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Post by Draco on Dec 18, 2004 18:01:10 GMT -5
Sphinx is suprised by what he sees. Of all the people he would expect to see kissing the Prince that deeply, Tolwyn was not one of them. Sphinx watched the girl carefully, seeing the mix of emotions cross her face. Sphinx too is conflicted. He knows that a strong queen would be good for Gondor, but what he is not sure of is if Tolwyn would become a strong queen. By her actions this evening, it looked as if she would weaken, just like the other girls. Eldarion liked Tolwyn, liked her a lot. This was as plain as day. Sphinx knew that odds were good that he would select Tolwyn as his bride. He had kissed most of the girls deeply, just like he had Tolwyn, but there was one key difference. Eldarion hadn't brought the other girls in so closely when he had kissed them. They had been fun little conquests. Tolwyn had been the prize.
"Eldarion doesn't want a strong bride, though. He would not feel the same way if the girl hadn't been drunk," Sphinx thought to himself, pretending to guard, but really just thinking over what he was seeing. As he watched the Prince he saw the same lack of passion as he danced, conversed, and kissed the other girls. Tolwyn was whom he had his eyes on. Sphinx knew who he would pick. "She needs to remain strong. She must remain strong. Don't conform Tolwyn, that is the last thing this land needs," Sphinx thought to himself as he watched the events of the evening.
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Post by Draco on Dec 17, 2004 22:09:37 GMT -5
"It's not a problem, just have to be suspicious. Part of the job. Right now Prince Eldarion is trying to decide which noblewoman will be his bride. I have been 'guarding' these girls for a week now, and I am about to stab myself in the throat." Sphinx laughs, this time his words come easier. This elf was a loner, not like most elves that he had met, which was fine by him. Elves were not exactly his favorite crowd.
"Well, I bid you a good night. If you need directions to a place to stay for the night or something, just ask a guard. Farewell." Sphinx walked back to his posts, sensing that this elf was not here to cause trouble.
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Post by Draco on Dec 17, 2004 21:45:53 GMT -5
Now this was a strange sight. Sphinx saw the elf gazing into the citadel, her knees on the horsesback. This was the same elf he had seen hanging from a wall earlier in the day, but he had simply ignored it. He didn't stare because it was rude, but he didn't help because it was her own foolishness that had gotten her into the trouble she was in. Sphinx walked over to the elven woman, still in his accursed Guard of the Citadel uniform, and spoke. Though he practically vomited the words and every time he spoke was a pain to him, it was his duty to address bizarre characters.
"Excuse me miss, but hasn't that horse caused you enough trouble," Sphinx spoke sarcastically, not sure why he was being that way. "What business do you have in the Citadel, if you don't mind me asking?"
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Post by Draco on Dec 17, 2004 21:11:46 GMT -5
A loud metallic thud could be heard on the seventh circle wall. Sphinx was beating his helmed head in annoyance at having to watch the girls get pampered and learn things like dancing and bowing properly. Personnaly, if Sphinx were the king, he would at least make sure that his queen knew how to fight. Arwen was a warrior, so why were these potential queens not being taught the way of the sword.
"Not a one of these girls knows how to use a sword. In times of war they will be useless." Sphinx thought this, though knew it was not entirely true. Tolwyn seemed knowledgable in the ways of the weapons. She seemed to be a very capable warrior, or at least could be if she was trained properly. This even seemed to be what the poor girl wanted, but she was born into the wrong family, and would have to except the role as queen if she was picked.
Sphinx stopped beating his head against the wall and looked down at the crowd of girls, shining beautifully in the Gondorian sun. It nearly made Sphinx sick. In his fathers time any woman who had any power had to know how to fight. Nowadays all that mattered was if they looked and sounded good. In essence they were nothing more then trophies.
Sphinx spotted Tolwyn. She was fair and lovely, but stood out from the crowd not because of beauty, but because of strength. The young maiden of Rohan practically radiated strength.
"I cannot allow her to become weak." Sphinx thought as he continued watching the area.
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Post by Draco on Dec 17, 2004 16:15:30 GMT -5
Sphinx could kill himself at the moment. Sure, he was lucky to have an easier job, invisible guardianship as it was called, and got to wear his usual clothes instead of armor, but he still despised having to hear mindless chatter from young noblewoman. Sphinx considered running his blade across his throat, then considered running his blade across their throats, then finally settled on calming down and praying that the lunch ended soon. Fortunately for him it did, but unfortunately he was forced to continue watching the young ladies without making it look like he was guarding them. Sphinx really didn't see the purpose to secretive guardianship, but the king found it a necassary safety procaution.
As Sphinx was "mingling" with other guards who were not guards, Sphinx saw the young girl he had met the other day, Tolwyn. She looked dumbfounded and shocked, obviously not used to some of the aspects of Gondor. Sphinx shrugged, thinking that she would get used to it if the prince chose her as his bride. Sphinx leaned against the walls, trying to simply not be noticed, small talk being his least favorite form of conversation.
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Post by Draco on Dec 16, 2004 19:41:59 GMT -5
Sphinx is shocked and stunned. Though Tolwyn was not showing signs of the best swordsman he had ever seen, she knew what she was doing. With practice and training, she could become very good. Sphinx held his sword in his hand as Tolwyn walked away. Sheathing his blade he thought over the young lady whom he had just met. She was different then the other noblewoman. She was strong, proud, and brave.
"She doesn't want to do this. She doesn't want to settle down with our prince, she wants to be free. It isn't right for her to be forced to marry him if she doesn't wish to. She has a warriors spirit, and will never be happy settling down," Sphinx thought as he walked back to his post. When he returned he was told that his post was over. He walked back to his quarters and changed into his normal clothes, the black cloak, hat, pants, and white shirt. As he was in his quarters he saw a spare sword nearby. It was a good sword, one that a Guard of the Citadel would carry, but it still did not match the quality of his sword Judgement. Sphinx took down the sword, unsheathed it, examined the weight and quality, and then proceeded to resheath it. "I certainly hope this is the right thing to do," Sphinx thought as he walked down the quarters.
Now, it was against the laws of Gondor for Sphinx to be in the noblewomens quarters, but Sphinx knew ways around to avoid being seen. Besides, he wouldn't be there long. Sphinx made his way to the room of Tolwyn, quietly, using all the little corners and shortcuts he knew. As soon as he reached the door he hung the sword on the doorknob and knocked on the door. After he had knocked on the door he left, getting away before he was seen.
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Post by Draco on Dec 16, 2004 16:09:46 GMT -5
Sphinx is a little suprised by this request for two reasons. One is that he wasn't expecting her to ask for his sword. The other reason was the way her voice had changed from monotone to desperate begging in a second, and all of it revolving around his sword. Sphinx didn't like the idea of giving up his sword, as it was no ordinary sword. This was the sword that his father had given him. This was the sword he had grown up using, and it had never losts it's shine. Still, Sphinx's orders were to do whatever Tolwyn asked of him. Sphinx reached down to his hilt and pulled out the blade, the pale, haunting blue light shining on his face and Tolwyn's face. He was not sure what the girl was planning, or what exactly his superiors would say, but he presented the sword to her as any knight would present his sword to the king. His left hand held the blade while his right hand presented Tolwyn with the sword, his knees bent into a bow.
"This blade is called Judgement, and you will not find a better blade among the guards. The only blade to match this one in all of Minas Tirith is Anduril, and none other." Sphinx spoke easier this time, but he was still unsure of why he said more then just the name of the blade. It still pained him to speak, and he hated it viciously.
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Post by Draco on Dec 15, 2004 23:01:37 GMT -5
(What if Sphinx never slaughted a town full of innocent people? Well, I guess there wouldn't be as much fun, but we shall see. Still, gotta have the dark creepy attitude. ;D)
Sphinx stood guard at the citadel, having been taken away from his vacation from the guarding job. There was a lot of protection needed while all these noblewomen were here in Minas Tirith. Even days after the ball Sphinx would be working over time until every single noblewoman was gone and the new Queen was settled in. Sphinx had seen all the woman come in and be sent to the guest room, and they were all about the same. "Weak woman of prosperity. Not a strong one in the bunch," had been Sphinx's initial reaction. But then he had seen the Rohirrim princess, Tolwyn. Sphinx was of course required to know the names of all the noblewoman so that when he was called to serve them in anyway possible he would be able to call them Miss whatever their name was.
"What a great job I have," Sphinx thought to himself as he stood outside the citadel in the night air. He was still pondering over the Rohirrim girl, the Tolwyn character. She had seemed different. Sphinx was not quite sure what it was about her, but she was different from the rest. For one thing she looked miserable and it was clear as day that she wanted nothing to do with this. But Sphinx could see something else that was much less obvious. Sphinx could sense an air of strength around Tolwyn, and he felt that if he met her she would be a respectable woman. She was a classic lady of Rohan, strong and brave.
As Sphinx thought of this he saw the her follow her brother, most likely towards the gate. A few minutes later she returned and stood at the sixth circle wall, looking towards the north. Sphinx watched her carefully, wondering what she was thinking. He would not have to wait long to find out.
"Sphinx, I know this is not your kind of thing, but the Prince is worried that one of the guests, Tolwyn of Rohan, may be unhappy. Go find her and see if you can help." Sphinx was of course forced to obey the captains orders, though being a baby sitter for future queens was not his idea of being a noble night. Still, he had no choice. So, clothed in the armor of a Citadel Guard, Sphinx walked down to the sixth circle wall to Tolwyn, wishing to get this job over and done with.
"Excuse me, Miss Tolwyn. Is there anything I can assist you with?" Sphinx practically vomited these words up, speaking being something he rather hated doing.
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Post by Draco on Jan 2, 2005 19:49:00 GMT -5
The hooded figure rode forward to the town of Bree, his large horse moving down the hill as the ran fell straight down on him. He looked weary, over traveled, and one of his arms was missing. Still, the man held his head high and looked proud, like a returning warrior from a long and vicious, yet victorious, war. And that was exactly who this was. Draco the One Armed, Ranger of Bree, had returned home.
It had been a few years, the great war of the Necromancer keeping him far away from home and from his wonderful town of Bree. But now Basanistes was dead, Draco had payed dearly to make sure of that. His business was done, and he had traveled many long nights in search of his solitude. Now it stood before him, the rainy, muddy, wonderful town of Bree. Draco rode in, took his horse to the stables, and walked in silence towards his home. It was very early, still dark out, but the sun would be coming up shortly. A few hobbits, men, and dwarves scattered across the street, but none that Draco knew. Draco would not have to bother with welcomes. He would be able to go straight to his home.
Reaching his door step Draco became apprehensive. Would he be able to start up life again? What would Nolamere think of him missing his left arm? Would she except him after he had left her for so long? After a few moments of consideration Draco decided it didn't matter. If he could just see his wife again, nothing else would matter. So Draco unlocked the door and quietly went into his home.
He found Nolamere in bed, still asleep, clutching a small portrait of him. She had missed him, that much was obvious. Nolamere had been lonely without him, but no more. Draco would never leave her side again. He slowly nudged her, bending down and speaking softly, gently.
"Good morning beautiful."
That was all it took. Nolamere's eyes opened slowly, but as soon as they were open she lunged forward, grabbing hold of Draco, tears of joy streaming down her face. She covered him with kisses, as did Draco to her, both of them lovingly holding on to one another for a few minutes, enjoying the moment immensely.
"I have missed you so much, Draco dear. So much." Nolamere held on tightly, crying with joy softly on his shoulder. She moved her left hand to take his when she noticed something, this action was impossible.
"Draco, what happened?!" Nolamere shrieked, noticing that her husband was missing an arm. Draco was hoping to not have to deal with the issue this quickly, but he was still prepared. He sat Nolamere down on the bed and sat beside her, stroking her long soft hair as he spoke.
"I fought for Bree, for Middle Earth, and for you my dearest one. I was forced to give up a few things so that goodness and innocence could still exist in this world." Draco told the whole story of the war, everything he had done. He had to stop at one point so that Nolamere could weep over Fiwen's death. The whole story was shocking and at the end Nolamere took Draco in her arms again.
"I will not let you go. Never again will I let you leave."
"Never again will I leave. My fighting days are over Nolamere. I can now stay with you forever." And thus Nolamere and Draco spent the rest of the morning in each other's arms, their love for each other warming the whole house. Draco Hubristes was home.
((Don't know why I did this rp. Guess I'm just a big softy at heart. Anyone who wants to show up, go ahead.))
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Post by Draco on Dec 17, 2004 21:51:36 GMT -5
"Well, if you insist." Draco sat back and enjoyed his ale in the warm room. He pulled out his pipe and filled it with Bree tobacco. A few hobbits glared when the smelled the inferior tobacco, probably being used to Old Toby themselves. Draco simply returned their snears with a smile and a smoke ring.
Draco decides to stay in the Green Dragon until Rosa decides is off work. She had said something about caroling, and any chance he had to spend time with his younger sister would be great.
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Post by Draco on Dec 16, 2004 19:48:49 GMT -5
Draco sips his ale as he listens to Rosa. He had kept an eye on her, but it seemed like he had missed a few things. She was living a happy life, but she was very poor so it seemed.
"If you are having some financial troubles I can help. Just ask." Draco was worried about his sister. She didn't deserve a hard life after everything she had been through. Draco was living a fairly decent life, having gotten quite a few benefits from the Necro war and also made a decent wage from all the trips he took. Every time Draco left home, or almost every time, he usually was accomplishing some task, like clearing out remaining wargs or something. So, if Rosa needed help, he would help easily. "And if things are really difficult, you can always come with me."
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Post by Draco on Dec 15, 2004 22:46:11 GMT -5
(The difference is that I really am an older brother in real life, and I just use the way I care for my younger bro in my rping. It's so cool to actually be able to relate to my life to what I am doing. Okay, now to answer that slew of questions ) Draco looks stunned at all the sudden questions. He had forgotten how long it had been since he had been there, and how inquisitvie hobbits could be. "Um, uh, okay. I don't know a particular time line to stay, but I should be getting home in a few days. I'm sure it's warmer in the Green Dragon. Charoling sounds good. Nolamere is great, though the lack of my left arm is was a bit of a shock to her. Eden is in the stable over there. I was hoping you I could stay wherever you live. Wide awake, it's to cold to be tired, and to jolly. It's a lovely dress, though why you wear the colors of Mordor is uncertain to me. Still, it looks nice on you. You sang earlier?! I wish I had seen that. Never!" Draco reaches out and hugs Rosa with his right arm again, planting a kiss on her cheek. He was pretty sure he answered all the questions, but he still kept running them through his head, making sure he had answered every single one. "So, shall we go to the Green Dragon or what? I am freezing out here." Draco smiled calmly as he let go of Rosa. (Man that was hard. Not so many questions. I am only one single armed man )
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Post by Draco on Dec 15, 2004 21:50:47 GMT -5
(Hmm, I didn't know Mordor had specific colors. I have never seen the Mordorian National Flag Draco squeezes Rosa tightly but gently, spinning her around in circles, overjoyed to embrace her. It wasn't the easiest thing to do, considering his lack of another arm, but he managed. A few of the hobbbits were staring, but Draco didn't really care. He wasn't worried about xenophobic hobbits or anything at the moment. He was with his sister in a time of peace, and that was all that mattered. After spinning Rosa around he put her back down and looked at her, smiling brightly, not really fitting into his rough look. "You look absolutely lovely." Draco bends down on one knee, getting at Rosa's level. In Draco's mind it was disrespectful for him to speak with Hobbits on a higher level. The polite thing to do was kneel. "It is so wonderful to see you Rosa. It's been far to long." Draco smiles warmly, his usual rough and fierce look replaced with a look of caring only a brother can manifest. (You don't know how cool it is to rp as an older brother. )
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Post by Draco on Dec 14, 2004 15:48:23 GMT -5
(Well, then we shall have to make everything all right Draco rides down, trying to ignore the hobbits staring. It was not as bad as it would have been in Hobbiton, Bywater hobbits being generally nicer, but the stares still made him wonder if he had made the right decision. "It will all be alright when I see Rosa's smiling face," Draco thought to himself, continuing to ride toward the Green Dragon, assuming that Rosa would be working their. She always seemed to be working nowadays, but that wasn't necassarily a bad thing. Draco was glad that Rosa had things to do to occupy her time from remembering her rather painful past. He had checked in on her some, but without her knowledge. Draco had over the years snuck down to Bywater to make sure Rosa was okay, and it seemed that she was. Rosa was growing into a fine young hobbit lass, and he always saw how the young hobbit lads would stare. "As the protective older brother I am, I will have to make sure they don't cause any trouble either." Draco chuckled lightly, speaking only in his head, knowing that his deep voice always generally made hobbits nervous. Being born in Mordor did have it's disadvantages. As Draco neared the Green Dragon he stopped at a nearby stable to put his horse away. After tieing his horse down and making sure Eden was in a warm spot Draco went to find the owner of the stable. When he found the man he began to take some coins out of his pouch, but the old hobbit just held up his right hand, pipe still in it, and smiled his warm elderly hobbit smile. "Don't worry about it ranger. During these holidays times all may allow their horses to stay without charge." The man spoke in a genuine and kind tone, not showing the general xenophobia that hobbits were famous for. To return this gesture of good will, Draco bowed low, dropping to his knees, being on the same level as the elder hobbit, shocking the old one and bring a brighter smile to his face. "May the light of the Valar shine brightly on you for your good will." Draco smiled at the man and bid him farewell, looking for Rosa. He saw her sitting outside the Green Dragon, looking happy, but also in thought. Draco had learned to read her expressions well, and right now he could see a hint of boredom on her pretty young face. He thought about sneaking up on her and scaring her, and then decided to go with this plan. Something about making her jump always made him laugh. He thought, "I am a mean brother." Draco crept quietly around to the other side of the Green Dragon, his hood over his face. The hobbits payed him no heed, not knowing that they did not due this on their own free will. A little trick Draco had learned over the years was how to make people not notice you. He crept up silently behind Rosa, keeping his shadow behind him. Each step he made was silent, not wanting anyone to hear. He crept, waited, bent real low, got right up close to Rosa's ear, and............. "HAPPY YULETIDE ROSA!!!!"
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Post by Draco on Dec 13, 2004 22:27:48 GMT -5
(You so stole that song. Nice hobbit version though ) Draco stares down at the busy hobbits, sitting in the snows of a hill, a corncob pipe in his mouth blowing little puffs of smoke into the cold winter winds. Eden chews on a small tuft of grass that amazingly hasn't frozen. Draco considers going down to the town, but he knows that generally hobbits are nervous around him, and he has no desire to ruin the holidays. Still, it was good enough for him to simply watch the festivities and smile, proving that once and for all happyness does exist in Middle Earth. Draco begins to hum a Gondorian tune to himself, one that was usually saved for the Gondorian Feast of Winter. A seperate holiday that happened on a different day, but still had the same exact effect and reasoning as Yuletide did for the hobbits. Draco would have sang in his warm tenor voice, but he had forgotten the words years ago. Still, though singing was something he could do, he usually prefered humming the tunes. As Draco sat in the snow with his pipe, humming the his song, Eden came up and whimpered, nudging his stumpy shoulder with her nose. Eden knew Draco well, and it was obvious to her that Draco wanted to go down to the festivities. But Draco simply whispered warmly to Eden. "Hobbits don't like me very much. I scare them. So, I shall stay up here and enjoy watching the fire. Besides, it's not that cold." That was, of cousre, a blatant lie. It was freezing outside, but Draco would suffer for the time, loving the holiday feeling that Bywater had around this time every year. But as Draco's incredibly green eyes scanned the town, Eden nuzzled his arm again, still beckoning him to go down. If anything, Eden knew that Rosa would love to see him. "By the Valar you are a stubborn horse." Draco snickered as he stood and patted Eden on the muzzle, stroking her main. "Fine, if you insist. Who knows, maybe the holiday spirit will make the hobbits a little kinder towards me." Draco mounted Eden and rode down to the festivities, deciding to take his trademark hood off, just to keep the hobbits from worrying. His sword would still freak most hobbits out, but Draco refused to go anywhere without his sword. Thus, Draco of Bree rode down to the hobbit Yuletide with a smile on his face, warmth in his eyes, and joy in his heart. Despite everything Draco had seen, true happiness was the most beautiful thing he had ever experienced.
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