Breelanders All! RPG

[piosenniel]

Early Morning of the Departure

Rosco woke to the sound of the door quietly closing. The sky was still dark as he looked through the curtains in the small room he shared with his brother at Mausi’s house. His gaze fell on the empty bed next to his and he sat up sighing. Berilac had gone out, as he had most every night, to watch the stars twinkle and then fade with the coming of the day. Rosco, curious at his behavior, had gotten up with him the first day he had done this. ‘What draws you out in the chilly wee hours of the morning, brother,’ he had asked. For a moment Berilac had remained silent, his eyes watching the moon slip down westward to the rim of the world and dip below it.

‘It’s my assurance, brother,’ he said quietly his brown eyes fixed on the western horizon. ‘Day follows night, the stars lighting the way through the darkness.’ He was quiet again, bowing his head slightly toward the west as the first fingers of pale light crept up in the east, throwing his long shadow down the path before him.

This morning was no different. Rosco pulled on his breeches and grabbing his cloak from the peg by the door, went out to stand by his brother. Berilac’s face bore a trace of sadness, put away but barely at the approach of the other Hobbit. He nodded at Rosco, then looked back to the glittering stars. ‘Look there,’ he said softly, pointing to the north east, ‘where the head of Soronúmë as the Elves call it, peeks just over the horizon.’ Rosco’s eyes followed his brother’s finger to spy out the few stars showing of the great Eagle. ‘My newest bairn should just be born this day, brother,’ the Ranger continued in a low voice. ‘Were I that eagle I would fly away home straight away.’ Rosco offered no words of comfort, only drew his younger brother near, putting his arm about his shoulders as he had often done in their younger years.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The wagons roll out the West Gate

It had been a very long night. Three great wagons had all been loaded, and men and Hobbits stood knuckling their eyes, trying to drive the weariness from them. Most of Bree had turned out to see the wagons off. A few wanting to say good-bye to friends they had made and most curious to see the ‘outlanders’ close up.

The children led the way, ignoring the calls of their parents to stay close. Eager to see the friends they had made when the women and children had come from the encampment to stay at the Inn, they ran pell mell through the Gate, squeezing past the wagons that lumbered through like great beasts. Across the dike-way and rushing like leaves pushed by the wind they sought out the children they had met, hailing them with cries of ‘Hey’ from their smiling faces. The outland children were just as eager in their greetings, running forward against their parents pleas to be careful.

Peony with Pearl and Hanson sought out the two little sisters and their littler brother they had played with at the Inn. A napkin filled with candies and a few cookies was handed over to the departing trio, followed by hugs and smiles.

Kari’s red curls could be seen near one of the girls whose arm was in a sling. ‘I’ve brought you a little game to play – you know, the one we liked when you were at the Inn.’ The other girl’s eyes shone as he opened up the hinged wooden box – there inside were the red and black round pieces, and when the box was opened fully, it sat flat with a checkerboard pattern on it. She smiled shyly at Karianne, then gave her a great hug. Kari made her promise that she would bring it back to play a game should her family come back to Bree. Willowfain was there, too as were Rollo and Randy – their laughter bubbling up as they saw their friends once more. Fippi came running up also, starting a game of tag with his new friends and waving at Ella and Mondy to come play for a while.

Mondy broke away from the game of tag to seek out Ian. Still weak from his wound, he could not run out with the other children. ‘I’ve something for you,’ he told Ian, fishing into his breeches pocket. Mondy hauled out a small leather pouch tied up tightly at the neck with a leather thong. Ian reached out for the familiar bag, his eyes shining. ‘Hey!’ a voice piped up from beside Mondy. Grinning up at the boy, Mondy fished out a similar bag for him. ‘You must be Meri,’ he laughed. ‘Looks just like you said, Ian,’ he went on. ‘Though I don’t see the hop-toad resemblance you mentioned!’ Ian winced as his brother smacked him on the arm. Meri opened the little bag, taking out the rounded clay marbles, glazed in shades of brown. ‘That’s the “shooter”,’ said Ian as Meri held up one that was a little larger sized. ‘I’ll show you how to play at our first camp,’ Ian continued. Mondy leaned in close to Meri, ‘Don’t let him cheat on you, now. He likes to put his knuckle inside the line and that’s not allowed.’ Meri looked at Ian with a knowing look. Ian laughed and smacked Mondy on the arm. ‘Now I’ll have to play fair with Toad!’

Will hung back with the older, not wanting to be thought a child, but Berilac nudged him forward, saying he should say his goodbyes. Little Lily went with him, her eyes big at the group of outlanders gathered across the field. ‘It will be fine,’ Will assured her. ‘And look there, isn’t that your little friend? The one you gave the dolly to?’

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Soon the wagons, followed by the older folk of Bree came up to where the families from the North awaited them. There were more good-byes said then, between the women of the two groups and little baskets given over to see the folk on their way.

The men who would drive the wagons westward clambered up to their seats, waiting patiently for the final farewells to be said, and awaiting the signal from Lotar to go forward . . .

_______________________________________________

Esgallhugwen's post

For once Poppy had to keep up with Lily, who was eager to be one of first at Bree Gate, to say farewell to her new friend and, the rest of the refugees. Will was seen instantly by Lily, who rushed over to him, "Hello Will!", she smiled, weaving past him she was amazed to see a vast group of people before her.
No matter where she looked, poor Lily, couldn't find the friend she made at the Inn.

"Isn't that your friend. The one you gave the dolly to?", Will pointed out to Lily. She gasped in excitement and looked up at Poppy.

"Yes, you can go say hello", Poppy waved her on.
She ran up to her and said, "I nearly missed you. You really shouldn't hide behind a wagon, I couldn't see you", the girl smiled and giggled.

Lily was carrying a small basket of cookies and candy. She passed it on to her dark haired friend, "Don't eat all of it at once, you may not feel too great after; believe me, I know", she smirked.

Poppy smiled at Little Lily's friendly gesture. She spoke to Rosie, "I'm so relieved, I doubted for awhile if this would end peacefully. I was afraid for everyone, funny how things turn out for the best, maybe it is luck".

"Maybe it is, maybe it's how it was meant to be", Rosie replyed.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Kali and Ian:

Ian lay on the hay in the back of the wagon nestled down beside several other children who were still too weak to walk for such a long distance. He was wrapped securely in a blanket that Lilac had given him earlier that morning. His sister Meri stood alongside the dray horse putting a steadying hand on the reins to make sure that the animal remained in place. Ian's mother sat in the back with the sick and injured children, helping to nurse them.

Ian leaned over the side and flashed a welcoming smile as he spied Kali sprinting towards the wagon. "You're almost ready to go," the young hobbit beamed. " Mama says that you're going to travel to a new town, just like we did. You'll have a home of your own and everything!"

"That's what my father says too."

"That's your dad? " Kali's eyes followed to where Ian was now pointing. He could see a large man astride a horse near the front of the column, a great broadsword strapped about his waist. "He's really big. " observed Kali. "Even bigger than most of the Big Folk I know."

Ian looked up and grinned, "Yes, and I plan to be twice as tall."

"Don't do that!" warned Kali. "You'll never fit in our burrow. You will come back and visit us?" Kali quickly added.

"I hope so. Master Lotar says that we will trade with Bree once things settle down. I've told my father I want to be a trader. That way, I can travel wherever I want. I still have the good luck rock you gave me. " Ian unclenched his fist and showed the treasure hidden inside. "I'm going to put it up in our new house as soon as we get where we're going."

"Don't forget, at the end of your journey, you write a letter to me and give it to Ranger Berilac. He'll bring it to me before he leaves for home."

"I promise. But my sister will have to help me with some of the big words."

"I know," Kali sighed. "That's the one thing big sisters are good for."

The two boys giggled and continued their chatting as other children came running up to join them.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Andreth hurried over to the waiting wagons, passing out small pieces of candy to the children who'd been staying at the Inn. She was soon besieged with eager hands from all sides, and her wicker basket of candies was quickly emptied. She had one other keepsake tucked underneath her cloak: a book of tales that she had read to the children while they had been recovering at the Pony. She had quietly approached Ian and slipped the volume into his eager hands, asking him to make sure that he and Meri would share the stories with the other children, many of whom did not know how to read. He had grinned widely and promised to do that.

Andreth also made a point to speak with Kirima and wish her well. At one time, the Innkeeper had hoped that the woman would decide to make Bree her home and had even offered her a post and lodging at the Pony. Although surprised and pleased by this, Kirima had declined, explaining that she could not desert her kin and friends, not when they'd been through so much together and a happier ending seemed almost in reach. They had parted with a hug and had promised not to forget one another.

After spying Lilac seated on a log near the back of the crowd, Andreth dried her eyes and went over to her, sitting down for a casual chat. Gradually, the conversation came around to more serious matters. "I've never thanked you, Lilac, for visiting me that day. If you hadn't said something, I would still be thinking these decent people were monstors."

"My words helped. But you were willing to listen. There were many who would have tossed me out on my ear! "

Andreth laughed and squeezed Lilac's hand, then turned serious again. "Still, I can't help but wonder about what Guthwine said. That, without the raids on the farms, we wouldn't have listened to their plea. Bree only helped because we were forced into it. I don't want to think that's true, but he may be right."

Andreth's words trailed off as she looked over at her friend. The older woman shrugged her shoulders in reply, "Who can say? The Mayor and Berilac are decent folk. Perhaps if Lotar and Guthwine had come at the very beginning, there wouldn't have beed need for the raids. But I don't expect we'll ever know for sure."

Lilac gazed about the grove and smiled, "But that's not our only question without an answer. Look at your neighbors and tell me what you see."

The Innkeeper scanned her fellow Breelanders and shrugged, "Folk chatting, getting an eyeful of the refugees, and a few neighbors doing business with each other. Looks fairly normal to me, despite all the excitement."

"Aye, fairly normal. Big and little folk together...."

Andreth looked up sharply and shook her head, "You're right Lilac. This would never have happened just three months ago. Hobbits and Men standing next to each other as if it was the most normal thing in the world."

Lilac smiled, "It has become normal for Bree. But as far as I know, it's the only place where this has happened."

"And would it have happened without the threat from the bandits?" Andreth pressed.

"I've no idea, but I'm glad it did happen. It should make things easier for us in the future."

Andreth nodded her head and smiled, as she saw her son and Kali scampering off together across the grove.

[piosenniel]

Orofaniel's post - Rosie

Hedgar was now leaning on Rosie's shoulder. He was tired, but no one could really blame him; He'd been making horses of wood all day, and trying to explain to Fippi how to do it as well. "It's all in your hand, sonny" he'd said several times to Fippi's annoyance. He wasn't half as good as his old man, and probably never would be either. Rosie had tried to comfort him a little by saying that young ladies liked men that could cook, then turning her eyes towards Hedgar while he'd tried to ignore her.

"Don't you think its great how this all ended?" Hedgar said while yawning. Rosie shrugged just to get him of her and smiled gently. "Yes, I think we all managed this quite well...." she said and smiled even wider.

The wagons were now rolling towards the gate, but they weren't ready to leave yet, there were still some good bye kisses to be given out. Fippi hurried over to one of the wagons where some of the children from the Inn were sitting. Rosie recognized all of them as she came closer.

Rosie was holding two baskets in her hands with treats she wanted to give the children. She knew how much children liked cookies, and she knew these were no exceptions. "Do you all like cookies?" Rosie asked teasingly. She, of course, knew the answer. The children smiled and waited, while they muttered something to each other enthusiastically. "Then, I guess you do..." Rosie said and nodded sternly...."Too bad we haven't got any then," Fippi said sounding very disappointed, while he shook his head. (It was all an act though.) The children sank down in the wagon, seeming disappointed as well.

"Fippi!" Rosie laughed merrily. "Of course we have cookies!" She continued. The child that was sitting closest to Rosie was now jumping towards her of joy holding his hands out. "You know what...I'll give you the basket 'ere..." She said and handed him the basket. It was quite heavy actually and you could see that the little child was using some real muscles. "And you'll keep an eye on it for me....Make sure everyone gets some, alright?" Rosie said in all confidence. "Yes, mam," He said and smiled, seeming a bit proud of getting such a big responsibility as this: keeping the basket safe, and making sure that everyone got some cookies.

"Who wants to be in charge of the other basket then?" Rosie cried loudly. Some of the children were now whining after it, stretching their arms after it hoping that they'd be the lucky ones. "I believe you three are fit for the job," Rosie said and handed over the other basket. The children laughed of joy and thanked her. "My pleasure..." Rosie said and blushed. "Hope you like 'em," she added and said her good byes. "Now, children, eat as much as you possibly can..." She whispered as no one except them, could hear her. The children laughed as Rosie turned and waved. She took Fippi’s hand and left the wagon.

She then knew that they would be alright.....

“By the way….” Rosie said and turned towards the wagon once again. The children noticed this and waited.

[piosenniel]

Novnarwen's post - Hedgar & Fippi

The sweat was still running down his forehead. He had never been this productive before. This thought had been inspiring and made him feel even more eager to continue. He had been carving for the last hours, in order to make the little ones happy when they started their new life.

Fippi came running towards Hedgar. The man waved at his son, as he finished the last wooden figure, dropping it into a bag. The old Hobbit tried to follow his son, but had great difficulties running, especially now, when holding the heavy bag in his hand. Luckily, they weren’t that far away from the gates. His son eyes were lit up with excitement. “Ready?” he asked, blinking. Hedgar nodded eagerly as they started their way back down to the gates. The wagons were ready to roll out the Gate as Hedgar and Fippi approached, the father breathing heavily. He shrugged as Rosie came over, complaining about how late he was. She grinned though, as soon as he opened the bag, apparently satisfied by the job Hedgar had done.

Fippi went over to one of the children he had played with at the Inn. The child was no more than 4-5 years. His hair ran down to his ears, which stuck out from his rather round head. The boy’s eyes were lit with a fire, many of the children had shown the last day. Was it hope? Hope of something new and better. Hope of starting a new life… He made a sigh of relief as he discovered Fippi.

Hedgar looked at them for a moment, before coming over as well, lifting the child up. “You’re heavy,” he said and laughed. The child grinned, and looked into Hedgar’s bag, which Fippi now was holding. The boy laid his hands over his mouth, being surprised. He looked at Hedgar before turning again to Fippi. With laughter, he picked something up from the bag, eyes wide open. He laughed again as he held the Horse of wood and called for some other children, standing nearby. "That's yours," Fippi said, "My dad has made it. I've helped him though," he continued. Hedgar smiled at his son. "Yup, we make a great team, sonny," he said, looking at the boy who was admiring the Horse. The Hobbit urged the boy to go and find his other friends. "They should get a horse too," Hedgar told the boy and waved him off.

Moments after the rumour of the Hobbits' horses was spread and Hedgar and Fippi were overwhelmed. In the middle of the crowd of children, the two Hobbits were handing out horses of wood. As soon as they had emptied the bag, the children were off to play with them, first, thanking the two Hobbits. Hedgar was left behind with the empty bag, being stunned. He had never in his wildest dreams imagined that his horses of wood would be that popular. With this thought in mind, he tromped triumphantly over to Rosie, who looked pleased as well.

When their departure was announced, the children hurried climbing up and into the wagons. A handful of the children were holding a Horse each. This especially made Hedgar wave. First gently, then more eagerly, soon almost waving his hands off. “Relax!” Rosie said, taking her husband’s arm. Hedgar looked at her with innocent eyes, not sure what to do. “If you start waving now, you’ll make the rest of us look bad,” she said, laughing. By this, Hedgar understood. He would wait a few minutes before continuing his intense waving. Suddenly he realised, that his eagerness of waving was driven by his feelings. He could finally realise that Big Folk weren’t that bad at all, not even outlaws . . .

For a moment he stood silently watching the children and the others. What on earth had been taking him so long to understand this . . .?

[piosenniel]

Nurumaiel's post - Edmund

Edmund stood near his mother, considering gravely the events of the past few weeks. He thought of Kali, of the conies, of the sick children, and most of all his mother. He thought with great fondness and tenderness upon her in such a way that one would not believe a little boy of seven could think, but in a way that only a little boy of seven could think. He knew he had behaved terribly to her by his nasty conduct towards others, and he wished he hadn't. He loved her as dearly as a little boy could. How often he had wished he didn't have a mother, but surely he was wrong. Surely he loved her more than any other person in all Breeland and as far as the world went.

And how deeply he had loved his father. Edmund thought of both his father and his mother in the same fashion, in such a way that could not be described for only the innocent and wise mind of a child can understand such deep thoughts.

"O-oh, E-e-edmu-und!" The piercing cry reached the boy's ears and he turned to greet Kali, who was tripping towards him with a gay smile. Perched on the hobbit's shoulder was Edmund's squirrel. Kali laughed and gestured to it. "I found him scampering about and nearly getting smashed by feet," he said. "I think he's really starting to like me. He's always been friendly but he doesn't hesitate at all when I call him."

A rather painful memory had flashed through Edmund's mind. He saw himself and group of other boys forming a circle around Kali, laughing at the hobbit's vain attempts to recover his cap and calling him all sorts of terrible names. A deep crimson blush came to his face as he looked down at Kali's laughing face. He said nothing to the hobbit of what he was thinking, but merely asked him in great earnest, "Kali, are we friends at all?"

Kali nodded merrily in assent and then gave it not a second thought. "Edmund," he said in a low voice, as if confiding a great secret. "Edmund, your squirrel has a sweetheart." Edmund's eyes widened in disbelief and then he let his laughter mingle with Kali's. "Do you think she'll like us as much as he does, Edmund?"

"She'll have to learn, I guess," Edmund said. "But that means he won't be staying at my home anymore."

"I don't think your mamma would like that too much, anyway," said Kali. "One squirrel is bad enough but a whole family of the little rascals might drive her mad." He laughed again and then, looking up at Edmund with the greatest confidence and respect, he was so bold as to grasp his friend's hand. Edmund held it tightly. And so both the boy of the Little Folk and the boy of the Little Folk became best of friends, and they ran merrily off, Kali illustrating his plans to draw a family portrait of the squirrel's family as soon as there was one.

[piosenniel]

Arestevana's post

Kirima stood slightly apart from the throng of Breefolk and Outlanders at the gates of the town. She watched the bustle of activity around the wagons with a slight feeling of shock. Everything seemed to have moved so quickly since the meeting in the clearing. The acceptances of terms, the wild rush of preparations, and now the day of their departure had arrived. She found herself laughing, caught up in the infectious excitement of the children around her. They were going to a new place; a place of their own, to make a homeland of it. It would be a place to start over, to raise families and remember those who were gone, without the need for war or for fear.

Kirima recalled Andreth’s offer of a job and a place to stay at the Inn. For a moment it had tempted her, no more. She had been through too much with the other refugees to break away from them. The hardships had brought them all so close together; friends became as close as kin. There had been so many goodbyes to say, more than she had expected: Andreth, Lilac, Rudgar, the children from the town whom she had met when they came to the Inn to visit the sick outland children, and the Breefolk who had helped them. Kirima found herself being wished good fortune by townsfolk she had never met. It seemed almost unbelievable that she had once thought of these kindly, peace-loving folk as enemies.

The noise of people talking was accented by the creaks of the wagons as children jumped in and out of them. Kirima laughed, thinking that they would have to search the wagons before they left in case any of the children of the town had decided to sneak aboard. Lotar and Kandel were talking some distance away, and she walked over to join them. Lotar was smiling, and it was good to see the change in him. A change had been worked in all of them, Kirima thought. Though they would always remember those who had been killed in the raids, there was a lessening of the emptiness now. They could look toward the future, and they could see hope there.

_______________________________________________

Eruantalon's post

Smiling, Rudgar met Kirima in the streets. She bid him goodbye and he told her she was like a sister to him now. He would find a happy home here in Bree. Carts bustling in and out of the town made their way up. Everything had finally come to a close. He saw Lotar from a far and let Kirima join them. He had never reconciled with Lotar and didn’t see this as the time.” Another day” he thought to himself. People here where kinder than he had first thought. People where smiling and kind. He wanted to try and live here instead of just leave. Making his way about the hurried town he found something odd. Everyone was rushing in like a new house that was being moved into.

A cook was in his shop hurrying to try and feed people. He smelled the food and went in.

“Sir if you plan on cooking that roast right turn up the oven. But sear the roast in a pan first! You’ll want to seal in the juice so it doesn’t go dry!” Now, moving forward with his usually cocky stride. “See these herbs they should spear the meat. That way air gets in and cooks the roast faster.”

“If you know so much about food why don’t you come in here and cook! Foolish boy I have enough hungry customers and need help!”

Walking in and setting an apron on (which was old and shaggy), he then starting doing as the man said. “ I’m Rudgar sir.” He said in a quick huff. “Well I’m Baldrake.” The man replied. “Would you like a job as a cook Rudgar? It seems second nature to you. You could help me here. We’ll be needing it with all the new people here.”

“Yes sir that would suit me fine!”

Rudgar spent the evening feeding hungryy customers and grinning all the time. Thinking to himself, “I dreamed of piles of gold! Now I have piles of pans and couldn’t be happier!”

[piosenniel]

Chathol-linn's post for Harald

Harald watched the big wagons roll out. They did not carry fearsome enemies but hopeful friends. Their common interests were plain. Already he could see Telien consulting with Lotar and Guthwine about a future strengthening of the guard. The lads and lasses of both communities could contribute to the effort, because, as Guthwine had pointed out, sometimes swords were called for.

“I must be sure to reward Andreth and Lilac,” he said to Dantha, who stood nearby.

“Yes,” said she. “Lilac knows whereof she speaks.”

“And Missus Andreth showed her quality above and beyond the suspicions she rightly held,” said Harald. “She may never get over the death of her husband, but she has healed some nevertheless.”

“Speaking of changing and such, the Mayor has grown some too since the first days of autumn,” Dantha said, smiling. “Not to mention Telien. You both take your jobs seriously now.”

“I take more than that seriously,” replied Harald, taking her hand. “I take you seriously, and I have a very serious question to ask you.”

“Harald, is it what I think?” Dantha turned as pink as a rose, and she clasped his hand between her own, and kissed it.

“Perhaps, but first I must tell you something….”

“A confession?” Dantha swallowed hard.

“Well, yes, but it is not my own confession. Ahem, well.” Around them, the rumble of the wagons faded away, and people Big and Little edged away also – a bit.

“Your kindness to Willofain has not gone unnoticed. Remember when you said she reminds you of someone? A few years ago Mum went to our kin in the east – it was before the Troubles started – and she liked it so much, she said, that she stayed the whole year. Turns out, she had…well, in short, I think Willofain is my little sister.”

Dantha said nothing.

Harald dropped to his knee in front of the whole town. “I love you, Dantha, I ask you to be my wife. And I love the little one too. Can we make her a part of the family we shall have?” Then suddenly Harald ran out of breath and he could not have uttered another word for the life of him. He was glad to be already kneeling, for otherwise he would have fainted.

And then it was as if the world was swooning with him, in gladness, for Dantha was saying, “Yes, Harald. Yes to both. Yes my love.”

And around them they heard the applause of all the Breelanders.

[Taralphiel]

Lotar stood with his son at his side, watching the carts begin to roll out of the West Gate, for the site prepared for them to live. It was something he had never dreamt of seeing in his long years. That he would be so fortunate to have a second chance given him by people he did not really know. He thought all light had been lost in the world. He was happy to say he was wrong. His hand in one of his pockets, he clenched the hairpin of his wife and smiled.

'Almost too much to watch for an old grump such as ye' Kandel teased 'And you did it all on your own! I am proud Father!'

'Bah! Dont think me soft boy, Ill show you otherwise' he chuckled back, and Kandel feigned fear.

Pausing, his son said 'I look forward to a small house, and a nice garden, and woods to scour for hunting. They all seem to me childhood fancies. Now they will be real. It is a good day father'

'Aye, it is' said Lotar.

Kandel saw some of the other bandits approach them. Among them were Kirima and Soran. Grinning, they called them over, and asked of their plans when they arrived at their new home.

'The task ahead of us will not be easy, but it will be a world less difficult than the life we were living. Im sure we will be fine' said Lotar.

'That, I am certain of Father' said Kandel and clapped his father on the shoulder.

[piosenniel]

~*~ To Elvenhome ~*~