NRPG: Since I was all caught up before the weekend, I came up with this 
little story.  It doesn't advance any plot, but I think it's a nice 
little distraction from all the excitement.  Now off to read my mail. :)

RPG

Scene: Light woods near Keldarra, four years ago
 
        It had been two years since he had arrived at Keldarra Warren, 
found and brought there by the Dragonlady Christalla.  Two years since 
S'brogh found in him a friend and called him brother, S'brogh family 
taking him in as their own.  Two years, and this was the first time 
S'brogh had been late.
 
        Wynn sat patiently on a large boulder, surrounded by trees of a 
light forest, the babbling of water a distance to his left.  He lifted a 
stone from the soft mud and weighed it thoughtfully in his hand.  At 
least the morning rains had departed, leaving a brilliantly shining 
afternoon.  With an easy toss, he threw the stone against a nearby tree.
 
        "Wynn!"  A voice called out, immediately catching his 
attention.  The voice was too high to S'brogh's though.  "Wynn!"
 
        He saw her coppery-red hair pass through the trees.  "Over here, 
Evelle!"  He called back.  What was she doing here?
 
        Evelle appeared out of the trees.  "Oh, Wynn, there you are.  
S'brogh asked me to find you.  He forgot that he promised Father that he 
would go to Ralengarde with him, so he can't make it."
 
        Wynn sighed.  At least that explained why S'brogh was late.  
However, it left a wasted afternoon.  Wynn rose to his feet, kicking a 
stone through the loose grass.  "Now what shall I do?"  He asked aloud 
to himself.
 
        "Well, what were you going to do with S'brogh?"  Evelle asked, 
taking his place on the boulder.
 
        Wynn shrugged.  "Most likely catch newts down by the stream, or 
cross sticks and imagine we were knights of lore."
 
        Evelle rose from the boulder.  "Well, let's play then."  She 
smiled.
 
        "With you?"  Wynn asked, surprised.
 
        "Of course.  I am Princess Evelle, daughter to King V'redan and 
a lady of his court, and known throughout the realms for my ability at 
catching newts."  She said aloud, and curtsied before him.
 
        Wynn smiled slightly and shrugged his shoulders.  Perhaps some 
fun could be found after all.  It would be better than just sitting 
around anyway.
 
        "Well, let us see just how good you are."  Wynn said, leading 
the way to the stream.
 
        "And who are you, kind sir?"  Evelle asked, jogging to catch up 
to him.
 
        "Me?"
 
        "My father wouldn't have send just a lone servant out with me, 
and I do not recognize you as one of his knights.  Keldarra forest is 
well known for its dangers."  For a brief moment Wynn saw Evelle dressed 
in royal fineries.  Red silk embroidered with gold thread, fine leathers 
and a red cload of the finest make.  Her fine copper hair was decorated 
with gold and silver, and around her neck hung a silver pendent 
encrusted with diamonds, the seal of the King.
 
        "Ah, I see m'lady.  Very well, I am Sir Wynn, Knight Errant who 
has wandered these fair lands and just recently entered into service of 
your father."  Wynn stated, finding the spirit of play.
 
        Evelle smiled, scampering ahead of him.  "I hope my father chose 
well.  You seem capable at least." A blink, and Evelle again stood in 
her fineries, the forest about them lush and thick.  Evelle leaned 
around a tree trunk, smiling shyly at him before dashing off into the 
woods, a happy tune carrying back to his ears.  Wynn glanced down and 
saw himself dressed in blackened leathers, a knife strapped to his 
thigh, and comfortable leather gauntlets adorned his hands.  "Do not 
forget your sword, kind sir!"  Evelle's voice called back to him.  
There, a fair sword lay against the base of a tree, the hilt glittering 
from a lone amethyst enlaided in the pommel.  Wynn reached out for it 
when her heard Evelle call out.  "Brave sir Knight!  Come, your sword 
and skill are in need!"
 
        Grabbing the sword, Wynn rushed headlong into the forest.  "My 
Lady, what is wrong?"  He gasped, arriving in a small clearing where 
Evelle seemingly danced with a stick in hand.
 
        "Goblins, my Lord!"  And suddenly from the trees and brush they 
came.  Ugly, twisted creatures, yellow and mishapened.  They slobbered 
and snarled as they accosted the young princess.  "I am here, m'lady.  I 
shall protect you from these vile creatures."  And with that Wynn leapt 
forward, sword swinging, sending goblin after goblin hard to the ground.
 
        "Oh, Sir Wynn."  Evelle called.
 
        He fought his way to her side, skewering a goblin across from 
her before pulling her protectively to him with his free hand.  The 
goblins milled about them, weighing their options.  "Come, m'lady, we 
must flee.  Your safety is paramount over my own personal glory.  We 
must find someplace safe for you."
 
        "The Castle!"  Evelle exclaimed after a moment, shivering 
slightly in his arm.
 
        "The Castle."  Wynn agreed.  "Let us make our way there, post 
haste."  He swung his sword twice, and two goblins fell.  The others 
pulled back, and Knight and Princess made off through the trees.
 
        Evelle glanced over her shoulder as they ran, seeing if the 
horde was following them.  With a gasp of surprise, she tripped, falling 
foreward, twisting in mid-air to land on her back.  Wynn, equally 
surprised, toppled on top of her with a resounding 'oof' from the both 
of them.
 
        Their eyes met, both eying the other with concern.  He searched 
her face, finding it strange that he suddenly found it pleasant to look 
at.  Evelle suddenly broke into a delightful giggle, and he found 
himself laughing as well.  With a slight grunt, he got to his feet.  "A 
pox upon me for a clumsy lout."  He said, reaching down and helping the 
still giggling Evelle to her feet.
 
        "Nay, brave sir, 'tis my folly for not watching where I 
stepped."  Evelle said, brushing herself off.
 
        A rustling from behind drew their attention.  "Goblins!"  the 
cried together, and off they dashed, a squirrel bolting off in the other 
direction.
 
        "Look, the Castle!"  Evelle said breathlessly, and from rocks 
and sparse trees there suddenly rose a castle, as tall and strong as 
any.  "We must find my father and tell him of the goblins."
 
        Wynn nodded agreement, and the two quickly crossed the 
drawbridge into the castle.  "Raise the drawbridge!"  Wynn called.  "Man 
the gates!"
 
        Soldiers busied themselves, readying the castle for the imminent 
attack.  Wynn walked the battlements, now dressed in gray plate armour, 
leather gauntlets replaced by chain and steel, his sword ready at his 
side.  "Sir Wynn, Sir Wynn!"  Evelle's voice carried to him, and he 
turned to her, a slight gasp escaping him at the sight of her.
 
        "Evelle."  He said quietly.  She stood in a fine white gown, 
beautifully endowed with lace and gold thread.  Her smile added 
perfectly to the picture.  Wynn cleared his throat.  "Yes, Lady Evelle, 
what is it?"
 
        She came up to him, loosening something at her wrist.  "Battle 
soon comes, and I was hoping you would accept my favour.  It is only a 
small offering, and I hope you will not be offended."  She held to him a 
simple bracelet, interlocking chains of beauty.
 
        "My Lady, you do me honour by your presence alone.  I shall 
proudly wear your favour."  He knelt briefly before her.  "And you do me 
honour by choosing me as your Champion.  I only hope now that we are 
victorious."  He stood and looked out over the battlements, drawing her 
gaze as well, and watched as countless goblins rushed from the forest 
towards the Castle.
 
        The battle was furious, and Brave Sir Wynn felled many goblins, 
but the cause became hopeless.  There were far too many, and they began 
to stream over the walls.  "Sir Wynn."  The King was there, before 
them.  "You must make haste.  We are done for here, but you can save my 
daughter."
 
        Wynn nodded, and looked at Evelle, her eyes back to him.  "Let 
us go, m'lady."
 
        "Through the dungeons!"  King V'redan called, soldiers moving to 
block off pursuit of the two.  
 
        "Lady, you will need to lead me, I do not know your dungeons."  
Wynn said, his feet sticking in the mud.
 
        "Of course, my Looooooo ..."  Evelle's eloquent statement was 
interrupted as she slipped in the mud, falling face first.  Wynn tried 
to keep his calm, but the streaks of wet earth on her pouting face were 
too much for him, and he toppled to the ground in a fit of laughter, his 
stick falling to the wayside.  He rolled on the ground, lost in 
amusement, when suddenly the ground disappeared, and a moment later 
there was a splash.
 
        Wynn stood up sputtering, rising knee high in a pool of water 
from the morning's rain.  Both looked at each other and then laughed at 
each other's and their own predicaments.
 
        Wynn motioned Evelle over to him.  "Let us get you cleaned up, 
m'lady.  The look you have is too much for me to resist."  He said 
between chuckles.
 
        Evelle gave him a mock pout, and went over to him.  "Your 
bedraggled hair does the same for me, I'm sure."  She retorted with a 
friendly laugh.
 
        She knelt down, and Wynn used some of the fresh rain water to 
wash away the streaks on her face.  Evelle closed her eyes, enjoying 
both the feel of his hands and the cool water on her face, her heart 
fluttering.
 
        "Wynn!  Are you still here, Wynn?!"  A voice called, breaking 
the moment, and Evelle opened her eyes to see Wynn pulling himself out 
of the deep puddle he was in.  It was her brother, she knew.
 
        "S'brogh, over here!"  Wynn called.  Sighing, Evelle stood up, 
wiping her face on her sleeves.
 
        "Brother!  I trust Evelle told you?  Oh, I see she is there.  
Hello sister."  S'brogh called from the trees.  Evelle smiled briefly 
and waved back at him.
 
        "Yes, you're back early."  Wynn said.
 
        "Indeed.  Father finished business quick in Ralengarde.  I was 
hoping you'd still be here.  How about we find some newts?"  S'brogh 
asked, amused at the look of his friend.
 
        Evelle sighed again, and turned to head back home.  "Sure, but 
how about we bring Evelle too."  Wynn asked.  Evelle perked up at that, 
turning to the two elder teens.
 
        "Evelle?"  S'brogh asked.
 
        Wynn looked over to her, a smile on his lips.  "Yes, I hear 
she's the best catcher of newts in all the land."  Evelle smiled back at 
him.
 
        "Is she now?  Well, we certainly can't let talent go to waste.  
Come, before the sun gets too low."  S'brogh turned and led the way 
towards the stream.  Wynn turned as well, and Evelle jogged to catch up.
 
        The beginning.

NRPG: Ah, the imagination of youth ... wish I was this vivid with my 
thoughts sometimes. :)  Also, bonus points to those who can spot the 
borrowed quote and the movie I got it from.  Happy hunting :)

              />   Malekith and his boy Wynn 
             /<      
     O[\\\\\\(O):::<============================================-       
             \< 
              \>   aka Christopher Ackney,
		       yu121874@yorku.ca