Sailing Away RPG

[piosenniel]

Firefoot’s post

Sondo hurriedly shoveled down his breakfast. He was eating by himself this fine May morning, a rather unusual occurrence. His friends, scattered across the large dining hall, were likewise alone; they had all agreed it would be best if they were not seen leaving Brandy Hall together so as not to arouse suspicion. For this was the day that his adventure was to start! Sondo had been awaiting this day for some time, ever since he had decided on his newest and grandest exploit yet: to sail down the Brandywine and explore new lands and come back, maybe even with treasure like old Mad Baggins had.

Upon finishing his breakfast, Sondo stood to take his plate back to the kitchen. Such was his good mood that Sondo bid the cook a good day as he delivered his dish. She recognized him; Sondo had caused trouble more than once in her kitchen.

“Be off with you!” said the cook, smiling and shaking her long spoon at him. “And if you are to cause any trouble this day, make sure that it is not in my kitchen!” Sondo laughed and promised that he wouldn’t, for once meaning every word. As he threaded his way back through the long dining tables, he passed a few of his friends and exchanged discreet conspiratorial glances. Those who knew Sondo well would recognize the look on his face as the one he wore when he was up to something.

The hallways were fairly busy, but Sondo passed through them unnoticed - it was the start of a busy day and no one paid much attention to a young hobbit lad. He slipped out one of the side doors while no one was watching. It was the perfect day to start an adventure: the sky was deep blue and a light breezed caressed his face, carrying with it the sweet fragrance of spring. He struck up a fair pace and whistled as he walked, taking the road south past the turn to Bucklebury Ferry.

As he walked, Sondo allowed himself to review the past few weeks with great satisfaction at what had been accomplished. There had been much to do and plan before he could leave. He had first needed to convince his friends what a wonderful idea it was. This had perhaps been the easiest part, because Sondo could make even the most fool-hardy plan sound like a brilliant idea to his group of friends, and they had taken to the idea almost immediately anyhow. He could not even begin to count the near-misses and scrapes he had gotten them into, but still they listened to him, for often as not his ideas worked out excellently and they had a fun time carrying them out.

The next step had been to build a raft and secure supplies. After all, one could not have an adventure without proper supplies. Slowly, secretly, they had confiscated tools and food from the immeasurable resources of Brandy Hall. Someone had found an oilcloth to keep the needed supplies safe from water, because whatever they found had to be stored in their secret stash near the bank of the Brandywine. This was the same cove where they had kept the unfinished raft. Sondo had found himself a hunting knife, a weapon he deemed fitting for adventures. It was in his pocket now - he could not have worn it outwardly inside Brandy Hall because it would have been noticed for sure. The food, enough for several days, had been stolen from the kitchen over the course of the past week. Their sailing vessel was of simple design: logs roped together and caulked with tar, and a makeshift mast with a sheet tied to it for a sail. The hobbits had only finished and tested their raft yesterday, and found with great jubilation that it floated easily, even with all of their weight on top of it. Then they had secured their supplies to the raft and covered those with the oilcloth, ready for sailing.

It was not long before Sondo came to the little creek that crossed the road. The road was clear, so Sondo turned to follow the stream to the Brandywine. The land here between the road and the river was covered by a sparse forest, so the Brandywine did not come into vision until he was nearly upon it. The surface of the muddy river appeared to flow lazily, but Sondo knew that the current was much swifter than it looked. He turned left to reach the storage location of the raft. The place was a little inlet, invisible from every angle except the north, and only then at a close range.

Sondo was the first to arrive, and he was relieved to find everything exactly as it had been left. He resisted the urge to look and make sure the oilcloth was secured correctly. It had been checked several times already and the supplies had been arranged specifically so that the things that would be needed first were on top. There was no need to rearrange. Having nothing else to do, Sondo sat down on the raft with his back to the mast and waited for his companions to show up, dreaming of the adventures he would have, each one being more fantastical than the last.

[piosenniel]

Boromir88's post

This morning Rory was forced to eat with his parents, and siblings, because of the last incident. Rory convinced his youngest brother, Madoc, that Mirabella had taken his mushrooms they got from Old Maggot. Madoc ended up throwing his tea on his sister's dress. Like always Rory's parents found out he was behind it, and forced him to wash the dishes after every meal, and eat next to them, away from his siblings.

Rory sat eating next to his mother, who kept shooting glances at him. He wondered how he was going to be able to escape this time, his mom barely kept her eyes off him. Rory knew he had to escape, and sat contemplating how to do so. He already spotted Sondo had left, so he figured he better get out soon.

They already had food stocked by the river, but he managed to slip in some extra bread and berries into his pouch. Mirabella began to complain that she wanted some more tea. "I'm thirsty mama" she whined.

"Honey," Daisy said turning to her husband, Filiburt. "Could you get the kids some more drinks."

Rory perked up, this could be his chance he thought, "I'll do it." His mom looked at him suspiciously, but thought with all the trouble Rory was in, he should do it. "Ok, just don't you go causing any trouble for the cook. She fixes you these meals, you should be more grateful."

"Don't worry mama," he tried not to smirk, or appear he was up to something. He ran up to the cook and kindly asked, "May I get some more tea m'am?"

"Why of course you can, since you asked so nicely. I can't stand hobbits with no manners." She gave Rory a tray, with 6 cups filled with fresh, hot tea.

"Thank you m'am" he replied.

"Why anything for a generous little hobbit like yourself." she smiled.

Rory began walking back towards the table he was eating at, and figured it was now or never. Suddenly, he tripped over his feet and fell flat on his face, as the tray and tea cups went shattering on the floor. Every person dining in the hall turned their eyes on Rory, and the cook began to get red faced, she couldn't stand having to replace her precious china. Rufus and Madoc started cracking up laughing, acting out the scene, and Mirabella began to smirk realizing her brother was about to get it again.

Rory tried his best to keep a straight face, "Gee, I'm sorry m'am. This is all my fault, I'll go get a broom and sweep up this mess. I'm sorry, I'm just so clumsy sometimes." Rory let out a fake frown.

The cook's face which was flooded with red subsided back to normal color, "Oh it's ok, that sort of thing happens a lot around here. You're a nice boy. Yes, go get the broom, and sweep this up."

Rory spotted his parents rushing up to where he tripped. They had an expression of worry, and anger in their faces. Definitely worried they wouldn't have to compensate the cook, and angry at their son.

"Oh, I hope he hasn't caused you any trouble." Daisy pleaded with the cook. "Forgive him, he's constantly causing trouble." She let out a sharp glance at Rory. Rory bowed his head, knowing he was going to get in trouble, and probably be in more trouble when his parents found out what he was going to do.

"Not a bit," the cook responded, "your son was very kind, he even offered to clean this up. Don't worry about it." She then looked at Rory, "Just go get the broom, I'll sweep this up."

Mirabella had joined behind her parents, hoping to eavesdrop on the conversation. Daisy and Filiburt kept saying how sorry they were, and hope that Rory didn't cause her any problems. The cook kept reassuring them everything was ok.

Rory sprinted off, recognizing now was his chance. With his brothers occupied, fighting with eachother, and his parents and tattle-tale sister up with the cook. He bolted out of the door as fast as his feet could carry them, without stopping until he couldn't see the hall anymore. Oh boy, I'm going to get it when I get back, he thought. He quickly brightened, when he heard a faint chatter up towards the river, some of the hobbits must have already appeared. He figured they were waiting on him. He got to the hiding spot, Sondo and the other hobbits signalled him over, they were still waiting on a few others who said they would come. Atleast he got away, but he wondered if his parents knew he was gone yet, probably, it was a good ten minutes since he left the hall. He couldn't turn back now though, he knew he was already in deep trouble, might as well make the best of his opportunity.

[piosenniel]

Child of the 7th Age's post

Bingo fidgeted impatiently as he shoved the last morsel of breakfast into his mouth. Although the lad normally returned for seconds and thirds, he did not intend to linger over his platter this morning. Bingo was almost too excited to speak. He had finally been invited by young Sondo to share in a grand adventure. Bingo really didn’t care where the lads were going or what they were doing. He had paid little attention to all the details. The important thing was that he was not being left out. The young Hobbit had risen early, packed his little satchel, and made sure that his bow and quiver of arrows stood nearby. Then he had done the same for his brother.

Bingo watched as his Aunt Hilda bustled back and forth between the kitchen and the table, carrying platters of hot cakes to be shared by her three offspring who were hungry young tweeners. Bingo reflected that it was as good a time as any for he and his brother to make their escape…..

“Aunt Hilda, I hope you won’t mind…. Just last night Cousin Melilot talked to me and suggested we stay with her a bit.”

Aunt Hilda looked back with a question on her face. “But I thought she and her husband were just getting settled into that small burrow, the one down by the river?”

“Yes,” continued Bingo, thinking as quickly as he could. “They need two young lads to help them unpack the furniture and parcels, and get things in order. Please, Aunt Hilda, we can help her.”

The night before, Hilda had been thinking how nice it would be if her widowed mother could pay a visit from the Southfarthing. She did not want to toss Bingo and his brother out the door, but they were staying in her only guest room. Hilda had considered asking them to sleep in the pantry, but this new suggestion seemed to fit in perfectly with what she had been considering. She looked at the two youngsters and smiled, “Yes, I suppose a visit to Cousin Melilot might be a good idea, especially if you two can be of help to her.”

“We’ll go this morning,” Bingo added. “As soon as we’ve helped you clean up.”

Within the space of an hour, Bingo and his brother were headed out the door of Brandy Hall, lugging their belongings with them, along with a generous wrapped luncheon packet that Aunt Hilda had provided. They quickly reached the large oak that marked the path where Cousin Melilot’s new smial stood. “Down there,” urged Bingo to his brother. “Go on. Just tell Cousin that I’m staying at Brandy Hall for a few more days to help Aunt Hilda arrange her library. I’ll come later.”

“But Aunt Hilda doesn’t have a library! And what if our kin start asking questions?” his brother objected. “Anyways,” he added more gently, “I don’t want you to leave me. Why can’t I come with you?”

“No, not this time. You weren’t asked. And for once I want to do something with Sondo. Anyways, no one will ask questions. They’ll just be glad we’ve gone somewhere else for a while. I’ll be back in a day or two. I promise. Don’t worry!”

His younger brother sighed, and reluctantly turned down the pathway that led to Cousin Melitot’s burrow. Feeling free and happy, Bingo raced down the other path that led towards the River. Ahead of him, he could see the raft bobbing in the water, and one or two Hobbit lads gathering their things together on the shore.

[piosenniel]

Encaitare's post

Reginand felt rather abandoned as he watched Bingo go happily off down towards the riverbank with a spring in his step. He looked gloomily towards Cousin Melilot's door, bright yellow in the side of the hill.

I could still go back home, he thought, dreading the idea of spending several beautiful spring days indoors. But then that would give Bingo away, and I can't do that either.

The young hobbit found himself dragging his feet as he slowly made his way up the path, gently swinging his satchel around. It was a sunny day, and the whole Shire seemed to be coming alive again. He ought to be outside romping in the grass or playing by the river with Bingo, not left by himself to unpack boxes and move furniture.

Another look at the yellow door did it for him: there was a cart just outside of it, covered in bundles and packages. He wouldn't have minded so much if Bingo had stayed, but there was not a chance that this was how he would spend these days. Why shouldn't he have an adventure too, like so many of his older Took relatives, or even that funny Bilbo Baggins?

Making up his mind, Reggie turned about and raced down towards the riverbank. There he could see a raft floating in the water. Bingo was there with Sondo, and another hobbit who he knew to be called Rory. Bingo noticed him approaching and looked at him sternly.

"Reg, why aren't you at Cousin Melilot's?"

"I can't go there and unpack things for half a week! If you think I'm going to do that, boy, you're crazy, Bingo Brandybuck--"

His older brother did not look amused. "You must go, or else Aunt Hilda will come looking for me. Come on, Reggie," he said more quietly. "Please, just go."

"Can I come with you?" Reginand said, turning to Sondo, who was watching the whole spectacle. "I won't take up much room on the raft, and I won't weigh it down at all -- see? I'm small enough!" He jumped up and down a couple of times for emphasis. "I can help you lads with whatever you need. Please?"

[piosenniel]

Kitanna's post

Marroc shoved a last piece of bacon into his mouth, hoping now to get away to join Sondo. Marroc pushed back from the table and headed for the door. "Where do you think you're going?" His mother said, pulling him back into his chair.

"Out to help Father."

"Not without more than a few pieces of bacon you're not." Ruby shoveled more bacon and some eggs and bread onto Marroc's plate. "You'll need your strength to go out with your father and brothers today."

Marroc dug into his food, barely taking anytime to chew it. "You're going to be sick." His oldest sister Daisy said. "No one will get any work done today if you get sick and they have to carry you back."

Marroc tried to say something with a chunk of bread in his mouth. "Daisy's right, take your time."

The Hobbit lad mumbled and paced himself. But the entire time his tapped his foot nervously on the floor. He had to get away. He had to go join up with Sondo.

Finally he cleared his plate of all traces of food. "May I go now? Please?"

Ruby looked over him and smiled warmly. "I suppose so, but stay out of trouble. There's work to be done and there's no time for your foolishness."

Marroc jumped out of his chair and ran outside. He did a quick check to make sure no one was watching and he headed away from the field. On his way to meet Sondo and the others Marroc stopped off at a hollowed out tree trunk. Inside he had hidden his knapsack with his slingshot and plenty of stones, a few apples, and water. He grabbed his walking stick as well and headed off.

[piosenniel]

Crystal Heart's post

Samuel tip toed as lightly as he could towards the door. Today was the day that he would go out on adventure, or something. As long as there was food involved. That's all that mattered. That's what the others had said. They had promised him food. That and a vacation away from his parents which in his opinion was the greatest present anyone could ever give him.

"Samuel Brandybuck, where do you think you are going?" His mother's shrill voice yelled from in the kitchen. He swore under his breath.

"I'm going to the secret hangout with the cousins, Mum," Sam answered, trying not to let the anger show in his voice.

"Without doing your chores?" His mother's voice questioned.

"I did them!" Sam shouted back.

"You have not Samuel and you know it. Don't you lie to your mother." Sam sighed and rolled his eyes. He looked at the door. He could just run. What could she do? She would never be able to catch him, that he was sure of.

"Okay, I'll go do them," Sam answered as he opened the door and walked right out. He laughed to himself as he walked down the path. He walked down to what he usually called the "creek of death", due to reasons even he didn't entirely understand, and the raft where Sondo had told him he would be.

He wondered if his mother would be mad and realized that she would be. He started to think about the punishments she would ensue. Probably locking him in his room for a week. Maybe even doing even more chores, if there were more chores. Then a thought hit him. She could take away the food, but she would never..... He stopped and thought about it. Should he take the chance?

Sam shrugged his shoulders, knowing that his cousins and other family members would never allow another Brandybuck to go hungry, and headed off towards the creek of death.

[Firefoot]

Even though Falco assured him that it wasn’t, Sondo still couldn’t help but feel slightly threatened. He was becoming increasingly annoyed with Falco’s direct manner, and he had noticed his hesitation before answering the previous question. Did Falco think that he was unaware of the fact that nothing had gone very well yet? None of it was his fault, but he was doing the best he could to correct it, and here was Falco criticizing him! Sondo took a deep breath before responding. Getting mad at Falco would do no good - it may even cause more disunity among the lads.

“I shouldn’t have to worry about that. It’ll get better,” answered Sondo, unable to keep a slight edge out of his voice.

Falco shrugged. “I’m just telling you how I see it.” It was then that Sassy announced her catch, and Sondo directed his vexation her way once more. What was she trying to do, win them all over with food? First the cookies, then the fish? They wouldn’t be able to cook the fish, since they weren’t stopping until night. Enough time had already been wasted ashore. Sondo realized he was hungry, though, and so probably was everyone else. None of them had eaten much since breakfast.

“Let’s go get something to eat - we brought plenty of food,” said Sondo abruptly, ending the conversation. He was pretty sure that it was about over anyway. Falco agreed. Carefully so as not to tip the raft, the pair made their way over to the covered supplies. Sondo untied a corner of the oilcloth, revealing a good store of food.

“Hey, everyone!” said Sondo to get the lads’ attention, though some had already caught on. “Let’s have some lunch.” The prospect of a meal seemed to cheer them all to a greater or lesser extent. Rory especially seemed glad to have food not gotten by a girl. Sondo dug out some bread, cold chicken, and fruit to pass around. Being hungry, most took generous servings, and Sondo fleetingly wondered just how long their food supplies would last - after all, two people had been added to their coterie since stockpiling the supplies, and they were growing hobbits. As quickly as the thought had come, it was gone, and Sondo ceased to worry about it. Mostly the hobbits returned to their previous locations on the raft after receiving some lunch so as to balance the weight.

Sondo took the time to notice several things about the group at this time. The first was that for all her fish and cookies, Sassy had not been above getting some lunch like the rest of them. The second was that though Reggie had not been originally included, he fit in well, and seemed to be forming a friendship with Rory. Sam had remained unusually friendly, a change Sondo hoped would last but doubted it. Last was that Bingo seemed unusually moody since they had set out again. Sondo supposed that if he was to fear mutiny, Bingo might be the one to instigate it. He seemed genuinely unhappy with the adventure thus far, and he was more independent than most of them and generally well-liked, besides having a staunch supporter in Reggie. Sondo supposed that Bingo might even be annoyed with him, what with allowing his brother to come along, and then his own sister showing up. Sondo almost thought that he could sympathize with the other hobbit, though Reggie was decidedly older and a boy besides. He didn’t have nearly the control that Sondo did however.

So the day waned on. Sondo knew of nothing to do to raise the morale except hope that Sassy stayed out of everyone’s way and that a good night’s sleep with full stomachs would cheer everyone. Eventually Sondo had gone over to sit near Bingo for some company. Bingo was the one Sondo felt he was able to relate with most, at the moment.

“Do you mind if I sit here?” Sondo had asked, plunking down.

“Go ahead,” Bingo had answered.

“It’ll get better, you know,” said Sondo after a while. “Right now, we’re all sort of getting used to this.”

“I hope so,” said Bingo. After that they hadn’t said a whole lot. It wasn’t really the uncomfortable sort of silence, though; simply neither of them had much to say to the other. Suppertime came, but due to the late lunch and lack of activity afterward no one had said anything about being hungry. The sun cast long shadows stretching eastward, and golden light glinted off the river, flickering with the current. It was ironic that the day which had started so poorly would end in such a dazzling show of light. It’s pretty, really, thought Sondo, but he didn’t realize that he had spoken aloud until Bingo responded softly, “Yeah.”

Sondo realized that it would be too dark to sail soon, and figured he had better start looking for a place to stop for the night and cook dinner. With a word of explanation to Bingo he got up and gathered up a rope to bring them to shore. He called to Reggie who was still chatting with Rory and now Marroc, “Reggie, you were able to catch a tree earlier today - do you think you could do that again now?” Then more generally, “Everyone else, start gathering up what we’ll need for the night - we’re stopping.” Reggie acquiesced, and Sondo soon found a promising spot on the eastern shore. Reggie cast the rope out and it caught, bringing the raft to shore without mishap. The hobbits all seemed glad to see the end of the day, and with more enthusiasm than they had had since before the raft tipped, they set up camp. It had been a long day, and Sondo dearly hoped that his adventure would pick up after the rocky start.

[Primrose Bolger]

As good as the bread and chicken looked and smelled, Sassy passed them up. She was not immune to the barely concealed disgust with which most of the others viewed her, and she figured that eating their food would simply make them all the madder. She did take an apple, for they seemed to have plenty of those.

The others gathered together in their little groups, and offered no invitation to sit with them. Oh, well . . . she said to herself, shrugging it off. I’m the odd Hobbit out as Gammer Brandybuck would say. She gathered her pack and moved as far away as the surface of the raft would allow. She hung her legs over the side of the raft, just far enough to let the water riffle against her feet. There were still a few cookies left in her pack, so she fished one out and ate it with her apple. Stashed in the side of one of the front pack pockets was a packet of dried, smoked coney strips, the sort her uncle took with him when he was venturing far upstream to fish and wouldn’t be home til next morning. She took out a whole one, then thinking better of it, broke it in two. Who knew how long this trip would be.

Light played prettily across the water as the sun headed off for bed. Sassy fixed the picture in her mind, intending to share it with her Gammer once she’d got back. With the encroaching darkness, the air grew a little chilly, and Sassy pulled her little wool cloak about her shoulders fastening it securely beneath her chin. Pulling her knees up to her chin, she clasped her arms about her legs and watched the banks of the river with their rushy edges and stands of cattails slide by. Here and there a duck paddled along, leaving a wide ‘V’ of water in its wake. And once, in a marshy little inlet pushed in against a bend in the channel, a heron poked along among the rushes in the muddy flat, looking to spear a tasty fat frog.

When it was almost dark, Sondo called for Reggie to cast out a rope and hook a tree. The throw was successful and soon the raft was brought up onto the river’s bank for the night. Sassy stood to the side as the others hauled their needed supplies off to a little campsite they’d picked. She trailed along, half hoping that someone would ask her to join in, but knowing they wouldn’t. She fetched her little fish from the stringer in the water, plucking a few stalks of the tall cattails as she did.

Sassy found a dry, cozy spot near the boys’ camp. At the base of a wide old willow. She spread leaned her pack against the trunk then looked about in the failing light for what she needed. There were plenty of small twigs and branches lying about, and she gathered them into a small depression she dug out in the soil a short ways away from the tree’s trunk. Fetching her flint from her pack, she got a little fire going. She didn’t need much, just enough to cook the fat trout she’d caught earlier. She gutted it carefully making sure not to slice her own fingers with the sharp knife, then spitted it like her uncle had showed her and cooked it over the fire. It was her Gammer who’d told her about the cattails – peel the stems and salt them a little and they tasted just like fresh, sweet cucumbers from her Ma’s garden. She picked every bit of the tasty meat from the fish once it was done, licking her fingers as the juice ran down them. A mug of cold water dipped from the river washed the feast down. And with another, she splashed her hands to clean them.

Her little fire had nearly burned down to ash by the time darkness fell fully. Sassy covered it with dirt to put it out, then sat listening under the cover of night to the sounds from the boys’ camp. ‘I wonder what they had for dinner?’ she thought sleepily, snuggling down after a bit near the willow’s trunk, her head resting on a low root and the rest of her wrapped warmly in her little cloak. It had been a long day and soon sleep found her, sending dreams of grand adventures to come dancing beneath her closed eyes.

[Boromir88]

Rory perked up at the sound of food. It's amazing how much merrier Rory is on a full stomach. Once you are full, you don't remember ever being hungry. Chicken, apples, bread...now all we'll need are a few good pints and we'll have a meal fit for a king, Rory thought. Ok, maybe there will be no pints on the journey, but atleast there's good food.

Most of the hobbits were in their cheerful conversations. Rory, Marroc, and Reggie were telling stories of when they got in trouble, since those were the best. "I told my younger brother, Madoc, that Mirabella had taken his mushrooms. He threw his tea on her." Reggie and Marroc began to laugh, "It was the funniest thing I've done in a while." Somehow, above all the other conversations, Sassy heard what Rory did to his sister, and thought how low and wicked it was, but let it go. Then Reggie began to tell how he took all the Sackville-Bagginses' spoons, "And to this day I don't think they've gotten them back." Rory said he would have never thought of that and Marroc chimed up, "Good I don't like them Sackville-Bagginses."

Then Reggie was summoned to pull in the raft, since it was getting dark, and it would be tough to see soon. All the hobbits enthusiastically nodded their heads, agreeing it was time to call it a night, they didn't want to have anymore setbacks today.

All the hobbits were safely pulled ashore. They began to discuss what would they do tomorrow, while all chowing down on more chicken. The hobbits got tired after their supper, and decided to call it a night. Sassy was off by herself, eating her fish. Despite all the problems today, Rory was full, and enjoyed his conversation with Reggie and Marroc. Today was a good day, Rory thought to himself, and tomorrow will only be better.

[Firefoot]

Sondo awoke at dawn in high spirits. It was a beautiful day - the sun was shining in a cloudless sky. A touch of dew lay over everything and the birds were singing in the trees. This was his adventure, his dream, so why should he feel down-trodden about it? Even Sassy could not dampen his mood, partially because he was simply ignoring her presence in as many ways as possible. The other hobbits were in various stages of wakefulness, but he was the first to get up and start moving around. He was soon joined by others, who helped him build up the fire and start roasting some meat for breakfast. Those who still were not up were soon drawn to the fire by the scent of food. It wasn’t exactly an ideal breakfast, being that they had no eggs or bacon or muffins or any of the other traditional breakfast foods, but all in all it tasted fine.

As leader, Sondo’s cheery mood was mirrored in the other hobbits, who generally seemed encouraged by the new day anyway. The morning activities of eating and reloading supplies were spent in light banter and conversation. Sassy stayed largely on the periphery, suiting Sondo fine. In fact, he hoped she felt a little left out, as payment for forcing herself on them like this. He was soon distracted from her by a question concerning the arrangement of supplies on the raft, and paid her no more heed.

Soon, they were ready to sail again. They performed a quick check to make sure nothing was being left behind and put out the cooking fire before loading onto the raft again. He felt that it was his duty to keep the morale high, since it would make for a more enjoyable day as well as safeguard against mutiny (the thought of which scared him a good deal more than he would admit, even to himself). So as soon as the raft was underway, he spoke up.

“Fellow adventurers! We got off to a rough start yesterday, but this day and all following will be better. Soon, we will be entering into lands completely strange to us, and then will our adventure truly begin. If we want, we may even go all the way to the Sea! Few hobbits have ever seen the Sea, and even fewer have come home to tell of it. We could be heroes!” He wasn’t sure where that part about the Sea had come from, but it sounded good. He did not really understand just how far away that was, having only seen brief glimpses of maps outside the Shire, but it sounded good, and most of the hobbits seemed to be buying it. He continued, “And it all starts here. In only a few days we can start making trips away from the raft rather than sailing farther downstream for a day and seeing what we can. After all, that’s what adventures are for!” He really did not know where his adventure was going. It seemed that most of the heroes in stories had some kind of quest, like Old Mad Baggins, or Isengrim the Mariner. He did not have a purpose, but perhaps one would present itself along the way.

His speech was met with general approval, especially from the hobbits who were characteristically more optimistic. Oh, but it was a glorious day for adventuring!

[Child of the 7th Age]

Sondo's predictions were happily true. The sun shone bright over the voyagers as they made their way forward. The current was brisk but not too strong as it carried the raft steadily down river. Two times, the boat came up against a pile of jagged grey boulders appearing out of nowhere in the middle of their path. But Sondo gave instructions to the lads and, working together, they were able to use their makeshift poles crafted from the branches of trees to push off from the rocks before any damage was done and resume their journey. By late morning their progress had been so good that Sondo had agreed they should put into shore and take a moment for a bite to eat.

After they'd steered the raft to the side, the lads and Sassy scrambled out and sprinted up the bank, continuing to run up the grassy knoll that stood close by. This gave them an excellent vantage from which to view the Baranduin as well as the surrounding countryside. Bingo turned around, with his back facing the river, staring eastward. The land that they had come through was a vast expanse of forest; ahead the terrain looked less wooded, with more rolling hills. On the other side of the river, just barely visible, was a stretch of land veering westward that looked to be a marsh.

Bingo wondered what would happen when they came to the edge of the lands where hobbits dwelled, if they ever got that far. Would there be a bright line on the earth, with hobbits lined up on one side and big folk on the other? He didn't really think so, but it made him uneasy to consider going into territory where there were vast number of Men roaming. Like many Bucklanders, he had been to Bree once in his life, but had felt a bit uncomfortable and was glad to head home again.

His brother Reggie seemed to be settling in easily on the trip, The young lad had chatted comfortably with Rory and Marroc, and only occasionally looked back at his older brother for a steadying grin or reassurance. Bingo's earlier fears that his brother would turn out to be a millstone around his neck were not proving to be the case. For the most part, Bingo was left on his own and could do as he pleased.

He could not help noticing that Sassy had sat by herself for most of the morning, quietly keeping to the edge of the raft. Bingo truly did not like girls and preferred to keep a distance, but he had enough gentleness in his heart to feel uncomfortable at the thought of anyone sitting off by themselves without a friend in sight. There had been too many times that he had been in the same situation. He could see that she had finished her lunch. The other hobbits were still up on the bank eating. Bingo quickly shoved the last morsel of bread and cheese into his mouth, and went to pick up a netting and two pair of heavy gloves that he'd found in the supplies. Walking down to the water, he stopped for an instant beside Sassy and casually mentioned, "I'm going down by the water to try and catch a turtle so we can cook a batch of soup later tonight. I saw a drove of them hiding in the reeds and dozing. Don't know if you want to help, but you're welcome to come."

With that, he nonchalantly tossed down a pair of gloves, mentioning that the turtles were snappers and it was best to be careful. He walked purposefully down to the water, never looking back. If she came, so be it. If not, he'd try to get one on his own. In any case, he'd better hurry. Sondo would likely have them get back on the rafts as soon as they finished lunch to continue their journey southward.

[Primrose Bolger]

It was the dull thunk of the gloves near her that made her believe the he just might mean for her to go with him. Sassy scrambled up from her seat on the ground and picking up the gloves and her pack followed after him. She noted he carried his own pair of gloves . . . and a net. Her little brow wrinkled as she tried to imagine what he was going to do with it. She shrugged her shoulders; perhaps that was how his family did it. But try as she might she just couldn’t see how it would work. The net looked too flimsy for the claws and jaws of a sizable snapper.

Sassy shouldered her little pack and ran up beside him, saying ‘thanks!’ as she tucked the gloves in the waistband of her breeches. They walked along in companionable silence until they neared the reedy area, stopping only once as she ran off to the side of the little grassy track to pick up two very stout, thick sticks. Bingo looked at her, his brows raised, but she just grinned up at him. ‘Comes in handy,’ she said, not offering much of an explanation. ‘My Uncle Maddy showed me.’

The two Hobbits stood for a few moments on the edge of the reedy area. There were, indeed, a number of snappers dozing among the reeds in the muddy flats. Bingo loosed his net and put on his gloves, nodding toward where the turtles were lolling. Sassy pointed a little ways up the river where an old willow grew on the bank, its roots a tangle as they dipped into the river. ‘Think I might try my luck there,’ she said. ‘Unless you need my help with something?’ Bingo shrugged, and she took that as an okay.

Sassy put her pack on the bank, taking out her little hatchet to lean against its side. Then she edged out onto the root tangle, hunkering down to peer through the intertwining roots. At first she had no luck, but she inched along and finally found what she was looking for. There was a snoozing turtle, about ten inches across, all cozy in the little passageway it had found for itself beneath the roots. She picked her way quietly to the tail end of the turtle, noting how it had tunneled in. Putting her gloves on, Sassy thrust her arm carefully into the hole and grabbed the snapper by his long tail. A struggled ensued, but the determined girl planted her feet and drew the hissing turtle out. It was not one of the granddaddy turtles, but it was a fair size, and would add a good bit of meat to Bingo’s plans for soup.

‘Got one!’ she called, dragging the creature backwards up the slope and onto the top of the river’s bank. The snapper was spitting mad and tried twisting itself this way and that with its claws dug in to get at its capturer. At one point, her foot slipped on the muddy bank, and the turtle nipped her soundly on the ankle, causing her to yelp loudly. She scrambled her feet out of range never letting go of the tail. ‘Hey! Can you help me here?’ she cried, calling out to Bingo. He came quickly, adding his weight to the pull as they eased the turtle toward her pack. ‘Get that stick there,’ she told Bingo, nodding at those she’d brought along. Bingo took hold of one of the stout stick and bopped the turtle on the nose. Like greased lightning, the snapper stretched out its neck and grabbed hold of the stick intending to do in its tormentor. Bingo kept a tight hold on the stick, keeping the turtle’s neck extended. With a quick move of her own, Sassy let go the tail and grabbing up her little hatchet, severed the head of the turtle from its neck. ‘Whew!’ exclaimed, standing back with her hands on her hips as she surveyed the catch. ‘That ‘un was a fighter!’ Sassy smiled widely at Bingo. ‘Hey, thanks!’ she said, grinning still. They could hear the turtle he’d netted flopping and hissing and tearing at the net that held him. ‘Want some help with that one?’ she asked getting out her hatchet and the other stick.

The walk back to the camp with their catch was a little less quiet. That is, Bingo was not much of a talker, but he listened to her burbling on about what fun that was, and how she hadn’t known you could hunt turtles with a net, but next time she’d try it, and how this was the second time she’d been snagged by a snapper, showing him a scar on her thumb as well as the little gash on her ankle. ‘Oh my gosh, I’m running off at the mouth aren’t I?’ she asked. ‘Sorry! My Gammer says sometimes I talk too much. Just tell me to be quiet . . . I’m used to it!’

They could hear the sounds of the other boys as they neared the camp. They were putting things back on the raft, getting ready to go. ‘Good thing you’re back, Bingo!’ one of them cried. ‘We just about left you!’ Sassy helped secure the two turtles on a short length of rope, so they could drag along in the cold water of the river to keep fresh. She looked about as the boys gathered on the raft, standing about in groups of twos and threes. Bingo had gone over to talk to his brother. With a resigned little sigh, she sat down again near the edge of the raft and leaned against her pack, dipping her nipped ankle in the cool, soothing water . . .

[Child of the 7th Age]

Bingo had said little as they walked down to the river to catch the turtles. His mind was preoccupied with other things. When his mother and father were alive, they had fled the acrimony of Brandy Hall and occupied a rambling burrow near the banks of the Baranduin, almost like the Stoors of days long past. Dinodas Brandybuck, Bingo’s father, had always been fond of turtles and thought them quite intriguing. He had a gift for trapping and hunting the creatures that enabled him to keep his wife and children fed while trading leftover turtles back to Brandy Hall for other goods.

Bingo remembered the day he had helped his father dam a side tributary of the river to create a large holding pond at the rear of the family’s burrow. They had stocked the pond with fish and turtles and encircled it with a tall wood fence. In it lived a snapper named George, round and heavy as a boulder, with a nasty temper that was even more pronounced than his massive size. George had somehow escaped the family’s cooking pot to live several years in the pond, making steady inroads on his smaller neighbors there. Whenever Bingo walked over to the pond to do some errand for his Da, George regularly terrorized the lad, coming close to try and nip his toes.

Despite this, Dinodas had defended the turtle to his son, pointing out that George had reason for his actions, “A smart critter, and no wonder he’s so testy. He’s lived longer than even Mister Bilbo of Hobbiton, and that’s no easy task.”

On the night that Bingo learned of his mother and father’s deaths, he had gone to the pond and enticed old George into a wooden box, lugging him down to the river before setting the monstor free. Bingo had never seen George again, but he was sure he had done the right thing.

As he reached the water’s edge with Sassy, Bingo pulled back from his musings. He nodded goodbye to the lass and set out to trap a turtle of his own. Sassy had looked askance at the net he was carrying. It wasn't the best of traps to use, but it would have to do. Back home, his father has crafted floating traps made of a special kind of hollow wood and then lured the turtles in with bait. He did not have one of those. But in a pinch, other things would work almost as well. He leaned over the edge and dropped the net into the shallows, threading a few slivers of chicken onto a hook attached to a line. The line had several other sharp barbs sticking out near the end; these did not have any bait. When the sleepy turtle came up to look and clamped his mouth down on the chicken, he had not only been snared by the original hook, but the other two had each embedded in a leg, making it more difficult for the thrashing creature to reach back and nab Bingo.

Bingo drew the net tight and cut his line, still leaving the hooks in the turtle’s mouth and legs. Then he stuck a stick under the snapper’s nose. The turtle clamped down and refused to let go, which was exactly what Bingo had hoped for. The lad quickly slid a piece of rag over the snapper’s head to keep him from seeing and bundled him out of the water, squalling and kicking, before laying the creature down on the bank and chopping off the head with the help of Sassy's hatchet. After that, he'd removed the hooks and carried the body in the net bag.

He had thanked the lass for her help. For all her youth and wagging tongue, she had shown considerable skill and bravery. Then he'd run back to rejoin the other lads and left Sassy behind. Several of the lads were admiring his catch, which made Bingo puff up with quiet pride. Then, at Sondo's insistence, they had gathered together the last of their belongings and bundled them into the raft as everyone again found their places. Within a short time, they had pushed off from shore and continued their southwesterly path.

[Crystal Heart]

Sam wandered over to Sondo and looked around helplessly. He wanted to help, but ever since the boat he felt a little out of place in the group. He knew he was the one that caused it and of course that brought slight anger, at himself of course not others, but it was still there. He didn't want to bring any more undo pain to his fellow journeysmen. He only hoped to help.

He walked over and tapped Sondo on the shoulder, nervous at what he was about to ask. He didn't want to make Sondo any more mad at him.

"Sondo is there anything that I can help with? I would like to be a productive member of the gang instead of destructive one," Sam said as he looked down at his hands. He only wished he had something better say to Sondo.

Since the raft had tipped he couldn't look Sondo in the eye. He wasn't sure exactly why, but that was how he felt. He felt so ashamed of what he had done and never before had he felt that emotion before in his life.

He stood, waiting for Sondo to respond.

[Firefoot]

Though outwardly maintaining some semblance of seriousness, inwardly Sondo was absolutely thrilled, and it shone through a bit. After having listened closely to their bold statements and latching on to their enthusiasm, he had explained his plan and now they were more than willing to go along with it! Yes, this was the type of situation he knew best.

“Okay,” said Sondo, “I’ll need someone to go with me to take some of the Big Folk’s supplies.” He looked around for volunteers.

“I’ll go with you,” someone piped up. Sondo looked; it was Rory. The promise of a real adventure seemed to have perked him up a bit

“And me,” said another, only an instant following. This time Marroc had spoken. Sondo nodded. “That’s settled then: Rory and Marroc will go with me.” Marroc was trusty enough, but Rory would not have been his first choice for a companion - ever since the day they had split Sondo had gotten the impression that Rory did not trust him fully. He had followed along, though, so Sondo didn’t push it. For now, Rory seemed as eager as the rest of them for this escapade to begin. Except, noted Sondo, Bingo, who seemed less than thrilled with his plan, yet thankfully said no word of dispute, or Sassy, who was just plain scared, but what was to be expected of a girl anyway?

“The rest of you, then,” continued Sondo, “will stay up here and wait for the Big Folk to come over here. You can spread out a bit first, and hide; make them have to look around before anything actually happens. It will just give Rory, Marroc, and me more time. Remember, they’re looking to capture us, no more. Once we’re done, you all will know; we’ll do something to make the Big Folk go back to their camp or something. Then we’ll have to get out of here, and quick. Just like at home when we don’t want to get caught. All right?” There were nods and cries of agreement.

“Good. Come on, Rory, Marroc, let’s get going.” With a jaunty wave to the rest of them, he set out toward the hill with his companions. He held a finger to his lips for Rory and Marroc to stay quiet; the Big Folk could not know of their approach. He led them up to the base of the hill, then stopped.

“Here’s what we’ll do,” he whispered. “We’ll split up; that way if they see one of us, they won’t know we’re all three there. Marroc and Rory, you go around that side-” He pointed to the north end of the hill - “and conceal yourselves as best you can. I think there’s a tree that one of you can use. I’ll go around the other end. I don’t know which way the Big Folk will come over, so make sure they can’t see you, even if it means you have to go a little way away. Just make sure you’re within fairly easy distance of their camp, and can see it. If they leave a man to guard their stuff, well, I guess our best option will be to knock him out with a few well aimed stones. Once they’re gone, we have a few things that need doing. We only take as many supplies as we need and as we can carry. Hopefully there’ll be some smaller packs that we can use, but all I saw was saddlebags. We’ll also cut their horses lose, so they can’t follow us. And we’ll have to figure out some kind of signal to the rest of them. It needs to be pretty fast, too: get in, get what we need, get out. Got it?” They nodded to show that they did and broke off.

Sondo hurried off to his end of the hill and cast about for someplace to hide. He wished for a sparse forest, or even just some undergrowth. But the place was pretty barren. A tree grew off a little way to his right, but he would have to cross about fifteen feet of empty ground to get there, risking being seen. He was risking being spotted as it was, though, exposed against the side of the hill, and so decided it was worth it. The Big Folk seemed concerned about little else beside themselves; they seemed to have finished their lunch and were digging into their saddlebags. He waited until all their backs were more or less turned, and spanned the distance to the tree quickly. He squeezed himself up against the trunk, which was barely wide enough to hide him. He peeked around; they hadn’t seen him. The men spoke together for a few moments, and then four of them took off toward the hobbits, leaving a single guard as Sondo had expected. They carried ropes, and seemingly no more dangerous a weapon than knives. He hoped the others were ready. The time had come.

[Kitanna]

As soon as Sondo's plan was revealed Marroc knew he wanted, no he had to help. He hadn't been very good with the raft, he was not a very good hunter, but stealing he could do. He was used to sneaking into the kitchen and stealing bread or cheese from his mother. Of course stealing from the big folk would be different, but Marroc could move swiftly and softly. He was confident in himself and Rory that they could get away with plenty of food.

He eagerly followed behind Sondo and Rory toward the big folk's camp. He listened intently to Sondo's plan. Marroc nodded in agreement to all the other hobbit lad said. He was about to burst with excitement.

The three split off. Rory had plans of sneaking in from the back of the camp and Marroc would go in from the side.

Marroc crouched low to the ground and watched the big folk in their camp. He smiled to himself as he saw most of the men heading down toward his friends. They had left one guard at the camp. The young hobbit's heart beat so hard in his chest he thought the guard would surely hear it.

He waited a few moments before creeping out of his hiding place. Just like stealing bread or cheese, he told himself. He could see Rory creeping toward the camp as well. They caught each others eyes and nodded to one another.

The guard was keeping his back to their supplies. He seemed to be looking off toward where his friends had gone. Probably wishing he had gone, Marroc smirked. He had reached the saddlebags. He looked up, the guard's attentions was drawn away from the hobbit. Marroc turned his attention away from the guard for a moment.

Marroc slowly reached his hand into one of the bags. He was so quiet, he surprised himself. The guard moved, he looked like he might turn. Then a small rock hit the guard on the side of the head. He huffed and grumbled and headed in the direction it had come. Another larger rock came flying out and hit him in the temple. He landed with a thud in the dirt. Marroc smiled, obviously the work of Sondo.

Rory had joined Marroc and the two began to rifle through the bags.

[Boromir88]

Sondo barely had fininshed his plan when Rory piped up "I'll go with you." Rory felt lonely, and sort of forgotten, the last several days. He wondered if he shouldn't have openly told Sondo his problems with him. He looked into all the hobbits' eyes, wondering if they mistrusted him. Finally something I can do to help, something I'm good at. We've been starving, and I've done nothing except be another person to feed. What could I have done? I've never hunted before. Finally something I'm good at, he thought. This should be easy, it'll be like back at home again. It'll be like borrowing things from my sister. Rory grinned, but what he didn't realize was the possible dangers. Once Rory had a plan of being up to no good, he often ignored the possible consequences; getting himself into trouble.

Marroc came with Sondo and Rory, they set off, and soon halted, where Sondo laid out the plan. Rory nodding his head in enthusiasm, agreeing splitting up was the best way.

They split up Sondo to one side, Rory and Marroc to the other. Rory then told Marroc he was going around the back, and that way they can hopefully trap him. He began to sneak quietly around the side of the hill, until he saw the back of the guard. He nodded to Marroc and Sondo who we both in position. Marroc was such a sneaky lad, he got right in behind him, Rory looked on with excitement.

Then a moment of terror hit Rory, it looked like the guard was going to spot Marroc. The guard began to look around. Rory jumped up, to get Marroc out of there, when a clonk was heard. The guard whipped around to Sondo's side, when another rock came flying in, cracking him in the head, and knocking him out.

Sondo sprang up, alongside Marroc, with Rory. "I suspect he's going to be out for a while and with quite a headache." Rory chuckled. He was glad to see the brute unconscious. "That was a mighty hit Sondo, pal."

[Crystal Heart]

Sam wasn't sure he exactly wanted to steal from the Big Folks. They were so much more powerful then he was, but he wanted to be a hero.

"I will come with you as well if you need me of course," Sam piped up. No one answered him and he believed that it would just be better if he stayed with the rest of the group. Especially Sassy, not that he didn't believe that she couldn't take care of herself, but she was the only girl on this journey and she would be extra vulnerable to the Big Folk. He only hoped that they wouldn't find her. He didn't want to have to hurt anyone, hobbit or Big Folk alike.

[Primrose Bolger]

There were four of them . . . and the closer they got, the bigger they loomed. The light was behind them as they drew close to the makeshift camp, faceless with the sun at their backs. It threw their jagged shadows before them . . . reaching out like dark wraiths . . .

Sassy’s knees shook as she watched them run with their coils of rope hung over their shoulders, their fists balled as they hastened toward the Hobbits. At their belts hung knives, she noted and two of them had large sacks looped through their belts, also. She had her little sling in her left hand and with her right hand she scrabbled through her vest pockets for what few stones she had left.

There was really no plan for those left in camp. As far as she could figure out they were just supposed to annoy the Big Folk, make them keep their attention on the Hobbits in the camp and off the three who were stealing supplies. Her own little plan, thrown together after Bingo ran off, was to jump up from behind the little rocky outcropping at the edge of the camp. Sling a few rocks at the men, then dodge away as fast as she could to somewhere they couldn’t reach her. She wouldn’t let any of them get too close . . . she was a good enough shot she could do that . . .

Two of them had run past her chasing some of her companions before she worked up the courage to put her plan in action. She scrabbled to the top of her rock and swung her loaded sling round and round, taking aim she let fly two rocks, one after another, hitting the man running past her now in the leg and in the arm.

‘I should run now,’ she thought to herself, seeing the stones had hit their mark. But he had growled and turned toward her. She could see his face, glaring at her. Sassy froze, a rabbit caught in a sudden light from a hunter’s lantern. A sudden gasp brought her to herself; she fell from her perch and scrabbled wildly to get to her feet and run . . . just run . . .

Just run! she screamed to herself.

The man she’d hit with her stones was not quick enough to catch up with her. She was going to get away. Hope gave wings to her feet as she flew from him.

But the last of the Big Folk, the one she hadn’t focused on, had seen her, too. And he angled toward her as she fled, his long legs running more rapidly than her little ones. He knocked her down, cuffing her on the side of the head hard with his coil of rope. Sassy fell and he grabbed her up roughly by her collar and stuffed her into his burlap sack. Stars and darkness swam in her head from the blow and the fall as he slung the bag over his back.

‘Got one of the little runts!’ she heard a gruff voice say before darkness took her . . .

[piosenniel]

** To Elvenhome **