B2MEM 2012 - March 1st

[altariel]

The number called was: I18

My cards and prompts were:
March 3019: March 2nd, Second Battle of the Fords of Isen
Economy: Market Day
Alternate Viewpoints: The Tower of Cirith Ungol
Write What You Know: A character with whom you have something in common

Stepping-stone

Ever-mindful, she comes this way every year, although the fords mark the edge of her country, and the trail takes her off the beaten track. The March flowers glisten on the green turves like fresh tears.

On one occasion, she sees another standing on the other bank, a river and a world away. She half-lifts her hand in greeting; the other mirrors the move.

One day, when sorrow is less sharp, this outpost will become a trading post. A little wooden bridge will rise, permitting commerce. And the simbelmynë and the hardy hill flowers will cross the water, each way.

Snaga speaks:

...oh but it was a pretty thing that cloak and I swear to you I only put the tip of me finger on it and I’m thinking oh that’s smooth that is that’d feel nice against yer skin when the next thing I know the captain’s screaming take your filthy hand off that you thieving little scumbag and I swear all I done was touch barely left a mark but ain’t the Captain always like that (yeh captains are always like that) and then they all went mad but I kept me head down, well best that way ain’t it...

Comments

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

I do like the contrasting tones of these.

And I'm not sure who the narrator is in the first one, but I still enjoy it. (It's not Goldberry, is it?)

I'm looking forward to seeing more, if more there are to be...

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Thank you! The woman in the second one is a widow of Rohan, seeing a Dunlendish widow across the river where their menfolk died. There will be more this month, and I'll bear Goldberry in mind...

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

It's a long time since I read the books but I should have got it from 'hardy hill flowers'. Thank you for explaining.

I was wondering if Goldberry would be a character with whom you would have something in common. :-)

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

I do like the meditative moment at the Fords of Isen.

I am trying to work out what you might have in common with Snaga...

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

I always feel sorry for the little guys. Poor Snaga, bottom of the Middle-earth pecking order.

[aliana1.livejournal.com]

Both of these are wonderful!

I love the implications of healing and connection in "Stepping-stone," the flowers crossing the water even when it is not so easy for other beings. This line is especially lovely: The March flowers glisten on the green turves like fresh tears.

You also do Snaga's voice wonderfully, and I love the run-on sentence. Seems appropriate for him. The Write What You Know Card is mine, so I'm so glad it could provide some inspiration. But what, pray tell, have you got in common with him? ;)

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Thank you! At the back of my mind I had the idea that the flowers might cross-pollinate as a result of people taking seeds and so on when they crossed the river. The wind would do the rest anyway!

I had too much fun with Snaga's voice - thank you for the prompt! I always feel for the little guys...

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

These were lovely.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :-)

[fallingtowers.livejournal.com]

These are great, but the first one is particularly lovely. I really like the idea of shared mourning leading to healing instead of more bitterness and strife.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I imagined the flower seeds and pollen being carried over on the shoes of the people crossing the bridge.