The Tower of Amon Sul

[Imrel]

*the four horses gather speed, going as quickly as their legs will carry them. firebird ceases fire, the better to spur rudi on.* how far are we from our destination, anyway? *has to call over the noise of pounding hooves.*

[Arwen]

Well we've just passed Weathertop and we're heading for the Hoarwell river.
*Is hanging on to Aragorn (she let him take the reins as guys usually want to do the steering ) He is making Asfaloth go faster then she would ever dare  
Watches the white landscape whizzing past and tries not to fall off.*

[Rad]

As Aragorn burst past a snow covered branch a thorn traced a thin red line across Arwen's cheek.In that instant her sight was filled with blue eyes gazing desperataly into her own. Eyes filled with pain, and a silent prayer.
In a moment the sensation passed.

Arwen did not see another pair of eyes among the icy branches.

A magpie gazed motionless upon the deadly scene with silent brown eyes.
The twisted forms bound towards their quarry with a ferocity born of true suffering. Their hearts were bare to those eyes.
Years of torture had twisted these minds into a blissard of agony.
They could smell the prey, taste the prey.
They burned with wanton bloodlust.
What intellect that remained was swallowed up by pure primal rage.
These creatures had relinquished their greatest gift.
Without the minds bestowed on them by a kind god, they were nothing but beasts.
And among the beasts and the birds there is no tolerance for darkness.
The magpie smiled with its eyes.
Pray you never see such a terrible sight.

[Rad]

ooc: Sorry, I just can't resist an oppertunity for a bit of melodrama!

[Imrel]

ooc: don't be sorry, that was very poetic.
note- i'm going back to writing in red because i miss it! if it interferes with the npcs or adds confusion, tell me and i'll use white.
*rudi gallops on, skidding a little on the wet off the snow, but keeping going nonetheless. is riding bareback and holding on by her knees and the flat of her palms at his neck. the wind whips her mated hair behind her and the rushing cold air stings her face. through squinted, watering eyes, can see the river coming closer.*

[Arwen]

OOC-Wow Radagast that was great! ;D

Firebird!
*Tries to shout but the wind takes her voice away*
Head for the Last Bridge!

*She knows that this is the only crossing point across the Mitheithel and she is filled with a sense of foreboding.
Since they started this frantic race to the river she could feel a presence, as though they were being watched. What if it was by the enemy? Would darkness be waiting for them at the bridge?

Looks over her shoulder. The uruk-hais must be far behind them. There is no sign of them. Nothing but a vast expanse of snow. In contrast the sky is black and brooding. Huge monstrous clouds are gathering on the horizon, swallowing up the land in a murky mist.*

There is a terrible storm heading are way!

*They negotiate a steep bank which leads down to the bridge.*

[Rhiannon]

*Rushes on alongside Gwendolin's horse as they make their way to the bridge. Looks up to the darkening sky as it starts to snow again.* Come on, Arian, faster! Good girl, you'll make it! Come on!

[Arwen]

*They reach the bridge. She is relieved to see there are no black figures waiting for them. The snow across the bridge is untouched, no one has travelled this way recently which is a small comfort.
They slow the horses down to cross safely over the three arches of the bridge.*

[Imrel]

*rudi steps gingerly onto the bridge, shuddering at the cold of the fresh snow. he walks briskly across, firebird on his back looking about them warily.* hang about... *there is a slight rustle, and then something more distinct; hard to know what exactly, but there is something close by. or is it just paranioa...
*not wanting to take any chances, nudges rudi to speed him up a little.  at halfway acrosss the bridge his nerves press in on him; he breaks into a canter, then a gallop. he runs headlong into a sheer drift on snow, plunging fire head first over him. he struggles, panicking, in the snow, then finally jumps clear of it and, petrifies, gallops away.*
rudi, wait! wait! come back, come here! *scrambles to her feet and takes persuit before he can get too far ahead. bashes through the snow, quickly lifting her legs high enough so she can run faster.*

[Arwen]

*Sees Firebird fall off.*

Aragorn, quickly, go after Rudi before he gets away!

*Asfaloth sets off in pursuit. As they rush past, she shouts back to Firebird*

Are you alright?

*Sees Firebird is on her feet and running, so she must be.

Rudi is galloping ahead of them. Having no rider to slow him down he is harder to catch. Looks over her shoulder to see the others disappearing in to distance*

I don't think we should get separated from the others!

*The snow is starting to fall heavily again, obstructing their view. The landscape changes around them. The hills become steeper and they pass several ruined towers. The land seems threatening and unfriendly. They are in troll country.

Sees Rudi disappear into the dark woods of Trollshaws.*

[Angelo]

*Wakes up in a cabin bruised and scratched all over.I get up on my elbows.A man quickly says,'Don't move!'I slump back down.*"What were you doing out there,eh?You could've gotten yourself killed.But luckily you sang."*I wrinkle my brow in puzzlement.*"I sang what!?!" "The song about Tom Bobadillo!"He said."You're Tom Bombadillo!?"The man smiles."No I 'm just playing with you." "What happened to me?"I ask."Seems you had a long blackout.You got robbed and I found you in a thorn bush."

[Arwen]

( Angelo, you need to try and get to Rivendell as quickly as possible. We'll all meet you there.)

[Rhiannon]

*Sees that Firebird is in trouble and Arwen and Aragorn in pursuit of Rudi. Stops after crossing the bridge to wait for them to return.*

[Imrel]

rudi, no! it's not safe- *trips over something, most likely a particularly high snow drift. raises her head, spitting out snow.* this isn't good. *gets up again and staggers after rudi again. is rather stiff, but the softness of the snow made the fall easier than it could've been.*

[Arwen]

*They follow Rudi's tracks into Trollshaws. Very quickly the trees become dense, blocking out the light.
She feels a certain amount of intrepidation, unaware that her fingers are digging into Aragorn's arm.
She knows there are trolls living in these woods. Travellers have ben known to go missing in these parts. But they can't leave Firebird's horse.
Quietly they make their way deeper into Trollshaws.*