Walk To Rivendell" aka "The Eowyn Challenge"

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Just for the fun of it, I did a bit of statistical figuring on the Éowyn site today, counting BD names and shields. As of now, there are 17 of us registered there with a total of 115 shields! Congratulations on your first shield, B-W, and go us! (Out of curiosity, I also counted the names and shields of another comparable Tolkien forum; I will leave that result up to your own imagination...)

[peony_foxburr]

Peony enjoyed one of the first sunny days in quite some time. Frodo and Strider talked about the chance of finding Gandalf waiting at Weathertop, which they could see in the distance. Strider was doubtful he would be there. Peony strained to see in the distance, and thought she saw a lone figure walking far ahead of them, about five miles away, and called to Strider to look.

The Ranger shook his head. "I can see that's not Gandalf, just from the clothing he's wearing."

Peony looked again, and cried out with delight: "I think it might be Estelyn Telcontar!"

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Well! We finally got out of Chetwood, and a good thing that is, because I think Stider was close to strangling a certain two hobbits. We passed the abandoned robbers den (creepy place, that) and are well on our way.

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

Just checked out the Eowyn Challenge, and discovered someone using my name, but with a white shield. An imposter! Wicked, tricksy, false....

_________________________

I'll sure be glad to get out of this Marsh. The heat & humidity are bad enough, without even adding in these miserable midges. The Elvish repellent keeps them from biting, but they still try to fly into your hair and up your nose. Absolutely disgusting!

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

The next day, the fourth, was little better, and the night almost as comfortless. Though the Neekerbreekers (as Sam called them) had been left behind, the midges still pursued them.

...Frodo lay, tired but unable to close his eyes...At last he passed into uneasy sleep.

[the phantom]

I took my time Friday, stopping for several meals, and finally settling down to camp next to Buckleburry Ferry.

On Saturday I made a quick run down to Frodo's house to eat lunch and continued on at a brisk pace until I was at the foot of the large bald hill in the Old Forest.

On Sunday I recovered my strength and only walked when I felt like it. I stopped to camp by the Withywindle.

Yesterday I brushed past Old Man Willow to Tom's house. I stayed as long as I could and then began my trek towards home (The Barrow-Downs), now only ten miles away.

[mark12_30]

Esty, my goodness, I had no idea that you were so competitive!

Durelin, I stand in awe of your sheer tenacity.

Last night Strider showed me where deer had scraped their antlers on a tree, and then pointed out a turkey path. Then he pointed out the first place that he went hunting in this area; he showed me the very trees he hid in.

I'm enjoying Strider more and more. I wasn't so sure about this ranger when I met him but he has become dear to me, although he is mysterious at times.

[ June 17, 2003: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[Neferchoirwen]

Walked five miles today, and thank God it didn't rain. Will do the senses thing next time...will get add myself to the shield milestones soon!

[mark12_30]

I'm looking for someone to take over this thread; please **email** me at the address in my profile if you are interested. Grace and peace, --Helen

[ June 17, 2003: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[Lyra Greenleaf]

Well I registered on the Eowyn Challenge site, but unfortunatly my first effort ended up Lyra Greenlaf (spot the deliberate mistake). I want to email padraig_ec to ask for that to be deleted but I haven't been able to use my email for a week or so. So, padraig_ec, if you ever turn up here again, could you get rid of that name for me? I registered after as Lyra Greenleaf.

[peony_foxburr]

But Estelyn Telcontar--if it was she--was apparently intent upon making progress in her own journey, and soon disappeared from sight behind a ridge.

When the hobbits crossed a stream, Peony saw a turtle, sunning itself on a large rock. She hoped it would have enough sense to burrow into the mud soon, for this pleasant warm weather would not last much longer.

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

I didn't really feel up to walking today but I couldn't bear the thought of spending another night with those midges. It feels good to be on firm ground again. Strider spotted some hobbit tracks just as we came to the edge of the Marsh. With my elven sight, I was able to spot the tiny figure of Peony almost 8 leagues ahead (23 miles). I don't think we'll be able to catch up with her...she's moving mighty fast.

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

They had not gone far on the fifth day when they left the last straggling pools and reed-beds of the marshes behind them. The land before them began steadily to rise again. Away in the distance eastward they could now see a line of hills.

[the phantom]

It's cold, damp, creepy, and a bit dangerous where I am now. I'm here! At the Barrow-Downs! I believe I'll go pay The Barrow-Wight a visit and camp here an extra night.

There's no place like home.

[ArwenBaggins]

Finally, firm ground again! I've caught up with Alatáriël, on the eastern edge of those darned Marshes.
***
I have walked 211 miles.
I have reached the eastern edge of the Midgewater Marshes (211).
It is 17 miles to the next landmark.
I still have 247 miles to Rivendell.

They had not gone far on the fifth day when they left the last straggling pools and reed-beds of the marshes behind them. The land before them began steadily to rise again. Away in the distance eastward they could now see a line of hills. The highest of them was at the right of the line and a little separated from the others. It had a conical top, slightly flattened at the summit.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Mark 12_30 requested that I paste this on the thread, when she discovered her e-mail wasn't available in her profile:

mark12_30 / Helen's email address, for those who want to stay in touch, is wrighh@mrdo.com

[Nurumaiel]

Thanks, Cami. On topic comes lower down.

I've had this horrible sneaking suspicision, and I have to ask you, Cami, just to ease my mind, whether the answer is bad or good. Is Helen leaving the Barrow-Downs? I've been puzzling for the longest time why she can't run the WtR thread any longer (btw, Helen, I'll be emailing you about that soon), and it could be simply because she's short on time, but I haven't seen her around for awhile, either. So, Child, if you know, or if anyone knows, please tell me.

Here's the on topic part.

Tuesday I finally got to see my pony again, and I rode a Halflinger to the grand total of three miles! Is Acorn a Hobbitish enough name, btw, or should I give her a Hobbit nickname? A few hours later after nearly collapsing in the heat from exhaustion, (I need someone to remind to eat breakfast next time) I walked another two miles through the hospital.

Only seven miles more to get away from Bombadil. My throat is sore from singing so much but I feel that somehow it's better my throat than ears! Maybe I should transition between the two...

[Vardamar]

You have walked 314 miles.
You are still south of the Road (314).
It is 14 miles to the next landmark. You still have 144 miles to Rivendell.

It seemed too much to hope that the Riders had already lost their trail again. Perhaps they were waiting to make some ambush in a narrow place?


It looks like I'll be "still south of the road" for a bit [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] But at least I made it past the 300 mile mark! Its been some hard running though, its over 90*F here!

[ June 19, 2003: Message edited by: Vardamar ]

[peony_foxburr]

The fine sunny weather lasted only two days, just long enough for everyone's clothing to dry out, before another gray and rainy day dawned. The rain fell steadily through the morning and early afternoon. Then the wind shifted, and the rain became a fine mist. The air was still warm, however, and the mist felt rather refreshing on Peony's face. By nightfall, even it had stopped, and the clouds were drifting away as the company stopped to camp.

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

Arwen, glad to see you! I loved the look on Strider's face when you snuck up behind him yesterday. "A ranger caught off his guard...again!!" If we can get him to stop pouting, maybe he will sing for us after dinner. [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

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

The highest of them was at the right of the line and a little separated from the others. It had a conical top, slightly flattened at the summit.

"That is Weathertop," said Strider. "The Old Road, which we have left far away on our right, runs to the south of it and passes not far from its foot."

[ArwenBaggins]

Yes, I do hope Aragorn stops crying. Those little baby-like sobs can get frightening after dark.
***
I have walked 227 miles.
I have passed the eastern edge of the Midgewater Marshes (211).
I am only 1 mile from a small stream coming down from the Weather Hills.
I still have 231 miles to Rivendell.
***
They had not gone far on the fifth day when they left the last straggling pools and reed-beds of the marshes behind them. The land before them began steadily to rise again. Away in the distance eastward they could now see a line of hills. The highest of them was at the right of the line and a little separated from the others. It had a conical top, slightly flattened at the summit.

[the phantom]

Thursday: I reluctantly made my way from the Barrow-Downs, and stopped for the night when I reached the road to Bree.

Friday: The Prancing Pony! It was probably my last chance to fill my stomach and sleep in a comfortable bed. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]

Saturday: After tossing a couple of apples at Bill Ferny, I set out from Bree and stopped just on the other side of Chetwood.

[Arafangwen]

Hello all! Arafangwen is back and with many more miles under her belt! I thankfully passed Old Man Willow on his day off and headed quickly for Bree where I stayed for two days having left yesterday.

Sight- Moose, a strange creature to spot in ME if I might say so myself...

Smell- Texas air! I missed it so much! Ahem, I mean Bree air of course.

Taste- Halibut, this elf has aquired a taste for fish (uncommon, no?).

"I wonder exactly how far ahead the Phantom is." Arafangwen thought to herself as she walked off into the sunset hoping to catch sight of the shrouded figure soon.

NOTE: I will be gone for about four more days, just to let you know.

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

Strider gave Arwen & I the silent treatment for two whole days. It took a bit of cajoling on our part, but we finally got him to smile yesterday, and he sang for us in the evening. During the night, we saw lights flashing in the eastern sky. It looked like lightning, but there were no clouds...very strange. We camped by a small stream today, and Strider caught several fish for our dinner. He's so handy to have around, I think we'll keep him.

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

At the day's end they came to a stream that wandered down from the hills to lose itself in the stagnant marshland, and they went up along its banks while the light lasted. It was already night when at last they halted and made their camp under some stunted alder-trees by the shores of the stream. Ahead there loomed now against the dusky sky the bleak and treeless backs of the hills. That night they set a watch, and Strider, it seemed, did not sleep at all. The moon was waxing, and in the early night-hours a cold grey light lay on the land.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Alright, Esty, I know this is late, but I'd like to protest your mention of a "comparable Tolkien forum" on the grounds that there isn't one currently in existence. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

As for walking, I finally took my leave of Tom and Goldberry (and my eardrums are grateful for the rest, I've been with them for far too long!) and have made my merry way up to the Barrow-Downs.

The X Phial will be absolutely delighted to hear that on my arrival there, I promptly rescued four of those strange and rare creatures called "Poophobbits" from an attacking Barrow-Wight. I was wearing yellow rubber boots, and I think the mean creature mistook me for Bombadil, standing there atop his barrow...

So, with the Barrow-Downs safely behind me I'm turning toward the road, and hope to be arriving in Bree within the next few weeks. However unlikely that may be, I will continue to hold out hope [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img].

Sophia

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Poophobbits? Alrighty then... [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I finally am on the eastern edge of Chetwood with the hobbits. There was a terrific thunderstorm last night, and I awoke in the middle of the night to an extremely loud bang of thunder which sent all of us scrambling to each other's beds. We sat huddled together until the rain stopped. Yes, we are wusses. Another thunderstorm happened late today, but up until then it was a gorgeous day. We had to cross a stream that was quite deep, but luckily we had ropes. I am hoping to make it to the Marshes within the next week if we stop slacking off.

[Naz]

5 1/2 miles. Will I ever make it? [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]

I am at... still in the Shire...

*cheers everyone else on*

[Faenaduial]

Thanks to a short vacation (walking holiday) this elf has made up some lost ground.

82 miles and I finally made it to The Old Forest.

Part of my vacation was spent exploring several different caverns and after all the time spent walking underground I felt like I was in Moria. Thankfully I didn't run into any orcs, cave trolls or balrogs!

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

Today I made a HUUUUGE sacrifice for my walk. Frodo only went on a dangerous quest to the very fires of Mount Doom. I missed 15 minutes of Neighbours. (Heehee- that's going to mean nothing to most of you!)

Lyra: I know you posted this about 3 weeks ago but I just read it (I was re-reading the posts on the old thread). When you say "Neighbors", do you mean the 70's TV show with Richard Briers & Felicity Kendal? PBS will periodically broadcast it in the USA as "Good Neighbors". I love that show!!

____________________

I'd like to have stayed by the stream for one more day, but Strider said we should move on. He feels the Black Riders might be somewhere in the vicinity. We saw some birds away off in the distance earlier today, and he made Arwen and I lie under some bushes until they were out of sight.

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

Next morning they set out again soon after sunrise. There was a frost in the air, and the sky was a pale clear blue. The hobbits felt refreshed, as if they had had a night of unbroken sleep. Already they were getting used to much walking on short commons--shorter at any rate than what in the Shire they would have thought barely enough to keep them on their legs. Pippin declared that Frodo was looking twice the hobbit that he had been.

"Very odd," said Frodo, tightening his belt, "considering that there is actually a good deal less of me. I hope the thinning process will not go on indefinitely, or I shall become a wraith."

"Do not speak of such things!" said Strider quickly, and with surprising earnestness.

[Dûrlossiel]

I've signed up on the WtR site, but I can't figure out how to see the shields. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]
Could someone post a link to that page or at least tell me how many shields I have (look for "aimforJesus"), please?

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Dûrlossiel, it always takes some time for the whole page to load, so you may have to wait a minute till it's complete. Then scroll down to see the shields. You currently have four shields and are listed with a mileage of 105. I was wondering who "aimforJesus" was, since it's not a nick that I know from the forum. Nice to have you walking for the Downs!

As of this morning, I counted 21 people with black shields! (And at least one that I know of who's registered and working on his first shield.)

The site's artist has not yet drawn a symbol for the Downs on the house contest page. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] Have any of you entered slogans in the second house contest? We get points for entries, even if we don't win the contest, so give it a try - today is the last day! (Yes, I practice what I preach - my motto has been submitted.) After that, the mottos will be displayed anonymously - well, read for yourself, the information is here. Don't forget to vote then!

[ArwenBaggins]

We have started to walk faster, because Aragorn says the Black Riders are near. We had fish for dinner last night, and fish for breakfast this morning. And if I ever get back to the Shire, I never want to see a fish again!
***
I have walked 235 miles.
I have passed a small stream coming down from the Weather Hills (228).
It is 11 miles to the next landmark.
I still have 223 miles to Rivendell.

The hills drew nearer. They made an undulating ridge, often rising almost to a thousand feet, and here and there falling again to low clefts or passes leading into the eastern land beyond. Along the crest of the ridge the hobbits could see what looked to be the remains of green-grown walls and dikes, and in the clefts there still stood the ruins of old works of stone. By night they had reached the feet of the westward slopes, and there they camped. It was the night of the fifth of October, and they were six days out from Bree.
***
Just for fun, I went to count all of the walkers for the B-D. We have 21 walkers, with a total of 158 shields! Go B-D!!!!

[ June 24, 2003: Message edited by: ArwenBaggins ]

[peony_foxburr]

The travelers now walked among boulders over somewhat stony ground, and the wind had turned chill. Peony's mind went back to the Shire on a lovely warm day in June, early in the morning before the heat became oppressive, and a walk she had taken from home to the village...the soft humid air carried the scent of roses...

Oof! she tripped over a rock and went sprawling, and Frodo tripped over her (but he fell down a lot, she'd noticed) and landed alongside. Luckily, the worst injury they suffered were slightly scraped hands.

[Neferchoirwen]

Yes! 21, there are!

I've been walking a whole lot since I started teacher training. My mom wanted me to take the bus to keep me from stress, but I ended up all stresses up because the bus leaves an hour after I get out. So I walk, which is roughly half a mile---a mile including the steps going down two floors of the building all the way to the jeepney stop.

sight: overcast weather. Though I have this fading phobia of clouds, the weather is generally intimidating me. The trees are very gorgeous: acacia and duhat. The latter is my new fave fruit.

sound: my squeeking boots, crickets, the wind, construction.

taste: nothing much.

touch: the coins in my hand ready for the next jeepney ride. Nearly used my umbrella as a walking stick...and since "feel" is almost like "touch," I feel my feet are expanding to the Hobbit size...don't know how I should react to the forces of nature...or of genetics, perhaps?

smell: nothing but fresh air, baby!

p.s. I noticed in my profile that I had another person vote for me. I've had a constant number of votes in quite a while, and seeing an addition is a real warm and pleasant surprise. Whoever your are, thank you vey much and God bless!

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Last night I did four miles with my friends as we walked about waiting for people to go away from the school so we could climb onto the roof. We eventually did it, and then we almost got caught by one guy. In doing so, we had to crawl army-style back to our hiding spot. To add to our uncomfortableness, the roof was extremely rough and scrapy and it had rained HARD the previous night and the night before that. So by the time we got to our hiding spot, we looked like we had gone wading. Lovely.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yesterday we walked 6 miles! I congratulated us all on a job well done. The last time we walked that much was when we got out of Bree, and that was for fear of the Black Riders. We are now approximately three miles from the Midgewater Marshes, and we are all dreading the crossing. But maybe I'll rub sugar water on the others while they're sleeping so I won't be bothered as much. Heh heh heh...

[Nurumaiel]

1 and a 1/2 away from the Barrow-Downs! I can say goodbye to Tom, that is until he has to come rescue me and my walking companions from the Barrow-Wight. Oh, never mind. I forgot we were all friends of the Barrow-Wight. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] Goodbye forever, Mr. Bombadil. I don't need your help in the Barrow-Downs because, surprise, surprise, my home is there! [img]smilies/evil.gif[/img] Muh ha ha ha ha ha!

On a side note, I will be going through this thread and updating the mileage list, which I will then send to Estelyn, who will try to get it into Helen's post, but I will only update mileage if it is in your From: spot. Otherwise I would have to read through the posts and try to estimate where you are, and I can't spend the time doing that. If there is anyone who doesn't have their mileage in their From:, please go change that now if you would like your updated mileage to be correctly displayed in the list.

Thanks!

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

The hills are slowly getting closer...only 20 more miles to Weathertop. We saw no birds today, or any other animal for that matter. It's been almost eerily quiet. We had cram for dinner as we had no more fish, and Strider was unable to shoot any rabbits (or other critters). He says the Rangers sometimes store food and firewood in one of the dells by Weathertop. I sure hope so.

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

The hills drew nearer. They made an undulating ridge, often rising almost to a thousand feet, and here and there falling again to low clefts or passes leading into the eastern land beyond. Along the crest of the ridge the hobbits could see what looked to be the remains of green-grown walls and dikes, and in the clefts there still stood the ruins of old works of stone.

[Lalaith]

Btw did we get to find out - has Mark 12_30 left us?

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Mark12_30 is taking a break but has sent her love to all; she misses us!

[ArwenBaggins]

Well, I thought I had hated fish, but now I wish I had it again. We had mushy stuff for our meals yesterday, and again today, with the addition of a few tart berries that Alatáriël found.
***
We have walked 239 miles.
We have passed a small stream coming down from the Weather Hills (228).
We are only 7 miles from the Weather Hills.
We still have 219 miles to Rivendell.
***
The hills drew nearer. They made an undulating ridge, often rising almost to a thousand feet, and here and there falling again to low clefts or passes leading into the eastern land beyond. Along the crest of the ridge the hobbits could see what looked to be the remains of green-grown walls and dikes, and in the clefts there still stood the ruins of old works of stone. By night they had reached the feet of the westward slopes, and there they camped. It was the night of the fifth of October, and they were six days out from Bree.

[peony_foxburr]

Weathertop loomed ahead--only five miles distant now. It made Peony feel uneasy, wondering who (or what) might be watching them from the height--or who might see them, when they had ascended it. She would rather die than admit it to the other hobbits, but she wondered to herself if insisting on tagging after them had been wise after all.

[ June 25, 2003: Message edited by: peony_foxburr ]

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

Helen: If you're lurking...we miss you! [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] Hurry back!

______________________________

Cram yesterday, cram today, and blimey, if it don't look like cram again tomorrow. Strider says it'll be sparse rations till we get to Weathertop. Still no sign of any birds or other animals. The terrain is getting more rugged the closer we get to those hills...and I'm pretty sure Strider is taking most roundabout and rocky path possible.

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

The hobbits looked anxiously at the distant hills. Sam looked up into the pale sky, fearing to see hawks or eagles hover over them with bright unfriendly eyes. "You do make me feel uncomfortable and lonesome, Strider!" he said.

"What do you advise us to do?" asked Frodo.

"I think," answered Strider slowly, as if he was not quite sure, "I think the best thing is to go as straight eastward from here as we can, to make for the line of hills, not for Weathertop. There we can strike a path I know that runs at their feet; it will bring us to Weathertop from the north and less openly. Then we shall see what we shall see."