Scouting Ahead, Part 6: The Road to Rivendell

[Indis]

Meren:

Relieved that the crossing was over and the horses still safe, Meren was packing up the herbs she had gathered when the last passengers were about to land. Smiling at the thought that the wait in the rain was about to end, she was looking at the pack she was closing when she heard an unusual splash. As she turned to look, she thought, "This doesn't sound right--what's wrong?"

[arienv]

Frali:

The young dwarf wasn't really sure whether to be relieved or dismayed that the crossing would be in a boat, since he was not happy about travelling on water. He was familiar with the story of his kinsman Gloin and his companions in the wild river down to the lonely mountains so many years ago, and ever since he thought of rivers or lakes something to be avoided.

Now he was really about to enter this nut shell , that was wet to the planks, thus offering no real support since slippery and a bank that had turned more and more into something resembling a place a wood pig would enjoy rolling in!

With Fainans help Frali managed to embark the tiny boat which seemed very crowded, even more so when he looked at the baggage at his feet. The dwarf clutched both slippery sides of the boat with both hands and resisted the temptation to close his eyes during the short crossing. He would not disgrace himself by showing his fear!

On hitting the bank Frali stood up with wobbly feet and groped for his bags under the plank that had served as his seat. As he wanted to put him self in an upright position with the bag in his hand he stood momentarily without support , when a rough wave rolled under the boat and threw him off balance.

Somehow he managed to grab the planks without losing his bag but as he continued to struggle for balance the his pack finally landed in the water and instinctively the warrior half fell out of the boat in a mud puddle and promptly landed headlong in the river.

The next moment he gazed upon a beautiful elven maid offering him a mug of good dwarfen stout and a hearty roast served on a wooden table while his body lay struggling near the close river bank , threatening to be bashed against the small boat.

[Shelob]

Estarion:

Just after Fralí stepped off the boat and Fainan started poling it back, Fralí tried to stand upright, but a small wave hit him from behind making him lose his footing.
As Fralí tumbled backwards into the water arm extended to reach Estarion's, Estarion made a huge effort to get a hold of the still falling Fralí. But alas, as the Dwarf hit the water, Estarion lost his footing on the bank as well, in his attempt to grab the dwarf, its slipperiness all but forgotten.

As Estarion fell in head first after the Dwarf, he heard the dire warnings about the enchanted river in his head. And as he, too, went under, he made a last attempt to grab the Dwarf so that, at least, they wouldn't be separated.
As sleep started to overcome him, he slipped his hand under the Dwarf's weapon girdle, knowing that just holding on to it would be to no avail once he fell completely asleep.

[Varda]

Fainan:

Now close enough, Fainan stretched the pole as far as she could towards the two luckless souls in the Enchanted River. She hoped at least one would be able to grab it, or that she could snag one or at least slow their drifting enough that someone else could help.

[Indis]

Meren:

On hearing the splashes and the commotion at the riverbank, Meren turned from helping with the horses in surprise. Not only one but two of their party had fallen into the river, and Fainan was already reaching for them with a pole. Knowing that she would only get in the way of the others, she thought about how she could be helpful in other ways. She realized that once the two were retrieved, they would be asleep for some time. She grimaced slightly at the thought of how the imperious Auros would react to this unexpected snag. Perhaps she could shorten the delay ... in her mind she reviewed her herbs. Yes, golden-grass though dried, combined with a drop of star-thistle essence, would stimulate them and definitely shorten their somnolence. As the others busied themselves with the rescue, Meren hunted out her herbs, built a small fire in a somewhat sheltered spot, and prepared to boil water. She set out a pot from her herbalist kit to collect rainwater--that was one good thing about all the rain: she wouldn't have to purify the river water. Busy with these preparations, she also kept an eye and an ear on the situation at the riverbank.

[arienv]

Frali:

The unlucky dwarf had no idea of the reality around him. To him it seemed that the beautiful elf maiden that had offered him a mug now held him tightly in her arms , offering warmth and comfort against the misbehaving weather.

The celebration around him went on and someone went on spraying around with some sparkly drink which now and again hit him (the rain that now had turned into a light drizzle) until someone obviously thought it was time to clear up and brought a broom (Fainan with her branch).

Good hearted and well behaved as the warrior was , Frali offered to take the broom , even though that meant losening the warm embrace (Frali reaches out for the branch).

[Varda]

Fainan:

As Frali caught the pole, Fainan dug it hard into the mucky ground below the boat, trying to anchor it and both of the party members. She managed to stop the forward motion of the small ferry. Fortunately, Estarion held onto Frali.

Fainan yelled over the rain noise to the others on the shore, "Could you help pull the boat ropes? I need to come back to shore with you."

The horses neighed at the yell, her own Hithceleb pulling at the tie rope, hearing the urgency in Fainan's call.

[Eonwë]

Auros:

Hearing the distinct splash of two bodies hitting the water, the Noldo turned from what he was doing to see Fainan begin a rescue attempt. A look of annoyance passed briefly across his face as he went to aid the rescue. Auros took a moment to consider the situation. This is making entirely too much noise..

As Fainan attempted to rein in the now sleeping victims, Auros grabbed the rope, still fastened to the trees, that had been used to pull the boat across. Using this to brace himself, he carefully stepped onto the boat and attempted to reach for the nearest floating form.

[Varda]

Fainan:

Fainan jumped across to the shore, still holding the ferry pole and swinging it with her. Once on the shore, she called to those nearby, "Help me pull them out!" Alone, she could not drag the pole onto the beach, and might break Frali's grip.

Hithceleb still neighed urgently. Without looking around, Fainan said, "Guard, Hithceleb!" That could help keep the mare busy and perhaps quiet her down.

[Indis]

Meren:

Busy with preparations to assist her comrades who had fallen into the river, Meren did not immediately notice the disturbance among the horses. Soon, however, she could not miss Hithceleb's neighing and Duroch's efforts to get her attention. She put down her herbs and edged over to the horses....yes, something smelled bad...she could understand the horses' anxiety. What could it be? Spiders? Not in this rain, but orcs? They ignored rain and heat alike as they went about their business, and the smell was orcish in nature.

She was reluctant to interfere with the rescue operation, but if there were truly orcs scouting their camp, the consequences of neglect could be dire. "Yes, I have to say something, and Fainan is easier to reach than Auros." Carefully she stepped over to Fainan and muttered "Yrich! Or so I think. The horses smell them, and so can I."

[Varda]

Fainan:

"What a great time for yrch to show up! Please help me pull this pole onto the shore before we lose these two. I don't know how long they can hold on in their condition."

[Shelob]

Estarion:

Fast asleep under the enchantment of the enchanted river, Estarion dreamed of his first scouting mission.
His party had been in camp and had set a watch out while the others were taking a rest. He, nor the others could explain why, but some unrest had gripped them. Even though he fought the weariness, nothing had happened that evening, no alarms sounded, so eventually, he had drifted into a slumber when suddenly he heard an alarm cry going out.
"Yrch!" he heard called. Even though it sounded familiar, something just didn't add up. Something was wrong, he had heard the word often, but it just was not quite right. Something was very wrong indeed!

Estarion figured it would be best if he got his sword out to defend himself, and as the thought formed, he started to let go...

[ArPharazon]

Calion:

He had been mostly silent for the ride, deep in thought about his brother and what they might yet face before leaving Mirkwood. But he kept alert and watchful in his position at the rear, easily overhearing the report Fainan made to Auros, and gathering up on his command.

Coming to the river he had but nodded at Fainan's plan, for it was sound, and had taken his position on the boat, poling for part of the first trip, and the returntrips, while there were no horses to comfort. The crossing went fine, or so it seemed at the moment, and when they reached the other side for the last time he stepped off the boat and walked to where the horses were standing. Upon doing so, and starting to mount for the next part of their journey, he heard a splash behind him.

Looking back he saw Frali and Estarion dropping into the water, Fainan bringing the boat back to the shore, and exchanging places with Auros. He shot a quick glance down-stream, and his fears were soon confirmed with Meren's cry. Their crossing, or the aftermath, had not gone unnoticed to the Yrch.

Calion immediately stopped what he was doing and darted to the shore. He assisted Fainan with the pole, and knew they had to pull in their comrades with great speed, while occasionally looking to his left, to see if there were yet shapes and shadows along the shore, coming to add a whole new problem to the situation. Staring back for a moment at the river and his half-sleeping companions, he noticed Estarion's hand slowly slipping from Frali's belt. Quickly he gave a cry to Auros and Fainan, if they had not yet noticed, and then continued to steadily drag in the pole.

[Eonwë]

Auros:

Gripping the rope tightly in one gloved hand, he reached to grab Frali's free arm, the other still tightly gripping the pole. Reaching further and further, finally he had the Dwarf's arm, and began to pull him to the side of the boat. As he did so, he noticed that Estarion's hand was loosening its grip on Frali's belt. Letting out an exasperated sigh, he let go of Frali's arm and caught Estarion's cloak just in time to keep him from floating away. Frali's hand still clenched the pole tightly.

As he tried to maintain the grip on both the rope and on the cloak, Auros overheard the warning of orcs, growling to himself about the timing. As he attempted to rein in the wayward dreamer, he couldn't help but yell "Wake up!" at him, though he knew it would do no good.

[Shelob]

Estarion:

Just as Estarion was about to grasp the hilt of his sword, he felt a mighty tug on his cloak. He realized he must still have been sleeping and someone yanking at his cloak to wake him up. And sure enough, soon came the yell for him to wake up.
Groggily he muttered: "Yes, yes, I am coming."