Menacing Times

Elbereth Elentari was burdened with the task of observing, but not interfering with the intricately woven lives of the First or Second Born.
'It is with great sorrow that I attend to my watch this eve,' she reflected pensively. 'The noble Elves of Calenhad are in disarray and the folk of these Lands once again confronted with fear and dangers untold.'
Her gaze drifted across the scoured ruins of the Aran's once grand home. Only luck - unbidden, yet welcome rainfall - and the quick actions of the Elven inhabitants had ceased the destruction and limited the path of the raging fire.
The stealth of the marauding party had opened a gaping wound among the dwellers though. In spite of the rangers and guards, the Marauders had slunk through the Lands and entered the Elven Haven, wreaking havoc and leaving uncertainty behind.

Elbereth moved silently through the rubble, her thoughts focused on easing the turmoil within the Elven Ranger named Ettrian, and conveying tranquility to alleviate the anxiety of unnecessary accountability weighing him down.
Her soothing voice floated towards Ettrian, lost in surveying the countryside below Calenhad...
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'Lle naa belegohtar ar' lle ume quel, Astalder' (You are a mighty warrior and you did well, Valiant One'), the words drifted into his consciousness and she discerned a deep sigh escape him. 'Quel Esta. Ollo tel'Elenath' (Rest well. Dream of the Stars), she turned her eyes to the twinkling sky above and bid Nienna*, a Queen of the Valar, to send comfort to Ettrian and his kinfolk.

Deep in mourning for the wounds of the world by evildoers, Elbereth followed woodland paths and crossed flowing rivers upon descending from Calenhad, the foreshadowing of grief to come heavy in her soul.
A sudden movement stopped her journey as a masked, cloaked man moved onto a plateau, viewing the River Lands paths cutting through the forest towards Calenhad and Cheshire.

The Marauder

Elbereth Elentari noted the malice in his mind and mood, his intention clearly on vengeance for the slaying of his companions by the Elves of Calenhad, and once again she pondered sorrowfully her errand and her inability to hinder the coming Darkness...

(*Nienna is a Valar Queen, her Gift from Iluvatar was to teach those who listen to her learn wisdom and endurance in grief.)