Scouting Ahead, Part 6: The Road to Rivendell

[Eonwë]

Auros:

Auros gazed into the distance as the horses walked steadily through the forest. With clouds blocking Anar, only the glint of his eyes could be seen in the depths of his hood, should anyone be close enough to see them. His horse, too, examined their path cautiously, not just for pits, but also for possible foes. Sulenar snorted, ignoring the desire to shake the water from his mane, matted to his neck by the rain. The Noldo patted his horse, then returned to his silent vigil.

The rain had continued through the morning, slowing their travel. Fortunately, the path to this point had been so well-travelled that the ground no longer yielded to this paultry shower. Still, Auros thought it prudent to have Frali ride beside him. In the event that the pony stumbled, Auros could keep the Dwarf from meeting the ground in a less-than-pleasant manner. Auros had Fainan take the lead once again, to guide the troop safely along the path. Behind the Noldo rode Estarion, who had managed to obtain another horse. How was little of Auros' concern. Meren and Calion brought up the rear, as much to guard Estarion against the fate that threatened Frali as to ensure that the way behind them would be adequately watched.

The rain cleansed the trees of the taint this forest bore,... at least along those paths frequented by the Eldar. The trees welcomed the respite from the Shadow, almost seeming to sigh in relief when the rain picked up. When it slowed, the waters pooled into the centers of the broad leaves until they could no longer bear the weight, dropping huge tears from great heights for the end of reprieve that they knew must come. For now, it was almost hard to imagine this land bore the name Mirkwood. When the rain stopped and the darkness of Dol Guldor settled about once again, it would be easier.

Another result of the rain was less welcome, at least to Auros.
How swollen will the Enchanted River be when we reach its bank?

[Varda]

Fainan:

The rain broke against the protective canopy of the trees as they did their part in guarding the path. Without the second member of the Sindarin royal family to keep up the power of the protections, all of the warding magic for the paths came from Thranduil. Fortunately, he was powerful alone. Mundane aid from Silvans such as herself guarding the path in patrols helped a great deal. The sparse population of Silvan folk also lightened the oppressive glooms out of Dol Guldur and kept back the cruel folk of the spider tribes. Fortunately, the heavy tread of Orcs blundering through the woods betrayed them easily. The nimble, poisonous, web-weaving, and intelligent spiders were more dangerous to Silvans, but usually kept to their own territories.

The warnings given by the trees became muted to even Silvan sensibilities as the dangers remained continuous for so long; now only the loudest cries really caught their attention. Fainan had not realized how true that had become until she had been given point for this mission. She had removed her hood and tightened the cloak fastening against the rain, allowing her to listen to every cry and it weighed on her usually light spirits. Responsibilty for lives was nothing new to her, but it always made her more aware of how their forest home was slowly losing the battle. Today, it felt as if that loss had shifted to a much higher speed.

As they passed one of the shifting guard posts in the middle branches, more of a range of hunting area than a particular location, she signaled "Question" and "Boat Passage" to the nearest elf watching their odd party curiously.

He signalled back: "Fast Water, Caution." Then he added what translated to: "Avoid downstream of boat passage on this side. Spider party on unknown mission cut off by wide water, hunkered down against the weather waiting for their branch passage to become available, annoyed, probably hungry. Soggy and grumpy Orc party camped on the other side of the river that they might be trying to meet with, or unconnected. Silvan patrol on the other side alerted, but distant and busy."

Fainan signalled back: "Thanks! Keep dry!" She noted the grin at the impossible suggestion as he rejoined his patrol heading back the way Fainan's party had come. Footing was treacherous today and they were not at their usual speed.

Noticing the astute Auros watching her messaging, Fainan had Hithceleb drop back to Sulenar's side. She intended to make her report to him, as it was his mission, but the other elves and probably the dwarf should also be able to hear if the rain drumming on their hoods was not too bad. She would not raise her voice to be sure they heard as she didn't also wish to be speaking to anything else that might be listening.

"The passage can be made, but it must be done carefully against fast water. We must not leave the path even a short distance downstream on either side. Spiders are on this side and Orcs on the other. Since both groups are remaining in place due to the storm, we should be able to pass by if we don't disturb them." She looked dubiously towards the riders who were the most likely to lose control of their horses as they took turns on the passage. "We need to keep our group quiet and help those unused to such travel so that they don't leave the path or fall in the water."

Fainan returned to the point, depending not only on her own senses and the occasional passing patrol, but on Hithceleb's warnings with the twitch of ears or snorts or shying. At least, this rainwater should dilute some of the effects if any of their folk fell in the river. Instead of deeply dreaming sleep, they might only be dazed with perhaps a few hallucinations.

[Eonwë]

Auros:

The Noldo nodded at the end of Fainan's report, and called for the formation to tighten up, though he still gave Fainan enough of a lead to react to changing events. Auros remained wary, watching for signs of anything passing opposite their direction. Most evidence of their own previous journey would be gone by now, and the evidence of this trek would not last long in the current weather.We'll be hard to follow at least, if nothing else good comes of this rain.

[Shelob]

Estarion rode in the middle of the party, most likely because of his inexperience with horses. Even though he was a scout himself, and felt a bit miffed about not being set to the job, he reckoned it a wise decision, leaving the inhabitants of Mirkwood, who knew the road and its surrounding land the best to that task.
Still, when not being absorbed by trying to ride the horse, he kept a wary eye everywhere around him, after all, an extra set of eyes roaming around could never hurt.

When Fainan gave her report to Auros, he immediately ordered to tighten up their formation, which Estarion followed astutely, if not for the horse that gave him a little trouble doing so. Having heard the entire report, Estarion would have done so even without the Noldo's command, but Auros proved to be a good leader and in charge of any situation he found himself in.

[Varda]

Fainan:

They came to the river, swollen by rain as expected. No one would be able to jump his horse across this day. The continued rain should keep the Enemy from wanting to move around much, at least. She could barely see the other side in this weather; this was not going to be pleasant.

"We'll have to ferry the horses across first, two at a time," she let the others know. "Calion and I can pole the ferry across and set up the pull-ropes and the walk-ropes since we're the most familiar with them. The craft is usually left tied here on the east bank, unless we have need such as today, and has its own pull-ropes and pulleys with it. We'll need two polers to keep straight against the current until the ropes are in place.

"Meren, could you come with us on the first trip and get set up to keep all of the horses under control and together on the far side and on the safety of the path while we come back for more? They'll be nervous and you'll need to watch for actual danger while showing the animals that you're calm.

"Calion, you're exceptionally good with animals and I'd like you on the ferry with them and myself until they are all across, and then you could stay on one side to help pull the boat. If the animals are too nervous, the single poler (me) may have to help with them and let the rope pullers do all the work.

We need a strong person on each side to haul the rope and perhaps deal with enemies or other problems that we can't see from here, Estarion and Frali could do that. We could take one of you on the first trip with Meren. Auros, you could handle horses until you have to go across.

"I'll go back and forth both ways to pole and assist, then when we're done I'll take the boat back, tie it off, and run back on the ropewalk over the river to rejoin you.

"Please be sure not to touch the river water, as too much of it could make you fall asleep. And don't slip. I suspect that it is no accident the spider and orc camps are set up not far downstream of this crossing."

[Indis]

Meren:

"Yes, I shall be glad to look after the horses on the far bank, and keep an eye out for the unusual as well. Let us take Duroch on the first trip, for he is wise, keen of sight, and good tempered. I am sure he will willingly help keep the other mounts calm and in order. He will also help keep watch." She smiled at Fainan and nodded to the others. Then she whispered to Duroch, whose ears twitched in apparent understanding.

It had been a long, wet trek to the river, and Meren was glad of a break and a chance to stretch her legs briefly. She restrung her bow and counted her arrows, so that she would be prepared for any surprises. Her knives were in easy reach.

While she was afoot, she scanned the area around the company for some of the herbs that grew only near this river, for she knew that they might well come in handy later. Making sure that she was close by the rest of the party, she gathered those she found, and she looked forward to finding more on the other bank. Those she gathered she stowed in her pack and then waited for the first crossing.

[Eonwë]

Auros:

Auros nodded as he dismounted, rounding up the horses as the others did likewise. Sulenar held his position, waiting for his turn to go across.

[arienv]

Frali:

The young Dwarf had been enduring the rainy ride silently and with as much grace as he could muster, but in fact Frali was not happy at all and so he was more than willing to oblige Fainan's request.

He slid out of the wet saddle, losing nearly his foothold as he dismounted but could steady himself just in time by holding onto the pony.

The young warrior supressed any exclamation that betrayed his bad temper and put a brave smile on his face.

"At your side , Lord, and we will give anything that tries to disturb a suitable welcome.", Frali adressed Auros with his face turned towards Fainan, while patting his axe.

[Varda]

Fainan:

Fainan climbed a slippery tree near the bank, trying not to be bothered by its amusement at her unusual clumsiness on the wet bark. She tied the ends of two softly shining ropes onto branches: one low and one a bit higher and to the side. The lower one would be for feet, the other for a balancing hand. "Stay for now," she murmured to the ropes. "We have great need of you." She slid down one of them, holding to the other and put the coiled far ends into the boat.

A quick double-check showed that the boat's pull ropes were securely tied and the pulleys moving freely. The ropes for the other side were also ready. Then she pushed the ferryboat into the water with the kindly help of other party members. Meren, Calion, Estarion and she got onto the craft, with Calion and herself taking turns poling. Frali could watch the pull-ropes as they paid out to make sure they did not snarl during the crossing, while Auros handled the waiting horses.

[Shelob]

Estarion climbed into the boat and helped Fainan push off, although the long poles she and Calion used were of much more use in that task.
Estarion waited calmly until the two Silvans had poled the boat across before carefully disembarking on the other side.

[Indis]

Meren:

Meren walked carefully down the bank and boarded the boat, placing her gear near the center to help keep the craft balanced. Then she positioned herself to stay out of the way of those guiding their crossing. As they crossed, she surveyed the nearing shore. Yes, there were several promising patches of vegetation!

Soon they reached their goal, and Meren debarked just after Estarion. With smiling thanks to the those returning for the rest of the party and the horses, she turned to Estarion. "Mellon, let us scout the area to ensure that our mounts and we will be safe. I sense nothing near, but one never knows." Pointing to a suitable flat spot away from overhanging vegetation, she suggested, "That looks like a good place for the horses. It will be hard for anything to take them by surprise from above, and we will be able to see what comes from the sides." As she spoke, she spotted quite a few plants ripe for plunder for her herb stash and within easy reach of their makeshift paddock. The wait for the crossing to be completed would be productive!

[Shelob]

Estarion:

Estarion answered to Meren in a hushed tone, that betrayed his nervousness about the Orc encampment apparently not too far away.
"Yes, I reckon that would be prudent." Then remembering the black squirrels he encountered when he first met Auros, Fainan and their troupe, "perhaps best if I scout the trees as well, you never know if the enemy has scouts out," he added.

Carefully yet nimbly he ascended a tree closest to the paddock and took up position overhead, scanning in all directions. He checked whether his sword was loose in its scabbard and tested his swordarm to make sure there were no residual effects from the injury he had recieved not too far from here, or from any of the swordplay with Auros.

[Eonwë]

Auros:

The horses were all now across, and all that was left was for Auros and Frali to cross. The bank at the boat's landing point had become muddy from the trampling of so many hooves on the eastern bank, and was as bad on the western shore. Thinking nothing of it, Auros boarded the boat easily. The Noldo watched the opposite shore as he drew closer. There were no signs of hostile activity, yet. Finally, the boat came ashore, and Auros disembarked as quickly and easily as he had boarded, going immediately to Sulenar to check that his bags were secure and mount up.

[Shelob]

Estarion:

Seeing Auros disembark the boat, Estarion quickly returned to the ground, not wanting to waste any time to get mounted up and continue on their journey.
He waited near the riverbank to give Fralí a hand if need be.


(ooc: Yes, I am setting myself up )

[Varda]

Fainan:

Tired but relieved to have her charges all safely across, Fainan started poling the raft-boat away from shore to leave it where they had found it. As she did so, she checked above to make sure her walk-rope remained, which it did although dripping wet. Behind her, she heard a muddy sliding sound and heavy splash. Startled, she turned partway around quickly to see what she had dreaded.