Dragon!

============== Lord of the Rings Calendar ==============
IC time is:    Midday < About 1:54 PM >
IC day is:     Friday
IC date is:    September 30
Moon phase:    Full 
Earendil:      Gil-Estel is not visible.
IC year is:    Third Age 3049
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RL time:        Thu Apr 22 20:38:17 2010
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[Nurenhir(#14756)] 
It is lunchtime for the builders of the village. Today -- for it is a bright, cold, and clear day -- Nurenhir has crept quietly out of the hut he has been recovering in, and set about to preparing a meal of warm bread, baked in one of the new ovens brought from Bree, and a hot, fragrant stew. The camp smells of carrots and potatoes and sage, filled with friendly, sweaty chatter. The Elf is perched upon an overturned cart, bundled up in a thick cloak, hands clasped over a ladle. He is considering the wall with tired, dark eyes.

[Ollie(#15066)] Gidon smiles at the elf. "You're better," he says, making it partly a question. He sniffs luxuriously. "Bread?" At his heels, where it has been nearly non-stop since Hraefengar gave it to him, is the dog. Still nameless, poor thing.

[Sulgirion(#16643)]
Dust and grass kicks up, and the area where the boy and Elf are sitting is darkened from above. It is Sulgirion, sailing downward to alight nearby, though safe enough away from the pair so as to not blow them over by his wing beats. One of the feathered arms is noticably still stiff, and takes a little more effort to fold against his body than the second one. The eagle cocks his head, giving an avian caw in greeting.

[Ollie(#15066)] It is at this moment that a large shadow falls over them, and a wind swirls up, blowing dirt and sawdust and bits of grass. Gidon looks up wildly, instinctively throwing himself on his dog, and scrabbling with his good hand for his sling. For all the good that would do him against a dragon. His face is suddenly very white.

[Nurenhir(#14756)] 
Nurenhir glances furtively about, then places a finger to his lips. "Don't tell Brev I'm out," he grins, slipping off the cart. From a large basket he produces a roll of bread, and hands it to the youth. "Have you had enough stew for the nonce?"

The elf's hair is suddenly lifted up into long ribbons, and the boy is gone. From head height, at least. Nurenhir crouches down, only the slightest discomfort upon pale features, and reaches out to place a hand on Gidon's shoulder. "It's only Sulgirion. He doesn't eat Men."

[Sulgirion(#16643)]
The wings are pulled out of their dive, and spread out to either side as the enormous bird slows himself to land. Talons grip into the ground, and Sulgirion settles himself opposite the others. "Indeed," Westron comes forth from the great curved beak, though the words are wild-edged and raspy. "I bring no evil, youngling," he peers down at the startled Gidon and the wolfhound pup. "Rest assured." Then a nod is given to Nurenhir. "Master Elf. How do you fare? Could be better, if my eyes do not decieve me."

[Ollie(#15066)] Beneath Nurenhir's hand, Gidon is trembling. He swallows hard, gathering all his courage to look up, then whispers, "Thought... was the - the dragon." He puts his arm around the dog, holding it to him tightly, until the wolfhound squirms and whines. When the .. bird speaks, he twitches uneasily but manages a tight nod.

[Nurenhir(#14756)] 
"I might be better, Master Eagle," says Nurenhir, bowing tightly. "Pray, are you well? You yourself seem to have your share of injury, as it seems common in these woods." He peers at the boy again, then sits down on the ground. "A dragon, hmm. We have not had one for long, so you ought not to fear, Gidon."

[Sulgirion(#16643)]
Sulgirion stretches out his injured wing, and gives it a strong flap only a slight frown seems to crease the avian brow. "It is healing, thanks to that human with the knife who removed the spear's barbs. But it is difficult for me to restrain from flying, as he directed..."

The eagle glances again to the boy, and an odd noise emerges from his throat -- some sort of avian laugh. "A dragon? No, I do not spit fire. See?" He gives another flame-less caw.

[Ollie(#15066)] Gidon relaxes his arm a little, not much, and the puppy licks his chin. "Seen it," he mutters, and shivers convulsively, his eyes dark with memories. But the - the bird keeps speaking, and the elf talks back to it. "Could .. could I have that bread?" he asks at last, a little more color to his face.

[Nurenhir(#14756)] 
"Dragons ..." Nurenhir looks down, at the hand upon Gidon's shoulder, and the other hand that bears a forgotten roll of bread. "Oh. Of course," he says ruefully, and passes it to Gidon. "Would you like some stew, too? And you, Master Sulgirion -- I do not know if our reserves are enough, but if you would like a little..."

[Sulgirion(#16643)]
"You've seen a dragon?" The eagle cants his gold-tipped head the other way, still fixing his gaze upon Gidon the bright amber eyes are curious, hinting at amusement even. "I thank you," Sulgirion then bobs his head to Nurenhir in acknowledgement, "but I shall pass. I have gone hunting, and am no longer hungry."

[Ollie(#15066)] Gidon takes the bread and tears it nervously into pieces, feeding one to the puppy, and eating one himself. He looks up at the eagle, carefully, as if it might change before his eyes, and nods. To Nurenhir, he replies, "Not now." Warmth seeps into him from the hand still on his shoulder, and comfort and ease seem to come with it.

[Nurenhir(#14756)] 
Nurenhir smiles, then slips away, resuming his seat on the back of the cart. "Do you bring any news, Master Sulgirion?" he asks courteously. "There have been suspicious, large orcs in the forest at day, so you ought to take care. Could it have been one that threw the spear?"

[Sulgirion(#16643)]
For a while Sulgirion continues to watch the boy and his dog, though the avian shifts his gaze, perhaps having sensed the lad's persistant nervousness toward him. "Goblins in the day? And large, you say?" the great feathered brow furrows again. "That bodes ill...are you certain of this news?" The amber star is focused on the elven baker now. "I have seen naught as of late, and the forest was oddly still. It is very likely that the spear was cast by one of their ilk that day." There is a pause. "Was it they who wounded you so?"

[Ollie(#15066)] Now that the eagle isn't looking directly at him - and with the help of time passing and getting used to this creature, who isn't, after all, the dragon - Gidon is getting more comfortable. He finishes the bread, and gets up to get himself a bowl of stew listening to the two talk. But here he interjects, "Save m'life." Then sits back down hurriedly and busies himself with eating, as if wishing he hadn't said anything at all.

[Nurenhir(#14756)] 
Nurenhir nods gravely, a hand wandering to probe the bandages at his side. "That is so," he says. "I met one under the sun, while Gidon and I were gathering herbs. The dog saved us," he smiles, reaching out pat at the pup's head. "He is a gift to Gidon from the Rohir, Hraefengar."

[Sulgirion(#16643)]
At Gidon's comment, Sulgirion returns his attention thither to the speaker, and although the expressions of bird's are rather difficult to discern, this winged creature looks to be confused. "What has saved you, youngling?" But then the eagle nods anew as Nurenhir utters more. "Ah, the dog did, I understand." Lastly the wolfhound too is given a studying peer. "He is growing yet, I see, and he has already served you well. Outside the walls it is dangerous not doubt you know this. It is well t have company should you need to go thither, even if it is furry company."

[Ollie(#15066)] "He helped," Gidon says, "But him," he jerks his head towards the elf, "he got hurt trying t'help me. Weren't for him, don't think even th'dog'd been enough." He takes another bite of stew, and adds with a troubled look on his face, "I din't know they come out in th'day, but Nur, he says there's more of 'em." The puppy sits up on its haunches and gives a short sharp bark, as if offering his bit to the conversation.

[Nurenhir(#14756)] 
"I didn't do much," says Nurenhir modestly, fingering the edge of his (horrible) hair-shirt sleeve. "I only created more work for Brev he was kind."

The elf gets up to stir the stewpot, once. His eyes fall upon a face in the crowd and he flinches, ducking low in preparation for flight.

[Sulgirion(#16643)]
"Indeed," the eagle nods toward the boy, "the goblins revel in the dark, in the shadows, seeking to avoid the shining eye of the heavens. But I have seen such creatures of which you speak before who fear not the sun..." Sulgirion clicks his beak as he ponders. "I have only seen them far south from here, nigh the mountains...what they are doing abroad and this distant from their usual haunt, I do not know."

He listens to the rest quietly with canted head, but as the Elf startles, the a few of the avian's feathers stick up, and he tenses, wings raising out slightly in an instinctive posture of defense. "What is the matter?" The question comes out sharper than necessary.

[Ollie(#15066)] Gidon nods, looking up at the sky worriedly. "If it ain't safe at day," he says slowly, "When do it be?" How will they live, if evil haunts the day as well as the night? He ducks automatically when the eagle moves, turning towards Nurenhir, then looking for his dog.

[Nurenhir(#14756)] 
The elf smiles grimly. "If we eradicate them, then they will not trouble the village," he murmurs, peeking over the rim of the bubbling stewpot. "Excuse me. I believe there is a good healer in our midst, and there is a place I must return ... good day, Master Sulgirion, Gidon," he peers down at the dog, "you too." Gathering up his cloak, Nurenhir scurries away into the crowd of builders, toward a small hut.

[Sulgirion(#16643)]
As Nurenhir explains and rushes off, Sulgirion relaxes, agitated feathers falling flat, and wings returning to his sides. He is left alone now with Gidon, and the eagle peeks downward, perhaps trying to judge whether or not the lad is still fearful of him. "Do not worry," he comforts, "there looks to be skilled land-dwellers here who are capable of protecting this place from anything that wishes evil upon it. When my wing improves, I too shall take watch, though from the skies."

[Ollie(#15066)] Gidon nods, though he doesn't look overly reassured. "But," he says, trying to find words for his thoughts. "Can't always be watching... if half folks be guarding, work won't get done in time."

[Sulgirion(#16643)]
"Better to be guarded and slow, than be swift and open to attack," replies the giant bird. "No doubt the creatures would seek to ruin this place again. I had come hither around a year or so ago with a group of warriors from the South. We found this village burned and dead...there were black orc arrows. It was not difficult to guess what had happened."

[Ollie(#15066)] The boy nods and shudders. "Must've been not long after we come through," he says. "T'were all right then." He looks around, wonderingly, shaking his head. "Dunno why folk'd want t'live here," he says. "Even th'trees are creepy, a bit."

[Sulgirion(#16643)]
"Indeed," Sulgirion nods, "I would not be glad dwelling here. Being closer to the skies is what my kind prefer. There seems to be a ceaseless feeling of evil here, that I do not like."

Suddenly, he moves one wing as if there were an itch, and he pops his head down to preen the irritated spot. "I am due for a cleaning, I think," he lifts his beak for a momentary pause in explanation. "I shall move out of your way a little to do so. In the meantime, fear not the shadows of the yonder wood. You are well protected." The eagle hops a little awkwardly away, and begins preening again.

[Ollie(#15066)] Gidon looks after him, still wary but no longer so afraid, then gets himself a second bowl of stew. This one, he eats half of, and, looking around cautiously, feeds the rest to his dog.