Esfaloth in the dream world

Elven Dreams
This is the world of Elven Dreams. Other Elves appear to you here as their true selves, if you have the wisdom and heart to see in this place. Dreams and thoughts, yours and theirs, come to life here.

Taking form from the nothingness amidst the swirling mists of the dream realm; a woman walks forth, out, well nigh unto the edge of the great rift that divides the landscape.

A dark figure emerges seeming to swallow any light in the area

Terridan looks up towards the woman, a slight smile coming to his face, "Mae govannen cousin..." saying nothing else, he looks back down into the abyss, not noticing the dark figure.

Esfaloth seems to be calm as he searches for any elves he knows, slowly he sees what seems to be Terridan and he calls "Terridan Terridan" he voice echoes in the halls.

Following her cousin's gaze, down into the fathomless depths of the abyss that lays before her. The maid sighs, a sigh that echoes, reverberating off the unseen walls of the great canyon. "She fell... and there is no stair to climb." She bespeaks the empty air, welcoming answer from any quarter.

Terridan looks up slowly as he hears his name called, and narrows his eyes slightly for a moment. Soon though, he relaxes, and motions Esfaloth forward, "Mellon... what brings you here?"

Esfaloth says noticing Gillhach "I have come to look for Talia also" he nods slightly to Gillhach and says "Mellon"

The dark figure seems to approach the elves

With a bitter laugh, Gillhach points a finger out, into te nothingness of the ravine; "Well, you have found her..." She motions, "Down there, if you would seek her out."

Terridan sighs heavily, then nods his head, gazing down the ravine again, moving to one knee.

Esfaloth  moves closer and whispers to both of them "Look over there" he points to the dark figure.

As the dark figure approaches he says hoarsly and with a gutteral sound ,"Terridan Gillhach" and moring sneeringly, "Esfaloth, how nice of you three to join me"

Terridan turns slowly towards the figure, and draws back slightly, "Who are you?"

Turning roundabout, and laying eyes upon the shadowy figure; Gilhach replies in like tone, "Be off with you shade, I've not time to bandy words with ye," Her eyes narrow, and she sneers, "And I'll warn you not to try my temper..."

Esfaloth shivers at the sight of the shadow creature and curses under his breath he says in a tone few have seen him use, "Be gone vile creature of darkness you shall not harm us, be gone"

The figure gives a guttural laugh at all three and says, "Do you think your words shall catch me off guard again Esfaloth? I think not, and Gillhach you have no idea." He continues, "I know what al of you fear" he adds icicly, "And what you search for"

Terridan stands up slowly, raising up to his full height as he steps in front of his cousin and Esfaloth, facing the shade with no fear in his face, "What are you shade, that taunts us so?"

Laughing heartily, Gillhach turns away. "I've an idea, fool. Idea enough." Her emerald eyes are kindled with an eldritch flame. She speaks in a tone filled with disdain for the thing, "You know the fears of the fearless, shade? Let us test that... I've stood against worse than this."

Esfaloth shivers and says, "I have met this thing twice before, and each time he has grown stronger, last time he almost..."

The figure says, "Do you fear losing Talia?" he sneers, "I know a way down the cliff, and did you see her eyes...? lets just say we have met before." He looks at Esfaloth and laughs, "Yes, last time I would have had your friend unril you came, no matter this time none will escape."T

erridan steps forward again, frowning deeply, "You lie shade..."

With a shrug, Gillhach answers; "A sad loss 'twould be. But Aglarwain's fate is elsewhere." She stifles a laugh, "You think then I fear death? Not so... death is nothing to me. I sold my death, and lent my fear." Turning, she takes a blade to hand from the insubstantial air. "Come, and let us see who it is that shall seek escape."

Esfaloth says to Gillhach"No you cannot fight him that way"

The figure sighs and says"Then you shall never find your friends lifeless body, that is what you want it for, right for a proper burial." he looks at Gillhach with a deadly stare enough to make even the strongest man run.

Terridan raises an eyebrow slightly, then laughs loudly, shaking his head at the shade, "Fool! Do you think that we are completely unaware... her body does not even reside here... for this is but a land of dreams. You have no hold on us."

In the maiden's hand, the sword is kindled to a flame. A fiery light that drives forth all darkness, such as that which the girl's form radiates now in ittself. Stood steadfast, and with a silvery peal of laughter; so says Gillhach: "You are a fool, in truth. She is my blood, her voice is my voice. And I am the elder sister... I'll not be daunted by lies, nor any trickery of yours."

The figure laughs, "fools do you really think you can stop me? I was here before you all were even born you shall not stop me." He smiles and says, "Ah but her soul can be destroyed and be taken west making her body lifeless" It seems to hold the light at bay afraid of it none.

Terridan shrugs his shoulders once, "What is a body? But a shell of flesh... were she to go west one day I would again see her," he pulls his sword, and white fire burns across its length.

The figure seems to flicker at their blades but regans itself, and sends its darkness over the somewhat weakened form of Esfaloth

Gillhach exclaims; "What cowardice is this? You would take a child but for your fear?" With a sneer on her lips, she advances on the thing, that she might protect Esfaloth, if nothing else.

Terridan steps forward as well, shoulder to shoulder with his cousin, "Come coward... you have courage enough to face him, now face us."

Esfaloth cries out, "Help me he is going to hurt me he said so."

The figure says, "Back or his soul shall be crushed, do not doubt my power." he adds, "Swords away also."

Terridan shrugs softly, then, before anyone can react, and faster than any eye could follow, Terridan's sword is through the appriation, a pitiful look on his face, "Esfaloth.. your soul is clear of his harm... not even the Dark One himself can touch that... this thing can do nothing to you..."

The figure flickers and is gone but you hear its voice around you, "I shall return"

Esfaloth cries out as the darkness fades and he lies shaking all over.

Gone from her hand, 'tis as if the flaming sword never was. Kneeling, Gillhach lifts up Esfaloth. "Come," She says, "You are ill fated, and should not come here again, at your peril, or so it seems." She offers the boy her hand, "We should wake... and the thing will no longer trouble us."

Esfaloth shakes and says nothing he is completly pale.

Holding the boy to herself, as one might a child. So Gillhach carries him with her out of the dream realm, their two forms fading into nothingness as they translate back into the waking world.

Esfaloth continues to shake.

Sacred Grove.
You stand now at the bottom of a low hill. Standing atop the hill are two magnificent trees, both resembling the mellyrn all around you, but each distinctly different. The first is completely silver in color, glowing bark and leaves both. Its twin, likewise, is entirely a golden color, including its shimmering bark. Under the glow of a thousand stars, the silver tree reflects the light in such a way as to illuminate the entire grove with its silver light.The air here is more tranquil than you have ever felt elsewhere. As you enter the grove, it becomes impossible to harbor even the slightest feelings of anger, violence, or hatred as the peace here overwhelms your senses.

Esfaloth lies on the ground pale and still shaking he remembers what was said to him by the figure he is cold to the touch.