The Lingering Darkness Planning/Discussion Thread

[Ealasaide]

Ah, marvelous, Everdawn! Welcome back! I'm so glad you will be able to handle Ferny's exit for us. Good deal. :D

Avanill's evil-tempered horse...haha! Hilde, you're too funny!:)

[Everdawn]

Thats funny you should say that, i bassed Avanill's evil horse on The Brolga, which is the one i was riding. Never again! That horse has it in for me i swear.

Question, do you guys have anything in particular that you want me to take care of with Ferney?

[Ealasaide]

As far as I know, you have free rein to do with Ferny whatever you think he would do under the circumstances. Run with it!

[piosenniel]

Everdawn

I like how you've written this:

<< Cursing he returned to the beaten track and continued on his way, groggily swaying as he walked.The things im gonna do to that runt when I come across him he cursed inwardly falling down into one great heap and struggling to make his way upright once more. “I'll kill him!” he shouted. >>

Good characterization!

~*~ Pio, the lurking lingering darkness fan gurl

[Ealasaide]

I have to say I agree with Pio! Great stuff, Everdawn!

[Nerindel]

EEK! poor Toby!

Great stuff Everdawn, just loving it. :D

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Ah, this is getting rather fun! :)

How are we on the orc front? Should Avanill and Rauthain reach the stair before the tide turns? Might be nice to have them experience a flood of reteating orcs before they get there, but I don't know if that suits everyone's plans.

[Ealasaide]

Suits me!:D

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Another question. Would this same fleeing of the orcs have any bearing on Naiore's situation. Is she she beginning to have thoughts of flight away from the orcs herself? Or is she well disgusted by this point? We haven't really done anything to show her viewpoint and I do not know how close to Imladris she intends to get, but she will at some point have to cross the Misty Mountains, or go through them, to get to Gladden Fields. Anybody have thoughts on the situation?

I guess my question is two fold:

1. Is this the place to enact the separation of Naiore from her orcs?

2. Will Naiore be crossing the mountains by way of Imladris?

[Ealasaide]

Nerindel - as our resident Elf-Meister, I think I will defer to you as far as the answers to Hilde's questions. If you aren't sure or would rather put these issues up for general discussion, please feel free to do so!

Also, I was wondering if I should be working on a post. I was waiting for you to post to see if I should be still fighting or bringing my group into Imladris or what. Please let me know (via PM, if you like) what your immediate plans are for the battle at the ford. Thanks! :D

[Nerindel]

Hilde 1. With the battle going awry, Naiore abandons her allies whom she detests. She flees as best she can and hides somewere in the vacinity of Imladris, waiting for Vanwe's return.

2. When Vanwe fails to return, Naiore will take flight into the mountains.

On that lonely outpost a dark sentinel stood, slender and clad in black mail, her two curved scimitars flashing red and her hair golden in the sun. She stood for a moment, silent and regal, coldly observing the bloodshed below before quickly vanishing again under the cover of the woods.

Fantastic, I believe you captured her character just beautifully! :D Just one thing is it not still night?

Ealasaide Amandur and Fintar are heading your way, Amandur does not realise the elf encircled rider is Dulrain, but when he does he will demand to know what happened, this is were I see him taking charge, He will be given charge of the handful of elves that encircle Dulrain, one of which he will send ahead, to advise the healers that they have incoming wounded, then with the others he will lead them to the safety of Imladris, he will be determined not to loss another of his kin this day.

At this point most of the orcs are retreating, but there will still be a few to content with.

What about Kaldir how will the appearance of Naiore have affected him? Amandur has seen her but has realised that in his current condition he would only be running to his death if he pursued her, so he has taken the counsell of his elven friend and let her go for the moment.

If Kaldir was to be physically affected by Naiores presence then the elves could also counsell him that some healing could be found in Rivendell?

Real life commitments have been keeping me pretty busy of late, but I now have a few days off work, so hopefully I can find some time to catch up, thanks for being so patient.

:)

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Good heavens! :p I have been writing as though day has dawned for a few posts now. I will have to look back to see where that idea come from, though at the moment I have to get myself off to work! Does it mess things up terribly for you?

[Ealasaide]

Thanks, Nerindel - sounds great! I will try to get a quick post up for Kaldir today that shows his state of mind with Naiore so near. Hopefully that will give you something to work off of.

Yes, Naiore's presence is affecting him badly. It's hard to describe here in so many words, but I will try to show it in my post. Thanks for your patience, too! :)

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Well after a cursory look see, the time change must have come from me (Rauthain 2-11). I do remember pondering whether it was still night but unfortunately don't remember why I went for day, other than the distances traveled etc., (and it is so darn hard to see at night :D ).

Nerindel - Please let me know if a revision is needed, though I sincerely hope not, as it will throw me for a real loop if I try to revise it altogether correctly. Too much looking and seeing going on for night.

[Everdawn]

Yeah, I thought it was day... ooopise daisy. I dont actually think I have referred to the time of day lately, but I will check and change, there shouldnt be any problem with that.

[Nerindel]

Don't worry about it hilde I'm sure it will work it's self out. ;)

I tried to write a singular post for lespheria covering both Vanwe and Menecin but it didn't work out, so I have put up a post for Vanwe, it is pasted to lespheria's post dated 01-21-2004 02:03 AM and I should have a post up for Menecin sometime tomorrow.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Much obliged Miss Nerindel, thank you! I will look for the new post. :) (Edit: And a very nice one it was too! Felt very true to character!)

[Ealasaide]

Hi, everyone!
Sorry I never placed that post I was talking about last week... lots of personal problems this week tha left me unable to write. Hopefully I can get to it now. Thanks for your patience!

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

...he watched Lespheria help Vanwe to her feet, the concern etched on her face and the care with which she helped, for an instant he thought he was looking on Naiore and Valindon, before..... he stopped suddenly in his thoughts as the young elf lifted her head and he found himself looking back into his own eyes. Clear and deep yet filled with so much pain and confusion, that it pulled at his fragile heart and the urge to hold her and tell her that it would be all right grew within him...

Again, very nice, how you are tying in the earlier posts Nerindel. Bravo.

Actually Ealasaide, it has been nice to have a bit of a breather! :p I still am amazed how everyone can be writing for multiple stories. It does not seem easy to keep on top things!

[Everdawn]

Holy Dooley! Kaldir! Run away! Run Away!

I do not envy his position at the moment. Oh and im going to make a decent man out of Avanill methinks. Meanign he is going to join he allies and do somethign right for once in his life. How's that sound?

[Ealasaide]

Sounds good to me! I'll be looking forward to seeing how it unfolds.:)

Also...just to clarify... most of my last post is flashback. :D Kaldir's been wounded by the orc and collapsed on the battlefield, but the rest involving Naiore is all stuff that happened to him back in Mordor.

[piosenniel]

Without giving thought to herself or her charges, the hobbit left the pack pony and the safety of the procession to Imladris, rushing headlong into the fray. Dodging this way and that to avoid the sparring enemies, she reached her former captor’s side, just as an orc raised his blade to finish him off, as if some wounded animal were left on the field. Enraged, Gilly ran thrusting the point of Dúlrain’s sword between the lacings of the creature’s leather armor, shouting, “His life is his own, and neither you nor your mistress will have it of him!”

Stout-hearted little mistress! Well done!

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Thanks Pio. We aims to please! :D

[Ealasaide]

Thanks for the rescue, Hilde! We be much obliged!:D

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Any time Ealasaide! Now I'm curious if Avanill will notice Rauthain is a bit preoccupied, and what come of it. Subtle hint, eh? ;)

[Everdawn]

... Sure, *subtle agreement*... IM in the process of a post, not to worry, it will be up soon.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

No problem Everdawn...just got my interest piqued with the possibility of Avanill's change of heart. Ah the suspense of it!

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Ah Nerindel! That was marvelous! I couldn't help but laugh when Toby saw Rauthain. Had been considering how that reunion might go myself. :D

[Ealasaide]

Hey, I know we agreed not to use saves... :p but exceptions can be made! I'll do my best to fill it quickly.

[piosenniel]

I'll be gone until late next week. Can everyone who does a post please put the name of their character in bold at the top of each of their posts.

Please don't use the "Post Subject" space for your character's name - put it between the "b" and "/b" (each inside the [ ]'s of course) instead - makes one less thing I have to do as I'm editing.

Thanks!

~*~ Pio

[Everdawn]

Ok, sorry I have not replyed this week, exams... hectic, physio- horrible..., anyway.

I will have a post for both Avanill and Barorld up by this afternoon.

---Does this mean that Toby has seen Avanill?

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Pio? I was wondering if any of the material from The Green Dragon will be included in your editing? It might be nice to have a few of the more important sequences between Lespheria, Vanwe, Benia, Hanasian(Silvanis) & Kaldir in there. They contribute so much to the background feeling at the onset.

Everdawn - From my prospective it would seem that Toby hasn't caught sight of Avanill ...yet! Please correct me if I am mistaken Nerindel.

[piosenniel]

My editing isn't going to be that extensive (each page on the Barrow Downs runs 40 posts - so it's a lot to go over) - I will mainly be posting directly from the game with the posts labeled by character and spruced up for spelling, punctuation . . . little things like that.

That game does start with the 'Prologue' - If any of you want to pull out posts from the old Inn thread and go through them so they fit in, I'd be happy to put them in.

You can post them here if you do decide you want to do that.

As I said I will be gone for most of this coming week - so I won't start anything up on the Fan Fic site until next weekend at the earliest.

~*~ Pio

[Everdawn]

Have fun Pio!

Everdawn - From my prospective it would seem that Toby hasn't caught sight of Avanill ...yet! Please correct me if I am mistaken Nerindel.

--When he does poor Toby is going to think he is going mad. hmmm, V. interesting.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Yes, that would be a lot to go over! What are your view's on pulling stuff off the Green Dragon thread for a prologue Ealasaide & Nerindel? Does it seem worth while? Or perhaps too overwhelming? :p

Have fun Pio!
I second that!

[Ealasaide]

Pulling stuff from the Dragon would be a massive undertaking which would involve some pretty serious editing. I'm feeling divided on the subject mostly because I think Hilde has an excellent point in that the early posts do set the stage for the coming action. On the other hand, there is also a lot of meandering around that goes on in the early posts that has everything to do with the Green Dragon and very little to do with our storyline.

I recently printed hard copies of the Green Dragon posts that lead into LD & the stack of paper looks like a phone directory for a fairly good-sized city. I also re-read most of it & found that while there is a lot of important material in those posts, there is an almost equal amount that is completely irrelevent.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Yes, I been going through quite a bit this morning and agree that unfortunately, it is not practical. :(

Ah well, so much for wishful thinking!

What does need to be addressed however is how we are to deal with the character of Naiore. It seems important that we at least have a few key posts scattered through the rest of the story that help explain her view of events and her change of direction. Is that agreed? Does anyone have suggestions?

[Nerindel]

Yes I agree, Most of Léspheria's posts are equally filled with irrelevent information, and it would be a laborious task to try and piece together the relevent information.

I have just put up a post for Naiore, I hope I have captured her in the correct light. Also I am going to have to ask if anyone is willing to help out with Elora's complex Characters, It is proving increasingly difficult to find time to write for her characters as well as my own. :(



--When he does poor Toby is going to think he is going mad. hmmm, V. interesting.

Or filled with terrified suspicion!:p

[Ealasaide]

Yes, I had thought you were a bit overloaded, Nerindel. Hilde has expressed an interest in helping out with Elora's characters. I am willing to give it a shot as well. Should we re-assign them amongst the four of us? (Everdawn has already got Barrold.) Or shall we just carry them as NCE's and just throw in posts where they are needed.

Any thoughts or preferences? I am inclined to re-assign them, with each of us taking charge of one, i.e. Hilde takes Naiore; Everdawn continues with Barrold; I take over Vanwe; and Nerindel handles Menecin. Or something along those lines.

Does that work for everyone?

My only reasoning for having Hilde handle Naiore rather than Nerindel is so that we can maintain an "adversarial" relationship between Amandur/Lespheria and Naiore through to the end of the story. It's kind of difficult when you are stuck writing a life & death struggle against yourself.

BTW... that's a great Naiore post Nerindel! Very much as Elora might have handled it.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Ealasaide - After reading Nerindel post this morning I had PM'd her about my taking up Menecin, rather than Naiore, but I am game for whatever. I did express that I do not think I could pull off Vanwe though.

I agree to reassigning the characters, as the feel of them might wind up distractingly uneven as NCE's especially with me in the mix!:p

[Ealasaide]

Nerindel - then I guess that leaves the final decision up to you!:) If you are game, then we will re-assign Elora's characters:

I will take Vanwe. Everdawn will continue with Barrold. I will leave it up to you and Hilde to decide who takes Naiore and who takes Menecin. While your post for Naiore was superb, I still think that it would be more challenging and interesting for you (& your characters!) if someone other than yourself were handling Naiore for the final stages of the story.

BUT...that's just my opinion.:p :D I will go along with whatever you and Hilde decide between the two of you. I feel that either one of you would do an excellent job with either character.

[Everdawn]

(Everdawn has already got Barrold.)

Yes, and im still deciding what I shall do with him :rolleyes: .

Oh yes, nice post Nerindel, I actually felt scared for Avanill.

[Ealasaide]

I've finally posted with Kaldir, placing my post at the end of thread, where it belongs & deleted my "save" (unneeded.) Sorry for the delay!

[Everdawn]

no worries.

EDIT: You dont mind if I have Toby seeing Avanill do you, in my nest post?

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

It is OK by me. I won't probably get a chance to start writing again until tomorrow.

[Ealasaide]

oh, yikes! I thought that Toby had already seen Avanill. In my post, I mentioned in passing that Avanill had engaged Toby in "a brief conversation."

Do I need to do an edit? Please let me know if I need to change that. Thanks!

[Nerindel]

Thanks everyone! :D

Ealasaide If you don't mind I would prefer to handle Vanwe. she will feature in much of Lespheria's upcoming post's as their friendship develops and she shows Vanwe her potential.

As I have told Hilde in pm, I have had problems writing the part of Menecin, I'm not to good at putting into words the whole unstable mind part of this characters personality. :( But I also agree that it would be better if someone else wrote Naiores character.

Perhaps Hilde could take Menecin and you could take Naiore?

You dont mind if I have Toby seeing Avanill do you, in my nest post?

Not at all Everdawn.

[Everdawn]

oh, yikes! I thought that Toby had already seen Avanill. In my post, I mentioned in passing that Avanill had engaged Toby in "a brief conversation."

Nope thats cool, I can work with that!;)

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Ball's back in your court Ealasaide! ;) I'm hoping you pick Naiore though I know you'd do a great Menecin.

If I end up with the lady herself, I request that you all try to help me stay on track. At this point I have little understanding of why she is concerned "Menecin is using Vanwe", and also tend to see her heading toward Gladden Fields en route to the east, where she could gather strength or hide. I know that she is supposed to feel "dangerously bleak" which I read as desperate but I suspect Elora might have been eluding to a crisis of sorts. Or was she heading for Lothlorien? I do not remember the significance other than Gladden Fields was some sort of beginning and end. Was this discussed in the planning thread? Or a discussion thread?

[Ealasaide]

Sure, I can take Naiore. The only reason I had chosen Vanwe for myself is that she seemed to me to be the most logical choice. At the time I came to that conclusion, you & Hilde seemed to be covering Naiore pretty well. As for Menecin... I am already writing one guy whose oars don't always reach all the way into the water (Kaldir). If I started with another, I was worried that the two of them might start sounding too much alike. We can't have that!:p

So... here's what we will do:
Ealasaide - Naiore
Nerindel - Vanwe
Hilde - Menecin
Everdawn - Barrold

If we are all in agreement... let's carry on! :D

(Nerindel - could you please PM me any material you have from Elora about her plans for Naiore. I have a feeling I am going to need it!)

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Bless your heart Ealasaide! I feel much more comfortable with Menecin since he has been less developed and given my short memory and long ramblings.

[Nerindel]

Thanks Ealasaide I will try to get that stuff to you ASAP. :)

[Ealasaide]

Nerindel - I got your PM. Many, many thanks! That will be very helpful.

[Ealasaide]

I don't know if anyone has been looking at the outline lately - it gets very vague from here on out - but, in case anyone is, I wanted to announce a change of plan. In Act 5 of the outline, I say that Kaldir does not enter Imladris. OOPS!

He DOES enter Imladris with the others.

[piosenniel]

Please take a look at the list below and let me know if there are any changes needed: :D
_______________________________________________

CHARACTERS --------- WRITERS



Amandur ---------------- Nerindel

Avanill ------------------- Everdawn

Barrold Ferny ---------- Elora(first part of story); Everdawn(latter part)

Benia -------------------- Ealasaide

Dulrain ------------------ Nerindel

Gilly ---------------------- Hilde Bracegirdle

Hanasian --------------- Snowdog

Kaldir -------------------- Ealasaide

Lespheria -------------- Nerindel

Maethor ---------------- Imladris

Menecin ----------------- Elora(first part of story); Nerindel, Hilde(latter part)

Naiore ------------------- Elora(first part of story); Nerindel, Ealasaide(latter part)

Rauthain ---------------- Hilde Bracegirdle

Toby Longholes ------- Nerindel

Vanwe ----------------- Elora(first part of story); Nerindel(latter part)

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Pio - Nerindel has also posted for Menecin. :p (Welcome back :) )

[piosenniel]

OK - I put Nerindel on with Menecin also. :)

Anyone see anything else? :D

Nice to be back! :smokin:

~*~ Pio

[Nerindel]

Pio I also wrote a post for Naiore.

[piosenniel]

Alrighty, then . . . other changes?

~*~ Pio

[Ealasaide]

Welcome back, Pio! Your list looks very complete to me.

[Nerindel]

Hey Hilde looks like we posted at the same time, I moved my post to go after yours as the battle is now over for Amandur and the clear up has begun, perhaps he could bump into Rauthian?

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Sure, that sounds good to me. I was wondering what had become of Amandur in this mess! I'll have to go read now. :)

Everdawn ? Are you still planning to have that conversation between Toby and Avanill?

[Everdawn]

Everdawn ? Are you still planning to have that conversation between Toby and Avanill?
Yeah, i meant to have it up sooner but ive been under a heap of stress this week. Should have it up soon dont fear.. Should I put a save up?

[Nerindel]

oops I've just put up a post for Toby. :eek:

Everdawn Let me know if anything needs changed.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Beautiful post Nerindel ! Oh Toby! You have been a scallywag haven't you! Poor Gilly at this point doesn't realize what he has done. A lot for this hobbit to ponder....

Everdawn if you want to place your post before mine we could put it there too. Never fear, cut and paste is a wonderful thing!

[Ealasaide]

Ummm... not having gotten any responses from anyone, I am wondering if you guys got the rough outline (for certain upcoming events) that I sent to you via PM. ???

In order to preserve the element of surprise for anyone following along, I have decided not to post it on the Discussion Thread, but it would be nice to know whether or not it meets the approval of my colleagues... :)

[piosenniel]

*sends in her shady, nefarious mole with instructions to ferret out the rough outline

Certain upcoming events, eh?

*drums fingers impatiently on the table

~*~ Pio, the one who usually flips to the last chapter of a book to see if she wants to keep reading . . . ;)

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Oh, I see you have caught Pio's attention Ealasaide! Stay tuned dear moderator! You wouldn't want us to spoil the fun, would you? :eek: Meanwhile I for one will be on the watch for pesky moles.
Yes, I found the outline was quite helpful Ealasaide, thanks for taking the trouble to organize it!

[Ealasaide]

OOPS! heh-heh.. sorry, Pio!

But an artist does like to play to her audience and, unfortunately, as far as I can see, you're it! :D

(You have a Mole?! And a shady and a nefarious one at that... hmmm... Maybe I should have used e-mail instead of the PM system. :p ;) )

[Nerindel]

At last I managed to find time to finish Léspheria and Dúlrains posts! :rolleyes: Sorry to keep you all waiting.

Is there anyone else waiting for a reply from any of my characters or are we ready to continue?

Thanks for your patience
~Nerindel :D

[piosenniel]

He felt cold and his body shivered violently, despair crept into his heart. If he could not hold her and let her know that he would protect her until the end of their days, professing his undying love, perhaps it would be better for all if he died here and now. For he could not deny his brother this chance of happiness. He saw how the woman affected Kaldir drawing out the poisons of Naiore, to reveal the ranger he once was. He loved them both and that love so deep and unyielding pulled at his heart.

Elven words like song filled his head and he no longer heeded his pain and despair, the sound like calming waters soothed and calmed his restless mind, blanketing all conscious thought and letting him drift into pleasant dreams of golden glades and silver voices raised in light and merry song and laughter.

Ack! For a brief moment I thought he would be dead by the end of the last paragraph . . .

[Nerindel]

oh no, not dead.

Ealasaide would kill me if I allowed him to die now. ;) :p

His physical wound is not that bad, but his emotional one is! :D

[Ealasaide]

Great posts, Nerindel.

Yes... I'm afraid Ealasaide would have to kill you if Dulrain were to die here... ;) :D

[Everdawn]

Ahgh! I am so determined to have a post for Barrold up asap. I dont know why its taken me so long to think! But im on holidays now so I can devote most of my time to this. :)

[Ealasaide]

Sorry if I have been holding things up. I've been sick all week with a bad case of the flu. I'll try to have something up for Benia today or tomorrow at the latest. :)

[Ealasaide]

Okay... post is up!

OOPS! Post is NOT up... I've decided to rework it a little bit. I will have it back up again soon.

[Ealasaide]

Okay... NOW my post is up. Sorry for any confusion! :D

[piosenniel]

Hi! :D

I have begun transferring over The Lingering Darkness to the fan-fic site. You can view it HERE (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=25&t=000015&p=1#000014) .

[piosenniel]

There is also a ‘Reviews’ Thread HERE (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=27&t=000056) .

[piosenniel]

And if you wish, each of you can write a post on the ‘Authors’ Thread telling a little about yourself HERE (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=28&t=000027&p=1#000000) .

It will take quite a while to get the bulk of the storyline transferred, so be patient.

~*~ Pio

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Couldn't get the first post box about this to accept 3 hyperlinks - that's why it's split into 3 posts.)

[Ealasaide]

Will we still have a discussion thread?

[piosenniel]

Ealasaide

I'm not sure what you are asking - but hopefully this is it:

The RPG and its Discussion Thread will remain here on this Barrow Downs' site. I need you to finish the writing here - not on the Fan-fic site.

I have copied all the posts up to your most recent one to floppy - those are the posts I edit for spelling and grammar to put onto the Fan-fic site.

So far, I've gotten the entire first page of the RPG posted to the Fan-fic site, and will start the second page soon.

So just keep writing and discussing here; the Fan-fic site will have the story separated into 'chapters' by the Character-involved's name.

At the Fan-fic site, readers can put their reviews onto The Lingering Darkness Review thread - and you can all say thanks or make a few comments in response to them (though and ongoing, involved chatty dialog between a reader who's given a comment and writers is discouraged - and is best taken to PM).

There is also an Authors' thread, where each of you writers, if you wish, can introduce yourself a little further and talk about why you like to write, etc. No discussion is allowed on this particular thread (It's sort of like the back-flap of the dustjacket of a book where you get a little blurb about the author.)

----------------------------

Once the RPG is completed, it and the Discussion Thread and Planning Thread will ALL be moved to Elvenhome.

Howz zat! Did I cover your concerns?

~*~ Pio :)

[Ealasaide]

AHA! :D

That answers all of my questions beautifully! I had no idea how it would work, whether we would be writing on the FANFIC site or what. Thanks very much for the clarification!!!!!

[Ealasaide]

Nerindel -

As expected the ranger regained consciousness and screamed out in pain, but she pressed on ignoring his cries

Oh...I don't think Benia's going to sit still for this!

[Nerindel]

Ealasaide

I didn't think she would thats why I stopped were I did, not sure if you would want to post a reply for her or not, but please let me know as I am currently preparing a post for Vanwe that will conclude their healing of the ranger, but I will not be able to finish it today, so there is no immediate hurry.

[Ealasaide]

Yes, I would like to post with Benia! Thanks for asking. :) I will try to be quick about it.

[piosenniel]

Just to let you know, I've gotten through Page 5 of the RPG posted to the Fan-fic site and will start on Page 6 tomorrow . . . :D

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Many thanks for all your hard work Miss Pio!

Nerindel and Everdawn, I do apologize for being to late in getting a post together for Rauthain, but it is in the works. I hope to have it up in the next day or so.

Great Post Ealasaide! Quite beautiful.

[Ealasaide]

Thanks, Hilde! :D

Also, thanks, Pio, for all of your effort in transferring us to the FanFic Site. This is exciting!

[Everdawn]

Many thanks for all your hard work Miss Pio!

Nerindel and Everdawn, I do apologize for being to late in getting a post together for Rauthain, but it is in the works. I hope to have it up in the next day or so.

Great Post Ealasaide! Quite beautiful.

MEE TOO! Im sorry! I have been stuck with Barrold but im in the process of thinking and jotting, and thinking and jotting.

YEAH THANKS PIO!

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Ok, Rauthain's post is now up.

Everdawn & Nerindel I hope that it passes muster with you. It most likely would have better to have a short post so that we could interact more, but how to go about it mystified me! Let me know if I need to change or omit anything.

Nerindel I tried to leave it so that Amandur could see Rauthain is leaning in favor of taking Avanill along on the onward journey. I also hope that it was alright to leave Toby with the unknown rangers, please let me know if it interferes with what you had planned for him, and thanks.

[piosenniel]

The Fanfic is now current to the post by Hilde (#240 for Rauthain). :D

~*~ Pio

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Kudos and job well done oh fearless moderator!

[Nerindel]

great post Hilde, I was hoping that Toby would stay with Gilly, but thats ok. I'm sure he'll find her again. :D

Everdawn, So Avanill is still going to lie, trying and worm his way out of trouble is he! :p

one other thing I believe Hilde already had Amandur sheath his sword, so it is no longer in his hand.

"What help can you be, except to provide a sharp knife when dispatching us in our sleep! We have enough to mind, without you on the trail." Amandur said sheathing his sword.

[Everdawn]

great post Hilde, I was hoping that Toby would stay with Gilly, but thats ok. I'm sure he'll find her again. :D

Everdawn, So Avanill is still going to lie, trying and worm his way out of trouble is he! :p

one other thing I believe Hilde already had Amandur sheath his sword, so it is no longer in his hand.


Right! How embarrassing, will change.

Avanill's right you know. "You aint got no evidence punk!" :p

He really does want to help you know.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Nerindel How close are you to writing for Toby? I have an idea on how to get Gilly back in his proximity if you like for me to. :)

[Nerindel]

Hilde, I have to write for Vanwe, Lespheria and Amandur, before I can even consider writing anything for Toby, so be my guest and go right ahead with your plan.

Everdawn,

Avanill's right you know. "You aint got no evidence punk!"

Your quite right but as you have quite correctly guessed that does not matter to Amandur, the fact that you where there is enough to warrent his suspicion, he will not trust him, until such time that he proves that he is from how did he put it ... good stock. Plus I think you are forgetting one very important detail, which Avanill has now all but handed to Amandur on a silver platter, something that the rangers were not aware of untill now and something that Amandur will not hesitate to use against him. He knows something that the other rangers do not. ;) :p

Don't worry he will get to help and to prove himself, but he should becareful who he chooses to cross, Amandur's patience grows dangeriously thin and there is not telling how he will react if he finds his suspicions to be true.

[Everdawn]

I think I intended something like that. Poor Avanill.. :D

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

He knows something that the other rangers do not.

Now what is that I wonder?

[Everdawn]

"Avanill, I am your father!"

lol! Just came to me in a moment of madness, lol! :D

[Ealasaide]

"Avanill, I am your father!"

Ooh... Amandur... you got some 'splaining to do! ;)

[Nerindel]

lol, eek! the image of cate blanchette as galadriel in the fotr movie were she does the spooky dark queen bit, suddenly sprung to mind! oh low betide the man who incurs the wrath of the elven maiden fair.

Anyway back to business ;)
Hilde I have just edited a post for Vanwe onto my last post for Lespheria, so that she is in the halls of healing before the encounter with Anvanill takes place. let me know if you need anything changed for Menecin.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I will look for Vanwe’s post presently, and glad to hear of it. I was thinking my age was catching up with me, and had planned to hunker down and see if I missed how Vanwe got to those halls. This news mades me feel a lot less addle brained, especially on a Friday. :p :D

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Pio? Is it possible to correct mistakes after they have been transfered to the fanfic site? I feel rather like an school child asking this, but I noticed a couple annoying mistakes in Gilly's last post (#236).

[Nerindel]

I was thinking my age was catching up with me, and had planned to hunker down and see if I missed how Vanwe got to those halls.

Sorry about that Hilde. :o

Léspheria and Vanwe have now done all they can for the ranger, and he is sleeping peacefully. Lespheria is still concerned that Benia may catch a chill if she remains any longer in her wet things. :(

Ealasaide I was hoping it would take Naiore a few days to get into place, allowing Dulrain to regain enough strength for the events ahead, please let me know if this is possible.

[Ealasaide]

Nerindel - that's fine! There's also a lot of stuff that needs to happen with Kaldir in Imladris, so the delay works well for me. I was just starting to work on a post for Naiore, though, and will keep the timing of everything in mind. :)

[piosenniel]

Pio? Is it possible to correct mistakes after they have been transfered to the fanfic site? I feel rather like an school child asking this, but I noticed a couple annoying mistakes in Gilly's last post (#236).

You can correct the mistakes on this game - then let me know here on the discussion thread that you've done so and tell me where it goes on the fanfic thread (give me the date and time posted from the postbox on the fanfic thread).

Like this:

I edited post #236. It should replace the fanfic post dated: etc, etc.

I'll exchange the edited post for the 'old' one then.

Sound ok? :)

~*~ Pio

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Many thanks Pio, it sounds wonderful! And to put it to immediate use...

I have fixed Gilly's post #236 page 6 to replace Gilly's post of April 21 on the fanfic page 7 (sixth from the bottom), with apologies and gratitude.

Your humbly,
Hilde :D

Nerindel - No problem at all, quite honestly!

And since I am adding so many names in bold type here... Hi Ealasaide & Everdawn! May your pens never run out of ink and you computers never catch a virus!

[piosenniel]

Hilde

The edited post has been put in place. :)

Everyone

If you do need to have me replace a post on the fanfic site:

Edit the post on the game, then tell me what # post you edited and where on the Fanfic site's story you want it to go (Give me the Character's Name; the date of the fanfic post that needs to be changed; and the time that post was put on the fanfic.)

For example: the post that Hilde wanted changed was:

Gilly - April 21, 2004 07:30 PM - Date and Time are found above each post box on the fanfic site.

The reason I need the time is that many of the posts to the fanfic site were done in a series on the same day.

Thanks!

~*~ Pio :D

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Many thanks! :)

[piosenniel]

~*~ On Saturday May 1st through Monday May 3rd, the Inn thread will be closed to posting. ~*~

A special thread will be opened in the Shire to celebrate the 4th Birthday of the Barrow-Downs' site.

We're hoping you will all come to the party and enjoy yourselves there. :D

------------------------------

Your Invitation: :D

~*~

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BARROW-DOWNS!

On May 1, 2004, the forums at the Barrow-Downs reach the ripe (and I do mean ripe!) old age of FOUR! While the site itself is a bit older, the fourth anniversary of the opening of the forums is a cause to CELEBRATE!!!!! Therefore, we will have a PARTY in the Shire to celebrate the fourth birthday (uh, deathday?) of the Barrow-Downs forums and all members are invited!!!!!

PLACE: The Party Field in Hobbiton (located in the Shire Forum).

TIME: Saturday, May 1, 2004 beginning at 9:00 a.m. Pacific time through late Monday night, May 3, 2004.

DRESS: Middle Earth Wear – formal, if you wish, or just plain comfortable.

There will be an open bar, entertainment, and meals will be served buffet style.

COME CELEBRATE THE BARROW-DOWNS, AND PAY YOUR RESPECTS TO THE WIGHT!

(ANYONE TRYING TO SNEAK INTO THE PARTY BEFORE THAT DATE WILL BE DEALT WITH PERSONALLY BY ME)

Signed – "The Barrow-Wight"

Click HERE (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=10646) for the Party!

~*~ Piosenniel and Child of the 7th Age


WILL REMOVE THIS POST MONDAY

[Everdawn]

Can I just say Nerindel, that was fantastic! That deserves applause!

[Nerindel]

Thank you Everdawn, I'm glad you liked it and I look forward to reading Avanill's response. :D

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I agree, it was very good. I actually kept me in the parking lot at work while I read it :eek: , such a post couldn't wait until I got home. :)

[Ealasaide]

A little tardy, but I must add my voice to the chorus... superior post, Nerindel! I'll be interested in the reactions of both Avanill & Rauthain...

In the meantime, my apologies for being so slow with my posts lately. I will do my best to have something up within the next couple of days for at least Benia, but hopefully for Kaldir and Naiore as well.

[Ealasaide]

I seem to have a bad case of the pokeys lately. :( Sorry for the delays! I do hope to have Benia's post up on the thread by sometime this evening. :)

[Snowdog]

Hail writers! How goes the RP? I need to read, and if anyone has saved it (Pio??) could it be possible to get a copy of it? Otherwise I will have to copy each page.

I am still upset at having to withdraw from this RP.

[piosenniel]

Sorry - haven't saved it.

~*~ Pio

[Ealasaide]

Hi, Snowdog! Good to hear form you. Unfortunately, I can't help you out either. I only save a hard copy which would be very bulky, time-consuming, and expensive to copy & mail! :eek: Sorry.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Hey Snowdog , couldn't you burn it as a Word document on a CD, and read or print at your leisure?

[Ealasaide]

Hi, All! This is just to let you know that I made a few significant changes to my last post (Benia, #247.)

LATER: Pio - Please replace my post on the Fan-Fic site (5/10, 5:27pm) with the new version. Many thanks!

----------------------------------------------------

LOTS LATER: DONE! :D ~*~ Pio

[piosenniel]

Would the second week in June be possible as an end date for this game?

Say the weekend of the 19th -20th.

Please get back to me on this.

Thanks!

~*~ Pio, Game Moderator

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Ack! :eek:

[piosenniel]

I'll take that "Ack!" as a probable 'no' from HB . . . ;)

So, can you develop an outline for the endgame?

That way you can decide when you might be done.

~*~ Pio

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

What is entailed in a outline for an endgame? Is it a time schedule? Or more of a story outline? Or perhaps both...

Thanks for the designation of 'HB'. As art major I feel all warm and fuzzy seeing those letters capitalized and in such close proximity! ;)

[piosenniel]

It's both - you decide on the final parts of the storyline, what needs to get done to get you to the ending you want. List them out as an outline, then take a realistic look at it and decide how much time you need to allot to each section.

It becomes a schedule for you to follow to bring the game to a timely end.

At this moment, I don't know what your intentions are for the end of the game - what signals that the game is over? Or how close are you to that goal.

~*~ Pio

------------------------

Are you referring to a particular HB? The one which springs to my mind is Hieronymus Bosch. :)

[Ealasaide]

Ack! :eek: is right!

Oh, my. You had let us slide for so long I was thinking that we were off the hook for a deadline... ;)

Okay... what we have planned so far:
Lots of inter-relational developments in Imladris to set up subsequent action & motivations of characters. We are about in the middle of that phase. After that,

*Naiore makes her move
*Rauthain is killed
*Kaldir is killed
*Naiore takes off to the south with her hostage
*Hostage is freed, Barrold Ferny killed
*Naiore is captured & dealt with

Okay, gang... knowing what we know about the events listed, how long do you think it will take us to get there? If we really get motivated, I'm thinking sometime in July. (Sorry, Pio. We have some pretty elaborate stuff planned.)

Does that sound do-able to everyone? We have all been kind of slow in posting lately and Pio has been more than patient. What do you say we get this puppy rolling again? I keep forgetting that this is an RPG, not Madame Bovary. :p

Bearing in mind that this is not Madame Bovary, I have a couple of suggestions in getting the action moving:
1) Unfortunately, we need to do fewer long contemplative posts that deal almost exclusively with minor details and characters' states of mind.
2) Post with a goal in mind of taking our characters or our action from Point A to Point B.
3) Be more attentive about posting in a timely fashion.
I've been one of the worst offenders lately for Point #1 especially & will do my utmost henceforth to keep the action moving.

[Ealasaide]

Hilde & Nerindel - if the events covered in the PM I sent earlier today work for you, I think we can handle that part of it in a few posts, then we can get on with the rest of it. What do you say? Please let me know.

We have a LOT of ground to cover and a ..... deadline! :eek: :p

[piosenniel]

*gasp

Rauthtain and Kaldir . . . dead . . . :eek:

----------------------------------------------------

How about we set the end date of the game for July 31st?

I'll put that in "~*~ Shire Games List et al ~*~".

~*~ Pio

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

"Adopt, adapt and improve..." - T.H. White

Thanks, the end of July sounds better, and I will sincerely try to stick to the point in my posts, if my unruly brain cooperates.

Yes Pio, Kaldir and Rauthain die, but we so wanted to suprise you! :D

And no, I'm afraid I was speaking in terms of the hardness of graphite, as in HB, 2B and 6B pencils, and not Hieronymus Bosch. :p

[Ealasaide]

Well, alrighty then... July 31st it is.

I will get a post up for Naiore either today or tomorrow at the latest, establishing her wherabouts.

Right now:
Amandur, Rauthain, and Avanill are in the rhododendron patch.
Kaldir is on the stairs.
Benia is with Dúlrain in the Hall of Healing.
Gilly is wandering the gardens with Toby.
I am guessing that Léspheria & Vanwe are somewhere in the vicinity of the Hall of Healing.
Menecin is in his room.
Naiore is lurking in the woods.
Barrold Ferny is also lurking in the woods but not with Naiore.

Since Dúlrain needs a few days before he can be up & about and the action can begin again in earnest, we need to start thinking about advancing the time frame. What else needs to happen "today"?

From the angle of my characters, I need for Kaldir to have conversations with Amandur, Rauthain, and Benia... preferably in that order. Naiore needs to see that her plan to grab Menecin has failed. After that, she needs to hook up with Barrold Ferny again.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think we are still currently in the morning of the day following the battle at the ford. I can get Naiore into position now, but I am thinking that it won't be until later that day or sometime the following day that she sees her plans fall into ruin. The conversations between Kaldir and the two rangers can take place at any time beginning that evening. Kaldir's conversation with Benia must take place after Dúlrain has rejoined the ranks of the mobile.

Everyone Please let me know (by PM if you like) what else needs to take place before advancing the time frame. If you have a preference as to how far we advance it, please let me know that, too. Thanks! :D

[Ealasaide]

One more thing...

From now on... SAVES will be permitted on this thread. :D

We have a lot going on and (hopefully) that will help us to keep moving and not trip over each other in the process.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Ealasaide do all these conversations have to happen for Kaldir ’today’?

I'm thinking that by speaking of advancing the time frame you mean to completely skip over the days that lay between now and when things get rolling in earnest.

In that case I require:

'Today'

- a resolution to the scene with Avanill ( Nerindel Rauthain can be left with guard duty, but after Amandur has a chance to do what need to be done, Rauthain must see to his horse and there meet up with Kaldir, if Amandur could watch him long enough for that to happen I'd be grateful, and provided he doesn't slip away first. ;)

- Rauthain to met Kaldir

- a chance for Toby and Gilly to hook up

- a chance for Menecin to go for his stroll and meet Vanwe.

'Later'

- Gilly to speak with Kaldir about Benia.

- Rauthain to meet Gilly also.

Ealasaide if you handle the brief conversation between Gilly and Kaldir, I'd need only one post here.

That is my schedule, not really in order.

[Ealasaide]

Hilde - to be honest, I would prefer that none of those conversations take place "today." I was just saying that the conversations with Amandur and Rauthain could take place as early as "this evening" if necessary.

*The Menecin/Vanwe/Naiore scenario we discussed needs to take place on another day, preferably one or two days hence, closer to the time when Naiore makes her move.

*I envisualized Rauthain's conversation with Kaldir as taking place after Kaldir's conversation with Amandur, preferably by a day or so.

With that in mind:
All that needs to happen with your characters "today" is to resolve the situation with Avanill, and for Gilly and Toby to have an interaction. Is this correct?

[Ealasaide]

By "advancing the time frame" I just meant to advance to the next step in the action. If that means to evening, great. If that means to two days hence, great. What I am trying to determine by asking what needs to happen is exactly when to jump the time frame to... if that makes any sense.

My schedule with my characters (as I see it):
Today:
Anytime - Naiore moves into place, watching Imladris
Evening (or even tomorrow) - Kaldir's conversation with Amandur

Other day(s) - could be spread out over two days:
Kaldir's conversation with Rauthain
Kaldir's conversation with Benia
Benia's conversation with Gilly
Naiore makes her move
Gilly talks to Kaldir about Benia

[Nerindel]

oh my!

ok here is the schedule for my Characters:

Today:
resolve the situation with Avanill, (Hilde Amandur will leave him in Rauthains charge for now and will, as any good rangers would relieve him later! ;) )

Amandur goes to the halls of healing. (Ealasaide why don't we have the Amandur /Kaldir conversation there? he was wounded too wasn't he? there are other healers so it doesn't neccasarily have to be Lespheria who treats them, in fact letting her worry about him a bit longer might not be a bad thing. ;)

Confessions of a hobbit (Toby)

Lespheria and Vanwe tend Rivendells wounded

Later (over the course of several days):

Vanwe looks for Menecin
Lespheria continues to look in on Dulrain and Benia.
Lespheria and Amandur talk in the memorial gardens.
Dulrain recieves distressing news.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Does anyone have serious objections to Menecin taking off this evening? Possibly Lespheria and Vanwe could be so wrapped up helping that it gets late and he is there with the doors to the terrace wide open..... It is just such an excellent opportunity! :D This does not, of course, mean that Naiore needs to see him anytime soon.

[Nerindel]

Thats fine by me Hilde, why waste the oppertunity! ;) :p

[Everdawn]

And I shall have Barrold find Naiore... And I have no idea how im going ot do that. Ok say I post something right, tell me if it needs to be changed.

[Ealasaide]

Okay, great! Thanks, all.

Correct me if I am wrong... "today" (not necessarily in order):

*Amandur & Rauthain resolve the situation with Avanill
*Kaldir & Amandur meets in the Halls of Healing & talk
*Gilly & Toby have a heart-to-heart
*Menecin escapes
*Naiore moves into place
*Barrold finds Naiore
*Lespheria & Vanwe continue to tend Rivendell's wounded
*Benia continues to watch over Dulrain's recovery

If that sounds right, then, let's carry on! :D Since the situation with A, A, & R still needs to be resolved in the rhododendron patch, I will not advance the time frame just yet. For the moment, we will continue to flow with the movement of the characters. If anyone does need to advance the time frame, please do just let the rest of us know. Thanks!

[Ealasaide]

Everyone - I just wanted to let you know that I will be away from home from Wed, May 19 to Sun, May 23. I probably won't be able to post as quickly as usual, but since I am visiting my old high school buddy (Class of '81) and fellow BD'er Hilde Bracegirdle, I'm sure I will be checking in with the threads pretty regularly. I should be back on my regular schedule by Monday. :D

[Nerindel]

Ok Thanks for letting us know and have fun you two! :D

see ya monday!

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Does this mean you will be writing on the plane? Ack, I'll be lagging sadly behind! :)

Oh wait, a post for Toby! Gotta go read that one!

[Ealasaide]

Oh, I'll probably be doing a lot of thinking and making some notes, but I doubt I will do much actual writing on the plane. Too many people around! Makes it hard to concentrate.

Thanks, Nerindel! :)

[Everdawn]

Yes, have fun! :D

And if anyone wants to move the plot on with Avanill Rauthain and Amandur you can, **pulls out hair** becuase I probably wont have itme to post before FRIDAY!!! Friday and ill be less cholked for time.

oh yeah, have fun.. oh I already said that. <<See im going crazy. :eek:

-Everdawn

[Nerindel]

No worries Everdawn, Amandur has already left Avanill with Rauthain and gone off to find some healing. ;)

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Everdawn, don't feel pressed for time on this side. It will probably be Sunday night or Monday before I will be able to do any writing!

[piosenniel]

Has everyone had time to look through their posts from #249 forward? See if there are any changes you want to make before I transfer them to the fanfic site?

~*~ Pio

[Nerindel]

Everyone I have made some minor additions to post #250, I felt that there where a few things that still needed addressing. :rolleyes:

Pio I will look over post #252 tonight when I get home from work.

[Ealasaide]

#249 is ready to go. Thanks, Pio! :)

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Thanks, post #251 has been slightly corrected and is now ready to go.

[piosenniel]

Thanks!

Ealasaide, Hilde

I hope you two are having fun! :D

Nerindel

Will transfer the posts tomorrow.

~*~ Pio

[Nerindel]

Ok thanks, Pio. Post #252 is good to go.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I hope you two are having fun!

Yes, we have had quite a bit o' fun, but we haven't forgotten the Barrow Downs as you can see! ;)

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Well, Ealasaide is now on her way home :(. And after trying to find a bit of lembas for those long airport layovers, I'm afraid she had to settle for a poptarts. Ah well, such is life in the seventh age.... Hopefully we both will get thinking about the 4th age shortly, and be on track again very soon.

[Ealasaide]

Well, I'm back in southern Gondor again after my brief sojourn in the north! ;)

I must say the Bracegirdles (Mr. & Mrs.) do set an excellent table... their cooking would do any hobbit of the Shire proud! I think I gained 5 pounds.

Okay... back to business... Nerindel - I will bring Kaldir to the Halls of Healing in my next post. I have a couple of questions about his upcoming conversation with Amandur, so please check your PM's.

[Everdawn]

Doth mine eyes decieve me?! Elora is back?! :eek:

[piosenniel]

Hi!

I received a couple of PM's from Elora.

Sincerest apologies for my extended absence. It had been unfortunate but necessary. I am back intermittently and will not be committing to any new RP's given my present demanding time committments.

She is working on all the endgame details for her book - finishing the writing, securing an agent and a publisher, editing, trying to find a suitable title . . . and of course working in between all that. :eek:

She wrote a last post for her other Shire game, but her characters in this game are now being played by you all. And you will determine what happens to them now.

~*~ Pio

[Ealasaide]

Thanks for the clarification, Pio! I had noticed that Elora was back around the Downs and had been wondering what our status was with her and vice versa. Glad to hear that all is going well with her book. :)

[Ealasaide]

I have placed a SAVE on the thread for my Kaldir post. Sorry I have been so slow with it (again.) I have been having one of those weeks where everytime I think I am going to have a little time to write, someone comes along & spoils it! :p

I will do my best to have my save filled by tomorrow at the latest. :)

[Ealasaide]

My SAVE has been filled. :D

[Everdawn]

OK Im going to try and have a post up for both Avanill and Barrold tomorrow. Im about to go into Mid-terms so ill be a little cholked for time over the next two weeks, but my undying devotion to this game will not keep me away! :D Theres always a spare minute! :D

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Good luck with your exams Everdawn and we will look forward to your posts when ever they arrive on the board. :)

[Ealasaide]

Everdawn - Great! I will be looking forward to seeing your posts. Good luck with your exams! :)

[Ealasaide]

Hey... let's see a little action on this thread, eh? My characters are in a holding pattern at the moment, waiting for Nerindel to post.

Nerindel - is there anything I can do to help get things going again?

Everyone - July 31st seems far away now but we have a lot of ground to cover between now & then. One post a week on the thread is not going to get us there. Let's see if we can't get things moving! :)

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Yes, my characters are also 'in waiting' except for Menecin, but I do not need to post for him untill a day or two later then this in game time.

[Ealasaide]

Nerindel - Please check your PM's. :)

[Nerindel]

Grovel... grovel!

I'm really sorry darlings, I have been swamped(RL) but I think things are finally starting to settling down and I will try to get back on top of things. I have put up my reply for Amandur and have a post for Léspheria in the works that should be up sometime over the weekend.

I wasn't going to wake Dúlrain until the next morning/afternoon? does that work for you Eala?

Hilde when do you need Vanwe to discover Menecin is missing?

Again I apologise for my absence! :eek:

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Nerindel - I imagine Vanwe could find that Menecin is missing at anytime. I think the guards would have noticed rather quickly though, so it is likely that the room is no longer guarded.


Everdawn - I think that I 'm going to hold off a bit on that post I had mentioned to you, until after I read yours, and gage the current atmosphere in the vicinity. :p

[Ealasaide]

I wasn't going to wake Dúlrain until the next morning/afternoon? does that work for you Eala?

Works for me! :D

[Nerindel]

Ok I am not a happy bunny!

I finally got Lespheria's post finished and was about to save it when microsoft works kindly decided to crash on me, a teething problem that I was assured was fixed, I now have to rewrite the last page. :mad:

I have put up a save and will see if I can convince my other half to let me invade his online time tonight, if not I will rewrite it tomorrow.

[Ealasaide]

Ah, yikes, Nerindel! Sorry to hear about your post. Good luck with the re-write - May it turn out even better than the original! :)

I will try to get a post up for Kaldir on Wednesday. Ealasaide the Hermit suddenly has a teenager living in her living room and can't seem to find a way to hide long enough to do any writing. Whatever I do will have to be done at work, so please be patient! Aigh!

[Nerindel]

My save is filled for Léspheria and they are now having some much needed sleep, Hilde Vanwe will discover Menecin's disappearance in the morning if that is ok with you.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

That sounds fine to me, Nerindel

[Nerindel]

ok I will wait for Eala's post for Kaldir, before moving us forward to morning. Does anyone else need to post before we move forward?

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Yes, I need to post before daylight arrives, as I have almost finished a post for both Menecin and Rauthain. I will try to have them up ASAP. Or I could put in a 'save' if you would prefer.

[Ealasaide]

Nerindel - yes, please wait until I can post with Kaldir before moving into morning! Thanks! :)

Also... a question... where is the garden where Vanwe and Lespheria are sleeping? Would Naiore be able to see them? If so, I will need to post with Naiore as well.

[Nerindel]

Ealasaide , The garden is to the rear of the halls of the healers, it is a private garden, a memorial garden so to speak and although it has no solid walls it is enclosed by trees and bushes to allow privacy. hope that helps! :D

I will try to have them up ASAP. Or I could put in a 'save' if you would prefer.
Hilde no thats ok, I have a post to do for Dragons and a battle scene in Rohan to finish. :eek:

[Ealasaide]

Yes, that helps. Thank you! I will assume that they are hidden and hold off with Naiore until the next day. My post for Kaldir should be ready by sometime this evening.

~Later~
Okay, my post is up! As far as my characters are concerned, the time frame may be advanced at any time.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Well Menecin and Rauthain are up. Sorry that after saying I had nothing more I needed to post for this day I turned around and changed my mind and asked for the sun/moon to stand still to boot! :p

Also apologies to Everdawn if I have thrown you off track at all. Please let me know if I need to change anything.

Now to read what Kaldir is up to! :D

[Ealasaide]

Okay, guys... now I DO have to post with Naiore. That's altogether too much activity outdoors for her to just sit there in her tree and do nothing.

The second I say that she has a clear view of the rear gardens and the stable, you immediately put all of your characters out there in the gardens and the stable. :eek: I can't let it slide. :p

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I had also thought that it might prove useful to have Avanill and Rauthain spot Menecin, (or rather the other way round), so if needed, Vanwe might find out (via Amandur maybe after 'watching' Avanill) that he is on his own and in the vicinity.

she has a clear view of the rear gardens and the stable Ah so that is what Juta was listening to! :cool:

[Ealasaide]

Yeah, well, even so... I have to say it's a little annoying that you guys put SO MANY characters out there and vulnerable (Vanwe, Lespheria, Rauthain, Menecin, Avanill) when you know I can't kill any of you because of the constraints of the storyline. It makes a very dangerous character look rather helpless and oafish if she does nothing. :mad:

I was willing to let Menecin slide. Then it was Vanwe and Lespheria. Now with the last bunch, it's entirely too much. Naiore is going to have to take some action. I will try to have my save filled in by Friday, but if I miss, it will probably be Monday before I will have a chance to write again.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I would think Naiore would deem it too risky to go near Lespheria and Vanwe.
So sorry, I did not mean to bait her so with Rauthain and his whims, but the stream I thought was in front of the building. Ah well! :confused:

But Naiore isn't helpless, she's rather wise to pick the best moment to act.

[Ealasaide]

Okay, maybe "helpless" wasn't the the best word for it. Ineffectual is more what I meant. At any rate, I just want to mention that I have decided to change direction somewhat. Instead of seeing nothing of anything that is going on, Naiore has seen something and will move on someone. Stay tuned! :p

[Everdawn]

look! im putting up a save! (Finally) and mid-terms are over. :eek:

[Ealasaide]

I've had a change of heart and deleted my save. For the moment Naiore will remain where she is. Time frame may advance at any time.

Everdawn - good to have you back! :)

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Just wanted to pass along a short quote for inspiration taken from the Silmarillion and about the darkness that followed the death of the two trees (since it concerns the name of our endeavor here).

…but the Darkness that followed was more than a loss of light. In that hour was made a Darkness that seemed not a lack, but a thing with a being of its own: for it was indeed made by malice out of Light, and it had power to pierce the eye, and enter heart and mind, and strangle the very will.

[Nerindel]

Sorry I haven't been around lately. I lost my land line at the weekend and for some reason the public terminal that I tried to use to let you guys know of the problem would not let me login to this site *shrugs helplessly* But my service provider now assures me the problem is fixed, Yay!!!

Everdawn, Ealasaide Are Barrold and Naiore going to hook up and do you both need to post before I wake everyone up?

[Ealasaide]

Welcome back, Nerindel! Sorry to hear of your techinical difficulties! I have had very little computer access this week as well and had not realised that Everdawn had finished her post. I will go read it & let you know about advancing the timeframe. I should have my computer access problems ironed out by Sunday.

[Everdawn]

Everdawn, Ealasaide Are Barrold and Naiore going to hook up and do you both need to post before I wake everyone up?

no one change anything! ill mould my stuff around the rest. Im just having a little trouble finding what to do with sorry old Barrold!

[Everdawn]

Ok my post is finished now!!! Yay! Everyone do a dance... or sit.. doesnt bother me what you do...becuase its finished!! (FINALLY!!!) :p

[Ealasaide]

Yay, Everdawn! It's good to see ol' Barrold again.

I have ironed out my access problems and will be around again on a more regular basis... probably more regular than anyone would like! ;)
But seriously, I will have more time now to devote to my posts.

Time Frame may be advanced. Does anyone have anything that must happen on the second day? Nerindel - I think you mentioned having Dúlrain wake up on the second day. Hilde Also Kaldir & Rauthain need to have their conversation. Is that everything? Or does anyone have anything else particular in mind?

If not, then we can move on quickly to the third day when all hell breaks loose, once we have a post or two from Dúlrain and Benia; and a post or two from Rauthain & Kaldir.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Sounds alright to me.

[Everdawn]

I keep wanting to go into the Land of Darkness thread when im going to come here, its funny!

[Nerindel]

funny you should say that Everdawn, twice now I have opened the land of darkness thread meaning to come here! :eek:

Hilde, Ealasaide, what about the Naiore, Menecin, Vanwe thing we discussed should that not take place about now? I was going to wake Vanwe then Dulrain, is that ok?

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

That should happen on the third day Nerindel. But I see it might be a little difficult for Vanwe.

I will PM.

[Ealasaide]

Everdawn - I will PM you in the next day or so regarding plans for Naiore and Barrold. Sorry for not helping out a bit sooner! I didn't realize that you were kind of stuck.

[Everdawn]

Nah, thats ok!

[Nerindel]

Thanks for the pm Hilde. As I am still stuck with what to do with Vanwe, I will go ahead and wake Dúlrain and continue I ponder on what to do with the young elf.

Another thing I was wondering shouldn't there be some sort of counsell? perhaps on the evening of the second day, where the rangers (Kaldir included), Léspheria, Avanill? and the Lords of Rivendell can discuss and debate how best to proceed. A carefully laid out plan could be conceived only to fall apart with the planned events of the third day.

Rauthain and Avanill could rely their plans for Avanill's potions?
Kaldir could air his concerns regarding his earlier episode?
Léspheria could offer to help the bounty hunter with that problem?
Vanwe uninvited could walk in insisting that she too should go, stating her reasons for doing so?

In a bit of Irony the elven twins could counsell that they stand together, trusting in one anothers abilities, alone they would be vunrable to the elven ladies talents, but together they may just suceed?

Amandur listening carefully to all sides would then agree with the twins and decide a plan that would suit all, but involve them all staying together, he would also suggest that Benia and the two hobbits remain in Rivendell for their own safety.

Benia and Gilly would not be part of the counsell as they do not hunt Naiore, Dulrain will still be in the care of the healers, so he too would not be present and Toby wants no further part of the elven woman.

just a suggestion let me know what you all think?

Edit:- Dulrain is now awake. :D

[Ealasaide]

Sounds like a superb idea to me! I don't know why we didn't plan such a counsel before. :D

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Brillant idea! Let's run with it!

[Nerindel]

Ok I have some bad news, as from monday I will have little to no internet access as my computer will be in shop being repaired, we have just discovered the Floppy drive isn't working. :rolleyes:
My advice to anyone planning to buy a new computer is Don't!
I miss my old system, it might have been an ancient relic and had a connection sped of a snail but at least it worked! :(

I can keep an eye on the threads using the public terminals at my local library, but the last time I was forced to used their systems it would not allow me to sign into the downs, so I do not know if I will be able to post.

I will also be on vacation from the 20th to 31st July, but I should have a little more internet access in this time.

[Ealasaide]

Oh, my! :eek: That is bad news indeed... and just when things were beginning to heat up around here. Thanks for the heads up. Post when you can! Hopefully, you won't be cut off from us for too long. :)

PS - I'm hoping to get a post up from Benia today, which will put things back into Dúlrain's court.

Later. - Okay - I've posted with Benia. I hope that's not too steamy! :eek:

Nerindel - I hope what I've done is okay with you. I was thinking that if Benia and Dúlrain declare their feelings to one another, Benia will be that much more upset when Kaldir approaches her.

[Nerindel]

*Applaudes excitedly* Wow I loved it Ealasaide. :D *Wipes a happy tears from her eyes*

the first thing I have had to smile about all day, the prospect of lossing my computer for two whole weeks is driving me mad, I think I need to join netjunkies annoymous or something! :eek:

[Ealasaide]

Thanks, Nerindel! :D I'm so glad you approve!

I know what you mean about netjunkies anonymous... you might as well throw me in a dungeon as cut off my computer access! It's how I keep up with almost everyone. On that note, I wanted to mention that if you have problems logging in to the Barrow Downs, you can always e-mail your posts to me & I will place them on the thread for you. Or, I'm sure Pio would be happy to help - eh, Pio?

[piosenniel]

As with Dragons:

I can email the posts to you and you can send anything back to me:

piosenniel@barrowdowns.com

So - will all this start this coming Monday?

~*~ Pio

[piosenniel]

-- Wimbledon - The Lingering Darkness match --

Chair ref calls out:

"Advantage, Miz Benia"

;)

[Nerindel]

So - will all this start this coming Monday?

it sure will and again many thanks Pio! :D

[Ealasaide]

I've been thinking it over and decided I have been neglecting our Naiore. With that in mind, I have contructed a pair of back posts for Naiore. The first I have already inserted into the RPG thread at the end of my post #256, dated 6-1-04.

The second one I place here in the hopes that Pio can insert it into the RPG thread for me between Hilde's post #262 and Nerindel's post #263. (Please?!?)

Here's the post:

Naiore

As the day stretched on and activity decreased steadily in the vicinity of the back gardens, Naiore let herself sleep, awaking once at a hint of motion over by the corner of one of the buildings. Casting her senses in that direction, she thought she caught the impression of anger... a disturbed mind. Elven?

"Menecin!" she hissed, her back straightening against the rough bark of the tree trunk. "Has my Vanwe delivered you to me at last?" She leveled a piercing gaze in the direction of the perceived motion, but saw nothing further, only the pale green of leaves swaying in the afternoon breeze. The slender figure of Vanwe, leading her dark-haired and tragic father to his doom never appeared. After what seemed to be an eternity of waiting, Naiore felt a flush of rage and disappointment. Realizing that Vanwe was not yet fulfilling her purpose, the Ravenner pushed the flood of emotions away and settled back into waiting. Awake now, she reached out again in search of Vanwe and Menecin. Though she still felt the vague presence of the Bard's consciousness, his madness, she found she could not determine from whence it came. Her clear grey eyes studied the trees, the shadows, the corners of every wall.

Her vigilance continued through the afternoon and into the night as daylight waned and faded into darkness. She waited until the moon rose and, then, with the shadows gathered around her like a shroud, Naiore unwound her long legs and slid down from her hiding place. A restlessness had taken hold of her that was rooted in the continuous feeling she had that Menecin was somewhere nearby. Almost unconsciously, she listened for the sound of his singing, the melliflous tones of his flute. Only silence found her. And then the sound of voices. Two men approached, leading a dirty and illkempt-looking horse along the path that led from the stable to the stream. Instantly, she recognized one of the men as Avanill, the other as a ranger from the Forsaken Inn. Moving like a shadow herself, Naiore trailed them to the stream, taking a few seconds along the way to retrieve her bow and a small clutch of arrows from where she had hidden them earlier, selecting only orcish arrows from amongst the Elven ones. The elves must think her deed the work of a stray orc.

Unaware that she watched them, the two men chatted amiably as the ranger gave his horse a bath in the moonlit stream. Naiore knocked an arrow to the string and raised her bow. The traitorous Avanill, obviously not a prisoner but a willing co-conspirator of her pursuers, would have to die. Though she would have preferred to look into his arrogant eyes and squeeze the life out of him with her silken garrotte, an arrow would do the job. She smiled serenely as she sighted along the shaft of the arrow to his heart. The ranger would have to die, too, his presence an inconvenience, but not an unhappy one. It always pleased her to release a ranger from his mortal condition. Besides, it would not do to have him running about, raising an alarm. Left in the woods, it could be days before the bodies were found. By then, she would be long departed into the west or the south, her objectives accomplished.

But the arrow never left Naiore's bow. Someone else had joined the two men at the stream. Unable to see the newcomer, Naiore froze, straining her ears into the darkness, but the rush of the stream concealed the words. Though she could not make out what was said, the voice sounded Elven. Lowering her bow, Naiore crept closer, reaching out with her senses. Suddenly she stopped short as her mind came into contact with a familiar consciousness. A rush of jumbled emotions - anger, love, and madness - collided with her thoughts. Forgetting Avanill, she melted back into the shadows, her inky leathers blending with the surrounding darkness. Menecin!

She was unable to see him, but she knew with a cold certainty that the newcomer was Menecin. A smile again touched her lips. Perhaps she could achieve her goal without the help of Vanwe. She would wait for the Bard to emerge from the trees with his companions, then she would strike him down and be on her way. Pity it would have to be an orcish arrow to fell her former lover and the father of her child, but she had not the time to retrieve an arrow of Elven make. That he would be destroyed would have to be enough for her.

Patiently, Naiore waited, but when Avanill and the ranger finally finished their business at the stream and departed back toward the safety of the buildings, the Bard was not with them. Her attention now focused on the unseen elf, Naiore let them go and reached out again into the darkness with her mind, but the presence she had sensed earlier was gone. He had slipped away amongst the trees. Naiore hesitated, debating with herself whether to pursue him now or to wait. Cautiously, she glided in the direction in which she had heard his voice. Getting there, she found nothing, only the careless tracks of the men and their horse. Frustrated, she followed the stream bank for a short distance before turning back. Menecin had been a warrior at one time and, at that time, had been possessed of strong skills of woodcraft and concealment. Tracking him by moonlight when he did not wish to be found would be an exercise in futility, even for her. Perhaps she would wait for Vanwe to fulfill her task after all. Perhaps the time for Naiore to wreak her revenge had not yet come.

[piosenniel]

Just keeping tabs here:

#265, 266,267, 268 sent to Nerindel

If you need to communicate with Nerindel - please email her, don't leave the message here on the Discussion thread.

If you don't have her email addy, PM me for it.

Thanks!

Pio

[Ealasaide]

Pio - I was wondering if you happened to catch my post at the bottom of the previous page. I wrote two back posts for Naiore. One of them I placed myself at the end of my post #256 (June 1).

The second post, I placed here on the discussion thread in the hopes that you might place it for me between Hilde's post #262 and Nerindel's #263.

Also, could you please transfer both to their proper places on the Fan-Fic page? Please! Please! :D (Sorry to complicate things so...)

[piosenniel]

All Done! Here and there . . .

[Ealasaide]

Many Thanks! :D

[piosenniel]

Nerindel - Vanwe:

added to #264

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Everdawn & Nerindel - I have mentioned in Rauthain's post that he left Avanill with the rangers, seeing as I couldn't see Amandur letting him slip off to enquire about Vanwe! :p So I guess that Avanill is on is own right now, somehow disengaging himself from the company of the rangers. Once a loner, always a loner I guess! ;)

Everdawn - He wouldn't be backsliding now would he?!

[Everdawn]

No! Avanill has promised to be a good lad now. An usually he doesnt keep his promises but this time he is forced to isnt he? Besides, he doesnt know where Naiore is and what if she gets him??? :eek: I suppose he will go for a small wander and realise that he is doing the right thing! :D

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Very good! Rauthain would also be much encouraged to see that he returned on his own without having been corralled! :D So his promises usually don't count for much, eh? Hmmm....

[Everdawn]

Very good! Rauthain would be also be much encouraged to see that he returned on his own without having been corralled! :D So his promises usually don't count for much, eh? Hmmm....

He wouldnt have become the best black market trader in Middle Earth if they did. :D

[piosenniel]

It looks as if the Game’s deadline will not be met by July 31st – writers being away being the last roadblock.

Once Nerindel is back, I would like to see the posting pick up speed.

The Game Opened on 09/06/03 – I will extend the end date to 09/30/04. That is well over a year in play.

Once that final date is reached, I will close the game and send it to Elvenhome, regardless of it being finished or not.

-------------------------------------------------

From post #877 on the Discussion Thread: (when the 07/31/04 deadline was set)

Okay... what we have planned so far:
Lots of inter-relational developments in Imladris to set up subsequent action & motivations of characters. We are about in the middle of that phase. After that,

*Naiore makes her move
*Rauthain is killed
*Kaldir is killed
*Naiore takes off to the south with her hostage
*Hostage is freed, Barrold Ferny killed
*Naiore is captured & dealt with

Where are you in this outline?

What timeline needs to be kept to in order to meet the needs of your end-of-story outline?

Please get back to me on this.

Thanks!

~*~ Pio

[Ealasaide]

Will get back to you on a timeline. Thanks, Pio! You have been more than patient. We will be finished by 9/30.

Right now, we are on the second day in Rivendell. As far as I know, Rauthain and Kaldir need to finish their conversation. Then there will be a counsel meeting in the evening. Barrold and Naiore need to hook up at some point. (Everdawn - you never answered my PM. Any ideas?)

The third day is when the action picks up again: Naiore takes a hostage; Kaldir & Rauthain are killed; Naiore takes off toward the south.

If folks are diligent about posting, we can have this wrapped up BEFORE the new deadline.

I should have a post for Kaldir up by sometime this evening or tomorrow at the latest.

[piosenniel]

~*~ Thanks! ~*~

:)

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

May I suggest that the counsel meeting take place in a post by one person (or maybe two) so that it does not take too long to finish up. Does this make sense? I do not think for instance that there is anything in Rauthain's mind that you all are not aware of :p so if perhaps you Ealasaide or Nerindel would like to put in a line or two for him..... :D

[Ealasaide]

Yes, I, too, would like to get through the counsel in three or four posts at the outside. Since we all pretty much already know what is going to be said, I don't see the need in stringing it out for a week or two. I'm very anxious to get on with the REAL action! :p :D

Here's how I see it:
Nerindel to open it
I will post with Kaldir
Everdawn - would you like to post with Avanill?
Nerindel closes it
Actually that is pretty lengthy. It really only needs to be done with a single post, as Hilde suggested, which Nerindel would be best placed to write.

****OR... sorry, Nerindel... we bypass dramatizing the counsel entirely since we all already know what is going to happen there. We all stipulate that the following happened (see below) and simply refer to it in flashback as we move on. I am in favor of this course of action. For everything we have planned, we don't really have much time and need to get on with it. If we fully dramatize the counsel - particularly what with Nerindel being gone roughly from now until the end of July, it will be August before we ever get out of Rivendell.****

WHAT DOES EVERYONE THINK OF THAT IDEA? I AM STRONGLY IN FAVOR OF IT! (Pio - do I need to e-mail these last couple of DT posts to Nerindel or have you been sending relevant DT posts to her already? Please let me know. She should be in on this.)

from Nerindel's post:
Rauthain and Avanill could rely their plans for Avanill's potions?
Kaldir could air his concerns regarding his earlier episode?
Léspheria could offer to help the bounty hunter with that problem?
Vanwe uninvited could walk in insisting that she too should go, stating her reasons for doing so?

In a bit of Irony the elven twins could counsell that they stand together, trusting in one anothers abilities, alone they would be vunrable to the elven ladies talents, but together they may just suceed?

Amandur listening carefully to all sides would then agree with the twins and decide a plan that would suit all, but involve them all staying together, he would also suggest that Benia and the two hobbits remain in Rivendell for their own safety.

Benia and Gilly would not be part of the counsell as they do not hunt Naiore, Dulrain will still be in the care of the healers, so he too would not be present and Toby wants no further part of the elven woman.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I will follow whatever is decided, though I think perhaps we should have a limit on the amount time spent on the counsel if we go that route. Or set an end date, to post for that section. We could possibly go back and flesh it out more if we end tearlier than anticipated, and feel it is needed.

Flashback would probably be the fastest course, though.

[piosenniel]

Ealasaide

Please email Nerindel the DT posts.

I'll continue to do the Game posts.

Thanks!

~*~ Pio

[Ealasaide]

Okay - thanks, Pio! :)

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I e-mailed posts 970 thru 974 of the DT for her consideration this afternoon. ;)

[Ealasaide]

Thanks, Hilde. I'll be looking forward to seeing her opinion. :)

[Ealasaide]

Everyone - aside from the counsel that is currently under discussion, what else needs to happen on the 2nd day? If there is nothing else, we can advance the time frame to evening or night.

In the nighttime of the second day, we have the counsel (however we decide to handle that.) Also, Naiore needs to hook up with Barrold.

Everdawn - After dark, I will have Naiore leave Imladris and find Barrold. Does he have Kaldir's horse? Is there anything else I need to know? Otherwise I will work off of your last post.

(Also, I can't help but wonder if you are no longer interested in writing Barrold. ??? If this is the case, please let me know & we can treat him as a carry-along character. :) We are going to need him with everything coming up so it would be helpful to know what your feelings are concerning ol' Barrold.)

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

A time change is OK with me. Have not had word yet from Nerindel, but will send along an update of the discussion thread.

[Everdawn]

Everyone - aside from the counsel that is currently under discussion, what else needs to happen on the 2nd day? If there is nothing else, we can advance the time frame to evening or night.

In the nighttime of the second day, we have the counsel (however we decide to handle that.) Also, Naiore needs to hook up with Barrold.

Everdawn - After dark, I will have Naiore leave Imladris and find Barrold. Does he have Kaldir's horse? Is there anything else I need to know? Otherwise I will work off of your last post.

(Also, I can't help but wonder if you are no longer interested in writing Barrold. ??? If this is the case, please let me know & we can treat him as a carry-along character. We are going to need him with everything coming up so it would be helpful to know what your feelings are concerning ol' Barrold.)

Oh my goodness! I completely forgot about the PM! IM so sorry!

Its not that im not interested in Barrold anymore, its just that, well, I dont know where to go with him! :confused: :eek: but for the moment I think thats a good idea Ealasaide, I am completely flexible. ;)

[Ealasaide]

Okay! Thanks, Everdawn! Barrold will henceforth be treated as a carry along character and may be manipulated by all of us as needed. I wil get to work on the post in which Naiore finds him again.

Everyone - how does this sound? Not having heard from Nerindel, we will go ahead and advance the timeframe to evening. We will act on the assumption that we will not be fully dramatizing the counsel, and will be handling it either in a single post from Nerindel or in flashback. I will put up a "save" for Nerindel's Counsel Post, which can be filled or deleted as needed.

We will assume that everything following the save takes place after the meeting of the counsel.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Viola! We have heard from Miss Nerindel. She has seen the save and asks that it be left in place for her to fill in.

Also be of good cheer, she has not been idle and has been working on posts for Dulrain and Amandur. Which I for one eagerly await, but which may not appear until Tuesday or so, when she will be able to get computer access.

[Ealasaide]

Great! Thanks, Hilde, & thanks, Nerindel! :)

Any idea when the two posts that she has been working on fit into the timeline? I'm now wondering if I should move that save. Of course, Pio can always insert Nerindel's posts wherever they happen to fit in. Oh, well, I guess I will find out soon enough!

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I do not know where Amandur's would go, (his might even be for the counsel itself but that is a guess). I would think that the save is conveniently placed so that she might be able to use it to cover a fairly broad space of time.

[piosenniel]

Hilde

This is horridly off topic (but I am the mod . . . :rolleyes: )

Above you used the word, 'Viola', instead of the French 'Voilà' - have you by any chance read a small paperback children's book where 'Viola' is used in place of 'Voilà'?

I loved reading it with my daughter when she was a kidlet . . . but can't recall the name . . .

~*~ Pio, grasping at straws . . .

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

No, I'm afraid it is the result of haste and laziness on my part. I wish I could say that I had read the book! :p Is the story for the very, very young? As in, would an elven year old be embarrassed to have her mom bring it home?

And by the way, it is fun to see that someone else uses the word kidlet!

[Ealasaide]

I just put a "save" up for Naiore. I will try to fill it tonight, but it may be tomorrow evening before I finish. I'm having a tougher time with it than I expected. Sorry for the delay.

[Everdawn]

I just put a "save" up for Naiore. I will try to fill it tonight, but it may be tomorrow evening before I finish. I'm having a tougher time with it than I expected. Sorry for the delay.
oh, take your time! ;)

[Ealasaide]

I have filled my SAVE. Naiore, Barrold, and Kaldir's horse are in a small clearing on the plateau above Imladris. :)

[Nerindel]

Hi Everyone! :D

I'm now on vacation but amazingly enough I have more access than I did before! YAY!

I plan to use the save Ealasaide kindly put up for the counsel to place several posts, the first being Dulrain's which I will put here now and plead with Eala to put up for me. ;) The next will be Amandur's post which should lead nicely to the Counsel and ending with him and Lespheria going off together and Vanwe going to find out that her father is missing. Does this work for everyone?

Dúlrain

Dúlrain joined Benia's gentle laughter as she belatedly returned his greeting, he too only realising that she had not returned one. He gazed lovingly into her deep amber eyes, losing himself in the warmth of her smile. Knowing that his heart was now hers forever and always, he no longer struggled against it. Letting the warmth of his love returned infuse him with such joy and happiness that it cast aside any fears or doubts that he may still have been carrying. They loved each other and no matter what trails they may face in their life's that one truth would always remain strong and unyielding. This he knew with undying certainty as that held each other’s hands their love intertwined like the very fingers they clasped so tenderly together.

The door to the room opened again causing the two lovers to turn, breaking the spell that had been holding them so raptly under each other’s loving gaze. Swinging wide the open door admitted another elf, this one slightly shorter than the other, but with the same free flowing dark hair and the same cheerful glint to her grey eyes. The elf dipped a short curtsy, and then crossed the room to deposit the large silver tray she was carrying.

"Mistress Celebnariel thought that you might like some breakfast," she smiled again turning to them. "She also advises that master Dúlrain try to eat something and if you excuse me I tend to agree, Lady Lespheria is a wonderful healer, quite gifted, but her tonics for loss of appetite are ... shall we say far from pleasant." Then as though to emphasis the point the young elf's delicate features screwed up in disgust and Dulrain rather thought that she was indeed remembering the foul some taste. He looked at Benia and then with a smile of suppressed laughter he nodded saying that he would most defiantly try. The young elf content with his reply simple nodded then departed to attain other chores of the morning.

Slowly letting go of his hand Benia crossed the room to examine the contents of the tray. She lifted the lid of a tall silver teapot and the aroma of a sweet smelling herbal tea wafted across the room. "Hmm, that smells wonderful," He grinned inhaling deeply of the strong refreshing smell.

"There is enough here to satisfy even a hobbits veritable appetite," Benia laughed lightly lifting another lid. But even as she tried to hide it he caught the briefest glance to the open window and he knew she though of her hobbit friend.

"You think of Gilly, is she not here? He gently enquired.

"Oh, yes. She is here and well by all accounts, " she assured him. "But I have not spoken with her since our arrival and fear that I have failed in my duty as friend, I could not bring myself to leave you until I knew you were will." she added slightly abashed as she returned to his side.

"Well, you can see that I am well and I would not wish to keep you from your other duties," he smiled raising her hands to his lips and kissing them gently.

"I would not want Mrs Banks to think that I was holding you here to myself, she just might have a few things to say about that, " he winked jovially.

"I daresay she would," Benia laughed. "But if you are not so eager to be rid of me I will stay awhile longer at least to share in this delicious feast the elves have kindly prepared for us."

"Only a fool would be eager to rid himself of such radiant beauty," he answered pleased that she would not be leaving so soon.

After washing the pair shared breakfast and pleasant conversation, there was no mention of Naiore, Kaldir or even the journey that brought them to their present location. Instead they shared what fond memories they had to share. Dúlrain described to Benia the beauty of the sun rising over the sleepy hills of Evendim with it’s golden rays touching the calm waters of lake Nenuial in the lands north of the Shire that when he was not wandering he called home. Benia smiled warmly at his description delicately closing her eye as if recalling some distant memory. When she again opened them she described to him the shifting sands of her desert home, and how the moonlight glinted a silvery blue hue against the majestic peaks of the grey mountains to the west of Harad’s great desert. They continued to share these small intimate details about themselves and their lives until the door to the room again opened admitting the elven lady Léspheria. Benia remained and he felt her hand gentle squeeze his assuringly as the elven healer bade him good morning, then carefully removed his dressing. They both gasped with surprise the wound was all but fully closed scar tissue and extensive bruising the only clues that any real damage had been done.

“B...But I don’t understand it still feels like I have been hit by a mountain?” Dúlrain muttered shaking his head in confusion.

“That is to be expected,” Léspheria grinned. “There was some external damage that shall need a little longer to heal. While I can manipulated the bodies own restorative powers nature still demands that we keep a little bit of pain to remind us that we are not indestructible, but I can give you something to help lessen natures toll if you require it.”

“No that will not be necessary, but thank you. It will do me no harm to be reminded of my limits,” he laughed wryly.

“Perhaps,” Léspheria smiled “But you should rest, allow the healing to transpire.” She stressed with a gentle firmness. This news distressed him but Léspheria assured him it would not be for long and with Benia’s concerned gaze he relented. The Lady then left to attend the others of her halls leaving them again alone. The day was drawing on and short while later Benia also excused herself, “I too must leave, she is right you should rest. I Promise I will return as soon as I have seen that Gilly is well and we have spoken a little.”

“I will hold you to that promise,” he smiled. “But I would ask one favour,”

“Anything!” she grinned.

“I would know what has become of the others of my company, Kaldir, Amandur, Rauthain and even master Longholes.” He asked staring out of the window, wondering if they had already continued on without him.

“I will see what I can find out,” She smiled drawing him back from his thoughts, still holding her hand he pulled her gently forwards and kissed her tenderly, a long lingering kiss before letting her go. Alone again with nothing to do but stare at the ceiling he carefully replayed the events of the past few weeks in his head until sleep again took him.

***********************************

Thanks to Pio and Hilde for keeping me up to date.

[Ealasaide]

Nerindel - Welcome back! :D I have placed your post & look forward to seeing the others you have in the chute. Looks like we are indeed on the move again!

[Ealasaide]

Does anyone else have anything that must happen in the evening? Nerindel, I know you have the counsel and your post for Amandur that leads into the counsel. Is there anything else besides those, which can be inserted into the slot with Dulrain?

If there is nothing else, I will make a brief post for Benia, then advance the timeframe into early morning of the third day.

Everyone - Please let me know if you are all clear with advancing the time frame! Thanks! :)

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

All clear! :)

[Everdawn]

All Clear!!!

[Ealasaide]

I have inserted a post for Benia in #269, just after Dulrain. We are ready to advance into morning.

*** TIME FRAME IS NOW EARLY MORNING ON THE THIRD DAY IN IMLADRIS ***

[Everdawn]

Thanks Ealasaide! Ill be working on a post!

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Let the fun begin! :cool:

[Nerindel]

Ealasaide here is Amandur and Léspheria's posts to edit into #269

NOTE: ALREADY MOVED TO GAME THREAD ~*~ Pio

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Amandur

Restless Amandur had risen early leaving both his charges to seemingly wander free. However Amandur was neither reckless or naïve, he had many friends among the elves of Rivendell who when need be would act as his eyes and ears. Neither Avanill nor Toby would even be aware that they were being watched until they tried to do something stupid like leave without him knowing. His frustrations at not yet capturing the treacherous Naiore Dannan weighed heavy on him, but as he paced the empty halls he knew that she was not his only concern, though ultimately the elf and her ties had become the main cause of his unrest. No matter how much he tried he could not ignore the fact that this elf he hunted in the name of the king; a woman that had brought so much pain and suffering to the free peoples of middle earth was cousin to the elven woman he loved. A kind and gentle spirit whose sole purpose in life was to see peace established and maintained throughout the lands. So opposite were they that it was almost inconceivable that they were of the same race let alone of the same blood, but there it was that one small tie that wormed a little fear and uncertainty into his mind.

From the beginning it had always crossed his mind that Naiore would not be one to come willingly to face the Kings judgement and even now with Avanill’s promise of a miraculous potion he was not entirely sure she would allow herself to be taken alive. He already felt Léspheria slowly slipping away from him as she closed her mind, hiding her emotions from the prying intrusiveness of her cousin. Distancing herself from the others, him more so of late so it seemed. That she saw their feelings for one another as a weakness pained him deeply, could she not see that without her his life had no meaning; no purpose, his time in Ammunias had shown him that. He had found no contentment in his position without her there to share it with him. Something had been missing and it had taken this journey to show him what it was and now he was to forget that and bury his feelings so Naiore could not use them against him. Already she was a wedge between them, weather she knew it or not. If he killed her he would loss Léspheria and if he did not he feared he would still loss her, at least the kind and emotional elven woman he fell in love with.

With a heavy sigh he looked up, only to realise that his restless wanderings had brought him to the halls of the healers. Looking around his gaze finally met a familiar face, not a healer but Celebnriel an attendant of the house and a confidant of the lady Léspheria, she gave him a almost knowing smile as she asked him if she could be of assistance.

“Good morning mistress Celebnriel,” he grinned back. “I would speak with Lady Léspheria if she is available.”

“Alas Master Amandur you call at such an early an hour, the lady and her guest still lay in silent slumber and should not be disturbed.” The elven attendant smiled sympathetically.

“Then I shall return later at a more respectable hour,” Amandur replied with a short nod of understanding.

“I shall inform the lady that you called, she will be most pleased to hear that you are well my Lord,” Celebnriel smiled playfully giving him the honouree title he refused to accept, then turned to resume her morning duties.

“My Lady I would ask one more question of you if you can spare me a moment,” he called after her. She stopped and slowly turning she bent her head in acquiescence to his request.

“I would hear of another guest of these halls, a ranger and friend, Master Dúlrain?” Amandur asked his brow furrowed in genuine concern for his comrade. “When last I saw him he was in a bad way, I would hear if his condition has improved.”

Casting a brief glimpse at the door she had just left the elven woman smiled warmly, “Then be at ease Master Ranger your friend is well and even now is awake. His fever broke in the night, he is still a little tended but he will live.”

“Ai, that is good news indeed,” he smiled his troubled brow relaxing slightly. “I would speak with him if the healers deem him well enough to do so?”

“Ah, alas my friend I must again be the one to refuse your request, as the young ranger is not alone. The healers have deemed that he not be troubled by to many guests at once, he still must rest.” She smiled regretfully, “But I shall inform him that you have called and to expect you later in the day.”

“Thank you Celebnriel,” he replied wistfully

“I am sorry I could be of no better help to you,” she smiled shaking her head.
“Not at all Mistress, That I know the lady Léspheria and Master Dulrain are well is service enough and I thank you.” He said returning her smile. Giving a short incline of her head in gratitude she turned and went back to her daily chores of attending the needs of Rivendell’s guests.

As he made his way to the feasting halls he pondered who the guests where that Celebnriel had mentioned but not named, he guessed that Léspheria’s guest had to be Vanwe, it only seemed logical that they would be together and that they would have had much to discuss. As to Dulrian’s guest that could be either Rauthain or Kaldir, he assumed that latter after the conversation they had shared the previous night.

He just reached the halls when he was approached by an elven messenger, “Master Amandur?” the elven lad asked catching his breath and slightly unsure if he was addressing the right man.

“I am he,” Amandur replied,

“My Lords Elohir and Elladan ask that you join them for breakfast.” The elf said having now caught his breath.

Nodding his assent Amandur followed the young elf through the long corridors to a fair sized study, within sat at an oval oak table were the Lords Elladan and Elohir. They were not alone to Elohir’s right sat Belegar the proud and stolid captain of Rivendell’s guard, then opposite him sat two tall and extremely lean fair headed elves, their garb and the delicately carved long bows that sat at their sides marked them as elves of the Galadrim. At the window looking out over the silent beauty of the valley and lost in thoughtfully recompense was Lord Celeborn.

“Come join us Amandur,” Elladan gestured indicating an empty seat next to Belegar, the table was laden with an assortment of fresh fruit, breads meats and refreshments. As he took his place Elohir introduced him to the others at the table.

“Captain Belegar you know,” the elven Lord said pausing to allowing the two men a moment to nod their greetings. “Across from you are the brothers Hallaer and Voronwer, along with our Lord Celeborn they are the last of the Galadrim left in Middle earth,” Elohir smiled with a slight look of regret and sadness crossing his grey eyes as he introduce each in turn.

“Now that introductions are out of the way we will begin!” Celeborn announced turning from the window and taking his place at the head of the table. “Belegar if you please,” he nodded to the elven captain.

“Yes my Lord, The orcs have retreated and no trace of them now remain from here to the forest of Rhudaur, we have burned the bodies and set guards at every entrance to the valley as a precaution, should the orcs think to be so bold again.” Belegar reported.

“And Naiore?” Celeborn asked as he filled his goblet, with the clear crystal waters of the mirrormere.

“We followed her trail through Rhudaur and nor-east toward Hithaeglir, but lost her at the edge of the wilds. It seems to us that defeated she fled with her orc ramble back to their dark holes in the mountains,” Voronwer reported, sneering at his own implication of the elven traitors association with their most foul-some enemies.

However Amandur remained unconvinced, he had discovered from Avanill that Naiore had sent Vanwe into Rivendell to retrieve Menecin and as far as he was aware she had not yet achieved this end, no she would not give up so easily, he thought shaking his head. “ She has not yet retrieved that, which she came for,” he spoke aloud seeing the perplexed stares of the others. “If I have learned anything of our quarry it is that she does not give up so easily, many years have the rangers hunted the Revennor of Mordor and many times she has given us the slip, but not before accomplishing her objective.”

“I assure you Master ranger that she shall not slip into this valley without us knowing it!” Captain Belegar announced defensively.

“Forgive me Captain I meant no offence, merely to point out the ladies determination. I have recently learned that Naiore’s goal was not to enter these halls but to have her daughter lure Lord Menecin from the safety of his protectors.” He added apologetically.

“So the orc were a diversion?” Hallaer cut in frowning with disdain at Naiore’s cunning.

“But she did not count on Vanwe strength to resist her compulsions and on meeting her father and seeing her mothers lies her daughter has forsaken her mothers request and Naiore has lost and will be forced to move on or risk being found!” Elladan announced with a satisfied grin. But Amandur again shook his head.

“No Grandson,” Celeborn said, turning to study Amandur’s troubled grey eyes” I do not believe she will move on until the last remnants of her elven past are completely erased. The elf we once knew is gone and only the shadow remains, twisted with hatred that she would stop at no ends to achieve her goal, this is what you believe is it not Captain Amandur?”

Amandur nodded that this was so, “But my Lord, if she mounts a second attack I do not know that we will be able to hold, we lost many a good elf in the first assault, that our numbers are to few too resist!” Captain Belegar frowned.

“No the orcs failed her once I do not think she will use them again,” Elohir put in his eyes narrowing in silent contemplation, “no if what Amandur says is true she will come herself.”

“This can not be allowed!” Celeborn announced fixing Amandur with his steady gaze, “Elven blood must not be allowed to be spilled in these hallowed grounds, it that was for this very reason that we agreed to allow King Elessar decide what was to be done with Naiore.” Amandur nodded understanding fully what was being asked of him.

“I will have the guards fall back a little to tighten the net that she may not slip through unnoticed,” Belegar said raising to his feet. He then looked uncomfortably between Amandur and his Elven Lords, as if unsure that he should speak of his other concern in front of the ranger.

“We are all friends here,” Elladan prompted.

“What of the bard?” Belegar whispered, “I do not have the elves to spare to search for him.”

Amandur started at this new revelation, “Menecin is missing, Naiore may already be here!” he exclaimed ready to jump from his seat and check that Lespheria and Vanwe where indeed still safe in their room as Celebnriel had informed him.

“At ease master ranger,” Celeborn said resting a reassuring hand on his shoulder, “As far as we know Naiore has not the bard, rather he has chosen to part our company and as yet I know not if this is for better or worse.” He sighed forlornly.

“We will use what skills we possess to locate the bard and try to convince him to return!” Hallaer and Voronwer offered together, as they rose from the table.

“Very well, but tread carefully, we know not to what end Menecin’s madness will drive him.” Celeborn warned.

“I will go with you!” Amandur said rising to his feet, the two elves looked at each other then smiled sympathetically understanding his need to act. “We thank you for your offer, but we will be quicker alone. We mean no offence but if we are force into a confrontation, what use will you be.” They said indicating his bound sword arm. Remembering his injury he nodded his understanding and sat back down as the elven brothers followed by the captain of the Guards left the room.

“You should have Léspheria look at that if you are to continue with your task,” Elladan said lifting a green apple from one of the bowls and rubbing it on his tunic. “You do intend to continue,” he asked stopping the apple inches from his mouth and turning to regard him.

“Off Course!” Amandur frowned defensively.

“But you still doubt yourself and your ability to lead,” Celeborn whispered.

“I have already lost one ranger and nearly a second,” he sighed heavily raising from his seat and turning towards the window, clasping his hands behind his back.

“Death has always been a part of the rangers way of life you know this, as did Maethor?” Elohir reminded him.

“It still does not make it any easier to bare, what if I cannot protect her?” he whispered betraying the truth of his fears. The three lords looked at each other then smiling Elladan and Elohir approached him.

“Do you forget the ambush of the pass my friend, when first we fought together?” Elladan grinned.

“No,” he answered not fully understanding.

“Then you will remember who it was that saved our hides.” Elohir said suppressing a wry grin.

Looking out over the valley Amandur remembered that they along with Lespheria’s brother, Lothaniel had been dispatch on an errand into Mirkwood when they had been ambushed by Goblins in the pass. They had managed to surround them and their prospects were looking grim, when Léspheria sensing her brothers danger had come to their aid, dispatching several orcs with her bow before they could make her position and in the confusion he and the elven lords had managed to take the offensive. He grinned despite himself as he remembered this.

“I understand what you are telling me my friends, but I can no longer control my feelings for her and fear that they cloud my judgement. For her safety I would have you command her to remain and pursue Naiore no more.” He sighed.

“But this is not your choice to make, Amandur. Léspheria also has her reasons for searching for Naiore, this you know!” Celeborn gently counselled him.

“Even if it means we loss her completely?” Amandur answered turning to face them.

“Yes, if it is to be so,” Celeborn whispered. Amandur could feel the sadness in the room as they each contemplated this possibility. The elves had done everything possible to prevent the encounter that was to come, but still it would find her it seemed the fates had deemed it so and no matter what they did it was inevitable that the two were meant to eventually meet.


“You should go to her and explain to her how you are feeling I am sure she will understand, if she does not already know, “ Elohir smiled encouragingly.

“We will call counsel tonight and decide what is to be done about Naiore, for now you need to get that arm mended and talk to Léspheria,” Elladan added.


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Amandur and Léspheria

It was late afternoon by the time he found the courage to return to the halls of the healers, he stopped by Dulrain’s room hoping to find the ranger awake but it was not to be and the healers quickly ushered him away saying that the ranger needed his rest. He was directed to a small office that opened out to an enclosed garden. There he found Léspheria sitting on a bench reading from the small journal they had discovered at the home of Tallas. He started as he realised that silver tears trickled from her delicate almond shape eyes, so intent was she in what she was reading she sensed not his approach. Reaching into the pocket of his tunic with his good hand he pulled out a clean handkerchief and gently offered it to her. Looking up she smiled, taking the kerchief and wiping the tears from her eyes.

“Are you alright?” Amandur asked, sitting beside her.

“I will be,” she smiled. “I was just reading my mother’s journal,” she told him holding the book up for him to see. “I think I now understand, they where childhood friends, my mother and Naiore. They grew and learned together, forming a bond that was hard to break. Like any loyal friend she could not believe that Naiore was lost to the shadow, but she was wrong and Naiore betrayed her tricking her into giving secrets that she relied to our enemies in Dul Guldor. After that my mother realised that the only way to save her cousin was to set her spirit free, so she pursued Naiore back to Mordor were too late she discovered that the flaw was Naiore’s alone, a flaw created in her thirst for knowledge.”

“And you, what do you believe?” Amandur asked cautiously taking her free hand in his. She was surprised by his question and for a moment lost for words, “I do not believe that there is anything left to save if that is what you mean, though I wish there was for Vanwe's sake,” she frowned.

“Forgive me I had to ask, you do know that it may be…” he began, but raising a delicate finger to his lips she silenced him.

“I do know,” she nodded. “I just ask that it be the last resort, if all else fails.”

Looking deep into her eyes he nodded, even if he did not understand her reasons he trusted her. Realising that he was staring he let go of her hand and looked away embarrassed that he had been so bold, when she had already request that he bury his feelings.

“I am sorry I can not do it, I can no more hide how I feel than I can prevent the sun from rising,” he sighed.

“No, my love it is I who should be apologising,” she exclaimed taking his hands. “I was wrong together we are stronger, I see that now.” She smiled hopefully.

“My love!” Amandur echoed “Are you sure?” he asked knowing what she would have to give up to bind herself to him.

“I am, I always have been, only I have been to blind to see it, can you forgive me.” She replied sadly.

Overcome with joy he pulled her gently into his arms, not even feeling the pain shooting up his arm as he held her tight, their lips met and he kissed her passionately with the longing of a thousand ages. There they remained in each other’s embrace until Léspheria remembered his injury.

“You should let me fix this,” she smiled affectionately. He nodded allowing her to remove his dressing and as she worked they discuss what they had both discovered since arriving in Rivendell, though for the moment he did not tell Léspheria of Menecin’s disappearance not wishing to worry her further.

As the first stars began to twinkle in the evening sky a bell rang to summon them to counsel, “What ever course you decide I will follow, but please I beg you do not ask me to remain,” Léspheria whispered taking his now fully healed arm.

“I promise you I will not,” he whispered nodding his head, then together they made there way to the council chambers of the Lords of Rivendell.

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Save: Counsel meeting

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