Walk To Rivendell" aka "The Eowyn Challenge"

[Tefalathiel]

Alas, I'm falling behind. All because my exams. Well, an elfmaiden has to do what an elfmaiden has to do : study for two more weeks and then 24/7 jug for two months!
By the way, my hometown is aprox. 300 km away from the town I study in. Would buing a bike and tying me behind the bus with a rope do the trick? I may never again reach home, but I'll surely reach Rivendell! Isn't it worth the sacrifice? I'll be the first who gave her life for our quest! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[ June 26, 2003: Message edited by: Tefalathiel ]

[Eärendil]

I am falling behind a little myself...
Oh well, I am sure I will do better soon. I just haven´t had much time lately, planning characters for role-plays in the woods and making clothes.
Being on a festival, can I count the miles I am walking between the camping area and the festival area several times a day? [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

*Looks up sheepishly* Yeah...I'm slacking off too. I know I said I would get my act together, but...oh so lazy! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[ArwenBaggins]

I do believe that Strider is taking the most rocky and sparsely-populated by animals road that he can find, just because he likes hearing us whine.
***
We have walked 243 miles.
We have passed a small stream coming down from the Weather Hills (228).
We are only 3 miles from the Weather Hills.
We are still 15 miles from Weathertop.
We still have 215 miles to Rivendell.

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

I was right...cram again! And all this rugged terrain is causing my blister to act up again. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] I think this must be one of Saruman's evil tricks. When we get to Weathertop, I'll have to send Strider out to find some athelas.

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

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.

In the morning they found, for the first time since they had left the Chetwood, a track plain to see. They turned right and followed it southwards. It ran cunningly, taking a line that seemed chosen so as to keep as much hidden as possible from the view, both of the hill-tops above and of the flats to the west.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I have found that if you do hear a "hidden bird" with an eerie cry, like a rusty hinge or a bad note on a cello, don't be alarmed, it is only a pheasant calling you to supper!

I have finally taken my four legged friend with me for 4 miles. She kept up such a brisk pace that I did feel rather like the hobbits must have felt keeping up with "Strider"! But since she is a she and 4 legged I have dubbed her Trotter, since Tolkien chose to discard the name.

[ June 27, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

I congratulated us all on another good day of walking. We managed to plod eight miles through the slop of the Midgewater Marshes. The sugar water did the trick, although now I feel terrible for doing that. Luckily, Sam and Frodo found that rubbing mud on our skin helped to discourage the Neekerbreekers, so now we all look like anthills sitting here on the ground. We shall have a good bath in the nearest source of water once we get out of these Marshes!

[ June 27, 2003: Message edited by: Horse-Maiden of the Shire ]

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

The temperature has cooled off a bit since we got close to the Hills. We might have to break out the blankets tonight, as Strider doesn't want to light a fire in case the Black Riders are lurking in the vicinity. Great...cram again and no fire!

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

It dived into dells, and hugged steep banks; and where it passed over flatter and more open ground on either side of it there were lines of large boulders and hewn stones that screened the travellers almost like a hedge.

"I wonder who made this path, and what for," said Merry, as they walked along one of these avenues, where the stones were unusually large and closely set. "I am not sure that I like it: it has a--well, rather a barrow-wightish look. Is there any barrow on Weathertop?"

"No. There is no barrow on Weathertop, nor on any of these hills," answered Strider. "The Men of the West did not live here; though in their latter days they defended the hills for a while against the evil that came out of Angmar. This path was made to serve the forts along the walls.

[ArwenBaggins]

It was very cool last night, now that we are within five miles of Weathertop. We heard odd screeching early this morning, so Strider advised us we leave earlier than planed. No fire, no good food, and no sleep!
***
We have walked 253 miles.
We have passed the Weather Hills (246).
We are only 5 miles from the ancient fortress of Weathertop.
We still have 205 miles to Rivendell.
In the morning they found, for the first time since they had left the Chetwood, a track plain to see. They turned right and followed it southwards. It ran cunningly, taking a line that seemed chosen so as to keep as much hidden as possible from the view, both of the hill-tops above and of the flats to the west. It dived into dells, and hugged steep banks; and where it passed over flatter and more open ground on either side of it there were lines of large boulders and hewn stones that screened the travellers almost like a hedge.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I have had word from Raefindel that she has tarried to help someone in need, but wishes me to say “hi” to everyone for her. We will save you a seat at the feast in Rivendell come December Rae!

[ June 28, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[peony_foxburr]

Peony's misgivings were temporarily forgotten in the thrill of finally reaching the ancient fortress of Weathertop. She stood looking first to the south and the Great Road, next to the east and the distant snowy mountains, to the west where they had left behind the Shire, and to the north, where Sam had told her giant trees had been seen walking--but she saw only distant hills and moors.

[Olorin]

I'm sorry to say that I started the "Walk To Rivendell," but never completed. I just kind of forgot. [img]smilies/confused.gif[/img]

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

It rained all day. Aleia and the hobbits were all cold, miserable, itchy, and covered in mud. They finally reached the eastern edge of the Marshes, but were all too tired to continue on. They might go a few more miles tonight, just to make some distance between them and the Neekerbreekers, but for now they are just wanting to rest.

[Nurumaiel]

I've reached the Barrow-Downs and I feel right at home! I've taken a two-day break here so I can gather myself together for a little over 300 more miles, and so I can stay here longer. Tom tried to rescue us, but alas (for him), he failed as he saw me in my true Wightish form. He was going to sing me away, and no doubt he would have succeeded, with his singing, but somehow he discovered who I was.... Hmm......

Robin was a little frightened of the Wights, but with one assisting her in her travels she felt fairly sure she would be safe. She's still a bit uneasy about camping here, but I don't think any of the other Wights would try to hurt her. Would you? There, see, Robin?
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I have sent the updated mileage list to Esty. I apologize, but if your progress along the road was not in your From: space, I didn't bother to read through the posts to update it fully. Please, if if your progress is not in your From: space, please put it there so my job might be a bit easier.

Thanks!

[Estelyn Telcontar]

The motto entries are now posted on the Walk to Rivendell Motto Contest page. There are 23 entries; at least one of them is from the Barrow-Downs group, so we will be entitled to at least 25 points. The list is anonymous to ensure objectivity; please vote for your favorite as soon as you have decided which one you like best.

I am temporarily posting the mileage list (thanks a lot for all that work, Nurumaiel!) here until we can arrange to have it pasted into mark12_30's post on the first page of this thread. Here it is:

alaklondewen : 227
Alatariel : 252
Annunfuiniel : 144
Arvedui III : 136
Arafangwen : 153
ArwenBaggins : 253
Aylwen Dreamsong : ?
bain_edhel : 12
Bulelainwen : 108
Barrow Wight : 50
Durelin : 2
Durlossiel : 105
dragoneyes : 145
Eärendil : 105
Eruwen : 70
Estelyn Telcontar : 280
Faenaduial : 82
Firondoiel : 44
Gorwingel : 360
Hilde Bracegirdle : 325
Horsemaiden Of The Shire : 208
Ilsanie : 5.5
Joy : 14
Kalel : 32
Keowyn : 3?
Lalaith : 191
Lindolirian : 170
Linzielf : 291
LotrMaster02 : ?
Lyra Greenleaf : 229
Maiden of the Dry Waterfall : ?
mark12_30 : 305
Naz : ?
Neferchoiren : 143
Niluial : 264
Nurumaiel : 135
peony_foxburr : 253
Raefindel : 293
Ranger Jewel : 35?
red : 52.5
Rochelle : 59
Salix : 11
Schmendrick : 70
Sindafalathiel : 11
Sophia the Thunder Mistress : 137
SwordMaiden of Rohan : ?
Tar-Palantir : ?
Tarvasa : 43
Tefalathiel : 170
The Phantom: 28
The Real Findorfin : ?
Tigerlily Gamgee : 30
Tinuviel of Denton : 150
Tira O Alata : ?
Vanwalossien : 187
Vardamar : 314

Way to go, all!! Let's keep up the good work!

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Excitement last night. Aleia was a little behind the hobbits when they passed two males riding ponies. One of them smiled and said "Hi." to Aleia as they trotted by. She smiled (dumbly, she thought) and said, "Hello." back. The rest of the walk until they rested was spent mentally kicking herself for not saying something more clever. It was foggy and gorgeous for walking last night, too!

[dancing spawn of ungoliant]

are you guys walking every day or just every now and then? and do you count for example if you walk to school and so on? or do you count only distances that you walk in "walking to rivendell" purpose?

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Each person walks whatever way works best for that individual. Any walking you do can count, as long as you can measure the distance, approximately, at least. I walk daily and count my dog walks too; others count their sports activities, and some walk only occasionally. Biking, swimming or anything else you do with your own muscles can count as well. For more information, please read the original Walk to Rivendell thread. Unfortunately, I don't know where to find it at the moment - a search didn't reveal its current location. Does anyone know?

[Arafangwen]

Arafangwen has returned once more! And with more miles accompanying her once again. Entering Chetwood forest, Arafangwen began singing to herself wondering how far away everyone else was exactly when she spotted an abbandoned robbers den, it looked fun enough, so she had decided to explore it. Unfortunatly, the entrance caved in on her and she was forced to stay there for three days as she tunneled her way out. Glad to see the sun again, (or what she could of it through the trees anyways) Arafangwen began singing in her sweet elven voice as she walked further on down the road and on towards the edge of the forest trying to keep her eyes on the raod and stay out of more trouble.

Hi all! I'm Back!!!

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

Unfortunately, I don't know where to find it at the moment - a search didn't reveal its current location. Does anyone know?

The original Walk to Rivendell is on the 3rd page of Middle Earth Mirth, about 6 or 7 threads from the top.
_________________________

We set up camp this afternoon in a sheltered dell just a mile north of Weathertop. Good news! We found some supplies stored there...firewood, a bit of food (some dried fruit & dried meat, not cram), and several leaves of athelas. At first Strider thought they had been left by a Ranger, but instead of boot prints there were hobbit footprints. Then we found several flat rocks stacked close by with an elvish "P" marked on the top with charcoal. Strider thinks Peony left them for us, and that she is only a day or two ahead. After dinner, I soaked my blister and Strider made a poltice from the athelas. It feels much better...thanks Peony!!

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

..Amon Sûl they called it..It is told that Elendil stood there watching for the coming of Gil-galad out of the West, in the days of the Last Alliance.

.."Who was Gil-galad?" asked Merry; but Strider did not answer, and seemed to be lost in thought. Suddenly a low voice murmured:

• Gil-galad was an Elven-king.
  Of him the harpers sadly sing:
  the last whose realm was fair and free
  between the Mountains and the Sea.
  
  His sword was long, his lance was keen,
  his shining helm afar was seen;
  the countless stars of heaven's field
  were mirrored in his silver shield.
  
  But long ago he rode away,
  and where he dwelleth none can say;
  for into darkness fell his star
  in Morder where the shadows are.

The others turned in amazement, for the voice was Sam's.

[Lalaith]

Everyone is zooming ahead, I feel I must hasten my pace, or you'll have drunk all the miruvor in Rivendell before I get there...
hope mark 12_30 is well, I see by the shieldpage on the Eowyn challenge that she's at 300 miles...

[The Barrow-Wight]

Is anyone else having problems entering additonal miles on the Eowyn page? I even tried re-registering and all I get is an error.

[Raefindel]

I have not been able to access it either.

[Nurumaiel]

That's extremely odd. They could be having a temporary problem, but it worked fine for me. Maybe if you continue to have this problem within the next day or so, you could send an email to the address given on the mileage update page and report the problem?
__________________________________________________ _____________________________________________

I went on a two-mile trek today, but I plan to do another mile fairly soon to make it an even 140. It is rather disappointing that Robin and I will be leaving the Barrow-Downs in just 5 more miles, but if we stay here forever we'll never get to Rivendell, right?

BTW, unless I made a mistake in my calculations, we now have (on the WTR mileage page) 22 BD walkers, 64 black shields, and 4,305 miles in total. Pretty good!

As a reminder, if you have not yet voted for your favorite motto in the Second House Contest, please go check out all the mottos and vote for your favorite!

[peony_foxburr]

The Black Riders had finally caught up with them again, and Frodo was dreadfully injured by one of them. The rest of the night was spent keeping the fire going and bathing his wound with the athelas Strider found.

Peony whispered to Sam, "I wanted to do something, but the Riders made me so--afraid."

Sam whispered back, "At least you kept your mouth shut and stood your ground when they came."

Peony grinned in spite of herself. "That's because I was even more afraid of screaming like a girl!"

At first light they set out to the south, where they would find concealment--and firewood--in the woodlands. Frodo rode Bill the Pony, and Sam walked alongside. Though they all moved as quickly as they could, Peony could hear Sam's voice now and then, speaking words of encouragement to his master. She wondered how he could find the breath to do so.

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

Is anyone else having problems entering additonal miles on the Eowyn page? I even tried re-registering and all I get is an error.

I have not been able to access it either.

B-W and Raefindel: It may just be a temporary problem. I updated my miles about 45 minutes ago. It did take a minute or two before the update showed, though.

By the way, B-W, congratulations on your second shield!!

________________________

It was pretty scary last night. It was cloudy with no stars early on, but then it cleared and got very cold. It's a good thing Peony left that firewood for us. We kept hearing strange sounds in the dark, but nothing came near our fire. None of us got much sleep, but Strider told us stories and even sang a couple of songs to keep our spirits up. We were really happy to see the sunrise.

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

Down in the lowest and most sheltered corner of the dell they lit a fire, and prepared a meal. The shades of evening began to fall, and it grew cold.

..The cold increased as darkness came on. Peering out from the edge of the dell they could see nothing but a grey land now vanishing quickly into shadow. The sky above had cleared again and was slowly filling with twinkling stars.

..As night fell and the light of the fire began to shine out brightly, he began to tell them tales to keep their minds from fear.

..As Strider was speaking they watched his strange eager face, dimly lit in the red glow of the wood-fire. His eyes shone, and his voice was rich and deep. Above him was a black starry sky. Suddenly a pale light appeared over the crown of Weathertop behind him. The waxing moon was climbing slowly above the hill that overshadowed them, and the stars above the hill-top faded.

[ July 01, 2003: Message edited by: Alatáriël ]

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I'm curious - did any other Barrow-Downers enter a motto in the contest or was I the only one?

I'm almost at 300 miles - should be getting that next shield tomorrow! I must say, a bit of healthy competition does keep me going at it...

[ArwenBaggins]

After leaving Weathertop (that place was freaking me out), we crossed the Great Road and continued south. There are more animals here, and I've never enjoyed a coney more!
***
We have walked 264 miles.
We have crossed the Great Road and headed south (264).
It is 8 miles to the next landmark.
We still have 194 miles to Rivendell.
***
They made their way slowly and cautiously round the south-western slopes of the hill, and came in a little while to the edge of the Road. There was no sign of the Riders. But even as they were hurrying across they heard far away two cries: a cold voice calling and a cold voice answering. Trembling they sprang forward, and made for the thickets that lay ahead.

[Linnamalle]

Another fun hobbit-walking party! Hi, everyone.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Hi Linnamalle! Welcome - you may be new here, but obviously you've been on the road to Rivendell for awhile. Are you a member of one of the other walking groups?

[Linnamalle]

Thanks, Estelyn Telcontar. Member? Lol! No, I lurk here and there. As if I was a ranger... lurking about and sleeping in hedges and ditches! Lol!

I don't mean to brag, but I have reached Rivendell and am now feasting on Lembas and wine, while you guys are traveling through marshes, dead places and what-not

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I apologize for some rather late responses here, but I did have some trouble adding miles to the Eowyn site quite a few days ago. The section showing the sheilds never came up, but evidently the miles WERE added. It was like working in the dark. After e-mailing twice to describe and report the problem things cleared up for me. I was wondering if I was the only one!

Estelyn, I also put in a motto, so you were not the lone BDer! There are some very nice ones there.

[Linnamalle]

Oooh, Hilda Bracegirdle, you and I are close. I wonder if I can catch you today! If I see someone in the distance, how can I be sure it's you, and not some rascally wilderness vagabond?

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Oh how lovely! (I’m another 2 miles ahead after lunch, but don’t think I’ll get any more in today.) I don’t think I can be mistaken for a rascal as I’m rather short and wearing petticoats! I’ll put the kettle going just incase you make it for tea…. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[peony_foxburr]

Anyone looking for Peony, no petticoats for this hobbit-lass. She "borrowed" some of Frodo's old clothes before sneaking out, er, leaving Bag End.

She appreciates the gifts of firewood, etc., left behind by those further along the Road, and is trying to return the favor as she goes.

[Arafangwen]

Arafangwen trudged her way onward as she reached the eastern edge of Chetwood Forest, hardly realizing it though, for all the mud on the road. 'When would the rain let up?' She thought to herself as she peered up into the clouds.
Is anyone else nearby?

[Linnamalle]

Peony_Foxburr: Borrowing Frodo's clothes? Lol! But I can't talk, can I? Skirts by day, breeches by night. Just confused?? Lol...

Hilda Bracegirdle: Hello! Tea sounds absolutely blissful. I brought a few sprigs of Peppermint, would you like some? Or perhaps Rosemary? We could tuck a few sprigs here and hope that Peony_Foxburr finds them.

Arafangwen: That's a very pretty picture.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Well hello there Linnamalle! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] The herb tea sounds great. (Right now I'd like to soak my furry feet in a nice vat of cold peppermint tea, I'm feeling like a roast hobbit! Better not give the trolls any ideas though.)

[Nurumaiel]

Hello, Linnamalle, and welcome! I hope you enjoy your stay here. You must have been walking for awhile now, to be over 300 miles. Keep up the good work! EDIT: I forgot to mention... I'll soon be going through this thread and updating the mileage list (see Esty[Estelyn Telcontar]'s post above), and I wonder if you would care to be put on the list, even if you aren't a member of a walking group? I saw that you had your mileage in your FROM: space and I didn't want to pass you by without asking you first.

Elessindil-bloodline, congratulations on reaching Rivendell! Many of us will be joining you soon, though I'm afraid I will be one of those who arrives last. You must realize though, that there's one dead place that we have travelled through that is home sweet home to us. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] Can you guess? And are you, by any chance, one of those travellers who plan to walk to Mount Doom, or are your travellings done? Either way, you have done an excellent job! *applauds*
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2 miles from the Great East Road and then it's on to Bree! Robin will be extremely happy to go there, even if it can be dark and sinister sometimes and there are a lot of Big Folk. She's been getting anxious to sleep on a real bed for once.

I think that many of the Neeker-breekers from the Marshes are migrating west along the road! Have no Hobbit inventions to keep them from biting us, Robin has taught me some secrets of a Hobbit medicine that will soothe the itching a bit. And it does help if you don't scratch, she tells me.... if it is possible to resist the temptation!

Recently for our breakfast Robin has been cooking some Hobbit bread made from some strange kind of fruit that rather resembles bananas. And for dinner? Ah, we eat those ridiculously long sandwiches that Tolkien so despised, as he mentions in a letter to Zimmerman. Well, at least they provide you with energy for the 316 miles more to Rivendell!

[ July 03, 2003: Message edited by: Nurumaiel ]