DAY DESTROYS NIGHT, NIGHT SEPARATES DAY  
 
PROLOGUE 2 
 
The riding party continued on. They were exhausted from the day's 
ride through the valleys and rough terrain. Night was soon to 
settle on the land, bringing with it new dangers. Their horses 
could feel the toil of the journey just as well as them, and they 
let it show by their slightly sluggish movements.  
 
The party entered the prairie marking the fringes of the great 
forest of Mirkwood. Indeed, they could see the dark woods in the 
horizon. They slowed their horses to a walk and then to a stop.  
 
Glorfindel patted his horse affectionately while he considered the 
political dilemma he now faced. With a sharp twist of his wrist, 
he signaled two riders to come to his left flank.  
 
"Ride to the very edge of the wood and tell me what you see and 
hear. If you sense the eyes or presence of any beings, then signal 
to me." 
 
Glorfindel noted with pride the cautiousness that the two elves 
showed as they rode on. They should all be cautious, because they 
were about to play a dangerous game. To make their presence known 
to the woodland elves would mean a delay, and a stay in a land 
that did not feel particularly friendly towards them. But not to 
go to Thranduil's court and still travel through his lands would 
be an obvious sign of disrespect. 
 
Elrond had told him to use his best judgment when the time came to 
make this decision. He had told Glorfindel that he would stand by 
any decision he made and face any consequences that they may 
incur.  
 
Glorfindel had reached a decision of sorts. If woodland elves were 
near, they would have to pay homage to Thranduil, Lord of 
Mirkwood. This idea left a bitter taste in Glorfindel's mouth, and 
he prayed to Elbereth that they might leave these woods in peace 
without having the pleasure of meeting Thranduil's guards. 
          
 
It was not that Thranduil could harm them, or hinder their journey 
too much. Thranduil only wished he could harm them. The Lord of 
Mirkwood, in all his glory, did not have the strength or the 
resources to fight the war Rivendell and Lórien would begin if the 
party was hurt in any way. Thranduil knew this as well as 
Glorfindel did. The worst he could do would be to refuse them a 
chance to rest inside his borders.  
 
However, if the woodland elves had yet to see them, then they 
would continue to travel through the land. Glorfindel and his 
party could be out of Mirkwood before the guards realized what had 
happened, if everything went according to plans. 
 
The scouts signaled that no being had noticed their passing, and 
they rode up to meet with Glorfindel.  
 
"We are tired, but we must move out of this realm tonight. The 
orcs are dangerous, but Thranduil would not be under obligation to 
protect us in the first place. No need to waste more time 
answering to the Lord of Mirkwood," At this he nudged his horse 
onwards. "We will rest once we are out of Mirkwood. Come."  
 
And they traveled on...



TBC