Snippet #2265450

Verza smirked at Nienna and liliana. "You realize I am not daft to your words?" he joked.

Nienna was a bit taken aback. She had not met many humans that spoke and understood the Elvish language. Her cheeks turned a tad rosey in complextion. “My apologies Sir Verza.” Nienna placed a hand over her chest in surprise. She didn’t intent to be rude, she liked Verza and found him interesting. She last of all wanted to offend him. He, to Nienna’s relief, seemed more relieved than offended.

Valinor, in response to Nienna’s previous statement, replied in a seemingly hurt manner. "A Walking Curse...... I expected different from you, to not side with the mortals in their foolish mindset. Do the peasants and merchants not tell the same exaggerated and fearful tales of you, oh Witch of the Black Forest? Or is this simply the Pot calling the Kettle black?"

His words caused conviction deep in Nienna’s heart. She had passed judgement on Valinor before she herself could evaluate him for who he truly was. True the trees shuddered when the spirits of those passed and at unrest were near. However it did not necessarily mean that the spirit was an evil one. Nienna should most definitely had known better. True, Valinor seemed quite callous and slightly arrogant but perhaps those were simply defenses to protect him-self. Nienna tended to handle her negative reputation by expressing the utmost gentleness to those she encountered.

Nienna bowed deeply and apologized to Valinor, “Indeed they do. I was chastised for carrying out the will of the land on those that disrespected her. I have rushed to judgment regarding you Lord Valinor, and for that I am truly apologetic. You are correct, I should have known better than to treat another in that manner.” Nienna wanted to show her sincerity but that was something that would have to come with time.

Gunvald, the Dwarf, spoke "This be an easy trick, granted one that I've yet to find a wizard imitate. Furthermore if memory serves, yer Elf rings only cover Fire, Water and Air. Earth is something beyond their influence, because it has a will and mind o' its own. Earth loves its secrets but once more, if yeh've got a strong enough will then yeh can get it to speak but tis an element that will never be mastered." After he finished speaking all of his earlier solemnity and serious disappeared.

Nienna heard this and thought of herself. She just might be needed to carry a ring. She was connected with the Earth. She was highly skilled in Earth element magic. Perhaps her will was strong enough to bear one of the three rings. However, this could also mean that she should not because of that very connection with the Earth. If Nienna turned, the Earth itself would suffer as a result. Trees would cease to glow lustrously, harvests would lack, Mirkwood would fall to the negative energy that threatened it. Nienna thought to herself wondering what she should do.

Slanu accepted the ring incased in stone. He was indeed a brave man. Nienna closed her eyes and clasped her hands together as if she was praying. She spoke quietly, “It was ring gifted to the Elves, thus an Elf shall carry the last ring. The Lady of Greenwood shall step forward and showcase the grace of her people. It is for the sake of the Earth that I pick up this wicked ring. Should grace fail, I shall diminish and sail to the undying lands, if it would have me.”

With that, Nienna stepped forward and picked up the last ring and placed it in her pale hand. It was beautiful however it was indeed a heavy thing. Nienna felt as if she were carrying stone labs. Nienna then took out an Elvan chain and had that carry the ring. She then closed her eyes and began to pray audibly in Elvish. “Oh Great Moon, Middle Earth, I bear this weight in accordance with your will. May the grace given to me be sufficient, may it be blessed so that it would go before me allowing me to carry this burden. May the will of Earth be, for it is my will as well.” Nienna let out a sigh and concluded her prayer. There was a white glow about her. Grace was protecting her from the brunt of the ring’s wickedness for now. She now felt closer to her usual self and not so weighed down by the ring’s force.

Nienna now turned her attention to the group. “It is done. Shall we proceed?” Nienna said calmly. She stepped away from the peadastool and stood beside Verza, awaiting the command to depart.