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Post by danja on Jan 16, 2006 8:42:47 GMT -5
Eryn Lasgalen: ‘Greenwood the Great’, is now free from the hand of Sauron the hated enemy. The fortress of Dol Guldur ‘hill of sorcery’ is destroyed and its ancient name now restored: Amon Lanc ‘naked hill’. Breaking through the forest canopy; its treeless rocky summit the tallest of the south-west highlands. It is in the forest about this hill, where the Silvan ‘wood-elves’ first dwelt thousands of years before. They have now returned; the hill cleansed of evil, and Eryn Lasgalen, no longer called ‘Mirkwood’; is at peace.
The war of The One is over; and without a common enemy, the peoples of Middle Earth are now united by trade. In Rhovanion: east of Eryn Lasgalen; Esgaroth ‘Lake Town’ is rebuilt and returned to fishing. Dorwinion wine flows up the forest river to the Woodland Realm and craftworks of Dwarves leave the Lonely Mountain, down to the city of Dale and beyond. Grim memories may endure; but life is good.
The Elves of Greenwood the Great hunt under the trees as they always have done; even throughout the dark days. The siege of the Elf King’s stronghold and the march on Dol Guldur are long gone, and there is again feasting under the stars; now in both north and south. However, it is within the Woodland Realm and indeed the very feast hall of King Thranduil himself; that peace in the north is finally broken: Carniel (‘Crimson Lady’ Ed.), elf maiden and warrior, is banished: A lenient punishment for her crime. Having drawn blood killing a courtier of the king’s table; Thranduil was not best pleased with her, but he had to recognise her service to him: A knight of the realm. Rarely a status acquired by female elves; whether Nandor or Sindar in lineage. “Ah, Carniel…” Said Curandir (‘Wandering bow’ Ed.) in sullen voice “How was the night in the cell?”
He glanced to the armed guards watching the pair from the eaves of the forest, a short distance away. It was time for the Crimson Lady to leave the woodland realm; never to return. The guards had the authority of Thranduil, and they would use force to uphold his will; they had made this perfectly clear.
“They did treat you well I hope?”
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Post by Jess on Jan 16, 2006 14:59:42 GMT -5
“They treated me with the curt respect I have earned Curandir, which is much more then I expected...” She said, scratching her pet wolf between the ear's. Little ray's of sun struck her face and her feature's were aglow with emotion's, mainly hate and remorse.
As the wind picked up her hair shone like fire, and she slowly turned away from the forest, her step's slow and graceful. “Were do we head to? It's been...quite some time since I have left this forest...”
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Post by danja on Jan 16, 2006 18:12:48 GMT -5
Leaving the eastern borders of the forest; Curandir now walked alongside the exiled maiden, along with his horse Rochal, who followed. He gazed far and wide; he had acted rashly in following her, and had not thought this far ahead.
“We could follow the river to Esgaroth, or go to Dale; but then we have naught to barter with. And if we were to turn south to find other Edhil (elves); would they welcome us: Now we are in exile?”
He was about to continue when a guard named Mithrond, Curanidir’s brother; having arrived in the nick of time; hailed from the trees.
“Curandir!” He shouted “don’t go with her my brother, you have done no wrong. Eryn Galen is your home!”
Turning to face him; Curandir replied defiantly but in regretful tone.
“Forgive me, but I cannot abandon her to hope. I am bound to Carniel. Farewell!”
He looked to her; eyes solemn and with a heavy heart. He spoke quietly.
“Wherever we’re going; let’s get moving.”
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Post by Jess on Jan 16, 2006 21:25:14 GMT -5
Carniel sigh and looked down at her sining armor. "Well...we do have things we could trade...Tavanna's collar for instance, would fetch a mighty price on market...my silk banner would fetch a nice price as well..." She said, eying the other elf with a glare like a dagger.
"I suppose we could head to Dale...I wholely doubt any other Edhil would welcome us now..." Carniel scratched Tavanna between the ear's fondly, as she slowly made her way down the trail.
"Apparently...the whole forest knows of my exile...I no longer deserve the name Carniel...I have lost the privilage to hold such a title..."
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Post by danja on Jan 17, 2006 8:43:18 GMT -5
The sun shone with the warmth of Eru ‘the creator’. The two elves headed South-east in order to converge with the Forest River; following its course eastward they would reach Lake Town. From there they could head north to the city of Dale rebuilt on the southern slopes of Erebor 'the lonely mountain'. At walking pace, the journey to the city-state of Northern men would take the best part of three days; a day of which to reach Esgaroth.
“It may be wise to carry travelling names. Rumour will flow with the barrels down river before long; and I suspect catch up with us.”
He glanced back at the great forest; so familiar, yet now so distant to him. The two of them were alone, first time since before the great feast; the guards had disappeared from sight, even Mithrond. Curandir was curious. Thranduil’s keep had been in uproar and there was much speculation as to what had happened. Curandir had attended the feast last night, but not as a guest of the king's table; he had been sat with friends in another part of the hall. To be honest he was still in shock from the whole affair. Everyone new the King’s judgment; they had seen the bodyof Linphalandir 'well travelled singer' the minstral; and Carniel’s crimson blade.
Curandir continued with hushed tone.
“Carniel, what happened last night?”
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Post by Jess on Jan 17, 2006 17:01:40 GMT -5
Carniel sighed, but continued walking. The elf maiden brushed a wisp of hair behind her ear and looked over at her companion with sorrow-filled eye's. "A bloody affair...that one..." She said simply, shrugging and looking ahead to the road. "That braggard Linphalandir[/b]...he insulted my honour as a knight and maiden of my lineage...so I drew my blade and slew him...a neat cut to the throat..."
Carniel nodded with pride, but a look of saddness touched her feature's. Her grey skin shone in the ambient light of day and she looked back at the forest which she once had been proud to call her home, now it seemed like a dark and dead place to her. "Blood was everywhere...upon my gown...my hands...the food upon the table...even the king himself. What a lowly crime...slaughtering an unarmed minstrel....like a pig he was...and within seconds I snatched his life away like he did my honour..." She said with such passion and anger the air seemed to tremble.
She sighed again and looked down at her feet as she walked, "But alas...he hast defeated me..."
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Post by danja on Jan 18, 2006 8:43:10 GMT -5
The Forest river was in sight; barrels bobbed on the surface, flowing down stream to Laketown. There were especially many barrels as the feast had been huge.
Curandir did not pry any further, it was obvious that Carniel was hurt by what had been said; he trusted her judgment, and the loose tongue of Linphalandir.
"I have thought of a name for you" He said at last "Neithiel, I will go by my brother's name Mithrond; at least for now."
The sound of flowing water was a comfort; Ulmo 'lord of waters' was near and was witness to their fate.
"What do you think?" He laughed for the first time and turned smiling to Carniel.
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Post by Jess on Jan 18, 2006 15:25:53 GMT -5
"Neithiel[/b]...." The name slipped off her tongue sharply, and she wielded it with pride. She looked ahead in thought and nodded approval within a few moments. "Then I shall call you Mithrond...forgive me if I should slip once and a while though..." She said, trying her best to return his mirth.
"At any rate...I shall see whate fare I can make working as a blade for hire...though I doubt most men would trust a woman with their work... and if that doesn't work I shall..." She heaved a heavy sigh, "Work as a barmaid..."
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Post by danja on Jan 18, 2006 20:01:27 GMT -5
The birds were singing: Summer was not far off; the sun warm, and the breeze cool. There were Bees from the hives of the Beornings (Northmen of the western borders of Eryn Lasgalen.) They buzzed here and there; visiting wild flowers. The barrels were now whisked away; the waters took them to the waiting boatmen on the lake, not yet visible. A reminder of a night best forgotten. It was hard to remain cheerful under such circumstances yet Curandir laughed. He knew Carniel as a warrior; not a barmaid.
“I hope it doesn’t come to that!”
He gazed far and wide, scanning the way ahead; and wondered whether he should have been more tactful. Nandor: ‘east elves’ such as Curandir; were sometimes a bit too playful for Sindarin sensibility.
Edhil: the fairest and wisest of all speaking-peoples. Immortal and Ageless, until the breaking of the world: unless fire, steel or grief takes them. Of all Erusen (children of Eru), elves were most blessed, being farther in sight and more resilient to disease than the 'second born'; the mortal Edain (Men). Curandir, among even the elves; was renowned (in Eryn Lasgalen) for having the eyes of a hawk. This was the key to his great archery skill.
He would be known as Mithrond from now on. He spoke seriously now; but with level tone. “Neithiel you should hide your banner, I see a boat in the distance; there is cargo and crew. What shall we say to them? They may hail to us.”
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Post by Jess on Jan 18, 2006 21:26:22 GMT -5
Neithiel quickly tore her banner off and stuffed the silken banner into her satchel, looking over at the cargo ship with stern scanning eye's and elven senses. Her keen eye's picked out the crew and captain to be of mainly human descent, one dwarf barked order's to the others, seemingly to be the Captain...or maybe not.
"What an...odd...boat..." Neithiel said cooly, continuing to march onward, her hand going to her bow.
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Post by god on Jan 18, 2006 23:45:57 GMT -5
Upon this boat, a lone Elf waited. His back was leaned up against the center mast. His arms were folded across his chest. The Elf's head was bowed and his long black hair hid his face for the most part. He was a contrast to the blues and browns that the cpatain and crew wore. He wore black, and his skin was pale instead of tanned. A black cloak covered his body. It also hid two white Elven Katanas on his belt. His Mirkwood longbow and cloth quiver of black feathered arrows were beside him, also leaning on the center mast.
His keen eyes picked out the two Elves from afar. The light grey tones were chilling. He watched them as they advanced. He waited. Thoughts raced through his mind as he leaned against the mast silently. What are Elves doing here? Elves don't travel this far from their homes unless they are attacking an enemy. What could two Elves attack? Then the one thought that made sense crossed his mind. One word sprouted from his mouth.
Exiles
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Post by Jess on Jan 19, 2006 14:28:38 GMT -5
Neithiel caught sight of the elf almost immediately, leaning up against the mast as he...or she was. What is an elf doing on board that boat? she thought, her hand still resting upon her bow.
"This doesn't bode well for us Mithrond[/i]....look closely at the crew..."
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Post by danja on Jan 19, 2006 15:25:16 GMT -5
The vessel was fairly small. The forest river was not wide nor deep enough for ocean going ships. The merchants and fishermen of Lake Town used flat bottomed barges; or small to medium size boats such as this one. The boat steadily approached; probably another shipment of Dorwinion wine on its way to Thranduil. Curandir missed the taste of it; although he had drank his fair share the night before.
Mithrond had a plan. If they acted too cautiously; it may do little to conceal their predicament. He would hail them first.
Having seen Neithiel’s hand edge towards her bow, Mithrond made a subtle calming gesture; and spoke softly but with seriousness.
Baw Carniel; Uvaethol. “Carniel don’t. No fighting.”
Neithiel didn’t seem convinced. Her hand lingered on the weapon and he didn’t realise what she meant when she spoke.
Lasto nin. “Listen to me.” He said now holding her hand. Pedithon a-chain. “I will talk to them.”
“Ahoy there!” He shouted; now using the common tongue.
The men and whoever else was on board, could see the elves and their animals now they were close enough; one of the boatmen waved in reply.
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Post by Jess on Jan 19, 2006 15:37:06 GMT -5
Neithiel removed her hand from her bow quickly and forced a smile at the crewmen of the ship, scratching tavanna between the ears fondly as she alway's did.
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Post by god on Jan 20, 2006 14:16:55 GMT -5
As the crew bustled to get a loading ramp in place, Eraisuithon leaned on the center mast. He was completely still. His right fingers erected just a little, in a almost unoticable wave. His head was still bowed, his long black hair covered most of his face. His light grey eyes narrowed slightly, though unseen due to the hair. His black cloak waved as much as it could while being trapped between his back and the mast. Something told him this meet would be important for a darkened road ahead. As their boat neared, Eraisuithon began to speak softly to himself. Their Elvish ears would probably be able to hear it anyway.
The Exiles meet and unite.
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