws. Faorie had not realised that she had been making her way towards her favourite, private location where in the past she had spent time to meditate. There she would find a wooden bridge before a waterfall, the atmosphere would be relaxing, the waters clear and refreshing, and the creatures surrounding it not the least bit hostile. She had taken Thendryt there once, and it was there that they sparred, for Thendryt had wished to test Faorie's skills in combat. And it was also the place she had introduced Ebbephant to where they would occasionally travel to after patrols and reveal any concerns or stresses either of them may have had. But the last time they had travelled for such a meeting was long ago...
… and it was also the time where they experienced something very...
Faorie stopped in her tracks again. She stared forward in deep thought. “Has something...” Faorie's mind completely cleared of any thoughts pertaining to anything besides Ebbephant. “Could something have happened?” She remembered the deep grey fog, the evil atmosphere, the vision they shared...
“Ebbephant,” she whispered. The rest of her words were spoken in thought, “Where have you gone?”
