Fifty-Fifty (open to anyone)

[Gazeil]

OOC: I have a thread up in Marna, but the person I was RPing with hasn't replied, so I decided to open up another one. Hope it's not against the rules :/

"What!?"

The cry of frustration rang through the open desert; lizards scuttling past quickly dove for cover as a very annoyed female stomped past. All this time and she was still lost!

Earlier on, there were two options she could have taken. Obviously she had taken the wrong one. It was a 50/50 chance and she found herself deprived of luck. She hissed through her dry lips as sand flew into her eyes. Apparently, her karma had not improved one bit. Not after meeting that werecat, and not now.

Plus, it didn't help that she was directionally challenged.

The sun was beating down against her unprotected neck. Why was she out here again? Gazeil had only told herself one day...one! And she had travelled through the deserts before! So why was she lost, of all times.

Wars were still brewing, and she didn't even know what side she was on. If soldiers from the King's army came, she knew she would run...if she could. But if members of the Varden came...would she attack them?

Shaking her head to get rid of the irrelevant thoughts and the sand in her ears, she decided not to think too much on it. Her top priority was to get out of the desert.

...

"Am I going around in circles!?"

And for the second time, another growl rang out.

[Fäolin Nädindel]

Eärendur, sat atop his warhorse, which he named Elendil, after his grandfather. Eärendur watched as a woman stumbled around, trying to find an exit to the seemingly endless area of sand.

Eärendur, was amused by the human female, but when she turned for a split second, he recognized her. He had only seen Volder once, but that meeting was not something he was to forget. He was with the elven party that left Du Weldenvarden, and then Volder went ahead of the rest of them, and wasn't seen again, until he was side by side with a human female.

Immediately, Eärendur and twelve other elves tried to persuade Volder to leave the woman to fend for herself, but Volder refused, and left with the woman. This woman in the desert, while not being identical to Volder, held certain qualities that were his.

When the growls started, Eärendur knew it was time to help her.

"If you seek a way out, follow me" yelled Eärendur to the woman, galloping forward to meet her.

[Gazeil]

She could have cried, if not for the grit stuck in the corner of her eyes. A person! Wait...no human...elf? She clamped her mouth shut, holding back the cry of joy that was about to escape. An elf...in the desert?

Midnight black hair and nature-green eyes...riding a horse. The rider's physique told her he was a male, no doubt about it. Gazeil didn't know this person...in fact, she had hardly seen any elves in her lifetime, besides looking in a river, but that was only half of one.

This was when the suspicion began to form. She couldn't help it; happy as she was to have finally found some company in this god-forsaken desert, it was in her nature to question each and every being. More so if they were strangers. "Wait!" She called, though kept her voice under control. Apparently, this elf's very...aura, if you call it, demanded respect. It was just her perhaps, but she just knew that she had to respect her elders...

"Wait," she repeated, slowing her pace down as she neared the rider, having to tilt her head back a bit to catch a better glimpse of the other, "Do I know you?" She queried. Had it been anyone else, she would have bombarded them with question after question, leaving them no time to answer. This time...she bit back the onslaught.

[Fäolin Nädindel]

Eärendur, halted Elendil, in front of the woman. Staring into her eyes, he remembered a blood stained woman and a kind elf. He noticed she had light blonde hair, that was, as far as Eärendur could remember, the same shade as Volder's.

Eärendur, smiled when the lady asked if she knew him, for he had never left Du Weldenvarden but once in eighty years. Perhaps it was a compliment, but for now, Eärendur anwsered the woman's question.

"I am Eärendur Nädindel, of the Royal Court Of Islanzadi of Du Weldenvarden. What are you doing in the Hadarac? Are you of the Varden?"

[Gazeil]

'Well, he is an elf, so it's to be expected...then again...that was a pretty long introduction of oneself.' The hybrid didn't let the quizzical look show upon her features too clearly, but the silence after that was a little awkward.

"..." Maybe the other knew her? Or maybe he just didn't like asking people who they were. She wasn't being haughty, but it was kind of like a ritual for people around (not Hadarac) to introduce themselves before asking for the same to the other.

Shrugging, Gazeil wet her dry lips before answering back, "I was supposed to be training," for some reason, she felt embarassed; admitting to the fact that she had gotten lost, "But...before I knew it, I had lost my bearings." A small sigh escaped her lips.

Then, Eärendur asked her the next question, and her expression changed. An impish smirk was left on her features as she spoke, "No, I'm not with the Varden..." Gazeil paused for dramatic effect, "...and I am not sided with the Empire either."

The pause could have killed her, if the one facing her did not stop to hear what comes after.

[Fäolin Nädindel]

Eärendur stared down at Gazeil and listened intently to what she said. No, I'm not with the Varden at first Eärendur thought she was with the Empire, and was reaching for his sword, when he heard the second part. And I am not sided with the Empire either. Hearing that, Eärendur calmed himself for now. It could have been a trap, but for now he trusted the woman, he owed her that much, but if she were to show any sign of betrayl, then he would have no choice but to eliminate her.

She's a neutral then thought Eärendur it seems like I will have to persuade her to the cause of my noble Queen Islanzadi and the Varden. Perhaps, she merely dosen't wish to join anyone, but Eärendur knew his mission, he was to tell the Varden in Surda that Queen Islanzadi was ready to aid the Varden.

Whether this woman was going to come with him to Surda or not, he still had to help her. This was his gift to Volder, wherever Volder may be. "It won't do us any good if we stand around here. Let us get moving, and let us leave this accursed sand pit. What is your name milady?" inquired Eärendur.

[Gazeil]

"Ah," It was only then did she realise she had not introduced herself. Standing stock still for a while, she debated on whether or not she would curtsey or bow...then decided with a simple nod of the head. It would have looked a tad strange to curtsey with her attire, "Gazeil Wolvrem," then came the nod, "A pleasure to meet you." It was late, but better now than never.

As for riding with the other...well, she still didn't know if he could be trusted. "You are with the Varden, correct?" Of course, that didn't even need to be answered. It was as if merely vocalising could confirm the fact. Bowling straight ahead, she gestured to the steed, "Can it...bear my weight? Or should I walk beside you?" Plus, the bow on her back didn't weigh very much, but if one was overburdened...even the lightest feather could feel ten times as heavy.

Gazeil didn't know that the horses elves rode were quite strong; perhaps more so than an average horse. Then again, she would have known had she researched more...or listened to the various mentors that had tried to teach her. Tried...and only some had succeeded in planting some useful information in her mind.

[Fäolin Nädindel]

Eärendur halted Elendil, and dismounting he gave Gazeil a slight bow, and said "Please milady, take Elendil." It was a small act of kindness, but in order to procure her support for the Varden, he needed to be as kind as possible.

Now to anwser her question, "Well milady, you can say I support the Varden, but no, I have never been among them before." Helping Gazeil onto Elendil, he began to sing a sorrowful tune.

"Evandar was an Elven-king.
Of him the harpers sadly sing:
The last whose realm was fair and free
Between the mountains and the sea.
His sword was long, his lance was keen.
His shining helm afar was seen.
The countless stars of heaven's field
Were mirrored in his silver shield.
But long ago he rode away,
And where he dwelleth none can say.
For into darkness fell his star;
In Urû'baen, where the shadows are."

[Gazeil]

Before she could say anything extra, the other had already started to dismount. Quickly opening her mouth to protest, out shot out a dozen excuses as to why she wasn't fit to ride the steed, and why it would be a disrespectful action on her part. "I can walk," she finished, her mouth dry from all the excessive talking. The male elf may have found her a little too talkative, but she didn't mind. That was the feedback she got from most.

Yet, a few moments later, she found herself seated on the horse. "Uh..." Had she subconciously gotten on with Eärendur's help? Before she could ask anything of it, the other began to sing sorrowfully. Anyone else, and she may have cut through it, but the first few lines caught her attention.

...
For into darkness fell his star;
In Urû'baen, where the shadows are."

Looking up slowly from where her eyes were planted (the saddle), she wondered if it was the right thing to clap it. Obviously, it was a sad tune, and obviously, losing Evandar was a great loss. Nonetheless...the male elf had a beautiful voice. And she told him just that.

[Fäolin Nädindel]

"Thank you milady. If you wish not to ride Elendil, you may get off. Don't worry it is not a sign of disrespect." said Eärendur. Suddenly Eärendur stopped, in the sand ahead of them, were fresh wolf tracks. Eärendur stooped in the sand and felt the tracks.

"A mother and her cubs passed here. Likely from the Beors, no more than five minutes ago." said Eärendur standing back up.

Growl Eärendur stopped and listened then there was silence. Then another growl, louder than the first, broke the newly arrived silence. Growl

Eärendur turned around, and drawing his sword, he saw the source of the growls at last. A massive white wolf stood no more than twenty feet away, her bone white teeth bared in a vicious snarl. Her cubs were behind her, growling more because their mother was than actually knowing what was going on.

Eärendur, resheathed his sword, and instead pulled out his beautiful yew bow, and aiming an arrow, fired at the mother, striking her in the leg, but this only angered her. The mother wolf began to charge straight to where Eärendur was. Eärendur fired another arrow, but in the increasing darkness, the arrow flew a few inches to the right of the mother wolf.

Eärendur backed up a few feet, and fired another arrow, this time it struck the mother wolf where her shoulder would have been. The mother wolf fell, but quickly got back up, and continued her charge. The wolf was now less than two feet from Eärendur, and he replaced his bow on his back, and pulled out his sword. Seeing the mother wolf near him, he was prepared to fight this wolf, even at a great chance of personal injury to himself. Eärendur, was thrown off his feet as the mother wolf pounced on his chest, sending his sword flying over near Elendil, who because he was an elven-horse stood there calmly.

[Gazeil]

"Now that you mention it, it may seem all the more disrespectful..." She murmured quietly as the horse started at a slow trot. When the elf stopped, Gazeil glanced down from the mount to see what was going on. She could recognize the prints immediately; though not because of her journey through the Deserts. In fact, she had never seen wolves around these parts before...no, they mainly came from the forests and various other lands. Definitely not a place as hot as this, though she guessed they may be desert wolves.

This idea, however, was quickly overrun by the colour of the approaching canivores. White...and pretty gigantic too. Wouldn't a wolf living in the desert have the same sandy texture on which they stand on? Then...maybe the animals were lost? That was hardly likely, but...well, the hybrid was no expert on animals, so she had to second guess.

The elf started to battle the wolf; why? Why not just run if the other did not wish to kill it? For surely, the other did not expect to kill it with an arrow to a leg...unless the elf wished to fight. The other's aim was off, possibly because of the darkness that threatened to envelop the deserts. "Eärendur!" Her voice cut clean through the air as the said elf was pounced upon, the sword skidding to Gazeil's side.

She had dismounted the moment the fight had started, wanting to jump in yet thinking that she would only get in her companion's way. It was clear that the other was the more experienced fighter here. But experience right now was of no concern to her; she nocked an arrow into her drawn weapon's bowstring, eyeing the creature carefully before letting the sharp point fletched with eagle feather fly to the beast's injured leg.

Hopefully, if the wolf was in twice the pain it was before, it would be enough a distraction for Eärendur get away and grab his sword.

[Fäolin Nädindel]

Eärendur, muttered something in the Ancient Language, and suudenly the mother wolf's mouth was shut, with her unable to open it. When the second arrow struck the mother wolf, the wolf immediately got off of Eärendur, and let out a muffled howl of pain.

Eärendur seized this oppourtunity and rushed over to his sword. Picking it up, he braced himself for the mother wolf, and when she began to charge him, though more slowly than before, Eärendur was ready for her. He shoved his sword downward, and in a matter of seconds, the mother wolf collapsed in the now crimson sand, Eärendur's sword sticking out of her skull.

Eärendur put a leather boot on the wolf, and with almost no force at all, removed the sword from where it was lodged in her skull. Eärendur scraped the blade along the dirt to clean the blood off, and resheathing it, he turned to face Gazeil.

"Thanks for your assistance milady." he said with a slight bow. Eärendur, cut his bow short, for in the distance, were about forty armed soliders, and by the crimson tunics and top grade armor, Eärendur knew they were from the Empire. Rounding on Gazeil, he said "You set me up. Those soldiers sent you here didn't they?"

[Gazeil]

The other had stabbed the creature in the head, and all she could do was stare. She wasn't a particular animal lover, but even she couldn't bear to see such grace fall, for though it attacked with much furiousity, it still held the particular majestic aura around it. Now though, it was lying there, blood pooling into the sand as its cubs nudged her body, whining as if to ask why she was motionless. "You...you didn't have to kill it..." She whispered, her throat suddenly turning dry.

She didn't hear the others thanks, and simply kept on staring at the sight that lay before her. A twinge of...of something; it started to strum notes deep inside of her. Yet, she found herself looking up to the horizon. The Empire.

Her skin started to grow cold, but not from fear. But at Eärendur, "I could say the same to you," she snarled, eyes burning. Maybe one may have described her as too sensitive to be a warrior, but she went against that. She could fight and kill, and though some regret may remain, it was only if there was nothing else left. Eärendur...he could have wounded the wolf before fleeing, but he dealt the final blow. And the cub's loss...it was far too much.

"But we both know that neither of us are traitors," Gazeil took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. It wasn't the male elf's fault, or at least, she tried to tell herself that. "If we plan on starting to fight now, at least fight against the right opponent." She looked up to meet the gaze of Eärendur. And swore on her life in the Ancient Language that she was not part of the Empire.

After all, one couldn't lie in such a way.

[Fäolin Nädindel]

Eärendur hearing her say that she wasn't part of the Empire, in the Ancient Language, he knew it wasn't her. After all, one couldn't lie in the Ancient Language, but one could bend the truth if they believed what they said. Eärendur put this aside, and said the same in the Ancient Language.

Eärendur pulled out his arrow, and fired at the soldiers. It hit one, and the soldier collapsed. Now though, the Empire knew where they definately were, and in the distance Eärendur heard the leader of the soldiers yell "Hurry up! To the rebel!" The soldiers began to run towards where Eärendur stood, his bow raised.

Eärendur fired two more arrows, dropping two more soldiers. Re-placing the bow on his back, he drew his sword, and turning to Gazeil he said "There will be a time and place, where we may prove our loyalty. For now, let us attack our common enemy."

[Gazeil]

She nodded, the frown still apparent on her face. Nocking another arrow in her bow, she took aim, watching the other's one fly first and hit the target directly. "Ah...rush-forward tactic?" She would have grinned, if not for the dire consequences of the situation, "Good plan." Letting her arrow fly, Gazeil watched it pierce another solider on the side, caught unawares as they all trained eyes on the elf male. They still hadn't realised that one of their comrades had fallen by her arrow...perhaps...they had the advantage of a surprise attack of some sorts?

"So it's like that, eh...?" Foolish...it was completely foolish to disregard her as a simple female with no fighting abilities. Nodding to the other to show that she had heard him, she made sure to keep her arrows at hand. Unlike Eärendur, she was not so skilled with the sword, and only held a simple dagger by her side, her main weapon being the bow held in her hands.

"I don't think they realise that I'm half-elf...they probably think I'm some common human," she snorted, as she let another arrow fly to the front. There were not as many soliders as she had anticipated, as the stream of red uniforms slowed to a trickle. It still seemed like a lot...and she doubted she had enough 'ammo' to keep going for so long. Will she have to revert to magic later on?

If so, she dreaded that moment.

[Fäolin Nädindel]

Eärendur, saw the approaching soldiers, and rushed forward to meet them. He began fighting with a rather large soldier, but Eärendur was dangerously outnumbered. Eärendur was punched in the face, dazing him, then a sword slashed across his face, revealing a streak of crimson, before Eärendur collapsed.

[Gazeil]

Had she somehow jinxed the situation? She could almost hit herself as she saw the other charge into battle without a word. Gazeil cursed under her breath as she let another arrow fly towards the soldier sneaking up behind the male elf. It was too late though; another sword flashed and Eärendur fell with blood seeping from his wound.

"Eärendur!" She shouted; her bow was useless now. What was she to do!? She couldn't possibly fight all the Empire warriors singlehandedly...gritting her teeth, she took a deep breath. If she ran, she would be safe...yet she would have to leave Eärendur behind. If she stayed...would she be doing him any good anyway?

She placed her bow down carefully, all the while watching the warriors. They were not touching the male elf; all eyes were trained on her. She whipped out her dagger, putting it forward, ready to strike at any given time. Her mouth opened to give one single word: "Brisingr." And the blade was set aflame.

[Fäolin Nädindel]

Eärendur, though aware of what was happening, was inable to do anything due to the searing pain in his face. "Waise Heill!" he mutted, placing a hand over his injury.

Within a matter of moments, the skin had reknitted itself back together, and seizing his blade stood back up. When he saw Gazeil ignite her sword with "Brinsingr" he decided to use the Ancient Language.

Eärendur started to say in a long stream, the Death Words, dropping soldier after soldier, until eventually they clustered only around Gazeil. Heading over to where Gazeil stood, surronded by soldiers, he knew this was going to be a rather interesting fight.

[Gazeil]

As her blade cut through another enemy's shoulder (she was aiming to wound, not to kill), Gazeil couldn't help but feel the relief spreading through her body. Thank goodness! Well, it was to be expected anyway; a fighter such as Eärendur could not be brought down by a simple wound. Her dagger was light, and it flashed through the air, using the other palm to press the hilt when she felt her force was not strong enough.

A stream of words was heard all of a sudden. She nearly froze. Inexperienced as she was with the language, she recognized the words knwon as the 'Death Words'. So, she would wound them and Eärendur would kill them...somehow, she could see the irony in that. "Stenr!" She shouted, and the various rocks and stone strewn around rose to meet the faces of the enemies, knocking them down with much force.

If she managed to render them unconcious, deaths would be prevented.

Nonetheless, she could not blame Eärendur. And the hybrid was certainly very grateful, for lizards and other monstrosities of the desert would be feasting on her flesh had he not helped her.

[Fäolin Nädindel]

Eärendur, began to fight with a rather large soldier, when he saw what Gazeil was doing. Aiming to wound not kill. Eärendur turned to face her, and yelled while he parryed the soldiers slash, and struck him in the back, the sound of crushing metal as Eärendur's sword penetrated the soldier's armor and blood began to flow; "Show them no mercy, for you shall recieve none!"

Eärendur spoke due to past experiences. Experiences that had transformed a young, care-free elf into an elf who craved war and violence, something only the taste and craving of war could do. Perhaps Eärendur gave them no mercy, because of what happened at Ilirea, but those soldiers who fought at Ilirea were long dead. That didn't matter, every soldier was alike, craving one thing, the death of the Elves, the dethroning of Queen Islanzadi, the destruction of the Varden, and the destruction of the Dragon Rider who posed a threat to Galbatorix.

Eärendur broke into the middle of the Empire ranks, and came face to face with a soldier who looked no more than sixteen, fear filled his face when he saw Eärendur. Eärendur stabbed two more soldiers, and than muttered something in the Ancient Language and the sixteen year old soldier fell over dead, his heart stopped. This was war, and anybody taking up arms against the Elves and the Varden didn't deserve to live, no matter what the reason. Eärendur than began to fight his way out of the Empire ranks, back to Gazeil, but the way ahead was blocked by two rows of heavily armed soldiers, this was a challenge, and Eärendur loved challenges.

((OOC: I'm not really this cruel, but after my character's experiences at Ilirea, he could care less what happens to servents of the Empire))