Ilviel is riding through the night. Her path leading her past Bree, towards the hunted Barrows. Her heart feels heavy as she knows this mission will indeed provide a challenging one. Collecting ten Barghests paws, at the Tomb of Maenadar. Who would have thought it would come to this? As she enters the southern Barrow Downs she stops suddenly, her heavy heart preventing her from continuing. She dismounts, leading her steed Evermind to take shelter by the wall of the small mountains surrounding the haunted vale. She does not dare making a fire, although the mist filled wind is cold and frigid. Ilviel sits down and pulls her cloak closer, her right hand gently touching the small acorn-shaped whistle that hangs from a silver chain around her neck. She pulls her knees closer to her chest where she sits, and blows once in the whistle with what little strength she has left. Closing her eyes she whispers faintly, the wind carrying her words across the evil plains.
Ilviel whispers: “Avarand...”
***
When Ilviel opens her eyes again she does not know how long she has been asleep. The sky is still dark, although that is always the case within the Barrows, be it day or night. She drinks a few mouthful of water, eats a small piece of lembas bread that she has brought with her from her latest journey to Rivendell, and makes herself ready to continue. As she starts to lead Evermind through the southern pass she suddenly hears something from far behind. The sound draws closer, like claps of thunder. After a while Ilviel realizes it is the sound of a galloping horse, echoing through the valley. Through the mist rises a dark, riding figure, heading towards her where she stands. She quickly pulls out her rune stone from her satchel, slightly frightened but ready to engage if she must. As the rider draws close enough, Ilviel recognizes his features.
Avarand: “My lady...I came as soon as I heard your call.” He dismounts, and swiftly walks towards her, then kneels with his head bowed.
Avarand: “Are you hurt, my lady?”.
Ilviel smiles, as his words seem to lift the weight of her mission from her heart. She gently puts her hand on his chin, lifting his head so she can look into his pale blue eyes. She shakes her head slightly.
Ilviel: “No, I am not hurt, dear Avarand. Not yet, though would I have continued further south and then into the darkness of the tombs I am not sure I could say the same. You came just in time...as always.” She puts her hand once more on the whistle around her neck. Avarand looks at Ilviel, surprised when he hears of her plans.
Avarand: “This is no place for a lady like yourself to venture alone, for the Barrows is only filled with haunted beasts and death. What is it that you seek within these tombs?”
Ilviel: “I was sent here to collect Barghest paws. Not at any tomb, but at the Tomb of Maenadar. In any other case I would think of such a mission as folly, but the one who sent me is Dardúr himself, a legendary rune-keeper. I must see this through, for it is part of my training.” She gently strokes the runed stone she still holds in her hand, then puts it back into her satchel hanging by her hip. Avarand is still looking at her. He stands up and calls forth his horse.
Avarand: “Very well then, lady Ilviel. If this is indeed what you intend to do, then you shall have my shield to protect you no matter the end. We better be off, for the night grews darker. Lead the way, and I shall follow you.”.
Ilviel nods and they both mount their steeds. She takes the lead, riding slowly down the slope into the dark and mist clad valley, hoping that she remembers the directions to the tomb correctly. They do not ride long however before they find themselves standing in front of a hill, with large stones gathered at one of its sides which marks the entrance to a stair leading down below the earth. The stones are full of old markings. Suddenly, a wolf is howling somewhere afar. Avarand dismounts, then helps Ilviel down her horse and leads the steeds behind some of the larger stones. He then turns to her.
Avarand: “Let me go down first to ensure our entrance.”
Ilviel nods, and watches as he draws his sword and disappears down the stairs. Not long after she follows him into the darkness.
To be continued.
