Darker Days RPG - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Mithalwen · 05-23-2006, 01:49 PM

Elfride's homestead lay a couple of miles nearer to Edoras than the village but not directly on the main road. She trusted that the girls knew the way well enough not to miss the turning in the dark but for herself and her horse there could be no mistaking the lane that would take her to the back way on to her property, The Grange. There was a broader track that joined the main road further down, closer to the village but as well as being a longer route, most of her farm workers' cottages were along that road and their party would be large enough to attract their attention.

She turned Leif who made his way, sure footed despite his size, through a copse and then the woodland opened and she was back on her own demesne. Skirting the orchard she could see lights in the windows of the steward's house but not her own. She wished it was light enough to see the house more clearly. She loved her home and the bittersweet memories it contained .

The traditional rohan homestead had been extended and largely rebuilt with the money from her dowry using a style Theomund had seen in Gondor. The old thatched great hall remained but the new house adjoining it was stone built and had a tiled roof. It's building had been a great local curiosity - many thought it folly but it was comfortable and commodious.

The old farmhouse a long, low building, had not been demolished but was largely disused. Theomund, remembering the discord in the early days between his mother and his wife had decided that it should remain against the day when his son brought his own bride home and wished for a degree of independence. The new part of the house had been designed at a time when they hoped for more children and expected to entertain many guests and was far too large for a widow living in retirement from society.

Elfride rounded the walled gardens and entered the courtyard in front of her house through the side gate. As she did so Bredon her steward emerged from his house bearing a light.

"Ah lass, I'm glad to see you safe home - such terrible things have happened here since you left - but from your face perhaps you have heard? ". Elfride did not expect formality from her Steward. Her mother in law might have been "Milady" to him but Elfride had been addressed as Lass since the day she had arrived and it was a mark of affection not disrespect. He too had served under he father in his youth and he and his wife Maudie had been quiet support to the new bride, who had felt so alone on the farm when Theomund had been away with his Eored. He was now over sixty but still hale and Elfride knew she would have struggled to manage the past few years without him.

"If you mean about the Starnsons' I have. In fact Mayonette is on her way here now with her friend Cordelia and four or five soldiers ... they are making up a search party. We will leave at dawn tomorrow but they will stay here tonight - so if you could possibly take Leif and prepare for the arrival of another half dozen horses I would be grateful... and if Maudie could give me a hand in the house I would be even more grateful."

"Soldiers in the house - are you sure that is wise ..... and why do you have to go Lass... if they need another person one of my boys...". Bredon's sons were all approaching forty but as she herself was still 'lass' so they were still his boys.

"I need to go because Sandrina Hitherford is with child... but keep that to yourself - and keep this venture as quiet as possible please. I hope we can get away unnoticed. If anyone wants to know where I am I will be visiting Theo's sister near Helm's Deep. The soldiers are under the command of General Haukrsson so I expect no insubordination, but even so it will be well for the girls to have a chaperone.... but please we have so little time.."

Bredon took Leif and Elfride let herself into the house, where she was delighted to find that fires had been laid and lamps filled ready for her return. All she had to do was light them. She had scarce put down her bags before Maudie arrived with fresh bread and by the time more hoofbeats were heard in the yard fires were beginning to glow in the kitchen and great hall. At short notice she could offer her guests plain fare only but this was not a time for feasting and so the home produced ham and cheese would suffice. They decided all could be accomodated without opening the old wing and Elfride thanked Maudie as the older woman went to make up beds... and apologised for the extra work... "it will be good for the house to be full ..especially with Master Elfthain away... " had been the response

Elfthain! Elfride realised with a mixture of surprise and horror that she had managed to get through an hour without brooding over her boy but she had no time to think more of him now... the others would soon arrive.

Crystal Heart · 05-23-2006, 05:32 PM

Mayonette rode through the darkness, turning at the correct place. Her eyes spied the house that she had known so well in her younger years. She smiled softly as they came upon it. It held so many dear memories.

She turned her horse around to look to see who was still with them. She noticed that her friend Cordelia was not with them. Neither was Garnae. She figured that Cordelia had gone back for him.

"We shouldn't waste time dawdling outside. There is much to plan before the night is through," she instructed as she turned her mare around.

Glirdan · 05-23-2006, 05:42 PM

Léoflic rode steadily behind Crystal on the way to Elfride's homestead, still feeling outcsted. Well, I can't say that I blame them. I don't even know them? He thought to himself. Why am I even going on this "mission"? What do I have to gain from this? A way to forget my past?

It was then that he noticed Mayonnette was looking around. Perhaps she was looking for her friend. Cordelia was it?

"We shouldn't waste time dawdling outside. There is much to plan before the night is through,"

Léoflic rode to catch up to Mayonnette. "I don't think we were ever formally introduced. I am Léoflic, an aquiantance of Elfride's."

Cordelia Harrison · 05-23-2006, 05:42 PM

Cordelia pushed her mare to ride faster than his. She rode low as she and her mare galloped in front of his horse. She laughed brightly, allowing it to echo through the darkness of night.

They raced each other, laughing brightly. The life that she had seen in him when he had first arrived had returned. She raced in front of him, dancing her mare in zig zags.

"Try to catch me!" She called as she whistled to her mare to go faster. The mare neighed playfully, understanding the game immediately. It was one of reasons why Mitta was her favorite horse.

As she raced ahead a thought flitted into her mind. The thought of getting lost scared her and she stopped her mare in front of his, causing him to come to a halt. She gave him an apologetic look.

"Sorry. I just know that there is this one turn that if you miss it in the dark you'll end up in the middle of nowhere and . . .well. . ." she trailed off and looked down at her hands. She hated admitting her fears to anyone. "I'm really afraid of the dark."

Crystal Heart · 05-23-2006, 05:48 PM

Mayonette smiled and bowed her head to him in acknowledgement. So that is how he knew Elfride. She had been curious, but then again who didn't know Elfride? She had helped birth so many children in Rohan.

"It is lovely to meet you. Any friend of Elfride is a friend of mine. I am glad that you came upon this journey with us. The more people the more eyes and the faster we will find my sister. Where are you from Leoflic?" She asked him as they slowed down their pace as they got closer to Elfride's estate.

Glirdan · 05-23-2006, 08:26 PM

"My family is originally Gondorian. However, during the War, my grandparents decided to move here, to Rohan, to escape the Danger from the East. I was about four years of age then. When we moved, my father joined the Rohirrim. He died in battle..." Léofic said with a solemn expression upon his face.

He thought back to when he and his mother received the news. He remembered crying for weeks on end. His mother was always there to comfort him. It was just then that it struck him: who was there to comfort her? He always wondered how is mother was coping with the loss of her husband. She didn't have any one to turn to. Maybe that's why she fell ill? he thought to himself.

It was then that he realised that he had been silent for quite some time. He looked over at Mayonette and realised that she had been watching him intently. "I'm sorry. I was just thinking back..."

Crystal Heart · 05-23-2006, 08:32 PM

Mayonette gave him a sad smile. Too many bad things had happened in everyone's life. Too many to count. She understood that sad expression. It was one that she had seen many times in her life.

"It's all right. Memories tend to suck you into a different world don't they? Oh how I understand that. Well. Welcome to Rohan. It's very delayed, but welcome all the same. After this, you need not hesitate if you should need anything. That is the Stranson way," she told him with a gentle smile.

Witch_Queen · 05-23-2006, 11:14 PM

Thomas looked around for Mayonette. She must have fallen back a bit. Thomas had been silent most of the ride. He couldnt' help but remember how long it had been since he had rode along side Mayonette. Oh there she is. If Thomas' memory served him right that was Elfride's friend, Leoflic.

He slowed his horse to almost a walk, hoping that Mayonette and Leoflic would catch up soon. Instead of waiting Thomas decided to turn Chianna around riding towards Mayonette. He coud tell the two of them were in some sort of conversation. He looked around knowing that Cordelia had to be around somewhere. "Mayonette you seemed troubled. Do tell what be the problem?"

05-23-2006, 01:49 PM	#1
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	Elfride's homestead lay a couple of miles nearer to Edoras than the village but not directly on the main road. She trusted that the girls knew the way well enough not to miss the turning in the dark but for herself and her horse there could be no mistaking the lane that would take her to the back way on to her property, The Grange. There was a broader track that joined the main road further down, closer to the village but as well as being a longer route, most of her farm workers' cottages were along that road and their party would be large enough to attract their attention. She turned Leif who made his way, sure footed despite his size, through a copse and then the woodland opened and she was back on her own demesne. Skirting the orchard she could see lights in the windows of the steward's house but not her own. She wished it was light enough to see the house more clearly. She loved her home and the bittersweet memories it contained . The traditional rohan homestead had been extended and largely rebuilt with the money from her dowry using a style Theomund had seen in Gondor. The old thatched great hall remained but the new house adjoining it was stone built and had a tiled roof. It's building had been a great local curiosity - many thought it folly but it was comfortable and commodious. The old farmhouse a long, low building, had not been demolished but was largely disused. Theomund, remembering the discord in the early days between his mother and his wife had decided that it should remain against the day when his son brought his own bride home and wished for a degree of independence. The new part of the house had been designed at a time when they hoped for more children and expected to entertain many guests and was far too large for a widow living in retirement from society. Elfride rounded the walled gardens and entered the courtyard in front of her house through the side gate. As she did so Bredon her steward emerged from his house bearing a light. "Ah lass, I'm glad to see you safe home - such terrible things have happened here since you left - but from your face perhaps you have heard? ". Elfride did not expect formality from her Steward. Her mother in law might have been "Milady" to him but Elfride had been addressed as Lass since the day she had arrived and it was a mark of affection not disrespect. He too had served under he father in his youth and he and his wife Maudie had been quiet support to the new bride, who had felt so alone on the farm when Theomund had been away with his Eored. He was now over sixty but still hale and Elfride knew she would have struggled to manage the past few years without him. "If you mean about the Starnsons' I have. In fact Mayonette is on her way here now with her friend Cordelia and four or five soldiers ... they are making up a search party. We will leave at dawn tomorrow but they will stay here tonight - so if you could possibly take Leif and prepare for the arrival of another half dozen horses I would be grateful... and if Maudie could give me a hand in the house I would be even more grateful." "Soldiers in the house - are you sure that is wise ..... and why do you have to go Lass... if they need another person one of my boys...". Bredon's sons were all approaching forty but as she herself was still 'lass' so they were still his boys. "I need to go because Sandrina Hitherford is with child... but keep that to yourself - and keep this venture as quiet as possible please. I hope we can get away unnoticed. If anyone wants to know where I am I will be visiting Theo's sister near Helm's Deep. The soldiers are under the command of General Haukrsson so I expect no insubordination, but even so it will be well for the girls to have a chaperone.... but please we have so little time.." Bredon took Leif and Elfride let herself into the house, where she was delighted to find that fires had been laid and lamps filled ready for her return. All she had to do was light them. She had scarce put down her bags before Maudie arrived with fresh bread and by the time more hoofbeats were heard in the yard fires were beginning to glow in the kitchen and great hall. At short notice she could offer her guests plain fare only but this was not a time for feasting and so the home produced ham and cheese would suffice. They decided all could be accomodated without opening the old wing and Elfride thanked Maudie as the older woman went to make up beds... and apologised for the extra work... "it will be good for the house to be full ..especially with Master Elfthain away... " had been the response Elfthain! Elfride realised with a mixture of surprise and horror that she had managed to get through an hour without brooding over her boy but she had no time to think more of him now... the others would soon arrive. Last edited by Mithalwen; 05-25-2006 at 10:01 AM.

05-23-2006, 05:42 PM	#3
Glirdan Energetic Essence Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Where Lark Nor Eagle Ever Flew Posts: 3,285	Léoflic rode steadily behind Crystal on the way to Elfride's homestead, still feeling outcsted. Well, I can't say that I blame them. I don't even know them? He thought to himself. Why am I even going on this "mission"? What do I have to gain from this? A way to forget my past? It was then that he noticed Mayonnette was looking around. Perhaps she was looking for her friend. Cordelia was it? "We shouldn't waste time dawdling outside. There is much to plan before the night is through," Léoflic rode to catch up to Mayonnette. "I don't think we were ever formally introduced. I am Léoflic, an aquiantance of Elfride's." Last edited by piosenniel; 05-24-2006 at 11:02 AM.

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05-23-2006, 05:32 PM	#2
Crystal Heart Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Rohan Posts: 568	Mayonette rode through the darkness, turning at the correct place. Her eyes spied the house that she had known so well in her younger years. She smiled softly as they came upon it. It held so many dear memories. She turned her horse around to look to see who was still with them. She noticed that her friend Cordelia was not with them. Neither was Garnae. She figured that Cordelia had gone back for him. "We shouldn't waste time dawdling outside. There is much to plan before the night is through," she instructed as she turned her mare around.

05-23-2006, 05:42 PM	#4
Cordelia Harrison Wight Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 126	Cordelia pushed her mare to ride faster than his. She rode low as she and her mare galloped in front of his horse. She laughed brightly, allowing it to echo through the darkness of night. They raced each other, laughing brightly. The life that she had seen in him when he had first arrived had returned. She raced in front of him, dancing her mare in zig zags. "Try to catch me!" She called as she whistled to her mare to go faster. The mare neighed playfully, understanding the game immediately. It was one of reasons why Mitta was her favorite horse. As she raced ahead a thought flitted into her mind. The thought of getting lost scared her and she stopped her mare in front of his, causing him to come to a halt. She gave him an apologetic look. "Sorry. I just know that there is this one turn that if you miss it in the dark you'll end up in the middle of nowhere and . . .well. . ." she trailed off and looked down at her hands. She hated admitting her fears to anyone. "I'm really afraid of the dark."

05-23-2006, 05:48 PM	#5
Crystal Heart Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Rohan Posts: 568	Mayonette smiled and bowed her head to him in acknowledgement. So that is how he knew Elfride. She had been curious, but then again who didn't know Elfride? She had helped birth so many children in Rohan. "It is lovely to meet you. Any friend of Elfride is a friend of mine. I am glad that you came upon this journey with us. The more people the more eyes and the faster we will find my sister. Where are you from Leoflic?" She asked him as they slowed down their pace as they got closer to Elfride's estate.

05-23-2006, 08:26 PM	#6
Glirdan Energetic Essence Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Where Lark Nor Eagle Ever Flew Posts: 3,285	"My family is originally Gondorian. However, during the War, my grandparents decided to move here, to Rohan, to escape the Danger from the East. I was about four years of age then. When we moved, my father joined the Rohirrim. He died in battle..." Léofic said with a solemn expression upon his face. He thought back to when he and his mother received the news. He remembered crying for weeks on end. His mother was always there to comfort him. It was just then that it struck him: who was there to comfort her? He always wondered how is mother was coping with the loss of her husband. She didn't have any one to turn to. Maybe that's why she fell ill? he thought to himself. It was then that he realised that he had been silent for quite some time. He looked over at Mayonette and realised that she had been watching him intently. "I'm sorry. I was just thinking back..."

05-23-2006, 08:32 PM	#7
Crystal Heart Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Rohan Posts: 568	Mayonette gave him a sad smile. Too many bad things had happened in everyone's life. Too many to count. She understood that sad expression. It was one that she had seen many times in her life. "It's all right. Memories tend to suck you into a different world don't they? Oh how I understand that. Well. Welcome to Rohan. It's very delayed, but welcome all the same. After this, you need not hesitate if you should need anything. That is the Stranson way," she told him with a gentle smile.

05-23-2006, 11:14 PM	#8
Witch_Queen Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Pandora's box... "LET ME OUT OF HERE!" Posts: 344	Thomas looked around for Mayonette. She must have fallen back a bit. Thomas had been silent most of the ride. He couldnt' help but remember how long it had been since he had rode along side Mayonette. Oh there she is. If Thomas' memory served him right that was Elfride's friend, Leoflic. He slowed his horse to almost a walk, hoping that Mayonette and Leoflic would catch up soon. Instead of waiting Thomas decided to turn Chianna around riding towards Mayonette. He coud tell the two of them were in some sort of conversation. He looked around knowing that Cordelia had to be around somewhere. "Mayonette you seemed troubled. Do tell what be the problem?"