"No doubt it is the fear of the unknown shadow that grips their hearts-the shadow that we aim to stop." Anira replied quietly, her eyes sad. "Just as when Sauron threatened to cover the lands of Arda under a perpetual night, the people have become wary of strangers-even of those who come to aid them." She glanced into the eyes of all those gathered, hoping to see a small light of courage and hope, but all she saw among the people was the shadow of despair. "Just as the chill of winter plagues the lands, so has the chill of fear entered into their hearts." she mused quietly as she shook her head sadly as the company moved forward. She then turned to glance at Imlosiel. "I would offer them comfort if I could, but I would not know what to say, and without any knowledge of what we hunt, I can not offer empty words of reassurance."

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AWESOME set by the AMAZING Lembas!!!

It is alright, no offence was taken. Athenar is but a distant memory now, but one that we will never forget.
*As they traveled along the frozen road through the town, Sen noticed the people's faces as well. Things did not bode well, if the people's anger and fear was directed towards them. He turned quietly to the others, as they drew closer together through a narrow point in the road.*
Be on your guard, all of you. Fear can blind people into thinking friend is foe. I had hoped to rest in this town for a short while, but I think we should only spend the night, and then be gone in the morning. Things do not feel right, here.

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"True Evil cannot be reckoned with. Only Defeated." - Sen L I Starfire

(Banner thanks to Imlosiel the Lost! )

Deawen listened to the others swallowing hard. She couldn't tell them what was really the fear behind the stares. She was glad Sen put it delicately. As soon as they came into 60 yards of the citidel, Deawen urged Bredol into a slow canter. She rode straight through the gate into a courtyard. She didn't wait for a hostler before dismounting.
Just as she touched ground a tall man with shoulder length brown hair in flowing robes came out into the courtyard. " Ah, may I assist you my Lord?" he said humbly to Sen with a deep bow. Deawen rolled her eyes to her stallion " a pansy, just what we need" she mumbled Bredol nickered and Deawen gave him a playful rub on his nose. The pansy looked from Sen to Deawen catching the white tree emblem. " ah the ambassadors from gondor i presume?" he asked, Deawen straightened " Yes, we expect lodging for the night and to see your lord" she said in a smooth tone. The man looked startled slightly " Of course, His lordship cannot meet with you until evening he is out hunting but I am sure you don't mind the wait" he said clasping his delicate fingers Deawen looked at her companions " Not at all, that will give us plenty of time to freshen up" she said giving her sweetest smile. He bowed and signaled for hostlers to take away the horses. Bredol pinned his ears back warning the stable boy to stay back. " Mind my stallion, Keep him next to the black stallion keeps him quiet and don't put that white mare next to him she's in heat and you'll have a destroyed stable if you do, mind both ends he's a trained war horse, kill you in an instant if you mess up" She called to the stable boys who gave her terrified looks.

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Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

Morwen followed the others, saying nothing. She had mastered her outward signs of ire and was concentrating on keeping calm. She listened to the hostler try to ingratiate himself to Lord Sen. Her heart of hearts smiled at Deawens rebuke. This unconcious reaction cheered her up considerably. Though she felt nearly content, she felt very cold.

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Reasons I love England #217:
I saw "whilst" on a traffic sign

The man led them to a hall, a table sat in the center already serving maids had horns of mead on the table and wooden platters with slices of bread. Deawen did not seat herself immedaitly but waited for the man to excuse himself. " Hopefuly if all goes well we will be able to leave at dawn tommorow, this is the last outpost, basicaly if you need anything you better get it today" she had something in her hand it was a velvet pouch. she opened it and spilled out it's contents over a hundred gold coins spilled out. " this is your spending money I did not give this to you before because everything you bought from the westfolde to here was on Sen and my funds. My gold is usless here but this is not. All supplies for the remainder of our journey I will buy this money is for your personal use." she explained dividing up the coins into four parts. " My lord Sen and I plan to meet with the lord of this outpost, you are welcome to join but you do not have to join us, I am sure a hot bath and warm bed is more appeasing than hours of talk. " she laughed slightly.

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

Morwen felt the presence shrink as they entered the warmth of the fire. She went to the hearth and took a deep breath, feeling much better. She sat a little apart from Deawen, in order not to provoke the cold fury, and ate the heel from the loaf of bread that had been provided. After a moment she said, "Deawen, ic beon æltǽwelíce angmód...ic...ic nytan ac..." (Deawen, I'm truly sorry...I...I know not why...) She faltered, not sure what else to say, and stuffed her mouth full of bread.

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Reasons I love England #217:
I saw "whilst" on a traffic sign

Deawen looked at Morwen her expression unreadable
" Morwen, you have been my friend for as long as I can remember this is not the first argument we have had... It was the cold that provoked you" Deawen said with a smile.

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

"Yes, I'm sure that is all. I really do hate winter," she said with a smal smile. "I'm not sure what to do, whether to go with you or not. Especially with my lack of proper attire," Morwen said cautiously. "Perhaps it would be best for me to get some sleep. However, I will go with you if you wish."

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Reasons I love England #217:
I saw "whilst" on a traffic sign

" Thats entirely up to you, Attire matters little I mean if i could I would I'd show up mud splattered and dripping water everywhere..." it was comments like these that set Deawen apart from the rest of her class.

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

*Sen chuckled to himself as Deawen put the handler in his place. Sen dismounted, and offered the reins to the handler, silently whispering to Flarenath to be good. Flarenath snorted once, causing the handler to jump slightly, before he led the large black warhorse away. He followed the others inside, quickly glancing around at the civillians that had their gaze fixed on them. He would have peered quickly into one of their minds, but decided that this was not the occasion, nor the right oppourtunity to do so. A small sigh of happiness escaped, as he saw the fresh, and above all warm, bread. He snatched up a slice, and stuck his hand briefly, slice and all, into the fire; both to get a nice crisp on the bread, and to warm himself. as he took a bite, he waved for Deawen to come and join him.*

_________________
"True Evil cannot be reckoned with. Only Defeated." - Sen L I Starfire

(Banner thanks to Imlosiel the Lost! )

The warmth of the halls they entered was welcome indeed, and Imlosiel basked in it for a moment before walking further towards the table to retrieve a hearty slice of bread. With this small piece of nourishment firmly grasped in hand, she walked over to the roaring fireplace. "Lady Deawen, I hope you do not mind if I sit in on the meeting you are going to have with the lord. For as tempting as the hot bath and soft bed sound to my ears, the longing for knowledge of our situation overpowers those previous comforts."

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((Banner by Arweb & Avatar by TimTimTimTim))

~(Custom Avatars by Me!)~

" of course you are welcome" Deawen said with a smile, she walked over to Sen with a sly smile hinted with alarm. She slid her slender arm around his and leaned her head on his arm " Don't let anyone see you do that here...My lord.. It may bring trouble, and last thing we need is trouble" she said in a low whisper. she tore a piece of bread from his then delicately placed it in her mouth. She longed to grab a coal and hold it close but refrianed.

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

Anira handed the reigns of her steed to a handler and chuckled as the beast snorted. Following the others into the hall, she took a slice of bread before joining the group gathered at the fireplace. "I hope you don't mind if I attend the meeting as well." she said quietly. "Since I began this journey, I have been curious about the entity that we seek, and whether the information given proves substantial or scant, I would like to know more of its abilities ere we meet it in negotiation or battle."

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AWESOME set by the AMAZING Lembas!!!

Deawen shook her head
" The meeting tonight has nothing or should not be based on the Winterking... This is a political meeting... If i have missled I am sorry. King Elessar rules the realms of Arnor, Gondor, Harad, and the deserts of Rhun (correct me if I am wrong I don't have my map in front of me) and the far north where we are now... Rohan is independent but Gondor has influence there. Each land has it's own taxes and This outpost of Nian for the past three years has not paid taxes and talk unrest here has been cause for us to be sent up here as well as dealing with the Winterking,in essence we have been sent up here to kill two birds with one stone. Our task here in this outpost is to settle the unrest and get the lord of this outpost to yield. Then we can disscuss the Winterking, but i ask you to refrian from asking anything about the Winterking until things are smoothed over." Deawen said

" How ironic.. I am telling some other noble to yield when I myself refuse to yield..." Deawen thought to herself.

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

*Sen stared at Deawen in mock reproach for eating his toast, before taking a big bite himself. He listened to Deawen speak, and, when she was finished, he added his own words.*
Indeed, my friends, we must show caution while we are here; there is great tension, and one wrong word could trigger an avelanche of misfortune. If any of you do decide to take a walk around town, keep your eyes and ears open. Though this is within Gondor influence, we are not as welcome here as elsewhere.

_________________
"True Evil cannot be reckoned with. Only Defeated." - Sen L I Starfire

(Banner thanks to Imlosiel the Lost! )

Deawen nodded in agreement " now with that said, we have several hours before Lord Andur comes back. In that time do whatever you feel is best..." Deawen said walking back to the table and grabbing a slice of bread. She covered it in a thick oozing layer of honey before consuming it. The Steward of the citidel eventually arrived to inform them that their rooms were ready. Deawen sat in a chair looking tired and utterly drained.

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home