-=[ #8 - Desecration of the Tree]=-

You climb up on the foot of the pedestal and lean over the basin.
The water is still. In it, the reflections of stars are motionless.

Suddenly the stars disappear, and the water grows dark.

You see five proud golden trees, five strong mellyrn standing tall, as if nothing can break them, and only the changing of seasons can make them lose their golden leaves.

A storm comes up and bends the ancient trees, plays with their branches, pulls here, pushes there, but all the might of the winds can do is play with the mellyrn of Lothlórien. The more the trees bend in the force of the wind, the more graceful the group looks.

A small, snow-white rabbit seeks shelter near the roots of the biggest tree.

The rabbit stops, shivering, nibbles on some grass, and then a brutal mace smites the animal to the groud.

The blood mingles with the muddy water.

A dark hand with sharp, dirty fingernails grabs the smashed animal and holds him up.

Dark, twisted humanoids, orcs, seek shelter before the trees. One of the creatures spits out as he holds a crude axe and starts to chop down the first tree.

A huge fire burns in the distance. A dozen dark shadows sit around it. Only one of the five trees still stands in the flickering light of the flames.

The vision blurs. It is day. The rain has stopped, and the sun is out. Not a single leaf moves in the air.

A circular area of burned earth lies before a tortured tree. The tree's bark is black, crumbled and forever burned.

A slight shimmer runs across the surface of the silver basin.

Stars blink through the scorched earth and bark, and the vision begins to fade.

The vision fades, and you find that you are looking at the cool stars twinkling in the silver basin.