~Wandering Moon~
.:Running Fire:.

.:Narion watched as the stream of wagons crept across the trail along the valley. The sun was beginning to sink in the sky. Narion felt a cold breeze whip past, its icy fingers pulling at his cloak and hood. Ithil was crouched next to him peering silently, studying the line of wagons far below. The youth rubbed his hands together trying to rub warmth back in, but the woman seemed unaffected by the cold or wind even with only her simple gray/green traveling cloak.
"What are we waiting for?" He asked tucking his frozen fingers under his arms.
"We are waiting for the train to pass," Ithil said quietly. Narion groaned. "Remember, boy, we are only a days ride from Bravaca. Your uncle could have easily sent someone ahead. We will follow after the wagon train. With all the confusion we should be able to sneak in without being noticed."
"Why don't we just cut through the forest and get there before them? And who rides wagon trains into a seaport?"
Ithil sighed sitting herself down against a tall, pale aspen, motioning Narion to do the same. "The hilltop we are on slopes down to a fairly narrow pass five or so miles that way." She pointed towards the west in the direction the train was headed along the trail. "Atop either side are lookouts. Now, they watch for any trying to waylay the train. They do not like strangers sneaking around in the bushes when there is a perfectly fine road. And while I am fairly good at not being seen when I wish, it would not be worth the risk.
"Besides, we have made very good time getting here a day and a night earlier than I had estimated. If we bide our time and keep our heads we will do fine.
"And to your second question: The train has a faster track through the Gap than a ship around the Cape.

They sat in silence for a moment, only the sound of the wind carrying the cries of the wagon driver was heard. Narion shifted slightly, glancing at the woman.
"Ithil?" He asked, she glanced over waiting. "Do you have any family?"
A look of sorrow crossed he face. "I did once. Long ago."
"What were their names?"
Ithil straightened up and her face grew grim. "This is not the time or place to discuss my family background. We need to keep an eye on the wagon train."
"I am," Narion assured her. "What other time would be better? We aren't doing anything and the train will take awhile to pass still," the youth persisted. He had become accustomed to Ithil in the few days they had traveled together and no longer feared her.
"My father was Othen, my mother Thamir and my younger brother Nashe," she finally said, then fell silent.
"What happened to them?" Narion asked, but this time he had pushed to far.
"They are gone! Their spirits have passed with the sun into the West! Now leave me be!" He could see a cold glint in her frosty blue eyes that warned him to keep his tongue. Then she turned, pulling her cloak over her long black hair and silently watched the train move by.

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.:The two slid down to the valley trail below. They walked in silence along the smooth well worn dirt road. On either side deep ruts had formed in the road from numerous wagons rumbling by. The woods were kept back on either side so the path was quite wide. As they turned a corner in the trail they came through a narrow valley. Two tall cliffs on either side. Then there below them they saw Newlon stretching out before them. The Town was fairly small, most of the town was made up of fishing ports and market places. Ithilmir and Narion continued down the trail that led straight to the docks.
As they walked in silence Narion saw Ithil scanning the town warily. He glanced around as well. Over near the largest market Narion saw what he had been hoping for: A light, almost cloudy, blue dragon! He sat, wings folded flat to his back, watching and waiting.
As they walked down the broad main street. Either side of the wide lane was covered with stall upon stall of fish, fruits and goods of all kinds. The smell of the market was a frenzied mix. Nearly as vibrant as the booths they swirled around. Narion quickened his pace seeing the dragon just ahead. Suddenly Ithilmir pulled him over between two stalls silencing his protest with a quick motion. Both watched as the ebb and flow of the crowd passed. Narion noticed fish peddlers milling through the crowd trying to sell their goods. Their loud calls echoed out each trying to call over the others. He felt Ithil shift next to him.
"There," she pointed to a tall man bartering with one of the fish marketers. A light gray Caagon perched sleepily on his shoulder. "That's the rider." Ithil whispered to the youth.
"How can you tell?" Narion asked.
Ithil smiled mischievously. "He's wearing riding gear and I don't see any others- Boy! What do you think you're doing?!" But it was too late. Narion was already pushing his way through the crowd towards the rider.
"Blue rider!" he called as he ran. The man looked up hearing one of his titles and saw the boy running towards him.
"Ho now, lad!" he said smiling down at the panting youth. "What's all the rush?"
"I need your help!" Narion told him urgently. Neither noticed Ithil creep silently up behind them.
The blue rider, Elmíhísië rider of blue Lómelth, took Narion aside and listened to his story. This time he kept his emotions under control. Elmíhísië listened intently waiting till the end to ask his questions.
"Where are your mother and sister now?" Elmíhísië ask, his tone now serious.
"In my uncle's house in Bravaca."
"What was your uncle's name?"
"Harnor," the youth answered.
"Harnor?" Ithil asked with surprise. The blue rider glanced up at the sound of a new voice. "Rather fat, loud bellowing voice, lousy temper?" She asked.
Narion nodded. "Blue rider, this is Ithilmir. She has been my guide here," then turning back to Ithil."That sounds like Harnor. Do you know him?"
Ithilmir gave him a odd smile. "We had a bit of a...misunderstanding, you could say. He locked me in the darkest dungon he could find."
"How did you get out? He never lets them out!" Narion looked at her with big eyed amazement.
"It will take more than a flimsy lock and absentminded guards to keep me secure." She gave him another smile then turned to the blue rider. "Will you help?"
The man glanced over towards his dragon, Ithil could tell the rider was speaking to his bond. Doubt showed on his face as he turned back to them.
"We at the caer are not to interfere with the politics of the other residence of the Island. I'm not even a Fleet rider in this island's Caer. I'm only visiting my sister....But...If we only ask for sanctuary at the Caer. Maybe," Elmíhísië nodded as if he had finally made up his mind. "Let's go talk to the Caer Lady."

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~Ithilmir stood outside the entrance to Caer Umbar's caverns. A light breeze was sweeping round the mountain peaks and whistled in the cliffside stretching above her. The Rock was a night black color, but crystals glittered in it like diamonds in the night. Dragons flew high over head. Their great opaque wings sweeping the deep blue sky. Night was dawning swiftly.

Ithil shifted to her other foot feeling sharp rocks working their way through her soft soiled shoes. Within the Caverns a door opened and Narion, Elmíhísië and Caerlady Morel stepped out into the twilight. Narion was smiling and thanking the Caerlady profusely. Umbar's Caerlady was a tall dark woman: Black shoulder length hair, well tanned skin and dark perceptive eyes. The woman smiled, accepting his thanks and quickly strode off into the twilight.
"What did she say?" Ithil asked, silently coming up behind the boy.
"She's going to send a rider to invite Mother and Area to the Caer. They should be here in a few hours." Narion hesitated for a moment. "Thank you for helping me. I would never have made it without you."
She gave him a half smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Think nothing of it, boy. But I think I'll be heading out soon." Ithil turned to leave, but found the blue body of Lómelth stood in her path. Above her a grate eye studied her silently.
Elmíhísië came up behind them smiling broadly. "Well, I'll be heading back to my Caer now."
Ithil smiled politely and nodded. "Good luck to you," she said stepping to move around the great beast. But Lómelth shifted barring her path yet again.
"One other thing," Elmíhísië's voice held a hint of humor. "I spoke with the Caerlady, she said I could offer to take you back with me as bounders. Both of you." The rider smiled glancing from the shocked face of the boy to the woman's raised eyebrows and suprised stare.
"As Bonders?" Narion asked quietly as if the offer would disappear if he spoke it too loudly. Ithil could see the joy in his eyes, a bright smile spreading across his face. Why did he have to remind her of her brother so? Tears stung the back of her eyes, but she quickly willed them away, unwilling to show her emotions.
Elmíhísië's low voice spoke again. "Lómelth thinks you would make good riders. Ithil?" He turned to the woman who had drifted away from them. "Will you come as well?"
"Of course she will," the boy began, but his voice trailed off as he glanced at Ithilmir. "Won't you?" He asked less sure.
Ithil shook her head. "I'm a wanderer, boy. I don't take well with staying in one place long. But you will do well. Good luck." and with that she turned and began to walk off. But Narion was not about to let her go so easily. Running he caught up with her and turned to stand in her path.
"Why don't you want to? With a dragon you wouldn't have to travel alone!" His eyes were pleading, but Ithil stepped around him without a word and continued.
By now Narion was bristling and perhaps this was clouding his judgment or, perhaps, it simply fueled his courage.
"Why do you keep running? Why are you afraid?!" With these words Ithil stopped midstride and turned slowly her frosty eyes gleaming angrily she slowly stalked back towards him. But Narion continued his voice growing with each word. "Why are you afraid to let anyone close?! To let anyone befriend you? That we you I heard singing that first night. I remember that song from my fathers funeral. What happened to your family?"
"THEY DIED! THEY ALL DROWNED BUT ME! I loved them and they died! I was only ten and they left me!" Ithilmir's voice trailed off. Tears were running down her cheeks, but she made no sound.

They stood in silence for a moment. Only the wind sighing through the rocks stirred. The sun had now gone down and the black rocks were set with deep shadow. But the moon was full and it shone down on the woman, her face shining with tears, and the youth in front of her.
Narion broke the stillness by reaching out and lightly touching Ithilmir's hand. Her fingers were cold, but so were his. He could feel the winter night's freezing fingers caress his face as the wind blew through his hair and his breath glowed pale in the moonlight.
"Come to the Caer with us," He said gently. "Just because something loves you does not mean it will die. Please come. I promise you, I will not die."
Ithil laughed grimly but with a hint of tenderness. "That is a big promise, bo-Narion." She paused in thought, then gave a half smile. "I will come."

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