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bow_and_arrow
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 20, 2006 06:21
Feorran opened her eyes when she heard Geongan praise her horse. "Thank you," she whispered. "He was the best horse there was in my-" she shut her mouth and put a hand over her closed lips. She was not the only one who had secrets, and she was not willing to reveal hers just yet.

Feorran noticed that Geongan looked like she carried a weight too, her own secret, but she dismissed it as a fantasy and thought no more of it.

Irmo_of_lorien
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 20, 2006 07:39
For what seemed a long time Ciron perched on a long thick branch high up the tree and he started to doze.
But as his head lolled he heared many pounding feet. And he looked down to the floor and torches flew passed him and lots of men, about 20 or so ran underneath and into the deep of the forest. Cirons curiosity overcame him and he followed them as fast as him legs would carry him, but it was not hard to catch up with them as every so often, they would stop andlistened for noises, and made strange whistling sounds to the sky, that ciron thought were answered. He followed them into the heart of the forest
Shadowfax_Pip
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 20, 2006 11:00
Eorla stopped Rogue and informed the others that it was too dark to fetch help, but most of her comment was because she saw that Feorran seemed to be recovering well enough. Rogue stood quietly and ed a hind leg in relaxation, tossing her head a little as Eorla slid off. The Rohirric tied the roan mare to a tree and sat with her back to it. Having been rudely awakened from her sleep she closed her eyes and dropped off almost immediately.

The dream hit her almost immediately, starting out with jumbled images of a drenching storm, a terrible fear, and the rescuer. He took her to kind people, but every time she tried to look at his face all she could make out was flashing grey eyes and dark hair. Now she was living with Rangers, training Rogue, burning fire, tracking--no! It was too much to understand, too much to grasp.

With a gasp she awoke, feeling the stranges gazes from her new companions. She frowned and drew her knees up to her chest. This was the first time in ages that The Dream has accosted her. It made her feel vulnerable, unprotected. She was determined to shun the questions that would inevitably come.
Irmo_of_lorien
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 20, 2006 11:21
The men were now approaching the middle of the forest, guided by the strange whistling sound that came from deep in the woods all around. They slowed down and eventually stopped and made camp, a small fire and some food cooking on it was soon set up. But Ciron stayed away from sight and eventually took to a fairly large tree where he could keep sight of the camp.
Several parties of three or four scouts were sent out in different directions. They seemed to know that someone was in the woods, and they were searching for them.
During his long dreary time watching the camp Ciron became familiar with the ways of the men, They seemed to speak a strange language, or a familiar one but with heavy accents. Many of the men shuffled anxiously about the place while the cam was set up, and lots of them crowded around the fire as it to hide it from sight.
ElfmaidenofLorien
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 21, 2006 04:43
"Are you alright Eorla?" Geongan asked. Eorla didn't answer. "Maybe she is holding a secret too. If so I can't understand." Geongan thought. Geongan turned her attention from Eorla and checked on Feorran again. "How are you feeling Feorran. I hope you are not in much pain?" Geongan asked. Feorran seemed to have fallen asleep. Geongan decide to stay awake, just in case something happened. As Geongan sat she looked back at her two companions. She wondered if they all held secrets like her own that they could not reveal. Geongan knew some day her secret would get out and in some ways she wouldn't mind that. Then Geongan heard a sound and looked over. "I hope Feorran gets well soon. I can't wait to leave this horrible forest." Geongan whispered. She felt on edge, her keen senses where alert. She felt something would happen this night and no matter how many times she tried to shake off the feeling her elven senses would keep telling her something was going to happen.
'Not even the gods above can separate the two of us, no nothing can come between you and I.'
bow_and_arrow
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 21, 2006 05:32
Feorran woke up, hearing something. Geongan looked like she had fallen asleep on watch, and she couldn't blame her, it had been a hard time for everyone. She stood up shakily, and to her surprise the world stayed still. The herbs Geongan had used had helped a lot.

All the horses were nervous, and seeing Hafoc dancing like the others put her on edge as well. Then she heard a twig snap behind her, and searched widly for a weapon. Her bow was on Hafoc's back, she picked it up and nocked an arrow, waiting. She was not about to get hurt again. Behind her, the others started to wake, and soon armed themselves as well, still waiting.
Irmo_of_lorien
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 21, 2006 06:35
Ciron son saw some action going on in the camp, one scout had come running back and had talked to the rest of the men. They all gathered their swords and bows hastilly and sat to discuss a plan.

Ciron guessed wildly that the scout had found the others, so he lightly circles the group and headed off in the direction that the scout had come from. He got out his sling and put a round pebble into it just in case.

Soon he began to hear voices and ran lightly towards them. When he hard that it was the others he was filled with delight, because now he was going to be safe in their protection. But he must warn them quickly, he came closer to them and a twig snapped under his feat. When he saw the looks on their faces he said " Dont worry, its me" and they all looked relieved. "But I we have to go quickly".
ElfmaidenofLorien
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 21, 2006 12:22
"I knew someone was coming." Geongan thought to herself. She quickly gathered her herbs that she always took with her, and a few other things and tied it on to her horse. Then she jumped on, she had to steady Darkfire so he wouldn't run off. "Hurry, they are coming fast!" Geongan said quickly, then regretted it. Their human ears couldn't hear the sound yet, only hers. She looked nervously at them, they didn't seem to notice what she had said, Geongan was relived. Soon they were all on their horses and perpared to run to another destination. "Where are we going from here?" Geongan asked.
'Not even the gods above can separate the two of us, no nothing can come between you and I.'
Irmo_of_lorien
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 21, 2006 09:01
(Cirons on Feorans horse as well as feorran , i hope that is o.k bow and arrow )

From the back of the horse Ciron glanced back quickly and saw flickers of torchli8ght through the trees. "THey came from the North, so i suggest we go into the mountains and hide there for a while. THey wont find us up there, im sure i can fing us all a decent place to hide", Ciron said to the others.
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 22, 2006 05:27
Díore followed the scouts and saw that they led her back to her companions. Durithil came to her, and she mounted him swiftly. Encountering the others, she overheard the comment that they should head for the mountains. "We would do well to stay on the lower slopes of the mountains should we head that way," she said, showing herself to them. "The upper slopes get very cold this time of year, and as of now, we should be lighting a fire soon, otherwise we could freeze. The nights are getting colder." The truth of Díore's words dawned upon them as they could see their breath with the sun setting.

Díore looked over her companions as they rode. Too young they seemed to be journeying, and for what purpose? In truth, what was her own purpose for going anywhere? Would it be better to go back to Edoras and find her father and see what she could do for him. Awyndel, her mother, was sure to miss her now. And Hasulfen...Díore shook her head. There was no place for any of them out here. It would better to go home...and doing that would mean being defeated before adventure came to them. Díore lifted her head and saw the flickering torches coming towards them. "We need to move, now!" Díore cried, urging Durithil into a trot. "They will get closer if we do nothing now!"
"There is no such thing as a geek, just those who love things the rest of humanity finds weird."
bow_and_arrow
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 22, 2006 05:30
(That's fine Irmo )

Feorran turned back and saw Ciron glancing back to the flickering torchlight. She reached inside her boot and handed him a long, curved knife. "Give it back to me when we're out of danger. You need to be armed," she smiled.

"To the mountains!" she said to everyone, galloping up to alongside them one by one. No one suggested anywhere else to go so they turned in the next gap in the trees and galloped for the mountains, where they hoped they would be safe.
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 22, 2006 05:39
Díore headed the group as they raced wrecklessly for the mountains. Ah, the mountains, the Ered Nimrais, the place that had held the imaginations of the maiden when she was young. Now they seemed to be the only shelter available. "I know a place around here that is secluded enough for the time being. Follow me." That was a hard thing to do however, as Durithil was as black as night, and his hooves were muffled by the dying grass.

One hand clutching the reins, Díore pulled out a dagger and prepared to defend herself if the horses didn't get them out of danger in time. The welcoming mass of the mountains was still distant, but hopefully if all went well, they would make the Ered Nimrais by morning.

(Please have slightly longer posts everyone!!)
"There is no such thing as a geek, just those who love things the rest of humanity finds weird."
Shadowfax_Pip
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 22, 2006 06:26
Eorla had leaped to her feet at the incoming torches and followed the others on Rogue, still not quite sure what was happening. Perhaps her companions were on an adventure, perhaps they were running for their lives. She had no idea, but she was sure to find out.

Rogue galloped quickly with a burst of energy as Diore shouted, "To the mountains!" Eorla barely managed to stay on as her companions surrounded Rogue with horses, and the roan mare snorted in anger. Eorla had learned that was a sign of a kicking fest on the way and she hoped that the galloping would prevent the tempermental mare from lashing out. Fortunately it did, and Eorla breathed a sigh of relief.

The moon began to rise and the dark sky twinkled with stars. Eorla hoped that they weren't going to keep going much longer, as she was riding bareback with only a plain bridle to keep her mare on track. The other horses had all but disappeared, their breath and hooves the only thing to follow. The chill wind tugged at her cloak and formed tears in her eyes. She wondered when they were to stop again, but until they did she would keep up with the best of them.
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 22, 2006 07:58
In his head CIron cursed himself for defending the maidens back in edoras. He feared horses because they were so tall and fast.
He clung to Feorran with all his might and shut his eyes only occassionally glancing back to see torches growing dimmer and dimmer into the night.

He checked that the knife Feorran gave to him was still there, just in case, but the fear of battle soon left him as the torches in the far distance began to dissapear. To yhis delight ( strangely) it began to rain. He was not delighted by the rain itself, but it would hopefully wash some of their tracks away so the men would find it increasingly harder to track them. Now he was scared, wet and cold but he wanted to show the others that he could survive with them so he did not complain.
bow_and_arrow
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 22, 2006 08:43
Feorran looked round at Ciron, who's eyes were squeezed tight shut. She nudged him, and pointed into the distance. The mountains were looming ahead, getting nearer and nearer as the horses galloped for safety. Feorran softened her grip on the hilt of her sword. She was sure they would reach the mountains soon, they had just got out of the densest part of the trees and soon they were galloping across the plains. As the mountains drew ever nearer, everyone began to relax. Feorran kept looking back, and she was surprised to see that the people who had been chasing them were no longer behind them. She focused on spurring Hafoc on for a while, and soon they were ahead of the rest of the group. Then she looked back, and immediately reined Hafoc in. Ciron looked back too, and Hafoc reared up, hooves pounding the air. Feorran held Ciron on tightly, but her eyes remained transfixed.

She did not like the look of what was steadily streaming from the forest in between the trees.

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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 23, 2006 05:33
Eorla bit back a curse as rain began to pour steadily from the sky. In a moment her cloak was soaked, and the others still did not stop. Suddenly her wishes were answered as the leader Feorran reined up her horse. The horse reared as Rogue shot by, and Eorla barely managed to turn the mare. "What is it?" she yelled over the rain. Feorran pointed at the mountains, and Eorla saw something dark making its way quickly towards their little group. The horses shifted their feet uneasily, but Eorla was little concerned. She spurred Rogue into a trot towards the dark matter, ignoring her companion's call to come back.

Once she got closer, a disturbingly steady tramp of shod feet came to her ears, and she struggled to see. Something whizzed past her, and another thing pierced her cloak. She picked it up with a shudder. Arrows. Crudely made, with poor fletching and dull tips, trademarks of Moria orcs. She spun Rogue around and yelled, "Hyah!" The roan mare shot back to her companions, and Eorla shouted, "Back, back! It's orcs!"

[Edited on 23/9/2006 by Shadowfax_Pip]
bow_and_arrow
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 23, 2006 05:57
Feorran saw the orcs stamping slowly towards them, she looked back at Ciron, and surpressed a chuckle as she saw he was white as a sheet.

She fitted an arrow to her bow and shot it at the group of orcs with ease. It hit one, and the orcs broke into a lopsided run. It was obvious they were not at their full strength, they could not have rested for some time. Feorran shot more arrows, felling as many of the group as she could before they were too close to have time to aim. She drew her sword, and shouting a fierce battle cry she charged into the group of orcs.

Strangely, as Feorran settled into the steady rhythm of beheading orcs and guiding Hafoc with her knees, she felt content. Though it was raining, and though the group of orcs was twenty strong, she was doing what she did best - fighting scum from Hafoc's back, and it was exhilirating and at the same time peaceful.

But as the fight progressed, and as the orcs were gradually beaten back, Feorran remembered her old home and her all too familiar nightmare. She felt something snap inside her, and leaped from Hafoc. Then she cursed the orcs at the top of her voice, her long, loose hair whipped around her as the wind and rain grew stronger, and she no longer care whether she lived or died, slashing, stabbing, and shouting as her voice was carried away by the wind.

Feorran could see her friends fighting either side of her, they were all skilled but for Ciron, who was watching nervously from Hafoc a safe way away. Soon the orcs were all dead or fleeing. Then Feorran collapsed to the ground, sobbing and hitting the blood-soaked earth with clenched fists. Gradually her anger left her, and she lay crying from the bottom of her heart in a tigh ball, and she did not move even when Hafoc came and pushed her with his velvety muzzle.
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 23, 2006 06:25
Eorla had held her own during the fight, and she was a little surprised to see the others doing the same. A prejudiced part of her had assumed that they knew nothing of swordplay, but now she was a little humbled.

The maid Feorran had shown a fierceness Eorla had no idea she possessed. Eorla began to feel more confident as the orcs were trounced, but she was glad when the fight was over. Suddenly, as the last orc was cut down, she heard Feorran begin to sob. She turned to see the maid curled up in ball in the grass, rocking back and forth with the ferocity of her sobs. Eorla felt somewhat self-conscious, but she tapped Feorran on the shoulder. "What's wrong?" she asked, almost not wanting to. It seemed that most of the people in their group had some dark secret, Eorla included. But why?
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 23, 2006 06:39
Ciron did not know what to do, and thought it absurd as he watched this rapid change in feorran. He slowlfy fell off hafroc, and knelt beside feorran. He put a hand on her shoulder just to let her know he was there, they all sat in the rain for a while and nobody moved.
An hour or so passed and eventually Ciron moved and got pieces together on hafroc.
"We have to go soon, i think " he said to every one, and he tried to get himself up on hafroc, not succeding, he fell over into the wet mud.
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 23, 2006 08:27
Geongan saw that Eorla wasn't comfrotable with comforting Feorran, but Geongan liked Feorran as a friend and walked over to her. Geongan sat beside her and gently pulled her arms away from her face. "Please tell me whats wrong Feorran. you're my friend, I don't want to see you cry." Geongan said in her calm sweet voice. Feorran began to calm. "Come Feorran, you can tell me later. Danger still lurks." Geongan said as she helped Feorran to her feet. Then she heard Ciron fall into the mud. "Be more careful boy." Geongan said, she tried hard to keep from laughing. She walked over and picked her sword. She wiped the mud off it and put it in her sheath. She jumped up on her horse and looked back. "We had better keep moving." Geongan said, she looked at her sad friend, she seemed to have brightened up a bit. Geongan once again wished she could tell her the secret which she held in her heart.
'Not even the gods above can separate the two of us, no nothing can come between you and I.'
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 23, 2006 09:26
Ciron embarrassedly got up, and hearing the fake-sterness og Geongans voice he tried to scrape off the mud from his back quickly. He decided that whilst the others were still not yet prepared he would go for a walk.
He left the group silently, and walked into the night slowly, now the moon was light enough for him to see the landscape, but he did not go too far away from the others.
He couldnt stop thinking about why feorran was upset, and wished he could do something to help her but he knew that he was really useless, and compared to everyone else in the group, he could do nothing, except sit on the back of a horse and watch others fight.
He lay down, as the thoughts became too mush for him, and whiles looking up at the stars he fell into a deep unexpected sleep.
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 23, 2006 08:26
Feorran picked up her sword and slowly mounted Hafoc, her shoulders shaking with the tears that were still flowing freely from her bloodshot eyes. Blinking back the tears, she examined the edge of her sowrd, and then slipped under Hafoc's belly to choose a stone. She found a smooth, good-shaped one, and returning to her saddle she slowly smoothed all the nicks and marks from her beloved sword.

Feorran sheathed her sword, and tried to look happier for Geongan who was looking over at her, smiling expectantly, but there was a great weight on her heart that she had never felt before. Soon everyone was ready to ride, and Feorran told Hafoc to walk on, head bowed, trying to hide the tears that would not stop flowing.

Then she looked round, counting the members of the group. She felt a jolt when she realised one was missing. "Geongan!" she shouted. "Ciron's gone!"
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 24, 2006 11:17
"Geongan! Cirion's gone!" Feorran shouted. Geongan quickly turned to look around, Feorran was right. "Where is that boy!" Geongan mumbled. "You stay here, I'll go find him." Geongan said.
She walked around the forest, grumbling. "This is no time to go off on another expidition, especially since the boy cannot fight!" Geongan said, then she saw a small figure laying on the ground. "Of all times to be sleeping!" Geongan said, she threw her hands in the air. She grabbed his shoulder and shook him. "Wake up boy!" Geongan said. He woke with a start and looked afraid until he saw her face. "What do you think you're doing? If someone else found you, you'd be in big trouble." Geongan said. He stood up and hung his head. "Come on, you're holding up our adventure." Geongan said with a smirk, she was fond of the boy, even if he could do nothing.
"I found him!" Geongan said when she came back to the battle site. "Why don't you ride with me Cirion?" Geongan said. She helped him onto her tall stallion. Then she jumped up. "Lets go." Geongan said.
'Not even the gods above can separate the two of us, no nothing can come between you and I.'
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 25, 2006 05:30
Feorran looked anxiously at Geongan when she returned, and then saw a figure sitting on the horse behind her. She trotted up to them, and when Ciron looked up at her she promptly slapped him hard around the face. She was wearing hard leather gloves, which made it hurt all the more. When he had recovered from the initial force he looked at Feorran, hurt and confused.

"Don't you ever go off like that again! I was worried sick, and I just can't cope with the thought of losing any of you, not now I..." Feorran stopped short and wheeled Hafoc around, galloping back to the head of the group, bright crimson and plagued by memories, but her tears had dried up.

Half an hour later, she stopped Hafoc and looked up at the mountains looming, casting a shadow over the group. Somehow she did not feel any safer in the shade of the mountain than she had on the plains.
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 25, 2006 07:15
Ciron was shocked at the slap he just recieved from his friend. He sat miserably on the back of geongans thought thinking about Feorran. Then he woke up out of his daydream and realised they were under the mountains now. They all got off their horses and rested a while under the shelter of two lonely trees.
Ciron got off the horse and found that he ached all over, even his head from the slap from feorran. He stayed close to the rest of the group and soon found that he had been chosen to be put on watch for a while as the others slept. He gazed out over the rolling grass that led to darkness. How long this night seemed.
Ciron realised that what he had done was wrong so he let the others sleep till morning came, and then woke them up to start the day. He tried not to show how tired he was when they awoke.
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 25, 2006 10:20
Eorla watched the proceedings with a bit of consternation, shock when Ciron had taken off, and even more shock when Feorran slapped the boy. She felt rather out of place and uncomfortable as she fell back in the group. No one spoke as they made their way towards the mountains, but as the ridges grew nearer Eorla's discomforture faded. She was closer to home now, and when they stopped again she slept more peacefully than she had for a long time.

The next morning she decided to inquire further to her companion's near past, starting with Geongan. She seemed the more open of them all, and Eorla noticed something . . . strange, almost otherworldly of the maid. She broke the ice by inquiring of the stallion Geongan owned. "Where did you get such a magnificent horse?" Eorla asked.

[Edited on 25/9/2006 by Shadowfax_Pip]
ElfmaidenofLorien
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 25, 2006 01:18
"Where did you get such a magnificent horse?" Eorla asked. Geongan was startled at the question, but didn't see any harm in answering. "I tamed him myself, I found him wandering near the borders of my old home." Geongan said as she gently patted his back. Geongan thought back to her old home, she didn't remember much of it and had only gone back once and thats when she found Darkfire. Geongan realized why Eorla was asking questions, she was curious about her companions, and Geongan didn't blame her. She wanted to know about Feorran's past, but she could see she was holding a heavy weight and didn't want to ask yet. "I see you are curious about my past Eorla." Geongan said, her back was turned as she was brushing her horse. She could feel that Eorla was a little uncomfortable. Geongan turned back to face her and smiled. "I guess you have sensed that I am different form the rest. I knew I couldn't hide my secret forever." Geongan said. Geongan breathed deeply, she was ready to tell. She looked around and saw that everyone was nearby so they would all hear. "You see Eorla, I'm a half elf. My mother was an elf and my father a man of Rohan. My mother got in trouble for bing an elf ina man's land so after she left my father told me to keep my secret, but I'm glad that I told it to you." Geongan said. She looked to see their reactions, they were obviously shocked. "I'm sorry I held it for so long, but I trust you won't do anything that would harm me." Geongan said with a smile.
'Not even the gods above can separate the two of us, no nothing can come between you and I.'
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 26, 2006 05:42
Feorran was not surprised by Geongan's secret, the thought had been on her mind for some time now. But she suddenly felt a great longing to tell of her background, and as the group sat round the fire for a quick meal she began to speak.

"I have not lived all my life in Edoras. Until I was nine years old, I lived with a group of travellers on the plains of Rohan that only a scarce few knew of. Our lives revolved around the horse, all some people wanted to do in life was to bond with their horse and ride across the plains so fast that their horse's hooves no longer touched the ground, until they galloped among the stars. We lived in peace for some time, my father taiught me how to shoot, how to fight with a sword or knifes. My mother taught me to ride standing on my horse's back, under his belly, and many other things that others only dreamed of. When I was eight, my parents put me forward for a challenge that no one normally faced until they were sixteen, but they thought I was capable. To everyone's surprise, I passed with the best mark possible and truly earned my title. From then on, everyone would call me Feorran, Horse Sister. But a few weeks after my ninth birthday, a crowd of men with burning torches came to our camp. Me father forced me to take his horse, the best horse bred in our group, Hafoc, and flee, never to return. At first I refused but when I say the burning tents and heard the screams I left. I was young and terrified then. After a few days hard riding, I came to Edoras, and there I have lived ever since, with Hafoc always with me. Until now, of course. I would try to find my family, but I fear they are all...It seems like nothing compared to Geongan's family, but I just wanted you all to...It's just...Oh, I sound like a fool," she said, and finishing her meal she got up and started to groom Hafoc, eyes averted away form the fire and the rest of the silent group.

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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 26, 2006 09:03
Geongan stood and walked over to Feorran. "You and I have similar stories, I didn't want to go into detail about what happened to my mother, but I'm sure you understand." Geongan said. "You are an amazing person Feorran, I see a great future for you." Geongan said with a smile. Then her smile faded. "I wish my future could be the same." Geongan said sadly. Feorran looked over at her. "A great elf once told me that I would die defending my friend, he said that was my fate. I've always hoped I could change it but its no use, the future is out of my reach I cannot change it." Geongan said sadly, then she looked up. "I hope you are the one I defend Feorran." Geongan whispered, her eyes looked sad, but also determinded. "Please don't tell anyone about my fate, I shouldn't have told anyone but I know I can trust you." Geongan said with a sad smile. Then she turned and walked back to the fire and sat beside Eorla.

"Your future is death Geonga, you will die saving a friend." Geongan woke suddenly, she heard the voice of the elf who had spoke those words in her head. "I haven't had a dream like that in a long time. Maybe it will happen sooner than I expected." Geongan said, she looked over at Feorran who was sleeping. Suddenly she felt a rush of anger. "Why do I have to die so young? Why is my future so different?" Geongan wondered. She stood up and walked away so she could think alone. "I will change my future, somehow. I will not give in to a prohecy that will not come true!" Geongan said, her fists were clenched, she was determinded to do something about her fate, she didn't know what but it would come to her. "I am strong in everything I do, I won't leave the world I love yet." Geongan said, then she returned to her bed, she smiled. "I take back everything I told you Feorran, I will live." Geongan whispered, then she fell asleep.
'Not even the gods above can separate the two of us, no nothing can come between you and I.'
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 26, 2006 10:24
All day Ciron had sat in tired thought as he listened to the stories of each of the company.He had listened to everyone intently, taking in everything they had said.But all day he was silent, and he seemed not to be noticed by the rest of the group. Just a boy in black who travelled with them.
As everyone fell to sleep he closed his eyes and pictured what the group looked like, and then thought how odd he looked compared to the rest of them.
He wondered why he was even with them. But it suddenly really dawned on him that he was just a nuisance of the group. They were all a fair way from edoras but maybe he could go to another rohan settlement and carry on his usual exploring. Maybe he should tell the group he would go or even just slip off some time. These thoughts he held deep inside him but as they grew he became ever more distant to the group, not responding to things that they said or asked.
Eventually he slept, but the thoughts kept tugging at his mind.
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 27, 2006 06:42
Feorran woke suddenly as Geongan returned to her bed. She listened as Geongan whispered something, but she did not hear it. She frowned, poking at the embers of the fire with a long stick. She was shocked that Geongan could die saving her, she did not want to lose who she thought was probably her best friend she had ever had since her home was destroyed. This weight, the dragging load of her friend's fate was pulling down on her heart, and her eyes welled up with tears as she remembered Geongan's words. She did want a great future, to avenge her family and then ride Hafoc into the starts to join the great riders of the past, but she was young and confused, though she tried to hide it.

Feorran walked out of the cave, her supple deerskin boots making barely any sound on the hard stone floor, and sat on a large rock a few hundred yards from the cave entrance. She knew that Geongan would fight to keep hold to her time on the world she loved, but her heart was filled with a great sorrow. She felt like she had grown up overnight, and she lay back and looked up at the stars. She could see the Great Hunter watching over them all, and she smiled wryly and fingered her sword.

She fetched her bow from the cave and looked around the rocky scenery. Mountains loomed in every direction. Feorran stood up, breathless, but all she saw were sheer rock walls. She felt as if they were pressing in on her, like they would crush her slowly, until her bones broke one by one. In her terror she could not see the many spidery paths out, and she ran to one rock face, hammering at it until her fists were bloody, screaming and crying. She had never before felt so terrified, she was convinced the walls would engulf her, but the rock would not part for her, or any other. Fat tears rolled down her cheeks but she fell silent as she felt a hand on her shoulder.
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 27, 2006 07:01
(Hey if you had other ideas ill just delete this post, )

When she turned she saw Ciron, looking at her confused. They looked at each other, and Ciron tried to understand what was wrong. But he could not find any words, he just pulled her to one of the paths that he had followed her up. But because of his stealth she had not seen or heard him.
When they got out into the open Ciron looked away from Feorran and couldnt look her in the eyes.
He understood Feorran and wouldnt tell anybody about what happened, she was fragile at the moment, even beneath her hard, fighting outside appearance. They separated but every now and again Cirons thought would turn to her and he went to silently check if she was o.k.
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 27, 2006 09:24
(No, I had no other ideas )

Feorran finally calmed once in the open. She felt the iron bands around her chest loosen and she gulped down the cool mountain air gratefully. She realised just how claustrophobic she was when her mind had cleared, and at once she regretted coming to the mountains. However, she knew that she had to continue for the others' sake. She turned and smiled, sighing, at Ciron, on edge and annoyed with the displays of weakness she kept on showing.

She was confused when he couldn't meet her eyes. Feorran walked up to him and put one of her hands on his thin shoulder. He looked up at her and she smiled at him, a true honest smile that made a light go on behind her eyes. Then she turned and took a deep breath, and headed back to the cave.
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 27, 2006 10:06
Ciron, walking across some grassy hills, thought about Feorrans smile, and it occured to him that maybe he was of some use in the group.He thought about it for a long time and decided he would stick with the them.The sun was now high above his head and it had become a clear, fine day after the rain. He was content now, and he went back to the cave.
When he got back to the cave he found the rest of the group inside.
"Does anyone have any idea where we will go next " he asked, and they all looked at each other, each one wanting someone else to answer.
Ciron reached into a pocket somewhere and brought out a map. It was still in fine condition, and everyone else could see the fine, elegant writing on it.
"We could use this to help us on our journeys, wherever we are going."
And he set out the map on the floor. It was a map centred around the mountains they were in, it reachedas far north as the northern borders of fangorn. The bottom of the map reached the sea. To the west it also stretched as far as the sea and to the east were the vague borders of the mountains of shadow. We are here, said ciron and pointed to a location just within the north of Ered Nimrais.
"Does anyone else have any suggestion as to where we go now ".
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Post RE: The Hope of a Shieldmaiden (keep)
on: September 27, 2006 10:22
((sorry I don't post that often, i don't get to a computor much. I would have added Eorla's story of her past, and I could if you want me to))

Eorla had slept soundly through Feorran's claustraphopia episode, and only heard a rehashing of it when she awoke. Ciron, who had been gone when she opened her eyes, came into the cave and showed them a map. She glanced at it sharply, half-listening to Ciron's question of where they should go. She stared at the map and followed where she had come from with a finger. For some reason she always found it fascination to look at a map and point exactly where you were.

Eorla glanced up at the others and said, "If we have no pressing business elsewhere, what do you think of here?" She pointed at a spot farther into the mountains. "I have some companions here who I think could assist us." The people she was thinking of were her adopted kin, Rangers that occupied a small valley in the mountains.
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