Arnor - The Eagle is Here

The Eagle is Here	The Lawn, Lothlorien	February 18, 2007
Lawn Here the stairway through the mellyrn meets the top of a mighty hill, opening out into the middle of a great lawn filled with blue and yellow flowers. At the center of the lawn stands a great shimmering fountain which falls into a basin of silver. From the basin flows a white stream of water out into a small brook, which then trickles away down the hill. Further north there stands a mallorn tree of such magnificent height that it seems to reach even to the clouds. A path paved with white pebbles curves around the hilltop, leading west and east from the stairs. Contents: Gwamthor Obvious exits: West leads to Royal Court Mallorn. East leads to Training Field. North leads to Near the Great Tree. Down the Stairs leads to Mallorn Stairway. ------------------------------------------------------ +ELF TIME ---- ================== Eldarin Calendar <in Sindarin> =================== IC time is: Early Afternoon < About 1:25 PM > IC day is: Oranor <Sun-day> IC date is: 21 Ethuil <Spring> Moon phase: First Quarter <HIDDEN> Earendil: Gil-Estel is not visible. IC year is: Loa 16 o Yen 22, Nelandran o Endor <TA 3040> --------------------------------------------------------------------- RL time: Sun Feb 18 13:08:25 2007 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Calendar help: +ELF TIME HELP Quenya version: +ELF TIME QUENYA --------------------------------------------------------------------- Midday passes over the fair woods of Lothlorien as Anor begins her slow descent towards the horizon outlined by the Misty Mountains. Yet, as daylight is still prime in the elvendom, the Ranger Nauthcel is about, particularly in the city where he had been encouraged to stay. Across the Lawn at the peak of the hill of Caras Galadhon, the Dunadan paces around the fountain, his gaze distant yet a soft humming resonating on his lips. Furrowed is his brow in thought as if some contraversy takes place in his mind. High over head flies one of Manwe's Eagles. The sun lights the bird and it's golden color seems to deepen as it begins it's journey in the west. Sharp eyes watch the lands below, from the banks of the Anduin and those of the Celebrant to the golden woods of the elves of Lorien. It is the golden wood that catches his eye this day, so Gwamthor turns and swoops low over the trees letting out a soft screech as he passes the lawn. He gains height and turns once more, diving down to that lawn, landing easily amongst the flowers of blue and yellow. The cry of the Eagle draws the Constant from his thoughts and turns his gaze towards the great bird as it gently lands. Towards the new arrival, Nauthcel slowly strides as he speaks in the Westron tongue, "I wish to welcome you to Lothlorien yet it would not be my place to do so in being a visitor to this land myself. However, I do desire to know how you fare." The words of the Dunadan carry in them a light tone, both peaceful and humble. There is a time when the eagle only looks at the man. Then, after a quick adjustment of a couple of wing feathers with his beak, Gwamthor turns his yellow eyes back to the man "I fare well as I hope you do as well," comes the raspy voice "I had not expected to see one of your kind in the lands of the Lady Galadriel. Yet it seems that I have." Tilting his head to the left and the right he seems to be looking the man over "Are you hurt? I have come here to seek the aid of the elves before when I had been so," he explains with measured words. "Aye, few of my kin come to this land for most believe it to be haunted and cursed," replies the Arnorian to the statement of the Eagle. Yet, to the inquiry, he shakes his head answering, "I have no injuries unless weariness be one. I am only here to rest before I continue on my journey." The grey eyes of Nauthcel pass over the bird before he is asked, "From whence have you flown?" "You journey...this journey must be long then," comes the voice of Gwamthor in answer. The great wings fold up against his body before he continues "To the Eyries of the White mountains and the lands of the Horse Lords I have flown. But," he moves a big closer to the man "to where would your journey lead you, man of the North." Those eyes blink a few times "You are one of the men of the North are you not?" A the moment's pause in which neither speak, the foutain's melody fills the void yet is drawned when Nauthcel answers, "Though I speak in a riddle, I can only say this: You kin has seen the rise and fall of mine." The Man's gaze then turns towards the southeast as he says, "I am traveling to Minas Tirith in Gondor and known naught what dangers lie between here and there. Are there any tidings that you may give to me of the open land?" A clack of the large beak is Gwamthor's first response to the words spoken by the man "Gondor, the land of stone. I have heard of this place and have flown over the city they built." "The only dangers I have seen are those further north. Yet the darkness that comes from the east I do not fly near. Foul ones may be found at the edge. But over the lands of the Horse Lords I have not seen but horses and men that you may call friend and serve the King that sits in Edoras." "Mayhap I may then journey safely and reach my destination unscathed," remarks the Ranger as he speaks aloud his thoughts. "Only in the land of Rohan have I been and, thus, Gondor shall be of a new wonder to me. Yet, what are the dangers that you have seen to the north that I should try at best to avoid?" asks the Arnorian. Again there is a silence as the eagle turns his head in a northerly direction. When he turns back that raspy voice comes again "It was far from here for those that walk upon the ground. Trolls and orc there are. But they are near the men that live in the city that is in the middle of the lake and the dwarves that live in the Iron mountains. Unless my eyes have failed me and I have missed them, they should not bother you as you head to the south." "Tell me, sir, do you know one that is called Annaiel?" With a nod and a small grin, Nauthcel says, "Such news eases my heart. And yes, I do know Annaiel for she is of my kin. Thus am I reminded that I have no introduced myself - I am Nauthcel though by others referred to as the Constant." The pleasantry is given as the grey eyes return to the Eagle. A slight dip of the eagles head comes "Nauthcel, the Constant." A great talon comes up to his lowered head and scratches a bit before it gently rests upon the ground once again "I am Gwamthor, some call me the Brash." "I know this Annaiel as she has tended to wounds of mine. Eagle Friend she is now." His head tilts and is lowered to come closer to the man. Those yellow eyes peer intently at Nauthcel, blinking, "If you are of her kin that know then I shall keep an eye out for you as well. Perhaps I could watch your travels and let you know if troubles lie ahead," his head goes back up so that he now towers over the man "if you would wish me to do so." "Aye, such help as that of an Eagle cannot be matched. I would greatly appreciate any aid that you can offer for that lands that I shall travel into, I have not friends," Nauthcel answers as the grin continues to curve his lips. "And know that if danger befalls you from the ground, I shall assist be it by blade or arrow." The gaze of the Constant looks upon Gwamthor in a peaceful manner, respect towards the other in his eyes. "Then it shall be so, Nauthcel. From here to the lands of Gondor I shall watch your path and provide such aid as I may." A sake fluffs Gwamthor's feathers on the top of his head before he continues "You and your kin, you offer aid and ask nothing in return. There are few these days that do as you. It gladdens me to know such as you and your fellows." After a slight pause "Can it be that you travel this path alone, Constant?" The contenance of the Constant takes on a more serious expression as he says, "We do what we can so that others may not suffer as we have by the hand of the Enemy." Mimicing the Eagle's pause, Nauthcel does not speak for a moment before he says, "Aye, I travel alone for there are too few of my kin to join me. Loathe was my Lord to give me leave to make such a journey." "You kind are noble and good to the words you speak. Those that walk upon the ground and have good in their hearts are lucky to have you on their side." Gwamthor stretches his wings, as they unfold from his body as he continues "Then know, Nauthcel the Constant, that you do not travel alone till you read the lands of Gondor. You have but to look skyward and you shall see me." "Noble, too, are those who protect from above those who find themselves surrounded by darkness," answers back the Dunadan. Yet, as he speaks, an elf appears from the Royal Mallorn and hastens to him, speaking softly into his ear. A small bow is given by the edhel to the Eagle before he departs. "And I would ask you to go no further than the borders of Gondor lest a hunter believe you are his next meal. But, until we meet again, my the stars shine upon your path." Nauthcel then sets off after the ellon towards the tall tree. With outstretched wings Gwamthor prepares to take fight "May you find your next Eyrie dry and warm, Nauthcel, and the winds be in your favor." With that said the great eagle, takes to flight with great downbeats of his wings. Climbing higher and higher into the afternoon sky. Soon he is but a speck in the blue.