The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Swan Wood

Annunfuiniel · 07-21-2003, 02:22 PM

"Lady Taralphiel, I have news for you..." Annunfuin began. But then he halted and took a moment to think about the past few days. "But on a second thought I doubt they are any real news to you, M'lady. The Village has been attacked but you knew that already, am I right?" The old woman looked at the grey Gondorian, and Annunfuin beheld what went on behind the Lady Taralphiel's piercing green eyes. He needed no words from her.

"Why wasn't I informed earlier?" Annunfuin asked and knew he sounded harsh the moment the words left his lips. Annanoldowen frowned at his rudeness but Taralphiel still stood silent. Annunfuin bowed his head slightly and his grey chin-length hair slipped to his cheeks. "I mean no offence, my ladies, and I don't want to sound ungrateful. Lady Annanoldowen, I owe you my life… But I have lain in bed while things would have called for immediate action. Sir Cartil was taken – I remembered it only when I heard the Village had been attacked – and Lady Laurel was seriously wounded…" A sudden realization dawned to the man even as he uttered those last words. "Where is the young Lady?" Annunfuin asked only to hear the answer already ringing in his head.

"Laurel went to the Village and she has just reported the attack as you told it to me, Sir Annunfuin." Taralphiel finally spoke and her voice was strained with fatigue and worry. "Yes, she was badly hurt but Lady Annanoldowen's skill and her own determination made that she was on her feet sooner than expected. But tell me, dear friend: how did you know about the attack?"

Annunfuin's grave face took on a slightly more relaxed expression when he thought about his little 'messengers'. "That is a strange tale and I'm afraid I know only half of it. You see, there were three little girls from the Village and somehow they ended up in my room. We were on our way to see you, Lady Annanoldowen, when I saw…" Annunfuin's brow furrowed at the memory of the cot and the body under the white linens; "…something else that needs explaining."

"Yes, the girls came to me with a maid of the House. I was worried about the looks of the oldest girl and feared the worst, but she should recover wholly with time. The younger ones I sent to get some food and they also needed to get clean clothes." Annanoldowen spoke before Annunfuin had a chance to continue.

"Three girls? All alone, no parents?" Lady Taralphiel asked and Annunfuin could again read the thoughts the woman did not speak aloud.

"One of the girls, Fiona, told me they were kidnapped when the Village was raided but they managed to escape and then spent the night in the woods. I know naught of their parents…" I know nothing at the moment but I will know, soon. Unconsciously Annunfuin's hand clutched the hilt of Rómenril. Mid-morning sun streamed through the high windows and revealed the fine dust playing in the air. Deep in thought Annunfuin stared at the dancing dust bits and for a moment the ever present wailing of the gulls seemed to become more distant. Others stood in silence too, engaged in wondering the fates of the Villagers perhaps. But Annunfuin fought a silent battle with himself trying to reason what to do next.

A particle of dust jumped up in the nearly motionless air… I should go to the Village at once! To aid Laurel and see what has become of our companions that we left behind. Eru guard them! …and then floated down, down and dropped out of the ray of light. But someone must stay here, organize the defence. There are too few men, too few; another attack and we are doomed… Annunfuin's eyes narrowed and his whisper was drowned by the humming breeze of wind that suddenly swept through the room.

"What did you say?" asked Rudchamion as the stir in the air settled down.

"Luck. It's time we trust our luck - but it needs to be aided a bit." Annunfuin replied and turned sharply back to Taralphiel. "How many still dwell in your House, m'lady; maids, guards, wounded…all together? This is important for I have a plan…"

But before Lady Taralphiel had time to answer the sound of light footsteps filled the air and suddenly two small figures rushed to the room from the eastern door…

[ July 22, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]

07-21-2003, 02:22 PM	#146
Annunfuiniel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Something close like Shire Posts: 769	"Lady Taralphiel, I have news for you..." Annunfuin began. But then he halted and took a moment to think about the past few days. "But on a second thought I doubt they are any real news to you, M'lady. The Village has been attacked but you knew that already, am I right?" The old woman looked at the grey Gondorian, and Annunfuin beheld what went on behind the Lady Taralphiel's piercing green eyes. He needed no words from her. "Why wasn't I informed earlier?" Annunfuin asked and knew he sounded harsh the moment the words left his lips. Annanoldowen frowned at his rudeness but Taralphiel still stood silent. Annunfuin bowed his head slightly and his grey chin-length hair slipped to his cheeks. "I mean no offence, my ladies, and I don't want to sound ungrateful. Lady Annanoldowen, I owe you my life… But I have lain in bed while things would have called for immediate action. Sir Cartil was taken – I remembered it only when I heard the Village had been attacked – and Lady Laurel was seriously wounded…" A sudden realization dawned to the man even as he uttered those last words. "Where is the young Lady?" Annunfuin asked only to hear the answer already ringing in his head. "Laurel went to the Village and she has just reported the attack as you told it to me, Sir Annunfuin." Taralphiel finally spoke and her voice was strained with fatigue and worry. "Yes, she was badly hurt but Lady Annanoldowen's skill and her own determination made that she was on her feet sooner than expected. But tell me, dear friend: how did you know about the attack?" Annunfuin's grave face took on a slightly more relaxed expression when he thought about his little 'messengers'. "That is a strange tale and I'm afraid I know only half of it. You see, there were three little girls from the Village and somehow they ended up in my room. We were on our way to see you, Lady Annanoldowen, when I saw…" Annunfuin's brow furrowed at the memory of the cot and the body under the white linens; "…something else that needs explaining." "Yes, the girls came to me with a maid of the House. I was worried about the looks of the oldest girl and feared the worst, but she should recover wholly with time. The younger ones I sent to get some food and they also needed to get clean clothes." Annanoldowen spoke before Annunfuin had a chance to continue. "Three girls? All alone, no parents?" Lady Taralphiel asked and Annunfuin could again read the thoughts the woman did not speak aloud. "One of the girls, Fiona, told me they were kidnapped when the Village was raided but they managed to escape and then spent the night in the woods. I know naught of their parents…" I know nothing at the moment but I will know, soon. Unconsciously Annunfuin's hand clutched the hilt of Rómenril. Mid-morning sun streamed through the high windows and revealed the fine dust playing in the air. Deep in thought Annunfuin stared at the dancing dust bits and for a moment the ever present wailing of the gulls seemed to become more distant. Others stood in silence too, engaged in wondering the fates of the Villagers perhaps. But Annunfuin fought a silent battle with himself trying to reason what to do next. A particle of dust jumped up in the nearly motionless air… I should go to the Village at once! To aid Laurel and see what has become of our companions that we left behind. Eru guard them! …and then floated down, down and dropped out of the ray of light. But someone must stay here, organize the defence. There are too few men, too few; another attack and we are doomed… Annunfuin's eyes narrowed and his whisper was drowned by the humming breeze of wind that suddenly swept through the room. "What did you say?" asked Rudchamion as the stir in the air settled down. "Luck. It's time we trust our luck - but it needs to be aided a bit." Annunfuin replied and turned sharply back to Taralphiel. "How many still dwell in your House, m'lady; maids, guards, wounded…all together? This is important for I have a plan…" But before Lady Taralphiel had time to answer the sound of light footsteps filled the air and suddenly two small figures rushed to the room from the eastern door… [ July 22, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ] __________________ Despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt.