MANY MEETINGS

[wildestmods]

MANY MEETINGS
The fortunate thing about the path to Rivendell is how easy it is to find the way there after a point. The great river Bruinen, too difficult to cross at most points, intersects the road, forcing them to scout up and down the river to find the road, which leads to the shallow ford across.

The only problem with taking the road is that it's being watched. They hear the screeching of the Nazgul, enraged that they've made it so far with with none of the Morgul blade victims succumbing to their injuries.

They come pouring down the road behind them as they make their way over, dividing into threes so that a wall of black-robed nightmares start to cross the ford.

"Come back! Come back!" they call, beckoning towards the injured. Those that are close to turning will feel the compulsion to come to them, their will challenged by the strong will if many nightmares. "To Mordor we will take you!"

But the second the last of them crosses and gets far enough up the bank, there is a great rushing sound of water and the river churns with foam. With a mighty road, the river widens to almost twice its usual width in an instant. A wave of rising water surges down the river, then another, and another, piling on top of each other. The third wave drags branches and detritus and even entire small trees.

The Nazgul scramble back to the other bank behind them, but the rising waters and widening river are too quick for them. Their feet get swept out from under them and the entire group of Nazgul get swept off down the river, black robes disappearing under the foamy waters.

Then there is one path forward - finally - to a place of rest. They take a winding path, turn around a stone wall, and see...

THE LAST HOMELY HOUSE

The Last Homely House rises up in a valley filled with many waterfalls, gleaming in the early afternoon light. An intricate set of buildings, with spiraling wood on the railings and awnings sits on the edge of a cliff, the water flowing through many channels and bridges.

The path eventually turns into a stone bridge, that leads to several large circular stone areas, large enough to allow them all to stand together. Many stairs lead up to the halls proper.

Those that are far gone, close to succumbing to the shard will now have icy blue eyes and pale skin, and the Elves and the great halls ahead of them will glow with a painful, blinding light. They'll also find those of their comrades with holy powers or holy weapons glow with a similar light, though somewhat dimmer. Only the holiest among them glow as bright or brighter than the Elves.

The Elves are beautiful in a way that seems otherworldly, moving with grace and purpose, a light almost seeming to come off them even in the eyes of those not afflicted with blade shards.

They come running down the stairs towards them. Some are armed guards, some are not. The ones that aren't armed are already in coarser silks with little white aprons tied over top. They are healers - though none have the same abilities as their Lord - and they expect bloody work to lie ahead of them.

"They have arrived, like the human said they would." Gary had run ahead, an entire marathon, to get Little Cato to the Rivendell faster. "Notify Lord Elrond and inform the healers! Gather stretchers and carry the wounded to the healing halls. Make haste! The ones injured with Morgul-blades have little time to spare!"

"Tell the kitchens to start preparing food, and tell the quartermaster some of them may need new clothes shortly. Also notify Erestor, he said he'd talk to the others to arrange for baths."

Stretchers are brought down and Elves immediately start trying to get the injured into them. They seem to have no issue carrying even the heaviest among them, and bring larger stretchers for the larger members of the squad.

But there's a bit of tension as they're being loaded into them.

The guards wind up on edge as they stare down the group.

"There's something wrong. The human said nothing about this. Some of you have a fell air about you." They place their hands on their sword hilts but don't draw their weapons yet. "We'll tend to the injured regardless of what we can see of their true nature, especially since they have little time and can render no harm in their current state, but the rest of you need to explain. What are you?"

OOC DETAILS
❧ Threadjumping free-for-all post. Characters can threadjump to their heart's content, comforting the injured before they're carried off and trying to work through this spot of tension with the Elves. The mods will occasionally tag in with the Elves. Treat this like a network post where people can threadjump to their heart's content.

Comments

[bringinghopewithme]

Bunny has to take a moment to hide his dismay seeing another child in their midst. This Green is really grating on his last nerve, and he hasn't even gotten a chance to speak with it directly. He checks the kid for injuries, hunger, dehydration as best he can just visually. The kid speaking up for the group he barely knows suggests he's at least a little used to this sort of world-hopping heroism, and that doesn't make Bunny feel any better about his presence. What kinds of worlds are out there, unguarded, preparing kids to be conscripted to war -?

"You among 'em? The injured, I mean," he asks the kid in an aside.

[scansorial]

Me? That -- ah. No. I mean, maybe minor scrapes or whatever but nothing that serious.

[Compared to others that were stabbed with those blades. Miles is fine compared to them. He doesn't want to take away attention and care from those that need it more. It isn't like he's never dealt with grazing his knee or whatever. He's well aware this superhero thing could mean more serious injuries, being here and helping out, but. Still. If people need help. He can't just ignore it. Though Bunny might have a harder time in telling much on the boy's state with the suit he wears covering him completely. Aside the fact he is shorter and more on the scrawny side in showing his obvious younger age.]

I only know some bare, bare basics with first aid but. I can fetch stuff, bring whatever is needed if that might help.

[bringinghopewithme]

That's a kind offer. [But this elvish mansion is someone else's house, and Bunny doesn't know their inventory, their gardens, their logistical needs, doesn't expect this kid to.] Tell you what - if they keep us healthy folks camping out, when I bring in some forage from the woods, how're you at seasoning things? Cooking anything that's not sweet isn't my strong suit. [His smile is self-effacing.]

[scansorial]

Seasoning? Sure. I can handle that. I mean. Usually my mum would cook but I sometimes help out with dinner if I'm done with my homework.

[Or. He might have used to. It's kind of harder to figure that with boarding school, meals provided, and staying there during the week meaning he doesn't see his parents or go home as much now. But Miles figures this seems simple enough. Helping season it. Hopefully he won't put in too much for someone's tastes, is all.]

Got a sweet tooth? I mean. I can't say I don't. But that's most everyone, really.