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Post by tancred on Jan 25, 2004 17:02:52 GMT -5
The next day dawned bright and warm. Tancred yawned, and was secretly thankful that their adventure had started late in spring and not in winter. Still, he was sure it would be much colder once they took the mountain paths. Luckily, Elrond had supplied them well for such a journey.
Without rising from the ground or coming from out from under his blanket, Tancred looked about the camp. The Elves had seemingly not stirred the entire night, and were reclining against trees. Or perhaps one of those trees was Imp the Entwife? Tancred could not tell. Arratil and Katalyn were nowhere to be seen. The Hobbits were sleeping soundly next to each other, and Andy was snoring rather loudly.
Presently, Numair came thundering through the camp, mumbling about something, and with a look of disgust or disappointment upon his face. Oracle came running after him. Tancred did not like the pressence of either of them. Suspicious, onnery, rough, impolite, and rather stinky. And then there was Oracle....
Lastly, the knight beheld Isotta. There she lay upon her side, blankets drawn up to her chin, and an angelic smile upon her face. Tancred smiled, too. Days would always be brighter if there was the opportunity to speak with Isotta.
Tancred finally arose. He stirred the fire a bit, and prepared to fry some salted pork for breakfast. "I think we should be leaving soon," he announced. Most in the camp took notice, and stirred from their rest. Even Arratil had heard from wherever he was, and made an appearance. Katalyn was still missing. The Hobbits still slept, and so did Isotta.
While Tancred went about preparing breakfast, most eveyone busied themselves with packing up the camp and readying the horses. All except the three sleepers. Tancred approached the Hobbits. He held the pan with its steaming bacon near their faces. Almost instantly, both Hobbits jumped up. "Is breakfast ready," asked Violet, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"Bacon," shouted Andy. Tancred chuckled, and handed the pan to Andy. Both Hobbits ran to the fire, and took the plates out of a backpack.
Tancred walked over to Isotta, and gently shook her upon the shoulder. "Isotta," he whispered. "It is time to eat. We should be leaving soon."
Isotta did not awaken. She shifted in her sleep, and her smile faded. Still in a dream, she murmered outloud, "Father! Brother! No...NO!" Isotta jumped up immediately into sitting position, and threw Tancred's hand from her shoulder.
"Isotta," said Tancred aghast. "Whatever is the matter? Are you alright?"
Realizing what she had said, Isotta attempted to compose herself; nothing could leak out about her secret. She caught Numair eying her from across the camp. She wiped her hand across her brow, and faked a smile to Tancred. "I am quite alright, Tancred," she said. "Just a meaningless nightmare. Very meaningless. I have no idea what it was about. " She saw the worried look that still played across Tancred's face. She let out a little chuckle, jumped up, and went to see about breakfast. Tancred looked after her as puzzled as ever.
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Hundreds of miles east, a lone rider emerged from the depths of southern Mirkwood. Before him and in his wake, all went silent. Animals fled before him. For he was Khamul the Ringwraith, undead and powerful. He galloped along at ease and with seemingly nothing pressing to do. Yet his mind was ever active.
The Wraith rode for most of the day, and presently came to the banks of the Anduin River. There he stopped. Khamul would go no further. He, of all the Ringwraiths, was most afraid of water. How he hated it! Powerful though he was, the River was even more so. And faint though it was, it stank of Ulmo; the accursed Vala still cared for those in Middle-earth, and kept an eye on them through his rivulets from time to time. Khamul halted, and let out a long and low wail. So hideous and terrible a call, that it shook the hearts of the Woodmen to the north east, the Beornings upstream, and even caused Elves in Lothlorien to quail.
It was at this moment that animals finally did dare to come near him. One Warg appeared on the western shores of the Anduin, and one Crebain mounted upon the Wraith's shoulder. Khamul whispered instructions to them both. "This party I have spoken of. It travels south and east at the moment. There are Elves and Men there. It belongs to me! I want them. Spread word to all Orcs, Wargs, and other beasts of ill repute that they are not to be harmed or waylaid in any way. Especially not this one woman in particular. A beautiful woman with long, flowing red hair and a noble air. She is not to be touched! If any Orc or beast harms anyone of these persons, I shall have their hide! Ignore them and steer clear. The sooner they cross the mountains, the sooner I can deal with them."
The Warg and Crebain bowed in their own fashion, and departed. Khamul stayed there for some time, bending all of his thoughts upon a sad Gondorian Princess.
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Post by Niphredil on Jan 25, 2004 19:00:27 GMT -5
Violet hummed softly to herself as she went through her pack and brought out some plates and silverware, and a loaf of bread. "Hmm, that's odd," she said.
"What's odd?" asked Andy, while he munched on some bacon.
"Oh, I thought there were three loaves of bread in here, but there are only two."
"We're not gonna run out are we?" said Andy, looking just a little worried.
"Oh, no, of course not! We've got plenty to last us until we get to Lothlorien," Violet said, smiling brightly at him. "Or plenty by the other's standards, at least," she mumbled to herself. She put one loaf of bread on a plate, took a knife out of her backpack, and began slicing it. She didn't know how the Elves did it, but the bread they gave them still smelled and tasted fresh, even after they had already been gone from Rivendell for so many days. Just as she finished slicing the bread, Oracle walked up to her and meowed. Violet broke a small piece off one slice of bread, and held it out in front of the black cat. Oracle sniffed the bread and turned her head away, uninterested.
"Oh here, kitty, you can have it," Violet said, trying to befriend the cat. Oracle hissed and swatted one of her paws at Violet, knocking the bread to the ground and thoroughly scratching her hand. Violet hastily drew her hand back, crying out in pain, and stood up.
"Oh, why you stupid little wretch!" she yelled, gathering the attention of the others in the camp. "Why I have half a mind to kick you all the way to the other side of camp!"
Numair, upon hearing the commotion, droped what he had been doing. "Oh, no!" he exclaimed, while he walked in the direction of where Violet and Oracle were. "What is she doing to you?"
"Your cat, sir, just--"
"Oh, you poor thing!" Numair said, cutting off Violet mid-sentance. Numair stooped down and picked up Oracle, and she purred while he stroked her most lovingly. Numair glared at Violet. "I had best not hear of you bothering my poor Oracle again, little one, or the consequences will be severe!" And with that, he stalked off to the other side of the camp, Oracle on his shoulder. Violet stood there silently, her eyes wide and her mouth gaping. Andy stood up beside her.
"That man--" she said, turning to him.
"I know," Andy said.
"If I get my hands on that stupid--"
"I know. Here," he said, taking her scratched hand in his, "let me take care of this."
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Post by Mrs Dan Hawkins on Jan 31, 2004 18:54:13 GMT -5
Calen watched Violet and the cat with a raised eyebrow ,her face turned to suspicion when the new man, Numair, came to collect his cat.His presence filled her with an unease. Raising Calen went over to Violet and Andy , who was trying to mend Violets wound.
"Here let me "Calen said taking the bandges from Andy. She began cleaning the wound .
"wait here a second whilst i get something that will make it heal faster" Calen moved over to her backpack and took out a small jar and went back to the hobbits
After finishing healing Violets cut hand and a small"thank you" from the little hobbit Calen walked over to Tancred.
"Tanc "she called
Tancred turned and gave her a funny look.
"i mean Tancred" Calen altered with a slight blush
"Im sorry but you look so like your grandfather and i always called him that so its a force of habbit"
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Post by tancred on Feb 3, 2004 2:44:57 GMT -5
Tancred laughed, "Well then, Calen, I don't mind if you call me that either. I am nowhere near the man my father or my grandfather are, but as long as I bear the name, you may abbreviate it."
He smiled at her, and went on, "You know, my grandparents told stories of the adventure all of you went on those years ago. It is amazing to meet you and Caran, who were actually there. My grandparents always speak highly of all of you. I don't think anything fills them with as much pride and joy as reliving your adventure together."
"It was indeed something special," said Calen with a subtle Elvish smile. "It was supposed to be a small, and simple adventure. Merely a there and back again for the retrieval of unguarded and forgotten treasure. Yet, it turned out to be so much more! None of us had the slightest clue as to what was in store for us." She laughed a little.
"Grandfather says that nothing was more frightful for him as when Grandmother Kalin was abducted and in danger. Either that or when you and Jaysienne were almost sacrificed to the dragon. That must have been a terrible experience!"
Calen watched as Tancred's eyes widened at the mere reminders of such an adventure. All mortals seemed young to her, yet this one even more so at this moment. "He is inexperienced and in wonder of this world," she thought. "It is now his time. His adventure. May it prove as successfully wonderful for him as for his grandfather."
And yet, at the same time, Calen's memory (vivid as real life to Elves, and not the vague scratches at memory that mortals had) reached back to her ordeal with Drakar the Dragon. She wriggled uncomfortably, almost as if she could still feel the ropes about her body that had bound her to the stake, and as if she were still attempting to break free. Overcoming the memory, Calen smiled once again at the young knight. "Yes," she said. "It was terrible. Yet, I would not give it up for all of Middle-earth. Had it not happened, I would not have known your grandfather. And had it not happened...you would not be here, young Sir Tancred!" She winked at him, and smiled. He laughed; having Calen and Caran around was like being with his grandparents again. He sorely missed them. **************
An hour later, and the company was ready to depart. Tancred had overheard Numair's rude careless talk with Violet over the ordeal with Oracle (how could he not, for Numair was so terribly loud!). He also noticed that Violet was still smarting from the scratch, and playing with the bandage upon her hand. Numair passed her by without looking at her, and Oracle, mounted upon the man's shoulder, hissed crossly at the little Hobbit. Oracle was large for a cat, and even larger to a small Hobbit, and so Violet blanched a little, and shyed away as if the cat would strike again.
Tancred went over to her. "I hope you are ok, Miss Violet," he said.
"I will be," she said. "As long as that cat stays away from me!"
Oracle jumped down while Numair finished packing up his horse. The black cat slowly approached Violet and Tancred. It looked very upset.
"Just remember," said Tancred to Violet. "Cats hate water. If that stinky Oracle ever comes near you, just go like this!" He quickly turned towards the cat, and squirted some water at it from his waterskin. Oracle received a healthy splash upon its head, moaned, and ran away as fast as it could.
Violet, Tancred, and Andy laughed, and tried to look innocent as Numair looked to see what the matter was.
"Just be sure we can spare the water," chuckled Tancred.
With that, the company mounted up, and continued their journey south.
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Post by Athena on Feb 6, 2004 22:47:27 GMT -5
Numair rode his black horse towards the back of the column and sat deep in thought. Upon his shoulder rode Oracle and periodically she would hiss at the direction of Tancred.
“I agree m’dear” he said, “A vile and despicable man. Knights such as those are full of fine airy thoughts, and one should not put to much stock in them nor their foibles.”
Numair looked ahead where Tancred and Isotta rode side-by-side before him. Tancred would often bend over to look her in the eye’s, and murmur something, although Numair couldn’t hear the comments. Isotta looked rather scared, but also pleased with herself, although Numair doubted that just the fine air and nature resulted in her high spirits.
“Interesting is it not Oracle” said Numair, as he once more began to speak to Oracle, “I who was the Prince’s last choice for her protection. I dare say, that I wonder what the darling Prince would think now seeing his lovely sister chatting with a mere knight. And one wonders what said knight would think on learning that he has been chatting with royalty. Although chatting is not quite the correct word hmm? Well whatever the matter, he is far to chivalrous for me to think anything serious from happening between them. Not that it matters in the slightest for me, I am just here to…make sure of the Lady Isotta’s safety”
Oracle was silent and Numair continued riding, his face pensive and thoughtful.
Up ahead Isotta laughed spiritedly at Tancred’s story. As he finished the tale, he admired her beauty and her fiery personality. She in turn admired his grace and skill in the saddle. At the end of his tale, she laid one fine white hand gently upon his arm,
“Do continue” she said, her blue eyes wide, “ I love to hear your tales of your knightly adventures throughout Middle Earth”
Tancred stared for a moment at her slender hand, Isotta flushed and hastily took it off his shoulder. For a moment Tancred looked as if he wanted to say something, then he paused and smiled warmly at her.
“And I am appreciative of such a fine audience. Alas, my adventures will have to be told another time I am afraid. My voice weakens and I fear to intrude upon your gracious hospitality.”
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Post by tancred on Feb 7, 2004 12:38:36 GMT -5
Tancred reached for his waterskin, only to discover that it was empty. Alas, that circumstances had brought his moment with Isotta to an end. "Time to replenish some of our water," he called out. The company slowly drifted off of the road, and to the small stream that ran parallel to it. Everyone dismounted, knelt down on the banks of the stream, and replenished their skins. Elrond had provided an extra skin for each member of the company, and this would prove useful should they ever enter lands where water was scarce.
As they knelt beside each other filling their waterskins, Tancred spoke to Isotta. "My lady, you have heard of some of my small and rather paltry adventures in the Arthedain army. If I am not entirely decieved, you are not from Arthedain or the lands on its direct borders. Surely there were some adventures that brought you here? Or perhaps some in the land of your birth, wherever that may be?"
Isotta seemed almost surprised. So much so, she would have tumbled forward into the stream had not Tancred placed a steadying hand upon her shoulder. The scarlet of her cheeks soon matched that of her long locks as she blushed. Not even daring to look Numair's way even though her thought immediately went to him and their secret, Isotta turned to the knight beside her. She almost frowned with sadness, and answered, "No, no adventures. None for such a simple and unimportant woman such as myself."
"Simple," scoffed Tancred in a gentle tone. "Unimportant? Neither of those describe you well at all, Isotta. You are much more than that!"
He might have went on, had not Isotta interrupted him. "Thank you, kind knight," she said. "Both for the kind words, and for preventing me from falling into the stream. I should not want to be soaking wet on such a lukewarm day!" She smiled at him, placed a hand upon his shoulder in sign of grattitude, rose, and walked back to her horse.
Tancred was left sitting there, still very puzzled. Isotta had behaved like that almost the entire journey thus far. Spirited, happy, full of life and mirth one moment, and distant, almost sad, and melancholy the next. What was to be made of her? Still, her very touch had sent an almost giddy shiver down the knight's spine, and he would not forget it. **************
Many days had passed now. If the company had been keeping track correctly, they were now almost a fortnight out of Rivendell. The old and desserted land of Hollin was passing them by, and before them, the triple peaks of Moria loomed.
Evening fell, and the company had made camp. So nigh the mountains, the air was becoming colder, and all gathered around the fire for warmth. Yet, no matter how close they may be, at least some of the company would seemingly be forever cold.
Amrod the Hunter sat deep in thought. He almost looked troubled. Tancred approached him. "What seems to ail you this night," he asked. The two knew each other vaguely from back in Arthedain, and their relationship had not always been friendly. If the Rangers considered the soldiers in the army unskilled, the soldiers and knights considered the Rangers a little uneager to fight (cowardly some said, though this was an extreme Tancred would not think of). Still, Tancred knew that Amrod was wood-wise, and if something were bothering him, it would be best to take heed.
Amrod sighed, "I am not certain, Tancred. Its just that this land seems...odd. It is so silent here. I am not sure if you've noticed, but I have noted a marked lack of beasts in the area. Almost even more so than in the freezing wastes of Forechel, which I have ventured into at least three times. Sure, we have seen deer, and some small, furry, burrowing animals. Yet no predators. One would think we would at last see tracks or hear the far off howling of wolves or hunting cats. Yet nothing. Not even much to see of any birds in the area. This is most unusual."
"Indeed," concurred Tancred. "I too, even without the skills of a Ranger, have noticed a definate absence of wild animals. Not that this is neccessarily a bad thing! I would call it a good thing indeed if we could avoid wolves and other more unsavory beasts (Wargs come to mind). Still, as you say, it is rather odd.... We shall have to keep an eye out. We are almost at the beginning of the Redhorn Pass. Let us hope our path in the mountains is as devoid of encounters as the one we've taken thus far."
Lying close to the fire and close to each other, the entire company set in for as comfortable a sleep as they could.
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Post by Niphredil on Feb 8, 2004 21:26:14 GMT -5
Violet rose early the next morning after having a rather unpleasant night. She had tossed and turned much of the night, unable to get warm or comfortable, and on top of that, the poor little Hobbit had a nightmare about Oracle. Finally though, she felt at ease and drifted off into a dreamless sleep a few hours before dawn when Andy put his arm around her waist and let her rest her head on his shoulder.
She stood up, stretched, and put her cloak around her shoulders, then she walked over to the fire and dropped another log on it. She went over to the supplies to fetch some things to make breakfast for the others.
As the bacon sizzled in the frying pan and the water in the coffee pot began to boil, she looked at the land around her and sighed. A fog lay on the ground like a thick wool blanket, and in the sky hung low, gray clouds. The mountains looked even more ominous than they had before. What a gloomy day, she thought.
The others soon began to stir at the smell of breakfast. Tancred was the last one to come up to her. She handed him a plate of food, before settling down with a plate of her own.
"Thank you, Violet," he said, taking a seat across from the her.
"You are most welcome," Violet said. "Tancred, how long do you think it will take us to cross the pass?"
"I am not sure," he said, "A couple of days, perhaps. Longer if the weather turns against us." They heard the low rumbling of thunder in the distance. Violet's face saddened.
"Longer it is, then," she said glumly.
"Cheer up, my little friend," Tancred said, setting aside his now empty plate and standing. "We'll come to the other side eventually." He winked at her in his patronizing way and walked away.
Soon after all had eaten, the group once again mounted up and they continued on their way. Andy rode near the back of the group next to Violet.
"Do you ever regret coming on this trip, Violet?" he asked her.
"Yes, I suppose I do, Andy," she said, her voice low. "I feel so useless out here, like I'm more a burden than a help. And mind you I was the first one to be injured," she said, picking at the bandage covering the scratch Oracle had given her just a few days before.
Andy chuckled, and said, "Oh well. Let's just hope that your small injury will remain the first and the last. Don't worry, Violet. We'll have something to do before the journey's over-- I'm sure of it!"
"You sound like Lord Elrond," Violet said softly. Oh Lord Elrond, I do miss your house. Violet thought. It was so warm, so joyfull-- Violet felt a couple of drops of water land on her face. -- so dry. She sighed. "I never would have thought that you would be the positive one, Andy," she said. "I thought I was the adventurous one."
"So did I!" Andy exclaimed, a big grin on his pudgy face. The two laughed as they and the company rode forward.
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Aladrien
Mate
"I love this guy. He's crazy!"
Posts: 47
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Post by Aladrien on Feb 9, 2004 22:57:11 GMT -5
Imthoron walked slower than normal, pacing herself a ways back from the group. She twitched every once and a while, but seemed quite content, nonetheless.
Arratil kept looking back, filled with worry. It couldn't be good for a person's--or in that case, an ent's--health to be alone all day long, not speaking. He didn't know whether to go and talk to her or to stay ahead. If he spoke to her, what would he say? If Arratil stayed ahead, would she be upset with him? He couldn't think clearly. His mind was clouded with the memory of a horrible dream that had come to him last night. Wishing he knew what it meant, for it was so vivid, it caused him physical pain to cold it back. Arratil decided to talk to Imthoron.
"Imp, you rascal! Why are you so far back?" Arratil slowed his horse to a halt and waited for the ent to come pounding up.
"Just thinking," she hoomed with glee. "Enjoying the view!"
"Ah, yes. I was wondering if I could have a talk with you..."
The two paused.
"It's about a dream I had last night," Arratil was hesitant to speak and held his breath as if saying it made it real. He lowered his voice to a whisper when he noticed Tancred looking back to check on them both. "You must tell no one."
Imthoron nodded and kept walking.
"You see, we were all walking past the Mines of Moria, and there came a noise," Arratil made a lousy attempt to recall that sound. "It was a low rumbling, but not just a rumble, it had a particular note. It was so surreal. It echoed and I heard it well. Tancred was speaking, but I didn't know what he was saying. I didn't recognize his voice."
Imthoron shuddered.
"Andy looked back, his face wasn't right. I could see in his eyes that he hid no emotion," Arratil's noise croaked.
"What was wrong with them?" Imthoron asked the very question an entling like herself would.
"They..." he stuttered, "...they were all dead, Imp. I don't know how or why but something was wrong."
Imthoron looked to him with fear. "What do you think it means?"
"I'm not sure," Arratil wiped a tear before it dropped from his eye. "I just hope it doesn't tell the future!" he smiled to hide his pain and horror.
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