Friends of Nimrodel: Tapestry of Dreams - Discussion

[Nurumaiel]

I'm heading over to do it right now, littlemanpoet. Thanks for letting me know of his actions! I wasn't to sure how bold he would be.

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

AYA!

I dare not miss out on posting in Bellyn's lessons! I just wanted to use this quick moment before school to let you guys know that I will come home frome school this morning (early dismissal week) and post.

Anything else you guys want in my post besides?

Off to school!
-Aylwen

[littlemanpoet]

Our idea is currently that Uien and Falowik arrive in Lorien one day after Amroth's party have left. The reason for their arrival, ostensibly, is so that Uien can show Falowik her homeland. The background to these two is that this man and this elf woman have fallen in love, and after wrestling with the difficulties of cross-race matches, Falowik has decided that their unionis worth far more than the pain of the eventual separation by death. Falowik has chosen against feeling guilty that he will be the one to die first; for her part, Uien has foresworn her immortality, but of course remains an Elf, thus following in the steps of Luthien.

When Uien and Falowik hear of Amroth and his search, the story strikes close to home for Uien, for she was also left behind, and left for lost in the mountains, and she will see visions not unlike Amroth's own, but from her own perspective. Maybe (I don't know, just speculating now), there is some relation between Uien's family and Nimrodel's, that allows her to dream of Nimrodel's actual current condition. Just a thought. Tell me if I'm way off on that. At any rate, Uien will be urgent to catch up to Amroth, and Falowik will, of course, come with.

[Elora]

Littlemanpoet!

Thanks so much for putting me in for this. I have decided to put in a hasty appearance lest others of this RP think me absent entirely. I'd like to do a complete read of things before I say further.

Thanks and well met to those who have so kindly welcomed me. I look forward to commencing.

Initial thoughts on the possible Nimrodel/Uien link. Uien's parents were of some stature within Lothlorien, their places firmed throughout the Second and Third Ages. It is possible on that societal basis that there is some familial connection between the two women. Perhaps through Uien's father's family.

Uien, as healer and Elf, is sensative and that familial bond would suggest that she dreams too, albeit from her perspective as Littlemanpoet has suggested. Mingled with her own memories of abandonment and being sundered from kith and kin, it would make for a potent impact.

But, no more until I sort out what's what a little better in my own head and answer any outstanding questions concerning Uien.

[mark12_30]

Elora! It's delightful to see you here, and delightful also to anticipate the effect of your skills and insights on each of the Tapestry writers. It's a great team.

Welcome to Tapestry!

[Elora]

Oh my, so much to read and I daren't breathe until I am sure I can do so without shaming myself in this fine company!

Such wonderful work you have all have crafted. I am filled with both enthusiasm ( as in "let us have at it!") and some trepidation. I hope my absence from collaborative writing will not betray me or the fine tale that is emerging.




I will endeavour to read the entire thread, and make notes, over the weekend. But, true to form, I have time right now to answer that questionnaire. Always time to talk about myself (self deprecatory grin bright for any who peep through the monitor screen)



Name (that you go by) : Karen, but I also have a stage name of Sahlah

Age: 31

Occupation: Emerging Author - first novel (fantasy) at publishers as we speak. To feed myself and my creative soul, I am also a Middle-Eastern Dancer. I work in a music shop too.

Future Aspirations: Get this bloody tale out of my head, into books, on the shelves and into people's hearts before all the characters drive me completely bonkers!

Goal in life: Live it like you'll never have a second chance

Short term goals: Survive the editor's knife without dissolving into precious diva tears and running to my therapist. Get a signed publication deal that will not drive me into pennury for the next 15 years.

Passion: Writing, most definately, but also music and dance

Hobbies: Swimming, ashatanga yoga (necessity for maintaining flexibility), pilates, sky diving from time to time (nothing improves your perspective on life on the ground like hurtling from 14,000 feet above sea level towards it)

Famous for (brag about yourself): Been nominated for a national dance award this year that I have not the faintest hope of winning. I'm just pleased it wasn't the Arabic Commediene of the Year Award, or special recognition for circus antics. A fair dinkum Middle-Eastern Dance award - bizzare but true.

Fave book: Hmmmm. Tolkien's works is a given.... Ulysses by James Joyce, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, The Inferno by Dante, Fury by Salman Rushdie, The God of Small Things... and anything involving psych thrillers and serial killers (my dirty little secret )

Fave movie: Star Wars (the first 3 - though that shows my age), Monty Python's Flying Circus, Dead Man Walking, Mystic River, Shrek

Fave sport: Rugby Union, but in a trip to the States in December 2003 I discovered the joys of Ice Hockey and now I am addicted to that.

Fave store: Music and book shops never fail to suck me into their vortex and chew up whole hours of my life.

Fave music: I simply adore arabian music, but aside from that I'm a clasical muso with strong Alternative, Indi, Rock tastes. DOn't mind the occassional rap or hip hop but I LOATHE with unashamed fervency the barest whiff of commercial, main stream music.

What you can't stand: I'm best known for my inability to tolerate fools. But I must state what I mean by that. I can be very patient, especially when I know the other person is trying as hard as they can. But, if they are simply being ignorant, arrogant and foolish, then hell hath no fury.

What you plain dislike: Hatred, Shania Twain, Intolerance, Cruelty

Who you admire: I still am an ardent admirer of the brave man who stood in front of a column of tanks in Beijing, white plastic shopping bag in hand and the bodies of the slain and injured lying bleeding around him.

What you most love to do: Honestly, eat and sleep

Your self-confessed flaws: Impatience, bearing grudges, rashness, pride pride pride and of course, hand in hand with that, sheer bloody minded, muleish stubborness

What intrigues/fascinates you: This is fairly evident in my writings, but I am fascinated by evil. I am intrigued by how it is portrayed, dealt with, described and measured. I am fascinated by how people respond to it, in particular the phenomenon of demonisation and the creation of "monsters". Slinky's also fascinate me.

What scares you: I am a raging arachnophobe, which made for an interesting interlude in the theatre's around the time that Shelob was rampaging over the screen, in 30foot colour and surround sound. Complete strangers found me clinging to them with unprecedented familiarity, peering from behind there shoulders like a timid mouse. Suffice it to say that the trailers for the film 8 Legged Freaks were enough to reduce my knees to jelly. Then again, try living with the most toxic spiders in the world and see how much you like them. I see my fear as rational and hence not a phobia. It's survival, I tell ya, when a bird-eating, barking pre-historic left over of a spider has set it's sights on you in your very home!

Quotation to live by: "No worries" It's a sarcastic thing with me, as I am a confirmed worrier.

Value-specific:

What do you want most in a friend? A true heart.

What do you want most in a teacher? Inhuman patience

What do you want most in an ally? Someone to check me before I stride off to do battle over some thing or another and ask me "You sure this is a good idea?"

What do you want most in a team-mate? Complete and total submission, of course.

( I should warn you that prior to writing, I was an Industrial Psychologist who specialised in corporate Human Resource Management. My professional idol was none other than Catbert, of Dilbert Fame, and to make matters worse I worked in the Financial Services Industry!)

What do you want people to remember most about you? There was a chick who knew how to laugh and knew her way around beer.

Writer-specific:

Your favorite work you've written so far: Hmmm..... this questionnaire? In truth, I think it would have to be my manuscript though the Editors might have a thing to two to say about that before all is said and done.

Your favorite character so far: I have an evil character that I adore. I love writing her, I love thinking for her, and its because she's a 3 dimensional, understandable evil that is accessible and not some alien monster thing. You'll meet her soon, I hope, at your nearest book store. (I know, I'm a tease as well as a know it all smart alec)

What you plan to write soon: The second novel, for the tale is bigger than one book

What inspires you to write: Human nature and the great "What if" premise that underlies all speculative fiction.

What makes your writing stall: Lack of vision and time, lack of focus and determination, and I'm a shocking procrastinator too from way, way back.

Do you get writers' block and how do you overcome it? Sure do. I find I try to go back and work on concept developments - characters, histories, geographies, politics, culture and so on. After about 5 minutes, I go make coffee and play with the dog.

Middle-Earth specific:

Your favorite ME character(s)? First Age - Fingolfin, Maedhros, Maglin, Turin Turambar. The rest pale in comparison to those for me. I'm a silmarillion gal.

What do you like about them? There is a tragic nobility, a distant air of fairness in the face of such foulness, of courage, strength and frality wrapped in the elvish characters of the First Age. I'm an Elf junkie at heart. I adore Turin Turambar, all the despair and darkness, failed joy, hopelessness.... a tragedy indeed. He'd be my favourite over all.

Your favorite moment(s) from the Trilogy? The Prancing Pony Inn, The Bridge of Khazad-Dum, The Rangers of Ithilien

Your favorite plot twist(s) from the Trilogy? Of all, Gandalf's fall and return. I remember clear as yesterday where I was when I first read he fell as a child (on the trampoline at home on the farm on a sunny afternoon after school). Tears ran down my childish cheeks and I had to put the book down and weep. My parents were mystified. Happened all over again when he reappeared. I was certain it was Saurman. On that occassion I capered with childish glee, tears of joy. My parents decided it was time for Ritalin and therapy.

Looking at your personality as it is, what race do you belong to in Middle-Earth and why? Probably a hotheaded Elf who joined Fingolfin and Finarfin in their exodus from Eldamar. Failing that, by appearance I'd have to say Rohirrim, but pursuits, I'd have to say Harradrim (Arabic influence, and somewhat fiesty spirit)

What race would you *like* to belong to in Middle-Earth and why? Well, I think facial hair would itch abomidibly, so not the Dwarves. Probably Elf or Numenorian. Still, being a contrary and peverse soul, I wouldn't object to being Khandese or Rhunic

What place(s)would you live in Middle Earth and why? Simple, that one. Ithilien. Has the best library around.

Where would you want to visit? Edoras, Minas Tirith, Lothlorien, Mirkwood. I hear Thraduril throws a high time of a party.

How would you travel? Well, I'd start on horse back but given as it's been so long since last I rode (and I nearly always end up loosing a battle of wills with a mountain of horse flesh that weighs at least 4 times what I do) I'd invariably end up on my own two feet.

Besides the usual camping & travel stuff, what single special item is in your knapsack and why? My zills. I can write in my mind, and spin verbal tales, but I must dance and with zills I can create my own accompaniment to free that side of my character.

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

HI ELORA!!!!

**waves**



Welcome to the crew...and, uh, please don't worry about shaming thyself in our company. Or, at least don't worry about shame in my company.

Whooo...that was exciting...



-Aylwen

P.S. - Awww Nethwador/Mellon is so sweet...awww...

[Imladris]

Eep! I'll edit quickly.

Hmm...I'm not sure what to do about Gwyllion...*whistles absently for Jorge*

[Imladris]

I spose they didn't have CPR back then?

Well -- I did a post...I'm not happy with it but you all get the general gist. Even if I wasn't rushed I would not have been happy with it. I've just never had a close one near death before so it is all rather new....

Cheers,
Imladris

[mark12_30]

Orual-- I hadn't planned on Ravion showing up so soon, but I'm glad he did! And Aeron too. That worked out very well. Better than I had hoped! As I wrote it, Mellonin's arm took a blade-hit in the underwater scuffle. Nobody knows by who because of the murk. I think (if you'd like, Orual) that Mellonin also punctured Ravion while she was hacking away; location & severity of scratch/ cut/ wound is obviously your choice.

One minor thought-- I hadn't pictured the Entwash Delta as being a place for trees, but I guess there could be some evergladish swamp trees... After their December swim, they'll be desperate for firewood, so it's just as well. But they are bound to be strange trees to these landlubbers. Someone ought to remark on that.

Immy, your post is fine, I thought it worked out quite well! Very Aeronish. Great idea about the venom when Gwyllion is caught. It made Gwyllion's long submersion more plausible. Gwyllion ought to be rather sick from the poison, and Ravion and Mellonin too, although they probably got a lesser dose. I think the group will have to take a day of rest, though; perhaps they'll travel for an hour or so inland to leave the beastie behind and then they'll need a fire.

I'm glad Gwyllion made it through! I was worried.

So-- Since Raefindan is still pretty sick and weak, Aeron gets to be the doctor for a day! Good old Jorje can show up after all the excitement is over with a nice dead rabbit? Or fish? Jorje's constant absence when he'd come in handy is annoying! But I've been thinking of him as a tracker type; a nose-hunter, not a fighter or herd-dog. Just good on a scent. But the team need not discover his tracking skills for quite a while yet; he can just hang around, fend for himself and be uselessly annoying til we get to Edhellond and beyond. Sound okay, lmp? (Since he's your dog...)

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

All right, my friends.

I just wanted to remind you guys so that you didn't think I was disappearing...

As said in my discussion thread post on 6/13, I'm leaving today on vacation. I'll be back for about a day on Thursday, and I'll use it to maybe (hopefully) get a post up. Then I'm leaving again. Whoo...

Well, I just wanted to let you all know!

Have fun!

-Aylwen

[littlemanpoet]

Shoot! I keep forgetting about Jorje! I'll edit my post to take care of that. I'll also edit for the cuts and whatnot, and the cold, which here in June, we're all tending to forget about!

Rae could have recalled CPR, but it turned out not to be needed. Maybe later.

[Orual]

lmp, thanks for adding in Ravion's cut--last night I didn't have time to check the discussion thread. (This is mainly due to the fact that I just heard that I'd landed the lead in a Shakespeare play, though I hate to brag... )

Helen, yeah, I was thinking of a cypress or something. I live in a pretty swampy area, and there are always stands of trees--I could certainly edit if you'd like, though.

[Elora]

*Screws eyes shut and tries valiantly to forget the cold. Opens eyes and finds self still shivering*

"Ah well, at least its a tropical southern hemisphere winter," Elora's writer sighs with a wry smile.


Folks, I'm in the process of drafting up an opening post (thanks to a much needed prompt from lmp ). I was a little bashful and hanging back so that I didn't trample in too early and spoil things.


Being a thick head - I'd like a cue as to when to post, so I do not become a veritable fly in the creative ointment *buzz buzz*


*lmp throws his hands up, sighs and wonders what else he needs to do - apart from bellow "POST NOW!!!!!!!" in his best drill seargent impersonation*

[mark12_30]

Drill Sgt lmp, ten-hut-- Bellow on three.

One... Two....

(actually, Elora, you can always post it here on the discussion thread, and then we can decide where it'll go inthe flow of things.)


THREE!


ps.:

What place(s)would you live in Middle Earth and why? Simple, that one. Ithilien. Has the best library around.

It does? I didn't know that! Who gets credit for that? Faramir? Does he rebuild Osgiliath...?

[Elora]

Oooopppps!


My bad..... I did a copy and paste for the formatting of an earlier response (being essentially lazy and not wanting to retype all the questions as well as my answers.) I must have skipped over Ithilien in my haste and tiredness (being a late night post and me overdue for my bedtime). I meant Imladris, as I have always been torn between deciding where I would spend most of my time there - Hall of Fire, the Library of Elrond or skipping about the Gardens making a nuisance of myself with those Elves who sat in trees serenading Bilbo, Thorin, Gandalf et al....


OK, based on sketches by email between lmp and I, I've shaped up an entry point. Uien and Falowik, having departed Mirkwood (a necessary journey associated with events of the Hills of Evendim), draw close to Uien's childhood home around the time the search party leaves Lothlorien (and day before or after). Uien has started having dreams that trouble and confuse her. She cannot decide if they are her own memories and dreams, or those of another, given the similarity and contrasts. By those dreams Uien shall be guided towards the search party, and perhaps they to her.... but that is just a concept at the moment (imho = in my humble opinion)

It's a draft, of that you can be sure, so I am not emotionally attached to it in any way. In fact, I may emphatically disown it later on.

So let me know what you think.


Opening Post for Uien and Falowik

Uien stood, watching the eastern horizon colour with the ascension of the Sun, arms wrapped around her. It was quiet; the world paused as if holding its breath as it moved from night into day. It was a time of peace, introspection, and not unruly strange musings. Her brow furrowed as she attempted to right the disorder she had woken into, straight from another uncannily vivid dream. Elf, she was familiar with the way memory and dream entwined. But not this…. It was tangle…. Too clear to be dream, yet too foreign to be her own memory. Or was it? Uien sighed, brow furrowing and gaze unfocussed as she tried to recall. Abandonment…. Chill despair…. The sensation of being lost, a terrible thing. Lost so that no one could find you, beyond all redemption and recall…. The horror…. Yes, they were her memories alright. Uien’s arms tightened around her. She knew those things and more still. But her dreams were different. There was restlessness in them… and… a madness? She had thought herself mad in the pits. She had abandoned her senses and her reality in a last desperate defence to survive the torment….

But survive she had. She had been brought out by the unlikeliest of rescuers. That was long ago now. Since then she had slowly reclaimed, piece by piece, herself. Indeed, she had gained so much more than she had lost to Caradhras and the orcs. She could hear Falowik’s soft breathing, still regular in sleep, behind her. She had gained her Lauréatan. She turned back to look upon his sleeping face. He was dreaming, she saw. May his dreams be fairer than hers. It made no sense for her to be dreaming as she was. They were not her dreams, not her memories. She was happier than ever she had been. She did not know from whence they came, or what they meant. She would have to find out if they were to stop. Uien unfolded her arms and returned, kneeling beside where Falowik slept and dreamt. He was far from where they were. Where did he wander? Her face lost its pensive cast and softened into a smile of startling tenderness. She brushed golden hair from his brow and he stirred in his sleep, eyes drifting open lazily, the echoes of dreams still in their blue depths.

Uien bent over him and pressed a kiss to his brow, softly, her pale hair falling in rivers around him.

“Good morning, beloved,” she said. Falowik’s answering smile sent her heart soaring and the uncertainty and confusion that woke her was forgotten in its flight. The dawn light danced delicately around them, through the trees in a soft glow. “I slept too long,” he said. “Nay,” she replied, “You have woken just in time for dawn to greet you.” Falowik pushed himself up to sit, rubbing his face. He saw that already their small camp fire had been lit once again. He looked at Uien in question, his mind as quick as ever. “How long have you been awake,” he asked. It was not the first time Uien had been up and about before him. A pattern was emerging. Uien demurred, “Not long, Lauréatan. Look the water boils already.” She rose and crossed to where water bubbled, removing the tin and pouring out two steaming cups of tea. Falowik was not so easily put aside.

“Are you having trouble sleeping, Fair One?” Uien sighed, unhappy to have worried him over a trifle such as her dreams. “It is nothing, truly. Besides, I love well to watch you sleep.” She handed Falowik a hot mug of tea, its herbal scent refreshing and rousing. She sipped at her own, sitting down by his side. Falowik looked closely at her as she did so. Uien smiled, but not before he saw the remnants of her early morning wonderings in her face. “We will reach Lothlórien soon, my love.” Her joy was clear, at least. Perhaps, Uien thought as she sipped, her dreams were nothing unusual. After all, she was returning home at last. All these years she had stayed away, shamed by the pits, and thought lost. Memories would be dredged up, and perhaps she forgot some things to protect herself. Falowik’s arm wound around her shoulders and she nestled into him. The dreams would stop once they had come to her home. Yes, they would stop then. Between the comfort of Falowik at her side, and the long ached for return to her childhood home, Uien’s unrest melted away into the sunrise.

[mark12_30]

Elora,

I finally had time to read and think! Your opening post is lovely, and weaves well; good work.

She's golden-haired, eh? Any relation to Galadriel? (Just kidding!!!! I'm not a hair-color-nazi!!! As long as her hair isn't red, I'm happy!)

Once you've determined the date (you can get to a timeline from my sig, PM me with any questions) go ahead and post it . We usually try to put the date and location in the title (especially when it's changed) and if a writer has more than one character we put the character in the title too.

What path have they taken towards Lorien? Did they cross the mountains? If they had come down from the mountains and followed the Celebrant, it would be fitting if the dreams began when they neared the Nimrodel. Or if you want the dreams to go back further than that they could have travelled along the Nimrodel (maybe even from its birthplace in the mountains) with both the dreams and the stream growing in strength and intensity.

Once again, lovely work. Welcome to Tapestry!

[mark12_30]

...waiting with baited breath...

Elora...?

[Nurumaiel]

I'll try to come up with something, Helen, but I have to study the timeline for a bit... I've found myself confused as to where the Rohan group is and what day it is and what time of day it is. Are we still on the day of the fiddle lesson, or have we moved on? If the former, are we travelling yet or are we still stopped there?

[mark12_30]

The Rohan group is on Dec 20. The fiddle lesson was at lunchbreak, and they are riding south along the river again. You can put the time anywhere from midafternoon on. Feel free to take the group to the 21st!

[Elora]

Elora tries to slip quietly through the door, a difficult task when one is festooned in a coined hip scarf...


Sorry, I'm still around. I'm a little busy right now. Have a paid gig (a wedding, in fact) tonight and I'm working hard at perfecting routines. It's the small things that make a difference, and if I know they're done right I'll be all the happier and so will the reception guests.

I'll come back to you on dates, paths, the specifics you've requested once I've finished earning my keep.

[mark12_30]

lmp,

I'm thinking that Raefindan will discern that the nightmares have doubled in intensity (for both himself and Mellonin) since their encounter with the swamp-elf. Sound good?

Also, I'm thinking that Amroth, Erebemlin, and Taitheneb could "intercept" (BFLW) the swamp-elf's thoughts as he sends nightmares towards Raefindan. (Do they just spill over into Mellonin's dreams? Or is he also expanding his curse on Nimrodel, and *that* is spilling into Mellonin's dreams? Hmmm.)

Anyway one option is that Ædegard's team could come thundering south to find and confront the swamp-elf. They'd stumble across Ravion's Ramblers -- either before or after. I like before; I think it would be great to have Mellonin witness the confrontation between Mellondu-Amroth and Broken-faith-Swamp-Elf.

Do they kill Swamp-elf or leave him or take him captive? oooo.... I like the captivity thought. He'd be wreaking havoc the whole time. Maybe they use him to find Nimrodel-- or they try to ; he bitterly leads them astray? Hmmm.... just how evil IS this guy???

[mark12_30]

Nuru, great choice of songs! It always strikes me that it's a reflection of the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. Stunning song.

[Elora]

Alrighty then.... (sorry folks - Ace Ventura, Pet Detective was the re-run Sunday Night movie at my place last night )


The date of Uien and Falowik's arrival is the day after Amroth's party departs Lorien. Now, the time line document loaded funny on my screen, but if I have done it right, that would place their arrival on the 18th December.

As for the path, they came from Eryn Lasgalen by way of the Anduin. For that reason, I thought it likely that Uien's dreams would begin as she neared the immediate vicinity of the Nimrodel and Celebrant.

As for her hair colour, it's a characteristic of appearance she in fact derived from an earlier incarnation who was indeed descended from Finarfin. I changed her name and history in another RP for expediency at the time, but retained the golden hair so she would be a little recognisable still.

I'm still a little hazy on her parent's lineage.... So far, I have modelled them on Celeborn and Galadriel... But with her father being Noldorin and of Galadriel's (and hence Finafin by default's) following and her mother Sindarin. They followed Galadriel and Celeborn after following Amroth, from Doriath at the end of the First Age, through to Lorien in the Second Age, abiding there in the Third Age. Her father and eldest brother dying in the battles of Lorien and then Mirkwood (Taur e-Ndaeldelos) , and remaining elder brother and her mother departing for Eldamar at the conclusion of the Third Age.


Hope that clears a few things up.

[littlemanpoet]

I hadn't considered that the swamp-elf's nightmare-giving could continue after Raefindan leaves, but I think it's a fantastic idea! So yes, Raefindan can figure this out, but not until after Mellonin is willing to tell him her dream.

Let the Elves intercept. Another great idea. As for the type of "spill-over", heck, this is story, so go for the more dramatic, as long as it fits canon. To me, both do.

Let Ædegard and company stumble on the Elf before, for the same reason - more fodder for a good read!

Take the swamp-elf captive. We need a villain. The more troubled and contorted, the better (think of Sméagol). He needs to do as much damage as he can, but not just out of some kind of two-dimensional "I am evil so I do these things" motivation. You've already established (at least, to us) his personal torture at having been rejected by Nimrodel. Deepen the character. If you want help, I'd be glad to. Maybe we can all lend ideas toward this.

[Orual]

Quick question about dates--for the Gondor group, is it now the 22nd, or the 23rd? Because as I remember, I'm supposed to bring Erundil in on the 23rd.

[mark12_30]

I am editing my last post to bring the Rohan group forward another day. So Aedegard's group (as of the edit) is on Dec. 21. Somebody can bring them downriver another 50 miles to another campsite and we'll make it Dec 22, and hten they'll be even! Wohoo!

Ravion's group is on Dec 22. Erundil comes tomorrow.

I'll update the timeline too.

(edit: both done)

[alaklondewen]

lmp, I moved my last post to its rightful place after your post. Flows much more smoothly, I think.

[mark12_30]

Oooo, Nuru: what a wonderful idea!
"The Lay of Mellondu and Amroth's Fourth-Age Quest"?

LOVE IT!!! LOVE IT!!!

**Jumping up and down**

[mark12_30]

We could each do a couple of sections. Ædegard could do the alliterative stuff. Amroth could add a few nightmares. Liornung could pull it all together and weave it into a whole.

**meanders off humming**

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Hey everyone!

I got back this morning from my vacationing in lovely Québec. I'll get a post up sometime today between practice, sleeping, and unpacking.

-Aylwen

P.S. Québec really is a wonderful place, you know.

[Nurumaiel]

Well, Helen, I'm glad you're so enthusiastic about Secgrof's little idea. If all the members of the company pitch in and help Liornung out a little, perhaps he can sing it at the end of the game when he is once again sitting by the fire of 'the Inn.'

A quick question: would you prefer the ballad to be rhyme or no rhyme? It would prove more of a challenge to make it all rhyme, of course, but I think it would be amazingly fun to do.

Looking forward to your post, Aylwen! I'm glad to hear you had a lovely trip, and it's good to know that you came home safely.

[mark12_30]

I think it would be fun to shoot for a blend of alliteration and rhyme; some sections rhyming (sung by Liornung, if he likes, or Amroth, Erebemlin, Taitheneb) and some sections alliterative, sung by those Rohirric types.

We can see what happens. It'll be partly driven by inspiration, after all...

[Imladris]

I feel as if the Gondor team has been lost in the dark. What should we be doing?

[mark12_30]

Uh.... good point. I'd better have Mellonin either explain her dream or refuse to, and explain it only to Raefindan... not sure.

The group can decide how far to travel (if at all.) Raefindan and Gwyllion might need another day to recover? Whoever gets to the decision can make it.

lmp has something brewing with the Swamp-Elf, also.

[Nurumaiel]

I've passing through to let you all now of my upcoming absence. I will be leaving home early tomorrow morning and will return home Tuesday evening, though I probably shan't post on the Downs until Wednesday as I will have to unpack. A brief absence, indeed, but an absence nevertheless, and one I felt you should know of.

A farewell to you all, and carry Liornung and Argeleafa well 'till my return. And until that same return, be blessed and safe (and, I do suppose, after my return as well).

[Imladris]

Bolco, Aeron and Gwyllion are arguing in front of Mellonin...and Gwyllion and Aeron actually make comments to Mellonin...

I don't mind that you ignored it, but I would like to know Mellonin's reaction to them, if you know what I mean, so that I can do a post for Aeron and Gwyllion if she did not appreciate their careless remarks of death. *evil Calvin grin*

[mark12_30]

Edited! Thanks for the nudge.

Anybody seen Orual? Ravion is on the spot... and we can't afford to stall out any more. I'll give it this evening, and then I'll put in a deletable placeholder.

In the meantime:

Amroth is dreaming intensely again, which means feverish & weakened by it all. Anyone on the Rohan team, feel free to have Amroth mutter/ speak in his sleep. After he's spent the night diving into his nightmares, he'll need attention of some sort from Erebemlin &/or Taitheneb. The two elf-warriors can start encountering the Swamp-Elf's interference, if you so desire; otherwise I'll write up an Amroth post to handle it.

When that happens, they saddle up and charge south to find Tharonwe (Swampy.) ((0_0)) We need to be careful NOT to kill him, but to take him hostage.

Hoping to get himself off the hook, Tharonwe lets on that there is a sickly, red-haired man out there who knows of Nimrodel. They take him captive anyway. (Pretty unusual behavior among elves, no?)

Any questions, fire away. I'm sick so I'll be in bed early, but post 'em and I'll check tomorrow AM if I don't end up getting up at midnight >_<

After I do the dishes I'll come back and figure out what date Ravion's group is on, so we can choreograph bringing the two groups together.

lmp, feel free to continue writing for Tharonwe if you would like?

Immy, Mellonin would appreciate more support from Gwyll. She'll probably slug Aeron if he doesn't change his tune though.

[Orual]

Hey! Sorry I wasn't able to post last night--we were having a familial crisis involving fractured metatarsils and, as always in my family, theatre. It's good now, though, and I'll post ASAP.

[Imladris]

Methinks Aeron deserves to be slugged. *evil Calvin grin*