The family had begun their preperations. Each member had found how they could best help in readying their lands for war. Meneroc and Eldicar were presently setting defenses at the edges of the woods that were the elven kingdom. "I've finished mine, I'm moving on to the trip wires." Meneroc moved off toward the west, leaving Eldicar to finish the last of a series of deadly traps they had laid. A large pit had been dug, then wooden poles with sharpened ends were set in place, and the whole of the trap was covered with a specially designed platform. It was designed so that it could withstand the weight of up to three men so that it would only collapse if a large group of enemies were to cross it. The pit Eldicar worked on now was similar in size to the other 3 he and his brother had completed. It was twice as deep as he was tall, and close to the same length and width. The poles rose half the height of the pit, making it difficult for those not impaled by them to use them to climb out. They had many devious traps planned for their enemy, and with every available ranger and druid working on the defense of the forest, Eldicar felt certain they would be prepared. He finished laying the cover over the pit, then used some of the displaced dirt and debris to cover it, gathering and placing leaves, and nutshells to scatter, diguising the certain death that an invading army would find beneath. Satisfied with his work, he headed west, and before long found Meneroc, along with their brother Pheloneon and several of his circle, standing in a small clearing examining a map.

"Eldicar, come give us your opinion on the placement of this trap," Pheloneon waved a greeting as he spoke. Eldicar crossed the where they stood and examined the map. "We are having some debate as the where the logs should be. You know the forest best. Where will they be the most effective at stopping our enemies advance, and the least at harming the trees still standing?" Many elves had worked to gather fallen trees throughout the forest. In this clearing, as well as nine others, a massive pile of logs taken from these trees sat, waiting to be placed where they would be the most deadly. "Here, on this rise," Elidcar began. "The logs can roll down the slope here, and be stopped by to outcroppings of rocks hidden in the forest at the base of the hill." Pheloneon and Meneroc nodded, and set to work immedeatly.

 The druids went to work moving the logs, using magic vines that grew up underneath them to propel them, then lift them into position. A wooden wall had been built in advance, and was moved into place in front of the logs, holding them in place until the elves who would man them released it. Meneroc and Eldicar began setting up trip wire traps, which when triggered would be most unfortunate for any attackers. In four large trees on each side of the clearing, logs had been hung, poised to swing down like pedulums, battering and sweeping away the enemy. As the trip wire was triggered, it would set off the first log, which when it crossed the clearing on it's outward swing, would trigger the log in the tree opposite it. This continued down the line, creating a delayed effect and closing off retreat. It ensured that the logs would continue being effective as the troops attempted to flee forward.  Meneroc carefully set the wire trap, marking it so that any elf in the woods would know it, but it would be disguised to the invaders. To ensure that animals did not trigger the trap, druids had placed a ring of protection around the clearing, but rather than protecting the animals from the traps, it protected the area from forest animals entering.

 Meneroc and Eldicar finished setting the trap, and carefully crossed back to where the druids were working. "That's the last of them then. Faineve, Hinnun, are the spells prepared?" The two druids nodded, and moved in front of the logs, beginning to cast the spells which would hide the massive pile from their foes. "They will come out of your swinging death only to be stopped by our snowless avalanche," Pheloneon patted Meneroc on the back as he walked past. "I will help them finish up here, then meet you back at the palace for dinner." With that, he went back to work."

The sun was casting long shadows over the land as Meneroc and Eldicar walked back to Colaerth. Most of the others who had been laboring all day in the woods had returned home already, and the woods were once again quiet. The two rangers kept the silence, both used to solitary lives. They passed silently through the fallen leaves and thick undergrowth, making not a rustle as they did. They were afterall elven rangers. There were few who would claim to have their stealth or survival skills. Behind them, toward the edge of the woods, a flock of birds was startled from their perch. They took flight, yelling their displeasure for the usurper to hear. Meneroc took note of the noise, and began veering slightly more east on their mostly northern route. He remembered Eldicar then, and turning to explain his change of route, found the youger elf halfway up a ancient oak. He smiled at this, feeling a certain amount of pride at Eldicar's abilities as a ranger. He chose to remain on the ground, watching and listening in the direction from which the birds had taken flight. Eldicar joined him back on the forest floor. "The birds took flight from the birch grove, east of here, near the very edge of the woods." Meneroc nodded grimly, knowing what this could mean. He kept his eyes towards the birch grove, moving silently toward it.

 Eldicar follwed, but stayed a good way of to the right. They both chose their routes carefully, keeping to shadows, and using the land to keep them hidden. Meneroc stopped when he could see the edge of the grove, and positioned himself in the tall grass which grew here, where the sun was able to penetrate the boughs. Eldicar appeared next to him, and signaled that he would remain right, on the other side of the clearest path out of the grove. They sat silently, both sets of crystalline eyes focused on the white branches ahead of them. The sudden sound of a branch snapping left little doubt that something was indeed approaching. Meneroc pulled his long bow off of his back, quickly stringing it. Eldicar followed suit, crouching lower yet to keep the top of his bow hidden in the grass. Another snap sounded, and then a thud, followed by a groan. Meneroc suddenly felt foolish for coming out here with only Eldicar. They knew that an army would be marching on them, he just hoped that they wouldn't have to face it alone.

A form was becoming visible through the shadows. They could only see glimpses as it passed through the dappled sunlight that remained, but it clearly walked upright, and was apparently alone. It continued on toward them, oblivious to their presence, but taking great pains at stealth. Meneroc replaced his bow and drew his swords. The man had some distance to cover before he would reach the concealed elves, but their keen sight allowed them to observe him clearly as soon as he had found the path. He wore chainmail and carried a long sword and dagger, both still on his hips. In his hands he carried parchment and charcoal, and had just stopped to write something. He stopped writing and continued on. Eldicar had noticed Meneroc's weapon change, and began to slowly move around behind the man, bow still at the ready. Meneroc waited until his brother was in place, then he stepped out into the road in front of the man. The man, who had stopped to write again on the parchment, did not notice the elf in his path at first, but took several steps, watching the groud carefully to avoid stepping on branches that would give away his position. He was surprised when he suddenly saw a pair of well made and worn leather boots on the path.

His eyes shot up to see who had stepped into his path, and opened wide when he saw Meneroc in front of him. He backed off several steps, and drew his weapons. Meneroc stood calmly, swords in hands, waiting for the man to attack. When he did, his swings were surprisingly fast. The man had some skill with a blade. Unseen to both men, Eldicar watched from a low branch. He laughed silently when he saw the man charging at Meneroc. His brother stood, perfectly stoic, weapons in his hands which hung at his sides. At the last moment, Meneroc brought his weapons up to defend. The man was not surprised at this last minute response, and kept on the offenseive. He feinted a throw with his dagger, then attempted to come across with his sword, knocking free the sword meant to block the dagger and slicing into his opponents arm. Meneroc was an experienced fighter, and had been able with a sword for more than a century longer than most humans will live. He easily recognized the feint for what is was, and instead stepped back, leaving his opponent unbalanced. The man stumbled to one knee, then rose and decided he could not outmatch this elf. He turned to flee down the path, looking back over his shoulder to his pursuer. He was surprised to see the ranger walking casually down the path after him, that is until he turned around and saw another elf, bow at the ready, drop from a tree. He raised his arm to throw his dagger at the second elf, desperate for an escape. before he could release the dagger though, he felt the tip of a sword at his back. "I suggest you rethink throwing that dagger," Eldicar taunted from where he stood, a short way from the man and Meneroc.
    The man dropped his dagger and laughed nervously. "Surely you won't harm an innocent man who has become lost in your fair wood," he held his hands out, palms up while he said this, but this did little to assuage the brother's doubt at his story. Eldicar began to approach, never lowering his bow,"well, then, since you are only a poor lost man who inadvertently wandered into our home, I'm certain you won't mind showing us what you were writing just then." The man's eyes opened wide, and he began to back away from Eldiar, forgetting about the ranger behind him. Meneroc put his sword tip at the base of the strangers skull, angled to be easily driven into the obviously lying man's brain. "You will want to hold still so my brother can search you."
Eldicar laid his bow aside, confident that the man would not try to run. "Remove your armor," he instructed the captive. The interloper knew he did not have the stamina to escape from these wiley rangers after the battle, so when Meneroc pulled his sword tip away, he did as he was instructed and removed his chainmail, leather vest, and greaves, tossing them to the ground at Eldicar's feet as he did. "So you are brothers?" The man was desperate at this point, looking for any way to save himself. "I have heard that these woods are home to a most unusual elven family, with twelve children." He watched to see if his comment ilicited a reaction, but the elves faces remained stoic, and he said nothing. "I have also heard that the entire family has recently and unexpectedly returned home. This is of great interest to some." The elves continued on as if he had not spoken, Elidcar rifling through his belongings, Meneroc guarding him silently, sword poised for a quick and deadly blow. The younger ranger stopped, finding something of interest. He stood from his crouched position, unfolding the parchment in question. He spent a few moment looking at what the man had been writing, then calmly folded the parchment, drew his sword, and approached the man. His eyes seemed to spark, and clearly reflected the anger that his demeanor did not. He stopped just short of the man, putting his sword tip to his throat, drawing a small point of blood. "We'll need to decide how to proceed," Eldicar said as he handed Meneroc the letter. Meneroc sheathed his sword and unfolded the parchment. After a few minutes, he refolded it and stowed it in his satchel. When his eyes met the strangers, he saw the same anger reflected in them that shone so clearly in his brother's eyes.