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 Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:25 am
Elnara Aldrich The sun rose slowly over the tips of the mountains, illuminating the forest below with a golden glow. A flock of birds took flight in unison, startled by the sudden movement of a predator. It was late summer here, and the trees and flowers were in full bloom. The tops of the trees were a bright and luscious green, the sky a cloudless blue. The mountain ridges glowed in the early morning sunlight, the snowy peaks so bright they were almost blinding. Below, the night creatures were returning to their dens as the day creatures were just awakening. A black squirrel skittered out of a hole in a tree and cown a leafy branch. A nut on the ground caught its eye, and it climbed down to the ground and grabbed it with its tiny paws. It took it to a nearby rock and began pounding it, trying to crack it open. A glimmering blue light caught its eye, and it stuffed the nut in its cheek and ran up the nearest tree. The light grew until it was quite large - the size and dimensions of a door, if the squirrel only knew of such things. Then two shadows appeared in the light, and the squirrel ran off as fast as its legs would take it. The shadows stepped forward and materialized. The taller of the two smiled and turned to the other. "Welcome to the Four Lands," Elnara said with a smile. Triton Winters The young man with her gave a low whistle, he was quite impressed despite the fact he should by now use to be living in the middle of nowhere, however he personally didn't live in a forest. It had always been open plains, so this was quite new, and even the air smelled perhaps a bit different.
"This is amazing...." Triton murmured taking a good look around, shifting his travel bag over his shoulder.
Something nudged his shoulder a bit and he looked down to see Tao looking up at him with wide eyes. He sighed, petting her, it had been his mother's insistance that despite the fact he was taking *both his knife and swore, along with his throwing stars* that he also take either Tao or Asia along. Since he was in no mood to have a spirit bird talk into his head, he choose the guardian griffin instead. Elnara Aldrich Elnara took a deep breath. "Smell that?" she asked, her eyes closed blissfully. "That is the smell of home." She opened her eyes and pointed toward the distant mountains. "If I'm not mistaken ... those are the Mystic Mountains." She muttered to herself for a few moments, and looked around in each direction. A slight breeze ruffled her hair and she tucked it behind one ear. She stepped up to a nearby tree and circled it slowly, examining the bark, then looked back at the mountains and nodded. "Yup, Mystic Mountains," she nodded. Triton Winters Triton looked around, there didn't seem to be anyone about, but he was already was pulling the hood over his head and tighting the fastening on it. It was a cloak made by Helen (in fact Helen insisted that he make other clothes for Triton lest he stand out).
Yea... sure they were pants and shirts, in a Gi style pattern, which was most certainly Asian... sure it didn't stand out much as one would so sarcastically think. Now he looked like someone out of Asian medvieal times, but that was Helen for you. Helen and Trisha packed his travelling bag, he kind of dreaded to find out what they packed in it, especially since there the bucket was actually his mother's personal rune adn the fact the bag was unusually light. Well that and it was Helen.
"So... where do we head to from here?" he asked checking his weapons one last time. Elnara Aldrich She glanced at him. "You're going to be awful warm in that," she warned him. She looked back at the mountains thoughtfully. Where on the map are the mountains? She tried to remember. "South," she said slowly. "We're ... maybe fifty, maybe seventy five miles north of Chansond'eau ... the main Westland city. My aunt is married to the king's son there." She adjusted her bag on her shoulder. It was a little heavier than usual now that she had a change of clothes in it. She looked at the sun rising once more. "It's strange," she mused. "I could have sworn that it was almost evening when we left ... yet it's barely past dawn here ..." Triton Winters "I'll live," Triton murmured thinking for a moment, seventy five miles, it would take up most of the day if not more than that. It was a pity Moonbeam wasn't a choice to bring with him, but there was no way that fickled thing was going to let anyone ride him.
He looked at the sky, shielding his eyes.
"Well.... we did just travel through time and space, and the twins weren't even sure the time the portal would appear." Elnara Aldrich She nodded. "Well, I'm glad it did," she said with a small smile. "I just hope that this is actually where we're supposed to be ... and not a world that just looks like mine ..." She paused a moment, then added, "And smells like mine." She started south and beckoned for him to follow her. Triton Winters Triton followed her, taking a good look around. Had anyone been watching they might just assume he was her protector and he was just doing his job. Though for Triton it was more of the fact being in a place he had never been to before, however exciting it was, also made him a bit nervous.
He had a bad experience with surprises.
Several bad experiences.
"How much time do you think has pasted?" he asked. Elnara Aldrich She looked to the east. "Not a whole lot," she replied. "Half an hour or so." She glanced at him. "Um, just in case you're wondering, we're in the northern part of the Westland ... only animals up here. We won't meet anyone for hours yet." She paused. "Unless there are travelers." She smiled as she watched Tao picking at something on the ground. "If anyone needs to worry," she said, "it would be Tao, because griffins are so feared here that they're usually attacked on sight. Um ... well ... sometimes. When someone sees one and their first instinct isn't to run." She put one hand on Triton's shoulder. "Really, I think you're going to overheat yourself in that." Triton Winters "It's oiled silk," Triton chuckled, "It doesn't get hot in it, Helen didn't make it to keep me warm, though I should have just asked for a hat it would have done just as well."
Her mentioning of Tao reminded him of something his mother wanted him to do.
"Oh, that reminds me," he rummaged around in his bag until he pulled out a bright red silk collar with the butterfly rune hanging from it, "Tao come over here," he ordered.
Trying to take the griffin's attention away from the unknown earth to put it around her neck. Elnara Aldrich Elnara watched, amused. "A griffin on a leash," she commented. "Now there's a sight I never thought I'd see." She giggled. "Have you done much forest traveling before?" she asked curiously.
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Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:08 pm
Triton Winters "Well.... now you have," Triton grinned as he petted Tao and got her to follow him, which she did, in a dog like manner to the point it was kind of weird.
He looked a bit thoughtful.
"Only through the school's forest, and the forst that's some ways away from the inn, but that was to get firewood really." Elnara Aldrich "It takes longer to get through the forest than you might think," she said, starting south once more. "Maybe I'm just slow, but I can only average at the most forty or fifty miles in a day." She smiled. "Of course, I didn't really have any destination then either ..." Triton Winters Triton chuckled at that, "And a destination makes all the difference, don't worry. I think we can manage, I don't expect us to be suddenly there, I know...." he then added impishly, "Mom gave me the whole talk about travelling right before we left. I think she was slightly worried."
Well, yes that would be a given he knew that. Elnara Aldrich She half-smiled. "I would say I understand, but I really can't relate ... I know guardians worry, but as for mothers in general ..." She trailed off and sighed. "Sometimes I wonder if she thinks about us," she admitted. "I know it's a horrible thought ..." Triton Winters "But it's one you can't help," Triton added in as they walked, "Elnara, it's natural to question that, even if we know that it's possible it could have been beyond their ability to do anything we still question that. What child doesn't want to know for certain they are loved and cared for by their parents? Much less their mother." Elnara Aldrich She shrugged. "I still feel bad for the thought," she replied, her eyes lowered. "I'm sure she loved us all ..." She stepped over a fallen tree, then checked the sky and surrounding trees to make sure they were still travelling south. Triton Winters He tugged gently on Tao's collar to keep the griffin from wandering off, as well trained as she was, she wasn't meant to be wandering or travelling, but rather for partrolling.
"You're not some transcendental deity, you're as much as a person as anyone else, and it's something we all think of," Triton pointed out. Elnara Aldrich She nodded. "I know. But keep in mind, I've had five years of pretty much no one to talk to, so it's hard to change my mind set sometimes." She plucked an apple from a tree they were passing under and took a bite. "I'm wondering ..." she said slowly, swallowing. "Maybe Aunt Amalthea could lend us some horses ..." She took another bite and glanced at Triton. "Have you ever ridden?" she asked. Triton Winters Triton sweated a bit, he was wondering when he was going to run into trouble, now would be it.
"Uhm... never actually, Moonbeam is the cloest thing we have to a horse and he won't let anyone ride him," he admitted, "And there was never a need to keep horses. Not with the cloest town just being a few hours walk and portals to the school." Elnara Aldrich She thought quickly. "Well, then there are two things we could do, since I do not recommend taking a horse for a journey if you've never ridden," she said. "First, we could walk the whole way ... though if we're going to go to my home city, I have to warn you it's about three thousand miles ... Hardly walkable." She looked at him to see his reaction. Triton Winters Triton whinced and shook his head, "Uhm... no.... I don't know about you, but I'd rather not find out that way exactly how long it takes me to get old," he replied, "What's the second way? Or do I even want to know?" Elnara Aldrich She giggled. "Yeah, I didn't think that would appeal to you," she laughed. "Our second choice would be to double up." Triton Winters "Double up?" Triton raised a brow.
Did he want to know? This.. sounded like things were going to get very interesting from here on end. Elrohir Aldrich Two elves appeared suddenly a short distance ahead. They were Westland elves: both nearly seven feet tall. The one had golden hair to his shoulders; the other had white-blond hair that rippled down to his waist. They were dressed in the pale garb of an elven hunter, and both carried a bow and quiver on his back. They also each had a sword strapped on their side.
They stopped and looked at each other when they saw the group approaching them. It was rare to see a Southland elf - rarer still to find one traveling with a mysteriously cloaked figure that had a griffin - and they had never seen a griffin on a rope."Greetings, travelers," one called out when they were close enough. He placed one hand over his heart and bowed his head. "What brings such a strange company in this part of the land?"The one with the lighter hair repeated the hand-over-heart-and-nodding-head movement. "Indeed, 'tis strange to find anyone atall in this area." Elnara Aldrich "Double up," she repeated. "Ride together." She raised one eyebrow and looked at Tao pointedly. "Unless she's willing to take you." She stopped short when she heard the greeting of the other elves. She hadn't seen them coming ... "Greetings," she replied, putting both hands over her heart and bowing her head. "We are traveling to Chansond'eau," she told them, straightening once more and dropping her hands. "Pray, can you tell us the date?" She hoped Triton was okay with their sudden appearance: if she looked toward him to see, she could very poissibly insult the strangers.
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Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:29 pm
Triton Winters Triton absently tugged on the collar to keep Tao from squealing with joy and wanting to explore the strangers. She was far too curious for her own good, and in a land that feared griffins it wasn't a bright idea. Now that he thought of it, his mother could ride Tao, but she was small, and so he hadn't thought of it.
Then again Tao was a big griffin for guardian purposes... would she let him?
Triton followed Elnara's motion, but stayed silent, partly because he wasn't sure what he should say. Elrohir Aldrich "The date?" said the white-blond one thoughtfully. He looked at his companion. "I'm afraid I'm not sure ... do you know, Alladan?"The other thought for a moment. "I'm afraid I can't give you the exact date," he said apologetically, "But I do know that it is only a few days past the Enderi.""Yes," said the first, "That's right. If you had come just a few days earlier you could have attended the festival. Shame, really, it was quite wonderful this year. Six days this year and all that." And he smiled, remembering the festivities.Alladan was looking at the cloaked figure curiously. "You're a silent fellow," he commented. "Pray, tell me your name. Where are you from?" "Yes, do tell," the first agreed with a smile. Elnara Aldrich Elnara risked a glance at Triton and shook her head gently. Triton Winters He didn't know if Elnara was against telling his name or where he came from or both. Well.... it was kind of hard to tell a person where you came from, but what was he going to say? It would be rude to just not say anything.
"I'm just a mere Rurouni, a wanderer without a destination nor place I call my own," Triton replied back politely.
Somehow he felt incredibilty stupid using lines out of Were's manga books, but the role of a ronin seemed to fit him... for now. Elrohir Aldrich The elves were visibly startled. "A Rurouni!" Alladan repeated, his tone filled with awe. He leaned in close to his companion's ear. "What's a Rurouni?" he whispered."No idea," the other whispered back. "But it sounds important." Then aloud he said, "Well we'd best let you be on your way then." He bowed at the waist and they walked past the girl and the cloaked Rurouri. Elnara Aldrich "Wait!" Elnara called, and they stopped. "You said it was the six-day Enderi ... what year is it?" Elrohir Aldrich Alladan looked at her with an odd expression on his face. "The year is 24 of the Fourth Age," he replied. "Let's go," he muttered to his companion, and they disappeared into the forest. Triton Winters Triton raised a brow in surprise, he had not expected that reaction, he had expected more of something of Elnara's normal reaction, in where she would ask what that was. He really hoped he didn't accidently give himself a title that meant something else in this world.
He figured he'd be safe with Eastern terms. Elnara Aldrich Elnara turned to face him. "What in the Four Lands is a Rurouri?" she asked blankly. Obviously the elves hadn't heard of it, just wanted to retain appearances. Triton Winters Triton choked back a bit of laughter, "I was about to ask you if the term had any special meaning to your people, because they sure as hell acted like they knew."
Now that sounded like more of the reaction he expected to get.
"A Rurouni or Ronin, is a samuari... err.... swordman who is masterless, either their teacher or the person they use to serve has died or discharge them of their service and so they go around as wanderers. At least that's what storybooks deplict them as." Elnara Aldrich She laughed. "No, no special meaning," she giggled. "They were just proud, didn't want to admit their ignorance." She looked at him, her head tilted curiously. "So you're my Rurouri." Her laughter died suddenly, and she looked in the direction the elves had disappeared thoughtfully. "They said it's the year 24 ..." she murmured. "It should only be 18 ..." Triton Winters "Hmm... six years into the future, at least it isn't a hundred," Triton murmured, "This could have been the closest time period the twins could get us."
It kind of made him worry what time period it would be for them when the twins reopened the portal. It was the one reason why Yukito warned it could be anywhere from two weeks to several months.
"Well...." Triton put a hand on her shoulder, "we won't know exactly how much has changed for you until we get you to that city right? It looks like I'm a Ruroini from now on... as long as I don't start talking like the damn man I'll be fine." Elnara Aldrich She didn't quite understand his last comment, but she was too distracted to enquire about it. "So I'm 19 ... and 25 years old?" she murmured. "And if it's this confusing for me, how will everyone else take it?" Suddenly she thought of something. "Er ... Triton ... when we greeted those two ... how did you do it?" she asked anxiously. Triton Winters "I didn't know who to copy so I just copied you," Triton sighed, "I should have just bowed normally like I always do back home, if I'm a foriegner there should be no reason to," he squeezed the bridge of his nose thoughtfully, before thinking.
There were two different ways to bow, like a curtesy and a bow.
He chuckled sheepishly turning a bit pink, "Oops... I should have been more observate, I did something wrong didn't I?" Elnara Aldrich She burst into a fit of giggles. "No wonder they were so creeped out!" she exclaimed. "I'm sorry, I should have shown you earlier ..." She laughed again. "When strangers greet each other," she explained, still smiling, "the men touch their heart with their right hand, and bow their head - only their head. Women cover their heart with both hands" - she giggled again -"and bow their heads too. That goes for all the races." She shook her head, still laughing. "Farewells differ between the races," she went on. "The Westland elves bow at the waist - like you do. In the Southland, it's a nod of the head and do this with your fingers ..." She nodded her head slowly and touched the middle two fingers of her right hand to the spot right between her eyebrows, then put that hand to her heart. "Same for both genders." She giggled again. "But that's only for strangers. If you know each other it doesn't really matter what you do. Unless ... when we get to the castle, it's always always always a bow from the waist, whether male or female, stranger or family, greeting or farewell." She paused to consider her words. "Unless you're wearing a dress, then it's a curtsey ... but I don't think you need to worry about that."
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Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:00 pm
Triton Winters Triton shook his head at the idea of such a varity of ways to say hello and goodbye with no words, but he supposed it was like that back home too... only he didn't know it.
"Well... if it means anything," he said slowly, "We'll never meet them again, and if we do... well who knows what they think a Ruronini is!"
He chuckled a bit, "I'll keep that in mind next time though." Elnara Aldrich She laughed. "Yeah, greet too many more people like that and you might as well be wearing a skirt!" Suddenly they arrived at the edge of a large clearing. Elnara was confused. "Either my calculations were wrong," she said slowly, "which could easily be the case - or ... the Westlanders have expanded a lot farther north in the past six years ..." They were looking at a huge plantation of some sort. The harvest had begun, so most of the crops were cut and unrecognizable by now. But the property seemed to cover more than a mile of what had used to be forestland. Elnara could see many groups of men scattered around the plantation, but no women, and she felt that familiar feeling of fear growing in her stomach. "Er... let's go around, shall we?" she suggested. Triton Winters "Sure, don't want to be caught for tresspassing," Triton nodded as he led Tao to follow Elnara.
He had a sudden thought, something about when he met the two.
"Elnara when you were shaking your head, it made me think, how much should I tell people? I mean, about myself?" Elnara Aldrich She blushed. "Sorry ... Really I think you can tell them what you like, as much as you're comfortable with ... just ... I don't think it would be a good idea to mention that we've come here from another world," she said quietly. "Things are going to be hard enough as it is ..." She wondered how her family would take it. They needed to know, after all. She stepped back into the trees and started around the plantation. Triton Winters "Well, I don't think they would believe me even if I told them," Triton replied, "I just find it amusing, I was really weaving threads when I said all of that stuff... out of one of Were's storybooks," he admitted softly to her. Elnara Aldrich She giggled. "No wonder it sounded real ... even if it was completely strange." She fell silent. After a while, she spoke. "My youngest brother ... he was six years old when I left," she began slowly. "He'll be seventeen years old now ... only two years younger than me ... instead of eight." She turned to Triton. "I won't know any of my brothers anymore," she told him, "and it's likely that they won't recognize me, either." Triton Winters "But your older brothers might," Triton pointed out, "It's not like you've changed, so you at least have the advantage of being recongizable. At least you didn't start wearing what other Gaians wear."
He padded along side her silently. Elnara Aldrich She smiled. "Well, I don't know if you'll be able to believe this or not," she said, "but when I left I was a full twelve inches shorter. Remember, I was only fourteen - barely a teenager." Triton Winters "Okay... so that might be a bit problematic," Triton replied, "But.... I mean, there has to be other things about you that hasn't changed in the past several years." Elnara Aldrich "I've lost all the manners I learned living at the castle," she told him, ticking it off on her fingers: "I've grown at least a foot, I've gone through some really bad experiences, my way of speaking has changed ..." She shrugged. "What can you think of that might be the same?" Triton Winters "Elnara, behavioural differences don't count," he tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ears, "You may have grown a foot, but I'm sure there are still parts of you that are still Elnara. Unless you had your face completely changed of course." Elnara Aldrich She blushed when he tucked her hair away for her. "But if it's been eleven years now ..." she murmured. "For them." Triton Winters "You never know until we get there," Triton pointed out, "Come on Elnara, this will be like a great family reunion or something like that."
He thought for a while.
"And the fact that your family is probably as big as mine, would give me a rough idea what the holidays are going to be like." Elnara Aldrich She adjusted her bag and forced a smile. "Sorry," she apologized quietly. "I guess I've just always been something of a pessimist." The trees were beginning to thin out, and she could see beyond the edge of the forest. "Hey, look," she said with surprise. "The city ..." She giggled sheepishly. "I guess I was way off with where I thought we came in ..." Triton Winters "Hey at least we got to the city," Triton replied, "Better than wandering aimlessly for days and days, it just means we don't have to camp out on the ground tonight."
He chuckled a it at the thought as Tao nudged his shoulder with her beak. She wanted attention again.
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Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:09 pm
Elnara Aldrich "But camping out is so fun!" she giggled, then sobered. "Really, once you get used to it, it's hard to get used to sleeping without the stars as your roof ..." Triton Winters "It is," Triton agreed, "However, at least we're here...." he looked around a bit, "What are the chances the city had expanded?"
The thought occured to him between the fact they had gotten here early. Which begged the next question where were they going to go and what next? Elnara Aldrich She studied the city for a brief moment. "The city itself looks the same," she said finally. "Come on, we can get supplies and a horse from my aunt, maybe stay the night, and then head out for the Southland." She looked at him. "Is that ok?" Triton Winters "Sure," Triton replied holding up the rope, "Then we can see if Tao would let me ride her or if I have to double up with you," he grinned.
There was going to an interesting thought. Elnara Aldrich She laughed. "So let's go!" she beckoned. She started towards the city's eastern gate. "I sure hope Tao's ok with crowds," she commented worriedly. Triton Winters "She's good," Triton replied, "Except the part where she'll start acting like a cat and want to be pettetd, but otherwise she's good," he added sheepishly, "Mom says her only down fall is that she's too friendly with other people."
He kept a tight grip on the rope, he didn't want to explain to his mother that Tao got shot. Elnara Aldrich Elnara smiled. "Good." She could already see the guards that were standing at the gates, and she started digging through her bag. "When we get to the gates," she said, "let me talk to the guards. We won't have any problems." Triton Winters Triton nodded watching the guards carefully, people of authority in an unknown land would make anyone nervous so he found himself petting Tao to keep himself calm.
And she was tittering like a bird. Elrohir Aldrich The guards watched the approaching group apprehensively. Mysterious cloaked figures were always suspicious: and the fact that they had a griffin in tow on a rope made them wonder what kind of person it might be.
The girl was digging around for something in her bag when the group arrived and stopped.
"State your name and business," said one of the guards.
Rather than answer, the girl held up a silver bracelet embossed with the symbol of a phoenix. The guards exchanged a glance and stepped to the side without another word, even bowing low as the group passed through the gates. Triton Winters Well that had been an interestined result, as far as Triton was concerned. Then again Elnara was important in courtly matters she admitted that much.
He didn't really say anything, waited for Elnara to do so, since he didn't know how much out of ear shot was ear shot, and from the looks of the people on the street, there wasn't going to be a chance to catch some prviate time until they arrived wherever. Elnara Aldrich She stepped closer to Triton and smiled. "Now do you understand why I kept it so carefully?" she asked. "Without it, there was no way we would have gotten in." She put one hand on Tao's head absently and began to scratch. Triton Winters "It's almost like an ID card," Trition murmured, "Except it's prettier and you can wear it."
He added as Tao leaned into Elnara's hand purring, how that is possible is unknown. Elnara Aldrich "Well, we'll just see how well it works at the castle," she replied vaguely. "Security there is so much tighter than at the gates ..." She was suprised at how easy it was for them to get through the crowds: normally, at this time of day it was impossible to get anywhere. Suddenly, she realized that the griffin they had with them just might have something to do with it. Triton Winters Triton kind of noticed how people were giving them the wide berth, he wondered if he should get Tao to do tricks before people think that she could slip her leash and eat someone.
Now there was a thought.
"Maybe... I should have brought Asia as annoyin as the bird might have been."
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Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:24 pm
Elnara Aldrich Elnara shook her head in disagreement. "Trust me, if we didn't have Tao with us we'd be spending the entire rest of the day just trying to get to the castle." She smiled. "Besides, as long as Tao doesn't attack anyone, no one can do anything about it." Triton Winters "She wouldn't unless we're being attacked otherwise she's got a gentle temperment," Triton petted Tao again, "So much so that the insitution pretty much put that on her stats listing. It was kind of surprising she didn't end up as a scout instead, but she probably doesn't have the body structure for it."
He could see the castle now and he hoped he didn't get kicked out, that would suck. Elrohir Aldrich The gat was again blocked, this time by four guards instead of two. And these ones had their swords drawn. Not held in any threatening manner, but drawn.
One of them stepped forward. "State your name and business," he ordered crisply. His armour was white-gold and embossed with images of leaves and trees. Elnara Aldrich Elnara stepped forward. "My name is Elnara Aldrich," she said boldly, and held up the bracelet once again. "I come to see my aunt, Princess Amalthea." Elrohir Aldrich Rather than accepting the bracelet as identification as the other guards had done, this one became suspicious.
"Lady Elnara has not been seen anywhere in these lands for several years," he stated flatly. He was also suspicious of this hooded fellow. People who hid their identities could rarely be trusted. Elnara Aldrich Elnar nodded, somewhat angrily. "That is why it's called a return," she replied, her mouth set in an angry line. "Please, I need to see my aunt ..." Triton Winters Lovely, Triton thought, well he couldn't well blame them for it, they were only doing their job. Anyone who wouldn't look for what something was at face value had to be very good at their job. Elrohir Aldrich The guard ignored the girl claiming to be the princess and focused his attention instead on the cloaked figure.
"You there," he ordered. "Take it off. Show yourself. Who are you?" Elnara Aldrich Elnara sighed. "Better do as he says, Triton," she said softly, "Or we'll be here all day." Triton Winters He sighed a bit as he lowered his cloak, letting it fall about his shoulders and hoping he wouldn't get dragged away for having cat ears instead of elf or human ones.
"I am a Ruroini, a wanderer, here because Elnara-hime said she needed a bodyguard," he raised a brow.
He wanted to add to that, but stopped himself no point in creating trouble.
Though the fact he was reverting more into the language of that time period was kind of bothersome. Elnara Aldrich Hime? she wondered. She would have to ask him what that meant later. Elrohir Aldrich The guard almost took a step backwards with shock. The man had cat's ears!
"Elnara Hemay or whoever you are," he growled, "and Rurouni, I don't know who or what you are, but you are not welcome here." Elnara Aldrich Elnara was fuming. "Aldrich!" she said forcefully. "My name is Elnara Aldrich!" What the heck did Hime mean anyways?! "If you won't let us in, then call her out to see us," she said stubbornly. "Let her decide who I am - or not." Triton Winters Triton whinced a bit but he chuckled too, partly because Tao looked upset that she was upset.
"Guard-san this one thinks you should do as she requests... it's not nice when she's upset." Elrohir Aldrich San? What was with this creature and his strange words?
"You wait right here," he ordered. "If you move, your business is finished here."
He wrenched the bracelet from the girl's grasp, then handed it to one of the other guards and ordered him to take it up to the castle.
"Now we'll see who you are," he growled.
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Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 10:09 pm
Elnara Aldrich Elnara put one hand on the griffin's head, trying to keep her calm. She stared at the guard icily without blinking. I've been gone, she thought to herself. I haven't been murdered.Triton Winters Tao tittered and gently nipped Elnara's hand as if to ask what was wrong, rubbing her feathered head against Enara's shoulder. Leave it to the griffin to act like a pet, which was just as well.
Triton though stared on a head, a bit bored to be honest, as he pulled his hood back up. He hated the stares. Elrohir Aldrich After several minutes, the guard returned with a woman following. She was a few inches shorter than Elnara, but had the same black hair. Her skin however was a few shades darker. She wore a long dress and had a silver circlet in her hair.
She approached the girl slowly, her expression torn between joy and disbelief.
"They tell me you claim to be my neice," she said quietly to the girl, who just nodded. She held out the bracelet, and the girl took it back.
"I just want to ask you a few questions to make sure," she said softly.
The girl nodded again.
The princess took a deep breath. "When were you given this bracelet?" she asked. Elnara Aldrich "When I was a year old," Elnara replied without thinking. "My parents gave it to me when I came to live here with you at the beginning of the war." Elrohir Aldrich Amalthea nodded. "And how did the war end?" she asked.
This was the real truth-testing question. The only people who knew the correct answer were her, the real Elnara, and the queen of the Southland. Elnara Aldrich Elnara's chin began to tremble. "Father killed Uncle Riordan," she mumbled. "He had to, because no one else could tell them apart." Another of her bad memories. She felt a tear spring to her eye, but stubbornly refused to let it fall. Elrohir Aldrich The guards looked to the Amalthea for confirmation and looked quite embarrassed when instead of throwing the girl out, she ran forward and hugged her.Amalthea was overjoyed to see her neice again. "Where have you been?!" she questioned eagerly.
She noticed Triton suddenly and stared, speechless. Triton Winters "Uhm... hello?" Triton said uncertainly before he kicked himself in the head and bowed.
Tao tittered happily throwing her head up and opening up her beak only to have Triton use his hand to close it shut. Now would not be a good time for her to go all pet like. Elrohir Aldrich Amalthea looked from the cat-boy to the griffin and back.
"Apparently you have a story to tell me," she said to Elnara gently.
She only wondered if she would be able to believe it. Elrohir Aldrich The princess led them up the path, through the courtyard, and into the castle, keeping one arm around Elnara's shoulders - it looked slightly uncomfortable, as Elnara was taller than her, but she was obviously glad to see her neice once again.
She glanced once again at the griffin and the cloaked figure that followed them. Where had Elnara met them? Why were they traveling together?
She led them to a small living room - small being a relative term. This meant that it was only about 20' by 20' rather than twice the size of the rooms normally used for visiting. It was furnished with lush red-velvet furniture. A large fireplace was in the middle of one wall, but there was no fire today: there was no need for one.
Stitched with gold thread into every cushion and curtain was the image of a chimera, the symbol of the Westland elves. Elnara Aldrich Elnara sat on a couch and though she longed to bring her knees up to her chest, she left her feet on the floor. She knew that after walking around in the forest, they would be dirty ... Plus, she was supposed to behave properly here. She glanced at Triton to see his reaction to everything that was going on. Triton Winters "Tao... sit," Triton commanded, "And behave, otherwise no fish."
The female griffin sat down, but tittered in almost a pouty kind of way, she wanted to be petted! But she wanted fish more.
He looked around a warily, the inn and cafe had always been well furnish, but this was extreme, and he knew no room he had ever seen that looked so... formal. Not even the headmaster or mistress' offices were like this. Triton took a seat across from Elnara, carefully sitting down nestled in his cloak. He kind of wished he could perch instead, but he figured that there would be a bit of an insult if he took off his sandals so he wouldn't get the furniture dirty.
It kind of felt akward, he was not raised for formal situations like this, well okay correction. He had, had some teachings in formality, but Kara who had travelled more in the East of Gaia, had given Triton an eastern teaching, which was now kind of problematic to him. Elnara Aldrich Elnara watched her aunt take a seat in a chair and decided that perhaps she should begin with introductions. "Aunt Amalthea," she said, gesturing with one hand towards Triton, "This is my friend, Triton. He helped me to get back here." Elrohir Aldrich Amalthea nodded. "Thank you, Triton," she said, smiling. "We've been looking for her for a number of years now." Triton Winters "So it seems," Triton agreed with a nod, "There was some worry on our way back on Elnara's behalf that she might not be recongized."
He nearly said hime, he hadn't meant to, but now that Elnara was here, it was hard to tell how to refer to her. Did people, even those she knew address her formally? He couldn't imagine calling her princess, and hime seemed to be a lot better. Not that in translation it was any better, but it seemed to fit better.
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Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 10:23 pm
Elnara Aldrich Elnara lowered her eyes and waited anxiously for her aunt's reply. Elrohir Aldrich The princess smiled gently and nodded. "I didn't recognize her," she admitted. "She's grown so much ... On the other hand, she looks very much like her mother now."
It was true. Except that Serenity had always kept her hair barely shoulder--length, and Elnara's hair went down to her waist. Triton Winters "Well I underestimated on how long she has been away," Triton murmured, he looked a bit thoughtful, "Still, it's good things have turned out well."
He should know what it's like to not be recongized off the bat, hell he had been through it one too many times. Elnara Aldrich "Five years," Elnara reminded him gently. "But thankfully, I probably won't be changing - at least physically - any more." Elrohir Aldrich Five years ... ???
"Elnara, it's been eleven years," Amalthea corrected her, a concerned expression crossing her face.
Where in the Four Lands had she been if she didn't know how much time had passed? Triton Winters Triton coughed, oops.... he looked at Elnara wondering if she was going to explain her little time warp. He really should whack the twins upside the head now, but it was too late for a correction, seeing as it would only create a paradox if they tried now. Elnara Aldrich Elnara realized her mistake too late. She bit her lip, then sighed in resignation. She looked up at her aunt. "Er ... I don't suppose you'd believe me if I told you ... I was in another world?" she said in a light tone. Elrohir Aldrich Amalthea looked surprised. "Laurëfalas?" she asked. "Well, I suppose that would make sense ... the others did mention that time seems to stop there ..." Triton Winters "Laurefalas?" Triton asked curiously.
Was it possible that Elnara wasn't the first? That maybe Gaia was given another name, however if that was the case then she would have at least heard of all of Gaia's unusual people through storybooks or something. Elnara Aldrich Elnara thought carefully. It didn't matter what her aunt believed, as long as she could get back to her family, the ones who really mattered ... She would tell Triton about Laurëfalas later, when she wouldn't have to explain to Amalthea about Gaia. She brought her knees up to her chest without thinking about it - it was just such a comfortable way to sit - and nodded to her aunt. "That's where Triton is from," she added, hoping Triton wouldn't mind the lie. Triton Winters Triton raised a brow, he would leave it though. Even if Laurefalas wasn't Gaia, at least it would explain better his cat ears should he be asked to uncloak again. Elrohir Aldrich Amalthea nodded and smiled. "It must have been wonderful there," she said wistfully. "It's a shame I can't ask you about it ..." Elnara Aldrich Elnara hadn't remembered that anyone who returned from Laurëfalas was forbidden to speak about it, but she felt relieved. It would save a lot of awkward explanations. "Um, we were wondering ... could I borrow a horse?" she asked. "I'd really like to get back home as soon as I can ..." Triton Winters Okay... he was so going to ask Elnara about that, on top of all the other tell tales he was telling. Well at least he would have a story to tell when he got home. Elrohir Aldrich Amalthea nodded. "Of course," she replied. "But how soon do you have to leave? Are you sure you don't want something to eat first?"
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Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 10:36 pm
Elnara Aldrich No outerware at meals ... Triton would be exposed again, and not only his ears this time ... "Well some provisions would be nice," she suggested. "But I think we should probably get going ..." She knew Triton would be more at ease out of the crowds anyways. Triton Winters He innerwardly sighed in relief, the idea of going to a dinner with her aunt as he was. He wasn't ready for that yet, who knew this was going to be tough? Elrohir Aldrich She was momentarily startled, but she nodded in understanding. "You're anxious to see them again," she said with a smile. "Of course."
She pulled on a cord beside her chair and a servant appeared in the doorway.
"Prepare some horses for Princess Elnara," Amalthea ordered kindly. "She and her companion will be taking them to the Southland."
The servant bowed and replied, "As you wish, my Lady," and exited as quickly as he had appeared. Triton Winters This was kind of akward Triton watched the servant leave, well at least it would solve the horse problem, though he couldn't ride. He just hoped Tao would let him on... if that was any different.. was it? Elrohir Aldrich Amalthea accompanied them out to the stables once they had been given supplies. She was rather intrigued by the griffin: but then, it was a rather small one, so perhaps it was still just a cub ... that might help to explain how it had been tamed. But it was so much friendlier than even most domestic animals ...
Two horses were already saddled and waiting for them. "Here you are," she said, smiling. Her curiosity could hold. Elnara needed to get home. Elnara Aldrich Elnara looked at Triton, then back at her aunt. "We only need one," she said with a smile. "But thanks. And ... I prefer to ride bareback, if that's ok ..." She knew she was expected to ride with a saddle ... like a lady ... but in her heart she despised what was expected of her. She wanted to be her own free spirit ... ... which, all things considered, could take a while. Triton Winters Triton petted Tao, "Well Tao, do you mind carrying someone bigger than mother?"
Tao squealed happily at finally being useful and lowered herself on her on her front legs to let Triton on. He was kind of worried at first that he might be too much as he got on, letting his legs lie comfortably against her side. But it seemed like she was stronger than he first thought.
She rose to her feet and trotted around happily, as if this was her crowning glory. Elrohir Aldrich Amalthea laughed at the griffin's antics. Truly, this one was different from any she had ever seen or heard of.
She motioned for one of the nearby guards to remove the tack from one of the horses and take the other back to the stables.
"I would feel better if you would take a guard with you at least," she told Elnara seriously. "Now that you're back, I want to make sure that you make it back home safely." Elnara Aldrich Elnara swung herself up on the horse as soon as its tack had been removed. "Don't worry about me," she said to her aunt, smiling widely. "That's one of the reasons Triton is here with me ... to be my guard on the way." She giggled at Tao, who appeared to be showing off. Triton Winters Triton nodded as he got Tao to stand still, that was one of the reasons why he was with her. Besides the fact that Triton felt that Elnara was very skilled as a fighter anyhow. Elrohir Aldrich Amalthea wasn't quite convinced - she didn't know anything about this fellow after all - but she nodded. "Well then, safe journey," she said with a quiet smile. She reached up to hug Elnara once more before letting them go.
"You have your bracelet, right?" she asked anxiously. Elnara Aldrich She held up her wrist in response. "Always." She grinned. "Don't look so glum," she said cheerfully. "I'll be fine." She looked towards Triton. "Ready to go?" she asked. Triton Winters "As ready as I'll ever be," Triton nodded as Tao trotted up alongside the horse. Elnara Aldrich The horse shied a bit, but a gentle tap and a word from Elnara settled it quickly. She rubbed its neck and continued to speak to it in low tones. Then she straightened and waved to her aunt. "Bye, Aunt Amalthea!" she called. "Say hello to Uncle Eregon for me!" And she started her horse down the path to the gates. Elrohir Aldrich Amalthea waved until they were out of sight, then turned back toward the castle and sighed.
"He's not going to believe me," she said with a sad smile.
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Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 10:52 pm
Triton Winters Tao hurried to catch up with the horse happily, it was something she could actually do besides walk along side Triton. Though Triton notice that people were giving him the wide berth. He shook his head and wondered what kind of stories were going to spring up because of this visit. Elnara Aldrich Elnara smiled up at the sun. It felt so good to be home ... "I think that went rather well," she said to Triton, looking over at him. "What do you think?" Triton Winters "You have a horse, we have supplies and we didn't get into too much trouble, I'd think it went well," Triton nodded, "Poor guards though, they were just doing their job." Elnara Aldrich Elnara nodded soberly. That was one way of looking at it. "Although it makes me wonder what we're going to have to go through when we get to my land," she said thoughtfully. "Since the war, people have been a lot more suspicious, even of their own kind ..." Triton Winters Triton nodded, "The only thing we can do is try to avoid fights, use as little force as possible in a fight and be polite enough where we can claim innocence if a fight starts. Well that and it depends on how you want to work it too.... like at this point I feel that there is no way I cannot claim to be a foriegner so I might as well act it up as much as I can."
He paused.
"Which reminds me, I didn't get to ask you this before the guard incident, but do you mind if I use respectable suffixes while I'm with you in public?" Elnara Aldrich She was puzzled. "Is that what those Hime and San words were?" she asked. "What do they mean?" Triton Winters "San is just a respectable term, kind of like Miss or Mister," Triton explained, "In the land the ronin come from it's unheard of to refer someone by their given name without any suffix because it's only for those who are family or very close and dear. Hime... is the term used for princesses, so I guess, if you wanted to translate it, it's something like Princess Elnara?" Elnara Aldrich "Oh ..." She smiled. "Sure, you can use them. You don't have to, just so you know ... but if you want, go right ahead. Just ..." She paused and blushed. "Just, when it's only the two of us, don't call me anything formal, ok? It makes me feel like I'm supposed to be ordering people about. Not very comfortable ... Just friendly familiar first names when we're alone, ok?" She smiled down at him. Triton Winters "Of course," Triton chuckled a bit, more of the fact a cute nickname popped into his head as he was saying this.
He shook his head, what was he thinking? No way he would refer to Elnara by some kind of cutesy nickname high school girls would give each other. Elnara Aldrich Her brow furrowed. "Did I say something funny?" she asked. She tucked her hair behind her ears. Triton Winters "No.. no..." Triton shook his head, "I just had a funny thought come into mind."
He wondered if he should tell her. Elnara Aldrich She looked at him expectantly, one eyebrow raised in curiosity, but she didn't say a word. Triton Winters "Just a nickname using suffixes.. and shorting your name," Triton replied innocently, "That's all... well somewhat. It sounds like something Yuki would do." Elnara Aldrich Elnara nodded and smiled distantly. "My little brothers used to call me 'Een'," she said wistfully. "Well, Elrohir did. Ruel and Riordan called me 'Nara' more often ..." She sighed. "I miss them." Triton Winters "And you'll get to see them," Triton pointed out, "Sure we'll be travelling for quite a while, but you'll meet them."
Maybe he shouldn't have brought up the nickname bit.
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Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:01 pm
Elnara Aldrich She smiled. "You're right," she agreed. "It's just a matter of time." By now they had left the city behind, and she returned her bracelet to her bag to make sure that it stayed safe. "So we have two options," she told Triton. "And I'll let you pick which one you want to do. We can start south, where humans live, and cut east to the Southland; or we can start east and go to where it's kind of havoc-y and then go south; or we can cut across the Borderlands and just go southeast - which is beautiful this time of year." She ducked as her horse passed under a low branch. "So which way do you want to go?" Triton Winters Triton looked thoughtful, he was sure she wouldn't have suggested those places if any of them were going to cause a lot of trouble.
"How about southeast?" Triton suggested, "That should be good." Elnara Aldrich She grinned widely and changed direction slightly. "I have a bit of family in the Borderlands too," she said brightly. "Not royalty, don't worry. And they're considered somewhat odd for elves ... they probably wouldn't think twice about you not being an elf." She was rambling, and she knew it. "They used to have some fun adventures that made others think they were strange," she went on anyways. "But I guess it all just started when they decided to leave all semblances of civilization and live in the middle of nowhere. Until they settled in Paradise Valley, none of the races interacted with each other." Triton Winters Triton chuckled at the thought, "Well to me there is no such thing as odd... well there is, but you'd be hard pressed to give me really odd."
He smiled listneing to her talk about them, they sounded interesting. Like someone his mother would want to talk to.
"They sound like someone Mom would trade adventures stories wtih over the fire," he commented. Elnara Aldrich She smiled. "I'd love to hear some stories, if you have any," she grinned. "And it is about time we stop for something to eat ... even if it's not noon here yet, it was past noon when we left Gaia." She could hear the stream that was still far ahead and smiled wider. It was amazing, the feeling one could get simply from hearing a familiar sound. "And if you want I can tell some stories too," she added. "It hasn't been all bad." Triton Winters "Hmm... stories..." Triton murmured, "I think I know a few, both from what I know and what I've heard."
He could hear the stream, his ears twitched, it was different sounding from back home. Though he couldn't place why. Elnara Aldrich She saw his ear twitch and giggled. She loved it when they did that, but she didn't know why. "What say we stop at the stream and have some lunch then?" she asked. "It's only about half a mile ahead." Triton Winters "Sure, maybe then Tao can fish," Triton commented, which would be just as well otherwise he would have to allow her to go off and hunt, which made him nervous.
Even with the collar what were the chances that people would not try to shoot her if spotted. Elnara Aldrich "Probably," she nodded. "This stream is - or at least, was - full of fish when I was last here. The best part about it, though, is that it's too near civilization for bears or other large predators. So we're safe." Triton Winters "Easy lunch, peaceful stream, no worries about fighting off anything animal like at least," Triton murmured, "It sounds like a picnic."
The stream came up quickly and the only thing that kept Tao was jumping into the water was training. Otherwise she just might have. Elnara Aldrich Elnara slid off her horse and whispered some words into its ear, rubbing its neck and back gently. Then she gave it a final pat and stepped into the water up to her ankles. She slung her bag onto her back, making sure that it wouldn't slide forward, then bent over and picked up some of the crystal clear water with her cupped hands. She looked at it for a moment thoughtfully, then put it to her mouth and drank. The water was cold and it felt like life's force as it trickled down her throat, and it refreshed her as no other drink could have. Triton Winters Triton dismounted patting Tao as she trotted up and peered into the stream as if to look for the deilious fishies she knew had to be there. Well that and she was staring at her own reflection.
He stretched a bit, not use to riding like that on anything for that matter. Triton gave a good look around, he wanted to let his tail unwind.
"What are the chances someone will happen on us?" Elnara Aldrich She returned to the bank and sat down thoughtfully. "I don't know," she said finally. "Pretty high, considering how close we are to the city ..." She shrugged. "Although, it's not like we're on any roads or anything." Triton Winters "Ah... True," Triton nodded, which was good otherwise there would be bandits to worry about, but he kept his cloak on and the hood up just in case. If he wanted to stretch for real, he could wait until they reached the privacy of a room.
Tao ducked her head into the water seeing a fish swim past. Elnara Aldrich Elnara dug into her bag and brought out some of the sandwiches they had prepared before leaving that morning. "So what kind of adventures have you been in?" she asked, taking a bite. The solar month she had spent in Gaia hadn't been nearly enough time to learn all that there was to know about it.
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Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:07 pm
Triton Winters "You mean the kind of pointless stuff I use to do as a kid, or the serious adventures that ended in Yuki whacking me upside the head for ending up in his office again?" Triton asked with a grin, "Well okay, before he was around I didn't get to go to his office, but I tended to attract trouble."
He sat down and rummaged around in his bag, he was sure someone had packed in beef jerky. Elnara Aldrich She laughed and almost choked on her bread. "Yukito seems to like getting whacked upside the head," she giggled, "as well as whacking others upside the head!" She laughed again. "Tell me about growing up in Gaia, what was it like?" she asked, eyes wide with curiosity and amusement. Triton Winters "I've lived outside the citiy for most of my life, and lived on the more unusual side of it," Triton mused, "There can be a dozen large cities in the most technological sense, but at the same time there never seems to be a lack of open places. It wasn't hard to find an inn out of in the middle of nowhere oddly enough. My first school was actually not the one my Mother teaches at, but one in the mountains."
He tore a piece of jerky off and popped it into his mouth chewing slowly.
"Depending on how you live your life, it can be pretty quiet minus issues with relationships, but most Gaians I think are the adventureous type, which is why for every person you find in the city, you'll find five others who'll walk on the city's darkside, and another ten who'll go out into the open to look for adventures, treasure, monsters and mysteries." Elnara Aldrich "Sounds mysterious," she said, her eyes twinkling. "But that's not a story about you. What about winter when you were little? What kind of games did you play?" Triton Winters Triton thought about it, it was near the end of winter when he came about, so he hadn't had a chance to really experience it until more recently, but there was snow at his old school.
"I think Were wanted to slide down a snow hill once," Triton murmured, "Granted we were in the mountains so I wasn't so sure the brightness of that idea." Elnara Aldrich Elnara finished her sandwich and smiled wistfully. "There was never enough snow for us to do anything like that," she told him. "The winters are becoming warmer ... in fact, with the time shift, it wouldn't surprise me if the desertification in the south has begun ..." She looked up at him again. "Tell me about Were. You must be really good friends." Triton Winters Triton nodded with a smile, "Were-ah and I met at our first school Snowy Pines, which was in the mountains, it was the first fighting school we went to, we were both taken out. Not because we got into trouble, but rather Were's father, who is now the headmaster, and my mother were not pleased with the school at all. We bonded over a sparring fight against an upperclassman. After that we just kept having playdates and became friends. Especially after the school started up."
He paused, for a moment.
"For all purposes she's human, but has an unusual ability to turn things like her blood into something sharp and dangerous. She likes to have fun, and is very friendly, to the point where our more anti-social students try to avoid her." Elnara Aldrich Elnara giggled. "She sounds like fun. Is she from Gaia, then?" She paused, then added, "Or am I the only one from a completely different world?" Triton Winters "She's from Gaia," Triton paused, "Somewhat... just from a more Earth part of it. It gets a bit confusing," he admitted, "But I'm sure you're not the only one, things just tend to happen."
As he was talking Tao who had finished fishing was burying her head into his bag looking for the jerky she smelt. Elnara Aldrich Elnara watched Tao, giggling. "I think you might be losing your lunch, Triton," she warned him. She glanced around to make sure her horse was still nearby: it was standing exactly where she had dismounted and was happily picking at the grass on the ground. She sighed happily and looked back at Triton. "Where's your most favourite place to be?" she asked. "Just ... a happy place." Triton Winters Triton blinked, a happy place? He had never really thought about it, and as he turned to pull his bag out of reach of Tao's beak he thought about it.
"The sunroom of the inn back home, it's probably has no sunroom like it anywhere else, at least I don't think so," Triton replied finally. Elnara Aldrich She smiled. "It's funny, isn't it, how it seems like everyone's happy place is somewhere with sun." Triton Winters "Unless you're a vampire or like the moon," Triton replied thoughtfully, "Some of my siblings are attracted to the moon and stars rather than the sunny places." Elnara Aldrich "Oh, right." She nodded sheepishly. "Forgot about that." She looked up at the bright sun which was now high overhead. "I guess it's because of my connotations to the moon now ... though it's not as bad as it used to be." But she still drew her knees up to her chest protectively. Triton Winters Triton didn't ask, he had a feeling he probably shouldn't, but he nodded slowly.
"I wonder how much time will past back home," Triton mused.
He only wondered this, because so much could change in a short while.
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Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:15 pm
Elnara Aldrich She shrugged and got to her feet. "If five years here is only a month there," she said thoughtfully, wiping dirt and leaves from her backside, "then we could be here a year and only miss a week back in Gaia." She grimaced. "How's that for a thought." Triton Winters "It's possible," Triton shrugged, "Well we'll see I suppose sooner or later what will happen."
He got to his feet with Tao nudging him, "So where are we heading specifily? Into the city?" Elnara Aldrich Elnara mounted her horse and threw her bag over her shoulder once more. "There are no cities between here and Tor Karad - my home city," she explained. "The Borderlands ... well ... to be honest it's not really a land of its own, but rather a land that belongs to no one. There's only one settlement, in Paradise Valley ... but it's small." She paused and thought about it. "Or, it was." Triton Winters "Was?" Triton asked as Tao helped him onto her back, "Paradise Valley, someone had some ideals when naming it."
He looked thoughtful, though he was shaking his head.
"It should be interesting..." Elnara Aldrich She started her horse across the stream and smiled absently. "You should have seen it when they named it," she murmured. "It was paradise. It's still beautiful now, but if you get them to show you how it was originally ..." She shook her head, still smiling. "It's the most beautiful sight you will ever have seen." Triton Winters Triton nodded, "The kind of thing out of a pictures I guess now," he mused at this.
His head turned as he petted Tao to get her to stop splashing her way through. Elnara Aldrich Elnara giggled as Tao splashed some water on her. She glanced down at them and asked curiously, "Can Tao fly?" Triton Winters "Yes," Triton nodded, "But not in full flight when someones on her, but I've seen her leap across the plains with Mom on her back before." Elnara Aldrich "Ah." She laughed. "I was just wondering, because it would keep you a little dryer if she could fly you across streams and stuff." She giggled again. "At least this is just a small stream; in a few days we'll be at the Crystal River - it's quite a swim." Triton Winters "I think it's more of the fact she likes to splash in things," Triton explained looking down at Tao, "I'm told that once after the rain she tried to hit every puddle along the road. She's just very playful." Elnara Aldrich They reached the other side and continued alongside the stream. "I've never seen an animal as playful as she is," Elnara admitted. "She's very cute." Triton Winters "Which for us will be a good thing, it's a good thing she's not a fighter griffin, a more snappy one could cause problems, but the only problems she causes she the need to be petted. Isn't that right Tao?" Triton asked her, in which Tao looked up at Triton innocently clicking her beak. Elnara Aldrich "Well I think she'll be safer, now that you're riding her... it's obvious she's not a threat." Elnara stretched her back. "It'll still be several days before we reach the valley anyways. We should be able to see the mountains at least by tomorrow night." Triton Winters "That's good," Triton nodded watching as the scenery went past, he thought to himself that maybe once night had fallen he could take the cloak off. Elnara Aldrich Elnara was beginning to get rather warm, and she loosened the strings on the top of her tunic and loosened the collar. "Sure hope the food doesn't go bad on us," she murmured. "It being in a leather bag and all."
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Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:27 pm
Triton Winters "There is the dried foodstuffs to fall back on if it goes bad," Triton replied, "But it would be a waste if it did. Didn't really expect for things to warm up this quickly."
He kind of wished that Helen had chosen a lighter colour, but at the time the deep green would have been better. At least it wasn't bright red. Elnara Aldrich "Well it's only going to get worse, the further south we get," she told him. "But maybe we can get some desert clothes from my family in the Borderlands." Triton Winters Triton nodded he had a change of clothes, but it would be better to have a different cloak though.
A thought struck him as they travelled along though.
"Elnara, I just remembered something, where did you claim I came from?" Elnara Aldrich She was startled. She had forgotten about that ... "Oh, um ... Laurëfalas," she said, blushing with embarrassment. "Sorry, it just seemed the easiest way to explain ..." She threw her hair back over her shoulders. "Laurëfalas is the land where the Valar live," she told him. "It's somewhere in this world, but those who know where are forbidden to tell. It's ... well, I suppose it's where elves go when they're tired of their lives here. Its name translates as 'the Golden Shores' ..." She paused and mused for a moment. "All anyone knows about it is that it's wonderful - there's no death, no strife, nothing negative at all. Living with the Valar is like living with Ilúvatar himself ... the creator of this world. I know of only two elves alive who have gone there and returned - and they will not speak of it, and are forbidden to go back." Triton Winters "Ah....." Triton finally said, "It's like Heaven, only you don't need to die to go there...."
Well it was, in a way, well the not dying part wasn't always true. There were higher angels that could go, but otherwise death was kind of a requirement. Elnara Aldrich She half smiled. "If death was required, we wouldn't be immortal," she replied. "It's the ultimate destination for all elves; we are bound to this earth. Even death cannot separate us from it. If we die, we are reborn: and so the cycle continues until we reach the Golden Shores." She looked away thoughtfully. "There are some who envy the humans," she said quietly. "That once they die they leave this world behind." Triton Winters "It depends on the human," Triton murmured softly, "Some believe that they will be born again, not necessarily human, maybe, or maybe not... that's how the stories of the Red Thread are started. Otherwise believe the pure and good hearted are become Guardian Angels who leave Heaven to watch over the weak and troubled." Elnara Aldrich Elnara was surprised. "Does no one know for sure?" she asked. Triton Winters "Not really, and the beliefs are different among people," Triton explained, "In the East it's more being reborn, that's where the story of the Red Thread comes from, but in the West more believe in the idea of that paradise after death. There are stories for both, so it's hard to tell. The only ones who probably know are the soulmates and angels." Elnara Aldrich "Oh." She couldn't imagine not knowing ... it would be frightening. Of course, there was always the uncertainty about the Halls of Mandos, the place where elves were between lives ... But even that wasn't a matter of not knowing, it was only a matter of not knowing how long. She started as a rabbit ran in front of them. Triton Winters "Careful!" Triton called out before saying firmly, "And Tao don't you dare!"
Tao stopped in mid step of what looked like she was going to chase the rabbit for fun, but obediently putting her foot down. Elnara Aldrich A fox followed the rabbit out of the trees, and Elnara watched in silence as they disappeared into the trees once again. She sighed. "Everyone's got to eat somehow." Triton Winters Triton nodded watching the fox disappear, "Kind of strange how the most common animals are the same in both worlds," he commented after a while.
Which was true, in a way there was little difference in terms of races and species between the worlds only that there were more than one over the other. Elnara Aldrich Elnara was about to reply when she heard something in the trees. Triton Winters Triton's ears twitched, more than ususal because they didn't like being muffled by the cloak's hood.
"Guard," Triton whispered.
Tao stopped moving and stood stock still looking around with her neck to see where the sound came from. In her birdie mind she was thinking monster... maybe it was a monster.
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Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:38 pm
Elrohir Aldrich "OUT OF THE WAY!" Elladan shouted to the two figures he saw up ahead. He urged his horse to go faster. His thin elvish cloak flowed out behind him almost horizontally and his golden hair whipped around his face.
The figures weren't moving out of the way - they were moving into his path!
"YEEAAARRRGGGHHH!!" he yelled, pulling his horse up sharply, missing the nearest person by mere inches.
"What are you doing?!" he yelled, almost hysterically. "Are you deaf?! Why didn't you-"
He stopped abruptly and stared at the two people he had encountered. The shorter one, the cloaked one, was riding a griffin. The other - quite a pretty girl - was staring down at him angrily. Triton Winters Tao hissed and snapped at Elladan seeing the horse elf (for she couldn't tell that the two were seperate beings) as a threat.
"Calm down," Triton petted Tao, "The hell, what were you trying to do run us over?" Elnara Aldrich "What is wrong with you?!" Elnara snapped. "If you knew we were in front of you, you could have turned or gone around us!" Elrohir Aldrich He stared at her. Something about her seemed familiar.
"Get that griffin back!" he yelled, drawing a bow and nocking it. "Keep it away!" He glared at the hooded one. "Haven't you ever seen anyone on the hunt before?" he demanded. "There is no veering from the pursuit!"
He cursed. "And now I'm stopped completely! Well! I hope you're happy." Elnara Aldrich She prodded her horse forward until it stood between Tao and the strange elf. "You're hardly starving," she retorted, her eyes narrow. Triton Winters Tao squawked at him looking very unhappy, if Triton was to gather it was either Tao's training because of the arrow, or because she just didn't like the guy.
"Do please put that away, I don't think either ladies like it very much," Triton replied.
Refering to the bow and arrow. Elrohir Aldrich The elf lowered it slightly, but kept it nocked. "And what assurances do I have that the moment I put it away, you're not going to attack me?" he questioned suspiciously. Foreigners. Bah. Triton Winters "I don't attack people for lacking braincells," Triton replied back icily getting tired of this one, and he was irking the griffin.
It was Tao not a lot irked her. Elnara Aldrich "And I have no weapons," Elnara added, holding out her hands, palms up. "If anything, the threat is making the griffin edgy; you're safer if you put it away." Elrohir Aldrich He nodded his agreement and put his bow and arrow away slowly. He wasn't sure exactly what the hooded person was saying, but he knew he was being insulted; and though his blood boiled at the thought, he didn't want to be killed either.
"Who are you?" he asked them. "And where are you from?" Elnara Aldrich "Open your eyes," Elnara snorted. "Where does it look like we're from?" Elrohir Aldrich Elladan was slightly embarrassed. "Er, the south," he admitted. "But you never know, nowadays..." Triton Winters Triton rolled his eyes, though he would understand if the question was solely directed at him, but Elnara was another matter. It was a pity he couldn't just whack the guy upside the head, he looked like he could use it.
He scratched Tao between the ears, letting Elnara to deal with the question, besides she had quite a temper on her. Elnara Aldrich She seriously considered taking her bracelet out of her bag and showing him that, but it seemed like the easy way out. "Things can't have changed that much in five years," she muttered. She rolled up her sleeve and showed him her shoulder. Elrohir Aldrich His eyes widened with terror. "I knew I knew you from somewhere!" he shouted. "You're that demon woman who seduced the Southland prince!"
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