Kids in the Woods
A tale freshly told of the Breefolk
Keldean and Liuni are out in the woods after fleeing from Asht, and run into some others.
Keldean ran off with Liuni just outside the inn to the east. He ran for the woods, figuring the road would be too dangerous. Eventually the teen grew exhausted and after a few hours of getting himself and Liuni deeply into the Chetwood, he found a soft growth of ferns for them to sleep among and collapsed to rest.
It\'s early the next morning, the sun higher than it should be for the boy to still be sleeping, but he was in desperate need of it. Hopefully Liuni hasn\'t wandered off.
[Liuni(#22296)] The little girl sits staring balefully at the boy and sucking on the knuckle of her thumb. There is a tear coming down her face. \"It\'s not fair!\"
[Caelwen(#24844)]
A slight peace has descended upon this place, a sense of hush despite the birdsong, despite the sorrow and exhaustion. Between the trees, some middling distance away, a lady in white is still and watching Keldean and Luini. Her eyes trace the girl\'s tear but she neither comes nearer to them nor speaks, not yet.
Keldean wakes slowly, blinking his eyes a few times as his mind clears the fog of sleep. Suddenly the boy shoves himself up to a crouch, looking around sharply. His gaze settles on the little girl sitting next to him, \"You\'re okay?.. \" He lets out a small sigh of relief, rubbing his eyes as he slowly rises to his feet. The boy keeps his words soft. \"Come on.. we better get moving.\" He offers a hand to the girl.
[Liuni(#22296)] The little girl holds out the hand that isn\'t in her mouth to the boy. \"Where are we going?\" she says around her fingers.
[<#24844>]
The copper-haired lady has slipped closer, silent as a ghost, near enough to talk to without shouting, but only just. \"
[Annaiel(#28909)]
Not so quiet or unobtrusive as the lady in white, the rangeress steps further into the underbrush, keeping her footsteps light. Grey eyes watch the two figures as she approaches, slowly, softly. Ana\'s hair has been bound and for the most part her weapons and armor have been cleaned of the orc\'s blood that had been there not a night ago. THe leather still stinks of it and a bandage can be seen around and near her neck.
Looking to the firstborn and her silken words, the ranger shakes her head. \"No...they do not understand. Keldean, hold.\" She says gently, stopping her steps near Caelwen.
[Liuni(#22296)] The small girl screams in fright as the copper-haired lady comes close and she tugs at Keldean. \"Run. She\'ll eat us!\"
She\'s still tugging and sobbing harder as the rangeress comes into view.
Keldean looks around again, his brown eyes taking in all the trees. He swallows, pushing some auburn curls back from his face. \"Umm.. back to Bree, to go visit my family. Okay? You\'ll like it there. They\'re really nice. Then, Cordelia will catch up later and meet us there.\" He keeps his gaze away from Liuni, the expression on his face more worried than his voice sounds. When the elven words flow around them, Keldean jumps, looking around sharply. Then another speaks and his gaze locks on both the elf and the woman.
The youth almost looks as frightened as Liuni\'s reaction is, and he needs little urging from Liuni to run, though for likely different reasons. He\'ll try to scoop up the girl so that he can carry her and move faster. Cordelia had mentioned that the elves were on to things.
[<#24844>]
Caelwen\'s eyes are low and sidelong as she briefly studies Annaiel. There is no response to the woman\'s words, but as Luini screams, the elf startles suddenly backward. Round eyes are turned to the child and Keldean with her as they run. \"
Caelwen gives another glance to Annaiel-- shy, but not frightened, this glance is nearly a farewell, then turns and swiftly walks in the opposite direction, away from the running children.
[Liuni(#22296)] The little girl wraps her arms around Keldean\'s neck as he scoops her up to make it easier for him to carry her. She\'s still sobbing pretty hard.
[Annaiel(#28909)]
\"M\'lady..\" Ana starts and turns towards Caelwen. \"They need your help...\" She falters and watches Keldean take off. Easy enough to follow with the sobbing child. \"M\'lady, I need your aid.\" She frowns and presses her lips together before she narrows her gaze.
Making her decision, she hurries after the two, her long legs drawing her close. FOr she is unburdened. \"Keldean, wait!\"
\"Stop.. Liuini.. Stop crying! Shh!\" Keldean rushes through the woods, making enough noise to wake a troll, but he\'s moving rather fast, even carrying the child. Fear is a good motivation. He hears Annaiel\'s calls, but keeps running.
[Liuni(#22296)] The little girl, terrified, shoves her thumb further into her mouth, muffling the cries and grips Keldean even tighter.
[<#24844>]
Caelwen stops and turns as Annaiel starts after her. Her hands flare out-- her eyes are bewhildered. \"
Annaiel turns away and begins chasing the children. Caelwen lingers for a moment in indecision, her eyes briefly turning toward the depths of the wood, and then she plucks up her skirts and gives chase, too. Elves are somewhat faster than humans, but she does not seem to dare to come near to any of them, instead just trying to round Keldean and come before him instead of from behind. Long legs, unburdened, fleet she races.
[Annaiel(#28909)]
In daylight, they are not so easily lost and the Sparrow takes well to her name. She flits in amongst the growth, dodging and shifting to follow them. Perhaps not directly, but grey eyes are sharp and she keeps an eye on their movement. Digging her feet in harder, she pushes herself forward, launching her long legged form forward.
Ducking below a branch, she starts to gain some ground. \"Keldean wait..please.\"
[<#22296>] Sobbing very very hard, the little girl mumbles to herself. \'Mommy\' \"
Keldean looks back once, and that causes him to lose ground. He sees the woman so close and tries to move faster, but he\'s sore, and hasn\'t had enough to eat, and the burst of speed doesn\'t last long. Suddenly the teen skids to a stop as Caelwen is visible ahead, through the trees. \"No..\" He says softly, holding Liuni tightly. He looks back towards Sparrow, then to Caelwen, his breathing heavy and his face panicked.
[<#24844>]
Caelwen\'s fingers flare as she stands to the far side of the children. She looks up to Annaiel, her own eyes looking wide and frightened. Her breath is quickened. \"
[Annaiel(#28909)]
\"Keldean..\" She says, starting to slow as she watches them with worry. \"Its okay...please.\" She frowns a bit, but no unkindly so. \"Stop your running and just sit. Are you both alright?\" She asks quizatively, keeping her distance so as not to spook them. She holds a hand up to the other woman. \"It is alright..it is alright. I was worried..please, let us all just talk. Keldean?\" She asks, looking to him as she notices the child on his back. \"Liuni..its okay.\"
Keldean stares at Annaiel, breathing heavily with that frightened expression still on his face. \"Just.. stay back.. \" He says, slowly easing Liuni down. He watches the woman for another moment, then focuses on calming down the sobbing girl, trying to calm her.
[Annaiel(#28909)]
\"Alright, its okay.\" Ana looks between the two of them and goes to one knee, catching her own breath. \"I just had a question is all..are you two alright? What are you doing so far out here?\" The rangeress studies them a moment, true worry within her gaze. \"its not a safe place out here...\"
[Giliath(#9838)] The morning light pierces the treetops, illuminating what is below - moss and rocks and twisted roots and tiny pale spring flowers. Through it, Giliath comes, his step long and purposeful - and silent. As he sees Caelwen, he slows then his eyes move beyond her to Annaiel and a young boy and younger girl.
[Annaiel(#28909)]
Catching her breath, Annaiel smiles softly ot herself, watching the other two with concern. Yet to notice Giliath\'s approach, the rangeress shifts her pack and winces still. A hand lifts to touch the bandage at her neck and she tilts her head, rolling her shoulder. \"Its alright..take your time.\" She says to the boy.
[Giliath(#9838)] The morning light pierces the treetops, illuminating what is below - moss and rocks and twisted roots and tiny pale spring flowers. Through it, Giliath comes, his step long and purposeful - and silent. As he sees Caelwen, he slows then his eyes move beyond her to Annaiel and a young boy and younger girl. (re)
[Caelwen(#24844)]
Caelwen\'s arms are still spread from her stance before the children, some middling distance away from them. Her head turns, hair tossed over one shoulder, breath quickened from her run. The look she casts toward Giilath is frustrated.
[Annaiel(#28909)]
Turning to look at the movement that catches the corner of her eye, Ana hesitates then rises from her kneeling position. \"Giliath..\" She says lightly. \"I did think I would see you and I am glad of it.\" Her smile is genuine though it only rests lightly upon her lips.
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath casts a look from his wife to the ranger, a question on his face. What is going on and why... his eyes sharpen as he looks more closely at Keldean and recognizes him... \"Where is he?\" he says sharply. But the ranger speaks first and he turns towards her. \"Tell me of what happens here,\" he says, in fluid and melodic Sindarin.
[<#24844>]
Caelwen is silent until Giliath speaks to Annaiel, and then suddenly she gives a burst of the liquid speech herself. \"
Caelwen gives Keldean a wary look and then begins pacing toward the taller elf-- gingerly, as if watching for him to bolt. \"
[Annaiel(#28909)]
Watching the two firstborn, she nods to Giliath and remains silent till Caelwen quiets. \"I came upon your wife who was watching these two wake from a night in the open..I thought to question them and they took off...thus I gave chase. And no, they are not mine. Mine rests safely back within the valley and soon to be with his grandparents.\"
[<#9838>] Giliath looks at the children intently then says quietly to Caelwen, \"
Keldean has been calming Liuni down and catching his breath. He\'s kneeling in front of the girl, speaking softly. Once she\'s finally quieted, the teen looks back towards the elves and Annaiel, lifting one knee, but not standing again. He starts to reach his hand towards his boot where he has a knife hidden, but halts the movement when he realizes what he\'s doing. \"I just want to get back to Bree.. That\'s all.\" He says in a pleading tone.
[<#24844>]
\"
Another breath, and the elf-lady begins to hum quietly, beneath her breath. The tune is soothing but her heart isn\'t in it, not yet.
[Annaiel(#28909)]
Turning to look at the boy as he speaks, Ana studies him and is lost to silent thought for a long moment. Finally she speaks up and it is for him that she does. \"Keldean..where is Seeker?\" She asks, a brow raising. \"It is important, where might he be. It is said you were hunting with him the other morning, or several days ago. He has not been seen since..\" She says this quietly as Caelwen begins to hum.
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath remains quiet now, as Annaiel speaks, moving up to stand beside her, but trying not to do anything that might seem threatening. To some, shocking as it may seem, an elf may seem threatening simply by existing...
At last, in his deep quiet voice, he says, \"I shall take you to Bree, if you tell us what you know.\"
Keldean rises to his feet, a guarded expression on his face as he looks at the three. \"I don\'t know.. \" He answers, his hands clenched tightly into fists. \"I can\'t tell you anything.\" He glances around the woods, as if expecting more people to jump out from behind trees.
[Caelwen(#24844)]
Caelwen\'s bright eyes jump from person to person as each speaks. The expression in them is confused but also frustrated. Her cheeks have gained color. She does not say anything herself-- she is quite the contrast to the calm Giliath.
[Annaiel(#28909)]
\"Keldean..please.\" She goes to her knee again and bows her head to the boy. \"This is life or death, perhaps more. Seeker is a good friend of mine and has a family that worries about him now. He has children of his own to take care of. YOu must help us find him.\" She holds out her bow to him then. \"I promsie on Deluross, I will get you your own. Now stand with us..and do right by the man we seek to find.\"
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath is aware of his wife, though the humans are doubtless unable to sense it, perhaps they can see by his body language how one part of him is as an arrow always pointed towards her. But just now, he has no other attention to spare for her, all his will bent on the boy. \"What do you fear?\" he asks abruptly. \"Think you we cannot keep you safe?\"
Keldean runs his hands through his hair, shaking his head at Annaiel when she offers the bow. \"No.. I can\'t.. \" The boy seems horribly conflicted as they appeal to him to share information. He looks between Giliath and Anna. \"If I help you, then they\'ll know.\"
[Caelwen(#24844)]
Now, like the others, Caelwen\'s attention is solely on Keldean. The lady has stilled and watches him with a level gaze.
[Annaiel(#28909)]
\"Keldean..\" The ranger says steadily and with a warm assurance. \"These people make you run, sleep in the woods. Why must you hide? No honest man hides. And if these people know and intend to do ill to you for it..I will stop them.\" Ana says it with a determination born of a mother. \"I will not let htem touch you. You are a good young man..I know this.\" She gazes up to Giliath. \"We will keep you safe...Seeker needs to return to his family. He needs to go home, please help us.\"
[Giliath(#9838)] And in Giliath\'s voice now is absolute assurance as he adds his words to Ana\'s. \"We will,\" he tells the boy it is no idle promise. Then there is a quirk of a smile as he asks, \"How shall they know? Are these... men you fear readers of thoughts?\" A slight hint of deliberate scorn in his voice.
He beckons without turning for Caelwen to come near if she will.
Keldean relaxes his hands slowly, seeming less likely to try running again. As the ranger speaks of knowing he\'s good, he looks away. His eyes find Liuni and he licks his lips, obviously struggling to come to a decision. He keeps looking around at the trees as if dangers lurk behind them. Is Asht out there, listening? \"How? You\'ll take me to Bree, and then you\'ll leave.\"
[<#24844>]
Caelwen\'s song dwindles for a slight while, then strengthens again as she steps closer to the others, behind Giliath. It is the melody of springtime and youth. She frowns slightly, looking at Keldean yet. Her copper brows are knit together.
[Annaiel(#28909)]
\"No..\" is Ana\'s immediate response. \"You will stay at my side till we can either make sure you are safe or I can get you to my father. Till then, you will not leave my sight.\" THe ranger does not rise, she seems to be giving an oath. \"You have my word. Take us to Seeker..return him to his family and become a man who knows what is right.\"
Keldean doesn\'t seem completely at ease with all of this. He\'s not sure if he should trust Annaiel, or anyone at this point. \"I.. okay.. but, promise me that you won\'t hurt Cordelia. Swear it!\" The teen sounds more sure on this point than anything he\'s said yet. He look at both Sparrow and the two elves.
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath looks at the child and says gravely and with complete honesty, \"I do not hurt anyone who has not first tried to injure me.\" Then, content to leave the remained to the ranger, he takes Caelwen\'s hand and fades into the trees. No doubt he is somewhere near, watching.
[Annaiel(#28909)]
\"Cordelia?\" She looks past him to Liuni. \"I tracked that man down to find out his intentions. I would not harm another being unless that intended to harm another. As in kill another. Keldean....I do not kill unless my foe is an orc. I promise you she will not be harmed.\" Ana studies him. \"But if she is the cause for Seeker\'s disappearance..she may have to answer for her crimes. It won\'t be anything more than time in the jail...I promise you. Please...Seeker is a good man, he needs you and so does his family. We need you.\" She looks up at the firstborns as htey leave.\"
\"If.. we follow the road away from Bree, I can show you the last place I saw him.\" Jail time doesn\'t sound so horrible. At least, not after everything else that\'s happened. He looks over at the little girl, \"Liuni should come too. She needs to be safe. Cordelia wanted me to take care of her.\" He looks back to Annaiel, \"I wouldn\'t have left, I would have tried to do something, but.. I had to take Liuni. Okay?\" He seems desperate for the woman to understand this point.
[Annaiel(#28909)]
\"I know..we all try in our own way. But I thank you noble Keldean.\" She inclines her head as she rises slowly from her knee. \"Then I will walk with you both..stay with me and my sword will make sure no one touches you. Understand?\" She smiles faintly, watching him with a gaze she often gives her own boy. \"You are too lead..it is important that you do so as quietly as you can.\"
Keldean frowns when she goes on to call him noble, the assumptions she\'s making about his character making him uncomfortable. When she instructs him to lead, the teen looks around, then shakes his head. \"I don\'t know which way from here. If we go to the road, then I can find it. It was dark when we ran, I don\'t know.. \" He could be five minutes from Bree for all he knows. He reaches to take up Liuni\'s hand, \"There\'s an inn.. umm.. The Forsaken Inn. It\'s near there.\"
[Annaiel(#28909)]
\"I know of the place..let me get us to the road.\" She says, and looks to the two of them. \"Keep close..\" She cuts her strides a bit shorter, but she doesn\'t dawdle. In fact the woman keeps up a good pace and pushes her way through the wood, as if she knew every inch (though she most likley did). A few times she winces and when they break out upon the road, she has to stop, kneeling and touching her shoulder. The bandage near her neck and collar bone is a bit pink. Looking down to it, she gives a roll of her shoulders and stands back up. \"From here, can you find them?\"
Keldean keeps up, but by the time they reach the road, the boy is carrying Liuni again and looking tired. \"Do you have any water..?\" He asks of her, looking up and down the road warily. \"It\'s this way.\" He says finally, after getting his bearings. He starts walking, then looks back. \"You\'re hurt.. There are two of them. Maybe we should get some more people.\" If the elves are around, Keldean doesn\'t seem to realize it.
[Annaiel(#28909)]
\"We go on..and yes I have water.\" She stops then, shifting and removing her water skin to offer it to him. \"If she will let me carry her, I will.\" She offers, looking to them both as she tilts her head. Touching her bandaged wound, she nods, \"yes..the other night. An orc found me with Barlok...it did not live though it left me yet another scar. Though he will not ever find me again.\"
Keldean takes the water skin and drinks for a moment, then hands it off to Liuni to have some. He looks over at her nervously when she mentions an orc, and his eyes widen at Barlok. The teen grows quiet then and focuses on watching the road ahead for trouble as he leads the woman along.