in bad company -- HAMMURABI

[ERAN LINWELIN]

Eran was nearly back to Rivendell now. And, for the first time in a very long time, she was actually excited to get back to a familiar territory. Though night was a few hours away still, the clouds that had gathered in the sky had it darker than pitch already.

She knew she would need to find somewhere to wait out the storm soon, but so far she had found nothing. She was still surrounded by woods that offered nothing but the subtle cover that the leaves of trees could provide. Above her, the sky rumbled threateningly and a few drops began to fall.

The heavy set draft horse between her legs snorted and danced, growing anxious from the oncoming weather. It sprinkled for only a moment before the downpour began and Eran was soaked to the skin in mere moments. She coughed and sputtered, riding only a minute longer before finding shelter in an alcove of trees, so tightly wound together that nearly no rain was coming through the canopy above her.

She led her stud, Genisus, inside and unsaddled him tying him off to one of the trees before building a fire. She made sure both her bow and arrow and her sword were in quick grabbing distance before she leaned back against the tree to wait out the storm.

Through the torrents of rain, she could see or hear nothing, and that put her on an even higher guard. When her senses failed her, she became incredibly nervous. She gazed out into the storm from beneath the shadow of her hooded cloak, protecting her from the few drops of rain that still made their way through.

[hammurabi]

The rain fell in sheets, little arrows speeding towards the ground sending up little clouds of muck and mirk wherever they struck the once dry and dusty road. Although the wind was not yet driving the rain sideways, the way the gusts were starting to pick up meant that it would not be long indeed before it was doing just that. High above in the brutal grey skies the air the beginning of lightning and thunder were starting, a slight flash in the distance soon accompanied by the rolling sound of it's explosive discharge. Hammurabi -knew- he had to get out of the rain, he knew he had to find shelter before the storm broke with worse than rain. He knew nothing of traveling over land, this was the first storm he had encountered since he had begun his long trek towards the homely house of the elves.

Upon the waves such a thing would be called a minor gale at best, he would of called to his men to lower the canvas and batten down the holds and stood laughing upon the stern as he guided his vessel through and between waves, matching himself against the best nature could throw at him and coming out with a smile. But here... On land... Even the storms were different. Less treacherous to be sure but by that same token a completely different animal. Where should one find shelter from such a storm? Where did one begin to even look? A cave? The trees? A ditch?

Hammurabi hurried along the ill-troden muddy path, his cloak pulled tight around his shoulders and over his head shielding him as best the thick material could from the insentient beating of the falling water. Even so he was quickly becoming soaked, his hair hanging lank against his cheeks brow and neck. His boots and lower legs quickly caked in hurriedly splashed mud. His mace bounced painfully against his leg, bumping a new bruise into his flesh with each harried step. He lifted his gaze from the mud of the road, turning it to the distance where he could see a stand of trees that seemed his best and only chance to escape the storm as it broke... He made for it, not at a run but at a hustled two-step hi gait rolling yet surefooted in a manner that only came from a lifetime at sea.

As he neared the trees he held up, growing cautious as his eyes caught the telltale flicker of light from within... Someone had started a fire... Bandits? Doubtful, there was nothing in the area to make such a venture profitable... The villages he'd passed had been poor and barely able to provide their own food. “AHOY! ROOM FOR ANOUTHER POOR SOUL!?” He let out the call in the manner of a vessels master coming to harbor, he doubted anyone this far inland would recognize the call for what it was, but it paid to be formal in unfamiliar circumstances... Even if it was just for show. He kept his cloak tight around his body, hiding his mace and dagger from view but otherwise standing just out of the stand of trees, within about a stones throw pace. He did not dare venture any closer without some knowledge of who his company would be in the darkness... Indeed without the pressing need for shelter he likely would of simply gone on his way and avoided the possibility for trouble all together.

[ERAN LINWELIN]

Eran had almost fallen into a lull in the silence, the only sound the rhythmic pounding of the rain around her. In fact, she had found herself falling asleep until a deep, strong voice cut the tempo and broke the silence. She sat up straight, sitting very still for the moment being, blue eyes gazing out from under her hood. While the voice seemed to mean her no harm, one could never be sure.

Though elves did possess a strength more than those of their size, Eran was still small in general. Her strength was a bit more than a normal woman of her size, plus the extra muscle from her constant sparring and the time spent on horse back. But even with that, put up against a figure bigger than she in hand to hand combat, she was helpless. She moved slowly, bringing her leg up to her side so she could pull the dagger inside if she need to.

She took a deep breath before speaking back, keeping her voice strong and unwavering. "Of course, though I assure you, you are far away from the water, Master Sailor." She called back. Of course she recognized the call, but only from her frequent travels. While in each country, she made it a point to learn their customs and ways of being to further culture herself.

She let her hood fall back so her visitor would be able to see her face, dark hair plastered back to reveal the gently pointed curve of her ears and her skin pale from the cold so her blue eyes stood out even more. Clothing plastered close to her body, her lithe figure common among the elves was clearly visible. If the man knew anything about the races of Middle Earth, he would be able to pick her out for what she was instantly. She only hoped that would be enough to keep him at bay if he decided to attack.

The elves were known for their fierce skill as a warrior, and Eran was no different. She had been cultured in the blade and bow from an early age to make sure she would never be helpless. She was a warrior, and would loose no sleep over the loss of a life in self defense.

[hammurabi]

Hammurabi did not move for several long moments, not until the call answering him broke the fall of the rain. He was not surprised not to hear a traditional call in answer to his own, but he was surprised that whoever was therein had recognized the call for what it was. Even so he slipped into the stand of trees swiftly his aims to get out the rain outweighing concern. The fire was not large enough for a group to gather round and only one voice had answered him... A woman. Still as he entered he kept alert, his hood up and cloak tight to hide the mace at his waist.

“Thanks be kind woman.” His voice was a deep baritone clearly used to the carrying the ring of command and the rhythmic tempo of order. His steps into the trees were a rolling gait and his stance as he stopped just within the ring of light one that bespoke of a man bracing for the ground to rise up under him as though he stood upon the deck of a ship. “This is not a night for any soul to be caught without shelter. I...” As he stepped into the firelight he got the first good look at the woman who was his companion in the trees... Elvish. Her form, her ears and her fair flesh screamed her race even if the style of her clothing did not. His warm expression turned grim and his words trailed off.

“Ah.” Was how he ended his words, he stood rigid and stiff his cloak still tight about his frame. He despised elves... So high and mighty they were... Gifted and coddled with immortality, they did not grow ill or die of old age and were blessed with grace that no mortal man or woman could possibly possess. For a moment he debated turning right around and marching off into the storm, better to face the weather than be forced to spend time in the company of that race. But a sudden jolt of thunder far closer than before dissuaded him of that notion. His voice much more stiff than before but still cordial to a greater or lesser degree rang out again.

“I thank you again... I am Aglund son of Bern.” The lie rolled easily off his tongue as most did, although his dark looks clearly marked him out as coming from towards the shore his accent was common for the area, the Umbarian accent was not so distinctive as most and even so was quite similar to those of Dol Amroth the sea-kingdom. A truly astute ear, used to the differences between such sounds such as a native of Umbar or Dol Amroth would see right through his words, but he was not so concerned of that as now... Especially with an elf.

(FORGIVE MY SUCKAGE)

[ERAN LINWELIN]

Eran smiled warmly to her company, though a bit guarded. However, when all warmth fell from his face, it also fell from her own. She felt one delicately arched brow creep up to her hairline, watching him much more carefully now that he did not appear as warm and welcoming as he had before. She bit down hard on the inside of her lip to keep herself in check and not confront him on his change in attitude.

As easily as the lie had rolled off of his tongue, one rolled off of her own as well, her brow still arched. "I'm Rhiannon of Lorien." she replied simply, still watching him with guarded eyes, giving the appearance of a cat ready to dart or strike if need be. Always on her guard, a warrior to the literal sense of the word. She found it unnecessary to point out his lie, but simply cast her eyes at him in a way to let him know she knew. Moving carefully, she crossed her legs and pulled them up under her, giving him room to take a seat if he wished.

"I'm sorry the fire is not very big. I fear finding dry wood in this type of weather is far harder than most would think." She explained. It was true. Especially when it had been raining as it had been, dry wood was a precious resource. The little bit she had found she had to dig out from its protected spot beneath other pieces of wood that were soaked through. But it had made a fire, and even a little bit of a fire gave off enough warmth to keep her alive.

Her gaze never broke from him, unwavering, waiting for the moment she would need to jump to her feet and grasp her sword. She took the time to observe her company, intending to pick out weaknesses in case needed to use them to her advantage later. Even while she was sitting, she could tell he would tower over her. But that was not a feat; Eran was very small, not just for her race, but in general. She doubted she would reach this man's shoulder, if even that. His shoulders were broad, leading down to a fighting trim form, all barely visible beneath the thick cloak he wore.

He had a strong, angular face, a feature she had found she liked on most men. She continued up, taking in the lines of his face, over the strong nose, slightly long like her own, up to his eyes. It took everything in her power not to gasp at those eyes. A deep, beautiful shade of blue, they resembled her own, as well as those of many other elves she knew. But they held far more intensity, glimmering even in the darkness of the night around them. She allowed bright blue ro lock with his dark blue for a moment before forcing her eyes away, away from their hypnotic spell and back to the fire.

She moved her hands out closer to the fire, pulling off her black gloves and revealing elegant, long fingered hands, soft and unworn from her years of swordsmanship and time on horseback. She nearly sighed in relief as the flickering fire began to warm her hands, making her fingers far less stiff. A silence fell and she only broke it after a moment, wanting to keep him talking, so she always knew where he was even when not talking to him. "What are you doing so far inland, Aglund? If that truly is your name." She kept her face carefully blank, making sure not to show the fascination she had shown only moments before while looking at those blue orbs of his.

(( SORRY IT TOOK ME SO LONG TO RESPOND!! ))