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KatHeiman
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Post To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: October 27, 2005 04:51
((ooc))

Radû was cold. The rain had been pounding down since dawn, soaking the northern lands in a thick cloak of grey and brown, and had left him soaked to the skin. This, coupled with other circumstances beyond his control, had done nothing to improve his mood; his quarry had gone to ground.

The tall ranger gave a slight shiver and tugged his soggy cloak up over his chin, glad at least for the shelter provided by the barn’s dry, hay-filled loft. He had been extremely wary to trespass, knowing full well the consequences of angering the hostile farmers of the northern realms, but the weather was utterly foul and the building had looked, in all respects, deserted. There had been no signs of livestock nor their keepers, as Radû’s near-paranoid check of the area had confirmed, and he was in need of a good night’s sleep; four days of tracking his quarry over hill and dale with naught but catnaps over cold breakfast had left him weary to the bone.

The thought of his task made the ranger’s weathered brow furrow deeper in frustration. The man he had been sent to track down was either lucky beyond reason or aware he was being followed, for he had taken precautions not even the wiliest of predators would dream of. Radû would have missed that change of horses at the inn had the beast not had a distinctive hoofprint, but by traveling across Evendim by boat he had eluded the tracker completely. His only hope now would be to travel with haste and search every port at which the boat would stop, then continue his pursuit from there. The weather, however, was not cooperating.

Grumbling softly, the dark-haired man tucked his aching hand tighter against his stomach and tried to keep his thoughts on his mission, but he found himself dozing off to the sound of the rain pelting against the roof. Just a moment’s rest, he thought blearily to himself.

Mere moments later Radû shifted, sprawling slightly in the musty hay; the heavy lines around his eyes gradually smoothed as he fell deeply and wearily asleep.



((bwa, okay, ready to roll! Please PM me your character to join, as I want to try and make it a fairly balanced group. Also bear in mind that this is a TT thread set in the north in 11FA, so no elves (unless we've talked), and no super-human warrior princesses (even if we have talked). The plot is fairly free, so any and all ideas are welcome!))

[Edited on 10/28/05 by KatHeiman]
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Post RE: To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: October 27, 2005 11:34
Ewen reached a gloved hand back to brush his sodden hair from his face, then shielded his eyes from the pouring rain and tried to find a sign of civilisation in the gloom. Nothing. Curse these northern sunsets, he thought angrily. He had been in Annúminas for over a fortnight now and had thought he was finally acclimatised to the swift dusk of the place when this rain-soaked day had brought it forward a whole hour more. Curse the rain, too, he added. He could cope with the sometimes sweltering heats of his home in Tarnost in the heart of Gondor, and he flourished in the cold that ruled Minas Tirith in the winters, but this rain with its dull persistence weighed upon his spirits. There was nothing, he decided, no sign of life visible anywhere up ahead of him. He knew his eyes were not the keenest and the rain made it hard to see anything, but surely the city should at least be visible by now if he was where he thought he should be.

Beneath him, Pride snorted angrily and tried to shake his head free of water and Ewen automatically put his hand back on the reins to steady the powerful beast. "Enough of that, enough!" he barked, and the huge black horse gave one final defiant snort and calmed. "There's nothing for it," Ewen muttered, "we'll have to go back to that deserted barn we saw. There's no sign of the city, and no place in these forsaken lands for a traveller to stay." He turned his horse around and glanced behind himself one last time, his expression a mixture of wistful and annoyed, and then kicked Pride into movement, back along the path they had already followed, further from warmth and comfort.

He rode on in silence, his mood becoming increasingly sullen and his litany of curses more furtive. Though Ewen respected his lord's wisdom and judgement in all matters, he was hard-pressed to see why King Elessar had chosen to bring the court here: he much preferred Gondor with its honest, predictable weather, none of these sneaking sunsets or insidious rain. They were not the only things creeping in, though. The broad man was beginning to feel really rather hungry, and he had no food with him besides a small bread roll he had bought from a baker before leaving the final village he had visited that day. Poor fare for both supper that night and breakfast in the morning, he thought, especially compared to what his brother Selwyn would no doubt be dining on right now back in the city. Ewen had no love at all of the court and its intrigues and had only reluctantly agreed to accompany his brother on this journey, but he did like the food.

They reached the barn at last and Ewen dismounted to lift the corroded latch, walking his horse through and then pulling the door shut behind them to shut out as much of this inclement weather as he could. His heavy cloak was completely waterlogged and he took it off and draped it over one of the old pens to dry. Unencumbered, he then set to removing his saddle and bags from the horse and dried off the black stallion as best he could; he was not particularly successful. He set his saddle by his cloak on the wall of the pen and laid his bags out on the floor. They seemed to at least have kept their contents dry, he noted as he fished out his roll and sat down on the cold floor to eat it. He wished he'd stayed at the tiny inn in the village where he had fed and watered Pride, or at least thought to feed and water himself, but he'd expected to be back in the city by now. Too late for wishing, he thought. He'd just have to get up with the sun and head back to Annúminas as quickly as he could in the morning.

When he finished eating he stood up since the chill from the ground beginning to penetrate him, making him feel cold to the bone. The light was almost completely gone and he decided to look around to see if there was any broken wood he could make a fire with. A minute's hasty searching found a single piece that Ewen decided to save in case he had some cause to make a torch during the night, and a ragged old blanket that smelled rather damp. Still, it was better than nothing. He led Pride to the pen next to the one where he had left his things and closed the latch, then tied his lead-rope to the pen wall which was blatantly not tall enough to contain the large horse. He doubled the blanket to get as much warmth from it as he could and then curled up on it as best he could and tried to sleep. Sleep, however, was not forthcoming.
KatHeiman
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Post RE: To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: October 28, 2005 04:18
Radû blinked groggily awake, his dream sifting away to the image of the dark stable roof. What woke m-

Without warning the floor upon which he slept gave a mighty shudder and the ranger’s consciousness came rushing back, startling him completely. He scrambled clumsily to his feet, one hand finding the blade hidden under the hay, and then went completely still to listen.

What he determined from the sound did nothing to put him at ease. A horse, and a large one at that, was being bedded down on the floor below, but Radû could not discern any other distinguishing sounds over the sound of the pounding rain. A traveler caught in the storm, he concluded warily, but whether this traveler will take kindly to others hidden in his resting place is yet to be seen. And will not be seen, he thought, crouching slowly and taking care not to knock any of the hay through the cracks in the rafter-boards. The interior of the barn was black as pitch; it would be useless to try to gain a look at the newcomer. The best he could do now would be to stay silent and keep watch.

So much for sleep.
Ladyofthewood886
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Post RE: To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: October 29, 2005 02:04
Lea was thoroughly soaked and freezing. She had been running for quite sometime now, desperately searching for somewhere to stay. A dark building in the distance caught her eye, so she ran faster towards it. Abandoning caution, she flew inside the barn and closed the door. She regretted closing the door before having a look around first; she couldn't see a thing. She kept one hand on the wall and walked a little away from the door before sitting down and slinging her bag on the ground. She unfastened her traveling cloak and was balling it up to lay her head down when she heard a horse. It didn't bother her at first, seeing as she was in a barn, but when she heard a rustling sound, she felt that she wasn't alone. She decided that keeping silent was best, though she had no doubt that they knew she was here, and waited.
((is my first post ok??))

[Edited on 30/10/2005 by Ladyofthewood886]
Faramirs_first_kiss
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Post RE: To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: October 30, 2005 02:57
Ewen had lain still for barely five minutes when he heard the barn door open and someone come inside. He froze, trying to work out from the sounds what the newcomer was doing. Perhaps it was the owner of the barn, someone who might be willing to give him some more comfortable shelter for the night. On the other hand, the barn had the appearance of a building that had stood empty for a very long time and he could think of no reason at all why anyone should think to check an abandonned outbuilding on a night as unpleasant as this, especially since they could surely not have seen Ewen enter the building.

His first instinct was to light the torch he had left ready and approach the newcomer openly, but then Pride snorted and all hint of another person in the building disappeared: it was the sound of someone staying as quiet as they could. That, thought Ewen, was not the action of some friendly farmer. Whoever it was, they had as little right to be here as he did himself, and were more worried than him about being discovered. Some other traveller sheltering from the storm, wondered Ewen, reaching quietly for his sheathed sword which lay at his side, or some bandit or vagabond searching for people to wrong? Lighting the torch and making himself an easy target, he decided, was a bad idea.

Grasping the sheath of his sword in his left hand and cautiously holding the hilt with his right, he stood up. "Who's that?" he demanded, his voice loud above the sound of the storm. "Who's there?"

((Whee, I love Ewen's sword ))
Ladyofthewood886
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Post RE: To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: October 31, 2005 03:28
She knew she couldn't keep silent any longer. She couldn't tell if he was to be trusted. Finally, taking faith, she replied,
"Lea! Who are you?" She hoped she didn't sound afraid. She gripped the dagger in her bag, praying she wouldn't have to use it. She squinted into the dark, but could't see who she was talking to.
KatHeiman
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Post RE: To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: November 01, 2005 02:23
Another one!

Radû tightened his grip on the hilt of his dirk in agitation. Surely it could not be just the weather bringing all these people to the same place; had he stumbled unaware into a meeting place for some band of rogues? It wouldn’t be at all unlikely, for the rebuilding of Annúminas had attracted bandits, ready to raid the travelers visiting the ruined capitol of the north.

"Who's that? Who's there?"

Radû’s thoughts fell silent as the brusque voice called out in warning. He strained to discern a response in the silence that followed, hoping he would be able to hear it over the rain which had, if possible, picked up in intensity.

"Lea!” returned a startlingly high voice, clear and confident. “Who are you?"

A woman? Surely this is no bandit’s den!

That realization, however, made him no less uncomfortable. Now outnumbered and quite effectively cornered in the loft of the stable, Radû was well aware of his condition and its possible consequences should he be discovered. Uneasy, he reached out a hand to try and find his hidden pack, wishing to orient himself in case the meeting down below went awry. Not feeling it where it was supposed to be, he fumbled slightly and hissed in fear as his pack overturned, making a quiet thud against the raw boards of the loft floor.

((and your first post was fine, Lady! ))

[Edited on 11/15/05 by KatHeiman]
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Post RE: To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: November 01, 2005 01:27
"Lea! Who are you?"

A woman's voice! Ewen let out a heavy breath he hadn't realised he had been holding and relaxed his sword arm. Though he was wary of underestimating a potential foe, he did not think she would be much of a threat to him even if she was armed, and she did not seem to be hostile. Cheeky, perhaps, but not hostile. "I am Ewen, son of Aubrei, of Tarnost. I was caught in the storm-"

"Did you hear that?" the woman's voice cut him off.

"I beg your pardon?" said Ewen, his brow furrowing: he had heard nothing. He had something of a reputation for being oblivious.

"That noise, a thud. Was it you?"

Ewen looked around out of habit, even though the gesture was futile in the darkness. He tensed his sword arm again, straining his hearing to see if he could discern any other sound in the gloom, but there was nothing. Still, he was wary. At least, he thought, if this Lea had alerted him to the sound then it was unlikely to be an accomplice of hers. Perhaps that wasn't such a good thing. We may not be alone. "It was not," he said quietly in the direction that her voice had come from last.

"Show yourself!" he called to the barn in general, his voice loud and authoritative, a voice that had commanded on the field of battle. That had not, he realised, been a perfect choice of words in these pitch black conditions, but he knew his meaning was clear enough. He waited for a response, or any indication that the sound Lea had heard was anything other than the wind.
Leighlia
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Post RE: To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: November 01, 2005 04:19
~~Annúminas~~

Mid-day break found Donnel standing over a large rain barrel, scooping water out of it and over his face and neck, washing away the wood dust. His hands were still smeared with the black pitch, but ordinary water wouldn’t remove that. No sense in taking that kind of time in scrubbing it off when he’d only get more on them.

Wiping his face off on a kerchief, Donnel looked toward the sky. It was still early spring and though the night last night had been cold and damp, the sky was clear and was proving to be a glorious day. Picking up his small bundle he walked to where nets had been piled together against a warehouse building and sat himself down so that he had a view of the docs and the main street back into the city. He had purchased his lunch that morning from the new bakery near his quarters. The aroma of the sausage rolls had attracted his attention that morning as he rose. Three served as his breakfast and three more would now fell his belly for lunch.

As he ate he watched the city move around him. Sounds of industry and activity started before the sun rose and did not stop until the sun set. The rebuilding of Annúminas was well on its way. People have been moving steadily into the city and the outlying farmlands, everyone looking for new opportunities. All the lands were recouping after the war and there was a general feeling of high spirits in the hearts of the people now that the threat from Mordor had ended. Donnel himself had come to Annúminas for the new opportunities that a new city offered.

After having served his king and country in its time of need, and been wounded, Donnel felt it was time to return to his old occupation. He was a carpenter and ship builder. All through his ancestry the men of his line have worked beside or on the water as either sailors or builders of the ships that rode the waves. The docks were the first to be rebuilt in Annúminas and the city was growing outward from them. Donnel had signed on with two brothers Erig and Erron. They had been among the first to bring their families to Annúminas and had been primary in the rebuilding of the lakeside docks. Donnel had worked for them now for the last 3 years. The work was good and he was paid well enough, adding in the fact that he had his room over his employers business office. Next door was their supply house, where the lumber and equipment was stored for their construction yard. As long as Donnel kept his eye on things at night, he lived there for free. Only once had anyone climbed the fence for mischief, but with the traps that Donnel had set around the edge of the yard, it had been the only time anyone had tried to rob them under his watch. Still, he had to be careful that he was up and in the yard before the day began. He didn’t want to mistakenly catch either of his employers after all. When ship work had been lax, Donnel had the good fortune to have gathered small jobs for himself and his employers doing woodwork in some of the business, building cabinets or such things. He himself had carved and installed the new bar top at the Kings Crown tavern just this last winter and earned himself a profitable commission on it to boot.

All around him was the hustle and bustle of people going about their business and most had a spring in their step…All but one. One fellow, a stunted, skinny man in Donnel’s opinion, was struggling and tripping his way off a boat that had just docked. From the looks of him, he couldn’t get off the boat fast enough. Donnel could not contain the grin as he popped the last of his roll into his mouth and dusted off the crumbs from his shirt. As he stood the skinny man was nearing him and Donnel was certain that the man looked a bit green. ‘Lubber.’ Donnel chuckled, keeping the insult under his breath.

Just as he was about to turn back toward the work yard the man stumbled into him, knocking him off his stride. The man swore as Donnel instinctively reached out to steady the man asking, “What is that awful stink? Worse than that damn boat.” Donnel was about to mention the fact that it was likely the fishing nets when the man wretched. Letting go of the man, Donnel stepped back quickly. The lubber, as Donnel now thought of him, raced for the dock edge and, dropping his pack before he fell to his knees and began loosing the contents of his stomach into the water below.

Donnel frowned and shook his head as he watched him. He couldn’t tell by the man’s words where he had come from, nor by his clothing. ‘A wanderer, most likely.’ Donnel thought. One of them left homeless after the war and not inclined to return to the life they had before. Walking after him, Donnel bent to pick up the fallen pack. It had burst open when it was dropped, its contents spilling out into the street. Donnel began scooping the things back into the pack but stopped as he picked up and turned over a small, thin wooden box. It was inlaid and bore a small, silver seal on its top. As he lifted it closer to get a better look it was ripped from of his fingers.

“Oi, keep your hands off. Them’s mine!” The lubber growled angrily at him and tore his pack out of Donnel’s hands. Pushing the box back in his pack, he tucked it under his arm and started off at a quick pace down the street, casting a dark, angry look back over his shoulder.

Donnel shook his head and went back to work. “A bad element, one. I’ve no doubt. And either that is the only thing of worth that man has left to him….or it ain’t his to begin with.” He said to himself. A half our later Donnel was back to work under the hull of a soon to be new fishing vessel and the man and his box had disappeared from his mind as he sang a rather bawdy sailing tune.


(People always ask, so I’ll define it now. Bawdy is a polite way to say naughty or raunchy.)
KatHeiman
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Post RE: To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: November 02, 2005 03:45
((woo, s'all starting to pick up! Thanks to Liegh for starting up the new plot!))

All silent curses at his moment of clumsiness were extinguished at the shouted command from below, and Radû froze, his mind reeling in panic. He took a tiny step back and unconsciously switched the dirk to his bad hand, ready to grab up his bow in an instant.

One exit, no light, uneven ground, this is suicide-

He stifled a tense sound of pain as his hand protested to the death-grip he had taken on his weapon. Brought back to the present, Radû suddenly realized that his chest was heaving, and with a forced effort he slowed his breathing and attempted to clear his thoughts.

The two below were clearly strangers, not only to him, but to each other. The man, however… he had mentioned Tarnost, a city nestled in the hills of southern Gondor; a city which the ranger knew was held by a man of Númenorean descent. He could not recall the ruling lord’s name or crest, but something in the stranger’s manner hinted at high-blood. And while breeding did not guarantee temperament, it did guarantee a certain standard of education and etiquette; his welfare hinged on the pair of people below, and if one was of a foreign upper-class, his chances of coming out unharmed increased tenfold.

He hesitated, however, unwilling to add another bad decision to what appeared to be an ever-increasing list of them, but with an effort of will he made a final, uneasy check of the area around him to prepare for whatever would come. He started to speak several times, but fear would not let him find his voice.

“Lower your weapons,” he finally managed, loud but still unwilling to shout. “I mean you no harm.”
Celedë_Anthaas
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Post RE: To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: November 02, 2005 11:33
Riana couldn't sleep. She had been lying awake for hours, listening to the rain that was pouring down outside and the soft sound of her father's snores from the next room. Outside everything was pitch black. It must be after midnight, she thought, feeling annoyed and thumping her pillow angrily into a more comfortable shape. She needed rest. There were always things to do on the farm were she lived, and that meant she had to get up early. Not that she disliked that. If the weather was fine she enjoyed being up at dawn, when the sun rose above the hills in the east and the first light made the dewdrops sparkle.

The rain outside didn't heighten her spirits, and unless she fell asleep soon she would certainly be tired when the morning came. She gave her pillow a final thump, and rolled onto her side closing her eyes.

She must have fallen asleep after all, for when her mother called to her to wake up, there was already a pale light behind the hills that was steadily growing stronger. With a yawn Riana crept out from under her woolen blankets, shivering as she set her feet on the cold floor. After a quick wash she entered the kitchen, were breakfast was already on the table.

The sun had risen above the hills when Riana left the house to do her chores. She hummed a cheerful tune as she fed the chickens and helped her father as he milked the cows. As she was on her way to the small vegetable patch he called after her, "Riana, I need you to go to Annúminas."
He handed her a few coins. "Buy a few loaves of bread, some apples and two dozen nails. I need to mend the door of the barn." Riana nodded happily, and soon she was on her way, carrying a large basket in one hand.
"Be quick, and come back at once," came her fathers voice from behind her. She smiled to herself as she walked along the broad path that led to the city. Her father had a good reason for telling her to be quick. Whenever she had to go to Annúminas, she would take long detours that went along narrow paths through the forest or along the lake, or she would find a quiet place in the forest where she sat playing the flute. Often she came home just before sunset, many hours too late.

But why hurry now? It was still morning, the sun was shining, it was going to be a fine day...
LadyRanger
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Post RE: To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: November 03, 2005 05:27
With a clumsy, stiff bow Galsilad was out of the throne room and into the narrow corridors. He didn’t particularly like the task he’d been saddled up with, but now that he was done it didn’t seem all that bad anymore. The report he had had to bring to the king was not the most positive, but at least that was nothing new to the Dúnadan. Everything else around it was, but in his personal opinion he had struggled through it quite well. The men and women at the court were friendly and helpful, even when in the stone building his normally keen sense of direction went entirely awry. And at least they didn’t judge him by his old travel-worn outfit, like some of the more common folk seemed to. The clothes made him feel horribly out of place amidst the finery of the high-born here at Annúminas, but at the same time that small bit of familiarity was comforting to the ranger.

“My lord!”

Galsilad hadn’t consciously heard every one of the servant’s earlier calls, nor did he realise he was the one addressed until a hand caught his arm. He turned and could only barely suppress the twitch of his hand towards the hilt of his sword. In front of him stood a short man, panting from his run to catch up with the ranger’s swift stride.

“My lord,” the servant said, making a small nervous bow as he spoke, “the king has a room made ready for you. Allow me to take your things there… and I can have the tub filled with warm water, if my lord wishes a bath…” he trailed off, his expression turning into a tiny cringe. Inwardly he scolded himself for even daring to insinuate the man was not looking tidy enough. He cast his gaze down to the floor and waited in tense silence for the Dúnadan’s response.

Galsilad blinked, unable to keep from giving the servant a simply baffled look. Not only was the this the first time anyone had called him my lord and meant it, also the comment about the bath got him at least slightly insulted. True, there was the odd stain of mud along his body but given last night’s weather and the state of the road he deemed himself remarkably presentable. He fingered the pack he still had slung over his shoulder, pondering what to do. No, actually, he didn’t have to think long about what to do. But how to bring that nicely? “Well, I um… actually I didn’t plan on staying,” he said. “Tell the king his hospitality is much appreciated, but I really have to go.” He shifted the pack on his shoulder. “He’ll understand, I think.”

The servant fidgeted nervously and didn’t reply, and Sil really didn’t know what else to say. The two men stood in front of each other for a few long moments in silence, until the ranger felt the tenseness becoming too much. He turned around and continued walking in the way he had been going before the servant had halted him: outside.

The weather had cleared up quite nicely and although the sun’s rays didn’t provide much warmth their brilliance brought Sil in a cheery mood. He walked down the street in the direction of the docks, planning to have a look around before returning to the Angle. After all, it was his first time in Annúminas and once back home he’d most likely get bombarded with questions about how the city looked and all that. So, he thought to himself, he’d better have answers to those.

At a much slower pace than usual Galsilad sauntered through the streets, looking left and right, admiring the rebuilt houses and allowing the citizens’ general happy moods to quell the uneasy feelings about what happened at the court earlier that day. Too late did he notice the man barging up the road in a hurry. They collided roughly and Sil staggered back with a small cry of surprise. He quickly regained his balance and stepped forward, reaching out his arms to steady the other man. “I’m sorry, I didn’t see you.”

“Keep off,” the other snarled and jerked back, clutching something under his arm possessively. He stared at the ranger a moment, eyes widening. Then he whirled around and ran away.

Sil watched him go with a shake of his head. “Well I’m sorry you’re so fond of rangers,” he muttered sarcastically, then chuckled and shrugged it off, continuing on his way. Underway he took off the silver star brooch fastened on his cloak and tucked it away safely. He had only worn it for his meeting with the king; now that that was done he preferred to keep the precious heirloom out of sight.

Down by the docks Galsilad found a nice spot to sit down and watch the people bustle about their work. He laid his pack and his bow down on the ground next to him and put a foot in the middle to keep anyone from snatching them away in passing. Feeling and hearing his empty stomach complain Sil dug in his pack and found some bread which he happily set to eating. It had been in his pack a bit long, he discovered at the first bite, but it was tasty enough. He’d see to buying something more fresh later today, or depending on how long he’d stay, he’d plunder some foliage underway. Nothing was better than food straight out of the forest, but for now the old bread was good enough to still his hunger. Looking around the ranger saw a broad blonde man working nearby and a short laugh escaped his lips as he heard the song the man was singing.

“Not quite your average lullaby, isn’t it?” Galsilad grinned when he noticed the man glancing over at him.
Leighlia
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Post RE: To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: November 07, 2005 05:41
Donnel stood and wiped a hand over his brow. Even though the chill of the night before still hung in the air, refusing to be forgotten even with the sun over head, he was still managing to work up a bit of a sweat. Strong shoulders working he was plaining boards, evening them so that they will fit snuggly together without gaps. His plainer rasped over the wood in time with is song, wood shavings falling to the ground all around his feet.

Looking around he saw that a man had settled himself down nearby and was enjoying a brief repast. A new face, Donnel thought to himself and then grinned. It was unusual to not see new faces every day, especially along the docks. Donnel gave the man a greeting nod and grinned when the man spoke.

“Not quite your average lullaby, isn’t it?”

"Ah, the day is well advanced for lullabies. And a good song makes the work pass with joy in your heart....no matter the tune." Donnel replied with a grin. Stooping back to his work he began his work again, taking up the song again.

He paused briefly and switched from the crude verse he was singing when a small group of women passed by him singing instead of a chilverous shark who ate neither women or children. Two of the matronly women gave him dark looks, having heard his previous tune well enough, but the trailing young lady only gave him a grin, her eyes moving over his bare shoulders and chest. He gave them a small bow and watched them pass as the older women took the younger by the hand and hurried her along.

Shaking his head he chuckled. As he picked up the board he had been working on he called to the stranger who sat near him. "I would be careful where you sit along the docks, stranger. I saw a man spill his belly not far from where you sit."
Donnel set another board before him and began working on it, passing the plainer back and forth over its surface.
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Post RE: To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: November 09, 2005 05:06
Galsilad chuckled around his lunch at the blond man’s antics, politely covering his grin with a hand. Some people…he thought, shaking his head amusedly.

At the comment about his choice of resting place, Sil raised his eyebrow minutely. “Spill his-,” he started to question but halfway through he realised what the man meant. Instinctively he drew back a little and cast a few hasty glances around, although he knew it couldn’t have been that close to him; he’d have smelled it if nothing else. “And you waited half an hour before telling me?” he scolded laughingly. He leaned forwards slightly and peered over the dock edge. On second thought he sat back again, not wishing his appetite to be diminished by the sight of another man’s stomach contents. “Well, I suppose we can’t all be comfortable on a boat in bad weather,” he commented, guessing the reason of the unfortunate’s sickness. He took another bite of his bread but found to his dismay that even just talking about upset stomachs had made the bread taste fouler than it already was. With a sigh he threw the rest of it into the water down below. “There you go,” he said, “have my lunch on top of it.” He wiped the crumbs off his clothes, then shrugged. “It was already too old anyway.”

[Edited on 9/11/2005 by LadyRanger]
Ladyofthewood886
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Post RE: To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: November 09, 2005 02:00
((erm.. is it still dark at the barn??))
Lea looked around quickly. The voice came from above, but she couldn't see anyone. Not that she thought that she would, of course. Someone had been there the whole time. The fact that the person said they meant no harm did not soothe her mistrust. She only tightened her grip on her dagger. Not that she planned on attacking him; it just helped her feel safer. It wouldn't do much damage anyways. She pushed her back against the wall and waited to see what Ewen would do.
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on: November 10, 2005 09:36
((yeah, still dark. Once we're all introduced Ewen'll light his torch))

The silence stretched out before Ewen and he waited for an answer, his hands gripped around the hilt of his enormous sword. Its weight was a comfort: that sword with its long, broad blade had served him well in many more dangerous times than this.

After what seemed to Ewen to be rather too long a pause, there was a reply. "Lower your weapons. I mean you no harm," came a voice from the gloom. It sounded, Ewen thought, almost strangled, as if the person was having difficulty speaking. Perhaps the owner of the voice really was no threat. He was not quite ready to trust him yet, though.

"Who are you?" he asked, his voice stern but not harsh and demanding as it had been before.
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on: November 10, 2005 09:52
(())

Once again, Radû hesitated. The man’s tone had changed, not dramatically, but enough to put the fear of immediate danger from his own mind. The ranger, however, was not naïve enough to believe either person below had lowered their weapons. He gave rapid thought to his response and took a breath to steady himself.

“A friend of Gondor.”
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Post RE: To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: November 12, 2005 07:12
Annúminas was not far from Riana's farm, just a mile or two along the main road, but it was already mid-day when Riana finally reached the city. She had taken another path that went through a wooded area, along a small stream which made its way noisily towards Lake Evendim. She had walked slowly to enjoy the morning, occasionally stopping to look at plants and flowers, or play a tune on her flute. After a long winter it felt wonderful to walk beneath the green trees. Last night's rain had left everything fresh and clear, making the forest more beautiful than ever.

Riana was in a good mood when she walked through the streets of Annúminas, towards the market place in the center of the city where she could buy what she needed. As she passed the docks she spotted a familiar face.
"Donnel!" she called, walking towards a man who was busy plaining boards. He turned and greeted her cheerfully.
"What are you making?" she asked him, curious as ever.


((I hope this is Ok))
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on: November 13, 2005 12:52
"Speak plainly!" said Ewen, the tone of command returning to his voice as his exasperation with the stranger in the dark grew. "You have heard my name and line. If you are a friend, you should not fear to tell me yours."
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on: November 13, 2005 03:18
Donnel had a playful smile on his face and had been about to apologize to the stranger when he saw a familiar face in the crowd making her way toward him. He had seen the man toss his bread away and felt a bit guilty at having spoiled the man's lunch, but instead he straightened and waved at Riana.

"Good afternoon young Miss." Donnel greets her playfully. "This will be Master Grondel's new fishing boat if I manage to get it finished." He said dusting wood shavings off himself and picking up his shirt, sliding it over his head. It was one thing to show off before strange women. With one he knew however, even as young as Riana was, he would be more respectful and not stand half nude before her.

He eyed her basket. "And where are you off to? Shopping are ya?" He asked tipping it's edge with a thickly calloused finger. " 'Tis empty. Either you've had a late start or you've been wanderin' the woods again." He looked at her and saw from her expression that she had done exactly that, knowing her tendency to wander. Donnel clucked his tongue at her. "What your father would say." He said, hands on his hips and looking down at her with a mock stern expression of his own.
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on: November 14, 2005 04:12
“I am called Darkhound,” Radû called down, the covername spoken without hint of a lie, for it was a common nickname for the ranger-tracker. The man below seemed competent and clearly from the south; this removed the danger of the exclusively northern opinion that the Dúnedain rangers were dangerous poachers and bandits. He took a deep breath and prepared his next words. “The line of my forebears takes root again in the Southern Kingdom. I am distant kin of your lord.”

I pray this lord’s son minded his tutor’s lessons of history, Radû thought dryly, or this will be a very long night indeed…

[Edited on 12/1/05 by KatHeiman]
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on: November 16, 2005 12:30
Hlaslo shook the blanket before he placed it on Patties newly groomed back, the mare turned her head towards him and nickered at him; she was impatient. He hadn't ridden her much the past few months since the mare had a colt at her side, a unexpected little foal to that, but now the filly was big enough to accompany them on the journey. He caressed the dark mare as he leaned close and placed his arm around her neck.
“It will be good to ride you again, that gelding is far too thoughtless for my taste,” he told the mare that had saved him many times. Not say the least at the battle of the Pelenor Field, the memories he had from that battlefield were few and inaccurate, or that was what his friends had told him afterwards. He had woken up in the House of Healing, his right leg broken in two places, and a deep cut across his face, he had been feverish and incoherent for weeks. The first lucid memory he had was that of Lord Aragorn. He unconsciously felt at the scar as he continued saddling the mare. But the happiest memory was when his brother Hilto had returned unscathed from the Black Gate, and when he had managed to hobble down to the stable and see his little mare standing there nibbling away on fresh grass, and the way she had greeted him with her soft neigh.

He pulled the headpiece over the mares head, he had no usual bridle, he had seen to many horses with torn mouths to ever wish to use something like that on her, besides she did his every bidding… well at least almost all. Hlalso walked back through the stable to get his packs, when he realized that the cream colored filly was chewing his favorite shirt.
“Oy, Steorra! That belongs to me, my precious!” he said as he carefully pulled the fabric from the foal. The colt looked somewhat ashamed and her head suddenly sunk down, making Hlaslo laugh and stretch forward to stroke the fillies’ soft muzzle. He slipped a soft halter over the little ones head, he knew that he would need to restrain her as the entered Annúminas.

He sat up in one fluid motion, he nudged Patties sides and the mare fell into the familiar malleable canter, the foal ran at their side, keeping close to her mother. His blue eyes observer the rebuilt gates of Annúminas as he sat of and tied Steorra to Patiences’ side, his pulled his graying hair back as the foal took the moment to serve herself a little midday meal. He took Patties reins and led her through the gates, he hoped that Steorra would keep her composure but as with all children that could only be hoped. He was heading for no where especial, no especial but the docks, when he suddenly fell to the ground, he at first just figured that his leg had decided to act up as it still did at times. But then he felt a hard blow to the back of his head and the world blackened on him, he shouted and feebly tried to fight the unseen attacker off but the second blow counted him out, but as the world went blank on him he felt how Patties reins where pulled out of his numbing hands.

As he woke up he felt that someone was holding a cold wet towel to the back of his head, and the sharp pain that spread down his back made him nauseous. He was unwilling to open his eyes since he could feel the sharp sunlight through them closed.
“My horse… he stole my horse...” he whispered through painclenched teeth

[Edited on 16/11/2005 by Sirthien]
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on: November 17, 2005 12:17
((Greetings, Middle-Earthlings. Talkan is here: http://www.councilofelrond.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=RPG&file=index&action=viewcharacter&rpgid=5425 And yes, he does tend to mutter to himself a lot. Hope this post is OK -- not much background detail because I haven't quite got a clear idea of exactly where Hlaso is. ))

Talkan whistled tunelessly as he ambled towards the docks. He had an hour for a meal before he went back to his work. Well, in fact, he could take as long as he pleased, for most of the masons were paid on the amount of work they did, not the hours they worked. But Talkan believed in at least a little discipline. The wind caught his choppy brown hair and whipped it around; he coughed, but then laughed and inhaled deeply. It was good to be away from the dust and shavings of the masons and carpenters for a while. Talkan was fairly ambivalent about his trade. He found a great deal of it rather mindless, but that kept his mind free for other things.

Such as, why was it good to be honest? Talkan considered himself an honest man, but today it had occurred to him that he did not actually know why this was a good thing. How did he know what was good, in any case? “Why, why, why?” he sang at the top of his voice, secure in the knowledge that nobody could hear him and think him off his head. Then again, Talkan had something of a reputation for being a little odd – not that he cared. Just because he was a mason like his father before him did not mean he had no right to question things. “Questions, questions,” he chuntered to nobody in particular as he strolled over the damp grass. His boots wouldn’t thank him for it, but Talkan remained comfortably indifferent as to his clothing. There was no point in making more effort than a shirt and scruffy tunic. It would all get covered in dust regardless.

“Dusty, dusty…” Talkan trailed off as he saw something – or someone – lying in the grass a little way ahead. The young man broke into a run, and presently knelt down beside the figure on the ground, blissfully unaware of the soaking grass. It was an older man, his hair greying, and clearly unconscious. “What have we here?” he said aloud in his strong Gondorian accent. Careful not to move him, his fingers explored the back of his head and encountered a bloody lump. Talkan winced; his older sister was a healer, and he had some idea of how much it would hurt when the man came round.

“Looks like you caught the wrong end of someone’s stick,” he murmured. After a moment’s thought, he unwrapped the square of cloth from around the bread and cheese he had collected for his lunch and shoved the food carelessly into the pocket of his dusty apron. ‘It will likely be none the worse for a little dust,’ he thought as he dampened the cloth with some water from his flask. It might once have been a dishcloth or hand towel; as with most of his few possessions, he wasn’t quite sure about its origin.

Talkan did his best to clean the worst of the blood away, but settled in the end for simply holding the towel to the back of the man’s head. He couldn’t carry him, and there was nobody nearby; there was nothing he could do until he came round. If he came round. Talkan’s natural optimism chased away the thought as a fussy housewife would chase away cobwebs. “Ah, you’ll do,” he told the oblivious man. “Might be wanting the healers for a little, but you’ll likely do.” He saw him wince and shift position slightly. “There,” said Talkan. “You see?” His habit of talking apparently to himself was one of the principal reasons that several of his colleagues had doubts about his soundness of mind.

The man winced and muttered something through gritted teeth. “My horse… he stole my horse…”

“Hey, rest easy there,” Talkan told him gently. “You’ll not do yourself or the horse any good getting agitated. Do you know what happened?” he asked, wondering if he was injured otherwise, and hoping not. Talkan had no idea what he was going to do if he could not move the man. He glanced around, but there was nobody in sight save a few birds circling high in the air. “Do you hurt anywhere apart from your head, master?”
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Post RE: To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: November 23, 2005 08:55
((gosh, I'm sorry it's taken me so long to reply, everyone! I've been sleeping off the busiest week of my life, but now I'm back and ready to RP!))

Ewen let out an exasperated breath: the man now claimed to be his lord's kin, and still he gave a false name? Or did he really expect Ewen to believe that his father at his birth had named him 'Darkhound'? Family to King Elessar! Ewen thought. I mean really!

And then, slow as his thoughts often were, realisation began to dawn on him. The king was indeed from a line rooted in the south, now living in the north. The rangers, of course! And did the rangers not often take false names to hide their true identity? Perhaps this man was one of them, and yet perhaps he was not. Ewen considered what to do.

"Stay where you are," he said at length. "I'm going to light a torch." Sight would tell, he knew. There was a lordliness in the rangers' countenance akin to that of King Elessar, and to a lesser extent that of Ewen's own late father.

He sheathed his sword and felt his way to his bags, grasping hold of the chunk of wood as he searched for his tinderbox. He tried to listen for any sounds of the barn's other occupants, but he knew that if this 'Darkhound' was indeed a ranger he would have a hard time hearing his movements even if the rain was not still pounding on the roof of the barn. At last his hand closed around the cold steel box and he withdrew it, locating the striking steel and flint in the dark and clumsily wrapping a wad of tinder around the wood he'd found. He struck the steel and stone together and managed to make a spark catch the tinder, which passed its flame to the wood. He held the torch aloft in his left hand and looked around, his right hand on his sword hilt in case either of the others should make a sudden move.

He saw Lea first, since with her fair hair and gold shawl she caught the light. She was shorter than Ewen and slender and, as he had suspected, unlikely to be a threat. Far from it, in fact: she was quite lovely. He did not allow his gaze to tarry on her too long, though, as he knew there was a pressing matter at hand. He held the torch higher still and could just make out a dark figure at the edge of its light. The man looked tall, remarkably so, but thin as if he had been ill. He did not seem to stand with the regal bearing that other rangers Ewen had met shared, and he was too far away for Ewen to make out his features. "Come down," said Ewen, "if you are a friend."
KatHeiman
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Post RE: To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: November 25, 2005 07:20
(('allo, nele, welcome to the thread! ))

There was a lengthy pause from below, which served only to worry the ranger further; had he been too cryptic in his replies? Was the man suspicious to the point of action? Radû felt the lump of panic start to rise in his throat again.

“Stay where you are, I’m going to light a torch.”

Radû hurriedly stepped back, snatching up his sword-belt from the hay and sheathing his blade; it would not do for the strangers below to see him standing battle-ready after requesting that they lower their own weapons. He buckled the belt round his waist, the sheathed weapon hanging at his right side, and he made it back to the edge of the loft just as the first sparks of the torch were catching below. He waited for the strangers to reveal themselves, feeling uneasy and exposed in the vaulted expanse of the stable.

The torch flickered to light before another minute had passed, and Radû quickly averted his eyes, not wishing to put himself at a disadvantage by ruining his night-vision. The veiling darkness quickly deferred to the hazy glow of the torchlight, giving all the barn’s occupants a good glimpse of each other.

It was as he had assumed- a man and a woman, the former with a horse stabled just beyond him, the latter having arrived on foot. Radû was surprised at the size of the man holding the torch, however; though he could not guess the man’s height from his current vantage point, he clearly vouched for his strength in the span of his shoulders. The ranger did not miss the fact that the man's hand rested firmly on the hilt of a long, thick-bladed sword, and his expression bordered on distrust.

“Come down, if you are a friend.”

Radû hesitated, suddenly wary. To come down the ladder would mean putting himself at a distinct disadvantage, unable to protect himself should either the man or the woman decide to attack. Placing ones trust in strangers is foolhardy, and giving up the high ground is even moreso... but I will not chance a conflict.

Forcing a deep breath, the ranger stepped to the ladder and descended carefully, keeping a cautious eye on the man holding the torch and the woman beyond him. Her hand seemed to be clutching at something, almost certainly a hidden weapon, and as Radû stepped off the ladder he could not help but take up an almost defensive posture.
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Post RE: To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: November 27, 2005 05:54
((Okay, I finally managed a short post. Welcome nele, btw))

"My father wouldn't say anything unless he knew," Riana said with a grin. Donnel chuckled and turned back to his work, occasionally stopping to brush the wood shavings away. Riana let her eyes wander over the rebuilt city. Every time she came to Annúminas, it seemed bigger and more beautiful than the previous time. There would be a new statue, a fountain or a house, and of course new people. Once I was new here as well. Riana thought. She had lived here for almost six years now, and the farm felt more like home than Bree had ever done.

Riana looked around again, and noticed a tall man she hadn't seen before. She opened her mouth to greet him, but at that moment there were several outraged shouts behind her. She spun around, then jumped backwards and tripped as a man on a horse came galloping past, missing her by inches. The man did not look back, but rode on as fast as he could through the streets.
"I'm fine," she said shakily, getting to her feet. Those around her were still muttering angrily about the rider.
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Post RE: To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: November 30, 2005 10:13
Ewen held the torch up to the man as he descended the ladder, watching him carefully. He was extremely slight of build, but Ewen's suspicions about his height were confirmed: this man was among the tallest he had ever met. He knew that the great kings of old had been tall, that their crowns had touched the sky, and, though there were none alive now who could match them, this 'Darkhound' seemed close to it. He did not, however, move like a king, nor one of any high blood at all. His arms were close to his sides as he climbed down the ladder, and when he stepped off it was to the side, away from Ewen, and his stance was guarded.

Slowly, letting his hand drop a little from the hilt of his sword, Ewen approached, watching Darkhound as he did. The man's clothes were certainly fit for a ranger, dark, warm, serviceable, but they were much like those of any traveller. His face was a different matter, though. While he was wary, not unreasonably so faced as he was by the big man, there was something almost regal about him, and his grey eyes reminded Ewen strongly of Elessar. "Perhaps I believe you," he said quietly, after a while. "Give me your true name, friend, for you have mine."
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Post RE: To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: December 04, 2005 08:02
((sorry for the delay, all! I'll be a bit more quick to reply now that I've not got my job to fret over))

The ranger was forced to turn his attention from the woman to the man as he approached, torch first, his expression more questioning than hostile. He watched the man’s heavy, scarred hand move from the hilt of his sword, and with that he felt his own fears begin to abate; this Ewen, son of Aubrei, was not out to harm him, for the honesty of his movements gave away his budding trust. He took a chance to evaluate the man before him as he felt himself being regarded in much the same way.

His hair flickered quite red in the torchlight, and Radû found himself surprised at the man’s height; from above he had seemed inches taller, but face-to-face the man revealed himself to be hardly more than six feet in height. His clothes, he noted, were fine, embroidered with silver detailing at the collar, and with his beautifully wrought sword still held close at hand he was the image of a proper (if still quite damp) lord of Gondor. He is no soft-handed lordling, Radû thought to himself. He has a warrior’s stance.

The silence seemed to grow expectant, and the ranger felt himself growing tense again; his hand tucked itself further behind his sword out of nervousness, and he met the stranger’s eyes.

"Perhaps I believe you," Ewen said after a moment, his voice nearly lost in the din of the rain on the roof. "Give me your true name, friend, for you have mine."

“My true name is of little use," he mumbled, as if every word he spoke was one too many. "Those who speak of me know me as Darkhound." His eyes drifted from the nobleman’s face, not willing to keep his gaze.
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on: December 05, 2005 10:09
Galsilad watched the man and the young woman’s playful bickering with a smile. The blond man, Donnel she had called him, he was of a bit of an odd sort, but Sil had to admit it was amusing. As long as he’d be spared the mockery, he chuckled to himself. Noticing the girl looking at him he tipped his head up and was about to give her a friendly greeting, when she whirled around to the sounds of shouting behind her on the street.

The ranger was up on his feet in an instant, his fingers flawlessly finding their familiar grip around the shaft of his bow. He saw a horse come galloping by causing the girl to fall, but as he moved forward he realised he was in a crowded city and not out in the free, wild forests. Grinding his teeth Silad stopped himself and watched with an angry, helpless sigh as the man on the horse sped on heedlessly. When he was out of sight Sil turned and saw the girl crawling back to her feet. She was shaken, but appeared to be all right like she said.

Looking down at the hoof prints in the dry mud on the street Galsilad frowned. He thought it had been a trick of the light, but now that he saw the small hoof next to the larger one he knew his eyes had not deceived him. “Now that’s odd,” he murmured, not noticing he was thinking out loud, “why would mister I’m-in-a-hurry take a foal with him?”
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Post RE: To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: December 08, 2005 07:57
Donnel raised his head at the sound of angry shouts and saw the rider racing past. He reached out for Riana, but it was too late, already she had stepped clear of the fast hooves and had landed on her backside. Reaching for her arm to pull her up he heard her say that she was alright. His eyes were on the back of the rider as he disappeared into the streets. It was the pack, slung over the riders back that had caught his eye.

Turning back to Riana he picked up her fallen basket and handed it back to her. "Well, there's our excitement for the day, I've no doubt. If that's all there is then we might as well pack it up for the day. You'd best be off if you want to be home in time for your dinner. Your basket is still half empty and you've a long walk ahead still. Just be careful of trampling horses."

His gaze went back up the road, his brows lowered and his thoughts dwelling on the fact that the lubber had no horse an hour or so ago.
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Post RE: To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: December 28, 2005 01:22
“My true name is of little use. Those who speak of me know me as Darkhound."

Ewen let out an exasperated sigh, wishing the man would be plainer. "You are a hard man to trust," he said under his breath. It was no wonder the rangers had always been disliked in these parts if their attitude was this guarded.

'Those who speak of me,' he had said, not 'those who know me' or 'my friends'. Evidently he was not so willing to trust as Ewen was, though he seemed, Ewen thought from the way he cast his eyes aside and mumbled, to be almost ashamed of this fact.

Still, the rain was heavy and the night dark and cold, and he could see no useful end in making enemies here. With his lips pursed, he nodded. "Very well, then," he said, "Darkhound you shall be."

He turned back and smiled to Lea, gesturing slightly with his head that she could safely come and join them. "I don't suppose you have any provisions you could share?" said Ewen quietly to the ranger. "I could pay you back in full."

((gah, I'm sorry it's taken me so long to reply. I think I'm past the busy season now, so normal service should be resumed We really need to catch the group in the barn up with the people in the city: it's midday in Annúminas and still midnight in the barn...))
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Post RE: To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: January 07, 2006 10:46
((im sorry that I havent posted, too. lost my internet ))
Lea studied the two men closely. The one with the horse seemed alright, but the other was suspicious.
Aw, well, who am I to judge?she asked herself. She certainly wasn't the most trustworthy person. She stood up and brushed herself off and tried to squeeze the last of the rain from her cloak. Abbandoning the task, she grabbed her bag and went over to the others.
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Post RE: To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: January 13, 2006 05:09
((Okay, I thought I posted this days ago, but apparently not...))

"I don't suppose you have any provisions you could share? I could pay you back in full."

“There isn’t much,” Radû said quietly. He somehow doubted that the lean strips of dried venison in his pack were what the man had in mind, but the question had been posed and he was willing and able to provide what had been asked for. Giving the golden-haired woman a glance as she approached, wringing the rainwater out of her cloak, the ranger stepped back to the ladder and climbed up to fetch the rest of his supplies. He shouldered his bow and checked his provisions before descending again, taking out the well-worn pouch containing his travel rations and offering it to Ewen. “I’ll hunt when the weather breaks.”

Still uncertain, Radû chanced a brief look at the woman. She was young and, judging by her fair hair and complexion, of foreign stock. She seemed far more wary than the broad, ruddy lord standing beside her, and Radû couldn’t help but take note of the irony. I trust the man with the blade and keep watch on the unarmed woman…
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Post RE: To Follow the North Star (free, PM or see OOC to join)
on: January 14, 2006 06:59
Ewen smiled in thanks as the tall man handed him a leather pouch containing the familiar, unappetising strips of dried meat that were just another of the inconveniences of travel; Ewen knew them well. He took one out of the bag and tore the end off it with his teeth, chewing the tough rations hard. They weren't all that bad, salty but wholesome.

"I'll hunt when the weather breaks," Radû was saying, and Ewen gave a dry laugh.

"Ha! But for this weather I'd be in Annúminas, in the warm and dry. If you're heading that way tomorrow, I'll see to it you get a proper meal, no raw game. And you, miss," he said with a smile towards Lea.
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on: January 15, 2006 06:13
((Sorry that I haven't posted for so long, been busy with school))

"Well, there's our excitement for the day, I've no doubt. If that's all there is then we might as well pack it up for the day. You'd best be off if you want to be home in time for your dinner. Your basket is still half empty and you've a long walk ahead still. Just be careful of trampling horses."

"I will," Riana smiled, taking her basket from Donnel. He was right. She still had a lot to do, and her parents would be very angry if she came home after dark.

"Good luck with the boat," said Riana to Donnel as she turned and walked in the direction of the market. There she bought apples and freshly baked bread. Now she just had to buy some nails and then she could be on her way home. Ahead of her in the narrow street she could see a large woman who seemed very familiar. Too familiar. Riana quickly turned her head so that the woman wouldn't see her, but it was too late.

"It can't be little Riana!"
Riana forced a smile as she greeted the woman. Her name was Frieda, and she lived on a farm not far from where Riana and her family lived. Riana didn't like Frieda very much, she always insisted on treating her like a child and could talk for hours and hours about absolutely nothing.

"I can't believe how much you've grown since I last saw you!" Frieda exclaimed.
Riana highly doubted it - Frieda had visited them on the farm just a few days ago - but she kept her mouth shut. Frieda droned on and on, about the weather, last night's storm, the socks she had knitted herself, the flowers in her garden...
"Where are your mother and father?" Frieda asked at last. "Surely you aren't here all alone?"
"I am," answered Riana. "I just have to buy some apples, bread and a few nails. Father has to mend the barn."
"Well," said Frieda, "you are a big girl now, but I could walk with you home to make sure nothing happens."
Riana took a deep breath and tried to be as polite as possible.
"That really won't be necessary, thank you. I'll be fine!" She'd rather walk home alone and get trampled over by the man and his horse than walk home with Frieda. Not that she hated her, but she could be extremely annoying.
"Are you sure?" asked Frieda. "It would be no trouble at all, I'm going the same way myself."
"No, really, I -"
"Oh, but you are bleeding! Have you hurt yourself? Poor little girl!"
She was pointing at a small cut on Riana's hand. She must have gotten it when she stuck out her hand to break her fall.
"It's nothing," Riana replied. "I have to go now, have a nice afternoon!" Then she hurried away, before Frieda could answer.

How long had she been talking with her? It seemed like an hour, at least. And she still hadn't bought the nails her father needed. With a sigh she walked back to the market, hoping that Frieda wouldn't notice her again.
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