First Feather [Action/Voice]

[elessar_telcontar]

[He could hear running water, but it was not the Anduin. The flow was too fast and the bed too shallow: a bubbling stream rather than the mighty river. It was like the laughter of a child, not the roar of the great Anduin. Aragorn slowly opened his eyes. Above were dark trees and a cold, bright sky, but the sun had shifted and the season seemed wrong. His body was aching and sore, though he didn't recall being struck. There had been orcs, he remembered. They were under attack and he'd heard Boromir's horn and run toward the solemn call. Boromir. The memory returned to him and stabbed at his heart like an icy blade. He had arrived at the clearing too late and found the Gondorian dying on the cold ground, his chest pierced by thick-shafted arrows; his bright lifes-blood mingling on the hard earth with the black ooze of his felled enemies. With his last breath the man had pledged himself to Aragorn and called him king.]

My brother.

[Aragorn's voice was hoarse, his throat dry like parchment.]

Forgive me, Boromir: I have failed you.

[He sat up slowly, wincing in pain. He didn't recall being struck, and if the orcs had attacked him while he knelt over his dead friend then why had they left him alive? And why had they... taken his clothes? The cool breeze pricked at the man's bare arms and chest and he realised with a start that his clothes and cloak were gone and he wore only a thin pair of white trousers. His weapons were also nowhere to be seen. Nor was Boromir, though his absence seemed more reasonable when Aragorn realised that he was no longer on Amon Hen. As orcs were not known for stripping their enemies, moving them and then leaving them alive, if injured, in woodland clearing, it was clear that someone else had done this, though to what end Aragorn had no idea.

Moving more stiffly than he would have liked, Aragorn searched the clearing quickly for his weapons, but there was no sign of sword or bow or knife, nor of his clothes. All that he could find was a book resting in the soft grass, bound in dark leather. There was no title on the cover, but Aragorn could clearly make out an image embossed in the soft leather: a bare tree crowned with seven stars. Whatever the book was, it was clearly meant for him. The book was lighter than it looked. Leafing through a few pages, Aragorn was shocked at the contents, for the images on the pages moved, as though under some enchantment. He had seen images in fire and smoke and water, but even in Elrond's library at Imladris he had never seen such a book, with images that moved as though alive. And it was not only the images that were a surprise: there seemed to be voices speaking to him from the pages, soft and whispering like voices carried on the wind.]

Would that you were here with me, Gandalf, to tell me the source of this magic.

[Aragorn closed the strange book quickly, but felt compelled to hold on to it and take it with him. Unwilling to venture out both naked and unarmed, the man picked up a sturdy-looking branch and swung it as if wielding a longsword, inhaling sharply as a shock of pain ran up his spine. Aragorn laid down his new sword and began to run calloused hands up his back, searching for a wound that might need urgent attention, but felt no blood. He was surprised the find something protruding from his back, but it was not the sword or axe or arrow he might have expected. It was something... feathery?]

What new strangeness is this?

[There was thankfully no sign of any orcs, but perhaps there was someone close who could tell him what was happening. Perhaps, wherever he was, Legolas and Gimli were also here. Drawn by the sound of rushing water, Aragorn made his way to the nearby stream and began to follow it east, hoping that he might find someone along the riverbank, or that it might lead to a settlement. After a short hike of around two leagues, Aragorn crested a small hill and saw below him a fairly large but unwalled town. There were houses and a large open square, several larger buildings, though none looked fortified or seemed obvious great halls. The town was a mile away still, but Aragorn could see people moving around the market square.]

Why do they all have wings?

[Well, the best way to find out what was going on was to ask someone - even if he wasn't dressed for company. Carrying his enchanted book and his makeshift wooden sword, Aragorn headed toward the town, hoping to find some answers, and with luck his friends. And some clothes.]

Comments

[universal_charm]

Oh god, don't blow up her ego! Though, she might not like it anyway. Her name's Buffy, by the way, just call her that.

And I don't know what bread she has, but she has bar food, which puts a warmth in the belly well enough.

_{[He trudged through the cold and motioned to Buffy's bar, just feet away.]}

Behold! Salvation awaits us!

[elessar_telcontar]

[Aragorn followed through the snow, his new boots soft and sturdy and wonderfully warming.]

Ego is not a thing I have known a woman to be cursed with. Buffy? Indeed, that doesn't sound a name for a queen. I'll gladly eat her food and taste her ale, though.

[Cautiously, Aragorn followed his new companion into the odd looking tavern - it was not like the taverns he usually visited.]

[universal_charm]

Yeah, well, welcome to the 21st century, though it's more common in men, trust me.

_{[He led him in, glad for the warmth of the bar and lead them to a booth, sliding in and grabbing a menu and showing it to Aragorn.]}

Order what you want from that. Burgers are always nice to wash down a beer with.

[elessar_telcontar]

[The inside of the bar was even less like the taverns Aragorn knew, but he followed Kirk and slid into the booth opposite, accepting the item offered to him, which appeared to be a list of the foods available. The list was extensive and entirely strange to him.]

I shall be guided by you, as this place is known to you. But what is a 'burger'?

[universal_charm]

_{[He stared at him like he had grown a second head.]}

Only the greatest food creation of all time. It's a beef patty between two slices of bread called a bun and you can put cheese on it and lettuce, tomatoes, onions, ketchup, mustard, pickles - anything. Add in some friends and it's your down home traditional sort of meal!

[elessar_telcontar]

[The ranger couldn't help but smile at the other man's sudden excitement at describing the dish.]

I have never known any man become so enlivened at the thought of meat and bread with some vegetables and seasonings. If it's such a fine dish then I think I must try it. And a cup of small beer, if they have it - this place is strange enough, without a fog on my mind.

[He had left his stick outside, but Aragorn was ever watchful, shadowed eyes on every other in the bar, even while he spoke to Kirk.]

Will you order? I do not know the customs here.

[universal_charm]

No problem, bud.

_{[He gets up and heads over to the bar to say hello and place their orders for food and beer. He comes back without food, which was going to come out in a bit, but he did set down two glass pints.]}

I'm not sure what counted as 'small beer' so I got you a mead. I thought that might be close enough for you.

_{[He himself was drinking a darker brew, and sipped it with a smack of his lips.]}

The burgers will be out in a bit, they're cooking them now. I think you'll get a kick out of french fries too ~

[elessar_telcontar]

[Aragorn mouthed the words 'french fries', testing the strange words, but did not ask the meaning - it was clear that he would learn many new things here, and if he queried every one he would have little time to do anything else.]

Small beer is not so strong, to keep you... out of your cups. I like strong drink as well as any other man, but would rather keep a clear head. I have not tasted mead since I was last in the Shire. [He took a sip of the amber coloured brew. It was much as he remembered: overly sweet but pleasant]

I have been on the road for months. A warm inn and cool cup are long wished for. Thank you.

[universal_charm]

No problem, just return the favor next time I get stuck out in the woods or something. It's happened more than once and it will again. I'm from a farm and the city, not woodsman.

_{{He shook his head sadly.]}

And yeah, I'd want a clear head too, trying to take all this in. Though, I dunno, fuzzying it up is always a nice option.

[elessar_telcontar]

Though I have spent a fair passing time in cities, the wood is my more natural home. Perhaps we should find you a hunting horn, so that you may call me if you become lost.

[He smiles, only half serious]

I cannot recall the last time I had the freedom to get into my cups. There have long been too many worries upon me. Perhaps I should allow myself something stronger. A friend fell in battle this morning - I should toast his life.

[universal_charm]

_{[Kirk blinked, suddenly a bit somber.]}

Oh... I'm sorry. That... that's hard. I know it is.

_{[He raised his cup.]}

To your friend, may he rest in peace.

[elessar_telcontar]

His name was Boromir. Though we often disagreed - on almost everything, in fact - he was my friend and brother. The bodies of his enemies were piled around him, the ground black with orc blood. He would gladly have died for his city and his people. He fell in defence of those who were not able to fight.

[The mead was sweet, though the memory was not. A moment later the cup was drained]

I think I might like that stronger drink now.

[universal_charm]

I think I can do that.

_{[He had not drained his own glass bottle, not yet, but he had taken a fair size swig in honor. He got up and came back with a glass bottle of a nice class beer, cap popped, and set it down in front of Ranger.]}

I wish I knew what to say to make you feel better, but as I know, there's nothing to really help with it, in these situations.

[elessar_telcontar]

[He would not normally drink from a bottle, but Kirk did it and others seemed to also be doing so, so Aragorn put the bottle to his lips and took a swig.]

Ale? Has this inn nothing stronger? If I'm to give myself over to drunkenness it would better be done with spirits, or at least a good wine.

[A moment later a man appeared laden with two large plates of food and placed them down in front of them. Aragorn looked down at the pile of unfamiliar food and pulled the eating knife from his belt, trying to decide where to start. The rich smell or cooked meat suddenly made him realise how very hungry he was.]

I was among the Elves in Caras Galadhon last evening, but they have no fondness for roasted meat. This is quite the feast. Meat wrapped in bread - an unusual idea, though I think I can see the sense it: the meat can be picked up without scalding or dirtying the hand.

[He quickly sliced the burger in half with his sharp knife and lifted one half, pausing before bringing it to his lips to give the contents a cursory inspection. Meat, some salad leaves, the tomato that Samwise was so fond of. He could smell some sort of sweet, vinegary sauce, too. At the first bite Aragorn began to understand Kirk's enthusiasm for the dish, though the long time since his last taste of fresh meat might have made it taste better to him than it was.]

It's very good.

[Hunger took hold of him and in only three more bites the burger half was gone, hot, sticky juices running down Aragorn's fingers.]

Though not entirely... tidy.

[universal_charm]

Oh yeah, if you want something to knock you on your ass, I'll see if I can't get you some Jaggermeister. I few Jager-bombs should knock you right out, but that might also mean I may or may not have to drag you somewhere after. So if you don't mind being dragged, we can go for it.

_{[He watches him eat and laughs a little, eating his own with a tiny bit less gusto, but gusto nonetheless. He was an all American boy and he liked his burgers and his fries. Didn't get much better than that.]}

Can't wait to see you try a hot dog then, or chili fries.