Danger in Ithilien RPG

[Firondoiel]

The magnificent sun hung high in the clear sky and shone down brightly on the golden hair of Éowyn as she walked through the Ithilien forest. Her long white dress trailed over the soft grass behind her. She wandered in these woods everyday. It was so different from Rohan, where she grew up. In Edoras there were few trees but long grass plains and high mountains. Éowyn was very close to her old home, but she had come to love Ithilien dearly and Éowyn would be happy wherever Faramir was.

A bird flew overhead singing gaily. The wind gently rustled the leaves as it passed through them. Éowyn smiled and breathed in deeply before picking up her pace. She quietly began to sing as she walked. When she was but a girl she loved to sing and did so often, but when she grew older and the dark times came she abandoned her skill. Only singing at the funeral of Théodred.

Now her song grew louder and rang through the forest.

Though here at journey’s end I lie
in the darkness buried deep,
beyond all towers strong and high
beyond all mountains steep,
above all shadows rides the Sun
and Stars for ever dwell:
I will not say the Day is done,
nor bid the Stars farewell.

Long did she stay in those woods until footsteps behind her made her turn. Rían, her handmaiden came towards her.

"My lady, I have been searching for you long. You are needed." she said.

Éowyn sighed, "Very well."

The two ladies walked in silence side by side. Unaware of the darkness and terror that was to come to peaceful Ithilien.

*The song was taken from RotK and was written by Prof. Tolkien of course.

[Arafangwen]

Laithanna absently brushed a wisp of her dirty blonde hair out of her face as she furrowed her brow in concentration.

"Now how did I do that, I wonder." She said softly to herself, her voice drifting off towards the end of her sentence. She honey-almond eyes were busy scrutinizing a rip in the sleeve of her favourite blue shirt whilst wondering where it had come from, and as doing so she absently began humming quietly to herself.

Lately, Laithanna had been a bit out of sorts from her ordinary self. She had been more concerned with less important things like her hair and the appearance of her clothes, things she wouldn't normally give a second thought to. Maybe it was due to the slight change in the weather, or maybe it had something to do with her lengthening time in such isolation without the outside contact that most young women of her age enjoyed on a daily basis. Or maybe, it had something to do with him. Upon a recent trip to the woods simply out of pleasure, Laithanna had met him. She couldn't quite explain what she thought of him, but any outsider in the situation could voice Laithanna's affliction immediately, she had finally taken significant interest in a man.

Laithanna paused her ministrations at a sound by her window. She looked up to see a small sparrow sitting on her windowsill and she set down the shirt with a smile. She stood and walked over to a cabinet and opening it, pulled out a small tin of seed out of which she sprinkled a bit onto the windowsill for the bird whose voice had seemingly brought a few of his little friends out of hiding. Laithanna let a small sigh escape her lips as she watched the little birds flit around the seed and she smiled slightly as she looked up to see the sky arrayed in various beginning displays of a purple and gold sunset.

[elberethvarda]

Feleradan watched the men crowd around the fire, watching the lean deer roast. It was hard to believe they hadn't eaten in two days, except some berries and such they had found in the forest. It was a stroke of luck, finding the deer in the forest. He leaned back against the cave wall. That wasn't the only thing he had found, though....

Feleradan crouched low to the ground. The lot had fallen upon him to hunt today. His men were in desperate need of food, and he was the leader. Was that a deer ahead? It looked like it. He raised his bow and pulled the arrow back.

Suddenly, the figure straightened. It wasn't an animal; it was a maiden! Feleradan rose, stealthily, and began to back up, one step at a time, keeping his eyes on the slim figure. His foot caught on a tree root protrudung fron the ground and he fell. The girl turned towards him.There was probably no one who didn't hear that,he thought, cursing himself. He jumped up. The girl was in font of him now, a look of intense suprise on her face. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to disturb you," he stammered. The maiden smiled.

[Arafangwen]

Laithanna reclined against the garden post as her eyes travelled from the small hand shovel in her hand to the fading sunset. Her eyes clouded over as her mind drifted back to the first time she had seen him.


Her simple stroll had lead her farther into the forest than she had meant it to and she had begun to get hungry, and not to mention a little lost. She had wandered around a little longer before she found a small bush of blackberries. She had stooped over and picked some, droping them in her skirt pockets as she found them when she heard a noise in the brush. She paused, waiting, and then she heard someone speaking under their breath, cursing it seemed. She walked over to the figure and was startled when it lept up before her. The man must have noticed the look on her face because he immedietly began to apoligize to her.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to disturb you," he stammered out. Laithanna simply smiled at him.

"You did no such thing, I was simply out for a stroll." For some reason this character didn't seem threatening to her young mind. She infact liked him right off as she studied his features quickly.

"I'm Laithanna. Are you alright?" She asked as a bit of a smirk over came her expression once she realised that he had fallen upon seeing her. The man shook his head and held out his hand to her.

"I'll be alright, Laithanna." He said he name as if testing the way it flowed from his lips seemlessly. "Yes, I'll be fine."

Laithanna took his hand kindly and nodded as if prompting him to continue.

"Oh, I'm Feleradan." He said quickly with a short and ackward bow, it seemed as if he hadn't done one in years, or even dreamed of it. Laithanna finally broke into an open grin.

"'Tis a pleasure to meet you Feleradan. Might I inquire, where might I find a c.ool drink of water for I am terribly parched." She watched in amusement as he seemed to rack his brain for a moment before comming to.

"Follow me, Laithanna." He said as he gently took her hand and led her to a nearby stream. He watched as she dropped to her knees and scooped up the fresh water in her cuped hands and brought it to her soft lips.


Laithanna's eyes snapped back to attention as a bug landed on her arm and startled her. She rose with a sigh and walked into the house, forsaking daydreams to return to the empty night and hopefully more dreams in the darkness.

[Lelorinel]

Faramir gave the signal, and without sound the men of Gondor approached the sides of the road from the forest, looking on to the procession of men traveling within.

Confident that their quarry knew not of their presence, the men of Gondor drew their arrows tightly on their bowstrings, waiting for the signal.

With all silence possible while holding a bow in the firing position, Faramir loosed the first arrow. It was quickly followed by 19 others, all of the arrows striking their targets with deadly precision. Moments later, without a sound, twenty men fell dead in the road, unaware of their assailant's locations.

Faramir and his men waited with breath held in until all fell silent. Their task was done.

Faramir stood and leapt onto the road, cautious of any tricks the enemy may chance to attempt. He walked over and examined the bodies. "Truly enough, these bandits grow in number every day, and they grow bolder as well, if they are to try and attack us in the light of day!"

At these words, one of the gondorian soldiers spoke up: "My lord, they have yet to break in, and with our defenses, they will need a miracle to take the land of Gondor from the hands of Faramir and Aragorn!"

At these words Faramir was grieved, for he then replied, saying: "That is what I do fear Athaelin. Why then would these bandits be so bold if they did not have some sort of weapon or trick or de-vileery to aid them? All we know is that they have yet to loose their destruction upon us."

The ride back to Illithien was peaceful, the beautiful sky, the fresh, crisp air, they were all that a man could ask. That and the love of a maiden.

As they reached Illithien, Faramir dismounted his horse at the stables, removed his cloak, and cleaned his boots in preperation for walking the halls of the land once more. And then his eyes met the most beautiful sight he had ever seen, his Eowyn. Standing proud and tall in the sunlight, glowing as an angel. His heart burnt as the day he had first seen her, every time he returned from one of his missions his souls was set alight once more with his passion.

[Firondoiel]

“Hurry Rían!” said Éowyn as they left the woods. Her handmaiden had fallen behind as Éowyn’s steps had rapidly quickened. “You go on, my lady. I shall be there shortly.” Replied Rían with a knowing smile.

Éowyn did not give her handmaiden another thought but hastened to her and Faramir’s hall. Her skirts gently swished as she lifted them so she could hurry up the stairs. The guard at the top bowed his head and opened the large wood door for her to pass through. Inside, servants hurried to and fro readying the hall for the evening meal and their lord’s return.

“Good evening my lady.” Greeted one of the servants as Éowyn entered. “Good evening.” Replied Éowyn, “Faramir and his men have not returned yet have they?” The servant shook her head, “They have not, my lady.” Éowyn nodded then turned and left the hall. She always met Faramir when he returned to Ithilien and today would not be any different.

As Éowyn gracefully descended the stairs the sound of horses made her turn her head. Faramir’s party had returned and was now entering the stables. A beautiful smile adorned her face as her steps turned towards her love.

The lowering sun was shining in brightly through the stable door. The sweet smell of hay met Éowyn as she entered. Her eyes wandered over the men until they met Faramir’s. All weariness vanished from his eyes and was replaced with the strong love that Éowyn knew shone in hers too. Faramir instantly came to her and took her hands in his as he leaned down to kiss her gently. Éowyn praised the Valar in her heart that she should be loved by Faramir.

“Welcome back to fair Ithilien, my lord.” She said with a radiant smile as they pulled apart. Faramir smiled back tenderly at her, “Thank you, my lady. Though ‘tis not ‘fair Ithilien’ that has occupied my mind all day.” Éowyn beamed, “Oh? Pray tell what held your thoughts. ” She replied. Faramir gave a nod and offered her his arm, which she readily took. “It was the fairest maiden that ever graced Middle-Earth.” Éowyn gently squeezed his arm and gave him a look that said more than words could. Arm in arm, they turned towards their hall in the beautiful evening.

[Marigold Gamgee]

Rían grinned as Éowyn ran to meet Faramir and welcome him home. The couple had been married for four years now, but every time Faramir came home from a journey, they acted as if it was the first time. Rían arrived at the hall, and made her way to Éowyn and Faramir's bower. There she straightened up, made the bed, and polished and cleaned Éowyn's sword. On most days, the maids would clean the room, and Éowyn herself usually preferred to polish her sword, but today Rían knew that everyone was busy preparing for the special meal celebrating Faramir and his men's return, and Éowyn would no doubt be busy spending time with Faramir. So Rían happily set to, thinking about various things.

She had served Éowyn for what was it? Almost four years now? The time had passed so quickly. Rían recalled that when she had first come back to Ithilien after the War, and had entered into the Lady's service, she had been rather nervous of Éowyn's morning expeditions into the woods, and had carried her bow with her whenever they had ventured outside. But now that most of the remaining bands of orcs and e.vil men had been routed, Rían no longer worried about such things. The land had enjoyed peace, and rightfully so, after such a great e.vil had been overthrown. It was almost strange that nothing very serious had happened in those four years, but what could happen?

Having finished her tasks, Rían remembered that Handir, the soldier whom she loved, had been in Faramir's band and returned with him that day. She hastened out of the room to meet him. There was a lot of catching up to do, as they had not seen each other for several months. Someday she hoped that they would be able to marry, and enjoy enough love, peace, and happiness as the Lord Faramir and Lady Éowyn did.

[elberethvarda]

"Follow me, Laithanna." He said as he gently took her hand and led her to a nearby stream. He watched as she dropped to her knees and scooped up the fresh water in her cupped hands and brought it to her soft lips.

Feleradan couldn't stop his thoughts from racing. Who was this girl? Where did she come from? What was it about her that was so.... He couldn't put his finger on it. Everything she did, everything she said, was different than all the other maidens he had met... and there were a lot of those.

"What do you mean, you couldn't find anything?" An angry voice cut through Felerad's reverie, yet again. Can't these men keep quiet for just a little while? He yawned and noticed that there was a reddish sort of light in the cave. The sun was rising. He'd been dreaming for the entire night. What is wrong with me? he wondered, shaking his head as if to throw off anymore thoughts of Laithanna. He focused on the commotion at the entrance to the cave.

Erad, the second-in-command of the bandits, was holding another of the men by the throat. It looked like the man had been part of the group who's turn it was to find food. Felardan sighed deeply and rose to see what was going on. Erad had been known to make some rather rash descisions.

"P-please sir," stuttered the man whom Erad had by the throat. " There was no meat to be found!" "SILENCE!" roared Erad. "There is always meat to be found in the forest! You just didn't look hard enough!" The bandit cringed. Just then, Feleradan's voice cut through the noise. "What seems to be the trouble, Erad?" Immediatly, there was silence. Erad hastily removed his grip on the bandit. "Well, Feleradan, it was like this," he began. "Nariet here says that he couldn't find no food in the forest. And, well, we all know there's always some food in there. And, as you know, the man are startin' to starve! We need to do something." Feleradan sighed. He knew something like this was going to happen sooner or later. But he had a plan.

[Arafangwen]

The softer air rushed into by her as Laithanna stepped out of the sunlight and into the shade of the forest she now frequented so much more than of previous time. She switched the picnic basket she was carrying to the other hand and swung it lightly as she walked. Suddenly there was a noise behind her. She turned around to see a tall man dressed in dark clothes, his strong muscles showing through his meager shirt.

'Feleradan!' She exclaimed softly with a smile. 'I'm glad you found me. I brought a picnic, are you hungry?' She asked with an inviting smile. Feleradan smiled back and nodded eagerly as he reached out for her hand. She let him take it and he was soon leading her through a maze of thickets and brush until he pulled her gently into an open glade.

'Here we are.' Feleradan said with a proud smile as he watched a pleased look alight Laithanna's face.

[elberethvarda]

Feleradan watched, pleased, as Laith looked in wonder at the lovely glade. The grass was emerald green, and there were flowering trees around the edge. A stream ran through the middle.

"Oh!" gasped Laithanna. "It's beautiful!" Feleradan smiled, enjoying her amazement. "I found it the other day when I was hunting." He led her the middle and they sat. "I knew you would like it." He took her hand and kissed it gently. She blushed and looked down. "I do," she almost whispered. "Now, let us see what you have brought, milady," he said, nodding toward the basket. Laith seeemed to recover herself. She opened the basket and began to take out food.

Later.....

"Milady, I compliment you on a wonderful meal," Feleradan announced, finishing the last of his apple. Laith laughed and swatted him playfully. "Why do you keep calling me "milady"? There is nothing noble about me." Feleradan raised his eyebrows. "Is there not?" he queried, wanting to make her laugh again. She had such a wonderful laugh. "Where am I to begin? There are so many..." Feleradan looked up from where he was laying on the ground. He saw Laith smiling at him. Without thinking what he was doing, he rose onto his knees, took her face in his hands, and kissed her gently on the lips.

[Arafangwen]

Her heart welled up in her throat as Feleradan leaned in and gently kissed her. When he pulled away and stared her straight in the eyes, Laithanna couldn't help but smile as the warmth of his kiss spread through her entire body. Her smile grew larger and almost seductive as she leaned forward and kissed him back, something she had never been so bold as to do before now. Here was someone she knew she could do anything in front of and still be seen as beautiful and precious. She had only realized that over the past few days, although her heart had known it since the day they had met those few months ago. Feleradan was the first to pull away, his eyes wide with surprise as he looked at the girl before him in a new light.

'Laith.' He whispered breathlessly.

'Feleradan.' She whispered back, oh so softly as he leaned forward and captured her small waist within his strong arms and pulled her to himself and kissed her again. Laithanna relished in that kiss as she realized that she no longer desired to be anywhere beyond his side.

[elberethvarda]

Feleradan was the first to break away. The bandit looked into the maiden's eyes. "I love you," he whispered. Laith smiled, half of her mouth curving up. "I think I love you, too," she whispered back. Then she drew in a deep breath, obviously preparing to say something important. Feleradan waitied, though a small spark of wariness appeared in the back of his mind.

"I've known you for two months, even though it seems like longer. I need you to answer a question before we do anything.. more." Feleradan nodded, although his mind was in turmoil. If she asks too probing a question, should I lie? Tell the truth? Then Feleradan realized he couldn't lie to Laithanna. She meant too much to him. I'll have to tell her the truth.. or most of it, at least.

Laith's voice broke through his thoughts. "What were you doing, the day I first met you, with a bow and arrows and sword, so far from any town?" Feleradan sighed. You can't betray your men, an accusatory voice said in his head. Then don't mention them, another replied.

"I live in the forest," he began carefully. "One might call me a bandit." He heard Laith breath in sharply and body tensing. "A bandit?" she gasped. "No, no, it's not what you think," he assured her. "I rarely, mind you, rarely, steal anything. I've never killed anyone and I don't think I will." At least that last part is true, he thought ruefully. Laithanna nodded, her eyes searching his face. "I believe you," she said finally. Feleradan smiled. "Good," he replied, and kissed her nose lightly. "Now, I must go, for I have something impoprtant to do tonight." He stood, and pulled Laithanna up. "Goodbye," she said.

[Firondoiel]

Éowyn opened the door to her and Faramir’s quarters and entered. Faramir had been very quiet during dinner. Something had to be wrong and Éowyn wished to know what it was. She found him sitting on their bed with his back to her, looking out the window. Slowly, she began to walk towards him.

“Éowyn?” he said suddenly when she made a noise. “Yes, Faramir.” she replied softly, “What is it that troubles you?” Éowyn sat next to him while waiting for his answer. He continued to gaze through the window as he spoke, “It is the bandit groups that have been attacking these past few weeks.”

“But, they are small and hold no true threat to Ithilien.” Said Éowyn slightly confused. “They have been growing bolder each day. I feel a sense of dread, that there is danger in their attacks.” Faramir said with a sigh. “Yet, it may be nothing.”

Éowyn placed her hand on his shoulders, “Perhaps it is not. You are very tired, my love. Do go to bed now.” He nodded and smiled faintly, “Very well.” Then, the couple rose and began to prepare for their rest while darkness covered Ithilien.

[Marigold Gamgee]

Rían pondered as she prepared to sleep in the small room close to the quaters owned by Faramir and Éowyn. Faramir had been obviously overjoyed to see Éowyn again, but he had seemed rather gloomy during the banquet. What could be the problem? The mission had been successful, and none of the men had been lost. Rían had heard tell of a bandit group, but what threat could they pose? A few dozen bandits far from the city could hardly be a match for Faramir's men, nor a cause for concern. The soldiers were far too strong to worry about dealing with small rebel groups. Rían recalled the tales that Handir had told, and assured herself that that, of all things, could hardly be the trouble. And yet the Lord Faramir was worried by something, and Éowyn was concerned by his melancholy.

Rían would know if Éowyn was pregnant, and that would be a cause for celebration, not sorrow. What then could be the matter? She had exhausted all the possibilities she could think of. Unless Faramir had to leave again, this time to be gone even longer than before. Yes, perhaps that was it. Perhaps King Elessar had called him to deal with a remnant of orcs or Haradrim on the southern borders, or some such thing. That must be it. Rían did her best to convince herself that this must be the cause of Faramir's downcast mood. She meant to be able to sleep tonight, not stay up worrying. She would no doubt know soon, anyway. And until then, she would trust in the capabilities of the Ithilien Rangers and the relative peace that the people were enjoying. Having done her best to convince herself that all was well, Rían laid herself down on her pallet to rest.

What was she to do tomorrow? Same as always, she supposed. Rise early, tidy things up, attend to Éowyn, do anything Éowyn needed her to do. There were no special duties to be performed, and nothing unusual happening. Tomorrow would be a day much the same as yesterday had been, and the day before that, and no doubt the same as the days following would be. Rían smiled at the thought. She liked having calm days with few surprises, and so far everything had been quite steady, and looked to stay that way. With that thought, she drifted off to sleep and pleasant dreams.

[elberethvarda]

Feleradan made his way back to the bandit's cave, his mind in a daze. Laithanna was unlike any maiden he'd ever known before. In some way she was... different. Before he realized it, Feleradan cam upon the cave. He brushed aside the vines that hid the small opening and bent to enter.

Inside, the men were gathered around a small fire in the middle of the cave. They were talking amongst themselves, the expressions on their faces all the same: worry. Just then, Lyrë, a bandit whose mouth had gotten him in trouble more than once, caught sight of him.

"Feleradan!" Lyrë called, standing. The rest of the men followed his gaze and saw Feleradan. Lyrë picked his way among the men towards the bandit leader. "Where have ye been?" His eyes traveled from Feleradan's muddy feet, to his touseled hair, and he smirked. "By the looks of ye, it seems a woman has found a place in yer life, eh?" He laughed loudly, joined by few other voices. Feleradan felt his face heating up, and there was an odd ringing in his ears. If Lyrë said what he thought he was going to say next... Lyrë put his arm around Feleradan, as if he was giving him some friendly advice. "I'll bet she's one of those painted, flirty ones, the kind that would attract your eye. I can tell ye; they aren't so bad."

Before Feleradan knew what he was doing, he had pinned Lyrë against the wall and yanked his knife out of the scabbard at his waist. He held it to Lyrë's throat, who struggled frantically. "You know nothing of which you speak," he hissed, and pushed down with the knife. Within moments, Lyrë's frenzied scramblings stopped. Feleradan stared down into the blank eyes before him, the realization of what he had just done sinking in. He looked at his hands, covered with Lyrë's blood. He had killed one of his men. He was a murderer. For Laithanna.

He looked up to see the rest of the men staring at him, fear in their eyes. "Come," Feleradan said finally. "We have much to do before this night."