Swan Wood - RPG

[Taralphiel]

Laurel spoke quietly above the silence, though she was sure that among three Elves, she would have been heard quite clearly.

‘I want this all to end. I want this to be the final offensive, at least if we can manage it. If we do not act now, when else will we have the chance? These people will not hold long. Their hope is almost gone. I cannot see this happen. I will do what I must’ she said and thought for a moment.

‘More than one group is the key. Though I see not a small group, but an army. If we rescue Cartil, then attempt to make as much damage as possible from within, their ranks will falter. If a large group were to attack…’

Galain spoke up, though his words were chosen carefully ‘My lady, where is such a group? I know the Rohirrim were a mighty force, but they are not here’

‘Then we will find them. We do not need many. Not even 200 would be enough.’ She said with head lowered

Lanaey looked at Laurel, then said ‘It is settled, we search for Herebrand’s men at first light tomorrow’

‘And if they are no more?’ asked Galain without tone.

‘Then we fight without them’ said Laurel, and walked away.

~*~

Taralphiel listened to Annunfuin, and nodded. She felt guilt for not telling him of his fallen friend, but before she could answer his questions, or quell his suffering in any small degree, she saw two children bound into the room. One was clearly the elder, wild in body and eyes. Her face was smudged with dirt, and her hair was wild and free. She reminded her of her daughter, when she was of that age, and that made her smile. The younger was almost a complete contrast. Pale and waif, her hair was long and neatly groomed. She had a stance that looked like she had carried many a sorrow and pain. Taralphiel had seen many of these children pass through her doors.Annunfuin tried to quieten them down, and Taralphiel smiled at them. ‘What are your names girls?’

‘I am Fiona’ said the older, with a wary glance. Moving closer to the other, she motioned to her and said ‘And this is Elena.’ ‘Well it is very nice to meet you Fiona and Elena. How are you enjoying yourselves here?’

‘Oh very much so!’ said Elena, with a sudden smile ‘Us and Rian are taken care of and are very happy!’ ‘That is very good to hear! You two have lost much, I can see it in your eyes’ she paused and looked at them. It seemed that Elena was most effected by those words. ‘Do you miss your family?’ she asked the little girl. ‘Della…’ she mumbled, and the other give a small look of annoyance. ‘Is that your mother?’ ‘No, my doll…’ the girl said and blushed.

Taralphiel put a hand on the girls shoulder and said ‘Follow me you two’ he lead them down a hallway, with Annunfuin walking in the rear. She skipped a few rooms before heading into one. As in most rooms, there were a few books and a comfortable bed and chairs. But filling the shelves in this room were many dolls and other toys. Taralphiel looked at them and said ‘These are the toys that children here have long grown out of. They gave them to me so that I would be able to give them to someone who would love them again’ She knelt down by Elena ‘You may find Della soon, but you may pick one of these dolls in the meantime. It will not be able to replace your friend, but give her a playmate too?’ She watched the girl give a small smile, and walk over to pick a doll from the shelf. Turning back to Fiona, she said ‘And I cannot leave you out, is there anything you would like?’

Both girls stood and chattered while looking for what to choose, and Taralphiel walked to the Gondorian who was hovering at the doorway. The girls soon whizzed past her and back towards the garden. ‘Let us find somewhere to sit so we can talk’ she said.

Sunlight streaked the small garden, and they sat on the warm stone benches there. ‘I hope you do not hold against me the fact I did not tell you of Sir Thagon’s…end. You were in no state to hear it. I did not want to heap more grief on you mind. I see you carry plenty from times now and before on your shoulders. I want you to know that he will be given proper ceremony as soon as you are up to attending.’ The man said naught, and so she continued.

‘As for your plans, I can give you help. It is time I used some of my studies. There are roughly 50 people here, you and I included. An attack here would not go well. We are desperately unguarded. We need to get these people to somewhere safer.’

‘As for an attack, I am sure that my granddaughter is planning it already. She does not rest long if she sees such a chance. Though what kind of attack she could make is uncertain’

Taralphiel looked Annunfuin in the eyes and said ‘But I will not leave here. My last journey from here I have already made. I wish to see the last of my home, if it comes to that. I do not wish to leave my husband and children again’

Taralphiel looked at four arched stones in the middle of the courtyard. Carved into with small pictures, each had a tale. By them, a small tree grew, its blossoms budding and falling at the base of the tombstones. ‘Ithilien, Estelien, and Eriador. All my joy came from them. Now they are gone. My daughter died in the arms of her love. I will do as close as I can to the same. I will not leave here…’

~*~

Cuor danced among the alleyways, keeping his hood about his face. He watched the day pass slowly by, scouring the streets for any sign of the Wild Woman, or better yet, the Lady Laurel. He found the latter first, with a group of Elves. He kept himself well hidden then, making sure their senses would not pick up a soul as wretched as his. Listening to their conversation, he grew pale. They were to attack! Cuor paused in thought, then smiled. ‘Let them try. Let them succeed. Those stinking animals deserve the slaughter. I will take what is mine in the confusion, and whether the outcome is ill or good for the Swan people, they will have lost their greatest treasure. He watched her intently, and narrowed his eyes as he saw her gingerly shifting her weight on her legs. A movement of her cape showed she was also bandaged at the shoulder. He grimaced, and cursed the person who inflicted these wounds. ‘Ah well, they will get what is coming to them. And if it was that woman…’ His train of thought was broken as he saw Laurel walk away with a noticeable limp. He moved to follow her, before he hissed and reached for his sword. He saw from shadows of an alley not far over another lurking figure. Gita. He licked his lips and slowly skulked after Laurel, intent on showing Gita that her efforts in this hunt were futile…