"I wish for that too," Markus said sadly. "I wish for that too." They soon came to Marylyn and Haldir's chamber. Markus raised his fist and knocked lightly on the door. After a moment of silence, Marylyn answered the door. Her appearance was relaxed, however her expression was strained.

"Markus?" she asked. "Is there something wrong?"
Markus narrowed his eyes, surveying her. "We need to talk, sister. I want the truth too." He added as he walked into her room. There was no sign of Haldir. Then again, Markus had not expected to see him. No doubt the guard was on high alert and therefore Haldir would be on duty along with them.
"Is there something wrong?" Marylyn asked again, closing the door before turning to face both Markus and Luna.
"I overheard the guard talking. They seem frightened. Threatened even..." Markus glanced around the room, for any sign, but nothing could be found.
"Why would you think that?" Marylyn asked, folding her hair behind her ears.
"I am not a child Marylyn. I know when something is being covered up. I just do not understand why."
Marylyn sighed heavily. "You just got here Markus...Is it a sin to want you to relax before I turn your world upside down?" Marylyn said, exhausted.
Markus frowned deeply. "It is not fair to keep us in the dark either..." he spoke more softly than he had done when he first came in. "Please Marylyn...tell us what is going on. We want to help."
Marylyn sat in a chair and motioned for Markus and Luna to sit too. Once they were seated comfortably she began to speak, her hands knotting in front of her. "Sauron's orcs march against Gondor. We cannot get out to save them..." Marylyn raised her hand to silence Markus before he could question her. "An army has left Dol Guldur on Sauron's command. They bar our passage to Gondor and are intent on attacking us again. You would think after two attempts already, they would know they cannot breach our borders. Galadriel's power is too strong. Khamul, the ringwraith, is marching towards again. We are to put defence in place and throw him back again. He grows stronger each time, his forces grow too..." Marylyn lowered her head to her hands as she finished.

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"We must help!" Luna burst out, her body trembling with the news. "Can we not strengthen our defenses and make a counter attack? When they least expect it?"

"There has been talk of a counter attack," Marylyn said quietly. "Our numbers diminish and our strength is failing..." she said with a sigh. "The only power strong enough to bring down Khamul and his army is Galadriel through the power of the ring Nenya. However none of us want to risk or forsake Lady Galadriel." Marylyn looked to Luna, with a sad smile. "You are very brave to want to take on a task so big."

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Luna's jaw clenched. "Lady Galadriel no doubt knows of this?" her icy blue eyes flashed, giving her an unexpectedly fierce look.

Marylyn stood and crossed the room to settle her hand on Luna's shoulder. "Ease, miss. Do not be angry. There is enough anger in this world."
Markus looked to Luna. "It will be Lady Galadriel pushing to attack Dol Guldur. Her people are loyal to her though. She brings them hope when they can find none."

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Luna was frowning as she thought deeply. She needed to get help. "Thank you, Marylyn.."

"Please do not let dark thoughts plague your mind while you are here. You have travelled far and suffered what many could not even think of." Marylyn spoke softly. "Both of you should go and enjoy this sanctuary." While it lasts, she thought to herself.

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Luna didn't know how she could enjoy it with the news she just heard. She looked down, unsure of what to say.

"Marylyn...." Markus spoke tensely. "I am not a child. It is not your job to protect me. Not anymore. We want to help and will not leave here until you have given us our roles in all of this. I do not want to see my home go to ruin. Do not make me watch from the side-lines. Powerless..."
"Markus...." Marylyn sighed deeply. "I have just got you back. What would I do if you died? Do you not know the pain that would cause me?"
"It is not your job to decide my fate sister...." Markus glared at Marylyn, his hands clenched. At this point Haldir stepped in, his shoulders slumped with fatigue. It took him seconds to sense the atmosphere in his chamber. He looked from Markus to Marylyn, his brows raised. He walked over to Marylyn, his eyes wide with worry.
"What is going on?" He asked quietly.
"Markus and Luna wish to join the army..." Marylyn murmured, all emotion wiped from her face. With that she left the room. Leaving Haldir in charge of finding them a place.
"Right..." He murmured glancing at Markus and Luna. "Do...do you have experience in battle?"

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Luna had stepped back a bit nervously at seeing Markus so angry. She looked to Haldir. "As much as I need." she said, still determined.

Haldir shouldered his cloak and turned to the door. "Come with me," he spoke softly. He was both sadened and glad. He feared that his friends would lose their lives. He had also heard tell of Markus' skills on the battleground and was eager to weild it himself. He led them down to the army camp where their was constant training going on.

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Luna followed, avoiding everyone's gaze. She had seen her past, how her parents had fought, and knew she could fight just as well.

"First we will start you on basic training. I hope you are well rested. It is going to be a long night...and a long day tomorrow. You have much to learn and very little time to do so." Haldir removed his cloak and set it down on a log nearby. "Now I do not want any injuries...So we shall start with hand to hand combat. First rule is to never turn your back on your oponent." He folded his arms across his chest. "I want to see what I have to work with. Markus, Luna I want you to try and, for want of a better expression, floor eachother."
Markus raised his brows at Haldir. "I do not want to harm her..."
"Because she is a woman?"
"No..No! Not at all..." Markus spluttered. "I just think she has been through enough."
"The orcs go through vigorous training. Are wipped constantly day after day...Do you feel sorry for them too? Will you be able to harm an orc if you are thinking about the hard life he or she has had?"
"It's not like that..." Markus sighed, looking round to Luna. He began to look at her as an opponent. She was shorter than he was and certainly not as built as he was himself. She would be easy to take down. He knew she had had no training really. He knew he could distract her with ease. He knew he could even terrify her. Markus was indeed very skilled in hand to hand combat. His former owner made sure of it.

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She raised her eyebrow at him. "I am far tougher than you think. I am not a mere weak woman." she said, getting ready. Her body was slightly tense, but still limber enough to move with stunning agility and strength.

"Consider yourself warned," Markus said, adding a wink as he turned to face Luna. "Ready?" He asked. Just then he moved, he became a blur. Suddenly he was behind Luna, his hand across her shoulders and chest, the other restraining her arms.

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(I am SOO sorry I haven't posted in, like two months! I forgot all about this!!! sooo uber sorry! I'm just gonna ditch Sirel's last train of thought and jump ahead to where you guys are.)

Sirel was walking through the grounds, a frown marring her face. She hadn't seen Luna or Markus in a while. Spotting Marylyn, she headed for the other elf
"Marylyn, greetings. Do you know where Luna and Markus are?"
Marylyn smiled warmly at Sirel. "They're down at the training area. You can join them if you like."
"I'd like that. But what are they training for?"
"War." Marylyn shook her head sadly as she walked to the training grounds with Sirel. "I'm sure you've heard of the situation in Gondor."
"I'd heard of it," the other elf said, her frown increasing, "but I had not known it was this serious."
"Yes, we've-" Marylyn broke off midsentence. "There are Markus and Luna. I'll be off now - I have duties to attend to."
"Thank you, and farewell."