Through the Forest (Lindethiel)

[cassiopeia]

(OOC: I hope this is enough to get us started, if it's not just let me know. I was going to have Casswyn attacked by a small band of Orcs but I really must go to bed now. If you haven't replied when I get on tomorrow I will try to expand on it. But if you can work with what's already here, fire away. ^^)

The day was dreary and grey, utterly miserable. The rain fell heavily, ruthlessly pelting down on Casswyn and Uvaer. The big black mare trudged slowly over the muddy trail, the wet weather having dampened her ordinarily fiery and exuberant spirit. Uvaer gave a great sigh and snort and Casswyn mirrored her shortly after by exhaling sharply. She was soaked to the skin, despite wearing a cloak and having her hood up, and all she longed for right now was a dry change of clothes, a warm fireside and some mead. That would be a little piece of heaven.

Gazing up at the trees, Casswyn noted that the light was fading fast as the thick cloud cover choked the sun. She was taking a trail along the foot of the mountains, heading south, back in the geneal direction of Rohan. The young woman had been hunting and it had been a good trip all round. Stored in the saddle bags and attached to the saddle were four rabbits, a partridge and two plump pheasants. Small game, to be sure, but it would still earn her a pretty penny once she made it back to civilisation. Casswyn tilted her head, a flicker of concern racing through her. On the subject of civilisation, she really ought to have reached a settlement by now. Had she strayed from the path? Casswyn didn't think so. This was Orc country and not somewhere she fancied being caught out after dark. Clicking her tongue and with a squeeze of her heels, Casswyn encouraged the dispirited mare into a reluctant trot. They had to pick up the pace if they were to find a village or town before sundown.

[Lindethiel]

ooc: Hope it's okay I took the liberty to start the orc attack.

On the path a little further walking on light feet was a was a maiden of the forest, dark hair covered by green hood and green eyes surveyed the greying fog before her.
This was no ordinary traveler, this was an elf of Mirkwood and she had come by this road for tales of adventure but had found only thick fog and drenching rain. It was not the ideal way to travel and for a moment she missed the warmth of her halls in the Greenwood her lofty tree dwelling and her husband. It had not been long since his passing and an even shorter time since her leaving. But the world was new, and despite being flood watered by it she intended to not dwell on the weeping memories of the past. She could not diminish, she could only look forward.

Lindethiel pulled her hood tighter when she heard the foot steps of a horse behind her, it was getting dark and there were few who took this road alone.
Her hand felt to her bow sliding it off her shoulder and then pulling an arrow from her quiver, the arrow was strung and the chord pulled taught as she waited to see who would approach. The horse passed deftly and Lindethiel noticed the rider to be of a small frame- a man perhaps? Maybe a young boy? What were they doing out here alone.
But before she could reveal her self to ask something else ahead appeared, an orc scouting ahead for his pack. Darting from her position she sighted up the grey figure in the even more grey fog and loosed the arrow causing the dark beast to drop onto the path dead with a terrible howl.
Once the deed was done then Lindethiel revealed her self sprinting up to the rider.
"Are you alright?" She asked when she reached the horse.

[cassiopeia]

(OOC: Absolutely fine, thank you for getting the thread properly rolling!)

Casswyn could swear that, as Uvaer picked up speed, the rain became heavier. Perhaps not, perhaps it was just that the raindrops were hitting her harder now, penetrating her already saturated layers of clothing more easily. Her human ears did not, of course, detect the footsteps of the Elf up ahead, nor did Casswyn catch a glimpse of the forest maiden as she passed. Casswyn's first indication that something was amiss came only when there was a horrid howl from behind her, one that she, most unfortunately, had come to recognise. An orc! Casswyn narrowed her eyes and pulled on the reins, turning Uvaer around sharply. The mare skidded in the mud before side-stepping and rearing a little in agitation. Casswyn's hand was on the hilt of her sword when she realised that the orc in question already lay dead on the road. But who had taken it down? Before Casswyn even had time to cast her eyes around her, a fair Elf had appeared at Uvaer's side, her steps had been all but soundless on the approach. To Casswyn's utter amazement, Uvaer immediately settled, nickering a quiet greeting to the Elf and tossing her mane. Most remarkable! Admittedly, the young rider had next to no experience with Elves, but Uvaer's positive reaction was good enough for her as Casswyn trusted her horse implicitly. Besides, the Elf had just saved her from the possibility of an orc ambush from behind and for that Casswyn was grateful. Moreover, this was not a pleasant road to take alone and the possibility of some company, at least for a while, cheered Casswyn no end. Casswyn's look of surprise and uncertainty passed, a smile taking its place, despite the rain this day seemed to be taking a turn for the better. Casswyn politely dismounted her steed, keeping a hold of Uvaer's reins in one hand and giving the horse a quick pat with the other.

“With thanks to you, I am fine,” Casswyn said warmly, nodding her head in greeting, “I count myself fortunate that you were sharing this road, over the patter of the raindrops it is unlikely I would have heard that foul creature.” Casswyn's eyes darted over to the fallen orc, a look of disgust flashing in her face, for she despised those wretched brutes. After a short pause she brought her eyes back to the Elf, gazing up at her curiously, how did an Elf come to be in this forest? “Casswyn Láidir of Rohan, at your service.”

[Lindethiel]

The she-elf watched as the girl dismounted the both of them soaked from the rain, the scent of the dead orc behind them was repugnant as was the thought that his kin could be around shortly to see what befell him. "I am Lindethiel, of the Greenwood." She said her hand on her left shoulder and then extending towards the other in greeting. "It is fortunate that we have met on the road this day, Casswyn Láidir of Rohan." Deftly the elf maiden made her way behind the horse and found the orc's corpse she puller her arrow free of it, and whipped the gore from the head of the arrow on the ground before sliding it back into her quiver.

"But for now I feel it would best if we were to find a safe place to lodge for the night, it is growing ever darker and orcs have been known to dwell upon this way."
The Elf maid made her way back to Casswyn her light colored eyes taking in the full measure of her features and her stature. The girl seemed to be of a build that showed her she was able to hold her own against the dark creatures of the world, but it was not often that human men trained their daughters to handle a sword. It was strange that this girl could be granted the ability to test her prowess with a sword.
"Is your horse able to bear the load of two?" She asked looking ahead on the path. "It should not be but an hours ride to a safe place to make camp." Lindethiel said her dark hair clinging to her face from the rain and the damp. She rested her hand upon the pommel of her sword and waited for the response of the human maid before her.

[cassiopeia]

Casswyn smiled warmly as the Elf maiden introduced herself, nodding politely. Casswyn had never seen the Greenwood and briefly wondered what it was like there. There were so many places in Middle Earth that she had yet to explore. But then, at a mere twenty years old, Casswyn rather hoped that she still had plenty of time. That was working on the assumption that she did not suffer some dark fate before then. Casswyn acknowledged that this was not beyond the realms of possibility, for already she had had a number of close encounters with wargs, Orcs and, most disappointedly, even roguish men in her time.

“My thoughts exactly,” Casswyn agreed amicably with Lindethiel's proposal that they make haste to find a place to rest for the night and, when the Elf asked if Uvaer could bear them both, a girlish lopsided smile lit Casswyn's face, her pride for her steed evident, “Oh yes, Uvaer will bear us both gladly.”

Casswyn mounted again swiftly and, once seated, the young woman extended her hand to the Elf to help her up. It was an offer that came from manners and routine more than anything, from what Casswyn had heard Elves were immensely agile and light-footed. The chances were that Lindethiel did not actually require her assistance. Still, at eighteen hands high getting onto the colossal black mare was no mean feat!

“Might I ask what brings you out on this dangerous road?” Casswyn inquired inquisitively. She was genuinely curious as to what might have drawn the Elf away from her forest home. In fact, she was curious about a number of things, for she had so little experience of Elves and their ways. How old was Lindethiel? It would be too rude a question to ask but Casswyn could not help but ponder on it. Surely the Elf must be many decades, if not centuries, older than herself. Hopefully this encounter would prove a learning experience.

[Lindethiel]

Taking the girls hand Lindethiel mounted the horse with ease taking placing her hands on the waist of the girl in front of her. "I have traveled from the Greenwood to learn the ways of men." The elf said as they were riding down the trail.
She hooked her hood tighter around her shoulders hoping to keep some of the rain at bay.
"It is my hope to learn the quality of men and to know what great part they have to play in these coming days of darkness."

It was all Lindethiel could dwell on these days, the coming darkness and how it would be held back. It kept her mind from the the darkness of her own personal strife of the death of her husband and of the loneliness she felt when the days were dark and she traveled alone.
"And what brings a woman of Rohan so far north?" She asked her voice clear through the rain. It was not often that Lindethiel met or spoke with women of the kingdoms of men. Usually it was only the men that rode out to speak with any one, and women kept silent and in the homes behind their cook ware and their sewing tending to children. It was not often she saw a woman carry a sword.

"Surly you are of some great talent riding so far from home alone, able to fend for your self in this wilderness." Surly it was not often that women ventured with out their menfolk.
Even in the world of the elves women did not venture from the forests for any great reason with out a host of their kin with them.

[cassiopeia]

Casswyn listened intently as Uvaer made her way along the path, interested that Lindethiel sought to learn the ways of men. The young Rohirrim woman was not sure what lessons men could possibly teach the wise Elves but she said nothing, for surely the Elf knew better than she the secrets that could be unlocked from the hearts of men. Then Lindethiel explained further and to this Casswyn gave a slight nod, her brow furrowed. She was no diviner but even she sensed the creeping darkness that was spreading over the land. Casswyn saw it in the increasing numbers of vile beasts haunting the night and in the unnamed fear that could be seen in the faces of many these days. But to hope that men would play a great part? Perhaps they would. Casswyn had seen much of the dark side of man's nature over the past two years, it was nice to be reminded that there still existed honour and valour, compassion and courage.

A warm glow spread through Casswyn as Lindethiel complimented her ability to fend for herself. To be sure, she had had her skin saved by others on many occasions, but she did like to think she had managed pretty well – all things considered. And when Lindethiel asked what had brought Casswyn here, a breath of cold stole away the warmth that had been there a moment before, and, unusually, the young woman found herself being painfully honest.

“One by one, death claimed my loved ones. My mother first, then my baby sister and, finally, my father,” Casswyn said quietly, uttering the words but not truly engaging with what they meant, trying to hold at bay the images that lingered just below the surface. The pain was raw but still Casswyn could not stop the sight of three graves, side by side, swimming before her mind's eye, “I was left alone in the world and could not bear to remain in an empty house.”

Casswyn paused a moment. It was not like her to be so open with a stranger but there was a quiet gentleness about Lindethiel. The Elf seemed genuinely interested in what Casswyn might have to say, and so she continued a little further, “I was blessed in my upbringing. Although I was at times wild and unruly, I learned well from my parents. Before his heart was broken, my father taught me much of horsemanship and a little of the sword. For the past two years I have called the road my home, travelling to wherever there is work to be found. It is difficult, but I do believe I am learning to live again.”

[Lindethiel]

When Casswyn spoke of death and turmoil Lindethiel felt the deepened sadness of the girls past, it took a long time for Lindethiel to answer her but the words came to her throat before too much silence had passed between them. "I too have lost some one dear to me." She said her voice thin. "My husband was lost to me."

She put one hand to her lips and then let the hand trail down her wet face before placing it again on Casswyn's waist. "He taught me to use a sword and a bow so it would seem you and are in kindred company." It was not oft that women in any company knew the skills of swords any blades. So it was best that girls or ladies or women of any sort would stick together when on the road especially when they were both of skill with weapons.

"But it would seem you have me at a disadvantage, Casswyn, I have only just left the Greenwood as of late. You have been on the road so much longer and must know the safest passages." The elf informed wondering if the gap between men and elves would ever be closed. It seemed far to great a rift in time and in magic lore but for too long had the the elves hidden in their woods while darkness grew through out the world and now elves and men must unite once more.

As they continued to ride on the trail the rain seemed to lighten but a moment before falling harder on the two like cold needles brushing against the skin. Lindethiel looked passed the slip line woman before her at the trail ahead and it was not long at all before she began to see a clearing, she trusted that Casswyn would know where was good place to stop or where was a good place to pass up.

[cassiopeia]

When Lindethiel told Casswyn of her loss, an expression of great sorrow came over the young woman's face. It was one thing to lose ones parents, for however tragic the circumstances it seemed the natural order for them to pass before their children, but to lose a husband? Casswyn could not begin to imagine it. Of course she had no experience of marriage and accepted that the chances of her marrying were slim - for who would want her? Now a wild child of the road she had shed many of the qualities that once might have made her a desirable wife, though in truth she had never been entirely meek and subservient. The traits that Lindethiel had complimented Casswyn on just moments before would most likely not be praised, or even accepted, by any man. But Casswyn was getting ahead of herself, ultimately she would not wed because she would most likely fail to bear children, and what man in his right mind would marry a woman who could prove barren? There existed no love true enough or strong enough. Still, the sadness prickling Casswyn's heart was not for herself but for her new-found companion, for she sensed all that the Elf had lost.

“I am sorry for your loss,” Casswyn said sincerely. It alarmed Casswyn to hear that even fair Elves could suffer so terribly, that their immortality did not protect them entirely from the cruel bite of bereavement and sorrow. Casswyn wondered briefly how Lindethiel's husband had passed. In battle perhaps? Even as a child of Rohan Casswyn knew that there were only a few ways in which an Elf might pass. In any case, both she and Lindethiel, race asides, seemed to be cut from a similar cloth. Both had been moulded by sorrow, both had lifted their weapons and taken to the road. Casswyn couldn't help but think that she was in good company.

“Ah now, I wouldn't go so far as to say that,” Casswyn replied kindly, surprised and delighted by the Elf's confidence in her, and the mood lightened somewhat, “I have taken this road but a few times and, in truth, I still have much to learn.”

The rain grew heavier and Casswyn sighed quietly, it seemed there was no hope of the evening drying out. Then, up ahead, a clearing came into sight. With the click of her tongue, Casswyn pushed Uvaer on a little faster, keen to see if they could make camp. Arriving at the spot, Casswyn noted that the clearing was small and that to one side there was a tall thicket which, along with the branches of the trees that towered above, would protect them from the rain. The thought of being dry made Casswyn's heart leap.

“What say you to us making camp here?” Casswyn inquired of Lindethiel, for if the Elf rathered they continue on longer Casswyn would gladly accommodate her desires.

[Lindethiel]

When Casswyn gave her condolences Lindethiel felt her self swallow, it was said that elf kind felt so much more than the other races of Middle Earth that every emotion was raw and open. But Lindethiel doubted that, while she felt a great emptiness inside of her at the loss of her husband she more so felt a great confusion as to how such darkness could have entered the Greenwood. The she-elf had shed but few tears over the tomb of her mate and even fewer when she left their shared home. It was not that she had not loved her husband but it was that she was unable to comprehend the darkness behind his passing even more so. "Your condolences are very kind Casswyn, I am thankful to have to met one so gentle hearted as you on this road."

When they stopped Lindethiel looked around at the clearing, it was nice enough and the brush was thick enough to keep them fairly dry. "Aye, this seems as good a place to stop as any." The elf said as they dismounted and began to set up the camp area. Lindethiel had but her cloak to sleep upon as she traveled lightly. Her bag held a change of clothes, a little food, a flask of water and few personal effects but nothing of great import or anything that was not absolutely essential to her journey. She had found plenty of glens covered by trees to drown out enough of the rain when she needed sleep, and she had found many inns that men dwelled in when she needed more food. She was an elf and able to fend for her self most often it was not often that she had companions- not even a horse, and by noting the gear carried by Cassywn's mare it was noted how much was essential to a man to travel.

[cassiopeia]

Casswyn smiled a small, sad smile when Lindethiel thanked her for the condolences. The Rohirrim woman knew the words she had offered the Elf were only few and that they gave little in the way of comfort. What words were there that could heal such appalling wounds? The sorry answer was that there were none. Casswyn knew this from her own unfortunate experience. Wounds, bruises, broken bones, disease... these could all be mended. But a broken heart? Casswyn's almost encyclopaedic knowledge of healing herbs and plants was no use against such an ailment. And words... words were cheap. Casswyn had begged her father to come back to her, to give up the bottle, but he could not do it. It was not that he had been a weak man, quite the opposite had been true. It was just that his love for his deceased wife was greater than that he held for his first-born, and only surviving, child. The fissures in his heart had cracked and spread and. as had been the case with her mother, Casswyn could do nothing. The grief had consumed him until Casswyn found herself digging another grave in the family plot.

Pushing the painful thoughts away, the young rider turned her attention to the camp. Having dismounted, Casswyn cradled Uvaer's soft nose in her hands, and crooned quietly to the mare. As always seemed to be the case, the steed was her first concern, and Casswyn quickly drew a rag from the saddlebags and began drying the horse's feathery fetlocks and lower legs. Mud fever was a condition easier prevented than cured and the beast's legs had endured the damp weather the whole day long. That done, Casswyn loosened the girth but did not remove the saddle or the saddle bags, just in case they might find themselves needing to leave in a hurry. You never knew when an ambush might come. Looking around her, Casswyn concluded that the undergrowth provided shelter enough and there would be no need to secure a canvas tarp to the branches above them.

It was then that Casswyn noticed how very little (or so it seemed to her) Lindethiel had brought with her on her journey. Elves were such capable people and despite their fair appearances much hardier than men. The young Rohirrim woman smiled a sheepish smile, before laying out a thick woollen rug near to the Elf and taking a seat.

"A roaring fire and a feather and down pillow would not go amiss," Casswyn murmured, but she said it with a smile and none too seriously. Oh yes, a warm bed in an inn was certainly desirable, but the past two years had hardened Casswyn to sleeping rough. Where the pair were camped now, damp though it was, was still far removed from some of the more uncomfortable places Casswyn had been forced to sleep. Turning her bright green eyes to Lindethiel, Casswyn continued, "But pray tell me, if you can, where is it that you are headed?"

[Lindethiel]

When Casswyn asked where she was headed Lindethiel inclined her head softly for a moment her damp curls falling from her shoulders. "My ultimate destination I do not know, but it is my desire to see the world of men for it is from men that I believe the next age shall be devined." The elf said casual as if divination was something that was the usual camp fire chatter. "Because of this I wish to go to Gondor, so I shall go by way of Rohan."
Lindethiel remembered the girl had said she was a maiden of Rohan and so it was nice to assume they might be headed the same way.

Most folk thought that the elf kin were etherial and never smiled or laughed or spoke unless shedding wise words of divination, prophesy or warning, but it was not always the case. The Tree Elves of the Mirkwood were jovial creatures drinking and supping long into the night pouring wine like water down long banquet halls to be imbibed by pure lips of their kin. Because of this Lindethiel had hoped that she'd be accompanied by some one along the way on her journey perhaps not for drinking and dancing but for light conversation during a long days walk or ride or deep contemplation under the moon and the stars. It was a lovely thought, or so Lindethiel hoped, for thought she didn't admit it since the death of her husband she had brown lonely and an elf left to her loneliness was often left to her doom.
Youth was probably the best option Lindethiel had on her life now, she was far too stubborn to wither away and die because of her grief.

"And where are you traveling to, Casswyn, do you return to Rohan or do you make for another place to hunt and venture?"

[cassiopeia]

Casswyn was intrigued at the thought of such divination. Elves really were a remarkable race, incredibly gifted and utterly wise. Could mankind really have an important role to play in the next age? Lindethiel would obviously have a much better idea than Casswyn on this matter. The young Rohirrim woman was more concerned with where her next meal would come from and whether she would survive her next venture, rather than the grand scheme of things to come. But that didn't mean Lindethiel's words didn't provoke interest, for they most certainly did, and Casswyn couldn't help but wonder what would pass, not just for her, but for all Middle Earth. How much did Lindethiel know about the future? It seemed rude to ask, the insight of Elves was surely not meant for Rohirrim farm girls. On the subject of where Lindethiel was planning to travel to, however, Casswyn was much more confident. Gondor was a place she had visited a number of times. As for Rohan, well, it was her motherland and so a place that Casswyn knew very well indeed.

Casswyn tilted her head at the Elf's question, where did she intend to go to next? It was not as though she ever put a great deal of thought into her journeys, opting instead to travel from place to place, never lingering long, choosing her next destination according to what her heart told her. At the moment, her heart was rather silent.

“I must admit, I am not one for planning my road,” Casswyn said thoughtfully, still pondering where she might go next, “All I know at present is that I will head south.”

Casswyn paused a moment, pulling her cloak a little closer around her as the temperature began to drop, and gazing up to look at the dark sky through the gaps in the canopy above them. The stars would be out soon but they would go unseen in this heavy cloud cover. So Casswyn turned to her other senses instead, listening to the whisper of the rain as it fell and the faint hustle of a seemingly infinite number of leaves. It smelt earthy here in the forest, of sweet pine and bitter mould, of things both living and dying – it was a rather comforting scent.

“Perhaps, if it would please you, we could share the road awhile,” Casswyn added, thinking aloud. She would be heading south in any case and it would be nice to have company for a time, especially with one so intriguing and kind-hearted as Lindethiel.

[Lindethiel]

For some one to not know where they were going seemed most exciting for Lindethiel, for the elf kin it seemed that one always must know what lie ahead and what destination one was reaching even if they did not know what route they would take there but for Casswyn it seemed the destination was limitless. For a moment the elf maid Lindethiel felt that she may have had a pang of what might be called jealousy, but surely that was not the case. For an elf to be jealous of one who had no forsight into their own future, it didn't seem right, but nothing in the world felt right as of late. Nothing felt particularly of great danger, but nothing was as it should be.

"It would honor me greatly." Lindethiel said at the girls musings. "If we were to share the road a bit longer." The she elf smiled mildly, her face seeming soft and maternal but there was no warmth for a child in her, she was cold inside and full of wonder the world as she had mused many times didn't feel quite right which had been why she and her spouse had decided not to breed more little elflings into the world but after his death some times she'd wished she had.

Lindethiel pulled one of her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around it resting her chin upon it. "What adventures have you seen on your journey?" Asked Lindethiel of her host and guide. "Have you seen much of the mountains or the great planes of Middle Earth?" Surly Casswyn had seen a great many things that Lindethiel had only read about or had only seen in vision of past or future, to have experienced these things must have took the breath from ones lungs.

[cassiopeia]

Casswyn's face lit up with a happy smile at the Elf's agreement to share the road. Casswyn by no means looked old for her age but the smile chased away burdens, making her look brighter somehow, and more girlish. Casswyn then paused a moment, considering Lindethiel's questions.

“I wouldn't quite call them adventures,” Casswyn started with another smile, a shy one this time, “At least, not the sort that can be found in books, but an adventure to me, I suppose, of a mostly quiet kind. I have been very blessed to meet some wonderful people on my travels,” here Casswyn nodded her head to the Elf maiden to indicate that she fell into this category, “But also some more... unsavoury characters.” Casswyn was silent for a moment, trying to recall the faces of those kind, brave people she had met, rather than the faces belonging to the rogues and curs.

“As to where I have been, it is in Rohan that I have travelled and seen the most, but I have also spent some time in Gondor. The city of Minas Tirith is truly a magnificent sight to behold.” All of these places still lay before Lindethiel. They would surely be a wonder to her, seeing them with fresh eyes.

“I spend little time in the mountains, unless it is to hunt, Casswyn continued, “The mountain trails can be terribly dangerous and I try to avoid confrontations where possible. If I am completely honest, I am surprised I have survived this long – perhaps there is hope for me yet!”

Casswyn gave a small, disbelieving laugh. Here, at peace and in good company, it was easy to be blasé, but there was grave truth in Casswyn's words. Some of the scrapes she had suffered in the past she had only survived thanks to the intervention of others. Still, the first year on the road had been the most difficult, proving a steep learning curve. Since then Casswyn had been advancing and adapting her skills, gradually becoming more capable. Maybe there was hope for her, though she scarce believe it. But to what point was her life? She had no direction other than to stay on the road, to make enough money to get by and to travel to her heart's content. No family, no loved ones, no-one to even miss her if some terrible misfortune did befall her.

It seemed that Casswyn's thoughts were following a similar path to the Elf's for a question came to Casswyn's mind.

“What of your family, Lindethiel? Did you leave many loved ones behind?” For though the Elf looked young she was surely many centuries old and, though she was widowed, she could have children already grown, for all Casswyn knew, and parents besides.