So a Knight & an Elf walk into a forest (Linde)

[Arenathon]

It wasn't often that Arenathon was this far from Gondor, but a pack of Orcs had made their way through Rohan. Others had gathered in Rohan to avenge their own and chase them out, together they had given chase to the orcs. The chase led them through Fangorn forest. Orcs didn't travel well during the day, but Fangorn gave them cover. None the less once they caught them the fighting hadn't lasted long. Orcs were no match for a Swan Knight and the riders of Rohan.

The Roherim went east towards the Undeeps to check for stragglers if the pack had broken while Arenathon went south back through Fangorn. The forest was thick and he often heard whispers or saw movement in the corner of his eye, but whenever he looked it was always nothing. He was at days final light when he came upon a pool, wide and deep by the looks.

The Knight of Dol Amroth jumped off his horse and left his mount some feed. It had earned it over the last week. Arenathon was in need of a good wash however, fresh blood wiped off armour easily but sweat and grime stuck to men. Undoing the straps and clasps of his breastplate Arenathon set it down carefully, gauntlets and boots and chain undershirt followed next and soon he was slipping out of the sweat stained silk underclothes he wore. It was all in a neat pile beside his famous warhammer.

When his first toe dipped into the water it was frightfully cold, but that didn't stop him from wading out until he was waist deep and able to sit into it and wash himself properly. It was good clean water and felt well as he ran it over his hair. The water washed away aches and pains he had forgotten he had. Glancing back his horse seemed content with its feed. She was a noble steed, more noble then Arenathon in someway. She served him and he appreciated it.

[Lindethiel]

Traveling through the Fangron was a refreshing experience, it was beautiful here and peaceful. The trees still talked to one another here, and the magic in the water, even the Greenwood and the Mirkwood had not held this sort of magic this sort of mystery. It was the type of place an elf would spend hundreds of years in and not know it, it was heavenly here and Lindethiel certainly hoped it would always stay that way.

As the she-elf was walking she noticed a horse in full livery in a clearing. The mare was rooting around in the ground and walking away from a pool where Lindethiel could only assume her master was. "Tir-rochon,mellon?" She said pressing her hand against the velvety soft smooth snout of the horse quietly. The beast pressed it's nose in further and the elf began to look around for a rider. Men didn't come into the Fangorn often but when they did they often did not return to their homes. Thinking that this rider of men might be lost or dying the she-elf decided to find this poor soul and help to ease his passing hoping she was not to late to see him die alone.

What she found was no dying man, instead she found a man naked in a pool bathing. Quietly almost as if she was not there she made her way to the edge of the pool the reins to the horse still in hand and knelt down behind the man.
"It is not wise to leave sword upon your horse while in the Fangorn." She said softly, wondering why a man would be so far out into the forest alone. Usually men stayed away from the forests of old, but some times as of late she had heard stories of men venturing after orcs into the deep wood and never returning.

[Arenathon]

Arenathon was still enjoying the feeling of his hands pushing water through his hair and the fresh sensation of being sweat free when he heard something behind him....a voice. His eyes shot open and he spun around in the water. When his eyes fell upon a young looking woman his hands instantly moved to cover up the nakedness of his groin. Despite being submerged in the water. It would be highly improper for him to be exposed to her.

"Ah....em....My lady, it would appear....you rather have me...at a disadvantage." he wasn't perfectly sure how he should handle the situation. A rare thing. There was a good fifteen feet between the two and he was rather disarmed by her confidence in the situation. "Perhaps you would do me a kindness and turn around until I am more suitable?" The look on her face made him think she was going to make this hard for him. When he had heard about the dangers of Fangorn forest, he did not expect this. He did not expect this at all. He had been chasing orcs. It would have been much better for him if an Orc had come upon him. Even as he was he could likely deal with a lone orc.

But it was not an orc that had come upon him but a wandering lone woman, it was only after she had held his attention for a few moments that he noticed this was no woman of Rohan or Gondor. This was an Elf he was faced with. He had to be careful, her youth was surely deceptive. She was twice his age if she was a day.

She was also holding the reigns to his horse. If she jumped on his horse and rode off there was extremely little he could do.

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[Lindethiel]

Watching the man before her a mischievous smile found it's way onto lips pulling the corners of her mouth as she brushed her hood back and stood. "Of course, but perhaps first I could bring your effects to you?" She asked standing and dropping the horses reins. The mare followed her now of it's own accord. Picking up the cloth clothing and brought it back to the edge of the pool before returning her attention to the horse.

Men were quite nervous to be with out their clothes, not that elf kin were so different either. But if Lindethiel had come upon her own kind bathing they would have explained themselves and such the encounter would have ended, which was also that elf kind did not usually bathe out of doors, it was not proper to dirty the water that others may need to use for drinking.

With the man left to dress the she elf began to inspect the horse one more noticing the sword and shield at his horses side, but most importantly noticing the hammer of shining white silver- at first it seemed to be made of silver at least but then she reached back to touch it and under further inspection it became clear that it was made of mithril. Her breath faltered for a moment as she reached up to touch the hammer watching the light bounce off the glimmering hammer head.
"Tel'Amrun Elen?" She said turning to face the man be he dressed or not. Was this the weapon she'd heard spoken about in Gondor?
This was a weapon that would be worth more than ten thousands swords of the highest quality, it would last as long as elvish blades and it was something that mortal men would not normally own.
Was it a gift from dwarves? An expensive show of wealth and valor? What ever it was the glimmering star of a hammer could not be bought or gifted lightly.

[Arenathon]

The elf placed Arenathon's silk clothes at the pools edge before turning around to occupy herself with his horse. He was finished his bath anyway and as such he made his way out of the water, hands still covering his modesty. With something that might be considered a hurry he threw the clothes on, regardless if he was still rather wet. It would be uncomfortable later but it would be more uncomfortable to offend a lady with his nakedness.

Once his crimson silk clothes were on the Day Star reached for his chain undershirt and slid it overhead. When she spoke up next it earned a raised eyebrow from the Knight while he placed on his breastplate. He didn't speak any of the elven tongues, but he had heard that phrase many times. "....yes?" he asked with a touch of caution, half turning to face her while tying a gauntlet in place. She really did have him at a disadvantage. That being said however, his swordbelt contained a dagger. If she tried anything at least he wasn't totally unarmed. Even if he had to reach down to his belt to pick it up and elves were known to be fast and agile things. She could be upon him in a moment, or upon his horse and leaving him in Fangorn forest.

That all being said thus far she seemed harmless enough, a stranger that came upon a man that believed himself alone and amused herself. But mayhap that was her trick, a disarming feminine smile and then a dirk to your throat. Arenathon liked to think better of people, but he'd be a fool to throw caution to the wind. "Perhaps you might tell me your name stranger?" he was ever curious, and he felt much more confident with his armour on, bar the helmet. But his breastplate, gauntlets, legguards, boots, swordbelt & his white cloak were all adorned. He felt much more confident now in fact. He felt like The Morning Star.

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[Lindethiel]

The she elf watched as the man adorned the last bits of clothing, shirts, boots, and armor it was a lot to wear just to ride about and cut the head from the shoulders of orcs but then again men were quite fragile creatures she had been told. They were not agile enough to escape the blades of foul creatures.
Looking a great deal more confident and comfortable in his metal shell. "So this is the morning star?" The elf maid turned back around to inspect the hammer more thoroughly. "I must say, the men of Gondor was spoken much of it, a great destroyer of orcs." She let her fingers run to the shaft of the hammer and then she turned again to face the man when he asked her name.

"I am Lindethiel, of the Greenwood." She said placing her hand on her left shoulder and extending it forward to him in greeting. "And might I inquire your name, bearer of the morning star?"
The horse nuzzled at her shouldered before placing the great weight of it's head over the top of her shoulder pulling her against it's neck. She softly pat the horses neck waiting for a moment for the man's reply. He seemed to be of a nobel stature, even his mount was a nobel steed, perhaps the world of men was not an entirely uncultured place.

Slipping out from underneath the the horses head she moved closer to the man in armor, slowly making her way completely around him looking at the glinting armor from head to toe. "And might I inquire why it is that you bear such a mighty hammer?" A war hammer bore by men was not something to baulk at, it was also not something to underestimate. Men were not usually the kind to use hammers such were usually the domain of dwarves.

[Arenathon]

When the elf next spoke it shifted things a little, she was not as well informed on him as she appeared to be. "I'm afraid you are mistaken, Lady Elf. That is a finely crafted hammer, of that there is no doubt. But it is not as you say....Tel'Amrun Elen." he informed, a knowing smile now running its course across his face.

"Lady Lindethiel, of the Greenwood, my name is Arenathon, son of Theranor. Knight-Commander of Dol Amroth and I am The Morning Star." the Knight-Commander gave a formal bow before his Elven company. It was a title be had carried proudly since the battle of Osgiliath when he rode at the head of reinforcements and left defeated Orcs in the wake of his arrival, running them down with lance and hammer.

"The warhammer was a gift to my grandfather, Derassar. He was a friend of the dwarves and traveled with them for a time. He was a warrior by trade and oath, but a smith by joy. He had been preparing to craft a fine sword for his son, my father when trolls attack. My grandfather lost an arm in the fighting. The dwarves gifted him this hammer so he could provide his son a weapon still, even if he could not craft it himself. When a call to march and my father found the hammer getting heavier in his hands, he gifted it to me." That was why the weapon was carried with such pride, not because it was of good craft. But because the dwarves rewarded valour and courage, his grandfather fought beside them when they needed every sword. He sacrificed for them, but dwarves don't forget.

His eyes followed her as she stepped around him, examining his armour and perhaps the man within it too. Elves saw the truth in things, those keen eyes could pick up on details the eyes of a man could never see. "Might I ask what brings an elf from the greenwood to Fangorn?"

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[Lindethiel]

The she elf stopped her circling when he finished his story and when he asked her question. "I have left my home and my kin to learn the ways of men." Her eyes found his and gazed deeper than any mortal woman could gaze into any mortal man. The elves were gifted with sight, more than just the ability to see but to see within and without. They could see the heart of men, and judge their actions accordingly such was the waning gifts from the Vanar and Eldar. "For in men we shall see the glory of this age."

She lifted her chin as she spoke to him. "Darkness has found it's way into the forests of elves, and while our king repels this evil with all his might casualties befall the elves... of this I know is true."
When she spoke of casualties she looked away from him. Her eyes found the ground and stayed there for a long moment as if memories of the resent past were to troubling to voice, she then shut her eyes for a moment and then turned to face the man before her. "But it is in the hands of men," she said again. "That we should see this great darkness expelled."
Her lips curled again into a smile. "For that is why you have come to the Fangorn is it not, Arenathon son of Theranor?" It was not with magic eyes that one could see he had come hunting into this forest, but he carried no stag and no hair with him to have been hunting any game. It was like all men of late he was hunting orcs. The dark beats of the east finding their way west and bringing with them all manner of shadows, spiders, dark magic and even turning men into sorceress that bear no good for their own kind. Something in the east was stirring, and it was not for the good if any one who stood free.

[Arenathon]

The elf wanted to learn the ways of men, that was interesting. It was common belief the elves already had quite an understanding of the world around them. Including the race of men. But perhaps this one was not content to read from their great tombs. Mayhap this one wished to learn for herself. That was a noble aim, Arenathon felt.

Her words took a darker turn however, when she mentioned of the darkness that had seeped into the Elven woods and forests. Something was on the rise indeed. Orcs were on the move and they were always the servants of worst things. The elf had a great confidence in the race of men and while it was true Gondor and Rohan had many fine warriors, but the elves & the dwarves were not without fighting spirit. "In a manner of speaking, I rode through Fangorn in pursuit of orcs that raided Rohan and the edges of Gondor." That all being said however. "Yet it is my by luck that I rode through the Fangorn and you happened upon me, what of a pursuit on the ways of men brought you to this place?" One might expect to meet an Elf in this place, among the trees and what not, but men rarely ventured to this place. It was thick and dark and offered them little.

The elf was very lovely to look upon, the elf folk were often and elegant and graceful people and were beautiful more commonly than dwarves of men, but this one was lovelier than most. Not that Arenathon would ever do anything improper, but it did not mean his eyes missed a beautiful maiden when one was to be seen. "Do you have a steed, to take you from this place?" It would not be right of him to leave her for the forest.

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[Lindethiel]

The elf maiden looked upon the knight who was before her.
"I wish to see what the true quality of men shall become, for it is, as I said, my belief that the world of men shall be our greatest ally in this coming age of darkness." Lindethiel watched the man before her, the shape of him was broad and tall and looked very much like the heros in the stories of old. The man was surly strong and his noble line could offer great advantage in reading the texts of men, and learning what it was that they would rise from to become the heros they were foretold to be.

Her attention was turned some one when he asked if she had a mount to ride her from the forest. It occurred to her then that when traveling she might be in great need of a horse, she had gone so long with out one that she was not entirely sure of her need. But those who traveled these roads regularly seemed to think it would be very much a necessity. "I have no animal to bear my weight." She informed watching his own horse root around in the grass once more. "If it would not be a burden to you perhaps your mare could carry us both?"
The animal was a large and find mount. Horses of that caliber were not easily found and spoke of his nobility as much as the gift to his grandfather from the dwarves.

"You are a man from Gondor then, Tel'Amrun Elen." She said brushing some of her long curled hair behind her leaf shaped ears. "I have recently come from there and would not mind returning." Though she had only been to the capital city surly there was more to offer in the realm of Gondor than Minis Tirith?

[Arenathon]

"If I allow myself a moment of pride you'll find none better to exemplify the virtues of men. There are many noble Knights, but I am a Swan Knight. Woe to the creeping darkness if there were more of my breed." A battle where the Knights of Dol Amroth rode against the foe was a battle won. Even Minas Tirith in all its glory could not claim a finer warrior then what the Princedom of Dol Amroth had guarding its borders.

Lindethiel looked to his horse after he asked if she had any of her own, she asked if his horse could take her weight too. "She is as strong a horse as I could ask for. She'll bear my weight and yours." That she would indeed. Many a time that horse had carried him in full plate armour, her own armour and his weapons. A lance in one hand and a shield in the other, his hammer hanging off his back and a sword tucked away just in case. The Day Star was not wearing his full plate, the difference in weight between that and what he was wearing now was probably greater then the weight of the she-elf. "We can ride to Gondor, aye. Let us make way." The Knight took a moment to gather his belongings before strapping it to his horse and mounting before extending a hand to Lindethiel to aid her up onto the horse.

It was not a short journey from Fangorn to Gondor, they'd contiue south through the forest and through Rohan and across the Eastfold. Then on to Minas Tirith to get around the mountains, but Arenathon had further to go still. There would be many nights beneath the stars, but that was not a bad thing Arenathon thought. That would not be a bad thing at all. There was much fine countryside to be seen and many of the finest places in Rohan and Gondor to be passed. Only a few days out of their way was Helms Deep, a worthy sight for an Elf eager to see the lands of Man.

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[Lindethiel]

There was a moment where Lindethiel hesitated before taking the knights hand and settling herself upon the back of his horse. Once she was there her hands fell deftly to his sides as if she was accustomed at riding with some one. The fact of the matter was that she was accustomed to riding along side some one, not many years ago - or perhaps it might have been hundreds of years past- when she was happily wed she had ridden behind her husband through the forests of the Mirkwood many a time.

"Is it a long trek from here to the lands of your fathers?" she asked her voice soft like a song behind him. "When I have traveled from Gondor to the Fangron it took me but a few days." She watched the forest around them as they rode, it whispered of the elf maid who rode with the man of steel. It made her smile behind him a jolly sight it must have been for the ancient spirits that resided in the trees to see an elf so highly regarded for waking the forest behind a man who was rumored to have no care for the world of the green.

Her hands held onto the lower portion of his armor, wondering why men clothed them selves in such rigid steel. The armor of the elves were usually of far better quality and were easier to move in, but then again men were not so light on their feet as elves. Elves needed the ability to move and run and leap much more easily the men, men were good to blunder down orcs and foul creatures with hammers, lance and sword but the great majority of their warfare would never be as graceful as the elves who were formidable on their own against a legion. So it was said any how.

[Arenathon]

Lindethiel climbed up upon the horse, it was strange to have another on the back of his steed. It had been some time. It didn't take his attention from the wet silk he was wearing under his breastplate and chain. At least once they were out of the forest the sun could dry him off. Being boiled alive in one's armour was a pain of the job, but this time it just might work out.

"We could travel south into Rohan and on to Edoras. We could make for the mountains and make straight for Dol Amroth, which will take us maybe a week. If you wish to see more of the Lands of Men, we could move south east and travel under the shadow of the mountains through Rohan until we reach Minas Tirith and from there south-west and end in the same place. That would take us twice as long, at least." That was all assuming they moved swiftly and didn't stay anywhere to allow them time to explore the surroundings.

The horse began a brisk pace through the forest, it could only go so fast for the forest would allow no faster lest the horse trip on a root or run into a tree. It would not do to send her riders soaring through the air. The crushing weight of a horse was as dangerous as an orc blade. Perhaps even more so. There was almost no chance a single orc would kill them both, but if the horse went down and both were caught under its weight. Almost certain doom if their legs were shattered.

But Arenathon trusted and loved his steed for a reason, there was no risk she'd do harm to either rider. T'would not be long until they were beyond the forest. He looked forward to proper sun.

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[Lindethiel]

Riding through the forest behind the man plated in his steel shirt and wet silk Lindethiel listened to his plan for their travels he was very accommodating even wanting to show her the world of men further. She nodded as he spoke and when he asked her opinion she gave it freely. "I would not mind seeing the world of men further, it would be good to see Helmsdeep and see the stronghold of the men of Rohan. Do any of the Rohirim dwell there or is it just used for the most dire of retreats?"

Her guide was broad and hard to see around on his steed but the elf did her best to gaze past his shoulder as they rode, careful not to impress to much weight to oneside of the mare or the other so as not to impress it's desire to turn. The animal was a fair creature and her rider held such trust for the beast that it was impossible not think it would not be influenced by her leaning to one direction or the other. But all the same it was best to be careful, even horses of elvish breeding were prone to follow instinct and pressure rather than the leading of their masters.

Holding on to the man before she caught glimpse of the twisting trees they were riding around, Lindethiel wondered if she should dismount and guide them but it would not be proper to do so unless they were to get lost. Men tended to enjoy following their own direction more so than they liked to follow the direction of elves or wizards or those who claimed to know the forests of the world much better than any who lived the short life of a man, dwarf or any other such creature the world had to offer.

[Arenathon]

"The fortress is the Hornburg and it will be manned. The Rohirrim that patrol Helm's Deep reside there, a small force. Only enough needed to run patrols and keep the stables and armoury in order. They will give us bread and board for the night if we ask." One of the riders Arenathon had fought the orcs with had even suggested it to him. If she wished to see the lands of men, a night on a straw bed in the Hornburg would be a story for her sisters back in the Greenwood. Arenathon would take what nights on a bed he could get, there would be many without much comfort before he was home. But when one rode in armour, it was comfort enough to get out of that.

The horse picked up where possible, but it was slow going. She was eager to get out onto the plains of Rohan where she could gallop along with the wind on her face. He could tell. A rider learned these things of his steed. There had been times, when she was moving with all the swiftness she could muster to bring him to his foe and he felt they were one.

It would be dark soon, the sun was already setting. He hoped to be out of the forest before full dark but they did not have long. "Have you learned much of men in your travels?" asked the knight of Dol Amroth as the two rode. It would no purpose to show or teach her what she had already seen or learned. If he was to go on a quest to learn of the Elves he would want to see new places and meet new people. When they reached Dol Amroth he could introduce her to the Prince, surely the Prince would honour such a guest. By then she'd have seen half of Gondor.

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