"To picnic, or not to picnic?"

by Nymme

Therenborough's Lands; To picnic, or not to picnic!

Spring has sprung. You have decided to air out your knickers with a trip north, or perhaps you live in Therenborough or Langenfirth. What better time for a picnic than when the weather is wonderful and you need to shake off the last vestiges of cabin fever!

The only problem you have is finding just the perfect spot for your picnic. The Baron's lands north of Lake Gwenalion are so beautiful and wild that it makes deciding upon the perfect picnic spot more difficult. Having spent many weeks up here braving the snow and the early torrential spring rains, I feel that I have found some of the best picnic spots in this part of the Lands. Let's start in Langenfirth and work our way north to Therenborough proper.

Near the edge of the town of Langenfirth sits a small street named Jalgelvjegu. This part of the town overlooks a small cove that gives one a nice view of fishermen and their colorful canoes. The abundant underbrush and the large fir trees offer a break from the busier sections of town. The banks of this small cove offer a few comfortable spots to sit and relax. The water is clear and cool, though not deep enough for any swimming, but just east of here, there is a swimming hole, perfect for when the weather heats up and you want to splash your cares away.

West of the cove, in the center of town, is one of the largest fir trees I have ever seen. All around the base of the tree are many good spots to picnic. My favorite is on the south side of the tree. The trunk of the tree is a bit marred by the claws of some large animal, but it is quiet and cool here. If you look closely, you might just find a spot or two under the branches which create a secluded area for a romantic rendezvous. In these sheltered spots, the branches almost reach to the ground and hide you from the prying eyes of others. If you plan on asking your sweetheart to be yours, this is a perfectly dreamy spot to ask for her (or his!) hand.

If you walk north over the bridge that crosses the Gwenalion River and head into the Danduwen Forest, you will be headed toward Therenborough. A few paces north of the city you will see a winding trail. A short step off the North Road is a small clearing; the branches of the trees and the thick underbrush make you feel like you are miles from civilization. The large trees surround this clearing and drop leaves and needles that are comfortable to sit upon and lend an earthy smell to the site.

Just north of the winding trail lays a shaded path. For those of you with a religious bent, at the end of the path sits a most wonderful altar, but for your picnic, I suggest the spot right off the North Road. The grass here is so soft that it was actually hard to leave. The trees that surround this clearing give the impression that they guard you while you rest, and the myriad of colors in their foliage make you want to watch the ever changing show as they move in the subtle breeze. The quiet hooting of owls that you can sense watching over you also lend to an aura of peace. This spot is among the best picnic locations I have ever seen.

After the last perfect site, it behooves us to head up the North Road to Therenborough proper. There are many nice spots to take a picnic break in this old city, and we shall explore them all.

In the eastern part of town sits Theren's beautiful chapel. Back behind the actual chapel, down a path in the garden, sits a quiet bower. This bower is a wonderful spot to relax and let the tensions of the day melt away. Glorious evergreen trees and bushes surround the small space; tiny Maiden's Breath vines woven among the brush lend color and perfume to the quiet spot. Sounds are few and far between back here, warning this is another romantic spot that could lead to many marriage proposals.

A bit farther to the east, just past the chapel, is Therenborough's Inn. Inside the Inn is a wonderful place to picnic for those of you who are not outdoorsy types or for when the weather is adverse. Once in the lobby you will see a set of steps. At the bottom of them is a small sunken fireplace. The floor is covered with thick, soft fur rugs that are comfortable enough for the pickiest traveler, while a crackling fire lends light and warmth to the space. The ambience, as well as all the comforts, makes this a wonderful soothing area to rest with your friends.

Back to the west just a bit sits Rutilor Boulevard. Off of this main street sits a large garden that has many superb picnicking spots. Just past the gate you will find a magnificent sculpture of Rutilor himself. The multitude of blue flowers from the clemantus to the plantain earns this part of the garden the title of Blue Garden. You could spend hours cataloguing all the shades of blue that you can find here. If blue isn't your cup of tea, travel farther into the gardens to find the Yellow Garden. A small pond filled with goldfish sits in the center of this garden and sets off the pretty yellow shades of the jonquils and marigolds. For a calmer feeling, you might try the White Garden where the pale flowers lend an air of peacefulness and tranquility. For those who want a more secluded meeting spot in the Gardens, the white Garden also sports a small pavilion that is perfect for small parties.

If gardens don't strike your fancy, head to the Keep itself. Just past the drawbridge and a bit to the east is a small grove of Sicle trees. Below the trees is a patch of thick, soft grass covered with tiny wildflowers. This small area of green inside the Keep walls is a wonderful place to stop and rest with your blanket and food. The contrast between the stark walls of the Keep and the lush grove makes for interesting conversation. One more surprising spot in the Keep that would be a great picnic spot for those who are not afraid of heights can be found in the Drum-tower of the Keep itself. If you can ignore the fact that there are many warlike tools up there, the view of the countryside is outstanding. There is even a soft wool blanket left by some other kind soul that makes a nice place to take a break and eat a finely packed luncheon.

As you can see, the Therenborough and Langenfirth area is filled with lovely niches to stop and take it easy. The lush woods of the area and the careful planning of both cities lead to so many wonderful areas. It truly was difficult to choose just a few. I am sure that many of your favorite grounds were not listed here. If they weren't, make sure you share them with your friends.

Next time I'll cover picnicking between Riverhaven and The Crossing! Until then... remember, good friends and good food are all the reason you need for a good picnic!