Halfway Through the Golden Wood

[Mobeorn(#22365)] The group has been led to this flower-covered hill, hoods and bindings removed so that they may rest for a while. Mobeorn seems to be making an effort to remain calm--for him, it may not be difficult, since he seems to be enraptured, almost, by the beauty of the place. Even the jar of honey specially set out for the Beornings has drawn only a little of his attention. Instead, the shapeshifter sits on the hill, looking into the distance peacefully.

Cecilia ... is recovering. She\'s barely noticed the beauty yet, and is off by herself, kneeling on the grassy hill. The healer is trying to fight years of stories and ingrained fear with logic, and it\'s leaving her drained and frazzled. She has picked a clear place to sit on a flat stone, scared to disturb any of the flowers or other foliage lest the witch choose to strike her down.

The Beorning has survived the first leg of the trip, but who can say how she\'ll fare on the next. Can you drag a cat back into the water a second time?

\"Have you found rest in this place?\" Galharth asks as he walks towards the mound. His teal robes flutter in a gentle breeze, and he seems to almost glow as he walks in the field of elanor flowers. Pausing as he approaches the humans he looks around with clear affection for his home.

[Mobeorn(#22365)] Mobeorn looks up, startled a bit by the sound of the elf\'s voice. \"I...\" he clears his throat, tearing his gaze away again slowly from the scenery, which has distracted him. \"Why..yes..\" he smiles. \"Almost it makes me want to sleep, except not sleep, but dream wonderful dreams.\"

Cecilia shifts to sit on her bottom, drawing her knees close and hugging them to her chest. Her gray eyes look over at Mobeorn and Galharth, but the healer is having a hard time relaxing enough to enjoy anything around her.. including the radiantly handsome elven tailor.

Again the Tailor looks around towards the trees and the grass surrounding the mound. \"One does not have to sleep to dream, for each breath is a wonder to enjoy and experience. Let the land, the trees, and even the grass under your feet sing sweet songs.\" Galharth says with a light laughs. Drawing in a deep breath, he releases it slowly. \"It is good to be home.\" Glancing towards Cecilia, his smile fades slightly. \"We will stay here a short while longer before travelling further. Will you be able?\"

[Mobeorn(#22365)] \"Me?\" Mobeorn says, clearing his throat again, shaking the cobwebs out of his eyes and standing up. \"Oh...our healer...\" He sighs. \"Lass...this place does not bring you peace?\"

Cecilia looks first at the elf, then to Mobeorn. She looks miserable, but says with a forced smile. \"It\'s nice.\" She tightens her hold around her legs, her eyes drawing over the flowers and grasses with a longing. She wants to enjoy it.. it looks safe and inviting, but she can\'t move from the rock she sits upon.

\"Few are those who do not find rest and comfort in this place.\" Galharth says softly. Glancing between the humans, he tilts his head. \"Is there anything you need to make your stay more comfortable? Food? Drink?\"

[Mobeorn(#22365)] \"I should try the honey,\" Mobeorn grins briefly, looking to the tent where food has been laid out. \"It would seem they had advance word of our coming here?\" A glance is given to Cecilia, the shapeshifter\'s forehead creasing with a frown. \"I know not what to do to help her. This...well...I don\'t know. Maybe one of the Herion\'s songs? They seem to have powers to heal.\"

\"I\'m okay. Thank you..\" The healer answers, looking back at the two with another strained smile. \"I just want to sit.\" And she never wants to move from the spot. The stone is hard, solid, unmoving.

Nodding to Cecilia, he smiles. \"As you wish, healer.\" Galharth says softly. \"The Honey is as I said it was in Imladhrim,\" The Tailor says as he glances from Mobeorn to the pot. Then, from no where, his brow furrows and he looks back to Mobeorn. \"Will you..... change so to enjoy the honey in your natural state?\"

For a few seconds, the shapeshifter jsut stares at the elf--and then he bursts out laughing. \'I can enjoy honey no matter what state I am in!\' he grins broadly, then lowers his voice for the elf\'s ears. \"It ... ... ... ... ... ... ... bees ... ... ..., I admit...... ... in the ... ... ... ... .... ... ..., ... ... splash ... ... ... ... ....\"

Mobeorn grins again at Galharth, flashing a set of white teeth. \'But fear not--the Herion advised that I stay a man..and so I will, unless your Lady advises otherwise.\'

\"Yes.. I just want to sit.\" Cecilia says softly, her eyes going back to the flowers as they are some forbidden treat that will melt off her fingertips if she touches them. She lowers her hands down to her sides, but keeps her knees against her chest. Her slender fingers curl around the edge of the rock, gripping it tightly.

Nodding to Mobeorn, there is a hint of uncertainty in the Tailor\'s expression but silence prevails in response to the shapeshifters words. His gaze turns towards Cecilia, and concern flickers in his eyes. \"I worry about your healer. Her mind seems at odds, almost as if afflicted by some unseen ailment.\" Galharth whispers to Mobeorn. \"Perhaps it was not wise to bring her.\"

Frowning slightly, he shakes his head. \"Alas my question perhaps comes too late. Better we think on matters that might be discussed in council.\" Looking fully to the Beorning leader, he adds, \"Has anyone spoken on the matters that might be discussed or brought forward for discussion?\"

[Mobeorn(#22365)] Galharth\'s words erase the smile from Mobeorn\'s face, and once more he turns to the healer and frowns. \"Perhaps it was not wise...though I thought that she would be of use. I could...with the help of your guards, of course...I could take the time to help escort her back out of your lands? Lest she go any further and be consumed by her fears?\" He scratches at his chin. \"As for the ailment, it\'s fear. The people of the north are hearty and will fight the enemy freely--but the thought of venturing into the woods of the wi...lady...such a thing is unheard of. And perhaps she sees her own death in having done so? But..lass, I think it will be all right,\" he directs this last to Cecilia.

\"Anyone?\" Mobeorn continues. \"I\'m not sure what you mean...we are to discuss the growing threat in Mirkwood. The Herion said the enemy is sending reinforcements there?\"

Cecilia looks over at the two after a long, unresponsive moment. \"Could I just stay here? I don\'t want to be trouble. I could wait here until you return.\" She licks lips that are dry, swallowing hard. \"I should have stayed.\" The High Pass would seem a vacation to her now, the beauty of the woods having little power against her own superstitious worries.

Galharth\'s brow furrows at Mobeorn\'s response. \"Those who leave now, will not return, for the path being walked is precarious, and the safety offered once will not be an unending grant.\" Pausing to look in Cecilia\'s direction he nods softly to her words. \"I will ask that we go no further and perhaps hold council here.\"

Returning his gaze to the shapeshifter, the Tailor shakes his head. \"Indeed, we know the problem and that will certainly be presented first. But this is not an end, for what of the suggestions to resolve this problem? Will the people of the north not offer a suggestion for resolution?\"

[Mobeorn(#22365)] \"Then I can\'t lead her out,\" Mobeorn says, gaze still on Cecilia. \"And I\'m afraid that she would panic if led out again alone with only elves to guide her....much as your folk have been careful and gentle guides...her fear is overtaking her.\" At that, the beijabar pauses. \"Which do you wish, Cecilia--stay here and hope they hold the council here? And if so, what if the...erm..lady comes here herself? What then will you do?\"

\"As for the rest,\" he continues to Galharth, \"Grimbeorn has charged me to say that this threat must be dealt with jointly. The Beornings will offer such men and ...others...that we can muster without abandoning the High Pass. Our numbers are stretched thin by the many threats.\"

\"You could go on.. and I can stay here. I won\'t disturb anything, I promise I won\'t. I\'m sorry Mobeorn, I don\'t know.. I don\'t know what\'s wrong with me.\" She looks over at her countryman, her face full of apology. \"You shouldn\'t change all the plans on my account. I\'ll just stay here. This spot is nice.\" Does she mean the clearing or the rock she\'s sitting on? Probably the latter with the way she hasn\'t moved an inch.

Holding up a hand as if to hold back further words, Galharth says, \"Let us hold any further talk about the location of the meeting until I can seek approval to have it here.\" Glancing to Mobeorn, he nods. \"I fear that is a common problem between our folks. Alas, we may well find that the threat will continue to grow and rather than greater numbers to oppose the shadow, we might need to think smarter.\"

Glancing at the humans gathered on the mound, the Craftmaster bows his head. \"Alas, much can be said, but for the moment let me seek out the approval needed to stay here for the council.\"

[Mobeorn(#22365)] \"That will likely be best,\" Mobeorn answers, though he adds with some regret, \"though if this hill is any sample, I would have liked to have seen the rest of your lands. But then...perhaps that is where the stories arise of men who enter and never leave? Entranced by the beauty of the land, they never return home?\" He smiles a little, then glances to Cecilia. \"Perhaps some mead would help her. I worry what she might do if the Lady of your lands attends the council.\"

Cecilia looks alarmed at Galharth\'s words. Mobeorn had hit one fear spot on, and she voices it in little more than a whisper, \"Then the lady will come here?\" The healer looks pale, her features rigid. \"No, no.. I\'ll leave. Is that okay? I can go, and then you all can continue on. I made a mistake, and I\'m so very sorry. I don\'t have the courage that I should.\"

\"Mead? I can have wine sent.... yes, wine.\" Galharth says aloud as he turns and walks away. Did he hear what had been said? Perhaps not. The Tailor seems lost in his thoughts as he turns and leaves the mound. He disappears into the mists a short time later.

Mobeorn frowns after the distracted elf, a sound like a quiet sigh mixed with a \'hmph\' coming from him. \"Just...pick flowers, lass. Watch the clouds. We\'ll get it worked out, you\'ll see,\" he tells Cecilia--and then heads toward the tent and the honey there, helping himself to a generous portion.

Pick a flower? Cecilia looks over at Mobeorn with a quick shake of her head. Then she looks away, glum and unable to get past her own fears.. which is disappointing to her and likely everyone else.