Wind had picked up, Teleperien's long white blonde strands danced in the currents. She looked about her, at the devastation this battle had created. "Alatar. Was there no other way?"

"Nay Lady. You did well." The old wizard answered, he was now holding both staffs again and he held out the staff with the emerald colored gem atop it. Tele hesitated for a moment then took the staff in her right hand. "The beast had to be destroyed." Alatar continued. "It would have killed others. Many have perished in this forest, some not knowing why. It was foretold long ago as you know."

"I do." Tele answered heavily. Still her heart grieved for those who still lay strewn upon the ground. They followed her to their death. "But I will not allow their death to go unnoticed."

To this Alatar made no answer. They stood in silence for a long moment. Tele broke it with a question; "Why else are you here Alatar?"

"I bring a message. From Nomrah."

The queen's eyebrows rose a bit in surprise. "Nomrah? I thought he had forsaken this life."

"He has only to say this. "It is time for Erwyn to receive my staff. It is time for her to learn why." "

"She has already gone through extensive and very difficult study with Xenograg. What more can she gain? Has not Xenograg filled this role?"

"Yes. She has more to learn is all. I suggest you seek out your old friend Colleen for this task."

Tele only nods. Alatar goes on. "And I am here to assist you in one other task. Taking the forest in your domain, it is time.?

Helping Erwyn sit up, Teleperien asks quietly; "How do you feel?"

"Much better."

"Good, you heal quickly. Do not forget this Erwyn, next time you may not be so fortunate." Tele scolds then gives her a hug. Erwyn swings her long legs around to the edge of the litter and stands. Just about that time they were interrupted by Borin. The dwarf appears to be a little weary, but glad to have finished his task.

"Lady, the forest is cleared of the dead."

"Thank you Borin. Take your ease for a moment, I still have one task to do." Turning to the others she says; "Gwindor, Erwyn please come with myself and Alatar. You must attend. Gwindor, walk next to Erwyn if you would, should she need assistance."

They picked their way through downed trees, debris and other remains of battle. Together they climb back on the knoll where Teleperien could see further.

She grips the staff, looking around. It is so quiet Teleperien hears blood thud in her ears and the breathing of Erwyn, Alatar and Gwindor. A strong grasp of darkness still clung to the trees and undergrowth much like veil.

Her head held high, Teleperien grips the staff then starts to chant; as she does so, she seems to grow taller, white light tinged with green surround her. Her voice stern and commanding;

"This land and I are one! Darkness dispel! Be gone! The fell creature is dead! I claim this land in the name of Eldicor, for you no longer have dominion here!"

Grasping the staff she lifts it a few inches then slams it into the ground. White and green light emit from the bottom of the staff, the light starts to move a few feet in diameter, then quickly grows, healing the forest from all scars of the battle, the area the horrible Chalkotu was held was covered by clean earth and the beginnings of growth showing.

Tele could see in her mind's eye the light spreading throughout the forest, not an acre was missed. Massive trees, magical undergrowth that would glow in the dark, animals daring to come out from their dens and holes. The light continued up hills, the green returning then flowed like crystal down waterfalls. For those who lived in the forest or at its edge felt the heaviness of the forest lifted. Birds could now be heard, celebrating the freedom.

"It is done." Tele says with a weary smile. "Let's go home."

Her strength is quickly waning. Teleperien knew she had to finish this quickly and return to the castle. Any hope to heal Murelle and Xenograg was gone. She would have to apply slower methods of healing. This grieved her, but she knew their lives were not in danger; she hated to see them suffer. Leaning on her staff she sighed as she watched as the dwarves were loading their fallen onto wagons. Not too many, thankfully. Like the hobbits, they may not have height, but were fierce and knew how to avoid being speared.

"Gwindor, please ready for those who fell, those who doesn't have family to claim them."

"Right away Lady." Gwindor answers bowing, hand on his chest. To help things along, Tele taps the ground with her staff and it opens up a yawning hole in the ground, wide enough to neatly line the fallen

"Borin, please fashion a stone to mark the fallen when we return to Sawrey. I want each name on that stone so they will not be forgotten." He only nods in response. She could see the weariness in his face.

She wanders the rows of those who fell, elves, ranger and hobbits (very few hobbits), and ordinary villagers who lost family to the Chalkotu. It was a long process, but finally the last body was laid to rest.

The Marines were packing up their goods. Teleperien made it a point to find Miles. He was hovering around Murelle, making sure she was comfortable for the trip back. They too were preparing their own fallen in their own fashion. If it could be possible she felt even more sorrow. So many lives. "How is she Master Miles?"

"Comfortable, she is out for a while, should make her trip less stressful."

He answers a little distractedly; he was making certain Murelle wouldn't slide off the stretcher provided by the Marines.

"Miles, thank you for your help in this battle. I know you did it for Lady GreyMantle, but you helped us as well. We are in your debt."

He just nods in response, turning back to Murelle.

Teleperien also went to check on Xenograg. He too was unconscious; Tele could see his wounds were bound up with excellent care.

"The spacer, Miles..." Amaltea says looking up from her husband, her face strained. "Helped a great deal, he bound his wounds and applied his medicines. Xenograg will heal in time."

"I hope so." Tele replies, a little worried. "These wounds are beyond my ability to heal at this time. Will you return to my castle or take him to your home?"

"We will go home, where he will have his own physicians look after him." Amaltea answers. "Amanda will also come with us as well as the fallen Rellugai. We are ready to go; we just waited until all was finished."

"Please go then, tend to your husband. I still have work to do before I can leave. Please take this."

She drops a red gem into Amaltea's palm. "It's a portal stone. It will take you where you wish, think on where you wish to go, drop it on the ground and a portal will open. This will be much easier than going up the stairs in my castle. But be certain to pick up the stone to close the portal."

"I already have one." Amaltea replies with a strained smile handing back the red gem. "But I thank you for your thoughtfulness."

Amaltea gives Teleperien a warm hug and Tele watches as the wain bearing Xenograg rolls off toward the castle. A portal is opened to Xenograg's home, the party passes through and Amanda gives a farewell wave to Erwyn and the portal closes.

Teleperien looks at Erwyn. "It is time to return to the castle if I am to walk on my own two legs."

Gwindor, who had just joined them again verbally disagreed. "Lady, you will ride back. I will not have you fall on the return."

"Alright, ride back, but I must return soon. I leave the packing up the encampment to you Gwindor as a thank you."

He gave her a rare smile. "But of course Lady."