Confrontations

[Iarwath]

Iarwath

Iarwath moved silently through the forest. She had come here to see how many Orcs still dwelled in the ruins of Dol Guldur. This had two reasons. First of all, she needed more allies if she wanted to destroy those who had destroyed her master and second, she needed a place to stay for a while, to plan and think.

Mirkwood was still rather dark, even though the shadow of Sauron had been lifted. It was a place to her liking. Well, the spiders weren't here favourites, but she couldn't ask for better guards. Even though Iarwath wasn't as powerfull as Sauron had been, she was by no means weak. And she knew that despite the fact the ring had been destroyed, her master wasn't lost to her. He was still out there somewhere, nothing but a weak spirit but his advice would be very welcome. Iarwath didn't have a lot of experience commanding large forces and the Orcs would obey here much better if she had the support of the Dark Lord. They could always pretend he hadn't lost anything of his powers, but simply wanted to make his enemies believe he had.

Iarwath forced herself to concentrate on the present. She was here alone in the forest of Mirkwood and could only hope that she wouldn't end up as spider food or be killed by Orcs before she could identify herself. Okay, there was little chance for that, but one had to be carefull. Another 20 miles and she would arrive at the ruins of Dol Guldur and find out if she could add more soldiers to her swiftly growing army.

[Veryan]

Veryan Morvan

Veryan rode quickly through the forest, she wanted to reach a clearing before nightfall as it was safer to stay there than under the trees. If she could make a fire the spiders wouldn't bother her overly much. She had preferred travelling with an escort but she hadn't got one and hadn't want to hire some mercenaries to guard her. They would have no trouble with cutting her throat for some money. And though Veryan wasn't rich, she wasn't exactly poor. Veryan was in Mirkwood to visit the Elves that were still living here and to hear news. She was still looking for the one that had killed those dear to her and hoped for news.

Veryan knew Iarwath had been in Gondor but hadn't been able to pick up a trail and thus had decided to go to Mirkwood as it was known the servants of the Dark Lord preferred dark places. Mirkwood was a dark place, even without Sauron's evil infesting it. The forset was so dense that little sunlight broke through the canopy. It was the perfect home for Orcs, spiders and perhaps an Assassin.

After a while, an hour or so before sunset, Veryan reached a clearing. It wasn't a large one, but it would serve. She quickly dismounted, left her horse in the clearing and collected some branches for a fire, her hand never leaving her sword. She didn't want to be caught off guard. She managed to get a fire going before the spiders noticed her and decided she would make a splendid meal. Veryan kept close to the fire and ensured her horse stayed there too. She wouldn't be able to sleep even if she was sure no spiders would come so she simply sat near the fire and allowed her mind to wander. Memories of the past came back to her unbidden. A figure dressed in black, wielding blooded knives...