1.0 - The Marsh Bell

Robin is quick to introduce himself to their new companion, feeling awfully embarrassed that he had fallen asleep so suddenly after the prior day's events.

The wan sunlight over the Long Marshes do not look welcoming to Frór's eyes - indeed, the landscape ahead is almost eerie somehow. "I'll help with keeping a lookout in our travels," offers the tall dwarf, "I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!" He clambers aboard one of the boats and uses his ornate, yet sturdy, walking stick to help shove off from the shore......but he stubs his toe as he's getting settled in the boat, which is an awkward experience for him. It really hurts, distracting him from his lookout duties, and he takes it as a bad omen in combination of the ill-looking landscape ahead...

Inar takes the opportunity in the morning to fill Fror in on their task, making sure they are far enough away to not be overheard by the workers here abouts "Sounds like we're on the same path laddie, seems to me that us joining together would improve all of our chances....if you'll have us that is?" getting a positive response Inar helps with getting the boats down and then rearranges the load amongst the boats to make room for the other dwarf.

"...Aye," says Frór on hearing Inar's account of their quest, "when I heard the raven's news I knew it couldn't be ignored, but I'm not sure how far I would have fared on my own. Indeed, I'm glad for the company, and to have companions to share the errand with - and to find a relative among them! Who would've guessed? If it is Fate, then I welcome it! But at the very least, I'll take it as a good omen. Perhaps we'll find old Balin soon - likely at a roadside tavern or friendly house where the ale was so good that he just couldn't leave, eh?"

Then Frór laughs heartily, forgetting his lookout duty for a time, and just glad to be among good company whom he can trust.

Robin spends his time keeping an eye ahead.

During your first day from the stair of Girion, you move slowly, keeping an eye out for what might possibly be signs of passage of two Dwarves, or indeed -- the Dwarves themselves. The waters of the river move languidly here, as the marshy terrain gives it plenty of places to go and diffuse its momentum. Thankfully, it is still early spring, and the air, though pleasant, is not stiflingly warm. So there's that at least. Gilly, Inar and Fror look out upon the fetid swamp that is the Long Marshes and they cannot help but wonder how they will possible find Balin in such a place. They worry to, somewhat, that their journey is not only potentially fraught with peril, but possibly pointless.Thovetar notices a small grouping of water lilies tucked near a tuft of marsh weed. He has some knowledge of the plants of Middle Earth, luckily, and knows that the water lily is more than just a pretty flower that opens during the day and closes at night.

Feeling forlorn in this unwelcoming terrain, Frór speaks his thoughts out loud to anyone or no-one: "Where-o-where is our kinsman, Balin? Where could he be in this forsaken land? Yestereve I joked we would find him at a Friendly House or roadside tavern, but today - after seeing this endless, trackless, miserable marsh before us - I wonder how any lost thing could ever be found in such a place. Balin, my lord, where are you?"

But at the sound of Robin speaking the words, 'honeycake' and 'dwarven' Frór's ears perk up. "Steer us there to give the small one a helping hand, won't you, Inar?" urges the son of Grór.

Inar finds himself feeling equal parts joy at being in the presence of a kind man after so many years and the creeping feeling that Frór may end up a target just for being close to Inar. Something to worry about another day he thinks to himself, only paying half a mind to Frór's thoughts We have a job to be on with his thoughts still filled with a lingering darkness. His line of thinking is interrupted as Robin calls out, he nods to Frór "Right you are laddie" and starts trying to maneuver their boat closer into where the hobbit is indicating.

Thovetar is able to maneuver his boat with the two Hobbits over towards the weeds and Robin deftly picks up the batch of water lillies.

As Robin plucks the water lilies, Gilly idly asks, "Do you suppose the elves would like some? They've been ever-so-curious about us."

Inar blinks at Gilly's comment about elves before starting to scrutinise the river bank, taking care not to reach for his bow despite his every instinct wanting him to be armed.

With the water lillies collected, the food wrapper intimating the presence of Dwarves, and Gilly's statement about curious elves, the you find yourselves nearing the end of the day. Figuring you've meandered about 10 miles south of the Stair in the lazy river choked with weeds, you are heartened with the possibility of finding your quarry.

Gilly turns to wave at the elves cheerily throughout the day, and looks forward to stopping for the night so she can go meet them.

"Um, Gilly, wait a moment!" Robin says, already taking off after her, as though he expects her to not listen.

Fror remains behind at camp as Robin and Gilly head off towards the western edge of the boggy marsh towards the trees that demark the edge of Mirkwood. Though the going is not easy, nothing ill befalls either of the Hobbits as they hop and skip from tussock to tussock and splash through the occasional muddy bank. Awaiting them at the edge is a group of four Elves. One of them steps forth.

"What brings you to Mirkwood?" he asks bluntly.

Gilly bows deeply, "Gilly Took, at your service. We are looking for a pair of missing dwarves. We fear something ill has befallen them." As she straightens, her normally cheerful face is serious, "We have no intent of coming into your domain without your permission, though we would very much appreciate any council you could give."