Elendor

Breelands Outside the North Gate

About a week after arrival, Rhifaroth is getting around and meeting Breefolk.
Sort Date: no date set
Location: North Gate, Bree
Game Date: Dawn on Highday, Day 20 of January.
field_date_rl: 20:14:28 MDT on Thu Jan 17 2008.
IC Time: Morning
Weather: Very Cold - Dry
Description: Breelands: Outside the North Gate

Players:
Nob temping as Toby
Rhifaroth
Acelen

[+TIME] Middle-earth time is:
Dawn on Highday, Day 20 of January.
Real time is: 20:14:28 MDT on Thu Jan 17 2008.

------------------------------------------------------------

[Rhifaroth(#27282)]

The early morning air is crisp and cold. Dry, the wind comes down ever from the north west, no mountains or even hills of great significance to dull it's teeth. Nonetheless, on the bright, clear morning a man walks leading a horse. He is wrapped up in a black cloak and leads the animal while he looks carefully about, at the ground... And at the land about this place. He is a fair distance north of Bree in an area that does not appear to get traveled much. It is a lonely landscape, cold but warming faintly with the thin sunlight as the sun climbs higher.

Every now and then, the lone man stops and stands looking to the west. The horse, a darkish dappled grey, grazes contentedly, well accustomed to traveling the land with this man, and taking advantage of whatever fodder it might find along the way. No one else appears to be around. It is peaceful and quiet, but for a few birds flitting in the tall winter grasses and bare limbs of scattered brush..

Outside North Gate

The area around the outside of the north gate is weedy and over grown. The tree line from the Chetwood approaches from behind the Bree Hill to the east. In the distance the Old North Road can be seen to the west. A large hedge bars most of Bree from being seen to the south.

The sky is clear and the sunlight shines brightly. The dawn winter air is cold and dry around you.

Contents:
Elfaron(#19996Xnp)
Nob
Obvious exits:
West leads to Grassy Meadow.
Faint Path leads to North of Bree.
Northwest leads to Northern Crossroads.
South leads to North Gate.

[Nob(#16122)]

A slim compact figure comes walking slowly towards Bree from the north, resolving into a young man - perhaps 20 - whose face is still and sullen. Hard brown eyes watch around, glancing now and again at the ground but always returning to their scan of the surrounding lands.

Over one shoulder, Toby has a bow slung a worn coat tops newer trousers - not the warmest ensemble, but the boy doesn't look cold. His searching gaze lands on the horse, slides to its owner, and he hesitates, one hand moving towards his hip, before continuing on.

[Rhifaroth(#27282)]

The man's silhouette as he turns and the wind blows, shows that he may be wearing a longsword beneath the cloak - out here. Like the boy, the man also has a bow and quiver, but they are secured to his horse's saddle. The gear isn't much though, so the man obviously isn't outfitted for long distance traveling for the saddlebags look pretty slack and mostly empty.

Seeing something upon the ground, Rhifaroth toes it with his boot and looks like he might bend down to examine it more closely when the slack reins of his horse become taught.

Elfaron has sighted the boy on the road some distance off. The horse's interest catches the man's attention right off, attuned to his animal's better senses. The man pauses, looking towards the approaching figure.

[Nob(#16122)]

Toby moves slower and slower until he has stopped a little ways from Rhifaroth. He looks the man over carefully, then walks forward. "What're you looking for?" he asks, and his tone is more friendly than his face may have given one to suspect.

[Rhifaroth(#27282)]

Rhifaroth stands quietly, waiting for the other to come closer as seems to be the younger man's intention. He himself is garbed in the same studded leather armor he wore on the day of his arrival to Bree, the same black cloak... he keeps that cloak close now against the chill wind, not obvious that he carries a blade. Pale grey eyes look the younger man over.

Elfaron snuffles his bit, jingling it. His attention is also on the stranger with his black tipped ears pricked forward. The young stallion blows softly, curious but not afraid. Cautious.

At the younger man's question, the man’s tattooed face tightens very faintly, "What makes you assume I am seeking something?"

[Nob(#16122)]

The horse's quiet noise brings Toby's attention to it, and his face softens. Unafraid of the animal, he steps forward, holding out his hand towards it. Then he stiffens, and his expression goes hard again. "Saw you," he says shortly. "Kicking th'ground, lookin'..."

Acelen comes through the gate from the South.

Acelen has arrived.

[Elfaron(#19996)->Rhifaroth] Acelen just looked at Elfaron.

Elfaron(#19996Xnp)

Standing 16 hands high at the withers, this is a young stallion of good breeding - though overly lean from prolonged travel. He has excellent substance to the legs and hooves without being heavy or coarse. He is the color of a stormy day, dark grey with dappling with black legs, mane and mixed tail. The overall proportions of the horse are square and balanced, with good clean movement and ample joints. His dark grey hooves are shod with steel shoes.

For a young stallion, he is not mouthy. Elfaron is quiet and friendly, though skittish of strangers who wish to handle him.

�

Acelen just looked at you.

Rhifaroth(#27282POXA+Ncf)

Wyr is IC

Before you is a man who's height is just over 6 feet. He is fairly broad of chest, perhaps aging into his early middle years. Straight black hair reaches to his upper shoulder blades, tied loosely back. Strange, dark lines and dots make a tattoo pattern across his cheeks on either side of his nose, drifting down each side of his neck. Similar patterns lace up the backs of his hands and forearms. An old scar runs along his hairline at the right temple, and another along his jaw. Otherwise, his face has the bone structure of a man of Numenor, beardless and well formed - perhaps even handsome to some. Although fair of skin, creases around his eyes and mouth demark years spent in wind and sun. The man's eyes are a pale, silvery grey, wary of this world.

A studded jerkin of thick, boiled leather covers an off-white shirt. Long sleeves are pushed up to bare the man's forearms. Each wrist is scarred with old tissue as though from cuffs of iron, long ago. Grey woolen pants are tucked into high black riding boots which show signs of travel, but once held a fine polish. A plain long sword of very good make graces the man's left hip. A knife with a silvery raven's head might be glimpsed peeking out of the top of his right boot, just below the knee. A wide banded golden ring is worn upon the smallest finger of his left hand. Set flush into the ring is a smooth, tear shaped rich blue stone. Over all of this he wears a long black cloak.

[Rhifaroth(#27282)]

Rhifaroth makes no move to stop the boy from reaching out to his horse. But he watches the lad carefully, his own stance relaxed. For the moment, he doesn't answer but watches how his animal reacts to the stranger.

Elfaron, for his own part, cautiously puts out his nose and sniffs at the young man carefully... sifting through all sorts of scents, and picking up more subtle body language perhaps from the boy, than the man might himself easily read. Although the horse draws his nose back when the stranger lifts a hand to touch him, Elfaron does not shy or lay his ears back.

The tall stranger watches the exchange and then glances at the ground. His strangely tattooed face with silvery grey eyes looks to the ground for a moment and that which stands up from it, next to his boot. The large, dried leaves are brittle, the once tall flowering stalk broken and fallen over, the leaves still silvered with the thick coating of fine white hairs mullein. Rhifaroth smiles thinly to himself and finally answers the boy's question, "I search for many things... " he looks back at this stranger, “But today, mostly herbs and my own thoughts. What of yourself?"

[Acelen(#32035)]

A steady of shod hooves can be heard approaching the gate, and as this gets louder, a rider and a grey mare appear. The rider sits the horse with easy grace as if it and he were one. As he sees the other two, he gives a suspicious glance at the black robed one and a brief nod to Toby.

"Nice horse 'er got there mister," he mumbles awkwardly as he pulls up beside the other two. "Musta cost ya a bunch," he continues, his obvious suspicion of the rider gone as he admires a piece of prime horseflesh.

[Nob(#16122)]

The boy's hand pauses as the horse moves back a little, waiting. His eyes lift to Rhifaroth's, and he nods. "What's mullein?" he asks. "Ain't never heard of that."

[Elfaron(#19996Xnp)]

Elfaron suddenly turns his head and swivles his ears as he hears another horse coming up from the south - before the two humans might hear it.

[Nob(#16122)] Toby's head jerks around at the sound of another horse, and then he relaxes. But a nod is all he gives the other man by way of greeting.

[Rhifaroth(#27282)]

The man, boy, and dark dappled grey horse are a fair distance out from the north gate, out where the wind blows and the land becomes lonely. Rhifaroth turns his head at the sound of another horse coming, then shifts his body and his horse around a bit farther from the young stranger who had come up first - so that Rhifaroth can see the newcomer coming up from the North Gate, but also the young man who is afoot, and closer.

To the boy he answers first, with a return of that thin smile, "Mullein is an herb. Apparently, one desired in town, I am given to understand." His words are strangely accented, clearly foreign to these parts.

To the new arrival, as the horseman comes up and speaks to them with a comment about his horse must having been costly, Rhifaroth frowns very faintly before answering, "Not overly."

l Acelen

With his shuffling gait and his bowed shoulders, Acelen looks at lot older than he really is. His head is covered by a short leather cap from which greasy hanks hair frame either side of his stubbled face. His eyes are piercing and bright blue but rather shifty. The nose which is pock-marked and red is flanked by loose jowls, giving the young man's face a rather droopy look. If it weren't for the fact that his teeth weren't quite in alignment, he might almost have a pleasant smile - as it is, it comes across as a little frightening.

Over a rough wool shirt that once was a much lighter color, he is wearing a brown leather jerkin that is patched and stained. Well muscled is he, for work in the stable entails a lot of heavy toil. Woolen pants that are held up by roughly knotted cord are stuffed into calf-high loose boots. More often than not, the young man has his leather apron on, and more often than not, his clothes bristle with bits of straw.

Carrying:

Bree Fair Tent

[Acelen(#32035)]

"Got a nice conformation 'e does," Acelen continues, not meeting the strangers eyes. "There'd be many'd like to own one sucha that." He scowls down at the boy. "Whatcha doin' here lad? Doncha know better'n ta talk ta strangers?"

Acelen moves the mare closer, and it reaches out to touch muzzles with the new horse.

"I bin away," the stable master says. "Bin to the next village to buy this'un," he points down at the mare.

[Nob(#16122)]

Toby glares back at the mounted man. "I'll talk t'who I want," he says flatly. And defiantly, he says to Rhifaroth, "'M Toby. Appledore. What d'they use this mullein stuff for?"

[Rhifaroth(#27282)]

The young grey stallion is more than happy to reach out and touch noses with the mare. Elfaron arches his neck, displaying his fine Rohirric influence in his breeding. His mixed black tail with silvery white tip lifts and the stallion nickers to the mare, wuffling softly through his nostrils.

Rhifaroth, all too accustomed to his young stallion's delights, merely keeps a firm hold on the bridle with his left hand and checks the young horse without being obvious or rough. His right hand, tattooed like his face, but ringed with old scars, strokes Elfaron's head, quieting the horse a little, maybe.

To the stranger from town with the mare, the tall stranger nods, "Mayhap, but he'd not be easy to get from me." There is a hint of steel in the man's quiet reply. He eyes this man with the mare a long moment, then glances at the boy, "For cough, I'm told." But for the moment, he has not given his own name.

[Acelen(#32035)]

"That's some big sword ya got there," the stablemaster says, still not looking at Rhifaroth directly. "One might think ye'd be expectin trouble, man carries a big piece o' steel like that."

Acelen scowls deeply at the boy. "Ye'll mind yer tongue young sirrah, or I may be forced to pin yer ears back and take ya back to yer parents. You'd best not be foolin' wif any o' that medic'nal stuff."

[Acelen(#32035)]

The mare, it seems is in the mood to play, for she gives a little squeal and tosses her head.

"'Ere now you!" Acelen growls to her.

�

[Nob(#16122)]

Toby gives a humorless laugh. "Like they'd care," he says. He is short even for a Breeman, but well-muscled for his size. Dismissing the stablemaster, his brown eyes go to Rhifaroth's side where a sword might hang beneath his cloak, then lift to the stranger's face again, and now there is a frown on his own.

[Rhifaroth(#27282)]

The foreign stranger's grey eyes narrow further at this horseman who has come up from Bree with the mare. There is no other change of expression upon his face except that he very faintly smiles as he watches this man, "It is... and it's seen its share of it." But he makes no other comment about his blade.

Instead, he draws his horse's head around and begins to walk the young stallion out and around in a circle, gaining a small distance from the others. Then, Rhifaroth mounts fluidly, displaying the habit of being accustomed to being in the saddle much of his life. He takes a moment to adjust his thick, black cloak to cover the long sword that hands just below his left hip. A small stylized white tree and seven silver stars are visible embroidered upon the cloak’s right breast, next to a finely wrought silver clasp beneath the man's throat.

Looking to the boy, the foreigner adds, "Pick that herb and take it to the Healing Houses in Bree, and you'll find yourself welcome."

[Acelen(#32035)]

Acelen shrugs at the boy, “Then you'd best be watchin yer tongue even more, lad. There be those who ain't in sich good moods as I around."

His gaze reverts to the stranger once more. "You sellin some o th' stuff? Might be that there were folks as would appreciate it round 'ere."

Never one to be polite, the stablemaster abruptly loudly blows his nose into his fist.

[Nob(#16122)]

Toby looks down, confused, at a sea of brownish grass interspersed with other plants. "Er," he says. "Right." And now he watches the stranger mount, and there is a flicker of open longing in his eyes, swiftly squashed. He squares his shoulders and lifts his chin he will walk and proud of it!

[Rhifaroth(#27282)]

The young stallion reels about, eager to return to the mare, or to be off! Whichever, the man is agile in handling the horse and circles Elfaron easily without allowing the stallion to go back to the mare.

Rhifaroth looks back at the stranger, who's name has not been given to him, and frowns, "I am not a merchant. I am a soldier. The boy is welcome to it."

To the lad he motions with his hand, "Next to that stone, left of your foot, with the dried stalk... Large, silvery soft leaves. That's mullein, lad."

[Acelen(#32035)]

Acelen decides it is time to dismount and check the girth on his saddle after his long journey. "Srangers wif blades...", he mutters, "Young'uns wif sharp tongues n' no respect fer their elders," he grunts, pulling the strap tight and neatly tucking it away. The stirrup is lowered and a quick glance given the boy. He follows the boy's eyes to the horse and he grins softly.

"Could be a way fer ye to make some cash, lad," he muses as he watches the Stranger move off a bit on his horse. "Very nice horse that'un, good thing he's armed." He contemplates the boy for a moment, and then points to the mare with the hand holding the reins. "Want to ride 'er back to the stable, lad?" he says. Seems he is not quite as mean as he appears to be.

Rhifaroth on Elfaron>

The young stallion tosses his head and gently fights the shank bit, pacing with energy. The man does not leave, he merely sits the horse and watches the other two as the older looking man dismounts from the mare. Rhifaroth apparently feels more comfortable controlling his anxious horse from the saddle, distracting Elfaron from what may be a mare coming into season. There may be other reasons he has mounted but does not yet leave, but whatever they might be the stranger's thoughts are his own.

[Nob(#16122)]

Toby looks down, trying to find (unobtrusively) the particular plant Rhifaroth has described. Casually, he bends, picking something and stuffing it into his pocket. At Acelen's offer, his face loses everything it had of pride and wariness, and he steps forward eagerly, though he still tries to sound nonchalant. "Sure."

[Acelen(#32035)]

The mare it seems, is very interested in getting closer to the stallion, and Acelen has all he can do to keep her in check as she sidels back and forth.

Rhifaroth on Elfaron>

The mounted horseman sees the young man pick the wrong plant even after his explaining what it looked like. He draws in a breath and blows it out in a sigh, then looks westwards...

The young stallion seems to have quieted down a bit, but his full attention is for the mare. With black tipped ears pricked, Elfaron's nostrils blow and he holds a proud stance, showing off for her benefit.

[Acelen(#32035)]

"'Ere now, me beauty," Acelen croons to the mare. "I know you'd be much happier runnin' alongside 'is lordship's horse over there, but I've got other plans for you."

The mare makes a sudden surge towards the boy, half dragging the stable master with her.

"Mind yer feet lad!" Acelen warns as he struggles to hold on to her. He laughs, "And she was so calm ridin' back 'ere."

Rhifaroth on Elfaron>

Rhifaroth on Elfaron edges his stallion closer, allowing the dark grey to come around and put out his nose towards the eager mare. The jingling bit and soft knicker perhaps catch her attention, distracting her from those who wish to mount her - other than Elfaron.

To the boy and man, the stranger smiles apologetically, "Perhaps letting them touch noses while you try to mount will do... then I can head back to the gate with you and you go on in. If that does not work, I can leave. Perhaps she'll settle then."

Apparently, whoever the stranger with the odd lilting foreign accent is, he doesn't wish to see either of them come to harm.

[Nob(#16122)]

Toby moves aside swiftly, waiting just until the stallion is pushing his head towards the mare, and then he swings himself into the saddle. He has not quite the instinctive grace of either of the others, but he is clearly comfortable riding. Leaning down, he reaches for the reins.

[Acelen(#32035)]

Acelen is just about to warn the boy off when he easily mounts the horse. "Well...I'll be...!" he manages, and then hands the reins up reluctantly. "Be careful lad, she is realley excited. I don't want yer ta get hurt."

Rhifaroth on Elfaron>

Very patiently, the man holds his very attentive young stallion in check, but allows Elfaron enough rein not to feel held back or he might fight it. Rhifaroth looks to the man to see when he's ready to turn the mare, then he gives Elfaron light leg pressure to yield him over... swinging his young but well trained stallion over sideways to help turn the mare.

Again the man pauses, looking at the other two, waiting, "You ready for me to lead on? I think she may follow... and if she gives too much trouble, we can walk them together. If she thinks she is going to be lead to where she can have what she wants, she may be more willing to go."

[Nob(#16122)]

Toby nods, holding the reins now but most of his attention is taken up by the mare. He nudges her around turning with the stallion back towards Bree.

[Acelen(#32035)]

Acelen grins for the first time since meeting the stranger and offers his hand up. "Acelen, stablemaster at the Pony," he says with typical brusqueness. "You know yer horses," he adds with a nod. "She'll follow like as not. I will walk behind. Just make sure she doesn't get away from the boy - don't want 'im hurt."

Rhifaroth on Elfaron>

Rhifaroth on Elfaron nods once, curtly as a soldier might. His words are perhaps overly formal and crisp, but the accent isn't so rough as might be to make his words difficult to understand, "Thank you, Acelen." He looks at the hand and hesitates, but does not offer his own in return. Instead he waits to be sure that the boy is ready and makes further reply, "I am Rhifaroth of Gondor - pleased to meet you, stable master."

Once the introduction is complete, Rhifaroth glances back to be sure the boy is balanced and paying attention, then he slowly eases his eager young horse forward. Elfaron has a very soft mouth and sensitive sides, so he needs no more than an slight shift in the man's weight and legs to get moving forward. But the Gondorian is careful to not let Elfaron move out faster than a sidling walk - heading towards the North Gate.

�

[Nob(#16122)]

The mare prances, moves forward in a lunge, then settles a little. Toby moves with her easily enough - busy enough with staying on and in control that he doesn't respond to Acelen's comment about him getting hurt. And now they are walking - or rather fidgeting forward at the pace of a walk - towards Bree.

[Acelen(#32035)]

Acelen looks at his hand, which is still extended in the air, then he drops it and frowns. "Might not be a lord, but me hand is purty clean," he mutters softly. "Don't hold with them as has high and mighty ways," he grumbles. He trudges along behind, every now and then sending a horse puckey spinning off into the verge with a irritated kick.

Rhifaroth on Elfaron>

Rhifaroth on Elfaron glances back, either at the boy on the mare, or at Acelen’s barely heard comment. He says nothing as they continue their progress.

Once they reach the gate, Rhifaroth wheels his young, overly eager stallion about, checking him more firmly with bit and weight shift in the saddle. Elfaron tosses his head, fighting and prances to evade, swishing his tail agressively.

Looking to the youth mounted on the mare, and to the stable master, Rhifaroth inclines his head, "Be safe. I shall come in later... I have hunting yet to do, and daylight to use."

With this, he makes the break quickly and without delay, before the two horses might take too much notice that they are being parted. He lets Elfaron out, but not to bolt forward. The young stallion starts at a good walk, and when he might try to reel back, Rhifaroth urges him forward into a trot. In a few moments, the pair are edging out towards the north-west.

[Nob(#16122)]

They are back. So soon. Toby stays on the mare's back until Rhifaroth is out of range, then reluctantly slides to the ground. Slipping the reins over the horse's head, he hands them back to Acelen, saying gruffly, "Thanks."

Outside North Gate

The area around the outside of the north gate is weedy and over grown. The tree line from the Chetwood approaches from behind the Bree Hill to the east. In the distance the Old North Road can be seen to the west. A large hedge bars most of Bree from being seen to the south.

The sky is clear and the sunlight shines brightly. The early afternoon winter air is cold and dry around you.

Contents:
Acelen
Rhifaroth on Elfaron(#19996Xnp)
Nob
Obvious exits:
West leads to Grassy Meadow.
Faint Path leads to North of Bree.
Northwest leads to Northern Crossroads.
South leads to North Gate.

----------------------- End of RP Log --------------------

Players: Nob Rhifaroth Acelen Toby
Located in: Breefolk