Lyanna watched the elf dismount, his bodily language showing obvious disdain much like the other party members; her left hand gripping the hilt of her bastard sword lightly its supple leather hilt giving under her grip. Her right hand also tightening, wrapping around the underside of her steel helm with a vice like grasp having learned to use every weapon at her disposal; though she much preferred to avoid a fight. "I don't seek trouble either, but if you plan on comin' at me with a knife you better be ready to use it friend. The great bear brings me out here, i aim to kill it and collect the reward; if thats your goal as well i see no reason for there to be a fight."

Lyanna examined the bard ever closer as he stood there, elf though he may be he was no solider; his temperament wasn't right nor his composure. The dwarf and man spoke more to the solider breed to her, the halfling was of little concern because of her size more of a wonder to the Gondorian as she had never actually seen a Hobbit before; the old man with his staff concerned her as well something about the air around him told her he was no ordinary elder.

---

He looked back as the newcomers helmet came off, and sighed at the sight of living eyes, untouched by the glaze of death. "Cal-ariel, can you let me know if you see anything?" Elves had such strange names, but he didn't feel comfortable shortening it. Elly was one thing, because of her attitude and personality, but Calariel seemed... distant. She probably was a far better guard than he could be. Elves could shoot a falling leaf from a few hundred paces off. "Strange raiment for a hunter... though maybe not." He sighed and dismounted from his horse. "Unless you can tell us anything." Vamyr nodded to the wizard, "Talking isn't going to answer any of our questions." It wasn't as if she would openly admit to serving a necromancer, and it wasn't as if they could openly ask either.

"It's dangerous to travel alone, if there are no objections- it may be best to join forces for a few days." The quandry he was faced with was starting to give him a headache. If this was an enemy, then they would have a spy in their midst. If this wasn't, it was far more dangerous to be with their party than alone- even with this 'great bear' roaming about. Vamyr moved forward and stopped a few paces away from the woman, inspecting her scarred face. It looked real enough. "If it makes any of you feel better, I doubt any sorcerous would wear a face like that by choice." Internally, he winced at the insult- but hopefully it would defuse tension among his companions. They all were a bit stressed, after the events of the night before.

He offered his hand to the armor clad warrior. "My name is Vamyr Turambar." He hadn't answered her question about what they were doing this far North, but the guardsman figured the wizard was a better one for such questions. If she was of the enemy, then she already knew- if she was a random innocent, then telling her wouldn't be a kind favor.

@Vas Khaleen@Sigurd@Luminosity

Ofnir lowered his sword and leaned on the staff, exhaling in some mixture of relief and elderly custom which said the elderly had to exhale exactly like that. ”Nor would one wear such a frame as mine, Vamyr,” he said. ”Yet, here I am...” The birch staff blinked white once and then went to normal.

He knew he played that card quickly and he knew it, letting the stranger know so soon and so bluntly what he was. As if the appearance suggested anything else... he thought. Nevertheless, it was better to intimidate now then to fight later on. Looking the stranger in the eyes, he savored the impression and went through the details in his mind: Gondorian armor and a bastard sword for tall folks of that ancient race, a scar, and a face of someone far from home. He came closer, putting the sword away. He cocked his head aside and whistled to Ellaryn who he knew was up to no good. ”No rude impressions, please, little friend,” he said and went forward. And a hunter going for the bear she is, too... There must be a grain of truth in that old wives' tale.

”How about we start over? This land does not go easy on the soul, and makes all edgy. Especially when meeting another on the road not even beasts want to walk now.” He raised his head towards the distance behind the stranger, towards the mountains. ”That's where we are headed, and so are you, it seems -- chasing the bear, as you say. You're lucky.” Or maybe not. If you but knew what is upon this band, he thought. With that he went back to his horse and mounting it told her: ”You can come with us while our paths are the same; but I am afraid they will soon part. I cannot yet share what our destination is, but that can change on the road, if we form a bond. In that case we may yet go together much farther than you think. The hours go by, we've spent a lot of time here. Let's ride, then, and lunch together later. We'll all be much friendlier with fuller stomachs.”

It was like she was a child again, like having her hand in the cookie jar. Ellaryn froze just as she thought she had an opportune moment to dash to the nearby tree, it was almost comical as she stood frozen in mid-stride, feet stretched apart and her breath held. Ofnir's comment seemed to draw all attention to herself. It was at that precise time that Sandy, her faithful steed took it upom himself to nip at her pocket in the hope of some hidden treat.

Els reached over and patted his muzzle. If the truth be known, she had no idea what she could do against the giant warrior encased in plate. Ofnir immediately seemed to trust her. Prehaps that light was something to detect the evil of necromancer? She eyed Ofnir closely, caught him glancing and stuck her tongue at him.

"You're such a blue meanie." she had a twinkle in her eye and grinned up at warrior woman. "If....my friend here, trusts you to keep the piece between us, then I greet you" She did her best to smile her charmest, worry wabout that blade she wore made it slip to a grimmace. She coughed lightly "I'm Ellaryn Bracegirdle and like my friend says, lets move and get something eat."

Food always solves the worst problems.

---

"Very well.. If you have his trust, you have mine."

Aelin lowered his knife and greeted the woman with a slight nod. He then returned to his horse and mounted again. However, he still wasn't able to shrug off all of the negative thoughts he was having.

Damn it, Anrandir. You are supposed to be the one keeping this group's moral up.. Can you not see how useless you are?

Oh well. He opened one of the remaining wine bottles and took a gulp.

Alcohol always solves the worst problems.

Lyanna looked at the old man, hearing his confession to being magical in nature the gondorian nodded; raising her voice in a much more relaxed form giving a darting glance to the Halfling whom she hadn't even noticed had moved surprised by her lightfootedness. Her gaze resetting upon the wizard as she spoke, lifting her helmet up over the crown of her skull; the interior padding fitting well over her skull as she lifted the visor in the front.

"Aye I'll join you, as for your path it can't be more perilous then my own."

She knew news of her desertion had likely spread through Gondor, being that she was an easily recognizable figure constantly shadowing either Boromir or Faramir; and she had fled in plain sight taking off with a horse before they had been entirely overrun. However the group was clearly not hunting for her, as they could've easily apprehended her through sheer numbers alone; not to mention what business would elves, dwarves, a halfling, and a wizard have in Gondor? The Rohirrim man perhaps, but the group was far too peculiar to be searching for a run-away soldier; walking back over the snow embankment she had emerged from rolling up her gear in a neat wrap. Taking the chestnut colored war horse by its leather lead, putting the roll of gear over its saddle buckling it down with a simple belt strap. Walking out with the horse in tow, stepping into the stirrup with her armored boot pushing her body up and over onto the saddle with practiced ease; the horse throwing its head lightly kicking at the frozen earth gently.

"My name is Lyanna Estril, I don't know if it's good to have come across you yet; but the company is a welcome change in pace; I
shan't intrude on your purpose not my place."

Thurin the Dwarf snorted, then spat out a bit of phlegm onto the ground, minding his own business and looking at the group's flank. Other than the occasional odd moment such as that one, he stood as still and vigilant as a statue, his sturdy hands resting upon the head of his Axe. He wasn't one to take orders, and often times he did not even take suggestions. But he was going to make sure someone watched their backs anyway. Why not he?

It was when Ofnir spoke and pleasantries were made that he began to glance back, before he decided to head over to the bunch and group up. They seemed to be about to move, and were in no immediate danger. He didn't say anything to the new companion at first, merely patting Ellaryn's horse, as well as his own. "Aye, food sounds good." he told the Halfling Bracegirdle, before approaching Lyanna and giving her a bow. "Thurin Stoutarm, at your service." he said, his beard sweeping over the snow.

After the names were exchanged and the company departed, there hadn't been much going on for a few miles, only silence and occasional remark, all of them perhaps needing time to relax in new company, as was often the case with travelers, especially those as peculiar as that fellowship was. Ofnir rode in front, smoking and frowning as usual, not minding the newcomer that much at that point, but nevertheless making a hmmm noise and snorting at something, something that had to be a product of his mind, for nothing unusual went about them or the newcomer, and no omens were there to prelude anything remotely dark, save of course the ones shaped like walking dead that they had left burning behind and that now only lingered in the mind.

Just as he was getting uneasy in the saddle, for that feeling of apprehension would not leave him be, there appeared in front of them the valley he had on his mind as a resting place: an oasis of lush green encompassing a small pond that could have easily been called a smaller lake, ever hot and steaming, even in the darkest of winters. The flora around it never died and no one knew why, but Ofnir had heard a legend of two from the elves, that Oromë himself used to bathe there and rest on his hunting trips, and that he shot a falling star with his bow and made it fall into the lake, thus making it forever warm and brilliant.

"Here we are," Ofnir said, pointing at the marvelous verdure in front of them, but he was merely stating the obvious, for surely the sight must had caught the eye of everyone long before he spoke. "We rest there, where even the Hunter used to lay down and close his eyes. Come!"

With a puff and another hmmm, he rode on down the declining path, following the creek towards its end.

---

Aelin's eyes brightened a bit as the oasis came to view, and he rode past the others right after Ofnir had made his statement. He dismounted, and let his horse roam the area freely. He threw away his cloak and his gear, only leaving on the light and thin layer of clothing he always wore under them.

To just passively lay by to the hot spring seemed to flush away most of the elf's troubles. He closed his eyes, and visions of the Blessed Realm itself filled his mind.

..Or maybe it was the wine kicking in. Who knows. Anyways, when Aelin finally got up he felt like he'd just woken up from a long sleep. His doubts of the quest succeeding had been pushed to the back of his mind, and he was filled with energy again.

Lyanna rode towards the back of the group, the rags she had stuffed in the underside of her plates stopping it from clanking; her eyes catching sight of the beautiful oasis. Releasing the leather reigns which controlled the horse, allowing it to walk itself into the oasis in the wilderness; swinging her leg back over the saddle her armored form thudded down onto the ground. Her armored boots leaving slight imprints in the grass, she grasped hold of the helmet on her head and lifted it off looking around in pure surprise at her surroundings. The woman walked over to the small body of water and kneeled beside it, refilling the skin she carried with her after testing it by dipping her armored palm into it and bringing it to her lips; the freshness oddly surprising as was this small paradise in the wilderness.

"What kind of sorcery is this?"

She had never really been exposed to much magic as a solider, so the place made her slightly uneasy; though it did have a calming essence about it in addition the old wizard seemed to be at ease with the area.

Ellaryn rode on in silence. Her thoughts were both troubled and calm as she followed along with the company of adventures. What else could she call the group? Impressive was the warrior newcomer and she often looked behind at Lyanna, she had some nagging thought at the back of her mind but couldn't quite place it.

The oasis came into view, the steam already obscuring part of the woods. It was so peaceful and as the took a break, Ellaryn found herself at the waters edge in rapture. She sat at the edge enjoying the pleasant warmth that came from the small lake and gently let one hand drift in its waters. It was as she watched her hand that her doubts suddeningly reared and she quickly left to search for Ofnir.

"Ofnir?" Ellaryn walked up looking about to if Lyanna was close to them, she rubbed her hand dry as the cold seemed to seep into it after leaving the waters edge. She held her hand up to Ofnir, the silver ring was still covered by her makeshift leather ring. "Will you be staying with Lyanna? Or perhaps you have one more of these? if the dangers are as to be feared, how can tell if she.....if what happened back....."

Her thoughts turned dark as her memories bought up the innkeper, his daughter and the hunter. She thurst her hand into a pocket to get a little warmth but found that could not continue with her frame of thought. She looked at Ofnir and turned to Lyanna.

Thurin rode upon his horse, gazing around the forest with a practiced eye as he did so. He grumbled every now and then, making sure he was speaking in the mannish tongue and not his native (and ever secretive) Khuzdul. He wasn't entirely certain if this newcomer was some apparition from the wilds, but he dismissed that thought process. Sorcery did not work that way, he was certain. He'd seen enough of Ofnir's and Gandalf's tricks to know that much.

Then again...he had to agree with Lyanna's statement when they found the steaming pool of water amidst the lush green of the Oasis in the middle of the frozen north. "It seems far too convenient." he said aloud. "But then again, I am not one to pass up good fortune, as long as it is trustworthy." He dismounted Leonard the Horse (he always had difficulty with that) and set his waterskin in the pool to refill it, taking a chug before refilling it once more.

---

Vamyr suffered in silence during the ride, feeling the cold creeping through his fingers and toes, slowly numbing. It would have been unfair to comment though, as surely everyone was fairing similarly. His body wasn't used to the constant chill, his homeland was far to the south, honestly not to far from the desert wastes below Mordor. In reality, it was dangerous. His reactions were slower, and Vamyr grimaced when he flexed his fingers. Their numbness would only make him clumsier in a fight.

The sudden transition to green and emerald forest discomfited all of them but Ofnir and Aelin, but their lack of concern assuaged his own doubts. Vamyr dismounted last, stripping the saddle and gear off of his horse and setting him free to graze. After a moment of indecision and observing his companions, he shrugged and headed towards a more secluded section of the small oasis. Eventually, he found an outlet towards the edge of the lake where he stripped down to his linens and waded into the warm water. His sword lay within just a pace on the bank in easy reach.

It was a bit reckless to make himself so vulnerable- but between Ofnir's ease and the months of traveling he had undergone, Vamyr found himself caring little. Here, where it began to run towards the snowy forest, the water was no longer steaming, but still plenty warm. The soldier set about scrubbing the dirt accumulated from his travels. It took a few minutes, but after one last dunking, he settled down in the water to relax near the bank with his eyes closed, letting the chill in his body thaw out. Surely if they needed him, they would call.

---

Aelin sat down by the edge of the oasis, leaning to a large rock. Filled with inspiration, he was trying to write a song to describe this magical place. The melody had just appeared out of nowhere as he had rested by the water, and all he needed now were suitable lyrics - Which seemed impossible to find. He let out a frustrated sigh, put away his paper and writing equipment and proceeded to stare at the skies above.

”You are right, all of you are. It does seem out of place. Rightfully so, too, I assure you...” He looked around the oasis standing on the steam covered shingle, letting the rich lushness sink in. It did feel strange to Ofnir too, that place; but the strangeness he felt was different than that of his companions, even if he himself couldn't quite point out why at first. It was of course a sort of nostalgia -- the sort that arises from the memory of a place long forgotten, a place forgotten so long that one is not sure one even visited it anymore.

He leaned down to Ellaryn and whispered to her in private: ”As far as our new friend is concerned, this nasty thing didn't glow,” he touched his sword hilt. ”She's no orc nor ghoul, that is sure. And this place seems not to react towards her either, in any bad way at least. I doubt it would tolerate malicious presence, it being the garden of Oromë after all.” With a poke on her head with the staff, he rose and rubbed his chin. ”A lot of berries here, edible and sweet, for sure. Perhaps dessert would reassure you even further?” he asked the hobbit.

It was only then that he noticed his staff. Its end gave off a subtle glow, like a lamp does through the morning mist. ”Strange. Working on its own. Hm...” He tried to inventory the vegetation around them, but failed. The trees seemed unlike any he'd seen in the region, yet familiar; the grass was green but of a different green, a fuller green; water was calmer than any summer night, but alive at the same time; the flowers were of hues he couldn't name; bushes and tree tops were behung with fruit juicy and ripe. However, there were no animals in sight. Not even a critter.

The air was the strangest. He could smell it, feel its translucence, hear it sing through the leaves and whisper through the grass blades. Somehow it made him wish to stay forever, calling him to explore it farther. That thought he shook off quickly, ascribing it to the soothing nature of that earthly paradise. Yes, I can surely hear it whisper, or is it...
”Aelin? Are you playing a tune, or are my old ears playing games with me? Do you hear it?”

---

The elf stood up, and walked to Ofnir without saying a word. He raised his empty hands as an answer to the old man's question.

"Quiet! The rest of you as well!"

He felt it again, the melody entering his head. How fool had he been to mistake it for a product of his imagination..

I really can't make out the instruments behind this symphony.. Is that.. the sound of a flute? No. No, more like a harp. It sounded like a harp, just then. Now it's..

He begun walking towards the center of the oasis, but stopped and turned around.

"I think the music is coming from the western side. Come."

Without looking back, he begun sprinting to what he thought was the right direction.

"Perhaps dessert would reassure you even further?” he asked the hobbit. Ellaryn's hands stopped halfway to her mouth, she hadn't even realised she had already helped herself to the fruit baring bushes and trees around. She took a small portion of the remaining berries in her hand, offering them to Ofnir, the rest she stuffed into her already juice stained mouth.

Ellaryn nodded to the wizard's words, she chewed thoughtly while watching Lyanna. Maybe she had more in commen with herself than she first thought, she was after all here to make ends meet and was so far away from home. She gave a small shudder as she also realised that all the company had travelled alone to be here.

"Quiet! The rest of you as well!"

"What?" thought Ellaryn, as she stopped in mid-chew to listen. Cocking her head to one side, she couldn't hear anything. Ofnir seemed to pick up on something and then Aelin was off, moving to the west side of the lake. Just when they were all about to relax as well.

"No snacks then" Ellaryn knew better than to speak aloud, quiet was ordered and Ofnir had very sharp ears. It didn't mean that the bounty of the oasis had to wasted though. Ellaryn got her gear together as she followed Aelin, she picked apples and nuts for future meals. More berries as she passed them went straight to her mouth, it had to do as her meal.

The fruit,and the cake from the previous night, being the most food she had had on two consecutive days, if this kept up she might get her old plump figure back from years ago.

Thurin was humming a merry tune, though it had somewhat of a melancholy to it. He was simply enjoying the warmth and the softness of the grass, as well as the mild water while it lasted. The Dwarf could survive so many things, but he wasn't one to pass up the comforts (as long as it wasn't girly Elf comforts). He simply slipped his hands into the water and padded down his dirt covered face and arms, just to relieve himself a bit.

"Hmmm?" was heard escaping his throat when he heard Ofnir and the Elven bard Aelin conversing. Despite the comfort of the place, he was still quite suspicious of it and didn't like the idea of toying with anything about the nature of this strange glade. He got to his feet and looked about, watching the Elf go over to the side to explore some sound that-
Thurin's eyes narrowed, and he pursed his lips as he thought he heard something. "What is that?"

Lyanna looked towards Ofnir and Aelin as they spoke, standing back to her full height keeping her helm tucked beneath her right arm; following Aelin silently as he advanced toward the sound which she now detected albeit faintly unlike the elf. Her left hand reached down and gripped the supple leather bound hilt of her bastard sword, the leather having a fair degree of give to allow for proper handling; the familiar weight of the blade comforting as she soundlessly drew the weapon free of its home. Her right hand deftly planting the helm back over her skull, with the visor still up to maintain a full range of sight to her front; Lyanna's eyes darted side to side in a practiced manner picking out certain trees and rocks as distance gauges and stationary objects to judge movement on.

"Careful, it could be an ambush..."

The solider in her knew the glade was too good to be true, and in her head she figured an ambush would likely occur; lifting her right hand she motioned the rest of the group to get closer to Aelin and herself so they wouldn't be scattered in a melee.

---

It seemed like the human from south was eagerly preparing to fight.. What, notes? Aelin angrily gestured her to put down the sword and kept walking, before suddenly stopping by a bunch of ancient looking trees and mossy rocks.

"We are at the source of my melody - Can you not hear it?"