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| 15. Wind-Singers Volume I: The Hunt; Cellindien and Ioristion search for artifacts in ruins across Eriador | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: May 23 2014, 08:00 PM (1,308 Views) | |
| Ioristion | Dec 29 2014, 12:19 PM Post #61 |
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Chapter LXI: Meetings and Reunions Rostoriel whispered to her husband, "This is her..... is it not?" Ioristion nodded. "Le suilon......Finlos...." Cellindien walked through the glade, nervously tucking a loose lock of hair back into the clumsy hairstyle she had attempted. She had made every effort to improve her appearance before leaving her chambers, even to the point of wearing one of her few dresses. She tensed as she saw the elleth approach, noting the red hair. "Le suilon..." Rostoriel faintly smiled, but spoke with difficulty, for three thousand years of grief are not so easily washed away in one night: "I regret, never having enjoyed the pleasure......... I know not why my brother kept you secret, even within the walls of Gondolin so long ago......... but no matter. You are here now." Cellindien sadly replied, "We were not safe... even then... Rostoriel, I must beg your pardon." She dropped to her knees, tears falling from her eyes. "I swear to you that I had no knowledge of Rostor. I swear that I searched... I thought him dead..." Tears welled in Rostoriel's eyes as she fell down in front of her. Her heart had begun to grow cold. It burst into newer warmth. "I....I do not blame you......" Cellindien shook her head. "But I would not blame you if you did... I could hardly believe... ai... now, to see the resemblance now, in you and in Alcano... I do not know what to say. So much has happened. Is Alcano well? Has he rested?" Ioristion nodded, "He is resting." And Rirossel sneaked up behind them, "That is good to hear." |
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| Ioristion | Dec 29 2014, 12:21 PM Post #62 |
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Chapter LXII: The Living Past Renewed Cellindien's hands shook as she wiped her eyes, trying to calm herself. Rirossel's voice startled her and she jumped up, spinning around to face her. Rirossel smiled, "Finlos...... I am Rostor's second sister." Cellindien replied faintly, "Yes... yes, I see that..." Rirossel bowed, "I never blamed you...... not in the ways my sister does." Ioristion sighed, "And here I just calmed her down........" Rostoriel's eyes flashed, "My sister..... I have recanted such feelings......" Cellindien looked somewhat pale, looking from Rostoriel to Rirossel. They were so alive, so vibrant, and so familiar, though she had never met them. Their faces brought back powerful memories and her eyes grew distant as they threatened to overwhelm her. Rirossel sighed, "We will stand by you, Finlos....... you are our sister now." Rostoriel nodded in agreement, offering an embrace. Cellindien swayed. "I... I do not use that name... ai... it is as if everyone is here but him..." Ioristion broke formality, "Call her Cellindien. And fear not, my sister. We will find him again. We will find him, after we....." Rostoriel blurted, "You will do no such thing. We should all make for Mithlond as soon as Alcano has healed." Cellindien leaned heavily against Rostoriel, eyelids fluttering, then suddenly her legs gave out beneath her and she dropped in a dead faint. Ioristion stammered, "But Guldra-" Rostoriel swiftly caught Cellindien in her arms, dropping to the ground, resting her head against her chest. Edited by Ioristion, Dec 29 2014, 12:30 PM.
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| Ioristion | Dec 29 2014, 12:25 PM Post #63 |
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Chapter LXIII: The Reconciliation of Truth Rirossel knelt beside them as well. Ioristion dropped and sat next to her, "My poor sister.... it was too much for her...." Cellindien lay still for a few moments before stirring, opening her eyes slowly. "What....?" Rostoriel sighed, "May Valar forgive me for all of my angered feelings and slander....." Cellindien realized where she was and tried to sit up, bracing herself against the ground to keep her balance. "I... I am sorry..." Rirossel smiled, "No, do not apologize. It is hard, I know......." Cellindien sighed and rested her head against one palm. "I thought to make a good impression..." Rostoriel smiled, "And you have...." Cellindien nodded, "You are his family... I owe him that much." Rostoriel's smile widened, "We are your family too......" Cellindien gazed sorrowfully, "Are you certain that you wish that...?" Rirossel smirked, "Why?" Cellindien: "Your first judgment of me is correct... whether I willed it or no, I caused your brother terrible pain. Even in the beginning... I put him in danger of... my father." Ioristion interjected, "No, my sister...... the Enemy did that. And he was in no danger.... Melimwe would have protected him, and Saelbainor......." Cellindien gave him a pained smile. "As Melimwe protected me...?" Ioristion nodded, "Yes..... it was the Enemy who brought ruin upon us. Rostor told me....... a grave shadow had cursed him in the north of Tum-Laden..... and had foretold his fate, a fate he did all in his power to avoid....... and we both know who this shadow is........." Edited by Ioristion, Dec 29 2014, 12:29 PM.
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| Ioristion | Dec 29 2014, 12:26 PM Post #64 |
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Chapter LXIV: A Prepared Future Cellindien shook her head, sighing. As usual Ioristion had missed her true meaning. Not even Melimwe had been able to stand between her and the Swordmaster in those days. Her guilt in putting Rostor in danger was clear, but for now she would let his misunderstanding pass. "Yes, Guldrambor. And we must defeat him." Rostoriel motioned to speak, but changed her mind. She knew she could not convince them to abandon their task. Rirossel smiled, "But first, you must rest for a time. And you are welcome in our house." "You are kind, but..." Cellindien hesitated. "I do have rooms of my own in the main house." Ioristion smirked, "Yes, yes, I am sure they are fine chambers..... but there is a certain someone, who we desire to keep away from the main house, lest a certain Master of the Vale robs us of him.... which would be detrimental. Our initial meeting in the Hall of Fire with him was risky enough." He rubbed his Staff gently. Cellindien raised an eyebrow at him. "So I will not bring the Staff with me... that is simple enough." Ioristion smiled, "Come often to our house in any case.... we have plans to discuss, while Alcano is resting." Cellindien nodded, "That I will do. And we must plan carefully, for I do not wish for him to join us, and I doubt that he will accept the decision willingly." Rostoriel sighed, "Even if all the guards of Elrond tied him up in the basement of the Last Homely House.... he would escape and charge off to find you...... I tried..... his will is strong...." Cellindien frowned, but there was a hint of fondness in her tone as she spoke. "He is a foolish sapling." Ioristion sighed, "There is time to discuss how to handle this later. Come, shall we go and see how he fares?" Cellindien: "Yes. Let us hope that he is still where he should be." |
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| Ioristion | Jan 4 2015, 10:03 PM Post #65 |
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Chapter LXV: In the Rivendell House Cellindien returned to her chambers to rest for a time. After her rest, she met Ioristion in the garden before the Last Homely House. Then, they started on their way, through the paths of Imladris, until they came to the house. It was smaller than Minas Noldorion, but comfortable, and its interior was similar in many ways to Ioristion's chambers in Falathlorn so far away. Rirossel let them in, "Oh good, you have come. Alcano is awake." They followed her through the chambers, until they entered a rather large chamber. Alcano had requested to be moved to the larger room. He lay on a bed to their right as they entered. Cellindien smiled and stepped inside, unconsciously wrapping the golden cloak around herself. "Well, if it isn't the sapling. You look somewhat improved since I last saw you, Alcano." Alcano smirked, "This sapling is on the mend. Thank you. But still... this sapling slew more than one troll." Rirossel laughed, "Has your wound taught you nothing?" Ioristion covered his own eyes, "It appears he is teaching us something of our Noldorin stiff-necks." Cellindien whispered to Rirossel. "He angered an entire tribe." Rirossel nodded gravely, "I am not surprised. We did everything to dissuade him from leaving...." "And he did not heed the warnings of his own mother!" Rostoriel shouted, performing an unknown task in an adjacent room. Alcano bowed, "Why is it that when Feanor charges head-first into foes, he is glorified, and when I do the same, I am apparently a foolish sapling who knows not the dangers of the world?" Cellindien started at the shout but quickly recovered. "Feanor was not truly glorified, and his end is not to be envied, Alcano. The advice of a mother is something to be cherished... there are many in these days who do not have that resource." Alcano did not relent, "And Fingon... glorious Fingon, brave Fingon... who sacrificed his life to defeat those foes. And what of Rostor, my glorious ancestor, who fought the Dark Lord singlehandedly!" Ioristion sighed, "Please do not arouse him from the Staff for another lecture..." "Rostor was destroyed by the Dark Lord," Cellindien added sternly, her eyes sad. "I witnessed it myself. It was not a glorious battle, but a tragedy." "My son..." Ioristion was also morose, "I have done wrong by you, and it was well and good for your mother to keep us apart.... during the years of my madness.... but I can see now that I still influenced you negatively, and you are entrapped in the same maddening notions that I spewed across the whole of Eriador!" |
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| Ioristion | Jan 4 2015, 10:04 PM Post #66 |
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Chapter LXVI: The Harshness of Truth Rirossel calmed him down, "It is all well now, although I fear that.... I do not know how he will learn. Not even a gash in his chest, although light, has not dissuaded him.... Fin- your pardon, Cellindien.... tell him what really happened, if you can...." Cellindien drew back and looked at her newest sister. "You mean... at the gate? He will not listen." "In Mordor..." Rirossel morosely replied. "Tell him what you saw. I do not believe he is as incorrigible as our brother was." Cellindien sighed deeply. "And so I must re-live it once again. Listen well, Alcano... I do this for you alone, though it does not please me." Alcano nodded and began to listen. The entire room was hushed. Even Rostoriel came in silently from the other room and stood beside them. Cellindien began: "When I went to war it did at first seem glorious. The armies of our allies amassed and we traveled together, our banners held high. Many friendships were forged among the ranks." "Even as we traveled their were moments of victory... small skirmishes. I fought well. Many enemies fell beneath my sword. But that was not war... that was not even truly battle. When we reached Mordor..." Cellindien sighed heavily. "The darkness was oppressive. The Enemy's strength was something that none of us could truly have imagined until that moment. The Black Gates opened and he came forth to make war upon us. We pressed on, and on. Seven years passed... seven years of blood, death and darkness, but we pressed on. It was a filthy, grueling struggle. Then came the time that you have glorified in your mind, Alcano. The Dark Lord himself came forth to face us. Your father and Rostor... Macil... were among the foremost ranks. I saw them as they faced him... but they did not do battle. It was not a glorious duel... it was a massacre.bThe Dark Lord swung his mace and it was over. Had it not been for Melimwe and his allies, your father would have been cruelly slain... as were the elves around him." Alcano's eyes widened, as he began to slowly digest, and recognize why Ioristion had used the term "madness" for his attitudes toward history..... He felt his chest, the bandages, and recognized his latent pain. He closed his eyes and sighed. |
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| Ioristion | Jan 4 2015, 10:05 PM Post #67 |
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Chapter LXVII: Alcano's Awakening Rirossel turned, "And did you not recognize him?" "I did not." Cellindien looked away from Alcano, her throat tightening. "For... when you see a thousand die.... what is another death...?" She closed her eyes, resting her fingers over her lips. She felt ill in heart and body, but she had told the tale for a reason. She stepped forward and knelt by the bed, placing one hand over one of Alcano's. "I have seen terrible things, Alcano. I will admit, there has been triumph, but the cost is high... very high. Be careful. Make your choices wisely." Rostoriel felt ready to resume her long anguish, her heart jabbed by Cellindien's line, until Cellindien knelt down before Alcano. Then, Rostoriel understood. Cellindien's tale might save the life of her son from a terrible fate. Rostoriel repressed her anguish and smiled, but remained silent. A tear fell down Alcano's cheek, as he realized the gravity of his own actions, "....what have I done..." Cellindien's heart ached to see the tear, but she did not regret her words. Alcano felt the sentimentalism of Ioristion's madness gradually fade away. Alcano slowly smiled, "I will honor him as he was....... would you kiss a wounded sapling for him?" Cellindien waited as Alcano considered her words, giving him the time that he needed. When he smiled she shook her head. "I will kiss a wounded sapling for the sake of the sapling." She leaned over him and smoothed his hair back before gently kissing his forehead. Then she sat back and smiled. "There. That will have to do for now." Alcano deeply smiled, "Thank you...." "Thank me by learning the lesson well, sapling." Cellindien stood, still smiling. Ioristion smiled, "Well, we shall let you rest. Come to the map-table, the rest of you." But first he knelt by Alcano's side, kissing him on the forehead as well, "Rest peacefully..... remember well what you have learned today." Alcano nodded. And they left the room, the sisters smiling at Alcano as they left. Edited by Ioristion, Jan 4 2015, 10:15 PM.
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| Ioristion | Jan 4 2015, 10:07 PM Post #68 |
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Chapter LXVIII: Plotting Ahead "Now then," Ioristion smirked, "I regret to announce that our task has not ended." Rostoriel sighed, "So you return to your senses after three thousand years, only to depart to adventure in even more ruins, less than one day later?" Rirossel smirked, "At least he has a purpose." Rostoriel muttered, "I suppose...... where do you intend to go?" Ioristion smiled, "Not far at all. Only to Eregion." Rirossel bowed solemnly, "You mean to take Cellindien?" Ioristion nodded sadly, "She deserves to see it......." Rostoriel pouted, "Its......its just.... the memories that died there....... the ruination......" Cellindien stepped forward. "I will not allow Ioristion to go alone. I have promised to guard him... no matter where that journey may take me." Ioristion sighed, "I must determine if there is anything still left there that is worth salvaging. Lord Elrond's scouts have searched many of the ruins, but clearly, not all of them. Poor Findekano remained lost until I found him in my madness. And I did not even dare set foot in Ost-en-Edhil yet." Rostoriel turned, "That is very noble of you, Cellindien, my beloved sister...... very well, but I must warn you: we dwelt there, with my brother...... it will not be easy....." Rirossel sighed, "But my brother, how can you be certain that this is safe? The Enemy came through there..... and surely he would have plundered all of the valuables........" Ioristion's eyes flashed, "Not if the Eldar were ingenious enough to conceal certain articles Rirossel still protested, "Then Lord Elrond's scouts found them." Cellindien interjected, "Clearly they did not." Ioristion smiled, "Yes. Not every scout of Lord Elrond is aware of the secrets of the former master of each household, their cellars and hidden places, and masterful methods of hiding things. Such as through moon-letters and doors concealed by passwords." "I do not look forward to this journey," Cellindien put in. "But Ioristion has a point. If so great an individual as Findekano went unnoticed, there may be many lesser artifacts left hidden." She sighed and shook her head. "...Although I can little believe that I find myself saying these words aloud..." Ioristion's eyes flashed, "I happen to know that Rostor's home was not plundered, as it was further away from Mirobel, and although it was ruined by the ravages of time..... there are objects of value beneath those ruins..... and Auruiron himself brought artifacts of Aman from Minas Noldorion, that he had no time to reclaim.....I have to search. It is my duty," Ioristion muttered. |
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| Ioristion | Jan 4 2015, 10:08 PM Post #69 |
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Chapter LXIX: Doubt Rirossel nodded, "Very well...... and it is true, some objects might be well-hidden, hidden even from the eyes of treasure-hunters.... the West Gate of Moria is concealed...... very well. But you must not bring the Staff back into those ruins.... it would be cruel Ioristion sighed, "Alas, you are correct. Let us leave it by Alcano's side...... I fancy he might require additional discourses....." Cellindien nodded, "I agree, and should his lessons be forgotten in some wild-eyed moment, he shall have wise company Rostoriel laughed, "Since when can we treat.... the spirit of a High-King, as if he was a servant of ours...... to order to and fro, bound to his stick? And why are we not horrified, and our hearts not chilled, by the thought... of a spirit in our presence? Master Elrond's writings do not speak well of this...." Ioristion laughed, "He is not a pompous spirit, nor is he terrifying........ you have spent too many hours in that library of his. Auruiron's writings have more sense to them Rirossel could not contain her laughter, at her brother's simple dismissal of the words of one among the wisest of the Wise. Rostoriel sighed, "Are you certain you have overcome your madness, my husband?" Cellindien spoke up. "He has not." Ioristion sighed, "What do you mean, my sister?" "I mean what I say." Cellindien looked to Rostoriel. "Ioristion lives in the present now, but there are times... the influence of the artifacts we find..." Rostoriel seemed puzzled, "What artifacts? The Staff aside, I mean.... and that has done him some measure of good, from what I have read...." Cellindien returned her gaze to Ioristion. "Would you like to tell her of the orb, perhaps?" Edited by Ioristion, Jan 4 2015, 10:17 PM.
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| Ioristion | Jan 4 2015, 10:09 PM Post #70 |
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Chapter LXX: The Mystery of the Barrow Orb If Fingon overheard these proceedings of this household, he would have been amused. Ioristion shuddered at the thought of the orb, and of the spirit of the wight that had for so long concealed itself within it, or so it would seem....... Ioristion muttered, "But wait..... its impossible. No spirit could have possessed that orb without us knowing of it instantly..... some other power was at work..... Findekano spoke of banishing an evil spirit, but I know not if that came from... The ruins....... there was a dark feeling within the ruins when we entered there. So then, the orb.... what was the dark-shape......." Rostoriel sighed, "Whatever it was, you should bring it to Master Elrond at once." Cellindien sighed and shook her head, gesturing towards Ioristion. "This is exactly what I mean by the madness... he viewed it twice while it was filled with darkness." Ioristion protested, "It is not his business! It is mine own to probe... it is my find! I am sick and tired of hearing of the Wisest of the Wise and how I and my father are not among them." Rirossel slammed the table, "Well, you will not be probing it here. It sounds as if it is an artifact of evil, not of good...." Ioristion smiled, "The voice spoke of its goodness...." Rostoriel threw her arms in the air, "What voice?!" Ioristion shouted, "The voice! The voice! Which could only be Findekano's voice!" Cellindien covered her eyes with one hand, shaking her head. Rirossel looked perplexed, "I thought he appears to you to speak.... or whispers in your head..... but did the voice sound like him?" Ioristion thought back carefully, "It seemed as if it was carried on the wind...." Rostoriel shuddered, "You were listening to a wight, you...." Ioristion covered his ears, "A wight of poor imagination. And besides.... what would a wight have to gain of the removal of such an artifact from its tomb?" Rirossel shouted, "Enough! This is getting us nowhere. But what will we do with this orb?" Ioristion's eyes flashed, "Let us gaze at it. Let us gaze at it right now." Rostoriel nearly flipped the table, "Not in this house, you will not!" Cellindien shouted, "No, you fool!" |
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| Ioristion | Jan 4 2015, 10:11 PM Post #71 |
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Chapter LXXI: A Mystery Unveiled It was too late. The orb had rolled out of the sack and onto the table. It glowed light-blue, but then turned darker, and a grim visage could be seen within it. Cellindien looked about hurriedly for something to throw over it, but froze as her eyes saw what rested within. Ioristion tapped on his Staff, "Oh most glorious High-King...... you forgot to finish doing a little something about it in the Trollshaws......" Rostoriel gazed intently at it, "What is this face....." Rirossel moved even closer, "Those eyes....... that frame...... I recognize it....." Rostoriel muttered, "Impossible.... it cannot be......" Ioristion moved closer, "It........ no. It cannot be Rostor. Why..... so grim..... there is something wrong...." Rostoriel, "You found it in an Edain Barrow.... it does not make sense..... wait, the face...... he looks like...... Maeglin son of Eol?" Rirossel sighed, "This is even more baffling....... we saw what appeared to be Rostor a second ago..... is it changing again?" Cellindien had lifted a fold of her cloak and stood poised next to the orb, ready to cover it at a moment's notice. "I have come across few face-changers in my life and none of them have been of the Light." Ioristion touched the orb. He stumbled, he gazed intently into it, when suddenly the face changed again..... into something grotesquely familar...... "Findekano.... what did the Noldor....craft in Aman......" "Ioristion, do not touch it!" Cellindien's words came to late and she caught hold of his arm. They turned, to see Fingon standing at their side, luminous, but visible. "This orb was made by one who studied under Lorien......" |
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| Ioristion | Jan 4 2015, 10:12 PM Post #72 |
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Chapter LXXII: The Fear of Uncertainty Ioristion muttered, "How came it to the Barrow-Downs?" Findekano shuddered, "Some dark force might have claimed it from one of the defeated Noldorin strongholds in the First Age...." Ioristion still muttered, "But the Barrow-Downs of Cardolan! How came his influence....... impossible. It cannot be." Findekano sighed, "I did not imply that it came from Guldrambor..... what you are seeing is an image, of whatever your inner mind might harbor...... it is a mirror, through which to see that which you can only see in dreams....." Ioristion sighed, "So we are all seeing something different. But who was the voice?" Findekano smiled, "I did not lie to you. I cannot lie." "A curse be upon this work, if it be not already cursed!" Cellindien released Ioristion and swept her cloak over the orb, covering it from view. Ioristion sighed, turning toward Cellindien, "And what did you see in the stone?" Cellindien shook her head wordlessly. Ioristion nodded, "Very well..... it is clear that this artifact can be useful, or not useful. Strange are the powers of the Enemy. But stranger still are the artifacts wrought within the West." Ioristion turned, the spirit of Findekano had vanished back into the Staff. Edited by Ioristion, Jan 4 2015, 10:12 PM.
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| Ioristion | Jan 4 2015, 10:14 PM Post #73 |
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Chapter LXXIII: A Convenient Solution Ioristion smiled, "Well then, let me scope the orb back into the sack," and he did so, from beneath Cellindien's cloak, "And now inter this in a chest in the cellars or something. I think it is best if it remains in Imladris, un-used. We do not know its full nature." Rostoriel nodded, and Rirossel took the Staff, carefully placing it at Alcano's bedside in the other chamber. Ioristion smiled, "I suppose we are off again." Cellindien rolled her eyes. "We could easily have come to that conclusion without risking the present company... and yes, I suppose we are... I, and my mad charge." Ioristion smirked, "Your mad charge? Well, I would not call that a risk, now. It was not dangerous." Cellindien retorted, "You only say that it was not dangerous because, in hindsight, it was not... it could just as easily have been dangerous!" Ioristion smiled, "You worry yourself too much. With an immortal High King at our side, what have we to fear?" Cellindien protested, "You seem to forget, brother mine, that we shall, all too soon, be leaving said High King here! What better time than the present to learn caution?" Ioristion suddenly embraced Cellindien, "Oh my sister......" "Ah..." Cellindien slowly returned the embrace, bemused. "As I said, Rostoriel... mad..." Rostoriel, by now, had returned to the room, "But we love him all the same." She smiled. Cellindien sighed and shook her head, smiling despite herself. "I suppose we do..." They held their embrace for many moments and smiled. Finally, Ioristion's eyes beamed: "We leave on the morrow." |
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| Ioristion | Jan 5 2015, 06:09 PM Post #74 |
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Chapter LXXIV: A Midnight Conversation Cellindien stayed to dine, but it was a quiet dinner. They spoke sparingly, and at length, only commented upon the taste of the soup or of the bread and of the wine, which were fine to dine upon. But there was a clear tension between husband and wife. When Cellindien parted from them, Ioristion bade her to be ready on the morrow, and he nodded and smiled and waved farewell, knowing this would be so. The preparations were ready. The emergency healing salves and rations and materials were prepared and stored in the front room, to be distributed amongst the horses at dawn. Ioristion paced back and forth thoughtfully. It was strange not to feel the weight of the Staff against his back, or the promptings of the spirit that would have come at nightfall. He sat down comfortably in the large room in front of a brazier. The light of the brazier reflected upon his face. His face flickered orange in the brazier's light, and into shadow. Rostoriel came upon him from behind, "Why must you insist upon these things?" Ioristion turned, "Beloved..." Rostoriel sat herself beside him, curling in the abundance of his golden cloak, so that it covered both of them entirely. She sat gazing into the brazier's light. Her hair flickered between red and the shadows of the room. Ioristion embraced her, "Beloved..." Small tears trembled softly down the flesh of her cheeks, "I do not want you to go... not this soon... not this soon after having never seen you like this in three millennia... oh her words are true... they are true... if you were not mad, you would stay here, with me... with your son... abandon this foolish quest, I beg you..." Ioristion gently stroked her long tresses of copper silken hair, resting her head against his shoulder. A spark awoke in Rostoriel's heart. It crackled and burst into new flame. It was not a violent flame, but of trust, of an unbreakable bond... she looked upward at him. She gazed into his piercing grey eyes which appeared to contain the stars of Elbereth herself. She gazed at his lips, now rosy in the light of the brazier. She looked at his troubled, but smiling face, that smiled as if of pity... and she gazed closer, into his eyes, and saw that he suffered with her... She wondered at him, with all of the frantic back and forth the day before, she wondered if he was truly mad... "I am not mad, my love," she heard his voice. "I go this time, not because I want to, but because it is my duty... maybe I would have wanted to on other circumstances, and I may grow excited there.... but that potential excitement does not negate the grief I feel right now, at this moment... because I love you, my beloved wife, flesh of my flesh, and I wish not to see you grieved so, for if you grieve, then I must grieve, for we are one... my beloved... I wish I could remain here in this house, without duty, without anything hanging over me other than your love... and to raise our son, even if my memory is murky, of the night of his conception, because of that madness........." "Do you truly not remember, my husband? Think clearly..... I beg...." And he searched through the scattered memories of his madness, and found them, and he smiled... "Yes, beloved, I remember..." Rostoriel's heart beamed, "Then you are not truly mad," she turned, and she kissed him, and they felt their hearts pound deeply as they kissed, and then he showered her with kisses on her cheeks, and she in turn, and they finally felt as they did when they were first betrothed... in Eregion so long ago. With the conclusion of the hour, they fell into the elvish sleep, and did not awake till dawn. At dawn, they prepared the belongings, Ioristion conducted a final inventory, and was specifically cautious, since the ghost of the High King would not be there to save them. Rostoriel turned as they were finished, kissing him, "I want you to know that I do not blame you... your heart is pure in this, I understand... it is necessary to protect all that we hold dear.... I love you...." Ioristion warmly smiled, "And I, you. With all my heart." "And all of mine." They sat down comfortably in the main room, and awaited the arrival of Cellindien. Edited by Ioristion, Jan 6 2015, 08:49 PM.
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| Ioristion | Jan 5 2015, 07:49 PM Post #75 |
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Chapter LXXV: The Forgotten Sister Rirossel peered into the entry-hall from an adjacent room. She saw as they kissed and a part of her desired to smile. Another part frowned. It was not a frown of envy, but of a desire. She was glad for her sister and for her husband. But she, herself, had long desired for a husband of her own. And she could find none. Many of the Eldar in Eregion were already wed, and many had children, in the belief the times of shadow were long since past. And most in Rivendell were matched, visitors aside, and with the occasional one with strange fates like her. She could seek to attract someone younger, even far younger, doubtless older than mortals in elven years, but fresh and fair in the prime of their youth, as in Gondolin so long ago. The opportunity did not present itself. But for Rirossel, aiding her sister in the raising of Alcano gave her some measure of hope. But, alas, he was too close of kin to hope to wed one day, and her heart grieved for Alcano, who soon would feel the same desires and suffer under a similar plight. And she grieved her heart, oft, for in Gondolin of old, she had many suitors, most of whom she had never laid her eyes upon again after its Fall. One was a brave young corporeal in the Fountain Guard, of lower rank, but charming. She might have even fallen in love with him. But he met another, with whom he felt closer bonds, and they wed, and Rirossel did not begrudge him. For the Eldar do not sway with ease toward unnatural impulses, for wickedness is unnatural for the Eldar. The deeds of the likes of Eol and Maeglin were rare. And none could ever explain why. Thus Rirossel passed out of Gondolin without a wedding, and childless, and with no one for support. She and her sister turned to each other for comfort, and to attempt to enliven Rostor's heart. But for Rostor, Rirossel felt the greatest pity, and did not pity herself, and she fell not into the madness that consumed Rostoriel. And she longed to meet Finlos one day, whether in this world, or in the West. Rirossel had bled-out her heart for Ioristion one evening, telling him everything, and this happened in Eregion long ago. He gave her comforting words, sharing in her sorrow, and hoped that she would find the one appointed for her one day, if this was to be. This was on her mind in Rivendell. For many long years, she paced back and forth in her Eregion chamber long ago, imagining her dream, an ellon who would love her, who existed only from within her mind. Indeed, she may have fallen into the elvish sleep, dreaming such sequences entirely. Such was her condition and her longing. She had swished her crimson cloak as Rostor was oft to do, attempting to impress her fictitious guest. And she slept wrapped in it, gathering it against herself, kissing it in her sleep as she dreamed, in the hope that one day there would be someone between her and the fabric. She hoped that she would one day mean it, and not merely charm her longing with fantasies. But she was careful to distinguish fantasy from reality in her mind. Her dreams of the kissing of the cloak made her feel good, that she may live another day with her emotional pain at bay. She would press her lips against the warm, smooth fabric within her dreams, feeling its tiny fibers pressing against her mouth as her fingers pressed it toward her. And she would dream. But she did not envy Rostor or her sister. She longed to become one with an ellon, to love and to increase their shrinking House. By daylight, she longed to sing and to smile, and to be a good sister to her own, and family to her nephew. And, in time, her long wait was satisfied. Cullasson found her in the Second Age in Eregion. And they gave birth to a son: Cullastor. And father and son had marched in the War of the Last Alliance, under Yucalwe's proud command. Both had survived, and both had returned to dwell in Rivendell, providing for their extended family by hunting game in the wilderness. They also kept watch for Ioristion. But now, they were no where in sight. They were far away to the west in Lindon, hunting game for the Amath Naru, Auruiron's household. And they were ranging in the wilderness when Cellindien and Ioristion had arrived there. And they were still ranging in the wilderness far away, leaving their wife and mother, Rirossel, to dwell with her sister. For Rirossel feared loneliness, and she did not wish to dwell alone beneath Cullasson's Imladris roof. She dwelt with her sister, Rostoriel, and she aided in the rearing of Alcano. Cullasson and Cullastor were summoned away by duty, and seldom did they visit, for the journey across Eriador would only be made under grave need. Rirossel smiled at Ioristion and Rostoriel sadly. She had aided in the preparations as it was. Suddenly, she smiled widely. She remembered her last dream of Cullasson before she met her future husband. For in this past night, she had encountered what she would one day describe as a prophetic dream. She found an ellon between her and the fabric in her dream, as she closed her eyes within the dream, stroking his long, raven hair, and right before she awoke, she opened her eyes within the dream, as his silver-grey eyes pierced her heart, as she gazed within them, beholding a red, fiery, light, as if a great Jewel, blazing within them with the sound of the thrashing and gentle waves of the Sea. She shook her head away from her memory. She smiled widely at them once again. She awaited Cellindien's arrival as well. Edited by Ioristion, May 18 2016, 07:48 PM.
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| Ioristion | Jan 6 2015, 10:44 AM Post #76 |
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Chapter LXXVI: A Foggy and Treacherous Past As Ioristion stood, he remembered the night before. He smiled when he thought of Alcano. For before he began pacing, and resting with his wife, he slipped gently into Alcano's chamber. Alcano lay, awake, but nervous, feeling his chest. Ioristion knelt down by his bedside, "My son... my beloved son..." Alcano smiled, "Adar..." Ioristion grasped his hands, "Forgive me... I should have never endangered you... nor left you behind in such a way..." Alcano slowly smiled, "What became of the swords?" Ioristion smirked, "There were no swords... how could I forget that Gandalf the Grey, it is rumored, found them in a troll-hole long ago..." Alcano closed his eyes, "But you always spoke to me of the swords... although I always knew there were two accounts of their fates..." Ioristion stroked his hair, "Yes... my madness confused me, inventing the second account without a basis..." Alcano's eyes flashed, "Why must you leave me behind..." Ioristion smiled, "You have to recover." Alcano shook his head, "Why must you leave...?" Ioristion sighed, "If I could remain, I would..." Alcano nodded, "Adar... I love you." Ioristion smiled widely, "And I, you, my son..." He kissed him on the forehead, as Cellindien had done. "Rest and recover well, my son... we shall return soon." And Ioristion felt resolved. He had made peace with almost all of his kin. Only one remained. Rirossel beckoned to him, and he left Rostoriel in the main hall. She nodded. Rirossel wrapped her crimson cloak swiftly around herself, "I only wish to know one thing..." Ioristion closed his eyes, "You have heard why our brother died, and who aided him to his death..." Rirossel's eyes flashed, "But what proof have we?" Ioristion embraced her, "I fear he was influenced by an outside force...." Rirossel sighed, "And... these... artifacts may help us?" Ioristion smirked, "I cannot say for certain. It depends on what they are. But there are powers wrought by our people in Aman and brought hither as treasures, some of them unobtainable, others lost forever, but some may yet still be found, and these powers may yet aid us, if they can be found. Not even the Dark Lord could find everything in his conquered Eregion, for the Noldor may have learned things from Aule that the Dark Lord himself did not learn, on good fortune for us, or for the Vala's foresight... and he did not spend his time searching everything. He had his Yrch, searching, of course, but the Yrch are fortunately dumb." Rirossel laughed, "Indeed they are." She smiled, "I understand... thank you, my brother..." Ioristion hugged her tightly, "Oh my dear sister... keep well Rostoriel and Alcano till we return." Rirossel nodded, "I will." They returned to the entry-hall. A tear fell down Rostoriel's cheek. Ioristion nodded sadly, "I know....." They turned to the door. Cellindien had not yet arrived, but Ioristion felt within his heart that her arrival was close at hand. Edited by Ioristion, Feb 18 2015, 05:58 PM.
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| Ioristion | Jan 6 2015, 08:36 PM Post #77 |
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Chapter LXXVII: A Missing Guest The Noon Sun was high in the sky when Rirossel decided to dart to the Last Homely House. No one would tell her anything, and she was careful in regard to who she asked. The sisters had long known that an elleth trainer with silver hair dwelt in Imladris. What they did not know was that she was Finlos. It would have been considered impolite to ask, and as such, neither sister approached her. They were not close. They wondered if their rust-colored hair was the reason that she had not sought them out. A reminder of a painful past. Rirossel began to realize now that she had departed from the Vale in secret. She returned, "She is gone! I found this near her chamber-door!" He opened it: "Ioristion, I have taken the hunt upon myself. Our family needs you. Do not worry for me. I have everything that I need and I will take care to avoid any trouble. I will return to Imladris when the task is complete. Until then, give my gratitude to Rostoriel and Rirossel for their kindness to me. Tell the Sapling to rest well, lest I be forced to come back and keep him in bed myself. Your sister, Cellindien" "What?!" Ioristion stammered. "Load the provisions on my horse. As much as it can bear, but not too much, we do not want Vanya to suffer." He had named the horse Vanya after that of Rostor in Gondolin. Vanya was well tended-to by the stablemasters of Elrond, who cared for all horses. Rirossel had him brought to the entrance to the house. Ioristion petted his steed, speaking calm words, and then the baggage was loaded. The rations would last for two weeks, and they would count for two of them. Their steeds had handled rations for well over a month. They resupplied at Meluinen on their journey. The waybread of the Elves was of a light-weight, and easy to multiply without it being burdensome. As for water, the steeds had handled this as well. It was balanced. They were strong horses through the breeding of the Eldar. Rostoriel spoke up, "My husband, wait. Maybe she is right." Ioristion's eyes glared, "No, you do not understand! She does not know what to search for, but if she found it, oh!" Rirossel turned, "What can possibly be still hidden within those ruins to cause you such concern?" Ioristion sighed, "In Aman long ago, my father was forced by my grandfather to labor in the realm of Aule. It was difficult work. He hated it. But he crafted something odd. One day, he was walking home, when he came upon two travelers. In his hands, one of the travelers held an orb." Rostoriel's eyes glared, "The orb in the cellars! But if you knew what it was, why did you act as if you did not..." "Because I did not remember at the time!" Ioristion stammered, "My madness affected my sense of memory and history negatively! Oh, it is all slowly returning to me, drip by drip of knowledge, but here it is, hanging on a thread. We have the orb of the traveler." Rirossel gasped, "And the travelers...?" Ioristion closed his eyes: "Yucalwe and Amanuiron." "Amanuiron, then that means.... ah!" Rostoriel closed her eyes in fear, "We must remove it from this house!" "Nay! Wait a moment! Do not remove it. My dear sisters... it was made before corruption struck Amanuiron's heart, before Melkor was released from Mandos... he was a good Maia then, righteous and true, he was the only friend to my commander... are we to be surprised that my commander would have come to loathe my father, and his father to do thus as well? His family was sundered... or wait... was Melkor set free? Forgive me, it is coming back to me... you are right..." "Like Feanor..." Rirossel whispered. Ioristion sighed, "To continue, Amanuiron's appearance dazzled the eyes of Auruiron. 'And who art you, with friends so dear, to leave this one alone?' He asked. Auruiron did not answer. He gazed into Yucalwe's eyes, which were filled with expectation and longing. 'Nay,' Amanuiron announced, 'Nay. You do not need this one as a friend. For I alone am your friend. For I alone am your truest brother. For I alone love thee amongst thy peers. For I alone can teach thee powers with which to show them all... how -worthy- you are. You shall impress the High-King.' Amanuiron glanced at my father in a strange light, 'Do you wish to announce us to our High-King?' My father was still stunned. 'Thou art immersed, I see, for I am an apprentice of dreams... what are you dreaming, son of Alcarin?' And my father stood, smiling, 'I am dreaming a fair dream, beloved. Of course I am willing...' Amanuiron started, 'Stop right there, beloved... I will tend to Yucalwe. It was your willingness alone that was required. What object have you there?' My father sighed, 'A failed attempt in the Halls of Aule.' Amanuiron smiled, 'Let me see it.' And my father extended it, a great jewel, although not as great as the Silmarils of legend... yet still it gleamed and shined.' Amanuiron smiled, 'Come, son of Alcarin, I shall make it great, and you shall reveal this to your father, and remember who made it all the greater... and announce it to the High-King.' This gem was similar in shape and appearance to the Arkenstone of Dwarven legends, but there was something else to it. It would shine even brighter, if the wielder of it willed it. It gave power to appearances.... it was a strange object. But my father brought it with him to Eregion, and it was lost long ago... he seldom revealed it to any, not even to Macalaure... my grandfather ordered my father not to reveal any of it. It was the beginning of the entire rivalry, for Yucalwe had come to believe that Auruiron had claimed it as his own work, without giving credit to he who augmented it..." Rirossel cut him off, "...my brother... can we truly be certain about the orb?" Ioristion sighed, "Findekano seemed to think that it was safe. Even so, this is why I will leave the Staff with you. You will be safe." Rostoriel tearfully embraced her husband, "I do not think that you are ready..." Ioristion smiled, "I must find her, before she falls into danger. If this artifact of my father's is truly tainted, then there is no hope for it as a weapon. But if it is not tainted, something may yet be done with it. We must find out..." Rirossel embraced him as well, "I understand... if it is possessed of the powers of light, it may yet be of value... and the orb as well, for one was crafted and the other augmented in Lorien, and no darkness or fell works would have presided in his presence..." Ioristion smiled, "Exactly." He kissed his wife warmly on the lips and his sister on her cheek, and smiled, "I will find her, and together, we will be safe. Namarie!" He mounted Vanya and they began their journey out of the Vale. He wondered what befell his sister to act thus the night before. Edited by Ioristion, Jan 7 2015, 04:51 PM.
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| Cellindien | Jan 6 2015, 11:25 PM Post #78 |
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Chapter LXXVIII: A Departure in Secret A plan had formed in Cellindien's mind when voices and tempers rose as they met by the map-table. Ioristion's son, wife and sister-in-law all needed him. As a family they had suffered great loss many times over. Alcano's wounds had only added strain to the situation, and the sapling would need his loved ones present if he was to heal properly. On the other hand, full healing could never be granted to him, or to any of them, until the threats that they faced had been destroyed. Guldrambor had to be faced. Weapons had to be found. Someone had to go to Eregion, but it was not Ioristion. No, he was needed in Imladris. Cellindien would go alone. She ate well at dinner. When Ioristion told her to be ready when morning came she nodded and assured him that she would, for indeed she would be ready long before morning. She left the house and went immediately to the few elves that she had come to trust over the years, elves that she had trained and fought alongside. She told them only that she was going to Eregion. Someone dear to her had once lived there and she felt a strong need within her heart to visit the ruins. She would be discrete... there was no need to spread the word about her departure. She smiled bitterly. "I have traveled longer and more dangerous roads in my life, and a single traveler may escape notice with greater ease than a company. I will return when I have done what I must." Her companions understood. Desdaen, the warrior elleth turned blacksmith, had lost many dear ones. Saelol had taken the same pilgrimage a decade ago, seeking out answers to the dreams that had suddenly risen to torment him. They asked no questions, as she had asked them none. Her horse was prepared and as many rations and water skins as could practically be taken were loaded on to him before more than an hour had passed since dinner. Cellindien herself had few preparations to make. Her pack was still waiting from the recent return to the Valley. She dressed in traveling clothes, taking care this time to cover the bright metal of her armor in order to avoid catching the attention of unfriendly eyes. The golden cloak she could not wear. Reluctantly she folded it and slipped it into a sack, already missing the familiar weight of its fabric draping over her shoulders. She would carry it with her against great need. All too soon a knock came at the door. It was Desdaen. The preparations were complete. With a weary sigh Cellindien passed over the letter she had written to Ioristion and shouldered her pack, only just remembering to retrieve the sack with her cloak. She nodded gratefully as the elf held her chamber door open and, in the fading evening light, she made her way silently out of the Last Homely House to find her horse, Baranel, waiting for her. Beside the horse stood Saelol. The ellon offered a few last words of advice as she secured the sack to the saddle and double-checked everything. Then she mounted up, made her farewells, and rode away into the night. Edited by Cellindien, Jan 7 2015, 02:43 PM.
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| Cellindien | Jan 6 2015, 11:53 PM Post #79 |
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Chapter LXXIX: The Weary Road The first night pressed down heavily on Cellindien. Baranel moved swiftly and with ease despite the rugged terrain, and Cellindien could not help but wonder if the creature was part owl rather than horse, for the dark did not seem to concern her. To her rider the lack of light was oppressive. The silver-haired elleth felt alone and exposed despite her armor and weapons. She was weary. The day had been full of meetings, revelations, heartbreak and kindness. She felt as if her heart had been torn apart only to be filled to bursting and sewn clumsily back together. Most of all Cellindien felt love, and it was that love that kept her in the saddle and pressing onward through the night. She loved her family... a family that had accepted her, forgiven her and trusted her. A fool of a brother who she knew would risk his life for her. Sisters who had opened their hearts and lives to her despite having every right to reject her... and the sapling. Ai, Alcano. She smiled despite herself, sitting tall in the saddle even as she let Baranel have her head so that she could pick her way freely across the landscape. The youth had his father's heart and spirit, and she knew now that she would do anything to keep her young nephew safe. That was what she was doing now. She rode alone, had taken Ioristion's task upon herself so that he could tend to his... their family. The Hunt was her responsibility now. She kept her love and purpose close in her mind as she journeyed, barely allowing herself to sleep. She had to reach Eregion, and she could not allow herself to miss one detail of the journey for fear of missing a clue. She pushed onward, walking alongside Baranel when the horse became weary. Exhaustion ate away at her as well but she did not realize it. Like her love before her she became lost without sleep, her perception of the world around her shifting and bearing forms that could not be touched with the bare hand. She did not realize when a stray branch wore through the final strand of twine looped around her saddlebags. The sack containing her cloak slipped quietly to the ground and was left behind, fallen atop the dusty hoof prints of a faithful horse. Edited by Cellindien, Jan 6 2015, 11:53 PM.
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| Cellindien | Jan 7 2015, 08:41 PM Post #80 |
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Chapter LXXX: A Voice in the Mist Three days passed, and the nights were restless. Baranel never left her mistress's side, sensing that all was not well. Cellindien was faltering. The last night she had tried to sleep and had been unable to do so. After several hours she had risen from her place in the shelter of an overhanging rock and continued through the night. Now the sun had risen, but the sky was dark. Stormclouds were overhead and before midmorning had passed rain was pouring down on the lonely elf and her horse. Mist swept around them, making it difficult to see, and as Cellindien stumbled in the mud she caught a glimpse of something, a shadow moving through a mist. Immediately she stood upright, drawing her sword. "Finlos...?" The voice. "Finlos?" The shadow appeared again, moving towards her, hesitantly at first, then with a stronger gait. "Daughter." The figure was clear now, his bearing familiar. He reached up and swept back his hood, revealing the same dark hair and piercing grey eyes that she remembered from so long ago. Cellindien raised her sword, her heart pounding in her chest. "Back! Back! I shall not be fooled, Sorcerer! You have no power over me!" Luingil shook his head, held out a hand. With the other he drew back his grey cloak, revealing simple leather armor and an empty scabbard. "Daughter. Long have I searched for you... you have grown strong, stronger than I could have made you. They told you that I perished, did they not...? It was better that way, but I could not stay away, not after so many years. I had hoped..." Doubt rose in Cellindien's mind. "I am not Finlos. I am Cellindien now." "You are Finlos." "Cellindien! I do not answer to that name!" "And if your love spoke it, what then...?" "Rostor..." "The fool." "We were both fools. Adar...?" Luingil did not speak. Anger welled up in the lone elleth. "Adar!" He turned to leave. "No! No, do not leave now! Adar! The oath, Adar! Why have you... where...!?" Luingil disappeared into the mist and Cellindien fumbled with her sword, dropping it into its sheath. "Adar!" She plunged into the mist, sweeping with her hands from side to side in maddened gestures. "Adar!" She called again and again, becoming more frantic with each passing moment. It was impossible, and yet Luingil had stood there. His face was clear, his voice exactly as it should have been. Had he truly fallen in Gondolin? What did he want? She had to know. Then, as if from far off, she heard the voice once again through the mist, to one side of the path. "Daughter?" She hurried after it, Baranel plodding forlornly after her. |
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12:43 AM Jul 11