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Post by jack on Jan 13, 2005 21:13:16 GMT -5
Breathe.
Faramir was haveing somewhat of a difficult time keeping up to the pace that his companion set. They had set out on foot for Rohan earlier that day.
One foot in front of the other.
As he went, Farmair pondered (as well as he could) his somewhat mysterious travelling companion. She hadn't offered much information about herself; not even her name. He'd have to ask her. Then again, she seemed to think he'd been asking too many questions already.
Finally, they stopped for a rest, short though it might be. He took this chance to speak: "I've noticecd you don't seem to care for my company all that much." He took a deep breath, and plunged on. "I'd like to know why, especially since we'll be together for an extended length of time."
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Post by steel_lily on Jan 14, 2005 15:41:10 GMT -5
Thew traveler noticed he was breathing hard. Good, he knew better than to complain. That meant he was also determined enough to press on. A quality he would need. About his question..... "I often travel alone, and do my best not to deal with people. You are loud and alert every animal within a league to our presence. With time, you will learn to travel lightly, but at the moment you are more a hinderance than a help. No offense, of course. I have seen many seasons and have grown less tolerant of the ignorance of youth." With that, she turned her attention back to the trail ahead of them.
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Post by jack on Jan 14, 2005 16:38:51 GMT -5
Faramir thought it best to make no reply, and keep to himself. He'd also have to try to be quieter. This journey was certainly not going to be easy....
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Post by steel_lily on Jan 14, 2005 16:46:01 GMT -5
The traveler was surprised at his non-reply. She shrugged and kept jogging. They jogged well past nightfall, halting when they got to the ruins of a watch-tower.
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Post by jack on Jan 15, 2005 18:00:41 GMT -5
This time when they stopped, Faramir didn't say a thing. He merely threw himself down on the ground and slept for as long as his comanion would let him.
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Post by steel_lily on Jan 15, 2005 20:38:33 GMT -5
As Faramir threw himself on the ground, the traveler set up a small, smokeless fire and cooked a light meal. She was tired, but needed to take the first watch. They were by no means free of danger here. After three hours, she woke Faramir up. "Back to running alrady? It's still dark out..." He mumbled and cursed. "Nay, friend. It's your watch. Wake me in three hour's time." With that, she handed him a hot meal and lay down on a blanket to sleep.
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Post by jack on Jan 16, 2005 19:14:46 GMT -5
Faramir's watch went smoothly. He took the food handed to him without a word, but a nod of his head. He concentrated on eating, but kept his eyes and ears open. When three hours had passed, he woke his companion. "Your turn," he said.
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Post by steel_lily on Jan 17, 2005 10:22:40 GMT -5
She nodded, and stood. Faramir fell asleep as soon as he hit the ground. The traveler watched him for a minute. He looked younger when he slept. Not so bound by the troubles of the world.
She went over by the fire and washed the bits of food off his dish. She didn't want to waste their water, so she just scrubbed it off with a bit of moss. As she tended the fire and watched the perimeter, she wondered whether she had been a bit too hard too early on. The boy had stopped speaking at all, and that worried her. Perhaps she would attempt a conversation tomorrow...
Three hours passed, and a small strip of dawn was beginning to show in the East. The sun would be up in another hour, so there was no point in waking the boy until then. She rolled up her blanket and got everything together in her pack. She then began to cook breakfast, hoping the lad would wake up of his own accord.
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Post by jack on Jan 17, 2005 13:04:45 GMT -5
Faramir woke to the smell of breakfast. He nearly forgot where he was, but he immediately remembered when he opened his eyes.
"Good morning, lad," his companion greeted him.
"Don't jump to conclusions," he retorted. "How far do you think we'll get today?"
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Post by steel_lily on Jan 17, 2005 20:41:47 GMT -5
Odd question. "Far enough," she said, non-comittally. "We traveled a good twelve leagues or so yesterday. If we keep the same pace, we should be in the westfold within the fortnight."
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Post by jack on Jan 18, 2005 21:18:47 GMT -5
Fararmir nodded. "Good."
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Post by steel_lily on Jan 19, 2005 15:11:22 GMT -5
The days blurred together as leagues melted under the Traveler's tireless pace. Travel went as it usually does; mundane and tiresome. She learned a great many things about Faramir as they went, though very little of it was through conversation.
On the fifth day of their travels, they came to a small village. "Yarmir," the Traveler said, "I have passed through here a score or so times in my wanderings." Faramir nodded, and they continued down the road into the town. As they reached the first house, the Traveler noted something wrong...the town was unduly silent. They continued on, heading toward the nearest place they could buy provisions.
As they passed through the center of the town, the Traveler saw a small crowd of people huddled in front of a house. Many were weeping, and all looked haggard. She approached one of the men, saying, "Why do you weep? What tragedy has befallen here?" He turned to her with a desolate look and pointed inside the door. There lay a young man, pale with the pallor of death. Many sat by his side and tended him, though she saw only one with the mark of a healer.The Traveler walked softly in, beckoning for Faramir to wait outside. He did, standing uncomfortably amidst the mourning people.
As the Traveler approached the bed where the young man lay, a silver-headed man stepped in her path. "Forgive me, stranger, but I cannot allow you near him." He spoke with the authority of one in his own home. The Traveler studied him for a moment, before replying, "I wish only to tend to your son. He lies too near to death for your healer to bring him back." The man stammered, "I..erhm...How did you know he was my son?" "He bears your resemblance and air. Would you like for me to aid him? Time is of the essence, here." "Yes, I would be willing to pay any sum if you could heal him, now." "Very well. I shall need boiling water and some flour." "Do you require anything else?" "Probably, but I couldn't tell you what just yet." With that, she stepped around the man and knelt by the dying man, putting her hand on his forhead. His skin was unhealthily damp and cool, a bad sign. She searched for a wound, finding a deep gouge in his left side. It would not have damaged any internal functions, but it was deep into the muscle. The wound oozed green, likely with a poison. The Traveler turned to the silver-haired man again. "How was he wounded?" "We were attacked by a small band of Uruks several days ago." "Then the blade was poisoned with Kul-Terras, deadliest of enemies for a party on the move. I need Peppermint and Rosemary. The rest of the herbs I need, I have with me." "Very well. It shall be brought as soon as possible." "Many thanks, sir." The Traveler reached into her pack and pulled out a strange and moist-smelling herb, crushing a bit of it in her hands. The water came, along with the rest of what she had requested. She poured water into the bowl with the flour, dropping in the herb from her pack. She then ground the rosemary with her dagger and added it to the poultice. Going over to her patient, she cleaned the wound and filled it with the poultice. It immidiately lost its green pallor. After a short while, she mixed peppermint in with some more of the boiling water and held by the man's face.
After several hours, he seemed to be improving, and the people outside seemed to relax a bit. The Traveler walked outdoors to stretch her legs and noted Faramir sitting against a building. "We've lost time," he said. "I know. This was mroe important, though..." "Helping a strange peasant with his son's fever?" "I shall not tolerate that from you, boy! My duty is to help them in any way I can, not just on field of battle." "I know, I'm sorry. I just....I'm anxious to be on the road again." "And...." "And noone in a town has ever treated me with any respect, so I feel I owe them nothing." "Nor do I. But I give it freely, nonetheless."
Suddenly, a lad came running up to them; tugging at the Traveler's sleeve and saying "Paladin, Miss...He's struggling!" She leapt up and reached a hand down for Faramir. "I'm going to need your help," "Alright..." The three of them sped into the room to see the young man racked with a coughing fit. He was coughing up blood. "Faramir, crush that peppermint and put it in some boiling water. Then, hold it by his face. Make sure that he inhales it, it will help awake his mind." She then went to the man's side and held her hand lightly over his forehead, closing her eyes and murmuring something in a language few in the village had heard. Instantly, he seemed to relax....
Five or so minutes later, the Traveler's hand left the man's forehead and she slumped onto the floor in exhaustion.
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Post by jack on Jan 20, 2005 14:39:30 GMT -5
Faramir followed the Traveller's instructions. He was no expert in these matters, but the tone in her voice and one look at the injured man told him to act now and ask questions later.
He watched as she chanted over the man, wondering what it was that she said.
When the Traveller slumped to the floor, Faramir bent over her. "Is there anything you need? Anything I can do?"
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Post by steel_lily on Jan 20, 2005 16:10:45 GMT -5
The traveler looked up sharply; she had forgotten that Faramir was there. "At this point, food and rest are what's best for both myself and the lad. Thank you for standing by, Faramir." She crawled wearily to her feet.
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Post by jack on Jan 20, 2005 19:01:32 GMT -5
Faramir extended his hand to help her up.
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Post by steel_lily on Jan 20, 2005 19:09:05 GMT -5
She took it gratefully, patting him on the back. The Traveler then turned to the silver-haired man. "You're son is safe now. Food and rest and a stout bandage on that wound and he'll be alright. Is there some place I and my companion could lodge for the night?" "Yes...you are welcome to stay in my house, friend." "Thank you." The two gathered up their things and followed the man to a room. "If you need anything, just ask. It shall be brought to you immidiately." "Thank you. Good night, at be at peace." "Thank you."
The Traveler wandered over to a bed and fell onto it, falling immidiately into a comatose sleep.
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Post by jack on Jan 21, 2005 19:29:01 GMT -5
Faramir thanked his host and lay himself down to sleep.
He awoke a few hours before dawn. His companion was not yet awake, and showed no signs of waking anytime in the immediate future, so Faramir got up and made his things ready for the day’s inevitable journey.
That done, he wandered out of the house, toward the south side of town. The sky was murky grey, and the stars were beginning to fade. He continued walking until he was a half mile away from the farthest outskirts of the town, then turned towards the east and began a wide circle around the town, alternately walking and jogging.
Not too far into his circle, he came upon the remnants of a camp: a hastily put-out fire, and many footprints. He decided he'd ask the Traveller to come look at it when he got back.
When Faramir returned, the sun was just beginning to hoist itself over the horizon.
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Post by steel_lily on Jan 21, 2005 21:45:00 GMT -5
The Traveler woke as Faramir walked in. He had prepared the packs for another day's journey. She rolled out of bed onto her feet. And moaned "Mmmmrmph. I needed that sleep. We shall rest here until we are sure that the young lad is safe. That may take quite some time, so make yourself comfortable."
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Post by jack on Jan 22, 2005 15:53:30 GMT -5
Faramir raised his eyebrows and smiled slightly, but did not say anything in reply. He did, however, say, "If you have the time, there's something I'd like you to see. I found an abandoned camp a ways outside of town. I couldn't make much of it. Perhaps you could?"
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Post by steel_lily on Jan 24, 2005 15:45:53 GMT -5
"If you'll accompany me as I go check on my young patient's health, we shall go there directly afterward."
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Post by jack on Jan 26, 2005 22:09:55 GMT -5
"Certainly," Faramir replied. They checked on the lad, finding him well, but sleeping. Faramir then led the Traveller to where he had found the camp; its abandonment had obviously been hasty. "What do you make of it?"
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Post by steel_lily on Jan 27, 2005 15:47:06 GMT -5
There wasn't much to make. Some scattered ashes, holes where stakes had been, obvious signs of activity. There was still a scattered woodpile near where the fire had been. Nothing out of the ordinary, except that camp had been wrapped up quickly.
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Post by jack on Jan 28, 2005 20:44:28 GMT -5
"Well?" Faramir asked, breaking the silence. When he got no reply, he said, "The question on my mind is, Why didn't whoever was here go into town? They were certainly close enough."
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Post by steel_lily on Jan 28, 2005 21:37:50 GMT -5
The Traveler shrugged, "We wouldn't have slept in town if it weren't for that little incident. Don't read too much into it, lad. Not all things are meant for us to know."
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Post by jack on Feb 5, 2005 21:47:29 GMT -5
Faramir let out a defatist sigh, then shrugged. He'd try to do as she said. As they made their way back to the village, he tried to put the matter out of his mind.
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Post by steel_lily on Feb 7, 2005 9:52:07 GMT -5
They wandered back into town, and back into the house. There, they found the young man lying at peace, looking neither sick nor well. He was handsome, though pale, in the ruddy firelight of the room. His jet hair was matted with sweat shed long since, but his face was the simple peace of one in a deep sleep. He had high cheekbones and a defined jaw, as if carved of stone. His father was sitting by his side, gazing upon his son. For the first time since the traveler had arrived, the man looked calm. He also looked exhausted; he probably hadn't slept much last night. As the traveler crossed the room, he looked up to meet her eyes, "I still cannot thank you enough for what you have done. You have returned my son to me." "It is what I do." "Is there anything you need? Anything at all?" "We came seeking supplies, that we might continue our journey. I will not, however, permit you to resupply us with your own money. A man, particularly a son, should have no price." "I am the leader of this town. My son fell in the defense of it. I have no doubts that the shopkeepers will readily suffer two traveler's worth of goods for what you have given us. Consider all your needs met, at no cost." "Thank you, sir. Your hospitality is unrivaled. For now, I should check on your son. Has he a name?" "Yes. Grithyn." "Thank you." The traveler tended to Grithyn, again washing and dressing his wound. She then took more peppermint and crushed into boiling water, making him inhale it. As she did this, she would softly chant his name. "Grithyn.....Grithyn.....Grithyn...." Faramir could stand the mystery no longer. When she paused for a while, he asked, "Why do you chant his name?" "He has fallen beyond the realm of sleep, into a deep darkness. Although his body mends, his mind and heart are far away. I am calling him back to this world, though it may take a while." "Ah."
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Post by jack on Feb 18, 2005 18:29:28 GMT -5
Faramir sat and watched as his companion worked. Eventually, the young man stirred, and opened his eyes.
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Post by steel_lily on Feb 19, 2005 9:42:01 GMT -5
"Wh...Who are you?" he asked, stirring. The traveler jumped back, she had been so absorbed in bringing him back, that she hadn't noticed when it worked. "I am your healer, Grithyn. You have had a nasty couple of days." "How long?" "Pardon?" "How long have you been healing me?" "I have been healing you for two days now. Your fellow townspeople kept you together for some time before that." Grithyn slowly moved to inspect his wound. He looked surprised at something, "I should be dead," he said, "I was stricken by an Uruk-Hai, they usually poison their blades." "Yes, with Kul-Terras. Once it enters your body, it leads you on a wicked road toward death. You were very close to the end of that road." "I thank you, ma'am. My life is your debt." he inclined his head in her direction, moving to get up. "Though you are alive, you really should not be moving about just yet." the traveler said, pressing him back down. "Sleep, young one. Sleep."
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Post by jack on Feb 19, 2005 22:08:36 GMT -5
The young man lay back down and closed his eyes. As Faramir and the Traveller exited the room, Faramir said, 'I've never seen anything like that before.' He thought, If I didn't respect her before, I certainly do now. 'You'll probably think I'm asking too many questions again, but I must know: Where did you gain that ability? To heal people like that?'
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Post by steel_lily on Feb 20, 2005 21:12:54 GMT -5
The traveler looked at him with the faintest hint of pride. "Questions are never too many when they are thoughtful and well-asked." she said, her mouth twisting into a wry smile. Faramir thought that that was the closest he had ever seen to amusement in her eyes. "I have ancient blood in me. Have you heard the lore of Numenor?" Faramir looked slightly confused, so she continued, "Suffice it to say that my blood carries the potential for a small fragment of the elves' power. During my childhood, I spent a lot of time with the elves. They taught me the proper uses for my power, and some methods which really carry the power of their own accord."
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