It is cold. The air strikes first those who are unused to the world outside of Lothlorien, and it bites in an unfamiliar, unpleasant way. The ancient trees of the ancient forest dwindle, the spaces between filled with greedy grasses, nearly as high as those that grow yellow in the plain to the north. Night seems somehow gloomier here, with naught but the stars to penetrate it.
From between the trees, figures. Children wade through the grasses, some with their heads barely above. All are filthy, and most wide-eyed. One-- Taudhoron to those who know him-- has his arms wrapped about himself, for he has no cloak and is shivering. His skin and clothes are dark and stiff with grime, and his hair is matted about his face.
A few steps behind Taudhoron, Rhibi suddenly stops and turns around. "Where'd Erinstar go?" he says, his voice on the brink of panic. He too is covered in dirt, but this isn't as unusual as it might be for the other children. Brown hair sticks out in several directions, twigs and leaves matted near the ends. "Taudhoron! Wait!"
Galena stretchs toward the sky as she emerges from the tent that has been her home for so long now. The well-camoflaged dwellings behind her lay as mere shadows in the forest. The verdant eyed maid looks about her, much as she has done every morning past. The choking weeds, strange feeling trees and tall grasses making her shiver with uncertainty. Drawing her fog-colored cloak about her she takes another glance about, hand going to her pack resting just inside the tent flap. What was that... The Apprentice's visage is half shocked as her focus jerks back to the grasses. "The children! The children!" The elleth's voice lifts high and crystalline on the air as joyful tears fill her eyes. Pack thrown upon her back, she takes off at a run toward the children.
Taudhoron turns around quickly, replying, "Erinstar is gone?" in a high and quavering voice, already nearly crying at the thought. He inches closer to Rhibi, not walking now and shivering yet. But..another voice. The Sinda child whirls again, and points with a trembling hand toward the adults. "Look...look over there, everyone!" he shouts.
At the sound of the healer's shout, Mia stands up quickly from the campfire she is resting by and turns to the source of the cries. The Banneret's eyes widen as she spies the elleth running towards... strange, small lumpy figures emerging from the trees? A few hesitant steps forward and the maiden's cries become clear, the children!
A triumphant shout arises from Mia as she begins to sprint towards the edge of the woods that have balked them for so long, woods that she herself has cursed beneath her breath. But no curses now spring forth from her lips, though a grim and determined expression rests heavily upon her pert features as she nears the group of runaways.
Whirling in the other direction at the sound of shouting, a bottomless relief fills Rhibi's dirt-smeared face. Erinstar is forgotten and he begins to run towards the other adults as fast as his small legs will take him. This isn't very fast, for the tall grasses cling to his legs, impeding his progress. And as if in one last gasp to keep their captives, a branch pokes up unexpectedly and Rhibi trips, sprawling headlong.
So quickly do the Banneret and Minstrel leave the camp that another is left in their wake. The forester, Hyardoel, looks up at the shouts, bright eyes piercing the shadows taking form across the fire; and she stands slowly, brushing back a cloak splattered with mud and streaked with grime -- then she, too, starts to stride towards the gathering.
Last, and in loose escort among the sway of the tall grasses... do wistful golden tendrils tousle in heralding the final member of what was to be the Fangornhrim court. Chewing at his lower lip in timid trepidation, the diminutive Gailglin clutches at a cloak seemingly wrought from an evening sky. Brilliant pinpoints of light spark amid the huddled expanse, lending a reminiscent echo of the home they now hope to return. In quiet murmur to himself, the bell-like din of the wee Silvan's voice echoes amid the verdant waves "This... is not fun anymore..." A soft fret follows the young edhel's assertion.
However, though the smallest of the young entourage's mien lies cast in an ashen pallor... it suddenly sheds at the raise of voices. Then do brilliant sapphire eyes widen from within their frame of golden lashes... and with sparked elation does Gailglin bound toward the Galadhrim.
Taudhoron stands still a moment, and other children outpace him in their dash toward the adults. He, too, begins to run at last, although not as quickly as he might. He skids to a stop near Rhibi and offers his hand to his friend. His clear eyes turn back to the forest that so caught them, and he whispers, "I hope Erinstar wasn't eaten by the trees...." His glance then shies from the gloomy forest and turns again to the adults, a tremulous smile borne uncertainly along his features.
Pale, lithe arms fly open to embrace the children as Galena nears them. Her cloak is shoved back from her shoulders and her bell bracelets are jingling happily. Shimmering gaily in the sunlight, the violet of the maid's gown seems as a cool brook of water. Her chartuese eyes widen at Rhibi's fall and a soft, dulcet voice calls to the child. "Come little one, you are safe again."
Grabbing Taudhoron's offered hand, Rhibi pulls himself to his feet and begins to wade towards the others again. "Erinstar is brave. He won't get hurt." Green and brown mottled clothing doesn't show much difference from before he left; a few more stains and rips perhaps. "Come on, Cabor!"
Skidding to halt even as she drops to her knees, Mia reaches for the nearest child (how unfortunate for Taudhoron) and tries to take him with a firm but caring hand, her eyes wide and manic as she prepares to test his limbs for injuries with the delicate touch of a healer. "Thank Eru for your return!" She says in a voice thick with emotion. "I had almost given up hope that we would ever find you... and what was I to tell your parents if that were the case?" Her words are momentarily choked off, but she whips her head around to the others and shakes her head with mingled fear and fury. "What were you thinking?"
Galena scoops up Rhibi and Gailglin in her arms gently and holds them for but a moment. "You had us so worried! Do not ever run away like this again!" Her tears fall softly now, causing wet streaks to trace lines down her alabaster face. Releasing both from her grasp, the maid checks both for injuries, Rhibi first. His knees are scraped a bit from his fall and Galena drops her pack from her back. Reaching into the large, dark leather pouch, she whispers softly. "Let me clean that up for you, sweetling."
Little stealth is in Hyardoel's weary steps tonight: her tread is slow and heavy, crushing grass with little care. She stops again as soon as the first pair come into clear view -- crossing her arms as she dismisses the Silvan child, seeking for but one amongst the group.
And she finds the child Taudhoron, taken in by Mia's hands, yet for now she can do naught but tilt her head. What relief comes to her features is obscured by sunken eyes and absent frown, as she looks on, rendered speechless by the Banneret's tirade.
Taudhoron's flight is abruptly stilled as a hand alights on his arm. "I am sorry! I am sorry!" he babbles, voice drawn high with panic. He is quiet, sniffling a moment as Mia tests him for injury, and then asks, "Are...are my mother and father here?" His skin is cool to the touch, and his dark hair whips about in one tangled mass as he turns his head in a rush to look among the other adults. A sudden intake of breath, and he looks up. "Hyardoel!!" He squirms and fights Mia now, desperate to get away from the Banneret and toward his kin.
Rhibi looks down at his torn pants blankly. A little bit of blood oozes from the scrapes. Dismissively, he says, "That's nothing. I'm fine." Anxious green eyes scan the camp. "Didn't m-mother or father come?" Tears begin to well up and he pulls away from Galena, turning this way and that. Perhaps he just missed seeing them.
Gailglin catches a breath as he's scooped up an Galena's arms, a matter which seems to draw a well of bashfulness upon the tiny Silvan's countenance. "Galena...?" inquires the youth in soft surprise as he's momentarily hugged. Sudden elation floods the starry-eyed edhel as he's settled in deference to the lavender-dressed elleth's attentions upon Rhibi. Rather, amid this morose reunion do Gailglin's bright, cerulean eyes moon over Galena as his tiny hand seeks to absently rub at the opposing arm.
Producing a small knife and a light colored leather pouch from her pack, Galena turns to Rhibi again. "Your pants are ripped. I doubt they can be resewn. May I cut them short and away from the wounds?" The Minstrel's eyes are gently and comforting and her bells tinkle like a soft Spring rain. "I really do need to clean the cuts out, sweetling. I tell you what, I have some goodies in my pack and will give you one if you allow me to see to your knees. And no, sweety. Your parents could not come. We would not put them in danger by bringing them here. You are safe with us. Come sit upon my lap." Galena lays her little pouch and knife to the side and opens her arms. A look to Gailglin brings a smile to her full lips. "Dear Gailglin! Is your arm hurt, brann aew? Let me see it as well."
Mia cares not for fighting to restrain the child, and at this point she may have little strength or will to do so if she wished it. And so she sets back on her heels for a moment and rests her head in her hands, rubbing at her temples as she tries to clear her head. Enough time has passed, however, and the time for answers draws near. She stands and walks to Galena, her voice soft as she inquires, "May I help? We must make sure they are healthy before I can speak to them. I wish it were not so, but I must have answers now before I face the Commander again."
Galena nods and hands Mia the knife and pouch. "There is Deerberry in this pouch. It is an anitseptic and will clean the wounds properly. Are you familar with the herb?" That question asked, the apprentice moves to Gailglin to check him over.
"Cut them off?" Rhibi peers down at his legs again, distracted for the moment. "Sure." He sticks one leg out for the required surgery, loftily ignoring Galena's outstretched arms. In a condescending tone, he adds, "You can clean them too, I guess." Peering around, he spots his friend. "Cabor! Oh. He's busy." Interested eyes go back to the knife.
A hint of a smile touches the Banneret's lips, but she is quick to hide it as she raises the pouch a bit. "Aye, I am quite familiar with it." She pushes the pouch back towards the apprentice with a kind word, "And you have my thanks, however I tend to prefer mandrake for open wounds. Not only does it clean, it also lessens the pain." She reaches into a small pouch at her hip and produces a small vial and a clean cloth. Kneeling once again, she looks from child to child, finally leveling her gaze at Rhibi. There is a spark in the boy's eyes, an intelligence that is nearly palpable. She gives him a guarded and sly smile, her head nodding to his damaged knees. "You could stand there bleeding, or I can clean you off. The choice is yours."
The question deigned by the dulcet Galena summons a few soft blinks from the fawning Gailglin, though promptly does his diminutive hand fall away from his arm in soft attestment "No, no... nothing is wrong with my arm, Galena?" Then in a voice brimmed in gentle melody does the golden youth impart amid a demure smile "I am just fine... thank you very much. A mite cold, but it is fleeting in your company."
The young Silvan's soft stare is suddenly stolen, however, by the new shape joining their immediate enclave. Brilliant eyes then blink with urgency as Gailglin drifts his gaze in sudden trepidation upon the Knight-Banneret. Then, in a slight fidget does the young Raavindonserke offer meekly "Mae Govannen... Lady Mia..."
Taudhoron flies to Hyardoel, crashing into her and wrapping his arms about her waist as tight as he can. His dirtied face he buries in her tunic, and he begins to cry, the sounds of it well muffled in the cloth. It seems he speaks as he sobs, for a few words can be made out when he emphasizes them, "... mean to.. ..lost! ...trees would /eat/ us... hungry..." His cries turn to hiccups, and he sniffs once or twice, then leans his head back to look up. Hushed, he queries in a voice that still bears the scars of his torrent, "Did you know that trees can move? ...I'm in trouble, aren't I?" His face is now a sticky mess..and so is the forester's shirt.
Rhibi eyes Mia for a second, then glances back at his knees. Blood is trickling down one leg and staining his torn pants. "You can clean them," he says. "Will you cut off my pant-legs?" Some of Taudhoron's words are overheard and he looks at the knight seriously. "Did you know that trees can move? I climbed one; a really tall one. Not a moving one," he hastens to assure her. "Those were scary."
Gailglin offers in soft aside as the wee Silvan wrinkles his nose in chiding toward Rhibi "I told you we had nothing to worry about, though. See? Master Erinstar, the Knight-Banneret, the Ents and..." his voice then takes to a softer timber as he steals another timid glance toward Galena "... and Galena came to bring us home."
Galena nods to the Knight once more and replaces her knife and herb back into her pack. "Yes, ma'am. I shall have to enter that into my herb book." She offers Gailglin her full attention now, eyes serching the child for hidden damage. "Aye, I believe you are in fine shape. Come, little one, I have pastries and fruit in my pouch. You can sit upon my lap and I will cover you with my cloak. Then we will have a snack while you are warmed. How does that sound?" Galena then draws her pack closer to her and makes herself comfortable upon the stiff grasses of Fangorn.
Hyardoel's knees buckle at the Sinda child's charge; with a step back, she steadies them both, a dirt-streaked hand pulling his matted head near, 'til his broken words draw to a close. Her gaze lingers long on Taudhoron's eyes -- then uncertain words fall from her lips.
"Cabor," she echoes drily, from a call from friend to friend, "And...I suppose that if the princess of your new-found realm would kiss you, you would change from mighty oak to handsome prince?" And one knee falls to the grass as she laughs -- a giddy laugh, a shaky sound. A mix borne of catharsis and relief.
"I may have to," Mia says to Rhibi as she touches the frayed edges of his pants at the knees. "But we came well prepared to find you." As she speaks, a group of Squires come rushing over with blankets, distributing them among the children quickly and taking time to clean up some of the others. With a simple nod of her head, one of the Order members is at her side, ready to accept her orders. "Run and fetch the clothing we brought, we must get the children out of these wet and filthy things before they suffer more than just mild exposure."
Once again turning to the child, she raises an eyebrow and inquires, "You were brave, indeed, to take on such a challenge as Fangorn, but how... how have you survived this long? And I simply must know... how did you find us after we have searched fruitlessly for so many days?"
Shivering, despite his determination to appear just fine, Rhibi accepts the offered blanket gladly and wraps it around himself. Only his head pokes out, and of course, the injured knee. "Erinstar found us. The ent helped him." Memories of the dark and angry trees bring a shadow of fear back into his eyes and his lip trembles. "I w-wanted to go see the big trees, but they didn't like us. They kept moving and everything looked the same." Almost on the verge of crying again, he repeats, "The ents helped us. Hinloth almost drowned first, though."
If any of Taudhoron's skin can be seen beneath the filth, it is reddened from a blush. "I don't want any princess kissing me..." His tight hold on his aunt's waist must be loosened when she falls to her knee, but his hands fly back and entangle well in her tunic again, as though frightened that she might disappear. "I don't know why they call me Cabor."
The child huddles close to Hyardoel and shivers, looking up gratefully when another adult wraps a blanket around his shoulders. He whispers, "Is something wrong, aunt? You sound...odd." He bites his lip briefly, then makes a small sound of disgust at the taste.
Gailglin catches his breath at the prospect of Galena's offering and, before any said squire might bring a blanket to him does the bright youth hurry to Galena's lap. With the grace belying only the first born does the little edhel gingerly descend to Galena's offered lap, but dazzling a bright smile toward her... though at Mia's implorance does the youth drift his gaze on toward the Knight-Banneret.
"We... had watched the Order in their practices, Lady Mia... to learn how they might handle such matters. Other than that... we did keep our spirits buoyed by song and..." his eyes then stray toward Rhibi in soft indignation "No one almost drowned... we saved them."
As the drawstrings of an outer pocket are loosened, the distinct scent of honeycakes fills the crisp forest air. The rich, warm scent lends a comfort and coziness to the air. Galena smiles as Gailglin takes his seat upon her lap and with a deft motion, she retrieves two of the gooey, dripping cakes and gives one to the boy. They are wrapped in thin parchment paper and, though cool, are still quite fresh. With her other, less sticky hand, the maid wraps the child in her cloak.
"Erinstar?!?!" Mia's tone could not reflect her anger and confusion more, and indeed her eyes now flash with a fire that turns previously soft and gentle features into a harsh and stern mask. "The Royal Herald... was in Fangorn?" She bites her lower lip in her fury, the pressure opening a small cut in her pale pink flesh. With a deliberate shake of her head she reaches out and takes the tattered cloth in her hands and rips it cleanly across, now exposing the boy's leg to the thigh.
As Gailglin speaks, she keeps her eyes on the wound before her, her jaw set as she dabs at it carefully with the cloth. "Members of the Order would not have planned so little and thought so selfishly. You have much learning and growing up to do before you will exhibit the intelligence of one of our officers, as is apparent by all of your... your lack of consideration for the people of Lothlorien. You may be children, but you are playing at a game that could end in the loss of life." She turns her head slightly, looking at Gailglin with a blank expression. "You were lucky to save your friend, but that is all it was... blind luck. You are lucky that any of you survived."
"She did too!" Rhibi's voice rises indignantly. "I saw it! And I didn't help her and neither did Cabor. And /you/ didn't do anything! The ent did." Disgusted, he turns away. "What do you know, anyways. You weren't there." Earnestly looking at Mia, he tries to explain further. "We took some lembas and some apples, and berries. And the ents made the trees go back to sleep. Don't listen to Gailglin, he doesn't know what he's talking about." Sniffing, he breaks off and cranes his head around. "I'm awfully hungry..."
"No, no. Nothing." Hyardoel squints, as though wan light from the moon and the stars were somehow still too bright for her eyes; she sighs, and pulls away from Taudhoron (to arm's length), and clenches her jaw with her next breath. "Was this your idea, Taudhoron?" Yet her hands rest upon the elf-child's shoulders but gently, rearranging the blanket as ere she speaks.
Gailglin's eyes delight in the revealed honey cakes and, upon politely accepting one does he brandish a brightened smile on up toward the coddling elleth. However, once more does Mia seem to summon timidity across the young edhel's visage as his azure gaze hesitantly casts again toward the Banneret.
Then does bashfulness surrender to consternation as Gailglin's brows fair furrow. His lips then press intently as he pervades a glare toward Rhibi... only to part them in an urgent "I did a lot... without me our boat would not have had an anchor, and I was the one who steadied it upon the opposing bank. I also saved two ellith from falling... while you were just strutting around pretending to be the captain."
Taudhoron shivers a bit more when Hyardoel pulls away, but this quells a bit as he clutches the blanket tightly about him. "No.." he replies in a half-numbed voice. "'Twas Rhibi's idea, and a good one it seemed when I first heard it." His head slowly swivels toward Galena and Gailglin, and he hopefully asks Hyardoel, "Have /you/ honeycakes, too?" Suddenly he shouts, "I tried to help her! I yelled at the ent." His ice-blue eyes grow wide, and a nervous look is thrown to the nearest tree. He shuffles just the least bit closer to his aunt.
Once more Mia turns her attention to the child she is mending, her tone just as stern with him. "And how did you plan to defend yourself with lembas and berries?" As her hands clean the wounds, their red and raw exposed flesh begins to smooth over, and oddly enough, when not chiding the children and asking her questions, the Banneret hums softly. A gentle tune, lovely really and reminiscent of warm spring mornings much more than cold autumn afternoons, that stands out in glaring contrast to her spoken tone. "You gave no thought to that as well, did you? Nor of the countless people who would suffer for this, not the least of which are your own flesh and blood! And I... I who am not related by blood to any of you, have endured the ire of my superiors because... because mere children eluded us! You have brought shame onto yourselves and the people of Lothlorien, so I do hope your adventure was worth it."
Galena takes off her cloak and gently removes Gail from her lap. Wrapping the fog colored garment about him, she stands. The maid then produces a pouch from her pack and the scent of pastries floods the air heavily. "This is for all the children. I must see what is keeping the clothes." With that the elleth hands the pastry sack to Mia, picks up her pack and disappears into the tent area
Gailglin's tone dampens to a softer timber... as he gestures to the forlorn slingshot which nestles within his belt. "We... did not come completely unarmed, Lady Mia? But... but..." then does the youth fret in a soft frown as he dips his eyes to an intent stare at the ground, now hugging Galena's cloak close to him "... we just wanted to be brave and wise like the grown Galadhrim, Lady? That is why we wanted to found our own land and people, so that we could make you all proud..." the youth's voice drifts as he finally ascends wide, tear-rimmed eyes to Mia "We are sorry... we did not know it would hurt others."
Rhibi glares back. "Because I was helping them get off the boat before it sank!" He turns at Taudhoron's unexpected shout. "I didn't mean that, Cabor. I meant we didn't get her out of the water. You helped lots." And then Mia begins to scold. Attacked from every side, the small Silvan seems to shrink in on himself. In a very small voice, he says, "I didn't think about that. I'm not a very good captain after all." He hangs his head and a tear trickles down his cheek, traces a new path through the dirt. One hand scrubs at his eyes and he sniffs mightily. "I... w-want to go home."
Shakily, Hyardoel comes to her feet; yet swaying slightly she thinks better of it and sits on her heels before Taudhoron. "Ask the Banneret." And drawing her cloak about her, she speaks no more; even a Quende must rest.
Taudhoron's eyes grow moon-like and wide as Hyardoel sits abruptly. His lower lip trembles and he sniffs once, then looks uncertainly from the forester to the Banneret. To the latter the young Sinda slowly walks, with many glances sent back to the Aderthad elleth. His voice quivers the least bit as he speaks, "Something is wrong with my aunt." A longing look lingers at the bag of honeycakes, but again turns back. He inches closer to Rhibi.
Coming out of his tent in the early morning, Legarwin can hear the children that had been rescued and also Mia yelling at them for running away. He decides to go see what kind of shape they are all in. He walks over and sits next to Mia as she finishes cleaning a child. "Mae Govannen," he says with a salute.
Mia shakes her head vehemently at the three children now crowding around her, their soulful expressions dampening her anger somewhat... but not alot. "Nay, you didn't think, not a one of you! You considered your own fun, your own feelings took not a moment to consider anything else! I said it once and I will say it again, you have all been horribly selfish! Be glad that none of you is my child, lest you find out what anger can feel like in the palm of someone's hand." She finishes with Rhibi and waves the next one to come forward, but her eyes fall on Taudhoron, her lips pursing for a moment. "I would not be suprised if half the patrol did not fall over half dead right now, so I guess it is not too much to guess that your aunt is not herself. For days... no, weeks we have searched for you! Some have had not a moment's rest!" She pauses once more, looking a all three of the children. "Whose grand idea was this? And which of you were just fool enough to think it worthy of your time?"
As Legarwin comes to sit down beside her, Mia glances up and nods to him in greeting, her eyes flitting down to a spot not far from her.
Gailglin gathers in a breath, then starts up from his soft spot upon the grass... the cape still huddled about his form "We all... had our part in this idea, Lady..." his once-joyful voice is but an echo as the wee Silvan attests with arched golden brows "Might we do something... anything... to at least right the score or more wrongs we made by our acts?" The youth then pauses, mulling a chew at his lower lip... before Gailglin's dulcet voice makes in soft offering "I know... sorry is not enough, Lady... but I am." Tears still rim at the edhel's golden-rimmed eyes as he offers the last.
Rhibi backs away, stumbling a little on the trailing edge of the blanket. He has given up trying to keep back the tears and sobs openly. Miserably, he stammers, "M-mine. Don't yell at Cabor. He only came because I made him." Muddy tears flood down his face. He ignores Gailglin entirely. "I wanted to s-see the t-trees..."
"M-my aunt is d-dead?" Taudhoron stammers, and a step back he takes instead of forward as Mia would have him do. The blanket he wraps tighter around his slight form and hunches a bit, his wild eyes cast to the forester's form again. "But...she does not look dead!" His voice grows higher with panic. "Did our running away kill her?" Blue eyes fill with tears again, and he, too, begins to cry. "It's not your fault, Rhibi! I told everyone about the plan."
Legarwin hears all the child's pain and fear of being out of home. He then tried to think of a way to comfort the children or help Mia out. He looks at Mia and can see the anger, "All the anger is doing is scaring the children. They did not know that doing this was bad. They ae too young to understand. You have to talk to them with a calmer tone. There are better ways to burn off anger, then yelling at the children."
There is now such a ruckus of sobs and mumbled apologies, hiccuping and sniffles that Mia turns from one to the other with her hair flying in all directions. her hands fly to her ears and she shouts above them all, "ENOUGH! As if I could hear any of your prattling when all three of you chose to talk at once!" She levels her gaze at Gailglin, the weakest link of them all it would seem, "You all followed, and you are all sorry, and that is all well and good. But you ask me what I think should hppen? Nay, you don't want to know. As for retribution, I would ask that of your parents and beg for their mercy, beg for them to forgive you and not me." Next is Taudhoron, and her head moves slowly from side to side, "Part of your problem, I would say, is your inability to listen. No, your aunt does not look dead for she still stands, but she has been out looking for you high and low, likely since you first wandered blithely out of Lothlorien. And your running away did not kill her, but I can assure you it made her heart break." She is next speaking to Rhibi, a smile on her lips that looks not the least bit friendly, "I might have known... you were the instigator? Yes, it shows. Older than the others, at least by a tad? Enough that you feel like you are the elder, that you are smart enough to get out of any jam? Well, let me assure you, you are not out of the dark woods yet. You have now to deal with me, mellon."
She stands, and when she does her cold gaze falls on Legarwin. "I will forgive you this trangression once, but mark me well: my concern is not with the feelings of these children, just as it was not their concern for ours. If I scare them, then let me do it enough that they remember my face the next time they decide to do something as blatently... stupid! I hope I strike fear into their hearts, for this will not end with me. Let them get a taste of what awaits them when they get home! Do not think that I am not happy to have found them, and more yet that they are alive. But I will not coddle them and cater to the needs of selfish brats."
Stumbling still further from the irate Knight-banneret, Rhibi's eyes grow wider and wider. Almost frantically, he looks around but finding the only semi-friendly face has also drawn Mia's ire, he keeps backing away until at last he does trip over his blanket and falls on his rear. Too scared to say anything at all, he just sits there shaking, tears running silently down his cheeks.
Though hope momentarily sparks upon Gailglin's face at Legarwin's offering, any trace of wind within the wee Silvan's sails unfurls... as he shrinks in wake of Mia's eye. Still clutching Galena's cloak tight him, the youngest of those gathered lowers his gaze intently to the muddied tips of his boots.. the youth's cheeks coloring at the ensuing chiding.
Last do spring-bright eyes cast toward Rhibi, to whom Gailglin brandishes a notable frown at his omission. Tears shed anew as the timid edhel's flaxen waves then tousle amid his head's hanging.
Taudhoron just hangs his dark head, turning his face a bit to the side and away from the angry Knight. He cries still, and hides his face in a corner of the blanket. Late, a muffled, "I'm sorry!" manages to weakly make its way out.
Legarwin stands up and runs over to Rhibi who who has worked his way pretty far away. he gets on his knees so that they are eye-level. he speaks in a calm voice with no anger or hatred. "Do you know what you have done? There is nothing to fear. Mia just needs to let off some anger that she has bottled up while you were gone."
Mia stands with her hands clenched at her sides, her mouth working in anger as she watches Legarwin and hears his words. "Mellon," she intones with a warning glance, "I will ask you nicely not to make apologies for me. I am well aware of my state of being, and I am also well aware of my duty and job. It is not my place to welcome these children back from their ordeal with open arms, and at this point it is just as well. But listen well, for I will say this only once: Never speak for me again." She takes the bag of pastries and looks at them with disgust. "As if the first thing you need to eat is something sweet! Or be rewarded for your misdeeds by being given treats? Nay, there is warm food to be had at the campfire, and mulled cider to drink." She glances at the children, her face softening slightly as she is confronted by their tears. She is not heartless, it would seem, for she walks to the closest one, Taudhoron, and slides an arm around him gently.
Taudhoron presses his face into the Banneret's shoulder and sobs, "It was scary, mellon! I won't ever do anything so stupid again, I promise!" He cries a bit longer, his eyes hidden by the blanket and Mia's shoulder. In the odd, half-gasping voice of one who has not yet recovered from weeping, he peeps up and asks, "You-you have f-food? Er-Erinstar gave us...a bit of lem-lembas, but I h-haven't really eaten in days-s." He sniffles and wipes his nose on the sodden blanket
Scared, hungry, tired. Rhibi has no more bravery to show, not even in pretense, and he just stares at the edhel who has knelt beside him. Huge shudders shake the blanket as he gulps and fights back another sob. His eyes go back to the furious Banneret; her softer tone seems to comfort him a little and he struggles to his feet, impeded by the blanket. A tentative step is taken towards the campfire before he stops and looks at Mia again. "Are you st-still m-mad at me?" he quavers.
Mia shakes her head as she pats the child's hair softly, her voice and tone now more soothing than before. Her expression still mad, but tempered now with a healer's compassion, she answers the first question asked of her. "Aye, we have food, and plenty of it. Enough for you to have your fill, which I am sure will be quite a bit." As Rhibi speaks, she shifts her eyes to him, her steely glance moving from the top of his head to the tips of his toes and back again. "Yes, tithi-mellon, I am still mad and likely will be for awhile. But it will not last for too long, and it does not cloud my senses enough that I do not feel other than that for you." She sizes the boy up, a look of faint admiration in her eyes. "I hate to admit it, but I am impressed."
Legarwin stands back up and steps next to Rhibi, holding his hand, hoping to give him some comfort. He pulls Rhibi foward gently to where the food is sitting so that the child can got some food inro himself.
Gailglin, for his part, huddles at the campfire... clutching at the lent cloak as if his little life depended on it. The glee so oft cast across the bright edhel's face has since shed as amber-hued flames cast a glimmering reflection upon the would-be Glirdain's tear-stained cheeks. Those softly-hued eyes but linger upon the cleared earth surrounding the fire circle as his lower lip delicately pronounces amid a pervading frown.
Rhibi pulls his hand back away from the adult's grasp, lingering a little longer. His eyes search Mia's. "B-but you said it was bad." An inquiring tone has crept into his voice. He bends his head to the side and swipes his blanket-covered arm across his filthy face. The cloth, when he lowers his hand, is smeared with dirt.
Taudhoron, for his part, abandons both his best friend and the Banneret for the fire. The grasses snatch at his trailing blanket as the little Raavindonserke sniffs and looks hopefully about. Another healer he finds, and soon the child is settled firmly near the warming flames, a warmer bowl of stew cradled in his lap. His grubby hand clutches firmly a spoon, and he gives this meal his full attention.
Mia reaches forward with her clean cloth and wipes away some of the dirt from Rhibi's tear-streaked face. "Aye, so it was, and thoughtless, and all those other things I said. But I would be lying to say that the last thing I expected was to find you dead. No, I thought we would come across a scene much, much worse than mine eyes have ever seen for themselves, and I have seen an awful lot." She smiles at him softly, her head tilting in the same manner as his. "But you are all here, and safe, which defies all logical conclusions. The blame may be evenly doled out among you, but I think we both know that some had more to do with it than other, hmmm?" She raises her eyebrows slightly. "A boy who can lead his friends safely to Fangorn, and keep those friends alive for weeks... well, he is definately special. I wouldn't doubt that when you come of age that I shall see you at the Naith, asking to become a member of the Order." She looks at him with tenderness, the first true inkling that the elleth is not made of stone. "You have the ability to lead. Be wise the next time you test out your abilities."
Legarwin lets the child go and Mia clean him up before he heads to the fire to warm up. He looks at Mia and can see a much different attitude in her. "They shall be safe now."
Rhibi's eyes grow wide again, not in fear this time, but in wonder. "Oh," is all he says while he digests her words. And then a tentative smile is returned, a smile which grows larger. "I will be a good captain next time! I won't forget anything!" Finally, he allows the tantalizing smells of food to draw him to the fire; where he plops down beside Taudhoron waiting for his own dinner.
As the child begins to run to the campfire, Mia, looks up with a startled gasp. "NO! No next time! Not for a long... LONG time!" She stands and watches all of the children going now to where warm food and even warmer hearts await them, her mouth now turned down slightly at the corners. "Children." She says with an exasperated sigh. "Eru help me, I'm not sure if I will ever be prepared for children."
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