Sailing Away RPG

[Encaitare]

Reggie watched everyone stepping towards Sondo, and felt uneasy. He wondered if perhaps they knew something he didn't, wondered if perhaps it wouldn't be so bad an idea to just join the rest of them. But, then it would seem like he was just giving in to the majority, which was not what he wanted either. He wanted fun and adventures; he wanted to go somewhere he had never been before.

Bingo's last words to him had not helped. He was being so kind to him, perhaps kinder than Reggie deserved. I'll still be here and ready to help, he had said. But that wasn't what he was supposed to say! He should have said, Yes, Reggie, you are a child -- you're my little brother and you're coming with me, and that's final. Then Reggie would have had every reason to be resentful, and part ways without regret. But that wouldn't have been like Bingo at all, anyway. He thought he had seen a glimpse of hurt in his brother's eyes as he turned away, and he felt sorry about it -- but he didn't want to be sorry! What did he have to be sorry for? For wanting to do something on his own for once?

Really struggling within himself, Reggie felt as though he might begin to cry. This was absolutely unthinkable; it would only prove that he was still some sort of baby.

"I'm leaving now," Falco was saying, his voice sounding a little strange. "If anyone is coming with me, come along now. If you're not... go home with Sondo." Reggie looked at the other boys. They all stayed where they were. Bingo would not meet his eyes.

In frustration, Reggie turned quickly and joined Falco. They began to leave the others. I will not look back, Reggie thought. I will not, I must not...

But he did. Bingo was still looking at the ground.

[Firefoot]

Sondo said nothing for a moment as he watched them leave. In the end, he was not surprised, and the disappointment he felt was tempered with triumph. He knew he had won the argument, and Sondo now figured that Falco had had in mind all along to leave, though preferably with a larger following. Far more hobbits than had left with Falco had sided with him, some with quiet loyalty and others with bold exclamations. Ultimately, leadership still belonged to him, and he drew from that.

"Well," he said. "I guess that's that. We've got to be heading on as well, but I don't think we need to be in much of a hurry. If they don't reach Sarn Ford soon, they may decide to come back after us." He doubted it, but as long as there was that hope, Sondo thought that he would have an easier time keeping up the morale. Tricky as that may be, Sondo had set high importance on it, especially in these coming days.

"But before we get going, I want to take a quick inventory of supplies. All that I have left is my knife. Do any of you have any food? Rope? Anything?" They pooled their resources, and, as Sondo expected there was not much to be had. About half had some kind of weapon, and among all of them there was only enough food for each of them to have a meal, and most of that came from the pack Sassy had managed to keep. Other than that, there were only a few odds and ends: fishhooks without line (though there were some short pieces of string), a spare button, an unusually colored stone, and the like.

"Maybe we'll catch some fish for dinner," said Sondo in an attempt to be positive. "We have some stuff here; we'll get by." Everything disappeared back into pockets, and without further deliberation they headed north. If any had regrets about the path they'd chosen they kept quiet; for better or for worse, their loyalties and desires had been evaluated, their choices made, and their lots cast.

[Crystal Heart]

Sam watched as Falco walked off with several others. In his mind this was not how things should be. They were a group and we wanted to stay a group. Besides they were only hobbits and that alone was not a great thing. Any one could come up and hurt them for just being hobbits.

Sam leaned over to Sondo and said, "I shall be back," before running after Falco. As soon as he caught up to him, he whipped the young lad around and looked him square in the eyes.

"What is wrong with you Falco? I understand wanting to be a leader. That I have always wanted, yet have never really told anyone. A good leader understands danger. The dangers of going by yourselves without protection, supplies, and other things is a suicide mission. Is that what you are leading these hobbits into? A suicide mission. You must think about that. I have nothing against you, Falco. None whatsoever. The only thing that I fear with you is your inexperience. Do not allow that to be your downfall, Falco. Just my words of wisdom. Take them or leave them. It is your choice. Good luck to you."

Sam walked away, hoping that his words would strike in Falco's heart and remain there, helping him in his leadership.

[Firefoot]

Sondo led the way upriver, mostly occupied with his own thoughts. Now that his temper had cooled off, he was able to rationally think through his argument with Falco. He realized, though he would never admit it, that he had said some things that would further push Falco into breaking away. Perhaps he could have been more considerate to Falco’s opinions - or maybe not. Falco had been downright insulting, saying that he couldn’t lead among other things. Though it was the first time Falco had told him so out loud, Sondo could not help but wonder whether Falco had felt that way for quite some time. To tell the truth, Falco’s comments had hurt. They still did, in fact, for though he was confident in himself, even arrogant, sometimes, the opinions of his friends did matter to him. And he did value his friendships; now he could see almost no way that he and Falco could ever make peace between them. After so publically denouncing him as leader, Sondo doubted that Falco would ever follow him again, and Sondo would certainly never follow another. They really were alike, Sondo mused. It was only that he had not only the ideas and the daring to carry them out, but also the persuasiveness to get others to go along with him. Falco had never really had the ideas, and so the hobbits naturally followed him. Sure, Falco protested occasionally, but he usually ended up going along with everyone else. But not this time. Never before had the two come to an out and out fight, and it was a sore blow to Sondo.

With a soft sigh, Sondo tried to put the thoughts out of mind. It was over and done with now, and there would be nothing to do about it until the two of them met again. If then. But with nothing else to occupy his mind, he kept coming back to the same old regretful thoughts. If he had the opportunity he would prefer talking with someone, but the remaining hobbits were either chatting quietly in pairs or similarly concerned only with their own thoughts. There were some who seemed perfectly content to make the best of the situation, smiling and even laughing on occasion.

Even so, their going was slow. Originally they had planned to keep to the river bank and so follow the Brandywine north. However, this idea was soon abandoned as the bank proved steep and uneven in footing, not to mention muddy. They had switched to walking in the forest, keeping the river close on their left and in sight. The ground was similarly muddy and uneven and the undergrowth thick so that they had to watch their steps so as not to trip. It was hardly better than walking along the riverbank.

It was nearing noon when Sondo started to get hungry, and he called for them to stop for lunch before anyone started complaining. He did not think that they would, after such a morning, but he didn’t care to find out. They had been travelling for around four hours now, but Sondo knew they had not covered very much ground. None of them had had much sleep, and some had not even eaten more than a full meal’s worth since yesterday’s breakfast. A weak attempt was made to preserve what food they had, but all were hungry and their supplies much diminished. Sondo reckoned that they might have enough for one more meal, but it was doubtful. They did not stop long and continued once everyone had finished. They would have to stop earlier that night in order to (hopefully) catch some fish.

They had barely started out again when Sondo’s mood began to pick up again, as it inevitably did if there was anything to be cheerful about. Sure, they had lost a couple members of their band and they were heading home, but there was more to come. They were down but not out, and Sondo intended to enjoy himself. He began to hum a merry tune, and as he recalled the words he began to sing. He was not the most musical person, but he could carry a tune well enough and the words and melody were both well known. After the first verse he was joined by a few more voices. It was a right good song for adventuring, though not without typical hobbitish references to food and drink, and after the final rousing chorus Sondo felt himself grinning. Maybe this would not be so bad after all.

[Primrose Bolger]

Sassy followed along behind Sondo and the remaining companions. She felt relieved in a way that Falco had gone off on his own. It was a guilty sort of relief, but it had taken her brother’s attention off her mistake in blurting out his old nickname, and it gave her a sort of ‘place’ in this new little group. After all, they had all stuck by Sondo – the boys and her.

They were all tired, but Sondo set a fair pace. She figured he had some plan to get them to a good place to spend the night and find something to eat. ‘Speaking of which,’ she thought to herself, ‘maybe there’s something I can find to help out.’ Taking her pack from her back, she opened the top flap and began to fish through it.

The food was all gone. She and Bingo had finished off the meat strips as they made their way back to the group. The few cookies she had brought were in soaked crumbles and the peppermint drops were all dissolved, leaving a sticky mess in the bottom of her pack. A number of the items in the big compartment of the pack were gone, washed out by the surging river water. But the things in the side pockets were all still there; their flaps tightly tied by her were now quite difficult to undo. The fishing line from her uncle was still there in one pocket as were some of the hooks she’d borrowed. A couple of snares for coneys were wadded at the bottom of another. And her Da’s filet knife. She heaved a sigh of relief when she found it secure in one of the back pockets.

Her last thing to investigate was her vest pockets. In the lower right hand one, still buttoned, was her little sling. But all her smooth little rocks she used in it were gone. She pulled her pack open again and felt about for the little leather pouch she kept it in. Perhaps she’d missed it, she thought, on her first look through. Hope as she might, though, it simply wasn’t there.

Looking up, she saw she’d fallen a little behind the others during her inventory taking. She could hear they'd started singing a cheerful song. Sassy put her pack hurriedly on her back and went running to catch up. It took longer than she expected as she kept her eyes on the ground in front of her and to the sides, stopping now and then when some promising looking rocks beckoned.

[Encaitare]

Nurumaiel's post:

Falco trod along with his eyes fixed on the ground, and his eyes flashing first with anger, and then with worry. He was still upset about the split of the group, and the fact that he had gained only one supporter. And, of course, the fact that Sondo was the best. That still hurt. It had been hurting for a long time, and would continue to hurt. But worry also assailed him. They had been trudging along for sometime, and had in fact already made one camp, but there was no sight of Sarn Ford. Falco had expected to reach it the evening he set out, but it was almost a day later, and there was no hint that they were drawing close. No sign pointed and informed them that Sarn Ford was close, and no hobbit wandered about to give them directions. Clearly they were still in a wilderness.

"Is it almost suppertime?"

Falco looked up. Reggie had tagged along faithfully with him, though he hadn't said much. Falco suspected that the boy was still feeling rather badly about having to split with his brother, and so he had exerted himself to show Reggie a special sort of kindness, and for more than one reason. The first reason was to comfort Reggie and distract his mind from the parting with his brother, and the second reason was to show his one follower that he was a kind, compassionate leader who cared about the feelings of those under his command. But Falco could not deny that he was getting tired of being kind and compassionate, and was feeling quite snappy at an unforseen happening.

"Yes, I think it's quite suppertime," he said, and promptly sat down. Gesturing for Reggie to do the same, he cleared his throat and said. "Er... now, Reggie, I have something to tell you. We lost most of our supplies, as you know, and we've been dining off what I have in my pack. But the fact is, it's taking longer to reach Sarn Ford than I had thought, and we're running low on food." Reggie said nothing, but his look clearly implied that he was waiting for more. Falco went on, saying: "Well, then, Reggie, I suppose I'd better be blunt. The fact of the matter is, we're clean out of food. But," and he quickened his words so Reggie could not speak till he was through, "that doesn't matter, because we're almost to Sarn Ford, I'm sure of it. We've gone to bed without supper often enough, or at least I have, and we can do it again tonight, for the sake of an adventure. We should reach Sarn Ford by morning, and everything will be all right."

To his surprise, Reggie raised no clamour of protest, but was rather uncannily silent. He was so silent that Falco began to wish he would start complaining. Reggie was thinking, that was clear, and Falco was afraid of what he might be thinking. Not mutiny, surely... hopefully...

"Well, we've got sometime until it gets dark, so we can just hang about as we please," said Falco, trying to speak in those kind, compassionate tones. "Go where you will, but I guess it would be best if we didn't stray too far from the camp." He opened his pack up and peered in. "Here's one last bit of a biscuit, Reggie," he said. "It might be a little stale, but it will fill you a little bit." He placed it into Reggie's hands, and then strode to the river-bank, hoping that his sacrifice made a good impression on Reggie's mind.

Sinking down into the grass, he dropped his feet into the cool water and swished his toes back and forth, gazing uneasily down the river. Were they really as close to Sarn Ford as he hoped? What if they weren't? They couldn't trek miles with no food in their stomachs. Or, at least, Reggie couldn't. He was younger and not as strong and hearty. But Falco wondered if he himself would be able to march a whole day without any food. This was an awful situation. But it was best not to worry about it. Sarn Ford had to be close. They'd been walking for so long. And their only choice was to go back to Sondo.

"And I'll never do that," Falco murmured. He directed his eyes to the river and watched its gentle running, and resolved to think of something else.

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

Encaitare's Post:

Reggie watched Falco's retreating back, and then eyed the bit of biscuit he held in his own hands. This was all the food they had left? Why hadn't Falco told him they were running out of food?

He wondered if Falco really knew how close (or far) they were from Sarn Ford. Reggie did want to go there, truly he did, just for the sake of going somewhere he had never been before and seeing something different for a change. Still, Sondo had said something about heading east...

His thoughts a confused jumble, he decided to take advantage of Falco's suggestion and go off by himself for a bit. He wandered away from their semblance of camp until the noises of the river were faint. As he walked, he nibbled on the biscuit. It was stale, and seemed much smaller when he actually raised it to his mouth. Instead, he broke off a corner and stuck the rest in his pocket. He rued the loss of the nice pack which Bingo had assembled to him.

I hope he's okay, he thought, wondering what the others were doing now. He then realized that he shouldn't care, since he had chosen to leave them, and made himself push the thought out of his mind. He focused on the squirrels, the patterns the sunlight made on the ground as it came through the leaves, the hopes he had for reaching the Ford -- anything to distract himself. But that one pesky thought of his brother kept returning. Bingo had looked so hurt when last he saw him, and he wasn't very sorry about it at the time. Now, though, he was sorry that he had made Bingo, his closest friend and kin, feel so terrible.

"I thought you'd want to stick together. That's what brothers do."

Why was it that Bingo's final words to him were getting to him so much? Guilt was eating away at him not unlike the way he was gnawing on the hard biscuit: slowly but relentlessly.

Bingo had done so much for him throughout his short life. He was Reggie's co-conspirator, sharer of secrets, the one he looked up to the most. Never had he thrown a harsh word at his younger brother -- and look how Reggie had repaid him!

He should go back. He didn't care if he was a baby anymore.

But still... Falco was being nice to him. He seemed to realize that he was upset, and was trying to be especially kind.

But, he had grown snappish as the day grew older. And, if he knew how torn Reggie was, then he would not be surprised if the younger hobbit left.

I must go back, and that's all there is to it, Reggie decided, immediately feeling like a much better person. He hoped Bingo wouldn't be mad at him. With that, he turned back towards the river.

On his way, he encountered a berry bush he had not noticed before because of his musings. Many of the berries were still green, but he found a good number that were ripe or close enough. These he picked and put in his pockets until they were filled to capacity. He then returned to the campsite, discovering that the shadows had grown long in his absence. Falco was probably wondering where he had been for so long, but the other hobbit said nothing until Reggie approached him.

"Anything interesting around here?" he asked in half-interest.

"Not really," Reggie responded. He drew the rest of the biscuit from his pocket and held it out. "Here, Falco. You should have some supper too."

Falco looked at him in surprise, but Reggie did not lower his hand. He took it with a grateful "thank you."

That evening was spent mostly milling about camp in boredom. Reggie was considering telling Falco he meant to go back, but something Falco said changed his mind.

"I hope the others are alright," Reggie had said offhandedly.

Falco grumbled. "Who cares? I certainly don't." He then added, more to himself than to Reggie. "I want nothing to do with Sondo right now, nothing at all." Perhaps he realized what he had said and remembered Reggie's earlier kindness, for he quickly said, "I do hope Bingo is alright, though."

Appeasement, Reggie thought it. Falco had been doing that sort of thing since leaving Sondo: trying to prove that he was a good and kind leader. But Reggie's plan was now set in stone.

He waited until the moon was high in the sky, pretending to be asleep until Falco's gentle snores told him it was safe. Quietly, he rose and took half the berries and stashed them in Falco's pack. Hopefully he would find them in the morning and realize that Reggie's intentions were not hurtful. He wasn't a bad leader, really. It was like what he had said to Bingo, only this time the situation was a little different.

"It's not about Sondo or Falco; it's about doing what we want to do," he had said. And now all he wanted was to be reunited with his brother.

He left Falco silently, following the river north and only hoping that Bingo could forgive him.