(Archive) And With the Night Comes Howls

Gladden River, North Bank

Here the river comes boiling from a gorge, and slows, winding in meandering courses ever toward the Anduin. The Misty Mountains glimmer to the west, their peaks reaching toward the heavens. Gently rolling hills stretch to the north, flowers and small shrubs shedding the vestures of cold and finally regrowing after the severe cold. The light breeze around feels warm and dry and the damp and warm ground crumbles beneath your feet. The ford is a morass, trampled like a cattle wade. Anyone attempting to cross can expect to get muddied and wet.

The sky is clear. The early evening spring air is warm and dry around you. The moon is not visible.

Contents:

Elnara

Galadhrim Camp Object

Haldir

Obvious exits:

Upstream, NorthEast, South, NorthWest, and East

---------------------------------------------------------------- +ELF TIME ----

================== Eldarin Calendar <in Sindarin> ===================

IC time is:    Early Evening < About  6:49 PM >

IC day is:     Ormenel <Heavens-day>

IC date is:    14 Ethuil <Spring>

Moon phase:    Last Quarter <VISIBLE>

Earendil:      Gil-Estel is not visible.

IC year is:    Loa 24 o Yen 22, Nelandran o Endor <TA 3048>

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RL time:        Thu Oct 29 21:16:29 2009

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Calendar help: +ELF TIME HELP    Quenya version: +ELF TIME QUENYA

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A gentle breeze is upon the air this early eve, and with it comes the fresh signs of welcoming spring. The soft fingers of the wind whisper over the newly awoken vegetation as it readies itself to emerge from its winter rest. The Gladden flows here, its voice muted a little as its course winds this way and that toward the mighty Anduin further off.

It is upon the northern banks of the Gladden which travels the Lorien company a cluster of shadows whose grey garbs seem to melt into the surrounding foliage. The squire, Veredhiel, walks in step with the other elves as they pace silently toward the ford. Lightly do their elven feet tread, and only the faintest traces do they leave of their passing.

[Haldir(#25231)]

Among them is Haldir, a glint of flaxen hair setting him apart from the company of grey.

\"We will cross the Gladden,\" he says to the company, neutral expression flicking towards the river. \"The water is more treacherous during snow-melt than any other time. Be wary.\"

[Elnara(#30361)]

Toward the back of the line, Elnara walks, her cloak pulled up over her face. She seems lost in thought, though her feet never stray from their path. Her left hand lingers at her side, fingers lightly moving over the hilt of her sword. Her head rises as she hears Haldir speak, her lips pursing for a moment before she steps closer to the river, green eyes watching the water rush past.

As the words of caution are uttered, the elleth slows as the edge of the ford draws nearer. Grey eyes flash along the scene as a whole, watching the muddy water as it follows its course. Veredhiel\'s pace carries her now closer to Elnara, and she treads carefully as the group readies itself for the crossing it seems that the dwindling snow has increaed the force of the river, and even here where the water is shallower, it is still hazardous to vie against.

[Haldir(#25231)]

Nevertheless they continue single-file, soft steps growing deeper as they come upon the soft riverbank. The current rushes around Haldir\'s boots, and he frowns, attempting to scout out what lies on the other side of the river. Evening is dark tonight, and clouds obscure the stars, leaving the Gladden only a dull glitter to mark this spring night.

[Elnara(#30361)]

The normally cheerful elleth simply watches the river, the spray of the water wetting the edges of her cloak. Elnara turns toward Haldir, looking to the Marchwarden for his go-ahead to cross. Her own eyes scan the other bank, narrowing slightly. \"It is far too quiet...\" she half whispers, her grip on her sword tightening ever so slightly as she tenses, bracing herself for the crossing.

The water swirls as the camp begins its way through the Gladden cold hands reach about their feet as if seeking to trip unwary travelers. But these journyers are vigilant and fleet of foot, and the murky traps of current fail to hinder even the youngest Elven boots.

Veredhiel climbs down the slippery bank, cloak pulled tightly about as the water splashes its greeting. With one foot in and one still out, the squire pauses as she studies the surface of the river, searching for a safe place to place the next step. At the words of the sentinel, the squire looks back, ere she says, \"You are right, even the voices of the Gladden seem loud in the silence.\" She peers about for a moment into the descending darkness. Nothing can be seen, however, and she says naught more for the instant, returning her focus to her footfalls.

[Haldir(#25231)]

They are halfway in now, and the headmost elf is beginning to sink into the soft mud of the southern bank. But Haldir\'s brow remains furrowed as he makes his way across the shallows, and a finger lingers ever upon his bow.

Haldir travels to the south, heading into the wood of trees before the River Gladden.

Haldir has left.

Elnara travels to the south, heading into the wood of trees before the River Gladden.

Elnara has left.

You travel south, heading closer to a belt of trees, and a rather swift flowing river.

Ford at the Gladden

Here the river is wide and slow over stern stone, and may be passed by foot or hoof or paw. The starlight glitters off the Gladden, which flows by ancient battlefields and through soft reeds that float in the night\'s gentle embrace. A few animal trails run alongside her gentle, curving lines.

Rain pours down from the night sky, drenching the ground around you. The nighttime spring air is humid and biting.

Contents:

Elnara

Haldir

Grey Wolf

Obvious exits:

South Bank, North Bank, and East

[Elnara(#30361)]

Elnara\'s jaw clenches slightly as she moves through the water, her head finally raising a little as she glances up at the obscured stars. Something like grief can be seen behind her eyes, though her duty to herself and her companions to stay vigilant covers the emotion almost completely. Instinctively, Elnara\'s right arm moves toward the sword, hovering just before the sword attachment, ready to draw the weapon at the quickest word.

The gloom of the night presses heavily down upon the Galadhrim as they continue onward, and many keen gazes are offered out into that black void, for the noiseless world adds to an underlying feeling of ill omen.

A look of slight relief is given from the elleth as she slips along through the crossing, and Veredhiel peers determinedly at the approaching southern bank though the warmth of spring has touched the earth with its beginning traces, the damp coldness of the water is an insentive to make it out, and onto dry land once more. The sensation of danger lurking nearby remains troubling, and the squire\'s fingers brush against the dark wood of her longbow. Her hand does not yet seize it, but linger close enough should the need for its song arise.

[Grey Wolf(#9064)]

As the elves begin to gather upon the southern bank, the silence becomes less than deserted: the faintest sounds of padding paws are heard over the dull rush of the river Gladden, and even the faintest glow of starlight above strikes slitted eyes, made hellish by hunger. They lie in wait, mustering the courage to stand against these newcomers.

[Elnara(#30361)]

Elnara turns sharply as she hears the padding of furred paws, her harness connecting with the sword hilt, beginning to draw it slowly, silently. Turning toward Haldir, she motions with a flick of her head toward the glowing eyes, her left hand moving back behind her to the sword at her back, lingering, ready to draw it should the hungry eyes turn towards them.

The movement of Elnara catches Veredhiel\'s attention and the squire pauses as she paces onto the tip of the riverside. If the grey eyes were watchful before, they are now even more so as she scans the darkness. Swiftly the gleaming pinpoints of light are spotted as the elleth follows the sentinel\'s gesture. The hand strengthens its grip on the longbow and Veredhiel waits with baited breath, nary daring to move she stares intently forward.

[Haldir(#25231)]

Haldir\'s eyes gleam in the dark, and his frame stiffens, though it does not show in his voice, kept barely above the sound of the river. \"We must continue slowly. Archers, be ready.\"

His own longbow is strung, and an arrow is held between tightened fingers -- the line presses forward.

[Combat(#13388)] Elnara wields Longsword.

[Combat(#13388)] Haldir wields a longbow.

COMBAT - Wielded: Longbow

[Elnara(#30361)]

The other sword is drawn silently as Elnara steps up out of the water as well, the weight of her damp dress and boots making her movements minutely less graceful as normal but perhaps it\'s that hidden emotion coming into play. Her grip tightens on the hilt of her sword, her soundless feet carrying her a little further up the bank, silent as the night itself.

Ears harken to Haldir\'s words, though Veredhiel\'s sight does not waver. The tension is palpable, as the company of guards resumes its path forward. Light feet following suit over the south bank, Veredhiel quickly removes the longbow and fits an arrow snuggly onto its already strung cord.

[Grey Wolf(#9064)]

Quite suddenly, the hungry pack decides that dinner has presented itself sufficiently. A growl resounds in the empty lands next to the Gladden, and sinewy, shadowed figures lope towards the damp, landed elves. One of these breaks into a dash and lunges at the nearest, who happens to be Elnara, with yellow fangs.

\"Archers!\" calls Haldir over the sudden frenzy, as he makes his way across the river. \"Swords to the front. Bows, on my word.\" He does not give it yet, allowing the bowmen to gain their footing in the slow river.

Grey Wolf lunges at Elnara with bare fangs!

Grey Wolf\'s attack misses Elnara.

[Elnara(#30361)]

Elnara sees the lunge, and moves away quickly, cloak swirling around her. The hood is quickly pulled away so she can see better, hair of midnight flying about her head as she turns so her back is toward the relative safety of her companions. She steps forward, her swords crossing in front of her, the juncture coming close to one wolf\'s throat. She separates them a move that, if executed as intended, would separate the wolf from its head.

Elnara attacks Grey Wolf with her Longsword and moderately wounds him!

A set of quick strides bring Veredhiel in line with the other bow wielding Elves. The pull upon the weapon\'s string is increased, but the elleth stays the dart for now, listening for the Marchwarden\'s leave. Finding a target no longer remains a problem, for the wolves\' padded feet carry them closer and closer to the traveling camp.

[Grey Wolf(#9064)]

\"Fire,\" Haldir says coldly, then, and releases a swift shaft towards one of the assailants.

The one who struck first -- the one attacking Elnara -- has its throat neatly scissored away, and falls with a shriek: its companions shy away from the dual-sword-wielding elleth, seeking now other prey. One espies the squire Veredhiel, and speeds towards her, claws outstretched and uncaring of the drawn and ready arrow.

Grey Wolf lunges at Veredhiel with bare fangs!

...and he misses!

[Elnara(#30361)]

Elnara watches the wolf fall, a faint smile gracing her lips for the slightest of moments as she sees the others shy away from her. Never the less, she holds the sword in her left hand somewhat defensively, horizontally across her body, while the right is drawn back, ready to jab forward with the next attack.

A flutter of grey cloth heralds the elleth as she spins to the side, away from the lashing of the jagged claws. Momentum bears Veredhiel back enough distance to direct her aim toward the houndish assailant. In one quick motion, the bow is drawn back and the fingers released a glint of wood in the night, the arrow speeds forth.

[Combat(#13388)-Veredhiel]

You fire off an arrow at Grey Wolf...

Your arrow flies wide of Grey Wolf, doing no harm.

[Haldir(#25231)]

A flock of grey and white-feathered bolts sails overhead, launched from the bows of elves in the river. Haldir readies another arrow, his eyes narrowed to a mere glitter of ire-filled light.

In company, the hungry wolves decide to try for their meal again: two, this time, seek to charge the sentinel Elnara, wide-eyed with fear yet driven by a lusting hunger for blood.

Haldir launches an arrow...

Haldir\'s bowshot hits Grey Wolf, badly wounding him.

Grey Wolf lunges at Elnara with bare fangs!

Grey Wolf attacks Elnara, but Elnara parries the attack with her Longsword!

[Elnara(#30361)]

Rapidly, Elnara kneels as the arrow is thrown wide, her swords tensing in her grasp as she readies to strike at the wolves as they jump. The twin upward thrusts effectively parry the attacks, but leave her at an awkward position she quickly turns herself around to pull her swords back. The one in her hand comes away unscathed, but the jeweled one is not so lucky. Sword trapped beneath the weight of the wolf, her arm is dragged to the ground, hitting just right against a large rock at the riverbed. The sharp crack of steel shattering can be heard as Elnara\'s eyes widen as she looks at the broken blade.

She turns and stands, cold fury making a mask of her features as she lunges her weapons forward, intent on causing as much damage to the wolves as possible.

Elnara attacks Grey Wolf with her Longsword, but she misses by a hair.

Smoke pours from Mt. Doom as the Dark One\'s evil sorcery lags the game.

Growling and howling fills the scene as the creatures move to strike again, and more arrows pour forth to hold the fell beasts at bay. Careful not to tarry in one spot for too long, Veredhiel shifts again to the right, glancing from side to side so as to watch for attacks from all angles. However another noise arises then--the sharp break of steel the stern gaze of the squire flickers onto the form of the sentinel as she struggles with the heavy wolf. As Elnara turns to strike again, Veredhiel releases another dart from the yew bow, this one aimed at a second wolf that wandered too close.

[Combat(#13388)-Veredhiel]

You fire off an arrow at Grey Wolf...

Your arrow flies wide of Grey Wolf, doing no harm.

[Haldir(#25231)]

Haldir\'s gaze is averted from its duty of carnage, and jerks sharply towards the sound of splintering steel. However, he resumes calmness after a moment, sending another arrow into the fray. The others follow suit, and begin to make their way closer to the bank.

Startled by the sudden frenzy of attack from Elnara, the beasts hop away from the glittering blades, their backs arched in fear. But even though some fall, the pack is numerous. One espies Veredhiel, and sprints towards her, seeking to gain a bite from the undefended archer.

Haldir launches an arrow...

Haldir\'s bowshot hits Grey Wolf, moderately wounding him.

Grey Wolf lunges at Veredhiel with bare fangs!

...and he misses!

[Elnara(#30361)]

Elnara\'s blades move now toward the wolf jumping for Veredhiel. She brings her broken sword down toward the wolf, the shard gleaming dangerously as her other defends against the wolf should it turn to attack her. Unfortunately, the move has put her back to the rest of the pack, leaving her rather undefended to them. In the moonlight, a single glittering tear can be seen tracking down the sentinel\'s cheek, the one outward showing of grief she seems to allow herself in the battle.

Elnara attacks Grey Wolf with her Longsword and badly wounds him!

Alas, for no chance of bite does the squire offer. The bushy figure of the grey wolf fills her vision as it lunges, and it seems to readily block all possible evasion. Then, at the last second Veredhiel dives deftly for the hard ground, rolling to her feet nimbly after the beast\'s jump carries it over her. A appreciative nod is given to Elnara as the other elf maiden\'s blade meets the foe in midjump. Veredhiel\'s bow is fitted with another shaft, for now another skulking shape emerges from the dark, sneaking toward the unguarded rear of the sentinel. The yew longbow sings again as it looses its projectile slicing the air on its path to the wolf.

[Combat(#13388)->Veredhiel]

You fire off an arrow at Grey Wolf...

Your arrow flies wide of Grey Wolf, doing no harm.

[Haldir(#25231)]

The wolves sense emotion well, and as the sentinel Elnara turns they leap as a group, for she is a promise of dinner to them.

But the shafts of Elves are swift, and as the remainder of the party in the river makes its way across, the hail of arrows is unrelenting. The number of attackers dwindles quickly.

Grey Wolf lunges at Elnara with bare fangs!

Grey Wolf badly wounds her!

Haldir launches an arrow...

Haldir\'s bowshot hits Grey Wolf, severely wounding him.

[Elnara(#30361)]

The flying of the arrows alert Elnara to the impending attack, though not soon enough. Her whole sword is thrown from her grasp as the teeth of one wolf tear into her left arm, another of the beasts landing squarely on her chest, the combination of weight and claws making the elleth cry out with her injury. She looks up to the wolf, frozen for a moment before swiping her broken sword across her body, aiming to slice at them both.

Grey Wolf collapses to the ground, defeated by Elnara!

The storm of white feathered missles fells many of the enemy, and the sword work of the other guards holds strong, enough to deter any who would oppose the Elves on their trek across the Gladden.

With a final arrow fired off into the diminishing fray, Veredhiel hurries forward to help Elnara up, moving to push aside the large bodies of the slain wolves. \"Are you all right?\" The squire inquires quickly, offering the other a hand.

[Haldir(#25231)]

And, as dinner seems to be more stubborn than the usual unwilling orc, the pack retreats whimpering into the shadows, leaving a trail of blood behind.

Haldir emerges dripping from the river, a terrible light within his gaze as he glances after the mangy grey tails. The bow is unsprung, replaced upon his back. And slow steps carry him to Elnara and Veredhiel. \"We must continue ere they regain their strength,\" he says gravely to both ellith. \"If you can stand, then we must carry on.\"

[Elnara(#30361)]

Elnara lays quite still, even as the bodies are pushed off of her. She coughs a little, her chest tender from the blows to it, and her left arm is quite torn from the teeth of the wolf. She sits up slowly, her eyes falling to her broken sword. Wordlessly, she stands, stumbling a little, though she manages to retrieve the broken off half of the sword and slides it into her sheathe. The other sword finds its home at her back, though the hilt of the broken blade remains attached to her harness. She stumbles again, shaking her head slightly as she cradles her torn arm. "I will be fine, though I fear that my injuries will make us easier to track." Her voice is slightly haunted, pain from injuries far deeper than the physical making her spirit waver slightly.

\"Then we must hinder the bleeding as much as we can,\" the squire respondes, ere glancing backward toward the vanishing forms of the wolves. \"There must be one of us here who can tend to such task I would offer help in that, mellon, but I am not a healer. I am afraid I might make your wound worse.\"

Veredhiel unstrings her own bow and sets it back across her chest to lie dormant for the time being.

[Haldir(#25231)]

\"I will tend to it,\" says Haldir, stepping forward with not the weapons of war, but herbs and bandages. \"Veredhiel: ensure that the rest of our patrol has crossed, and bring the other injured here as well.\"

After a pause, he continues without turning his head, \"Do this now, not as a squire, but a sentinel of the Maethyr of Lorien, for your deeds upon the duration of this patrol have shown that you are deserving of such.\"

[Elnara(#30361)]

Elnara manages a faint smile at the promotion, though it is muted by the tears that now flow freely and silently down her cheeks. She seems numb, her gaze lingering on her broken blade. \"I apologize, Marchwarden... My inability to control my emotions put us all in danger...\" Her voice is soft, and, while her apology is sincere, it lacks the spark of life Elnara usually puts into her words. \"Eight years ago today, I should have been married... And now even the sword he made for me is broken...\" These words are near inaudible, though Haldir would likely catch them, being as close to her as he needs to be to tend to her torn arm and bruised ribs.

\"Le hannon,\" says Veredhiel as she dips her raven head to Haldir. \"I thank you, Marchwarden.\" There is a pause as the sadness clouds the other elleth\'s countenance, but the new sentinel can do no more than give a faint comforting smile of her own in the dark hour the other elf maid\'s words are soft, and Veredhiel moves away now to allow Elnara and the marchwarden to speak alone. She heads for the muddied bank once more, this time seeking to aid those across who yet remain in the cold water. The wounded are ushered back to Haldir as he takes up the herbs and bandages.

[Haldir(#25231)]

Haldir focuses his gaze upon the elleth\'s wounds, wielding water, bandage, and salve skilfully. \"Now is not the time to think of such things,\" he says gravely to Elnara. \"Set aside your sorrow until we have returned to Lorien then you may seek the counsel of the Lady Galadriel, but such feelings divert the attention of a guard.\"

He inclines his head to the elleth. Wounds among the elves are numerous, though the rest are not serious, and the marchwarden moves away, tending to the hurts of others.

[Elnara(#30361)]

Elnara nods silently as she listens to Haldir speak. She dries her tears and moves towards the forest, on the look out for the return of the wolves. She leans somewhat heavily against a tree, her green eyes scanning the forest, though her demeanor remains somewhat diminished, even if her more distracting emotions are buried once more.

Veredhiel returns then, clothes dripping anew from the short plunge into the river\'s grasp. Now that the battle has ceased, the elleth takes the moment to remove each boot, dislodging any mud that had gotten stuck inside. As the camp prepares to continue on its way, Veredhiel directs her grey-eyes gaze to Elnara. \"Do not worry,\" she tries to reassure her companion, \"we are not far now from the Wood, and not long will it be until we are its haven of golden boughs. There, your recovery will be swift, I am certain.\" Placing the earthen boots onto her feet, she stands as the Elves gather to move on.

[Haldir(#25231)]

The attack of the wolves has made the river-crossing much more difficult than it would seem, but the patrol is soon up and moving, heading swiftly south ere the attackers should return.