Gypsy's Way

A warm summer wind swept across the plains of Rohan picking up heat and speed in the open lands. It continued it journey, brushing grass and tree, blade and leaf. Sweeping across the top of water, making waves and ripples, it gained speed as it moved north through Middle-earth.

It was spring, and all creatures rejoiced in its coming. Any snow that had been left from winters cold hand, had now melted and fed all growing things. Now Arien warmed all things below her, feeding plant life and signaling the birth of life in all lands.

Through winter and summer, spring and autumn a small band of peoples traveled. They were the Gypsys of Brikidan, a small outpost for traders and merchants amidst the woods of the Trollshaw.

Though Brikidan be their home, being Gypsys, they were ever moving. It was not common to sight one, and cause people to stop and watch as several giant wooden 'carts' of sorts passed. Carved of rich healthy trees, they had intricate designs woven into the wood. And those were often brightly colored of flowers and creatures no one had ever seen.

These were the Caravans of the Gypsy's. One of the last Caravans who stayed in Middle-earth. Most others who transverse across all lands in the older days of the world, now sought refuge beyond the Desert Lands or now their traveling paths had been cut short to just Brikidan.

Though every three years they would gather in the town to celebrate the passing of the Yule and the coming of the New Year.

The large sturdy wheels of the caravans rolled over grass and stone, pulled along by large sturdy horses. Each as colorful as the contraptions they pulled.

To most unknowing person, Gypsys conjured up visions of magic and tattered peoples who stole for their benefit and danced the night away. This as many myths had its roots in fact, but the reality could not be far from that.

Gypsys were merchants, artisans, hunters and yes even dancers. These Gypsys were no thief's, in fact, it was well known by those who knew them well, that all Gypsys had a loathing for Thief's. And Thief guilds for them.

Gypsys made, Thief's stole...it was how it had been since the beginning.

It was not that Gypsies did not have a thief's skill, as many were deft at the art of pick pocketing and slight of hand, they usually only used it in times of need. Thief's had a saying "every day is a time of need" and thus ones of those groups took the skills to an art form.

On this sunny spring day there was an air of nervousness. Something not befitting the loveliness of the weather and the temped breeze that blew. This Caravan was not scheduled to cross the mountains until late summer, it was now only early spring.

Paths that were once safe as anything could be in those dark times, were not so any longer. They now had to worry about warring tribes and orc's.





Alden looked to his right and left for the hundredth time that morning. He did not like the feeling of uncertainty. A creature of habit, he was used to the same paths all his life.

Starting from Brikidan the Gypsys made their way down and into a hidden path in the south end of Hithaeglir. These paths were lost to all but a few and lead out of the Misty mountain directly between Lothlorien and Fangorn.

Their Alden was quite friendly as any man would be, with the Eldar of the Golden wood. They passed through their fields peacefully far from the actual wood, and being a gentle people, respected the lands of the Elves and that of nature.

They then made their way on the outskirts of Fangorn, avoiding the mysteries that lie within. It was also said that they Gypsys had ancient agreements with the treehearders, though now there were too few of them to control the trees that grew wild. At one time the travelers would make their way directly through Fangorn, when evil was still strong in Dol Guldur...but now the way was dangerous.

Being a horse loving people, they were welcome in Rohan.



As welcome as Gypsys get, and would travel to many of the Rohhirim towns. Trading their wares for provisions, as Gypsys wares were very sought out and valuable for their beauty and strong quality. And two of their horses being stallions, were bred for their color to Rohan mares. In turn Rohan stallions were bred to the two Gypsy mares for quality. Alden also was known for his fine leathers that would become the riding tack of the Rohan peoples. The path then taking them through the gap of Rohan and onward to Druwaith laur.

Druwaith laur being the lands of the Wosie's and their kin. This was one of the places the Gypsys were fully welcome, and their they stayed for a while in peace. Between the Mountain and the sea.

Often they moved onward through the mountains and into Gondor. This path was not known by many men, and for the most part ignored by those in Minas Tirth who had a say of who goes in and out of the lands. After all they had more to worry about than a peaceful traveling band of merchants.

In the old days Alden could remember a longer journey through Gondor and into the lands of Harad. They would trade among the gathering of the Haradrim tribes and meet with other Gypsys of their sort. Whence things changed for the worse in Middle-earth all but a few of the bands took their paths through the deep desert, and into the deep jungles beyond Harad...and some say out into lands that had never been traveled by any now living.

Expect Alden. He had been as far south that he had seen things that no one could comprehend. Tribes and nations of amazing peoples that none of the North had ever seen but glimpsed in the faces of the Gypsys of Brikidan. Jungles where it rained every day and birds of colors that could not be named sung their unique songs among its foliage. Beyond that parries and grasslands and more deserts of all types. Creatures related to the Oliphant's, and ones that walked on legs taller than trees. Alden knew that their was more than he could ever seen in a lifetime, though he had heard tales.

Of lands where Emperors stood on golden thrones in forbidden cities, were wild felines grew to immense proportions and hunted in groups, ones that were spotted like the rays of sun on the water who hid in the trees, or ran as fast as the wind.

Of herds and herds of horned creatures grazing plains as far as the eye could see, and the place where Arien would rise as large and hot in all her glory.

He was told of peoples who's skin were as dark as Ebony, or those that were as fair as porcelain, and everything in between.

Of a nation that worshiped many gods and built monuments larger than anything seen since the creations of the Numenoreans, golden and tall these triangles in the desert towered.

He even heard tale of a giant ocean and that their were lands beyond where a number immeasurable of peoples and creatures and lands could be found. This was even far fetched for him, though part of him wished it to be true.

Yet despite all his wishing and dreaming of far off lands of golden temples, wide plains, vast deserts and wild creatures, he was quite happy in his middle age to follow routine.

For three and a half days the Gypsys passed through dark caverns in the Misty Mountains. Closed in on either side, it was said that it had begun as a great hall for a Dwarf people now long gone. It was now lost in all knowledge by all but Gypsys and perhaps a few others.

Parts of their path came across walls of open Mithril veins. This is where the Gypsys took the raw materials for their metal crafts, though they removed only what was needed and never became greedy in the taking. This was also the home of an underground water system which bore away deep caverns to reveal jewels of all sorts ripe for the picking.

The gypsy's again took only small provisions of these jewels, already cut to fine shapes my a millennia of erosion. And again they would touch none of the larger beauties, believing they belonged to the mountains itself.

Soon sunlight could bee seen and the caravans made their way out. The Horses though brave and many used to the caverns, were glad for the true open lands.

It was still a lovely day when Alden and his company came out the other way. The doors closed seamlessly behind them. It would be two days before they were between Fangorn and Mirkwood. Alden was unsure of Dol Guldur, before they were never seen, but now he knew they would have to take an old road through Fangorn and trust to old friendships.









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They arrived two days later during the night, with no event. The forest was quiet, recognizing the band and their peaceful intentions. And for this Alden was most thankful. To peer through the lighter side of foliage one cold just barely make out the field beyond, and beyond that...the lining that made up the greenwood.

It was a quiet night, yet not a dangerous silence. With good fortune, they would go about unnoticed. A fire was quickly set up in the center of their encampment, and the horses tethered for the night.

"What is it Alden?" A heavily accented voice came from behind. Senon was approaching from the Caravans, his second in command's dark eyes searching beyond the foliage.

"Nothing out of the Ordinary, thank the Vala. And I hope for it to remain that way. No news is good news I always say" Alden grinned in the dark and pat the younger man on the shoulder.

He made his way back to the Caravans, stepping over branches and logs. Little did they know that their modest fire had indeed caught the attention of another being. Alden's passed the horse that pulled his caravan and gave the stallion a pat on his shoulder, the the horse lifted his head, chewing the grass he pulled from the ground. And Alden disappeared to see to the rest of his companions.

The eyes that watch them from a distance went unnoticed by all, except the keen senses of the Stallion. He quietly dropped his head again to graze, one ear turned in that direction.

They were being watched.








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//Twenty one steps, turn, twenty one steps.// Alden paused between the food table and a Caravan. Then began his pacing once more. Early that morning his adopted daughter Akilah had vanished, taking her bow and quiver. He knew she went to stalk out some game...but she had gone alone. And that bothered him immensely.

//Valar, why does this child insist on graying me prematurely// he sighed and turned, taking twenty more steps. The sound of blades of grass and dirt crunching underneath his boot.

From the top of the steps of one of the caravans small patios, Ninaska watch Alden pace.

"Peace Alden, we will seek her" It was a rare thing indeed to hear Helaku speak. The young man was silent most of the times and spoke only when spoken to. He gathered his own bow in his hands and swung his quiver upon his back, Adjusting his white tunic and colorful vest.

"Ill go to, not to worry. She has probably just lost track of the time" Senon smiled hopefully and sheathing his curved sword at his side, he followed his friend. Alden ran a hand through his dusty blonde, graying hair. Blue eyes watched the two young man move off into the brush. Senon nudged Helaku, and in return Helaku pushed Senon easily almost knocking him off his feet. Both men laughed and disappeared into the brush. Alden could only shake his head, a grin stubbornly making its way to his lips.

"They shall find her sister son, you need not worry. The girl is strong, she knows her way" Ninaskah watch Alden with old grey-blue eyes. She was the most patient person he knew, helping raised Alden, then Akilah. He wished he had her patience.

"I worry more about them getting themselves into trouble" he groaned and turned from where Helaku and Senon had gone, took a deep breath, and then twenty more steps.









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If ones eye was not trained to perfection, one would not have caught the woman crouched down low in the brush that was the a small rivers that lie directly between the Goldenwood and Fangorn. She knew she should not be there, she knew it was dangerous. She just did not care.

Perhaps it was not so much a lack of care for boundaries, but more the thrill of the hunt. She pushed herself up more and watch her quarry move casually trot to the waters edge. Cursing her luck, she wait for the right time. She should not be there, not so close. And now she should not be thinking of doing what she was about to. Moving with fluid grace she rose and silently as she could, made her way inside the outskirts of Lothlorien.

They were quite far from where the elves would be. And she was sure that they would not notice. Not even the mystical Eldar could see all at once. She was not about to take down any of the animals, she just wanted to watch. Her dark thick hair plated back and away from her face. Her head had been bound by her head shawl, but it was now hanging loosely upon her shoulders. The deer were quite large here, something rare where she came from. Their cotton-like white tails batting back and forth as they graze. The heard had many beautiful healthy females, several new fawns and one impressive buck. It was this buck that impressed her the most. She wanted to get a closer look.

Akilah's feet took her closer and instinct told her where to move and hide. Finding a perfect spot where she would be hidden, yet she could see the animals Suddenly without noise Helaku dropped himself directly next to Akilah. She was not startled nor was she surprised, her keen ears heard him coming. "I hope you didn't bring..." Her words were cut short by the soft sound of a twig cracking under Senon's hand.

It was a soft sound, yet the encompassing forests on either side took it up and made it echo. The deer became startled and started to bound off.

Akilah cursed under her breath and both her and Helaku turned their faces to look at Senon between them. Both hands rising in unison and deftly smacking him in the back of his head. He said nothing, only rubbing his head and mouthing 'what?', the question getting him another glare from Akilah.

She sighed, disappointed at losing the fine heard. She had wanted to watch them more. Then pulled her head shawl back upon her head, the red silk bound tightly in the proper fashion.

Suddenly a horrible sound pierced the air, out of nowhere it seemed a band of Orcs! And in the light!

All three rose suddenly, the deer appearing again, startled by the evil beasts. Akilah, Helaku and Senon ran along side the deer, startled birds above their heads. It was chaos, the creatures were not chasing the dear, they were being chased. Hundreds of arrows began to fly, killing many of them, and the deer were frantic. Yet for all she tired, Akilah could not spot the archers who hunted the Orc.

Senon fell back and did his best to avoid the sharp hooves of the hysterical creatures. Orcs just missing him. Soon they had been noticed and now it was their turn to fight. Still on the ground Senon pulled his sword with a sharp 'cling', the curved blade glinting in the light.

Helaku was already hard at work, arrows flying as he backpedaled, avoiding the dear who were now disoriented. They circled and circled around all of them. Trying to avoid the orcs and the arrows.

"We must get out of here or we will be caught between angry orc and angry antlers!" Galttaro said, finally gaining his balance, one foot in the water the other braced on solid ground as he had fallen halfway into the stream. They were no match for Orc party, perhaps with the aid of Alden, but not this.

"Run!!" Helaku cried, always the voice of logic, and ran straight for Senon, grabbing his arm and turning his head to look for Akilah. He almost stopped when he could not see her, it was Senon's force and tugging that kept him moving, dodging arrow after black arrow as one or two of the Uruk-hai tried to catch them, perhaps thinking the arrows were coming from their bows. He threw himself into Fangorn and was tugged by Helaku into a safe hiding place.

It seemed forever before it had quieted down, only one scare as a deer bounded past them into the forest. Senon had his hand on his chest, trying to catch his breath and slow his heart after that doe startled him. Helaku as usual looked calmer than his counterpart, but he was not relieved.

He nearly ran back out into the grassy field, breathing hitched Senon followed. "Where...gasp...is...she?" He lowered his hands to his knees, doubled over in an attempt to get air into his lungs. Helaku only nodded, his jet black hair shaking about his neck. His face was that of fear, and that did not bode well to Senon. When Helaku was unnerved, it was time to be seriously worried.

"We have to find her! What if she's hurt" Helaku turned to Senon and grabbed his friends arm, pulling even as the man resheath his sword. They both walked to where they had been crouched before. Orcish bodies were littered about the area and they stepped round them gingerly, least one be alive.

Cupping one hand over his brown eyes, Senon search the surrounding area for any sign of their younger 'sister'. With another sudden rush of fear and noise, a still living Goblin reach up and grab his leg. He could not unsheathe his blade quick enough, and just as the foul beast growled and went to swing its own weapon it fell, dead. Another arrow protruding from its back.

Startled, Senon had no words. His jaw just hung open and he stare at the felled thing as he pulled his leg from its vice-like grip. Helaku step beside Senon, and nudged him slightly. Finally able to recover he looked at his friend to question him and noticed instantly that Helaku was staring ahead. He too looked ahead, eyes wide.



"uh oh.." was all he could say....