Last Ride of the Heir RPG

[Eowyn Skywalker]

They were on the road now. Hanindur took one last glance back at Rivendell, before hurrying to catch up to the others, the morning light giving the hidden valley a fair appearance, glistening in the sunlight. A magic look, one would almost say, for the golden glisten was almost mystical. He always did find morning a wonderful time, the newly awoke light bathing the area in a golden glow, and the trees with orange and red highlights, and, even earlier, a blue gow like that of the moon. It seemed nearly unearthly, and quite fair to behold, and he wanted to take one last look before they were on their way again.

He was quick to catch up, as that last look had taken only a few moments, to capture the beauty of the valley in his mind. And they were walking again. The road was familiar to him, as Hanindur was known to frequent Rivendell, though wandering was his call. So oft had he taken that road, and he knew it well.

After the party the night before, Hanindur found that his head was spinning slightly, and he didn't feel as steady as he should've been, but, other then that, he was fine, and able to enjoy being on the road once more. It had been a long enough stay in Imladris, it was high time for him to be back to the forests, and hidden pathes of Middle-earth. He was not sure where he would go after they were back. Maybe to Bree, he thought. I have not been there in a while.

Something tugged at the back of his mind, as he heard Owacyn comment that they didn't know how many orcs there were, and that something could go wrong. And Hanindur realized with a start that he was right. He had been on many journeys of the like, and they never had known what to expect, but nothing had ever really gone too wrong. Maybe this time something would. Suddenly, he had a bad feeling about the entire thing.

"Agh." Hanindur scoffed. "What could go wrong?"

[astarielle]

Elladan was quietly contemplating to himself, watching the birds fly overhead that were blissfully unaware of what was going on down on the ground. The group was solemn, unlike what they were last night. Then, there was not one person where, at least once during the evening, a smile did not appear on their face. He heard a ranger talking behind him, "Argh. What could go wrong"

He truned and smiled, "Everything that is possible could go wrong yet in the same way nothing. For not all that is bad is disasterous, quite the contrary -for somtimes what may seem wrong may in its time come out for the better. We may not see it, or chose not to but it is there and will always be." Said Elladan matter of factly.

Hanindur shrugged and said, "I suppose you're right, you are blessed with much wisdom."

"Even so we all posses the ability to see the good in the bad, the right in the wrong and the love in hate." As he said this Elladan caught his brothers eye and laughed breaking the near silence that the group had been marching in so far.

A number of members of the party turned and looked disdainfully at him, at which Elladan coughed and walked on with his head bowed.

[Potatothan]

Nuwethion listened to the words of Elrond's son and he knew them also. Like his brother they twins never spoke of doom or distress, just truth. It was nice to know that the two could be serious when needed, for they always were a bit of rascals. Nuwethion walked up to Hanindur and laughed with Elladan. He was caught up in thought for a second that he didn't notice the silence that was creeping upon the group. He patted the ranger on his shoulder and gave him a smile.

"Everything wrong has a right indeed. But don't you worry about that. How many there are nobody knows. It is not important to me anyway. We are large enough to defeat them. Else Lord Elrond would have send a bigger party. As for me, I only count the orc bodies afterwards. That is much more important." He said with a wink.

"So you count your friends afterwards too?"Hanindur said.

"I don't count my friends. Everybody is responcible for their own actions. Not that I don't care about them, nor that I don't assist when needed." Nuwethion answered.

Nuwethion walked on trough the terrain surounding the hidden valley. The silence was still around them and it was getting on his mind. As a responce to it, Nuwetion broke out in chanting for he was always eager to sing and an audience. And so he chanted on as he went.

[Mad Baggins]

As Beroth walked, his last sight of Rivendell resonated through his head. The early sun had bathed everything in a soft, warm light. Thinking of the beautiful sanctuary that now lay behind him made him slightly dread the long march ahead, not to mention the unavoidable battles with Orcs.

His head was throbbing slightly from the night before, and he only remembered a few scraps of what had happened. There had been dancing, and ale, lots of ale. He also remembered an elf-maiden that he had danced with, but that was about it. He could think of nothing more.

He grimaced shortly when he heard someone, it sounded like Owacyn, say that they did not know how many Orcs there would be. Others behind him started talking, but he could not make out their words. He heard Nuwethion say, "...don't assist when needed." Soon after, he broke out into song. Beroth smiled as the melody lifted his heart and spirits. He looked up into the sky and noticed a flock of birds wheeling up into the endless blue.

Beroth closed his eyes, breathing deep the sweet scent of morning dew, and continued on.

[Eowyn Skywalker]

So do you count your friends afterwards too? The words still rang in Hanindur's mind, and he knew them all too well to be true. Indeed, he tried to act like nothing could go wrong, but still, there was everything that could go wrong. It was true, as well, Elladan was wise in such matters. Hanindur agreed quite well with what the elf had said. But still, there was always the chance that something would go very wrong... very wrong. And they were long overdue for something to go wrong.

He tried to keep up the pretense that nothing would go wrong, but in his hearth, he knew all too well that something could, and would go wrong. And there we have it, he thought with a slight laugh. I'm back to thinking the worst in everything. If there were many orcs, they would've sent a larger party, right?

Hanindur shook the sudden dread from his mind. They still had no way of knowing how many orcs there were, and what would happen. And that feeling was not pleasant in the least. Not to mention the lightheaded feeling from too much ale the night before, but that would wear off soon. In the meantime though, all Hanindur's thoughts were dark, and full of shadows. And Nuwethion's words did not help the darkness within him, though the sing was indeed lightening to the mood that covered many of them now.

But to leave Rivendell to face inevitable battles, and possible loss to friends was not a fair thing to think of.

The trees whispered softly, and the wind was gentle, as they had no fear of what could happen, trees could be cut down, and mountains would stand in the way of the wind, but still, the trees could not count the loss of friends, and the wind would continue to blow, no matter what stood in their way.

Everything was bathed in warm sunlight, and the plesant scent of the morning dew, but Hanindur walked in a silence, and a shadow, oblivious to the peace of the area, as his thoughts dwelled in foreboding and darkness... who knew what was to come?

[Saraphim]

Despite the revelry of the night before, the spirits of the elves and men had dropped well below Elrohir's tolerance level. All were talking in hushed voices of certain doom.

"This simply will not do," said Elrohir loudly, causeing everyone to look aroound at the disturbance. he stepped to the front of the group.

"Listen to me, my comrades. This talk cannot go on. It will bring us down to cowardace and shame, two things that do not belong in a battle party," the elvesa and rangers looked around at each other, surprised at Elrohir's speech.

He continued, "My lords, If it is woven into our fates to perish this day, then so it shall be. No words or actions will prevent it. But shall we march into battle singing the praises of doom? Or will we fight to the tune of life, and love of those we would protect and serve?"

Those gathered were now utterly silent, listening to the elf's words.

"If it one thing I cannot abide, it is sadness without a cause," said Elrohir quietly. Then, louder, "If at the end of this mission, our friends lie dead, we may feel anguish and pain. But not until! No, my comrades. Do not let the fear of death hinder your courage. Without that, we are certainly doomed."
Elrohir finshed, eyes aflame, and waited to hear what they would say.

[bilbo_baggins]

Hearing Elrohir's speech lifted Anga's spirits beyond the glum that had settled on all, a premonition not easily rid of. But, as he had said, it was not the time nor place for such behavior. He felt a little ashamed of himself and hoped he would be worthy of forgiveness.

Continueing to walk, Anga thought things through. He had to make some connection with another of the party, or he would be rather lonely. Of course, he had always been a loner, hadn't he? No, Anga thought viciously, don't think those things! But the evil personification of his doubts did not relent. You are nothing, it continued, nothing but a worthless lump of flesh. Even the gift of immortality is wasted on such as you. Why do you not cease to exist? It would be so much simpler. The voice droned on, and for once in his life, Angakemion had no-one to turn to.

With sweat breaking on his brow, he tried to plod ahead. Gazing at the passing scenery stilled his thoughts. The wind in the trees, blowing gently. The same cool zephyr passing through their company, sweetly refreshing them.

The promise of a fight also helped him. He mentally went through a half-dozen exercises he would practise tonight. Sharpening his skills, every movement at a time. He hoped that by the time they reached orcs, he would be more than ready to face them.