Tarí appeared in a frustrated mood. She was talking to her self, mixed up in her own thoughts when she realized that, in her wanderings, she had stumbled into a village. Not Knowing where she was and alone she scrambled back into the woods where she had come from, despratly hoping that no one saw her. She sat with her back against a large, tall oak thinking to herself; What am i doing here? I should never have left home alone. Oh god what am i going to do?
It had been a long day and she was weiry and roadwarn. She was apprehensive about going into the village. Things just werent going the way she wanted them to at all!

Zandalor walked out of the woods, with a dead rabbit strewn over his shoulder. He was walking to Norwood Village to greet his Elven friends, who he knew would happy to eat some fresh meat, as a change to vegetables all the time.
He stopped near the Tall Oak tree where Tarí was, still not seeing her. He thought he heard someone talking. "Hmm, maybe I'm just hearing stuff." He started to walk up towards the village again.

Tarí heard a noise in the distance and looked up. She had been so caught up in her inner struggle she didnt hear the noise till it was to late.There coming towards her was a man with a rabbit thrown over his shoulder. As he stoped before her her she shifted uncomfortably. He had not seen her yet. Is he dangerous? what if he sees me? i should move so he doesnt see me.She was scared and her breathing was increasing as she started to move around the oak tree. She tried to calm her breathing down when... SNAP she had broken a twig beneath her. She froze and slowly looked at the man standing a few feet away from her.

As soon as Zandalor heard the SNAP, he dropped the rabbit on the ground and turned around to where he thought the noise came from. He began to slowly tread towards the large Oak Tree where Tarí was hiding. He raised his cloak with his left arm and slowly pulled out a dagger with his right hand. He was a Ranger and so, went never unprepared to a situation which he did not know anything about - especially in Norwood Forest. "Hello? Who goes there? Reveal yourself, and you will not be harmed."
Zandalor continued to slowly tread towards the large Oak tree, with his dagger in his right hand...

Tarì knew as soon as the twig snaped that she would have confront this man. He called to her to come out. Timidly she came out from behind the oak tree. OK dont be scared. he's not going to hurt you. Dont show fear. Yes? What can i do for you sir?

As soon as Zandalor seen who it was behind the Oak tree, he decided to himself that she did not look like a threat. He stopped treading forward and stood still. He put away his dagger, to show that he was also not a threat, and replied to the Elven woman that stood before him in a gentle and non-threatening manner. "I have nothing that needs to be done...but, may I ask why you were hiding behind that tree?"

Tarì watched the man put away his dagger and noticed that he was not a threat. The question he asked however did send off warnings bells in her mind. Did he see me before to know i was hiding? If i tell him im not from around here hell ask more questions... damnI wasnt hiding good sir, i was mearly resting. Ok so it was a lie. big deal. He didnt know her and she didnt know him. I hope he doesnt ask personal questions... im not prepared to admit why im here.

Zandalor didn't know whether to believe this woman's answer. He thought to himself, if she was resting then why did she hide behind the tree before showing herself? "Oh, so you were resting. Well, that's ok, but I wouldn't advise doing it too far from the village. These woods can be quite dangerous...but, I'm sure you would know that, if... you're from around here."
Zandalor still suppected the woman may be lying, so he was trying to see where she was from. "Have you been there long?"

Tarì sensed that he was prying. Which was of course not what she had exspected. No I have not been under the tree long and of course the woods are dangerous. Arn't all woods dangerous in there own way? Do i really look like that much of an outsider? Maybe im just a bad lier. I never was good at it... Her gaze swept over him. She tried to analyze him. But for her, figuring out a human was never a strong point.

Zandalor gazed at the woman for a second. "Well, if you do not need any help, then I should be off. I should've been with my friends eating this fine rabbit by now. Farewell." Zandalor turned around and was walking over to pick up the dead rabbit, that was left lying on the ground...

Wait. OK, Im not from around here and i dont know where i am or who to trust. I dont even know why im trusting you telling you all this, but i have to start somewhere i guess. Please just dont leave me out here alone. Im not used to it to be compleatly honest... She was confused by the way she was confiding in him but as she had said she had to start somewhere...

Zandalor paused, he turned around to face the woman. "Well, if you want my help I guess you should start by telling me your name." Zandalor walked up to the woman and sat against the large Oak tree. "I would also need to know where you're from...Well?"

My name is Tarí Nólatári. I am an elven priestess from a place called Eärwen Felagund. Its a place far away and I have traveled long and hard to be rid of it. Tears glistened at the corners of her dark eyes. She faught back the tear. She would prove that she was not a child and was stronger than the memories that stirred in her mind. Is there anything else that you require to know about me or may i procede to ask you your name and where you are from?

"My name is Zandalor. I am originally from the City of Taras, but my parents brought me here, to live with the Elves of Norwood, when I was only 1 years old. I prefer it here, Taras is too crowded and corrupt. I am a Ranger of these woods."
Zandalor slid down to lie on his back on the soft grass which surrounded the Oak tree. "Anyway, you said that you came from a place far off. Eärwen Felagund, was it? I would also like to know why you came such a great distance to...be rid of it, I remember you said?"

Yes Eärwen Felagund. But inorder to tell you why i left let me first tell you a bit about the place that i come from and what was exspected of me. Tarì sat down next to Zandalor under the oak tree. She closed her eyes and saw her home land as it was. Eärwen Felagund is alot like this place. The city is in the wood, woods just like these, although the trees were huge redwoods. But there the city was in the tree tops, a huge interconnected web of life and lights. The homes looked a bit like a wasps nest and we used the brances of the trees in our homes as seats, benches, or tables. We didnt cut pieces of the trees down to make room for us, we molded to the trees.
Of course there were rules and regulations that everyone had to follow. We didnt want our city discovered. There were archers posted at our boarders ready to discourage any traveler from entering our woods. Thoses that could not get discouraged were shot and killed on the spot.
Being a priestess was hard enough for me. I have never worn these types of clothing. I used to were dresses of all colors suited to my station, greens, yellows... the colors of the autum leaves. By the age of 200, which would be about the equivilent of your 19 years I found out that my father was aranging for me to be wed. I knew the man he wanted me to marry, Angrod Tîwele. He is a nice enough man but in some ways very crule and insubordinate. I knew i could never marry this man. I had begged my father to reconsider but he would not be swayed. Secretly I made preperations to leave my home. I had made my own cloths and found suitable wepons from the town armory, which has things on stock for the archer gaurds. So the night before i was to be wed i left. Taking with me what I hoped would be sufficent for my journy. I had just arrived here when you found me. I was to scared to go into the village. If my father send anyone here to look for me this my very well be the first place they come.
She bit her bottom lip as she looked at him. waiting for his resonse to her reasons for leaving

Zandalor stared up into the air, his gaze piercing the branches that were hanging over them high up in the Oak tree. "So, you didn't want to marry the man who your father was going to make you marry..." Zandalor went quiet for a few seconds. "...and then you left, and arrived here not knowing what to do."

Zandalor sat up again, laying his back against the trunk of the Oak tree. "Hmm. Well...what will you do if your father has men come here to get you? I could...help you, if you do not wish to return back to your home city." Zandalor turned his head to look at Tarí. "What do you plan to do next?"

Tarì looked at Zandalor and thought about what he proposed. Well i dont know how you would plan on helping me but if you wish to help me you are more than welcome to. As for what I planed to do, I have no clue where to go or what to do. She sat and thought for a while pondering where she would go. I dont know where anything is. So i guess if you do wish to help me I will let you deside what we are to do. Although we should probably find some place to stay the night and food to eat. It was getting dark out. The sun was just setting and the sky casted a purple-pink glow to everything.

Zandalor looked at the sky, and then back at Tarí. "I do not know what to do next, concerning the problem you have, but for now I think we should go into the village. There we can have the rabbit I caught fresh today, my friends have probably given up on me now and returned home. I shall explain to them tomorrow."

Zandalor stood up and held his hand out to Tarí. "You can stay in my home tonight, if you want to that is."

Tarì gazed up at Zandalor as he offered his hand. I have a request of you. I care not what you tell your friends but I do with that you not tell them of why I am here. I do not need my fathers minions knowing that I have been here. As for staying with you, I do not wish to bother you so if you would prefure i will stay at an inn. If you insist I will of coarse follow you where ever you go. Tarì Took Zandalor by the hand and allowed him to help her up.

Zandalor pulled Tarí up to her feet. "I do not mind where you stay, it is your decision, but I certainly insist you come and have a meal with me" Zandalor smirked to himself, thinking that Tarí doesn't want to come with him to his home. He turned around and walked over to pick up the dead rabbit that was still lying on the grass. "Hmm, I hope this is still eat-able." He strung the rabbit over his shoulder and turned around to face Tarí. "Well, it isn't eat-able, we can have something else. I'm sure I have other things to eat."

Zandalor turned around to face the direction of the village. "By the way, I will not tell my friends of you. I will make up something. Are you coming?"

Tarì smiled at Zandalor's back as he picked up the rabbit, knowing full well that he thought she was scared of going to his house. On the contrary though she would have loved to see the interior of a house here. As he turned around she whiped the smirk off her face. Ill follow you anywhere you go if we are to travel together. And if that rabbit isn't edible im sure the both of us could combined our cooking talents and make a meager meal fit for the two of us. She smiled then a sweet and warm smile. Lets go.

Zandalor felt relieved when he saw the smile on Tarí's face. He now didn't think that she was trying to avoid coming with him to his home. "Great! Just follow me through the village." He turned around and began to walk forward towards the village with the rabbit still strewn on his shoulder...

Tarì nerviously followed Zandalor, running to catch up. She was scared someone would stop them in the village, someone that knew her. She caught up with Zandalor and grabed his hand uncontiously, taking strength from his ashered strides. She was bitting her bottom lip nerviously.

Zandalor held Tarí's hand gently. He sensed that there was something wrong with her. "Are you alright?" He led Tarí past very large trees that were built into the shape of houses. He turned to walk down a path to where his own home lay. It did not look like a big home from the outside, but in it was a bedroom, livingroom and a kitchen. His was on up a tree, with steps leading to it around the trunk, and further on up the tree to where other houses lay.

Tarì removed her hand from Zandalor's embarrassed. Her cheecks were red as she looked at the path her feet tread. Im fine. Just scared that someone will reconise me. She walked quietly by his side as the warmth from his hand dwindled from hers.

Zandalor felt even more embarrassed at what he had asked. "Oh, sorry. I just thought...nevermind." Zandalor led Tarí up the steps to the third house up the tree. The walk up the steps, which were carved from fine wood, never really tired him as he was use to this sort of thing now. "My house isn't the biggest home you will see here, but, it was only really built to accommodate one person."

Zandalor took a loose piece of wood in his hand and pulled a key out from behind. He placed the loose piece of wood bak to cover up the hole. "People are trustworthy around here, but better to be safe." He opened an oval-shaped wooden door with the key and entered the house. "Make yourself comfortable." There was an openfire still lit. A fur rug lay infront of the fire no top of a wooden floor, which was quite flat. There were two wooden seats infront of the fire, facing it. Other bits and piece lay about the room as well...

Tarì walked into the fire lit room. The fire made the room feel homie and warm. Instead of sitting in one of the chairs, she made herself comfortable on the rug infront of the fire. She closed her eyes and soaked up the warmth. She turned and looked a Zandalor. This is a very nice place. She smiled warmly at him. So what are we going to do now?

Zandalor turned around, before he walked into the kitchen. "Well, I'm going to go and make us this rabbit as it is still edible, and some vegetables that are only found around Norwood. You just make yourself comfortable, if you want."
Zandalor turned and walked into the kitchen with the rabbit hanging in mid-air, held in his hands now.

Would you like any help? I may not be the best at cooking but i could try to help you. smiling she looked away from the fire at Zandalor.I could help make the salad? Or whatever. If you dont want help its fine i can understand. id probably just get in the way...

Zandalor laughed. "Don't worry, you wouldn't be in the way. You may help if you wish, have some tomatoes here that you could cut if you want." Zandalor put the rabbit on a small table, and pulled a hunting knife out from a knife holder. He began to cut the rabbit open, to get the fur off the meat.

Tarì followed him into the kitchen and watched as he cut the rabbit open. Taking a small knife from the holder she stared to cut the tomatoes in thin, even circles. She did this carfully and persise. When that was done she layed the knife down and stood watching Zandalor. Is there anything else i can help you with? As long as it doesnt involve touching that bloody thing im all for it.She smiled at him.

Zandalor turned his head and smiled at Tarí. "Hmm, well. There is lettuce that you could prepare. It was grown by a friend of mine, and I have some left." Zandalor looked at the rabbit again and finished skinning it. He took the fur of the rabbit, freshly cut away from the rabbit's body, and took it outside to the steps that twirled around the massive Oak tree where his house was built in.

Zandalor shouted into Tarí, "I am just cleaning this thing out here. I'll be in, in a minute to cook the rabbit." It was easy to hear from the inside of the house, Zandalor's movements, while cleaning the rabbit's old fur.

Tarì smiled to herself. She liked it here but this was not a good place to stay for long. To many people would find out about this place and by finding it would thusly find her. She started to chop the lettuce. Lost in her own thoughts, she wasnt paying attention to what she was doing. Quite suddnely she felt a hot pain on her hand between her thumb and her forfinger. Throwing the knife down with a clatter, she sucked in air fast so she wouldnt call out in pain. She rushed over to the sink making sure she didnt trail any blood and turned on the fosset, running cold water over her cut. It stung like nothing she had felt before. Looking down she saw that she had cut herself almost to the bone.

OW OW OW OW!!! God what an idiot i am. Shoot.

She felt faint. There was a strange buzzing sound in her ears. She started to see black around her vision. Colapsing on the floor, she passed out from rapid loss of blood, she was as pale as a white sheet and her lips were as blue as a blueberry.

Zandalor heard a bang on the kitchen floor. He stopped cleaning the fur, and called out to Tarí. "Tarí, what was that noise?" He heard no reply. "Tarí? Are you ok?" Zandalor put the fur on the steps and ran into the house.
He discovered Tarí lying on the floor, unconscious, and then to his horror saw a small pool of blood on the floor near her hand. "Oh...God."

Quickly, he ran to a small cupboard and pulled out a large piece of cloth. "This better work." He ran back to where Tarí lay and wrapped the piece of cloth tightly around where the wound was. He checked Tarí's pulse. "Tarí! Tarí! Wake up." Suddenly, tears began to appear in his eyes...

Her breathing was shallow and ragged. The buzzing in her head had grown louder. Somewhere on the outside of the buzzing she heard someone saying her name. As she focused on the voice the buzzing in her head began to subside. Slowly she started to gain consciousness. When she opened her eyes she saw someone hovering over her. The face wasnt clear and there was still black around the outter edges of her vision. Blinking several times images started to clear for her.

Zandalor was hovering over her. He had tears in his eyes. Im fine dont worry. I just cut myself. She tried to sit up to prove that she was ok but got dizzy and had to lie back down.

Zandalor seen that Tarí regained consciousness, and quickly wiped his eyes clean. "How are you? It is a deep cut. I shall get you some herbs in a while to keep it from getting infected." Zandalor noticed Tarí trying to sit up. "You should lie here for a while, just until your pain eases slightly."

Zandalor left Tarí for a second and then returned to her with a pillow. "Lie your head on this, or do you want me to take you to lie in bed?" He moved her head slightly forward gently and slipped the pillow beneath it. He then let her head rest on the pillow.

Tarì saw Zandalor wiping tears from his eyes but said nothing to him on it. She allowed him to rest her head on a pillow. Im fine really I am. There is no need for you to pamper me so. I shall be fine here. But i am going to get up off this floor eventually. Laughter played in her eyes as she smiled up at Zandalor. Thank you.

Closing her eyes she rested. She alowed her face to slacken. If one were just walking in to them she would appear to be sleeping.

Zandalor smiled at Tarí when she closed her eyes. "Ok. Well, I am going to go out for a short while, if that's ok with you, to get some herbs for your wounds. It shouldn't be too hard to find them in the darkness, I am use to Norwood and know where most things are."

Zandalor stood up, he picked up the cabbage and the knife Tarí was using. "Would you still like some dinner or something smaller maybe?"

Tarì opened her eyes and gazed at Zandalor. I will eat with you if you still want to eat dinner. It doesnt matter much weather we eat a large meal or a small one. What ever makes more sense to you. Dont leave me her alone for long. She looked away from his gaze after she said this. She was embarrased for wanting him to stay so close to her. But she would also be to weak to fight if someone came into the house. She doubted if that would happen but it was a possibility.

Zandalor looked down at Tarí. "Well, I'm not sure if I should leave, but I must get some herbs to protect your wound from infection. Don't worry. I won't be long."

Zandalor put the cabbage on a table, and quickly gave the knife a rinse. "I'll be back very soon." He turned and put his cloak on, putting the hood over his head, and walked out with only a small leather bag to put the herbs in.