"Neither of ye are one t' be talkin'," Barbossa muttered crossly. His mood had improved fractionally once the moon had once more retreated behind the clouds, but that didn't say much. Had he not already been convinced that the powers that be had some personal vendetta against him, he would have sworn it now. He'd been far more content when all he'd had to worry about these people was how best to kill them. As it was, he was doing his best not to kill them. The only one he would just as soon be rid of was the only one with an ounce of common sense, and the general lack of self-preservation to be found in this lot was sickening. "In my experience, there are few things worth givin' your life. Almost gettin' yourself killed, for whatever reason, is folly."

"What is truly folly, friends," Gandalf said over his shoulder, "is to perpetuate this conversation further. We are not out of danger yet. We must remain silent, unless you wish to endure another attack. I am not certain I could drive them away again."

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Elizabeth turned her gaze on the ground and concentrated on navigating its uneven up and downs rather than perpetuate an interaction that promised to avail nothing but frustration. Upon chancing, as they climbed a rocky rise of ground lit only palely by the moon, to glance about, she felt eyes on her and instinctively glanced at Will. No scrutiny there, he watched the ground as she did. Shrugging, Elizabeth resumed her climb, but it was only when they paused to then descend the rise that she caught whose eyes rested on her.

Legolas did not drop his eyes when Elizabeth found them, but held her gaze steadily for as long as she held his. It was not long before, uncomfortable under the elf's alien appraisal, Elizabeth turned back to survey the path before her. She fancied she felt eyes on her long after Legolas had looked away - perhaps it was the intensity of his thoughts.

Was it a common custom in this land the men spoke of to let women travel and fight with them? Even as the Prince of Mirkwood Legolas had never seen such, and elfmaids that assisted their brothers in battle were seldom heard of. He found himself compiling a brief list - there was Luthien, who braved even the dangers of Morgoth for her love, but she was not akin to this human woman. What was her name? It was strange on his lips, nothing like the Elvish her knew. Having no cause to watch his path especially, Legolas again glanced up at her back. Perhaps when one was promised to be married it became natural to accompany your betrothed? But the pair did not act as betrothed - indeed he even wondered if they were.

Sam stumbled a little on the rocks and righted himself hastily, the pans on his pack clinking very loudly in the silence. He could already feel Gandalf's disapproving eyes and concentrated studiously on his feet, surreptitiously shrugging the heavy thing higher on his shoulders. When would they stop? Adventures were all very well, but what about sleep?

Merry squinted up at the moon. "No hobbit should be awake at this hour," he muttered disconsolately to Pippin, kicking at a pebble and sending it skittering off into the darkness. "Bet you everyone at home is snug in their beds."

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((Hey mates, as y'all know, I'm leaving tomorrow, but is everyone good with jumping ahead to Moria when I return? There should be plenty of time to wrap up all conversations by then, yes?))

Aragorn continued to stride forward as though he had not heard Jack's query. "A woman," he finally replied softly without taking his eyes off the path. As if to indicate that there would be no further discussion on that topic, he lengthened his strides to catch up with Frodo. "Take heart, Frodo," he said quietly, placing a reassuring hand on the hobbit's shoulder. "After Moria comes Lorien, a place that mends even the most weary of spirits. Rest shall come soon enough."

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OoC. Could I be Davy Jones? He was technically in existance in the first movie.

((Umm...except not here? He's off back in the PotC universe doing his soul-gathering thing and not in any way related to this RPG, nor will he be at any time in the future. Sorry, mate, but I'm gonna have to give an absolute no on that one.

Anyway, to everyone else, remember that I'm leaving again Monday for camp, and I'm hardly going to be here tomorrow (bloody busy schedule). Everyone just hang in there, and I'll start us off at Moria when I return, 'kay?))

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