RP 🎲 RP 36: Redemption

Eäritila lowered her bow, and replaced the arrow in her quiver.

'Then it seems all is well.' she said evenly. 'Well met, Eve. I am Eäritila of Acqualondë.' And she extended her hand in friendship.

'Forgive me this hostility. For in this land we have been assailed by wild men and fell beasts out of legend. Trust wears thin!'

Caimarë came forward. He took Eäritila's hand after his sister had done so. "Well met, Eäritila. I do not doubt that had we been enemies, I would now be at your feet. Maedhros could not wish for a better guard." He then turned towards his siblings. "Now that we have all made peace", and he gestured at his two sisters, "Should we resume our quest?" He turned to Maedhros, ever respectful. "What is your destination? It is long indeed since I have been in this part of the world, and the very land has changed."

Dragon

Our destination is east. Magnus the dragon knows of our quest and is now thinking of how to rob me of my chance at success. Well met all of you. Before you go with us, there is something I have to tell you. The quest will only be more difficult from now on. A dragon is our main adversary and he seeks revenge. To follow me, is to invoke the wrath of a dragon. Do you still wish to go?

OOC: Oops, I really messed this up... I hope I've fixed it right... If not, I deeply apologize.

snaga1
'Strange fate pursues your quest already, son of Feanor,' said Eäritila, sheathing the sword she had half-drawn as Herugurth had drawn his.

'Whoever he was, mighty or not, I will uphold my oath to you. But what of you others? What is your answer? Or perhaps you need to understand better our path?'

Zale
As Herugurth drew his sword, Caimarë whipped out his blade and leaped at him. He stopped immediately when Herugurth seized Maedhros; there was nothing he could do except hope for mercy from the treacherous Elf - a slim chance indeed, it seemed.
Once Herugurth had ridded off, he turned once again to Maedhros. "Shall we not pursue the traitor? He deserves death at best for treating you so. I would kill him yourself at your command". He faltered, and continued, "Alas! You claim he is a foe beyond any of us. Perhaps it would be best to continue our original course, eastward to Greenwood the Great".

snaga1
At this Eäritila climbed up a small hillock and looked out with far-seeing eyes, that discerned a sparrow from a wren on the far horizon.

'Nay!' she called. 'Nothing flies in the air but birds, and small insects for miles around us. 'Tis but a shadow of dread that clouds our counsels.'

Then she sprang down, and looked at them all. 'More deadly to us is this dissension amongst us. You must put it aside, or leave us. I feel this in my heart: it will bring ruin upon us all. I care little for the matters that lie between you.
For I have put aside the Kin-slaying to aid Maedhros in his quest. Not lightly do I do it, and if this task fails, then my life is forfeit and my name will be accursed amongst my people. Against the sundering of the houses of the Eldar, whatever disputes you may have between you count for little. So I bid you kin of Nildadari: you must decide if your disputes matter more to you than our quest. For if it is so you have no place amongst us.'

And then she spoke to Maedhros. 'To go eastwards, for a time we have no need of a guide. For I have learnt somewhat of this land from those who sailed into the West. Here not far before us lie the Tower Hills, and upon it you may discern the Towers of lamented Gil-Galad, your kinsman. From there it is said runs a great road eastwards to Imladris where Elrond Half-Elven, son of Earendil, and greatest loremasters of Middle Earth yet dwells. For this at least we need no guide. Let Nildadari's kin come or tarry as they will. Our road is clear.'

Evereve
"I wish not to stay, nor to flee. This is not a desicion that I must make," Eve replied firmly. She shuddered as she began to feel the dragon's presence in her heart and mind.

Grond
"I like neither your advice nor the company you keep," said Herugurth, gazing at Maedhros. "But my duty is to protect fair Eve and where she goes, Good Herugurth will follow. But I say to all of you to WATCH YOUR BACKS, when dealing with yon elf. He may say he seeks redemption but I have seen how the kinsman of Feanor dipsense justice, and it is none to my liking."

Herugurth stalks off, dragging Eve with him towards his horse.

(Hope this is okay... my first post in a role-play. )

chrysophalax
In great anger Nildadair cried out, "Great fool! Where do you think you will go in this land? We must stay together if we are to fulfill Maedhros' quest!" She strode over to them and stood toe-to-toe with Herugurth. "Answer me! Your brooding I will countenance no longer!"

Grond
Herugurth bows to the fair Elf-maid. "I but am readying my charge to depart with you and your party! I offer my services to you since it seems she will have naught to do with my good advice," he stated cooly while gazing at Eve. "But I will keep an eye both in the air and on the ground!" he muttered, glancing in Maedhros' direction.

"And have a care whom you challenge. We need no dessention in the party. Enemies are near enough, without us seeking to kill one another!" he shouted.

"I still wish to go. Only Eru knows how long its been since I've seen some real action. Orcs just aren't a challenge anymore," she said with a smile. Inside she resolved to be at least close to civil towards Nildadari most of the time, but she didnt know if she would be able to hold her tongue, and hand at that matter, toward Maedhros.

Nildadari threw her hands up and blasted a sigh.
"Enough!" She declared, "Of all of this! The day wears on and we have need to make camp." She cast a glance back toward the mountain remembering her ill fated interaction with the great dragon and added.
"Preferably somewhere safe from dragons."
She cast a withering glance toward her sister.
"I have had enough with the bickering for this eve, from everyone!" She cursed under her breath. "So pointless it pains the ears."
Nildadari turned and took her brother by the arm turning him with her toward the woods.
"Come brother, I should like to speak with you at length, hear of your travels, and I daresay share a warm meal." She looked back over her shoulder at Meadhros and Eartila. "Come My Lord, if it please you I shall find us camp for the eve."
She started off toward the woods and silently Caimare tugged at her sleeve. Nildadari sighed softly and added.
"The rest of you should come as well, better safe together than apart I should imagine."

I waited for them all to finish their talk. I smiled. Are thou finished. I don't care whether you like me or not. I have a quest and the honor of my house rest on it. I will forget the drawing of a sword this time Herugurth, for I'm part guilty in the Slaying of Alqualonde, but don't try me again, because I have not forgotten my torment in Thangorodrim nor those who followed Morgoth.
Now come, all of you, we are but just beginning the true quest. As I began to walk fowards, I looked at Herugurth and Eve with a smile and said: "Besides, it will take more than the likes of you to best me."
With that, I put my cloak, and the second part of the quest began.

Keeping a wary eye on Maedhros, Herugurth took his horses's reins and walked beside Eve. To no one in particular he said, "Who among you knows the territory in this part of the world? As Nildadari has said, we should make camp ere the sun sets and unless you have provisions for all, Caimare and I may have to hunt. What say you?"

Caimarë gave Herugurth a puzzled glance. "What makes you think that my sister cannot hunt? Or Eäritila, or Eve? We are all equals in this camp. You are right, though, it may well be that we have to gather more food; my small party and I were not without supplies, but I would prefer to save lembas for more pressing times, in less inviting and bountiful surroundings." Silently, he added, "Maedhros would not fight against you alone; he now has my sword as well as his own". He did not voice these thoughts but they were ever in his mind.

Eve sensed the tension in the group, and in her heart knew that she was losing even more trust from her kin. Looking towards Herugurth, and her heart lightened to see his friendly face. 'At least there was one person I can count on,' she thought to her self. 'Even if he isnt my own kin.'

Herugurth narrowed his eyes at Caimare. "Young whelp! Who are you to speak to me thus?" he thought grimly.
The party approached a rocky out-cropping which might offer partial concealment. Herugurth turned to Maedhros and said, "By your leave,
My Lord . I propose that we make camp here. Caimare, Nildadari and I will see if we might bring down some dinner. I would leave you with my Lady Eve. I may not hold you in honour but I trust you defend her."

Nildadari gritted her teeth as she heard Herugurth's words questoning Maedhros's honor. She moved to take a step forward but was restrained gently by Caimare's hand on her shoulder. She looked to him and he shook his head slowly. She knew what he meant.
Now was not the time nor the place for such battles to be fought. Caimare did not like Herugurth any more than she did, but he knew that his time would come.
Nildadari sighed and wrapped an arm around her brother's waist.
"Come brother, we shall find some game for this eve, we both know this land well enough." She cast a glance toward Herugurth as the siblings started away from the camp. "Stick close, you would not want to get lost."
Caimare pinched her arm and she yelped slightly and elbowed him back.
"I shall tolerate his presence, brother." She whispered to him. "But that does not require of me to be nice or to be pleased with his being here...." She paused for a moment and added. "That goes for my sister as well...."

"Come now Nil - where is your honour if you cannot even be civil to one who has as yet done no harm?" He paused, and looked back at the camp, the flickering fire just visible. He then leant towards her and whispered, "That means no 'accidents' in the woods, sister!" He grinned and leant away as she aimed a swing at him. He continued, "But for now, we hunt. Have you a spare bow? Mine was lost on our journey here, though I still have arrows." Nildadari shook her head. "You'll just have to do without, brother; now watch me hunt!"

Eäritila sighed. 'Well, son of Feanor. It is some surprise to me. I came hither willing to face grief and pain from perils sent by the servants of Morgoth. But it is bitter to see how much our people have fallen, far from the light of the West. Was it alway thus amongst the elves of Middle Earth? For I had heard the kindred of Thingol and of Fingolfin were at least yet honorable and fair-spoken. Even as they go hunting, they seem more bent on wounding each other with words than they are on their prey!'

She rose, smiling gently. 'Let me see your dragon-wounds. Do they still trouble you? I will tend them if needs be, then one at least should keep watch in this land I deem. I will take my turn.'

Herugurth smiles at Eve. "M'lady, I will leave my sword with you and will take your bow. I still have my knives if danger nears but meat won't be put on the table with a blade... and" he huffs indignantly pointing at the others, "these hunters have yet to prove their skill to me."

Herugurth gives Eve a warm smile as she hands him her bow and quiver. He yells, "Let's see who can hunt!!" to the others and slowly makes his way towards the forest.

Eve smiled as Hurugurth slowly faded into the distance and soon even her sharp eyes could barely discern his figure as he made his way through the trees. Wandering over to Earitila and Maedhros, she was once again filled with a hot hatred for Maedhros. Try as she might to control it, it always returned when she saw him. Turning, she returned to the small fire that was in the center of the camp, and sat down heavily with a soft sigh.

I'm well Eäritila, the wounds are still there but I will heal because for the fire of life is hot within me and I still have a quest to finish.
I sighted. See all the wrongs that I have made in my life, the oath that I took in my madness. I have done too many wrongs because of that, I have killed too many. Look at Eve, she how she hates me. I should have listened to my brother Maglor in the end.
I gripped my sword, wait, what is that?

Eve, who had been sitting with her head in her hands, thinking, suddenly looked up. Her quick ears picked up a sound, and the second time she saw Maedhros reach for his sword. She stood quickly and turned towards the sound, her sword Vulcan glittering in the deepening twilight.

Nildadari led the way, determined to be the first to spot some prey.
Caimare and Herugurth fanned out as soon as they reached the forest edge. Soon they saw spoor and began to track a small deer. Herugurth glimpsed a quick movement to his right and started toward it. A sharp cry
came from the direction Nildadari had gone and was quickly cut off...

Herugurth quickly and quietly traversed the distance between him and Nildadari, knocking an arrow and drawing his bow. He looked feverishly for any sign of the fair elf. "Damn, where did she go?"