As you may recall in our last episode..., (resuming game Feb 2007)

[Tolkanonms]

Luinnen lifted a hand, and Círiquendi paused instantly, paddles suspended soundlessly above the water. As swanboat slid silently forward, the elder (by two days) Elf spoke softly to his companion.

"We heard the Mud Elves land their boat--"

Círiquendi snickered as he gently trailed the oars to bring their elegant craft to a halt: "You mean, plow their raft into the bank, Sir?"

Luinnen smirked in a fashion better suited to a Dunlending than a Lórien Elf. "Indeed. However, I've not heard them attempt to float that tub again, and now it sounds to me as if they are heading toward Caras Galadhon on foot."

The younger (but only by two days) Elf concurred. "No doubt we would have heard them launching, so I am agreed with you, Sir: they've reverted to their usual mud-plodding ways. And if my nose does not deceive me, they have the source of the offensive odor with them."

"Yes," said Luinnen with a grimace. "And the mush-mouthed singing Elf, as well."

Círiquendi cocked his head for a moment, eyes closed, and summoned the bit of far-seeing with which his mother's bloodline had graced him. What he saw made his eyes fly open, although being a Boat Elf, he did not so much as twitch a larger muscle, and thus the boat remained still.

"Sir, there is another with them, a being of great power."

Luinnen's own senses went into high alert. While he enjoyed lording his status as the elder Elf (by two days) over Círiquendi, he was well aware of the latter's knack for sensing things at a distance greater than his own Elven hearing would allow.

"Is the party under duress?"

Círiquendi drew a deep breath, stretching his inner sight to its limits, then continued. "The Bickering Brothers of Haldir the Magnificent are among the party, but no, I sense no true fear."

Luinnen allowed the insult to the Marchwarden to pass without comment. Haldir's ego required no comment, and his brothers' antics were known to all.

Only river sounds were heard in the swanboat for a long moment until Círiquendi drew himself back and focussed his eyes once more on his commander's face.

"Sir, the Mud Elves are feeling inadequate," a comment that prompted an ironic twitch in one corner of Luinnen's mouth. "There is a somewhat irritated Man, and a Tree-Hugger Elf who is feeling very pleased with himself. That Dwarf-Hugger Elf is there, too - she is a bit cranky and contemplating herbs."

"What else is new?"

"And the being I sensed is a Maiar, Sir. He means to see the Lady and Lord Celeborn."

Luinnen nodded. "Well done, Ciriquendi. I say we head back to the docks, so as to be on hand to witness their arrival."

"Very good, Sir. Oh, and Sir, we have time: I felt the glow of the Lady somewhere in the Wood, as well."

[Dis Thrainsdotter]

Armereth glared in the direction of the water. "I do have a name, you know" she said, "or do you think that designation is enough?" Her thoughts went back to her childhood in Eregion.

[Tolkanonms]

Círiquendi winced. He'd forgotten that one had her own ability to use senses beyond the usual five. Quickly turning all his thoughts toward turning the swanboat, he began to paddle back toward the city.

[Dis Thrainsdotter]

Armereth couldn´t help smiling when she felt that Ciriquendi and Luinnen were returning to the harbour. *What on Arda had they been doing in the area,* she thought to herself, *did they truly believe that Rumil and Orophin would need their aid?*

[jillian]

Meanwhile, the party consisting of Orophin, Rumil and the visitors was proceding nicely on their way deep into Lorien when suddenly the brothers froze.

'What's out there, do you think,' whispered Orophin to Rumil

[Dis Thrainsdotter]

Armereth looked around her, if Orophin and Rumil sensed something then one had better be careful as they were not March Wardens for nought. Any dangers? she asked them quietly.