text:
An interesting idea for printing a circuit board by Thingiverse user CarryTheWhat.
The goal of this project is to enable the personal manufacturing of simple electronics, especially for Open Source Hardware — with nothing except a 3D printer, your hands or equivalent, and the basic high-technology electronic components (capacitors, motors, transistors, etc — but note that this will also include mass-produced microcontrollers and their shields!). Instead of solder, wires, and breadboards, OpenSCAD generates a peg-board PCB and component holder, and a circuit can be hand-wound together with conductive thread.
This code base is intended to replace conventional etched PCBs, initially for very simple applications. Included is a basic feature set, described in the Instructions. The pictures and uploaded STL files are for a simple circuit which demonstrates these features: a battery holder (I used 3 watch batteries instead of AAs to quickly and easily step up the voltage and save plastic and time), a momentary push-button, a toggle switch, and an LED holder.
[via Ponoko]


text:
Speculation is flying that Facebook executives may be developing technology that would enable kids under the age of 13 to join the site with parental supervision.
Interest by Facebook in lowering the minimum age to under 13 years old to join the world's most popular social network was first reported in the Wall Street Journal. The network is reportedly testing ways to link a child's Facebook page to his or her parents', along with tools that would enable parents to decide who their children can "friend" and what apps they can use.
A Facebook spokesman told Computerworld that the company is investigating this complicated issue, but has not made any decisions.
"Many recent reports have highlighted just how difficult it is to enforce age restrictions on the Internet, especially when parents want their children to access online content and services," said the spokesman. "We are in continuous dialogue with stakeholders, regulators and other policymakers about how best to help parents keep their kids safe in an evolving online environment."
"That would certainly drive up subscribers," said Zeus Kerravala, an analyst with ZK Research. "But I don't know how valuable they would be, since kids under 13 don't have much purchasing power."
However, Kerravala noted that many kids now lie about their age to join the social network and this might curb that problem to some extent. And it also would draw kids in and get them connected earlier so they're loyal users when they get old enough to have more money to spend, increasing the power of Facebook's ads.
"The problem for Facebook is the under-13 set might find something else to use when they hit 13," he added. "The idea may be to get them connected now."
Any such move would mean that Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg has had a change of mind.
In May 2011, Zuckerberg, speaking to the world's top Internet leaders during the closing keynote at the e-G8 Internet forum in Paris, said he wasn't interested in working to get younger users on the site.
"We're not trying to work on the ability for people under the age of 13 to sign up," Zuckerberg said. "That's just not on the list of things for us to figure out right now." However, he did say that he'd like to look more deeply into the issue at some point in the future.
If Facebook is working to include younger users, it may be because of competition from Google+, which in January widened its potential user base by lowering its age requirement from 18 to 13 years old.
Google+ executives did not mention moving to add users under the age of 13.
Sharon Gaudin covers the Internet and Web 2.0, emerging technologies, and desktop and laptop chips for Computerworld. Follow Sharon on Twitter at @sgaudin, on Google+ or subscribe to Sharon's RSS feed . Her email address is email@example.com.
See more by Sharon Gaudin on Computerworld.com.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Meet Sally and Sam, our new resident ghosts. Sam and Sally are friendly ghosts but they do make some noise. Not Boo! More like a screaming WHIRRRRRRRRRRR WHIRRRRRRRRRR WHIRRRRRRRRRR! I blame Steve Spangler for the ghost invasion. The ghosts came into our lives after we tried his Screaming Balloons Experiment. And they've been haunting the house ever since.
Our balloon experiment started out innocently enough. It's actually pretty simple, involves sound and motion and helps teach the following scientific principles:
Centripetal force and Vibration
A latex balloon (we used Blue, Helium Quality, 12" size)
1/4" hex nut
(for full directions, see the Steve Spangler Website or reference page 137 in his new book, Naked Eggs and Flying Potatoes)
Place the hex nut into the mouth of the uninflated balloon and shake it down until it rests on the bottom of the balloon.
Blow up the balloon until it is a little over 1/2 way inflated. Take great care so that you don't suck the hex nut back out accidentally. Tie the balloon and examine the hex nut inside. Make the hex nut swirl around inside by moving the balloon in a swirling circular motion. Listen to the balloon scream.
Pulled in a circular motion due to centripetal force, the hex nut swirls around inside the balloon and, in doing so, the flat edges of the hex nut vibrate against the side of the balloon causing a screaming sound.
Our thoughts:
Instantaneously a hit. My daughter simply had no idea that the hex nut would make the screaming noise. Her initial thought was that it would just roll and thump around. Both kids were extremely excited that they could make their balloons "sing." That's right, even my two-year-old could make the balloon scream all by himself just by shaking the balloon up and down (under my watchful supervision - wouldn't want this choking hazard near him without an adult nearby). I first saw this experiment in the new science book Steve Spangler sent me to review, called Naked Eggs and Flying Potatoes. I admit I was rather curious as to just how loud a sound these "screaming balloons" could emit. It's actually a fairly tolerable whirring noise and not the super loud, ear-drum damaging screeching I was expecting. As suggested in the book, we also tried putting a marble inside the balloon -- no ridges, no vibrating screams. We haven't tried placing more than one hex nut inside or a larger size balloon yet but think those variations would be fun to try. You can watch video demonstrations on the Steve Spangler Website.
Now, here's where our little experiment took a Halloween themed direction, entirely my own idea I might add. The kids were enjoying playing with the balloons so much I thought it would be fun to turn them into screaming ghosts. We had all the supplies on hand to create our ghosts.
Extra materials needed to make screaming ghost:
White colored garbage bag (we used Glad tall kitchen 13 gallon bags)
Clear tape
Black Permanent Marker
Place the balloon in the white garbage bag and position it in one of the top corners of the bag with the balloon tie facing down toward the opening of the bag.
Gather the bag over the balloon with one hand and wrap clear tape at the gather (same location as the balloon tie) to cinch the bag shut over the balloon.
Draw a screaming face onto the head of the ghost with a black permanent marker.
Let the haunting begin. My kids played with their friendly ghosts for an entire evening. They named them, dressed them up in clothes (at one point one of the ghosts wore a cat-ears headband), and even made them glow in the dark with a flashlight. Good for the imagination and a perfect educational craft for Halloween.
As you can tell, I'm a big fan of Steve Spangler Science and a happy customer. I've personally purchased a few items from his website, tried his experiments at home with the kids and we've watched several of his YouTube videos. I'll post my review of his new book, Naked Eggs and Flying Potatoes later this evening or early in the week. I recently received a copy of the book for review purposes.
If you enjoyed this post you can find more Science Sunday experiments involving kids at http://adventuresofmommyness.blogspot.com/search/label/Science%20Sunday or even join in the weekly meme. Science is Fun!


text: The Intel® Teach Elements: Collaboration in the Digital Classroom is an interactive e-learning experience that offers an in-depth look at collaboration with a focus on online collaborative tools. In this course, teachers will see how collaboration helps students develop 21st century thinking skills, deepen content understanding, and prepare them for the global world. Teachers will learn how to plan and manage collaboration activities that integrate online collaborative tools which are increasingly part of our globally connected workplaces. Online participants will follow two teachers as they implement collaborative experiences in their classrooms. The course offers opportunities to apply the collaboration concepts with action planning exercises. Direct connections to Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are provided throughout the course and can be connected within the final project as appropriate.


text:
Vegan Sautéed Shallot, Crimini and Fennel Green Bean Casserole: A Repost, because I said so.
What?! A repost? Jenn's getting that lazy?! No, silly panda. I just happen to make this every Thanksgiving as it's always a hit. And it's a bit of a spoiler for my soon to be released cookbook, so why the hell not. Plus, my life has been crazier than usual in a major way lately, so I give myself full license.
Well, where to begin describing the blissful chaos that is my present life. For starters, I'm back in the Gayborhood! I'm beyond excited to once again be a resident of the city of West Hollywood. I mean, what the hell was I going to do with all my rainbow spandex in the damn Valley? On the downside, it meant I once again had to disassemble my kitchen and place recipe testing on hold, but let me tell you two orgasmic reasons that made the process entirely worth it:
A) My new kitchen has a bitchin' professional oven.
B) I have a KITCHEN ISLAND!
Now, don't be mistaken. I am not rich enough to afford an apartment with an island of granite already built in. No, no. Mine is of the Target.com, assemble-yourself-with-great frustration variety. But it's an island, nonetheless. And it's all mine. On wheels. So there.
What's also been keeping my blogging at bay has been the insane amount of traveling I've been doing over the past month in between and around the moving of apartments. I went to San Francisco twice, one visit spent dramatically more sober than the other. As I write this post, I lie in one of most amazing, dingy motels Portland, Oregon has to offer. We're having an amazing time so far. I've been to Food Fight!, Hungry Tiger Too, (thanks, SugarHighVegan for taking us there and Quarrygirl for the referral), Vita Cafe (faux turkey benedict-gasm), and tonight I'm off to Portobello. I can't wait to try a level of vegan cuisine that rivals my own. Hopefully I won't be such a baby and leave crying because they show me up.
Of course, there's been quite a bit of crazy (good) in my personal life, too, but I'll save that story for a rainy day.
Three recipes on the slate for next week. Expect a slew of posts before the end of the year, kids.
Happy Chanukah!
* 1 1/2 lbs Ready To Go Fresh Green Beans (recipe follows)
* 1 cup Vegan French Friend Onions
* 6 TBSP Vegan Margarine
* 6 TBSP Flour
* 1/2 tsp Salt
* Fresh Cracked Pepper, to taste
* 1 1/4 cup Imagine Foods Creamy Portobello Soup
* 1/4 cup MimicCreme
* 1/2 TBSP White Miso Paste
* 2 1/2 TBSP Corn Starch mixed with 3 TBSP Cold Water
* 1/4 cup Shallot, diced
* 1/2 bulb Fresh Fennel, diced
* 1 cup Crimini Mushrooms, chopped
* 2 TBSP Vegetable or Canola Oil
* 2 tsp Fresh Garlic, minced
* 1/2 tsp each of Dried Sage, Marjoram and Thyme
To Prepare The Green Beans:
First, make sure your beans are trimmed and ready to go. Place 3 quarts of water in a large sauce pot, and bring to a boil.
Get a large bowl with ice water ready. Keep it in the freezer so it stays chilled. Add 1 1/2 TBSP Kosher salt and the green beans to the boiling water. Cover and cook for about 6 minutes or until crisp-tender and still bright green. Keep an eye on the beans just in case they start to brown before the 6 minutes is up.
Drain beans in a colander, then plunge into the ice water. Drain well, then place a double layer of paper towels in single layer to dry, and top with a double layer of towels.
The Casserole...
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Sauté garlic and shallots for 30 seconds, then add fennel, mushrooms, herbs and spices. Sauté until slightly softened. Remove the pan from heat, and set aside.
Using a whisk, in a very large sauce pan, melt the Earth Balance over medium-high heat. And flour, 1/2 tsp of salt and pepper, and whisk together. Add the miso paste, and blend in well. Pour Creamy Mushroom Soup and MimicCreme in gradually while constantly stirring. Continue stirring until the mixture begins to boil and thickens.
Add the green beans to the rest of the sautéed vegetables and about half of your French fried onions to the sauce pan, and stir well.
Pour that mixture into a casserole dish or pan and top with remaining French fried onions. Bake in oven at about 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes, until the onions begin to brown. Remove. Eat. Let it cool if you're more patient than I am. Enjoy.


text: Hello, I was just wondering if it's possible to keep the variable values every time someone runs the program without using anything web based. So for example: x=0, when the person runs the program x=1. The next time the person starts that program I want x to = 1. Is this possible?


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The v001 framework consists of:
Learn more...
Learn more...
Learn more...
I'd like to announce availability of the second beta of the v001 Shaders. They are open source, Creative Commons-licensed video and 3D shaders built specifically for Jitter.
I've added some fun new shaders. The changelog is below. I've got some other shaders in the pipe, but I wanted to get these out the door. I'm trying to release a bit more often to keep the kitchen warm.
I would love any feedback, suggestions, compatibility reports and ideas for new shaders, so feel free to chime in. I have not tested these shaders on all hardware, so it's very possible certain shaders may not work on certain configurations. Your mileage may vary.
I hope you enjoy them, as I've had as much fun making them and learning as I have using them.
Beta 2 - 10.12.2007
Id like to announce availability of a beta set of v001 Shaders. The shaders include video mixers, effects and 3D shaders to apply to 3D models. The shaders do not require the v001 framework, but will require a decently modern graphics card. Id love feedback and compatibility reports.
v001 is meant to help bring a structured method for building modular and reusable performance patches for Max/MSP and Jitter - it isnt a complete low level programming system like Jamoma (nor meant to replace it), rather an immediately useful set of pre-made objects and patching methodologies. I have found this architecure invaluable for rapidly creating new modules to expriment and integrate into my existing performance system, as well as being able to drastically alter the functionality of my performance patch while still being able to retain all of the previous effects ive generated, without having to re-code anything.
If you are interested in contributing, have bug reports, suggestions, questions, feel free to post a comment or email vade at vade dot info.
For a quick overview of what v001 can do for your patches, watch the following screencast, and check out the example patches that show some real world examples of how to use v001.
if you have any bugs to report, please post in the wiki
Thanks - vade.
v.001 is a community driven, open source, modular solution for building easy to (re) use Max/MSP and Jitter patches targeted (but not limited to) visual performers and programmers.


text:
How to Wear Bright Eyeliner Like Mandy Moore
Bright and Beautiful: Ace This All-Around Electric Palette
Pairing a bright-colored eyeliner and an equally electric lipstick is a major beauty faux pas, right? Well, if Mandy Moore is any indication, this look is something that is absolutely wearable. The actress-singer paired a turquoise liner with a peachy orange lipstick, and the color combination is all about knowing what works for you. Mandy's chocolate-brown eyes pop against the shimmery blue-green liner, so the first thing you've got to do is match your eye color with your makeup color:
- Brown eyes: blue-green or purple.
- Blue eyes: orange or bronze.
- Hazel: purple or dark green.
- Green: blue or gold.
Next, choose a lipstick color. Reach for one that is the opposite of your liner hue. Mandy's orange color works in a few ways: it's an amped-up neutral that doesn't compete with her blue eyeliner, but it also complements the warm undertones of her skin. Stick with opposite colors (like red and green or gold and purple), and you'll nail this look time and time again.


text:
I feel like I should begin as if I were in a confessional: "Forgive me, it's been sixty-eight days since my last blog post…"
Lots of great things happening. Which I DO want to talk about. I mean, like YOU-WOULD-NOT-BELIEVE-IT level coolness. And when I say that, I mean, like, you can't even imagine. But I must get this post out before the event has come and gone!
We've put together the best exhibition yet for this year's San Diego Comic Con. Haute Campe, our division of drive-in movie posters, has made some fantastic poster recreations featuring top models, and they'll be appearing in our booth to sign them! Plus, we're happy to add some new artists to the Century Guild stable (BOOTH 2845)… PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES.
Century Guild – Special Guests
Melissa Auf der Maur
Signing Thursday 22 July 2010 2-3 pm
Musician Melissa Auf der Maur has served as bassist for the bands Hole and Smashing Pumpkins, and contributed to albums by artists including Rufus Wainwright and Ryan Adams. While Blender magazine lists her as "one of the hottest women in rock", I assure you that Melissa is much more than just a pretty (ok, gorgeous) face:
Last Fall, Melissa Auf der Maur's film Out Of Our Minds (with collaborator Tony Stone) was featured as an installation piece in the J. W. Waterhouse exhibition at the Montreal Museum Of Fine Arts. First shown at Sundance in 2009, her film is noteworthy as the sole contemporary interpretation of the Pre-Raphaelite vision to be included in this landmark exhibition.
Out Of Our Minds is part of a larger vision, including a record and other soon-to-be-revealed aspects. Melissa is a true conjurer and fine artist, and you MUST come and meet her! Please note: Due to concert obligations, Melissa will be at Comic Con Thursday only!
Lee Moyer
Signing Thursday 22 July 2010 2-3 pm
Continuing the Melissa Auf der Maur festivities, Lee Moyer will be signing alongside Melissa copies of his not-yet-revealed Art Nouveau-inspired MAdM poster!!! Lee has been in the public eye this past year as the artist bringing Michael Kaluta's vision for an expanded Starstruck to completion, inking the expanded images and meticulously painting the entire book. We love Lee and are happy to have him behind the table this year! Please note: Due to prior commitments, Lee will only be at Comic Con on Thursday as well.
Michael Zulli
Signing Thursday 22 July 2010 2-3 pm
Signing Friday 23 July 2010 12-1 pm
FRIDAY 1-2: SPOTLIGHT ON MICHAEL ZULLI PANEL UPSTAIRS (Room 4)!
Signing Saturday 24 July 2010 1-2 pm
Signing Sunday 25 July 2010 1-2 pm
IN HIS FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE IN OVER DECADE. One of Neil Gaiman's "go-to" illustrators, Zulli created the popular "man who could not die" Hob Gadling for The Sandman comic, and illustrated the epic final story arc, The Wake. Gaiman was so moved by Zulli's sensitive linework, that this story arc were the first books to be published directly from an artist's pencils. Following his work on The Sandman, Zulli retreated from the public eye and spent years sculpting his deeply personal graphic novel The Fracture of the Universal Boy, coming in Fall 2010 from Olympian Publishing. We are proud to announce that Michael Zulli is a Featured Guest of the 2010 San Diego Comic Con.
Annaliese Nielsen and God's Girls
Signing Thursday 22 July 2010 4-5 pm
Signing Friday 23 July 2010 2-3 pm
Signing Saturday 24 July 2010 2-3 pm
Signing Sunday 25 July 2010 2-3 pm
God's Girls has become synonymous with tattoed-and-alternative-model culture, and they are featured models on the Haute Campe drive-in poster recreations! Founder Annaliese Nielsen will be on hand, along with popular models Jenna Valentine, Tyler Christ, London and Toryn to sign copies of the posters… and surprise guests!
Jim Rose and Bébé Aschard-Rose
Signing Thursday 22 July 2010 3-4 pm
Signing Friday 23 July 2010 3-4 pm
Signing Saturday 24 July 2010 3-4 pm
Signing Sunday 25 July 2010 3-4 pm
Homer Simpson might have called him "boss" on The Simpsons, Mulder and Scully might have called him "Dr. Blockhead" on The X-Files, but we call Jim Rose "legend". With his Jim Rose Circus, Rose revitalized the entire sideshow culture, and became a worldwide sensation from the moment they were invited by Jane's Addition founder Perry Farrell to shock the crowds on the first Lollapallooza tour back in 1991 and paved the way for an entire generation of tattooed and pierced performers. "Today you see acts on prime time television that I was being thrown in jail for in '91 and '92," marvels Rose.
Jim and his wife, Bébé the Circus Queen, have collated the notes taken over a lifetime's worth of circus travels around the world on the luck rituals they encountered in different cultures into an encyclopedia of all things lucky titled- appropriately enough- Your Lucky Book. Illustrated in a nineteenth-century style by Jeremy Bastian, both authors will be on hand to sign limited edition copies of the book with a special cover, hand-stamped in metallic inks.
Steve Diet Goedde
Signing Thursday 22 July 2010 3-4 pm
Signing Friday 23 July 2010 2-3 pm
Signing Saturday 24 July 2010 2-3 pm
Signing Sunday 25 July 2010 3-4 pm
Century Guild is proud to announce representation of Steve Diet Goedde- a world-recognized photographer and one of the leading names in contemporary fetish photography.
Models Goedde "discovered" include such icons as Dita Von Teese, Masuimi Max, Aria Giovanni, Justine Joli, and Emily Marilyn. His work was compiled in two hardcover monographs, The Beauty of Fetish: Volumes I & II, by renowned photography publisher Edition Stemmle.
Steve will be signing DVDs of his interactive film Living Through Steve Diet Goedde: Photographic Anthology 1990-2004, with over 700 images digitally rescanned from the original negatives by Steve Diet Goedde himself, including hundreds of never-before-seen images.
Jeremy Bastian
Signing Thursday 22 July 2010 10 am- 7 pm (all day!)
Signing Friday 23 July 2010 10 am- 7 pm (all day!)
Signing Saturday 24 July 2010 10 am- 7 pm (all day!)
Signing Sunday 25 July 2010 10 am- 5 pm (all day!)
The success of Jeremy Bastian's Cursed Pirate Girl has reached levels of appeal that very few contemporary comics can claim. In the year since its first issue was published, Jeremy Bastian's creation has amassed a cult-like following, its followers ranging from comic book fans, children, industry legends and celebrities. The first issue has already reached a 4th printing! Jeremy will also be signing the above mentioned limited edition copies of Your Lucky Book by Jim and Bébé Rose. This weekend will also mark the announcement of Cursed Pirate Girl moving to a major publisher. "Jeremy Bastian is a genius" -Mike Mignola (Hellboy)
Thomas Jane
Signing Friday 23 July 2010 1pm-2pm
Signing Saturday 24 July 2010 2pm-3pm
Hung. The Punisher. The Mist. As if that wasn't enough, add that the man was the director of the brilliantly creepy The Dark Country and the mastermind behind some of the hottest comic books to hit the shelves in the last couple of years, and you have more reasons than you need to come and see the take Sioux Sinner has conjured up of a certain 1970s Italian movie poster— recreated with Tom in the lead role! Thomas Jane will be signing his Haute Campe recreation and will be more than happy to sign any copies of his comics Bad Planet or Alien Pig Farm 3000 you might happen to have bought before those things were sold out everywhere!
Gail Potocki
Signing Friday 23 July 2010 4-5pm
Signing Saturday 24 July 2010 4-5pm
Symbolist painter Gail Potocki is an anachronism: an artist who studied in the manner of the Old Masters… but grew up listening to Punk Rock. Gail is currently working on a series based on the Freaks of the 1920s sideshows, and her environmental paintings have become hauntingly relevant again this season. Stay tuned for details on a special charity supporting animal rescue efforts in the Gulf. "More than just paintings, Gail Potocki conducts seances on canvas." -Grant Morrison
Sioux Sinner, Linda Le, Andi Lyn
Signing Sunday 25 July 2010 2-3pm
Signing Haute Campe poster recreations: three of the most popular Alt Models! Doctor Who, Tattoo, and Anime Nerds everywhere will rejoice now that they know where to stalk these ladies.
Dave McKean (appearing by chance)
Nitrate artworks and edition prints, including the above painting of Metropolis.
Dave McKean has illustrated and designed covers for the most respected comics of the late 20th century (including Arkham Asylum and Sandman), has worked on film and book projects with John Cale, The Rolling Stones, Jonathan Carroll and Stephen King and has seen his work brought to life by The National Theater of Scotland (The Wolves in the Walls). McKean was also a conceptual artist on the Harry Potter films and created and directed the movie MirrorMask for the Jim Henson Company. A longtime aficionado of silent film, McKean's current body of work is inspired by the era and is titled Nitrate. His second film, Luna, is currently in post-production.
Lisa Black (artworks only)
Last year, Lisa Black's taxidermy artworks were a runaway hit of the show, and were featured on Wired and Boing Boing, and were the subject of more blog posts than anything we've ever seen. This year will certainly have the crowds equally enthralled!
Malleus (artworks only)
Italian artists Malleus are a "three-headed hydra" of creativity, and they make some of the BEST silkscreened concert posters in the world. Described as "Dark Nouveau", we are fans- and you should be too…!
3 Responses to "San Diego Comic Con 2010 SCHEDULE"
Kudos on featuring Lee Moyer! He's one of the most versatile and imaginative artists creating today! We represent him commercially (ad agencies, etc.), and deeply appreciate his range, richness, and timeless styles, and wish him much success!
Wow, amazing pictures, I love them, very nice
[…] are coming together for a signing of a yet to be revealed ART NOUVEAU MAdM xxxxxxxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo MORE INFO! i was given a sneak peek or art nouveau moi this week… […]


text:
My first time at making slippers! They are for one of my granddaughters birthday next month. Flanel fabric with brown cordroy sole. Fusible interfacing to the sole, then batten, next a layer of fleece then the inner sole. Check my Blujay store for other items I have made and are for sale. http://bevshuggables.blujay.com
Welcome to my world of creating! I love to make all sorts of stuffed animals. My creations have branched in many different directions. Making items from your memory fabric, old dress, childs outgrown favorites, dads old shirts, you name it. Many thing come to mind.
- BN Farrington
- Having a large Scottish heritage that migrated from England into Canada to Maine and other states. I am from a family of 9. Six girls and 3 boys. My dad died young when I was about 8 years old. I have 4 children and 3 step children with the great joy of 20 grandchildren. I worked in financial institutions and accounting for many years. Now I sew and make lots of stuffed animals and many other things. I'm a grandmother that has years of sewing in a wide variety of catagories. Photography has become one of my passions over the years. Nature that God has presented us is one of the greatest to photograph. My family and pets hate to see me with a camera in my hands. The bug took hold at Christmas time taking photos of my children in front of the tree. That became a tradition. Then you have family gatherings, vacations, grandchildren and the list could go on.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
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text:
Our full A to Z List of Stores offering voucher codes, discount codes and offers.
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Some voucher codes only last for a few days so be sure to visit us before making any online purchase. There is sure to be a voucher code or special offer to take advantage of.
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text:
Ashton Kutcher Says He Is Separated
Now it could be Ashton Kutcher telling the truth, or it could be Ashton just trying to score with someone, but according to a report on The Dirty, Ashton had sex with a woman in San Diego over the weekend who was certainly not Demi Moore. According to the site, Ashton was with Sara Leal and told her that he and Demi were separated. Sara then handed her phone to Ashton's bodyguard and went into Ashton's room to have sex with him. Good times. Well, I have been saying forever that they are separated, but I have to admit I was expecting the announcement about 3 months ago. I don't know if they held off when Ashton got the 2.5 Men thing or what, but this might be the tipping point that gets the announcement made. Oh, and Sara wants $250K for her story. So, if you want to get paid by a tabloid for reporting on the sex you had with a celebrity, are you getting paid for sex?


text:
STUFF4 Case/Cover for HTC Desire 620/Defense/Armour/Armor 1BPZIMGP6
Product Code: 1BPZIMGP6
Availability: In Stock
This pack includes: 1 x Protective Case/Cover.Protect your device with these designer cases. They will protect your phone from bumps and scratches and keep it in pristine condition. These designs were carefully crafted here in the UK by our in-house team of specialist designers and they are transferred directly on the cases using the very latest in case decoration technology.Image Representation: Please note that all images used are for illustrative purposes only and may not always be a perfect representation of the product being purchased. We do always try to portray the best possible likeness but areas such as the colour and design positioning may vary slightly.
STUFF4 Case/Cover for HTC Desire 620/Defense/Armour/Armor 1BPZIMGP6


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WASHINGTON — Civility or just silly, the push to mix Republicans and Democrats through the audience of President Barack Obama's televised State of the Union address spread across Capitol Hill on Monday, fueled by signals that Americans want to see more cooperation among the nation's leaders.
Hatched last week by Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., the idea caught fire over the weekend after a poll showed a big majority of the public wanting lawmakers of both parties to sit together at the presidential address. A spirited round of private phone calls and e-mails among lawmakers followed, and by Monday at least five dozen House members and senators had announced they had bipartisan dates for the big dance.A State of the Union seating/dating guide
The result could be helpful to Obama as he delivers what is effectively the first speech of his re-election campaign. Rather than serving the traditional visual of the president's party popping up on one side of the chamber for dozens of standing ovations, the applause will be more evenly spread, perhaps giving the illusion of wider acceptance.
Animated Boehner: 'There's nothing complex about the Keystone Pipeline!'
House Speaker John Boehner became animated Tuesday over the proposed Keystone Pipeline, castigating the Obama administration for not having approved the project yet.
- Budget deficits shrinking but set to grow after 2015
- Senate readies another volley on unemployment aid
- Obama faces Syria standstill
- Fluke files to run in California
- Christie acknowledges federal subpoena
- Obama says Fox News's O'Reilly 'absolutely' unfair in extended interview
- Christie security officer hit with shoplifting charges
- Animated Boehner: 'There's nothing complex about the Keystone Pipeline!'
More politics
But many Republicans, too, accept the basic intent of the new seating plan.
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., told reporters that he would be more than happy to sit with his Democratic counterpart, Steny Hoyer of Maryland. He suggested that if working more productively together is everyone's goal, "maybe the sitting thing is a first step.Story: As State of the Union nears, Congress plays musical chairs
"If nothing else, it shows we are trying," said Rep. Paul Gosar, a freshman Republican from Arizona who will be sitting next to Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md. "That's a gesture that the American people really want to see."
It may be fleeting. Good manners for an hour on television carry no guarantees for the political battles that loom over health care and federal spending during the two-year presidential election cycle that effectively kicks off with Obama's speech from the well of the House.
And for some — influential interest groups, for example — the drive to mix it up now, in the raw aftermath of the Tucson shootings that left six dead and Rep. Gabrielle Giffords critically wounded, under the gaze of the victims' friends and family members who will be seated in the gallery, is offensive for its implication.Story: Obama: State of the Union speech to focus on jobs
"The left has been promoting the idea that the tone in politics is one of the reasons why we had this tragedy in Arizona," said Brian Darling, director of government relations for the conservative Heritage Foundation. "This (seating idea) has spun out of that line of reasoning."
In truth, members of Congress are more than civil to each other in private, regardless of party affiliation. They play football and softball together. They travel to exotic locales and war zones in "codels," or congressional delegations. They have similar work lives as elected members of Congress, which for many means spending days or weeks at a time away from home.
Other political news of note
Animated Boehner: 'There's nothing complex about the Keystone Pipeline!'
House Speaker John Boehner became animated Tuesday over the proposed Keystone Pipeline, castigating the Obama administration for not having approved the project yet.
- Budget deficits shrinking but set to grow after 2015
- Senate readies another volley on unemployment aid
- Obama faces Syria standstill
- Fluke files to run in California
- Animated Boehner: 'There's nothing complex about the Keystone Pipeline!'
So it's not much of a stretch for most to sit elbow-to-elbow with people who are members of the other party. Even so, the sprinkling of Republicans and Democrats across the chamber Tuesday night will be a carefully calibrated affairs, more like prom dates than political marriages.
There were signs that symbolism matters.
A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Friday indicated that 72 percent of the public says Democratic and Republican lawmakers should sit together at the State of the Union.
Ross Baker, a political scientist at Rutgers University, said a civil evening would distinguish lawmakers from the divisiveness of the past two presidential addresses to Congress.Promises Obama kept, promises he broke
In 2009, Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., brought Obama's speech on health care reform to a screeching halt by shouting, "You lie!" Last year, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito made a dismissive face when Obama scolded the court for a 5-4 ruling on campaign finance law.
At this point, Baker said, "anything that contributes to creating the impression that Democrats and Republicans are not mortal enemies is a good thing."
Most popular
Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., a co-founder of the House's civility caucus, said the prospect of bipartisan seatmates was the buzz on the trip back to Washington. The congressional women's softball team, she said, might sit together.
"But really, for the average citizen, they don't give a rip where we sit," Capito said in an interview.
Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., a former professional football player, said he may sit with other lawmakers who are fans of the game.
Bipartisan seating arrangements are far more common among collegial senators. Hill denizens joked Monday that the king and queen of the ball might well be Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and John Thune, R-S.D. Odd couple Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Tom Coburn, R-Okla., announced earlier that they would be a pair.
The Tucson massacre and the call for civility would be the thematic underpinnings of the evening.
"I think it's tragic that we have to have an event like that to bring us back to reality," said Gosar.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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A modern, sexy and unique flyer, poster, invitation design for your next party. The final package you download includes a fully layered, renamed, grouped PSD file.
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General Mark Gordon represented the [New Unified Terrans]? via tele-screen, much to the dismay of Terrans everywhere. [Puri of Tandin]? represented the Kelvod, but his presence was merely ornamental. The Abrasia had entered his brain and some eyewitnesses claim that he was actually dead when the treaty was signed (this was, of course, the final stages of a rare form of Abrasia, known as Hypocerebral Abrasia, where the cosmetic effects of the disease actually take place on the surface of the brain). Obviously, there was no one left to represent the Jatok Fleet, but the lyrics of Book of the Veere already indicated their terms and conditions.
All three parties were generally unsatisfied with the terms of the treaty, but the massive destruction and loss of life was reason enough to finally call an end to the Wars. The Crylla Treaty is seen as the key segue between the end of the Orbital Wars and the beginning of the recognition of the [Union Reform Movement]?.


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Microgravity Science Glovebox
To most people a glovebox is a compartment in the dashboard of a car where manuals, road atlases, various oddments and even occasionally gloves are stored. ESA's Microgravity Science Glovebox is a far more complicated piece of equipment.
The device allows astronauts on the International Space Station to perform a wide range of experiments in a fully sealed and controlled environment, completely isolated from the rest of the Station. It shares nevertheless the weightlessness of orbit.
The gloves are the access points through which astronauts manipulate experiments, in the field of material science, biotechnology, fluid science, combustion science and crystal growth research.
Scientific gloveboxes are common on Earth. To build a glovebox that will last at least ten years in weightlessness, however, was a much tougher proposition. The Microgravity Science Glovebox had to fit in a standard International Space Station equipment rack and be versatile enough to accommodate a huge range of experiments and materials - including a few that no one had thought of during the design stage.
After being carried into space inside the Multi Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo in the cargo bay of Space Shuttle Endeavour in June 2002, the Microgravity Science Glovebox was installed in the US Destiny lab. The Microgravity Science Glovebox was subsequently moved to ESA's Columbus laboratory after the European module was installed in February 2008. Since then the module has been returned to the Destiny laboratory.
Microgravity Science Glovebox was built by Astrium in Bremen, Germany.
|Microgravity Science Glovebox
|Working volume
|255 litres
|Largest access volume
|40 cm diameter
|Pressure environment in cabin
|Negative pressure with air circulation and filtration
|Airlock module capability for transfer of payload and equipment
|Maximum 40 litres
+ 120 Vdc, + 28 Vdc,
+/- 12 Vdc, 5 Vdc
|Video link (analogue)
|Video cameras
|Video recorder
|3 + 1 hard disc
|Gaseous nitrogen
|Vacuum and venting
Up to 200 W by air
Up to 800 W by cold plate


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John Williams has been hailed by the Irish Times as "a musician of remarkable sophistication." Born in Chicago to Irish parents, he carries three generations of traditional County Clare music within him, from both his father Brendan and his grandfather, Johnny Williams. John is an award-winning accordion and concertina player with five All-Ireland titles to his credit, and is the first American-born competitor to take first place in the Senior Concertina category. His additional talents on flute, whistles, bodhran, and piano distinguish his as a much sought after multi-instrumentalist in the national session scene.
John's latest album is Steam (GLCD1215), a powerhouse of ensemble playing that invigorates the traditional artform. A founding member of the acclaimed Irish group Solas, John re-unites with his former bandmates Séamus Egan and John Doyle on Steam, as well as with Chicago fiddler extraordinaire Liz Carroll, guitarists Dennis Cahill and Dean Magraw, bassist Larry Gray (Ramsey Lewis) and percussionist Paul Wertico (Pat Metheny Group). Amazon.com says of the album, "John Williams is a button accordion and concertina player of rare ability, ably demonstrated on Steam. To play with the feeling that Williams does, you need a profound understanding of the music that transcends technique."
John recently served as Traditional Music Director in the upcoming Dreamworks feature film The Road to Perdition, a story of the Chicago Irish mafia in the 1930s starring Paul Newman, Tom Hanks, Jude Law and Jennifer Jason Leigh and directed by Sam Mendes (American Beauty). The film is scheduled for a late 2002 release.
John has appeared on numerous recording and soundtracks, including the PBS special Out of Ireland, The Brothers McMullen, and Traveller. His solo debut release on Green Linnet Records was included in the Irish Echo's Top Ten traditional releases for 1995. In Solas, Williams received wide recognition playing to sold-out audiences internationally and earning both a NAIRD award and a Grammy nomination for the ensemble's self-titled 1996 release on Shanachie Records. Most recently, John has been touring and recorded as a member of Tim O'Brien's acclaimed Appalachian-Celtic ensemble, The Crossing.
Some of John's dynamic solo performances have been captured on two award winning compilation discs, Dear Ol' Erin's Isle (Nimbus) and The Twentieth Anniversary Collection (Green Linnet). The first received the Library of Congress honorary distinction as an outstanding folk recording in 1992; and the second, a double CD of the finest Green Linnet recordings, occupied the top 15 of the Billboard World Music Charts for an unprecedented 17 weeks in 1996. John has also collaborated with friends Martin Hayes, Seamus Egan, and Joannie Madden on their individual albums.
Williams has performed at the Barns of Wolftrap in the Folkmasters Concert Series, as well as The World Accordion Festival in Montmagny, Quebec. Other festivals include the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, the Montreaux Jazz Festival, and the National Folk Festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He has played concerts in New York, London, Paris, Brittany, Zurich, Dublin, Belfast, and Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare, Ireland. National Public Radio performances include Mountain Stage, A Prairie Home Companion, and the 1997 broadcast of the July 4th Concert on the Mall in Washington, D.C. He has been the subject of the Irish radio program The Long Note and television program The Pure Drop. John has also been interviewed and recorded on BBC and CBC radio.
Williams performed at taught at the prestigious Willie Clancy Summer School in Co. Clare, Ireland, the Augusta Heritage Workshops in Elkins, West Virginia, and the Swannanoa Gathering at the Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC. At home in Chicago, John has taught for seven years at the Irish American Heritage Center and performed to thousands of Chicago area school children in Urban Gateways, the country's leading arts and education agency. John was a guest soloist with Chicago's Symphony of the Shores and served as music consultant and principal recording artist for the Goodman Theatre's production of Brian Friel's Dancing at Lughnasa in 1994.
John has been highlighted in Chicago Magazine's Best of Chicago issue as "Best Squeezeboxer for 2003," with a full-page photo of John and his concertina at the local pub.
For more information on John Williams, visit www.johnwilliamsmusic.com.
Quotes From the Press
"There is no denying that John Williams is a fine musician…Williams shows great versatility, playing button accordion Anglo concertina, flute and whistle, all adding up to a very well made and superbly recorded CD." – The Living Tradition
"Multi-instrumentalist John Williams' Steam is a lively, spirited rendition of some of the best Irish traditional music." – New Age Voice


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Observations: Seeing in X-ray wavelengths
X-rays are the signatures of the high-energy Universe. Any object heated to more than a million degrees Celsius will begin to give off significant quantities of X-rays. This is around the temperature of the Sun's outer atmosphere, known as the corona. It is therefore no surprise that X-ray astronomy began with studies of the Sun before detections of other X-ray objects elsewhere in the Universe were made.
X-rays are completely absorbed by the atmosphere of the Earth, so satellites are the only way of collecting this radiation. During the 1970s, satellites discovered hundreds of powerful X-ray sources in our galaxy.
They are more powerful that the Sun's emission and, in many case, seem to be coming from binary stars. These are not ordinary binary systems, however. Instead, one member is a dead stellar core, known as a neutron star, which is ripping gas from the ordinary star.
As the gas spirals through the strong gravitational field of the neutron star, creating a surrounding disc, it heats up enormously and starts sending X-rays into space.
Some X-ray sources are even more intense and astronomers think that these are systems in which a black hole, with its even stronger gravitational field, is replacing the neutron star. The most famous of these black hole candidates is Cygnus X-1 – so famous, in fact, that rock songs have been written about it!
Supernova remnants are emitters of X-rays as well as ultraviolet. Beyond our galaxy, much larger black holes power the tremendous X-ray output of active galaxies. The flickering of this emission can be used to prove that the heart of an active galaxy must only be about the size of our Solar System, increasing the belief that a black hole is responsible.
Now, ESA's X-ray observatory XMM-Newton is sensitive enough to detect the X-rays coming from the atmospheres of normal stars. It can also clearly see the X-rays coming from the gas in clusters of galaxies, making it an excellent tool with which to search for distant, as yet undiscovered, galaxy clusters.


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OOC - please keep comments and questions to the OOC thread (any who fail to heed this will become fodder for the author's hounds)
3019, III – March 7, Harrowdale
The menhirs marched into the very mountains themselves, marking out the dread Dimholt Road that the Rohirrim so feared. And rightly so, for a darkness dwelt in the heart of Dunharrow that was palpable to man and beast. Still, that was to be their road. No matter how dark, none of their number would forsake him now. Hanasian, Mecarnil and Berendil gathered around one of the stones and peered down the cursed road.
The plain below the plateau bristled with spears and tents and horses but it would not be enough. Not against the combined might Mordor would spew out to lay waste to the White City. Brave these Eorlingas were. Fierce of spirit, steady of eye and hand. No one spoke of the reality they faced. A long ride, a final charge and then oblivion. Assuming Sauron permitted them to reach Minas Tirith.
Berendil pushed out a heartfelt sigh, "Loathe as I am to say it, I can see no other course."
Mecarnil grunted agreement at that and the trio stood in silent reflection of the fact that come the dawn, this would be their path.
"Come," Hanasian said after a long moment, "I saw Shieldmaidens as we rode in."
The clear anticipation in Hanasian's voice prompted Berendil to inquire, "Why is that of significance?"
Hanasian swept overlong dark hair from his face and answered as if it were obvious, "Shieldmaidens!"
Berendil, the only one who could claim a strong friendship with both Hanasian and Mecarnil both, shrugged. Mecarnil scratched at his jaw indifferently.
Hanasian shook his head at them, "You don't want to miss this."
Mecarnil shifted his weight, the eldest of the trio by a good margin, and gestured at the Dimholt Road, "We don't have time to gawk."
His response was not unexpected as far as Hanasian was concerned. Mecarnil was a steady, solid Ranger of average height and stature. Damnably good with a weapon, and single minded. A stickler for duty. Berendil, though, had only a few years on Hanasian. He looked upon the world as a new and interesting place still. With his curious nature, Hanasian was certain Berendil "the Fair" would want to see what Hanasian knew to be unfolding on the plain below right now.
Remarkably, though, the tall Ranger shook his head at Hanasian, "Mecarnil's right, Han. The more prepared we are for this, the bet-"
Hanasian waved them both aside and turned away for the plain below. If they wanted to miss this, fine by him. He moved through the tents at some speed, dodging ropes and tent pegs with an ease born of youth and skill, and soon reached the switchback trail to the lower encampment. As another fell into step beside him, Hanasian shot a collegial grin at Berendil.
"How did you even notice them?" Berendil asked as they made their way down the trail.
"Their armour is different," Hanasian explained and gestured to his abdomen, "Reticulated, for better agility. I make it my business to take note such details."
"Odd," Berendil remarked, "Why would they be in full kit now?"
Hanasian's grin returned, "That's why I want to get down there."
He accelerated into a jog and Berendil found himself following suit if only to pick through his friend's newly discovered cache of information, "What are they like?"
Speaking quietly in Sindarin, the pair had little concern that any of the Rohirrim about would comprehend.
"Insular," Hanasian replied as they gained the lower plain. As he had suspected, he could hear the testing underway even now.
He made his way towards the press, as he explained further, "Established by Eorl the Young, I think, to serve as the King's shield. They've been gone from Meduseld for years now, banished to the East Fold by Wormtongue. I am not sure what function they serve now."
Berendil nodded as he took in those around them, "I think we can safely conclude it's not a decorative one.."
Hanasian's brows quirked at that but he said nothing further until they found a way to the inner edge to view what was unfolding. There were several sets of Shieldmaidens, all in full kit, battling each other with various weapons.
"What is this for?" Berendil asked, having to raise his voice to be heard over the din around them. The crowd was shouting and cheering, the noise as thick as the people around.
"Rank," Hanasian shouted back.
A sharp whistle cut through the field and the combat ceased. Most were pairs but in two instances, one Shieldmaiden had faced as many as three opponents all at once. The women on the field pulled their helms free and braids came tumbling out. All different kinds and lengths and colours ranging from a warm brown to a fair gold in the firelight.
"Two braids denote novices. Three to five are initiates. Six and seven are Maidens. Eight are masters," Hanasian explained, pointing out various women now retiring from the field.
"And the torcs? What do they mean?" Berendil inquired and nodded to a woman that stood with her back to them across the field.
Hanasian's eyes widened as he took in the eight torcs woven into her braids. Her hair was entirely braided. One thick braid fell to her waist from the centre of her head. Smaller braids swung, flanking it, from either side of her head. The colour of her hair, a rich red like that of a deep wine, glowed under the torchlight as she tipped her head back in a full throated laugh. She turned, her helm held under one arm by her hip, to call something out to one of the women returning from the field. A brief exchange ensued and the women met to embrace briefly, the woman with the torcs clearly proud of the woman she embraced.
He glanced sideways to Berendil and saw the man was transfixed, unable to tear his eyes away.
"That is Freja Fireborn, second in command of the Shieldmaidens of Rohan. Youngest to attain full mastery and gain all eight torcs."
"You know her?" Berendil asked, still watching the tall woman across the field.
Hanasian shook his head, "I know of her, as do all Rohirrim. The Shieldmaidens occupy an exalted position in Rohan. The people follow their doings closely, or they did whilst they were in Meduseld. As for Freja, she was a fosterling of the King."
"Hence her rapid ascension," Berendil speculated but Hanasian shook his head.
"She is uncommonly gifted and she has worked hard. Make no mistake, he countered, "Rohan has not seen her like in many a generation."
Berendil broke off his scrutiny of the Shieldmaiden to consider Hanasian a moment, "You seem… almost enamoured."
Hanasian sighed at that, "A woman who can steal a tribute of horses from under Mordor's nose? That's…impressive."
Berendil's brows shot up at that, "Foolhardy, you mean. Horse theft in Rohan?"
"That woman does not shy away from anything, Berendil. But be warned. Shieldmaidens are wedded to their spears. They do not abandon them lightly."
Berendil nodded thoughtfully as another tranche of Shieldmaidens took to the field.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Again, Vorda," Freja called and watched the initiate struggle to stop herself from groaning as she started for the field a second time.
Vorda had five braids now in her sandy hair. Rightfully, though, she could probably claim a sixth. Freja had only fifty or so masters amid the one hundred and thirty spears she had brought with her, but the remaining novices and initiates had experience and skills far beyond their official ranks. Such had been their service along the Eastern fences, beset by Rhûn and Orthânc alike. So hard pressed that there was not enough time to test for advancement, much less recruit and train. But that would not continue. Could not continue.
No, her sisters would ride to battle with their full due, their full honour and rank. And if they should fall, they will greet their sisters in the halls of the dead with their heads held proudly aloft. She owed them that, at least. All of this flickering through Freja's weary mind prompted her sip at the ale Éowyn had found. It was nothing remarkable, aside from the fact it wasn't wine. Wine was for pouring on wounds…or pickling things, if that is what you liked. Freja didn't.
"The spear this time," Freja added and saw Vorda's weariness punctuated by a grin.
A bright future lay ahead for Vorda provided Freja could bring them through what waited for them in Gondor. Freja continued to watch Vorda spar with one of her sisters for a moment before she turned back to Éowyn.
"I have missed this," Éowyn sighed wistfully and transferred her attention to Freja, "And you. Especially you."
Freja nodded at her words and rolled her shoulders beneath the weight of her chain and armour. She had almost forgotten what it was like to be without them now.
"Return to us, then," Freja said, "We'd have you in a heartbeat. You might have to start at five braids or six but I know you, Éowyn. You'd soon have that sunshine of yours braided entirely."
"I can't," Éowyn replied, surprising Freja.
"After the War you could. Théoden has recovered his strength now that Wormtongue is put out," Freja turned to spit as if his name fouled her mouth and drank a mouthful of ale down, "You are free to decide your own fate once more."
Éowyn shook her head at this but her expression was not one of regret. Rather, a strange smile set her entire face alight. Her eyes, a beautiful blue far more restrained than Freja's, practically glowed. The Shieldmaiden frowned slightly at her.
"I know how you chafe at being kept back, Éowyn. And now you have a chance, a real chance, at it! What has gotten into you? Where is the Éo that I love so well?"
Éowyn's smile blossomed as Freja used the childhood name and she leant forward to whisper in Freja's ear, "I am remade!"
Freja did not miss the note of exhilaration in Éowyn's voice but she caught something out of the corner of her eye that drew her attention back to Vorda. Freja growled quietly as she took in that Vorda no longer faced one of her sisters but rather a man. No Rohirrim would dare to intrude like this and indeed none had, though more than a few watched on in patent fascination. Even the other Shieldmaidens stared in open disbelief. Vorda was flummoxed and she looked back to Freja. At that moment, the man swiftly disarmed her.
Incensed, Freja threw down her ale and started forward as a dismayed gasp rippled through the onlookers. She was shocked anew when Éowyn caught her arm to restrain her. Freja came to a halt, anger radiating from her tall, lean frame.
"Vorda, hold your position," she ordered and then threw her bristling attention to where Éowyn all but hung off her left arm, "What in seven hells does he think he is doing?!"
Before Éowyn could reply, and it would take quite an explanation indeed, another man ventured onto the field. There were two of them now! He did not have the same a height as the man facing Vorda and his hair was not raven black, but he shared his grey eyes. These were not Rohirrim. That much was evident.
"My apologies," he said in a hurry, his manner respectful, "Berendil is unfamiliar with your customs. He means no offence."
Freja's eyes narrowed but before she could demand him his name or an explanation of just why this particular stranger presumed to know a Shieldmaiden's customs, the one named Berendil spoke up.
"If you are to fight men, you must test against them," he said.
Frega growled at the towering arrogance of the statement. Who was he to gainsay the practices of the Shieldmaidens tried and tested over generations?
Her response was enough to prompt Éowyn to warn her, "These Rangers are our allies."
"Desperate times indeed, then," Freja threw back but relaxed her stance so that Éowyn released her.
She hooked her thumbs through her sword belt and considered Berendil for a long moment. Her eyes raked over him, face to boots and back to his face again. That, in itself, was no hardship. Clear eyes, even and strong features and so very tall. Of course she noticed all of that. She was not blind, but right now her attention was on other details. At his height, he had a reach which would make his long sword longer again.
"Vorda," Freja called and beckoned her over, "You – Berendil – stay precisely where you are."
The man that had spoken on his behalf groaned as Vorda came hurrying over. Freja drew her away, followed by Éowyn.
Freja murmured, "Think of his sword and arm as one long weapon and do what you can with your spear."
She glanced up to see that while Berendil had not moved, his friend either. They stood together, studying her. Freja offered them a ferocious grin that grew when Berendil's face started to reveal the first traces of consternation.
She turned back to Vorda, "No blood, mind, unless he draws first."
At that Vorda's eyes lit up, "And if he does?"
"Turn him over to me."
Vorda nodded gleefully, reinvigorated. Nothing like the prospect of a proper fight to get a Shieldmaid's blood flowing. Freja shooed the initiate away and followed in her tracks as Vorda sped back to position. The two men seemed to be discussing something of great import as Vorda arrived.
Freja, rocked back on her heels and addressed them loudly, "I'm more than happy to dispense with a duel and move straight to the melee proper if that is your desire."
At that the crowd of Rohirrim watching on cheered with outright anticipation.
"Frega!" Éowyn called with no small amount of chagrin that was matched when Berendil's companion hissed at him, "See?!"
Berendil acknowledged him with a nod, "Hanasian has pointed out my error. I seek your pardon and will retire, with your permission."
Freja's brows shot up at that and she crossed her arms against her cuirass, "None of my business if this is all it takes to send Rangers scurrying from the field, tails between their legs."
At that laughter rippled through the crowd. Berendil threw his arms up and glared at Hanasian who threw back a glare of his own, "I told you that would happen."
"Coming down here was your idea."
"Pity you didn't attend me as closely on the other details," Hanasian rejoined and then turned to Freja, "Just to first blood?"
Freja inclined a brow but nodded all the same, "So precious few of you rode in tonight, so I suppose we'll just have to keep it to first blood."
Hanasian's jaw clenched at her words, and of course Freja had no idea at how callous they might sound for she had as much understanding of Arnor as Berendil had of Rohan. Using their genocide as a taunt was unforgiveable but Freja may not even know it was genocide in the first place. When he looked to Berendil, though, he found the man was still as a statue and seething. No stopping this now, then. He nodded to Berendil and then strode away to clear the field. The other Shieldmaidens followed suit until only Berendil and Vorda remained. As soon as Hanasian was out of the way, Vorda began moving. She wove about as Berendil swiftly drew his long sword, mouth pressed into a thin line of displeasure.
"Freja, it was a misunderstanding," Éowyn chastised as the bout began, "No dishonor was intended."
"And yet it was done all the same," Freja retorted, "That Ranger disrupted an initiate's testing on the eve of battle. Despite, it would appear, the advice of his companion. That is quite deliberate."
Freja broke off to catch sight of Hanasian again. How, she wondered, could he know enough to caution Berendil.
"Still, this only makes it worse than it needs must be. Vorda can be tested again tomorrow. There's time yet. And these Rangers are our allies. You risk imperilling that," Éowyn returned and Freja gave off her search.
"I risk nothing of the sort. It's just to first blood and you well know that I am, in fact, holding my hand in no small degree of forebearance for what has been done. For these…allies," she snarled the last word, "Such as they are."
"Thirty Dúnedain Rangers are more advantageous than you can admit. I know well what you think of them," Éowyn replied and, at Freja's nod, added, "But the simple truth is that you are wrong."
Freja did not answer immediately. Instead she was watching the match unfolding. As she had hoped, and perhaps Berendil had not understood, Vorda was very much holding her own with her spear. No shortage of fighting men, particularly Easterlings, on the eastern borders of Rohan.
"They skulk in their forests, flitting from tree to tree. On the open field, what use are they? And such arrogance! To presume a Shieldmaiden does not know how to fight a man!" Freja's voice was low and she looked away from the contest to glare directly at Éowyn, "But most galling of all, is that you defend them over your own spearsisters."
Éowyn swallowed for there was no easy way to say this now. Not to this woman, with her quick temper already roused by the Ranger's transgressions. Nor could she keep it from her. Not this woman, who had grown up with her shoulder to shoulder and loved her like the sister she had never had.
"There is one amongst their number, their leader," Éowyn began and Freja nodded, her scowl deepened.
"Even Rangers must have leaders, I suppose," she said, dismissive.
"He's the heir of Elendil," Éowyn pointed out and Freja sniffed as she had just remarked upon the weather.
Éowyn drew close, almost in an embrace, to whisper, "He took from me a cup of mead."
Freja's jaw dropped at what she heard but Éowyn cleverly gave her no chance to recover, "At Meduseld, before the King and Éomer and all gathered there. There was a great celebration,"
While Berendil and Vorda pushed on, Freja tried to make sense of what Éowyn had just told her. "One of these Rangers took a cup. Of mead. Real mead."
"But that means…it means…" Freja fell silent as her thoughts raced.
It meant Éowyn would no longer be free to race the sun, wind in her hair and the boundless plains of Rohan stretching around her. Instead, she would be trapped, penned in the stone houses of these Men and their politics. And would they ever accept her? Did they not fight civil wars amongst themselves over lineage? Gondor had, of that she was certain. How could even Éowyn, bright and fair and fierce Daughter of the Mark though she was, ever match the lofty bloodlines of these Dunédain?
Her dismay must have been evident in her expression for Éowyn said, "He is a good man. Can you not be happy for me? Just a little? My heart is full. He has brought me such hope, such light, when there has been only sorrow and darkness."
Freja closed her eyes and washed a hand over her face. She feared for Éowyn. Little good could come of this and yet, such hope and joy did indeed dwell in Éowyn's eyes. And who was to know what lay ahead? This might be her last happiness. Freja stepped forward to embrace Éowyn.
"I can see that you are happy," Freja murmured, "And that is all I have ever wanted for you."
"And I you," Éowyn answered, heartfelt relief in her face and voice.
Freja nodded, and despite her deep misgivings, smiled at Éowyn. That was when Vorda gasped, more in surprise than pain, and the crowd murmured. Freja found her initiate on her knees, staring at the back of her hand. A scratch had just begun to bleed. Vorda looked up, past Berendil, to Freja with wide eyes and managed not to grin at her.
"I yield, Freja Fireborn," Vorda said and at that Freja nodded. About now was a perfect time to give these Rangers a proper lesson in manners.
"Please don't," Éowyn asked her.
"I'll be gentle," Freja returned as she strode towards Berendil.
Berendil threw Hanasian a worried look for his earlier anger had receded and he had no desire to make an even bigger mess of things. The Shieldmaiden paused to divest herself of her sword belt. She shed her armour swiftly too and rolled out of her mail. She was tall, easily able to meet eyes, and he could see that she was both lean and strong. That much was evident now that she was clad in little more than a tunic and breeches. Though she had set aside both her weapons and her armour, she was no less perilous. He could see that very clearly too.
He said to Freja, "I have no desire to continue this."
"Ah, I see how it is now. You're happy to test yourself against an initiate but when it comes to a master…"
Berendil sighed unhappily at her and then grimaced over to where Hanasian was standing. The two men flickered hand signals at each other, communicating something. Freja took up a spear haft that was unpointed, hefted it a few times and then nodded her satisfaction. To that she added a shield. Heavy it was, round, wood with a dull metal hub. She carried it easily, as if she had been born with it on her arm.
"I have neither shield nor buckler," Berendil pointed out as Vorda hurried off, clutching her hand and still trying very hard not to grin in anticipation of what was to come.
"And I do not have an edged weapon," Freja replied, unperturbed, and glanced back to where Éowyn was fretting, "I have given my word that I will be gentle with you, Ranger. But if that will not suffice then I offer you this: I shall not dint that pretty face of yours."
Again there was laughter from those watching, particularly the Shieldmaidens and Berendil scowled, "I suppose it will have to, won't it."
"Now we understand each other," Freja purred and fell into an opening stance that she preferred for such situations. At that she heard those watching murmur appreciatively. Anticipation was electric as it eddied through her. A heady thrill. She gave the Ranger a smile over the edge of her shield. He shook his head at her and raised his longsword.
How hard could it be, he wondered. She'd been drinking ale. And she was fighting his two handed long sword with a shield and a stick. More than like, she was all bark and no bite right at the moment. He feinted but she did not take the bait. Perhaps she was as good as Hanasian thought she was and perhaps she wasn't. She'd been using his pride as a goad. Now it was time to return the favour and trip her on her own vaunted reputation.
Berendil pressed in with a rapid flurry of attacks. To her credit, she yielded ground as required, unhurried and unconcerned. That infuriating smile of hers was still on her face as she adjusted and he ended up doing little aside from battering on her shield. It was unsurprising that she was very good with a shield but defense is but half the struggle and she'd have to do more than that against him.
No sooner did he think that did her unfinished spear set to work. Freja was wickedly fast with it and while he kept it from cracking over his ears, arms and body, she managed to trip his feet. Berendil tumbled and rolled, coming to his feet and expecting to find her there ready to break his arm with her spear shaft. Instead, she had drawn back to wait. That surprised him. She'd struck him as impetuous. Hasty even.
Those watching cooed and then clapped and Berendil reset himself. At that, so did she and they were off again. In time, her smile faded away. He saw she had started to sweat though she was not winded, her breathing still well controlled. He'd gotten a few good whacks on her shield that he knew had to jar her arm. That can be anything from unpleasant to painful. Certainly it would weaken her. For his part, he was reasonably sure that he would painted in bruises by the time this was done. That thought prompted him to speak the first words they had exchanged since their spar commenced.
"To first blood, yes?" he asked, narrowly avoiding being clouted by a spear shaft. Apparently, her comment about his face did not relate to other regions of his head.
They prowled about each other still but at her nod, he asked, "How do you intend to draw blood without a blade?"
The smile she answered him with was one of almost carnal delight.
"There are ways," she promised, her wildly blue eyes glittering over her shield.
Berendil blinked, surprised at the way in which he had responded to her statement. She was a striking woman though not classically pretty. She did not bat her lashes or bite her lower lip or wind her hair around her fingers winsomely. For all of that, her long clean lines were strong. Almond eyes, perched atop imperiously high cheekbones, were the stunning blue of a mountain sky and yet they had seen death, blood, gruesome, visceral combat. They were knowing and right now they were trained on him...
Berendil stepped back. He cast his sword to the ground and held his arms out, palms forward towards her.
"A draw," he proposed, watching her frown at him from behind her shield. She hesitated, smelling a trick or ploy. He stepped back again.
"We are evenly matched," he told her as she straightened.
Her shield lowered to reveal her face. Cheekbones flared wide, a strong jaw that narrowed to a well defined chin. Freja looked him up and down again at length. Her frustration all but seared wherever her eyes travelled. Then she growled something in Rohirric, a curse by the sound of it, turned her back and stalked away. He watched her throw the spear shaft down, drop the shield, and then shoulder her way through the crowd. Still, Berendil waited, until the crowd itself began to disband.
Once that happened, Mecarnil and Hanasian both approached.
"What was that?" Mecarnil demanded, unimpressed.
Berendil bent to retrieve his sword and sheathed it.
"Common sense," Hanasian answered for him, "There was no way she was going to let Berendil off this field without at least one broken bone."
"Nonsense! A little more persistence and the boot would have been on the other foot," Mecarnil replied.
"She was softening him up," Hanasian argued, "Most of our time is spent fighting orcs, wargs and the like. The Shieldmaidens have spent a good portion of theirs fighting men. She knew what she was about. It's a special kind of ignorance that downplays the obvious experience of an opponent."
"Now you listen here. I've fought men too, you know, and-"
Berendil walked off on the debate, eyes raking the crowd. Mecarnil turned to watch him leave, as did Hanasian.
"Where's he off to now? Not more trouble, I hope," Mecarnil grumbled, as if that would prevent anything.
Finding Freja again proved more difficult than Berendil anticipated. He was routinely stopped by curious Rohirrim and asked what he had been trying to accomplish. Each time he was asked, Berendil found it difficult to answer. Yes, Hanasian had warned him to simply watch, to not interfere in whatever the Shieldmaidens were doing. And yet it had seemed so straightforward the moment he had strode out there. He had been trying to help and while he could admit to himself that perhaps there were other intentions afoot as well but those he kept to himself. In the end, he had only managed to make things worse.
Looking back at it now he should have known it would end this way. No good deed goes unpunished, Mecarnil would say and on this occassion he had been proven correct. Trying to explain that to the puzzled warriors around him seemed futile. All he could do was shrug and ask if they had seen her.
As a result, it was some time before he at last tracked her down. She was seated at a campfire with other Shieldmaidens. All laughed freely with each other, Freja most uproariously of them all. All had their hair completely braided, each in their own preference, and Berendil guessed that meant that they were all master Shieldmaidens. Some even bore silver torcs, none as many as Freja.
Berendil found himself struck by the contrast between the Shieldmaiden that had stalked off, filled with contempt, to the one that roared with lusty laughter now. That wild, utterly free and absolutely improper smile he had seen earlier was back. She was relaxed and the firelight made her hair glow. He shook himself and wondered what he was going to say. Aside from knowing he needed to speak with her, he hadn't managed to think much further ahead than that.
Then he wondered why it was none of the Shieldmaidens had paid him any heed. As far as he could tell, he was the only man standing there. Shieldmaidens of varying ranks had to divert their paths around him so they had to know he was here. Why were they ignoring him? As he wondered that Freja unfurled her long limbs and stood, still laughing and cheeks flushed with unabashed delight. Hers was a throaty, fulsome laugh. The perfect companion to her improper smile.
Still wiping tears of mirth from sparkling eyes, she stepped over the logs that ringed the fire and headed in his direction. Her eyes were on the ground as she walked, her movements relaxed. She had that loose limbed poise shared by the finest of swordsmen. He almost thought she'd pass him by entirely, her attention diverted by whatever the source of this hilarity was, but she brought her head up and stopped in front of him. Off to one side, she crossed her arms under her chest. No cloak over her shoulders, despite the fact that it was March and the nights were decidedly crisp even this far south. She canted her head to one side and raised a brow at him in silent question.
Before Berendil could answer it, one of her sisters called out from the fire, "Back for more, eh Ranger?"
There was simmering laughter at that, as if they waited to see what he would do or say next. Freja, though, did not chuckle with them. She merely studied him. Berendil had the distinct sense, for the second time that evening, that no matter what he did it would end up casting him as a fool. He was not an ordinarily proud man but even humble men value their dignity.
"They're goading you," Freja quietly informed him.
She shrugged at that and he saw the hint of a smile, "You amuse them."
"Is that what I am? A jester to caper for the great Shieldmaidens of Rohan?"
Freja shrugged again, indifferent, and Berendil retorted, "If so then I'm not the only fool serving the Shieldmaiden's tonight."
He spoke with no small degree of heat but for all of that, Freja's smile was wry and self-deprecatory.
"Like as not," she agreed without hesitation, "Particularly if you refer to me. There was no good reason for sparing your face, no matter how pleasing it is."
While Berendil was trying to work out what do with that, a call came from the fire, "I think this Ranger may be in need of another lesson in respect."
"They'll be at this all night unless we go elsewhere," Freja advised and nodded past Berendil's shoulder.
He glared over at the fire as Freja walked past him and then turned to follow her. As she led him through the encampment, the men she walked past called out greetings of some sort or the other. This Freja took in her stride, a friendly lift of the hand or inclination of her head. Sometimes there would be a mystifying exchange that seemed to be insults but left both parties smiling widely. Hanasian had said she was highly regarded but it also seemed she was equally well liked. How a prideful, hot tempered individual had managed that was a mystery.
She shifted her path sharply as he thought that and a short while later he saw Fastred pass by. No greeting or acknowledgement there. Clearly Freja had not befriended the entire encampment. The man swept a cool gaze past Freja as if she was not there at all and settled it on him. Dark blonde brows rose as he took stock of Berendil following along and then he shook his head dismissively. What, Berendil wondered, had that been about? His own black brows drew together in thought until he stumbled across a possible answer. Following Freja of his own accord, particularly after what had unfolded earlier, might be considered unwise.
The woman ahead diverted around another tent. Her braids swayed across her back and the torcs gleaming whenever firelight struck them. She was young, Hanasian said, to have risen to all eight. Second in command. Ordering people about was second nature to her. She didn't think twice, or hesitate, or even wait to see it those she had ordered had complied. Certainly the Shieldmaidens jumped at her words. She expected others to as well, he guessed.
It did not take long for her to lead him to a quiet place on the edge of camp. At their arrival, the few Rohirrim that had been there bowed their heads to Freja and departed. He hadn't even seen her make such a request but she did not seem overly surprised by it. She kicked a faggot of wood in their fire as if rearranging it to her liking and nodded.
As she turned about to face him, he said, "You're accustomed to getting what you want, aren't you."
Surprise showed on her face, "I'm accustomed for working for what I want."
Again her arms crossed under her chest as she continued, "And right now I am working very hard to determine how you intend to fashion a proper apology from that."
Berendil was flummoxed. She expected him to apologise?! Him? Now? She had already dismissed his earlier attempts. She narrowed her eyes at him and then shook her head. Freja turned to face the fire and stared into it for a moment.
"You didn't come to apologise, did you Ranger?"
Frankly, he wasn't entirely sure of his reasons for seeking her out now but apology had certainly not been amongst them.
"I'm not the only one who made a fool of themselves this evening," he answered and saw her eyes narrow.
"That so," she challenged and he stepped within the glow of the fire.
"The difference between you and I, Freja Fireborn, is that I have come to learn from my errors."
Berendil watched her eyes flare at that and she gave a short, incredulous laugh as she met his eyes, "And you, I presume, are here to educate me?"
"Allies should understand each other."
She swiftly sat, crossed one long leg over the other and clasped her knee with both hands, "I am ready to learn, Master Ranger."
Berendil was certain she mocked him.
"You don't think much of Rangers, do you?" he asked.
Freja shrugged at that and so he continued, "In fact, I'd go so far as to say you think you're better off without us."
"Thirty of you can't do too much harm," she replied.
"Perhaps thirty of us is all you need."
Her brows quirked at that and he saw a faint smile, "You talk like a Shieldmaiden."
Berendil nodded and then said, "Or maybe there is only thirty of us left."
Her smile shifted at that and so he continued, "What do you know of Arnor?"
"Big – north," she shrugged, "Not Rohan."
So, next to nothing Berendil thought and tested that with another question, "And Cardolan?"
Freja shook her head, "Something you might eat. A spice, perhaps. Why?"
Berendil sat and pressed a hand to the centre of his chest, "I am from Cardolan."
She lifted a brow at him but she did not smile. Her cocky assurance was banked and she was perceptive enough to sense that he was going somewhere with this. And so, he did. The telling took some time, even if he skipped over the intricacies. By the time it was done, he finally looked at Freja. He'd avoided that during the telling, lest he find her smirking and lose his restraint again. She was not smirking though. Nor scowling. Nor glaring. He found himself surprised, in fact, to find tears shone on her cheeks and she had pressed a hand to her mouth.
"All of them,?" she whispered through her fingers and he nodded grimly.
"Man, woman and child. My home, Freja, is a little more than graves and abandoned buildings now and that is but one part of Arnor. Sauron did not spare the others, either. Rohan has not been the only one to suffer under the his malice."
Her eyes dropped to the fire again. It was in need of more wood and so, to fill the gaping silence and address his growing restlessness, Berendil fed it. He leaned back on his heels and brushed his hands off only to find Freja had set a gentle hand to his shoulder.
"I am sorry, Berendil," she told him earnestly and he looked, startled by her sudden honesty, into her face, "I did not know."
Berendil tensed as Freja drew her arms around him and embraced him.
"I do not desire your pity," he told her.
For all of that, her warmth was undeniably pleasant. Vital she was, strong. She tightened her embrace a moment and then pulled back so that her face hung before his.
"It is not pity I offer," she replied solemnly, the firelight flickering over the panes of her face.
"What, then" Berendil asked her through a suddenly dry mouth. His eyes widened as she lifted her fingers to trace the line of his jaw but he did not draw back.
"Is it so surprising that a Shieldmaiden might be capable of compassion," she returned, voice barely more than a murmur.
She gazed up at him, as if looking at him clearly for the first time. He could feel the warmth of her skin through her tunic. She drew a deep breath into her chest that she pushed out again. As if debating something. Then she stood and walked away from him and the fire both, into the darkness beyond. Slowly, Berendil stood, staring after her. He felt…regret. And the pressure of someone's study. He turned to see Hanasian standing there. His friend shook his head at him in warning. Despite that, though, Berendil followed the Shieldmaiden's steps into the darkness.
She was not difficult to locate for she had not gone far and her teeth softly chattered.
He asked, "Are you cold?"
Freja shook her head, not sure why she denied what was obvious, and crossed her arms against her tunic. Though she could barely make him out in the darkness, she could sense his scrutiny. Did these Rangers see better in the dark? They were said to be the pupils of Elves. She heard clothing rustle and then started as Berendil settled his cloak around her shoulders. Freja held her breath as his fingers gently secured it in place at the base of her throat, barely grazing her skin.
Her mouth was strangely dry. Again. Not the first pretty face, she reminded herself, and this one seemed to have no particular liking for her. Freja allowed her fingers to explore the device Berendil had used to fasten the cloak. It was a star, the metal cool to the touch.
"Seven points," she murmured.
"An emblem of Elendil's followers," Berendil replied, "For that is what we are."
"And Aragorn is his heir," she said, puzzled by why it was these men were so enamoured of a lord, washed up from the ruin of a drowned land.
"Our chieftain too."
"Éowyn said as much," Freja replied, her voice thoughtful.
"What do you think of him," Berendil asked and immediately Freja recalled her exchange with Éowyn. She felt reluctant to comment on Rangers now. Frankly, she wasn't sure how to describe any of them anymore, particularly the one who stood nearby.
"It hardly matters what I make of him," Freja replied, neatly evading the entire topic, "My service is given to another."
She made no effort to keep her pride from her voice.
"Do you not fear what is to come, then?" Berendil asked.
She was struck, then, by a clear note of dismay. It made no sense to her at all, but how to explain this to a stranger to her land, her customs and their ways? Freja paused for what could she say that was not already known.
Then she pulled Berendil's cloak and pulled it tighter around her shoulders for warmth, "Battle is a Shieldmaiden's lot and I knew this when I chose my path. I will not turn away from it now."
"Death is what you live for," Berendil said and Freja shook her head impatiently, irritated anew. How dare he?
"I live for the duty I swore to uphold. Much, I suspect, as do you," Freja added for good measure.
"Perhaps, then, we are more alike than you think," Berendil replied quietly, his words cutting across her chagrin. She had no answer for that. She had been on such solid footing only a moment ago and now she was floundering in the dark. Again.
"If we prevail in this war, Freja, have you given thought to what might follow when it is done?"
Berendil's question was both surprising and dangerous. She answered carefully indeed, "A Shieldmaiden's life is brief, even by our measure. Little is served by looking too far ahead."
Berendil did not answer immediately and she was started by his hand. It cupped her cheek gently and all of sudden he was very close. His fingers trailed along her cheekbone to her hair and then followed one of her braids. He held it in his hand, toying with torc he had discovered. He must have been able to feel the etchings upon it.
"What is it for?" he asked, voice quiet in her ear.
"It is for the spear," she answered and closed her eyes.
Breathe, Freja. Just breathe. Berendil released her braid but did not draw away. Tension mounted and either she kissed him or she asked him a question.
Freja opted for the latter, "The long years ahead belong to you and those of your kind. What do you think will happen?"
His answer came easily, "Gondor and Arnor will be united and we will know peace. Such is our hope. There will be much to rebuild, in Arnor and Rohan alike."
"And Cardolan."
"I do not think it likely that Cardolan will ever rise again," he said.
Another question occurred to her, "What is Arnor like, then?"
"You wish to know?"
Freja shrugged at his question, "It is unlikely I will ever see it for myself. What business would a Shieldmaiden have in Arnor, Berendil?"
He seemed to pause at that, as if he had ideas on that of his own, and then went on to describe Arnor to her. She heard of Bree and of the best apples to be had in all of Middle Earth. One thing was clearest of all.
"You love it," she told him, "I hear it in your voice."
"I plan to return when this is done. And you?" he asked.
"Aside from battle, I do not know," she replied.
"Is battle all you think of?"
"Not entirely," Freja admitted, swallowing in a dry throat, for just at that moment she was not thinking of battle or war at all. She felt her cheeks heat. Damn the man for standing so closely. She almost leapt out of her skin as his fingers returned to her face. He drew them along her jaw on either side and then cupped her face between his hands. They stood like that for a long moment. Then she heard Berendil whisper something in the strange Elvish tongue she had heard in use around the camp. She almost sensed his lips drawing near but he did not kiss her.
"I find the thought of you falling in battle unbearable," he told her, as if puzzled.
"You answered your King's call. Why should I not answer mine?"
Berendil's sigh was heavy and he drew his arms about her, "I will look for you, Freja, upon that field. What comes after we will face together. All of it."
The notion was almost startling to her if he meant what she thought he meant. To say such a thing… He lowered his head and buried his face where her neck met her shoulders. Then he drew in a deep breath as he gathered her to him, as if he would inhale her entirely.
Freja asked, "A Ranger and a Shieldmaiden?"
Her question made Berendil lift his head, "If we may fight and die together, why may we not live…together?"
Berendil pressed a kiss to her brow, her skin soft against his lips, and reluctantly drew away. Now was not a time for undertakings beyond that. He was to take the Paths of the Dead come the dawn and she was riding to battle soon thereafter. He lifted her hand in his and kissed her palm. Then he strode back to camp. It was some time before Freja followed and by the time she had returned, there was no sight of the Ranger. He had vanished.
When Berendil gained the upper plateau, both Hanasian and Mecarnil had retired for what little sleep they could gain. He could hear Mecarnil soundly snoring. Something he should have done, would have done if only…Berendil slipped into the tent he shared with the other two men as quietly as he could.
Despite his stealth, though, Hanasian was clearly awake for he asked, "What are you up to with that Shieldmaiden, Berendil?"
"Nothing," Berendil answered even though he knew very well that wasn't true.
As did Hanasian, apparently "Because I've told you Shieldmaidens do not abandon their spears lightly."
Hanasian yawned, "So you aren't the sort for idle dalliances."
"What makes you think I'm dallying anyone?" Berendil challenged and at that Hanasian fell silent.
Berendil wrapped himself up in his bedroll. As he tried to settle in to sleep he found his mind racing and body thrumming. He closed his eyes and saw a pair of almond shaped eyes gazing back at him, knowing. What was he doing? Had he really said what he thought he had. He could still feel her in his arms. He shifted again, aware of the bruises she had given him.
"I'm not dallying," Berendil muttered to himself.
Hanasian sleepily murmured, "Perish the thought."
Berendil grunted and tried to find a comfortable position yet again. It was going to be a difficult night finding rest.