Long Lost Leaves - part II

[Midge]

After talking to Borin and getting no new clues as to the supposedly secret locations of the objects she sought, Aerin marched off to the tent where Quickleaf's surgery had taken place. She found two blankets just lying on the floor, and she picked them up individually, shook them out and folded them, and carried them back over to Haldis.

"Here are a couple of your blankets. How many more are there?" Aerin asked. "And what other small objects did you mean?"

"I only had a couple more blankets. I found one when Quickleaf took off into the forest; it's here beside me. So the one left we will find. It will turn up. The other objects I wasn't even sure I had lost, and now that I've been looking over my things I am sure I've not lost them, so there won't be any to find," Haldis explained.

"I think I will go and find Blossomshade. She probably has no belongings that she has to pack, but I will make sure she (and that other Ent) know that we are setting off in the morning."
_________________

Aerin walked out into the woods where she'd last seen Blossomshade. "Hello?" Aerin called. As far as she could tell, she'd been able to differentiate Blossomshade from the other non-Ent trees, but maybe there was smaller noticeable difference than she thought.

[Butterbeer]

meanwhile, getting ever closer back to the group were the intrepid Barli and the Hobbit... sans overly large mount and via a rather hairy, not to say chaotic diversion to a local bun shop...that had proved not all that local at all...

Eventually and with many tears Barli had agreed to sell the baby oliphaunt and had acquired some Donkeys...

slower, but ultimately safer, they plodded doggedly, if not to say rather drunkenly back towards Radaghast and the Group... surviving stoically on the only provisons they had that hadn't yet run out... the famous Pony Beer barrels ... and weed

[Coffeehouse]

Quickleaf heard the voices of Borin and Hedrim, a warrior of dwarves and a King of Men, two companions he put much trust in..

"Hedrim, and Borin, yes my wounds are healing. The body is mending itself, I can only let the hands of time do their work.
But I want to ask of you both, that you consider travelling for farther then far, because you are both needed, invaluable warriors and wanderers, and it would sadden me to make this travel without you", gesturing his one hand towards the East, "across bare deserts we will go.. beyond the Sun, beneath it where it burns, and the peoples and birds and beasts of the East will not be familiar with what we are or why we come. We need to be wise, and patient, and look as much where darkness sleeps as where the lights live. My honour, to make this journey with you both. Manka lle merna, if you wish."

[orithil]

Hedrim nodded "yes I shall continue on this venture, there is still much to be discovered, and when it is a shall like to be part of it."

[Ingwe]

Ingwionis spent his time in the last days preparing for the march through the mild though dry desserts of the Romen or East, though the far East is truly far from this place, and hopefully there would be no need to go too terribly far, for any trek there would be deadly...considering what the group would likely come across if they went truly too far East...and North. Four clans of the Dwarves existed in the East long ago, and Ingwionis had met with the leaders of two of them two ages ago, not long before the rings of power were forged in Eregion. Other than that, some Elves still remained into the east, but south of the Dwarves, and so did some Men, and most infamously, the Men of Rhun who would likely be spotting the party when they come across the plains and desserts. Besides the sentient or at least more pleasant races, there still existed abandoned and forgotten minions who served Morgoth in the very ancient past. Those that were immortal included Blood Dragons, which were basically even fouler abominations of the Elves. Some Elves who were captured who were far too dangerous to Morgoth's realm to be kept alive were killed, torn limb from limb, mutilated, and twisted into forms far fouler than the Orcs. Everything - bones and all - was twisted into forms such as these Blood Dragons. By some fell creation, these artificial beings were given immortality by Morgoth. Even now, they roam the far east, painfully and mournfully, yet with much wrath in them that if disturbed, few could stand against them...at least with the use of conventional craft of warfare. Other foul forms that couldn't even be described ages ago and some fouler than the Blood Dragons still may exist, and little do the Men of Rhun nor the Elves of the Wild Wood ever venture far enough to encounter them...the experiences of the past have made survivors wise enough to stay away. Morgoth's sins were so grand that not even his banishment nor the destruction of Sauron could reverse them all.

As he told A'mael the stories of his travels, she quivered at the mention of these things. Ingwionis secretly wanted A'mael to be escorted back into the West, where she would indeed be safe, at least safer than the company may end up becoming. But the trek through the East as said would not put the company in any sort of ultimate danger. The last of the Balrogs was likely killed by Gandalf, yet even if there were one or two more, it was unlikely in these vast lands that they would ever be encountered. All the company's hopes now rested with finding out where the Ents are...and if that is only in the past tense, then matters are truly grave, for the Ents would eventually dwindle as the ages of the future passed on.

[The Sasquatch of Fangorn]

"Aye." said Borin "I'll go too!"

[Amael]

"I'm in!!!" A'mael said as Ingwionis stared at her in protest. "Which way are we going!?" Her companions just looked at her as if she was some Hobbit who's smoked too much pipe weed. Ingwionis leans over and tells A'mael with a whisper, "it's somewhere into the east." She glares back at her husband. "Neat!!"

[feawen]

Nami was now sitting crossed legged by a pile of knoted rope, her face set in concentration as she set about untangling it. Catching the ends of her fellows conversation she looked up and clapped her hands. "Oh i do like traveling!" Looking back down she carried on with a perticually hard knot.

[Acalewia]

"I shall continue on with you," Aelfwine stated. "Many of us were entrusted with this quest. I would not want to let this mystery eat at me for the rest of my days,"

[Earniel]

And so it quickly was decided who took on the journey East-ward. But a few decided against it, and departed company after many goodbyes and wishes of a safe journey. The rest gathered their belongings and by noon all the mounts stood by, packed, ready and eager to leave the gloom of Dol Guldur behind them.

After they had departed the Elves of Lórien returned but once, to close the underground entrance of Dol Guldur, so nobody could stray into those unhospital tunnels and be lost. Then they also left, leaving the forest to slowly claim what was left of Sauron's ruined fortress.

It took the adventurers but a few days to reach the East Bight. Radagast who had gone ahead, had left markers for them to follow, to ease their journey. When the trees started thinning, and traces of inhabitation became visible, they knew they were getting closer to one of the East Bight Villages, where they hoped to take in new supplies.

[Midge]

Looking around, Aerin realized exactly how much she needed to obtain. A horse would be useful, for one thing. Tired of straggling at the back of the group near Haldis's mules, she looked around for a promising horse market.

She noticed a pub on the corner a couple of streets away; a couple of her companions were already wandering toward it.

"Ugh.." she shuddered. As an elf, she didn't drink much beer, but even the wine that the Lord and Lady had served at feasts didn't settle well with her. She much preferred sweet, clear water. Passing the pub and closing her ears to the drunk man trying to get her attention, she headed toward what looked like a stable. Perhaps its keeper would know of someone willing to sell an animal to her; what she would use to actually purchase the horse, she didn't know.

[Coffeehouse]

Quickleaf walked uneasily into the carpet of noise that was the town they had struck upon, here in the East Bight. And it had been long ago since he had wandered through the streets of Men, and neither did it please him to return. But things did they need, and replenishing here seemed better than to wander off into the barren land ahead.

The dust filling the air, Quickleaf walked slowly but upright down the street, hearing Tongues of the East that he had heard before, and some he was entirely unfamiliar with. Unsure of who was travelling with him, Quickleaf paused and called out in Elvish, "Have you all abandoned me now or am I speaking foolishly?" waiting eagerly to see just how lost he was in his own blind night.
At least, he thought, they had settled to meet by the Well in the Square, in the middle of town, when the Sun vanished behind the horizon. Better to travel by night than by the heat of day. He'd have to figure out when the Sun set though... Quickleaf mused to himself.

[feawen]

As Nami walked into the hussle and bussle of east bight she smiled. The calls of venders selling their wares in the market reached her ears. Calls for drink and food, shiny gems and trinkets. The smell of roasting meat and ale driffed on the air. Turning her head to the smell Nami noticed some of her fellows heading in the direction of a welcoming inn. At first turning to follow her companies, Nami stopped and looked down at the little pouch that hung from her belt. May just a little shopping, she did after all need to stock up on supples, that was after why they were here, right. Finding Aelfwine and Ellysa Nami popped her head between the two. "Fancy a little shopping!"

As she turned towards the bright sounds of the market Nami heard Quickleafs forlone call. Calling over to him she replyed in elvish, "Come my lost friend, we need a strange protecter to save us from the horrors of the market that wait us!"

[Coffeehouse]

Quickleaf chuckled, "You can count on me lass! With my blind eyes I shall stare the shopkeepers into a good bargain" reaching out his hand for her to pull him along.

[Midge]

"Er.. no. Not many horses up for sale, especially to someone who's got no money!" The stable-keeper shook his head fiercely as Aerin rolled her eyes and turned to go look for a way to get money here. 'How on earth am I supposed to make money here? We're here for a day!'

She threw her arms up in the air and for the first time in a long time, she consciously registered the jangling of the bracelet she always wore on her arm. It was valuable, she knew, being made of pure silver with the crystal fastenings, and she liked it quite a lot. It had no actual sentimental value though, other than the fact that she'd had it for quite a long time. She knew though, as the great King of Gondor had once told his Halfling friend, "One who cannot cast away a treasure at need is in fetters." Certainly, she told herself, she would need the horse as they went further North and East, and this treasure could so easily be replaced. Unclasping it, she held it tightly in her hand and walked resolutely toward one of the shiny-gem vendors in the heart of the market.

"Gems! Dwarf-mined jewels! Sapphires! Rubies! Beautiful emeralds!..." the vendor was shouting as she approached. She walked up to him, her hand raised in an effort to shut him up.

"Uh, sir? SIR? I have a question. Do you buy things as well as sell them?"
"Certainly, miss, but surely as lovely a lady as you wishes to ADD to her collection of shiny things rather than detract?"
"No, sir, but thank you. I rather need money than shiny things, and I think perhaps you might be interested in this bracelet." She held her opened palm slightly outstretched so he could see the bracelet without grabbing it from her hand.
He gasped. "That is indeed a rare piece! Where did you find that, lady, and why do you desire to rid yourself of it?!"
"I got it from Lothlorien, and it was crafted by the most auspicious silversmith of the Lorien elves. I've had it for a while, but I find myself in need of more important things than merely jewelry at the moment."
"How much do you need, my lady? This bracelet is worth more than any mere supplies."
"I need enough to buy a horse, at least, and more than likely some food and drink. I will borrow no more on this trip."
"Yes, my lady. I can give you 60 silver pennies for this bracelet, if you like."
Aerin snorted. She knew for sure it was worth MUCH more than that, even much more than she was going to ask of him. "Give me 80 silver pennies. It is worth at least thirty more than my price, and you can surely find a collector who will pay more than THAT for it. But I am in need now, and I will not be short-changed."
"Fine, lady. I will give you the 80 silver pennies." He turned around and counted them out, dropping them into her outstretched palm when he was finished. "Oh, and lady? There are no horses for sale by the townspeople now. But there was a man outside town yesterday, or perhaps the day before, who had a horse he was trying to sell. He was camping out north of town. You might go ask him about the horse."
"Thank you, sir!" Aerin said, and she headed off for the market, hoping to buy her own canteen finally.

[feawen]

Nami laughed as she looped her arm around Quickleafs as she guided the two of them around the bright stalls of the market.

Although Nami had aways liked shiny things. As a child she had often sneaked into her mothers room to try on her oh so beautiful neckalaces. Although she had grown out of the need for shiny belonging they still caught her eye.

"Oh i see my lady admises this piece!" One vender called as he saw Nami eyeing his stall. He held a neckalace up in his out reached hands, "A petty thing for a pretty neck." Blushing slightly, Nami shock her head and turned herself and Quickleaf towards the more useful stalls. Although most of the supples Nami needed were objects for the trip such as dryed foods and the like she had some how managed to miss place her dagger in Dol Gladur and she had promised to make Quickleaf some straight arrows of his very own, not that he needed them at the moment! So she had a few extra things she needed to pick up.

Nami set about finding want she needed. Although Nami trusted that she would be able to hunt for food in the near future she unsure what they would find once they got further east, and so she set about buying a collection of proserved foods which she could easierly carry.

At one stall they came to a seller of leather wares. Turning to Quickleaf she asked, "Do you need a new water flask i seem to remember you losting a lot of your things when you..." Nami hesitated in naming that dark place or indeed Quickleafs brush with death, "Well you know. Do you need a new one?" Not for the first time since they had left Dol Gladur Nami wondered just how much of his eye sight Quickleaf had got back.

[Midge]

Knowing she didn't need much, Aerin stopped at an inn for a small bite to eat and picked up a canteen. She headed for the north part of town searching for the stranger selling horses.

As she reached the northern outskirts, she slowed her pace quite a bit. She wasn't sure whether to trust the people that seemed to float around this area. When she'd finally gotten out of the actual town, she found herself in a pleasant wooded area, with the air clear and the light shimmering between the leaves. She turned in the clearing, looking carefully around and not noticing anyone around. She relaxed a bit and let herself be refreshed in the beauty of the woods.

"Do you need me?" a deep voice asked from behind her. She gasped and whirled around. A man stood there; his face was covered by a hood, and he led three horses behind him. She regained her composure, knowing that if it came to it, she was well equipped to fight the man. "Is there something you want?" the man asked again, this time more slowly.

"As a matter of fact, there is. I need a horse. There was a man in town who said I should ask you." Aerin stood tall and proud. "I have money, do not worry about that."

"As you can see, I have a few more horses than I can use at once. I love these horses, though. I do not feel inclined to give them up for mere money." The man's voice sounded cool beneath the dark hood.

"What is your name?" Aerin asked. She felt it would be much more easy to bargain if she could think with her logical mind instead of the instinct that made her tense, as if she would have to spring into battle at any moment.

The man threw his hood off his head. "Magor is my name. You are far out of your natural home, being here, as am I. I am a Rider of the Mark. You are a Lorien elf, that much I know, though your name and purpose remain a mystery."

"My name is Aerin. My purpose will continue to remain a mystery. What would you ask for one of your horses? I am an elf; I will not mistreat whatever horse you give me, should you give me one."

[Coffeehouse]

The sun being at its zenith, torched up the air in the busy market place in the town, making Quickleaf's silvery hair glow, exposing his pale skin. The long weeks beneath the trees of Greenwood and walks through the dungeons of Dol Goldur had made his skin acquire a unflattering pale color on the verge of him looking ill. Thus the Elf was happy to feel the heat of the sun as it and the bustling noise of the town accompanied him between the market stands.

Walking behind Nami, or was it in front, hard to tell, Quickleaf let his hands feel the way along the skins and leather produce. "A waterflask.. Yes hmm I do need it" he answered Nami, trying to remember what else he was in lack of. "And, perhaps a few arrows! Do you see any? When you pay, take the coins of Gondor I have" and he motioned his hands to a black purse hanging on the belt by his right hip. "Be discrete though.. Thieves and Towns of Men go hand in hand lass!"

[feawen]

At the mention of using his money, Nami waved her hand away at the comment, not that he could see it. "Keep your money ive already paid for it! You can own me! And as for arrows" Nami replyed in elvish, "Its a straight and true elvish arrow or none at all, i said i would make some and so i shall." Nami smiled at the stall vender as she handed over her money and picked up her new belongings. Turning away and lending Quickleaf further on, she counted loud the things she had brought, trying to figure out if she had missed something. A clear, high voice rang out over the sounds of the market, suprised Nami stopped and turned to twist her head towards the voice. She shook her head and carried on walking when the familar face that went with the voice did not show its self.
Quickleafs comments about thieves and towns of Men came back to her mind. "Oh don't worry, this is not the first time i have been to East Bight. I may not have travelled far from homes borders in my time but i am familar with this place, even if i am not familar to it."

[Acalewia]

Aelfwine and Ellysa followed Nami and Quickleaf into the marketplace. She shook her head at the sight of a few of their group making a bee line to the tavern.
"I think we are in more need of supplies than ale and drunken antics," Aelfwine said, shaking her head. Passing by a vendor, the man there shouted, "Maiden of Rohan! You are one that will need a quality blade," He held up a sword that was much too big for Aelfwine. "The finest blades in all of Middle Earth!"
"Nami?" she asked, ignoring the vendor. "What shall we be needing and how much?"