Sareei sat quietly watching the swans glide over the water. She still wasn’t sure why she had told Elrond about her parents or her house in the trollshaws. She’d spoken before she knew what she was doing. There was something about his eyes. Something compelling. Sareei gave a disgusted sigh. Now she remembered. Her father had told her about his friendship with some of the elves years ago. He had told her stories of powerful elf lords who could capture you with their intense eyes, making you feel as if they could see down to the bottom of your very soul. Sareei drew in her breath in a sharp gasp. What if Elrond could do this? He might already know about the dream.

And about Ugru Dalad. The name made her shudder even as it filled her with shame. How could she ever look anyone else in the eye if it was known that she was the niece of one of Sauron’s servants? Especially if it was known he was the one who created the grey warriors using Sauron’s dark powers. Her mind went back to her first confrontation with her uncle. She had backtracked the grey warrior’s trail until she came to her uncle’s hideaway. She remembered what he had done to her there. She had been the victim of his rage when she told him she would never serve Sauron. She had been left for dead and was able to escape and hide somewhere until her wounds healed. At least the ones on the outside.

Sareei shook her head. This line of thinking was getting her nowhere. It just brought up all the sadness in her life. And that kind of sadness could drag you down into the grave if you let it. She had chosen another path. Vengeance. She intended to take out all her hurt and pain on every evil thing she could find. Consequences be hanged.

Sareei sat up from her reveries with a start. Darn. How could she have forgotten? She was supposed to meet that scribe in Greenmeadow to pick up the books he had written out for her. She had better get a move on if she was going to meet him on time. She got up from her seat and went back to her room. Packing quickly she went to the barn and saddled Ariel. The black stallion stood quietly for her as she finished fastening the girth. There. She was ready. She smiled at him as she patted his silken neck.

“I hope you’re in the mood for a swift journey, beloved. We’re late.” Ariel snorted assent and moved up to place the left stirrup right in front of Sareei. She laughed as she mounted up.

“You won’t be going into Greenmeadow with me. I’m going to leave you in that mountain pasture we found two months ago. You can rest from your journey and I won’t have to worry about someone trying to steal you. You’re quite the handsome horse, you know.”, Sareei teased as she moved him towards the barn door. Ariel stepped out into the sunlight with the grace of a deer. His long mane flowed down his swanlike neck and brushed against the toe of Sareei’s boot as he moved into the courtyard, his black hide glistening in the sun. He gathered himself and waited for her command to go.

Gandalf stood looking thoughtfully out of the window, pondering what Elrond had just told him.

“She’s certainly had a hard time of it, hasn’t she?”, he commented to Elrond.

“Yes.”, agreed Elrond. “She has been through much grief. And yet……”, Elrond paused. “I feel there is much more that she hasn’t told me. Something in her past that seems to trouble her a great deal. I feel certain that if we could discover what this is we could help her overcome this overwhelming grief she has bottled up inside her.” He paused again. “There is also this. I feel that there is some evil at work here.”

He smiled at Gandalf’s look. “No, I do not mean Sareei. I feel from Sareei the remembrance of some evil presence that she has come into contact with in her recent past. She has tried to bury the memories but the emotional impression is still very strong. She associates this evil with the loss of all that she loves. I intend to find out what this evil is. I will continue to feel uneasy until I do.”

Gandalf raised an eyebrow and sighed. “Such discord swirling around such a little lost lamb.” He felt a twinge of pity for Sareei.

Elrond concurred. “One so young should not have so much experience at suffering.”

Just then the “little lost lamb” came charging through the courtyard and out the front gate. Both Gandalf and Elrond shouted for her to stop but all she did was tell Ariel to run his fastest.

“That little brat.”, exclaimed Gandalf. This elicited a look from Elrond. In a matter of seconds she had gone from little lost lamb to brat.

Elrond’s sons came running into the study to find out what was wrong.

“We heard you shouting.”, said Elrohir. “Is something wrong?”

“Yes something is wrong.”, frowned Gandalf. “Did you see the woman that just road out the front gate?”

“See her?”, said Elladan, “She almost ran me down.”, he said accusingly.

Elrond stepped towards his sons. “Quickly. Get your horses and bring her back. She is in grave danger.”

Elladan and Elrohir ran to the barn and quickly saddled their horses. Elrond and Gandalf watched as they too flew out the gate and down the road towards the ford.

“What did you mean, by grave danger?”, asked Gandalf. “She is headstrong to be sure…….”

“I felt something else from Sareei.”, said Elrond. “She is being hunted. By whom I do not know. But I definitely sensed a feeling of being hunted when I tried to search her mind this morning.”

“Hunted? For what purpose?”, asked Gandalf, concerned.

“I do not know.”, frowned Elrond. “Perhaps she can tell us that when my sons bring her back.”

Hours later an exhausted Elrohir and Elladan trudged into Elrond’s study. Their faces were scratched and dirty and they seemed exhausted. Elrond immediately left his desk and went to his sons.

“Are you hurt?”, Elrond asked as he quickly took stock of their injuries.

“No Ada, just disgusted and dirty.”, said Elrohir.

“What happened?”, Elrond asked as he stepped behind his desk to gather several jars of healing ointments.

“That woman is what happened.”, said Elladan angrily. “When we caught up to her she tried to lead us a merry chase all over Middle Earth.” He was furious.

“And then just when we thought we could catch her between us, she rammed us with her horse and got away.”, added Elrohir. His handsome face had a large bruise where Ariel’s nose had hit him when they had been rammed.

“What?”, said Gandalf. “She rammed you with her horse?”

“Yes.”, said Elladan. “We had her cornered in a little hollow and we told her she was to come back with us to Rivendell by the orders of Lord Elrond. She told us she had business elsewhere and why didn’t we let her alone before she was forced to hurt us.” He paused.

Elrohir finished for him. “We laughed at that. Then she became angry and charged with her horse. He screamed and ran right at us as though he were in a battle, knocking down our horses. Then he was going to come after us but the woman made him turn away and she left the hollow at a dead run.”

“We know you wanted us to catch her, Ada.”, said Elladan. “But our horses couldn’t keep in sight of hers, much less catch him.”

“A mearas”, commented Gandalf. “Now where did she get a mearas?”

“I don’t know, but as long as she is on that horse, we will never catch her.”, said Elrohir.

Gandalf took a long thoughtful puff on his pipe. “Perhaps not. Perhaps we will.”

************************

Greenmeadow was a nice little village. As Bara walked through the marketplace, he breathed a sigh of contentment. He had been fortunate to arrive safely, he thought. What luck to find two Rangers, going the same direction he was traveling. They had even agreed to give him safe passage to the next village.

The Rangers had surprised him on the road. The one called Strider looked a little rough around the edges, and his grey eyes seemed to pierce through to your very soul, but Bara didn’t get the cold shiver down his spine that he got when faced with Khor Dulgi’s men. He felt he could trust him. The younger one was called Narak. His shaggy brown hair and light grey eyes gave him away as being from the same people as Strider. He still looked a little wet behind the ears to Bara so he made a point of sticking close to Strider when it came to protection. He was a trader; not a warrior and he had been extremely worried about meeting any of Khor Dulgi’s men on the road. But, thanks to the Rangers he had arrived safely in Greenmeadow.

He browsed casually through the market place, looking at various items, a girl or two, etc. He strolled past a cart full of books. As he did he glanced over the shoulder of a man reading one of the books. He stopped in his tracks and went back and read more. His eyes widened and he gave a horrified gasp. The man looked guiltily at him and hastily replaced the book on the cart and hurried away. Bara looked at the woman selling the books and then back at the cart. He smiled at her nervously.

“Hello.”, he said.

The woman smiled back. “Hello.”

Bara saw a copy of the book in her hand. On the cover in large gold letters is printed the name ” Khor Dulgi “. Bara stared at it for a moment then said, “My, what a lovely book. May I?” The woman handed him the book. Bara began to thumb through it. Suddenly he stopped and read intently. His eyes widened again as he stared at the page. He looked up at the woman with concern on his face. “Uh, excuse me please.”

Smiling, the woman looked up from another customer. “Yes?”, she asked.

“Who wrote this?”, Bara asked anxiously.

“I did.”, said the woman smiling proudly.

“Do you know who Khor Dulgi is?”, he asked her, lowering his voice and looking around.

“Yes.”, she answered.

Bara looked back down at the page he had been reading and shook his head nervously. “No, I don’t think you do.”, he said. He looked at the rows of books, all titled ” Khor Dulgi ” and then at the woman.

“Look”, he whispered furtively, “I really don’t think you want to be selling this book. Especially after what you wrote about Khor.”

“Yes I do.”, she insisted.

Remembering what he had just read Bara shook his head even more nervously.

“No. No you don’t.”, he insisted.

“Yes I do.”, said the woman firmly.

She eyed the book Bara was holding. “Are you going to buy that?”, she asked him.

Just then Bara saw Strider and Narak nearby, deep in conversation. He thought quickly. “Uh, yes. How much?”, he asked smiling.

“Two royals.”, the woman answered.

“Two royals!”, he said incredulously through his smile.

He glanced at the book and then reluctantly handed her the money.

“Thank you.”, he said and then hurried over to Strider and Narak. He found them in the middle of an argument.

“But I don’t want to go to Two Trees.”, argued Narak. “The girls at the festival in Little Falls are much prettier.”

“Narak, it’s not a matter of being pretty.” explained Strider. “We promised to get rid of those petty bandits hanging around Two Trees. You know that.”

“And we will.”, agreed Narak. “But let’s go to the festival first. It’s only one day. After that we’ll have plenty of time to get rid of the bandits.”

“Fellas,”, Bara broke in urgently, “I have something to show you.”

The argument continued.

Strider tried to be patient with the young Ranger. “Narak, you don’t understand. They need the bandits taken care of now.”

“I really think you should see this.”, Bara insisted, thumbing hastily through the book.

“Not now Bara.”, said Narak, slightly impatient. He turned back to Strider.

“I don’t see what the big problem is. Little Falls is on the way to Two Trees. We stop at Little Falls for the festival and then go on to Two Trees.”

Strider shook his head. “Narak, you haven’t been listening to a word I have been saying.”

“What do you mean, I haven’t been listening?”, Narak said. “I heard every word you said.”

Finally Bara found the page he had been reading before. He put the book right up to their faces. “LOOK!”, he said emphatically.

They both stopped. “What?”, they both demanded at once.

They began to read the page Bara showed to them. As they read, their faces grew serious. They looked at each other, their eyes grim. Strider took the book from Bara and looked at the gold lettered title, ” Khor Dulgi “.

“Where did you get this?”, he asked Bara.

Bara turned and pointed across the marketplace. “I got it from that crazy woman right over there.”, he said, indicating the book cart and it’s owner. All three men hurried towards the woman as she was showing a book to an old man. Just as they arrived they heard the man say, “I’ll take it.”, as he reached for the book.

“No, you won’t.”, said Strider as he took the book out of the old man’s hand. Narak gently got the old man on his way.

The woman was incensed. “Why did you do that? He was going to buy my book.”

“Not anymore.”, said Strider.

“Who are you?”, demanded the woman indignantly.

Strider introduced himself. “My name is Strider. These are my friends Narak and Bara. And you are…….?”

“I’m Sareei.”, the woman answered.

“Sareei?”, asked Bara.

“It means outspoken.”, she explained.

“Figures.”, said Bara.

She turned to Strider. “How an I supposed to sell my books if you run off my customers?” she demanded.

“You’re not.,” said Narak.

“What!”, exclaimed Sareei.

Strider grew serious. “Do you have any idea who you are writing about?”, he asked her.

“Yes.”, said Sareei.

“He’s a very dangerous man. Do you know what he could do to you?”, asked Narak.

“I’m not afraid of that warthog faced baboon!”, she said disdainfully.

Bara cringed. “Please lower your voice. If Khor were to hear that he wouldn’t like it.”

Sareei shrugged. “He didn’t like it the first time I said it to him. Why should I care if he doesn’t like it now?”

Bara was astonished. “You called Khor Dulgi …………..THAT!?”

“Yes.”, said Sareei.

“When?”, asked Strider, concern in his eyes.

“Just before I hit him.”, Sareei explained matter of factly.

“You hit Khor?”, Narak was incredulous.

“Just as hard as I could!”, Sareei said defiantly.

Bara put his hand over his eyes.

“Why did you hit Khor?”, Narak wanted to know.

Sareei explained. “I was at a small village buying supplies. His army came through and took everything we had, right down to the last cracker. When I complained to Khor he just laughed at me.”

Bara was flabbergasted. “You went to Khor the Butcher and complained to him about his army?”

“Yes”, said Sareei. “He just laughed at me and shoved me down in the dirt. Then he turned to lead his horse away. That made me mad so I got up and told him “Don’t you laugh at me you warthog faced baboon!” Then I took his shield off of his saddle and slammed him upside the head with it.”

Bara was horrified. “What did he do?”

“Nothing.”, said Sareei smiling proudly. “I knocked him out.”, she smirked.

Narak started to laugh but was stopped by a look from Strider.

“When was this?”, asked Strider seriously.

“Three months ago.”, answered Sareei.

“If Khor’s army took everything, how did you come up with the money to make all these books?”, asked Strider.

“Simple.”, Sareei said. “I waited until his army was gathered for some sort of meeting. Khor’s tent was on the other side of the camp. While Khor was speaking to his men, I went into his tent and took the basket full of coins that his men had left on a table.” She smiled. “It paid the villagers and myself nicely for all his army had taken.”

“You took Khor’s money right out of his tent”, Bara gasped, “and no one tried to stop you?”

“No.”, said Sareei, “I told you, everyone was on the other side of the camp, including that chicken necked little weasel, Lokhi. As I was leaving I heard Khor giving orders to his men to go out and find me and bring me back to him.”

“You got close enough to Khor to hear him talking?”, asked Strider.

Sareei smiled. “Everybody likes a challenge.”, She looked at Narak. “Don’t they?”

Narak and Strider looked at each other in disbelief.

Bara looked around nervously. “You mean Khor could be looking for you right now?”, he asked in a hushed voice.

Sareei shrugged and smiled. “I suppose.”, she replied. “You really are afraid of him, aren’t you?”, she observed.

“You’d be scared too if you had ever seen what he can do.”, said Bara.

“Right.”, smirked Sareei.

Strider’s face grew stern. “Do you know what could happen to you if Khor finds you? Especially if he finds you with these books?”

“I don’t care.”, said Sareei defiantly. “Someone needs to speak out and tell people what kind of a slimy lowlife Khor really is.” She gets startled look from nearby villagers.

Without a word Strider and Narak took Sareei by her arms and swiftly herded her into a nearby inn. They quickly seated her at a table in a remote corner of the room. Strider stood over her like a disapproving father.

“How many books do you have on that cart.” , he asked her.

“Forty-nine, “, she answered, “not counting the one I sold Bara.”

Strider thought quickly. “Alright. I will buy all the books you have.”

“That’s a good idea.”, said Narak.

“How much do you want for all forty-nine books.”, Strider asked her.

“Well…… I was selling them for two royals apiece.”, she told him.

“That’s ninety eight royals.”, said Bara.

” Narak, “, said Strider. ” there is a weapons shop just down the street. It is owned by a name named Voronwer. He won’t mind loaning me the money. Especially when he finds out what it’s for.”, he said pointedly at a sullen Sareei.

“Alright?”, he demanded sternly.

“Alright.”, she said reluctantly.

“I’m going to get the money.”, Strider told her. “You stay right here. Understood?”

Sareei sighed in resignation.

Strider turned to the two men.

“Narak, you stay here and make sure she doesn’t leave. Bara, go out there and make sure that no one gets a look at any of those books.”, He paused. “And cover up that cart.”, he said meaningfully.

“Yeah.”, said Bara as he and Strider hurried out the door.

As Sareei sat sulking, young Narak tried to cheer her up.

“Come on.”, he said. “It isn’t that bad, is it? You can write other books.”

“But I worked really hard on that one.”, she said. “I gave it everything I had.”

“I can tell.”, said Narak, shaking his head.

Just then several soldiers in a corner of the room were drinking a toast. The biggest soldier raised his mug. “To the glory of Khor!”, he proclaimed.

“Hah!!”, snorted Sareei loudly.

Realizing how outnumbered he was Narak gave her a reproving “Shhhh!”

The soldier stopped. “What did you mean, Hah?”, he demanded.

With fire in her eye, Sareei started to answer, but Narak interrupted her.

“She didn’t mean anything.”, said Narak, trying to make peace.

“Oh yes I did!”, piped up Sareei.

Narak whirled around and gave her a dirty look. “No you didn’t”, he told her firmly.

“Yes I did.”, she returned hotly.

Narak was eyeball to eyeball with her now. “No-You-Didn’t!”, he insisted darkly.

Sareei sulked. The soldiers eyed them suspiciously.

“You are going to get me killed.”, Narak told her.

“Those guys couldn’t fight their way out of a piece of wet cob web.”, Sareei said sarcastically.

Narak turned to the soldiers. “She’s just kidding, fellas.”, he told them.

“No I’m not.”, said Sareei.

“Yes you are.”, insisted Narak.

“No I’m not.”, spat Sareei angrily.

“Yes……….”, started Narak. Suddenly , the largest soldier was looming over them. The innkeeper quickly slipped a rare vase under the counter.

Narak sighed. “Run.”, he told Sareei as he stood up.

“Look, we don’t really don’t need to fight about this, do we?”, he asked the soldier reasonably. Without a word the huge soldier grabbed him by his tunic and lifted him off of his feet. Narak struggled in his grasp. Sareei picked up a candle and set the back of the soldier’s tunic on fire. Then she tapped him on the shoulder and said, “Heads up your lordship, your clothes are on fire.”

With a cry the soldier dropped Narak and ran for the water trough outside and dove into it.

“Thanks.”, said Narak.

“You’re welcome.”, answered Sareei. “Look out!”, she warned as another soldier came up behind Narak.

Just then Sareei saw a soldier come charging at her. As he chased her across the room, she saw a tomcat sleeping next to a large dog. Both were curled up together in front of the fireplace. Sareei ran over and grabbed up the tomcat and shoved it in the sleeping dog’s face. The startled dog snapped at the cat. Then Sareei threw the hissing tomcat right in the soldier’s face. Turning to the dog, she pointed to the tomcat and yelled, “Sic ’em.” The soldier was so busy trying to fend off the snarling tomcat that he didn’t see the angry dog until it leaped on him. With a cry of dismay he hit the floor underneath a mass of squalling tomcat and snarling dog.

As Sareei turned to run another soldier came after her. She grabbed a net full of wine bottles hanging beside her and swung it at the soldier’s head. The soldier ducked and let it swing past. After it went by he straightened up and laughed “Hah.”, at Sareei. Sareei stood there smiling. The net swung back and hit the soldier in the head, knocking him out. “Hah.”, laughed Sareei.

Just then, the first soldier came back into the inn shaking water out of his hair. Sareei picked up a mug of wine and a candle and intercepted him. She threw the wine on his shirt and then lit it with the candle. Sareei smiled as the soldier went tearing out the door again and jumped into the water trough.

Meanwhile, three soldiers are fighting Narak in the kitchen. They close on him, their swords drawn. Narak has his back against the wall. As they drew closer Narak looked up and saw a rack above his head. It is full of pots and pans. He reached up and pulled down the edge nearest the soldiers. The resulting avalanche knocked them to their knees. As Narak stood there laughing at them a large kitchen knife whistled past his ear and embedded itself in the wall next to his head.

“Hey!”, cryed Narak indignantly.

The soldier who threw the knife stood laughing at Narak, then gasped and ran for the door as Narak pulled the knife out of the wall and threw it back at him. Just as the soldier reached the doorway the knife sailed through the air and pinned his sleeve to the wall. As Narak passed him he smirked “Stick around.”

As he ran out of the kitchen he saw Sareei struggling with two soldiers. As he ran over to them he told Sareei, “Duck.” She dropped down and Narak put a hand of each of their heads and slammed them together.

Strider returned to the inn just in time to see the soldier jump into the water trough the second time. He looked toward the inn. As he moved quickly to the door he could hear the sounds of a fight. As he got to the doorway he had to jump quickly aside to avoid being bowled over by a dog chasing a tomcat. As he entered the inn Narak knocked the two remaining soldiers down with one kick. Together Strider and Narak evicted the soldiers from the inn.

As Bara came through the door he managed to dodge out of the way just in time to miss being hit be the last soldier.

“Let me guess.”, he said to Narak. “Sareei?”

“Sareei.”, answered Narak with an irritated look.

Strider took some coins out of a bag and gave them to a delighted innkeeper.

“Since you started this, you can pay for the damages.”, he told Sareei.

As she started to protest, “But they….”,

Strider pointed his finger at her.

“Not–one–word!”, he told her sternly.

Sareei pouted as she sat back down. He turned to Bara and spoke quietly so as not to be overheard.

“Take a torch and some oil and destroy all of those books. And make sure they all burn.”

“Good idea.”, said Bara enthusiastically. He paused. “I hope she doesn’t have anymore copies of that book.”, he worried.

Strider gave a tired sigh. “I’d better check.”, he decided. As Bara left, he approached Sareei.

“Here is the money for your books.”, he told her as he handed her the bag of coins.

“Thank you.”, she said in a delighted tone.

“You’re welcome.”, said Strider.

“Are there any more copies of your book that you haven’t told us about?”, he asked her.

“Why?”, she asked as she peeped into the bag.

“Because they need to be destroyed too.”, he told her.

“Destroyed?” She looked up just as the whoosh of burning books reached her ears.

“Oh no!”, she cried and started for the door. Strider headed her off and led her back to her seat.

“Believe me,”, he told her, “it’s for the best.” He got her to sit down again.

“I want you to promise me you won’t write any more of those books.”, Strider told her.

“You want me to lie?!?”, Sareei asked in a shocked tone.

Strider sighed. “No,”, he said patiently, “I want your word that you won’t write anymore books like that.”

“No!”, said Sareei defensively. Strider gave her a stern look.

“I’m not going to do it.”, she said defiantly. “I already sold you the first fifty copies……..”, she began.

” The first fifty?” Narak was incredulous. “How many more copies do you have?”

Sareei sat in stubborn silence. Strider leaned closer to her.

“How many?”, he asked. Sareei paused sullenly.

“Sareei………”, Strider began impatiently.

She relented. “I only have a hundred more copies, OK?”

“A hundred!”, Narak was astonished.

Strider turned to Narak. ” Voronwer is probably still in his shop. Find him and tell him I need two hundred more royals. He’ll know what it’s for.”

“Don’t let her talk to any soldiers,” Narak warned Strider. As he stalked out the door, he added, “She almost got me killed while you were gone.”

Sareei gave Narak a disgusted look. In return Strider gave her a withering look, which she avoided.

“Where are the rest of the books?”, he asked her.

“I’m not going to tell you.”, she declared firmly.

Strider gave her his best glare.

“Don’t you use that reptile glare on me.”, she scolded. “I’m not going to let you burn the rest of my books.”

“If we don’t burn the rest of those books, Khor is libel to burn you.”, Strider pointed out with a meaningful look.

‘I’m not scared of that field mouse.”, Sareei retorted.

Bara came in just in time to hear Sareei’s last remark. “Would you please stop talking like that?”, he asked her nervously. “It might get back to Khor.”

“It can do so with my blessing.”, smiled Sareei.

“Where are the rest of the books?”, asked Strider firmly.

“Forget it.”, snapped Sareei.

Strider grew impatient. His grey eyes flashed. “I’m getting tired of asking you the same question over and over.”

“Good.”, said Sareei. “I’m getting tired of hearing it.”

Strider was about to return fire, but was interrupted by Narak’s entrance.

“Got it?”, he asked Narak.

“Yes.”, answered Narak as he handed Strider the bag of money. “Your friend couldn’t believe anyone would write so many copies of one book.”

Strider looked at Sareei. “Neither can I.”, he said grimly. He handed the money to Sareei.

“Here. That’s two hundred royals. Now where are the books?”, he asked her.

Getting up, Sareei shoved the money back into Strider’s hands.” “Keep your money.”, she said hotly. “I want my book to circulate all over Middle Earth.”

“Are you crazy?”, blurted out Bara. “If that book gets out you won’t live long enough to see it circulate all over Middle Earth.” He lowered his voice. ” Khor will kill you long before that has a chance to happen.”

“Bull.”, said Sareei.

Strider gently but firmly sat Sareei back down and leaned towards her, resting his hands on the table behind her.

“Do you know what Khor will do to you if he gets wind of this book? He’s looking for you already. What do you think he would do to you if he got a look at what you’d written about him? And distributed using his money? Do you understand what I’m saying to you?”, he asked grimly.

Sareei murmured a sullen “Yes.”.

“Do you want to die?”, Strider asked her.

“No.”, she said.

“That’s the first smart thing I’ve heard you say.”, remarked Bara. He was rewarded with a glare from Sareei.

“Where are they?”, asked Strider.

“I hid them.”, answered Sareei.

“WHERE?”, demanded all three men at once.

“In the cellar of Khor’s house. “, she said. “The one just outside of town.”

“She’s dead.”, said Bara with conviction.

“Well,”, explained Sareei, “I didn’t think he’d have the brains to look right under his own nose. Besides, the passageway to the cellar is caved in and nobody can get down there.”

“If it’s caved in how did you get in?”, Narak wanted to know.

“The cellar wall ends at some cliffs behind the house. The whole area is overgrown with vines and trees.”, she explained. “I found the cellar wall and removed some loose stones and went right in. It’s so overgrown that the trees make a perfect tunnel right up to the wall.”

“I can’t believe she went anywhere near Khor’s house.”, said Bara.

“I can.”, said Narak.

“Are all the books there?”, asked Strider.

“Yes.”, said Sareei reluctantly.

“Good.”, said Strider. “You stay here and wait for us to come back. Don’t do anything. Understand?”

“And don’t talk to any soldiers.”, Narak said firmly.

“What is it with her and soldiers?”, asked Bara as he started to leave.

“I’ll tell you on the way.”, answered Narak as they walked out the door.

Strider turned to Sareei. “Stay put.”, he said firmly. “I want to talk to you when I get back.”

Sareei frowned. “Fine.”

After he walked out Sareei caught sight of Bara’s copy of her book lying on the table. She picked it up, intending to hide it, when suddenly a hand snatched the book from her. She looked up and saw Strider smiling down at her.

“Thanks,”, he said and hurried off, almost tripping over the dog as it continued to chase the cat.

Miles away, an old man was led unceremoniously into a tent and thrown down on the floor. The tent belonged to the captain of one of Khor’s scouting parties.

“Mercy, sir.”. begged the old man. “I bring you good news.”

“What good news could you bring me, old man?”, sneered the captain as he sat gulping down wine.

“I found her.”, said the old man. “The one Khor is looking for.”

The soldier grabbed the old man roughly by his shirt front. “Where is she?”, he demanded.

“I will get a reward, won’t I?”, asked the old man.

“Yes, yes, you’ll get everything that’s coming to you.”, answered the captain. “Now, where is she?”, he demanded.

“She’s in the village of Greenmeadow not far from here. I saw her there this morning.”, said the old man. “She was selling some book about Khor. She said a lot of nasty things about him in it.”, he finished.

“Oh she did, did she?”, sneered the soldier. “Well, maybe I’ll go to Greenmeadow and have a little talk with her. I’m sure Khor will be very anxious to have a few words with her too,.”

The other soldiers laughed and elbowed each other. She was in grave trouble they decided.

As the captain and his men started to leave, the old man spoke. “And my reward? Do I get my reward now?”, he asked.

The captain turned to one of his men. ” Helkaer, give this man what’s coming to him and then join us in Greenmeadow.

As the captain left the tent, Helkaer smiled and pulled a dagger out of his belt. The captain heard the old man’s cry as he mounted his horse. He smiled at the rest of his soldiers.

“A seven way split sounds better than an eight way split. Right ?” He and his soldiers rode away laughing.

The three men surveyed the cliff wall. The “entrance” Sareei had made was only three feet by two feet.

“How in the world did she get a hundred books through that teeny tiny hole?”, asked Bara.

“She seems to be a very determined woman.”, answered Strider.

“You’re telling me.”, said Narak.

“Well, let’s get to it.”, said Strider.

The three men began to remove the stones that blocked the entrance to the cellar. In a short time the entrance was cleared.

Bara peered into the darkness nervously. “After you.”, he told Strider.

Strider smiled and stepped into the cellar. He was quickly followed by his friends. When their eyes had adjusted to the gloom, they could see several large stacks of books in a corner.

“You have to give her credit.”, said Narak. “She certainly has courage.”

“I just thought she was crazy.”, said Bara.

It took them a while to load all of the books on the small cart they had brought with them. When they had loaded the last armload of books into the cart everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

“That’s the last of them.”, said Strider.

“What if she writes more books?’, wondered Narak.

“Don’t even joke about that.”, answered Bara looking worried.

“We’d better get back just as soon as we destroy these books.”, said Strider.

As they moved the cart away from the cave’s entrance, Khor’s scouting party rode into Greenmeadow.

Sareei looked up from her cup as one of the townspeople came running into the tavern.

” Khor’s men,”, he exclaimed. “They just rode into town.”

“What are we going to do?”, asked a frantic woman.

“What do they want?”, exclaimed a man.

Sareei ran to the window and looked out. She saw seven mounted soldiers in the middle of the marketplace. The captain was talking to the people in the street.

“We’re looking for a certain woman.”, he said.

“Who isn’t?”, shouted some loudmouth in the crowd. He got dirty looks from some of his friends.

“She was here in the marketplace this morning selling books.”, the captain continued, frowning at the loudmouth. “Hand her over to me and we will leave your village in peace.” He turned and whispered to his lieutenant. “After they give us the woman, take this village apart.” The lieutenant grinned.

“Thanks a lot, bonehead.”, someone told the loudmouth.

“Well, where is she?”, asked the captain.

The people were silent. One man took a stealthy look towards the tavern. The captain saw him.

“She’s in the tavern.” He pointed to two of his men. “You two. Bring her to me.”

The two men dismounted and walked towards the inn. Shortly after they disappeared into the tavern the captain heard a noise like a small gong. He heard it a second time.

Sareei ran out of the tavern holding a small frying pan with a large dent in the bottom. She quickly disappeared into the stable next door. Her pursuers didn’t come out at all. The captain motioned to two more of his men. “Go get her.”, he ordered.

The two men dismounted and ran into the stable. They found Sareei standing beside the gate of a darkened stall. “You’re coming with us.”, one of them told her.

“No, I’m not.”, she said and swiftly climbed over the gate into the stall.

The two soldiers went over the gate and into the stall just as Sareei went back over the gate and ran for the door.

“Come back here.”, bellowed one of the soldiers. Just then they heard the angry snort of the very large bull standing next to them in the stall.

Outside, the townspeople heard the angry bellow of the bull and the frightened cries of the soldiers. As Sareei ran out the door the last two soldiers caught her and dragged her over to their captain. He sat on his horse smirking at Sareei. ” Khor is going to reward me well for catching you. He’s promised their weight in gold to any man that brings you in.”, he said as he slipped a rope around her neck and tightened it.

“I wouldn’t spend my money before I had it in my hand if I were you.”, said a voice behind them. They turned to see Strider, Narak, and Bara standing behind them.

“Keep out of this, Ranger.”, the captain warned him. “Best not meddle in Lord Khor ‘s business.”

“I’m making this my business.”, said Strider.

“Have it your way.”, said the captain. He motioned to the two soldiers holding Sareei. “Get him.”

“Stop, while you still can.”, warned Strider sternly.

The two men attacked him with the ferocity of a lion. When they reached him, he simply stopped them by grabbed them by the front of their tunics. He slammed the two men together and then let them drop to he ground. He looked at the captain. “I said, let her go.”

“Come and take her.”, sneered the captain. He dismounted and held Sareei in front of him for a human shield. His attention was on Strider so he didn’t see Sareei bend down and bite his arm. Suddenly, a searing pain shot up his arm. As he jerked his arm away from Sareei, she broke loose and kicked him hard in the shin. When he bent down in pain, she slammed him in the head with the small frying pan she had hidden in the folds of her skirt. He dropped to the ground. She smiled at Strider.

“I told you she had fire.”, purred Khor’s voice. Everyone in the crowd moved away as Khor and Lokhi moved closer to Sareei. Strider placed himself in front of Sareei just as Khor got near her.

“Leave her alone, Khor.”, Strider warned him.

Khor smiled. “Relax, Ranger. I have no intention of hurting her. Yet.” An arrogant smile played on his lips, but his dark eyes smoldered with anger.

“You’re not going to hurt her at all.”, said Strider.

“She stole valuables from my tent.”, said Khor. “She owes me.”

“She doesn’t owe you anything, Khor.”, said Strider. “she was taking back what you had stolen from her first.”, he pointed out.

“Nobody makes a fool out of me.”, said Khor angrily.

“Why should we bother, when you’re already…………”, The rest of Sareei’s sentence was cut short by Narak’s hand over her mouth.

“Will you shut up!”, scolded Narak.

“Thank you!”, said Bara fervently.

“I’m not going to let you hurt her.”, warned Strider.

“You’d fight me for a woman?”, said Khor disdainfully. He thought of women as broodmares, good only for having children. The contempt was plain on his face.

“You heard me.”, said Strider. “She’s no threat to you. Or are you threatened by a woman?” , he added.

“Oh, please.”, Khor said disdainfully.

“Then leave her alone.”, said Strider.

Khor looked at the determined Rangers for a moment and then laughed. “Alright Ranger. She’s all yours.” He and Lokhi mounted their horses and rode out of the village.

“That was too easy.”, said Strider with a worried look. “This isn’t over yet.”

Sareei nipped Narak’s hand and with an indignant “Ow!”, he released her.

“Thank you.” , she told him. She turned to Strider. “What do you mean this isn’t over yet?”

” Khor won’t forget this.”, said Strider. “He is probably on his way to get reinforcements. We need to get you out of this village.”

“I’m not going to run from that parakeet.”, said Sareei indignantly.

“Listen, that ‘parakeet’ can turn you into a parakeet. I’ve heard he’s been practicing the black arts”, Narak reminded her.

This remark earned him a quizzical look from Strider. He really was going to have to have a long talk with Narak someday.

“She needs to lay low for a while.”, Narak told Strider.

“Yes.”, agreed Strider, “and I think I know just the place.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”, declared Sareei defiantly.

Without a word Strider threw Sareei over his shoulder and began walking.

“Put me down!”, demanded Sareei. When Strider kept walking she struck him in the back with her fist. Strider immediately gave her a sharp swat on the behind.

“Ow. That hurt.”, she exclaimed.

“Good.”, said Strider. “Now you know how it feels.”

She sulked the rest of the way to their destination. Their destination was a cave hidden by a large outcropping of boulders. When they got inside the cave, Strider gently set her down on a large rock. In a few minutes Narak came in carrying an armload of firewood, which he set down nearby. He took some of the firewood and stacked it for a fire. Strider took out the two flints he carried and knelt near the wood. He struck them together and sparks flew. Soon a warm campfire was blazing.

” Bara, Narak and I are going hunting. If she tries to leave, tie her up.”, he said, indicating Sareei.

“Don’t worry.”, said Bara.

The two hunters were gone for some time. Sareei sat sulking in front of the fire. Bara tried to cheer her up.

“Look, it isn’t the end of the world. You just have to be more selective about what you write.”, he said diplomatically.

“In other words,”, said Sareei, “don’t write anything that will make anyone mad.”

“You got it.”, said Bara enthusiastically.

“What about the truth?”, she asked. “The truth can set you free.”

“In this case, the truth can get you killed.”, pointed out Bara.

“But everything I put in that book was the truth.”, argued Sareei.

“I know it doesn’t seem fair,”, said Bara sympathetically.

“No it doesn’t.”, said Sareei sadly.

“We’re doing this for your own good,”, said Bara.

“Why does my own good have to feel so unfair?”, Sareei asked as a tear rolled down her cheek.

Strider and Narak came in just in time to hear this. Strider gave the rabbits he was carrying to Narak. He walked over to Sareei and knelt down in front of her.

“Sareei, we’re not doing this to be cruel.”, he told her gently as he held one of her hands. “We’re simply trying to keep you from getting hurt.”

Another tear rolled down her cheek. Strider gently wiped it away.

“After this is over, you can write more books.”, said Narak, trying to cheer her up.

“Here.” He handed her a beautiful red and gold flower. “I found this and I thought you might like it. “He was rewarded with a tearful smile as she took the flower.

“Thanks.”, she whispered.

“Tell you what.”, said Narak. “You sit here and relax. We’ll get supper ready.”

Later, as everyone sat eating supper, Sareei suddenly put down her food.

“You know what really annoys me,”, she said angrily.

Everyone sighs and stops eating.

“Khor started all this and he’s going to walk away without a scratch.”, she said.

“Don’t be too sure.”, said Strider in a determined voice.

“I feel like hitting him.”, said Sareei angrily.

“You did that.”, said Bara. “That’s why you’re on the lamb now.”

“Just try to calm down.”, Strider told her.

“I don’t want to calm down.”, said Sareei. “I want to give Khor a piece of my mind!”

“Maybe we’d better wait a few days. Alright?” suggested Narak, trying to sooth her.

“But I won’t be nearly as mad THEN!”, protested Sareei.

Strider and Narak looked at each other and chuckled.

“Did I hear someone mention my name?”, said a voice.

Everyone looked up to see Khor standing in the doorway of the cave with Lokhi. He stepped out of the darkness into the firelight with Lokhi close behind him.

“What do you want Khor?”, asked Strider as he stepped forward and placed himself in between Khor and Sareei.

“You know what I want.”, smiled Khor.

“Well you can’t have her.” , challenged Narak.

Sareei stepped around Strider to confront Khor. As he reached for her she threw her food in his face.

“Here. Have some rabbit.”, she snapped.

Khor slapped the food aside and took a step forward. Anger darkened his handsome face.

Strider grabbed Sareei and pulled her back behind him.

“Out of my way!”, warned Khor. “This is none of your business.”

“I’m making this my business.”, said Strider.

Khor took another step forward. “I intend to teach her some manners.”, he said in a deadly voice.

“You’d better learn some yourself first.”, retorted Sareei. She stood her ground as Khor came closer.

“You have a lot to learn, little girl.”, Khor threatened.

“So do you, rat face.”, snapped Sareei.

Khor was astounded. ” Do you have any idea who you are talking to?”, he demanded.

“Yes.”, said Sareei. “I’m talking to a jackass.”

“That’s all.”, said Khor infuriated. He reached for his sword.

“Hold it!”, snapped Strider. He turned to the angry warrior. “Look Khor, don’t you have better things to do than send your men across Middle Earth chasing one woman?”

“Why don’t you guys just leave.”, said Bara, finally getting his nerve up.

He was rewarded with an evil look from Lokhi.

“Or not.”, murmured Bara, cringing.

“She attacked me. She robbed me. And you just want me to let her go?”, asked an angry Khor.

“It’s not so much fun when someone does it to YOU is it?”, spat Sareei.

“She only took what your men had stolen from her in the first place, Khor.”, Strider pointed out.

“She knocked me out.”, snarled Khor darkly.

“I wouldn’t let that get out if I were you.”, said Narak.

“That’s right.”, said Strider. “How would it look to your men if someone told them that the great Khor Dulgi had been defeated in a fight with a woman?” He smiled at Khor.

“She struck me from behind.”, fumed Khor.

“I don’t think your soldiers will care.”, said Narak.

“All they’ll care about is that you were defeated by a woman.”, said Strider.

“You know, if I were them, I’d start looking for someone else to follow.”, said Narak to Strider.

“Looks like Khor is going to have to find himself another army.”, said Strider smoothly. “That is if someone lets this information ……….slip out.”, he finished with a smile.

“You wouldn’t dare.”, challenged Khor.

“Try me.”, said Strider, looking Khor in the eye.

“That’s blackmail!”, stormed Khor.

The two Rangers smiled at Khor. “Yes, it is, isn’t it?’, said Strider, looking pleased with himself.

“Yeah.”, grinned Narak.

Strider turned back to the frustrated Khor. “Is your vengeance worth loosing your reputation? Not to mention your entire army?”

Khor fumed for a moment. “If word of this ever gets out……….”, he threatened.

“It won’t.”, promised Strider. “Just as long as you leave Sareei alone.”

As Khor started to leave, he paused and turned to Sareei.

“You need to be on a leash.”, he told her.

“You need to be in a muzzle!”, she retorted.

Khor bristled and took a step closer.

” Khor!”, Strider said sharply.

Khor stopped. He and Sareei glared at each other.

“Just leave.”, said Strider, his hand on the grip of his sword.

“Keep her under control.”, warned Khor. He stormed out, followed by Lokhi.

“Humph!”, snorted Sareei.

Everyone else breathed a sigh of relief.

The next morning the group walked through the marketplace. Suddenly, a large dog chased a tomcat directly across their path and into an alleyway. Just as they walked past the alley, they heard a sharp yelp from the dog and a snarling yowl from the tomcat. Behind them the dog shot out of the alley with the angry tomcat in hot pursuit.

Strider smiled at Sareei. “The books are all destroyed.”, he told her. “You should be safe. For now. If that’s all the copies you have,……..” He raised an inquiring eyebrow.

“Yes, that was all the copies I had.”, she told him.

“Good.”, said Narak and Bara in unison.

“You’re not thinking of writing more of those kind of books are you?”, asked Strider cautiously.

Sareei smiled sweetly.

“Oh wonderful.”, moaned Narak.

“Well what do you expect me to do? Give up writing?”, she asked with a twinkle in her eye.

“You don’t have to write about Khor !”, said Narak.

“How about a nice book on gardening?”, suggested Bara. He was rewarded with a disdainful look from Sareei.

“Do you want to die?”, asked Strider.

“No.”, answered Sareei.

“Change your subject matter.”, said Bara.

“Fine.”, said Sareei shortly.

They reached the edge of the village. Halbarad had their horses and was waiting for them out in the road. Strider was immensely glad to see him. As soon as he dropped Bara off at his village Strider was going home to see his family. He hadn’t been home in six months and he was anxious to see what new mischief his brothers had been up to. He turned to say farewell to Sareei.

Strider took her hand. “Goodbye Sareei. Take care of yourself.”

“Goodbye Strider.”, she said. “Goodbye Narak. Bara.”

“Stay out of trouble.”, admonished Bara as he took her hand.

As they walked towards the horses they heard Sareei’s voice behind them.

“Maybe I’ll write about……..Sauron.”, she mused as she sat down on a nearby bench.

Strider froze, turned in his tracks and walked back to her. “Don’t even think about it.”, he warned her sternly, his grey eyes flashing.

“Just kidding.”, she told him with an impish smile.

Strider gave her a warning look, then the three men walked to their horses. As they mounted up Bara asked, “Do you really think she’ll take our advice?”

“Not a chance.”, said Strider and Narak together.

As the men rode away, Sareei smiled to herself as she pulled a quill, a bottle of ink, and a piece of parchment out of her bag.

“Maybe………Saruman.”, she said thoughtfully. She bent over her parchment and began to write.

Khor Dulgi — “black lord”

Ugru Dalad — “under [the] Shadow”.

Lokhi — “crooked”

Bara– short for Barabatta , Quicktalker

Narak — “eagle”

Voronwer — Loyal one

Helkaer — Icy one