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Himaran · 09-08-2003, 12:01 PM

Envinyatar’s post

They had been camped in the Downs for a number of days.

‘I’ll be going south then.’ Aldwulf crouched down and drew a crude map in the dirt. Opposite him was Awyrgan, who nodded his head ‘yes’ at the man’s statement. ‘About four leagues from here, and a short distance to the west,’ continued Aldwulf. Again, Awyrgan confirmed he had the right of it, then queried him on how he would approach the small settlement left in the ruins of Fornost.

‘I’m going south of it and approach it as if I’ve just come up from Bree. I’ll give some story if I’m asked that I’ve come up to see about some land for a small holding for my family. Goat farming, along the hills of the Downs. I’ll say I plan to stay at least a fortnight to cover my need for a quantity of food supplies.’

Aldwulf stood up, running the list of needed supplies through his mind one more time. He emptied his pack to make room for them, and shouldered it. ‘Look for me tomorrow, late,’ he said, fastening his sword securely round his hips. ‘I’ll come back as quickly as I can.’

The others saw him off, saying that they would post a lookout for him on the outcropping of rocks that jutted out from the low hillside that hid their camp. And that if there were any problems as he approached their camp, he should signal the lookout by stopping, as if weary, and readjusting his pack, then running his left hand through his hair, as if pushing it back from his forehead.

The instructions were repeated, and Aldwulf set off south at a brisk pace, keeping his eyes and ears open for any signs of trouble.
_____________________________________________

At Fornost/Deadmen's Dike

‘Yer lucky ya come when ya did, sir.’ Will, a dirty faced urchin in tattered breeches and a threadbare shirt, filled several small cloth sacks for the waiting man. Rough ground flour, some oats, dried beans and peas, and a larger burlap bag of taters, onions, and a sprinkling of carrots. The monthly supply wagon from Bree had just made it back to the little encampment of settlers at Deadmen’s Dike and they had a little to spare for one who offered silver for it.

The taters, onions, and carrots had come from Will’s mother’s garden patch, an admirable woman with a green thumb and the amazing ability to coax plants to grow in abundance on their hardscrabble little farm. ‘It will be good to have new neighbors,’ Miriel said smiling up at him as she knelt to pluck out the vegetables. She shook the dirt from them, and layered them carefully in the sack. ‘Tell me about your family,’ she continued, digging out the tubers from one of the small hillocks.

Aldwulf had prepared his story as he’d traveled. His wife, Aelfwyn, and his new bairn were staying at the Inn in Bree. Once he had found a likely enough place, they would come up by wagon and stake their claim, driving their small herd of goats along with them.

‘A wee one,’ she said, standing up and wiping the dirt from her hands on her apron. ‘I will look forward to meeting all three of you, then!’ She sighed and rubbed the back of her hand along the side of her forehead. ‘Will’s my youngest, and last I fear. A wasting sickness claimed my husband several years ago, and now it’s just me and my two sons who are left to eke out what we can in this place.’ Will’s older brother, Girion, came out from the rude shack that served as the family’s house. He looked to be about ten years old, five years older than his brother. ‘I’ve got these, too, mother,’ he said, holding up a generous twist of salt, and a packet of tea leaves. He grinned up at Aldwulf, and brought out a small sealed pot from behind his back. ‘You’ll be wanting some of this, too, I think. We have bees, too, as well as our garden.’

Aldwulf grinned back at him, and bowed. ‘A most generous gift. I thank you!’ He reached out a hand to ruffle the boy’s ragged hair, unaware of the wistful look on Miriel’s face, remembering how their father had often done so to his sons.

‘You’ll stay, of course,’ she said, as he packed the foodstuffs in his pack, placing the jar of honey carefully on the top. ‘Yes!’ chimed in Will and Girion, tugging at his tunic. ‘You can sleep in our bed, and we’ll bunk with Ma.’ Will looked hopefully up at his mother, who laughed and said that would be fine.

He passed a pleasant evening with this little family, delighting in being part of their little group, if only for a while. He was up early, as were they, and after a small breakfast, did a few repairs to the house he had noted last night. Miriel he found to be a pleasant companion as she worked by his side and the antics of the boys made him laugh often, thinking back on his brothers when he and they were young.
_____________________________________________

Novnarwen's post

It was boring now. Ever since Adwulf had left, he was the only one talking, Liol thought. She sat alone restless, trying not to seem like a baby waiting for someone to entertain her. It wasn't about that, it was just... hmm.. boring. "It's healthy to be bored," she muttered after a while, looking up in the sky. The clouds were moving swiftly over the blue 'background'.

How long were they to stay here, she thought. The woman already knew the answer, but it helped. She felt refreshed by the thought of Adwulf coming back tomorrow, then they had to leave right?

[ September 11, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

09-08-2003, 12:01 PM	#110
Himaran Ash of Orodruin Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Thangorodrim Posts: 777	Envinyatar’s post They had been camped in the Downs for a number of days. ‘I’ll be going south then.’ Aldwulf crouched down and drew a crude map in the dirt. Opposite him was Awyrgan, who nodded his head ‘yes’ at the man’s statement. ‘About four leagues from here, and a short distance to the west,’ continued Aldwulf. Again, Awyrgan confirmed he had the right of it, then queried him on how he would approach the small settlement left in the ruins of Fornost. ‘I’m going south of it and approach it as if I’ve just come up from Bree. I’ll give some story if I’m asked that I’ve come up to see about some land for a small holding for my family. Goat farming, along the hills of the Downs. I’ll say I plan to stay at least a fortnight to cover my need for a quantity of food supplies.’ Aldwulf stood up, running the list of needed supplies through his mind one more time. He emptied his pack to make room for them, and shouldered it. ‘Look for me tomorrow, late,’ he said, fastening his sword securely round his hips. ‘I’ll come back as quickly as I can.’ The others saw him off, saying that they would post a lookout for him on the outcropping of rocks that jutted out from the low hillside that hid their camp. And that if there were any problems as he approached their camp, he should signal the lookout by stopping, as if weary, and readjusting his pack, then running his left hand through his hair, as if pushing it back from his forehead. The instructions were repeated, and Aldwulf set off south at a brisk pace, keeping his eyes and ears open for any signs of trouble. _____________________________________________ At Fornost/Deadmen's Dike ‘Yer lucky ya come when ya did, sir.’ Will, a dirty faced urchin in tattered breeches and a threadbare shirt, filled several small cloth sacks for the waiting man. Rough ground flour, some oats, dried beans and peas, and a larger burlap bag of taters, onions, and a sprinkling of carrots. The monthly supply wagon from Bree had just made it back to the little encampment of settlers at Deadmen’s Dike and they had a little to spare for one who offered silver for it. The taters, onions, and carrots had come from Will’s mother’s garden patch, an admirable woman with a green thumb and the amazing ability to coax plants to grow in abundance on their hardscrabble little farm. ‘It will be good to have new neighbors,’ Miriel said smiling up at him as she knelt to pluck out the vegetables. She shook the dirt from them, and layered them carefully in the sack. ‘Tell me about your family,’ she continued, digging out the tubers from one of the small hillocks. Aldwulf had prepared his story as he’d traveled. His wife, Aelfwyn, and his new bairn were staying at the Inn in Bree. Once he had found a likely enough place, they would come up by wagon and stake their claim, driving their small herd of goats along with them. ‘A wee one,’ she said, standing up and wiping the dirt from her hands on her apron. ‘I will look forward to meeting all three of you, then!’ She sighed and rubbed the back of her hand along the side of her forehead. ‘Will’s my youngest, and last I fear. A wasting sickness claimed my husband several years ago, and now it’s just me and my two sons who are left to eke out what we can in this place.’ Will’s older brother, Girion, came out from the rude shack that served as the family’s house. He looked to be about ten years old, five years older than his brother. ‘I’ve got these, too, mother,’ he said, holding up a generous twist of salt, and a packet of tea leaves. He grinned up at Aldwulf, and brought out a small sealed pot from behind his back. ‘You’ll be wanting some of this, too, I think. We have bees, too, as well as our garden.’ Aldwulf grinned back at him, and bowed. ‘A most generous gift. I thank you!’ He reached out a hand to ruffle the boy’s ragged hair, unaware of the wistful look on Miriel’s face, remembering how their father had often done so to his sons. ‘You’ll stay, of course,’ she said, as he packed the foodstuffs in his pack, placing the jar of honey carefully on the top. ‘Yes!’ chimed in Will and Girion, tugging at his tunic. ‘You can sleep in our bed, and we’ll bunk with Ma.’ Will looked hopefully up at his mother, who laughed and said that would be fine. He passed a pleasant evening with this little family, delighting in being part of their little group, if only for a while. He was up early, as were they, and after a small breakfast, did a few repairs to the house he had noted last night. Miriel he found to be a pleasant companion as she worked by his side and the antics of the boys made him laugh often, thinking back on his brothers when he and they were young. _____________________________________________ Novnarwen's post It was boring now. Ever since Adwulf had left, he was the only one talking, Liol thought. She sat alone restless, trying not to seem like a baby waiting for someone to entertain her. It wasn't about that, it was just... hmm.. boring. "It's healthy to be bored," she muttered after a while, looking up in the sky. The clouds were moving swiftly over the blue 'background'. How long were they to stay here, she thought. The woman already knew the answer, but it helped. She felt refreshed by the thought of Adwulf coming back tomorrow, then they had to leave right? [ September 11, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]