Scouting Ahead, Part 2: The Path

[arathorn]

Haran:

The newcomer disappeared then reappeared within the midst of the company as if he had never been. Such swiftness! And as if not a care in the world of those about him? Haran, now at his most intuitive, was somehow himself feeling a youthful vigor, a tad out of place... perhaps folly... lowering his range weaponry he took out his melee trust and used it as a wizard might bear his staff... as an aid, yet not to be trifled with. A glance from his new ally, Auros, took him aback for a moment. The amiable interloper, to the dwarf, had a youthful essence... not unlike the early tales of the Bombadil .. one that dwarves had little understanding of, yet felt a kinship with.. knowledge of the earth, as it were. But Auros' uncertainty had a palpable air. Why did he feel this? Reading the lord elf's eyes, Haran took a more defensive stance yet shot him a questioning look. The pain of the land he had felt moments earlier came from elsewhere... not this new being? Many questions presented themselves to the mind of the young dwarfling... answers that the recent essence.. what else could he call him, might have.

He bent over the preferred sword and pretended you examine it.. yet all the time realizing that the elf lord himself knew far more than he ever could, yet played along for the sake of the situation... he being a master of the axe and throwing weapons and knew little of elven cleaving blades. He shook his head as if to mean he was not familiar with such work.

Haran also felt that his new elf comrade was sensing a danger from beyond the company that was yet to present itself, as he had himself been party to. Based on Fainan's earlier enthusiasm with song and his own desires for musical interludes, Haran called out to their frivolous acquaintance "Estarion, would you pleasure us with a dulcet melody from your past to bide the time with, until our next adventure?".

Thumping his large axe on the ground, he murmured an old Dwarven chant "Song, ballad, muse... we wish to hear your News!" ...


He continued awaiting a tale...

[ArPharazon]

Calion:

With Helvy baying at the treetops, and both Fainan and Calion preparing to shoot/aim their weapons, the Dwarf leaped up, and repeated the threat Calion had given, yet in other words. Had these noises not been made, Calion would surely have heard the crackles on the branches, moving towards the tree Haran had decided to scale.

Suddenly, the newcomer had come down from that tree, appearing behind the bearded one, and quickly showing he was unarmed and well of purpose. Introducing himself as an Avari from the house of Estelwe, he offered his services to the group.

Calion was focused on him, his dagger ready, and he saw Fainan keeping the dark elf under threat of a lethal arrow in his chest.

Auros then stepped forth, summoned Haran to his side, and stood between the bright flames and the newcomer. Studying his every move, he ordered the Avari to speak with the subtlety only to be expected from a Noldo. 'Yet,' Calion thought, 'it is his mission after all, and he has a right to do so, I guess.'

The new one spoke, peacefully and calm, of his reasons for coming to Mirkwood, and asked to finish his story by the campfire. Swiftly, Estarion took his sword, and laid it on his hands, offering it to Auros. Auros granted him permission, but signaled Calion to hold a dagger ready. Calion signaled back he had no intention of doing otherwise.

Estarion settled by the fire, whispering something to Auros, and Calion could not catch it. Again, the Sylvans were left out of the conversation, and that was starting to annoy him. After all, it was his life on the line as well here. But, he too sat down by the fire, as Estarion was given a bowl, and engaged in conversation about swords. Calion never understood the advantages of swords, he considered daggers to be cheaper, more versatile, and more deadly when skillfully used.

He started to notice something, a shadow hanging around the newcomer, brought along from his homelands, no doubt. Perhaps, the Avari would bring more trouble than safety. Calion would have to be careful and watchful. Helvy, now calmed down, came by them, laying himself beside the fire, not a single moment letting his eyes leave the newcomer.

[Shelob]

Estarion:

"A song master Hairgnome? With your permission, I will first tell Lord Auros of my blade."
Estarion pauses for a bit as if digging deep in his memory.
"My blade was forged long ago for my forefathers to aid them in the fight against Orcs and other Shadowspawn Morgoth sent against us. It is not steel it was made of, but a metal very rare to find. We call it meldova, for it does not wear with use and can breach the thickest of armors. It was an honor that this blade was bestowed upon me at my departure from home, a sign that my mission was very important."
Estarion breaks off at that point, indicating that the forging of such a weapon is a closely guarded secret by his people.

"And now, master hairgnome, the song you requested. It's a song sung at home when the time darkens and evil stirs at our borders."

"Down in the lands which we call home,
with our forests have we been all along.
Down in the mountains where our forges roar,
we make the weapons to fight forevermore.
Down at the lake where our halls stand,
we sing this song to hearten everyone.

When the time darkens outside our halls,
we pick up weapons to defend it all.
We don't mind what are the costs,
we will avenge ones we once lost.
Though our foes are great in mettle,
we will meet them head-on in battle.

On a victory we must depend,
we must win or all will end.
And after our heroes will be home,
we sing of deeds that they have done.
We live our lives for ages on,
preparing for battles that are to come.

Long ago did we not come,
when they called us to their home.
We praise the Valar for their grace,
for they support us in our ways.
With their help we fight and wait,
for the Eldar will not fade."

After finishing the final accord, Estarion looks visibly moved and clearly misses his home and family. Not able to speak through his tears, he falls silent for a while.

[Varda]

Fainan:

"Thank you, for the music and the heart that went with it. You defeat the pressures that beat against us with your song."

She handed him a waterskin. "Drink with us?"

[Varda]

Fainan:

As she handed the water to Estarion, Fainan went still. She tried not to make it obvious, letting the other Elf take the waterskin while she decided the direction of the sound. Certain then, she whispered so that only their party could hear. "Something comes through the trees towards us, and it is not alone." She used only her eyes to point out the direction.

[Varda]

Fainan:

Within minutes, part of the "not alone" showed itself. Black squirrels came into nearby trees and chittered angrily while staying cautiously behind the boles. A few black bats shot over and around the party, then circled back the way they had come.

'Scouts," Fainan murmered her suspicion. "But for what?" She looked around. "The trees are unsettled. Calion, do you feel it too?"

She did not wait longer for anyone to answer, but stood while picking up her longbow, holding an arrow ready for a quick nock.

[Shelob]

Estarion:

Taking the waterskin, Estarion mumbles a barely hearable "thank you". He carefully takes a sip, not wanting to spill anything. Suddenly alerted by Fainans behavior, pointing out that something was making it through the trees towards them.
When she indicated they were only squirrels, he sank back with a sigh of relief. If squirrels were all, he neednt worry. Turning to Fainan, he finally spoke again:
"Scouts M'lady? Hardly. Squirrels are fast and agile and can cover large territories in little time, but they have little regard for other things but their food and their families. They quickly forget what they see what is not interesting to them and give their masters sketchy information at best. That whoever is using these squirrels to hunt for you means he is desperate and has no clue of your whereabouts. You need not worry, by the time whoever is behind these squirrels learns of your position, you will be long gone."

Digging into his pocket, he fishes up a dried bisket. Breaking it into little peaces, Estarion walks to the side of the path and nimbly climbs into one of the trees. Sitting on one of the branches, he strays the crumbs onto the branch and lets himself down before watching the squirrels dig into their meal.
"Those squirrels will now not be a bother at all, M'lady. They will tell their masters only that they have seen a fewnice people giving them food, who they were of where they were will not matter to them anymore."

[Varda]

Fainan:

"And the bats? They are a bit out of range to feed."

[Shelob]

Estarion:

"Carion eaters, they rarely go anywhere but where there is carion to feast upon, or where there is going to be carion. Of course, they are more cunning and more receptive to their master's wishes, though they still pose no real threat."
Suddenly Estarion looks a bit shaken as if something suddenly hit him with recognition.
Quickly he adds to his words: "Of course, that is from experience where I come from, although I doubt it be much different here, it could be different."

[Varda]

Fainan:

"I would be interested to know more of the creatures of your lands. Here, the types of bats are quick feasters on flying things or eaters of fruit, but not of carrion. The various creatures of black are usually not naturally that color, but may have been touched by evil." She sent him a quick smile before returning to her watch, saying, "I would not suggest eating the local squirrel meat."

[Eonwë]

Auros:

Resheathing the newcomer's sword, he listened to his tale as well as his song.No lie, but still,...

As Fainan called out the warning and the squirrels began to gather, Auros suddenly felt the darkness press heavily around him. So it was not my own musing.

"Build the fire. Spies may be the least of our concern." Auros threw more wood onto the fire and watched a moment as the light poured out to the edges of the path, but seemed to strain as it tried to push out to its proper distance.
To the newcomer, he said, "Whatever your forests are like, be aware the creatures of Mirkwood are not to be treated as pets." He said this with a side glance at Calion. Handing Estarion's sword back to him, he said, "If something appears to be a threat, assume it is, and be more wary of what does not seem to be a threat."

Auros began to look into the darkness under the trees. What is out there? This must have a source, but where? I hear nothing beyond the beasts before us. My eyes cannot pierce the dark under the trees.
"I do not think it wise that any of us sleep, unless the ride today has made you very weary. Can you feel the darkness? You all have noticed how it draws in toward us at times."

Auros drew his sword and looked at the blade. The only light upon it shone from the fire. Auros did not untense. He was completely on guard now, and he knew not for what he waited, except it be for dawn to come and to once again begin the journey.
"Lady Fainan, do you know a faster way through the forest? Or perhaps you, Calion? You are a member of King Thranduil's court. I think now we should all head to your king's halls, where this Estarion may come before King Thranduil and recieve his judgement. Leave it to one wiser than I. It will also give us time to regroup. We cannot leave our horses, so if there is no other way wide enough for us to take them, we must stay to the path. Let us not spend another night in the wild without need."

[arathorn]

Haran:

"Pets indeed! There are fouler things in the earth than may be seen by light of day above it. We dwarves wished not to have them as pets, I assure you. But I must speak out now about something that I was unsure of before. Not but a few moments ago did I feel a surge of anguish from the ground itself. Lest you forget, my kind have dealt with many beasts in the deep caverns that rarely show themselves to the light. Yet, it has not been unheard of that they may stray in times of scarcity to feed outside of their haunts. You know of wood spiders, but such loathsome beasts also dwell within Arda that have their own trails to the surface. More than a few of my kin have been snared and dragged away to places I shudder to think of without ever having been aware of the danger. They are like ghouls in the night that appear and disappear without a trace. Look not only to the forest and skies... watch carefully the ground you walk upon, I say".

Haran had scarcely finished his last sentence when a commotion burst out among the squirrels. Great tufts of grass popped off the ground and shaggy beasts began feeding on those near. Haran's eyes widened in horror and he cried out "Attack from below!!".

[Varda]

Fainan:

Auros would not have to worry about them sleeping this night! Fainan had no desire to even stand on this ground anymore, let alone lie upon it. She was on a nearby low branch as soon as her feet would reach it.

The horses stirred in fright, remaining only out of trust in the elves. Uncertain where to aim, she shot an arrow into the center of one of the shaggy things, hoping she was not over-reacting. If it was a mere predator of squirrels, perhaps they could examine one or add to their stew meat.

Aloud she said, "Unfortunately, Lord Auros, the fastest, safest route to the Halls that I know of is this very path. At least the spiderwebs are unable to cross it. Other foul beasts find it unpleasant to walk upon. Perhaps we should be a-horse now?"

She held still for a few seconds, feeling. "The trees are most unsettled by something to the north of us from where the squirrels and bats came, yet the darkness and whatever it holds seems to be crowding around us from the south. I like it not."

[Shelob]

Estarion:

When Auros handed Estarion his sword back, he took it steadily, but appeared somewhat in deep thought. He had moved through this forest without much regard for the dangers that dwelt within. His ignorance based on his knowledge of what was at home, he should have known that evil that could trifle with any Elvenkind should not be underestimated. Even more so he was taken aback by what Fainan and Auros had said to him along with the sudden tensity that seemed to grip Auros.

But not sooner than Auros had finished speaking, the hairgnome seemed on edge as if the world was coming to an end. A small rumble was all that told something was going amiss. There was no time to react to this rumble before the attack broke loose. From the ground rose some fearful beasts attacking and eating anything that was near. With a cry, Estarion rose and unsheathed his sword and rushed to attack the vile beasts. "Nin nossë ar meldomelin mahtammë!" he shouted as he fell upon the first of the beasts.

[ArPharazon]

Calion:

After the newcomer had sung a song about his past, Calion got a smile on his face. He always had liked a good song, especially when lore entered into it. The moments of relaxation were not very long however, as faint sounds were heard in the forest not far away, what Fainan seemed to notice as well. Indeed, as she whispered, the party was not alone.

Within minutes, their restingplace had been surrounded by squirrels and bats, with the bats circling then heading back, and the squirrels remaining in the trees making angry noises. These were not normal creatures, as was also shown by their black colors, for such dark squirrels only appeared in darker times.

Calion got up slowly, firmly holding his hand on the dagger he had previously saved for Estarion, and nodded to Fainan's question. Indeed, he felt it. As Estarion tried to calm the party down, feeding the squirrels, Auros and Haran complained about pets, Auros again glancing towards Calion and Helvy. The wood-elf decided not to pay any attention to it, Auros' feelings against the two had already been made quite clear.

Also, Haran started to explain and warn about creatures attacking from beneath the ground, moments before the creatures cracked open the ground, erupted from the cracks, and threw themselves on the squirrels. 'Guess it was not his back after all', Calion thought to himself. Within moments, both the daggerthrower and the wolf attacked the strange creatures, and Calion finally had a place to place his dagger, in the skin of the nearest beast.

(OOC: Ooh ooh ooh! 100th post! Finally!)