Hunt for the Dragon RPG

[Salix]

Farin was exhausted. The Company had been travelling all day, and Farin wasn't used to riding on ponies. She had been glad to get to a campsite, but she couldn't sleep. She tossed and turned wondering what happened to her brother. Finally, she slipped into a fitful sleep.

Sitting up suddenly, Farin gazed across the campsite. She had had a terrible dream about a large dark shape walking slowly, then stooping down and scooping up her family members and popping them into it's mouth. She didn't think she could get to sleep for the rest of the night.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Ned Buckleberry sat on the old tree stump and stretched out his legs. It was very close to midnight, and he'd still found nothing to eat. He tried to shift position to ease the nagging ache inside his stomach. He'd searched since nightfall everywhere in the forest, but had found nothing to slake the ravenous hunger burning within his belly.

The Troll looked about him and cursed. It was all the fault of that blasted wyrm. A great cold drake had come flying by, less than five days previous, apparently on his way eastward. He'd swooped down in the vicinity of the Trollshaws and proceeded to hunt and consume every decent game animal in sight. Ned had run away and hidden for a full day, since even he could not stand up against the attack of a fierce dragon. The only things left when the wyrm departed were a few discarded and half-gnawed bones, plus tiny living creatures like mice and chipmunks hiding in their burrows, hardly the kind of thing on which the Troll cared to dine.

It was then that Ned saw a few embers of flame flicker and die somewhere off in the distance. He'd slipped through the trees, mesmorized by the red gold ashes still glowing in the fire pit, then stared intently out from his hiding place behind a massive oak. He could see a number of Elves and Men lying on the ground asleep, their weapons carelessly tossed down by their feet.

And then he saw them....the stuff that dreams are made of. On the very edge of the encampment, quite a ways distant from the men and Elves, lay a handsome group of plump, ruddy dwarves, just young enough to provide tender meat. They looked to be well fed and in excellent health. Just the thing for a lovely pie and an appetzer or two. Then again, if he got too hungry, raw flesh would do just as well. If he could just knab a pair of them, he'd be sitting very pretty.

But what if the Men and Elves woke up? And, worst of all, there was a dwarf sentry sitting up on a tree stump, carefully scanning the camp for signs of any intruders. Like most of his kind, Ned was not terribly bright, but he was grievously hungry. There must be some way that he could trick the guard, slip in quietly, and carry off his prize before any of the others even awoke. Ned found his mouth watering profusely as he thought with delight of the crunchy bones and layered fat that would soon be his for the taking.

[ElentariGreenleaf]

Elentari stirred in her sleep. She was finding it hard to sleep still. She opened her eyes and stared up at the stars. She loved the night, for her true personality shone whilst the stars were above. She sighed. Elentari wished to the depths of her soul that none of the company would et injured in this quest. Having seen Anroth, Eruwen and finally Arawil killed before her very eyes on the quest to slay Shelob, Elentari wished never to see another companion die.

Eventually Elentari managed to get some sleep. however, her dreams were troubled and she saw something terrible. She woke with a start. Something was moving nearby.

[Novnarwen]

Lostlondwen had been exhausted after today's march. Her headache had been growing and growing since they had left Elrond's house. And she was so happy that they had reached their camp, that she didn't care about what the others did, she was just eager to go to bed.

The trees were growing high above her. Lostlondwen was in Mirkwood, her home. The sun was up, and the wood was filled with light. The leaves on the trees were greener than ever.

She followed the narrow path that lead to the little house, she and her mother lived in. To her great suprise her mother was there, safe and sound.
When the day grew old they took a walk in the woods. A silence filled the air, and the cool breeze made the air to music. They talked merrily for a long while. But then, as if something was lurking in the dark, a great noise swallowed the dream, and Lostlondwen woke up.

She shuddered. The noise had come from this world, not from her dream. It was close to midnight, the darkness filled the air. Lostlondwen sat up, there was no sound. When she didn't hear anything more, she laid down and tried to get some more rest.

[Orofaniel]

That night Ewinda was troubled, she felt that something terrible was moving in the shadows. But what that may be she couldn't tell.

When she at last fell asleep she had this terrible dream about something moving towards the company, and no one could get away. It was like she was drwan against danger and there was nothing anyone could do to help her.

Ewinda woke with a noise. She didn't know where it had come from, so she laid down. Then she rememberd the dream. Was it her? or was it somene else in the company that was beeing drawn against danger?

[Child of the 7th Age]

Ned crouched down behind the shadow of the oak, keeping a close eye on the dwarf who was perched on the tree stump. He searched his brain in vain, looking for some idea that would enable him to isolate the dwarf and muzzle him so he could not send out a warning to his sleeping companions.

But Ned's brain was rather slow, and at the end of an hour, he had no more idea of what he wanted to do than at the beginning. Sitting there, he found himself becoming more and more frustrated, until he began talking quietly to himself, cursing and rueing the day that the great dragon had put him in this predicament. His oaths and string of curses became successively louder, until the Dwarf sitting on the stump looked up sharply and began running towards the tree where Ned sat crouched and hiding.

From there, it was only a minute. What Ned lacked in brains, he made up for in strength and determination. He hit the dwarf over the head with a middle-sized stone and quickly popped the sturdy little fellow into his bag for collecting game. In just a minute, he sidled over to the edge of the encampment and selected two more victims who would do just fine as an appetizer and desert. He tucked one Dwarf under each arm, stuffing some leaves into their mouths so their cries would be muffled. Then he sprinted out of the camp, heading back to his cave and dreaming of the lovely dinner that awaited him as soon as he arrived home.

[ May 31, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[excheeto]

Alcyávëiel had discussed tracking and different sighns found with Vrain and Grain in Rivendell.Now, though she felt as if she were the odd one in thier little trio,she had made two fast friends out of the dwarves.


She was restless at the camp,and comforted herself by discussing tales of thier lost loved ones with Grain.She also told him of her vineyard,her servants,and her buiseness while he told her about the caves,his home,his family,and joked about how her servent,Nefelen,reminded him of his own adolescent nephew Gralin.

They talked into the night until,relieved,they were able to find sleep.


Alcyávëiel woke to the sound of rustling and the slowness of rising from a deep,dreamless sleep.She looked on the shocked faces of the few elves who had heard the noise.She felt foolish for sleeping so soundly,and searched the group with her eyes.

"Grain!"she hissed,shaking the dwarf,then she looked over by the fire,where the watch had been set up."Vrain,Farin and Nalin are missing!"

[ May 30, 2003: Message edited by: excheeto ]

[ June 01, 2003: Message edited by: excheeto ]

[Annunfuiniel]

Everything happened in a flash. What seemed like a huge sinister cloud came over Vráin and he had no time to wave his axe. There was a whistle in the air and then a heavy thud - the thought of yelling didn’t even form in the dwarf’s mind before all went black.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Gráin!" the sharp hiss broke into Gráin’s dream. "Vráin, Farin and Nalin are missing!"

No more words were needed. Gráin was up, axe in his hand as if the enemy lay right beside him. Indeed he had dreamed of a dark figure sneaking from the shadows and reaching for him. Still partly in a dream world he watched the surroundings with a fierce look in his gleaming eyes. Alcyávëiel stepped back startled by his gaze. Then she saw him coming back to himself and reached for his arm.

"Vráin is gone. And something took Farin and Nalin too. That something is heading that way." The elf beckoned behind Gráin, towards northeast.

That was enough information for him. When it came to his brother Gráin could seldom think straight. Now the unknown thread in the darkness pressed heavily on his heart – for him there was naught to consider and he run to the forest. By now the whole camp was in motion and the dwarf heard some footsteps following.

Not far from the campsite Gráin found a spot under a grey oak where grass had been trampled and bushes mauled. There, amid the mayhem shone something. Gráin bent and picked up an axe only too familiar for him. He had no need to examine the large footprints any closer either.

"Troll!" he cried out loud. "It’s a troll!"

Gráin was mad with worry. His brother had been captured by a bloodthirsty troll! These creatures were seldom seen in the Grey Mountains but everyone had heard stories of these gigantic beasts. Stupid they might be but still deadly for unthinking wanderers – like his brother. Gráin had no idea how to beat a troll towering twenty feet but that didn’t hinder him. His own double-edged axe in his right hand and Vráin’s similar weapon in his left he sought to hunt down the brute.

[ June 04, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]

[Salix]

Farin opened her eyes to stare at a burlap bag. She shook her head in an attempt to clear the remaining clouds from it, and also to bring the sky back into focus. Nothing happened. Slowly, memory dawned back on her.

She had gotten up from bed, if only to pace around a bit to tire herself out, when everything had gone black.

Remembering this, Farin started to fidget. She was trying to find the opening of the bag. No luck. However, when rolling around a bit, she had felt two other bags with objects in them next to her. Suddenly a thought sprang to mind. What if whatever had her in this bag had gotten other people from the company? Calm down, she told herself. The bags are probably full of rocks. The thought did nothing to comfort her. She had a sinking feeling that other members of the Company were captive. She heard rustling nearby.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Returning directly to his camp, Ned had dumped the bag down near the front entrance of the cave and then gone outside to stoke up the fire. He threw a handful of twigs on the smouldering heap of ashes, and fanned the golden embers by gently blowing air through his pursed lips until tiny tongues of flame lept up and began burning brightly.

Perched atop a massive log that stood near the fire, Ned held out his hands to warm them and briefly debated whether he should go to the trouble of preparing a pie or stew, or try something easier. Hunger got the best of him. That, and an instinctive craving to kill something. Something fast would have to do. Perhaps an appetizer of raw flesh, following by a Dwarf or two skewered on a stick and roasted over flame.

With this decision made, he retreated towards the cave and lifted up the bag, making sure that it was still tied securely with a knot. He could hear a grunt or two coming from within, and saw that at least one captive was vainly thrashing about in an effort to get free. Ned smiled broadly at the thought of the Dwarf's discomfort and the grim end that awaited the fellow in just a few minutes.

Holding the bag over his head, the Troll propelled his arm back and forth till the sack swung around in broad circles. He intended to dash it several times against a large boulder until all signs of life had been extinguished. Then he'd sit down near the fire and enjoy the remainder of the evening.

Approaching the rock with the bag slung over his back, Ned turned around in surprize as he heard an omenous sound coming from behind the bushes on the very edge of camp. Clutching his precious bag tightly under his arm, the Troll ran towards the place where he'd hear the noise. He peered out into the darkness, with his sack in one hand, and a heavy club in the other, waiting to see if anything moved.

[ElentariGreenleaf]

Elentari jumped out of 'bed' as soon as she heard Alcyávëiel shout. There was confusion in the camp for a while, but Elentari quickly brought order to the people.

"Quiet! We must find our friends, and find them fast. A Troll will not wait for us before eating them. Gather your weapons, this will be a lot easier than fighting a dragon, but it is good training. Come Grain, Grain? Merenwen, where is Grain?"

"I have not seen him in the last few minutes Elentari," replied Merenwen.

"Find him! He was here a moment ago."

"Over here!" shouted Lostlondwen. "I've found some footprints."

Elentari rushed to Lostlondwen's side.

"They are quite faint," said Elentari. "Can somebody follow them?"

[Annunfuiniel]

Vráin woke up to a cry of pain – that of his own. He tried to struggle out of the net of black dreams but the darkness was about him. The pain that had woken him hammered in his head and neck and surged over his body with every heartbeat. Only his left arm didn’t feel any pain: he had lain over it at it was now numb.

Through the veil of agony Vráin started to perceive the world around him. He lay on his left side, coarse blanket scraping his cheek. Something soft, warm and heavy pushed against his back, partly over him. He couldn’t stretch his legs and breathing was difficult. By Durin’s beard! Where am I?

Presently the weight over Vráin started to stir. The cloth smothered his yelp as it tightened around him and then he felt how solid ground vanished from under him. I’m not wrapped in my blanket but in a sack! the reality dawned to the dwarf. And with my luck this is the worst bag to be in… he continued to muse.

Just then his prison started to swing in growing circles. The swaying made Vráin sick and he sought to press his stomach with his free right hand. The hand met cold steel. The knives! How could you forget them! he scolded himself and released the weapon from his waistband. Hope had never totally left him but with his knife in his hand he felt again unbeatable.

"Wait just a second, who ever you are." Vráin murmured as he pierced the cloth with the blade. "Soon you’ll learn that no-one sacks Vráin without consequences!"

The swinging ceased after one final fling that ended with the sack thumping against something that wasn’t the ground. There were heavy footsteps and the bag quaked lightly from side to side. Suddenly they stopped again and turned around. Then Vráin felt his capturer spurting to the direction where they just came from. He got squeezed in the bottom of the sack. There are others in this trap too! he realized as a boot pressed against his ear.

The jog-trot was short. For a moment the sack hung again in the free air. This is my chance. thought formed in Vráin’s mind and he ripped the bottom of the bag with one stroke.

The fall was higher than Vráin was prepared for and breath escaped him when he hit the ground back first. One freed captive landed over him whereas the other rolled on their side. A moment of stupefaction followed during which Vráin managed to take breath. He quickly pushed aside the person over his breast whom he by now had discovered to be Farin. He sprang up and raised his face to the heights – to a gigantic troll with a nasty club.

The troll recovered quickly but Vráin was faster. Anger that had grown in the captivity was now released and he didn’t sense to fear anything. With a fierce cry he leaped towards the troll and slashed its club hand. The creature let out a blood-curdling shriek and the club fell to the ground, with three fat fingers. I must get that beast away from the others. rang in Vráin’s head and he turned and run to the bushes ahead. The troll wasn’t pleased to see his peaceful supper turning into fast-food and he tumbled after the dwarf with a growl, sucking his injured hand.

[Novnarwen]

Lostlondwen hadn't fallen to sleep again, before she heard someone shout:"It's a troll!"

Lostlondwen grabbed her bow lying by her bed. "Your coming with me," she said.
In a hurry Lostlondwen rushed into the open, followed the voices, and the sound of something big moving around.

Right in front of her there were huge footprints. "Over here!" she shouted.

Elentari came running from the camp and stirred down on the ground.

"I've found some footprints," Lostlondwen continued. Elentari looked at them

"They are quite faint," she muttered. "Can somebody follow them?" Elentari asked after a short pause.

Lotslondwen looked over and found Merenwen at their side.

"I will," Lostlondwen said, and stirred out into the dark. "But I'll need someone to help me. I can't find the way all by my self in this dark, and if I do, I will not be able to take a troll, if you know what I mean."

The two others nodded.

"So, who is coimng with me?. We can't let those dwarves die, even tough they can be a bit annoying," she said in a determined voice. The two other elves looked at Lostlondwen and smiled.

She started ro run in the direction she had heard the noise. Right behind there were someone else following. She was glad.

[ June 08, 2003: Message edited by: Novnarwen ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Rage clouded Ned's eyes and caused him to rush blindly onward, still determined to catch the Dwarves who had tumbled from the sack. He shook his head in bewilderment and frustration as he saw the round bodies thump against the ground, then watched as the Dwarves groggily awakened and clambered out of sight.

Still there was one Dwarf less fortunate than the rest. Farin's head had hit hard on a nearby boulder, so that the Dwarf lay unconscious in the tall grass just a few paces distant from the Troll's feet. Seeing one prize still lying within grasp, Ned howled in anguished triumph and tucked the limp body under his arm, then stuffed Farin deep inside the open sack. With great effort, the Troll managed to tie a crude knot on both ends, ensuring that his captive could not possibly wiggle free.

Then he cautiously retreated towards the cave, bathed his maimed fingers in the cold waters of the spring, and wrapped the hand securely in a few ragged scraps of cloth to staunch the flow of blood. Driven both by pangs of hunger and a stab of blind fury, Ned had totally forgotten his great stone club that lay behind him on the ground near the edge of the woods. The Troll's attention was fixed on the prospect of dinner. He wrenched off the lower branch of a massive oak and leered once more inside the bag, intending to skewer his remaining captive and roast her slowly over the glowing embers of the campfire to assuage both his empty stomach and his wounded pride.

[ June 04, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Annunfuiniel]

Gráin lost the track he was following in the darkness. For a desperate moment he searched the ground feverishly. Every second was precious but he couldn't afford hasty decisions and wrong roads. Just then, when all hope of finding the troll in time seemed lost, the east wind brought to Gráin's ears a call that made his heart jump.

"Dáin!" Vráin's battle cry rang in the air. Gráin rushed towards where he thought the sound came from. His newly found spirit sank however soon as the dreadful roar of the troll rolled over him and froze his blood. Fright tightened like a rope around Gráin's throat. "Vráin!" he managed to whisper through dry lips.

Branches slapped Gráin in the face as he dashed through the pathless thicket. Wind howled in his ears. So it came to happen that with a clash and a bang! he run smash into a dark figure. The other axe slipped from his hand.

"Ouch!" the figure let out a cry and cursed in a familiar tongue as the heavy weapon hit its toes.

"Vráin! Is it you? Are you hurt?" Gráin exclaimed in one breath, both worry and relief echoing in his tone. "Where's the troll?" he added, at once alert.

"Dear brother" Vráin breathed heavily but sounded otherwise his cheery self again. "Were you that worried about me? he grimaced raggingly.

Gráin groaned but smiled secretly in the darkness. "Well no, I was worried about the poor troll that erred to grab you." Then he turned grave. "But where is the troll? And what about Farin and Nalin?"

Vráin told him shortly what had happened, how he'd escaped and tried to lead the troll away from the others. Just then there was a rustle in the bushes. Gráin raised his axe and Vráin swung around, still holding the bloody throwing knife and reaching for another.

Suddenly Nalin tumbled from the shadows on Vráin's tracks. The dwarf brothers relaxed but didn't let down their weapons. The expression on Nalin's face was a mixture of relief and perplexity.

"Nalin, you escaped!" Vráin cried out. "But where's Farin? Don't tell me..."

"He knocked his head and swooned. I couldn't help him... Alas! the troll must have taken him again."

"We must go and claim him! There's no time to lose! " Vráin called and was to pursue his own trail back to the troll's cave. Gráin and Nalin turned to follow him when they all heard shouts calling their names.

"Over here!" Gráin answered and soon the rest of their company reached them. Questions filled the air and for a moment the situation was chaotic. Finally Gráin managed to yell over the cacophony

"The troll got Farin!"

[ June 04, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]

[Annunfuiniel]

The noise died down at once. With the skill of a leader Elentari considered the situation and arranged her group.

"Vráin, you'll lead the way with me. Forward, we have lost precious time!" Haste drew them on. My fears are coming true sooner than I thoughtElentari mused darkly.

The road to the cave was rather short. They could see the red of a fire glowing in the darkness. Elentari eyed her company quickly. It was time for a plan. "The troll needs to be distracted. Alcyávëiel, get to that tree and be ready to shout as the troll stands about here." Elentari showed her a place under the tree. "Selvren, Lostlondwen, get your bows ready! You know his weak spot." The elves nodded and moved into the shadows.

"Now the rest of us will enter straight into the evil's den. Vráin, you told he's wounded but remember! He's yet dangerous, maybe even more so now, in his blind rage."

The dwindled group marched cautiously towards the entrance of the troll's cave. Soon they could hear curses in the musty air flowing from the cavern. The troll didn't seem very pleased with the recent events.

Gráin and Vráin walked side by side, both had their axes raised. On their both sides steal glistened in the dark. Midnight had passed hours ago, soon the hiding sun would turn the eastern sky pale - but not yet.

The company reached the cave and halted. Elentari cave a silent mark and with a swelling cry they charged in. The troll had been surprised and surrounded. All were careful to keep a distance to the creature and first it seemed to be quite confused on what to do with the intruders. The moment was enough for Merenwen and Vráin to get Farin released from the sack.

But then the troll seemed to come back to himself and realized what was going on. He had no intention to waste his supper and his rage flowed over. The company retreated quickly - but not quickly enough. The troll had lost its club but the ground was full of serving weapons for him. A large rock flew with a deadly force. There was no sound but a heavy thump as the rock hit its target.

"Merenwen!" Ewinda cried and turned back but Rowan dragged her out of the cave. Elentari heard her cry and knew what had happened. Tears filled her eyes as she ran to the woods.

The troll stumbled now behind the flying company. It soon reached the spot Elentari had marked for Alcyávëiel. A high call filled the air and the troll stopped and looked up. Two bows rang one after another and the elven arrows did not go astray on their way. The troll wheezed as the arrows pierced its throat, swayed for a second and then slumped down to the ground. The earth shook and then there was a mute silence. Tears needed no words.

[ June 07, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Bitter tears streamed down Elentari's face as she slowly trudged at the front of the column, leading her companions back towards camp. This was a hard loss to bear. The company of the Dragon had not yet reached the foothills of the Blue Mountains or challenged the great wyrm in his lair, yet one of their number was already taken from them. Ever gentle hearted, Elentari wept silently and swore to strike down the great winged beast who had brought them on this lonely chase. Were it not for the ravages of the cold-drake, Merenwen would never have joined their group or met such a tragic end.

The Elves Selven and Lostlondwen brought up the rear of the column, bearing Merenwen on a simple sledge made of a piece of canvas strung between two slender tree branches. They carefully maneuvered the sledge over the rocky paths of the forest and brought it near the smouldering embers of their campfire. Then they gently removed Merenwen's body, while the women in the company cleansed her wounds with the cold water of a nearby spring and bound her in a fine linen cloth which Elrond had given to Elentari, knowing in his heart that such a thing might be needed. And they set her on a bier of honor that they constructed from the softest moss and ferns, and one of their number agreed to guard over her body so that no harm would come to it.

The companions gathered on the ground around the campfire, waiting for Elentari to say what they should do. And she collected them close together, as a mother does to her babes, and said they would stay here for the night and spend tomorrow constructing a barrow for the fallen Elf and saying their goodbyes to her. And after that, the next morning, they would rise early and leave this place, journeying quickly westward again. For the only fitting memorial to the valiant Merenwen would be to vanquish the evil Glawr and free the captives that he held. One by one, they retired to their beds--Elves, Men, and Dwarves. Their hearts were heavy with sorrow as they silently wondered what tomorrow would bring, and grieved long for the loss of their friend.

[ June 05, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Novnarwen]

Lostlondwen knew that nothing could bring Merenwen back. No one or nothing had that power. Her white body was laid on a simple sledge. Tears dropped from Lostlondwen's eyes. The world was full of dangers and happenings no one could foresee. Why? Merenwen had died for a good cause, something she belived in. But this wasn't good enough for Lostlondwen. She looked at the others, full of grief they were, just like her. What would happen now? An elf had died, a sister, should they move on with their quest?

Lostlondwen walked over to some of the others and sat down. Callo was at her side. She stirred into the fire and didn't notice that Elentari gathered all of them around the campfire. Elentari's words were nothing but a cry in the wind. Lostlondwen was glad the dwarves were okey, all thanks to Merenwen, who now was no longer with them.

Elentari told them to go to bed. But Lostlondwen couldn't sleep. She had nightmares, several of them. The one with her mother had come back. And then there was an other, one about Merenwen.

Lostlondwen shuddered, went up and wandered off to the place they had laid Merenwen. She sat down and looked at her, and took her hand in hers. She wiped her tears with her other hand and started to sing.

[Orofaniel]

Ewinda had seen the white face of Merenwen, and a sorrow so deep had started to grow in her soul and mind. She felt that there was an emptyness in the company. She was also worried that they wouldn't be able to furfill the quest without her.

Elentari had gathered them by the fireside. They were all told to get to bed, so that they could rest and forget all their sorrows.

Ewinda tried to sleep, so did the whole company. But she doubted there would be any rest on their eyes tonight. She got up when she saw that Lostlondwen had found the place where Merenwen lay. She sang a song in a low voice.

"I wished she didn't have to die" Ewinda said mournfully.

"I know" Lostlondwen said shortly.

They both wept for a little while, and then thy suddenly stopped.

"Merenwen wouldn't have wanted us to cry, she would have wanted us to continue this quest " Ewinda said in a determent voice.

"The only way her life wouldn't be for granted is to slay the dragon" she added.

Lostlondwen nodded.

"We would need some sleep to do that." Ewinda said.

They stood up and walked towards where the others were sleeping. The company was going to slay that dragon, because she wasn't giving up. She only hoped that the others had not given up either.

[Child of the 7th Age]

By the time Elentari awoke the next morning, many of the other members of the company had already been up for several hours. It was Grain and Farin who came over and sat down next to the Elf as she pulled off a small piece of travel bread and absently chewed on it, thinking of everything that had happened the night before.

Elentari signed and looked over at the sturdy faces of Vrain and Farin. "Your people are skilled with rock and stones. Can you direct the rest of the company to gather the stones we need to build a barrow where Merenwen can be laid to rest? You and the other Dwarves have a gift for fitting earth and stones together so the mound will stand proud and tall, protecting the tomb from the wolves, as well as the rain and winds that will bear down on it. Tonight, under the silver light of the moon, we will have a service of remembrance and each may speak what is in their hearts. Tomorrow we break camp and double our pace on the trail so we can reach the mountains more quickly. I will not rest until the wyrm falls to our swords and arrows, and the captives are brought home. "

With this, Elentari withdrew to a secluded niche on the very edge of the campsite, pulling out her maps, and carefully spreading them out on the ground, using her finger to trace the long route that still lay ahead of them. Once or twice, she glanced up from her work and saw that others had begun piling up the rocks and the rich brown loam to make a suitable grave for the fallen Elf. Still other members of the company were currying and feeding the horses, or had gone off into the nearby woods hunting small game that could be cooked over the fire for dinner.





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[ June 05, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[excheeto]

Alcyávëiel watched Merenwen's site from a distance.The sun was creeping up the horizon,and the weather was clear,without a hint of rain,or even fog.She slumped on a rock,leaning against the short,but broad shoulder of Grain's.

"Merenwen and I,we've known each other for many,many years"she sighed deeply,"I will miss her,but I know I will see her again.She's in much better company than the trolls and dragons that live here".

She turned,looking at Grain until he leaned over to face her."I could leave for a better world,but I have too many friends and ties to this place to go now....I soppose she'll have to wait on me,after 4079 years,I have to say I like it here"she said with a grin,soon the grin was reflected in Grain's face.

By now,the sun turned the sky into a greyish blue."Come Grain"she said in a dull voice,"time to gather the team and leave"Grain followed her towards the camp as she walked on,staring at the sky.

[Annunfuiniel]

Pale dawn came after mournful night. The sun knew the hearts of the company and rose in the east burning red amid the grey mists - as if shrouded in a veil of grief. Dew drops dripped from the leaves like tears of the earth.

Gráin lay on his back, eyes wide open; he had not closed them all night. Slowly he turned his head to his brother's still figure beside him.

"Vráin?" he whispered softly and placed his hand on Vráin's shoulder. There was no answer but a faint shiver went through the curled up body. Gráin spoke no more for there were no words to ease the pain. He tightened his hold of his brother's shoulder and his heart was heavy with sorrow; that of his own and that of his brother's.

Soon Nalin came to them, head bowed. "Gráin," he said with a thick voice "we have a dark work to do." Gráin tottered up and Vráin moved to follow him, still not turning his face to the others.

Gráin watched silently as Vráin headed towards the bier on which Merenwen lay, fair but cold. Farin sat there on his knees, shading his face with his hands. Vráin walked to him and kneeled beside him. His brow touched Farin's temple.

"Come now, my friend. We shall grieve while we work for her body needs a place to rest." Vráin spoke gently. Farin dried his eyes and gazed at Vráin. "Let's make that a place worthy of her." came his quiet but determined answer.

Vráin and Farin walked over to Elentari. She asked them to do only what they had planned to do anyway. They nodded to her and went off to start the task that they knew only too well. The Dwarves didn't have proper tools but at that point they would have dug through grey rock with their bare hands to get the work done. The ground on the south verge of the glade was soft but dry and there they began to burrow. Nalin joined them and with small shovels and thick staffs they soon managed to dig a shallow but decent hollow. Then, with Rowan and Ewinda, they started to gather the rocks needed to cover the tomb. The Elves came to them and started to prepare the grave for the one of their kin, singing laments in their fair tongue while they worked.

*************

Gráin had not joined the others in the making of the burrow. He had seen Alcyávëiel standing near a large rock, watching the sunrise in her thoughts, and something had drawn him to her. The elf seemed like she had expected him to come. Her words were full of grief but not without hope and a ray of comfort flowed to the dwarf's heart. But yet the sorrow prevailed.

[ June 07, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

The company worked steadily through the better part of the afternoon until a great mound of rocks and soil slowly rose up on the spot where the body of Merenwen lay. Elentari had finished with the perusal of the maps and came over to join the others in their work. There was little conversation and none of the usual joking as they went about the solemn task.

But, just as the sun was sinking low on the horizon, they put down their shovels and dismantled the simple sledge they'd been using to drag the rocks over to the burial site. Then they stepped back and looked up, survying their work.

"It's done," Vrain whispered, with some small satisfaction evident in his voice, but still shot through with grief. "And as fine a barrow as any I've seen, despite our lack of real tools."

Elentari glanced over at Vrain, and nodded her head yes, reading the strong images that were pushing through his mind. Then she spoke to the company as a whole, "We will stop and eat and rest now. After dinner, we will say our goodbyes to our companion, sharing our remembrances of her and her deeds alongside the grave. Then, as the moon rises in the sky, one of us will stand guard for the first shift, while the others lay down and sleep. We will rise at the first hint of dawn and make our way westward along the Great East Road in the direction of Bree.

With that announcement, Lostlondwen and Ewinda skinned and boned two brace of conies that Callo had brought back to camp. The women cut up the meat and placed it in a pot over the glowing coals, stirring in an assortment of mushrooms and onions and other wild vegetables gathered earlier that day. Within a short time, dinner was ready.

[elven maiden Earwen]

Everything was a blur to Rowan now. A troll had captured dwarves. The company had followed the troll into a cave. Rowan remembered a rock was hurled at Merenwen and Rowan had dragged her out of the cave. The troll had been killed with arrows and the earth had shaken with his fall, but no one looked at the troll, proud that they killed it. All eyes were turned to Merenwen’s body, lying lifeless and cold nearby. Tears blurred Rowan’s and many others eyes. They cried knowing they could do nothing for her, and were sad that she had met such a tragic end.

They had been told to go to bed but who could sleep after such a horrible thing had happened. Rowan couldn’t, at least for long, but finally his eyelids drooped down and he fell into a deep sleep. But it wasn’t night a silent sleep. Memories of the troll and Merenwen played in his head. He awoke with tears in his eyes in the morning.


The company had been told to gather rocks. They had and most joined in the building of Merenwen’s barrow. As the sun sank the company stopped and looked upon there work. The barrow sat, a small mound in the ground against the fading sun. Know anyone who ever passed this site would see a mound where a brave companion had fallen. Once more tea4rs filled the companies eyes. Rowan sighed and walked to the camp.

Dinner had been made. It would have been great but still a sad and mournful air hung about them. Heavy was they grey fog, just as heavy as their hearts. But once it had ended the company walked silently over to Merenwen’s grave and said their final goodbyes, and remembered her brave deeds. Quietly Rowan whispered, “Goodbye Merenwen” and silently and slowly he walked away from the barrow not to return again for many long years.

[ June 07, 2003: Message edited by: elven maiden Earwen ]

[Annunfuiniel]

The dinner was eaten in silence. What they didn't eat they did not take it with them but left it for the hungry wanderers of the wood. The company gathered quietly around the mound. Heads were lowered and once more tears rolled down. Someone spoke a soft "Goodbye".

Vráin stared at his feet but didn't see them, eyes blurred by a veil of tears. He tried to think of something to say but found no words. Even as he thought this a gentle but full voice began to sing:

Bid "Farewell!" rowan, elm, oak, proud pine
Whispering willow, beech, and humming lime;
Elanor! Niphredil! Shining Evermind!
Trees of old and flowers fair:
- seek no more, your friend's not there.


Bears, hares; creatures of the wood
Beasts and preys together stood
O wanderer! O friend so fair!
Birds calling in the morning sky
- lost is the singer: Good-bye! Good-bye!

Soft wind, who are you looking for?
Lapping sea, gone is the traveller of this shore
Whisper "So long"; Do not lose hope!
Wind and sea, turn your faces to the West
- your friend is there, let her now rest.

Rising Sun, Moon told you to cry
But you know better and across the sky
You now fly! And call "Bye!" before the night
When after another stars begin to twinkle
- "Welcome home!", they wish as they kindle.

Lostlondwen's fair elven voice died down but the hope that it brought settled in Vráin's heart.

"Earth stays in earth but heart forever flies!" he spoke and raised his head, with lightened mind and sparkle rekindled in his eyes.

[ June 07, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]

[Novnarwen]

"Goodbye elf friend," Lostlondwen whispered.
This was the last goodbye, she was gone.

Lostlondwen sat by the others. They talked about their lost friend. For even tough, she was no longer with them, she would always remain in their hearts. Tomorrow they would leave this place and head for Bree. The sun was slowly sinking behind the small hills, and the dark grew. They couldn't see eachother anymore, only hear their small cries and their tears drop. All of them knew that they should be going to sleep, they had a long journey ahead. But tonight it would be very hard for them, going to sleep, since Merenwen was not going with them.

The atmosphere was not very gay when the elves, men and dwarves went to bed. Would it ever lighten up? Should it be? a friend was dead, a part of their company. They had lost their first fight, a fight against a troll.

[ June 07, 2003: Message edited by: Novnarwen ]

[Orofaniel]

Ewinda had no song like Lostlondwen , she had only words. And her goodbyes to Merenwen could only be short, because she had only known her a short time. But much she knew about this elf, and she considered her as her friend. Her goodbyes were therefore hard and cruel.

"Goodbye, my friend and companien. We will meet again, that I am sure of. May there be peace where you now shall rest. Goodbye, or what the elves would say: Namárië " Ewinda said in a low voice as tears streemed down her cheek.

After everyone had said their goodbyes they gathered by the fireside and remembered the brave elf.

[ June 07, 2003: Message edited by: Orofaniel ]

[Novnarwen]

They were early up the next morning. Before the sun rose they were ready to departure. Only one thing or one person held them back, Merenwen. They let their friend's horse go. "Go now, and find your way home," Lostlondwen whispered in its' ears.

Few minutes later they were all ready. Lostlondwen and a couple of others, lay flowers and said their last goodbyes to the elf, and mounted their horses.

"Bree is 180 miles away, we better get moving!" Elentari said in a low, but comanding voice.

They rode slowly out of the camp, Loslondwen didn't look back, none of them did. The heavy atmosphere hadn't lighten up and few of them said anything. All was very quiet when they turned west, and came upon the Great East Road.
In front was Elentari and lead the way, second was the dwarves and then the male elves and last Rowan, Ewinda and Lostlondwen.

"This is going to be a long day," Lostlondwen said and gave a sigh. Ewinda looked at her and gave a nod. She seemed pleased to be on the road again. In fact they all were, they just didn't show it.

"Bree? I've never been there before," Ewinda muttered after a while.

"I've never been to the Blue Mountains before," Lostlondwen replied.

They both gave a short laugh and looked at Rowan who didn't understand what they were laughing at.

"What?" he said, and got quite red.

[ June 08, 2003: Message edited by: Novnarwen ]

[elven maiden Earwen]

"What?" he said, and got quite red. They were on their way to Bree and Lostlondwen and Ewinda were in the back of the group with Rowan. He was very happy to be on the rode again. They were on the Great East Rode and almost the whole company was quite. They were moving very slowly and Rowan didn’t understand why they were going any faster. Rowan began to hum the tune of a song he learned when he was younger. It was know about mid-day and they had gone only about 25 miles. Soon they would set up camp.


The ride was long a boring. The rode was bare. Scenery consisted of hills, lowlands, and small, scattered forests. They saw few animals and herd few sounds except for the slow beating of hooves of horses like a solitary beating of a drum. The wind blew and the sun was high in the air. It was warm but Rowan knew it wouldn’t be so for long.


As the sun sank behind the mountains in the far west the company of the dragon knew they could go no further. They had traveled nearly 50 miles. The stopped and let their horses graze and rest while they set up camp. They were all to exhausted to make something big so they ate some fruit and vegetables. It was enough. The made a small fire and sat around it to keep themselves warm. Some talked quietly. “Time to go to bed” Elentari told them after about an hour had passed, “There is a long day ahead of us”. Someone put out the fire and they all went to their beds.


It was cold that night. Rowan awoke to the sound of a wolf howling. It was dark and eerie. Only a few stars dotted the sky and the moon was hidden behind a vast cloud. Somewhere in the distance another wolf howled. They two wolves howled for many hours until they were finally silent. Rowan fell back to sleep but to awake again in a hardly any hours. The sun began to peak over the mountains in the east. The company awoke in the first hours of the morning and packed up their things. They ate a quick breakfast and then were off.


The started off as slow as before but soon picked up speed. After two hours they had already gone about 11 miles. The road was just as dreary as before. The company stopped for a quick lunch at noon. Then they were back on the rode. The rode far into the day and kept riding even after night had fallen. Amon Sul was close and the company had chosen the hill as their next camp. Amon Sul or known as Weathertop is a hill standing just south of the Weather Hills. It was once an ancient watchtower but was destroyed in the days of the northern kingdom Arnor. In 1409, not long ago the tower had been burned and mow all that remained of it was a ring of broken stones on the flat top.


It was late night when they finally arrived at Weathertop. The company rode around the hill until they reached a hollow dell. “This looks like a good place to stop” Elentari said as the company halted. They set up camp again. “Anyone want to come with me to the top?” Rowan asked. He had herd about this historical landmark and was eager to explore it. “Sure” Lostlondwen and Ewinda said in unison as the followed Rowan up the steep path that lead to the top. After a long walk they finally reached the top. There was not much to see but many stones that crowned the hill. It was incredible to think that their once was a great watchtower right where they were standing. Even though the remains weren’t much the view was incredible. It took Rowan’s breath away. He could see far across the land until everything disappeared into the night. No wonder it use to be a watchtower.


After many minutes of being up there the trio decided to head back down. When the came back down the found a fire lit and conies being roasted. Soon it was ready and they all sat down to eat. Everyone was so tiered that they immediately went to bed afterwards. They put out the fire and got into bed. They put out the fire and got into bed. It became very dark and eerie. Almost instantly after they settled down a loud sound rang out in the night. Once again wolves howled but this time they were closer than before.

[ June 08, 2003: Message edited by: elven maiden Earwen ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Despite the eariness of the campsite and the incessant howling of the wolves, the company managed to make it through the night with no further incident. The companions took turns standing guard, and piled logs on the campfire to keep it blazing high and help ward off any of the threatening creatures. Once or twice, they could see a pair of burning eyes glaring at them from the base of the hill. But, when Elentari stood up, and waved a flaming torch in that direction, the culprits ran off howling into the night with their tails between their legs.

The next morning all were glad to leave that somber place and set out again on the roadway. They pushed their horses very hard, traveling with few stops for a solid ten hours and finally came to the steps of the Foresaken Inn, a miserable shell of a place that scarcely resembled an Inn. The beds were ridden with roaches and the food a poor assortment of stale bread and watered-down stew.

Still spirits were rising. From here, it would be a ride of no more than twenty miles to come to the Prancing Pony, a reputable establishment that stood in the center of Bree. Here, there would be warm hearty meals and flagons of ale for all.

Elentari roused the company early, and by mid-day they'd come to the outskirts of Bree. Usually, the merchants had their wares out on tables in the marketplace, and there were any number of shops open selling a variety of merchandise. Today, however, it was different. The shops were closed down tight, with wooden boards nailed on across the windows so that it was impossible even to see inside the buildings. Nowhere was there a single merchant to be seen upon the streets, not even a humble peddler.

Elentari scratched her head in confusion. She'd been to Bree any number of times. It had always looked to be a fairly open, prospering community. Only when they came to the Pony itself, were they given a hint of what had gone wrong. A large man approached them, with a sword slung over his hip, and several daggers sticking out of his boot. The look on his face was threatening, "Strangers, stop and hold. No one enters the Pony till they get past me." He glared over at the company. "You wouldn't happen to be the band of cut-throats and thieves who've been plaguing the road leading into Bree from the west?"

Elntari held up her papers from King Thrainduil and from Lord Elrond, which she always carried in her hip pocket. The guard stared at them for a long while. Finally convinced of their authenticity, he motioned the companions to come into the common room of the Inn,

"Can't be too careful, he confided to Elentari. "These brigands are dangerous men. I don't envy you traveling west. We've heard dire tales of folk kidnapped and beaten on the roads. You'd best spend the night and think about how you're going to defend yourselves against them. A few lucky folk get through without attack, but we've heard too many tales of others who had a less fortunate fate."

With that grim reminder in her ears, she arranged for rooms and hot meals for her companions, sitting down in the dining area and watching the people roam in and out.

[Orofaniel]

Ewinda had never been in Bree, but she had heard much about it, though. Many times acctually. They had all said that this was a place you wouldn't want to miss for all in the world. The streets were supposed to be crowdy and there would be shops all over the place. But the sight that the company met was not as it was earliere described. The shops were closed and the streets were empty.

The had reached the Pony when a very large man approched them. He wondered if they were thieves or something like that. Well, Elentari had just shown him the papers from King Thrainduil and King Elrond and they were aloud to come in. Something that Ewinda and her companions were gratefull for.

They had a wonderful meal and Elentari had arrange rooms for them, so Ewinda was in bed before anyone could say "exhausted".

[Novnarwen]

"So this is Bree," Lostlondwen cried out loud.

The rest of the company stirred at her, but said nothing. "I was just asking," she said in a far lower voice. She looked at Ewinda, doing a grimace. She didn't seem to like it either. Few were in the narrow steets, only old men, hanging with their beards. Their cloths were all dirty, and their grim faces looked as if they all had been through a really hard time. They didn't say anything to them, just stirred, with hatred in their eyes. "What's wrong?" Lostlondwen burst out to the others. It was then she realised a large man standing in front of the company. In his boots he had daggers. Why was that? Lostlondwen tought. His face was really threatening.

"You have to get past me!" she heard him say.

"Oh dear," Lostlondwen muttered.
Luckily Elentari knew how to deal with that sort of people, and there was no harm done.

The Inn, also known as the Prancing Pony was more friendly than outside, Lostlondwen agreed with herself. The food wasn't great tough, but she wasn't that hungry anyway. As soon as she could, she headed for her room. In the passage she met Ewinda.

"Hi there!" Lostlondwen cried out.

"Lostlondwen!" she replied.

"Going to bed already?" Lostlondwen asked the woman.
Ewinda and Lostlondwen were starting to get really close freinds. They enjoyed eachothers company, which was really good.

"Yeah I think so," she answered. "I am so tired," Ewinda continued.

"Good night then," Lostlondwen said while Ewinda slipped through the door to her room, and thanked for another day.

Hours went on. Lostlondwen couldn't sleep. She just couldn't stop thinking, thinking about Merenwen. Lostlondwen was afraid. She had no control over anything. She only knew that she had to stay calm. The company would meet greater evil than a troll, she knew that. But when that time comes, we will defeat it, she tought.
Lostlondwen opened the bedroom window drew in the cool air and went to sleep.

[Annunfuiniel]

The common room of the Prancing Pony was spacious but still cosy. The night had fallen over Bree but in the Inn a merry fire crackled in the hearth and pushed the darkness into the far corners of the room. Scents of roasted meat and malted brews couldn't completely cover the smells of leather, horses and travel-stained men but the mixture in the warm air felt only pleasant after the harsh winds outside. Occasionally a new guest entered in and brought a breath of fresh air with him. Then the lights flickered and the fire in the hearth burned a while with a brighter flame.

The night was still young and many guests and travellers were yet up. Greetings, loud conversations and bursts of laughter filled the air. Beside the hearth Vráin delighted in story-telling with his fellow dwarves; others of their kind, the dwarves still travelling the roads between the mountains, joined them. But his true soulmates Vráin found in the Hobbits, the Little People, and he soon befriended with many of them. Gráin watched his brother and in his heart he was glad.

"Nice to see your brother smiling again." Nalin noted from beside him.

"You have read my mind." Gráin answered; "Yet I don't doubt I'll soon think otherwise for now he's in the mood for stupid deeds beyond all records..."

Gráin had hardly spoken this as a sparkle glinted in Vráin's eye and warned his brother his fear was about to come true sooner than expected. Gráin's eyes flew wide open as he saw Vráin spring up and jump on the nearby table to join some Hobbit-lads, -lasses and Alcyávëiel in a merry wild dance! And he surely wasn't the only one to gape at the sight of a dwarf dancing the springle-ring.

The supper had been nearly sumptuous - tasty meat stew with potatoes, fresh root crops and a pie from red-cheeked apples for dessert. Sun had sunk behind the looming mountains hoours ago. The rest of the dragon hunters had already departed for their rooms, weary but with lightened hearts. Vráin and Gráin still sat in one of the shadowy corners of the room, pints of first-rate ale in front of them.

Gráin was in no mood for talk and his withdrawn expression surely didn't invite strangers to approach. Even Vráin had finally settled down a bit: soon weariness came over his limbs and eye-lids and he began to nod. Night-guard stepped in and announced in a low but audible voice that it was an hour till midnight. Vráin startled awake.

"What?" he mumbled.

"Time to go to bed." Gráin answered solemnly. He drained his mug with one gulp and stood up. Just then a tall Man entered the Inn and glanced around obviously looking for something. To Gráin's great surprise the man's eyes stopped seeking as they met with the dwarf brothers. Instinctive suspicion filled Gráin's mind as the figure, wrapped in a weather-beaten grey cloak, approached them.

"Hail and well met!" the stranger spoke softly as he stopped in front of the dwarves. "My name is Aravorn and I bring greetings from my father Aragost." The man bowed his head lightly and as he raised his eyes Gráin met his gaze. Underneath the tan his skin was fair. Looking at his keen grey eyes Gráin couldn't tell whether the man was young or old: in him seemed to live both the spirit of a youth and the wisdom of the old.

"Gráin, son of Thráin at your service!" Gráin bowed low and Vráin introduced himself in the same manner.

"Please sit down with us and we'll have a drink together. Then you can tell your news for I deem, for some reason, that you did not end up in our table by coincidence." Gráin continued and beckoned Aravorn to take a seat.

"I thank you but I must refuse your kindly offer." Aravorn smiled and rigour melted from his face. Young he is, though already been through many hardship. Gráin mused. But the young man turned grave again.

"Indeed, I have news for thee - Hunters from the East. We have followed you from a distance since you crossed the Last Bridge though we knew about your coming long before for we receive tidings from Rivendell." he broke off for a moment; "And I'm sorry for your loss." Vráin lowered his head.

"But now your road lies to the West. The dragon waits at the end of that road but perilous is your part even before the Blue Mountains. And these are the words my father sends to you: Beware! But also Behold! you're not alone. For all the shadows passing in the dark are not your foes. My people, we are your wandering friends, the grey guardians."

Gráin was speechless. Aravorn searched his breast pocket under his cloak and then drew out a small scroll. Extending it to Gráin he spoke once more;

"This is a map of the lands between Bree and the Mountains. We have been keeping an eye on the ravaging rogues but alas! we are too few and scattered to drive them away. In this map we have marked their camps and the roads they usually take on their raids. Study it carefully and maybe you'll manage to evade the danger!" Again he bowed and then stepped back;

"May Eru guard your road if we can't. I hope we shall have that drink together after you return safely from the West. Farewell!" And with that he slipped back to the shadows.

Vráin and Gráin stood in silence for a while longer.

"Strange man with strange tidings." Vráin spoke finally.

"You speak my words, brother." Gráin replied and eyed the scroll in his hands. "Let Elentari decide in the morning what to think about these news." he continued thoughtfully, though the Man had already won his trust.

[ June 11, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]

[ June 11, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]

[elven maiden Earwen]

They were in Bree! They had ridden long and finally they had made it to their destination. The rode up to the inn. It was the Prancing Pony. Rowan remembered that his father once stayed at this inn. They were let in to the inn and had gotten large meals. Rowan realized how hungry he was and ate fast. He was tired but he couldn’t sleep so he headed out into the common room.

In the common room there were many people. Mostly men and elves, and some other strange being known as the halfling of Hobbit. Short versions of men with curly hair and a big appetite. Quite odd. Rowan had never herd of these creatures. There were also a few dwarves there and there. He walked right up to a small group of hobbits and asked to sit down. “Hello I’m Rowan”. “Hullo, I’m Penny, and this is Tigerlilly, Pat, Fred, and Olo.” A young looking lass said. “Were hobbits that live in this town but most of are family lives up in the Shire to the west”. “I come from Lake-Town way in the east by the borders of Mirkwood.” Rowan told them. “What brings you so far from home?” Pat asked eagerly. “I came with a small group. Were hunting a a a” Rowan stopped. “A what?” Tigerlilly asked. “A dragon. Rowan replied. “He has takin’ elves and dwarves from Mirkwood and Erebor.” “Ohh that’s terrible!” Penny exclaimed. “Yes it is. But how has your trip been so far?” Fred asked. “It was fine until we left Rivendell not long ago. “Rivendell?” Olo interrupted. “It is elvenhome. Beautiful and filled with fair elves. East of here west of the mountains” Rowan answered. “”What happened after you left Rivendell?” Pat asked. “We were attacked by a troll.” Rowan replied, his eyes filling with tears. “And one of are companions was killed” he said at last. “O my. I am so sorry!” Tigerlilly said. “So am I.” Rowan said.

Soon the hobbits got up to leave. They exchanged farewells and good wishes on the journey. They were nice Rowan thought as he headed to his room. As soon as he got in he collapsed on the bed exhausted. He fell asleep straight away. And for once it was a peaceful sleep.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Most of the members of the company enjoyed a leisurely dinner in the common room. They tried to ignore the gossip about bandits who'd been attacking travellers on the road leading west of Bree, and instead focus on the rare treat of a hot cooked meal and a full flagon of ale. Elentari joked with her companions to keep their spirits up, reminding them of all they had accomplished and the need to push onward as fast as they could.

A welcoming fire burned in the grate and several of the Dwarves pulled their chairs into a small semi-circle, warming their hands and telling marvellous tales of their ancestors' brave deeds in battle. When the stories had ended, Elentari and Selvnen pulled their flutes from their packs and joined in a merry tune. Ewinda and Callo even stood up to dance, swaying gracefully to the music.

Despite the hardship of recent days and the rumors of theats on the road ahead, the company's evening in Bree was spent pleasurably enough. Most chose to turn in early, enjoying the down pillows and soft mattresses which the Inn had provided for the travellers.

Even before the first hint of sunrise, Elentari rose and called on her companions to prepare themselves for the road ahead. Everyone gathered their possessions and went down to eat a hasty breakfast before going to the stables and saddling up their horses. As the first rays of the sun came creeping over the horizon, the companions had already mounted up and were trotting steadily west on the Great East Road, keeping their eyes open for any possible sign of trouble.

[excheeto]

Alcyávëiel woke up early,weary from travel,but the brisk dawn air helped get her moving.

She felt strange going towards Weathertop.She had been there severel times before,but she still remembered the watchtower her uncle watched from when she was a young child.The ruins had felt somber,but peaceful,reflecting her quiet mood since the death of her friend.

Bree had given the group a great warning.The liveliness of the town had been taken off the streets by a gang of thieves.The boarded buildings had shown caution and preperation of dealing with someone dangerouse,much more dangerouse than a group of petty thieves.This type of caution must have come from a highly organized,ruthless gang hunting the towns along the road.

Alcyávëiel stretched,then massaged her sore legs after straighting the room and packing her things.Whatever spirit was taken from the streets was certainly not taken from the townspeople! She had stayed up,talking to a group of halfling farmers about grape growing methods,swapping stories of different incidences of thier fields,and also,teaching each other different dances that were popular for each race.

When the music sped it's pace,some of the hobbits grumbled,unable to keep up with the rapid steps of an engwadagnirdance,but two humans and one young hobbit quickly learned the steps and movements.They joined her to spite thier friends,then were shocked as the rest of the halfling group crawled onto a long table and broke out into a fast paced,springle-ring dance.When
Alcyávëiel learned the moves,all of them were soon dancing thier hearts out in a friendly competition.

She put on her cloak,grabbed her saddlebags and went downstairs.She redied her horse,then went back in for a final glass of wine,waiting for the others to get up and finish preparing.The fun of last night would have to be put back in her mind for later,while for now,she drained the last of her wine and thought,for now,they're leaving on a road where they would need as much caution as ever.

Watching the others leaveing,she tipped the barkeep,went out,and trotted her horse down the road with the others.

[dragoneyes]

Not quite half-way between Bree and the River Brandywine, north of the Great East Road, sat seven men and a young boy around a campfire. They were finishing off their dinner, well, the men were, the young boy was tending to their horses and ponies.

"Hey Boy!" yelled a large, weather worn man, "Get something in yer afore it's all gone!" This meant that Boy was able to stop looking after the horses and go and get something to eat, of which there would not be much left by the time he got there. "There Boy," said the man, "I told yer mam I'd take care of yer so yeh'd better eat good!" Boy glanced down at his arms, they were browned from working in the sun so long and were dirty from mud and dust but were covered in small scratches from trees and bruises from where he'd been 'disciplined', he sincerely doubted that most fathers would consider this 'good care' as his face looked much the same. He dared not say a thing to anyone of his thoughts lest they take it upon themselves to 'discipline' him or, in other words, to use it as an excuse to beat him to a pulp.

As terrible as the situation Boy was in was, he'd known worse and was grateful that his father and his friends were so effective in their work, they kept him alive and protected him, from things outside of the group anyway. The meal they were currently eating had come from a small halfling farmer a few days back who'd foolishly decided to use this road to get his wares from his farm to the market, which was considerably smaller than usual anyway. They hadn't killed the halfling himself, but it was safe to say that he would never walk unaided again.

To look at this group of men, all large and muscly, you would think that they made a tremendous amount of noise while moving through the undergrowth, and usually they would, but they had cut and cleared themselves paths in the bushes, especially around one spot that was nearly perfect to set up camp in. This was where they almost always ambushed their victims.

"Hoy Johnny! Clean out them paths!" yelled Boy's father to a smaller, but still quite strong, young man. Johnny sighed, he plainly did not want such a job, so he turned towards Boy,

"Boy, go clear the paths!" he said, but Boy's father wasn't pleased with this idea,

"I said you go do it Johnny, not Scraps, not Boy, you!" Johnny sighed, he wasn't about to take on the leader of their small group and grudgingly went off to do his work. He didn't dare do it half-heartedly though, if the others found twigs and things on the paths they would blame it entirely on him and that would get him a beating for sure. He'd not cleaned the paths for a long while anyway.

Boy eagerly ate his lamb and drank his ale down, he'd got more than he'd expected and wasn't about to let anyone else have one scrap of it, so he ate it down before anyone else got a chance. Even though food seemed plentiful, they were needing more; eight people eat a lot in one day. Some more horses wouldn't go amiss either. Boy's father was also on the look out for something to sell on the black market; some kind of jewelry or a good, strong weapon, perhaps of elven or dwarvish make, perhaps even westernesse if he was lucky, they always went for a high price. And speaking of weapons, they were in need of better weapons than they had already. One or two of them still had clubs and most of them had swords, though not of the best quality, some of the swords had already broken and were no more than hilts with sharp shards protruding.

Nevertheless they were ready for anything that would come their way.

[ June 10, 2003: Message edited by: dragoneyes ]

[ June 11, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

It was mid-morning when Elentari called the company to a halt to find water for the horses and a bit of grass for grazing. They had come about fifteen miles west of Bree and had reached the point where they could see the Great Barrows ahead, sweeping southward from the road. Everyone dismounted and led their animals to a small stream just off the roadway to let the horses drink and eat the long grass that grew on either side of its banks.

After caring for their animals, several of the companions found a spot under a small grove of trees whose leafy overhang provided shade from the sun's hot glare. Elentari glanced nervously about as she considered the land stretching out all around her. There were thick meadows where grass grew in great abundance. It was parched and brown from lack of rain, but still some four feet high, affording plenty of cover for any bandits who might want to pounce on a band of unwary travellers. Still, she'd been careful to post a guard to keep an eye on things as they rested by the side of the road. A few members of the company had stretched out to doze, while others of the group were opening up their packs and nibbling on bread and meat they'd taken from the Inn earlier that morning.

Grain came up to Elentari and squatted down beside her, rummaging around in his pocket and pulling out a map. Elentari scrutinized the paper carefully, noting that it showed a wealth of detail which was missing from her own map. Looking up at Grain with puzzled eyes, she asked him where he had found such a thing.

Grain patiently explained how he and his brother had been approached in Bree by a mysterious stranger in the common room. Upon hearing the name "Aravorn", Elentari smiled. "The Dunedain...." Her eyes grew misty and distant as she thought back on her own past. Then she turned to the Dwarf and responded. "Grain, you and your brother have done well. This is a great boon for us. These folk are called the Rangers. They guard the roads from bandits and other evil threats. This group of ruffians must be a considerable menace indeed, if even the Rangers hesitate to confront them."

Elentari stared down at the paper and scrutinized it carefully as the germ of an idea took root in her mind. Her musings were interrupted by Grain's urging words. "What do you think we should do? What route should we take to avoid these miserable curs who have wrecked such havoc on Bree and everyone else who tries to go on this road?"

Elentari leaned over to Grain and lowered her voice. "Say nothing to the rest of the company yet, but I do not think we want to avoid him. And I doubt we could, even if that was what we disired."

"Look how cleverly these fiends have situated their camp. They're no more than five miles from us. How could anyone get around them? To the south, lie the Barrow-downs. Who would want to take that route to escape a gang of thieves? It's like going from the frying pan into the fire."

"Anyone taking the main road is sure to be beaten by brigands. The only possible escape would be to detour far north through these meadows of tall grass. We might escape that way, but I doubt it. My guess is they have a watch hill and a sentry to spy out all travellers moving within a ten mile radius."

"Even if we swing north, we still have to come back to the spot where the ferry crosses the Brandywine. The river's too deep to ford any other way. The brigands know that. They'd camp just the other side of Buckland and wait to pounce on us. To be quite blunt, there is absolutely no way around this trap."

"No way?" Grain echoed her words with anger in his voice. By this time, several others had gathered around to hear what Elentari and Grain were discussing. The Dwarf looked at them, then retorted fiercely, "There's always a way if you look for it."

A slight smile played on the Elf's lips. "I agree. I didn't say that there was no way out of the trap, only that there was no way around it. The two things aren't the same. I would say that the best way for us is to meet them head on."

"To fight, here and now!" growled Grain, hefting up his axe and staring Elentari in the face. Several others muttered agreement under their breath.

"Yes, to fight, but not this minute. To wait for tonight. I have a little plan. Look here on the map. The Dundain has marked where the Ranger outposts lie. Some fifteen miles from here, to our north and east, there's a Ranger camp. The Rangers have said they couldn't beat these miserable curs on their own, but what if we join forces together? Two heads are always better than one, and so are two bands of fighters."

Grain looked up with a sparkle in his eyes, "We need a solitary scout then....someone who can ride like the wind and have the Rangers come back under cover of night. Then we will attack together."

"Exactly!" Elentari proclaimed and then looked at those standing in the circle. "Would anyone here volunteer to ride out to speak with the Dunedian Aravorn, and ask him to return with two of his men? Bring them back immediately. We must attack tonight." She looked around the circle waiting for a reply.

[ June 12, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Annunfuiniel]

"Hammer and anvil! I shall go and get those Rangers here at once!" Vráin exclaimed and started towards his pony before others had the time to open their mouths.

"Wait!" Gráin called after him; "Ah hasty fool; like wind you indeed would ride with that stout pony of yours. But I was talking about a swift north wind and not a soft breeze from the south."

Elentari let out a hearty laughter. "Vráin, thank you for volunteering! But Gráin is right, we need someone who can fly to carry out this quest and for that your pony is no good." Vráin walked slowly back to the others, still leading his steady steed from its headstall. The beast snorted and looked deprecating as it eyed Elentari with its dark eyes; obviously it deemed himself quite suitable for the task.

"But maybe you could ride with someone, the one who takes this errand. You and your brother know the man we are looking for while others don't." Elentari continued for Vráin expression was nearly as gloomy as his pony's. "Maybe..." she was about to carry on when someone stepped out from the ring;

"I will go! And my steed is ready to bear an extra weight."

[ June 11, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]

[elven maiden Earwen]

Earwen's post:

Bandits in the north! Rowan like others had gathered around Grain and Elentari as they talked. They needed someone to go and get the rangers from their camp about fifteen miles from where the company was. "Hammer and anvil! I shall go and get those Rangers here at once!" Vráin exclaimed and started towards his pony before others had the time to open their mouths. The company disagreed with that. Elentari said he could go only if someone would bear him. "I will go! And my steed is ready to bear an extra weight." Rowan said as he emerged from the group. "This is good", Elentari said, "Get ready to leave".

Rowan hurried of grabbing his sword. He got Bulëgalad, and got him ready to leave. "Ready?" Rowan asked looking backwards towards Vráin. "Ready", and they were off. It was mid-morning, and the sun was not high yet. A cool breeze blew from the north. Rowan rode like the wind, northeast of where the rest of the company was. They rode for 3 hours until they finally arrived at the border of the forest and of the ranger’s camp. It was then about mid-day. They approached slowly and cautiously trying not to make any noise. From in the trees they could hear the sound of an owl cooing. Another sound answered back. The scouts saw them. They drew their bows, and swords.

"Who are you!?" one demanded. "I’m Rowan of Long-Lake, and this is Vráin of the Grey Mountains." Rowan replied. "And what is your business here?!" Another ranger asked. "We come in search of help. We understand that bandits lie close to here and that you will not fight them alone, but enough of this talk take us to Aravorn." Vráin replied. The rangers stood looking questionably at the two men. "Now!" Vráin demanded, and they did so.

The rangers led them slowly thought the camp until the reached a large tent. A light came from inside. "He is in there" A ranger said and then left with the rest to get back to their posts. Rowan and Vráin waited outside fro a few seconds before walking into the tent. Inside sat a group of rangers in a circle. The paused their discussion as Rowan and Vráin walked in. "We need to speak to Aravorn, Privately" Rowan said. Most of the men got up but one. "You must be Aravorn" Rowan said to a young man man. "Yes I am" Aravorn answered back.


Annunfuiniel’s post:

"You must be Aravorn" Rowan said to the young man. "Yes I am" Aravorn answered back and bowed his head lightly, "And you are Rowan."

Rowan fell speechless and Vráin amused at his confused expression. The dwarf hadn’t told his companion of his earlier encounter with the Ranger. For one, they had had no chance for a decent conversation during their flight across the country, and secondly Vráin had finally come to the conclusion it might be fun to see how Rowan would react to Aravorn’s first words. Now he chuckled at his successful prank.

"Hullo Aravorn!" Vráin grinned; "We meet again!"

"Yes, Vráin; Strange are the ways of fortune that bring us together again so soon. But I doubt you came here by accident? It seems you have made use of the map that I gave you."

"Indeed we have! Elentari took a close look at it and consequentially we are now here. But lets hear the rest of the story from Rowan, now that he seems to be able to speak again."

Rowan gave Vráin a sideways glance but then he too grinned; "I’ll remember that, you little prankster!" When continuing he turned grave again; "Elentari, whom you obviously know already also, was of the opinion that we can’t avoid confrontation with the bandits. So we decided not to wait till they attack us but to charge first while we have the chance."

"And that’s why we came to seek you!" Vráin interrupted Rowan’s speech discourteously in his excitement. "You said it yourself yesterday, Aravorn, that you Rangers are too few and scattered to defeat this enemy. But you spoke also: 'Behold! You are not alone.' And these words we give back to you now: you’re not alone and together we can crush those slavering savages!"

Now it was Rowan’s, and Aravorn’s, turn to look amused as they watched how the dwarf gave his fiery speech while anxiously fingering the blade of his axe. A quick look at their faces told Vráin that it was time for him to calm down. His cheeks still flushing Vráin took a deep breath;

"So – do you have a couple men to spare? Will we ride together - though I prefer marching – and raise our swords and axes together against this foe?"

"I must take counsel with my men," Aravorn said after a short while. "For though I lead them I can’t decide for them. I have only a handful of men here and this camp cannot be left unguarded. But this I’ll warrant, Vráin son of Thráin:" he continued and set his hand on Vráin’s shoulder; "I will come with you and in unison shall our weapons be drawn, your axe and my sword."


Earwen's post:

The group took counsel for many long hours, and when the sun was setting they finally made their decision. "Go get the men ready! We will leave in a few hours," Aravorn said to one of the rangers before turning to Rowan and Vráin. "We will aid you in your fight against the bandits. We will fight along side each other. We will fight to our deaths" Aravorn promised gravely, "Go eat and rest. We have a long night ahead". And then he left.

Rowan and Vráin went outside and were taken to another tent by a ranger. He gave them food, and they ate and rested. Soon they would be leaving. A few hours later another ranger entered. "We are ready," he said as he led them to where Bulëgalad stood and they hopped on. It was now at least ten o’clock, and the sky was black. The moon was hidden behind clouds and few stars shined. Perfect for the night ride. The company took of riding swiftly. Rowan and Vráin were in front with Aravorn and the rest of the rangers followed. The passed thought the land like a murky shadow. It was not long until the group arrived at the company’s camp, where they awaited for the return of Rowan and Vráin.

[ June 13, 2003: Message edited by: elven maiden Earwen ]