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

Imladris · 09-01-2004, 07:38 AM

"Gwyllion!" Aeron shouted, leaning over her and patting her on the cheek.

She groaned slightly, and Aeron's brow puckered in worry. Why wasn't she waking up, and why did she look so sad...so terrified. What had happened to her in the swamp?

He shook her hard, shouting, "GWYLLION! WAKE UP!"

Her body was limp and white...like a ragged doll. She was hardly breathing...

She was dying. He glared into the weeds, leaped to his feet, and shouted, "Traitor! You lying --" he began to spit out the filthy insults. The soft squelchy sound of an arrow plunging into the swamp made him choke on his words.

He rounded on Raefindan, and said, "Why isn't she waking up?"

Nurumaiel · 09-01-2004, 11:25 AM

Moments had passed, and Ædegard had made no answer, but his face expressed that he was intending to be stern in this matter, and there was also a high degree of entreaty written in his features, as if he was pleading Argeleafa to see his side and agree with him. The tears rose fast to her eyes now, and as they spilled over her cheeks she opened her mouth to say something, but she could find no voice to speak. She turned and fled to where Liornung sat with Bella, and sitting down gave herself wholly up to her grief.

Liornung turned to her with concerned and touched her hair. 'Little Leafa, why are you weeping?' he asked, though there could be no doubt that he already knew the answer.

'You told me, Liornung, to watch Ædegard to see if I loved him,' said Argeleafa. 'I did watch him, and what I saw was cruelty. I did watch him, and I have found that I do not, cannot love him.'

'Then why do you weep?'

She looked up with mild surprise written over her tear-stained face. 'Because it grieves me that I do not love him when I was so certain that I did,' she said, but her tone was slow and uncertain.

'How can that be?' Liornung said. 'Surely if you did not love him you would be glad of finding it out before you were his wife. You would not be sorry for this.' He looked steadily into her eyes, and spoke gently and carefully. 'Leafa, do you not love him? You love him, little lass, and you weep because you think he is cruel, and you would not marry a cruel man no matter how much you loved him. Is this not why you weep?'

Sobs overcame her, and she could not answer for some time. At last she quieted somewhat, and she looked up firmly, though she trembled, and she said, 'Yes, Liornung, I do love him, and I will not marry him. I will not marry him because he is cruel, and because he hates those who are not like him. If I were to be his wife I would constantly see him turning his back upon those who were in need because they were not like him. If I were his wife I would have the pain of seeing him scorn my family because they had set aside their ways and joined the Easterling wayfarers. The pain of all this and more would outweigh my love, and I would be unhappy.'

'Perhaps, perhaps,' said Liornung, and he gazed thoughtfully into the distance. 'I cannot say anything for you, or aid you in your decision at all. It is not my matter. It is yours and yours entirely, save that Ædegard has some part in it. It is your decision. Yet I beg you do not decide now, when you are so overwrought. Wait a time, until you are calmer and Ædegard has had the chance to speak of his feelings on the matter to you.'

'I will wait, if you say so, but I cannot marry him,' she said, her tones full of sorrow and despair, and she let her head fall into her hands to weep some more.

Despite his pity and sorrow for her, Liornung could not keep back the amused smile that flickered over his good-natured face, and he winked at Bella, though she was not looking at him.

mark12_30 · 09-01-2004, 11:51 AM

Nethwador's eyes flicked from Bella to Argeleafa and Liornung, and back to Bella; but then his brow furrowed again, and anger sparked in his eyes. Giving Bella's hand an awkward pat, he turned and approached Argeleafa. He studied her, glancing at Liornung.

Then he turned and looked at Ædegard, and his hands balled into fists. He spoke four strong words in his strange tongue to Argeleafa, and then strode towards Ædegard.

"Wait, " said Argeleafa. "Nethwador--"

Liornung hesitated. "What did he say?"

Argeleafa looked at Liornung through her tears. "I'm not sure, but it was about Ædegard and it wasn't nice."

Liornung stood and called to Nethwador to no avail.

Nurumaiel · 09-01-2004, 04:54 PM

Argeleafa likewise stood, and her face paled as she grasped Liornung's arm. Fear rose inside of her, and she murmured, 'What is he going to do?'

'I do not know,' said Liornung, his own face dark. 'Nethwador!' he cried. 'Please, return to us.' Nethwador paid no heed. Argeleafa's fear deepened, and she trembled violently. Images rose in her mind, of Nethwador attacking Ædegard, and the latter defending himself with a will. Both would be hurt, surely, if it came to this. Nethwador's intentions were not good; harm to one or both would ensue.

'Oh, cruel, cruel!' she gasped weakly. 'What has my sorrow caused? I should have thought... Nethwador was angry enough without seeing that I had been hurt as well.' She sat down on the ground, feeling that her legs would not support her. Feebly she called to Nethwador, but again he did not answer, and he was almost standing before Ædegard. Argeleafa clenched her fists and watched with terror-filled eyes, finding no will to stand and try to stop Nethwador, nor to call out once again, she watched in quiet desparation, praying that her worries were foolish and that no harm would come to either Nethwador or Ædegard.

Aylwen Dreamsong · 09-01-2004, 07:20 PM

Why does it suddenly feel like things are falling apart? Bellyn wondered desperately. She watched with inner grief as Argeleafa mourned her mixed feelings of Ædegard, as Liornung tried to calm her, and as Bellyn herself felt unable to comfort Argeleafa. What can I say to make her feel better? Bellyn thought, knowing that her words were beyond aid but feeling useless with her inability to help. Then Nethwador began to manifest his fuming with Ædegard, making problems significantly worse, and once more making Bellyn feel awkward and useless in the situation.

Argeleafa began to call to Nethwador as he walked away, and Bellyn choked on unsaid words as the Rohirric girl tightened her fists in anguish.

"Nethwador!" Bellyn mumbled, but her voice came out cracked and low. Liornung turned, but if Argeleafa or Nethwador heard the girl's voice then they ignored it. Bellyn stood, unable to stand by even if there was little she could actually do to calm the situation. Bellyn walked, then ran towards Nethwador. "Nethwador! Wait!"

She stopped when she came to the furious Nethwador. Bellyn took his hand in her own, and he turned around for just a moment. When she was sure her voice would come out clearly, Bellyn spoke to the Easterling. "No, Mellon," was all she said, and the words came gently and slowly as Bellyn called Nethwador by the first name she had known him as.

mark12_30 · 09-02-2004, 06:42 AM

Nethwador's eyes widened, and he tipped his head to one side. Although the anger in his eyes did not cool, he took her hand in both of his. "Mellon, " he replied. "Nethwador mellon Bella."

Before Bella had time to smile at the mangled grammar, Nethwador fervently kissed her hand.

Ædegard spoke in a low growl.

"How dare you kiss her? Let go of her."

The anger rekindled in Nethwador's eyes, and he gave Bella a protective push and pointed towards Liornung. She stumbled, and heard five harsh words from Nethwador, and then a volley of fists meeting flesh. She didn't even know who struck first.

littlemanpoet · 09-02-2004, 01:40 PM

Ædgard was appalled that Nethador would touch, much less kiss, Bellyn. He was even more appalled that she did not show any sign of disgust or revulsion at all. It was little better than orc and elf!

"How dare you kiss her! Let go of her!" He heard his voice as a growl. Nethador looked back at him, enraged, and threw the first punch, followed quickly by the next. Ædegard felt his chest turn on fire, and was pushed back a half step with each punch. He coughed, then ducked down as quickly as he could and grabbed the Easterling by the legs, trying to tip him over. The grass was wet with dew, and his feet slipped out from underneath him. The Easterling boy began pounding on his back, knocking the breath out of him.

09-01-2004, 07:38 AM	#1
Imladris Tears of the Phoenix Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Putting dimes in the jukebox baby. Posts: 1,453	"Gwyllion!" Aeron shouted, leaning over her and patting her on the cheek. She groaned slightly, and Aeron's brow puckered in worry. Why wasn't she waking up, and why did she look so sad...so terrified. What had happened to her in the swamp? He shook her hard, shouting, "GWYLLION! WAKE UP!" Her body was limp and white...like a ragged doll. She was hardly breathing... She was dying. He glared into the weeds, leaped to his feet, and shouted, "Traitor! You lying --" he began to spit out the filthy insults. The soft squelchy sound of an arrow plunging into the swamp made him choke on his words. He rounded on Raefindan, and said, "Why isn't she waking up?" Last edited by Imladris; 09-01-2004 at 09:22 PM.

09-01-2004, 11:51 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	Dec 25: Nethwador Nethwador's eyes flicked from Bella to Argeleafa and Liornung, and back to Bella; but then his brow furrowed again, and anger sparked in his eyes. Giving Bella's hand an awkward pat, he turned and approached Argeleafa. He studied her, glancing at Liornung. Then he turned and looked at Ædegard, and his hands balled into fists. He spoke four strong words in his strange tongue to Argeleafa, and then strode towards Ædegard. "Wait, " said Argeleafa. "Nethwador--" Liornung hesitated. "What did he say?" Argeleafa looked at Liornung through her tears. "I'm not sure, but it was about Ædegard and it wasn't nice." Liornung stood and called to Nethwador to no avail.

09-02-2004, 06:42 AM	#6
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	Dec 25, Nethwador Nethwador's eyes widened, and he tipped his head to one side. Although the anger in his eyes did not cool, he took her hand in both of his. "Mellon, " he replied. "Nethwador mellon Bella." Before Bella had time to smile at the mangled grammar, Nethwador fervently kissed her hand. Ædegard spoke in a low growl. "How dare you kiss her? Let go of her." The anger rekindled in Nethwador's eyes, and he gave Bella a protective push and pointed towards Liornung. She stumbled, and heard five harsh words from Nethwador, and then a volley of fists meeting flesh. She didn't even know who struck first. Last edited by mark12_30; 09-02-2004 at 02:06 PM.

09-02-2004, 01:40 PM	#7
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	Ædegard Ædgard was appalled that Nethador would touch, much less kiss, Bellyn. He was even more appalled that she did not show any sign of disgust or revulsion at all. It was little better than orc and elf! "How dare you kiss her! Let go of her!" He heard his voice as a growl. Nethador looked back at him, enraged, and threw the first punch, followed quickly by the next. Ædegard felt his chest turn on fire, and was pushed back a half step with each punch. He coughed, then ducked down as quickly as he could and grabbed the Easterling by the legs, trying to tip him over. The grass was wet with dew, and his feet slipped out from underneath him. The Easterling boy began pounding on his back, knocking the breath out of him.

09-01-2004, 11:25 AM	#2
Nurumaiel Vice of Twilight Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: on a mountain Posts: 1,121	Moments had passed, and Ædegard had made no answer, but his face expressed that he was intending to be stern in this matter, and there was also a high degree of entreaty written in his features, as if he was pleading Argeleafa to see his side and agree with him. The tears rose fast to her eyes now, and as they spilled over her cheeks she opened her mouth to say something, but she could find no voice to speak. She turned and fled to where Liornung sat with Bella, and sitting down gave herself wholly up to her grief. Liornung turned to her with concerned and touched her hair. 'Little Leafa, why are you weeping?' he asked, though there could be no doubt that he already knew the answer. 'You told me, Liornung, to watch Ædegard to see if I loved him,' said Argeleafa. 'I did watch him, and what I saw was cruelty. I did watch him, and I have found that I do not, cannot love him.' 'Then why do you weep?' She looked up with mild surprise written over her tear-stained face. 'Because it grieves me that I do not love him when I was so certain that I did,' she said, but her tone was slow and uncertain. 'How can that be?' Liornung said. 'Surely if you did not love him you would be glad of finding it out before you were his wife. You would not be sorry for this.' He looked steadily into her eyes, and spoke gently and carefully. 'Leafa, do you not love him? You love him, little lass, and you weep because you think he is cruel, and you would not marry a cruel man no matter how much you loved him. Is this not why you weep?' Sobs overcame her, and she could not answer for some time. At last she quieted somewhat, and she looked up firmly, though she trembled, and she said, 'Yes, Liornung, I do love him, and I will not marry him. I will not marry him because he is cruel, and because he hates those who are not like him. If I were to be his wife I would constantly see him turning his back upon those who were in need because they were not like him. If I were his wife I would have the pain of seeing him scorn my family because they had set aside their ways and joined the Easterling wayfarers. The pain of all this and more would outweigh my love, and I would be unhappy.' 'Perhaps, perhaps,' said Liornung, and he gazed thoughtfully into the distance. 'I cannot say anything for you, or aid you in your decision at all. It is not my matter. It is yours and yours entirely, save that Ædegard has some part in it. It is your decision. Yet I beg you do not decide now, when you are so overwrought. Wait a time, until you are calmer and Ædegard has had the chance to speak of his feelings on the matter to you.' 'I will wait, if you say so, but I cannot marry him,' she said, her tones full of sorrow and despair, and she let her head fall into her hands to weep some more. Despite his pity and sorrow for her, Liornung could not keep back the amused smile that flickered over his good-natured face, and he winked at Bella, though she was not looking at him.

09-01-2004, 04:54 PM	#4
Nurumaiel Vice of Twilight Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: on a mountain Posts: 1,121	Argeleafa likewise stood, and her face paled as she grasped Liornung's arm. Fear rose inside of her, and she murmured, 'What is he going to do?' 'I do not know,' said Liornung, his own face dark. 'Nethwador!' he cried. 'Please, return to us.' Nethwador paid no heed. Argeleafa's fear deepened, and she trembled violently. Images rose in her mind, of Nethwador attacking Ædegard, and the latter defending himself with a will. Both would be hurt, surely, if it came to this. Nethwador's intentions were not good; harm to one or both would ensue. 'Oh, cruel, cruel!' she gasped weakly. 'What has my sorrow caused? I should have thought... Nethwador was angry enough without seeing that I had been hurt as well.' She sat down on the ground, feeling that her legs would not support her. Feebly she called to Nethwador, but again he did not answer, and he was almost standing before Ædegard. Argeleafa clenched her fists and watched with terror-filled eyes, finding no will to stand and try to stop Nethwador, nor to call out once again, she watched in quiet desparation, praying that her worries were foolish and that no harm would come to either Nethwador or Ædegard.

09-01-2004, 07:20 PM	#5
Aylwen Dreamsong The Melody of Misery Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: The Island of Conclusions (You get there by jumping!)... Posts: 1,147	Why does it suddenly feel like things are falling apart? Bellyn wondered desperately. She watched with inner grief as Argeleafa mourned her mixed feelings of Ædegard, as Liornung tried to calm her, and as Bellyn herself felt unable to comfort Argeleafa. What can I say to make her feel better? Bellyn thought, knowing that her words were beyond aid but feeling useless with her inability to help. Then Nethwador began to manifest his fuming with Ædegard, making problems significantly worse, and once more making Bellyn feel awkward and useless in the situation. Argeleafa began to call to Nethwador as he walked away, and Bellyn choked on unsaid words as the Rohirric girl tightened her fists in anguish. "Nethwador!" Bellyn mumbled, but her voice came out cracked and low. Liornung turned, but if Argeleafa or Nethwador heard the girl's voice then they ignored it. Bellyn stood, unable to stand by even if there was little she could actually do to calm the situation. Bellyn walked, then ran towards Nethwador. "Nethwador! Wait!" She stopped when she came to the furious Nethwador. Bellyn took his hand in her own, and he turned around for just a moment. When she was sure her voice would come out clearly, Bellyn spoke to the Easterling. "No, Mellon," was all she said, and the words came gently and slowly as Bellyn called Nethwador by the first name she had known him as.