Forum

"I stopped to talk to Elgar on my way up. Dinner is ready. Fortunately, I told him in advance that you would probably be joining us, Naden, so he had made sufficient to feed the Umbarian army. I know I'm hungry so why don't we go take advantage of his preparations."

“Of course I’d like to see it,” she said quietly, sniffling again and smiling up at him as she delivered a quick one-armed hug.

He took her through the various rooms, which she smiled to observe, thinking of how many times her love must have walked those floors. She teased him about the dust that had settled on the furniture- but other than that everything was in perfect ‘order’.

Finally they walked out onto the back porch, which faced the beach. Nell sighed and leaned into Gareth’s embrace as he hugged her from behind,

Almost reluctantly she looked out on the beach again, and as she set her mug down she took Gareth’s hand and squeezed it.
“Gareth…,” she started, uncertainty in her voice, then there was a pause and a deep breath., “… I want to- I mean… I’d like to… tell you about that-that day… if you care to listen.”

At last she fell silent, feeling as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Another tear threatened to fall but she wiped it away before it could, then with slightly-trembling hands took Gareth’s, wondering anxiously what he would say- and what he would think…

Nell’s eyes widened

A smile she couldn’t help touched her lips as her cheeks burned

Wordlessly she wrapped her arms around Gareth and hugged him tightly

she giggled into his chest

“I will defiantly think about it, my dear,” she said quietly but joyfully

The blazing sun was setting on the horizon, and the waters were tipped with hues of gold and red. In the comfort and silence of his embrace, watching the ocean sunset and the brilliant colors that bathed the landscape, she was abruptly reminded that supper-time was coming on when her stomach gave a loud (and quite un-romantic) growl. She laughed a little and tapped her finger against Gareth’s chest, giving him a playful grin.
“It’s dinner time, love,” she said, “Are you as hungry as I am?”

Having a quiet word with Bernor (who was still awake), he nodded, and Gareth smiled down at his love. "Allon's moved our things over from the Elanor, love," he told her as they then headed below - he showing Nell to her quarters. "And, Dauron's ship is large enough that you won't need to share a cabin with Malla."

Once there, Gareth paused, and with a soft smile, he leaned down and gave Nell a tender 'good night' kiss. "Sleep well, my love!" he whispered lovingly, and then took himself off to try and get some rest for himself

“Good morning,” she said, giving him a friendly grin.

“Morning,” he said a little gruffly, then squinted at the half-elf, “Dauron, you look terrible. Did you sleep at all?”

"Don't 'mind' him, Captain," Malla spoke before Dauron could answer, "Naden's never been a 'morning' person... and he's absolutely 'cranky' until he's eaten breakfast!" and winked at her friend and mentor for the tease.

And, looking above at the wind-filled sails, "Quite a beautiful sight your ship must be from the shore," the woman ranger then commented. "Like her name, I would think," and then noticed Captain Silverlake's head coming up through the hatchway...

Gareth smiled, and greeted Nell as he had on the previous mornings, with a gentle word, and a loving kiss before turning to his friend.

Not knowing about Naden's earlier 'assessment' of his fire-headed friend, Gareth frowned. "Why don't you turn the Wheel over to Bernor and get yourself some rest, Dauron?" he asked. "We won't be reaching Tol Falas again until nightfall..."

Elgar, did you remember that Naden is onboard. I hope you've made enough for all of us." Elgar shook his head at Dauron's jest and his head disappeared below deck. Moments later, Bernor's appeared in it's place and the First Mate crossed to the wheel.

Calmly watching the 'interplay' between the sea-folk and Naden, Malla gratefully attended to her own food. - And, when the very tall Ranger demanded his second-helping of Elgar's excellent breakfast, she couldn't help but 'tease' her friend again.

"If you take 'thirds' again, Naden," she said, and the corner of her mouth 'twitched', "I'm going to beg Elgar for a stock of fruit to keep in my own quarters… otherwise, I'll go 'hungry' from you eating it all first!"

he stood up and swung the blade about a bit, catching his breath a little at the slight twinge in his rib-area.

“Gareth!” he called, seeing the half-elf standing with Nell, then, “Dauron! How about some practice blade-dancing? If its been so long you may need to be familiar with your swords, gentlemen.”
He whisked his own blade through the air a few times with a grin, as if to prove his point. Nell had turned to look at him and she squeezed Gareth in a hug, and smirked at the ranger.

“I’ve been practicing- just without anyone to fight with.”

“Then, fair lady, it is that stubborn fisherman beside you who needs the practice more. Come on, Gareth-“ and a wry smile touched his lips, “I won’t hurt you.”

Dauron smiled at the bantering and glanced down at Malla, who also had a smile on her face. "I say, m'lady, are you up for some parrying?" He patted his sword which was at his hip, and continued, "If you are, I too could use the practice. Tis not often that fishermen are asked to use sword techniques. We are better trained at mending our nets and sails."

Both raised their swords vertically before their lips, and Malla made the first swing. Dauron blocked it easily and swung low to her legs. He was equally well blocked as she countered.

They parried for some time until both were breathless and finally decided to sit on the long bench, their swords point down on the deck.

Dauron wiped his brow and grinned at Malla. "Never underestimate a woman, is what I've always said. You are quite the warrior. I would not fear to go to battle with you at my side. I only wish I could have given you a better challenge. I am quite rusty, I fear."

Naden and Gareth completed their workout and called to them, "I don't know about you gentlemen, but I could use an ale and something to eat." Staring directly at Naden, he asked with a twinkle in his eyes, "Have your efforts increased your appetite enough to clear out our stores? It's a long way back to Tol Falas to restock, you know."

"And you, m'lady, will you join me for that ale and some sustenance? You have worn me out." Picking up his sword and resheathing it, he held hers as well. "What say you we drop this off in your cabin on our way?" Holding her sword in his left hand, he crooked his right elbow,

"May I ask who taught you sword-fighting, Captain? - You've a particular twirling 'lunge' move I'm not familiar with. It took quite a bit to figure how to 'counter' it. - If there's time, and you don't mind teaching me, - I'd like to learn it..."

“I didn’t see that,” Naden said, and winked at Malla “But I’m interested also. Since I did teach young Malla how to use her sword, it’s obvious that there are some techniques I’m not familiar with.”

Holding Nell tightly in his arms, Gareth buried his face into her short, dark, hair. "We will!" he promised, "For as long as you wish, love!" he choked out… feeling the 'sting' of happy tears in his eyes.

"Oh, Nell!" he whispered, loosing her a little to gaze into her green-and-brown-flecked eyes. "I love you so, Nell Reedsman!" the half-elf went on softly, and leaned down to give his (secretly) betrothed love a long, and *very* loving kiss.

After which, and with a deep sigh that reflected his happiness, Gareth kept his arm around Nell… holding her close as they both gazed out across the wide, and so-beautiful sea they both loved. - And, they were still there when Dauron chanced to pass by them a while later.

Dauron patted Gareth's shoulder, whispering in his ear as he passed, "So, anything exciting happen up here while we were below?" not stopping to wait for the answer

Clamping his lips on a smile, and with reddened cheeks, Gareth grinned down at Nell and shook his head in rueful amusement.

"Don't worry, love," he quietly reassured her, "Dauron may guess, but until either you or I actually *say* something to confirm it - he'll not either. He'll tease us both, I'm sure… but he'll keep silent."

Hugging Nell to him again, " - And… if I know my rascally young relative as well as I think I do - if… when the time comes for it… we DON'T ask Dauron to officiate, he'll never forgive either one of us! - Would you mind - when we announce it - if I ask him?"

"Ahh, then I shall have to introduce you both to my cousin, Berethion. He's from my mother's side of the family...the elven side. He taught me most of what I know and his many eons of experience probably include movements long since forgotten or known only to the elves. But let's go topside and I can show the basic step." He rose and the others rose with him and they companionably climbed to the deck, Dauron pulling his sword free and making a couple of spins to demonstrate the lunge that Malla had asked about.

When the demonstration was completed, Dauron suggested that they take the sun as he had to check with Bernor and get back to duty.

Though, as Captain Mindaril headed off to check his ship, the ranger-woman turned to her friend. "I'd like to practice it some, Naden… and I can show you the 'counter' to it, if you'd like…"

“Please do,” Naden said with a smile, “The student teaching the teacher at last? You are the best ranger I’ve ever trained, Malla… much better than Erik, the rascal. I’m afraid he’s doomed to be a novice forever. Very well, let’s get to it!”

They practiced a bit with their swords, tossing teasing banter back and forth as they’d always done- and when they were finished, Naden complimented her heartily.

"Yes, we will need to stock up but I can leave that to Bernor and Elgar. They know the routine and will know what to get. We, on the other hand, can go for dinner, as soon as we round up Naden, Gareth and Nell," he explained. Following her look down the length of the harbour, he noted the ships she was asking about. "And yes, they are fishing vessels. Do you see the double rigs and the high central cabins? That's the first thing one looks for to identify them. Notice how high my rigs are? Good, and a very good observation. You say you've never been around ships before, eh?" He took her arm in his hand, and said, "Let's go find everyone. I'm starved .. and if I am, can you imagine how Naden must be feeling about now?"

When the group was together, Dauron spoke authoratively. "We are going to the White Feather for dinner, my friends. Elgar is busy with provisions, and Thorongil's fleet is already entering the harbor. This may be our last time on land for some time to come and I want to eat a good meal and drink a good tankard of ale before we head out to sea. Naden, I think Thorongil, or his representative will be able to find us there by just asking Bernor."

“I would mind if you didn’t,” Nell said with a smile, and she gave his hip a bump, “I wouldn’t have anyone else. And I’m sure he’s already guessed, as well as you two know eachother… but I don’t think he’ll tell anyone his thoughts.”

Dauron watched Gareth and Nell, his eyes twinkling with amusement, But whenever he caught Gareth's eyes, he winked and grinned, watching Gareth turn pink.

Yet, sometime after they'd all finished eating, they spotted Bernor in the doorway… and the laugh on Gareth's lips (at some teasing comment that Naden had made) faded away. "It looks like it's 'time'," he said, and a 'grimness' came into his sea-grey eyes.
Bernor came up and whispered something in Dauron's ear, and he nodded, glancing at Gareth, his look alone confirming Gareth's comment. He rose, catching their server and stuffing a handful of coins in her hand, and nodding to his compatriots, they all headed back to the 'Gull'.

Onboard the 'Gull was the Ranger himself… tall, and his eyes betraying nothing as he solemnly greeted them. "Everyone else has their orders," he then said, and held up a rolled parchment he'd brought with him. "If we could speak in your Chart-room, Captain?" Thorongil inquired of Dauron, and was soon that the (now) six of them were gathered within… every lantern lit to give them the best light possible.

Unrolling it on the wide table Dauron used for his own, they found a map outlining Thorongil's battle plans, and the Ranger then proceeded to fill them all in.

"Our first task," he explained, and pointed to the mouth of Umbar's bay, "Is to take out their watch-towers. I know we've less ships than they have," Thorongil added, but Gareth could see the Ranger wasn't letting that fact 'daunt' his determination to succeed. "So 'surprise' has to be our advantage."

Continuing, Thorongil explained that four ships from his fleet - two for each tower, would ferry their complements of soldiers onto Umbar's coast to handle that part of his plan - with it commencing as soon as full darkness would arrive. "It will be low-tide, I know," he added, and then, "I've been told," and he looked at both Dauron and Gareth for 'confirmation', "that it's best to enter the bay at high tide…" at which both captains were in agreement. "So that will give the men enough time to ensure the warning fires can't be lit."

And then, "Not until confirmation of their success will we proceed further," Thorongil stated firmly, "But when we do…" the Ranger met Captain Mindaril's eyes in a steady gaze. "What I want, is for the Flying Gull to lead the way in through the strait. Even with it being the New Moon, when you get close enough to the docks, you're likely to be seen. But," he stressed, "the sight of a fishing ship… and no sign of the Watch-fires being lit, should allay any suspicion they might have. Your ship, Captain, may be larger than Captain Silverlake's," and he paused to glance at Gareth before returning his attention to Dauron. "But it's clearly not the same shape as the Elanor V, so the Umbarians will have no reason to suspect the same 'people' are returning to their shores."

"We'll give you a half-hour," Thorongil went on, "and except for leaving six ships at the bay's mouth to catch any Corsairs that might try to escape, the bulk of the fleet will follow. We will then attack the Corsairs, and as many of their support ships as we can get to with our number, using boarding-parties to overwhelm them, and then set the ships on fire. The signal that the attack has been successful will be three banners bearing the White Tree flown horizontally from the Gull's mainmast," and then taking out three folded sections of cloth from the pack at his side, handed them to Dauron.

"No one is 'expecting' you to endanger your ship any further than what I've described, Captain," Thorongil finished, "but, of course, every hand that can wield a sword will be appreciated."

"Are there any questions?" he then asked, meeting everyone in the room's gaze. "I'd like to get underweigh within the hour…"

Dauron took the folded banners under his arm, and shook hands with Thorongil. "I see no reason why we cannot follow your orders to the last, sir. And if there is any way we can help further, my men, and these people here," he waved to Gareth, Nell, Naden and Malla, "are prepared to do so. We are ready to leave when you wish and your timing is good. The tide will be with us and the winds fare well to be as well." Dauron walked Thorongil to the gangplank, shaking his hand again and watching him as he disappeared into the night. Turning, he found the other four right behind him. His face was stern, but his humor surfaced.

"Naden, looks like that might have been your last good meal for a while. I hope you enjoyed it," he said with a sudden grin. Clapping the tall Ranger on the shoulder, he told the others, "get whatever gear and weapons you need and I'll have Bernor and the crew get started preparing to weigh anchor."

Glancing up at him, "How long will it take to reach Umbar?" she inquired. - And, seriously, "You are quite generous to brave your fine ship in this venture, Captain… and I hope it will come out unscathed from this fight."

With a 'twitch' in the corner of her mouth, "Care for a partner, Captain Minardil?" the woman ranger asked. "It's always good to have someone skilled fighting in 'tandem'… I cover your back - you mine. Agreed?"

Smiling down at her, he tried to answer as accurately as he could. "It will take at least 2 days if the wind and the tides favor us though I am counting on arriving at the Umbarion harbor about this time on the third night." His face turned stern when she commented on his generosity. "I listened to my father's tales my entire life about our Minardil ancestor who was slain by the Corsairs of Umbar. I never really took it in until Naden had persuaded Gareth and I to accompany him on our previous trip to Umbar. That is where we found Nell, enslaved by a worm of a tavern owner. That's where we saw an earlier version of the Elanor, beached like a dead whale, with nothing but the bones of it's beautiful lines left. I have reasons to offer my ship, and my self to this cause." Then he smiled, "and if I have anything to say about it, my ship will outrun any Corsair they can send after me." Her comment about a partner amused him enormously and his jovial laugh rang across the deck.

"You are very small to cover my back, m'lady, but I can certainly cover yours...and will should the need arise. But we have much time before we need worry about that."

The eight bells rang at midnight and Bernor took over from his Captain. Dauron looked at Malla, who was still at his side. "Why don't we have something warm to drink before we take our rest?" The went down to the galley where Elgar had left a pot of cider simmering on the back of the stove. Dipping a ladle into the pot, he poured two mugs of the warm brew, handing one to Malla and then sitting at the table, stretching out his long legs, sipping from the mug as he looked at the young Ranger.

"What puzzles me is why you would have agreed to come on this venture. Surely you could have asked not to. Why?"

Nell returned his kiss with all the love in her heart, raising her hand to caress his cheek as she did so. When the kiss ended she raised her own sword, smiling softly up at him.
“Of course I will, Captain Silverlake,” she said, “And the honor is mine to be at your side.”
Returning the sword to its place at her hip she slipped her arms over his shoulders, drawing him down for another deep kiss, … but she pulled away when she heard Malla’s cabin door open, and hoped she wasn’t blushing too noticeably when the woman-ranger passed them. After the other woman had disappeared topside, Nell smiled sheepishly up at her future-husband, trying to still the racing of her heart.
“Maybe we should practice with our swords a bit, Gareth,” she said, “I want to be ready when the time comes…”

Unsheathing his sword, he grinned, and gave her a deep bow. "Are you ready, milady Reedsman?" he teasingly inquired, and raised his weapon defensively to meet Nell's… the two blades meeting with a sharp 'clang' that echoed throughout the night air…

Racing to her side, he swung around behind her, his back touching hers. Leaning over his shoulder, he grinned.

"Your back is covered, my lady. Just be sure you keep mine covered as well," he teased, and then confronted two more sailors in battle.

Throughout the next few hours, Bernor wheeled the ship as close as he could to the Corsair ships, one by one, Harman and his men tossed their deadly bottles on as many ships as they could reach, and Dauron and his friends fought whatever Umbarians that succeeded in boarding the deck of the 'Gull'. Finally, Harman yelled across the deck to Dauron. "We're out of bottles, sir." Dauron nodded and called back to pull their swords. Calling to his friends amidst the noise of clashing swords, he announced, "I think we've had enough fun for one evening. Time to leave." Pulling Malla with him, he slashed his way to the wheel, where Bernor hung onto the wheel though he sported a wicked slash on his shoulder that was bleeding badly. "Get below if you can and find Elgar. Tell him to set up a place to care for the wounded...and I want you to be the first one bandaged. I'll take the wheel and get us out of here."

Shoving Bernor in the direction of the hatchway, he pulled Malla to his side. "Keep those bloody pirates away from me, love," he said, not even aware of what he had just called her. "This is going to be tricky. Thorongil's fleet is between us and the open ocean." He shook his head and screamed to his men manning the sails. "Get 'em open and up....move fast." He began a dance with the other vessels, slipping this way and that between them, which turned out to be not as difficult as it might have been, given the sleek lines of the ship that was smaller than any of Thorongil's.

The sun was rising in the east as he sailed past the last of Thorongil's fleet and out past the opening of the bay into open waters. Glancing back over his shoulder, he saw the black smoke rising all along the length of the harbor and could just see Thorongil's men already on the dock, battling with the Umbarians. Turning the wheel to the north, he rounded the peninsula and the sights of slaughter and death behind him disappeared behind the dunes. He stayed at the wheel until they were well north of the spit of land and then pulling closer to shore, he ordered his men to lower the sails and drop anchor.

Then and only then did he notice the pain and the blood pouring from his side. He looked at Malla. "Are you alright, m'lady? Thank you....your back is broader than I thought," he said, grinning, then his legs gave out and he found himself sitting on the deck, the world swirling before his eyes.

“Alright, off with this,” Naden said, relieving Dauron of his shirt, “How long have you been prancing about with this hole in your side, Captain? No one can beat you for being stubborn!”
He took a moment to study the wound, wincing at the sight of it. It needed to be treated, and quickly.
“Malla,” the ranger said firmly as he unhooked his own cloak and removed it from his shoulders, “Go below and find where the wounded are being treated… this needs to be cleaned and stitched up. Bring the supplies for that topside, will you? I think it’s useless to try and get him below right now.”

Nell felt as though her heart was lodged in her throat when the first of the Umbarians boarded the ‘Gull, but she gripped her father’s sword tightly with both hands. but with a grim determination she blinked away the memory and tensed herself.

The battle came to them like a great crashing wave; all at once the young woman found herself swept into fighting, trying to ignore the leering faces on those who came for he, expecting a fight with a woman to be easy. Nell proved them wrong; as always, her technique with the sword wasn’t fluent or well-practiced- mostly a lot of hacking and jabbing- but it was effective nonetheless. Sparing one worried glance at Gareth when the first man fell dead at her feet- and seeing him caught in his own fight- she turned and met the next, and then another, now fighting two. She used the blade frantically then, wincing at the small wounds she received.

“I’m right here!” she answered,

“Alright, off with this,” Naden said, relieving Dauron of his shirt, “How long have you been prancing about with this hole in your side, Captain? No one can beat you for being stubborn!”
He took a moment to study the wound, wincing at the sight of it. It needed to be treated, and quickly.
“Malla,” the ranger said firmly as he unhooked his own cloak and removed it from his shoulders, “Go below and find where the wounded are being treated… this needs to be cleaned and stitched up. Bring the supplies for that topside, will you? I think it’s useless to try and get him below right now.”

While she was gone he used his cloak to staunch the bleeding, teasing the red-head in his usual manner though he was inwardly worried. As soon as Malla returned he left her to see to cleaning the wound, going below to find something strong to drink. He figured that the ‘Gull’s Captain would want it, even if he didn’t need it.

"I know," she said, when he winced, "But it's necessary, and then proceeded to carefully (and as gently as possible) stitch up Dauron's wound. "More ale?" Malla asked after then deftly binding it.

"Remind me someday that one reason I became a Ranger was so I wouldn't have to be a seamstress!" Malla commented, and her lip twitched. "My apologies, Dauron… but since I'm not a healer, you're likely to have an 'interesting'-looking scar, I'm afraid…" and wearily got to her feet and leaned against Naden. - And then, she looked over her over-tall mentor-friend. "Anything you need to have sewn up, Naden?" she asked, and winking at Captain Minardil to include him in her 'tease'. "Maybe I should put one or two in your mouth… might 'slow' that 'appetite' of yours for a day or two…"

“I need some bandages!" Gareth called, and setting Nell down gently, "Naden - are you and Dauron all right?"

“I am,” Naden said, taking some bandaging and scooting forward to put it into the half-elf’s hands, “Dauron took a blade to his side, but its been treated. He lost a lot of blood though… I think you’ll be fine, Dauron. What about you?”

“My leg,” Nell grumbled, wincing slightly when her love tightened the bandages around her thigh, “I’ll be fine. I’m just ready to get home.”

“Well, that’s where we’re headed,” Naden said with a slight smile, then glanced at her thigh before looking at Dauron.
“You may have to give up your bottle again, friend” he said with the same dismal grin.