Hardly injured at all?

I gritted my teeth and tried to tell myself that Anarion was justifiably a little worried. After all, orcs were rather frightening close up, and that big one had connected rather hard with my arm.

My attempt at patience didn't work, however. I did so hate to be fussed over!

"Anarion, I'm not dying, all right?! It's just an arm wound, it's not going to kill me!"

I tried to snatch my arm away, but he took a firmer hold on it as he carefully washed the dirt out of the wound from when I had fallen.

"Hold still, Lira. Don't jerk around so, you might injure yourself further."

I glowered in silence, wishing I could just pull away and do it myself without hurting myself in the attempt.

He glanced up at me, amused, a hint of a smile on his face.

"What, to impatient to sit still for even a moment?" he teased.

I simply glared at him.

"And did you find an encounter with orcs as exciting as you had thought?" he continued, and I gaped at him, my annoyance forgotten.

"Wha--How did you know about that?!" I exclaimed, blushing slightly as he grinned at me, looking more like a boy than a ranger.

"Elenatintil told me, when you first arrived, that you were disapointed not to have been waylaid by orcs," he said dryly, amused still.

My blush deepened, and I decided a change of subject would be wise, but I couldn't think of anything to say.

"Will you hurry up with that, it's not a mortal wound, I can barely feel it! I'm hardly injured at all!" I exclaimed impatiently.

He had finished binding the wound finally, and I stood up quickly.

And promply fainted.

"Hardly injured at all, are you, Lira," Anarion murmered as he quickly bent over me, anxiety in his voice despite the humor, but I did not hear it.

The Aftermath

Everything settled. It was hard to believe it had ended already. Who had won? And who had our rescuers been? Before I had a chance to answer either of these questions, Legolas was at my side.

"Ella! Ella, are you all right? Ella, you're bleeding. Please speak to me!"

I laughed, "Legolas, you're such a worrier. Of course I'm all right. How are the others?"

"Ella, you're bleeding."

"Yes, you said that. Wait, what?"

Legolas reached towards my cheek. I jerked away. "Ella?"

"Sorry," I said.

He tried again, and was successful this time. "You've been scraped, but it's not serious," he said.

"I could have told you that. I think I would have noticed had it been serious. Let's go check on the others."

"And meet our allies," Legolas agreed.

Attack! - Part 2

Aldarion whirled around as the screams of Elanor and Rosriel reached his ears. He saw them crash against the tree trunk and ran towards where they lay. An orc raised his sword over the inert girls. "Legolas! Shoot it!" he yelled as he fought his way through the rabble.

A bow string hummed close by and an arrow burried its self in the orc, causing it to topple over. The ranger looked about confused, for Legolas was still fighting off another orc. Elladan came next to him. "I think ranger's should start carrying bows."

Aldarion sighed. "Thank you Elladan." The tall elf smirked and turned away to fire his bow again. Aldarion began fighting as well, again moving towards Rosriel and Elanor, who were still unconcious.

"Elladan! Look out!" The cry turned him around again and he saw a large orc bearing down upon Elladan, vicious blade raised to chop down on the unsuspecting elf's head. As Elladan spun around, Aldarion lept forweward and sliced at the orc's arm. It bellowed, swinging his sword towards the ranger. He ducked, stabbing foreward and was thrown off balance as the orc kicked out and clouted Aldarion on the head. In a daze, he felt a hand pulling him upright and met Elladan's gaze. Something passed between them and with a new feeling of respect for the other, both returned to the fight.

Elenatintil fought her way close by during a brief respite. "This is hopeless," she panted. "There are just too many!"

"How are they all doing?" Elladan asked, slicing off a goblin's head.

She shook her head, "Alright, but not great either. Dior got a sword cut on his forehead and Lira has an arm wound." Her eyes twinkled. "Anarion however, is taking good care of her." Aldarion laughed. "How's everyone around you?" Elena then asked.

Aldarion looked overby Rosriel and Elanor. Thank goodness, no more orcs over there. "Unconcious," he replied.

Elena's eyes widened. "What happened?"

Elrohir cut off Aldarion's reply. "Another attack, and more are coming!"

All conversation was forgotten as those still able to fight did so with renewed desperation. Orc after orc charged up the hill. A feeling of hoplessness swept over Aldarion. This is it...

All of a sudden, the sound of horns blasted loud about them. Everyone, fellowship and orc, froze and looked about with wondering eyes. Horsemen appeared on the western rim of the valley and a clear voice rang out. "Death to the orcs! Elves of the Greenwood, charge!"

Hope and courage lept up again in the hearts of the Fellowship and they began to fight with new vigor and energy. The orcs quailed, caught between the deadly archers of the Greenwood and the furious fellowship and fled back into the hills. Aldarion and the rest ceased their fighting and watched as the elves pursued the orc band, slaying most of them. He took a deep breath of relief.
The battle was over.

Attack! - Part 1

Soon strike a good path that goes southeast toward the mountain pass. Path is lined with stones. Full moon. 233 miles from start. 1 miles since last location

We all lept up at the sound of Legolas, Ella and Samdo's shouts.

"Orcs!" yelled Samdo, waving his blue sword. "It's orc's it is!"

"Where?" Elena shouted back.

Legolas ran up and pointed back over his shoulder. We turned to see at least a hundred orcs, maybe more, swarming over the next rise in the land. Elrohir began issuing commands.
"Everyone, back up to this rise here, find some place to brace your selves against, where you won't be easily reached. Climb trees if you need to. Those without bows and arrows stay close to those who do! Now move!"

We hurriedly began finding safe places amongst the trees and boulders. Elanor sat with me in a tall oak and we both watched nervously as the orcs came closer, their harsh noises filling the air.
"Stay close to me," I whispered, drawing an arrow from my sheath and preparing to fire on Elrohir's command. She nodded silently, gripping her small sword tightly.

"FIRE!"

I began firing my arows rapidly on the oncoming rabble, hitting a target each time. Legolas, Elladan, Elrohir, Elena, Ella, Aldarion and Anarion all had bows, as well as Vila. Samdo stayed crouched beside Aldarion, and I saw Lira with Anarion, and Raewyn with Elrohir and Dior with Legolas. I was relieved that we were all accounted for.

By now the orcs had come upon us and began attacking those on the ground and attempting to shoot the few of us in the trees. I kept firing down at the rabble, hoping and praying that this was it, and that more were not coming. I suddenly realized that Elanor and I were the only two left in a tree, and the rest were now on the ground fighting hand to hand.

"Should we get down?" Elanor touched my arm, looking worried about the jump down. I nodded. I was running out of arrows and if I used them all, then we would both be at risk at our elevated height.

"I'll go down first and make room for you to jump!" I lept down out of the branches without another word and pulled my sword. A large orc made a run at me and I killed him on my first stroke. Fighting furiously and getting further away from the tree then I had intended, I risked a glance back at Elanor. "Jump down!"

Suddenly my heart froze in my chest. Somewhere an orc had lighted a torch - probably from the remains of our campfire - and had just thrown it at the base of Elanor's tree! I cried out and tried to fight my way back through the orcs. Samdo had also seen her plight and was running towards her as well, roaring and chopping, till a sword hilt knocked him to the ground. "Jump!" I screamed.

Taking a large breath and screwing her eyes up tight, Elanor lept as far as she could into the air. I managed to catch her as she came down, just past the flames, and we thudded to the ground. My sword went flying out of my hand and we began rolling down the hillside. Trying futily to stop our descent, we crashed into a tree and everything went black.

Stupid Orcs, You Ruin EVERYTHING!

While everyone celebrated Elanor and Samdo's wonderful news, Legolas asked that I go for a walk with him. "I have...something important...I need to talk to you about."

I was reluctant. Well, that's an understatement. I dreaded the thought of what I knew must be coming.

We walked a little ways from the campsite. Far enough away that we would not be overheard, but close enough that we could still see everyone. Legolas turned to face me, taking my hands in his own.

"Ella..." he started. "Ellarian..."

My full name. This couldn't be good. I willed myself not to run away, though every part of me longed to do just that.

Legolas took a deep breath, released one of my hands, and gently brushed my now-curly hair away from my eyes.

I looked away. If I continued to gaze at those wonderful deep eyes of his, I knew I would be unable to control my emotions.

"Ella I--I have to tell you something."

"No, Legolas. Please," I whispered.

"You...don't want to hear it?" He looked hurt.

"I'm sorry," I said quietly, backing away from him. "I'm sorry." It was all I could think to say.

He started to step forward, to close the gap I was forming between us, when both our thoughts and our eyes turned elsewhere. Orcs!

We raced back to the campsite, pulling out our swords as we ran.

Oh dear....

Reach Hollin Ridge. Large holly trees mark ridge. Day camp on Hollin Ridge. They plan to stay overnight, but after the crebain fly over, they leave at dusk. 232 miles from start. 12 miles since last location.


When I awoke today, I was a bit uneasy, so to speak, though I couldn't see rhyme nor reason why. I looked around some, but like I said, I couldn't see nothin'. So I just shrugged it off and went to join Elanor by the campfire where she was cooking breakfast.

She gave me a sweet little smile as I came up. "An' how are you this morning Samdo?"

"Oh just fine Elanor, and since I've seen you it's been finer!" She swatted at me playfully with her hand. "Hey now, I meant it!"

She laughed. "Here, take this knife and chop up these vegetables for the stew and then the morning will be finer yet!"

"Yes ma'am!" I nodded to her as I took the instructions and began to carry them out. I looked up slyly at her. "You've been getting in the habit of ordering me around, when we ain't even married!"

"Well, as I recal, you did propose!"

"Not properly."

"Well then?"

"My dearest Elanor Brandybuck of Buckland, would you do me the great honor of becoming my dearly beloved wife, just as soon as we can find a proper place to be married?"

Elanor smiled happily. "Samwise Meriadoc Peregrine Frodo Gandalf Took of Tukborough grandson of Peregrin Took I accept!" Applause broke out from the rest of the fellowship as I gave her a kiss and then there was laughter as she shooed me back to the vegetables.

Anarion rose to his feet. "Three cheers for our happy couple!"
"Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray!" all exclaimed.

Laughing and blushing we both turned back to our chores. I shook my head with a smile, thinking about the first time I recalled having seen Elanor. I had only been about 3 or 4 years at the time, and she slightly younger. 'Twas at someone's birthday celebration, naturally. She'd been crying due to some hobbit knocking over her cup of cider and I went and helped her refill it. I laughed, she'd not let me out o' her sight after that.

I picked up my knife to start choping when I noticed that the blade wasn't as sharp as it ought to have been. I ran my finger along the edge and nodded ruefully. This wouldn't be safe to work with till it was sharpend. Settin' it down to sharpen after I had finished my job I took out Sting to use instead. My laughter at using such a famous blade to chop up vegtebles was cut short by a site that made my blood run cold. Sting had turned a pale, glowing blue, which as I knew all to well on account of the stories could only mean one thing. Orcs. Ohhhh dear....

~ Master Samdo Took

Sword lessons.

We have crossed several low mountain spurs, and are now on a low hill. While the rest are finishing their noon meal, I am surveying the countryside. In front of us I can see more hills rolling along. Beyond that is Hollin Ridge and further, past that, my elven eyes can see the Mountains of Moria.

"What are you looking at, my lady?"

I jumped, startled by the voice. "Aldarion, I did not hear you!"

He smiled. "Well, I am a Ranger." Behind us, Elladan snorted, almost derisively. I glanced swiftly at him, then back at Aldarion. Other then a slightly sour look on Elladan's face, I could tell nothing from either one's expression. 'What is going on there?' I wonder.

"You had asked me a question?" I say.

"I only asked what you were looking at."

I waved my arm out at the landscape. "This". I said simply. "Are not the mountains in the distance beautiful?"

He laughed, amused. "My lady, you forget that I am not an elf."

"Oh," I blushed and giggled. "Sorry."

"She does that all the time." Elena said as she walked past, rolling her eyes. "I am forever searching the skies for something, or scanning the landscape, before I remember she can see much farther than I can."

Aldarion smiled. "I can, however, see that apple on that tree, down at the bottom of the hill, and to the left." He looked at the bow and arrows on my back. "I recall you aiming those at me when we met. Do you have great skill with those?"

In answer, I fixed an arrow to my bow, drew it back, and fired, knocking the apple from the tree. "If you would like, I shall hit that one as well, over there." I pointed to a tree several yards further then the first."

"The one nearly hidden behind that large tree? Very well."

I fired my bow again, and was satisfied to see an apple fall to the ground. I glanced at Aldarion. "Could your mortal eyes see that?" I teased.

"I could and it was a good shot." He replied. "Indeed you are quite skilled."

We talked of weaponry and archery as we walked down the hill to retrieve my arrows, discussing the differences between Elven arrows and Gondorian ones.

"Can my lady wield a sword as well?" Aldarion queried after we had retried the arrows, and the apples.

"Could my lord please call me by my name?" I asked, almost shocked at my boldness.

"If my lady - if you would like it, then yes, Rosriel."

For some reason, my heart skipped when I heard him say my name. I was being foolish, I told my self. Many other men have said my name and no differently. I returned to his question.
"I am afraid my skill with the sword is not nearly as good as that with a bow." I said regretfully. "In Greenwood, the bow is the more common weapon."

"I could give you some pointers, if you would like," he offered.

"Now?"

"If you wish."

"Do you have an extra sword?"

"I do."

"Very well then." We took our positions and started out with some basic moves. Once I demonstrated what little I knew, Aldarion began teaching me some harder tricks. I did very well, and was secretly pleased with myself for catching on so quickly. Then Aldarion surprised my with a quick twist that nicked my hand slightly and sent my sword flying.

"Ow!" I exclaimed.

Aldarion's face was all concern. "Are you hurt?"

"No, no," I reassured him. "It is only a little scratch." I glanced at the sword. "You did catch me by surprise! How did you do it?"

He glanced up the hill. "It looks like they are getting ready to move on. Shall we end the lesson, and I explain it to you as we walk back?"

I nodded in agreement, and we both reached for my fallen sword at the same time. We managed to bump our heads together twice before I finally was able to grab the sword. I reached out to hand it to him and as he took it... our hands touched. I flushed slightly and glanced up at Aldarion's face. He smiled gently, "Shall we walk back up?"

I smiled back, "Yes. Thank you for the sword lessons."

He bowed. "Thank you... Rosriel".

Happy Birthday Bilbo and Frodo!

Today, as Elanor reminded me, was Bilbo and Frodo's birthday. I promptly reminded everyone else by hopping up on a rock and giving Bilbo's birthday speech, which I had memorized by readin' it so many times in the past.

"My dear people,
My dear Bagginses and Boffins, and my dear Tooks and Brandybucks, and Grubbs, and Chubbs, and Burowses, and Hornblowers, and Blogers, Bracegirdles, Goodbodies, Brockhouses and Proudfoots!"

"Proudfeet!" Elanor yelled out.

"Proudfoots." I continued. "Also my good Sackville-Bagginses that I welcome back at last to Bag End. Today is my one hundred and eleventh birthda: I am eleventy-one today! I hope you are all enjoying yourselves as much as I am.
"I shall not keep you for long. I have called you all together for a Purpose. Indeed, for Three Purposes! First of all, to tell you that I am immensely fond of you all, and that eleventy-one years is too short a time to live among such excellent and admirable hobbits. I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve!
Secondly, to celebrate my birthday. I should say: OUR birthday. For it is, of course, also the birthday of my heir and nephew, Frodo! He comes of age and into his inheritence today. Together we score one hundred and fourty-four. Your numbers were chosen to fit this remarkable total: One Gross, if I may use the expression.

"This is ridiculous", Legolas remarked, with a smile.

"It is also, if I may be allowed to refer to ancient history, the anniversary of my arrival by barrel at Esgaroth on the Long Lake; though the fact that it was my birthday slipped my memory on that occasion. I was only fifty-one then, and birthdays did not seem so important. The banquet was very splendind, however, though I had a bad cold at the time, I remember, and could only say "thag you very buch". I now repeat it more correctly" Thank you very much for coming to my little party".

"Oh dear, now he shall give a speech, or some silly song", that was Elena.

"Thirdly and finally, I wish to make an ANNOUNCEMENT. I regret to announce that - though, as I said, eleventy-one years is far too short a time to spend among you - this is the END. I am going. I am leaving NOW. GOOD-BYE!" With that I made a show of slipping on my gold ring and quickly darting behind a tree. I've practiced it, so that I almost did vanish like, and I did hear one or two who hadn't seen it afore cry out. But when I stepped back out again, of course no one owned up to it.

After that, we cooked up a fine birthday feast, then those of us who have instuments and can play them - meaning me, Anarion and Vila on fiddle and flute - played several hobbitish melodies, including "Flaming Red Hair", which is supposed to have been played at the Birthday Party.* The rest of them all danced and clapped, and we sang "The Road Goes Ever On and On", and "The Man in the Moon" in fine style.

That night, we magically saw fireworks, away off in the distence. We don't know where they could have come from, or who could have been settin' them off, since Gandalf is gone, but it was a pretty sight all the same and a nice ending to a great day. And it was a very nice feelin', knowin' that somewhere, someone else might have been a rememberin' Bilbo and Frodo's birthday too.

~ Samdo

If I may take the liberty of dropping out of character briefly...

I have a few things to say.

It seems to me that none of us have been walking much anymore (I know I haven't!), so I thought, why not have this be more of a "literary" kind of thing, versus a way to keep track of our exercise? If you still plan on exercising and walking, great! But this way, we won't feel compelled to write only when we've walked. Does that make sense?
I have updated the 'Path' on the side a little further then a month, to give us ideas for writing, based on where they are walking. And, quite frankly, I was quite tired of seeing those dates up there! *gasps with sudden realization* And we haven't even reached Hollin yet!!!!!!! NOOOO!!!!! An important plot point that I have been pointedly plotting can't take place until then. AGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

If this is indeed going to switch from us exercising to us writing... can I move the miles up a bit so we are closer? Like... 100 miles? Pleeeeeaaaassse? All it is during those 100 miles is: "Camp during the day." "Camp during the day.""Reach hilltop." "Camp during the day." "Warm and sunny." And, you guessed it... "camp during the day!" Pretty pretty please?

So if you have any questions, comments, thoughts or suggestions, feel free to share them.


*pouts* Great! I had a character post I was going to do, but now that we are still 146 miles away from there I can't do it!!!!!!!

I didn't say that!

I jumped up when Ella screamed. Dazed, I looked around, and saw Ella running off into the trees, while Legolas stood looking rather sheepish.
An elf looking sheepish. Never seen that before.
I walked up to him, and demanded, "Why was Ella screaming?Were you two argueing?"
"Er.....No," he said, looking around for some means of escape. He took a step to the side, and I followed, glaring at him. "Well? What was it?"
"Uh--why don't you go find her?" he suggested, looking around rather desperately.
Do I look that murderous? I wondered, but I took his suggestion, and ran off in the direction Ella had gone. After a bit, I saw her with Rosriel, walking in my direction.
I sprinted up to her.
"Ella, what's wrong? Are you hurt? Why did you scream? Was Legolas trying to kill you or something? But if he'd been trying to kill you, he would have looked guilty, not embarressed," I answered myself before she could even open her mouth.
"Uh--no, I'm not hurt, and Legolas wasn't trying to kill me," Ella answered, looking rather amused--and sheepish.
Another one?!
"Then what was it? I asked her frowning. But then I was quickly sidetracked before she could answer.
"Oh! You curled your hair!" I exclaimed, delighted.
I reached over, and started playing with her hair, twisting one curly lock around my finger. I looked back up at her happily. "I love curly hair! How did you get it so curly? I want my hair to look just like that! Or is it a secret?"
I realized that Ella's had her mouth open for a while now, and I paused so she could answer me.
"Uh, well, it's actually natural," she said, looking at the ground. She looked nervous.
"WHAT???!!!!!" I shrieked. Ella now looked like she was about to duck for cover.
"You had CURLY hair, and you didn't TELL me? And why did you keep it straight, anyway??!! I've ALWAYS wanted my hair to be curly!"
"Well, I used to get teased a lot about it, so then I found a way to straighten it, and I've kept it like that since then," she admitted.
"Legolas was the only one who knew, before you two," she added.
I frowned. "Oh. Is that what you were screaming about?"
"Well, Legolas tried to wake everyone up so they'd see my hair, withOUT my consent. He thought it would help me find out who my family is," she added.
I frowned. "Oh, that elf! Shall I dye his hair pink?" I offered kindly.
"No, but thank you for the offer," she replied, trying to keep a straight face. I sighed regretfully. "But it would be such a fitting punishment!" I said sadly.
I was still playing with her hair. I looked at her. "Do you mind this?" I asked her politely.
"Uh, I guess not, as long as you don't pull it," she said.
"Oh, I never pull anyone's hair except Vila's," I reassured her. She exchanged a look with Rosriel, and they both burst out laughing.
"What is funny?" I enquired, confused.
Niether explained. People are always laughing for no reason when I'm around, it seems. I wonder if they do it at any other time?
Vila came up just then. "Oh! Curly hair!" she exclaimed gleefully.
I glared at her. "No, Vila! She's my friend!"
"So?" she glared at me.
"So we're not going to kiddnap her just because she has curly hair, " I said firmly.
Ella blinked. "Um, kiddnap?" she said faintly.
I explained.
"Vila and I used to kiddnap people with curly hair, whenever they ventured into our traps.
Oh, we didn't hurt them, we only played with their hair for hours," I explained soothingly.
"And gave them AWEFUL hairdos!" Vila said, delightedly.
"Don't worry, we won't do that to you, and I'll make sure Vila doesn't kiddnap you in the middle of the night. She does do that, you know."
"That was always your job! What, are you going to blame everything on me now?" Vila exclaimed in indignation, glaring at me. Ella and Rosriel were both looking at something behind me, I realized, and Ella kicked my leg.
"Ow!" I said, and turned around, to find myself facing a very startled Anarion.
"You used to kiddnap people?" he said, rather shocked.
"Um.... I didn't say that!" I blurted, and fled.
Behind me, they all started laughing, Anarion included.
Oh well. At least he has a sense of humer... I consoled myself as I climbed up a tree to sulk.

~Lirasvelindo
92 miles