The Journey To Bree-Land

[woodelf]

Bows to them graciosly and says " Allow me to introduce my self as well, my name is Anarandil but you can call me woodelf, for all who know me call me by that name." "I will go with you on your journeys and I hope our friendship may continue to grow," he says with a smile on his face. He makes a cough, " You wouldn't happen to have any spare food would you?"

LOL

[Finduilas Ancalimon]

Fernelf looking behind her signaled to Nevnarial that all is safe and she can come out from cover. "That one is smart...knowing us two fools may well have walked smack into danger, she kept her vigil and would have secured our safety if need be" Fernelf thought to herself. Turning back to the new arrival Fernelf reading his lips answers" Yes we have food. " Reaching into her bag she reveals a piece of wolf jerky. Handing the piece to the Elf she continues,"We can rest and talk of how you come by this road once we find a safe spot. Terbil..."Fernelf adds as she places her hand on Terbil's shoulder, "He has noted some prints in the dirt. Nevnarial is now finding us a place close to the water for Terbil has a plan to keep us safe this night" Fernelf nods towards Nevnarial. "You look tired but if you can journey but a bit farther we can rest and give you more proper nourishment. It should not be long as I do beleive Nevnarial can inform you". Fernelf walking over to the new comer's horse lays her hand upon its neck. "Your horse has ridden hard this night and I am sure there is much for you to tell us" Watching the horse as he snickers at her touch, Fernelf looks to her two friends. "Shall we continue on?", she asks them. "What say you sirrah" she addresses the Elf, "Will you follow us to a safer place off this path and rest with us this night?".....

[Nevnarial]

As the three talk at the side of the road, Nevnarial quietly says, “Please follow me, I do not think it is wise that we travel more tonight.” She turns around away from the road, and leads Alaterial deeper into the forest towards the sound of the rushing water. Deep in conversation, the others begin to follow, the new comer leading his horse as well.

Nevnarial’s mind is racing. She has had an ill feeling creeping over her since they left the shelter that morning. She misses Mattia and hopes her journey with the dwarf has been well.

They finally reach the water and Nevnarial stops, bends down, and cups her hands to drink. The pony is thirsty as well, and stick her head in the water, taking large gulps. The others join her at the banks of the stream, still speaking with one another.

Then, from somewhere far away, a terrible shriek rips through the night…

[Morg Stormhammer]

After what seems to have been a very long time, but in fact was only a few hours, Morg awakens to find himself having just missed the sunset. He sits himself up as best he can, wounds and limbs together making a chorus of pain and protestation. Shaking the sleep from his head, he looks around for the ponies and finds them standing nearby, almost as if watching over him. Gathering up what strength he can, he attempts to stand but finds even this, what should be a simple task, near to impossible. Surefoot, possibly sensing something about his master, possibly just wanting some attention, steps closer to Morg. Now he has something to grasp hold of and he does, pulling himself slowly to his feet. "Well now, Surefoot. 'Tis a fine mess, and no doubt about it, that I've gotten into here." The pony only stamps his foot in response, maybe thinking about running free in the fields for a time. "Never much of an audience, were ya now," Morg says, patting Surefoot on his flank. Searching through one of the packs of food purchased in Bree, he picks out a few morsels to help him regain a semblance of sure footing. As he eats his small meal, he thinks over the note left for him in a strange, flowing script. "Hrmm. Were I to have known such tidings, I would have kept in Bree to await the others," he says to himself. "Bah! Such is the activities of wizards and the like and I've no love for their kind." Finishing up the last bite, he prepares for the arduous task of climbing onto his pony for the trip to Bree. "Nay, my good lad. Today, I think (or what is left of it), should be spent upon my own two booted feet," exclaiming to Surefoot. With that, he sets off with ever intention of walking straight through the night. "Come Mattia, we must catch up with your Elf, as I'm sure she'd be worried beyond sick by now about your safe keeping," Morg says, motioning to the other pony. "We've a long night and a longer road ahead of us and naught was ever finished what was never started!" Morg starts humming an old Dwarven song, lamenting lost gold and praising found treasure, his war-hammer ever-present upon his shoulder.

[woodelf]

Woodelf was having a terrible nightmare. He was hearing voices of his mother screaming people of his town crying and most of all the pittar patter of the blood as it dripped on his porch from the balcony above.

He awakes a little later after dreaming, the're was sweat on his face, and he felt very warm. Thinking it was a nightmare, he laid gently back to sleep, another nightmare did not bother him that night.

[Terbil Mudburrow of Deephallow]

As the group walks through the forest, following Nevnarial as she leads them to the water source, Terbil gathers his thoughts on what his plan was to be. Then, having sorted things out, he begins to spill his thoughts before them, breaking the silence. "What I had thought to do was, with everyone's help, dig a hole large enough for Miss Nevnarial and Ferny to fit in to with their pony, cover that with some sort of cloth, and then cover the cloth with leaves and dirt and sticks and such. Camoflage it. Then, should anyone pass by, they would either not see it or think it is a pit fall trap. All the while, I would watch guard from up in a nearby tree with my pan." he paused, and then looked up at Anarandil. "However, with our friend the Woodelf here, that may not work, so perhaps we should just take turns serving watch during the night, though I would say we must not start a fire....that is, not to draw attention to ourselves."

The others seemed to agree to the proposal, so Terbil himself volunteered to take first watch, most likely to his companions anxiety to be sure. By the time they reached the banks of the babbling brook with cut its way through the woods, sleep hung heavily on all of their minds. After a brisk meal his companions took to sleep, resting on clothes or bags or whatever they had brought, all the while the young Hobbit among them sat between the roots of an ancient tree and gnawed upon the stack of wolf jerkey pieces that was lying in his lap. He stretched momentarily, frying pan in one hand, meat dangling from his mouth, as he heard a shriek cut through the night air that froze his blood. It sounded a good distance away, and so he hoped it would remain as Terbil glanced up into the night sky, catching scant rays of silver moon light weaving through the branches above them.

[Finduilas Ancalimon]

Fernelf followed the group along the path to the water. Seeing eyes in the night up in the trees only enforced for Fernelf the feeling of being watched."Owls and night creatures only"she soothed her inner thoughts. Watching her friends, she could tell they heard sounds in the night...'I wonder if they hear what I see" she pondered as she layed her hand upon the brooch of gondar.Her fingertips lightly touching the design upon her breast. Sighing, Fernelf wished she too could hear the sounds that were shared by her companions. Suddenly albeit faintly she heard a howl in the night. Shivering with a new found coldness that seeped through her damp cloak, Fernelf could not help but to hug herself against the night. Remembering she must set an example for her friends, Fernelf lifted her head and allowed her hands to fall to her side. Quietly the party went through the brush...nary a sound was made by thier movement. Alaterial stayed with her master...her warm breath providing some comfort to fernelf. At last the group reached the water and Fernelf turned to the others. Terbils lips told her all she needed to know and she agreed to take a turn watching the night while others rested. Fernelf spoke softly to Aletarial "Dina....Quel kaima"she soothed to her trusted pony. Aletarial brushed her head softly against Fernelf's brow and went as commanded by her master. Fernelf quietly layed her body down on the ground. She watched the night. Seeing Terbil so brave watching over the group brought tears to Fernelf's eyes."Alstader, tera tein rashwe. Vera tel saderin" she whisperd to Terbil so quietly no one heard her words. Looking to the others she knew they at last slept after such a long day. Watching their breathing become rythmatic..like a dance..silent. Fernelf allowed her breathing to slow so Terbil bless his soul would not know as he watched over them..fernelf watched over him.

[Nevnarial]

“Where is the Elf woman you travel with?” said a hideous voice.
“We parted ways two days ago,” Timmon cried with strained words, as if hands were about his throat.
Snorts and grunts were all around me as orcs scoured the area searching. How many were there? Twenty? Thirty?
“You are lying!” said the harsh voice again. “I can smell her! She is close!”


Nevnarial awoke with a startle. Terbil was kneeling above her with his little hands on her shoulder, shaking her. “Miss Nevnarial? It is time for your watch,” he whispered in her ear. She rubbed her eyes and looked up at him. “Yes, I will fulfill my task for the night. I hope all was quiet on your watch,” she whispered back. Rising to her feet and looking over at the small elf sleeping soundly next her, she pulled her cloak close to her body to rid the evening chill. Terbil immediately lay down in the spot next to Fernelf, for it was still warm with her own body heat, and pulls a blanket over his head.


Walking a few paces, Nevnarial turns towards the sleeping companions and looks at Anarandil with suspicious eyes. “Perhaps I just need to learn more of this new comer before I make judgement,” she thinks to herself. “But I refuse to call on someone I have never had words with to watch over my friends and I.”

The long hours of the night pass uneventful and just as dawn breaks, Nevnarial stands to awake her company for a light breakfast and head start on the days travel. She thinks they should be in Bree before nightfall if they start early enough…

[Morg Stormhammer]

"Surefoot! You settle down this very instant a'fore I turn you into breakfast!" The loud, grinding noise that is the Dwarf's voice has now most likely awoke nearly the whole country-side, yet Morg seems oblivious to all the chatter and flurry of activity in the brush. He continues berating his pony, "I swear upon the graves of all my fore-fathers I have never met such a stubborn and single-minded animal! Bah!" With that, he sits down upon the roadside and keeps mumbling under his breath for quite some time, as Surefoot takes delight in the berry bush he's found. Mattia, on the other hand, appears to be as impatient as Morg to be on the way. Suddenly, the Dwarf realizes how far they have managed to travel in the span of a night. Smacking his forehead, he exclaims, "By Durin's beard! We've nearly returned to where I was waylaid by those drooling adle-pated Orcs after leaving Bree!" On the heels of this comes another exclamation, "Stinking rat eaten troll barf!" The sudden pain in his hand makes him realize, also, that he is still wearing his well-armored helmet. This last brings Surefoot out of his delight in berries and the pony looks as though he wonders if he should make a run for it or if the Dwarf has done himself harm, yet again. Mattia looks as if she's had quite enough of this boisterous two-legged creature and heads for the road. Surefoot seems to agree and starts to follow her, leaving Morg to gather himself to stand as best he can without support. "A fine pair you two make, leaving me here like this, nearly infirm with wounds to make a man cry like a Hobbit-lass who's fallen into the river!", he bellows after the two animals. "Bah!," he loudly reports to the country-side and makes the final push to stand and thus, follows the ponies onward towards Bree.

[Finduilas Ancalimon]

Fernelf watching the stirrings of her companions sits up and stretches . The sky almost purple as the sun slowly rises. She looks to the sky and says out loud. "The sky is warming...the sun shall make her presence known soon enough" Fernelf Stands and looks about her. "I do hope Morg is alright....I thought mayhap we would have run into him long before now...I do hope those tracts are not a forboding of any ill done to him....hmmmm.....Morg my friend wherever you are...I bid you godspeed and hope to see you safe and sound soon" Fernelf thought to herself. Looking to Nevnarial she asks, "How fare you this morn?" Knowing Nevnarial has had a restless night Fernelf offers to make some cold tea with the meadow berries she carries. She takes some berries from her bag and walks towards her pony. Petting her she checks to see how she fared the night"Leave it to you to look well rested...I bet you slept sound and had not a care in the world" Aletarial snickered as if it were her right to sleep and have others watch over her. Fernelf rolled her eyes and went to the fill her pail. A fine mist hung to the ground and Fernelf hoped that the sun would burn it away as she rose. She placed the berries in the pail and with her hands swished them around in the water. Soon the water was red from the juices of the berries. She added a pinch of sugar crystal to the brew and went to her companions. "Here each take some of this as it will liven your steps. After we drink we can make ready to be on our way" Fernelf added to Anarandil, "You take a extra portion as you have ridden the hardest and could use the tea's medicinal attributes" She then looked to Terbil and asked. "How fare you this morn? Do you think you have had enough rest to continue to guide us our way?"....

[Nevnarial]

Nevnarial’s eyes hung heavy as she sat sipping the berry tea that has been prepared. She glances at Terbil as Fernelf talks with him, gives a weak smile and thinks, “This little person is so content with life. I wonder if all hobbits are so at ease?” Terbil and Salur are the first hobbits she has ever known.

Drinking the last of her tea, she rises and starts to gather her belongings. Checking her memory, she sees nothing is missing. The others follow her lead and start to pack up as well.

“We must make haste if we are to reach Bree before nightfall,” she announces to the group and heads back toward the main road. She takes slow steps so she does not lose sight of the others as they finish packing. As she reaches the road, she looks back and forth and then down. The tracks of the mighty horses are still there, but none are fresh. She looks back and sees the rest of her company not far behind. Nevnarial takes a deep breath of the morning air and still feels the unrest in the pit of her stomach…

[Finduilas Ancalimon]

Fernelf following Nevnarial and the others, guides Aleterial with her rope . She walks next to her pony to give her time to rejuvinate instead of riding her this day. As the small party continues on Fernelf begins to smell a foul odor in the air. Her nostrils flare in protest to the foulness of the air. Looking to see if the others have also noted the odor, Fernelf allows her nose to guide her. Taking the lead of the group Fernelf announces"There is something rotting in these woods"Looking to and fro Fernelf follows the scent. "I pray tis not Morg we find" Fernelf speaks outloud sharing her fears with her friends. The sun now in the sky has begun to melt the mist on the ground but the woods are thick and only slivers of sunlight peak through the glen. Fernelfs eyes intuitively take in all of her surroundings. Suddenly spotting the cause of the odor, Fernelf lets go of Alaterial's rope and dashes to the remains. Relief washes over her as she sees these are Orc remains and not that of her friend. Bending down she spots a piece of tattered cloth, so small only the size of a gold coin. Smelling the cloth she brings it to Nenvarial to inspect. "This is from Morg's clothing..I remember the pattern . Smell it ..it still carries his scent." Fernelf implores as she holds the cloth up for Nenvarial to take. Frantically Fernelf looks around the area for her friend. "Orcs...foul creatures.....I thought the Orcs had long left these parts and stayed in the eastern parts...what ever would bring orcs this far" she questions out loud. Looking to the others..Fernelf warns"There is more here then we all know....Darkness is once again upon the land. We must find out what is happening and do so quickly. Whether the missing hobbits are involved or not...I must put aside thoughts of them. I know I promised my da to find them...but this is much more important then two hobbits that more then likely just left for adventures" I go to find out what I can. Those of you that wish to leave my company may do so for I fear I wll bring danger to any who follow my path..those that wish to continue ..I give you my oath I will do all I can to keep to you safe" Addressing Terbil Fernelf continued. "We can take you to your aunts and if you so wish to continue with us we welcome you..if you choose to stay with your aunt..well I understand that as well. With those words, Fernelf continues to look around the area for any signs that may help tp determine what may have happened in this area of death and devestation..

[Terbil Mudburrow of Deephallow]

Great chunks of food when down quickly as Terbil nearly swallowed his breakfast whole and then gulped down his berry tea with a youthful excitement. A well-rested Fernelf, after having taken care of the food, approached him while he finished up his meal and asked how he was doing. Licking a bit of juice from his lips, he smiles, feeling the warm rays of the sun upon his face as he leaned back on his hands and looked up at the light filtering through the trees. "I be well, slept fine after I finally curled up. I do believe I should be able to continue on leading us to Bree, especially since we've returned to the beaten path."

After he had finished eating, Terbil went over and splashed some water on his face and then packed his things up, ready to go as Nevnarial made the call for them to get started. He walked over to her as they made their ways out of the woods and backed to the path and looked up at her, "How went your watch? There were some strangely awful things moving in the night last night, but thankfully they didn't run across us."

The Elven trio and hobbit made swift time once they returned to path and cut a good swathe down the road as the day grew later and the sun began to rise farther into the sky. However, as they did go farther, an awful stench began to assail them with every stench. Fernelf, taking the initiative after waiting to see if the others had noticed, went into the woods to hunt down its source, mentioning something of the fellow named Morg, who Terbil had yet to meet. Thankfully, the source was not their dwarven friend, but instead four rotting Orcs. As fernelf took a piece a cloth from among them and handed it to Nevnarial, Terbil moved back to the end of the group, his stomach growing sick and a bit of fear crawling up his spine, having never seen such a spectacle such as this. Or...orcs. I...I've never seen one, and gladly that they are not alive, he thought, eyes glassing over as he thought, I hope, though, that it was Morg who did this and not....something bigger. Fernelf's voice broke him from his trance as she addressed the group as a whole first, and then him personally. "Well, I will stay with you all until we reach Bree. I am a little being...and...Orcs...well, what could I do to help you all...plus, my family and all..." Realizing he was mumbling like a fool, he gathered himself and moved forward down the road and turned to the others. "Well, shall we continue? The Day is growing later with every moment."

[Nevnarial]

The party swiftly walked down the road away from the smell of death. Terbil and Nevnarial walking side by side heading the line, Fernelf in the middle leading her pony and the newest of the company, Anarandil, bringing up the rear. Terbil almost has to jog to keep up with Nevnarials long strides.

Thinking of the dead orcs they found this morning, she looks down at the hobbit and says, “These are strange times we live in, little one. A shadow has been growing over this land for many months now. I do hope your family in Bree is safe. I heard strange things the night ere, as well.” She glances at the piece of cloth Fernelf had given her. Though, she was not fond of dwarves in any way, she did hope that Morg was safe.

They traveled the remainder of the morning, not speaking much to one another. Breaking the silence, Terbil exclaims, "I'm starving! Does anyone else feel like breaking for lunch?" All are in agreement, and start searching for a good spot for a quick camp...

[Finduilas Ancalimon]

Watching the others ready themselves for lunch, Fernelf herself could not build up an appetite. She kept thinking of the piece of cloth and Morg. Hoping her friend was ok and half thinking of turning back to see if she could find him.......Fernelf knew though that she must press on. Finding the orcs told her much about the earth this day. Her da though a hobbit had a friend that would come and visit and told him many things about the world around. Fernelf knew all about the fall of Melkor from this man. His name was Mithrandir but most knew him as Gandalf. Fernelf can remember many times visiting with friends and the tall man in grey would entertain them for hours with fireworks. She recalled the last party she went to...Mr Baggin's 111 th birthday..."oh the fireworks that day..." Fernelf lost in her musings sighed. That was the last time she saw old Gandalf. But she now remembered other times...late at night when her da thought she asleep. She heard Mithrandir talk of the fall of the Melkor and of the great battles with Sauron. She wished the old wizard was here now so she could ask him what it meant...finding orcs so close . Frowning Fernelf knew she must find these answers....talking out loud she whispered..."Orcs.....I thought Sauron was long gone....." looking about her to see who may have heard her, Fernelf Quickly added. "I am not hungry...please feel free to take my share...i think I will just have some water". Sitting down next to Nevnarial she asked. "What do you make of Orcs this far west? You have seen them before I know...I could tell by the look in your eyes....tell me...there is something in your past very painfull.....I saw your eyes".....