NARRATOR: (like almost comatose?)
CIMORENE: (yap)
NARRATOR: *Melendar lets you rest in his arms all the while*
NARRATOR: *he seems to be speaking to Igiwi a little*
NARRATOR: *igiwi reassures him*
CIMORENE: *she drifts off, snuggling into Melendar's arms. She briefly wonders why she should feel safe, but she does as she passes out fully*
CIMORENE: *yeah~!!!!!)
NARRATOR: *no dreams*
NARRATOR: *so ya wake up*
CIMORENE: (lol)
NARRATOR: *Melendar is still holding you a little reluctantly and the sun is rising*
CIMORENE: *she is suffering from a major headache, but she wakes fully and groans, trying to focus her eyes*
NARRATOR: Melendar:Good morning.
CIMORENE: *she blinks a few times, then goes bright red and moves away from Melendar* G-Good morning
NARRATOR: Melendar:*puzzled*Are you alright now?
NARRATOR: *Igiwi is awake too, he is leaning closer after the question is out*
CIMORENE: *she tries to smile, then glances at Melendar again and the vision crosses her eyes and she shudders* Y-yes.... I'm all right
NARRATOR: Igiwi:You don't look or sound it. Cimorene what is the matter?
NARRATOR: Melendar:*eyes on the ground now*Is it me?
CIMORENE: *she shakes her head to clear it* No.... just bad dreams again.
NARRATOR: Melendar:You're having bad dreams?
NARRATOR: *igiwi nods knowingly to you*
CIMORENE: But the person in my dreams is manifesting now.... we need to complete this mission and get back to Gondor so that I can see Lord Ulrich about this... *she seems to be musing to herself*
CIMORENE: *To melendar* Yes... for the last few weeks now
NARRATOR: Melendar:That is an ill omen. I hope they aren't like my nightmares.
CIMORENE: *her interest piques* I would love to hear about your dreams as we ride
NARRATOR: Melendar:*reluctantly*Only if you share with me.
NARRATOR: *igiwi looks on helpless*
CIMORENE: *she stands, somewhat shakily and moves towards Bard* We should get going.
NARRATOR: Igiwi:Right. We still have many days to go.
NARRATOR: Melendar:Very well*looks off the direction he had come*Just as long as we don't go that way*points to the direction off past the bushes*
NARRATOR: Igiwi:We won't be to reach Galtaire*to melendar*
NARRATOR: Melendar:Good...
CIMORENE: *she grins between them and mounts up on Bard* Bard, how many can you carry?
NARRATOR: it will be very trying to hold you three
NARRATOR: Melendar:Your animal talks!
NARRATOR: *igiwi is amused*
CIMORENE: *she chuckles at Melendar's childlike wonder* To the right people, yes. *she dismounts* Ok, you two mount up, and I'll lead Bard,
NARRATOR: Igiwi:It is alright, I will walk.
NARRATOR: *melendar just sits on bard*
CIMORENE: *she smiles at Igiwi* Are you sure/
NARRATOR: Igiwi:*with confidence*Very much
CIMORENE: *she shrugs and gets back up on Bard, riding in front of Melendar*
NARRATOR: *another week goes by*
NARRATOR: (6 weeks of traveling so far)
NARRATOR: *the sun can be caught shining more and more frequently in holes in the clouds*
NARRATOR: *the light from it shows the gradually more beautiful green grass and trees*
NARRATOR: *the terrain is becoming a bit hilly, but still pretty*
NARRATOR: *the wind is comfortable now*
CIMORENE: *she has already slipped her hood back to allow her hair to fly free*
NARRATOR: (do you share your dreams?)
CIMORENE: (yup. All of em, with Igiwi and Melendar)
NARRATOR: (k)
NARRATOR: *melendar shares some dreams he remembers to you two*
NARRATOR: *he talks of his fierce and futile, seeming, running from a fortress*
NARRATOR: *he was chased by a great many things, he didn't turn to look, but knew that it was very scary*
NARRATOR: *eventually he ran down some hills and lost them, he believes*
NARRATOR: *this was over a great many days he cannot quite count*
NARRATOR: *he thought he recalled seeing you die in a vision*
CIMORENE: *she blinks* me?
NARRATOR: Melendar:Yes, I don't know why but I was talking with someone...*strains to remember*...important. The person showed me you dying for some reason, but it didn't seem real. I don't know why they did that.
CIMORENE: *she glances at Igiwi* Why would someone want to kill me?
NARRATOR: Igiwi:I suppose the wrong influences in these lands know about you by now. You're getting to be as much a nuisance to them as I have been for years.
CIMORENE: *she grins* Amen, friend
NARRATOR: Melendar:*to you*Sounds as if the being in your dreams wants you dead anyway.
CIMORENE: No..... they've never harmed me in my dreams. He wants something from me, I think
NARRATOR: Melendar:Oh, can I ask you something? Why do you talk about me in your dreams so much?
CIMORENE: *she blushes another bright red and keeps her face straight ahead* I.... I don't know. Maybe because you kidnapped me once
NARRATOR: Melendar:*eyes open in surprise*I did!
NARRATOR: Igiwi:*smiles a little*My Melendar you are a rouge aren't you?
CIMORENE: *she aimes a well-placed, voluntarily missing kick at Igiwi* It's not funny! *but she is smiling*
CIMORENE: Yes, Melendar, you did.... a long, long time ago.
NARRATOR: Melendar:*blushes a little*Well if it helps any, I can say right now with all honesty:I am sorry.
NARRATOR: Igiwi:How long ago*to you*?
CIMORENE: (Three hundred?)
CIMORENE: (Or more?)
NARRATOR: (try like 1,000)
NARRATOR: (probably more, but it works for now)
CIMORENE: over 1000 years ago
NARRATOR: Melendar:*clearly impressed*Whoa! We're that old?!
NARRATOR: Igiwi:My you two have lived a while haven't you? I cannot vouch for more than 25 or so years.
CIMORENE: *she glances back at Melendar* You're over 5000 years old.... MUCH older than me
NARRATOR: Melendar:*not quite believing it*Sure Cimorene...
CIMORENE: *she turns fully on Bard and looks him straight in the eye* YOu are one of the oldest and most powerful of our living race
NARRATOR: Igiwi:*to melendar sadly*What great secrets may be lost with your memory...
NARRATOR: Melendar:*apologetically*I am sorry...
CIMORENE: DOn't be sorry.
NARRATOR: Melendar:*stunned*That can't be true.
CIMORENE: It is. Like it or not
NARRATOR: Igiwi:*to himself*What a powerful warrior and ally you could be...
NARRATOR: Melendar:Well then know this, I do not like it. I do not want it.
NARRATOR: Melendar: *still to you* The more I hear about myself, the less I like myself.
CIMORENE: *she blinks* But you had good qualities as well!
NARRATOR: *they both look on, waiting to hear more*
CIMORENE: *she grins and faces forward again* YOu saved me and my friends in the mines of Moria....
CIMORENE: And you forged a mystical blade for a Lord of Rohan...
CIMORENE: And you helped forge the Rings of Power.... oops! *covers her mouth quickly*
NARRATOR: Melendar:I did? Though I don't know these places i'm glad to hear that i've done some good.
NARRATOR: Igiwi:Rings of power?
NARRATOR: Melendar:Rings of power eh?*looks with a sheepish grin*I think i'm wearing one...
CIMORENE: *she nearly leaps off Bard in her shock, just barely holding onto his mane and by one leg* WEARING ONE?!
NARRATOR: Melendar:Come to think of it, I feel very comfortable making things. I can do it without even thinking.
NARRATOR: Melendar:*cringing from you*Yes, i'm wearing a ring. and with what you said, maybe it's one of those... what did you call it?
CIMORENE: Ring.... of..... Power...... Let me see that!
NARRATOR: *you cannot see a ring on his hands*
CIMORENE: *she relaxes visibly and climbs back on Bard* Melendar.... dont' lie. YOu're not wearing a Ring
NARRATOR: Melendar:I'm not lying Cimorene*takes off a ring from NO-WHERE*
CIMORENE: *falls off Bard completely this time, landing on her shapely rump*
NARRATOR: *igiwi looks on waiting for a cue from you*
NARRATOR: *Igiwi actually catches you!*
CIMORENE: (lol)
NARRATOR: Igiwi:What is it?
NARRATOR: *you're in his arms completely a moment and he lets you down*
CIMORENE: *she eeps and wraps her arms around Igiwi's neck* A Ring of Power!
NARRATOR: Melendar:*holding his ring*I don't know the requirements for a ring of power, but I think this helped me escape my pursuers.
NARRATOR: Melendar:and the writing on it says I made it.
CIMORENE: *she let's go of Igiwi almost immedietely and stares at Melendar* May I see it ?
NARRATOR: Melendar:*hesitates*It's mine you know. You promise to give it back?
CIMORENE: Of course I do! I am not a theif
NARRATOR: Melendar:*trying to avoid conflict*Okay okay. *gives you the ring*
CIMORENE: *takes it, inspects it, and sense powers it*
NARRATOR: Igiwi:*to you*be careful.
CIMORENE: (18)
NARRATOR: *you feel it radiate power*
NARRATOR: *it feels stealthy and quick*
NARRATOR: *the perfect weapon for a hunter in the shadows*
CIMORENE: *she stares at it a moment, then ponders silently to herself* It is not one of the Rings of Power....
NARRATOR: Melendar:*slightly disapointed*Oh well. But wouldn't any ring I make be considered a ring of power then?
NARRATOR: Igiwi:*to melendar*a good question.*to you*What would you say?
CIMORENE: *she smiles and hands it back* Of course. But it is not one of the 19 Rings of Power
NARRATOR: Melendar:*a little happier now*Good to hear. I hope it doesn't offend you but I take some pride in my own craftsmenship. It is about the only thing I know I can do.
NARRATOR: Igiwi: Should you try it on?
NARRATOR: Igiwi:*like a kid at x-mas*Can I?
CIMORENE: *she smiles and hands him her huge bow* Tell me what you think of this? *she glances at Igiwi* Why ask me? Ask Melendar
NARRATOR: Igiwi:*takes the bow*I was never much good with a bow...*to melendar*May I try on your ring?
CIMORENE: (Offered the bow to Melendar)
NARRATOR: Melendar:*thinks very very hard*You may if you promise to return it to me before we leave here.
NARRATOR: Igiwi:I accept. *looks to you*May I have it Cimorene?
CIMORENE: (..... Jonny, she already gave the ring back)
NARRATOR: (oh...)
NARRATOR: *melendar gives him the ring*
NARRATOR: *igiwi puts the ring on*
NARRATOR: *nothing seems to happen to him*
NARRATOR: Igiwi:How do I work it?*to melendar*
NARRATOR: Melendar:*to igiwi*I think you have to will it to sort of. *thinks hard*You have to try to hide or swing your sword.
NARRATOR: *igiwi goes into the tall grass now*
NARRATOR: Igiwi:can you see me?
CIMORENE: *she blinks* Yes
NARRATOR: (make an observe roll actually)
CIMORENE: (16)
NARRATOR: *you cannot see him*
NARRATOR: *but you can tell where he is by his voice*
NARRATOR: *and how the grass is sunk in around where he is*
NARRATOR: Melendar:I cannot either, my that ring is something.
CIMORENE: *she blinks a few times, narrowing her eyes* No.... I can't see you at all
NARRATOR: *igiwi comes out of the grass and is visible again*
NARRATOR: *he takes out his massive blade and swings it*
NARRATOR: *he does 2 hits for every 1 he normally did*
NARRATOR: Melendar:and these are the only things i've found it can do...
NARRATOR: *melendar is almost sad to have a limit on his ring*
CIMORENE: *she chuckles at Igiwi* All right, mighty warrior, get back over here and let's get going.
NARRATOR: Igiwi:*takes the ring back to its maker*It is a lovely piece of craftsmenship Melendar. I wouldn't be surprised, now, if all your things were magical.
NARRATOR: Melendar:*happy at the thought**to you*Okay Cimorene.
NARRATOR: Igiwi:Lets move on
CIMORENE: *she smiles at Melendar, handing him her bow* What do you think of this?
NARRATOR: *melendar takes it and without trying to holds it like an expert and tests the string*
NARRATOR: Melendar:*to you*In whatever my opinion can mean, I would say it's very much a good and well made bow.
CIMORENE: *she blinks a few times, then points to the inscription on the bow itself* What about this?
NARRATOR: Melendar:*surprised again*My! It says I made it!
CIMORENE: *she smiles* You made this for yourself, and I stole it.
NARRATOR: Melendar:*hurt*Cimorene why would you do that?
CIMORENE: *she glances over hr shoulder at him as she urges Bard on* I didn't really steal it from you, but from one of your minions... back when you were evil again
NARRATOR: Melendar:*saddened*Oh... right.
NARRATOR: Melendar:Cimorene? If my memory comes back will I be evil again?
CIMORENE: But you remade it for me so that I wasn't cursed....
NARRATOR: Igiwi:Cursed?
CIMORENE: *she looks at him again from behind hooded eyelids* I don't know, Melendar.... but I hope not
NARRATOR: Melendar:Me too...*concerned*
NARRATOR: (ride on?)
CIMORENE: *she smiles at Igiwi* It hurt anyone who used the bow besides Melendar
CIMORENE: (please)
NARRATOR: Igiwi:*to melendar*You are quite a craftsmen indeed. Perhaps some day you could make me something...
NARRATOR: *you ride on*
NARRATOR: *for about 5 more days*
NARRATOR: *you are in a very dense forest now and it's a lovely healthy one too*
NARRATOR: *the path igiwi chooses follows a great river up towards the bottom of some mountains that get increasingly closer*
CIMORENE: *she takes a deep breath of forest air and smiles brightly*
NARRATOR: *igiwi has been feeding you 3 the whole trip mostly*
NARRATOR: *morning of the 6th day you reach galtaire*
NARRATOR: *it is a bright morning too*
NARRATOR: *this place is incredibly reminiscent of minas tirith*
NARRATOR: *a large outer wall circles the outside to the mountains*
NARRATOR: *there is a white tower as well nearer to the mountain and it goes up for many many feet*
CIMORENE: *she takes in the entire City and pulls her hood over her head again*
NARRATOR: *the guards seem to know igiwi and you are let in*
NARRATOR: *threw a large central gate at the middle of the front white wall*
NARRATOR: *the town is on a hill and full of white stone buildings*
NARRATOR: *it is very very much large*
NARRATOR: Igiwi:Welcome friends to Galtaire.
CIMORENE: *she smiles at Igiwi* It is a lovely town, Igiwi
NARRATOR: *igiwi is beaming with pride and looking almost threw everyone*
NARRATOR: Melendar:What a well made place.
NARRATOR: Igiwi:*to you*We should see the elder.
CIMORENE: The Elder?
NARRATOR: (remember, the guy who prophecised your coming?)
NARRATOR: (igiwi says he's been offered leadership here but never accepted)
CIMORENE: (Got it)
CIMORENE: *she nods* I suppose that would be best.... *she remembers her mission and steels herself. She knows she cannot simply stalk this Elder and spy on him, so she plans to simply speak to him*
NARRATOR: *igiwi leads you 3 to the base of the tower*
NARRATOR: Igiwi:You can leave bard here*points to a stable not 10 feet away*
CIMORENE: Will he be safe?
NARRATOR: Igiwi:*with complete confidence*Safer than anywhere you've been since you were in the west.
CIMORENE: *she slips off Bard and takes her pack and bow off his back* Come on down, Melendar
NARRATOR: Melendar:Yes ma'am.
NARRATOR: *igiwi leads you up a LONG stairway with occasional doors leading off to many many floors. it reminds you INCREDIBLY of Orthanc*
CIMORENE: *she leads Bard into the stable and pets his nose, speaking softly* Don't answer in words, friend.... but keep your eyes open, all right?
NARRATOR: i will
CIMORENE: *she stares around and around the Tower* My goodness....
NARRATOR: Igiwi:*while leading*What is it?
CIMORENE: This place.... is so familiar to me in structure
NARRATOR: Igiwi:Odd
NARRATOR: Melendar:It's beautiful...
NARRATOR: *eventually you get up to a floor that isn't the top*
NARRATOR: Igiwi:This is where he stays. *laughs*He never lives on the top floor, though he's been offered it.
NARRATOR: *melendar smiles*
CIMORENE: What's on the top floor?
NARRATOR: Igiwi:I'm not sure really, there are guards at the door and I care little.
CIMORENE: *she bites her tongue from further questions and adjusts her hood even more* Do not speak my name, please, Igiwi
CIMORENE: Just Cimorene... no titles
NARRATOR: Igiwi:Why not?
NARRATOR: *melendar is looking to you as well*
CIMORENE: I just need you not to. I will explain later.
NARRATOR: Igiwi:I do not feel comfortable with this charade.
CIMORENE: It isn't a charade. Just witholding information until the right moment. PLease?
NARRATOR: Igiwi:I would feel more comfortable if I waited outside then.
NARRATOR: *melendar shrugs*
CIMORENE: *she bites her lip worriedly and then nods* Actually.... could I talk to him alone for a bit?
NARRATOR: (which he?)
CIMORENE: (THe Elder)
NARRATOR: (hehe, okay...)
NARRATOR: Igiwi:I suppose he wouldn't have trouble with that request. Just don't do anything stupid Cimorene*smiles jokingly*
NARRATOR: Melendar:I should wait out here then?
CIMORENE: *she chuckles at Igiwi, then nods at Melendar* Yes. Make sure Igiwi doesn't do anything stupid
NARRATOR: *they both have a chuckle at this*
NARRATOR: *they both start talking about their swords now to eachother*
CIMORENE: ("Swords")
NARRATOR: (S words)
CIMORENE: (lol)
CIMORENE: *she hesitates, then knocks*
NARRATOR: Elder:It is open. Do come in.*a pleasant voice*
CIMORENE: *she pushes the door open slowly and peers inside, more than slightly nervous*
NARRATOR: *it is a nice sized chamber that seems to lead around the corner to another room*
NARRATOR: *you wager the elder is in this other section since he is not visible*
CIMORENE: Excuse me? Elder?
NARRATOR: *there are many wodden desks and parchments all over them*
NARRATOR: Elder:Yes? What can I do for you? Would you close the door while you're there?
CIMORENE: *she slides the door closed almost silently with a last glance at Igiwi and Melendar*
NARRATOR: *they are fine and have their swords out now to illustrate how mighty they are to eachother*
CIMORENE: (*can't even comment*)
NARRATOR: (hehehe)
CIMORENE: *she stifles a small chuckle as she turns towards the room*
NARRATOR: *still no movement*
NARRATOR: Elder:Thank you for your consideration.
CIMORENE: *she remains silent, but stands there perfectly still at the door*
NARRATOR: Elder:Is something the matter child? Why are you afraid?
CIMORENE: I am not afraid.... it is just odd talking to an empty room....*"Again" she thinks to herself*
NARRATOR: Elder:Oh? Then I will come closer to you.
NARRATOR: *an old man comes around the corner*
NARRATOR: *he has a long white beard and is clothed in blue*
NARRATOR: *he carries a cold metal staff with a light blue jagged crystal on it*
CIMORENE: *her eyes travel up and down the robe and beard, looking for a hint of blue in the hair or eyes*
NARRATOR: *his hair is white all around with touches of gray*
NARRATOR: *his eyes are deep dark blue*
NARRATOR: *and very intelligent eyes at that*
NARRATOR: *he has a sword lying on a chair in a scabbard*
CIMORENE: *she smiles a little to herself, then falters as she sees the sword* This is a lovely town....
NARRATOR: Elder:Thank you. I'm sure that everyone here appreciates that.
CIMORENE: *she smiles* I uhm...... I don't want to decieve you, my lord.... what was your name?
NARRATOR: Elder:Your lord? My name? Why these questions?
CIMORENE: *she sighs* You are a wizard, sir.... it makes me a trifle nervous
NARRATOR: Elder:A wizard? What, prey tell, is that?
CIMORENE: *she nearly falls over* What? You are, aren't you?
NARRATOR: Elder:What is a wizard?
CIMORENE: *she seems to be faltering for an answer* Someone who is very very old and can do magic
NARRATOR: Elder:*walks up to you*
NARRATOR: Elder:*winks and whispers*Then I suppose I fit the description.
NARRATOR: *he starts laughing fairly loudly too*
CIMORENE: *is instantly taken aback* But..... what is your name?
NARRATOR: Elder:*serious again*Why do you want to know mine so much when I do not know yours?
NARRATOR: Elder:It is only polite for a guest to introduce themself
CIMORENE: *she smiles from under her hood* Because I asked first.
NARRATOR: *he readies himself to speak*
NARRATOR: (END)