[piosenniel]

Nuranar’s Characters

1.) NAME: Tarondo, ‘lofty stone’

AGE: 521

RACE: Sylvan Elf - born in Mirkwood

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Tarondo’s preferred weapon is the hand-and-a-half sword that belonged to his father. Very tall and unexpectedly quick on his feet, he is a dangerous swordfighter. Even by the standards of Men, however, he is no more than a competent archer and does not carry his own bow. An ordinary hunting knife is his only other weapon.

APPEARANCE: Tarondo is 6’6” and seems taller, for although broad-shouldered, he is lean rather than powerful in build. He has dark hair and merry grey eyes, and his tanned face is usually animated. He is left-handed, but discovered long ago the usefulness of being able to use both hands. Now he is nearly as dexterous with his right as with his left. Tarondo usually wears a faded green tunic of heavy linen and well-fitting trousers tucked into soft boots. These boots, laced to the knee (similar to Apache moccasins), he makes for himself and his sister. Over his tunic he wears a worn deerskin jerkin, a sword belt, and vambraces.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Tarondo is a cheerful, good-natured young Elf, curious and eager to discover for himself everything in Middle-earth. Although born under the trees, he yearns more for the open lands. He is a good hunter and tracker, having learned much from the northern Rangers. He and his sister are traveling companions and seem to “liven things up” wherever they go with their merry, bantering ways. At the same time Tarondo is very keenly aware of his surroundings; vigilance is for him instinctive. He is not suspicious, but careful. His constant wariness prevents him from ever truly relaxing. He does enjoys company and can be genuinely open around people – but only to a point. At times his sister’s friendly sincerity both aggravates and angers him. He is always ready to check her when she grows heedless, and in his anxiety he can be harsh.

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2.) NAME: Luinien, ‘blue maiden’

AGE: 476

RACE: Sylvan Elf - born in Mirkwood

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS: Luinien usually carries a sword-hilted dirk at her side. It is a light and effective weapon which she uses as a sword at need. She is an excellent archer, although her bow is quite ordinary, if a tad large for her stature. Nevertheless she keeps herself in training and is both careful and precise with it. She carries it and her belt quiver when traveling (and hunting), but rarely at other times. She also has a small, single-edged throwing knife. It is nearly always with her, and she rarely troubles to conceal it.

APPEARANCE: Luinien is shorter than most Elven women, standing about 5’8.” Trim and well-proportioned, she is not overly slender and has the lissom strength of an archer. Her hip-length hair is true black, glossy and glinting bluely. She usually wears it in two braids, sometimes pinned up out of the way. Her eyes are grey and her skin fair, although slightly tanned and rosy-cheeked from her outdoors life. She usually wears a fine woolen gown of golden brown, its full skirt falling only to her lower calf and split for riding astride. Beneath it she wears ordinary trousers and high moccasins made by her brother. A deep blue silken sash is wound about her waist, and over it the belt from which hangs her dirk. She wears gloves for both riding and shooting, and has a heavy knee-length cloak for cold weather.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Luinien is always laughing. She likes people, enjoys meeting them and getting to know them. She also likes exploring the wide spaces of Middle-earth with her brother Tarondo, although her love for the land is not equal to his. She has been in tough spots before and is no mean opponent. However, Luinien lacks his highly developed instinct for danger; although sensitive to atmosphere and quick to act at need, she tends to be relaxed, even careless. Sometimes she resents Tarondo’s comparative reserve and the restraint he places on her. Nonetheless she trusts his judgment implicitly, for she knows his ability to size up situations and make the best decision. Knowing that he will never order her except when the need is sharp, she responds with instant obedience when he does – although she doesn’t forget and lets him know her displeasure later.

~*~

COMBINED HISTORY:

Tarondo and Luinien’s father was killed at the Battle of Five Armies. A year later they traveled with their grieving mother to the Grey Havens, where she tried to convince them to leave with her. However, their journey had filled Tarondo with the desire to see and explore all the wide lands. Luinien loved her mother dearly, but she was also caught by his enthusiasm. Unwilling to compel her children, their mother gave her blessing and sailed alone.

The brother and sister roamed over Eregion together. When tired of wandering, Luinien joined the Elves of Rivendell, or sometimes the remnant of the Dunedain in their settlement. At these times Tarondo went farther afield, sometimes alone, sometimes with the Rangers. When war threatened they went back to Mirkwood to aid in its defense, and afterward were among the Elves brought to dwell in Ithilien. Since then, they have assisted the men of Gondor in eradicating the scattered servants of the Enemy from that land.

The bond between brother and sister has been strengthened and tested through the challenges of their lives. Their closeness, born of labor and danger and sacrifice, renders them a formidable team to oppose. However, they remain joyful and merry, loving to sing and play games. Mislead by their bantering veneer, light and teasing, the undiscerning usually dismiss them as inexperienced youngsters.


~*~

Nuranar’s post ---- 2ND FOR GAME

Two Elves stood in the narrow corridor. “Why – how – how dare you!” the young female protested to her laughing companion. “Tarondo, you – I never—”

“There you are, Veryadan!” Tarondo interrupted his sister, catching sight of him as the door opened. “We were just discussing the last time we had seen you. Wasn’t it when Luinien fell off her horse into the creek?” the Elf continued, a rascally twinkle in his eye
.
Grinning, Veryadan stepped forward. “Was that how it was? I seem to remember seeing quite a splash…”

“Oh – you two suit each other!” Luinien turned and stormed dramatically down the corridor, her sky-blue gown trailing grandly. At the corner she stopped. “Come along, children,” she teased, a smile breaking through. “We mustn’t keep the King waiting!”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“It pleases me to hear you are settled in Ithilien, at least for a time,” Veryadan said as they strode up the street. “But why does the King want to see us?”

“Because he wants to, that’s why,” answered Tarondo. “As for why—ow!” he broke off, stubbing his toe on an uneven step.

“Serves you right,” Luinien said unsympathetically, then turned to the still-perplexed Ranger. “Surely you have heard stories of the violence up north, along the Great East Road past Bree. Rumors of travelers who are never heard from again, entire flocks and herds vanishing, even several outlying farmsteads destroyed.”

“I have heard,” Veryadan nodded. “The merchants are growing apprehensive about traveling anywhere near there, even as far west as Lake Evendim.”

“I fear that some threat has re-arisen in the absence of the Rangers,” Tarondo resumed, frowning. “It may even threaten the settlement at the Angle. We think the King will send us north to discover what is truly happening.”

“So what do you think we will find?” the Elf-maid questioned pertly, after a short silence. “A dragon or two, perhaps? I think we’re about due for another one to show up.”

Tarondo narrowed his eyes at her flippancy. “Petty bandits, more likely, or some others of the Enemy’s servants, out for themselves. Perhaps even orcs,” he concluded heavily.

“Now that would be fun,” Veryadan said, a new note of interest in his voice. Tarondo looked at him curiously, but no one spoke again until they reached the White Tower.