net.

i have completed your bow and the arrows to accompany it

it was a longer labour than i anticipated

but it is ready for you when you want it

though it has taken me longer than i anticipated i have finished the bow for you as well as a bundle of arrows

i even turned my hand to carving it for all things my people make have their beauty as well as their utility

i hope it will please you

In my life, I have seen many things strange and fell, but never have I beheld such a place as this.

I dare not hope that this is anything but the sorcery of Sauron, unless, perhaps, I have ventured forth to those unknown lands to which Men go when they fall.

Am I the only one observed by a flock of enormous crows, or is that now customary? I would find them less alarming if they didn't peer in windows as if looking specifically for me.

if i was to turn my hands to crafting bows would you desire one

you had been interested in my bow and i thought i would offer in the spirit of this christmas

and is there any way to make the small ones fools here call elves stop bringing trees inside to die for no purpose

i find it distressing and i can hear how the trees sigh as the life leaves them

to cut down trees to make weapons or to do necessary work is one thing

but to cruelly cut them down and leave them to die is unthinkable

and we are supposed to watch it and find beauty in it

i cannot even use the wood for bows

though if i took one to make arrows would anyone mind

Is there any archers in this crowd of people?

I left some early Christmas presents for everyone under the tree. I made you all some Hex Bags. Keep them under your pillow at night and in your pocket during the day.

[Filtered to Castiel]

There's two in your box. One is for Meg. Her's is a little different so I tied it with a tag that has her name on it. It'll help her stay hidden, okay? You've both got boxes with your names under the tree, too, in case you weren't aware.

what kind of creatures are these small ones in hats singing songs

i do not understand

why are there new things in corridors

why do they sing songs that make no sense

have we been invaded

i have enough arrows for perhaps two dozen

I am attempting to understand what has happened. Who else is in captivity? Who has attempted escape?

there is no way out of this city

no wall stands at its borders but none can pass through

the way is shut

arrows cannot pierce the unseen veil that holds us here

has any other made the attempt to pass beyond or am i the only one

what have my eyes missed

Since it looks like we may be here over the holidays, I thought that it would be nice to organize a sort of Secret Santa exchange. It might give some of us a chance to get to know each other better and it might lift some spirits as I imagine some of us are missing people back home.

So let me know if you're interested in participating. I think that I'll keep sign-ups open until December 9th and after that, I'll give everyone their Secret Santa and you can start leaving gifts. Just let me know who you are, your room number if you're comfortable with that, and if you want to let us know what some of your interests are that could help the person buying for you.

How are you settling in?  Figuring things out okay?