LOG
Base of Amon Obel
The forest thins out somewhat, spreading at the base of a large hill, the larger trees giving way to younger ones. The pathway widens heading gradually upwards to the crest of Amon Obel to the west. The hillside is covered with long grasses waving in the breeze, and dotted with colorful wild flowers.

Along the border of the forest, a lone figure casually strolls through the vegetation, marvelling at the overwhelming presence these natural monoliths possess. He seems content with his surroundings, and leans against one of the trees, gently shutting his eyes, but listening for anything that might be about.

His name's Lau. And he wants something to do.

"Who's there?" Lee suddenly shouts out, whipping her head over to eye suspiciously the figure that just entered, though he seems harmless. "What business do you have, and where are you going?" One might think that she were one of the /real/ guards of Brethil, if it weren't so clear from her clothing that she is not.

Lauson, startled from his catnap, quickly jumps up and peeks past the gigantic trunk he was formerly leaning against. He notices the figure of Leana, and more importantly, notices the weapons she wields. Unsure of what to think, and too far away to make any sort of accurate assumption as to who she was, he quietly sneaks up a tree and shouts, "I am but a friend of the forest indulging in its beauty. And who might you be, my well armed friend?"

A gentle breeze stirs the autumn air, nudging leaves upon the pathway like skittling insects before the way of the Beorian healer that travels carefully down its path. Uncloaked, her long hair is tugged by the breeze and blows before her face, necessitating a quick motion to swipe it back as she navigates a switchback fraught with rocks that jut haplessly from the dirt path. Cradled in the crook of her left arm is a basket--small but telling of a good weight--which swings as she makes the turn of the path, and in a smooth and quick movement she lets the handle slide to her left hand. Dipping quickly to pluck up a vibrant bursting bloom of red that nods upon the pathway's border. The sound of voices ahead and half-concealed by yet another switch in the trail, Aldawin hurries her steps abit, grinning now and half in aid. For who can miss the strident, challenging tone of the Smithy's apprentice, Leana? And more, who cannot wonder what the lass is about now....?

Growling softly under her breath, Leana's dark eyes dart about, glittering as they search for Lauson. "I am not your friend," she says tersely, "Since you won't own up to your name or kindred. A friend of the forest may not be a friend of its people. Are you Haladin or no? And as for myself, I am Leana, daughter of Nathan, a captain of the Brethil Guardsmen and Apprentice to the weapons smith." Lee is so intent at shouting at Lauson that she does not notice Aldawin winding her way down the hilly path.

Chuckling to himself, Lau decides to lighten the mood. He shouts, "My dear Captain, I go by Lau, of the Brethil. I am but a simple forester, partaking in the beautiful decay that is autumn." He quickly hops from his branch, his arms held out, his clothes flowing against the wind. He smiles slightly, looking over Leana. "I mean you nor anyone else no harm. Though, by the looks of your weaponry, you could obviously do some." He chuckles lightly in hopes of making the tensed woman smile.

Her amused grin turning to shades of concern, Aldawin nonetheless chuckles as the switchback is made and sees the apprentice seemingly shouting at a tree. All the more amusing is the expression that takes a turn upon the healer's face, and with a broadening smile, Aldawin clears her throat, the bright red bloom in her hand twirling like a gaily-clad dancer, as she calls to the Smith. "Good day, Leana! Are you so bored as to taking the trees to task now?" Though no sooner than uttered, her voice is crossed by that of another, masculine in its tone, and lowering to silence the Beorian healer's grey eyes scan the trees above, as she draws near the Haladin lass, her smile no less broad, especially as the third hops down from his perch in the branches of the tree. "And a good day to you, as well," Aldawin greets.

"Idiot," Leana says scathingly, clearly not willing to give Lauson that same smile. "I am not a captain and I am not your dear. But you seem to be who you say, in addition to a fool, so I will forgive you. I am an apprentice smith, as I said, and I go by Lee. The spear does not belong to me, it is a comission I have yet to deliver. The axe is my own, but if you had eyes in your head you might realize that I am currently ill-suited to wield it well, as my ankle is still mending from an old break. Hence the wooden cane."

Turning now to Aldawin, she casts her eyes to the heaven. "I am not bored, I am simply irritated with this fellow here. But how have you been faring?"

Lauson smirks at the beautiful, yet ugly Lee. "I am as much as fool as you wish me to be, m'lady. Though under the circumstances and your mood, that might leave me as bright as a dung beetle." Not forgetting his manners, quickly bows to Aldawin and says, "Good afternoon, m'lady. How fares it?"

Downplaying her smile, Aldawin's gaze is almost chiding to the other young woman. "You are always irritated, Lee," she says, as if insisting the sun shines and nothing more. "But I see you have finished Istadris' spearhead?" she says, and looks to the barbed point with interest. "I could deliver it to him, if you would wish.." she offers, though turns to Lauson, dipping her head with a smile to him. "I fare well, thank you. Off to deliver some wares for my mother. She has grown too used to my woodland walks, I think. Though I am not certain even she knows where lodge that I must find.." She laughs softly, setting the basket down near her feet, but retaining the flower in her right hand. "Yours is a new face, Lauson. Do you live in the woods, then?"

"Don't be so generous," Leana says dryly to Lauson. "And I do not /wish/ you to be a fool, it pains me, but you seem intent on proving yourself as such."

Turning her increasingly grumpy gaze on Aldawin, Leana grits her teeth. "I wouldn't be always irritated if people weren't always so irritating!" she returns, before settling her temper a bit and turning to the spear. "Aye, I have finished it, and if you would deliver it to him, I'd be grateful. It's fair difficult carrying this /and/ my axe, what with my foot and all. And I might be able to help you find whatever lodge it is you seek, for I have near given up on my father. He was supposed to come meet me here, but he often forgets or is delayed."

Lauson nods as he says cheerfully, "Ah yes, most my life. I was sent away as a child, years ago. The forest is my home, my family. My life." He smiles contentedly as he gazes about the many trees. "This all one could ever ask for." He shuts his eyes for a moment while looking down, then looks up upon Lee. "In my ever so humble opinion of course.

Lauson smirks at Leana. "In my few experiences with those outside the forest, I find the most irritated are the most irritating. Yourself being the exception, of course." He grins openly.

Stepping down the hillside, a tall figure strides easily. Dressed in woodsmans colors, it is easy to see that it is Falsten, the Carpenter, with his bright red hair contrasting against the softer greens and browns of his tunic. As usual, when he goes out upon forays in the woods, he hefts his long handled axe across his shoulder, while his free hand swings lazily at his side.

Seeing that there is a small gathering along the path, the carpenter changes his route so that he nears them. "Good day," he says with a wave.

"I fare well," replies Falsten to Lauson as he slows to a stop. As he sees that it is Leana there, he smiles cheerily and nods in greeting before turning back to Lauson. "And you... Stranger?" asks the Carpenter in return. Gingerly, he lowers his axe to the ground.

"I'm doing quite well, as a matter of fact." Lau smiles, letting off a neighborly vibe.

Switching the brilliant red flower to her left hand, Aldawin reaches forward to take the spear as Falsten arrives as well. Smile broadening, the healer pauses a moment, offering the carpenter greeting. "Good day, Falsten. Tis good to see so many out on such an agreeable autumn day." The healer's gaze sweeps to the wooded surroundings a moment, though quickly returns to the others. "And perhaps wise to travel in the company of others, considering recent happenings that plauge the south woods..." This last is offered in the hint of a question, and while Aldawin looks to all that have gathered on the forest path, her questioning gaze lingers longer upon the carpenter Falsten.

Fuming silently, Lee simply glares at Lauson, lips pressed into a thin and grim line. She fixes her gaze upon him in bratty anger for a few moments more before releasing it and turning to Falsten. She nods in greeting and returns a sulky "Good day", though it certainly sounds as though she doesn't mean it.

"Aye, I have heard of the happenings, which is why I travel with an axe I cannot wield," Leana remarks, studiously ignoring Lauson with a superior air to her. "It worries me, as I cannot remember such things happening in Brethil in all my life." She shifts her seat on the rock and says no more. Indulging in Lee's anger, Lau smirks arrogantly and sits down on the dirt, cross legged. Curious as to what has happened in the south, he inquires, "What precisely has occured in the south that would require one to wield such a weapon?"

"Good day, Honored Healer Ma'am," comes the Carpenter's reply to Aldawin, until the focus of the talk begins to turn towards Leana. As Lee speaks, Falsten tips his head and looks curiously at her hurt leg and the crutch. "How is the new crutch working out, Lee?"

Caught between conversations, Aldawin smiles to the carpenter before turning to Leana briefly as Falsten inquires about her ankle. But she looks back to Lauson as his inquiry perhaps holds greater seriousness. "There have been bandits travelling close to the hill," she says. "The southward region from last report, but still, there holds a threat."

"Wonderfully, thank you," Lee replies automatically to Falsten, neutrally. "I think I will abandon it by the winter snows, though, my ankle is improving greatly."

At Aldawin's words, the apprentice smith nods, now casting Lauson her full glare. "So can you see, now, why I was suspicious when approached by a strange voice, the owner of which who feels the need to /climb a tree/ rather than respond politely with his name and occupation to one who requests it?"

Laughing a little, Lau retorts, "Well seeing my ignorance of the subject, I think hiding before greeting one wielding both an axe and a spear was my wisest choice. I guessed the cane was simply for a more friendly beating."

Looking quizzically between Lauson and Leana, Falsten takes a moment to puzzle at their words before looking back to Leana. He nods, "Good, good. Well, it should hold up until then. Maybe afterwards, it should be donated to the healers or something. Or kept around the forge, just in case something else happens."

He shrugs and then says to Aldawin, "How are you today, Honored Healer Ma'am?"

Closing her hand about the spear's smooth shaft, Aldawin takes it from where it lies against the rock and studies it critically a moment. "Tis a fine piece of work, Lee," she offers, seeming to ignore the smith's increasingly sour temper, though hosting a faint smile of mirth upon her lips. Looking the spear up and down, she next turns to the carpenter, though flashes a mirthful gaze to Lauson as well. "I am well, thank you," she says. "Not yet beset this day by bandits or vipers has increased my good mood, and delivering this spear to Istadris shall make it all the better." She shifts her weight from one foot to the other, careful to avoid the basket she has set near her feet. "I trust you have found occupation enough to keep yourself busy? And do you perchance know Lauson...who I have just met?" The gaze, glittering, goes next to the other Haladin man standing nearby.

"Wielding!" Leana replies hotly to Lauson, only barely keeping her voice from a full shout. "Sitting on a rock with weapons about you is not /quite/ the same thing as being ready for battle. Besides which, I have yet to see somebody who can use more than one weapon at once, especially those the size of axes and spears, so the situation is the same as if I just had my axe."

Lee frowns briefly at Falsten, eyeing him suspiciously before lifting her shoulders in a shrug. "It shouldn't be kept around the forge, I am not so clumsy as to break my ankle in /there/. Even this last was not the fault of any clumsiness on my behalf, only of inattention," she says clearly.

The healer is awarded with a brief grin, as Leana nods. "It /is/ nice, I wanted to give him nothing to complain about or find fault with. I cast five blades into the slag heap before I was satisfied with this last."

Lauson shrugs, "All the same, an axe next to you is just as threatening. I assumed you would've picked one or the other, but anyway, let us leave the past as is. I haven't been impaled (yet), and you weren't assaulted by any bandits. I'd rather rejoice than bicker." Lau continues smiling and turns to Aldawin, "No, I don't believe I've not met this gentleman as of yet." He bows before Falsten, "I'm am known as Lau, of the Brethil. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Falsten tilting his head, Falsten gives another quizzical look towards Lauson. Before replying, his eyes sweep over the man in a quick once-over, before reply, "Of course you are. Well met, Lau. I am Falsten, of the same." The carpenter, however, does not bow... instead he holds his hand out in a greeting clasp.

Lauson shakes Falsten's hand firmly, and smile. "Tis a wonder I met so many of my brethen in the same day. I've lived years in this forest and never came across a single one of ye."

Falsten points up towards Amon Obel. "Well... there are quite a few of us here, ser." But then, he shrugs and smiles, "Whether or not you've travelled there, I don't know."

Hefting his axe up oncemore, he nods cordially to Aldawin and then Lauson, "The day isn't getting any younger. Have a good afternoon, you two."

The apprentice smith tears herself away from the conversation, though she's hardly reluctant to do so as she views a tall figure coming up the slope, dressed like a guard in mottled browns.

"Hello father," she says meekly, going up to the dark-haired man. His eyes flit over the group and he nods briefly to each before stepping up to his daughter's side. "You ready?" He asks briefly, his eyes flitting to her axe and her crutch before turning about without waiting for a response. "Let's go."

Turning the spear in her grip, Aldawin offers a word of farewell to both carpenter and apprentice smith, noting the solemnity with which Leana's father greets his daughter. For a moment her gaze is trained upon the two as they continue on along the path, until, drawing in a long and audible breath, she looks again to Lauson. "And so, being one to live outside in the forests unseen by many others...what brings you here to the Hill on a day such as this?"

Grinning, Lau waves to Leana, though he expects no such courtesies in return. "Quite an interesting woman. Headstrong would be a gross understatement. But beautiful nonetheless. Perhaps I shall meet her again?" he thinks to himself. He turns to Aldawin, "I was simply wandering about, as I always do. Though my stroll seemed to have guided me a bit farther than usual. Such luck does not happen so often, for I've met a number of interesting characters today. Yourself included," he smiles, but his turns rather grim ,"Your friend seemed rather upset. Was anything (other than my presence) bothering her? I would assume the injury of her foot would not be the most joyful thing to happen to her, but there seemed to be something else..."

Giving a light laugh, Aldawin nods. "Undoubtedly you shall meet her again," she says. "And it does not take much to bother her. The mere whisper of a wind in the wrong direction is sure to do that. I took much offense at her words when I first came to Amon Obel, and I would like to think it was not without good reason." Her hand closes upon the spear's handle now, and the faintest tenseness is shown in the healer's jaw. "Being told you are better off bereft of home and kin are words not easy to hear in a strange land." The grey eyes are sheltered by a moment with a certain hardness, and the smile is tensed for a moment, though soon relaxes as the healer shrugs. "She has her reasons, I suppose, and they are hers."

Nodding, and smiling, Lau continues thinking of her, "Undoubtedly she has reasons. May she soon have reason enough to greet me without the stone-like glare." He smiles thoughtfully, and looks up to the sky. "It amazes me still hwo I came across so many of the Brethil today. The last time I came across one wwas many years ago. I remember not even what they looked like. Certainly not as stunning as Leana, or yourself, my dear Aldawin, for I could never forget such beauty." He winks.

The young Beorian's grey eyes show faint surprise at Lauson's praise, and with his own mention of her name alongside Leana's the smile broadens as she lowers her gaze. "You would not have seen 'my kind' two seasons ago, for I am of that land of Dorthonion overrun by Morgoth's forces, and only recently arrived in Brethil. " The lowered gaze flicks to the flower briefly, as if to give her moment to ponder the smile which still graces her lips. "I have been gladdened by the kindness shown to us by most of your folk," she says. "And only a few have been reserved in their welcome." The brows furrow slightly of the last, though next the gaze lifts of a pleasant expression and changes slowly to curiosity. "But tell me, if I am not too bold in asking, what has kept you living so far from comraderie and the friendship of others here in the village?"

Sympathy soon overcomes Lau as he hears of Aldawin's country being overthrown. He knows only the name of Morgoth, and nothing more. Living by himself for so many years has left him uninformed. But when asked of his history, he stumbles. A shadow quickly consumes his face, as he stares at the earth below. "My past has little or no significance to anyone, myself especially. All that need to be known, is that I was alone. And am no longer thus. It's relief to finally meet someone I can truly communicate with. You understand the trees and animals, though quite expressive, never have anything to really speak of." His face quickly brightens as starts to smile again. "But please, do inform me of Morgoth's actions. I wish to know whether to thank or curse that which has caused our meeting."

Vague concern washes over the Beorian's face as Lauson's expression darkens with concern at her question. "'Tis really no matter that you must discuss if you do not wish to," the healer hastens, setting the spear to lean against the glittery white quartz face of rock that lines the forest path. The red blossom still in her hands nods faintly with the wilt of the warm afternoon, and Aldawin finds a shelf of rock upon which to sit, her smile now contemplative. Wistful. "Dorthonion is a land of pines," the healer begins, "Yet you must know that already. My family and I dwelt in Ladros' Upland fort, sheltered of great cliffs of rock and a hidden fortress. My three brothers, all in the guard, had spent their lives fending off the cursed yrch that attempted to take over the land." A deep indrawn breath follows, so much like a sigh in its sound that the quiet exhalation that follows seems strange. "One morning fire raged over the Ard Galen, consuming all in its path. Those once green fields were laid waste that day. And thus began our tribulation..."

Lauson gazes at Aldawin intently. Listening to every detail she lets out. A frown sets across his face while listening to the horrors of the past. He speaks up, "It is a shame that none should face. It leaves me feeling guilty for not knowing such atrocities were occuring." He looks off into space trying to give this evil a physical shape. "Please, describe to me more of Morgoth. I wish to know."

"I have only seen Morgoth's minions, the yrch and gaur that roam freely our land now," the healer's voice drops to a whisper, "...whereupon the bones of at least one of my brothers lie." That grey gaze is now raised to Lauson, its intensity softened by concern. "Your Haladin brothers watch the crossroads and borders of Brethil night and day, for there has been seen upon the northern reaches near Dimbar sign of these dark invaders." Aldawin's brows raise with slightest of nods. "Perhaps it is well that you have become re-acquainted with your fellows." And the smile returns, assuring. "I would bid you visit Amon Obel for a while and find what news you may. Though I hope still to return to Dorthonion, I fear the time for ignorance is past for all of the Edain. We must surely join together in this battle."

"I'm sorry to hear of your brother's fate. Yet you bring forth wisdom, my dear Aldawin. Perhaps I shall return to Amon Obel. I fear for the this land as most would, for it is my home. But, I must make my withdraw. Our encounter today has been truly enlightening, if not entertaining." Lau grins. "I do pray we shall meet again, m'lady." He bows slightly, and his eye gleam under the setting sun. "If ever you need assistance in any matter, I shall bring forth to you all my knowledge and skill, however much that may be worth. Oh, and if you happen to see Leana before I, please do bid her my greetings." Swiftly, he stands up and begins his steady stroll back into the forest. Before disappearing into the trees from whence he came, he looks back at the Lady Aldawin and waves his arm up high. He then departs into the forest he calls home.