Ill to Our Foes

---------------------------------------------------------------- +ELF TIME ----
================== Eldarin Calendar ===================
IC time is:    Early Afternoon < About  2:56 PM >
IC day is:     Ormenel
IC date is:    15 Iavas
Moon phase:    Waxing Gibbous
Earendil:      Gil-Estel is not visible.
IC year is:    Loa 25 o Yen 22, Nelandran o Endor
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RL time:        Sun Apr 11 21:18:48 2010
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Calendar help: +ELF TIME HELP    Quenya version: +ELF TIME QUENYA
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Riverside, Naith of Lorien
You stand riverside, in Dwimordene, amidst the grey boles of the mellyrn and the concealing underbrush on the eastern banks of the river Celebrant. It is here in these golden woods where the rolling foothills of the Misties come to an end and the Elven realm of Lothlorien, often called Dwimordene or Dreamland by men, begins. It's summertime, and the mellyrn's leaves and branches form a light canopy of green to match the scattered undergrowth below. Presently, the mid afternoon sun casts lengthening shadows across the Wood as it begins its descent.
Contents:
Elnara
Haldir
Raven
Barrels
Obvious exits:
 UpStream leads to Upper Riverside.
 DownStream leads to Harbor Pathway.
 Northeast leads to Forest Path.
 Across leads to Western Riverbank of the Upper Celebrant.

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
The sun descends, and the shadows lengthen. Summer is soon to fade into a chilly autumn, but for now a warm breeze plays about the branches of the Wood. It is a sea of gray beneath the silver-green leaves: tangles of gray boughs, rows of gray trunks -- and something gray that flutters softly in the wind.

Veredhiel sits at the base of one of the great mellryn boles, cloak drapping over shoulders to cover the grass. She is resting perhaps, though in the way of the Eldar for her eyes are open.

[Haldir(#25231)] 
A soft slithering rope leaps over the gap of the Celebrant and snaps taut upon the Lorien bank: tall figures clad in silken grey file begin to file swiftly across, each with longbow and quiver strapped across their backs. There are about fifteen in all they converse in quiet voices, barely heard about the rushing of the river.

At their head is hooded Haldir, who crosses more slowly than is wont. He uses the unstrung longbow as a walking-staff, and his complexion is taut and rather grey.

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
Movement catches on the edge of sight, and the seated elleth turns a black-haired head to espy the quiet and solemn arrival of her kinsmen. Her tree is not far from the bank, and even now the sentinel raises a hand in greeting. "You have returned at --" the arm wavers, and Veredhiel's gaze darkens visibly as she sees a glimpse of the foremost Elf's expression, and troubled stride. "What happened?" Gray eyes peer to Haldir, watching as he and the others near.

[Haldir(#25231)] 
Haldir's gaze flickers to the elleth he gives a few short commands to the rest, and as they cross to the bank the archers disperse quietly into the trees. Then the marchwarden stops a short distance away from Veredhiel, leaning against a tree. "Everything that was expected," he says slowly, calmly. "The orcs were ambushed during their crossing. However, they happened to meet the filth of the Misty Mountains, who seem to be guiding them west, across the Anduin Vale."

"All is well and we suffered little harm. Only the news is more troubling -- and I must report to Lord Celeborn now ..."

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
"Then we must keep our blades sharp, and arrows swift," the elf-maid sighs, "should they draw too near to the borders. If it is westward and away they purpose to go, then all the better for us. Let them hide in their holes."

She nods at the marchwarden's final words, but says naught.

[Haldir(#25231)] 
"Yes," says Haldir, grey and grim. "But if they pass between Lorien and the mountains south, to Rohan, then we have a pestilence to our southern borders. A few of our kin have stayed behind to watch their path, though they have not been instructed to hinder their passage."

The marchwarden bows slowly, and it appears that his left hand is wrapped in a black-stained bandage. However, he begins a dogged path towards the trees, leaning upon his bow-stave.

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
"South towards Rohan?" echoes the other. "A wonder all the effort they have wasted in landing north when it is thither they aim to go."

Veredhiel shakes her head. "I understand their ilk not." She turns slightly as he passes, and a frown mars her fair features as that unpleasant looking bandage is seen. "Let there be a swift recovery for you and our guard, and ill for our foes and their devices." And the elleth leans back against her trunk once more.