Middle Earth

~Kaida~

"Trace, let her go!" Rey said, his eyes flitting from my face to the sword to the sword bearer. There wasn't anything he could really do at this point; not with the blade nearly cutting the line between life and death...my life and death.

"Trace...put the sword down so we can talk this out." I said smoothly. He actually seemed to consider it for a few moments before snorting.

"Why should I?"

"You trusted me before now, why does my heritage have to do with my trustworthiness?"

**I'm back!**

Rey: All curiosity about Ballow vanished instantly when Trace placed his blade on Kaida's neck. As he looked at his Trace, his closest friend since Kaida, as the blade was cutting into her neck, rage boiled up inside of him. He had trusted Trace and believed him when he said that he was loyal to the elves and had brought Kaida to the camp only because he had thought Trace would respect her and protect her if harm came her way. Now, as he looked into Trace's eyes and saw the greed and the hate, he knew that he was only interested in money.

Rey stood slowly, his hand on the hilt of his sword. Trace eyed him and said, "Sit down, Rey. I've been waiting for a long time to turn in one of these scoundrels and your not taking my money away." Rey stared at him a second, slightly confused, when it dawned on him. Trace was a bounty hunter. He took a step backwards: hobbits were fair prey to any bounty hunter. Then, the fury overboiled and he drew his sword and lunged toward Trace. Trace struck Kaida on the head and she slumped to the ground, unconcious. Then he brought up his sword to meet Rey's. The two clashed, and Rey could feel the power of Trace's blow vibrate through his arm.

Trace was 6'1", and he was lean and wiry with muscle. Rey, barely reaching 4'5 wasn't nearly as built as Trace. He couldn't win this battle on his own. He tried to take the offensive and drew his sword up and around, but Trace blocked it. They fought and the balance of the deadly game was slowly shifting in Trace's favor. Rey's strength was slowly leaving him and he needed help.

Constance-

"Um... t-the two men are fighting and... my kin is unconsious."

"I say now is the right time to jump in," I offered. Mikael shrugged.

"Alright then." He took off and I followed, Meer easily catching up with us. We jumped into the battle, Meer knocking down Trace, all three of us standing with some sort of weapon pointed at his face.

The shorter man stood back and went to help the elven girl.

"Get off of me!" Trace demanded, but I pressed my blade a little harder at his neck.

"How does it feel to have a blade on your neck?"

Trace glared at all of us and started sputtering insults. "Traitors! Allying yourselves with the likes of her!"

"All you care about is your money. Now you'll have nothing," said Meer, somewhat strongly. It surprised me and somewhat surprised Mikael, but our eyes never left the bounty hunter.

Another man stepped forward and cocked an eyebrow. "Hoody? What are you doing here?"

I stifled a laugh. "Hoody?" I asked Mikael. He didn't looked pleased with the name and I bit back all the teasing remarks waiting to fly out of my mouth.

"So what do we do with this?" I asked, shooting a look at Trace.

"Let him decide," Mikael said and nodded to the shorter man.

~Kaida~

I groaned, my head felt like it had been split in two. When I opened my eyes, everything was blurry and every noise seemed so far away. Nothing made sense. Except my head-it hurt. THAT made sense. Too much sense, in my opinion.

"Ow." I muttered, and stuff managed to make a little bit more sense.

Voices mumbled just outside of my hearing. I recognized maybe one or two of them.

Meer

"The girl regained conscious," Meer strode to the other side of the girl, in the blink of an eye or so it seemed, his hand reaching out to her forehead worriedly. "Dont strain yourself... shh... just be still."

The shorter man turned his eyes towards Meer curiously but turned back down at the girl again without much question.

"Wha..." she murmured softly. "Who are you?"

"No one of concern," he stated simply before turning towards Constance. "There is a cut on her neck and she seems to have bumped her head. Does anyone have any bandages and water?"

"Taking hold of the situation well I see," Mikael chuckled while he leaned up against the wall without much of a care.

"Anyone?" Constance murmured softly, her eyes looking down at Meer a little shocked, then towards Kaida.

When Meer was given the bandages, he had the shorter man prop the girl up as he wrapped the bandages around her neck with deft fingers, his mulberry eyes filled with worry as he did so. "What is you name?" He asked, trying to keep her somewhat awake so that she wouldnt end up falling into a coma.

"Kaida.." She murmured still looking fairly stunned. "You?"

"Meer," he stated simply before dripping more fabric into the water bucket he was given and pressing the damp clothe against her forehead. "Now be still."

Rey:

As Rey held Kaida up the he watched as the girl made Trace stand up and she held her sword to her neck. After thinking for a second, decided he should probably turn Trace over to the General of the Riders. A pang of regret hit him.

Trace had been his closest companion since he'd joined the Riders and he had used him. Clenching his jaw , he looked down at Kaida. The man had finished cleaning her up and bandaging her wounds, so he gently lay her head on a balled up cloak and stood. "I'll take him to the General," he told the woman. She nodded and Rey drew his sword and placed it in the center of Trace's back. "Move," he said, no emotion in his voice. Trace began to walk when Rey realized he was leaving Kaida with three strange people he had never met. He looked back at the man who was tending Kaida and caught his gaze. They stared at each other for a second, and in that second, Rey saw that his ears was pointed.

From the sincerity in his gaze and the way he had rushed to Kaida's rescue, Rey knew he could be trusted. he turned and marched Trace over to the General. They were pretty far away from the center of camp and as they walked, Trace said, "I'm sorry, Rey. You were a good friend and I've betrayed you."

"Yes, you have betrayed me," said Rey. "You've also betrayed my closest friend. For that I must turn you in." They'd reached the center of camp and Rey saw the General pouring over a map in the center of camp. He looked up when Rey approached and raised his eyebrow.

Rey saluted. "Sir, I've discovered that Trace is not loyal to the Riders. He has attempted to capture and turn in an elf for a bounty. I've come to turn him for you to do what you wish." The General looked surprised, but called someone to lead Trace away. Rey watched him go, when he saw that the General looking at him strangely. Rey looked at him and with a sudden dread realized what he was staring at. During the excitment of the fight, Rey's ears had come uncovered, revealing the fact that he was not all human.

The General looked at him straight in the eyes and Rey met his gaze. Rey knew his time with the Riders was up, for only those who were fully human and from Rohan could serve. No General had ever compromised that rule and no General ever would. He removed his helmet and gave it to him. "I'll take my things and leave as soon as possible," Rey said. The General, not one to waste words, nodded his head.

"I'm sorry, Rey," he said, "But there are rules that must be followed." Rey nodded and turned around, blindly heading back to Kaida. He'd been a Rider for most of his life, and now he was completely clueless as to what he would do.

When he reached his campfire, Ballow and the three strangers were still there and Kaida was sitting up and looking much stronger. They looked up at him and Rey said,

"I'm no longer a Rider," he said.

*If Mikeal, Constance, or Meer wants to, this is an opening for them to ask Rey to join their group.*

~Kaida~

When Rey left, I finally realized what was going on. I hated that I'd been disoriented this long, that I needed this much help. The elf, Meer, wouldn't let me move as he pressed a wet cloth to my forehead. I had to admit that it felt amazing and was making my head hurt less, but I was feeling jittery with all of these strangers around--especially that woman who'd nearly shot me earlier today.

"Thank you." I finally said, breaking a long, awkward silence, "My freedom would have been lost without your intervention-I think...what happened."

"Your friend lunged at that man, then you were knocked uncounsious. He was losing due to a huge disadvantage-though lasted longer than any would guess-and we jumped in."

I thought about this, considering everything, and tried to sit up.

"Caref---" The elf said.

"I'll survive." I growled. All of this was starting to annoy me because I couldn't do anything about it, "Help me up."

He did, probably figuring I would with or without his help. All of us fell into silence again.

Rey came back, looking a bit dazed.

"I'm no longer a Rider."

I gave Rey a look of pain, knowing exactly what he was feeling. The need to stand up was overwhelming, but due to my injury, standing made me dizzy. More than anything, though, I was confused. Why wouldn't they want a man as great as Rey? He may be short, but he loved Rohan and would die for it. What made the General do such a thing? I didn't like seeing him like this.

"Why?" I asked softly, "What happened?"

Meer

Meer listened intently as Rey spoke of everything that had gone down, his voice hushed as if it was the most terrible of all tragedies. When Rey had finished, he was sitting down next to Kaida, his legs crossed and his head tilted making him look completely crestfallen.

"I have no purpose now," he stated simply before turning his eyes towards the group.

"Then we'll give you one," Mikael yawned again, standing up straight. "Damn that hurts my back..."

"You've got to be kidding me!" Constance's teeth clenched. "Strangers. We are supposed to trust complete strangers now too?"

"I trust him," Meer stated simply. "I trust all of them. They... they have no illcontent in their eyes, unlike Trace. No, they all look like strong and geniunely good people."

"Yah, what the elf said," Mikael yawned.

"I dont see how you're so quick to agree, Meer," she seemed a little haughty about having been outnumbered. "Just because he said it was okay, you are so quick to agree? They could slit our throats!"

"I promised I would protect you," Meer looked up at her intensely. "I will let no harm come to you. If they are traitors then dont feel obliged to fear them. I will make sure they pay if they lay a finger on you."

"Oh thats comforting," Rey, scratched the back of his head. "Already we're off to a bad start."

"These two seem to not trust anyone if you're curious," Mikael chuckled. "They bickered like this when I asked them to join my fellowship too."

"Join your fellowship.." Rey thought it through solemnly. "Is that what you are asking of me? To join your fellowship?"

"Not just you," He turned his eyes towards the elf. "Her too, and the other guy. Basically speaking, anyone here I want in this little expedition. The more the merrier I suppose."

"I dont like the idea of this," Constance turned her back on Mikael. "And I really dont like the constant reminders of how much Meer wants to 'protect' me. I can defend myself."

"I know you can," Meer smiled. "But I'm there for good measure."

*What other girl, Dreamwalker? Maybe I'm just totally forgetting someone, but I'm not sure. I've been reading, but I'm not sure what to do with my character right now, so I haven't posted much.*

***Dreamwalker, when you said "other girl", did you mean Ballow? If you did, that would be the other man. Ballow's a guy. But if you didn't, I'm with chipsandguocomolie.***

**XD typo. Sometimes I accidently say she when its he and girl when its guy.. sorry... i meant a male... **

constance-

I didnt' like the idea of newcomers, but Meer and I were newcomers ourselves. Dang I was prejudice and paranoid.

"I'll join," said Rey. He stepped forward boldly and then looked back at Kaida. she smirked.

"Sure, I'll join. What's there to lose?"

The other man, Ballow was left. He looked at Mikael like he was crazy. "You forget about people too easily. I basically already joined with you."

"Hmm, six campanions. Great, this will be better than expected," said Mikael.

"Wait!"

We all looked back and I recognized the elf girl that found me in the woods a few days ago. Lalaith was her name.

"Wait, I want to come too."

Meer and Kaida looked at her blankly, obviously not knowing what to think. I doubt they had ever been around so many elves in one place.

"Sure," Mikael shrugged. I felt better about the whole fellowship thing with Lalaith there. I hadn't known her for long, but I knew she was good. That eased my paranoia for the time being.

"I also know where there is another person who would be willing to help. She's up at my village. I shall take you to her."

"Eight people in one day. There sure are a lot of people who hate the king," Meer muttered. A smile tugged at my mouth, but I wouldn't let it pass. I remained quiet for the walk to Lalaith's village, fearing that any word would give away the fear I felt inside. Never have I been around so many people unless I were attacking them. This was awkward.

Rey:

He had joined a fellowship against the king; the only thing left was to convice Kaida to join. He left the group and walked over to her. "Rey," she said, "Help me stand up. I feel ridiculous down here." Rey grinned and put his arm around her back, supporting her as she stood. She swayed for a second and blinked a few times.

"So, Kaida," Rey said, "What do you think of all these guys. We have to be the strangest group of misfits I've ever seen. A cynical wizard, a paranoid girl, two elves, a mysterious man and a half-hobbit." They both smiled and Kaida looked at him and sighed.

"I don't know, Rey," she said, "It just seems awful strange that they would show up just as you've been discharged. They seem, I don't know."

"Kaida, they're not enemies. They came over here to save me and you from Trace. Listen, why don't you just go along with it for now. I'm sure if any of them decide they don't like us, we could get out of there." She looked over towards the group and studied them for a moment.

"I will join," she said. "But if anything suspicious happens, I'm out. Okay?" Rey nodded.
"Okay." The two of them strode over to the now large group and Kaida said,
"I'm in."

Mikael

"Your the girl form the clearing" i said turning to Lalaith.
"Um, yes" she said blushing.
"I'm sorry i was so rude. I just had other things on my mind."
"Such as?" She asked smiling.
"Such as finding Bors the Beorning and Grimalkin. I don't suppose you know where he or she is?"
"Grimalkin, no i'm afraid i don't. Who is Grimalkin?"
"It's not a person, it's a title. Grimalkin was the title bestowed on the elves political assassin. The greatest killers ever known all bore the same name, Grimalkin."
"Tht's ridiculous" she laughed. "The elves would never have such a rank." I looked at her sternly.
"They did and they do." With that i dropped back slightly to judge the groupings within my fellowship.

Lalaith

Finally. I could finally do something. I did get the feeling, though, that not all these people were very welcoming. Some seemed wary of all the companions. I, however, could not have been happier. Constance was there, which was somewhat comforting, because I knew she would be careful of who she trusted, and the man Mikael seemed very dedicated to his goal, and also very intriguing. Now, I was leading them to my camp to collect Nyxe, who I thought might want to come as well. I now realized that it probably would be unagreeable with the other elves in my camp that I was bringing so many unknown people there, but hey, I had been feeling adventurous. And this would certainly be an adventure.