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"They'll let us in." she said, smiling wryly, "It's the letting us out again that could possibly cause a problem if they're feeling particularly prejudiced. I think the sun's setting, do you want to make camp at sunset?"

She shrugged. "I don't mind, so long as there's a reasonable amount of shelter." she answered, looking around for anywhere that looked suitable to camp. "But if we want a fire we better find somewhere we can't be seen by any enemies nearby."

She nodded, "I agree, but we must not touch any living wood if we want to spend the night safely. I have spent some time in Fangorn before and they are not forgiving to any who hurt their own."

She smiled, "Before I met you, I spent several years living in Fangorn. They may be considered myths but they are still there, although their population is decreasing or returning to ignorance. The Ents have never done anything quickly and this will be the same but I believe that Treebeard will act eventually." They had almost reached the borders of the forest now and she said, "All the same, I think we should stay near the edge."

"I prefer to sleep on the ground. I've lost most of my stuff but I still have dried meats and fruits, water bottles and a small kettle and tinderbox. I usually just sleep under my cloak."

"I'm sure." Elrothiel ducked under a branch and entered the forest. She let several seconds elapse while her eyes adjusted to the dimness. She placed her hand on the trunk of one of the trees and her elven senses immediately felt the warmth of the life within it. "The spirits here are alert and watchful." she said to Van. "I think we should move slightly further in. The spirits here will protect this entrance from orcs. If there are any evil forces from Saruman's tower spying on us they will not be able to see us here. If I remember correctly, there is a clearing not far from here with a stream that should be a good place to sleep."

"The elves and the orcs?" She turned back to him, frowning slightly. "The orcs were once like us. They were taken by the dark powers and twisted as a cruel imitation. They became a new race, creatures of darkness; they cannot stand elves and men because we have what they lost. They are evil and hatred caused the first fighting. We are natural enemies: creatures that were once alike now separated by darkness. We are the light; orcs are the darkness and they cannot even stand natural light." Her voice became harder. "Until Saruman made the Uruk-Hai." She stopped. "I am sorry. The enmity goes back a long time, even by elven standards. I do not think it will ever end until either lightness or darkness triumphs." She sighed. "And neither will ever totally triumph." The trees were thinner and she said, "The clearing."