[WarBringer]

Valthalion lowered his head and sighed. How could he tell Snaveling the full truth? He had built his life around honor and bravery, and for anyone to think otherwise, especially Snaveling, would be horrible. He would do anything to avenge his friend, but would anything restore his honor? Valthalion gripped his sword and drew it, showing it to Snaveling.

"This is Raukorist, Demon Cleaver, a gift of the Lord Elessar. I have born it through many dangers, and it has cloven many foes. And yet, I feel unworthy to bear such a weapon, for I have shamed myself beyond all reckoning. You must understand, I cannot return to Gondor until I have avenged myself, until my deeds measure up to the majesty of my lord, I WILL NOT RETURN! Long i have thought of the War of the Ring and the valor of Aragorn, now known as Elessar. He faced his test and passed, to his great reward. I was faced with an easier test, and failed to measure up.", said Valthalion.

Snaveling placed his hand upon his chin, and spoke "Val, few can measure up to the one who restored the lordship of man. It is not up to you to accomplish this deed."

Val's eyes shone like the fiery sun, and he spoke "You have gained much wisdom, and yet still you do not know how to read the hearts of men! I will not simply act as one who is nothing, a mere ranger in a world of heroes. I will rise to meet them, nay, rise ABOVE them! I know not who this warlord is, nor what his origins, nor how he came to survive the hunts of Gondor. I tell you, a great power is within this man, and though I have seen it not (and do not wish to, for that matter), this man's eyes burn with the fury of the Great Eye. In all the tales I have heard I have never learned of such a man. Now my heart tells me I must meet this man in battle ere my end, and yet there is a shadow before me and behind me, for reasons that I cannot tell you. Let it suffice to say that I cannot return to Gondor before i do this, I will not, not until I can count myself among the heroes of the North. It may be beyond my power to defeat this man, I just a simple Ranger, and yet this will not stop me. Tell me what you know, o Black Numenorean, for I value your wisdom!