The Glen

[Ranger Owen]

Just before the Ladies arrived in the clearing.......

Owen had answered Gerrad's question promptly, trying to make sense of what he saw before him. Soon....soon...the ladies and supplies are but a matter of hours away now. He was quick to help lift the lifeless body of a fellow Ranger, one he knew had family waiting, it was a sad day indeed as he moved away from those gathered in the clearing. He put all his efforts into digging a shallow grave, making Gerrad rest a while and tell him of what had transpired since last they had met.

He was shocked to hear of the treachery, the way in which Robin had been betrayed by a former ally, having trusted him to give many men to the Ranger's cause. They had been set upon and subsequently chased for miles, with no food or fresh water, no time to rest or stop to aid their wounded, hounded like animals through the fields and forests....eventually managing to hide their trail and returning home to the safety of the glen. Broken men, bereft of all dignity and honour, Gerrad had gone to the Castle to seek help from his Sister and Robin's Wife.

Owen sighed deeply, knowing Robin was still holding fast in the continuing battle up North. None even knew if their leader had survived the bloody turmoil. As he rolled the dead Ranger into the freshly dug grave, he whispered a fond farewell to the man, assuring him that his family would be taken care of and never want for anything, as was the way of the Rangers. He hoped with all he was......this would be the last body they buried but he knew death lingered within the glen, eager and hungry for those men who gave up the fight to live. It would not be an easy battle to win.

As he shovelled the soft earth over his Brother in Arms, he heard voices and noises coming from the camp, knowing that it must be the other Rangers and the ladies arriving. He quickly placed several large boulders and stones on top of the grave and nodded towards Gerrad. "Come my friend, they will need answers to many questions......and 'tis to ye that the men shall look fer guidance now."

[Halethala]

Ranger Todd’s voice had startled her, she’d tried to sing as softly as possible, that only Dream’s ears could hear, not wanting to divert the men’s attentions too greatly from their duties. She felt a warmth go through her at his smile, relaxing a little beneath it. Shaking her head lightly, “The words be but silliness, though there be sommat magical about a melody sung, no matter the theme . . mayhaps we could trade off a tune or two about the even’ fires?” She nodded at his reassurances to Lady Dream and herself, though he needn’t have had to say the words. Both knew the truth of them.

Her senses were hypervigilant as they entered the secretive quarters, her thoughts returning to the first and only time she’d set foot within. Sinold still bore the ragged scars in his flesh, both had been deeply indebted to the kindness of these matchless men.

She’d grown ashen, despite her determination not to allow her courage to rail. Still, nothing could have prepared her for what they saw, it simply broke her heart . . . and robbed her of any hope of speech for many long moments. A wave of nausea and panic welled up, unbidden and most unwelcomed, but she quickly squelched it with reasoned firmness, reaching deep down inside to find a calm beyond her nature . . it would do no one any good to fall apart now. The need, even from what little she could immediately see, seemed nearly overwhelming. She sensed that it would take every bit of endurance and wisdom each possessed. And though her knowledge of healing was woefully inadequate, she knew a great deal of could be accomplished in the process of restoration by meting an infusion of hope.

Lady Loxley’s smile was like the sun returning after a month of winter, and Letha kept one ear cocked towards her and listened with extra care to her instructions to the Rangers as she moved to the nearest wounded man and began to do what she could. She thought of the tangled parcel of land her garden now claimed, how hopeless it had seemed at first to root out all the weeds and clear the plot to bring about order. One weed at a time, and before they knew it, the task was done. One man at a time, each one made to feel special, as it his wounds alone were most important. “Smile”, she ordered her face, willing the sweetest, most radiant smile she could manage as she spoke soft encouragement to each wounded man. She allowed no despair, neither in herself nor her charges, though there was often little reason against it.

The Rangers had done well in their first ministrations to the wounds, she marveled at their work. She worked on, not allowing her mind to stray beyond what was right before her. So when she stood, her calves aching already from much crouching, and caught first sight of Gerrad, it took several heartbeats to let her guard down enough to permit but a few hot tears to escape her eyes.

“My Brother . . “ she whispered hoarsely as she moved to embrace him . . realizing how dearly she’d missed him . .

[Gerrad]

Gerrad had given a very brief outline of what had happenned to them as Ranger Owen dug the shallow grave for the fallen Ranger they had carried some distance from the Glen. In all honesty he was glad that Owen had made him rest and tell tell him of some of what had happenned. It put some things into perspective in his own mind. He heard voices in the distance and realised that the Lady Loxley & Lady Halethala had arrived , then Owen spoke again..

"Come my friend, they will need answers to many questions......and 'tis to ye that the men shall look fer guidance now."

Aye they would want answers he thought silently, most likely some he would not be able to give, but what he could give , he would give freely. It was the Lady Loxley he dreaded speaking to. His desperate plea for help must have worried her endlessly since.

He stood up and looked himself over. Great!! he thought to himself. His armour covered in blood, some his own, some the deer's that he had carried back to the Glen, "aye what a way to greet my sister and my Leaders wife."

He suddenly felt very tired again, but Owens words rang in his ears "'tis to ye that the men shall look fer guidance now." He straightened up and smiled at Owen ...

" Well Owen..... lets get on with it he said brightly, ahh have men to look after and guests to greet." and with those words said he walked a brisk pace back to the Glen.

As he entered the clearing he spotted Lady Dream tending to Ranger Little. He stopped in his tracks and his eyes scanned the encampment. Then he saw her....His Sister...

She had already seen him it seemed, some tears were rolling down her face and he was sure that she was a litle overwhelmed by what was happening. A lump came to his throat and he couldn't move. He had missed her so much and it was the thought of being reunited with her that had kept him going the last two months.

A myriad of emotions coursed though him as she approached, calling him brother...He took a few steps forward and met her embrace and he held her tightly

"My Sister...how ahh have longed for this day..i'm so glad ye came"

[Gerrads typist OOC]

(OOC)

will not be here for two days....business calls me away......but will be back on Saturday

*LOVE & HuGS* to all

ps: great posting guys & gals

[Dream Loxley]

(( Safe and speedy travels to you Mister Loxley *kiss ........ and indeed what wonderful posting by all! ))

[Halethala]

It was a habit of hers, long entrenched, to fix her eyes upon a face when her emotions ran high . . eyes, more accurately . . and often overlook other details, even key ones often, at first. But as she released Gerrad and stepped back a pace, she took in the bloodsoaked clothing with a more critical eye. Every Ranger was festooned with it, in varying amounts and hues, and she well knew not all was their own. She herself was beginning to wear an increasing amount. Gerrad quickly tried assuring her, explaining about the deer, yet he seemed to be holding back the full truth. Of course he was weary, exhausted from not only the responsibilities he bore, but the relentless vigilance the last days had required of all. Yet there seemed to be a weight greater than any stag still borne across his bloodied shoulders. . .

He seemed unable to keep her gaze. “The Chatelaine will wish to lend ear to all you can tell her . . of her Beloved above all, I suspect.” Inclining her head at the Lady’s approach, she layed an insistent hand on his arm as he turned. “But then, my brother, you will allow me a span of quiet conversation with you again?”

“When you can afford it” She should have added, but purposely did not, feeling uncharacteristically selfish and protective. “And can tell me whatever it is you are concealing, perhaps even from yourself, if you were able.” She thought further as she watched him before glancing up with a relieved smile to see Ranger Owen had arrived safely.

[Ranger Owen]

Owen bid the Lady Halethala a quiet but sincere greeting, then gave Gerrad an understanding smile as he left him in the safe and kindly hands of his Sister. He knew his friend would gain both peace and the affection he so needed at this moment, there was none so capable as those whom loved us to heal our wounds he pondered as he approached the prone and sleeping body of Ranger Little. He swallowed hard, suprised to see so strong a man felled and stricken with fever, hoping against hope that some miracle would save the big ox of a man.

He nodded a fond greeting to the lad Henry who sat beside Little, ruffling his hair in a gesture of support, he knew how close the French boy had become to Little. "Rest ye well Henry lad, tha Lady Loxley will do all she can, praps ya can offer a prayer....'tis a gift from tha Gods we need right now."

Owen smiled warmly to the lady tending his friend and squatted down beside her. She looked at him and returned the smile, allbeit tarnished with concern, then gestured for Owen to hold Little's head whilst she tried again to get the big man to swallow the willowbark tea she made. He looked to her eyes as if to ask the question......but knew she probably knew little more of the events that transpired than he had.....even less now he had learned from Gerrad how the Rangers had some to this.

[Gerrad]

It felt just like his dreams, each day for two full moons it was the same. He would return from afar and she would come & greet him. For a far too brief a moment, his heart soared, his head ached no longer and the insistent pain in his side faded away to just an annoying itch. He unknowingly leaned heavily on her, resting partially upon her shoulder, then she stepped back from him and the dream ended abruptly.

His closed eyes sprung open and tried to refocus, the pain and memories flooded back and his face turned bright red in embarassment. He could not look her in the eyes truely lest she saw what he was hiding. Now was not the moment to tell any...the men came first.

Her voice broke the silence between them..

"The Chatelaine will wish to lend ear to all you can tell her . . of her Beloved above all, I suspect.”

"Aye she will Halethala...nothing truer i'm sure" He grimaced as he spoke the words..."unfortunately i can nae tell anything other than news of such age that it will make nae a difference , but i can let her know what has transpired till i left M'Lord Robin"

He turned and looked at Lady Loxley tending Ranger Little and started to move away but she layed an insistent hand on his arm as he turned.

"But then, my brother, you will allow me a span of quiet conversation with you again?”

He smiled at her then, his eyes met hers evenly, and replied "But of course my Sister... of course, ahhh did nae ask yer to come here and then plan nae to talk ter ye"

He took her hand in his and squeezed it, hoping that it would reassure her a little and then led her over to where Lady Loxley was helping Ranger Little.

He bowed slightly after releasing Halethala's hand

"M'Lady Loxley when you and Lady Halethala feel that ye have done what yer can with the men for ther moment...please make yer way to Master Robins quarters and ahh shall meet ye there. ye must excuse me a moment, ahh should change my attire and wash a little. And iffn yers need anything just send a Ranger to find me"

He looked to Ranger Owen and beckoned him to follow him.

[Dream Loxley]

She had watched them together, man and woman in a loving embrace, the love shared by siblings, both once lost and alone had become a perfect family.....trusting and pure in their love for one another. She had watched and she had smiled. A smile that hid her innermost turmoil, craving the strong arms of her beloved Husband to enfold her as Gerrad had his Sister, lingering within his safe embrace, whispering words of love to his ear.....assuring him that all is well.....all is as it should be.......how she envied them their warm embrace.

Her thoughts returned to Ranger Little as he began to swallow the willowbark tea, he had regained just enough conciousness to understand what she required of him and bid his body to reply, to find that innermost strength to survive. Owen had nodded towards her briefly, satisfied that his fellow Ranger had perhaps turned a corner on the way to recovery. Henry had stayed beside him, a faithful companion in his hour of need. She closed her eyes for a moment and gave thanks to those who had listened to her plea.......opening them again to find Gerrad and Halethala standing closeby.

Gerrad looked even worse for wear than he had done within the Castle courtyard. There was more blood upon his tunic, fresh and bright, she tilted her head, so many questions within her mind that did not come forth from her lips, it was not the time......not the place, and she was afraid to even ask him, lest it became real. Halethala looked worried and concerned, it was not hard to see why.

He asked her to make her way to Robin's quarters.....she nodded quickly, her eyes roaming the clearing and finding the place she sought, higher up in the trees. She recognised it at once, having been there many times. Of course she would, of course, and he should wash and rest a while...he looked so very tired.......

Owen stood up and gave her a smile before moving away with Gerrad.....leaving her with Halethala and Henry. She settled Ranger Little as best she could and then made her way around the small encampment, making sure the men were as comfortable as they could be under the circumstances. Many looked better for having eaten, some already slept and others with wounds were being tended to by the other capable Rangers. She gave nods of appreciation and softly spoken words of encouragement where they were needed and finally showed Halethala where they were going to meet with Gerrad.

The platform that served as a lift was ready and waiting for them to embark upon the short journey upwards. She stepped into the roped cage to show Halethala what to do, holding tightly to the side ropes to steady herself. An older Ranger she knew as Thomas nodded and smiled as he attached several ropes to a waiting horse and guided it away from them. At first the whole contraption creaked and groaned, then the ropes became tight as the horse stepped further away, as if by magic it began to rise up slowly beside the huge great tree trunk.

When she had reached about half way up, the horse below stopped and she grapped hold of the railing and stepped off the moving platform and onto another firmly placed one. She stayed there while the Ranger adjusted his rope and turned the horse around, calling down to Halethala to reassure her there was no danger. The walkways went on and on, each leading to a wooden cladded building, supported withing strong secure branches, and binded with flaxen ropes. With roofs of thatch and branches, it was a quaint village within the treetops, and one she had always been in awe of whenever she visited. There was something about it.....so simple and yet so complex, it worked so well.

Further upwards by climbing several planks of wood that made a short staircase and she was there. The door of his hideaway home creaked when she opened it, and immediately she stepped within the small room she looked about the wooden walls, remembering the last time she had been there. Without thinking she picked up the blanket and held it tightly to her face, wrapping her arms about it.......frightened and fearful of what Gerrad would tell her when he came. Her mouth was so dry, her breath caught within her throat and finally escaped as a deep sigh. She was so tired, so weary.....the journey and all she had done since arriving had taken its toll. She sat down upon the bed and waited for Halethala, still clutching the blanket to her as if it were a lifeline.........

[Gerrad]

Gerrad moved away from the encampment towards the stream, talking to Ranger Owen as he did so. Owen listened carefully as Gerrad gave him instructions.

“Owen, hold these for me and guard them carefully whilst I bathe.”
He handed Owen two parchments, one with the Loxley seal still intact , the other more worn, folded and within a leather pouch.
“If ye would be a good chap and help me out of these leathers an then go to me abode and fetch some fresh clothes, armour, bandages and such, ahh would be indebted to ye Owen”

He groaned with both relief and pain as the leathers came off, then Owen was gone. He removed his boots and clothing and waded into the stream, taking a sudden breath as the cold water hit his skin.

He sat down in the stream and let the soothing water run over him, until it started to get too cold for him to stay submersed. He started scrubbing vigourously, carefully removing the dirt, grime and blood from his body.

Finished, he dried himself off and ran a hand over his face. The growth was unruly and long so he removed a dagger from one of his boots and proceeded to shave until his face was once again smooth.

Much better he thought to himself, much better. He stood up as he heard Ranger Owen returning with his fresh attire but grimaced as he did so. His hand involuntarily reaching for his side.

The pain passed and he looked down. Blood was seeping again from where he had sealed the wound with a hot dagger. It has to come out he thought…his fingers tracing the head of a spear just underneath his skin….but later will do, he thought.

He greeted Owen with a smile and took the fresh clothing from him and pulled his trousers on. Then grabbing a wad of bandage he placed it over the wound and asked Owen to wrap bandage around his torso to keep it in place. That done, he put on his shirt and got Owen to help him into his spare leathers.

All was done… He looked … and felt better for it. Turning to Owen he simply said “Come my friend there is much to do” and they headed back for the encampment to see Lady Loxley and Lady Halethala.

[Ranger Owen]

Owen had listened as Gerrad spoke, quick to help in any way he could.....he noticed the way in which the man carried himself as they moved away towards the stream. Something was not right with him, but it would not bode well for Owen to question the second in command to their leader, he would bide his time for now.

He had taken the scrolls and carried out Gerrads instructions, quickly returning to the clearing and gathering clean items of clothing from the place Gerrad called home. When he arrived back at the stream, Gerrad was looking cleaner but no amount of washing could clean away the dark shadows beneath his tired eyes, nor the worry lines from his face. Aged before his time. He also let down his guard enough for Owen to see what ailed him, grimacing when he helped to bandage the arrow wound. He did finally tell Gerrad that the wound needed tended and would not wait much longer.

After helping Gerrad to look the part, although knowing the man was near to exhaustion, he walked with him back to the clearing, both scrolls safe within his leather bag, he wondered what they held and was eager to hear just what Gerrad would tell Lady Loxley when he did speak with her.

[Halethala]

Even when he finally released her hand from his, she could still feel a halo of warmth about her fingers. Was it simply her imagination, her desire not to let him go, that made if seem a feverish heat still circled her grip? She’d even started after him, two paces, when he left with Owen, wanting to stop him immediately and question him more vigorously. He wasn’t well, nowhere near it. Watching after the two men until they were swallowed by the trees, she finally sighed and stirred herself to tag along behind Lady Loxley, albeit with divided attention.

There was still so much to do, so much she could be at, she chaffed against what should have been a welcome chance to rest while awaiting Gerrad’s return. It seemed they’d mitigated the worst of the wounds. What would aide them now most was healing sleep, and the compound had quieted some as more feel beneath the selfsame spell of slumber. Letha allowed her attentions to rise above the men’s needs as she stepped nervously into the precarious cage, murmuring to herself that nothing could be safer, yet clinging with whitened knuckles to the thick sturdy ropes and swallowing down her fear of heights. It didn’t terrify her, yet she felt far more comfortable with the solidity of earth beneath her feet, although she’d not have wanted to miss the marvel of such ingenuity that had gone into contriving such a means of conveyance. Her heart swelled once again with a deep affection for these men, this brotherhood now so battered by . . by what? A frown darkened her face as she spotted the crimson stain that marked the underside of her sleeve. Whose it was would prove impossible to tell, yet . . she cradled each possible face in her thoughts while she rose through their world, her brother’s face bringing a bittersweet smile to her own. Please, not his. It was going to be so hard to wait until she could expect time alone with him.

Wanting to wait until every tremor stilled before leaving the platform, she shook herself not to be silly and stepped off it, pondering exactly which way to go next. Several false leads later, necessitating having to turn about and retrace her steps, she couldn’t remember with any precision which plankways led where, she finally spied the open doorway and hesitated before it. Ah, but she’d been delayed long enough, Dream would soon be worrying what kept her . . and mayhaps by now she’d had sufficient time alone with her memories.

Trying for a timbre of cheer in her greeting, she moved to settle next to her friend on the Loxley bed, and circled the woman’s shoulders with her arm. “A half a measure here, but a handsbreath there . . it could hae been far worse, their wounds, aye?” She would have prattled on with assurances that could not be made, but for the lump that filled her throat. “Who could hae done such a thing to them .. “

[Gerrad]

(ooc.... sorry for the delay in posting Halethala....will do so in the next two days...thanks for your patience))

*Be safe & Well*

Gerrad

[Gerrad]

Gerrad made his way with Owen back to the Glen, they checked on the men as they made their way through the clearing. Some lookedslightly better, others would take some time to heal from their wounds. As they neared the tree that now housed the Lady Loxley & Halethala, he stopped and gave Owen some instructions.

Owen, ahh need ye to fetch four carts, and horses for each, and bring them to the clearing. Tha bigger the carts tha better. Ye’ll need to load two of them with arrows and supplies, the other two with some straw and blankets. When ye have finished, come to me in my quarters and ah’ll show yer where to take them.” He then asked Owen for the scrolls he had given him for safe keeping and smiled and bid the man farewell.

He stood on the platform that would lift him to the tree tops and whistled. As the platform arrived he stepped onto the platform and made his way in. Seeing his sister and the Lady Loxley together he moved as quickly as he could over to them. Lady Loxley looked as though she was at her wits end, clutching a blanket. He spoke quietly and with some authority to try and take her worries away.

“Lady Loxley….. There be nae need to be worried for M’Lord Robin, when ahh left him he was well an safe…an ye knows as well as I that he has more lives than a cat M’Lady. Now ahh need ye to organize some things for me. There is a fire to be made in the kitchen next door, just ask one of the rangers to light it for ye, and water to be boiled and ah’ll also need some bandages made”

He pointed to a box at the foot of the bed…

”In there ye’ll find sheets with which to do so.” He placed a hand to her shoulder . “Now ahh need to have a word with my sister and show her to her quarters. When I have rested a short while we shall have a long talk M’Lady”.

He turned to Halethala and smiled, took her hand, walked down to the other end of the room and they disappeared through a door. As they stepped through he stopped and looked at her for a moment then spoke softly.

“Halethala ahh am so sorry that ahh need ye here, ah should nae have asked ye to come….but ahh did nae know who else to call on as no-one in this realm must know what is really happening nor has happened.”

He paused .

“Come ah’ll show you yer quarters and then we will …..”

His voiced trailed off and he fought the urge to just sit down where he was.

“Ah’m nae well Halethala” he suddenly stated in a manner of fact tone of voice.

[Dream Loxley]

When Halethala had spoken, Dream had returned her thoughts to the present and was so grateful to have her friend with her at this most harrowing of times. Together they had tended the men, and together they were both awaiting Gerrad, the one man who might throw some light upon such dark times, sharing news of the past that would enable them to understand.....to see clearer and perhaps to make some sense of the awful situation his men had found themselves within.

She had smiled softly to Halethala when the kind and gentle lady had sat beside her, the warmth of her so close and the welcome arm about her shoulder gave such strength, such comfort. Dream could only shake her head in reply, for in truth she had no idea at all who could have done such a thing. The Rangers....her Robin.....Gerrad....they were all strong men, clever men with skills many could only envy, something bad and unexpected must have befallen them.....but she could only speculate and looked up with another smile as Gerrad made his entrance.

Although the man looked better dressed and cleaner, he still wore the look of worry and fear.......a palour within his skin that could not be washed away.

She listened intently as he spoke......but could take no comfort from his words......he kept much from her, she could tell.....but did not press him further..... It was obvious he had more news to share, but it would be Halathala who would receive such. Nodding to his instructions, she offered a half smile.....her mind in turmoil as she imagined all kinds of things, images of her beloved Husband along with those of the wounds she had recently tended made her shudder slightly. She fought hard to stop from demanding Gerrad to tell her more, it was not her place to give the man more stress, he had been through enough.

When the two of them had departed through the other door, she sat for a while, her hands carefully folded the blanket she had held to her breast, her fingers smoothed the fabric many times in every direction, easing out creases as if to ease the fear from her heart. Then she stood and placed it down upon the bed and simply looked at the place where she had spent many a night safe within Robin's arms. Her empty hands reached to the locket around her neck and tears threatened to well within her eyes. Whispering to herself and to the empty room, willing him to hear her. "Stay safe fer me........fer ye children my loved one.......stay strong and I shall........this I promise ye." Breathing in deeply, she held onto the air within her lungs for a moment, to gather courage, her heart listening to her head as it willed her on. Then she moved away and on through the small door leading to the kitchen area to seek help in lighting the fire therein.