Friends of Nimrodel: Tapestry of Dreams - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

littlemanpoet · 05-31-2004, 08:09 AM

Her name is Mithrellas, and she seeks for her Mistress, who has become lost in the highlands beneath the White Mountains. Mithrellas has been separated from her companions by evil fate brought upon them by dissonant song falling upon their ears from whence she knows not. She names him he who has saved her life.

A day comes when she is back to full health, save that which only joy can bring to her kind, and she asks him to help her find her Mistress. He gives her a white mare to ride, and he rides his black stallion, and they scour the hills and vales side by side for days into weeks, finding nothing. She names him friend.

At last, winter threatens to surround them, and they return to his home. He is unable to relieve her sorrow, but devotes himself to her in all things. She names him heart's friend.

littlemanpoet · 05-31-2004, 09:21 AM

"Remember our little game?" Liornung asked. "Perhaps you would care to take your turn!"

"Would you hear one of the lays of Rohan, or shall I try a rhyme after the manner of Liornung?"

"Sing what you like, friend!"

"Let me think on this, and I will, I hope, have a song for you when we make camp tonight."

"I can wait," Liornung replied. "What of you, Bellyn? Argeleafa?"

Bellyn smiled and said that she could wait, but Argeleafa looked startled to have been included, and blushed. It made her seem fairer. Ædegard had been aware of her from the start, and thought her a welcome addition to the party if only because she was Rohirric as was he, but her plight prodded his interest.

"So be it!" Ædegard smiled to each of them, last of all to Argeleafa, meeting her eyes. The smile she returned was brief; she bit her lip her face became sad again. Ædegard bent himself to the task of song.

Night came and the party camped at the edge of Lorien, south of where the Silverlode joins the Anduin. Liornung asked for Ædegard's song.

"I am sorry. I need more time."

The watch was divided between them, and the night passed uneventful.

On the next day, Ædegard rode next to Argeleafa and asked her about her life. She was shy and easily overcome with homesickness. Ædegard told her that he felt the same at times, having left his family back in Edoras. Most of that day was spent in quiet, and sometimes Ædegard rode in front, sometimes near the Elves, sometimes beside Argeleafa.

Liornung reminded Ædegard that he owed them a song.

"I shall have one ready tonight, I am thinking."

The party made camp where the Limlight flowed into the Anduin. The river curved back north and east, around a great rise of land between the north and south undeeps. The Wolds were to their south. Ædegard wondered which way Amroth would lead them now. He was content to let him lead, him and his Elven companion Erebemlin. They sat around the campfire. Ædegard had his song ready.

Fair are the fields of green Rohan,
Warm is the sun that shines on the land,
From mountain to wood, from marsh to river,
Mild is its rain, good grain giver.

Deep in my heart are you, Rohan my home,
Far from your quiet fields now I roam.
In a distant land bends my way,
But I shall return to you some day.

Many tales I shall speak to each friend,
Of stout hearts whose words always mend,
Of loyal friends on the road I did greet,
And a maiden fair it was my joy to meet.

Ædegard had allowed his eyes to wander from face to face as he sang his song. On the last line he looked to the face of Argeleafa, and caught and held her gaze, and did not look away. She had been wiping her eyes while he sang the first lines, but her eyes widened at the end, and they told him that she knew his meaning. She looked away then, and back to him, and away.

"A fine song, Ædegard," said Liornung. "I see you have indeed been giving thought, though the song seems unfinished."

"Aye." Ædegard smiled. "I am not ready to end it yet. It needs time."

mark12_30 · 05-31-2004, 10:49 AM

Ravion led Gond, and Gwyllion and Mellonin walked one on Gond's left and one n Gond's right, watching and listening to Raefindan.

Gwyllion echoed his fevered words in her soft voice. Mellonin listened to them both, and whispered them again to herself.

"Forest. Highlands. Rest. Sorrow. Mithril. Lost. Waiting."

"What is Mithril-lost?" Gwyllion asked. "Who lost it? Did Raefindan?"

Mellonin shook her head. "I do not know."

"Sometimes he sounds happy," Gwyllion said.

She nodded, and reached up and stroked his red, drenched hair. To her surprise, Raefindan murmured snatches of a song she did not know.

Ravion turned back to look at her. "That song is not often sung in our land. Yet I have heard it before."

"Whence comes it?" Mellonin asked.

"The south, where the Anduin meets Belfalas," Ravion answered. "It likens the lover's heart to the surging sea-tide, and the beloved to the moon. It is very old."

"How would he know such a song?" Mellonin wondered.

Ravion replied, "I do not know."

Gwyllion replied, "The lover must be sad, for who can catch the moon?"

Mellonin hid a wry smile. The moonstruck lass was no fool. Gwyllion took a turn at smoothing Raefindan's brow, and Mellonin wondered what young Gwyllion thought of love. Had Gwyllion ever loved a man? Mellonin's own heart had been snared before, for a day, or a year. But each time she held her peace, and each time the shining one slowly faded.

Mellonin gazed for a moment at Ravion's back, and warned herself. What good is it to grasp at the moon? It cannot be caught, or held, or kept; and it is no refuge.

She turned her attention to Raefindan, who had finished his song, and now murmured again.

Orual · 05-31-2004, 11:08 AM

A frown pulled heavily on Ravion's features. There was no way that Raefindan could have known that song...unless he was much better-travelled than he appeared to be. Or perhaps he had a parent from the south? Unlikely. He had no trace of a Southron's accent. Besides, Ravion was getting that feeling again...the odd one he had gotten when he met Mellonin, that told him something strange was happening.

He touched Raefindan's forehead, which was still very warm. The Ranger sighed deeply, and poured some water on a rag to put on Raefindan's head. The man was still murmuring to himself, though Ravion could not make out the words; however, this was still less disconcerting than the song.

They had been walking for a fair while as Raefindan lay unconscious, and it was beginning to worry Ravion. He was no healer, but he knew that the longer one remained unconscious, the more harm had likely been inflicted to your body...and the more likely harm was still being inflicted. He hoped that Raefindan woke up before nightfall, or he would truly be concerned; a day or more unconscious usually meant real danger. Or so he had heard.

That was what angered him most: he did not know what to do. He literally did not have the knowledge. He could not help Raefindan, except to try to break the fever if it got too high. He did not know how to diagnose or treat this illness, and he wanted too very badly. He wanted to be a leader. Like his father would have been.

He could feel the muscles in his back tighten at the thought. Best to change the subject. "Mellonin," he said quickly, "does Raefindan have a history of illnesses like this? Is this something...chronic? Has he recovered from something like this in the past?"

mark12_30 · 05-31-2004, 07:37 PM

The two elves offered to take the first two watches, and the men happily agreed.

Ædegard bid for the third, but Liornung forbad him. "I shall take the last watch; rest, Ædegard. "

With a wry smile, Ædegard gave way. The horses grazed southeastward where the rivers met. Amroth and Nethwador slept east of the fire towards the Anduin, Liornung and Ædegard westward towards the Limlight, and Bella and Argeleafa on the north side. The elves paced at the edge of the firelight, circling the group, with Erebemlin closely guarding Amroth's dreams.

Nethwador woke often, and twice he sat up. The elves saw that his dark brown eyes fixed on them, and asked him why he did not rest. He brooded, and pointed first to the stars, and then he glanced over at Lady Bella.

"She is well, " Taitheneb assured him. "Fear not." But Nethwador did not lie back down, and glanced now and again at Ædegard and Liornung, and folded his arms across his chest.

"You know of the battle that was fought near here?" asked Taitheneb, in word and thought.

The hatred is old, and deep, replied Nethwador. Taitheneb heard the young, ragged Easterling, and knew his fear of the Rohirrim, and his joy in Lady Bella's dark hair. Amroth, too, had dark hair.

Amroth stirred. Erebemlin placed a hand on his brow til peace returned.

Liornung rose and took the third watch, but the elves did not sleep; the tall one watched over Amroth, and the other, over Nethwador. Dawn came quietly.

Aylwen Dreamsong · 06-01-2004, 01:12 PM

Bellyn could not sleep that night. Her mind went over and over how important it was that she get sleep, but something unsettled her and kept her from rest. Bellyn closed her eyes, but remained in the waking world as the elves paced around the sleeping Men. Thoughts of the colors and the imagry she had seen on the trip rolled over and over in her head, as well as the mystery revolving around Amroth and his dreams.

"She is well, " Bellyn heard a voice. She shifted her head to see if she could catch who had spoken, but all she could see was Mellon sitting bolt upright diagonal to her on the east side of the fire. "Fear not." Bellyn heard speaking again and wondered who had spoken. Certainly it was not Mellon... Bellyn thought, but this made her even more curious as Mellon...or Nethwador, as the elves had named him...was the only one Bellyn could see awake.

"You know of the battle that was fought near here?"

No one spoke in answer to the question, but Bellyn wondered at this inquiry. Bellyn knew exactly where on a map the group had settled, and knew the coordinates and surroundings. Bellyn even knew popular myths about many places, but she did not know what battle had been fought near to where the group slept and rested.

Soon Liornung took watch, for Bellyn could see him rise and could hear him whisper to someone that Bellyn could not see. Bellyn tried to sleep at this point, and rested soundly until the first rays of light boldly hit her freckled cheeks. Rising, Bellyn stretched and looked to the elf Taitheneb.

"Sir, what battle was faught close to this place?" she asked, curious and tired.

mark12_30 · 06-01-2004, 08:34 PM

Mellonin shook her head. "Weary and tired, yes, and tormented by the dreams, but not sick like this. I was sick, two weeks ago, but he was not."

Ravion turned keen eyes on her. "You were sick? Not long ago? Why did you not tell me this?"

"Why would I tell you? You did not ask. I slept for three days. I was too weak to stand." Her eyes were like ice, her tone as cold, and her face became a stony mask.

Aeron turned and looked at her, even as Gwyllion peered over Gond's back at her; but her jaw was clenched shut and she fixed her eyes on Raefindan.

05-31-2004, 08:09 AM	#1
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	Raefindan Her name is Mithrellas, and she seeks for her Mistress, who has become lost in the highlands beneath the White Mountains. Mithrellas has been separated from her companions by evil fate brought upon them by dissonant song falling upon their ears from whence she knows not. She names him he who has saved her life. A day comes when she is back to full health, save that which only joy can bring to her kind, and she asks him to help her find her Mistress. He gives her a white mare to ride, and he rides his black stallion, and they scour the hills and vales side by side for days into weeks, finding nothing. She names him friend. At last, winter threatens to surround them, and they return to his home. He is unable to relieve her sorrow, but devotes himself to her in all things. She names him heart's friend.

05-31-2004, 09:21 AM	#2
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	Ædegard "Remember our little game?" Liornung asked. "Perhaps you would care to take your turn!" "Would you hear one of the lays of Rohan, or shall I try a rhyme after the manner of Liornung?" "Sing what you like, friend!" "Let me think on this, and I will, I hope, have a song for you when we make camp tonight." "I can wait," Liornung replied. "What of you, Bellyn? Argeleafa?" Bellyn smiled and said that she could wait, but Argeleafa looked startled to have been included, and blushed. It made her seem fairer. Ædegard had been aware of her from the start, and thought her a welcome addition to the party if only because she was Rohirric as was he, but her plight prodded his interest. "So be it!" Ædegard smiled to each of them, last of all to Argeleafa, meeting her eyes. The smile she returned was brief; she bit her lip her face became sad again. Ædegard bent himself to the task of song. Night came and the party camped at the edge of Lorien, south of where the Silverlode joins the Anduin. Liornung asked for Ædegard's song. "I am sorry. I need more time." The watch was divided between them, and the night passed uneventful. On the next day, Ædegard rode next to Argeleafa and asked her about her life. She was shy and easily overcome with homesickness. Ædegard told her that he felt the same at times, having left his family back in Edoras. Most of that day was spent in quiet, and sometimes Ædegard rode in front, sometimes near the Elves, sometimes beside Argeleafa. Liornung reminded Ædegard that he owed them a song. "I shall have one ready tonight, I am thinking." The party made camp where the Limlight flowed into the Anduin. The river curved back north and east, around a great rise of land between the north and south undeeps. The Wolds were to their south. Ædegard wondered which way Amroth would lead them now. He was content to let him lead, him and his Elven companion Erebemlin. They sat around the campfire. Ædegard had his song ready. Fair are the fields of green Rohan, Warm is the sun that shines on the land, From mountain to wood, from marsh to river, Mild is its rain, good grain giver. Deep in my heart are you, Rohan my home, Far from your quiet fields now I roam. In a distant land bends my way, But I shall return to you some day. Many tales I shall speak to each friend, Of stout hearts whose words always mend, Of loyal friends on the road I did greet, And a maiden fair it was my joy to meet. Ædegard had allowed his eyes to wander from face to face as he sang his song. On the last line he looked to the face of Argeleafa, and caught and held her gaze, and did not look away. She had been wiping her eyes while he sang the first lines, but her eyes widened at the end, and they told him that she knew his meaning. She looked away then, and back to him, and away. "A fine song, Ædegard," said Liornung. "I see you have indeed been giving thought, though the song seems unfinished." "Aye." Ædegard smiled. "I am not ready to end it yet. It needs time." Last edited by littlemanpoet; 05-31-2004 at 09:32 AM.

05-31-2004, 10:49 AM	#3
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	Anorien, Dec 20: Mellonin Ravion led Gond, and Gwyllion and Mellonin walked one on Gond's left and one n Gond's right, watching and listening to Raefindan. Gwyllion echoed his fevered words in her soft voice. Mellonin listened to them both, and whispered them again to herself. "Forest. Highlands. Rest. Sorrow. Mithril. Lost. Waiting." "What is Mithril-lost?" Gwyllion asked. "Who lost it? Did Raefindan?" Mellonin shook her head. "I do not know." "Sometimes he sounds happy," Gwyllion said. She nodded, and reached up and stroked his red, drenched hair. To her surprise, Raefindan murmured snatches of a song she did not know. Ravion turned back to look at her. "That song is not often sung in our land. Yet I have heard it before." "Whence comes it?" Mellonin asked. "The south, where the Anduin meets Belfalas," Ravion answered. "It likens the lover's heart to the surging sea-tide, and the beloved to the moon. It is very old." "How would he know such a song?" Mellonin wondered. Ravion replied, "I do not know." Gwyllion replied, "The lover must be sad, for who can catch the moon?" Mellonin hid a wry smile. The moonstruck lass was no fool. Gwyllion took a turn at smoothing Raefindan's brow, and Mellonin wondered what young Gwyllion thought of love. Had Gwyllion ever loved a man? Mellonin's own heart had been snared before, for a day, or a year. But each time she held her peace, and each time the shining one slowly faded. Mellonin gazed for a moment at Ravion's back, and warned herself. What good is it to grasp at the moon? It cannot be caught, or held, or kept; and it is no refuge. She turned her attention to Raefindan, who had finished his song, and now murmured again. Last edited by mark12_30; 05-31-2004 at 07:14 PM.

05-31-2004, 11:08 AM	#4
Orual Speaker of the Dead Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Superbia Posts: 868	Anorien: Ravion A frown pulled heavily on Ravion's features. There was no way that Raefindan could have known that song...unless he was much better-travelled than he appeared to be. Or perhaps he had a parent from the south? Unlikely. He had no trace of a Southron's accent. Besides, Ravion was getting that feeling again...the odd one he had gotten when he met Mellonin, that told him something strange was happening. He touched Raefindan's forehead, which was still very warm. The Ranger sighed deeply, and poured some water on a rag to put on Raefindan's head. The man was still murmuring to himself, though Ravion could not make out the words; however, this was still less disconcerting than the song. They had been walking for a fair while as Raefindan lay unconscious, and it was beginning to worry Ravion. He was no healer, but he knew that the longer one remained unconscious, the more harm had likely been inflicted to your body...and the more likely harm was still being inflicted. He hoped that Raefindan woke up before nightfall, or he would truly be concerned; a day or more unconscious usually meant real danger. Or so he had heard. That was what angered him most: he did not know what to do. He literally did not have the knowledge. He could not help Raefindan, except to try to break the fever if it got too high. He did not know how to diagnose or treat this illness, and he wanted too very badly. He wanted to be a leader. Like his father would have been. He could feel the muscles in his back tighten at the thought. Best to change the subject. "Mellonin," he said quickly, "does Raefindan have a history of illnesses like this? Is this something...chronic? Has he recovered from something like this in the past?" Last edited by Orual; 05-31-2004 at 09:04 PM.

05-31-2004, 07:37 PM	#5
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	Evening Dec 18, morning Dec 19 : Near Field of Celebrant The two elves offered to take the first two watches, and the men happily agreed. Ædegard bid for the third, but Liornung forbad him. "I shall take the last watch; rest, Ædegard. " With a wry smile, Ædegard gave way. The horses grazed southeastward where the rivers met. Amroth and Nethwador slept east of the fire towards the Anduin, Liornung and Ædegard westward towards the Limlight, and Bella and Argeleafa on the north side. The elves paced at the edge of the firelight, circling the group, with Erebemlin closely guarding Amroth's dreams. Nethwador woke often, and twice he sat up. The elves saw that his dark brown eyes fixed on them, and asked him why he did not rest. He brooded, and pointed first to the stars, and then he glanced over at Lady Bella. "She is well, " Taitheneb assured him. "Fear not." But Nethwador did not lie back down, and glanced now and again at Ædegard and Liornung, and folded his arms across his chest. "You know of the battle that was fought near here?" asked Taitheneb, in word and thought. The hatred is old, and deep, replied Nethwador. Taitheneb heard the young, ragged Easterling, and knew his fear of the Rohirrim, and his joy in Lady Bella's dark hair. Amroth, too, had dark hair. Amroth stirred. Erebemlin placed a hand on his brow til peace returned. Liornung rose and took the third watch, but the elves did not sleep; the tall one watched over Amroth, and the other, over Nethwador. Dawn came quietly. Last edited by mark12_30; 05-31-2004 at 07:52 PM.

06-01-2004, 01:12 PM	#6
Aylwen Dreamsong The Melody of Misery Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: The Island of Conclusions (You get there by jumping!)... Posts: 1,147	Bellyn could not sleep that night. Her mind went over and over how important it was that she get sleep, but something unsettled her and kept her from rest. Bellyn closed her eyes, but remained in the waking world as the elves paced around the sleeping Men. Thoughts of the colors and the imagry she had seen on the trip rolled over and over in her head, as well as the mystery revolving around Amroth and his dreams. "She is well, " Bellyn heard a voice. She shifted her head to see if she could catch who had spoken, but all she could see was Mellon sitting bolt upright diagonal to her on the east side of the fire. "Fear not." Bellyn heard speaking again and wondered who had spoken. Certainly it was not Mellon... Bellyn thought, but this made her even more curious as Mellon...or Nethwador, as the elves had named him...was the only one Bellyn could see awake. "You know of the battle that was fought near here?" No one spoke in answer to the question, but Bellyn wondered at this inquiry. Bellyn knew exactly where on a map the group had settled, and knew the coordinates and surroundings. Bellyn even knew popular myths about many places, but she did not know what battle had been fought near to where the group slept and rested. Soon Liornung took watch, for Bellyn could see him rise and could hear him whisper to someone that Bellyn could not see. Bellyn tried to sleep at this point, and rested soundly until the first rays of light boldly hit her freckled cheeks. Rising, Bellyn stretched and looked to the elf Taitheneb. "Sir, what battle was faught close to this place?" she asked, curious and tired.

06-01-2004, 08:34 PM	#7
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	Mellonin shook her head. "Weary and tired, yes, and tormented by the dreams, but not sick like this. I was sick, two weeks ago, but he was not." Ravion turned keen eyes on her. "You were sick? Not long ago? Why did you not tell me this?" "Why would I tell you? You did not ask. I slept for three days. I was too weak to stand." Her eyes were like ice, her tone as cold, and her face became a stony mask. Aeron turned and looked at her, even as Gwyllion peered over Gond's back at her; but her jaw was clenched shut and she fixed her eyes on Raefindan. Last edited by mark12_30; 06-02-2004 at 01:04 PM.