But it was not Irgeroth who received the message-bearing raven meant for him. No, the bird failed to find it's master anywhere in the region, and thus settled on the nearest Bloodcrow - Nilvoth Deathtouch, the cold Elf of Mirkwood gifted - or cursed - with the ability to drain life with his frigid hands.<BR><BR>Cooing softly to the Raven as it perched on his gloved hand, the Elf whispered, "So, she is nearby... this lady of the bold Ranger - a woman of a madman... Interesting..."<BR><BR>He ruffled the birds feathers, and then removed the glove from his other hand, revealing pale corpse-like skin. He stroked the bird once, and it shuddered in pain and flapping its wings in a vain attempt to escape the mad Elf.<BR><BR>"An interesting woman she must be... Perhaps a suitable trophy, at least for awhile... First, that Ranger must be laid in the cold earth. What was his name? Hanya was it? Or was that his father? Hmmmm... One of them was called Halasian if my ears did not deceive me..."<BR><BR>Again, he reached to stroke the bird, and the poor thing shuddered as his hand drew near - stopping a hair's width from its feathers.<BR><BR>Nilvoth whispered, "Take me to them."<BR><BR>Eager to escape and fearful of the Elf, the raven did as commanded, and Nilvoth road onwards in pursuit of his prey...<BR><BR>-------------------------<BR><BR>Irgeroth had not faired as well.<BR><BR>His approach to the Wizard's Vale had been uneventful, but if the lack of guards was surprising, it paled in comparison to Saruman's sudden capture of the Dark Ranger and his bodyguard.<BR><BR>Under his breath, Irgeroth cursed all mages, but Saruman heard this and said, "Now, now, yea proud Bloodcrow - be careful of your words, lest I cut out your tongue! Poor Bloodtooth didn't appreciate that, now did he?"<BR><BR>Irgeroth sighed and thought over the last days as he looked about the sparce chamber he was held in. The grey walls of stone, single cot spoke of a confining cell, though the seperate washroom, desk, and small bookcase seemed completely out of place. <BR><BR>In truth, it wasn't much of a prison - it seemd more like a poorly-designed guest suite, which would suite Saruman's ill temper and growing instability quite well. Indeed, Irgeroth wasn't even sure if he was truly being held prisoner as an enemy, a wayward friend, or something else. Perhaps even Saruman didn't yet know. <BR><BR>Saruman muttered some arcane phrase to himself, and Irgeroth again cursed all wizard, but this time in his mind only.<BR><BR>The magical trap at the gate had been well-laid, though he suspected Saruman had been expecting someone else. In an unnatural fit of rage, the wizard had all of Irgeroth's troops slaughtered wholesale. Belicor the Blind had escaped through means unknown, but Irgeroth and Bloodtooth had been taken alive.<BR><BR>Unwisely, the Orc had failed to hold his tongue while in Saruman's presence, and thus the Wizard had it removed before condemning the Orc to his own armies as a slave. <BR><BR>Again Irgeroth sighed. Bloodtooth had been smarter than most Orcs, and though he was just another replaceable bodyguard, he did hate to half to find another with his skills and loyality. Ah, well... Orcs did have a habit of dying easily.<BR><BR>Saruman shook him free of his thoughts, saying, "You are just as replaceable as he is."<BR><BR>Irgeroth was startled by this, but Saruman said, "No, I can't read your mind - not yet. Your defensives are good... most impressive... Many would have crumbled by now, but your strength will aid you - if nothing else, it will compensate for your foolishness in trying to destroy Rivendell. Did you really believe you could stand up against an Elven King like Elrond?"<BR><BR>Irgeroth knew he couldn't have done so, but there was that small part about Saruman helping him in the assault. Apparently, the somewhat unstable wizard had forgotten about that.<BR><BR>Again came the Voice, "I will have a new assignment for you shortly, but for now, linger here and collect your thoughts..."<BR><BR>Saruman departed and the heavy door closed and locked behind him.<BR><BR>Irgeroth shook his head, once more cursing all wizards, and mad ones above all others.