Scouting Ahead, Part 2: The Path

[Eonwë]

Auros:

Auros walked alone through the sunlight vales of Imladris. He was still young in the reckoning of Elves, and the bright Sun burned with a newness that has since faded. An age ago this was, and Auros had not yet begun errantry. His head was high, as were his hopes. He even had his eye on a fair maiden. It was not true love, but he was too young to know that. Auros sighed in his dream But she set sail long ago.

The sky darkened, but it was not due to lateness. There was a cloud filling the sky above, dimming the Sun. He was no longer in Imladris, and the Sun, younger than it was, should've burned much brighter. He was no longer alone, being surrounded by Noldorin soldiers on either side, all with grim faces as they awaited the onslaught. He was no longer Auros; he no longer saw through is own eyes, but that of another Elf who had fought in this battle long ago. The earth shook. An earthquake. No, not an earthquake. The Elves stood unwavering as the beast marched through the ranks of orcs, towering above them far higher than a troll. The beast lumbered forth on four legs, a tongue flicking as it tasted the fear that permeated the air. A hideous roar came forth from its mouth as a stream of fire poured upon the Noldor surrounding it, upon the soldier whose eyes Auros saw through, whose pain Auros was feeling as the flames seared his flesh...

Auros awoke, his eyes jolted open, sweating profusely. He sat up in the dim, growing light before the others awoke. Nirnaeth Arnoediad. He'd had this dream before. It always came with 2 others, but never in the same order, and they always came one shortly after the other. Only every several years, but for a dream like this that was too often. It did not have the feel of a dream, of the bard's sight as they sang their tales, but of proper memory, of something that had happened, or was happening. The first time Auros had this dream he woke up feeling the burning, screaming. He still felt the burn, but only right after awakening, and he no longer screamed. He told no one, not even Elrond, of these dreams. He was determined to learn the meaning himself.

This truly was the worst of the three, and he was glad to have it over with. He looked down at his hands. They were clenched tightly. Then he felt the pain in his right arm again. The worst time to have this dream is when you're wounded. The wound had reopened and soaked his bandage, going through the shirt as well.

Moving silently as only Elves can do, he went over to his pack without awakening the other sleepers. The bandage he removed and set aside to be burned. He cleaned his wound, placing some of the ointment on it and put forth his skill in healing to speed the process of the wound's closing. Once again wrapping the arm, he took out a clean shirt and put it on. He looked at the shirt he had been wearing. This is a comfortable shirt. I'd hate to just burn it. Drawing another small vial from his pack, he dabbed it on the blood stain. This should mask the scent, and keep the stain from setting.

He drew out his hunting knife before quietly closing his pack. Fastening the sheath onto his belt, he stepped lightly back to his spot and sat cross-legged, with his elbows on his legs and his hands folded, chin resting on his thumbs. He closed his eyes and drifted into memory, examining the dream once again to find something new. He never did.

Morning came, and he heard a stirring on the flet. A female voice came from near the ladder. "The time of rising is upon us. Shall we be away?"
Opening his eyes, he looked at Fainan. She appeared to be quite cheery.
"Yes," he said in a calm voice. "We should leave as soon as everyone has had something to eat. I will be filling my waterskins and tending to my horse. "

After fastening his sword to his belt, he walked over to the ladder and began to descend with his pack.

[ArPharazon]

Calion:

After a short while, Fainan and Haran got upon the flet, and fell asleep. Calion watched them go, then worked on the cleaning and sharpening once again.

As the night continued, he finished with his daggers, put them in his pack, and stood up. Nothing had been heard since the noise created earlier, by the birds and bats. The forest had been completely silent, not even a single branch, breaking under the limbs of land animals, or a bird, tjirping it's song through the night, had made their presence known. It was unsettling, and Calion wondered what the next few days would bring.

After a quick conversation with a guard, he decided to leave the watching to the professionals, and clomb back down the treetrunks, stopping on the flet. He looked down, watching the animals resting below the flet, and was glad. He rested his head on the pack, and fell asleep, knowing he would need his energy the next morning.

And soon, that morning came. At the first rays of the sun shining through the branches, Calion climbed back to the guards, and asked them if anything strange had happened. "Nothing, all has remained quiet since you went down," a guard said. 'Too quiet, probably,' Calion thought.

A voice came down from the flet. It was Fainan. "The time of rising is upon us," she said. "Shall we be away?"
Auros was the first to respond, but Calion came back down, and said to them: "Yes, we should. We should get this thing over with as soon as possible. Not that I'm not enjoying your company, Auros," as he shared a glance with the Noldo, "but I have a feeling that time is not at our side."

[arathorn]

Haran:

He heard Fainan call out and opened his eyes to the sunlight of dawn. Squinting, he let his eyes get used to the brightness. He had awoken earlier, not really able to sleep above the ground well. He stretched his limbs, cracked his back and looked to his pack for his axe.

"Indeed it is time that we away. Too much lingering is bad for the bones. Auros, you will let me know when the stallion is ready to bear us, whilst I tend to my weapons for a short while?"

Not really expecting a reply, he picked up 'Baruk' and began polishing the haft and blade in case any new adventures should arise.

He finished in due course and packed up his things, waiting for the rest of the party to complete their tasks.

[Varda]

Fainan:

Fainan set out a light breakfast for the group from the stores in the guard flet. She sometimes helped with the stocking, making her familiar with where items were tucked away hidden from hungry animals.

The group ate quickly, some over their tasks. Cleaning went quickly and they went to their horses.

"Any news from the guards, Calion?" she asked. "And how is your arm, Auros?" She tossed a quick smile at Haran as she re-braided her hair, making one of them just like his exotic dwarf type but far more petite.

[Eonwë]

Auros:

Auros flexed his arm, slowly.
"It is doing better. It shouldn't be long before the wound is closed completely."

Auros' horse was looking refreshed and ready for the long ride. After placing his pack on its back and hoisting himself up as well, he reached down to the Dwarf. "The horse is prepared, Master Dwarf," he said with a small smile. Stating the obvious, but he asked to know.

His knife rested upon his belt under his left arm, while his sword lay fastened under his right. The knife was set to be easy for him to draw, and would be much easier to draw upon a horse than his sword, though this deep into Silvan territory, he should have no need of weapons.

Turning once again to Fainan, he said, "My apologies if I seemed to ignore anything you said during our ride here. I was,.. deep in thought. How far can we hope to travel before tonight?"

[Varda]

Fainan:

She resisted the urge to shrug. "With speed and uncommonly good fortune, we could come to the Great Gates by evening. With more normal luck, we will meet with misadventures and probably camp on the other side of the Enchanted River.

"We will not be able to go at highest speed, as we must be wary of the dangers Calion discovered and more that seem to have been triggered perhaps earlier than intended by your arrival.

"Also, my lord Auros, if you wish to make any distance, be sure not to stray from the path. We may be tempted due to its narrowness, and we will surely be baited or attempts will be made to drive us from its meager protection." She grinned. "Our lives will not suffer from boredom."

[ArPharazon]

Calion:

While Fainan set out a little breakfast, Calion went to look to his horse, and he finished preparing his gear and packing what he had not yet packed earlier while enjoying the meal. Helvy was apparently hungry as well. He wandered off into the forest, returning a few minutes later with his mouth covered by a bit of rabbit-fur. Thankfully, the party had finished their meals by now, for it was gruesome sight. Still, Calion was glad, that the wolf slowly regained his normal behaviour. 'Soon we'll be able to release him into the wild again,' he thought, 'and I just hope he'll not get infected once more.'

After a bit of cleaning, the group walked to their horses. Fainan asked Calion whether the guards had any news, and he responded: "Silence. Nothing but silence. It's as if we're riding straight into a trap, or worse, that the trap is coming straight for us. But, other than that, nothing unusual."

After a sign from Calion, Quessëlómë bent down, and he had no trouble putting himself on her back. After that, the mare stood back up, and Calion was ready to go. After Fainan's mention of the Enchanted River, he thought back to the attack he had endured there by the spiders, just one day before. But he knew together they could handle it, and that they had no choice. He prepared to ride away, as one problem arose in his head: 'How are we going to get Helvy across the river? Well, we'll see when we get there, I suppose, and perhaps he can jump the distance, if we're lucky.'

[Varda]

Fainan:

"Fear not for Helvy," Fainan said with a glance at the wolf. She wondered if it would allow her to ruffle its fur, but resisted the impulse. "If you can persuade your friend to try it, and we are not being chased to the riverside and forced to ask our horses to leap its width, then the boat should still be tied on the bank ready for paws or boots."

She gave a word of warning to Hithceleb and leaped up from the tail side, her hands touching the flanks for vaulting her light weight to the withers. With a laugh, she crouched forward even as she dropped into place, and dug in her knees.

Hithceleb, with as merry a disposition as her own, darted ahead and neighed back to the others. Fainan slowed down to let the others join them. Hithceleb side-pranced in argument, but did as requested.

Fainan had remembered suddenly that these folk might not be quite so wild as Mirkwood elves. Auros seemed so noble and civilized that she suspected he must find her quite a barbarian. She tossed her head at the thought and attempted to dismiss it. If nothing else, Auros needed to keep Haran from falling from his unaccustomed perch.

[arathorn]

Haran:

After a few bites of breakfast and a final cursory check to make sure he had not forgotten anything, Haran climbed up onto the back of the horse with a hand from Auros. He cinched his legs around the flanks and got a good grip of the elf's cloak before they trotted off after Fainan. Although he must have looked awkward in his attempt to remain upon the animal from any of the other's point of view, he was actually getting used to the methodical routine and the vigorous bounding that ensued. He wondered now if he might not refuse the offer of a smaller of these beasts in the future, had he the time to learn more of riding techniques. They certainly were of great use as pack animals and in a pinch could provide the speed that a limb-length challenged dwarf might find advantageous. He made a mental note to discuss this further with Auros or perhaps even the elven king, if the matter of transportation should arise.

In the meantime, he used these serene moments to survey the forest and appreciate the nuances of the flora and fauna therein. As forests went, this one had both a pleasant and horrible past, yet in present company might even be considered pleasurable. They rode on for a while as he took in the sights from his lofty perch.

[Eonwë]

Auros:

Auros' already somber face took on a darker expression when the wolf was mentioned, but only momentarily before he hid it. The wolf is a pet; a disgrace it should not have had to endure. A danger we can't leave behind, but it's no less dangerous if we bring it with us.
Auros' horse snorted, sensing its rider's attitude, though it also seemed to like to idea of trying to jump the river.
Realizing this, Auros finally had a name for his horse.
Whispering to his horse, he said "Nal Sulënar." (Roughly, "I name you Sulënar." or more directly "You are Sulënar.") The horse nodded and neighed in approval.
Suddenly Fainan darted off on her horse, then turned around expectantly. Auros smiled slightly. One would think I'd be so eager to continue this mission.

"Are you ready, Master Dwarf?" He began to trot forward. Then, with a sudden grin for his passenger, he said "Brace yourself."
Leaning over his horse's head, he said quietly, "Nornora, Sulënar!" Off the horse went at a great pace until it came next to Fainan and her horse, then slowed to a trot before stopping a few paces off. Sulënar neighed, head held proudly. The Dwarf was still sitting on the horse's back.

Looking over his shoulder with a smile still on his face, he said "My apologies, Haran, but you seem to be of an adventurous sort, and you should know beforehand at what pace you may be forced to hang on. Be comforted in knowing, though, that were his pace twice as fast, Sulënar still would not let you fall." Seeing the expression on the Dwarf's face, he added, smiling, "Be also comforted that we shall not need such speed in the near future."

Auros bowed his head slightly in the direction of the Elven guards in token of farewell. Turning in the opposite direction, Auros rode forward at a trot alongside the others.

[Varda]

Fainan:

Pleased at how game the group was, Fainan cheered again. She started a song of joyous greeting to the new morn, a bit slower tempo than usual as she translated to Westron so everyone could sing along. The catchy tune had a strong beat and easy to learn chorus, in deference to Haran who might not have heard it before.

What she did not see was the darkness in the forest, reaching misty fingers to choke all life into submission. As its malice touched against the happy song of the travelers, it recoiled as if burned. But it stopped not for long. As water flows around a boulder, it slipped around them. All along its massive length, it had found similar obstacles of varying sizes, and knew already what to do.

[Eonwë]

Auros:

Auros sang for a while with the others. The song was a vaguely familiar one to him, changed little since he first heard it sung by the Sindar long ago. The melody was the same, but the Silvans had put their own tempo, as well as other small variations that would only be noticable to one who heard the older song. He fell silent in the second chorus, reminded of friends who sailed West.

***

Night came, and it was no longer the memory of friends lost that weighed on Auros. The darkness that came seemed to press on Auros with a weight of its own. He wondered if it weighed heavily enough for the others to feel it, or if it wasn't just his own musing. It was no use to say anything if he was not sure.

"We should set camp, if there is no outpost nearby where we may spend the night."

[Varda]

Fainan:

"Camping here can be tricky. We should not leave the path and we are not near a flet. We could try to make a simple one in boughs overhanging the path. They are thick enough. Shall I begin the making?"

[Eonwë]

Auros:

Auros brought Sulenar to a stop. He looked around them into the trees and above them into the boughs. He listened for the sounds of the forest. The darkness seemed to dampen the wildlife's spirits as well.

"No. We should set camp on the ground and build a fire. After eating, we should set a watch, taking turns. Here is as safe,.. as good a place as any."

Climbing from his horse, Auros immediately went about gathering stones to outline a campfire. he made the circle slightly larger than a typical campfire, and stacked inside brush and wood that lay on the edge of the path. As he lit the fire, he sang in a low voice a song taught to him in his youth. It was a song about the Lamps of the Valar. If it is my own musing, we shall have a cheerier night at worst. If it is not,..we shall see.

Turning to the others, he said, "Do not let the fire die down until the coming of dawn."

[arathorn]

Haran:

After dismounting and unpacking his wares, he turned toward Auros and called out "I shall find and chop up some extra wood and take first watch if it pleases you. The ride through these woods has left me somewhat vigorous even though I am not accustomed to such surroundings, or perhaps because of it. Should I find myself becoming drowsy I shall waken the next in line. Who would bear the second vigil?"

Awaiting a reply he gathered some dry branches, set up next to an old stump and began cutting up kindling for the night ahead. His mind wandered to old times in the mountains north of Rivendell and he began humming a laboring tune, then singing the song from his youth in a deep rumbling voice:


'Mountains old and mountains high,
Towering up to the sky,
In the deep caves do we dwell,
Mining minerals, gold stores swell.


Precious jewels, gems of all kinds,
Through dark caverns the long path winds.
Mithril Silver may line the wall,
The Dwarf who finds it shall stand tall.


Strike the rock and crack the stone,
Our strong axes we do hone,
Picks and shovels, gravel, dirt,
Arms and legs by day's end hurt.


But the treasure it would seem,
Is worth the ache, how it does gleam.
Fires set, the flames burn hot,
Add more metals to the pot.'


He continued humming the rest, not realizing that he had been singing aloud. Looking up he noticed wide grins on the elves' faces as they stood around him. He cleared his throat and chuckled "Ahh.. an old toiling ballad from my younger days... helps to pass the time". Turning back to the timber, he began piling it next to the fire and resumed murmuring further lyrics quietly to himself.