Scarburg Meadhall - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Galadriel55 · 01-15-2012, 06:27 PM

Ledwyn did not know what to do. At home she never saw anyone with a "Lord" or "Lady" in front of their name, except from afar. It seemed as though the hall was packed with important people. She remembered a time when her grandmother, long gone now, told her tales about the lords of the land. Always do what pleases them, she always ended off, if you want to live peacefully.

"You speak truly," Ledwyn said. "The wind is especially cold this morning. I broke my fast already, but I would not mind some food again." She glanced around the room restlessly before turning to her companions again. Only then did she notice that one of them, the one who has not spoken yet, was an Elf.

Ledwyn has seen Elves before, from Lorien and Imladris, when they came through the Mark on their way back from Mundburg. The Queen Evenstar was of the Fair Folk, and it was said that King Elessar and King Eomer both enjoyed the company of Elrond Halfelven, and Celeborn and Galadriel of Lorien. But it was also known that, fair as this folk may be, they were also perilous. It was for a reason that all good men shunned Dwimordene: it was known that the sorceress ensnared travelers in her webs of deceit. Whatever the kings have done, no common people would be willing to walk right in to one of their traps.

Ledwyn edged away from the Elf, keeping her eyes down in fear that he will read her fear and mistrust. To busy herself she pulled Theolain close and ruffled his hair. I have naught to fear here, she told herself. But the old tales spoke stronger.

Folwren · 01-16-2012, 04:57 PM

When Ledwyn had answered, Saeryn and Eodwine held quick discussion together. Eodwine said that he would bring Laerdil what he requested and Saeryn could bring something for Ledwyn to eat. They parted ways, Saeryn going immediately to the board laiden with food while Eodwine stepped over to the table where several men sat.

Saeryn fetched a platter and filled it with hot bread, bacon, and some eggs. Upon second thought, she filled a second trencher for herself and took both of them again to the fire. She left them with Ledwyn to return and fetch some drink for herself, Ledwyn, and the little boy. In a moment she returned, handed the cup of milk to the child and some warm brew to Ledwyn. Eodwine came at the same moment and gave to Laerdil what he requestd. Saeryn stood for a moment, one hand pulling hestiantly on the other before her waist as she considered Laerdil and his meager fair.

"Eodwine," she said, her voice quiet and slightly constrained, "Surely our guest would like something more than water. Some mead perhaps?" She looked again towards Laerdil, concern etched in the crease between her eyebrows. She did not want to seem inhospitable.

littlemanpoet · 01-16-2012, 07:38 PM

"Do not worry, my dear. I expect he may have some of that Elvish waybread with him and hardly needs anything from us at all."

She frowned and stared up into his eyes in that way she had, which meant that she wanted a more agreeable answer. He smirked.

"Though it is early for the mead cup, I will ask him if he would like one, if that pleases you. Yes?"

Folwren · 01-16-2012, 09:28 PM

"Yes," Saeryn said. "It may not be too early for him. He could have been walking all night, from what I have heard of elves and their. . .ways. Mead may be refreshing for him."

And so saying, she turned away and joined Ledwyn by the hearth. She picked up the trencher she had filled for herself and sat down. "Will you tell me where you are from, and what you hope to find here?"

Galadriel55 · 01-17-2012, 08:45 PM

The Lady Saeryn interrupted the chain of unpleasant thoughts that were going through Ledwyn’s mind: “Will you tell me where you are from, and what you hope to find here?”

“I come from the West Emnet,” Ledwyn replied. “My husband was killed in an accident, by no fault of his, leaving me and our son Theolain to fair on our own. My young brother fed us and kept us warm for a year, but now he has his own family to feed. He would not abandon his kin, even if it meant for him and his wife to go hungry. I thought that… I mean, we shouldn’t have... I could not continue like that… We…” Ledwyn was unsure of where to procede. “If I could live here, I would not be a burden for him,” she finished.

Firefoot · 01-19-2012, 10:05 PM

Léof had contributed little to the discussion of the Elf, instead listening to the others and occasionally sneaking glances over at him. He had never seen an Elf, much less spoken with one, and he was more than a little intimidated. But when Eodwine came over to the table and said, "Laerdil has asked me to fetch him bread and water. He will eat where he sits. He invites any who would share his company to go to him, by the fire,” and none of the men seated there seemed inclined to move, Léof’s curiosity finally outweighed his nervousness.

“It’s not right that a visitor should sit by himself,” said Léof, standing up. It took a great deal of will power not to look back as he made his way over to the fireplace, and only the thought that he would make a total fool of himself if he backed out now kept him walking as he drew nearer.

The Elf was even fairer to look upon up close, and for a moment Léof’s tongue seemed to stick to the roof of his mouth. His mind scrabbled for words, and seized upon the first that seemed appropriate. “Welcome,” he said. But of course, the Elf had already been welcomed by far more people than him! Foolish word. “I – I am called Léof.”

littlemanpoet · 01-21-2012, 06:38 AM

“Welcome," said the young man who had approached Laerdil. “I – I am called Léof.”

To the Elf, it was completely natural to observe the young man with all the percipience at his disposal. He read Léof's facial expression, his stance, his verbal hesitation, and the perimeters of his mind, where he found a mix of fear, and a deep well of courage that overcame fear.

"Thank you, Léof, for your kind welcome," the Elf smiled. "I am called Laerdil. "Please sit here close to the fire, if you like."

As Léof sat, Laerdil observed his hands and considered the scents of hay and leather and horses that were in the young man's - the boy's (he was so young) clothing. In truth, most of these Eorlingas had the horse smell on them, but not like this one.

"You are a lover of horses, I deem, and horses love you as well, Léof. How is that so?"

01-16-2012, 07:38 PM	#3
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	Eodwine "Do not worry, my dear. I expect he may have some of that Elvish waybread with him and hardly needs anything from us at all." She frowned and stared up into his eyes in that way she had, which meant that she wanted a more agreeable answer. He smirked. "Though it is early for the mead cup, I will ask him if he would like one, if that pleases you. Yes?"

01-16-2012, 09:28 PM	#4
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	"Yes," Saeryn said. "It may not be too early for him. He could have been walking all night, from what I have heard of elves and their. . .ways. Mead may be refreshing for him." And so saying, she turned away and joined Ledwyn by the hearth. She picked up the trencher she had filled for herself and sat down. "Will you tell me where you are from, and what you hope to find here?" Last edited by Folwren; 01-16-2012 at 09:43 PM.

01-15-2012, 06:27 PM	#1
Galadriel55 Blossom of Dwimordene Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The realm of forgotten words Posts: 10,519	Ledwyn did not know what to do. At home she never saw anyone with a "Lord" or "Lady" in front of their name, except from afar. It seemed as though the hall was packed with important people. She remembered a time when her grandmother, long gone now, told her tales about the lords of the land. Always do what pleases them, she always ended off, if you want to live peacefully. "You speak truly," Ledwyn said. "The wind is especially cold this morning. I broke my fast already, but I would not mind some food again." She glanced around the room restlessly before turning to her companions again. Only then did she notice that one of them, the one who has not spoken yet, was an Elf. Ledwyn has seen Elves before, from Lorien and Imladris, when they came through the Mark on their way back from Mundburg. The Queen Evenstar was of the Fair Folk, and it was said that King Elessar and King Eomer both enjoyed the company of Elrond Halfelven, and Celeborn and Galadriel of Lorien. But it was also known that, fair as this folk may be, they were also perilous. It was for a reason that all good men shunned Dwimordene: it was known that the sorceress ensnared travelers in her webs of deceit. Whatever the kings have done, no common people would be willing to walk right in to one of their traps. Ledwyn edged away from the Elf, keeping her eyes down in fear that he will read her fear and mistrust. To busy herself she pulled Theolain close and ruffled his hair. I have naught to fear here, she told herself. But the old tales spoke stronger.

01-16-2012, 04:57 PM	#2
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	When Ledwyn had answered, Saeryn and Eodwine held quick discussion together. Eodwine said that he would bring Laerdil what he requested and Saeryn could bring something for Ledwyn to eat. They parted ways, Saeryn going immediately to the board laiden with food while Eodwine stepped over to the table where several men sat. Saeryn fetched a platter and filled it with hot bread, bacon, and some eggs. Upon second thought, she filled a second trencher for herself and took both of them again to the fire. She left them with Ledwyn to return and fetch some drink for herself, Ledwyn, and the little boy. In a moment she returned, handed the cup of milk to the child and some warm brew to Ledwyn. Eodwine came at the same moment and gave to Laerdil what he requestd. Saeryn stood for a moment, one hand pulling hestiantly on the other before her waist as she considered Laerdil and his meager fair. "Eodwine," she said, her voice quiet and slightly constrained, "Surely our guest would like something more than water. Some mead perhaps?" She looked again towards Laerdil, concern etched in the crease between her eyebrows. She did not want to seem inhospitable.

01-17-2012, 08:45 PM	#5
Galadriel55 Blossom of Dwimordene Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The realm of forgotten words Posts: 10,519	The Lady Saeryn interrupted the chain of unpleasant thoughts that were going through Ledwyn’s mind: “Will you tell me where you are from, and what you hope to find here?” “I come from the West Emnet,” Ledwyn replied. “My husband was killed in an accident, by no fault of his, leaving me and our son Theolain to fair on our own. My young brother fed us and kept us warm for a year, but now he has his own family to feed. He would not abandon his kin, even if it meant for him and his wife to go hungry. I thought that… I mean, we shouldn’t have... I could not continue like that… We…” Ledwyn was unsure of where to procede. “If I could live here, I would not be a burden for him,” she finished.

01-19-2012, 10:05 PM	#6
Firefoot Illusionary Holbytla Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 7,547	Léof had contributed little to the discussion of the Elf, instead listening to the others and occasionally sneaking glances over at him. He had never seen an Elf, much less spoken with one, and he was more than a little intimidated. But when Eodwine came over to the table and said, "Laerdil has asked me to fetch him bread and water. He will eat where he sits. He invites any who would share his company to go to him, by the fire,” and none of the men seated there seemed inclined to move, Léof’s curiosity finally outweighed his nervousness. “It’s not right that a visitor should sit by himself,” said Léof, standing up. It took a great deal of will power not to look back as he made his way over to the fireplace, and only the thought that he would make a total fool of himself if he backed out now kept him walking as he drew nearer. The Elf was even fairer to look upon up close, and for a moment Léof’s tongue seemed to stick to the roof of his mouth. His mind scrabbled for words, and seized upon the first that seemed appropriate. “Welcome,” he said. But of course, the Elf had already been welcomed by far more people than him! Foolish word. “I – I am called Léof.”

01-21-2012, 06:38 AM	#7
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	“Welcome," said the young man who had approached Laerdil. “I – I am called Léof.” To the Elf, it was completely natural to observe the young man with all the percipience at his disposal. He read Léof's facial expression, his stance, his verbal hesitation, and the perimeters of his mind, where he found a mix of fear, and a deep well of courage that overcame fear. "Thank you, Léof, for your kind welcome," the Elf smiled. "I am called Laerdil. "Please sit here close to the fire, if you like." As Léof sat, Laerdil observed his hands and considered the scents of hay and leather and horses that were in the young man's - the boy's (he was so young) clothing. In truth, most of these Eorlingas had the horse smell on them, but not like this one. "You are a lover of horses, I deem, and horses love you as well, Léof. How is that so?"