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ToRivendell
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Post The Battle for Ithilien
on: November 17, 2008 08:25
OOC--Hey everyone, please drop by the OOC thread for this RPG before posting, thanks!

Though this is in the TR section, this thread is intended to be completely in compliance with Tolkien Canon, with characters only found in Middle earth. Please make sure you are in compliance with this when posting.

This thread will be taking place in the initial period following the War of the Ring, where Faramir has married Eowyn and is Prince of Ithilien. Many orcs and other servants of Sauron are still scattered throughout the realm of Gondor, having survived the final defeat of Sauron's armies. They now hide in the wilderness and pose a threat as bands and raiders to the people of Gondor who are at last attempting to begin their lives again after the war. The soldiers of Ithilien are doing their part of remove this lingering threat and bring a final peace throughout the realm.

~

Tenuvian had heard the reports. Orks had been spotted throughout Ithilien, mostly in smaller bands that posed no real significant threat to the kingdom. However, the scouts had sensed something malicious lingering in the forests, something darker and more sinister than mere orks, though they were unable to discover exactly what this lingering evil was. Whatever it was, it unnerved Tunvian, even after his campaigns during the War of the Ring where he had heard the cries of the Nazgul above his head and seen his fellow soldiers killed. He had hoped the final victory over Sauron would bring peace, but it seemed the Dark Lord's influence has been greater than he had imagined, and here he found himself yet again away from home, fighting Sauron's servants.

Tenuvian stepped down slowly down off the rock onto the ledge below. Along side him several more of his fellow rangers readied their bows and took aim at the orcs below them. The foolish creatures had wandered into Ithilien unaware of what awaited them, and in too few numbers to make any difference. This group of fifty or so would not last long.

Tenuvian looked to his captain for the command to fire, and patiently waited...

[Edited on 18/11/2008 by ToRivendell]
Mirach
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: November 19, 2008 01:27
OOC: Hello, I'm here to protect Ithilien! Well, not I. He. He's in the database.

Lenar readied his bow and looked at the faces of his companions. Beside him was Tenuvian, an experienced soldier. He is so calm... thought Lenar. He was nervous, like he was before each fight and was trying to hide it. The last thing he wanted was Faramir taking him for a coward and sending him home, shattering all the dreams of glory.

But he coudn't stop his hands tremble. Not that it would do much difference with his bow-skills. He took a steadying breath and aimed at the biggest group of orcs where they were walking close to each other. The bigger the target, the higher the possibility to hit it, he thought.

While waiting for the command to shoot, he was watching the orcs below. They shouldn't be here! After the war, when the king returned, everyone thought that the evil is vanquished. But here they were - orcs in the heart of Ithilien. It wasn't right... No, it isn't right, he thought, but they are here and you have the chance to prove yourself. So stop contemplating and focus on the fight! With that, he strained the bow-string.
ToRivendell
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: November 19, 2008 02:59
OOC: Welcome Mirach! Glad to have you.

~

"Fire!"

The command came quietly, but firmly, and without any other sounds, a flurry of arrows flew down into the mob of orcs below. Many of them fell quickly, caught unawares by the sudden onslaught from the trees above. The rest that were still standing dove for cover or returned fire back towards the rangers. Luckily, very few found a mark.

Teneuvian looked over at Lenar, who had only recently joined his group of rangers. He was focused, aiming and firing into the orcs below with determination in his every feature. "It will be interesting to see this young one grow." Tenuvian thought to himself.

With that thought, Tenuvian drew his sword. The orcs were beginning to react to the attack and move up towards him and his comrades. As he watched them advance however, he noticed something shift in the tree line across the glade where the orcs had been camped. He didn't have any rangers on the other side, but the shadow was something that would have to be dealt with after the orcs were finished.
Erucenindë
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: November 20, 2008 05:16
Eowilindë stalked the orc camp, waiting for the perfect oppurtunity to stike them.

As she moved around their camp, she cursed the filthy orcs under her breath. She hated them; hated them for the vile thing they had done. It didn't matter that these were not the same orcs who had commited the crime. They were all evil and no good anyways.

The Ithilian Rangers started the volley. Good, she thought. Now it's my time to finish them off secretly.

As she silently crep around the camp, she became so wrapped up in her thoughts that she accidently showed herself to the other side - briefly. She mentally kicked herself for that. She had not really wanted the rangers to know that she was here...maybe they didn't see her.

As the volley continued, she raised her own bow and started picking off stragglers that tried to get away.

oh no you don't, you evil orcs! she thought with bitterness. All of you shall die today.
Mirach
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: November 20, 2008 12:03
Lenar fired one arrow after another in the general direction of the group of orcs. One of his arrows hit one particular exceedingly ugly orc exactly to the heart. Well, he didn't aim for it, but he was proud on the shot. He took a quick side glance at his companions but nobody of them seemed to notice. Why nobody looks when I do something astounding, he thought. His next arrows didn't kill any orcs so he was almost relieved when he could put his bow aside.

The orcs were coming closer and Lenar drew his sword with a grin. Now that was something he knew better and the familiar touch of the leather enveloping the hilt of his sword gave him a good feeling. He charged at the first orc that came close to him. He killed him quickly but saw another orc charging at him. No, they were two! Three! The orcs were attempting to break the line of rangers and probably saw him as a weak point. He blocked the blades of the two orcs and managed to duck beneath the blow of the third while stabbing one of the first two to abdomen. But after the stab he was out of balance and saw a fourth orc prepared to launch the blow. He realized he is in serious trouble...
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: November 20, 2008 01:20
Tenvian swung hard and took the head off the first orc that came within his sword's reach. He felled two more in succession, and paused to appraise the line. The orcs had rushed hard, eager to close the gap.

Lenar stood a few yards away, taking on several of the enemy. He was fighting valiantly, but he was clearly outnumbered and struggling to hold his own. Tenuvian covered the distance between him and Lenar quickly and cut down a fourth orc that was rushing Lenar. He gave the youth a glance to make sure he had regained his footing, and then turned his attention back towards the battle.

The orcs were clearly broken by this point. The volleys of arrows had cut most of them down, and the few that had made it to the line of rangers were not faring well. The line had been pressed hardest where he and Lenar had been standing. With the skirmish ending, his mind went back to the shadow he had seen across the glade. Either someone else had been hunting these orcs, or something more sinister had escaped the battle, or perhaps both. Either way, he knew it would have to be dealt with sooner or later.

Tenuvian fell back and made his report to Captain Faramir, mentioning the shadow he had seen.

"I do not like this" said the Captain. "This is not a good time for us to have an unknown shadow in Ithilien. Things in the new kingdom are barely established, and the last of Sauron's servants need to be driven from this world. Find out what it was, and discover why it is lurking here."


"As you wish, Captain." Replied Tenuvian. He walked back to the group of men who were checking the orc corpses and ordered two of the more experienced Rangers to help him track the shadow. He looked at Lenar, who was cleaning his sword, and decided that this would be a good experience for him.

"Lenar!"
The Youth looked up.
"You're with us."
Erucenindë
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: November 20, 2008 01:42
Eowilindë quickly finished off the stragglers. She fitted another arrow and professionally took out an orc a good ways away.

Those Rangers have done a good job finishing the orcs, she thought as she temporarily watched the Ithilien rangers fight close hand-to-hand combat.

All of a sudden an orc accidently discovered her as he tried to run away. She drew her sword, which was a beautiful elven decorated sword with inscribed words on the steel. It had been her late husbands, and she cherished it with all her heart. She slew the orc, but not before he gave her a nasty cut on the forearm. She cursed him.

Eowilindë looked over across to where the rangers were. The fighting was basically over, with only a few rangers even fighting anymore. She noticed that a few of them were in a group discussing something and pointing occasionaly to the woods where she was hidden.

Uh-oh. Time to move away. Fast. She would be able to to sneak away without being seen. Her raiment was of greens and browns, meant to blend in with the wood. Only those with good eyes would notice her when she didn't want to be noticed.

She started to move away, when all of a sudden the pain in her arm increased. She looked down to discover her wound was worse than she thought, and blood had flowed freely. She would have to take care of this now, no matter if them rangers were coming over here or not.

I hope I can get this fixed before they get here! she thought desperatly, wanting to hide yet at the same time wanting to be found; as she had felt many times before.
Mirach
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: November 21, 2008 12:13
Lenar's eyes went wide when Tenuvian choose him along with two experienced rangers. In one moment he was beside them, almost shining with pride. He looked at Faramir, but the Captain was occupied with other things then pay attention to a young ranger who was chosen for a mission, so his shoulders slumped a bit. Actually, he was confused what the mission was, he didn't hear what were Tenuvian and Faramir speaking about.

"Yes, Sir!" he said. "And... thank you. For killing the orc." He blushed a bit. "Uh, and... where are we going?" Tenuvian said something about a shadow across the glade and Lenar frown and looked in that direction. He saw nothing suspicious there, but followed the older man with all senses focused on mysterious shadows.

They entered the canopy of trees with Lenar walking a few steps to the right of Tenuvian. He was looking behind each tree he passed but in one moment he looked at the ground and something other caught his attention. There was blood. But not the black blood of orcs, it was red like human blood.

Lenar prepared his sword and followed the track of blood drops that led to some bushes. Carefully he pushed the branches aside... and released them again in amazement. Did he really see what he did? He shook his head and pushed the branches aside again. No, it wasn't an illusion. He saw a she-elf, with silver hair and green eyes. He forgot to close his mouth.

He cleared his throat. "Er... what do you, um... what are you doing in Ithilien?" He realized he is blushing again and blushed even more as he wanted to prevent it. Then he noticed the blood on her sleeve. "Are you injured? Can I help you somehow?" Then he remembered something. "And...um, I'm Lenar... Haven't you seen some shadows here, by chance?"
ToRivendell
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: November 21, 2008 01:43
Tenuvian and his men left quietly for the far side of the glade.

"Spread out." he said quickly, and his men staggered themselves into a short line along side him. As they were moving forward, Lenar noticed something on the ground.

Blood. It's bright red color stood out distinctly from the green grass it had fallen on.

The youth followed it immidiately, and Tenuvian kept pace a few steps behind him as he moved into the wood.


Tenuvian followed Lenar to the clearing and was nearly as surprsied as the youth by what he saw there. A she-elf was not what he had been expecting to find, not by any means. He was still suspicious however, and decided to aire on the side of caution. This elf's prescence here was unusual at best, and while elves fell clearly as an ally of Gondor, he was taking no chances with orcs wandering Ithilien.



He tightened his grip on his sword hilt, and stepped forward out of the bushes.

"It was my understanding that the last of the elves were departing these lands." He said rather gruffly. "Please tell me why you are here in Ithilien, and what business you have with these orcs, and do so swiftly; we have larger problems than a wandering elf-maiden to address."
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: November 21, 2008 03:59
Eowilindë was so busy wrapping up her arm that she failed to realize the rangers were close. So when the bushes suddenly were pushed aside and then slapped back into place, she couldn't help but make a little shriek.

As she put her hand on the hilt of her sword, the bushes were pulled back a second time to reveal a young embarressed ranger, who was rather handsome for human standards. Next to him and a little behind was an older ranger, who looked to be the leader possibly, and also looked rather stern and angry. There were others behind them.

As she gaped back at them, the young one asked, "Er... what do you, um... what are you doing in Ithilien?" Then he looked down. "Are you injured? Can I help you somehow? and...um, I'm Lenar... Haven't you seen some shadows here, by chance?"

But before she could answer, the stern one asked her gruffly, "It was my understanding that the last of the elves were departing these lands. Please tell me why you are here in Ithilien, and what business you have with these orcs, and do so swiftly; we have larger problems than a wandering elf-maiden to address."

They were rather intimidating, with her on the ground kneeling and them standing down looking at her.

"I...I.." she stammered. Then all of a sudden her bold side broke through and she stood up, clutching her forearm.

" I have not departed, or else I wouldn't be here!" she said defiantly. "My name is Eowinlindë, and I have my own business to attend to, my own vengeance. I am foe of all who fought for Sauron, and friend to those who opposed him. Now, if you'll permit me, I shall take my leave."

Unfortunatly, she turned around rather too quickly, and, from loss of blood, nearly swooned.
Mirach
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: November 22, 2008 10:43
Lenar almost instinctively caught the she-elf as she collapsed. At once he found himself with an elf-maiden in his arms and didn't know what to do. From her look he couldn't discern what she is thinking about the situation but something told him she isn't appreciating it.

With confused expression he looked at the older man in hope that he will tell him what to do. But the confusion was replaced by worry as he look at his hand supporting her and saw her blood.

"Maybe we should guide her to our healer?" he asked Tenuvian, and added, almost pleadingly: "She says she is a friend..."
ToRivendell
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: November 22, 2008 11:58
"Agreed" replied Tenuvian.

He motioned for another ranger to help Lenar carry her. He stepped forward quickly, sheathed his sword, and put her arm over his shoulder.

"Lets get back to camp. This elf maiden is clearly not our largest concern."

While Tenuvian was surprised to have found the elf, it brought him no comfort. If anything, her being here complicated things. Now he had an elf maiden, along with this darker prescence wandering Ithilien. Perhaps the she would know more about their dark guest in the forest. He would certainly be glad to have some light shed on the matter.

Once they reached the camp he paused and told Lenar and the other ranger to bring the elf maiden to their healer. The wound was not serious, but it still needed to be addressed and cared for. He strode away from them in search of Captain Faramir to make his report, and hopefully find out what there next move would be.
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: November 22, 2008 01:06
OOC ~ so i have a question..some threads having posting orders...is there a "posting order" for this one? or is it just whenever we want?

A little while later, Eowilindë woke up, feeling a little groggy. What happened? Where am I?

She looked around to see that she was inside a tent, laying on a crude cot. It smelled clean, and the tent was well lit with candles. She noticed that her arm was cleaned and wrapped up. Her sleeve had been ripped near her shoulder, so as to be able to dress the wound efficiently.

Then she remmebered that she had been talkin to those rangers. I must have fainted, and they must have carried me to their camp... she thought. Eowilindë felt slightly embarressed for having caused all this commotion.

She sat up in bed, looking around, when she realized with horror that her weapons, particurally her sword, was missing. How dare they take my dear Amorfiwiel's sword! So mad and upset was she, that she sprang from the bed and tore out of the tent, looking for some familiar faces. All she got was some confused stares from a couple of rangers.

She strode across camp, but a little more timidly now, for she did not know where she was going. Then she spotted Lenar from a distance, and her urgency returned.

"Lenar!" she cried. "Where have you taken my weapons? I must have them back immediantly!"
Mirach
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: November 22, 2008 02:33
OOC: I named one of the rangers, to be less anonymous...

Lenar looked up and saw the elf maiden rushing to him, flames of fury in her green eyes. First he didn't know what she is speaking about. "Your weapons? You don't have to fear my lady, you are safe here..." But her look told him she doesn't fear anything but he should do so if she won't have her weapons immediately.

When they brought her to the healer, he didn't pay much attention to the surroundings and now he tried to remember who was carrying her sword. Was it Tenuvian? No, is should have been Galdor, one of the two rangers that were with them.

"Could you wait here for a moment?" he asked and went to find Galdor. He was glad he has an excuse to retreat from the irritated she-elf, he liked her more unconscious in his arms when he could act as her protector, pretending in his fantasy to be King Elessar protecting his queen. But he was sure Queen Arwen wouldn't be so grumpy after awaking.

He found Galdor who declared that he left the sword in the healer's tent. He went there but couldn't find it. Now she will accuse me of stealing it, he thought bitterly, when he glimpsed a piece of sword hilt beneath some blankets. Lenar sighted with relief and brought the sword to the impatient elf maiden, studying it on way.

With a slight bow he handed her the sword. "Here is your weapon, my lady. It's a beautiful sword, I don't wonder you wanted it back. And... uh, are you better now?"
ToRivendell
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: November 22, 2008 04:22
OOC--For this thread, not necessarily. The way things are going now seems to be working fine, but the order can move in and out depending on how the story is flowing.

Tenuvian pushed aside the tent flap and found Captain Faramir pouring over a map of Ithilien. He looked tired, and Tenuvian could certainly understand why. He, like his captain, longed to get back to his family, only Faramir had been recently wed, while he had been married already for several years.

He made his report to his commander, informing him of the elf-maiden they had found.

"An elf-maiden?" Faramir replied. "This is most unusual, though hardly a problem. While her being here is out of the ordinary, we have other things that require our attention."

He indicated a spot on the map about ten miles away from their current location.

"Another band of orcs has been reported here. It is somewhat larger than the group we killed today, and needs to be dealt with before it grows anymore. Additionally, the "dark presence" our scouts were nervous about appears to have manifested itself. One of Sauron's lesser lieutenants, one of the very last of the Black Numenorians, has been spotted there. I obviously don't need to explain why this is a large problem for us, and this evil needs to be destroyed with all swiftness."

"I understand my lord," Replied Tenuvian, "but our numbers here are too few to destroy this threat now. We will need more men than we have here with us to deal with the orcs and the lieutenant."

"That is why I am leaving to get reinforcements." Faramir replied. "While I am gone I need you to harry these orcs and prevent them from gaining in number or organizing themselves in any way. Do not go into open combat, but harass them and prevent them from launching any kind of assault on our realm. I should return within three days with enough men to finally dispose of them"

"I understand, captain." Replied Tenuvian. "What of the elf though?"

"She is no threat to us, and clearly we need all the assistance we can get at the moment. Invite here to join us if you wish, at least for the moment." Said Faramir

"Yes, Captain." And with that, Tenuvian strode from the tent in search of the maiden. He found her at the healer's tent with a very uncomfortable looking Lenar addressing her. He stopped and decided to watch the pair for a moment before informing the maiden of his Captain's decision.
Erucenindë
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: November 22, 2008 05:31
After some debate, (and searching), a very flustered Lenar came back carrying - very gingerly - her sword and bow.

Eowilindë breathed a sigh of relief as she took them from Lenar.

He asked, "Here is your weapon, my lady. It's a beautiful sword, I don't wonder you wanted it back. And... uh, are you better now?"

"Yes, thank you, I am much better." Gratefullness flooded her face. "This sword means much to me, more than you know. You see.." She hesitated, then continued almost shyly, " It was my late husband's."

Lenar looked at the sword with more understanding. "He died? I am most sympathetic; sorry to have brought up such a sore subject..." Lenar would have stopped there, only his curiosity got the better of him. Many times had Tenuvian warned him about it: that it would get Lenar in trouble one day.

"When....how, how did he die?" he asked.

Eowilindë looked up at him and smiled sadly. Many years ago, at the hands of orcs. It's been nearly 189 years."

Lenar looked at her in surprise, mouth almost coming open. Why, she only looked to be in her 30s! He knew her to be an elf, but exactly how old was she??

Eowilindë mearly laughed at his shock. Seeming to read his mind, she answered, "Yes, I am about 3, 460 years old. And you are but a young sapling compared to me."

Before Lenar could ask any more questions, Tenuvian strode up to them.

"Milady, I have something to tell you."
ToRivendell
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: November 23, 2008 03:00
Tenuvain walked over to the pair quickly. Lenar looked as though he was about to keel over from amazement, and he wanted to speak to the elf about the matter of her prescence.

"Captain Faramir has given you a choice, milady" Said Tenuvian addressing the elf. "You may go off as you please, provided you will not hinder us in any way, or you may join with us to deal with these orcs. It seems we have at least that goal in common, and we will need every man, or elf, we can get for our next task. So, what is your decision? I dislike being hasty, but I do require an answer soon. Our work is far from being complete"
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: November 24, 2008 04:50
Eowinlindë stared blankly at Tenuvian for a moment.

What did he just ask? She blinked.

"I...I..don't kn--, I mean, uh.." she stuttered. She stopped, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and regained control of herself.

" I must know what is your next task? I do admit my work is similar to yours - destroying Sauron's servants - but my reasons are different. I must know what you are planning next in order for me to decide. Can you tell me?" she asked.
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: November 24, 2008 05:12
Tenuvian smirked inwardly at the elf's confusion. He had not expected to rankle someone several thousand years his elder, and was this brief moment of being on equal footing with the maiden.

"There is a large band of orcs further in Ithilien, led by a Black Numenorian; one of Sauron's lieutenants who escaped his final defeat. We are going to harry this group until Captain Faramir can return with reinforcements so we may totally eliminate them. You're aid would be most welcome in this endeavor, milady. Please find me and inform me of you decision once it is made."

Tenuvian turned his gaze to Lenar and spoke in a hushed tone.

"Lenar, I need to speak with you for a moment."

He pulled him away from the group around the elf and addressed him quickly.

"Lenar, you fought well today, and did well in discovering the she-elf, but I have another task to request of you. We know very little of the details of this orc band in terms of their numbers, fortifications, armament, or readiness for battle. I need a scout to go out with one or two other rangers and get this information for us so we may mount our attacks properly. Do you think yourself capable of preforming this task?"
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: November 25, 2008 01:31
A Black Númenorian... For some reason, the thought chilled Lenar, as if a shadow of Sauron returned. He thought that this is already over, but it seemed it wasn't... But now we have a King, he thought, and he is from númenorian blood, too. And we have Captain Faramir and we have... whom we have more? There is Tenuvian, battle-hardened and experienced and there is the she-elf... maybe she will join us. And I'm here, too. Well, not much a difference with me, he admitted to himself, but never mind. Let the Black Númenorian come!

Tenuvian interrupted his thoughts and Lenar was confused for a moment. He looked up - the man was speaking to him, but he didn't catch his question. "Uh?" he managed to say before he was pulled aside.
"Lenar, you fought well today, and did well in discovering the she-elf, but I have another task to request of you. We know very little of the details of this orc band in terms of their numbers, fortifications, armament, or readiness for battle. I need a scout to go out with one or two other rangers and get this information for us so we may mount our attacks properly. Do you think yourself capable of preforming this task?"

He realized that Tenuvian addressed him as Lenar, not "Young one", second time this day already. He coudn't hide the proud spark in his eyes when receiving praise from the older ranger. Tenuvian trusted him enough to give him an important task. He didn't know if he trusted himself enough, for he couldn't afford a mistake in such mission. But he suppressed the doubts, he didn't want to disappoint Tenuvian.

"Yes, sir! I'll do my best!" he said, maybe a bit too eagerly. "Can I go with Galdor?" he asked. Galdor was an experienced ranger, skilled in tracking and Lenar learned from him a lot about the wilderness. Tenuvian nodded. "I won't disappoint you, sir!" he said to him while leaving to find Galdor.

On his way through the camp he glimpsed the she-elf. She seemed to be deep in thought, pondering Tenuvian's question. Lenar would be glad to have her on their side, since he knew her age, his respect for her has risen. He approached her carefully.

"Will you stay with us, milady? It would be a honor for me to put my sword to fight beside your husband's sword." He didn't know where these words came from, it wasn't something he would normally say. But normally he wouldn't speak with such an ancient... and beautiful... being.

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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: November 25, 2008 07:52
Eowilindë felt her cheeks redden when she saw the slight smile on Tenuvian's face. She didn't know why he had done that, but she guessed it to be because of her confusion.

Why do I have to get so flustered around people? It's not like I've been alone for 3,000 years or something. Just a measly couple hundred. That's nothing. She chided to herself. She sighed. Some of it had to do with the death of her husband - she seemed to have lost a lot of confidence since then.

Tenuvian left her to ponder his question. Black Numenorian.... She knew she would be able to do more justice to the enemy in a group than by herself. You can't just ambush a group of orcs with one person. Just when she had reached a conclusian, Lenar strode up to her.

At first she was slightly surprised at the question, but did not hesitate for long.

"I will go with you, Lenar. And your group. I will do whatever is needed of me; I am skilled with both bow and sword. These creatures of Sauron must pay for their injustice!"

She turned toward Tenuvian. "Where shall you have me, Captain?"

OOC ~ I'm not sure of Tenuvian's rank, so i just put captain. i figuered maybe he was a captain under Faramir? at any rate, just tell me and i'll refer to him later as that.
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: November 30, 2008 08:39
OOC- Hey everyone, sorry for the delay. It was thanksgiving weekend here and I was doing some traveling around, but am back now and will be staying put for quite a while. And yes, captain will work fine Eruceninde.

"Make ready to move then. We will be departing this place for the next group shortly after Lenar and his scouts leave. It will be two days march, provided we don't encounter any "problems" along the way."

Tenuvian strode off quickly to gather up his gear and let the others prepare. They would have to cover the distance quickly to make sure they could attack the orcs while they were still disorganized and weak. This small group of rangers and one elf would not be able to stand up to a large force of orcs in an open fight.

He picked up his bow and quiver and strapped them on, and moved towards the head of the column that was slowly forming in the glade.
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: November 30, 2008 09:57
Lenar realized that he is staring at the she-elf long after she went with Tenuvian. He didn't have much hope that she will agree to accompany them in this fight. He thought that he could try to convince her, and was surprised by her quick answer. It took a moment for him to comprehend that she will indeed join them. He didn't really know why it was so important to him... or did he? Maybe it had something to do with the fact that he could prove his valor to an elf, that has seen so many things in life, now. And by doing this, he could earn the respect of his Captain.

And he had the chance to do so now! He looked around for Galdor and saw him preparing his belongings in order to leave this place. He approached him swiftly and his eager demeanor told the older ranger that the youth has something in stock.

Galdor sighted inwardly. Something told him that he is involved in Lenar's plan, whatever it might be. Before he could talk to him, Galdor locked his gaze with him and raised one eyebrow. "I'm not sure if I like your mirth, Young one..." he said and Lenar merely grinned. He was familiar with Galdor's manners and knew that the ranger wasn't really so surly as he looked.

"Captain Tenuvian told me to do some scouting and take one or two rangers with me. Guess whom I will take?"

Galdor sighted. "Well, at least you have some wits in that head of yours to take someone to keep an eye on you. If Tenuvian is sure about sending you, then let's go..." With that he already stepped forth and Lenar followed him closely.

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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: November 30, 2008 11:57
Eowilindë was happy yet at the same time unsure. Did she really want to do this?

Come on, get a hold of yourself. You can do this. Just stay in control of yourself.

She sighed, strapped her quiver to her back, and, while holding her bow, she followed Tenuvian to who-knows-where. She also got her sword belted on to her waist, but paused for a second when she thought of Amorfiwiel.

In loving memory of you, darling.

As Eowilindë pushed some of her silver hair aside, she wondered where the rangers would go next - and what they would meet.
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: December 01, 2008 04:55
"Move Out!" Shouted Tenuvian at the column behind him, and then turned and walked into the forest, pushing the first branches gently aside. The rest of him men soon followed.

As he walked, he pondered their current situation. This arrival of the elf both pleased and confused him. He was glad of the help, but also curious as to why one elf would attack a band of orcs without any aid, and without any hope of possibly killing them all. It didn't make sense, and that bothered him. When the time for the attack came he would need to be able to trust everyone around him. He decided he would speak to her on the matter. She was about twenty yards behind him in the clolumn, and he slowly began to fall back to reach her.

As he moved back, something still bothered him though. He could feel an outside prescence in Ithilien, and it wreaked of the taint of evil. He was sure it was the orcs though, as their being here in large numbers was surely causing the disturbance he was feeling.

Finally he reached the elf, and spoke.

"Milady, I need to know why you were out here, by yourself, hunting a band of orcs that you couldn't possibly slay by yourself. And please, don't try to walk away this time."
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: December 01, 2008 06:00
She was more than shocked at the such direct question Tenuvian fired at her. In fact, it scared her; the tone of his voice suggested no-nonsense.

"Well, I...." She didn't know what to say and was rather intimidated.

With a look from Tenuvian, she forced herself to continue. "I knew that you and your band of rangers were there. I wasn't really by myself...I just attacked them when you did. Yes, I was spying on you...I wanted to make sure none of the orcs got away." She confessed.

With another look from Tenuvian, she continued, partly. She herself wasn't sure she wanted to share her whole life history with this mortal. "I hunt orcs, yes. But usually only small groups where surprise is a good advantage or lonely orcs, wandering about. I hunt them for my own reasons."

Eowilindë looked at Tenuvian, hoping this was a good enough reason to satisfy him.
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: December 01, 2008 06:48
Tenuvian grabbed Eowilinde's arm and pulled her out of the column off to the side.

"Milady, we are about to attack a force many times our own size, and I need to know the motives of every man, or elf, fighting with me. To do otherwise risks all falling into disaster I know the motives of my men. They fight for family, and to defend their realm. What are yours?" He hissed. "

He paused for a moment, seeing the shocked look on the elf's face. He had no meant to upset her, but he had fought so long and hard, and seen far to many of his friends die, to risk losing everything here, so close to the end. He tempered his demeanor, and began again.

"Make no mistake milady, I am not questioning your motives or their origins, I only need to know why you are here with us."
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: December 01, 2008 07:22
If she thought she had been scared before, she was scared now. Or rather, maybe, very intimidated. She noticed a couple of rangers glance in their direction.

Then, her bolder side broke through, and, slightly angered, Eowilindë said, "I fight for what's left of my family too! You have no idea what they did!"

Realizing that she didn't make any sense, she calmed herself, and tried again, but not before pushing Tenuvian's hand of her arm. Besides, he had grabbed her hurt arm, and it was still sore from the cut.

"Sauron's orcs killed my family. They took my dear husband Amorfiwiel, tortured him, and killed him," Anger began to burn through her as she recalled the memory. " When a scouting party found him 3 days later, not even I could have recognized him, save we found his very sword nearby, which I now bear." Now it was her turn to intimidate. She lowered her voice to a venomous tone. "That's why I hunt these foul creatures. For vengeance. For the many they have slain and tortured. They left me with nothing. I have hunted them for years, more than a lifespan in your reckoning, to do Sauron's minions justice. So now I am with you only in order to better fulfill that vengeance. Is that reason enough?"

She stopped, continueing to hold Tenuvian's gaze, not even aware that a lone tear had escaped from her eyes.
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: December 01, 2008 08:25
Tenuvian was slightly taken aback by the elf's reaction, but he recovered his composure quickly and replied.

"Yes, that is enough milady."

He noticed a tear running down her face, and not wanting to distress her any more, turned and headed back to the front of the column without another word. He hadn't meant to upset her, and he inwardly scolded himself for that. Still, he had what he needed, and knew he could trust her.

As he strode up the column,Tenuvian's mind wandered to the coming battle. It made him think back to his previous ones, and the men he had seen die there. Osgiliath, Minas Tirith, and the Black Gates; each time when they thought all was lost something managed to save them from destruction. He knew when he saw the Black Gates crumble into dust he'd never forget that sight for as long as he lived.

"How many will die in this coming fight?" He wondered. It made him burn with hate and sorrow that his soldiers were still losing their lives, even after the war had been won and Sauron was gone forever.

He pushed these thoughts out of his head for the moment as he reached the front, and took up the lead again.
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: December 01, 2008 03:31
Lenar and Galdor were now alone in the forest. They were walking in silence, focused on their task – following the track of the orc group that found their death beneath the swords and arrows of rangers. It was broad and clear, the evil creatures leaving a path of destruction behind them.

But the two rangers were moving carefully, with as little sound as possible; they couldn’t know if there weren’t other orcs nearby. Galdor shoot an occasional glance in Lenar’s way to assure that the youth wasn’t doing something foolish… one could never know.

But Lenar was following the older ranger closely, the initial pride of Tenuvian choosing him slowly dissolving in the importance of their task. They were walking for several hours now. The track turned east and the peaks of Ephel Dúath were towering ahead.

Suddenly Galdor gave Lenar a sign to stop and be silent. Lenar obeyed immediately, focusing his senses to find out what made Galdor stop. In a short while he could perceive it – a distant rumble, more felt in the ground then heared.

With stealth they were proceeding in the direction of the sound and soon its source was in sight. Between the trees they glimpsed some movement and hided immediately in the undercover. There were orcs, about twenty of them, falling the trees of Ithilien. Lenar and Galdor frowned and exchanged worried looks. Apparently they were thinking on the same: what for do the orcs need so much wood? Two of them just loaded one trunk on their shoulders and headed eastwards. Without speaking it loudly, the two rangers decided to follow them.

Carefully they avoided the orc-woodchoppers and followed the two carrying the trunk from a safe distance. Lenar froze in mid-step and his eyes went wide. Galdor gave him a confused look but then followed his line of sight and held his breath. The orcs were erecting a palisade. It wasn’t complete yet, but the camp that it was enclosing was huge – there could be several hundreds of orcs, maybe thousand. Galdor cursed. Lenar closed his mouth and looked at the older ranger, the shock from their discovery still mirrored in his eyes.

Galdor gave him a sign to retreat but Lenar shook his head. “We must find out what they are planning,” he whispered. Galdor wasn’t sure about the idea, but he was curious himself, so he nodded after a moment of hesitation. They moved forward to have a better look at the camp and hided behind the trees. It was build only recently and beside the orc-tents from raw animal hides, there were several fabric tents, like those that the Southerners used. Orcs were going in and out, busy with building the camp but occasionally several humans could be seen, clad in black.

Two black men were walking in their direction and Lenar froze. But they didn’t see them; they were heading to the group of orcs falling the trees. Lenar looked questioningly at Galdor and the older ranger nodded. So he went after them and left Galdor to study the enemy camp.

Lenar bent down and silently he made his way through the forest to the clearing. He hoped to arrive before the black men and take a cover in the nearby bushes to be able to hear them. He managed to do it shortly before their arrival but was disappointed when he found out that they are speaking in a language he doesn’t know. But one of them shouted at the orcs and that was in Common.
“What takes you so long?! The palisade must be finished till tomorrow!” Orcs growled silently but the men didn’t seem to notice. One of the orcs blurted: “What about the patrol? They should have returned already!” The man snorted. “One patrol less or more doesn’t matter! Soon will be Itilien free of rangers! The ambush by the river is prepared… Now continue your work!” The men turned back from the orcs and were returning to the camp.

Lenar stayed in his cover for a while, too shocked to do something. They must warn the rangers! Then a sudden realization stroke him. He must warn Galdor, first! The men were taking another route to the camp as they have came from, a rout that will lead them to him! After he assured that the orcs aren’t looking his way, he get out of the bushes quickly and headed to Galdor.

Lenar heard cries and clank of steel and his heart sank. He was late… He run now, uncaring for the sound he made by movement, but stopped right before they could see him. One glimpse on the scene before him told him that he is indeed too late. His heart froze. The steel didn’t ring anymore and he saw orcs carrying a human body. The two black men were watching them. Lenar forgot about discreetness, he had to see the truth. He drew nearer and saw the blood on the ground and recognized the body. From the first sight he knew who it was, but now he could see his face and there could be no uncertainty.

But then Galdor stirred and his eyes flickered open. He is alive! Though Lenar with sudden hope that changed to horror immediately. He is alive in a camp full of orcs, and there were still more orcs coming to see the prisoner. Too many for Lenar. He had no illusions about what they will do to Galdor and a tear rolled off his cheek. It was his fault… They were dragging Galdor to the camp and there was nothing he could do.

No, there was one thing he could do, he realized. But the thought brought nausea to him. Yet he must do it. For Galdor, that would do the same for him. Lenar reached for his bow and readied the arrow. His hands trembled, not only from the fear that he won’t hit the target but from the fear that he will, too. He took a deep breath, now was the last moment before they reach the camp. He aimed carefully and saw that Galdor turned and looked in his direction. As if he knew… For a short moment he had the feeling that Galdor smiled at him approvingly. He let the arrow fly and watched in horror as it plunged into the ranger’s chest.

He couldn’t move, as if frozen in place. The cries of orcs came as if through a deep water, the only thing he could perceive was the arrow. He didn’t see the arrows of orcs flying in his direction. Only a sharp pain in the shoulder waked him from his trance. He remembered: the ambush! Once he has failed today already, now he must warn the rangers! He fled to the forest, with the orcs in his heels. The pain in his shoulder was like burning ice but he didn’t stop. He run as never before and soon he was gasping for breath and his lungs felt like in fire. He didn’t hear the orcs anymore but he didn’t stop, only slacked his mad pace. He stumbled several times and only the thought on the ambush kept him going, he felt like owing this to Galdor.
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: December 01, 2008 04:26
Eowilindë stopped. Something was wrong. Very wrong. Being an elf, she recognized the signs in nature and the very air around her. And she could sense the quiet of a doom about to come.

She looked around her to see if any of the rangers had noticed, but they had not, at least for now. They would notice later, when their human senses picked it up.

Eowilindë peered into the forest, listening acutely. If anyone, she would be able to catch sights and sounds first. She realized then that this would be helpful to the rangers.

She could not see nor hear anything unusual, but the sense of dread did not go away. She decided to tell Tenuvian about it.

She hurried to the front. "Captain!" She said it quietly but loudly enough to catch his attention. "Something is wrong. I can feel it."
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: December 01, 2008 08:42
Two had gone in to spy on the orc camp.

Only one had made it out alive.

Aerdaneth had watched all that transpired from behind a mighty oak tree. She was not an emotional creature, but watching the younger ranger take the life of his friend had struck her. She sat still now, watching the orcs tear through the trees in search of the invisible assailant.

The young ranger was far quicker than they, however, and Aerdaneth did not think he needed any aid to avoid the filthy grasp of the orcs.

However, with such a great number tearing off in pursuit of the ranger, there were fewer left in the camp--fewer left near the body of the fallen ranger of Ithilien.

For a moment, Aerdaneth hesitated. She was drawn by a strange desire to rescue the dead man from the pawing, clawing paws of the orcs. It seemed silly. He was, after all, dead.

Still. She imagined how her heart was scream if it had been her father's body, lying limp, bloodied and helpless.

The picture brought a momentary flash of pain, pushing her onward.

She slipped closer to the orc camp, at last crawling on her belly to through the bushes. Within a few moments, she was next to the body--separated only by a few leafy branches. Her gaze fell on the glazed, hazel eyes that stared blankly up at the sky. Eyes that would never see again.

The orcs had returned to their work. Aerdaneth slowly tugged the body into the bushes, quiet as the night. Her father had taught her well. Or perhaps it was fate that allowed her to pull the body, not only into the bushes, but also a hundred feet off, and safely out of danger.

She paused then, slightly out of breath at having to tug the large body of the Ithilien ranger through the underbrush. She pushed back a stray lock of midnight hair and wiped the film of sweat off her brow. Her dark eyes traveled slowly down to the pale faced dead man, who's head lay in her lap. She respectfully closed his eyes.

"Rest in peace, faithful one."

Aerdaneth stirred slightly, and contemplated what on earth she was going to do with the poor body. She should return it to the Ithiliens. It was only right.

Slowly she stood, and reached down to once more grasp the cloak she had dragged the ranger by. But a crack in the nearby trees alerted her to the presence of another being. She froze, and slowly turned.

It was a tall, dark skinned man that faced her, seeming to tower above her. He was clothed in all black, and in a fashion that much resembled that of the Haradrim. Behind him, a bay gelding stood uneasily.

A sneer twisted his thin, pale lips.

"Found yourself a prize, eh? I don't think that belongs to you," he hissed, stepping forward.

Aerdaneth's right hand fell lightly on the sword hilt at her hip, slowly unsheathing it and allowing it to gleam noiselessly in the beams of sunlight that trickled through the trees.

"You're quite correct, sir. This man's body belongs to the Ithilien Rangers...and I intend to see that they get it."

The dark man laughed.

"And I, dear lady, intend to see that they don't..."

Like lightning and without warning, the dark eyed man drew his sword and moved toward her. Aerdaneth stepped away from the body and moved forward. The two dark eyed beings crossed blades. Metal struck metal. At first the blows were light and testing, the two moved slowly. Looking for a weakness.

But quickly the battle grew in intensity and passion. Aerdaneth kept up with the quickly increasing tempo, her heart beating erratically in her chest. A cold whisper of fear crawled up her spine as the pace increased, and the blows fell harder.

They would soon be heard and discovered...

Or one or the other would soon be dead.

But fear was more her enemy than this man of Harad. This thought stole into her mind, and she forced the fear to fade away. She focused hard, mentally forcing herself not to see the man for who he really was.

In her mind, he was her father. And they were only sparring.

With this thought in mind, Aerdaneth's blows grew more steady, and better aimed. Something like surprise flickered in the man's eyes when she finally landed a blow on his knee. Blood spurted, and he retaliated quickly, sliding his blade across her thigh. Aerdaneth fought back a cry as her own blood oozed down her leg.

She stopped and stared down at her leg, as if she had forgotten he was still standing ready with his now bloodied blade. Seeing his opportunity, he launched forward, his sword aloft, poised to come down and split her head in two.

But it was all a ploy. Aerdaneth twisted at the last moment and the man stumbled over the ranger's body. With his back turned to her, the dark man of Harad was completely exposed.

In a moment, Aerdaneth's blade was plunged through his chest, and he lay unmoving on the ground. Dead.

[Edited on 4/12/2008 by Adara_Cochava]
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: December 02, 2008 12:55
Lenar ran, struggling through the undergrowth. He managed to shake-off the orcs but still he was racing with time - the rangers should reach the place of ambush soon.

As the adrenaline in his veins was ebbing, his shoulder hurt so much that sparkles danced before his eyes and he felt dizzy from the blood loss. The orc arrow was still embedded in his shoulder and he couldn't do anything about it for removing it would cause stronger bleeding. With every step he felt as if the arrow-head was going deeper into his flesh.

He was running for two hours now and only the thought on Galdor held him on his feet, the images of the flying arrow and of light leaving his eyes haunting his feverish mind. He was nearing the river now and fear was growing in him. What if he is late... again? Despite the pain and weariness he quickened his pace.

Finally Lenar heard the sound of many feet walking. His heart was pounding wildly: were it the rangers, or orcs? He draw nearer and with relief he realized that the sound is made by a moving column of rangers. They didn't reach the river yet.

He stumbled forward and with the last steps felt as if all his strength was spent. His head was spinning and he barely managed to reach the rangers. When they gazes turned to him, he fell to his knees and, gathering the rests of his strength, he whispered: "An ambush... by the river..." and then everything went black and he knew no more.

[Edited on 2/12/2008 by Mirach]
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: December 02, 2008 03:11
Seeing Lenar stumble back to camp with an arrow in his shoulder sent a cold shiver down Tenuvian's spine. Good God, what did I get this lad into. He heard his warning of the ambush, and then saw him collapse. Another ranger caught him before he hit the ground.

He knew the orcs would be entrenched and in cover for the ambush. Trying to use arrows against them would not work. They would have prepared for that. They would have to get close to destroy them.

He shouted back at the column, "Swords!" and his men dropped their bows and drew their weapons.

"Follow me!" He shouted, and the column fanned out into the woods. The elf followed close behind him. It seemed her senses had been correct. Something was indeed very wrong in the forest.

As they drew near the river, Tenuvian led his men up to higher ground, higher than the orc ambush would be. They would come down behind the beasts and be upon them before they knew what was happening. After several minutes of creeping down, their line became visible. They were indeed in cover as he had suspected, in perfect position to rain arrows down where the rangers would have passed. He and his men crept forward in absolute silence. Then the worst happened. One lone orc turned, and saw them approaching. It let out a cry, and Tenuvian knew their surprise was gone.

He sprinted forward, his men close behind, and with a cry of "For Gondor and the King!" lept down upon them.
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Post RE: The Battle for Ithilien
on: December 02, 2008 04:37
Eowinlindë looked in horror at Lenar. By the grace of the Valar do not let him die! she thought as she raced to him. She put her hand on his forehead, and he was hot. She let her hand stay there, and let her power of healing flow through him. She was not as skilled as some elves in healing, but she could help.

Tenuvian, though, was going, now. He was wasting no time. She left Lenar, knowing a healer would take care of him, and drew her sword.

Running down towards the river, the group quickly met the orcs and attacked.

"Elbereth!" she cried, and immediantly plunged her sword into one of the orcs opposite.

The battle was fierce, though going well for the rangers. The orc band was not to large, yet. Hopefully there are no reinforcements near.. Eowinlindë noticed some orcs through the trees, and followed them. She could not let them get away and bring more orcs.

She continued to follow them, though it was hard to keep up with them, for the orcs were hurrying. She drew out her bow and arrow in order to pick them off from behind.

But then, the orcs seemed to stumble across something in the wood. What is was, she could not see, yet. Eowinlindë did not pause as they did and quickly ended their lives with arrows. She then slowly moved around some trees to see what the orcs had stumbled across...
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