02-08-2018, 02:36 AM
The vibrant green of the forest came as new dawn to Eowyn’s mind as she left the pallor of the Nexus behind. The new life brought with it resolve and awareness, and the shadow of despair departed from her for the moment. And as if waking from a dream, Eowyn beheld fully for the first time those that had led her from the Nexus cairn. At the moment, the two travelers were halted, a pair of elven sentries had blocked the path from the gate, and seemed unsatisfied to simply allow the wanderers passage.
There were four travelers before her, each pair one male and one female, though from there the groups diverged dramatically. Though the violet-skinned elves were openly equipped for battle, the two humans who had been leading her were less overt, yet only more threatening because of it. To the uncaring watcher their gear would mark them as serfs, vagabonds wandering between worlds without aim. Yet the daughter of Rohan perceived further and saw in them a predatory stance, as a hound that strained upon a tight leash. The hilts of blades held true in her mind that these two were trained killers, merely wearing sheep’s cloth to avoid suspicion. As the argument between shinobi and elf grew more heated, she was made further aware of her own lack of weaponry, no doubt abandoned upon the field of her shame. The Shieldmaiden grew glassy-eyed, but spoke nonetheless, addressing the ninjas and elves alike, bringing their own debate to a halt.
“I seek an audience with Lord Aragorn, and those who know him would do well to direct me towards him without delay.” She spoke with the voice of authority and command, a counter point to the uncertainty that clawed at her mind, and the Shinobi were put ill at ease by her confidence. Though they had rightly perceived her as a prime newly come to this realm, yet she spoke with confidence and knowledge that she should by no rights possess, lest some power gave her insight beyond that of mortal men. For their parts, the elves seemed less unnerved, though they were wary in proportion with their charge, and the male had casually brought his bow towards more easy reach.
“You seek the king of Camelot?” the she-elf asked at length, casting a glance towards the shinobi as she spoke, though they were still and unhelpful towards her questions.
“Nay, I seek the chieftain of the Dunadein, who is by rights the king of Gondor, and by the house of Eorl shall it be made so.” Eowyn answered, but now the beast of the unknown grew taller and more fierce before the shieldmaiden, as her will and purpose faltered.
Perhaps, in this strange realm, she would not find the familiar face of hope, but only a cruel alignment of fates that brought one the same in name alone. Yet she clung to this hope with an unrelenting grip, for Eowyn was beset by powers fully beyond her ken, and until the hope was entirely spent, she would not relent. The assassins shared a glance of portent, then the woman took to the trees at a pace that seemed indeed unnatural. The Elven strings bent, and two arrows stood ready, one towards the second ninja, the other towards Eowyn, though neither flinched at the movement.
“You are wasting your time, Ears. Chikanari will return with reinforcements long before you can send word to Yggdrasil. The new prime will go to Mokugakure.” The shinobi spoke with a grim confidence that belied his youth, but the Tyrnade’s Sentinels would not be so easily dissuaded. Eowyn glanced towards the shinobi in question, knowing now that her demands held no influence with either pair.
“You must speak with the elders of my village.” The man said, by way of explanation, “If they deem it wise, you will be sent on your way to speak with King Aragorn. But do not mistake our intentions, nor those of these point-ears. You have sway due to your inheritance, but we have sway due to our knowledge.”
The Elves had begun to converse in a language that Eowyn did not recognize, but before they reached a consensus on their next course of action, a new traveler made his presence known, walking towards the group with a placating gesture.
“let’s all just calm down now, okay? Its been a peaceful day here so far, and I would hate for things to go south so soon.” The man spoke with practice and a careful measure, And Eowyn saw in him a fully disciplined mind. This wander seemed to recognize the elves, but approached the situation as would an outsider, much as Eowyn herself.
The shinobi did not let this new arrival pass without opportunity however, slipping past the elven bow, and pressing a kunai to the male elf’s throat.
“Drop the weapons, both of you.” He spoke without rage, without emotion, only deathly purpose, “No one moves anywhere until Chikanari returns. Understood?”
There were four travelers before her, each pair one male and one female, though from there the groups diverged dramatically. Though the violet-skinned elves were openly equipped for battle, the two humans who had been leading her were less overt, yet only more threatening because of it. To the uncaring watcher their gear would mark them as serfs, vagabonds wandering between worlds without aim. Yet the daughter of Rohan perceived further and saw in them a predatory stance, as a hound that strained upon a tight leash. The hilts of blades held true in her mind that these two were trained killers, merely wearing sheep’s cloth to avoid suspicion. As the argument between shinobi and elf grew more heated, she was made further aware of her own lack of weaponry, no doubt abandoned upon the field of her shame. The Shieldmaiden grew glassy-eyed, but spoke nonetheless, addressing the ninjas and elves alike, bringing their own debate to a halt.
“I seek an audience with Lord Aragorn, and those who know him would do well to direct me towards him without delay.” She spoke with the voice of authority and command, a counter point to the uncertainty that clawed at her mind, and the Shinobi were put ill at ease by her confidence. Though they had rightly perceived her as a prime newly come to this realm, yet she spoke with confidence and knowledge that she should by no rights possess, lest some power gave her insight beyond that of mortal men. For their parts, the elves seemed less unnerved, though they were wary in proportion with their charge, and the male had casually brought his bow towards more easy reach.
“You seek the king of Camelot?” the she-elf asked at length, casting a glance towards the shinobi as she spoke, though they were still and unhelpful towards her questions.
“Nay, I seek the chieftain of the Dunadein, who is by rights the king of Gondor, and by the house of Eorl shall it be made so.” Eowyn answered, but now the beast of the unknown grew taller and more fierce before the shieldmaiden, as her will and purpose faltered.
Perhaps, in this strange realm, she would not find the familiar face of hope, but only a cruel alignment of fates that brought one the same in name alone. Yet she clung to this hope with an unrelenting grip, for Eowyn was beset by powers fully beyond her ken, and until the hope was entirely spent, she would not relent. The assassins shared a glance of portent, then the woman took to the trees at a pace that seemed indeed unnatural. The Elven strings bent, and two arrows stood ready, one towards the second ninja, the other towards Eowyn, though neither flinched at the movement.
“You are wasting your time, Ears. Chikanari will return with reinforcements long before you can send word to Yggdrasil. The new prime will go to Mokugakure.” The shinobi spoke with a grim confidence that belied his youth, but the Tyrnade’s Sentinels would not be so easily dissuaded. Eowyn glanced towards the shinobi in question, knowing now that her demands held no influence with either pair.
“You must speak with the elders of my village.” The man said, by way of explanation, “If they deem it wise, you will be sent on your way to speak with King Aragorn. But do not mistake our intentions, nor those of these point-ears. You have sway due to your inheritance, but we have sway due to our knowledge.”
The Elves had begun to converse in a language that Eowyn did not recognize, but before they reached a consensus on their next course of action, a new traveler made his presence known, walking towards the group with a placating gesture.
“let’s all just calm down now, okay? Its been a peaceful day here so far, and I would hate for things to go south so soon.” The man spoke with practice and a careful measure, And Eowyn saw in him a fully disciplined mind. This wander seemed to recognize the elves, but approached the situation as would an outsider, much as Eowyn herself.
The shinobi did not let this new arrival pass without opportunity however, slipping past the elven bow, and pressing a kunai to the male elf’s throat.
“Drop the weapons, both of you.” He spoke without rage, without emotion, only deathly purpose, “No one moves anywhere until Chikanari returns. Understood?”