Chapter 1: Lurking Shadow (for Legolas, Lady Liliara, Kendril ETC)

[TheDutkanator]

I am posting in place of the DM. Here is a copy/paste from the e-mail he sent me. I have pre-aproved the content and assume responsibility in place of 250.

OOC: due to an inconveniant incident, 250 is not able to post for a period of time, **evil grin** To assure the continuous flow of the game, he will email me, I am posting in his stead.


The last beam of sunshine vanished behind the moutains westwards. Clouds hang low at the intersections of green Sunset moutains covered in white snows and its lower and more scattered breathen Troll mountains.

The feast grew into a wild party. Flames leaped and danced with music, shedding brighter light by seconds as darkness settled in around the camp.

"Kirato" Auriel grinned to Legolas.

"What?" replied a confused elf.

"One hour after sunset, the real event begins" Auriel explained, "It is our grandest contest, the test for the true warriors"

"Tell me more, my friend"

"It is a contest." Auriel said "My people take pride in their hunting skills and possession of courage. Look around the forest, it is where the contest will take place. Six winners of the morning's events, the sports, will join the competition. Each one will carry a long bow and ten arrows, tipped off ones with white chalks on the tip, so if it hits a mark, it will leave a white dot. The hunters will start at six different locations, actually, eight, including me... and you, I am sure you wouldnt want to miss the fun? The evens will be monitored by our Shaman. If you are struck by an arrow, then you are out. And the rest is simple: the last one stand wins."

Auriel looked at Legolas sideview "What do you say? Your skills are amazing."

[TheDutkanator]

Quietly, sitting in the deep shadows away from the camp, Kendril sits and watches with his long range vision. He takes in as much as he can and remains perfectly still, perfectly silent, and perfectly concealed.

[Legolas]

"I would be honoured to participate, Auriel. But I must warn you, I grew up in forests far greater and many hundreds of years older than this. I am more at home in the woods than in any other place, be they plains, cities, hills or any other. I will honour you by not holding back (too much) but I fear it would be an insult to your men to be bested by an outsider."

He considered this a moment, then told the plainsman
"I shall play your game, but only if you let me start with half the regular number of arrows."

[ 01-18-2002: Message edited by: Legolas ]

[Garnet FalconDance]

OOC: This is 250. Hi everyone Since Dutka is not on AIM now, I asked mom (Garnet) to post for me. I gtg now, everyone take care. And thank you VERY MUCH, both Dutka and Garnet, I owe you guys!

"That wouldn't be necessary" a voice replied dryly.

Out of nowhere, a male human appeared out of nowhere. Red, long and curly and white colored skin that is flaky with light brown eyes, the shaman dressed in a black robe. A look of confident is about. The man is so outstanding among the tribe, you wonder why you hadn't seen him before.

"Jon Ravenclaw" Auriel introduced, respectfully if not warmly "He is the spiritual leader of our tribe."

"So I see you made some new friends, my young Hawk." the mid aged shaman said sarcastically. He turned to examine the elf and commented "I've heard your amazing display earlier, it is my honor to meet you."

With an authoritive tone, he added "I'd like to remind you that you are in our contest, thus you obey our rules, use our bow and arrows." A insulted look crossed his face for one short second, he seemed ready to throw an insult, but Auriel stopped him shortly "Jon, I am sure Legolas meant no contempt in the first place", turning to regard the elf, Auriel added "but we would appreciate greatly if you use our bow and arrows, to ensure fairness."

You sensed an air of pride about him. The proud plainsmen don't appreciate charity lightly, so it seems.

[Legolas]

"It is an honour to be asked to participate, but it is an honour more so to be allowed the use of your bows."

He looked at the shaman.

"With your permission, I accept."

He could understand the plainsmen would view defeat even more harshly should he put himself at a disadvantage, while all he wanted to do was give the others a greater chance.
Legolas did not intend to best the plainsmen, for who knew what strange traditions they might have he knew nothing about? They might expect things of him he didn't know how to do, as with many other cultures in the realms. He was always careful when dealing with strangers.
Yet, if they caught him holding back, they might view it as an insult. Unwilling to make a choice just yet, he decided he would simply wait, and see how things went.

[TheDutkanator]

OOC: This 250, you know whats going on.

Talthyr Malkviel, please email me. I lost your email address. You scene needs to start as soon as possible. In private thread. (I know yours is somewhere back down in the Gaming Forum, just go dig it up when I email you.)

As Jon and Auriel walked away, the group once more joint the feast. Still thinking of the ongoing event, Legolas stood quietly.

"Are you the one called Legolas?" a melodical voice startled the elf unexpectedly. Turning, he saw a young woman girl. Smoothly, the elf nodded "How do you know?"

A sly smile crossed her fair face "Everyone was talking about the elf that matchs Hawk in the morning sports." a somewhat delighted innocence showed plainly, the girl continued "You know, Auriel, he is the best of the best of the best of who knows how many Hunters in many many years. Thats what pa said, and everyone agrees with it."

Feeling your gaze, she became shy suddenly. Lowering her head, she said "So.. I.. I guess, I just wanted to see this elf... and.. and...hmm, maybe...."

[Legolas]

Only his elven heritage kept him from furrowing his brow. What did this girl want from him?
Inwardly, he sighed, then pulled himself together. Trying to sound more confident than he was, he asked her to speak plainly, and tell him what this was all about.
A small part of him wondered if he should do something about his looks...

[250]

OOC: three things spell trouble: a bored kender, a drunk mage, and a woman-lucky elf.

The girl asked shyly "would you care to ... to dance?"

[ 01-24-2002: Message edited by: 250 ]

[Legolas]

"No thanks, I'm in no mood to dance this day. After all, I have to prepare myself for the upcoming contest. But maybe we shall danc later, you and I."

The truth was, the elf had no intention of falling in love with anyone. It had happened sometimes, but being Legolas' traveling companion had proven to be risky from time to time. None of those women still lived.
And if they had, the humans among them would have aged visibly by now, while he had retained his fair elven appearance. Humans did not seem to grasp the longevity of the elves. He would outlive every one of the plainsmen here, unless he got himself killed of course. The ranger was not prepared to give anyone that kind of pain, or watch someone he loved age before his own eyes.

Maybe, he thought, he would settle later, with an elven woman, and spend his days in peace. But then, he might as well travel to where all the elves dissapeared and settle there. A life without adventure in these parts would hardly be a live at all in his eyes. But there was no sense thinking on that. That was a human way of thought.

[250]

"Nadina!" someone approached suddenly, it is Jon. With a nasty look, he called in a low and harsh tone, avoiding to attract unwanted attention. "What are YOU doing?" Without implying, he stepped between Legolas and the terrified girl. He reached out and grabbed her elbow "Come with me now!"

With an elf's good hearing, the last sentence you caught as the pair moved away was "... stay away from them ..."