Middle-earth time is: Midnight on Sunday, Day 4 of March, 3013
Real time is: 13:33:20 MST on Sat Dec 06 1997

Ozymandias: Immediately, you are captured by the honest brown eyes of a traveler from antique lands. Framing his amiable round face are wild brown curls that extend down to his broad shoulders. His leather tanned skin displays the strength he bears in his arms. On his left forearm is a nasty gash, which appears to have never healed correctly. His impressive stature measures six feet and he weighs in at 210 lbs of well toned muscle. Currently, he appears to blend in with the midnight sky. He wears a black talbard emblazoned with the image of the city crest of Minas Tirith: the white tree and seven stars, in silver embroidery. Loose black pants tucked into black boots and a broad belt over the talbard. A shiny silver buckle hangs dead center.

Analdin: An intelligent-looking young man catches your eye. As he sweeps a lock of his relatively short blond hair out of his deep blue eyes, you catch a hint of mischief hiding in them. You judge him to be about six feet tall, perhaps a bit more, but definitely no less. His features, though slightly boyish in appearance, give him a definite sense of responsibility, perhaps a reason for the Lieutenant's stripes on his Guard uniform. The uniform, a black tabard with the stars and tree of Minas Tirith, black trousers, and polished to a shine black boots, seems to almost be too military for one with his boyish looks, but after closer inspection, suites him quite well. A helm of black steel, with raven wings sweeping back from the sides adorns his head. Strength, however, is apparent in his stance, physical as well as mental. His medium build doesn't leave much for what would be thought of a very strong man, but it is apparent that this lad has seen his fair share of hard work. The thoughtful gleam in his eye pears out at you, and immediately shows a good bit of intelligence, ready to be applied to any problem at hand. One might consider him quite handsome, though he looks boyish at times thanks to the short cut of his hair yet bangs that sweep across just above his forehead when his helmet is removed. Though black seems to be the dominant color in his clothing, which includes a black glove on his left hand, his almost Rohirric features makes it so he gives off no appearance of darkness. A well-polished and taken care of sword hangs from his belt, and he wears it proudly. His posture is friendly, and, though somewhat serious, a hint of a grin shows in his eyes and at the corners of his mouth. An air of purpose surrounds him like a light mist.

Elaia: A brown hawk. This bird of prey has strong talons and a sharp beak. It is ever watchful and untrusting of others. It's red eyes glare back at you before it turns it's head away.

East Emnet, Near Mouths of Entwash and the Anduin:  You stand on the path which winds beside the Mouths of Entwash. The swamps of the delta lie beside the trail, and you are glad that you have no need to cross into them. Swarms of bugs fly around the swamp (and around you) and dead trees and strange plants reach up from the marshy pieces of land that separate the different rivulets of the Entwash. The area smells strongly of swamp gas, rotting plants, and stagnant water.
 

Analdin is sitting on a log near the fire, wine skin in one hand, a few papers in the other. His gaze wanders often away from the papers and into the flames, as though whatever they are is quite boring. Taking a swig from the wince skin, the smell of apples hovers in the air.

Elaia flies about, a loud screech is heard overhead

Ozymandias opens the flap to the healer's tent and walks out into the open camp. His black uniform is stained with splotches of blood. His face is full of gloom and he looks down as he walks over to the fire for some warmth. As he approaches the man with the papers, an annoying screech is heard, and he looks up suddenly looking for where it came from.

Analdin glances away from his work at the sound of a hawk, but shakes his head slowly and returns to what he was doing. He does not look up, however, as Ozymandias approaches, but continues to read.

Ozymandias steps quietly behind the busy gondorian and taps your shoulder, "Lt. Analdin sir, may we speak?"

Elaia lands on the ground, she half hops about, looking for food. She turns her head to look at the approaching human but ignores him as she picks at things in the snow.

Analdin turns a bit in his seat, setting down his wineskin, "Certainly, Ozymandias. Have a seat." Motioning to one of the nearer logs around the fire, he drops his papers into his lap, and looks expectantly at Ozy.

Elaia hops near the men. Her head tilts quickly looking for food and looking at the two humans

Ozymandias turns his attention to the bird by his feet and steps around it on the way to the offered log. He looks at the papers his commander is holding and narrows his eyes, "Aye, sir. I have much to report. But first, may I ask what you are reading currently?"

Elaia still hops about looking for meat.

Analdin looks down at the pile of things in his lap, "Nothing more than reports and such, Ozymandias." Flipping through them, he adds, "One from Lieutenant Vorlain in particular, about the discipline in my company." Looking intently at Ozy, he lays them aside, "Now, what was it you wanted to say?"

Ozymandias turns pale, and drops his gaze, silent for a while. He says under his breath, "Aye commander. I wish to speak with you about that very incident in particular" and he adds strongly, raising his head to meet your gaze, "But I would like to clear the charges made upon me. I believe there's been a misunderstanding sir"

Elaia turns her head about, quickly as only a hawk can. She looks at the humans then to the ground, as if looking for them to feed her.

Analdin nods, looking over the note once more, then glancing at the hawk nearby. Calmly, he motions for Ozy to continue, "Go ahead, Ozymandias. I'm listening." The calm about him may just come from a tiredness that the color under his eyes can attest to, but there seems to be a bit more to it.

Ozymandias nods and takes up a confortable position on the log, "Well sir, it began the night the scout's made a successful raid on the evil ones camp, consequently rescuing the scout Ra klar. I had offered my assistance, and they ordered my and the rest of the available company to set a picket line, to cover there escape...

Analdin says nothing, but listens intently to Ozy, searching his face for any sign of... something. After wiping a stray piece uf hair out of his eyes, he nods and waits for Ozy to continue.

Ozymandias takes a breath, and continues, "Latter that night, I was involved in the grand celebration, drinking with my comrades and those in the raid. That is when Lt. Vorlain appeared. I quickly saluted him as soon as I noticed he had arrived, but I don't think I did so quite as early as he'd had like me too."

Ozymandias fiddles with his overly large bullish hands in his lap, waiting for your response. "He also warned that my behavior unbecoming a soldier will get me sent packing home"

Analdin shakes his head slowly, looking Ozy in the eye, "Ozymandias, I was not there to see what happened. But, knowing Lieutenant Vorlain as I do, I have a feeling he may have overreacted. From what I have seen, you are a good solider, and rather respectful for the most part..." Though he mutters to himself with a hint of a grin showing on his face, "Though I do not believe I saw a salute this evening..."

Ozymandias nods his head, "aye, and for good reason." and he tilts his head toward the bird on the ground. "You never can know about who maybe watching" and he finishes with a chuckle. "I'm sorry lt. I have more respect for you than you will ever know. Do you wish for me to salute you all the time?"

Analdin loses the grin, replacing it with a tired smile, "Thank you, Ozymandias." He pauses a moment, however, before replying to Ozy's question, "This may be my folly, but I have a feeling things are better off when a man is not so worried about getting in trouble for something like that. When you are on duty, Ozymandias, but..." Shaking his head slowly, "I do not, however speak for any of the other lieutenants."

Ozymandias gives his superior a grin, and a snappy salute. "Aye sir, I understand. There is one other thing, as I'm sure is in the report. Lt. Vorlain reprimanded me for another thing I don't think I was wrong of. I was too nervous and taken aback to confront him with it that night."

Analdin raises an eyebrow, "It probably is..." he glances down at the report, "What was it, though, from you?"

Ozymandias smiles broadly, "I am very glad to hear that Lt. I was preoccupied with what happened that night ever since. But I do have other matters to talk to you about. You asked my to report on the status of the scout's order. And they appreciated the concern. Sit Thomas gives you his greeting

Analdin nods, "Are they prepared, then, in the event of battle? Not that there is much doubt about them... For some reason or another they always seem to be on top of it..." A slight grin comes to his face as he adds, "Though, of course, the Guard is more often than not as ready as the Scouts."

Ozymandias nods and says dutifully, "aye sir, the wounded are stacking up, I helped sir Thomas with them" and he pulls up his blood stained cloak for emphasis. "They remain valiant though. But one thing, they claim to be low on useable armor. Is there any we can spare for them?"

Analdin remains silent for a few moments, looking at the fire. After a minute or two, he slowly look sback at Ozy, "Aye, I am sure there must be some somewhere we can dig up. Another thing to speak to Vorlain about." Sighing lightly, he looks down at the wineskin at his said, "Do you like cider, Ozymandias?"

Ozymandias looks past your eyes, seeming lost in the moment, he speaks out of sarcastic curiosity, "It's not Lady chrysalis' cider now is it?"

Analdin chuckles lightly, "That it is. Who else would bring such great cider out here?" Looking down at the fire, he adds, "Of course, she brought other drinks, if you haven't found them yet. Stronger ones."

Ozymandias chuckles absent mindedly, shrugging a bit, before he nods, "Aye, I would love to try some of this much reknown cider. I have no need for the stronger stuff anymore, ever since that first night with her..." and he trails off suddenly.

Analdin raises an eyebrow, "Really?" and says nothing more before handing the skin over to Ozy, "Have you tasted some of the other things she serves at the tavern? The other drinks, I mean. The food is pretty good, as a whole."

Ozymandias takes the offered wine skin and takes a sip of the bitter sweet liquid. A smile quickly brightens up his face, "Aye this is good, I've tasted nothing better. I've not visited her... tavern you say. She doesn't speak with me much, I disn't know she owns a tavern. I shall buy you a drink there when we arrive back in Minas Tirith, then. He raises the wine skin, "cheers, lt. Too... good dreams and good friends" and then hands you back the wine skin after chug of some cider.

Analdin grins, "Aye, good dreams and good friends..." Taking back the skin, he takes a swif of it, and sets it down again, "Well, was there anything else to report? I must be getting back to this work..." he motions to the papers in his lap.

Ozymandias shakes his head, and replies curtly, "Nah lt, but I must be going. The posts don't watch themselves don't you know" and he chuckles all the way to his post, waving at you as he goes.

Analdin nods, and, picking up his paperwork, gets back to work.