I can provide read guard while we march. I wouldn’ want to slow us down any by being in front, and can proabably take the most damage with the least hurt if we are attacked from our flank.
The Wildcat is as understandable as you can read my interpretations of its sounds. Keeping in mind I am limited with what a close relative of *Felis Catus * could possibly say in Westron and using English in its place as per the Professor himself. He is a sandy and brown cat with uneven stripes and no more than 9 pounds and as little as 6 pounds. He is long and skinny without the best coat, but then if you were stuck in an Orc lair most of your life, I don’t suppose you would be having your best hair month either. He appears to be otherwise healthy and surprisingly intelligent, though Renee might not be surprised.
Marching order is a good idea. Someone rattle one off please. There are 12 of you currently. Riglo will lead and strongly suggests single file. He is not too worried about leaving a trail and wants to go for speed. Be ready for jogging. It looks like sturdy Gwaelur is willing to take rear and I am sure Thoroncir will wish to be near Renee to protect her.
Deor’s proposal is sound. Somebody, please launch the bird with the message to Caramir.
How about, from front to back (single file, as Riglo suggested):
Riglo
Miron
Thoroncir
Renee
Theogrim
Elfstan
Mulligan
Deor
Ghan
Hodwain
Brin
Gil-Gandel
Gwaelur
On second thoughts:
Riglo
Hodwain
Miron
Thoroncir
Renee
Theogrim
Elfstan
Mulligan
Deor
Ghan
Brin
Gil-Gandel
Gwaelur
Time to get moving I guess.
The marching orders look good except that Theo is of course not with the group. I believe we left him with Caramir. I think Ghân will approve of having Hodwain second where the entire party can keep an eye on him.
The marching order is fine with me.
Sheesh, a seven pound cat on a fifty pound hobbit? Don’t hurt yourself.
The party heads out. Swiftwing launches into the air. A group of Crebain make to intercept him but Swiftwing climbs for height and then dives like no mere crow could hope and zooms away. Folca’s keen sight sees Swiftwing fly out of range swiftly.
Checking with Deor often, Riglo leads the party back to the west. He takes few halts and marches until 2pm. At this point the Crebain that had been sparse, form up thick again. The skies grow darker and a strange mist is rising up from the ground around the party.
(As to the cat, my daughter can carry a 6 pound cat with no problems at all, so the Hobbit should be fine.) 
Fifty Pounds, are you kidding. Just under 40lbs thank you very much. 
Probably more like a 35-40lb Hobbit. That’s kind of why I asked. I was thinking bobcat sized when I was reading wildcat. That would probably weigh a half to two thirds of what a Hobbit weighs.
Let’s decide (up to the individual) if we’re risking a bird and get out of Dodge!
Sorry, this is kind of a cross post. Move it up two for it to make sense.
Elfstan whispers, “I don’t like this.”
Are we getting any “hair raising on the backs of our necks” feelings? In other words this mist seems pretty unnatural, right?"
Come to think of it, Fang is on edge, the Wild Cat’s hair is standing straight up and the Polecats are hiding deep in pockets or pouches.
Renee appears extra nervous and yes the Hobbits feel something is wrong.
If Riglo hasn’t slowed, Elfstan will try to catch up to him long enough to suggest that this isn’t natural and most likely not good.
It looks like it’s going to come to fight or flight. Do we want to see how much distance we can cover at the expense of caution or should we find a place halfway defensible and dig in?
Gwaelur is going to ready his xbow with some of those fancy silver bolts he bought right before leaving on this trip. He will keep the bow handy as well as an axe. He does his best to stay extra aleart to the goings on behind the rest of the party and above.
Yes, that’s what I was thinking as well. Good to know.
FYI: Wild cat
Another good article on the European wild cat: http://www.lioncrusher.com/animal.asp?animal=72
The Sea-Knight believes the party should keep moving as long as it can before the vampire (whom he suspects is creating the strange mist) makes her appearance. As he strides along, Thoroncir looks around alertly and his mailed fist tightens on the hilt of his longsword. “My lady,” he asks Renee, “might the Lantern of Earendil be of use against this malign fog? Or might the Song of Este have some helpful effect?”
Renee replies with a nervous quiver to her voice, “I will try both, but this does not feel the same and Missy is frightened to her bones.” She pulls out her bauble and begins singing. Her singing relaxes the party to some degree and especially the animals, but does nothing to the chilling mist. The light of the bauble is not as strong as seen previously.
Let’s keep moving- this may be a localized effect.
Thoroncir smiles encouragingly. “Be of good cheer, my lady, and all will yet be well. Our party is strong and well-armed, with diverse talents and means of defense, and help will soon be on the way, after all. Sing on!” Deep down he is not so confident, but it pains him to see Renee scared.