Scouting Ahead, Part 2: The Path

[Varda]

Fainan:

"If we are to stay here, perhaps we should bring the Avar into the trees to tend to his injuries. In fact, we could all move off the ground away from the spiders. We can collect dead branches from the trees to feed the fire to protect the horses. We can also shoot from up high, perhaps rig dead branches as pikes in case they find a way to come up at us."

[Eonwë]

Auros:

Auros thought for a moment. "Perhaps. Yes, let us take him into the trees for now." Aiding Fainan in lifting the newcomer into the tree, he once again jumped down and began to rummage through his pack, examining his herbs, thinking, planning, as he sifted through them to determine which would be best to use.

They will strike before light, of that I am sure. But how long will they give us? Only a few hours until first light. They did not attack us until we had attacked them. Until that point they were content with squirrels, which may mean they were sent to contain us. Afterward they attacked our horses, which seems that they also wanted to direct our escape. It was not long before they attacked us with intent, which may mean that whatever will calls them, or drives them, does not have complete control over these creatures, assuming its goal was to bring us, bring me, to itself. Morning comes, and that should weaken this thick cloud of nothingness as time grows closer, but our enemy will grow more desparate as well, knowing their chance will soon end. Therein lies the hope of escape, if we can bring together the right culmination of events, driving the creature's malice to work against their master, dispelling the darkness enough to pass through, and to keep it retreating from around us...

Turning to the Dwarf, Auros said, "How is your spider-wound healing, Haran?"

[arathorn]

Haran:

"It would seem that I am the least to be worried about with you and our latest companion newly wounded!" Haran mused.

"My own has long since healed and poses little threat, if any. We should see how bad his injury truly is, I gather, but staying here may prove the worse of two evils. I had hoped you would reconsider and agree to find better lodgings. My feelings of foreboding get worse the longer we linger."

He sighed heavily and climbed up to where they catered to Estarion. He sat, continued sharpening his axe and watched the fire warily, tossing down a branch now and then to keep it alight. Not wanting to disturb the Avar but feeling increasingly restless, he began humming a low wordless tune in time to the scrapes of his honing.

[Eonwë]

Auros:

Stopping momentarily, Auros looked up. Speaking loudly enough to ensure he was heard, he said "If anyone thinks they can make it past these creatures through this dark and arrive safely at Thranduil's halls, you are more than welcome to try." Slightly softer, to ensure only the Elves and Dwarf heard him, he said "If anyone would like to survive the night, however, you can stay here and help make plans for our escape."

Finding the herb he was looking for, he drew it forth, as well as another waterskin. Coming to the fire, he kicked the charred legs, once belonging to a creature thrown upon the fire, into the darkness. Setting up the kettle, he poured the water in and broke the herbs in as well.
"As for my wound," Auros said to Haran, "it is barely newer than yours. I will survive whatever bruises were recieved in my skirmish for the horses."

Climbing the tree once again, Auros spoke to Fainan and Haran in a less harsh tone, but loudly enough so that Calion's ears could pick out the words while he tended to his wolf. "Our chance of escape balances precariously, and many things may go awry, but we do have some chance. First let us tend to the injured, then we shall discuss our next move."

Looking down at the wounded Elf, Auros began to look over him to see where he may be injured. A few snags where his clothes caught branches on his way down from the tree, some with small amounts of dried blood. Examing the Elf's head and neck, he was surprised to find it wasn't worse. Some scrapes from the landing, and apparently he had hit his head hard, but nothing was broken at least. Except, the coloring that had taken his right shoulder. From the look of his sleeve and the way his shoulder sat, it had taken the brunt of the fall. After careful examination, Auros grunted.
"His shoulder is out. I have some herbs brewing that should reduce the swelling, but this is not going to be pretty. I hope he wields that sword as deftly with one hand, because he'll only have one for a few weeks. Either way, he'll need to borrow a shirt. It would be very difficult to get this one off carefully enough not to cause further injury, and we need to be able to see just how bad the area is injured, as well as bathe it." Without much more warning, he drew his knife and proceeded to cut the shirt from Estarion's body. Turning his head slightly to see Fainan out of the corner of his eye, he said "Pardon, but I did say it had to come off. " Sheathing his knife, he noticed a long slash across the back of his hand; not deep, just surprising he had not noticed it or felt it.

Turning his attention back to the wounded Elf, he examined the side and arm of Estarion. The area around the shoulder looked slightly bruised, as was to be expected. The arm itself was scraped up from the impact, but the only serious injury was to the shoulder. After examining the shoulder to be sure which way to set it, he spoke to the other two, "Haran, Lady Fainan, hold him against the tree trunk." With their help he set the Elf straighter against the bole of the tree. Positioning himself, he took firm hold of the arm. "If you can hear me, Master Estarion, brace yourself." Auros maneuvered the arm until he heard the sound of the arm sliding back into the socket.

[ArPharazon]

Calion:

Receiving an answer he had not hoped for, but which sounded like wisdom in his ears, Calion saw Auros jump out of the tree. He received from the Noldo a few items which could help heal the wolf, he decided to use it as sparingly as possible, like the Noldo suggested. Still, he was glad he was allowed to use it on the wolf, as Auros clearly had a great disliking for the beast. Perhaps his distrust had been taken just a little bit away when Helvy had saved Calion's life. Perhaps he had seen the value of an allied wolf. Perhaps he was just having pity on Calion, as the two had clearly become friends. Perhaps a bit of all motives, or perhaps none of those at all. Who could tell? The Noldo had proven himself quite unreadable over the earlier part of the journey, but his wisdom and intelligence were admirable. Calion smiled. Perhaps he could grow to like Auros after all, within the nearby future. If only the Noldo could, from his side, learn to tolerate the wolf.

Oh well, most wolves and wargs had proven hostile in the past, Calion remembered, as he saw the flashes from the Battle of Five Armies in his mind. He had been just a younger elf in that time, just an ordinary soldier, not long after his coming of age. He had grown since then, both in mind, body, and reputation among his people. But still the flashes haunted his dreams from time to time. So, in that respect, Auros could be right. Wolves seldom proved themselves worthy allies, if they allied with Elves at all, and Helvy had only been cured for just a little over a day. Yet, it felt like Auros wouldn't even trust a rabbit or a bird in those dark days. Calion doubted if ever the Noldo would allow Helvy to prove himself, but if he could, he would certainly succeed. Calion was sure of that.

He snapped out of his thoughts, and returned to pay his attention to the real world. He had now cleaned Helvy's wound, and put a bit of the ointment on it. It was rather nasty looking, a large gash made by the spider's jaw. Calion had managed to throw back the spider before much poison had been injected, but the skin and flesh had clearly rotted away a bit around the center. A scar the poor wolf would keep forever, no matter what treatment Calion would give him, even if he had all the herbs of the forest at his disposal.

In the meanwhile, the Avar had been taken into the trees, and was now being looked after by Auros. The dwarf had also climbed the tree, and slowly Calion saw a song forming at his lips once more. Perhaps singing would help in keeping away the darkness. Before tossing the ointment and waterskin back to Auros, he examined his own wounds. They weren't that bad, although they were many. No extra care would be needed, because there wasn't any poison in any of them.

After tossing back the items to the Noldo, he decided to climb the tree as well. Helvy needed rest now, not care. So Calion joined the others in the tree, helping to fuel the fire, and occasionally throwing a dagger at the spiders approaching the fire. He had dozens of them in his pack, which he took with him into the tree, and he knew of many places beyond the river, and near the road, where he had hidden stacks of them. Alternatively, he could throw wooden darts, made from tree-pieces sharpened with a dagger. Slowly he began to hum the same melody as Haran, out of bore, out of desire to keep the mood up, and because he had a slight hope it could help keep the darkness back.

[Varda]

Fainan:

"As far as leaving without you, Lord Auros, that would be against our mission requirement. You are stuck with us." She smiled to take away any sting. Besides, she'd heard the Halls of Mandos were a pleasant place.

Fainan had aided other injured elves before and, while trying to respect their privacy when at all possible, was not shocked by a shirtless male. They sometimes shed a good part of their clothing when the heat became too great while working, and certainly while swimming. Aiding with a dislocated shoulder was unusual for her, as males, being stronger, usually did that work. But she knew what to do and was familiar with the concept of leverage and would not harm him beyond what was needed.

She noticed Auros' cut hand and took care of it, despite his reluctance. "We need to be at our best."

As she handled the quick bandageing, she heard the Dwarf and Elf humming together, the deeps and the highs harmonizing pleasantly. How strange the world had become, with such different folk thrown together against the darkness. Perhaps it was another example of Eru's way of forcing evil to work to a good end.

[Shelob]

Estarion:

Being hoisted into the trees, Estarion regained some of his senses, but not enough to do more than just listen. He felt his arm hanging limp at his side with a stinging ache in his right shoulder. He felt he was laid against a tree's trunk while Auros shouted to hold him. That doesn't sound good. Shortly after he felt his arm sliding back into his socket, giving him an intense pain he hadn't felt in what seemed ages. He wanted to shout in agony, but his tongue failed him.

A short while after, he regained his tongue, but the pain had already subsided to a tolerable level. Now able to speak, he turned to Auros: "Thank you, Lord Auros, for mending my arm, I will be able to make do without it, but it is much more comfortable this way. I hope you do not mind if I cannot fight at the moment, for I must first regain some strength."

[Eonwë]

"I hope you do not mind if I cannot fight at the moment, for I must first regain some strength."

Auros:

"That is for the best." Picking up Estarion's sheath, he said, "I think I should take your sword into my keeping for now. The lord of this realm will have many misgivings of a stranger who has passed so far into his land unnoticed. It is best to keep them minimal. "

As he spoke, Fainan seized his injured hand and began to tend to the wound. "We need to be at our best," she said, and he consented, but turned back to Estarion.

"I am not convinced I was able to determine the full extent of your injuries, but you have been tended as well as I am able. The healers of King Thranduil's halls will further aid your mending, but you will be gaurded. In the meantime, I shall give you one of my shirts. Your injured arm will be bound to your side, to avoid the temptation of using it."

Once Fainan had finished tending the cut on his hand, he bowed his head slightly in thanks, and left the tree once again to retrieve a shirt for Estarion. Upon reaching the ground, he looked to the side and saw Estarion's sword gleaming upon the ground. He walked to it and picked it up. Looking to the outer dark, he saw the faint, glossy gleam of firelight on patient, waiting eyes. These are not retreating from the light. He saw the melevolent will in the numerous eyes, holding them where they would fear to stand otherwise. Sheathing the sword, he returned to Sulënar and drew a shirt from his pack.Good, buttons.

Once Estarion's wounds were cleaned and bathed with the herb broth, Auros helped him put on the shirt, then proceeded to use Estarion's former shirt to fasten his arm to his side, wrapping the cloth around both arm and chest.

"Now we must make plan our escape. We have no time for foolish pride be it of people or of animals. Calion, you will have to bear the wolf on your horse, whether the wolf wishes or no. Lady Fainan, will your horse be able to bear both you and Estarion? If not, then you will have to take Haran with you." Quickly he began to lay before them his thoughts concerning the earlier attack of the creatures, and the impending act of desparation.

"We need to try to turn these events in our favor. If we can direct their rage, we stand a better chance of putting them behind us and reaching the river. Once that is done, we do not stop longer than we need to rest to reach the halls of Thranduil."

[Shelob]

Estarion:

"I give you my thanks for your concerns, Auros, but I believe it to be best if I hold on to my sword until we reach the more guarded area of this Kingdom you speak of. You may find it useful and necessary yet to have my sword at the ready. From what I have heard from our companions, some misgivings may be forgiven if they learned I had helped in your defense."

Estarion now lay calmly back against the trunk of the old tree. If he was in pain, he didn't show it, nor did he show any outward sign of fatigue or injury, save his right arm which was bound snugly against his side. While he was training at home, in his town near Cuivienen, he had mastered fighting with one hand only, for it might be necessary when injured. Estarion now silently thanked his trainers for doing so, since his right arm was now useless. He also thanked it was his right arm that was injured, for even though he was proficient with fighting with his right arm, his left arm had always been the better.
"The Valar's grace still shines upon us" he muttered silently, to no one in particular.

[Varda]

Fainan:

"I am willing to carry either Estarion or Haran ahorse with me, but fear my strength might not be enough to be of the best aid for Estarion. But, Lord Auros, do you have anything in mind to redirect the attention of the spiders of the earth?"

During the momentary thoughtful quiet, she turned suddenly. "Calion, did you hear that? It seems while we were distracted, the spiders of the trees have been busy. Is that not the sound of spiders spinning? And of their running on large webs? They seem to be on three sides of us, perhaps since the magic of the path is blocking them on the other. Our choices are becoming limited."

[Eonwë]

Auros:

Fainan spoke,"I am willing to carry either Estarion or Haran ahorse with me, but fear my strength might not be enough to be of the best aid for Estarion. But, Lord Auros, do you have anything in mind to redirect the attention of the spiders of the earth?"

"I will take Estarion upon Sulënar, then. As for the other, I am still thinking."

Turning to Estarion, he said, "There will be no more battle for you. If the Valar are with us, there will be little battle for any of us. We will be entering into the heart of King Thranduil's realm, and I will not take unwarranted liberties with the laws of his land. You have shown yourself an adversary to these new invaders, and that will be enough to gain you safe passage to the king's halls to plead your case."

Nor has he shown his task is compatible with mine.

In the following silence, the sound of Haran sharpening his axe seemed loud against the silence of the sense-dulling darkness surrounding them. Then Fainan spoke of the spiders moving in the trees around them, and something began to stir in Auros' mind. A plan began to form as Auros thought of the webs in the surrounding trees.

"The path does not stop the earth-dwellers from digging, but they do emerge from their holes to strike, from what we have seen. Light will hold them at bay, but only if we drive their rage to work against their master's will. A strike somewhere they do not want us to go will work at that, so we cannot strike to the North. Forces will move there to push us North, hopefully leaving our true route slightly less guarded, so we also cannot attack where we want to go. How much parafin do you have left, Master Haran? And how is your aim and throwing distance, Calion?" Looking toward the trees, Auros said to himself, "Yes, I think the webs will burn quite nicely."

"Lady Fainan, how far can you see into this dark? Can you see the webs that hang along the sides of the path? You need not be able to see too far, just far enough to light the webs and moss that Calion will cut from the tree branches... and perhaps a spider or two. It won't be much light for long, but should be enough to blind the creatures close enough to strike. While Calion does that, Haran and I will strike to the opposite end of the path. The fire will ensure any creatures go through the forests to reach us. When we retreat, you must be ready to light the path. We will have a number of angry spiders at our backs."

[Varda]

Fainan:

"When we have song, the unnatural dark seems to lift enough to let me see with normal night sight, and the darkness is weak on the path having to travel higher to cross. " As Fainan spoke, she finished packing.

"We should listen closely as well, for the tree spiders are not entirely silent when agitated or complacent, and are not restricted to their webs. Neither tree nor earth spider will wish to keep its feet long on the path and will not make webbing across it, but we will be more visible and predictable, so we must be wary.

"Your fire idea sounds good, and our position is already known so it will tell nothing new to our stalkers. The webs should burn like tinder and the moss add smoke as well as light. If there is time, I will add dead wood as I make the heaps. I will listen for your signal. A quick touch to each pile with the web and paraffin as I run should work. We will endeavor to make your firelights in a path long enough to give your pursuers pause. How should we handle the horses? I am willing to take Haran as passenger, when he draws near enough. Am I understanding your plan correctly?"

[Eonwë]

Auros:

"You undertand it well enough. We should use what weapons we have at our disposal, in that I agree. Since song lends itself against this shadow, we should consider it a weapon. As for the fires, we need not build them to last. If you add anything other than what can be dropped upon the path from the trees, use what will burn quickly and brightly. We need surprise in what ways we can gain it. We need at most a few yards to get our horses to top speed, so do not worry about extending the piles too far. Once Haran is upon your horse and I upon mine, it is a race until light, a race we will win." He emphasized the last with determination, ensuring all could hear it in his voice.
I've survived more dangerous creatures than spiders. I refuse to die now, or to let any here die.

"If there are no other questions, we should prepare ourselves each for our part. I fear we shall not have much longer before they make their attack, and we do not want our move to be merely a counter-strike. Haran, after Fainan has doused her arrows with the parafin, bring what is left with you to the fire." With that, Auros descended the tree and kneeled before the fire, drew his sword, and put its point to the ground. He bowed his head for a moment, then changed to a crouching position and stared into the fire, thinking.

[arathorn]

At Auros' request, Haran sifted through his pack and found the container of paraffin. Opening it and looking inside he noticed only half was left. Still, better than none at all. Turning to the elf he said "Well, half of the wax-oil remains. I would not wish to use it all, yet we may have no choice. Any that remained would be of no use were the spiders to overtake us and drag us away to their burrows."

Walking over to Fainan and pouring some off into another container for her, he then brought the remains to Auros. "Do you have a specific plan for the implementation of what is left? How do you think we can use it sparingly and still be effective in our attack... or defense?"

Awaiting the reply, Haran picked up and cleaned off whatever throwing axes had not ended up in the darkened areas away from the fire and returned them to his bundle.

[Varda]

Fainan:

Fainan dipped her arrow heads into the paraffin, trying to be very sparing. Besides, she was concerned what it would do to her quiver.

Packed and ready to begin her part of the plan, she commented, "If we can but cross the river, the ground spiders should be unable to follow and the tree spiders should be slowed. If all goes well, we should be able to reach the gates of Thranduil not too long after."

She hoped to the Valar that no other creatures would come upon them afterwards, but feared whatever still waited out there expecting them to walk into a trap. She would not relax her vigilance.