" The head is gone!" breathed Nanith incredibly.

Erelis renounced " No, I think it's caught in some sort of trap." Inspecting closer, the small beings head was indeed stuck beneath a root of a nearby tree. Suddenly, the humanoid thrashed wildly and a muffled high-pitched yapping was heard. The body could not free itself despite frantic attempts for escape.

" It looks like a goblin." Nanith whispered anxiously and he grabbed Erelis by his left knee. " Goblins don't travel alone, unless this one is a scout." The hobbit eyed his dark surroundings with suspicion.

Erelis's eyes twinkled in the darkness. " I think it is some other species, Nanith. Goblins... don't have tails." The psion politely pointed to the body where a thick tail whipped around in protest to its' trappings.

Nanith squinted while inspecting the area around the creature. " There could be more of them about; a prime time for an ambush. I'll search for ensnarements." He stooped down and surveyed the grounds while the others watched him ply his trade.

After a few minutes and many annoying squeals later, the creature resigned to its fate and settled down into exhaustion once again. After Nanith cleared the area, Teflar, sword in his right hand, walked over to the tired animal. " I cannot watch this creature struggle any longer." He knelt next to the thick, curled root and quickly glanced around as if expecting to see some trouble approach. Nothing but the gloominess of the strange trees met his vision. With his left hand, he tried to pry up the root high enough for the creature to wriggle free.

The dwarf moved behind the ranger and recommended in his deep, grave voice. " Tie 'em down an' let's see what he has to say for himself." The root started to give way under Teflar's manual pressure, but just as suddenly, it squeezed down with extreme torque upon the beast's head! The animal cried out in horrible pain and Teflar jumped back in sudden scare. Little by little, everyone then noticed a ring of rickety trees starting to slowly encompass them.

" What magic is this!" yelled Nanith pulling his shortsword back for a strike. " They're alive and ensnaring us!" The fellowship froze in their place not sure on quite what to do.

" Nanith, do not hurt that tree please." spoke Roslyn rather emphatically. " It could be very dangerous if you do. I believe I have heard of these trees before. They are known as the 'Striding Guardians'. From what I have heard, if you do not bother them, they will not bother you."

The ranger spoke with urgency. " We must run, my friends! We must run now if we can!" The team slowly watched as the trees encircled them with virtually no sound.

Roslyn continued in a hushed tone. " No wait Teflar, listen to me for a moment first. It is a rare sight to see them as these must be some of the surviving stock lasting all these centuries. This creature, whatever it may be, must of somehow offended them. I have heard it say that the Striding Guardians can speak, but of what language though, I am not sure. They may believe we were trying to help the creature because we are with it." She shook her head fearfully as the group rose their weapons with protective poses.

The trees melded to within yards of the team and then a long vibrational groan was heard; it seemed to come up from the earth itself and into the marrow of the hero's bones.