[Elora]

General Post

Dawn saw a small group gathered in the courtyard of the Prancing Pony. Nob bustled back and forth, ferrying out horses for the Men and Elves and ponies for the Hobbits, as those onlookers who had risen for First Breakfast conjectured amongst themselves. There was much talk on what would or would not be found in the Wilds around them but the party that would venture forth did engage in that speculation. They stood by their mounts, checking saddles and girth straps, stowing their packs and each preparing themselves in their own way. Behind Lúmiel the hearty clink of copper coins being set in wager could be heard.

"Three coppers says as they find that messenger fellow and most return alive," one said. His fellow chortled good naturedly. "Only three, Longbottom? Not too confident, I'd say. How many is most?"
"No more than two don't return," Longbottom replied after some thought on the matter. "Add another three coppers," he added, ferreting more coins from the pouch at his belt.

"That'll be 6 coppers on them returning with the messenger with no less than two of their party missing, then, on say four to one odds."
"Four to one," Longbottom exclaimed. "Stonemason is giving out seven to one." Longbottom's cheery companion chortled again.
"Do you prefer to make longer odds on their survival then?" The bookmaker rocked back on his heels with a smile, took Longbottom's wager and moved off to do business again.

It was only when Doderic emerged from the Inn with Thoronmir and Falowik close behind him that the crowd's murmur hushed a little. Longbottom and folk who had also wagered leant foward to hear the Representative of the Master of Buckland speak.

"... this day are charged to seek Eodwine of Rohan, who was reported abducted by way of attack in the northern Wilds. You are also to come by any safe means into the possession of any information concerning unofficial settlements and encampments in the Wilds and return with Eodwine as soon as you may.

"Your provisions and costs shall be reimbursed to you by the Master of Buckland. If it proves unsafe, you are to return immediately to Bree and here report. Thoromir is your leader and Falowik his second.

"Have you anything to say?"

Doderic's gaze swept across the assembled group. Falco's mouth was open but nothing came out of it. Each, aside from him, had nodded slowly as leader and second were named. Uien had smiled and shot a glance to the Shiriff who stood by chance beside her as if daring him to object. His pony snorted but no objection was forthcoming.

"Then I leave you to Thoromir's and Falowik's care. May your paths be kind to you. Travel swift and carefully and may Bree soon greet you all again."

Doderic sketched a noble bow and patted Gorby and Anson each on the arm. The two shared excited grins with each other as they climbed into their saddles. The rest of the group did the same, perhaps not grinning, but each moving quickly. They rode out of the courtyard and through the streets to the western gate of Bree, lead by Thoromir and Falowik.

"Our course will take us paralell to the Brandywine River for a time," Thoromir called back to the riders behind him as he turned his horse north. The dawn which had been so clear, had the dewy grass and green rolling country ahead of them glimmering until the heat of the day took up its mantle over the lands. Many miles into the northern horizon lay the first tumbling hills that would become the North Downs.

For the moment though, the land was well watered by the nearby Brandywine and the surrounds pleasant. The group passed through the first day easily, covering many miles as they pushed north through the easier lands. They had settled into small groups, riding at ease and stopping to allow their mounts to drink and themselves take some sustenance. The only hiccup had come at the first night, after Thoromir had called a halt at a suitable place.

Falco had objected to certain people taking up a watch during the night, however he had soon been out numbered by his fellows. The Shirrif took to sitting in offended silence on his own, which pleased some others considerably. The night had passed without incident, and the second day was soon upon them.

It passed much as the first had. There was little sign of other folk. The lands were peaceful and the weather calm. In short, the only remarkable thing was the presence of the search party riding north. They had seen only one or two farmers the day before and none at all on the second day. The land had become a little less cultivated but no less pleasant. They were now two days north of Bree and getting into the cusp of the wilds. Aside from themselves and the occassional bird winging by, there was nothing else.

When they pulled in for the second night, set up camp and sorted out watches again, Falco was not inclined to choose silence as his preferred method of objection. He openly muttered about their venture being a goose chase. When Thoromir drew lots for the watch, Falco snorted and waved his hand at the announcement that he got the last watch just before dawn.

He sat down on a fallen log and poked at what had been started for the evening meal on the fire. "I'll watch.... very important that. Lots of things to watch in this big empty dangerous wild place. Imaginary thieves and dragons, likely. Long way to come on a camp rations to find thin air," he harumphed in a desultory tone to the light meal he was poking at.

Gorby and Anson seated themselves also, having not drawn a watch this night. What was supposed to be an exciting adventure was so far very dull. Their only excitement was their stiff rumps from two long days in the saddle. The prospect of a night of camp food followed by another long and boring day was loosing it's gloss quickly.

Thoronmir seated himself across from the Shirrif.

"We've made good progress," he announced from his study of his unfurled map. Falco gave up his stabbing of dinner and frowned across at the Ranger.

"Oh yes? Progress to where exactly? Where should we be looking, eh? Or are we to wander around in circles chasing our tails until we get dizzy, find nothing and go home?"

Despite the argumentative nature of Falco's question, he had a good point. The Wilds were a large place that could swallow a man as easily as a mouse. Thoromir studied his map in the flickering light of the fire.

"By the morrow, we will be clear of the Shire's borders. It curves back west here, you see," he said pointing at where the line curved away from the North downs and headed towards the Emyn Uial. Others had gathered around him, drawn by the discussion.

"Seems logical to head for Fornost first and move west in a sweeping search towards the Evendim Hills," Thoromir thought aloud. Uien studied the map and turned to Falowik.

"The men you saw did move north and west, did they not," she softly confirmed. Falowik nodded his head, leaning over the map and recalling what he had seen.

"Aye, they did. East lies only the Ettenmoors and Carn-Dûm further north," he replied. Lira spoke up, "Fornost was once a place of habitation. Perhaps it holds signs of recent use now. If not, we will still have covered ground that we would need to check."

Esgallgugwen added, "We are on the tip of the southern edges of the Downs now."

It became clear through the nodding of heads and murmurs of assent that Thoromir's suggested route was agreed upon. Come the dawn, they would make north east and move for Fornost. They settled in for the night with their directions now dealt with, beneath a clear night sky. In the north, clouds gathered on the far horizon, blotting out stars. Rain would be welcome in late summer. Without the generous waters of the Brandywine, which was now much reduced into the stream it was before being a river, the lands seemed a little browner and sparse.

Uien had drawn the first watch, followed by Finëwen, Esgallhugwen, Thoromir, Lira, Falowik and lastly Falco. She moved away from the fire so as to save her vision from camp-blindness, and settled in for her watch. Nearby the soft murmur of talk rose and fell. She soaked up the peace of the night, enjoying the dancing light of the stars overhead with her arms wrapped around her knees, and hoped that Eodwine would be found in Fornost, seeking refuge in the ruins there and waiting for help to arrive. It seemed possible on that fair, clear night.