Friends of Nimrodel: Tapestry of Dreams - Discussion

[mark12_30]

"My young love said to me, 'My mother won't mind
and my father won't slight you for your lack of kind.'
She stepped away from me and this she did say:
'It will not be long, love, till our wedding day.'

Such brilliance, Nuru, to choose that song.

LOVE IT.

bookmark: page 9, post 332... hmmm, maybe i'll put a bookmark in my location.

[Celuien]

Ah, good; and welcome.

Thank you.

Just read over the thread.

Getting the women back on the quest does present a problem. But the dreams seem like a good way to get them to leave.

What if they dream and leave before the men? Then they're not leaving in an objectionable mixed gender party or trying to catch up to the men, and any reuniting of the group could be in the context of a non-honor-impairing rescue. And they could be excused for going in the first place by reason of being temporarily possessed by visions that left them a bit non compos mentis...

In addition to their nightmares, we could even have the ghost of Aeron's sister haunting them as they go.

I like that!

[Firefoot]

I'm a little hesitant to post ideas before finishing the thread (I'm about 2/3 there, now), since while I've picked up the gist of it I'm not totally sure about the circumstances at the end. But what Celuien said sounded like an interesting idea to me:

What if they dream and leave before the men? Then they're not leaving in an objectionable mixed gender party or trying to catch up to the men, and any reuniting of the group could be in the context of a non-honor-impairing rescue. And they could be excused for going in the first place by reason of being temporarily possessed by visions that left them a bit non compos mentis...

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

My experience with well-meaning folk is that they aren't of a temperament to let that situation happen.

"To where did those lovely young lasses about whose honor we've been worrying disappear?"

"Oh, you know. They're a bit non compos mentis so we decided to let them wander the wilderness alone."

[mark12_30]

Originally Posted by Feanor of the Peredhil

My experience with well-meaning folk is that they aren't of a temperament to let that situation happen.

"To where did those lovely young lasses about whose honor we've been worrying disappear?"

"Oh, you know. They're a bit non compos mentis so we decided to let them wander the wilderness alone."

Right-- but if they essentially sleepwalk out at night, and head over the mountains (gee, via Rath Dinen? Must check maps) then like Mellondu's initial departure, they'll be missed and AWOL.

(Mellondu was suspected of drinking too much and playing hookey, leaving his employer much annoyed.)

That also could be their head-start-- most parties assume that Mellonin would have (like her addled blacksmith brother) gone north to Rohan, so the rescue parties head off in the wrong direction-- except those who have been travelling with her enough to know the dreams so far. After a few frantic searches northward, Ravion, Raefindan, Mellon/Amroth, and Erebemlin decide to turn south. Do they choose the wrong route at first?

Do the women (Bella, Leafa, Mellonin) disappear togeter? Or each separate? Do they travel together, or do they fan out, or do they trace Nimrodel's path a few days apart?

THis is getting fun again.

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

What if they dream and leave before the men?

That is an interesting idea...the elves (and certain male characters) really, REALLY won't be very happy about that. Some of them who aren't attached to the women (emotionally) will probably have half a mind to let them leave without going after them.

But I can see Bella having fun with this. Maps everywhere in her mind, figuring out where to go.

Another thing to think about: What dream is strong enough to take the women away from the ones they care about (aka Mellondu/Amroth, Ædegard, Nethwador) and wouldn't they tell these dreams to the menfolk anyway? Maybe the men don't believe them? It would have to be a pretty compelling dream to take the women into the wild.

I don't feel strongly with whichever way the women separate from the men. I'll go with whatever you all think would work out best. I do like this new idea, though.

[Celuien]

Originally Posted by Aylwen Dreamsong

Another thing to think about: What dream is strong enough to take the women away from the ones they care about (aka Mellondu/Amroth, Ædegard, Nethwador) and wouldn't they tell these dreams to the menfolk anyway? Maybe the men don't believe them? It would have to be a pretty compelling dream to take the women into the wild.

Brainstorming...

Maybe it's a dream that's more than a dream where Nimrodel or Mithrellas mysteriously put an overwhelming compulsion to leave into their heads. Or they hear poor Gwyllion calling to them, though that vision would logically go to Aeron as well since it looks like he's the one who has to release her - which might not work if he's being dropped. They could slip out in the middle of the night under the 'control' of their dreams and have their disappearance cause concern to everyone else (who wouldn't really know, but might guess what happened) when they're missed in the morning.

Anyway, the women would have to leave in fairly quick succession in order to avoid their companions taking steps to prevent them from vanishing. Once the men know that something's going on after one disappearance, they'd be on the watch for further trouble.

[mark12_30]

I'm thinking "Delirium", like Mellondu's original departure that started the whole thing.

I envision Mellonin visiting her parents and then returning to her old room at the Inn-- not much supervision there, she can disappear overnight and not be missed til morning.

Bella and Leafa would be staying where? At the Inn, I would say, unless they've spent most of their money by now-- Leafa won't have much anyway. I dunno. So where WOULD Leafa and Bella be staying-- ideas?

Maybe Mellonin goes delirious as Mithrellas and departs late evening, when all think she is abed. Likewise either Bella or Leafa goes delirious as Nimrodel, ahd her companion chases her thinking she can't have gone far?

With Mellonin taking on Mithrellas's dreams, that would provide some tension between Raefindan, Ravion, and Mellonin. There'd also be tension of a different sort from Mellondu.

[mark12_30]

Originally Posted by Celuien

Thank you.

Just read over the thread.

Getting the women back on the quest does present a problem. But the dreams seem like a good way to get them to leave.

What if they dream and leave before the men?

Oooooh! Hmmmm--- now that sounds good-- I like it. Men debate and plan, while looney women impetuously ride off into the southern fog... Menfolk to the rescue... Chasing the Wild Mellon, part two, only this time it's the sister that's moonstruck and the brother that's (momentarily) sane.....

Oooo, Ravion will be SOOOO angry with Mellonin. And Ædegard! Yikers.

This relieves Erebemlin of the obligation to drag Amroth back out of Mellondu, at least for a while, and gives him room for some half-pleased, half angsty ponderings as we go...

Dang, Celuien! I like it!

Originally Posted by Celuien

Then they're not leaving in an objectionable mixed gender party or trying to catch up to the men, and any reuniting of the group could be in the context of a non-honor-impairing rescue. And they could be excused for going in the first place by reason of being temporarily possessed by visions that left them a bit non compos mentis...

All good.

I wonder which direction they start off in?

How about over the mountains, and the menfolk follow them that way? (ducking projectiles thrown by lmp)

lmp, Nuru, Aylwen?