*Sen nodded at Thalabor, and spoke quickly with him, voice steady, though even then one could see a coldness come over his face.*
Then I would do well to have your company, Thalabor. Be ready with the others tomorrow; you will ride out with me. If you will excuse me...
*Sen hurried off to his room, just long enough to find a quill, an official parchment with his stamp, and his seal to place on the letter. He had to write quickly, as he had a lot to say, and he wanted to catch the messenger that was no doubt going out. It was to go to Raelun; his loyal second-in-command of the Storm, who would in turn pass it on to an old friend... The quill scratched rapidly across the surface of the parchment, detailing what had happened. A request for aid if it was necessary, but he hoped it would not be. He hesitated for a second, and in that time, a breeze blew in through his room, rattling the cupboard next to a window. It had been long since it had been opened... He put down his quill for a moment, and stepped over to it. Unlatching the door, he swung it open slowly, and what was inside gleamed sinisterly in the torchlight. A suit of black armor, a metal mesh with plates in all the right places formed it, stood as if worn on a wooden stand. The helm, a golden phoenix swooping to strike gilding the top, rested on top of it. It is time that his martial side stepped out of the shaddows once more... Yet not this second. He swung the doors shut, and locked them again, finished off his letter, sealed it, and walked briskly back out to the hall. Finding Eston, he walked over to him.*
So, is Hilam being sent as a messenger to Gondor?
*At Eston's confirmation, Sen handed the letter to Hilam.*
Here you go, Hilam. Make sure this gets to Raelun; he should be in the guards district. Go well; our faith goes with you.
*Sen turned at the urgent call of his wife, and took the message from her. His eyes slowly narrowed, and his mouth took a thin line, betraying the fury that was growing beneath. His free fist clenched, so hard his knuckles grew white. This troubled him greatly. He looked his wife in the eyes, and then looked down and away.*
I am so deeply sorry, my love. I must; I am called by my king, and I must answer that call. I will leave as many men as can be spared to guard you, along with my fastest messenger. If you are attacked, then do not hesitate to call for me. If I have done what I must, then I will return faster than the raven could fly... No one, not this userper, nor his armies will stand in my way. I love you, so very much, but I must answer the muster.

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

(Banner thanks to Imlosiel the Lost! )

Deawen flatered she wanted to say so many things to him. She looked at him and knew she could not pursaude him out of his thinking.
She felt like a young girl lost in the woods. "Sen..." she began but swallowed what she was going to say.
Eston stood nearby he knew what Deawen was thinking, and he suddenly feared for her life. " My lady, " he interveneed " I think it would be wise to send the children to your house in Gondor, they will be safe there away from battles." He knew if anything happened to Deawen's children she would shatter and they would have a time trying to bring her back from her darkness when they needed her most.

_________________
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

The ranger looked up and noticed Morwen with her weaponry on her back.
"As soon as the messages arrives, I imagine their response will be strong, but I do not know how grave the situation is."

Eston appeared next to Goldleaf and Thalabor with a young man in tow.
After listening to Eston, he responded with a bow of his head and said:

"Thank you Eston, your help was much needed."
Thalabor looked at the young man and eyed him with his grey eyes.
He put a hand on his shoulder and told the young man in Rohirric:
"Move swiftly young man, don't let anyone stop your movement through the land."
The rangers face looked in pain as he said these words, and handed a ring with a blue stone in it to the young messenger's hand.
"Take this ring to the Steward, he will know who this is to be handed to.
May Béma be with you during your journey."

Lord Sen joined them and handed a message to the young man.
Deawen appeared looking close to a mental breakdown as she handed a peace of paper to Lord Sen.

Sen's face made Thalabor increasingly worried what really had gone on in the Fold and Eastfold.
"Lord, who are these that attacks Eomer King?"

Thalabor caught Lady Deawen's increased distress and Eston's suggestion.
"I have a better suggestion, why not send them to Isengard? There they will find more safety than any other place in this region. Nothing can penetrate the great tower of Orthanc and the surrounding area is under Treebeard's and Gondor's protection. My brother is allready heading that way with his family."

(( :thumbsup: great posting guy and girls
Note: The ring is a gift from Golineth (his spouse).
Whenever Thalabor gets into war or into a battle, he will give the ring back to Golineth.
Inside the ring there is an inscription saying, "untill my safe return to you."))

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

" No, Eston is right if what this letter says is true which I believe it is, Rohan is not safe, If anything happens to three family's ahead of us in rank we are the only nobility with claim to the throne." she said sternly.

_________________
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 retook her place next to Deawen. Her heart froze when she heard the news of the userper and his plans to wipe out the nobility. She was aware of how ludicrous the order of succession was, that such obscure nobles as her husband were still in consideration. She also recognized the genious of this rebel's plan. "Deawen, if you send your children away, I pray you let my sons accompany them," she said into her ear, letting her know she was still behind her.

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

Deawen nodded to Morwen " Your children are welcome to join mine, I think ti would be best to send them together anyway." Deawen said to Morwen with a slight smile. " I never thought we would have to send the children away in my lifetime.) Deawen whispered.

_________________
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 listened silently as the others talked. Deawen had ran into the hall, clutching a letter in her hand and told Lord Sen that he must not answer the mustering of the Rohirrim. Goldleaf heard words about a userper... now this King Elessar would find troubling if he heard of it. What had begun as a celebration was fast turning into a panic; the hall was near empty as the Rohirrim began to prepare.
Her king would want her to go with the Rohirrim. But these words about the Westfolde being attacked by some userper... they were intruiging, and worrying. Goldleaf's fingers tapped against the silver hilt of her Gondorian broadsword as she turned thoughts over in her mind. The mustering was a direct order from Eomer King himself. King Elessar, as a fellow monarch, would heed that order as much more important than the risk of Westfolde being attacked.
Still she said nothing as Morwen and Deawen discussed where to send their children. Goldleaf was old enough to be a mother herself. Old enough to be married by now. But she had no family. And therefore she had a lot less to lose than the two other women.

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~~Siggy by Lembas~~

"Yes, nor I. I didn't see any chance of a Mustering, either," Morwen answered quietly. She nodded her head in deference before leaving the suddenly stifling air of the hall. Cocea appeared and asked, "Léodgebyrga, hwæt me don? (Lady, what do I do?)" Morwen answered simply, looking her in the eye squarely: "Belifan, ac ofstondan! (Stay, and remain standing!)"

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

(Hey guys, just to let you know, I'll be away for a week starting Saturday. Hope you don't get too far into the plot while I'm gone, hehe, but I shall try to catch up when I get back.)

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~~Siggy by Lembas~~

(I'm just moving things along a bit...)
*The next morning came sooner than Sen would have hoped, the sunrise casting an orange glow over his golden headpiece. The black armor fit just like before, just like he had worn it so long ago. He was silent as he put it on; his mind was troubled by the letter from last night, his heart in turmoil about his decision. Yet, it had to be done, and he finished donning his armor, taking up his longsword and two short swords and fastening his belt. He stepped outside of his home, and he hoped it was not for the last time. Flarenath, his horse and companion for longer than he wished to remember, was waiting for him, saddled by a dilligent stablehand. He stood in front of him, and whispered in his ear.* Flarenath, old friend. It's time to bring the both of us out of retirement. I have no doubt you will carry me through this... *Mounting the jet-black warhorse, Sen waited for the others, the golden phoenix helm tucked under his arm.*

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

(Banner thanks to Imlosiel the Lost! )

Ah the golden trendles of cloudless dawn broke the the starry skies, washing the world in a golden light. Deawen had not spent the night weeping as most wives would. She was too proud to cry. She had helped Sen with his armor, fastening the buckles and straps with deft hands. " Sen, " she whispered the first word she had spoken since the end of the feast. " You have to come back to me..." she looked up at him in the saddle. She placed one small hand over his gloved hand and smiled weakly. She envied him, he was able to answer the call when she was bade to stay home. It had always enraged her when men called women weak, if they only knew the battles that raged within them seeing their husbands ride off to war, or gave them the chance to fight they would not say that women were weak. A lioness defends her home with as much strength and valor as a Lion.

_________________
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

The morning came. It was time for the Rohirrim to take their leave under the command of Lord Sen. Goldleaf walked quietly so as not to wake anyone who might be asleep from the room that she had been given for the night. Her golden hair was twisted back from her face, for practical reasons. Silver Gondorian armor was strapped over her dress; she had never found it difficult to fight in women's clothing. Her broadsword, as usual, was strapped to the belt round her waist. She walked from the house through the great doors and headed towards the stables to get her horse. When she arrived, she found that her steed had been happy in her lodgings. She gently led her out, looking up at the early morning sky. She could see from afar Lady Deawen saying farewell to Lord Sen. Goldleaf walked a little slower, so as not to interrupt the moment.

_________________


~~Siggy by Lembas~~

Eston stood nearby with his horse. He wore no armor other than vambraces. He noticed Goldleaf come up behind him he bowed slightly but remained slightly aloof at first. He ran a quick hand through his short hair before speaking. " You are to ride with us?" He asked Goldleaf.

_________________
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 inclined her head with a small smile. "Indeed, I am," she replied. "King Elessar would wish me to go with the Rohirrim." She stroked the white mane of her horse and laughed slightly. "When first I set out for battle at the age of nineteen ten years ago, I had no steed to take me to war, and I accompanied no army. I was simply a girl setting out from the woods with a band of equally homeless travellers." Her gaze drifted to the horizon of the fields of Rohan, a distant look in her eyes. Then they went back to Eston, she smiled again, and gently pushed her horse onwards.

_________________


~~Siggy by Lembas~~

Eston remained on foot but walked along side Goldleaf's horse. Eston remianed silent, he did return the smile. He glanced at Deawen for a moment then turned to Goldleaf. " It is best if we stay here for the current moment." He understood the battle that raged inside Deawen as she bid farewell to her husband. No goodbye should be left unsaid.

_________________
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

Eston remained on foot but walked along side Goldleaf's horse. Eston remianed silent, he did return the smile. He glanced at Deawen for a moment then turned to Goldleaf. " It is best if we stay here for the current moment." He understood the battle that raged inside Deawen as she bid farewell to her husband. No goodbye should be left unsaid.

_________________
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