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Post by Imrel on Sept 1, 2003 6:22:22 GMT
To the Ranger Rhiannon Dragondaughter
Dearest Rhiannon
Many years ago, I remember that you and my daughter were friends, and that you each pledged to come to the other's aid if either of you so required it. I must ask, on my daughter's behalf, for your help. Please proceed to Lamendon, where I will be able to tell you more. If you are travelling with trusted company, they will be welcomed as well.
With regards,
Lord Calathen
With great care, he rolled the parchment, and held it with a quivering hand while he dabbed a cicle of wax over the place where the paper overlapped. The messenger he had called for knocked on the door as he was imprinting his crest onto the hot wax.
"Come in."
The door creaked open and a pale face peeked in. Calathen looked at the boy through shaded and weary eyes.
"M'lord?"
"I have an errand for you," he murmered, hauling himself to his feet and scooping up the rolled letter with a claw like hand. "A message to deliver to a Ranger by the name of Rhiannon Dragondaughter."
"A Ranger?" The boy looked skeptical. "Where might I find her?"
The lord shook his head impatiently. "I do not know. Search the Rangers' Camp at Rohan, the inns in the Shire, the forests of Mirkwood if you must. But I want this passed directly into her hands." He held out the parchment. The boy, knowing better than to question that tone of voice, took it and mumbled his assent before scurrying from the room.
Feeling suddenly tired once more, Calathen sank back into the chair at his desk. Trusted as the boy was, but he could not shake the underlying sense of worry. But no one could know. No one could know that he needed help; no one could know how uncertain he felt. How afraid he was of closing his eyes, because he knew the image he would see. Even now, he knew that the sheets in his daughter's room were still stained with blood, though the body had been long since removed and buried. And there was one more thing that no one could know, save the Ranger... That the pendant his daughter had always worn around her neck, that had belonged to her mother, had already vanished when she was found dead. And that it was this fact that scared him most of all.
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Post by Rhiannon on Sept 1, 2003 15:28:34 GMT
*Somewhere in the forests near Bree.
She had been out in the wilderness for weeks, exploring a remote part of the western woods of Minhiriath. But a few days ago she suddendly started to get a strange feeling of uneasiness, that something had happened. And that it involved a friend.
She hasn't slept the previous nights, almost running as fast as she can through the underwood. The nagging feeling has never stopped increasing, urging her on and on. Finally she passes the gate and walks into the town, right up to the Pony. Knowing that she must look awfully pale, tired and bruised by her rush through the forests, she slumps down at a table in the darkest corner of the inn. At least she would get something to eat now.
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Post by Imrel on Sept 1, 2003 18:21:00 GMT
*Bretha is about ready to fall asleep standing up. Of course, he'd go to the ends of Middle Earth for Lord Calathen... which is the price you pay for being reliable. After stabling his horse, he trudges wearily into the common room of the inn. His intention is to find somewhere to rest for the night, but while he's here he may as well see is this Dragondaughter person is anywhere near.
*Looking around for someone who works here, he spots a hobbit who appears to be waiting tables. He approaches him just as he is about to take the order of pale, weary looking young woman.*
Excuse me.
*He taps the hobbit lightly on the shoulder, nodding apologetically to the woman for interrupting, and lowers his voice.*
Would you happen to know anyone by the name of Rhiannon Dragondaughter?
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Post by Rhiannon on Sept 3, 2003 10:07:12 GMT
*She has barely manged to keep her eyes open while placing her order. Almost asleep, she suddendly hears someone asking for her. Opens her eyes again, dragging herself upright. A stranger is standing next to the table* Who wants to know?
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Post by Bretha Im on Sept 3, 2003 12:57:14 GMT
*Bretha looks taken aback at being adressed by the woman, and falters a little.*
Uh... Lord Calathen.
*He supposes that there is no harm in saying so; if she's a stranger she wouldn't recognize the name.*
Are you... Who are you?
*His hand, inside his shoulder bag, brushes the edge of the scrolled parchment.*
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Post by Rhiannon on Sept 5, 2003 14:35:18 GMT
*Jumps from her seat, gripping the man's collar. Hisses* If this is supposed to be joke, you've picked the wrong time! *Releases him* Er, I'm terribly sorry. I'm just having a hard time. Did you ever had the certain feeling that something has happened to someone you love although this person is far away? And now a messenger from a family I know - er, I'm Rhiannon, by the way. *Sits back again, even more exhausted* Please sit down.
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Post by Melian on Sept 6, 2003 0:00:27 GMT
*mel, riding her horse out from her home neer the sea on her way to Bree for suplys and groserys. she stops in a inn in one of the neer by forests to take a break from her traviling, and sits down in the commen room *
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Post by Imrel on Sept 7, 2003 2:52:33 GMT
*His eyes widen.*
You are the Ranger of which my lord spoke?
*From the corner of his eye he can see someone walk in, a woman with Elven grace, but he resists the urge to look at her, concentrating on the task at hand. He sits, perched on the edge of his seat. When he speaks, his voice becomes lowered and more urgeant.*
Forgive me, if I had known who you were then I would have shown more respect. Lord Calathen thinks most highly of you- he instructed that this be passed directly into your hands.
*Hands trembling a little, he gently slides the scroll from his pack and holds it out to her. The smooth red seal glimmers slightly in the latern light.*
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Post by Rhiannon on Sept 9, 2003 14:17:15 GMT
*Feels a lump of fear rising in her throat as she checks the seal. It's genuine and intact. Swallows and breaks it. Reads the message. Again. Looks up, fixing her eyes on the messenger. * What has happened?
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Post by ~Dernhelm~ on Sept 10, 2003 13:03:56 GMT
Cold, hungry and tired, Éowyn takes a seat by the fireplace and sips her mug of hot chocolate, glad to take a rest after being separated from the rest of the Rohirrim riders during the river crossing. Her horse Waterwhisp ran away in panic after the river had flooded and Éowyn had no choice but to go on foot and try to find a way to return home, or have some more adventures...
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Post by Imrel on Sept 11, 2003 3:30:02 GMT
*Bretha bites his lip, in his nervousness letting his eyes dart about the room; they rest for a second on the Elf he saw enter, the hobbit he had spoken to, and a golden haired maiden by the fireside. Finally his gaze returns to the Ranger.*
Events have occurred in Lamendon, that I am not to divulge on unfamiliar ground. I know not who may be listening. In the safety-
*His voice catches at the word, but he continues-*
-of my master's household, I'm sure you will learn all you need to know.
*He half rises awkwardly, his message delivered and his usefulness for the present worn. His mind strays to the warmth of a hot drink and a soft bed.*
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Post by Rhiannon on Sept 14, 2003 9:38:18 GMT
*Leans forward* I need to know now! This is as safe a place as you get nowadays. We can talk upstairs if you prefer. * Rises and heads for the counter to ask for a room for the night*
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Post by ~Dernhelm~ on Sept 14, 2003 15:13:54 GMT
Sipping her hot cocoa, Eowyn suddenly notices a familiar ranger go up the stairs with a companion.
Rhiannon! What brings her here? the shieldmaiden wonders, looking around the inn to see if any other familiar faces were around. And sure enough, Mel was...
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Post by Imrel on Sept 14, 2003 19:36:45 GMT
*Bretha hovers by the door uncertainly, clearly listening for any signs of life outside. He'd rather make his departure as soon as possible, but it seems this Ranger will not be satisfied until she has answers. Hearing nothing outside the room, he breaks the silence abruptly.*
The Lord's daughter was discovered dead mere days ago, stabbed in her chambers as she slept.
*He avoids Rhiannon's gaze, certain this news will upset her, but right now he has to worry about the wave of grief threatening to overtake him. The lady had been most dear to him; in fact he probably took her loss hardest, after her father. His eyes glitter with moisture, and he closes them quickly.*
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Post by Rhiannon on Sept 17, 2003 11:39:37 GMT
*Slumps down on her bed, her eyes filling with tears. * No. Please. Nooooooo *Swallows and fights back her tears, So many thoughts and memories swirling in her head, slowly mixing with total blackness. Manages to get up again, grabbing her backpack and her weapons with one hand. Pushes the messenger towards the door* Let's go. At once. There's no time to waste.
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