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Old 05-09-2004, 04:17 PM   #192
Nurumaiel
Vice of Twilight
 
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: on a mountain
Posts: 1,139
Nurumaiel has just left Hobbiton.
Shield ROHAN COMPANY: Liornung

Liornung's face twitched a little and a faint smile came to his lips as he heard Bellyn's confused words. And then... she had forgotten to name him, even in a confused, mixed way. But it was of no matter. He had been forgotten before this, and he would be forgotten again. And Bellyn had been confused, and quite capable of forgetting any of the company. It was of no matter.

He moved slowly closer to her, aware that an arrow could bring swift and unavoidable death. Leaning slightly towards her, he patted her hand gently, feeling very much like an old man comforting a little girl. He had always seemed older than he was. No reckless, thoughtless, daring actions, but always careful consideration. But if it were the lot of the young man's life to play an old man, he would at least do it ably. "Hush, Bella-lass," he said, "and let Ędegard speak with them. He will know what to say."

At least there was Ędegard. That man was also young, but wise beyond his years. It would be thought in such a company of young people there would be much confusion over what to do, much jest, and more dancing and singing than work. If they were wise it was not a bad thing. Yet it was odd, for Liornung had always felt young before. What was it about this journey that made him older? It would not be a terrible day when he returned to the inn and saw Good Secgrof again, and the innkeeper, and his daughter Blostma. She would find some way to make him a young man again, surely she would. Or at least he could be hoped. And he would go on no more adventures like this but merely sit by that fire and tell tales. It would be pleasant to always sit by that fire and not wander anymore. Yet it was merely a passing fancy. This was no gentle wandering to play music for whoever would listen, it was more difficult, more frightening. When he recovered for it he would travel again. But for awhile it would be good to just sit by that fire and tell of all the people he had encountered.

He paused in his thoughts, in his memories and his anticipation of the future, and made himself realize that he was in neither the past nor the future, but in the present, and he was encountering more people. And these people... A tingling feeling came over him and he suddenly felt immensely shy, and a wonder came over him. He did not think any longer of the bows, but of those who held them. Awe filled him as he realized fully what had only been a dim thought before... North they had ridden from Edoras, for Amroth was seeking his love Nimrodel. He had been riding towards his people, towards a Wood that was not Fangorn. The wonder grew in him and rendered him speechless.
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