Golden sunlight streamed down through the dense treeline to create swirling beams and auras of light that seemed almost mystical in nature. The soft, dim glow of the Mystic Wood cast its magic upon all who entered, but only moments ago, another kind of magic could be seen by those who knew where to look - not that finding where to look was very difficult. A Dragon Saura - the child of two Draconic Quendi or two Dragon Lords - with pure white like glistening snow in the sunlight with wings powerful and beautiful enough to dwarf even the most alluring Dragon had come from the sky to land deep in the heart of the Mystic Wood that sprawled across the land, blanketing it with grandeur. Now that Uruloki Fii, or White Dragon, was shifting into her Elven form, the form most in tune with the natural world that was Arda's valleys and rivers, hills and forests, grasslands and meadows.

Indestructible scales shrank and melded into Elven flesh as a massive tail vanished into the small of the Elf maiden's back. Forelegs and hind legs became slender Elven appendages as the snout became the facial features common throughout the forests of the world. Ears shrank, yet remained the elongated ears of an Elf. White became tanned cream, the tone of an Elf's skin, and eyes shrank to become recognizeable by those others of the humanoid races and subraces. At long last, even claws became nails and powerful jaws filled with deadly teeth became the full lips and round chin of an Elf maiden. And the soft, padding footsteps that struck lightly upon the moss that filled the forest floor, leaves pushed aside lightly, and the breathing of another joined the sounds of the forest that permeated the drums of Camille Larenya's ears. She smiled. Few came here save for the Nymphs, and so she turned to see one staring right at her.

"Hello there, friend Nymph. Enjoying the beauty of the woods?"

The Nymph was slender and beautiful, humanoid in form yet a deep, strong force of nature in and of herself, and a greater part of the nature that surrounded them. She was a Wood Nymph.

It had been another beautiful day in the forest. The sun's rays poking through the canopy of the ancient trees. The taste of magic on the tip of your tongue. The glow and laugher of Fae broke the tranquil silence of the forest. Nature was in full swing and undisturbed by the meddling lives of man.

Gwen had been frolicking around with the small beasts of the forest all morning. Life was in abundance in the forest. Frisky nymphs, mischievous Fae, beautiful birds, and curious critters were frequently seen enjoying their home.

Gwen was currently chancing after a few floating butterflies whose radiant colors challenged those of the beautiful flowers that filled the forest floor. It was a carefree day like any other, or so Gwen had thought.

When the little dryad swung around the corner she had seen something like no other. She had watched as a glorious white dragon formed into an equally beautiful elven maiden. Gwen had not been caught off guard by this change however, as many strange things happened in this magical forest every day. This transformation had not been the wildest thing the nymph had seen in her lifetime.

The nymph watched and gave the maiden a cheery smile as she looked her way and confronted her, but she hid her body behind the large trunk of a mighty tree. She was a bit bashful when around strangers, like a little girl. She did manage to speak up, her voice light and strong, even in her shyness " Hello elf. That was a truly beautiful dragon."

Gwen had one hand on the trunk of the tree to hold herself up. She could feel the vigor and magic that coursed through its roots as if it were the blood that moved through her veins. With the other hand she played with her thick, long, brown hair. She was always keeping her hands busy, as she had ample energy. She was likely to be doing a bit of harmless mischief if she did not have her hands preoccupied.

The gentle breeze carried the scent of flowers through the air. Gwen always carried a faint scent of flowers with her where she went. It was partially from the flowers that littered her long hair and partially because she was nature herself. She was the embodiment of a piece of nature.

Ah, but she had not hid herself completely and Camille could still see a part of the Nymph's body. It was truly a thing of nature, that body - so light, so natural, so innocent. But the Nymph was shy. A shame. No matter. Perhaps she would shake off that shyness as she talked with Camille a bit.

"Fear me not, Nymph, for I am as friendly as you feel to be. I am an Urulokii Fii, a White Dragon. My name is Camille. And yours, young Nymph?"

The Nymph's hair was quite earthy, and very beautiful to boot. It was made even more beautiful by the numerous lillies and daisies and such that filled it, giving it colour and natural essence that could not be washed away by the beauty of the Nymph's face, pale and fresh as it was. Her eyes were also quite alluring. She probably had all the boys after her.

"Please, come and join me. I wouldn't mind the company as I walk through this forest at all."

Camille's smile was a small, friendly one, open and warm and welcoming. It was like hanging a large sign that said, 'Please, come and be my friend.' And why not? What did a daughter of Draconic Quendi have to fear? She was one of the most powerful beings that had existed since Arda's creation, second only to the Draconic Quendi who, in turn, were second only to the sadly now-extinct Dragon Lords of the ancient world. Even the Draconic Quendi were now fading from this world. Her parents, and those of her late husband, were the last ones so far as she knew. And of course, she was their offspring - the lesser breed of Draconic Quendi, an Urulokii Fii, a White Dragon - and a very powerful one at that, nevermind her extensive knowledge of powerful holy spells and her gift for Herbalism.

Gwen had no qualms with the girl, just instinctive shyness. She always had to be on the lookout for most men and frisky satyrs that might be looking for a little fun with the nymphs. Camille looked very inviting and fun. Promises of excitement were always enough to attract nymphs. They were in many ways like little children, usually never growing up.

The nymph pushed herself off the tree and hopped into complete view, skipping ever closer to the elven girl. When she was close enough, just a bit too close, she began to talk in her light but strong voice once more " I am Gwen! I do not think you live in this forest. If you do in fact live here, you must be very good at hiding, for I have not seen you before! What brings you too these woods?" She gestured to the life around them by spinning around, arms outstretched.

Gwen was social and fond of company, so long as if they were not wanting to get to intimate with her. Eventually she had stopped spinning, but the world had not. She laughed and fell onto the plush grass with a faint thud. She did not bother getting up quite yet, stretching her body out in the grass "Where would we be walking too? Is their something going on? I do not think their are any parties or festivals tonight!" Gwen's mind wandered to the nights filled with music and laughter as she joined the other nymphs, Fae, and magical creatures in dancing and merriment. They usually had these secret festivals on the equinoxes and solstices, and today was neither.

Where ever this maiden wanted to go, Gwen would not object. She was fond of traveling through the forest and she could point out some hidden forest secrets to her new Acquaintance.

Camille found herself lifting a hand in a vain attempt to cover her mouth. She was giggling, and trying not to outright laugh. Nymphs...they were - funny, sometimes. They were like children, so carefree and innocent, so playful, always on the lookout for adventure and fun. Camille's expression did not change, though her eyes did as she lowered her hand. Her small smile told nothing of the deep sadness she had suffered of late, but her eyes spoke all too well of the loss of her husband, so many centuries of life snuffed out in a single, deadly blow, and the suffering that Camille had endured since. But she did not want to bring the Nymph down, so child-like and wonderful was she.

I did not have any particular destination in mind, young Nymph. No, Gwen, I am simply here to enjoy the beauty and wonder that is the Mystic Wood. There are so many things to enjoy here, it is almost impossible to enjoy them all. I have been here before, but not in a very long time."

A little sadness entered her voice. The last time she'd come here was to marry her husband. They'd used to come here so often, when it was so much vaster and covered so much more of the land of Ea. But now she could not enjoy it as she once had. She pushed the sadness away forcefully. She needed to begin living again. Her smile returned.

"What about you, Gwen? Any place you particularly like to visit in the Mystic Wood?"

The Nymph...she was so great. Her personality was beautiful, like a radiant star or a magnificent flower. It was so...refreshing. It brought many happy memories to her mind, memories of her husband - and she used those to push away the thought that he was dead, that she would never see him again, never know his touch or the firm strength and gentle love of his lips...she shook her head so very slightly, almost imperceptibly, and blinked. Her unfaltering smile did not leave her face this time.

Gwen could not help but smile at the giggling girl. Even in her laugher, the nymph could not help but see sadness in her eyes. They were filled with indifference, as if she wanted to forget something, but at the same time knew she could never forget it.

Gwen pushed herself up and grabbed Camille by the hand " I know of a Fae haven, deep in the woods. It is in a truly beautiful clearing. Few people not from the forest have seen it! You can be one of them few if you like!" The Dryad did not wait to hear the reply of the elven maiden, pulling her in the direction of the wonder.

Soon her hand slipped from Camille's. This part of the forest had been untouched and grew thick. Gwen had no problem weaving through the foliage, knowing exactly where to step and where to duck. When she was getting to far away from Camille, Gwen knew that she would have to slow down. She touched a soft hand against a tree and asked kindly to lift their branches and clear the path. Soon the tree branches lifted higher then normal, clearing the path a bit.

A small gust of wind picked up and blew through the canopy. Gwen knew that the trees were talking quietly amongst themselves. Soon the entire path they wished to take was cleared of branches. The nymph smiled happily " Thank you all!" Her voice echoed out a bit, piercing through the serenity of the forest.

The travel to the Fae hot spot was much easier now. Every step they took brought them closer to the faint sounds of laughter and music. Fae were excellent musicians, almost knowing how to play instinctively. It was an exotic and beautiful melody that had mesmerizing properties. Fae often found good use of this and would often lead travelers astray, coining the phrase " Pixie led".

Finally the two came upon the small clearing. It was a circular space, surrounded by trees. Once ancient tree stood in the center of the ring, a magical light glowing from the hole within the hollow tree. Flowers were numerous in the clearing, filling the air with a pleasant mix of daisies, buttercups, poppies, roses, and other wild flowers. Small brightly colored mushrooms grew in small rings around the tree, fairy rings.

Gwen stepped in the mystical clearing and gestured for Camille to follow. Fairies and Pixies fluttered around carefree. The air was filled with sparkling pixie dust. The Fae did not take up arms against the two for Nymphs, Satyrs, and other magical creature were a usual sight in their clearing. Gwen could not help but smile at Camille
" Isn't it beautiful!"

Camille laughed openly, gleefully, almost like a child again herself as she allowed herself to be swiftly led along by the cheerful Nymph. Gwen was clearly as happy and carefree as any other Nymph, and she also quite clearly knew this wood very well indeed. It wasn't long before they'd reached a dangerous-looking path - dangerous, that is, until the trees softly whispered to one another and parted their branches and roots for the travelers to pass. Camille stared in wonder, and then grinned as she followed Gwen. Yes, it was like she was a child once more, for only as a child could one truly enjoy the full experience of the Mystic Wood. It was as a child that she had learned of Nymphs, and now she had one for a friend, it seemed - or at the very least, for a temporary companion, a relief of tension and sadness, an all-too-pleasant distraction from the canyons of Camille's ancient mind.

Then they came to the clearing. She slowed, stopped, stared. Her smile faded. The look on her face was truly indescribable. It was not one of sadness or fear, or of horror, but neither was it one of joy or happiness. It was not a pained expression, but neither was it a pleasant one.

"This place..." she murmured softly, her chest almost unmoving as she scarcely breathed.

Camille remembered this place. She could not think from where, or from when, but she remembered it. It was...familiar to her. Her face finally left its blank look behind, only to be replaced by one of confusion. There was something...she couldn't remember. It had been a passing thought, one meant for the library of information stored for centuries in the deepest recesses and catacombs of her memory. This place...there was something about it that struck a distant chord in her memory, something...

Now fear did begin to show on her face, and confusion as well. She immediately realized she'd been moving forward, if slowly, staring hollowly at the golden doorway into the underground levels of the wood, reaching with her mind, stretching it as though trying to make a grab for something that was not there and never had been, except perhaps in her imagination. But it was there. It had always been there, and it always would be. She just couldn't figure out what it was. A memory, a song perhaps...something...something long-forgotten...something...she couldn't place it. It was gone.

She shook her head, blinking, and then shook herself and gathered herself up once more. She straightened her dress unnecessarily, and for a very brief moment - despite the beauty of her apparent youth - she seemed the heavily aged and certainly ancient woman that she truly was, if only in mannerism. It was like she was an old lady both physically as well as chronologically. The place she was standing...she'd been there before.

Camille shifted uncomfortably. She was youthful self again, but...

"I don't like this place."

She shook her head, blinking as though suddenly blinded, and then turned to Gwen.

"I'm sorry, Gwen. Truly, I am. Could we, perhaps, go someplace else? Someplace warmer?"

It was suddenly cold. Very cold. Perhaps it was just her. Perhaps it was the place. Perhaps it was the entrance to the Fae Hollow.

The Fae Hollow. The name came to her out of nowhere. She didn't know where it had come from, but it didn't have a positive connotation. Not at all.

"Please."

Her voice was strong and steady, speaking volumes of the wisdom and power accrued over centuries, yet there was an imaginary tremor in it as well. She did not like this place one bit...

Gwen was shocked to see her reaction to the Fae hollow. Most people who got the privilege to find this place thought it beautiful, fascinating, or mysterious. This was the first time she had found someone who found it menacing. She soon piped up " Fae may be mischievous, but they are not evil. Their jokes are all in good fun and an annoyance at best. They do not attack unless first provoked."

The nymph did not want to argue though. She wanted Camille's visit here to be a fun one. She did not want to keep her in a place were she was obviously uncomfortable. Gwen gave one finally look at the clearing, taking in the magic before grabbing Camille by the hand " Do not worry. We will leave right now. Do not feel bad, there is nothing to fear." Her voice was soft and as comforting as she could make it. She locked arms with her friend as she led her away from the Fae hollow. with her free hand she stroked Camille's hand softly, trying to be as soothing and reassuring as possible. Gwen was one to quickly change from child to mother. She loved to play and be carefree, but she could not stand to see others in pain or even in discomfort. She was very sympathetic.

Soon the two were far enough away from the hollow. They could no longer hear the mesmeric music. The high pitched giggles were gone. The glow was nowhere to be found. This is where Gwen stopped quickly. She put on a weak smile for Camille, not knowing if things were better now " Are you ok now? The last time you were at the hollow, Did something bad happen? If you do not want to talk about it I will completely understand. You gave me a bit of a scare back there."

Mother...to her? That was quite humorous. A young Nymph playing the mother to a Dragon as old as Camille. But in a way, the term fit. Yet Camille would never know this, of course. Her mind - it was a fog, like something clouded by...by something she could not find, something she could not understand. Though it was probably no more than a few moments, perhaps fifteen or twenty minutes at the very most, it seemed to Camille as though it were hours. She blinked suddenly, realizing that they were now nowhere near the Fae Hollow. What was that place? She knew it, and knew it well, and yet...why couldn't she place it! Why couldn't she remember!

Camille suddenly began to feel her age, regardless of her immortal youth. She knew not how, but somehow she'd broken the link of arms with Gwen and was leaning against a tree. She felt...weak, drained...she sank to her knees in the forest. She did not understand...she had faced things in her lifetime that great warlords would have suddered in horror at, yet a simple hole had defeated her? It made no sense...nothing made sense. She felt...

"Evil."

The word came out of nowhere. It was just a murmur, just a word, yet it was the only thing that made sense right now. Something flashing out of the corner of her eye. What was it? Where was it? Camille looked hastily - but there was nothing there. She felt uneasy, unsure of herself. Something was wrong. Something was very wrong. Perhaps the Mage had found her first? But no...he could not possibly know she even existed. Not yet...no. This was something else. Something else entirely. It had to be.

"What is that?"

She did not even realize that she had spoken. Whatever she had seen it was gone. She began to get to her feet, slowly, cautiously, examining her surroundings, putting up her guard like a wall made of mithril and thick as the ocean itself. Gwen was nearby, and concerned for her. She could feel it. But she could explain nothing, for she understood nothing at this point. She was stronger for the time being...but she had to get away from here. Away from this place.

Gwen looked around. She could see no other in the forest and dismissed the notion " It was nothing more than an animal or another creature of the forest. I assure you that I would know of any evils that housed themselves here." She was truly worried for Camille, who seemed to be losing it.

The nymph brought another hand down on Camille. Her friend was beginning to lose it. First she had not felt comfortable around the Fae hollow and now she was seeing things. It was enough to make Gwen nervous herself " Your scaring me Camille. Are you sure that you are ok?"

Now that fear had been sewn in the soil of her rich mind, it had begun to grow. The gentle and loving forest became unfamiliar and colder. It was all in her mind, but it was real enough for Gwen. She herself shrank away from Camille. She had once looked friendly, but now she began to change a bit. Now that their was confusion and a hint of fear in her eyes, she did not look friendly. Maybe she feared the hollow because she herself was an evil girl. She had not been the first to look inviting and turn out horrible. The memories of Jupiter and enslavement danced through her pregnant mind. Had she fallen for the same mistake again, or was this all in her head as well.

(( I did not really know what to write so it is small))

((No problem. These last two posts of mine kind of wrote themselves...sorry for the abrupt change. Heh.))

Camille gathered herself up, gaining strength as she did so. A holy light seemed to emanate from her - her hair, her skin, her clothes - as she did so. Suddenly she knew everything around her: every animal, tree, bush, plant, rock...everything. She could feel Gwen nearby, fearful and uncertain of Camille. That was not good. She had not meant to scare the lovely young Nymph. That had not been her intention at all. There was definitely something very, very evil in the Mystic Wood, though. She couldn't pinpoint its location, but she could certainly feel its presence. It was very strong. She turned to Gwen, almost cold, but her face softened as she looked upon her new friend and took on an apologetic visage.

"I'm sorry, Gwen. I did not mean to scare you. Please, for give me. But there is something...something evil in this forest, somewhere. I can feel it. I felt - odd, when I was near the Fae Hollow. I'm sorry. I really did not mean to scare you. I must hunt this evil, to pinpoint and hopefully destroy it. You may come with me, but I will understand if you are fearful. I, myself, cannot deny that I am a bit fearful of this. I cannot pinpoint the source, but I know there is definitely something here that should not be."

It was as much as she could do. She really didn't want to scare those around her. She couldn't explained what had happened, except that perhaps she had caught a whiff of the memories or personality of another. She had heard something before about clerics being able to interpret the minds of others if those others were very evil and the clerics themselves were very strong. Camille was most definitely a very powerful cleric, and so perhaps that is what had happened. Perhaps she had somehow sensed and locked onto the mind or heart of an evil person or being nearby. Whatever had happened, though, she would not let this evil - thing - hurt the wood if she could stop it. She awaited Gwen's hopeful acceptance of her apology and her answer regarding the hunt.

It was odd. Camille quickly turned from nervous and frightened to powerful and sure minded. A bright aura washing over her. Someone with a glow that magnificent could not be evil. The glow had changed her mind in a matter of seconds. Her trust was easy to gain. It made her a very loving girl, but a very naive one as well.

The nymph took the apology very well " It was not as if you had tried to scare me. Fear is a contagious thing." The smile that had triumphantly returned faded just as quickly when she heard of the evil " If you really think that there is evil in these woods than I must help you. This place a home, and ill willed creatures do nothing but tear it apart. It is my responsibility to help."

Gwen that had once seemed young, innocent, and care free soon carried the composer of a fierce woman. The bad news seemed to fill her with strength. She went from being high in the sky to completely grounded and determined, not so much in physical prowess, but in her mind. Natures unpredictability and force stirred inside her, along with the nurture and beauty. As much as she did not like to destroy, she knew that she must to protect others.

The spot they stood had been close to one of the trees Gwen was specially bonded too. She moved over and reached into the hole in the trunk. She rummaged through the odds and ends she had collected and pulled out a small stick. It was beautifully engraved with pictures of nature. Depictions of seedlings, trees, flowers, dancing nymphs, and animals lay forever carved into the wood. She moved into the foliage a bit deeper before pressing the stick against the ground. Soon the vines that climbed up trees and slithered across the grass began to stir. They began to move towards the stick, drawn to it by a magic force. Soon the vines had wrapped around the stick, forming a whip of living vines that danced and coiled. The nymph soon found her way back to her friend minutes later " Ok I have what I need! Lead away!" Her voice was strong, full of confidence. She did not know what they were up against and did not know if she needed to be afraid. She was filled with a sense of security and confidence knowing she had the home court advantage within the walls of the forest.

She hesitated a moment, then nodded. Nymphs usually held powerful earthen magic - the same that ran through their bodies and bonded them to their trees, and which connected them to everything else in nature in a way even Dragons like Camille and the most powerful Druids and Druidesses could only dream about - and that magic could be used to defend and protect as well as attack. Nymphs were seen as foolish little girls with no brains and even fewer muscles more often than not, but they could be as keen and intelligent and dangerous as anyone else when their homes, or any part of nature at all - including the animal world - was threatened in any way.

Camille waited patiently while Gwen went and collected a weapon. A vine whip...she'd heard of such weapons. While not nearly do deadly as swords or axes, they were certainly formiddable weapons and supposedly an extension of a Nymph's deep connection to nature. They were said to be a mark of just how dangerous Nymphs really were, regardless of the tales of child-like girls running around with no clothes on, laughing and playing. Camille, in essence, appreciated fully - and respected - the creature that now stood before her.

"I see you're ready, then. Excellent. Come," she said with a small, grim smile, "let us hunt this evil and purge it from the natural world that is the Mystic Wood."

With that, Camille turned her attention fully to her abilities, trusting that Gwen would not only follow, but that she would also be able to defend herself well enough. They trekked through the wood for some time before Camille finally pulled to a stop.

"The evil...it's stronger here. Much stronger. Whatever was in this wood is still her."

She grew very wary of her surroundings, which was how she found the almost completely hidden (by leaves and mud and such) footprint. It was a large footprint, a canine footprint - and Camille drew in a sharp breath upon sighting it.

"Hellhound..."

She uttered in a hushed whisper. Hellhounds. They were deadlier than almost anything else that she had ever encountered. Only Wraiths were more dangerous, and this one wasn't just a pup, either. It had to be an adult, and a big one. Of course, most on Arda didn't know the term Hellhounds. They were more familiar with the name Cerberus. This would not be an easy fight, if they managed to track it down - without it first tracking them down...

Gwen stepped quickly, pressing tight behind Camille. She began to look around " There are less and less animals the further we go..." She noticed the animals were spooked and restless. She could hear the whispers of the trees, spreading grim rumors of a large beast.

The vines on the nymph's whip moved around wildly, feeling Gwen's uncertainty. There was definitely something wrong in her forest. The flowers closed and dropped towards the ground. The trees rustled with anxiety. It was like nothing Gwen had seen before.

It was then that Camille noticed the print in the ground. It was large, bigger than any animal the nymph had run across in the forest. Camille obviously knew of the beast however, for she had muttered the name " There are no hell hounds in the mystic woods. How has this creature found its way here? For whatever reason it came, we must make it leave one way or another. It is throwing the forest out of balance." The animals were in a frenzy about the new predator. The plant life seemed to fade when being forced to endure the evil hell hounds carried on them.

How could such a large beast hide from them so. Gwen spun around slowly, taking in everything. It felt strange to be hunted so. It was different when the satyrs were chasing after her. They did so in good sport. The hell hound could easily devour her if she was not ready for him first. She took a bit of a stance " Which way do you think we should go. If he is like any other dog, his senses are strong. He will find us if he wants too."

Camille shuddered slightly, unable to stop herself, as she rose. She had almost missed the fact that there were other tracks, too. More than one of the beasts. And something else...some kind of bird, perhaps? Or something else?

"Gwen...do you have magic? Good, strong magic? Because it will be needed. I can assure you of that. This is no dog. Hellhounds go by two names that I know of. The other one is one might have heard of: Cerberus. And from the size and depth of these tracks, I would say they are Ancients - which are the most dangerous of all. It is a wonder any animals remain in the wood at all. And there is something else..."

Of course. That's what the tracks were.

"Skeletons. Probably warriors."

Camille also turned. It was getting cold again - very cold. The shadows around them seemed to deepen.

"I seriously hope you have every spell in your arsenal more than ready, Gwen. This is not going to be an easy fight."

Even Camille, however, looked slightly shocked when three Ancient Cerberuses and five heavily armoured and well-armed Skeleton Soldiers seemed to appear as if out of nowhere from within the dense foliage nearby. The Skeleton Soldiers carried very large, very heavy, and obviously very sharp two-handed swords and thick, heavy shields that would cover them completely should the need arise. These weren't ordinary soldiers...they were Skeleton Captains. This would not be an easy fight at all. And if there had been more room, Camille would have transformed into her Draconic form once more. But what was worst of all was the fact that they couldn't run. The Hellhounds would hunt them down before they took two steps.

"Show no fear," she told Gwen quietly, "Or we will both be dead.

Her skin began to take on a holy glow, and out of nowhere a staff seemed to appear. It was like a flicker of bright white light, and then the light soaked into the staff. Camille whirled it into both hands like a pro. Oh, yes. She knew very well how to use that staff - and then some. But no mere staff was going to stop three Hellhounds and five Skeleton Captains...

Gwen nodded at the question " I know some magic to harness the power of nature. It is no holy magic and I rarely use it. It is only as a last resort to protect the forest and ourselves." Thoughts were racing through the nymphs mind. Why had these foul beasts felt the need to come to the mystic forest? What were they looking for? Did they want to harness the magic in the area, or were they looking for a person? Where they after Camille? They had only shown up once she had come.

The news was just getting worse and wore. As if ancient beasts from hell were not enough to fight, they were accompanied by skeletons. Someone was obviously commanding them. Such powerful evil usually did not work together. Their greed and lust for power usually pulled them apart, not being able to stand working with someone that might rival or exceed their own might. Someone was pulling the strings.

Gwen let out a pent up breath. A small cloud of fog rising as the warm breath hit the cold air. The shadows were creeping ever closer to them, the small rays that broke through the canopy could not combat the heavy darkness. Chills ran down her spine. This had been the only day that Gwen had not felt safe in her woods. This place did not feel like home to her. Then the beasts appeared, as if out of thin air. The nymph did not like the unnatural. It was common in nymphs, being made from nature. The evil magic in the air made her sick. She took a deep breath to keep herself from freaking out. She turned to Camille, looking as strong as she could " I will fight to the end. My life is nothing compared to the life of this forest. We must not lose." The beasts outnumbered them in size and quantity. They wreaked of sin and dark magic. It was a most strange sight to see two young maidens stand before them.

Not looking at her, Camille nodded slightly to acknowledge what the young Nymph had said. Her eyes, though, weren't looking at the beasts or the Skeletons before her. They were scanning the trees, looking for anything that might help them. Anything at all.

"If you can summon a Wood Golem, Gwen, it will give them an extra target to attack. Summon two, and we may well be able to win this fight. Maybe."

Something was nagging at Camille, though, like a thought that she had on the tip of her tongue but couldn't quite get to. And then it hit her. Of course! The trees...

"Gwen, summon those Golems if you can. I do not know if you know the spell, but if you do, please summon them. You can speak to the trees, though, whereas I cannot. Tell them to form a ring around this clearing, a tight ring that cannot be broken easily, and to create as much space within the ring as possible. I have a plan, but I need your help."

If she could get enough room to transform even partially, she could lift herself into the air and complete the transformation. Meanwhile, Gwen's magic and Golems - if she did indeed know the spell, as most Nymphs did - could protect her long enough for Camille to complete her transformation and conduct a deadly assault from above - thereby scattering their enemies and enabling her to launch powerful attacks against each of them individually. It was a daring plan, but if Gwen could do what it was said that Nymphs could do, it might just work...

One of the Skeletons, though, rushed forward and attacked Camille. She began fighting immediately, her staff whirling through the air as she parried and dodged attacks and tried to land a few of her own upon the dangerous opponent.

"Hurry, Gwen!" she said desperately. She wasn't much good in her Elven form, no matter how much endurance she had, and she was outmatched for the moment not only because of this Skeleton's armour, but because of his shield as well.

Gwen nodded at the command, not bothering to pipe up. She closed her eyes, letting the sounds of nature flow around her, filling her mind. She listened to the rhythmic life of the trees, looking for which one was ready to die in order to save the rest. The nymph did all of this in a matter of seconds. Once she had found the tree, she opened her eyes and focused all her life giving magic towards it.

The tree began to crack sickeningly as it bent and twisted into shape. The magic gave the tree an abundance of life, awaking it from its slumbering and quiet past life. The tree began to uproot itself from the ground, shaking the earth as it did so. The Golems limbs were thick trunks and its fingers and toes were the roots that twisted and weaved through each other like snakes. It opened its mouth and gave out a large roar, its voice now able to be heard by all.

Once they had another partner, Gwen directed her attention towards the foliage around them. She pleaded for their help, not being able to control them herself. Nymphs knew that nature was an ally, not a slave. They deplored those that tried to dominate over nature with magic. All of nature was a living thing and did not have to help you if it did not want too. Luckily the trees were always kind to the nymphs and offered their services willingly.

The trees began to bend and their limbs began to intertwine. Cracking sounds filled the air as the trees bent into unnatural shapes, disturbing their unmoved state. They had done just as she asked. They had formed a thick wall around the area, a ring to hold everything in. Vines began to crawl up the trunks and tie themselves around a number of trees, making sure there were no holes to run into. Nothing of this battle would spill out into the rest of the forest. Gwen spun around too see all that had been done " Thank you all for this!"

Even the Hellhounds shifted as they felt the magic surrounding them. The Wood Golem came to them, however, and they were forced to scatter as it rushed them. One of the Hellhounds dodged between its legs, heading straight for Gwen, another dodged around the Wood Golem and headed for Camille. Fortunately, Camille heard it coming, but her fight with the Skeleton Captain was a furious one. She didn't notice that the third Hellhound sailed high above her as it was thrown aside by the Wood Golem behind her. Finally, Camille had an opening. Her staff parried the Skeleton Captain's blade, and she managed to dodge out of the way. The staff vanished in a flash of light as Camille rolled to her feet and turned to see the thrown Hellhound getting to its feet and the one heading for her slamming into the chest of the Skeleton Captain she'd been fighting. She also noticed the one headed for Gwen.

"Gwen, look out!"

Her shout drew the Wood Golem to Gwen, and he immediately headed to help her. But there was no time to worry about that now; Camille had to change, and fast. All three Hellhounds were now heading inward, toward the Wood Golem and Gwen, and the Skeleton Captains were heading to fight the Wood Golem as well. Well, four of them were; the fifth one was heading for Camille. She wouldn't give it that chance to get anywhere near her. Slowly, but surely, Camille Larenya began to change, to shift, to transform. Camille's flesh slowly hardened, growing into a thick, snow-white, leathery skin that grew and mutated as the rest of her melded into the enormous form of a great White Dragon - an Uruloki Fii. And she was no ordinary Dragon, but the daughter of a pair of Dragon Lords. They were more powerful than any Dragon of the modern age, and though she was not quite as great as her parents had been, she was still more powerful than most Dragons could ever hope to be. Her magic might dwell in the realm of healing, but she was still an unbelievably powerful opponent. And so her body lengthened and grew, became like a great winged snake as she dwarfed even the clearing itself. Her elongated body stretched around the clearing, and for the first time, the Hellhounds felt the presence of the fear that they put into mortal beings' hearts and minds.

Camille's vast and powerful wings carried her high and swiftly into the air, until she blocked out the sun completely save for the small slivers of light that gave her a surreal glow. The smallest part of her tail swept into the clearing and crushed - completely - three of the Skeleton Captains before they could so much as think of reacting. The other two hurled bolts of lightning at the Dragon, but they were dodged easily and one of Camille's claws picked up and crushed one of the remaining Skeleton Captains. Another crushed one of the Hellhounds, and another crushed a second one. Camille's tail came down to slam the last Skeleton Captain into the ground, crushing it as well, but the last Hellhound was now leaping for Gwen's throat. In seconds, its three massive heads would rip her limb from limb in midair...

Gwen could not help but stare open mouthed at what had happened. She still could not get over how beautiful the dragon was that Camille could turn into. She had not seen many dragons, but she loved the ones she had seen.

The nymphs attention was quickly pulled away from the majestic beast as a hell hound pounced for her. Gwen quickly drew her whip and the vines shot forward on their own. A few of them lashed at the great beast, but most wrapped themselves around the powerful muzzle, closing it.

The attack was soon to be used against her however. The hell hound was much stronger than the nymph. Nymphs had very fragile builds, being more swift and graceful. The hellhould flung his head upward and Gwen was whipped into the air, still managing to hold tight to the whip and the whip still holding tight to the muzzle. She was flying straight for a tree. When she made contact with the plant she melding with the tree instead of crushing herself against it. Her upper body was free from the tree, but from the waist down he was one with the tree. The ancient roots would be able to anchor Gwen. Now all she had to do was hold on tight.

The golem was ready to take full advantage of the situation and strike the hell hound while the vines were still able to keep those teeth at bay. He stepped forward slowly, shaking the ground with each step, roots burrowing into the earth before being pulled back out for the next step. When he was within reach the golem brought down a large trunk unto the back of the hellhound, slamming against the spine. The roots of the trunk arm then took hold of the beast, wrapping tighter and tighter. Soon the hell hound would not be able to breath and he would soon die. That was if the blow to the back did not kill him already.

Seeing that the battle was pretty much over, Camille touched down with her feet and wrapped her tail around the Wood Golem and its victim just in case something odd happened. She slowly but surely began to take on her Elven form. This was not her natural form, after all, for she was a Dragon. But it was the form she took to blend in with the rest of the Ardian world. But now, as she completed the lower half of her transformation, she began the second half. She shrunk into her Elven form as the Wood Golem completed its own work, crushing and killing the Hellhound. Fortunately, it did not bleed upon the Wood Golem, or the Wood Golem would have been tainted by the darkness of which the Hellhound was comprised.

The Wood Golem looked at Gwen and nodded to signal that the fight was over and that, since its work was finished for the time being, it was returning to the Astral Plane. It then began to slowly shrink back into the ground where it stood, splitting apart to form what appeared to be several small saplings. They would one day grown into great trees, but for now, it was the Wood Golem's donation to the natural world of Arda as it fled the Physical Plane of Existence.

Camille looked up at Gwen. She was still bound to the tree, her hands still gripping the vine whip she'd called forth to combat the Hellhound only moments before.

"Thank you, Gwen. I could not have won this battle without your powers bound to you through nature. I needed room to change, and I needed to know that our opponents weren't going to be able to flee once I did. Again, thank you. But now I must go to investigate the source of this intrusion. These creatures were not here by coincidence. They wanted something, and I mean to find out what it is. Please, enjoy your time here and do not worry. I do not believe that anything else will come to harm you or this wood, or any other creature within it."

She smiled up at the Nymph in good-bye and wandered off. Yes, she would most definitely be investigating the source of this intrusion, as she'd so eloquently put things. Why had they come here? Whom had sent them here? It was obviously someone very evil, for only someone with the blackest of hearts and the most powerful of evil magic would have been able to accomplish something like this, would have access to creatures such as those that they had just faced. And so she would investigate...

((OUT))