IC: On-game RP log
Sammy is seated with Mister Frodo before him on the steed, his arms holding the reins to either side of the Ringbearer. Seated up high, Sammy refrains from too much nervous peering at the ground...so very very far away...and focuses on the panorama, and the words of the guide. "Fair enough, young Fio. We'll follow your advice to the letter, and we'll do everything we can t'pay you heed as yer th'one what knows the trails." He /does/ seem relieved that a boar is the worst they're likely to face, and with such companions as are part of the Fellowship, a boar would be a bore. WHICH...is exactly how Sam likes his travel to be. He'd much rather be bored than deal with 'excitement' like ringwraiths, and murderous orcs, and cranky evil wizards and such. MUCH.
The news of the camping draws a bright smile, "Fair enough. We can all use the night air and such, and if all goes well...we'll be able to properly enjoy the stars and night breezes." And the lack of the ring most of all.
Burnt to bits.
Thankful for one of the more attentive mounts to ride in flanking the company, Wyn has taken some time getting used to this very odd creature. She's ridden a pony. She's ridden a dog. ...but those sorts of mounts don't have hills on their backs! She's taking in the scenery that Fio points out, but also does her best not to appreciate it TOO much. This is still the Shadowlands, and who knows what sort of insanity might be around the corner. ..A bit paranoid? Not terribly. If she was paranoid, she wouldn't enjoy the scenery one bit! But still, she concerns herself with the end of their journey, and hopes fervently that Frodo will conquer the Ring's will, when the time comes. For now, though, the Ringbearer can rest, so much as a Ringbearer can.
Feeling the wind in her hair, the Hin smiles faintly, noting as she comes forward to the front of the line, "I've nearly forgotten the mountain air.. though this is far from the chill of the Spine. We'll see the stars, pure and bright as a mountain.. or volcano, can show them, to be sure, Sammy." What a wonderful reward it should be.
Where as the others were moving as a group strictly along the path that Fio led them, into the looming mottled shadow wrought forest the Elf would wander into with his mount. Usually he would go without any sort of trapping upon an animal he choose to ride but considering that this may not be his camule alone, and the need for supplises...he deigned to use them, offering an unworded apology to the camule whilst at it. It was a peculiar landscape, not so much in appearances but in feeling. Every forest, every shift and lay of land had it's own personal song, its own voice...and this one sang a melody that carried overtones reminescent but sharply different than anything back home. Maybe it was the Goddess' influence, maybe not, Legolas couldn't put his finger on it but sought to acclimate himself.
And with good reason, being intune he could better pick out the oddities, what may yet threaten this thus far peaceful venture up to the summet. Fair features remained in a stoic mask, peaceful as an everglade in the twilight slide of light though watchful as a roosting owl. The alien markers earned their fair share of studious regards and faintly pursed lips. Stygian warnings and protections, had they old magic in them yet? He had yet to see the tracks of anything that they might have shielded against...but as he trailed behind the group there was a wavering pitch, a tenseness that had somehow crept up, tickling at the back of his neck. A hushing of the cheerful singing of the exotic birds as if the calm before a storm. He didn't think it normal but aside from the quietening and instinctual creeping unease that ghosted about without being able to put a finger to it solidly-- there was nothing.
Legolas may have even thought himself imagining things, but he scoffed at the idea. He? No, there was something out there he was sure of it. "We change paths my friend, to the others." Patting the neck of the camlue, he guided the animal back through the brush towards where the main group would be, still some distance ahead he did this for several minutes before their forms surfaced from the green and rock. A small warning to them to keep a further eye out, for the birds chirped still in this area as if they thought themselves still safe.
It was behind them, whatever it was.
It is a moment before Fio replies, as he munches away on trail mix. After a couple of swallows, the boy nods his hooded head back to Sam. "Aye, sir. Thank you, sir. ...I think this is one of the most notable tours I've lead, so far. I only hope I can help where I can, sir." With a pat to Hal's side, the guide turns the animal as the road curves sharply, leading up at a steeper grade. "Further up this leg of the path, you'll get a glimpse of Damask Falls. It should be lovely with the rain we got earlier in the week."
Oh, sure. Fio knows quite well that those in the company aren't interested in the Falls or any of the other sites, just to rid themselves of the Great Evil that they seek to destroy. ...Fio knows all too well, but still he wants something to provide a bit of gladness and joy in these weary hearts. Also, with Sam and Wyn's banter, perhaps it isn't a waste of breath, afterall.
And how very odd and wonderful it is to see them. But that makes Fio think of things long past in 'his' life, things that he doesn't wish to think of at this time, lest they come true again, here and now.
Seeing Legolas return from his scouting does nothing to alieve Fio's concerns about the quest and its results. Features unseen due to the shady hood, the guide sets to unpacking some of Hal's saddlebags. "We can always pick these up on the way back, hm?" The boy seems to be talking to his mount, though perhaps to anyone who might overhear. Hopefully, the guide prayed, they would be able to come back to pick these bags up.
Sam listens attentively to the tour guide, murmuring suitable responses as he tries to keep up mister Frodo's spirits as they ride. "Please...no need to call me 'sir', Fio. Sam, or Sammy works just fine, okay?" Sammy just keeps concentrating on getting everyone to the summit alive, and so forth. Likewise, as Legolas returns in haste, Sammy seems a bit less than pleased to see the elf...a VERY unusual thing. Of course, then he realizes he's frowning, and smoothes his expression to his customary smile of greeting for the dilligent and deeply respected elf. Sam /does/ keep an eye out for wherever Winnie might be. If there's potential trouble to one side, the other could potentially be problematic too. Surreptitiously, he loosens the bag by his knee...a strong hand shifting from reins, to the cast iron handle of his favorite frying pan.
Chuckling at the polite 'hobbit' guide in front, and her dear Sam in his reply, Winnie chimes in, "Aye, Fio. Don't be calling me 'ma'am' neither. Not 'less I get any grey hairs.. Not white. GREY." Just because she has streaks of white in her hair doesn't mean she'll be wanting to be called 'ma'am'. "I'm Winnie, an' as yu'll be calling my husband 'Sam' or 'Sammy' call me by none other than plain 'Winnie' if ye could be so kind. An' I know ye can, cause you have been." Is she mocking Sam or joining in? Or is it that Wyn just wants to make conversation because if she doesn't, she'll start getting itchy to find that trouble she's expecting? Stay tuned.
Come now, just because Legolas has reappeared from behind meant that there was any trouble? Mayhap he just wanted to check in on everyone and see if there had been anychanges...But any who knew the Elf would know better than that which is no doubt why Sam had affected the long face. Legolas treated his duty quite seriously, with breaks inbetween for tallying up kills with his Dwarven comrade. And while he thought there was no need to panic just yet and draw firey blades into the air with rolling eyed mounts and curses to the fell spirits...
Legolas first drew close to Boromir since he was bringing up the rear and leaning over, murmured a few words to the Man, flicking a glance behind over his shoulder. Once his words were acknowledged, he'd press on ahead, coming up alongside the Hobbits, nodding to Arwen and adding something in Elven before turning a scrutinizing eye to Frodo and Samwise, his protector. Nothing the matter with either, the former as well as can be expected. "Has there been anything out of place here?" Questing of Sam, Wynevere with a lifted gaze. He was moving along the line. What Boromir might have missed, these may not have.
(OOC: Sindarin: "The forest stills before the presence of an unknown, beware its path may follow us.")
Fio takes the saddlebags off from Hal's back and sets them aside, near another obsidian statue. Hey, maybe the little graven sculpture will guard his food! It's a thought, right? Sighing dejectedly at the loss of the food, Fio is taken aback by Sam's, then Winnie's request. "Not call you 'sir'.. or 'ma'am'? I.. I couldn't think it. No, it wouldn't be right." Afterall, they are his..er..her...right. Just can't be done. "I'm honored you both would grant me such kindness. I.. I just couldn't, though." And while the guide searches out how to say things without SAYING them, he finds Legolas has taken the conversation from Fio's hands. The saddle is straightened up, with Fio mounting Hal, some of his red curls peeking out from the hood before he pokes them back in again. Now, if they need to ride faster, they can.
OF course Legs' returning early is a bad sign! Samwise never doubted that the Elf was talking from experience when he mentioned danger. Never once. Nope. Regardless, as it is apparent that Legolas is not /anxious/, the Frying Pan of Doom is let go of, though the bag is still open, and the handle reachable as the ride slows to a half. "Nay Mister Legolas, I done seen nothin' that were out of the order, sir." Answers Sammy quickly. Ooh! What finer use could there be for a sculpture than to guard vittles??? Ahem. Regardless, Sam snorts in amusement as the guide declines to use names, instead of honorifics. "Ah lad, it would make me very happy, but I understand, y'have to do what you have to do."
Well, no. Seeing the elf scout return isn't necessarily the heralding of the End of the World. However, it wasn't too long ago that the trip was begun, and having been a scout a few times, herself, Winnie knows that it is a bit soon for a typical rendezvous and unlikely that Legolas was lonesome. And while Wyn may have perked a brow at the rather-overly-polite Fio and his response to her husband's and her own request, she draws up short when she overhears Legolas speak to Arwen, in Sindarian. First, she was keeping her eyes ahead, and not behind, so didn't take note to his arrival, and second, his warning to the lady elf, though Wyn couldn't pick up on everything, was enough to make her turn her attention. "Nothing ahead, that I can tell, or from the right. What did you see, Legolas?"
The Elf was quite aware that he'd been interrupting a conversation, but from he heard it hadn't been -truely- important the likes that if he stuck his nose in...Fio wouldn't hate him for it. The other had sounded rather chased and hammered by the stalwart and stubborn duo of Samwse and Wynevere! He'd wish it on no one to have those two hounding at them...which is why he generally gave in to eating, or found a path of least resistance! He would give apologies later however, the information regarding their wellbeing took precidence.
"Ai!" Crying softly as if to himself, he nodded once, "That is good then." His attention was upon them trusting to the way head to Fio and Arwen, "Of something I have seen nothing Lady Wynevere." Legolas admitted, "But of nothing I can claim to have felt something. There is something behind us, I am sure of it as much as the Forest knows but it is not yet too close." His expression was serious but yes, not panicked yet. "I ask that you keep an eye out even more and an ear, though it may not concern us and may be but coincidence. That is all." He started to tug his camule away as if he was preparing to ride ahead to find eventually Aragorn if he was near, but more than likely he would retreat again behind, listening all the while to the sounds about them.
Not straying behind to hear what conversation Legolas may have with his comrades, Fio picks up the pace, nonetheless, now that he has mounted, along with the rest of the company. So, not so much of the scenic tour. He was afraid of that, expecting it all the same. Even with this mood, the guide is glad to hear Sam acquiesce to Fio's request. He wouldn't have wanted to explain himself further on the matter, seeing as.. well, he couldn't. At least, not do so and either keep himself covered or having to resort to lying, which would be worse. Posing as someone he's not is about as far as the poor 'hobbit' can try. "Thank you, sir." Sam would understand, once Fio could be open with him about things. Once this is over with.
Rounding the next corner, Fio was just about to shout back that it would be fine if everyone wished to run their camules for a short while, but the guide pulls back, instead, on his reigns, "Hold!"
Just their luck, several trees have fallen in the way of the road. Flabbergasted, the 'hobbit' pulls Hal to oneside of the obstacle, to see how badly the way is. "They're criss-cross." And too tall for camules to jump. Camules just weren't meant for such things, afterall. Fio dismounts and tests the ground next to the sloping side downwards, "It's too soft, even for camules. We'll have to hike up the other way."
"I don't like this one little bit." Sam states with a grim look. "First...Mister Legolas senses somethin' amiss, then we come and find our path blocked by fallen trees...feels suspicious like, like someone was drivin' us to a certain place." That said, Sammy eyes the obstruction, "It'd take me a week or more to clear it...too bad Mister Gandalf isn't here, he has a way with such things." The frying pan is held to once more, the burly hobbit ready to use it to smite any that would dare threaten his beloved Mister Frodo. As to lying...no...not the best way to win the admiration and respect of either Wyn or Sam. Fio is pushing things as it is, but there are valid reasons.
Wynevere is certainly not a Lady, at least, not by any stretch of title or the like. Yes, yes, out of politeness' sake. She's surrounded by politeness! Aaiieee! But now is not the time to dwell on the overabundance of manners in present company. She nods to Legolas' explanation, and feels none too better. She almost wishes he HAD seen something, rather than felt something. Then perhaps they'd know better what was afoot. "Aye, Legolas. You can be sure on that, I will."
And well, lookee here. How convenient. "It's one of /those/ days, is it? Well, I'll not have it." With that, Wyn peers at the obstruction. "...How stable are those trees, I wonder." Oh no. Nononono. You do not want Winnie trying to think this one through. Someone! Come up with a plan of action! QUICK!
The Elf seemed satisfied by the Halfling's assurances but whatever little bit of comfort he garnered from it was dampened by Fio's observation-- which would be everyone's within seconds since it was rather difficult not to see the fact that their way ahead was blocked with sturdy trunks and smashed branches with leaves. Legolas allowed a frown to form before it melted away. He excused himself with a look and halting his camule with a touch and soft word, he leapt down sprightly from its back and started after the fallen trees.
He paused only when next to Fio allowing keen Elven eyes to rove about the debris. He doesn't concern himself with attempts to forge on ahead yet, letting the others converse while running a hand alongst its lichen covered rough surface to it's roots. "A moment." And then as light as a squirrel bounding up a tree, he leapt nimbly, vanishing soon over to the other side without distburbing the way the fallen pair laid on the soil.
(OOC note: For those with tracking skills, or the like, you should be able to discern claw marks and breakage where the tree looks to have been snapped off, perhaps by something with a large beak.)