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The remainder of the night grew colder and the strong wind from the west increased. Elwen struggled to keep warm, his hooded cloak useless against the icy breeze. He propped himself against the trunk of a large tree and pulled his cloak tighter in an attempt to garner some warmth.

After a short length of time, he was sure the others were asleep. Three motionless lumps stuck out from the ground where they lay. Elwen slowly untied the leather bag he had carried earlier, which was now hidden under his cloak. Opening it, he reached inside and carefully pulled out the black egg-shaped object. He held it with both hands and studied it. It was no bigger than Elwen's head. It's surface as smooth as anything he had felt before. It weighed several pounds but it felt lighter than it should have. Despite the severity of the cold weather a hint of warmth emanated from the hard shell. Holding the egg tight, Elwen eventually drifted in to a restless slumber, thankful of the warmth of the egg.

Daybreak was soon upon them. The sun rose the next morning, yet it was still rather dark in the forest due to the density of the high trees that blocked the sky from view. A swirling mist had formed, creeping across the forest's floor, almost thick enough to obscure the ground. Elwen was woken with a light prod. As he opened his eyes he saw Varya, a raven haired female elf stooped over him. "It is time, youngling.", she said with a soft voice. Elwen had always liked Varya. She had always been nice to him. This was only Varya's second trip with the ferrying party. So, she like Elwen was still learning the landscape to the south of Ullenor. 

Elwen rubbed his eyes and struggled to his feet. He placed the egg back into the leather bag and tied it. Fainor and the other elf who completed their party, Hubyr, were tending to their horses. "Brother Fainor believes we will reach Korva's Keep by midday, Elwen.", Varya explained holding out an apple for him to take . "You should eat."

They left the clearing shortly after. The sound of the Ullenori Falls crashing in the distance grew faint. The four elves rode in a single file for the next few miles. Fainor, the leader, led the way, his long silver hair shining in the early morning sunlight. On his back was a long bow along with a quiver of arrows. Elwen was next, his leaf-shaped ears now visible and the gold trimmed hilt on his back. The leather bag holding the black egg was strapped firmly to the saddle. Varya followed Elwen. She too carried a bow, though hers was slightly smaller than that of Fainors. At the rear was Hubyr. A helmet of exquisite craftsmanship rested upon his head and a mean looking spear could be seen in his hand.

Their journey was relatively uneventful for the next hour. They had reached the outskirts of the Ullenori Forest as the high, dense trees were replaced with open fields and lands. Korva's Keep was now barely visible on the horizon. A black smudge on the horizon. What once was a formidable stone watchtower, now lay in ruins, ravaged during the Great War. The Keep had been the location chosen some ninety years ago by the elves and men as the place in which to exchange the eggs. It is a remote and secluded place and is pretty much the half-way point between B'ylah, the capital of Aldenea and the Elf city Ullenor. 

The four elves upon their horses stopped, now in line with one another. "The Keep," said Elwen to himself. "We made it." 

He thought none of the others had heard him, until Fainor patted him on the back. "We still have a long way to go brother Elwen," he said, a wry smile upon his face. "Hubyr, lead the way."

And with that they headed towards Korva's Keep.