Scouting ahead

[arathorn]

Haran:

A bird that speaks? Haran mused to himself, 'Not unlike the thrush that spoke to Bard those many years ago in Laketown, by the Lonely Mountain, where oddly enough I myself may soon be bound. This is curious'.

Perhaps this was yet another precursor or sign. Of what exactly? He frowned and shook his head. So many odd occurrences in so short a time with no explanation in sight. Hearing Auros question Calion, he also turned to him and voiced "Indeed, Calion, what of this avian creature of prey.. can you interpret its melodies? Are we to challenge or welcome?"

[ArPharazon]

Calion:

He was interrupted from his staring by the sound of the horses, almost bolting, but with Fainan holding them back. She yelled at Calion to start the fire, as to lose the bird. The thing could have been corrupted as well as the wolves!

Calion immediately started the fire. The star-eagle, or so he thought it was, backed away and landed on the highest gatepost. As the flames rose in the sky, Quessëlómë and Helvy came to Calion, who immediately jumped on his horse, and the horse and wolf left for the forest.

The eagle left the gatepost, and came flying after Calion. She called to him, saying: "Friend Howler Master!" in an ancient language spoken now only by the eagles among themselves, although they had been kind enough to teach Calion some of the speech. None of the others seemed to know it, not even the Noldo, and all questioned Calion on his interpretation, whether he knew what the bird was saying, and if she was corrupted. Not much to conclude from one greeting, he thought.

However, it was enough. The tone and friendly speech fairly convinced him she was uncorrupted, so he halted, gave an all-clear sign to his companions, and turned around. In the eagle-language, he returned the call: "Hail, star of the nearest of airs, you may call me Calion, for the healing of wolves is not the greatest of my talents. What do you seek from me or my companions?"

[Varda]

Fainan:

"Calion! Lomelinde! You might want to back up to where we are!"

Thousands of huge moths swarmed from the trees towards the bonfire. Dark grey and black wings as big as Fainan's hand took over the air space, leaving hardly any room to breathe. Black bats with bodies over a foot long darted into the bounty of moths, feeding with abandon.

Eyes of many sizes and colors appeared in the branches and at ground level all around, reflecting in what light made it past the moths or glowing on their own.

The stench of burning moth bodies made Fainan turn her head away, eyes nearly closed. She steadied her snorting horse.

Above them, the border guard had moved to the highest branch that would support his weight, curled up, and completely covered himself with his cloak as moths fluttered madly past him. He did not see the huge spider creeping up on him, any sound covered by the commotion of the moths and other creatures.

[Elwing]

Twinkle/Nimel:
Her Speech was not fluent, not having used it much in her 9 and a quarter Fullseasons, so she was pleased Calion had been able to understand. She rose higher, seeing the others on their horses returning. The air was suddenly aswarm with moths...silly things, rushing into the fire...and nightwings, gulping up those that didn't scorch themselves right away. And something else...
Spider! No time to warn. I must hope these who might trust will not think betrayal! In a remarkably swift motion, she folded her wings and dropped like a stone toward the still-unaware guard, at the last possible moment extending her wings to break the fall. Her talons struck out and embedded either side of the foul spider, holding it's legs immobile, while her razor edge beak struck across its eyes and into the head. A wingstroke later, she released the dying lump to splat against the ground. Relieved she did not feel arrow or dagger in her own flesh, she settled on a sturdy branch. A careful glance around gave her no evidence of other lurkers, and she whet her beak and talons on the bark to rid them of the nasty spider juice. She then turned her gold-eyed gaze to the green-eyed elf.
"Your pardon...I did not mean to ignore your greeting. My name is Twinkle, but I will also answer to Nimel, whichever would be easier for you and your companions Speaking." She paused to give him time to relay this information to his party.

[Eonwë]

Auros:

He sat upon his horse, listening intently to the exchange of words and examining each speaker in turn so as to gather an understanding of what was said.It'll take more than a few sentences.

He watched as the moths flew around him toward the fire, and the bats from the trees beyond the Path's outline. No will, no purpose; just the overwhelming instinct to go towards the light, and the opportunistic desire to feed. He turned back to the Eagle only to see it dart toward the guard sitting in the trees above. No warning, and before long a spider fell from the heights, landing dead upon the ground. Auros shuddered. He would've been dead before any of us could respond.

Auros studied the Eagle once again as it began to speak, catching small similarities to previous parts of the conversation. Yes, definitely more than a few sentences.

Auros' horse shifted. "Perhaps we should make this short, Calion. Lady Fainan shall lead. Master Haran?" Auros extended his hand to the Dwarf to help him mount.

[Elwing]

Twinkle/Nimel:
She could tell the group was anxious to be on with their quest. It had also occurred to her that her presence, even if intended to be helpful, might bring unwanted attention to them. So she gave Calion warning of the dark cloud she had seen in the distance (which they were aware of after all) and offered her aid, if she could give it, in the future if they asked it. "I shall stay here awhile, to guard the guard, and I wish you well on your journey, that you safely reach the other side, and back again as well, if that is your plan." She worried one of her lesser feathers loose, a deep russet color like the embers of fire, and let it float down towards the elf. "For good luck...keep it and show it to any of my kind you may come in contact with, and they will recognize it and give aid in my stead."

[arathorn]

Haran:

He was taken aback as suddenly the bird dove into the trees above them! Not a moment later, an eight legged crawler flopped onto the ground beside them in a curled ball. Its eyes and belly had been rent asunder and poison oozed from the wounds. Looking back up with a raised eyebrow he thought 'A worthy warrior from the sky. This Eagle would prove to be a potent ally.' He watched mesmerized as all sorts of flying insects and mammals swarmed towards the now roaring fire, some out of instinct, others to feed. Life and death, all in the blink of an eye.

His attention shifted back to Auros who was now calling to him to mount. As he grabbed the elf's arm and was flung onto the back of the steed, he remarked "Thanks to you, Sir Elf. Such a lofty leap is not a simple task for a dwarf. Our legs have not the spring of a jouncy jackrabbit."

As he settled onto the horse as best he could, the elf began to trot the animal over to Fainan, a safer distance from the blaze. He turned back and was again surprised as the bird fluttered a feather down towards Calion as if as a gift. A token of some sort perhaps? Shaking his head he thought, 'Amazing creature.' It seemed that he would have many tales to tell back home at the end of his travels.

[ArPharazon]

Calion:

He had just asked his question when the leaves on the trees started rustling louder and louder. Fainan shouted "Calion! Lomelinde! You might want to back up to where we are!" and Calion backed away when suddenly thousands of huge moths emerged from the trees, racing towards the fire. Their noise and black color took over the surroundings, when many bats dove in as well, feeding on the moths. Helvy howled, the harsh sounds were very painful for his sensitive ears, and he ran towards the other horses, hiding behind Hithceleb.

As the noise and stench of burning moths, and bats, their hunger dominating their minds, following them into the fire, filled the air, the eagle flew away without answering, and headed into the treetops. Calion followed her with his eyes, as she dove on the guard, only a few moments later dropping a spider on the ground, with wounds all over its body. She flew back to Calion, answering his question at last.

"Your pardon...I did not mean to ignore your greeting. My name is Twinkle, but I will also answer to Nimel, whichever would be easier for you and your companions Speaking." He turned to the group, translating this for them. Auros, obviously wanting to get away from this place, with the horses slowly losing control, shouted: "Perhaps we should make this short, Calion. Lady Fainan shall lead." Calion responded with a nod, and turned back to Nimel.

"Nimel it is, then. We thank you for your help. You seem a worthy ally, the Elthoron are a magnificent race indeed. But we must leave, and the dangers in our path will highly probable be worse than what we faced so far, worse than spiders or wolves." Nimel answered him, by telling them about the dark cloud which she had seen. "Yes," Calion said, "we know of it too. It seems to play a role behind the growing hostility of the creatures in these regions in recent times."

Inside he wanted the mighty eagle to join them in the quest, but he knew she would bring too much attention. Luckily, Nimel realised it as well. "I shall stay here awhile, to guard the guard, and I wish you well on your journey, that you safely reach the other side, and back again as well, if that is your plan." She worried one of her lesser feathers loose, a deep russet color like the embers of fire, and let it float down towards Calion. "For good luck...keep it and show it to any of my kind you may come in contact with, and they will recognize it and give aid in my stead." He took the feather, thanked Nimel, said goodbye to her, and trotted towards the others, ready to depart on the mission at last.

[Varda]

Fainan:

Fainan let out a deep breath. "I'm glad Nimel is on our side!"

She gave Haran's foot a boost onto Auros's horse, although Auros seemed to have the situation well in hand. Then she took advantage of a low branch to aid her jump to Hithceleb's back.

With a smile at Auros, she said, "I take it this is not a place you find good for a restful night's sleep." She turned Hithceleb and headed down the path.

[Eonwë]

Auros:

He watched as the feather dropped down to Calion.
An interesting act.

Turning to Fainan, he replied, "Indeed. The wildlife has become too,.. friendly here." he gave a slight distrusting glance at the wolf that now served Calion.
"At least the gate shall not be guarded by a lone elf."
Auros gave a nod of farewell to the Eagle sitting above on the gatepost.

[Elatan]

Dusksinger.

The Elf stood up and answered her "I am Calion, dagger-champion of the court of Thranduil, at your service. You may have sensed my presence in the astral plain, although I would not have thought that my skill of taming through eye-contact had any magical side-effects. I do not have any knowledge of this matter, besides what my eyes have seen some distance in the forest. I just knew I had to save at least on of them from a death they actually did not deserve, in my opinion. Though the wolves may be beasts, built for killing, they should not die for what is not their fault, like any living creature. And this was definitely not their doing, I knew that from the moment the fight started."

"As for the others of this group," he continued, "I have come to trust them, and believe they have no evil in their thoughts. The Dwarf and the Noldo I have not seen before, but they seem to be the reason we are here, the other Elf and I. Your purpose I do not know. She, who has just come back from the guards... I should go over there, to see what they had to say... is one of the most famous archers of the wood, even though she is too modest to admit it."

Lomelinde stood and watched the party awaiting their answer. The huntress, Fainan was her name, seemed eager to get away from the place. The Dwarf and the Noldo, Havent heard their names yet, seemed to have made some agreement. At least she heard the Noldo say "Then it's settled! We shall go to Erebor. The path now lies before our feet. Let us return to the others and take further council."

distortion above, some –thinking mind- unfamiliar but not totally unknown

The wolf, seeming to still be in a fatigued state from the obviously terrible constant darkness that must have drained its mind raised and followed the horses.out into the road and there he fell asleep again. He will come by, just need some good rest and care.

Again this distortion high above. Closer now. Not aggressive.

Suddenly the elf, Calion, building the pyre from lumber, and the huntress leading the horses onto the road looked up
”Light the fire, Ware! Our horses are coming to you!" she called to Calion. Calion immidiatly fired the pyre and jumped on his horse.

Really close now and coming down. But not an aggressive wave.

Lomelinde looked up. A big white eagle that must be one of those rare elthorons. Have only seen one far away and high above before came down.

Its approach scared the horses but it ascended on one of the highest trees and looked down on them. Raised itself again flying after Calion.

Again the this distortion in mind but this time it spoke, No doubt it spoke but she could not understand it. The Elf turned around. In the same strange language he returned the call. They are greeting each other, that much is clear from the empathic waves. I can not clearly interpret what they exchange, there is more in the air, some background noice coming towards us. A soft flittering noice, nothing like any known words or language in it. But still the sence of seeking, seeking light ? or warmth ?

Then Fainan called again "Calion! Lomelinde! You might want to back up to where we are!" just as thousands of huge moths swarmed from the trees towards the bonfire. Dark and black wings as big as a hand took over the air and black bats over a foot long squelched any other messages. The moths fluttered madly around the fire and all over the space seeking unconsiously the light Burning themselves in it. As was they seeking the imperisable fire.
Hope of peace and deliverance was the thought Lomelinde recieved from the cascade of small fading stars as the moths met the end of their short life in the fire.

Then, as a nova of light, without any warning, the Elthoron blew out an explosion of rage and fearsome wrath. As Lomelinde lifted her eyes to actually watch the eagle she saw it fold its wings and it dropped like a stone down between bats, towards a gate guard. But it was not the guard but a lurking spider that fell dead to the ground. The eagle, easy as was it just another rabbit, cleansed its beak, turned her golden eyes to the green-eyed elf and it spoke again to him. Then it dropped a feather which the elf picked up.

"She is quite a keen-eyed, fast and strong young Elthoron. I understand your business calls you to Erebor and I will wish you a safe journey. But my business tells me to go to Rhosgobel and seek out Radagast. I have seen enough strange things here and I need some answers. The wisest in these matters will be him"

Lomelinde jumped on Malloth and greeted the Dwarf and the Elfs. She looked at the Elthoron once again Beatyful bird, a true and proud member of its race

" I bit you farewell, maybe I once again in some strange place will met you"

Then she turned Malloth and headed towards the darkness outside the trees.

[Eonwë]

Auros:

"Farewell, Lady Lomelindë. It seems our paths met for only an instant, but fates have been decided by such short crossings. I hope you find the answers you seek. May the stars shine upon your face, and we meet again under friendlier skies."
Auros bowed and waited while the others made their farewells, watching for a moment as Lomelindë disappeared into the open field outside the forest.

"Now it is our turn." He turned his horse back toward the forest, beginning with a trot.

[Varda]

Fainan:

"They are not coming?" Fainan said, startled. "The Valar must have sent them to us to make sure your journey was not cut short at its very beginning. Surely then, we have hope."

She spun her horse to a stop, letting Hithceleb raise upwards. Fainan waved farewell to Lomelinde and Nimel. "Thank you for your aid! May you both be ever kept by the love of the Valar!"

Then Fainan wiped moths from her hair, straightened Hithceleb back towards the path, and took off at a trot.

[ArPharazon]

Calion:

Having said his goodbye to Nimel, he rode towards where Fainan, Helvy, Auros and Haran were waiting. As he turned around, to see why Lomelinde remained back with her horse. She said she was leaving the group for now, that she sought answers, and for them she would have to go south to Rhosgobel.

"Goodbye Lomelinde, although the time you have spent with us was not long, you have been of great value to all of us, including Helvy. The wolf clearly agreed with that, understanding that her barrier had probably saved his own life, and looked at her departure with sad eyes.

She said her goodbyes to the party and to the eagle, before riding Malloth out of the forest, and disappearing from sight. The others were now starting to ride in the Eastern direction, and Calion said one last goodbye to Nimel, waving the feather she gave him, and the Elf, the horse and the wolf trotted away into the night.

Behind them the pyre still burned. Some moths were still flying around it, slowly coming nearer to the fire if the bats did not eat them. Now, groups of birds of prey, hawks, falcons, owls and vultures, the lesser cousins of the Eagle races, broken away from the royal lines far back in the First Age, came swarming in, picking bats and moths out of the sky. None dared to approach Nimel, no matter with how large a number they were, for the star-eagle sitting on the gatepost was too impressive a sight for the lesser birds not to have respect. The guard they did not touch either, for they perceived he was protected by the eagle. Also, the beasts carefully avoided the fire, being smarter than the moths or even the hungry bats. As the noise started to grow again, the party entered the dark forest, hardly paying attention anymore to the slaughter not far away.

(OOC: I would so love to have a screenshot of that sight, the party leaving into the forest... could this be seen as the end of act 1? )