Morwen sat just below Deawen and Sen at the table. She had dismissed her sons to sit with the village children near the doors of the hall. She tapped her foot along to the music, especially to the tune of her favorite ballad, Banks o' Yarrow. "Late at e'en, drinking the wine, And ere they paid the lawing, they set a combat them between, to fight it in the dawing..." Outside, Eohrmen and Eohrllic were trying to bribe the guards into giving them ale for their drinking contest. With a wink, he grabbed two tankards and a jug of apple cider and sent them back to their friends to make themselves sick on the sweet drink.

When she heard the news the messenger had to bring, she clenched her hands under the table. That's why Eohric had been called away. SUddenly, ever face that was not quite as clean as those at the high table seemed suspect. "Lord Sen, Lady Deawen, what are we to do?"

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

Goldleaf rushed down the corridor leading away from the hall. She pulled a wad of paper from her dress pocket and headed towards a servant dawdling in the corridor. "You there," she called. "I need a quill and some ink. See to it."
The servant paused, then took in the woman's blazing eyes, her tall stature, the way her fists were clenched. Someone not to be argued with. He rushed off and came back a few minutes later carrying a small bottle, stoppered with a cork, of blue ink and a quill. She took them from him and placed the paper in the palm of her hand, flattening her palm and fingers so that she might write better.

"King Elessar.

A messenger interrupted the celebrations of beltane this day; apparently there has been a disaster in the Eastfolde and the Folde. Eomer calling a mustering of Westfolde. I believed you should be informed. The choice is there for you to send an army to Rohan to aid them in whatever trouble might ensue.

Goldleaf.

Finishing writing, she looked at the servant.
"I don't suppose someone could get this to Gondor for me?" she said. "And quickly?"

_________________


~~Siggy by Lembas~~

*Sen sat there, and the smile slowly dissapeared from his face. He turned to his wife, trying to read her eyes, as he stood up. Turning to face the messenger, still slightly out of breath, he spoke calmly, though firmly.*
I will answer the muster, as will the soldiers under my command. We shall ride out on the morrow; after preparations are complete. As for now; sit, eat. You must be tired from your journey. Perhaps you can tell me more of what is happening.
*Sen had a servant bring an extra chair to their table, and then fell silent for a short while, as he sat back down. It had been so long, and things had been going so well... He was not afraid that he would be rusty after this long time of peace; no, he had trained with his soldiers and by himself every day. He had just hoped, prayed, that he would never need to use those skills again. Now, a muster had come, after a time of celebration. He hated to leave his wife's side, but he knew his duty was to go. He would fufil that duty; he was a man of honor after all. He turned to his wife, and spoke, breaking away from his train of thought.*
It seems like fate yet again has shown its cruel side, my love. I loathe to leave, but I do what I must...

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

(Banner thanks to Imlosiel the Lost! )

Thalabor enjoyed the warmth of the fiest hall and was slowly going out of his White Company role, and instead be a regular participant in the fiest.
After a lot of good food and drink, the ranger relaxed and almost fell to sleep in his chair, something he hadn't done since he left the Emyn Arnen halls.

When the door opened and he heard the worn out mans words, he saw the Gondorian Goldleaf walk towards the rulers of the hall and heard her tell them of heir role in the High King's court.
As she swiftly moved away, Lord Sen arose and answered the messengers call for aid.
Thalabor whispered to Curubor that he wished that he and his family left the Westfold and took refuge in Angrenost (Isengard).
The older brother protested, but finally gave in to his wish.
Now that he knew his brother would seek the shelter of the warden of Orthanc, he could go ahead and speak with the Lord.

Thalabor walked up to the table and kneeled so he was face to face with the rulers and silently told Lord Sen that he wished to follow him to whatever the Westfold Rohirrim would face in the east.
"My sword, my bow and my shield is at your command Lord Sen.
It is my belief that this would also be the Stewards wish."
"Lady Deawen, do not worry for your husband, he will be with good men in this ill time, and I will not let him get hurt, if I am with him."
"If you will excuse me, I will go find the ambassador and give her some more to send to the High King Elessar."
Thalabor swiftly moved out of the hall and after a while he found Goldleaf at a table with a quill and ink on the table.
As he aproached her, he said,
"Lady Ambassador, I need to send a paper from myself to our King and my Captain."
"To King Elessar,
My King, I do not yet know who, what or why have happened in this land, but with your permission I hope you will approve of me sending my brother to your warden in Orthanc to prepare him and his people for possible refugees entering the Angrenost from northern Westfold and the other regions of Rohan.

Nai anar caluva tielyanna*"

"To Captain Faramir,
When you recieve this message I believe you will have heard from the King about the situation in this land.
I have decided to go with Lord Sen to the muster, and will stay with him untill you give me further orders.

Raid lîn celin a melthin**"

He handed the messages to Goldleaf and said:
"Maybe we should ask that man you traded words with earlier?***"
Thalabor walked back to the halls to find the man, and quickly found him near Deawen and Sen.
"I do not think we have traded words before, but me and ambassador Goldleaf is in need of your assistance."
He awaited Estons response and then said:
"We are in need of a swift horse to take a trusworthy messenger to Gondor urgently. It is important t notice the King and the Steward of the current events."

((* = Sindarin, "May your ways be green and golden"
** = Quenya, "May the sun shine upon your path"
*** = I'm talking about Eston. ))

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[Awaiting a new signature banner by me]
My former names on AU:
Callondhaer, Duilantion

Goldleaf looked up as Thalabor approached her. She took the two messages from him. "I, too, have a message to send to King Elessar. I will take these gladly. I've asked a servant lad to find someone to go to Gondor with my message, he should be back swiftly, but ask Eston if you like. Although I think he will perhaps have matters of his own to attend to." She gave a faint smile as Thalabor walked back into the halls. She shifted the messages in her hands, wondering how her king would recieve the news.

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~~Siggy by Lembas~~

Deawen watched Sen silently she knew his words were true but they still hurt. She nodded and said nothing for once she took the role of the wife that remained reserved. She stared at Thalabor and nodded her thanks not trusting her voice to voice her feelings.
Eston bowed to Sen's words then turned to prepare for the morrow. He ran into Thalabor and goldleaf(?) he instictivly drew a hand closer to him ready to grab a knife if danger was to present it's self. He relaxed slightly after he was adressed. "I will see to it. " he said solemly.

_________________
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

(Goldleaf's in the corridor ^_^)

Goldleaf hovered in the corridor, still carrying the messages. She wondered what was going wrong in Rohan that was so urgent. She knew King Elessar well enough to know that he would want to help. The Rohirrim, ten years ago, had come to the aid of Gondor at their time of need - the Gondorian king would want to do the same. She waited for Thalabor to come back, hoping that Eston would find someone to deliver the messages. She doubted that the servant boy would find anyone quick enough or dedicated enough to the task she would appoint them to.
It had been a long time since Goldleaf had drawn her sword. It was strapped to her belt, sheathed. She carried it with her wherever she went, for safety. It was broad and tall, seemingly too a strong sword for a woman to handle. But she had learnt to wield it from a young age to deadly precision; and if war was coming to Rohan, she would fight.

_________________


~~Siggy by Lembas~~

Morwen remained staid, but her usually ruddy face was quite pale. She leaned to her friends ear and asked in a whisper, "Deawen, what are we to do?" She was torn between flying after her husband to see if he was still alive and taking her children and fleeing. The pressure was tearing her in two. She had never experienced such a pain in during the War of the Ring. She dug her nails into the bottom of the great table.

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

As the man gave his answer, Thalabor nodded and said:
"Very well, I shall leave you to it."
Thalabor swiftly turned to get back to the corridor to tell Goldleaf.
When he apporoached the gold haired ambassador, he halted beside her.
"He agreed to find us a messanger. Try to stay near the halls, I must go and prepare for the journey."
He bowed his head and started to half sprint through the corridors untill he reached the entrance of the hall.

Once he reached the stables, who where now full of serious looking and confused Rohirrim trying to prepare the horses.
In one of the boxes, guarded by a stable boy stood Lagordal munching on some apples given to him during the fiest.
The stable boy stepped out of Thalabor's way and said:
"Everything is just as you left it mister."
"Good."
Thalabor started to unpack his bags to find his ranger gear.
He removed the now slightly dirty white formal wear and put on his green and brown clothing.
After attaching his braces on his arms he repacked the bags and put them on Lagordal's back.
With evrything ready for the muster, the ranger started to move his way back to the halls.

(( PS. made a misstake in the last post, I mixed up the asterisks (*). The * should be quenya and the ** should be sindarin.

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[Awaiting a new signature banner by me]
My former names on AU:
Callondhaer, Duilantion

Goldleaf nodded as Thalabor returned and announced that Eston had agreed to help and find a messenger for them. "Excellent," she said, glad. "He will need to collect the messages. I cannot stand here all day; I have matters to attend to." She watched him dash off again, the messages still in her hands, and sighed.
She had to see what the trouble was in Rohan. She had to go with the Rohirrim. Ten years ago she had fought alongside these people, at the age of only 19. She had thought them brave, admirable, and strong. She had been in the houses of healing at the same time as the Lady Eowyn, who was brought back to health with the healing hands of a king, King Elessar. And she wanted to help them. Above all, it was her duty.
She looked up as Thalabor came back towards the halls, and gave a small smile. "All prepared? I expect I shall be riding with the Rohirrim too. I need to know what is going on."

_________________


~~Siggy by Lembas~~

As Thalabor walked into the Halls again he was met by Goldleaf and responded with a nod.
Shall we find out if there is more details about the attack?
Maybe there is more that the messenger could tell us after he has rested?
"Let's find Eston, and then we should talk with Lord Sen."

The hall was full of people running around still, but the majority of the men had dissapeared or was now standing around in their armour awaiting further orders.
Thalabor tried to spot Eston, but had a hard time finding him in the bustling fiest chamber.

(( Err, could Sen, Morwen or Deawen post something?
Would be nice if Eston could show up. ))

_________________
[Awaiting a new signature banner by me]
My former names on AU:
Callondhaer, Duilantion

(My post hinges on Deawen, but I can jump ahead.)
Her sons' three faces popped into her mind. She stood and ran to the door, relieved to see them sprawled next to a fire with sticky brown fingers and faces. She Picked up Eohfrith and Eohrllic and scooted Eohrmen back to her home and put them to bed. The servants were all out, so she simply wrapped them in sheets and set them on their beds in their clothes. Her three guards were still around the house, some more enebriated than others. She set the least intoxicated to guard her son's room. She went next to her room, changed into a lighter dress and took her sword from its chest. The weight in her hand was all too familiar. She strapped it over her back rather than at her side. She felt it would draw less attention. She also grabbed her bow and quiver. The scene was becoming more and more chaotic as word spread. She made her way into the hall and found Thalabor and Goldleaf. "Friends, what is Gondor's response?"

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

Goldleaf followed Thalabor into the crowd; everyone was in a panic about the news the messenger had brought. Morwen appeared next to them and Goldleaf responded to her words with a tense smile.
"We have not yet sent our messages to know our country's response to this," she said. "Eston has said he will find us a messenger to swiftly take the messages to the king and the steward. But I have no doubt that Gondor will reply swiftly and act decisively when the news reaches them."

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~~Siggy by Lembas~~

( sorry I have either been busy or forgotten)
THe hall was becoming increasingly chaotic. Men at arms yelled at farmers, who didn not believe that a rebellion was even happening.
Deawen sat as if turned to stone, but when a fight broke out she stood so suddenly her carven chair tipped backwards. She was angry and looked the part of a vengeful goddess, with her hair loose from it's usual confinment, her eyes peircing the shadows, and her small frame in perfect control of it's shaking.
She held up but a single hand for silence, it was granted immediatly for many of the villagers wondered why Deawen did not stand before hand.
" My friends,"
she began with her voice so soft the draft from the firepit threatened to steal it away.
" Many of you fear the Westfolde will burn again as it did ten years ago.I cannot promise that it won't burn again but I promise to put measures down to prevent an inferno." she paused and looked beyond the people to the sheilds hanging above the great door, she smiled softly then began again. " Many of you have been on raids or past battles and know how to fight. Others have been trained by my husband to fight. I do not fear we are left defensless when the men answer the Mustering." She pointed to the shields at the far end of the hall.
" Long has the time come for us to brush away the dust of peaceful years off our shields, and sharpen the blades we hold so dear.
Go back to your homes and prepare for battle, those of you who feel your families or herds in jeopardy, our hall and lands are open to you. That goes for anyone, this hall has been sauntuary for many years and will continue to be so."
Deawen ended her speech turned away and left the dais. So many thoughts went through her mind. She saw Morwen leave, remorse at ignoring her friend bit deep. Deawen saw the her children's nurse carrying Midira the twins following behind like little ducklings.
Eston did not follow Deawen instead he found the messenger he was sent to find. " Hilam get up you have a message to deliver." Eston said to a lad that was barley twenty, Hilam blanched " I'm not going to the FOlde if thats were you plan on sending me I won't go!" Eston rolled his eyes at the boy " No you fool you are going to Gondor to deliver messages to King Elessar. Now get up." Still the lad shook his head Eston growled something like a curse that would make a soldier blush, then grabbed the lad by the ear and pulled him up. Hilam not wanting to seem weak infront of his croonies trie to fight back. Eston frowned then let go dropping the lad to the ground " Here is your choice Hilam, you either deliver the messages and by out of the battle or you join Lord Sen's regiments and fight in the battles ahead." Hilam's face went pale he nodded and got up. " Follow me" Eston said walking away with HIlam in tow. Eston found THalabor with little trouble. " Here is the messenger you will need to deliver the missives." Eston said his tone even.

_________________
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

Goldleaf saw Eston addressing Thalabor with a young lad in tow. So this was the messenger. She stepped forward. "We thank you," she said. She was still holding onto the messenges. She gazed at the boy with one of her bright blue-eyed sweeps, as if to judge his strength.
"These are messages that are of the utmost importance to us," she said sternly. "Take them to the king and the steward with all speed. Failing is not an option for you. They need to get to Gondor as quickly as possible."
She looked back to Eston and spoke in a more neutral tone. "And you, my lord. Will you be joining the Rohirrim in their journey? Thalabor and I will be coming with them. I, for one, need to see what is happening. And my blade will be at the aid of Rohan." She patted the hilt of her sword, which was sheathed and strapped to a belt round her waist.
With a warning glare at the young man, she handed the messages to him.

_________________


~~Siggy by Lembas~~

THe lad took the messages and bowed then quit the hall.
Eston remained he looked at Goldleaf his emotion neutral. " I will ride With lord Sen, to act as messenger between the front and the hall." he said solemly.

Deawen had left the hall and retreated to her study there was so much to do and yet she had no strength to do them. Once behind the closed doors she stalked to the desk she stood behind it trying to gain control over her emotions. Without warning she swiped the desk clean of all objects, sending them to the floor with a loud crash. A missive rolled across the floor catching Deawen's intrest. She stepped around the desk picked up the parchment and broke the seal.
With a heavy heart I write to you Deawen.
I do not know if word has yet reached you of the Eastfolde but I shall tell you either way. Your last letter to me suspected uneasiness in the kingdom, your fears have been confirmed. Here in the Eastfolde a rebellion has risen along with at Edoras. But it is not herder's, or farmer's demand of repayment it is caused by an usurper. I have heard a rumor that this usurper systematicaly kills off the nobility cutting off any chance of anyone disputing his climb to the throne. THe rumors were confirmed when My lady Diltha's hall was attacked, she was illprepared, Deawen she only thought that if her hall was captured she would be a hostage. THe villagers and people of the Hall took santuary in the hall, they were sealed inside, a torch was thrown to the thatching. I need not say their fate. Deawen you and your Husband, your children are in peril, it would be folly to plead for you to take refuge in Gondor so I will say this instead. Defend the Westfolde at all costs.
your loving Friend
~ Drad"
Deawen stood stunned at the news, this was no ordianary rebellion, this was murder. She suddenly felt afraid as if the walls were closing around her. She ran out of the room still clutching the letter. She ran into the hall that was nearly empty, she found her husband talking with the messenger. " Sen!" Deawen called her voice nearly broke. " Sen, you cannot answer the mustering." she thrust the letter to him her hand shaking.

_________________
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