Haysend- closed

[Desi Baggins]

Haysend was started at MSN here is the link Haysend at MSN. This role play was started by Aeleorn. It is very long so I am going to very slowly post it here. If you have or have not read it yet please have fun doing so now as we post it here and post any comments on our comment thread!

These are the color codes as to who wrote the parts of this story:
Aeleorn Alaere Orgulas BelfalasBoy Pearlbloom Desi Sparrow Illadria

[Desi Baggins]

CHAPTER 1

Aeleorn woke up in a very small bed in a very tiny room with a very round window. Her back ached from lying too long in a rather uncomfortable position. She shifted, but then decided that sitting up would be better and nearly bumped her head doing so. This was the strangest place she'd ever seen..."Well, at least they're consistent", she thought," the door is round too... and the mirror".
In the mirror she saw a thin face with pale blue eyes. The woman pulled back a strand of black hair.
"Why am I here?", Aeleorn muttered, "No, no, how did I get here? And where am I???" Even more questions popped up in her head. The woman frowned...
A few moments later, a hobbit woman entered the room with a tray laden with food and found Aeleorn sitting up. They both startled.
"I don't like having strangers in my house, especially one of you big people”, the small woman said, " but I could not leave you lying there on the banks of the Withywindle. It seems you have escaped the forest in a rather unfashionable way, dear, floating down that river, I mean... You're lucky you washed up here in Haysend. The Brandywine's only a few miles away. Who knows what would have happened if you ended up there?"
Aeleorn looked rather funny at the tiny woman. "What, I mean who are you?” she asked.
The little hobbit woman laughed while she put down the tray and said: "No, of course not, my name is Lara, Lara Bumbleroot of Haysend and I am a proud hobbit."

[Desi Baggins]

Lara was on her way to the kitchen, muttering to herself and shaking her head. That Outsider, why in Valinor's name had she taken her with her, to her own house? Everyone knew that the Big Folk always brought trouble. Then again, how could she not have brought her here? She saw the woman lying there again, in a heap on the wet sand; unconscious, bruised all over her body and her clothes completely torn. Somehow....
Lara's thoughts broke off suddenly. Clothes. Clothes!! The woman definitely needed new clothes.... Maybe not immediately, because she still had to stay in bed for a few days -Lara hoped that the woman would not get pneumonia or something, that would be just what she needed: a severely ill Outlander to take care of. She decided to go to talk with Mongo Peatfingers, the finest tailor in the Shire. Not that Lara could not sow properly, but she already had so much on her mind, and then she also had to take care of that Outsider woman. Yes, she would ask Mongo.
She turned and went to the bathroom to remodel her hair and looked into the reflection in the perfectly round mirror, and went outside. She walked in the direction of Mongo's hole, chanting softly to herself and with a delightful smile on her rosy face.

[Desi Baggins]

Aeleorn sighed. "So much food", she thought, "I'm going to get fat! It's not like I don't enjoy a good meal, but this... I must say, that hobbit woman, Lara, she's a d**n fine cook." Then she shoved another hump of bread in her mouth and sighed again.
Outside were the voices of two hobbits. There was a discussion about yet another big birthday party in Brandy Hall and about lots of food and presents. This time the whole town was invited because the eldest great-grandson, Grello Brandybuck, was about to turn 33. It was a really big event.
One of the voices belonged to Lara Bumbleroot. Actually, she didn't say that much. Although she was nodding her head and making short remarks, her head was elsewhere. She was thinking about Mongo. Mongo and his cute belly and Mongo and his cute smile...
Now that Aeleorn had eaten, another worry popped in her head. She had no idea how she got here and even worse, she didn't remember who she was. She did know that her name was Aeleorn and that she was a ranger, but where she lived and who her family was, she didn't know.
"I guess that's just something like me to jump in a river and go totally blank! It's one of my crazy habits jumping in rivers and stuff...". She pulled her blankets off and walked up to the window, totally unconscious of the fact that she wasn't wearing any clothes. "What a nice day", she thought.

[Desi Baggins]

Lara suddenly woke from her musings about Mongo; something was wrong. She had been listening to Camellia's endless babbling. Camellia Hornblower was her neighbor, and, oddly enough, the woman's family name suited her in a strange way; her voice did sound like a trumpet.
For days and days now, Camellia had been boasting about the fact that she was asked to take care of the banquet that would accompany the big feast, in honor of Grello Brandybuck's coming of age. Frankly, it was really starting to get unto Lara's nerves. Fine, Camellia was an excellent cook -Lara had enjoyed many meals at her neighbor’s table- but it really wasn't necessary for her to stick her nose into the air like that, nor to be so arrogant and conceited about it. Actually, Mongo, aside from being the finest tailor in the Shire, was also a much better cook than Camellia could ever dream to be. At least, that was what Lara thought and she was certainly not going to tell this to Camellia.
However, at this very moment, Camellia was not saying anything anymore. She was staring at something behind Lara, and had it not been for the bewildered look upon Camellia's face -her chin practically hung upon her feet! Lara would have enjoyed the silence. She turned around to see what was happening, and gasped.
Trolls and Orcs! There was that foolish Outlanderwoman, standing in the window, stark naked! She was grinning and waving at Lara like an idiot. Lara blushed scarlet. Quickly she stammered some kind of apology to Camellia, who did not even take notice of it, but kept staring at Aeleorn. A crowd was beginning to grow, and some young boys were making jokes and nudging each other with their elbows. Ooooh, so much for her image! Lara tried to remain as dignified as possible while hurrying inside. Once no one could see her anymore, she ran to the guest room.
"What in Frodo's name are you doing?" she shrieked. Very fast, she pulled Aeleorn away from the window, and hurriedly closed the curtains.
* * * * * *

FEW DAYS LATER

Notes left on Lara’s Kitchen table:
Dearest Lara,
I know we don’t get along too well, and I do realize that I'm mostly to blame for this, but now I'm packed and ready to go. I would have said goodbye to you personally, but the gap in my memory has closed and I must leave this very moment. There was another when I fell in the Withywindle and I must find her. A bad feeling is creeping up on me.
These last few days were strange and exciting. I never imagined that the Shire could be so different from the rest of the world. I want to thank you for your delicious food and the new clothes you gave me. When I'm in Rivendell to pick up my sword, I'll send you some kingsfoil to show you how much I've appreciated your help.
Love,
Aeleorn Mythenasdoughter
PS If anyone comes looking for me, tell them I went to Bree. If a dark haired lady elf comes looking for me give her the other folded up note I left next to this one

Lara let out a long moan. In her hands she was holding the letter she had found on her kitchen table. Surprisingly, she was struggling with her emotions. On the one hand, she felt relieved that that Outsider woman had sneaked off; now she could return to her quiet everyday life. On the other hand, she felt a bit guilty about her relief, and she had to admit, though very reluctantly, that she would even miss the Ranger. She hadn't been that bad after all, for an Outsider. Finally, there was also the letter's content: there was another one, and maybe coming this way! Why did this have to happen to her? As if she didn't have enough to worry about, not in the least her good name. Even now, she was the favorite subject of all the chatterboxes in the area! Though, another thing she found hard to admit she was actually enjoying the attention. She knew she would be on the lookout for the other 'visitor', because she was curious, very unhobbitish. She did hope that the other one would know more about decent behavior. She chuckled, remembering how Aeleorn had stood in the window, naked. Now she could laugh with it, but at the time she had been very shocked, and she had given Aeleorn a rather hard time about it, drumming into her about Hobbit customs. And poor Mongo, she had really rushed him with those clothes. She smiled thinking about Mongo. The paper slipped out of her hand while her thoughts trailed off. She even forgot about second breakfast...

[Desi Baggins]

CHAPTER 2

Suddenly, Alaere woke up with a start, realizing that something was wrong, she was in an unfamiliar place. She found herself in a nice, very clean room with a sloping roof. On the walls hung beautiful green hanging mats and yellow curtains, and there were fresh green rushes strewn on the flagstone floor.
She struggled for a while, trying to remember what had happened. Gradually the memories came back into her mind. She had been travelling around with her good friend Aeleorn for some weeks, now, and they had ventured into the Old Forest. There things had gone totally wrong. One moment they were strolling around in the wood, the next they found themselves being hunted by a pack of Wargs, who had driven them to the river. There, she and Aeleorn had turned around, determined to defend themselves until their last breath. The last thing she knew was Aeleorn falling into the river and being washed away, while she felt sharp teeth closing in on her leg.
The door opened, and a beautiful woman with golden hair, clad in an elegant green dress with a silver belt around her waist, graciously entered.

[Desi Baggins]

"Oh, you're awake", she smiled. "My name is Goldberry and you are in the house of Tom Bombadil. You have been very lucky that he was in the neighborhood when those awful Wargs attacked you."
"Have you by any chance found my friend?" Alaere asked. "I was accompanied by a woman Ranger, but she fell into the river and was carried away."
"Oh I'm sorry", Goldberry replied. "Tom has not found her."
Alaere sighed. Things did not look too well at the moment.
"I have to find her as soon as possible", she said.
"And you will", answered Goldberry. "But not today. You'd better take a day or so to recover all your strength. Even for an Elf it is necessary to rest after such an ordeal."
Alaere gave in, Goldberry was right. Though she was an Elf indeed, and so healed rather quickly, she did feel very tired and somewhat weak. The Wargs had set up a fierce attack and it had been a tough fight. Aeleorn could take care of herself very well, being a Ranger she knew how to survive in severe conditions, even when she was wounded. Just one day would not matter.
"You might want to refresh yourself a bit", Goldberry continued. She pointed to a door in the left wall. "There you'll find a bathroom, and everything is set ready for you. When you're done, we'll have a nice breakfast." With that, she left the room the same way she had come in.
Before standing up from the bed, Alaere stretched out her muscles like a cat would do. Then she went over to the door Goldberry had indicated and opened it. In the bathroom, the walls were also adorned with green hanging mats, and on a towel-horse hung yellow towels that looked very soft. In the middle of the room, on a platform, stood a stone bathtub on copper clawlike legs. The tub was filled with steaming, foaming water. A few steam clouds drifted around through the room.
A delightful smile appeared on Alaere's face, like the sun breaking through a deck of rain clouds. A hot bath! That was a luxury she had missed hard on her ramble with Aeleorn. They had tried to make camp as often as possible near streams and pools, but the cold river water was nothing compared to the sheer pleasure of a hot, relaxing, real bath.
Eagerly, she slipped out of her nightgown -HER nightgown? It wasn't hers and most of all: who had put it on her? She sincerely hoped it had been Goldberry- and stepped into the tub. While she sank deeper into the warm water, she closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh. If she were a cat, she would be purring now. The water was just the right temperature. This must be what Valinor felt like.
After soaking for about an hour, she quickly washed herself and, wrapped in one of the soft towels, went back to the bedroom. There she looked around for her backpack. She had brought some spare clothes with her; it was always best to be well prepared. She found the bag in one of the corners, and thoughtfully pulled out the only dress she had brought with her. She might as well wear it now, while she stayed in this house. It was definitely more suitable than her adventuring duds.
She put on the dress and looked into the ebony standing mirror. The dress was made of the finest Elven cloth and therefor it wasn't wrinkled at all. The pale blue body closed tight around her, while the green skirt flowed graciously around her legs. The sleeves, also green, widened from her elbows. Her long chestnut hair spilled over her shoulders in thick curly strands. Her dark eyes stood out in her pale face. She smiled; this had to be good enough. She left the room and went looking for Goldberry and the promised breakfast, because she was almost starved by now.
After a short passage, Alaere came into a long room, illuminated by brightly burning yellow candles that adorned the walls, and stood in candelabra's in every corner. The dark wooden furniture was of plain make, with a simple design, and it had been polished so many times that it gleamed softly. On the dressers, and the tables, stood vases with various wood flowers. All in all the room looked very warm and cozy, filled with the love and joy of the people who lived here.
Goldberry was sitting in a comfortable looking, rush-seated chair and beckoned Alaere to come sit with her. Around her feat, green earthenware vessels, with white water lilies floating in them, were arranged, so that it seemed like she was sitting in the middle of a pool. On a little side table stood a tray laden with fresh baked white bread, a scale with fruits, honey and butter, and a bottle containing a sweet smelling, crystal-clear fluid.
"I can see that the bath has done you good", Goldberry smiled. She pointed at the delicious looking breakfast. "Please, help yourself."
Alaere started to eat, every taste a feast for her senses. The beverage went down easily and took away the last remnants of her worries and tiredness.
"I am delighted to have one of your kind in my house", Goldberry continued. "The Elves are the wisest of all the Races and, more important even: they care most for Nature and all-living things."
"Hmm, I don't think that my parents would agree on me being wise", Alaere said rather dryly, and Goldberry started laughing. It sounded like twittering birds. "But, are you not an Elf then? You remind me of the paintings I have seen of the Lady Galadriel", Alaere asked.
"Oh no, I am not an Elf", Goldberry answered. "I am the daughter of the River-woman of the Withywindle. Let me tell you about it."
So it was that, as the hours passed by, Alaere was listening with ever-greater amazement to Goldberry's clear voice. Of course, she had already heard about Tom Bombadil, or Iarwain Ben-adar as he is called in the tongue of the Elves, but it was a wholly different thing to hear it all firsthand, from Bombadil's spouse Goldberry herself. She learnt that both were nature spirits, which meant that they had been around since the beginning of the world, looking after both plant and animal life -or Olvar and Kelvar as all living things were called before the arrival of Elves and Men. One of Goldberry's tasks as the River-daughter was the autumn- and spring clean, when the last remnants of summer and winter were washed away so that the Forest could freshly begin a new cycle. Unnoticed, all the day passed, while Goldberry told about her friends the birds, about the River, the Forest, and many more things. She also spoke much about Iarwain, who was the Master of the Forest, and how she had first met him:
"One day in early spring, I was sitting near a pool far down the River, singing with the birds", she recalled. "Suddenly, there he was, tall and very handsome looking, with green spring leaves in his thick brown hair." Goldberry smiled at the memory. Then suddenly....
"There he is again", she cried. The door opened, and a colorful figure entered: a tall man wearing a blue jacket and yellow boots. Goldberry sprang to her feet very lightly and flung herself into his arms. He swirled her around and, after putting her down gently, he bowed for her, taking off his blue feathered hat. Then he turned to Alaere, bowed low, and sung:
"Hey merry doll! Merry fellow am I, Tom Bombadil.
Ring a ding dong! Dreadful Wargs ran away at my will.
Hey merry song! Iarwain Ben-adar is my Elven name.
Ring a ding ding! Maybe you have heard of my fame.
Merry ring a ling a ling ding dong!
Eat first and we'll talk before long."
Quickly, they set the table, Iarwain dancing around and singing, Goldberry as graceful as the fairest Elven queen whom has ever walked upon Middle Earth. It truly was a delicious meal: a nice vegetable stew, soft white bread with butter, honeycombs and ripe berries. While eating, they talked and laughed and sung together. But after dinner Iarwain Ben-adar turned rather serious.

[Desi Baggins]

"I am sorry that I wasn't able to help your friend", he said. "The River brought her beyond the borders of the Old Forest, and Outside, I have no power. But your friend is well, she is with the merry Hobbits in the Shire, somewhere around Crickhollow, or Haysend."
"By the Grace of the Valar, what a relief! I must leave tomorrow, for I have to find her." Alaere sighed. Somehow, the thought of leaving this warm house made her a bit sad. However, she had always wanted to visit the Shire one-day, for those Hobbits seemed so cute and adorable. She was going to see Hobbits! She pictured Aeleorn being cuddled by those little creatures, and smiled. She wondered how Aeleorn would react to that: the tough, independent Ranger being pampered by beings that were not even half her height. Then suddenly she remembered how they had ended up in this situation, and her smile faded. She looked at Iarwain.
"What were those Wargs doing here anyway? So far away from Mordor?" she asked.
Iarwain nodded. "That is indeed a long story, and whether it has a happy ending, I can't tell yet."
He began telling her about the Nature of Evil, and about the part it played in the world. She learned many things she hadn't even known yet, and that made her shudder; about Morgoth, Sauron, and all the wretched creatures they had 'created'.
"Evil", he said, "has always been present in this World from the beginning, and maybe it will always be."
"But Morgoth has been banned to the Void, and Sauron is destroyed", Alaere protested. "Frodo, the Ringbearer, whom you yourself have rescued twice, has cast the One Ring into the fires of Mount Doom, and with that, Sauron's spirit was also destroyed."
"Yes, Sauron is defeated. But his Orcs, and many others of his foul servants, like the Wargs you've encountered, have spread and roam these lands. They fight among themselves most of the time, but they are still numerous. If there is one among them strong and cunning enough to reunite them, they can still pose a great threat to Middle Earth. I have been around for a very long time, and I have witnessed more than once that, when everyone thought they were safe, Evil still found its way back to our world. Maybe the Evil forces are just as necessary as the forces of Good, in order to keep all things in balance."
He fell silent for a while, staring into the glowing hearth. The fire had died down almost completely. Then he seemed to awaken again.
"I should not disturb you with more heavy thoughts. You already have enough to worry about. But let it be a warning to stay alert at all times. We cannot know what will happen next. The hour is late, let us rest for the night."

[Desi Baggins]

The next morning Goldberry had walked to the gate with Alaere, then lingered as the beautiful elf maiden continued on her way. Visitors from the four races of Middle Earth were rare, and the Riverwoman's daughter had enjoyed the company of the sweet young woman. She considered the dangers Alaere might face in her search for her friend, then pursed her lips to whistle a sweet call. Moments later, a small brown bird flew from the woods and perched on Goldberry's extended finger. Goldberry whistled a few more notes, the bird responded, and just before Alaere faded out of sight, flew after the young elf.

[Desi Baggins]

CHAPTER 3

Orgulas mumbled something between his clenched teeth, swung himself onto his horse and rode off. The day was dawning and the first rays of the sun peeped over the hills. While Orgulas felt Maenolir's muscle ripple beneath him, his thoughts trailed off.
Sisters! Why does one need sisters! Everyone knew they always brought trouble and misery. Take his elder sister Alaere for a moment. She had always been rather weird and rebellious -at least, in his opinion- but now she had really pushed things too far. Running of like that, without telling anyone where she'd gone to, or even leaving a message! It was not the first time she'd disappeared. But she always turned up after a week or so. Now it had been three weeks already, and no one had seen a sign from her. So mother got anxious, and who got the honor of running after her? Of course, good old Orgulas, as if he didn't have more important things to do. Chasing after his stupid, irresponsible sister was definitely not his idea of fun.
He shrugged his shoulders. Complaining about Alaere's stupidities would not bring him any closer to her. After all, she was not that bad. It was she who had given him this magnificent steed, a descendant of the famous Shadowfax. He stroked Maenolir's neck lovingly. No, Alaere was not that bad at all; she did have her good sides too. She was just, well, she was Alaere. Ironic actually, that he was chasing after her on the horse she had given him.
He spurred on Maenolir. Three days ago, he had left Rivendell, following the Great East Road. He had a hunch Alaere had gone in that direction. She'd always talked about wanting to see Hobbits, so he could probably find her somewhere around the Shire. And if he didn't, well, then he had a long search ahead of him. He felt the anger bubbling up again. To leave everyone in worries like that, just so that she could go on a sightseeing tour! That was so typical for Alaere.
He banned his impulsive sister from his mind. Better to be on his guard; in the early after-days of the Great War of the Ring, you never knew what could happen. Sauron was defeated, but his Orcs and other foul beasts were still wandering around. They were scattered now, and mostly fighting among themselves, but every now and again they attacked unsuspecting travelers.
Orgulas grinned. He sincerely hoped that Alaere bore this in mind, and that she was extra careful. Then again, that Ranger woman, Aeleorn -one of Alaere's closest friends- was probably with her, and she at least had some sense. If anyone could take care of Alaere, it was Aeleorn.
He bent over his horse and rode on. He hoped to reach Weathertop before nightfall, for he was planning to make camp there. It was a safe place and a good lookout. For a long while, he just kept riding, without thinking, but scanning the environment with his keen, blue-green eyes.