Darker Days RPG

[The Sixth Wizard]

Last night. Garnae suddenly felt very spent.

He hardened. I can't let her think I'm a weakling. he thought. "Not very well. Well, not at all. You see, I spent most of the night before riding over rough country, toward the homestead, at the call of another Rider."

He felt cold, and grabbed her hand, then went on. "And at the house, there was no house. Uncle Sam's cronies have been ruining my profits for months, and it seems they have lost patience. They razed the house to the ground. It was over. Just as I had graduated."

The darkness threatened to consume Garnae, and he looked downwards in despair, but saw only a small white hand in his own. He looked up and saw its owner. I can make it., he thought.

[Cordelia Harrison]

Cordelia listened to his story and shook her head. How could people so cruel and cold? Yes, Rohan was a difficult place to live, but it was made harder when people like Samuel got greedy and jealous.

He was being so strong as they all had been taught. She slowed down their horses, leaned over, and kissed him softly.

"Your house and land may be destroyed, but your spirit is not Garnae. We are from Rohan and as such we have to rebuild. It is what our ancestors have done and it was we are to do. As long as I live you shall have your revenge against Samuel," she replied.

She looked down at their hands. He had nothing and she everything. A conversation she had had with her father once made its way into her mind. She smiled to herself.

"Just remember you are not alone. As long as you want me, I will by your side. I will help you rebuild, to start over. I've done it before after a storm that nearly wiped out my home. Just remember you are never alone," she whispered softly.

[Mithalwen]

Elfride was content to stay towards the rear of the party. Leif, usually restive and eager to lead had seemingly picked up on his rider's mood and was content to go along quietly allowing his mistress time for reflection. She had discarded her riding habit in favour of the more masculine garb as worn by the younger women - shirt and breeches, topped with a fine, high necked jersey against the cool of dawn, and a loose tunic held in at the waist by a sword belt. All were in muted shades of grey and blue but this was currently concealed by her grey cloak as was her face shaded by her hood.

The outfit actually made her look younger but she was betrayed by the weariness of her eyes and she was not ready to meet anyone's gaze now they might have time to speak of anything other than preparations for the journey- especially not Hama's. Their departure had been mercifully busy, she had made sure everyone was well supplied and breakfasted and that her steward Bredon had all necessary instructions for her absence.

She had not slept well. Not because she had given up her own chamber; preferring that she rather than another slept in the little room that had been her daughter's - she was jealous of whatever might remain of Tilly in that little chamber and felt closer to her there even than by the mound, pathetically small, where the simbelmyne already grew. Sleep easier to find there than in the emptiness of her own bed but this night had been too eventful, too full of loss, tension and fear and she had not the comfort of knowing Elfthain slept in the next room. The plans for the journey might occupy her mind but most of her heart was with the small boy travelling to Gondor with his uncle.

What remained was with Sandrina, abducted, separated from her own much younger son and no doubt terrified for his safety as well as that of the unborn child. Elfride's mind had raced, wondering if she had packed all preparations necessary then unable to reassure herself with the knowledge that all was ready. Knowing she needed sleep to be in a good state to help Sandrina, she had got up, slipped her dressing gown over her nightdress and gone downstairs. She had placed the kettle on the range and was holding up a lantern to the herb cupboard to find for the right jar when Hama's voice disturbed her ..

"So you can't sleep either ?"

Elfride without seeming to change her hand's course selected chamomile rather than the more potent sophorific herbs she had intended.

"No ... my mind is too occupied .. so I came to make tea"

"What is it? "Hama asked with simple curiousity but Elfride's guilty conscience made her answer "Just Chamomile.. I'm not drugging myself!"

Hama's eyes narrowed but he kept his voice and gaze steady.

"I never said that you were - why would I? Will you make some for me too? "....

"Of course" She answered taking down a second cup and adding the now hot water to the pot. "Well everyone one seems to think I will not be able to cope. Being on my own, raising my son alone". Elfride rolled her eyes and pushed a steaming mug across the table to her old friend. As she did so, Hama caught her slender wrist in his hand and turned it so a silvery scar was visible in the lantern light.

"Do you remember the day you got this" he asked. She nodded. "So do I" he continued " and I know you are brave .. but I also know that things happen that are hard to cope with.."

Guilt had struck Elfride again. She had let him see her cry once tonight. It would be so easy to cry again, bewail her losses and her failure - but how could she to Hama who had lost everything? He would understand but could he forgive her self pity when her son at least remained to her? So she had taken the cowards route... excused her self on the grounds that she was sure she would now sleep and returned to her bed. She would avoid Hama's too perceptive gaze until the day was a little older.

The sight of the early morning light glistening on the lone tall peak of the Starkhorn started to lift her spirits a little. Even though she had been born at Edoras and lived most of her life in the Harrowdale, this was a sight she never tired of. The gurgling of the Snowbourne whose course they followed as they rode toward the mountains soothed her nerves and she threw back her hood and let the still weak sun reach her face. It was not strong enough to lighten the shadows under her eyes but it eased those over her heart a little.

[Glirdan]

Léoflic tossed and turned in his sleep. Whether it was eagerness for the day to commence, or the horrible reccuring nightmares he's been having, he couldn't tell. He eventually got up and crept quielty out of the house to get a breath of fresh air, hoping it would allow him to relax and fall asleep. He walked around to the stable's to go see Aldor before the day's journey. He walked up to the horse who looked up as his owner approached. "You can't sleep either boy?" Léoflic asked Aldor softly, treading his way slowly over to him.

Léoflic stood for awhile, stoking Aldor's muzzle softly. He sighed deeply and looked at Aldor in the eyes before saying "We've had a rough time, hey boy? What with father going off to war, and then mother..." at the thought of his mother, Léoflic's heart skipped a beat. His mother, the one person who he ever knew, the one person he loved the most. Tears sprang unbidden to his dark eyes. "I know I shouldn't be upset boy. After all, she's in a better place now..." he said quietly. "But I miss her so much. Everyday I think about her. I miss her..."

He stood there, crying silently into the night, leaning on Aldor's neck. It took Léoflic awhile to calm down. He wiped his eyes to remove all the traces of his emotions. He then thought back to when he met his first friend and his benefactor. He took him in when no one else would. "What was his name?" Léoflic wondered out loud. "There I go with the memory lapse again. Well, wherever you are friend, thank you for your generosity." Then he looked back at Aldor, remebering when he first got him. There was an immediate bond between them. "You're my best friend in this god forsaken world," Léoflic whispered gently into Aldor's ear. "You've always been there for me. And we still have many more adventures my friend. I suggest you get some sleep whilst you can. Tomorrow, we start on a new adventure, with new friends. Maybe, this will be the adventure we need to forget our troubles, hey boy?" He gave Aldor a hug and patted his muzzle one last time before retiring to the house.

Léoflic awoke the next morning feeling quite refreshed and ready to start on an adventure. As they rode, the sun rose above Starkhorn, lifting his normally gloomy and despondant spirit high. As he rode, he noticed that Elfride looked rather gloomy. He rode up beside her. "Elfride, what's wrong my friend?"

[Mithalwen]

Elfride managed a wan smile. "Oh I didn't sleep well, worryng that I might have forgotten something, worried about poor Sandrina, wondering and trying not to worry how my son is managing without me. You know Leoflic, when I was a little girl I dreamed of going on an adventure like the knights in all the stories I heard and jealous that the girls never got to go anywhere but had to stay at home and wait. Now I am going on an adventure and all I wish is that we were all safely back at home.... " She paused realising that she might be tactless...the young man might no have a home to go back to... the sound of steady hoofbeats filled the void.

"You got more than you bargained when you decided to speak to me in the inn - strange are the workings of fate. Bringing strangers and old acquaintances together. I thought today would bring me house work and perhaps a walk in the meadow to gather certain plants that are now in bloom. Instead I am riding out on a expedition led by one of the highest ranking officers in the Mark. What were your plans before you took up with us?"

[Glirdan]

"I was actually just going to go around questing. Looking for adventure. Maybe travel back to my home country of Gondor. Maybe go questing North and visit Bree. Truly, I had no plan. I'm just a lone Ranger you may say, although I do not have the bloodline the Rangers of the North have," he said, smiling weakly thinking deeply.

Fate, he thought silently. What is fate? Is it fate that brought me here amongst all these people? Is there more for me on this quest? Why am I here? He looked over at Elfride who still looked rather glum. The sight of someone as pretty as her was unbearable for Léoflic. He wished there was something more he could do for her. Maybe I am here to protect these people, my new friends.

He looked back at Elfride and smiled. "Cheer up my friend. It's a beautiful day and even though it may not be what you want now, but you're childhood dream has just been achieved. Who knows! This adventure may turn out to be something positive for all of us here."

[The Sixth Wizard]

"Remember you are not alone."

Garnae sighed happily and kissed her again. it felt so good to have someone to understand for once, to listen. He leaned over Crean and picked a flower, standing alone. No-one should ever be alone, he mused. Ever. He brought it up and planted it inside a knot of Cordelia's hair.

"A beautiful token for a -" he started but broke off. A rabbit had leapt underneath Crean, startling the stallion.

"Ha-hey m'lady! A black foe to ruin our day. Forth Eorlingas! Strike down the shadow!" Cordelia laughed as he rode in hot pursuit of the small creature. The rabbit dove back and forth over the road and into the plain beside. Crean was faster, but could not turn and dive, or hide in holes and gullies. The horse was happy again though, he had not been allowed to roam free for a while, always having to stick close to the road. He spurred the horse faster and faster until it ran at full speed over the next hill. Unfortunately, this led back to the road, almost straight into the back of one General Hama Haukrsson, a Rider obviously Garnae's superior.

He swerved Crean just in time, managing to come to a stop a few metres away. The General appeared furious, apparently in converse with Elfride. "Wha- Foolish Rider! Just what do you think you are doing, rushing up like that?! Take control of your horse, man, and show some self-control!" Unfortunately the rabbit had run away.

"Hama!" exclaimed Garnae. "I mean, sorry sir, I er..."

Cordelia conveniently chose this moment to come dashing over the hill herself. Hama grumbled something about him being different when he was twenty and turned away. Elfride winked at him. I've never felt so alive in years! thought Garnae. What's come over me? Cordelia was grinning.

[Mithalwen]

Maybe travel back to my home country of Gondor. Maybe go....North and visit Bree. ...

Leoflic's words struck chords in Elfride's mind. "Bree, the town where men and holbytlan dwell side by side? I remember Master Holdwine and his companions at the burial of Theoden-king. And my brother saw Ents. I thought such folk lived only in tales - and you would go so far? And I am here making such fuss about journeying a few miles! I have been to Gondor a few times but other than that, I don't think I have been out of sight of these mountains my whole life. And there is so much more to the world than I ever knew... so much more than I will ever see" Her grey eyes opened wide at the thought.

"You are right Leoflic, this journey may bring more than we imagine. But above all I hope it brings us to Sandrina and that she is safe...which is something those children should remember!" She added with mock seriousness as she winked at Garnae.

Then flashed one of those rare bright smiles at Leoflic " Perhaps we should put ourselves between them and Hama before he decides this isn't a sufficiently serious expedition for a General of the Mark to participate in? " Sure that he would follow she urged the great, grey horse forward and his long agile stride soon took them to the head of the group.