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Vanalosswen
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: February 13, 2005 09:39
((Skipping forward a bit; I'm tired, so this might not be very coherent. Fill in as needed until you reach the waiting Ilmare.))

Ilmare's pace was a bit slower than it had been the previous day, as she didn't have far to go and had all day to do so. Plus, Echui had been overworked the day before and Ilmare loved her horse too much to risk injuring him.

Even so, she reached the campsite before the sun set. Dismounting, she removed Echui's tack and set him loose to graze as she set up.

The campsite was concealed by bushes and trees and was rather hard to see if you didn't already know it was there. Once you got inside, though, it was a lot bigger than it looked from the outside. It had to be; sometimes up to fifty rangers met there at a time, and they all had the personal bubble issue. A small stream cut through the north corner of the camp and there were marks from old fires scattered randomly around the clearing. Ilmare chose the one closest to the northwest border and lit a small fire. She wasn't sure if the others would make it there that night, but she wanted to be sure that they would see the camp when they did show.

Once the fire was going strongly, Ilmare set up her bedroll and began cooking a small trail meal. Riding most of the day was hungry work, and she had not allowed herself to eat before now. As dried venison boiled cheerfully by the fire, her calloused fingers reached under her tunic and pulled out the chain her father had given her. The weight had grown on her by now, but she was still amazed by the weight of history she was wearing around her neck. One thousand years of love, passed from mother to daughter; one thousand years of the tradition continuing. And now she wore it.

For the hundreth time in the last few days, Ilmare wondered if there could be anything between them. He was a guard of Minas Tirith; fairly high on the ladder, if she understood correctly. She was a ranger and the daughter of a ranger, and had the wanderlust instilled deeply in her being. She loved him; there was no mistake about that. But would love be enough? She sighed and let the necklace fall back into its place under her tunic. They could work it out when he arrived. There was no sense in borrowing trouble when it wasn't needed.
Leighlia
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: February 21, 2005 07:01
Zie shivered in the dark, but not from cold. Fear wrapped around her heart and threatened to strangle the life from her. Her limbs would not obey her commands as they trembled uncontrollably. Never, ever in her life had she felt such fear. She had stood young, green and untrained on her first field of battle watching a flood of bloodthirsty enemy rushing toward her and she had not felt this depth of fear. She had watched her brothers life slip from his body while she lay pinned, trapped inches from his reach and unable to move and she had not felt this depth of fear. This fear was all consuming, like that of a small child alone in the dark who has just learned that monsters do indeed exist and they are eating your family in the darkness around you…..knowing that your turn will come soon.

She could see nothing, hear nothing. Somewhere in the corners of her mind logic tried to be reasonable, ‘You are not a child. You are not afraid of the dark. There is nothing.’ But if there was nothing where….where…what is it…why? Her mind refused to wrap itself around logic or even try to answer the questions that the fear generated. Her mind screamed with the terror that rolled through her mind but her throat was paralyzed. Only small sounds, whimpers slipped from her lips. Anger, that was it, that would drive back the fear….but even that she could not muster and she felt herself slipping…further into the dark.

With a thump she fell, hard on the floor and woke her with a jolt and a yelp. Something had her, tangled her legs and she struggled against it. Easily it gave and she half sat up, staring at the blanket that was tangled in her ankles. Her sleeping clothes were damp with sweat and her heart beat wildly in her chest. Sunlight, blessed sunlight streamed in through the half closed shutters and she lay back heavily, panting on the floor and put an arm over her eyes. Still she was plagued by the darkness of her dreams. Seven years of nothing but darkness and fear. Why was the fear of her dreams so much more than anything in the waking world? Swallowing, her mouth dry and her throat tight, she had no answer.

She lay quietly, listening to the sounds of the Inn below her. No footsteps approached her door, so at least her dreams had been kept to herself this time. That, at least, was some relief. Freeing herself of the blanket around her ankles she stood and went to the basin on the side board and splashed the cold water over her face and neck, avoiding looking at herself in the tarnished glass on the wall, knowing that her eyes would still be wide and her expression haunted. The fear began to slip away like the water from her skin and was replaced by a firm resolve. This would end and when it was done and all was discovered, she would have peace at last….or grow to learn to never sleep.

Dressing quickly, the customary scarf tied around her head covering her ears, and she slipped down the stairs to the common room. Galcora was no where near and Zie could only assume that she was still visiting her father. Outside Zie stopped only for a moment to look up at the sky. It was already well into the day. To much time sleeping…and dreaming.

*~*

Haggling. How she hated haggling. A few stops even resorted to quiet threats when the vendors, marking her as a foreigner tried to up their prices, even when she had heard what price he sold the same wares to the previous customer. When she finally had all that she needed she made her way back to the Inn and would be glad to leave the dust of this city behind her.

Passing through the streets, she was careful of the alleyways that she passed. A few times a dirty, scowling face peered back at her from the gloom but no one hindered her passage. Instead of going up to her room she made her way to the Inn’s stables and quickly found her horse. Packing the saddle bags did not take long and she filled water skins from the rain barrel off to one side of the stables.

After paying the Innkeeper for their stay, Zie left a note with him for Galcora in case she returned to the Inn. The note was simple;

Galcora,

Set out to meet the others before sunset. Hope to see you there soon as well.

Ziean.

An hour later she was sitting on her horse, looking back up at the city from the fields below. You would never know that such great battles had been fought here. Gone were all the traces of death and war from the grasses. As she gazed up at the city and its white walls and towers she spied a single lone figure, tall and lean on the top of one of the guard towers. The figure lifted off his helm and raised it, the waning sun glinting off the metal. With a slight smile curling her lips, she lifted a hand to the far off figure of Captain Tobas in a farewell salute.

Turning her horses head she kicked him into a gallop. As she rode she thought wistfully of her old horse and companion Thran and wished he were here to complete this journey with her.


[Edited on 21/2/2005 by Leighlia]
Caegaraneva
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: February 21, 2005 09:08
Tirgoth grinned as he saw that Paldor had heard him, and now waited. It was not long before his horse pulled up alonside Paldor.

"Hail, Paldor!"

They looked at each other a moment, merely smiling. The joy of adventure wasn't something that needed to be put into words.

"Here we are again, my friend. Here we are, riding west over the plains of Minas Tirith, ready for anything..."

His voice drifted off as he looked to the west, seeing the eastern faces of the mountains gleaming with the morning sun. Far, far away stretched the rolling land; patches of woodland, broad prairies, and the line of mountaines marching away to the west and beyond. Somewhere, out there, was the answer. The answer to the question that plagued them all, and plagued all the city. What is wrong in the world of men?

Tirgoth didn't wish to spoil the start of their journey with such brooding thoughts, so his face instead lit up with a smile at an idea.

"Well, Paldor, I'd say our mounts could use a little exercise. What do you say to a race, maybe to the nearest grove? From there it is not far to our meeting spot..,"
GwennethSindalúnë
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: February 22, 2005 05:40
"A race?" Paldor's grin was wide as he contemplated his old friend. "But what makes you think you could possibly keep up with a Captain of the Guard?" Laughing, he turned Alanor's head to face the direction Tirgoth was pointing. "Should I give you a head start, just to make it fair?" Paldor's eyes glinted with amusement as he playfully taunted his friend. "No? Then let's see what you can do!" And both riders kicked their horses forward into a mad gallop across the plains. Paldor let out a whoop of sheer exhiliration as the two steeds pounded across the grass, sending a pillar of dust flying behind them. The Captain's cloak snapped in the wind and his hair struggled to be free of the leather tie he had wound around it earlier that morning. Leaning forward in the saddle, Paldor eyed Tirgoth whose steed matched Alanor's step for step as they raced towards the nearest grove.
Caegaraneva
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: February 27, 2005 06:15
The race was close at first, Tirgoth's horse was fast, and it was truly exhiliarating to fell the rapid beat of its hooves on the earth. The staccato of her footsteps and the sweeping legato wind in his face amounted to a symphony the likes of which he had not heard in a long time. But his horse was also out of shape from a lifestyle of long walks in the countryside. Soon her neck gleamed with sweat, and Paldor pulled far ahead. Tirgoth, laughing and yelling threats from behind, trotted in many seconds after him, and led his horse immediately over to a little muddy pond that fed the roots of the trees of the grove.

Paldor waited for him at the grove, and they set off at an ambling walk towards the meeting point, letting their mounts cool down. Paldor's horse occasionally went prancing back and forth, and neighing--its victory dance. Tirgoth's horse moped a little, but he patted her on the neck, and whispered comfortingly in her ear. She was no war horse, and so didn't really feel the sting of losing. Soon she was once again in high spirits at being back on the road with her old master, on a fine sunny day, in the plains full of grass.
GwennethSindalúnë
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: February 27, 2005 12:14
Paldor hadn't felt such freedom and joy for years: After the excitement of the frenzied race across the plains, the horses were content to meander along side by side while the two old friends caught up on eachother's news. They discussed everything from the city's latest disturbances, to the journey ahead. They both felt the same special tingle of thrill that always came at the start of a new adventure. As the day wore on, the chill of the early morning air disappeared and the heat of the midday sun soon had them removing their heavy traveling cloaks and rolling up their sleeves. The horses continued their lazy pace, snatching a mouthful of the sweet prairie grass from time to time as they passed an especially juicy looking patch.

Paldor's lazy contentment gave way progressively to a sense of anticipation as the afternoon wore on and dusk approached. Soon, they would be arriving at the meeting point, and his heart beat a little faster as he wondered whether he would find Ilmare there. He closed his eyes momentarily, remembering the details of their last encounter: the tiny scar above her eyebrow, the way her eyes caught the moonlight, and most especially, the sweetness of her kiss. Paldor ached to kick his horse until they surged forward to find Ilmare, but he forced himself to continue their slow progress until they arrived at the crossroads near their meeting point.

To Paldor's immense disappointment, there was no sign of Ilmare or any of the others at the crossroads, and he was just about to dismount, when Jade's sharp eyes spied an open flame coming from a campfire in the forest not far beyond the Eastern road. A warning growl alerted the riders. His heart thudding, Paldor indicated to Tirgoth that they should approach the campfire from separate directions. He thought it was probably Ilmare or one of the others, but his years of training and experience forced caution. Considering the state of unrest these days, rushing up to a strange campfire could be suicide. The two companions parted company, silently entering the forest from two different directions: Tirgoth approaching the camfire from the West while Paldor moved in from the East.

After riding in a little way, Paldor dismounted and left Alanor untethered among the trees. He did not want the horse's heavy footfalls to betray their presence in the otherwise silent forest. With Jade at his side, he crept forward until only a single layer of thorny bushes separated him from the clearing in which the campfire burned. To one side of the fire, sat a solitary figure, cloaked and hooded, and Paldor couldn't make out whether it was a man or a woman. The flickering firelight cast dancing shadows around the small clearing and the figure leaned forward to stir an aromatic concoction boiling in a pot slung over the fire. In that instant, Paldor's breath caught in his throat. He would recognize anywhere the slender hand that emerged from the cloak to grasp the wooden spoon: Ilmare!

Smiling broadly, Paldor signaled to Jade to remain where she was. He did not want to frighten the woman he loved by arriving with a large wolf by his side. Pushing his way through the thick brush, Paldor called out: "Ilmare! We have arrived, Tirgoth and I. Oh, Ilmare, I cannot tell you how good it is to see you! I have been thinking about you all day!"
Caegaraneva
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: February 28, 2005 02:56
Tirgoth agreed with Paldor that caution was advisable. A solitary campfire in the relative wilderness is not something to be trusted. Tirgoth approached quickly from the west: there was a clear path, and though he watched his steps carefully, there were very few twigs that could snap and alert the people at the campfire of his approach. He could hear the crackle of the fire, and see the light it cast, the shadows of the trees long across the needle-strewn ground. He found himself at the western edge of a small clearing, crouched in the shadow of a small boulder. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, just in case.

He could vaguely make out a figure across the clearing, seemingly wearing a dark cloak. But the fire was in between the two of them, and its glare made his vision dizzy and unclear. Now the figure was so close that any movement had to be made with extreme caution. He wanted to get a better look at whoever it was; of course, it could still be Ilmare, Zie, or Galcora. He had a feeling he had arrived at the clearing before Paldor: he saw no sign of him, and the eastern approach was more densely thicketed. He could feel a wave of tension rising in him. They had no signal, no plan if this really was a dangerous stranger. Well, what could he do? He took a deep breath, and started to move with the most extreme caution around the edge of the clearing, hoping to get a better look. He came soon to an area of brittle twigs. He knew that another step in any direction except back around the clearing would mean a sharp crackle and certain discovery. So he just sat, hunched up with his back against a tree, and arms hugging his knees. He kept a close eye on the cloaked stranger across the clearing, and hoped that Paldor would have a better view.

Just when Tirgoth was about ready to stand up and charge into the clearing, sword drawn, if it meant getting to stand up, he heard Paldor's rich voice ring across the clearing. The hooded figure got up, threw off her hood, and Lo! It was Ilmare.

Tirgoth chuckled at the irony; him sitting here for 5 or 10 minutes keeping a close eye on his friend and fellow adventure, just in case she was a dangerous vagabond. He got up and stretched his legs, kicking his foot awake.

"Yes, we have arrived! How was your journey?"
Vanalosswen
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: March 03, 2005 05:19
Ilmare's green eyes, concealed under her hood, flicked from one end of the clearing to the other as she leaned over the fire, ostensibly to stir the meal. She could hear, in the indefinable way that a ranger learned to hear, two people approaching on horseback. She hoped they were her friends, but over twenty years of rangering had drilled the lesson of caution home in a thousand different ways.

One hand slipped under her cloak to rest on a dagger hilt as the other reached out to stir the meal. A smile brightened her face as she heard Paldor's voice ring out and she rose, flinging off her hood, to meet her beloved as he entered the clearing.

"Well met, melethron!" she greeted, entering his embrace. She smiled as she heard Tirgoth's call from the other side of the clearing. "It was uneventful," she called back. "Come on in and sit down; dinner should be ready soon." Paldor still hadn't released her, and Ilmare relaxed against him. "I am glad you have arrived safely," she murmured. "I have been thinking about you all day as well."
GwennethSindalúnë
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: March 10, 2005 10:02
Paldor held Ilmare tightly for a moment before releasing her. He was aware of Tirgoth's somewhat amused gaze as the Captain blinked away tears of joy at being reunited with the beautiful young woman. Stepping back slightly, he held her smaller hand gently in his large one and turned back to face the thorny bushes he had just come through.

"I have a surprise for you," he told Ilmare. "Please don't be frightened. She won't hurt you, I promise." And Paldor whistled for Jade. Instantly, the large wolf leaped through the bushes and fell at Paldor's feet, her tongue hanging out in delight. Paldor crouched down to fondle her ears, wondering how Ilmare would react to this large carnivore. Most people who were unfamiliar with the White City's Canine program were terrified by the beasts.
Vanalosswen
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: March 14, 2005 01:32
When the big wolf jumped into the light of the fire, Ilmare's first reaction was to hide behind Paldor or to attack with both daggers. The rangers of Ithilien often had to deal with wolves, and she had personally gained many scars from battles with the wild creatures. Her second reaction, however, steadied her. Paldor would never bring something that would hurt her. She trusted him completely.

Taking a breath, she knelt beside Paldor and reached out to touch the beautiful wolf. Her fur was silky under Ilmare's calloused fingers, and the ranger woman smiled in delight as the wolf licked her hand enthusiastically. "She is beautiful, Paldor," she said quietly, looking at the golden-eyed man.
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: March 27, 2005 02:43
For a split second, Paldor thought Ilmare's well trained reflexes were going to take over when he saw her hand instantly move for her daggers. But then, she stopped herself and, to Paldor's great surprise, bent right down to greet the large carnivore. Kneeling beside him, he watched as she reached out without hesitation and the delighted Jade licked the hand she presented. He gazed at her, lost in speechless admiration. Truly, she was fearless, he thought. And oh so beautiful! His heart felt as if it would explode with joy as she knelt beside him, both of their hands lost in the wolf's thick fur.

Paldor watched with amusement as Jade slowly crept closer and closer to Ilmare, pretending she wasn't, by looking away each time she moved forward and averting her wolf eyes, almost as if she were embarrassed, but finally creeping close enough to the woman that her long pink tongue could reach Ilmare's face. Ilmare's responding laugh, and the way she smiled at the large carnivore's ensuing delighted antics sent such a wave of overpowering love through Paldor, he thought he would die right there. I cannot live without her any more, he thought. I cannot risk losing her again! It would be my end.

Paldor had not planned this moment, and yet, dreamlike, it seemed to take over: As Ilmare stood to watch Jade running puppy-like all around the fire, Paldor stood beside her and quietly took her hands in his, pulling her gently to face him. Then, kneeling before her, he reached around his neck to where a simple golden chain held his mother's wedding ring. He had worn it ever since the day of her death so long ago now, it seemed. On her deathbed, his gentle mother had told him to keep it always until he met the woman he would marry someday. At the time, lost in the shroud of hidden memories, marriage seemed like a distant dream, something he would never attain. But now, gazing up at Ilmare, at the curve of her eyebrows, the slight part of her lips in surprise, the way her hair shone in the moonlight, Paldor knew that the day had come at last. This was the woman of his dreams: The only woman he had ever truly loved. The one he could not live without. If she would not have him, life would be worthless. He did not care to spend another waking moment without her.

"Oh Ilmare," he said, his voice husky with emotion. He removed the ring from the chain and held it out between his index and thumb. "I love you so. You are everything I could ever dream of. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever known. Will you be my wife and make this man the luckiest and happiest on this Middle Earth?" His heart beating loud enough to shake the trees around the clearing, Paldor waited for his beloved's answer.

(OOC: Vanalosswen, I know we didn't discuss this ahead of time, so I hope it's okay. I just felt like Paldor feels so strongly about Ilmare, he just has to propose. Let me know what you think. I can always edit it! )

[Edited on 18/5/2005 by GwennethSindalúnë]
Caegaraneva
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: March 28, 2005 05:19
Tirgoth saw his friend Paldor's face grow red with emotion, as he took Ilmare aside and knelt before her. He knew what was on Paldor's mind, and was proud of his friend. So with a soft smile, he quietly walked away, not wanting to disturb their private moment. A quick glance at the campffire showed him they were in need of more firewood, and so he set off into the woody copse to find some dead wood. It was plentiful, but he took his time and reflected on the state of things as he walked slowly from tree to tree, casting about for fallen branches.

Vanalosswen
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: March 30, 2005 04:19
((Oh, my Valar...the only word that fits here is 'AWWWWWWWW!' :love::love::love::love::heart::heart:You'll see my ranger gal's response below: ))

Ilmare looked up at Paldor, surprised, when he gripped her hands and pulled her to face him. Out of the corner of her eye, and only because she was trained to notice where everyone was all the time, she saw Tirgoth slip out of the clearing. Apparently, something was going on that both men knew about, but Ilmare, still very young in the way of relationships, was completely in the dark.

He knelt in front of her and fumbled for a thin gold chain around his neck. Ilmare's eyes widened and her lips parted involuntarily in surprise as her sharp green eyes saw the thin ring on the chain. It was well-worn, but very beautiful and distinctly feminine. He removed the ring from its chain and held it up to her between thumb and forefinger.

"Oh Ilmare, I love you so. You are everything I could ever dream of. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever known. Will you be my wife and make this man the luckiest and happiest on this Middle Earth?" He said all of this in a husky voice that sent Ilmare's heart rate skyrocketing. She tried to say something, but her dry mouth and clogged throat wouldn't let her for a moment.

Swallowing hard and clearing her throat, Ilmare reached for the chain around her own neck and touched the eight-pointed star. Its weight, and all it meant, steadied her nerves. "Paldor," she whispered, "I would be honored." All her doubts, all her fears, melted away as she felt him slip the ring onto her left ring finger. Overwhelmed by emotion, she cupped his face between her hands and kissed him, enjoying being taller than him for a change.
GwennethSindalúnë
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: April 01, 2005 05:03
(OOC: Yippeeee! Paldor and Ilmare are betrothed at last! )

Paldor felt as if an eternity passed before Ilmare opened her mouth to respond. His heart was beating so fast, the captain thought he might be dying. He had never felt anything like this before in all his life. Certainly, if she said no, he didn't think he would survive. She cleared her throat, and he watched her,waiting for her to deliver him from his agony of waiting. Finally,she parted her lips: "Paldor," she began. His stomach clenched. Paldor? Why not just say "yes"? Perhap she was trying to break the news that he wasn't good enough for her. Oh why had he been so foolish? How could he possibly have thought himself worthy of such a woman?.

"Paldor, I would be honored." For a second, the words didn't register, but then their meaning took hold and he felt in an instant as if he had been transported far above the clouds and was floating on the purest air. His hands shaking with emotion, Paldor stlipped the ring onto his beloved's hand. It was a perfect fit! The gold had been inlaid with mithril by the elves who made it long ago and the intricate pattern reflected the moonlight against Ilmare's fair skin. Looking up at her, he barely had time to notice the tears welling in her eyes and then she was kissing him, holding him as if she would never let go. For a long moment, the couple remained in that pose, with only witnesses the nearby wolf and the silvery moon above.
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: April 10, 2005 07:51
They stayed like that for a long moment, the ranger woman and the soldier boy. At last, a mutual need for air drew them apart, but not far. Ilmare cradled Paldor's head in the crook of her neck and sang in soft Elvish.

Suddenly, she laughed softly. Paldor lifted his head a bit and looked at her with a quizzical expression. "I think Ada knew this was going to happen," she explained, answering the question in his face. Reaching into her tunic, she pulled out the pendant and showed it to him. "He gave this to me before I left. It was my mother's, and her mother's before her, and so on for the last thousand years. The tradition went that the mother would gift this to her daughter the day before her wedding." She smiled. "But Ada gave it to me before I left this time," she repeated quietly. "He is so smart."

She stroked his hair tenderly, wishing they hadn't lost seven years. Why, if she had never lost her memory, they might have already been married and expecting their first child! That was a sobering thought. 'I wonder what might have been,' she thought before smiling. 'It does not matter. We have each other now.'
Vanalosswen
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: April 27, 2005 09:03
((*firm nudge* C'mon guys, I'm waiting for someone to respond.))
GwennethSindalúnë
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: April 30, 2005 09:38
(OOC: Yes, it seems that we have lost Leighlia and Elrin?? How sad! Is it going to just be the Paldor, Tirgoth and Ilmare from now on? I'd like to know before continuing so we know whether to wait for the others or not.)
Leighlia
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: May 03, 2005 11:58
No no no! I'm still here, but I've already posted that I won't get there until morning so I can't do much until the night is done. I didn't know what else to do. I am SOOO very much still here.
Caegaraneva
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: May 04, 2005 02:03
(ooc: Hey! I'm very glad we're all still here. Our thread, however, is kind of in a rut. You and Elrin aren't going to be here until morning. Gwen and Vana have little left to say. I'm wandering in the woods, waiting for...nothing. None of us are really ready to do anything. Would you mind if I just sort of shove us forward a ways?

If Elrin doesn't rejoin us, we'll just keep going. Pobre Tirgoth.)

Tirgoth was getting restless alone in the woods. The longer he waited in silence, with the trees his only companions, the more his thoughts tended towards Galcora. He had a helpless, empty feeling. What if she never remembered him? What could he do? Could all his dreams be brought dashing down around his ears?

Moreover, evening was falling over the forest. So he slowly made his way back towards the campfire.

In the clearing, Tirgoth saw Ilmare and Paldor clasped against each other, smiling dreamily. The sight brought joy to his heart, and he quickly quashed the smallest pangs of jealousy at the happy couple. They turned as one to look at him, their eyes shining. He could tell that they had much to say; and could see the ring newly fitted round Ilmare's finger.

But he didn't want to ruin the purity of the moment with stumbling explanations.

"I can see that you have much to tell me," he said, smiling, "but you are tired. Words are small things now. Let us sleep, and I shall hear your tidings in the morning."

Tirgoth tossed some more wood on the campfire, and lay down to sleep.
GwennethSindalúnë
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: May 08, 2005 10:29
Paldor followed Tirgoth's example and stood up, stretching luxuriously. Now that he and Ilmare were pledged, all of the weight of worry which had seemed so oppressive only moments earlier seemed to have disappeared. Carefully, Paldor spread his sleeping roll out near the fire next to Ilmare's already laid one. Smiling, He settled down on the familiar roll, pulling Ilmare down beside him. With a single movement, Paldor spread his long cloak so that it covered them both. And, gazing into Ilmare's eyes, only inches away from his own, Paldor sighed in deep contentment and drifted off to the first peaceful sleep in years: Uninterrupted by snatches of agonizing dreams.
Vanalosswen
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: May 08, 2005 03:45
((Has everyone checked the OOC thread recently? I put a new idea on there that might help us get out of the rut as soon as morning arrives.))

Ilmare closed her eyes with a happy sigh and moved closer to Paldor, resting her head on his arm. Soon, they were close enough to breathe each other's air. Smelling his unique smell-- one that was a mixture of armor polish, horse, and cleanliness--the young ranger woman fell asleep, dreaming only of what will be as soon as this adventure was over.
Leighlia
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: May 16, 2005 11:09
Zie was happy enough with this new steed of hers. His black form moved with a liquid grace, muscles rolling under her as they trotted onward towards the scheduled meeting place. She continued on at a slow, but steady pace carefully walking Donas when the shadows became too deep until she neared the place that Ilmare had described.

Her mind wandered, as it had taken to doing over the last several years, during her ride. Again and again her mind returned to the others. Her newly, refound friends. Their acquaintance so many years ago had been short, and yet how much they had shared. Even then, they would have thought about it before calling her friend, but events and the loss of so much memory had bound them all closer then life long friends ever were. How strange it was, she thought, that the simple act of chasing Orc into that canyon could lead to such life altering events.

Her eyes watched the shadows of the night as she rode, but there was no one and nothing but the crickets out at this hour. Still her mind grappled with the shroud of darkness that still clung to her memories, refusing to part completely. She hoped that time spent with the others again would chase that darkness away at last. Jealousy was not in her nature, but she couldn’t deny that she was a bit envious that the others remembered so much more than she. But, did it really matter? Things would happen as they happened. And when she was old, sitting before the fires with the young of the camps around her feet, she would tell them stories of her times in these north lands and show them the charm that held the long curled blade of grass. Yes, she was confident about their success, afterall, had they not done well thus far? Well……

The sun was not yet lightening the sky overhead when she came to the crossroads. She was walking Donas and had moved him onto the soft grass along the side of the road so that his hoof falls were silent. She left Donas as she approached the hedge hiding their small clearing. There was no campfire. That had likely burned itself out hours ago, but the soft sounds of breathing reached her ears on the silence of the pre-dawn morning.

A sudden growl of warning from the darkness made her freeze in her steps. Had she been wrong or miscalculated in the darkness about where they were to meet? Surely not, but the growl rose again, louder this time, snarling as her hand strayed to the blade at her side.

(Gods...I'm rusty...)
Caegaraneva
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: May 16, 2005 03:54
(Leighlia: good summation of plot ideas in ooc...you make it sound like it's on the verge of coherence!)

Tirgoth drifted out of a drowsy slumber and into the crisp clear predawn air. Not all was at peace, however: he realized that the sound which had awakened him was short, guttural growling. His brain muddled by the aftereffects of sleep, he barely knew what to do, struggling to his feet. Was there some intruder??

Once he was standing at his full height and surveyed the area around the clearing, he quickly spotted the familiar crouched figure of Zie, and he was glad. But he realized that she was standing taut in fear.

Then his murky mind pieced together the puzzle; it was Jewel who was growling at Zie, mistaking her for an intruder. For an instant a moment of panic gripped him; he had no idea what to do about Paldor's pet wolf, nor how to call her off.

First things first: he called out to Zie, "It's all right, it is us. That must be Jewel, Paldor's wolf. She means well."

Then Tirgoth plunged into the hedge where Jewel was keeping her watch, and tried to comfort the wolf. He certainly hoped that she would recognize his smell. But in his haste, he realized too late that the grease of blacksmith's clothing would likely only alarm the beast furthermore...or alert her to possible prey.

And sure enough, as Tirgoth reached out with soothing words, Jewel snarled, and turned his bared teeth on Tirgoth, letting out a rough bark. Now it was Tirgoth who stood stock still, tasting the bite of fear.

"Paldor..." he called out, first softly, so as not to alarm Jewel, then more urgently, "Paldor! Your wolf!"
GwennethSindalúnë
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: May 18, 2005 12:46
Paldor's slumber was deeper than it had been in years. With Ilmare nestled safely in his arms, he had let himself relax completely, letting go of all of the worry and frustration that had plagued him for so long. He was so deeply immersed in a sea of joyful dreams that it took several seconds for the sounds around the now dead campfire to penetrate his brain. It was Jade's snarling bark that snapped him back to reality and the Captain was on his feet in an instant, his sword drawn and ready.

What he saw, confused him at first: Jade seemed to be snarling at Tirgoth! But then she swung her head back toward the forest and Paldor caught sight of Zie for the first time. No wonder Jade had alerted, he thought, even as he sheathed his sword. She would consider any stranger a threat to her slumbering pack. And she must have growled at Tirgoth for trying to intervene in her attempt to protect her master.

"Jade, down!" Paldor commanded, giving her the hand signal as well to reinforce his meaning. Jade immediately flattened herself to the ground but her hackles still stood up along her neckline and a low growl continued to come from her throat.

"Zie!" Paldor strode forward, and reached out to grasp the woman's arms in greeting. He knew that Jade wouldn't move until he gave the command. But he needed to introduce Zie to her as a friend, and quickly, or the large carnivore would continue to be on edge, her senses trained on Zie rather on any other potential dangers that might approach the clearing.

"Please don't be afraid," Paldor explained to the warrior woman, still standing outside the ring of thorny bushes that separated the clearing from the rest of the forest. "The wolf is a trained companion of the Tower Guard and she will obey my commands. If you permit me to, I will introduce her to you as a friend." Paldor grinned at her reassuringly. He knew that the wolf could be terrifying but Zie was one of the most courageous warriors he had ever encountered and he doubted she would display the reticence many did at being introduced to a carnivore.

[Edited on 18/5/2005 by GwennethSindalúnë]

[Edited on 18/5/2005 by GwennethSindalúnë]
Leighlia
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: May 21, 2005 07:59
Zie stood there as still as she could before the snarling animal. Her sword was half drawn when she saw Tirgoth. "It's all right, it is us. That must be Jewel, Paldor's wolf. She means well." Tirgoth had called to her, but then that great animal had turned its snarl on Tirgoth. Zie was about to ask him to distract the animal again when Paldor stood and called the animal down. Very slowly her sword slid its way back into its sheath as she watched Jade lay down.

Taking a cautious step forward she stopped again when the wolf’s ears stood high and another growl escaped that large maw, hackles standing even though the animals belly was to the ground. Grasping Paldor’s arm in greeting her eyes only went to him for a moment before returning to watch the wolf with caution. “Since when does the City Guards keep and train beasts to work with them? Wolves are scarce enough around the city without bringing the things within the walls.”

In truth she did not care for canines…or cats either as far as that goes. Horses, birds…those were more along her line of animal. They were useful for carrying messages or equipment. Zie herself had had possession of a large sand eagle for a year and was having very good luck in training it, but she had woke one morning to find it inexplicably dead on the floor under its perch.

Well, Paldor had said that the creature was trained and would obey him, so she let him lead her slowly to Jade. Holding her hand out, palm down she waited for the animal to get her scent before she knelt down and began to speak soothing words in her native tongue. Not once did she try to touch or pet Jade. Instead she let her just take in her scent and sit or stay as she would.

When she stood again she turned to the men. “Is Ilmare here as well? Or Galcora?”
Vanalosswen
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: May 25, 2005 08:50
Ilmare was on her feet moments after Paldor, keeping slightly behind him, her knives drawn. Her wild-trained eyes picked up the source of the disturbance almost instantly, but there was little she could do: Jade belonged to Paldor, and he was the only one who could call her off Tirgoth and Zie. She had to smile a bit as she sheathed her knives. 'And this is a mark of these troubled times,' she thought as she moved to a darker spot and watched the drama before her.

At last, things settled down a bit, Zie trying to get Jade to like her. Looking up at the men, the older woman asked after Galcora and Ilmare. Stepping around Paldor, Ilmare said, "Well met, Zie. I see you have managed to survive Jade's protectiveness." She knelt beside the wolf and gently stroked her ruff, rewarded by a whine of approval and a lick on the hand. "I am glad to see you here. Galcora has not yet arrived." She glanced worridly at her betrothed, wondering how long they could afford to wait for his sister.
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: August 17, 2005 03:55
Paldor was once more impressed by Zie's ability to remain calm in any situation: After only a moment's hesitation, she knelt calmly and let Jade smell her scent, offering her hand to the still snarling wolf. For all she knew, the large carnivore might have ripped it off. But, Jade immediately stopped growling and sniffed Zie's hand delicately. Neither one touched the other, but a silent understanding seemed to pass between the two. Paldor was relieved.

Moderator's note;
We wish to bring it to everyone's attention that we have now posted the new Guidelines to the Tolkien Related Forum. they can be found here .
I'm editing this comment into a post in each active thread just so that everyone will be aware of the new guidleines and get a chance to read them . {Like you, we are limited to seven posts per day, and this is the only way to reach every thread }

But when Zie asked about Galcora, Paldor's stomach twisted. It had, indeed, already been too long since his sister should have arrived. Usually, she was the first to arrive anywhere, and for her to be this long delayed was much unlike her. Paldor frowned, as he considered the options. Finally, he spoke:

"Galcora may have been delayed by someone or...or something," he began, gruffly. "But we cannot tarry here forever." Paldor shot a quick glance at Tirgoth, wondering how the man who loved his sister even more than he himself did, would take what he was going to say next. If someone had dared say it about Ilmare, he probably would have killed them where they stood. Nevertheless, he forced himself to say what needed to be said: "If my sister has not arrived by first light, we must depart without her!" Paldor's eyes strayed toward Tirgoth again but the warrior's face was impossible to read. "It is much too dangerous for us to remain here for any longer, and Galcora would not want us to needlessly risk our lives for her sake," Paldor continued, his words aimed at Tirgoth more than anyone else. "But we will leave Galcora a sign, in case she were to follow us at a later time, so she can rejoin us if she is able."

Paldor ended his little speech and took a deep breath, looking around and waiting to see the others' reactions.

[Edited on 19/8/2005 by PotbellyHairyfoot]
Leighlia
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: August 23, 2005 01:14
In the brusk tongue of her southern upbringing she spoke to the wolf, still not touching the animal, but looking it in the eye. "We will have an understanding you and I."

Zie looked around at the group as she stood again. "I agree with Paldor. We cannot tarry here too long. I watched Galcora as she made her way to your fathers home, following her in the darkness. She stayed for a while and even went to the market for him. I could not tell if she had any intentions of following us or not. If she manages to leave your fathers side I think a sign left here for her would be a very good idea. On this I will bow to your decision."

As she spoke she let her eyes follow Paldors earlier gaze to Tirgoth. She had seen how he watched Galcora before. Would being without her on this journey be a torture for him...or would be be glad to have her out of harms way?

Turning she walked the several paces away to her horse and reclaimed his reigns and took him to join the other animals.
Vanalosswen
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: October 04, 2005 03:44
((*slips in* I haven't been here in a long time; a neat combination of computer problems, school, traveling and real life took over for a long time. But I'm back, if anyone wants to keep going))

Ilmare listened in silence, her face impassive. Yes, she agreed that they needed to move on, and quickly; the truth needed to be found out, and it wouldn't be done here. But...leaving a sign for Galcora didn't seem to be enough. Have that lass travel alone through these wilds? Ilmare would and had done just that, but she had been raised in these lands and knew exactly where to hide if trouble threatened and how to fight if hiding wasn't enough.

Sighing in thought, the young ranger woman began poking the fire up and hunted through her pack for something to prepare for a light meal. What else could be done? The ring on her left hand caught on a loose thread and she paused, looking down at it. Without her being aware of it, a soft smile curled the corners of her mouth up.

That ring was a promise of Paldor's love and the assurance that he would make her his wife. She could hardly wait for the day. Even now, after less than twelve hours of wearing it, she felt that the ring belonged where it was. She looked over at her betrothed and watched him as various emotions played over his expressive face. How would he feel, leaving his sister to follow as she could? How would Ilmare herself feel? She didn't know, but she guessed it was an unpleasant feeling. Those two had been more than just brother and sister; they were best friends as well.

Putting some meat beside the fire to warm for a quick meal, Ilmare rose and walked to where her betrothed stood. Her hand slipped into his and she gently guided him to a seat. She couldn't do much, but she would do what she could to reassure her love. Her free hand gently cupped his cheek, her fingers stroking under a golden eye.
GwennethSindalúnë
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Post RE: It all started at the the white city fair
on: November 09, 2005 05:50
A sign...Paldor's stomach twisted as he thought of leaving his sister behind. And yet, he knew that Zie spoke the truth. It wasn't safe for them to tarry here much longer. Deep in thought, he smiled absently as Ilmare slipped into his arms and gently stroked his face. Coming to a sudden decision, Paldor gently kissed the top of his beloved's head and spoke: "Zie is right: I must leave my sister a sign at the crossroads for when..." Paldor faltered slightly before continuing: "If...if she follows us, she will know which way we have gone. I will return soon," he promised, and with one last kiss, he separated himself from Ilmare and moved away from the campfire.

Signalling to Jade to remain at the clearing and guard it, Paldor strode quickly through the woods and back out to the crossroads with the large rock that marked the intersection of several paths. Stopping before it, he considered his options. He wanted to leave a clear sign for Galcora: Something that would last for several days or even weeks in case she tried to follow them at a later time. But Paldor also didn't like the idea of leaving a trail that just anyone could follow. He needed something that only Galcora would understand.

Suddenly, Paldor smiled. He had it! In their childhood days, the two siblings had often played elaborate treasure hunt games that ran throughout the entire great White City. The pair of them had invented a series of abstract symbols to represent the main compass points and Paldor remembered scrawling the signs across many a wall in the city. But chalk wouldn't do now: He needed something much more lasting. Instead, he unsheathed his small dagger and painstakingly carved the symbol for "North-East" into the rockface.

Stepping back, Paldor dusted the rock powder from his hands and smiled at his own handiwork. The ancient childish symbol stood out clearly, but it would be illegible to anyone but his sister. Paldor smiled: Tirgoth would approve, he knew, for their childhood friend was the only other person in the world who would recognize the symbol from their long lost games. Satisfied now, Paldor quickly returned to the campfire, his heart beating slightly faster as he caught sight of his beloved silhouetted against the glow of the flames.

"It is done," he announced to his companions. "If my sister follows us, she will know which path we have taken. I will leave a sign at each new juncture of our journey so she can follow the same path we have." Seeing a fleeting look of concern on Zie's face, Paldor quickly reassured the group: "It is an old sign from ancient childhood games. None other than Galcora will be able to read it." Catching Tirgoth's eye, Paldor quickly bent down and used his finger to scratch the sign in the dirt, curious if his old friend would recognize it.
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