Belenos
The murmur of voices wakes her. Eilif lifts her hand to rub at her eyes groggily. How long has she slept? It was impossible to tell. Awkwardly, still having to favor her broken arm, she sits up on her pallet and looks around. The voices were coming from the kitchens. She drags her blankets up around her shoulders to stay warm as she sits blinking sleepily at the group gathered there.
Others have found their way back, it seems. There is the Elder sitting at one of the tables. Also she sees Hjalmarr and the stranger, Aztryd, among the scant group of survivors sitting with Nazi and Fafnir. From where she sits, Eilif could only make out the occasional raised word in the conversation, but the panicky tones were apparent even from here. Who could blame them, she thinks. Twice now their ancient home has been attacked by unearthly creatures, decimating their beautiful city and its people. Who knew when it might happen again, and this time they may not be so lucky.
Lucky? She thinks as her eyes roam the group. With their home destroyed, their food running low and many with such grievous injuries? Yes, lucky, for they were alive. They had survived. But if they are to live, then it is clear to her they had to .. "Leave!" The word reaches her clearly as Fafnir lunges to his feet and lurches from the room, quickly followed by Nasi.
Her eyes move from the doorway though which they'd both disappeared back to the group still seated at the table, and she plays thoughtfully with the braids of her beard. Eilif's practical nature begins to assert itself as she contemplates the reality of leaving. Where would they go? The Maker knew there were few enough settlements of their kind, and none close at hand. This Aztryd has been full of tales of how kind and good the elf king Olwe had been to her. He had even written to the clan offering them a home in their hour of need. Eilif scowls darkly at the thought of putting herself beholding to an elf, no matter how well-spoken of he was. "Do not trust them!" Her whisper is low and meant for her ears alone as she remembers again the rotten wood of the timber mine.
What else is she to do, though? It is clear the others are going to take up the elf's offer. She turns her dark eyes again to the door through which Nasi and Fafnir has disappeared. They will go to the elf king too, she knew. Fafnir will follow the Elder, and Nasi will follow Fafnir. The thought of striking out alone away from her clan, even to seek another Naugrim settlement, leaves her feeling cold and hollow inside. Well, she will go to this elf's land too. At the least her clan can find succor and shelter in which to recover. She will go, but she would not trust them. No, she certainly will not trust this Olwe at all.
The decision made, Eilif turns her thoughts to what to take. The Seven Father's knew that their small group has pitifully few possessions remaining. Food and medical supplies were essential, as was gold and any other wealth they had. They was much that would need to be replaced and only good gold would buy it. Thank the Maker they had recovered one of the ponies after the first attack and had the sense to bring the beast to be stabled inside. She doubted any fence would have held it if it had been left outside where normally the livestock were sheltered, for the poor thing's eyes had still been rolling with fear when a patrol had brought it in.
She knew too the Elder had a cart he'd used to transport his ale when he sold to outsiders. She nods as she thinks of this. Although not a long journey when one is healthy and well-fed, in their current state and carrying all that remains of their worldly possessions, the pony and cart would be necessary if they were to make it to Mithlond at all, let alone be able to begin a new life in a distant elven land.
Her stomach rumbles noisily, bringing her back from her thoughts of the future to a more pressing present need. At least there would be no smells of cooking meat tonight, she thinks, as she puts her blanket aside and scrambles awkwardly to her feet. Would she ever be able to stomach the smell again? She tugs her clothing straight and begins to wander out to the kitchen. Her mouth twists as a thought comes unbidden to her mind. Would she be able to stomach anything living in an elven land? She doubts it strongly. But what choice did she have? What choice did any of them have?
> Next
Others have found their way back, it seems. There is the Elder sitting at one of the tables. Also she sees Hjalmarr and the stranger, Aztryd, among the scant group of survivors sitting with Nazi and Fafnir. From where she sits, Eilif could only make out the occasional raised word in the conversation, but the panicky tones were apparent even from here. Who could blame them, she thinks. Twice now their ancient home has been attacked by unearthly creatures, decimating their beautiful city and its people. Who knew when it might happen again, and this time they may not be so lucky.
Lucky? She thinks as her eyes roam the group. With their home destroyed, their food running low and many with such grievous injuries? Yes, lucky, for they were alive. They had survived. But if they are to live, then it is clear to her they had to .. "Leave!" The word reaches her clearly as Fafnir lunges to his feet and lurches from the room, quickly followed by Nasi.
Her eyes move from the doorway though which they'd both disappeared back to the group still seated at the table, and she plays thoughtfully with the braids of her beard. Eilif's practical nature begins to assert itself as she contemplates the reality of leaving. Where would they go? The Maker knew there were few enough settlements of their kind, and none close at hand. This Aztryd has been full of tales of how kind and good the elf king Olwe had been to her. He had even written to the clan offering them a home in their hour of need. Eilif scowls darkly at the thought of putting herself beholding to an elf, no matter how well-spoken of he was. "Do not trust them!" Her whisper is low and meant for her ears alone as she remembers again the rotten wood of the timber mine.
What else is she to do, though? It is clear the others are going to take up the elf's offer. She turns her dark eyes again to the door through which Nasi and Fafnir has disappeared. They will go to the elf king too, she knew. Fafnir will follow the Elder, and Nasi will follow Fafnir. The thought of striking out alone away from her clan, even to seek another Naugrim settlement, leaves her feeling cold and hollow inside. Well, she will go to this elf's land too. At the least her clan can find succor and shelter in which to recover. She will go, but she would not trust them. No, she certainly will not trust this Olwe at all.
The decision made, Eilif turns her thoughts to what to take. The Seven Father's knew that their small group has pitifully few possessions remaining. Food and medical supplies were essential, as was gold and any other wealth they had. They was much that would need to be replaced and only good gold would buy it. Thank the Maker they had recovered one of the ponies after the first attack and had the sense to bring the beast to be stabled inside. She doubted any fence would have held it if it had been left outside where normally the livestock were sheltered, for the poor thing's eyes had still been rolling with fear when a patrol had brought it in.
She knew too the Elder had a cart he'd used to transport his ale when he sold to outsiders. She nods as she thinks of this. Although not a long journey when one is healthy and well-fed, in their current state and carrying all that remains of their worldly possessions, the pony and cart would be necessary if they were to make it to Mithlond at all, let alone be able to begin a new life in a distant elven land.
Her stomach rumbles noisily, bringing her back from her thoughts of the future to a more pressing present need. At least there would be no smells of cooking meat tonight, she thinks, as she puts her blanket aside and scrambles awkwardly to her feet. Would she ever be able to stomach the smell again? She tugs her clothing straight and begins to wander out to the kitchen. Her mouth twists as a thought comes unbidden to her mind. Would she be able to stomach anything living in an elven land? She doubts it strongly. But what choice did she have? What choice did any of them have?
> Next