Island of Sorrow Planning/Discussion Thread

[Child of the 7th Age]

I can live with a week of being knocked out! :D I will fill in my save.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Orëmir -

I have filled my save. As long as I am still breathing, feel free to devise for me whatever fate you would like! You are welcome to join me in the boney pit, or to free my poor broken body....whatever you would prefer to do. I can even come to slightly, if that is what you have up your sleeve. :p

I do believe that poor Lindir should have signed up for another vacation trip.

Child

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I do believe that poor Lindir should have signed up for another vacation trip.
Yeah... he's not doing too well on this one. He should ask for a refund. :p

[Envinyatar]

Child

Orëmir couldn't get the door open. So, Lindir's on one side, Orry's on the other, both for all intents and purposes unconscious. Orëmir has drawn Lindir's thoughts into a pleasant memory of his own.

[Anguirel]

Sorry about my absence these last couple of days-erratic internet access. Back on hand now.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Envinyatar -

I'm sorry. I could not resist.

I don't quite understand this, but Lindir sometimes reminds me not of the Elves in LotR, but those that Bilbo met in The Hobbit!

Child

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Oh no, not The Hobbit! ;)

I'll get my save filled later today (after 4:00 PM) if nothing unexpected happens.

[Anguirel]

Skipping gailly from one tra-la-la-lally tragedy to the next...

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I'd meant to get that save filled, but the day disappeared on me. I'll try for this afternoon. If that doesn't work, it won't be until Thursday afternoon. Sorry, guys. Stupid real world infringing on my writing time.... :rolleyes:

[Anguirel]

Forgiveness granted!

Perhaps we should concentrate on the Seneschal/Diviner set up for a bit?

That will largely involve

Firefoot-Lomwe
pio-Endamir
Me-Idrahil
Me/Child, maybe?-Diviner

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

She's in. Sorry it's so short... writer's block hit me with a vengeance about two sentences in.

[piosenniel]

MWAHAHA! Giledhel has made her move . . . . :p

[Child of the 7th Age]

Anguirel,


I'll adapt any way you like. Will you be playing the Diviner? Send me a p.m. if you've got any ideas other than the general ones we discussed before.

I've put up a save for Lindir. I'll stay uconscious for now, but can come up half groggy if and when needed.

Child

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Try again, Giledhel. Tasa doesn't give up easily.

[Anguirel]

Hmmm. How about I play the Diviner in his/her male persona, you in the female one.

Fea...emblematic of your many suitors...but a Mardil slipped into your last post!

[Child of the 7th Age]

Sounds great! :D Just let Lindir know when you want your identity revealed. I'll keep him out cold till then.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Oops... I'll go edit that. There are just too many guys around these days. ;)

[Firefoot]

I just wanted to let you all know that I'm not dead ( :rolleyes: ); sorry I haven't posted much. I'm going to try and get something up tomorrow.

[Anguirel]

SAVE filled. Malris demands a parley!

Let's see if we can sweep on. I wouldn't mind ending the day before the week is out...

[Envinyatar]

The Orcs have made their accusations and observations.

I've left a hook in for Malris to 'see' Giledhel in her tapestry . . .

[Anguirel]

The battle is (re-)joined after lovey-doviness dies the death...

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Ang, I'm a little confused. Did Tasa just get stabbed in the hand, or Giledhel?

[piosenniel]

hmmm . . . at first I thought he'd stabbed at Giledhel in an attempt to hurt one of the Orcs.

But now that you've brought it up -- maybe Tasa did get her hand cut . . .

Ang?

[Anguirel]

No, no...sorry! I just passed Tasa her sword-Malris handed her the hilt. I'll edit and make it clearer.

[piosenniel]

I took off my SAVE for Giledhel. I'll wait to see what Fea writes before I have the poor dear crack up completely . . . ;)

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Please don't wait for me... I'll be too busy for the next few days to get anything decent composed. I can place something once it's needed, but I'd hate to rush and end up with something that I loathe.

[Anguirel]

pio, if Giledhel's response would be halped by a post from Fea perhaps we should slip over onto the Diviner storyline for a bit, where Endamir still has plenty of talking to do.

[piosenniel]

Post for Endamir is on board

~*~ Pio

[Anguirel]

I've speeded things up somewhat...the Seneschal and the revealed she-Diviner have come to blows...

[Child of the 7th Age]

Break it up, break it up. Would you guys stop fighting!

Either Lindir is hallucinating and his mind is about to break, or he is in a desperate situation..... :eek:

[Anguirel]

Child, the she-Diviner is yours now.

pio and Firefoot, best you try and get out of there and make it to the grotto. Write your way back outside...

Fea, pioGiledhel, if you feel like posting from your bit that would be great.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I'll try for this afternoon, but I can't guarantee anything until Sunday. Why life chooses to get busy when you least expect it... :rolleyes:

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Posting today will offer a fantastic break between reading half of The Inferno of Dante and reading half of Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart. :rolleyes:

Pio, do you want me to wait for you to fill in the Giledhel post before writing something for Tasa?

[Anguirel]

Just to say sorry for my momentary disappearance. You're going well!

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Shnoikies... Things came up (in the form of my parents driving three hours for a surprise visit) and now I'm stuck trying to finish all of the homework I'd meant to do this afternoon (while they were here).

Tomorrow. I'm going to post tomorrow and that's final. And if RL tries to get in my way again, I'll have something to say to that inconsiderate RL, you see if I don't.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Good luck, Feanor!

My save is filled. That is some nasty lady.

[piosenniel]

Saves filled

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Save filled.

[Anguirel]

Mainly to Child-

Would you be prepared for the Diviner and the Seneschal to "kill" each other off and both be banished to Mandos fairly soon? It's just, I'd like the plot to slide on from them.

So head towards the tete-a-tete with Lindir, and then maybe we can have the final, fatal duel...?

[Envinyatar]

Good grief!

Hopefully the Seneschal will be keeping the Diviner busy before Orëmir can awaken and get to Endamir; before Endamir slips over the precipice :eek:

[Child of the 7th Age]

Ang - OK, I've got a fast way out of this if that is needed. I've posted a save for Lindir. I want him to think through certain things in his life relating to the Diviner and his own early history. I'm thinking of using him in another storyline relating to the crafting of the rings of power, and this is a mental set up for me. My slightly milktoast character will come to a firm decision that he will not let the Diviner touch his fëa even if that was his only chance for survival. (What sane person would?)

Once I finish those reflections, feel free to disopose of the Seneschal and Diviner any way you'd like, as long as poor Endamir does not slip off a cliff. Could you handle the battle yourself? Lindir will be awake but unable to move to help Endamir with an injury to his leg. (He sure as heck will try, but with no success.)

[piosenniel]

Right, then . . . Malris and Tasa -

Giledhel's come to her senses and is now gone as are her little haunts.

I've used the fact that a number of the bones in the grotto fell into the sea, as Endamir rescued his brother and Lindir, to accomplish this.

I'll bet the door might open now . . .

[Anguirel]

And at a stroke a subplot is closed...

Maglor's song will have an interesting tale to tell tonight.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Ooh, frustrating. I tried for two hours last night to get onto this thread and fill my save. But I couldn't access the site. It kept timing out. From the list of active topics, it looks as if things were closed down from about 7:30 pm till 5:30 this morning.

I'll come back and do it later today. Have to run now, but sorry about the delay.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Save filled. Lindir has made his peace.

[Anguirel]

Save filled. The Seneschal and Diviner have made their war...

[Anguirel]

Right. Things are going swimmingly, but Malris and Tasa won't be found tonight. The door is barred and I have plans for them to escape, later, by another means.

So, Fab Four, bury the remaining bones and slope back to the guardhouse to wait for Malris and get Maglor's song instead...

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I posted, but no worries... they're not going anywhere. Tasa's too weak from battle/emotion/etcetera and Malris is currently too "slumped against the wall dejectedly" to do anything.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Ang,

I am not sure if we will be "burying the bones" but I promise you we will get rid of them in a respectful way and one that is in accord with other things Tolkien has written.

Do we not also have another problem? We have one ship and people wanting to go in two directions: some west across the Sea, some east and back to Middle-earth. Isn't this true, or have I misunderstood something. Will we need a second ship? If so, I think we can solve the ship and burial problem in a single post.

Please advise regarding the need for two ships.

[Anguirel]

Good point, Child. What's your cunning two birds with one stone plan?

I do have one slight suggestion. Malris and Tasa will be going underground, below the fortress, fairly soon, the rest of you somewhat later. It's possible that there could be a subterranean river leading out to sea with a convenient, and Charonian, boat.

[Child of the 7th Age]

I like the idea of your subterranean boat. I will only concentrate on the bones.

My save is filled, but I'll need another post to begin getting rid of those bones in a dignified way.

[Envinyatar]

So . . . where are we going from here? And how are the bones to be taken care of for the moment?

Do you want the twins down with Lindir, Child, or . . . are we supposed to be finding the subterranean passage now . . . or . . . hauling the bones up to the top of the cliff, pushing them over the edge of the grotto . . .

As you can see, I'm quite lost . . . anyone having a vision of what should be going on now . . .

[Child of the 7th Age]

Envinyatar,

I'm not at all sure about the subterranean boat. That was something Ang mentioned. I hope that he'll share the details with us shortly. I'm not sure how we go about finding it. So right now I was concentrating on the burial of the bones.

Pio and I spoke briefly the other day about doing a "ship's" burial for the bones in the cave. This would actually be easier than digging a grave and very appropriate in terms of Tolkien.

The twins would be most welcome. Lindir is in a bit of a jam. I don't think we want to escalate tensions but a friend or two at his side would help. The men have a fishing boat nearby. They are decent but suspicious. Out in deeper waters there is a small fleet of such vessels (4-5?). If you recall, Lindir has an ancient, jewelled brooch at his neck (one made by the Diviner in kinder, gentler times), which would bring a pretty penny for the fisher people if they took it back to the coast. Lindir will be most ready to barter that for one of the older boats in the fishermen's fleet (perhaps one in less than excellent repair). Indeed, at this point, he is quite ready to let the brooch go, given what's just happened!

We could bring the bones down by the basket and load them onto the ship. Then give them an appropriate send off--elves and orcs together. Would the twins (or some part of them) like to help?

I am still fighting a nasty chest cold and need to go collapse in bed. Please feel free to carry on if you'd like to join in by a post or a save. I wouldn't object if Lindir slipped the brooch to one of the twins and they tried their hand at negotiating. I am also open to other suggestions.

I hope to write some more tomorrow. Does this help? If not, shoot away with questions. Perhaps Ang can explain about the subterranean passage and that boat, which will presumably head straight west for those so inlined.

[Envinyatar]

We are now in possession of a small, serviceable, if somewhat patched and shabby fishing vessel.

I hope the exalted Elven bones do not mind the lingering scent of mackerel! :p

[Child of the 7th Age]

My bones post is finally up. Lindir has had some serious thoughts about a dear friend who disappeared in the First Age. I am hoping to use this remembrance of corrupted Elves as one element in a future RPG in Rohan that will focus on the "cleansing" of Mordor (ecologically, physically, and spiritually) after the departure of Sauron.

Anyone want to do the ritual and set the boat adrift on the water?

[Anguirel]

Frightfully sorry about my absence...I've had the flu for several days...

I'll return with something more coherent.

[Child of the 7th Age]

I have also been under the weather. Glad to see you back again.

[piosenniel]

Well, then . . . SAVE filled.

And the ship of bones has been sent off with as much grace and pilfering of the Silmarillion as the writer could manage :)

[Envinyatar]

With apologies to A.E. Housman . . .

Orëmir seems to have remembered something and has led the Fantastic Four off in search of entryways to the passageways beneath the fortress . . .

Carry-on, troops . . . :smokin:

[piosenniel]

Anguirel


Do you want us to find Malris and Tasa . . . or . . .?


http://forum.barrowdowns.com/ubb/icons/icon14.gif & Happy Birthday, a few minutes late! :D


http://forum.barrowdowns.com/ubb/icons/icon13.gif ~*~ Pio

[Anguirel]

Actually, no, not yet. I was planning on them staying separate for a while longer...

And thanks!

I'll put up a Malris SAVE to be filled in today.

[Envinyatar]

Well, then, we shall wander . . .

[Anguirel]

SAVE filled, rather late. Sorry.

Fea, I need you to play with, I suppose...

The rest of you...if you want to have some amusing dangers in your search, put your ideas here or asking me to do some rummaging in the pool of concepts I have for this game.

Are we planning to play Blind Man's Bluff all night, or snatch a bit of rest? If so, I think it likely Malris and Tasa will need to sleep a bit before chancing the labyrinth.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I'm here, I promise. I know I've been a slacker, but midterms are now over, as is my [too short] vacation. I'm back, just like Sam.

PS: Tasa seems to be in a bad mood. :)

[Firefoot]

I just want to let you all know that I haven't disappeared or anything - my life is really busy right now. Other than sleeping I think I spent about 6 hours at home this weekend. I'm really going to try to have a post up sometime early this week as my schedule allows, but if I can't, please feel free to carry Lomwe along. I'd say he's quite ready to leave, even eager to get out of this place.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Ang

Don't we need to wrap this story up? My gut feeling is that we've reached a point where we need to meet up with you and Tasa and then go our separate ways--some west and some east.

I am thinking that others may feel this way too, which is why the thread has lain dormant for a number of days.

Could we start taking steps in that direction? What do you have in mind that we should do to bring the story to its ending scenes? I'll be glad to post but at this point I'm a wee bit uncertain what you'd like us to do.

Please advise.....

P.S. Just an aside, but I've really enjoyed this story and all the excellent writing, both yours and other posters. I just want to make sure we bring things through to the end.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I'm around (though I shouldn't say that, since I'm out of town for the weekend starting a few hours from now). I just haven't posted since I'm waiting for a Malris response to Tasa's "No."

[Anguirel]

Well...ah...pio and I were planning rather longer mileage. I've PMed her concerned about its length and wondering if I should condense the plot, but she said to keep things as they were.

I must tell you, I have many ideas in store still and was unaware of plans to end this. Frolics still await.

I suppose it comes down to a decision of the players, but I for one am still enjoying this, and am surprised by this turn of events...

[piosenniel]

Can we get yours and Fea's storyline kicked into gear, then?

& we do need some direction to the other four of us players. I don't want to simply invent an adventure for us while we wait. We're in 'search' mode at the moment - can we stay there until Malris and Tasa find us? Or . . .

[Anguirel]

Well, I've fulfilled your first request before I even saw it...

Now, you only had to ask, as I believe I indicated earlier. My plan includes a stop for rest somewhere, but we can cut that. How would you like to stumble on the armoury of Maedhros, supervised by the Master-Smith, a former associate of Lindir?

There, that should keep you occupied for a bit. But the paths are treacherous, and underground streams run quickly. Swimming, wading, Watcher-style-beasties, an occasional rather aqueous Troll...and any Coavalta running about you care to encounter, Elf or Orc.

You see, in the past all of you have been miraculously self-sustaining. My game plan lay almost untouched. But if you want it, it is not empty and gathering dust.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Leaving for Vermont. I'll finish it on Monday. Maybe late Sunday night.

[Child of the 7th Age]

I'll be glad to continue writing. This has been a most enjoyable game. I did not realize that further delights were in store and will be glad to participate.

Having started the ball rolling, I am rather ironically uncertain if I'll manage to post this weekend. I am buried under tax documents for the next day or two. I shall emerge (hopefully :rolleyes: ) and participate after that.

[Firefoot]

It seems I'll have to figure a new direction for Lomwe to go... I've sort of been in wrap-up mode with him. Hm.

Not that I'm complaining - as others have said, this has been an extremely fun and well-written RPG.

And in reference to my last post, you all can do what you want with Lomwe's find - it could indeed be nothing, it could look too unsafe, or it could be something else entirely...

[piosenniel]

I'm wondering about Malris and his plans concerning Tasa.

Except for Finwë (who took a second wife when his first died), Elves were monogamous even after a spouse died.

Does Malris intend to set his marriage to Giledhel aside somehow?

It would be interesting to hear how you've thought this out.

[Anguirel]

A kiss does not equal marriage...particularly with Tasa in such a state...but yes. Malris and Tasa's romance is probably doomed. If they're both still alive when they head for Valinor, they'll have to part, unless Giledhel does as Miriel did and remains in Mandos' halls...

[Firefoot]

A rather side tracked and humorous note. I was playing hanghobbit and had the blanks LIN_IR so I'm like "Oh! Lindir!" and without thinking pressed the "D"... it was only afterwards that I realized that that couldn't have been the answer because he's not actually one of Tolkien's characters... :D

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Oh my, I'm afraid I'd have made the same mistake. :)

My save is filled, by the by. And Tasa isn't feeling very mobile.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Firefoot,

What do you mean that Lindir is not one of Tolkien's characters? I remember quite distinctly that he appears in volume 14 of HoME! :rolleyes:

[Anguirel]

Just wondered if the Fab Four would like me to NPC another renegade spirit or a few beasties to get them into trouble? It would give us all something to do.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Sorry the save took a while to fill. Insane week, this. I lost my mind for a bit, but no worries... it's back. :)

[Anguirel]

Excellent. So have we skipped ahead a few hours while they sleep? When we return to the other four, will we flashback or let them have jumped a few hours further too?

Maybe the best solution would be for them to decide to return to the gatehouse and rest briefly before braving the labyrinth...Pio, could you post something of the kind?

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

It could be anything from a few minutes to a few hours.

Let's give them a nice heart to heart before they leave, shall we Ang?

A brief run-down of Tasa's current state: still terribly tired, though less fey; developing a resignation to her fate... very seriously considering staying in ME to fade rather than going to Valinor where she will ever be reminded of Malris and Giledhel's happiness together. If she leaves Middle Earth, she's going to need a very good reason to do it now.

I tried and failed to see her living happily ever after in any situation. She's simply not that character.

[Anguirel]

I'm up for that.

It looks to me like either Tasa or Giledhel will end up staying in Mandos...and just possibly both of them...

[Child of the 7th Age]

Wait a minute! You mean the guy gets away scot free and the girls end up in Mandos. Leave it to a man..... :D

[piosenniel]

Giledhel will elect to stay in Mandos Halls. She has some business to attend to.

I don't see why Tasa would go to Mandos at all - unless she's planning on dying . . .

[Anguirel]

That was the possibility I was referring to.

Tasa's one of those characters who will make things more tragic if they die, whereas if Malris died no one would mind that much, least of all him. So I think it's more likely to happen that way round...

Incidentally, Giledhel's father is in Mandos for his part in the rebellion of the Noldor; I doubt he'd have earned an early release like Finrod...

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I'm uncertain that I'll actually kill her... the last character I tried to kill made an emotional wreck of me. Or maybe it was because I was trying to do it during finals week... :rolleyes: In any case, you hit it right on, Ang, with the way that something about Tasa is inherently tragic.

Pio: I'm dying to know what that unfinished business is.

Everyone who cares: I saw Blithe Spirit last night. Amusing.

[Anguirel]

It's exactly the same situation, isn't it? Amazing! We even had a Madame Arcati with the Diviner...

I try and do Greek tragedy and end up with Noel Coward...

[Child of the 7th Age]

Pio, Envinyatar,

You'd both better take a look at this! My post for Mandos presents your characters in a certain way. If you're not comfortable with that, let me know and I'll try and edit.

I could really get into this Mandos thing.. The stern voice and the scepter seem like a great way to discipline kids. :D All my delusions of maternal grandeur are finally fulfilled. I wonder if there's any job openings in the Halls of Mandos?

[Anguirel]

Goodness...Malris would be astonished to know that the Doomsman of the Valar is effectively taking his side...

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I'll be out of town or unavoidably busy from early Wednesday until very late Sunday. Just so everyone knows.

[Firefoot]

And I won't be here from Friday until Wednesday.

[Envinyatar]

Save filled :)

You're up, Námo!!

- E -

[Anguirel]

I'm off tonight on my way to Italy, via France, and won't be back till the 13th of April.

With so many absences, perhaps a break is in order...unless pio, Child and Envinyatur are around and happy Mandosing.

This is developing wonderfully...

[Child of the 7th Age]

My save is filled. Since we have such a lot of "time to fill", I am letting this develop slowly....

[Envinyatar]

Child

I'm a little unclear -- how does Namo think Giledhel has been faithless to her husband and family. Orc brain here is not processing that. :)

[Child of the 7th Age]

Dear Orc,

Here is how Namo views things.....

From Namo's perspective, Giledhel was "faithless" to husband and family in refusing his initial call to come to Mandos. I am assuming these are the values with which Elves are raised: to return to the Halls of Mandos when death strikes. To remain houseless and drifting would seem to be contary to the path laid out for Elvenkind. He feels she should have obediently returned to Mandos and encouraged the Orcseys to come with her as well.

I know we have a plotline that we must bury the bodies in order for them to find peace. But I am assuming that they would initially have been free to fly to Mandos. The need for burial only came after their extended stay.

Oh, my! I hope you don't think that Namo was referring to her relations with the gentlemen Orcs. Namo, for all his grim demeanor, is not so indelicate, and, although Gildedhel's behavior is certainly daft, she is very much a well behaved lady! :D

If you prefer different wording, or have problems with these ideas, let me know and I will try to edit. Alternately, you are welcome to raise this question in the story....

Namo (the guy with the scythe)

[Envinyatar]

Oh, my! I hope you don't think that Namo was referring to her relations with the gentlemen Orcs. :eek:

Have mercy! That was absolutely hilarious! I never even thought of that.

Anyways - thanks for giving me a peek into the doom-meister's brain . . . :D

[Envinyatar]

SAVE filled

[Child of the 7th Age]

Save finally filled.

Envinyatar - My Elvish is less than stellar. Do I have the meaning of the name right? I will edit as needed.

[Anguirel]

I'm back. Taranta ra. Will get abreast now!

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Welcome back, Ang. Since you're here and that means my story line is back, I have to beg forgiveness to delay. It's finals week and I'm pretty well dying right now.

[Anguirel]

Ah well. Hope your fatal spasms and death throes don't get too painful...

As Mithalwen astutely reminded me elsewhere, I too am not without work, it's just been seconded to tomorrow...

Might Pio, Child, Envinyatur and Firefoot like to get the rest of the party into the Labyrinth, perhaps?

This Master Smith chappy is going to cause havoc, though he only wants company and students...like the proverbial one eyed teacher who only had one pupil...

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Well, I'm back. Here's to hoping for high marks on those finals!

Tell me what needs doing and it'll get done. It looks as though Tasa isn't specifically required right this moment?

[Anguirel]

We've entered the corridors and can begin our journey through them. General impressions, memories, or a bit of action involving spirits or beasties should you prefer. Unlike the others, we aren't in hearing range of the Smith and won't be involved in his little game just yet.

Guess who the bitter Elven woman who's stirred up the Smith is?

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Erm...?

[Anguirel]

Is that a particular or a general erm?

Summary of The Situation-

Malris and Tasa have just found the entrance to the Corridors and descended.

The others, with the twins leading the way, are in another part of the Corridors.

Closer to them than to Malris and Tasa is the Smith, an essentially good-hearted but rather eccentric spirit who has been instructed by a mysterious female voice (coughbitterDivinercough) to "gather six pupils"...

Closer to Malris and Tasa, for the sake of fairness, is the subterranean lake with lots of Watcher-like nasties within.

And there are trolls and socially challenged ghosts creeping around the place.

The twins, Lomwe, and Lindir are looking for Malris and Tasa. Malris and Tasa are looking for any way up to the surface. Osanwe-kenta is still unreliable in the brooding underground air...

[Anguirel]

Sorry to seem impatient, but I'd really rather we got this going. Is there some more clarification people would like?

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Can your impatience last another hour or so? :p

[Anguirel]

It had better do its best to do so...

And to dispel my apparent Ogreishness I shall indulge in what is, I believe, my second ever smilie. I shall allow myself one more in my career... :p

[Anguirel]

Dwarves? Lord above. Pio or Envinyatur, any chance of a PM or a post here elucidating that you've thought out...?

[Envinyatar]

the Smith, an essentially good-hearted but rather eccentric spirit who has been instructed by a mysterious female voice (coughbitterDivinercough) to "gather six pupils"...

Hmmm . . . well I probably misread your intent . . . working here in the dark and all . . .

But I thought perhaps we needed a flesh and blood sort of character to draw the group in. They are certainly not going to traffic with any more spirits, at least willingly. They would run back through the dark corridor, I should think - at least Orëmir would (and drag his brother back to boot)

I saw the Dwarven smith as a natural -- the Dwarves did do work for the Elves and being of a greedy nature, this Master Smith (or son of a son of a son of) who is good-hearted, but a bit eccentric in spirit (as I misunderstood it, apparently) could have been corrupted by the Diviner ah wel . . .

It was a short post, I'd be happy to change it . . . just let me know . . .

[Anguirel]

I don't necessarily see why they'd flee from all spirits on principle. Idrahil didn't double-cross them, nor the earlier guard-captain; good spirits about even with the Diviner and Ingir, malign elvish spirits.

But are you actually making the Master-Smith a Dwarf? This I'd really rather avoid. I listed him earlier with Elven coavaltar the Orcs feared, I've had him chanting an elvish incantation of Curufin's, and I also have him down in the background as being the tutor in smithying of Lindir...he's definitely a Noldo elf.

After my original pedantic, petty villain Diviner was turned-to great effect-into a sort of menacing goddess figure, like Jadis or Dark!Galadriel, I think I'd rather keep this Smith's race as I envisaged it, I'm afraid.

I'm perfectly happy, though, for you to encounter Dwarves, possibly even ones who know of and trust the Smith, unintentionally luring you into his tutelage and clutches. It might be a jolly and refreshing interlude in a small Dwarf cavern with a family of three or four, all that remains of the Naugrim workers. A nice calm before the storm haven moment. Would that be alright? I increasingly think it might be rather fun. Only I'd rather not take on these Dwarves myself, since I already have the Smith-who would like to play them? Would you, Envinyatur?

Tonight I'll take Malris and Tasa on the next stage of their journey and get them to the shore of the underground lake.

[Envinyatar]

I think I'll just rewrite my post - sans Dwarves.

Let me see what I can do.

[Anguirel]

A bit more about the Master Smith.

I had originally intended him as a way of giving Lindir and Child in particular a chance for fun and games-as I'd had him down as Lindir's mentor.

However, since Child's already had to handle the Diviner sub-plot, perhaps she'd prefer if he had some connection to the twins instead? Just a thought.

If we stick to the scheme then he will enroll you all as students but with Lindir as definite Teacher's Pet, mulling over old times. He will not use the Silver Fetters until he is utterly forced-they are a precaution he does not expect to need, though he assuredly eventually will. I think a bit of willing interaction might be interesting at first, but when you realise you're not allowed to leave...

As for his appearance-I was thinking he should look fully corporeal while working. If he stops working or puts his tools down for any reason he vanishes. Aside from that, typical black hair, grey eyes, tall height, broad shoulders, etc.

[Child of the 7th Age]

However, since Child's already had to handle the Diviner sub-plot, perhaps she'd prefer if he had some connection to the twins instead? Just a thought.

I am flexible and can go either way on this. Whatever you decide is fine. Do remember though that Lindir has not done any metalwork for thousands of years--not since he was involved in the crafting of the lesser rings and was at least an observer in terms of the creation of the ruling Ring. (Lindir has had definite second thoughts about what happened in those years, which accounts for the fact that he has worked as a scout rather than a craftsman.)

I am not sure his mentor will be terribly happy when he learns that his pupil has turned his back on the craft. In fact, he may be downright angry!

Interestingly, Lindir has occasionally thought in this story about getting his hand back into his craft again. But the particular character you've set in front of us may/will give the poor fellow serious second thoughts. It seems those Noldor Elves who are caught up in the urge to create often are a bit off base and leave one with serious doubts about their ability to see right from wrong.

Just let me know how you decide to go with this. I have been tied up with other things, but my schedule has opened up. I'll look over the game tomorrow.

[Anguirel]

Pio-excellent initiative taken, but I have to pull you up a bit. Nelyafinwe is Maedhros' own father-name. The Smith was announcing his continued loyalty to Maedhros, not introducing himself. So we'll have to find another name for the Smith...I'll produce one if you like.

Other than that...brilliant!

[piosenniel]

Edit done . . .

[Child of the 7th Age]

I have finished off the Mandos subplot by inserting my post in #242.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Second save filled.

Lindir is quite good at sniffing out evil, and he does not trust the Elven smith at all!

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Oh dear... poor Tasa's not having a very good day. Again. Unconscious now. The voice seems excited to kill something. :)

This okay, Ang? And sorry it took so much longer than expected.

[Anguirel]

Two episodes written-Malris fights something very nasty but finds hope. The Smith offers the pals a drink and asks them if they've been hearing any ong lately and what they think of it.

In terms of the overall picture, we're now about halfway through the fourth day of the journey. Tomorrow (in RP time) is the big day of action, finding the secret passage into the keep, the former dwelling of Maedhros and Maglor, via the dungeons, and it's likely some of us won't survive it. On the sixth day the survivors go back to Mithlond, and thence to Valinor.

What remains of today is the Fab Four getting trapped by the Smith to whatever extent is necessary, Malris and Tasa finding their way there to, and a Great Escape.

[piosenniel]

Firefoot

Are you still with us?

~*~ Pio

[Firefoot]

Yes, sorry. I've been neglecting posting, and I really do need to. I have some time tonight; I'll try to work something out then. :)

[Anguirel]

I have my first AS exam tomorrow, but will endeavour to get a post up after it's over, where the Smith reaches the denouement of his story, and Malris gets aboard the raft...

[Anguirel]

Envinyatur, could you possibly delay the hauling until the Smith has finally finished his story and laid out his intent? The worst is yet to come...

Sorry, don't want to seem like I'm continually scuppering you.

[Envinyatar]

OK

SAVE deleted

[Anguirel]

Thanks a lot!

[Anguirel]

Save filled in! Now...bring on the dancing girls!

As it were.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Save filled. Fit your requirements for dancing girls, Ang? I couldn't help but add the thing with Cirlach pointing at her heart. I'm a sucker for superfluous stuff like that. :cool:

[Envinyatar]

Child

I've used Lindir a bit as we discussed.

Will Lómwë be able to make an escape attempt with us, Firefoot! :)

[piosenniel]

Hmmm . . . well perhaps someone should clunk Endamir on the head. :p

He'll try to resist. Though, all those years spent in the libraries at Rivendell may have softened his muscles a bit . . .

[Firefoot]

I deleted my save and just put up a post after pio's. Hope it works... Endamir might have a pretty nasty bump on the head, although I doubt Lomwe's going to be too sympathetic...

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Just a note, I'm leaving town until at least Monday. See y'all when I get back.

[Anguirel]

I too am off for the weekend, I'm afraid. I have some celebrating to do. I'll try and get a Smith post up on Sunday night.

[Anguirel]

Save filled in. Only Lomwe is still at liberty physically and mentally...

[Envinyatar]

Anguirel -

About the Smith's powers and the seemingly magical fetters:

I can't speak for the others, but I would really like to write for the actions and feelings, etc. of my own character.

Can you make a different approach to this scene somehow, leave it open enough from your part as the Smith so that I can write my own character's reactions?

[Anguirel]

Will do. Sorry. Re-write as soon as poss. Hectic afternoon.

[Anguirel]

There. Greatly improved from any point of view. And you can control your character's reactions.

I'm now entering a period of extremely intense revision followed by a burst of hard work. I can't contribute for about a week. Would a break be suitable here, or would pio like to take over the management of the Smith? A struggle could easily last till I'm back.

By the way, you are going to have to end up chained up, though you can give a good account of yourselves. Malris and Tasa, unlikely as it may seem, are going to end up getting the chance to be the cavalry.

I'll see if I can bring the fight with the Lake Beastie to a close before I go.

Awfully sorry, but I love Latin, and have been lazy/dilettante hitherto, and don't want to make a mess of my potentially best subject...

[piosenniel]

Proceed as you wish, E.

~*~ Pio

[Envinyatar]

Good game! Enjoyed playing with you all.

- E -

[piosenniel]

:eek:

Endamir, I fear, has fallen too much under the influence of the Smith's will and the wine . . .

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Nice one, Envinyatar. Great working with you, even though our characters didn't interact a whole lot. Hope to write with you again.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Real life just claimed a lot more time than I expected it to have done. Please don't expect any Tasa posts for at least two weeks. At least. :(

[Anguirel]

Goodness. What...surprises...have been shown in store for me on my return...

It was fun playing with you, Envinyatur, and without you this game would have been far more colourless up to this point.

Fea, your absence will be quite tricky-can I carry Tasa to some extent?

I'll get up a post finishing Malris and Tasa's struggle with the Beast today. As well as the Smith's reaction to having his potential stuidents lessened by death...most disquieting...

[Child of the 7th Age]

Envinyatar,

I shall be sorry to see you go. Hopefully we will write together in another story.

________________________

Lindir's post is up.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Ang- go ahead. Just don't finish the game without me, please? Even if it means PMing me frantically and saying "Fea, we're ending! Come back!!!!" Tasa's got a few things to do before the end.

[piosenniel]

Anguirel

I've moved my post so that you needn't seem to be double-posting.

Child of the 7th Age's character has addressed the Smith HERE (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=472097&postcount=283) .

I think we should get the storyline moving along with an answer to Lindir.

And perhaps Malris and Tasa need to get moving so that the captivity of their other 3 companions can be resolved.

~*~ Pio

[Anguirel]

Right. Now exams are over I'll speedily get into action.

By the way-since we've already had one death, shall I reduce the planned dangers facing us on the morrow somewhat?

I'll put a Smith SAVE up-should be filled in today

[piosenniel]

Not sure what dangers you had planned . . . but if Endamir comes out of his fog - he would most likely be quite out of his mind with grief and be an excellent candidate for doing something rash and getting killed.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

If we're talking about less-than-ideal endings, I must admit that I've long seen Tasa as a very good candidate for either insanity or death. She's not the sort of character that lives happily ever after and never has been.

[Anguirel]

I'm willing to countenance half of us falling, though I'd almost rather have just two. Any more and the final lead up to the voyage is deprived of a lot of interesting interaction.

Oh, and, in other news, my Smith save is filled. I think I want a few more reactions-especially from the undrugged and deeply horrified Lomwe-before I send Tasa and Malris forth.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Tasa doesn't necessarily have to die, but she'll never live happily ever after. She could never be happy with somebody other than Malris, but she was never truly meant to be with him.

At best, she was once content within the gardens of Lothlorien as a handmaiden to Galadriel, who knew her well. She could be content again in solitude within hidden gardens in Valinor, but she won't be the one at the end of the tale that gets all she's worked her life for. She'll be the one to devote herself to the world around her.

Tasa's not a main character, she's a supporting role in her own story. She's a martyr and nothing that I write will change it.

I can be honest, I suppose, since I suspect it will affect your planned ending, Ang. I've long been flirting with the concept of Tasa returning alone to Lothlorien rather than sailing West.

[Child of the 7th Age]

My save is filled. I am considering using Lindir in another story, so please do not sever his head from his shoulders. :p

Lindir also will not be sailing west....

[Anguirel]

Oh Lord. That means at best only Malris, maybe Endamir if pio relents, and Lomwe on the ship...

I have thought of a decent wrap up to the love triangle, and will PM the two beauteous ladies to discuss it...don't worry, it involves no shred of happiness. But I think it's quite satisfying...

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I am satisfied.

[Anguirel]

SAVE filled in. Events have taken their course, the strays have returned, and Endamir is again cursed with sanity.

By the way, quite a lot of the supernatural stuff relies on the agency of Curufin in Mandos. I imagine it as Mandos agreeing to allow Curufin-through him-to remedy some of the evil he left on Middle-earth.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Anguirel - Please check your pm's.

[Anguirel]

Er...I haven't any.

[Child of the 7th Age]

You do now. ;)

[Anguirel]

Edit performed...hope it works...

Now, some action?

[Child of the 7th Age]

Many thanks Ang. I appreciate that.

[Anguirel]

We're really within shooting distance of a finish now, so let's press on.

Endamir has a new and dreadful reality to deal with.

Lomwe and Lindir can reveal that they are not truly bound and help subdue the Smith, whether by force or conversation, though only the latter, as Lindir guessed, will be effective.

Tasa-if you're around, Fea-has reacting to do, as do the others actually. Once we've got a bit of this laid out I'll write Maglor's song, drawing the day to an end and making the company's future course clear...

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Unless something comes up, I'll be around after this weekend.

[Anguirel]

Lovely post, Fea...Kafkaesque drifting of mind...

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Ooh, thanks. I was a bit worried that I wouldn't be able to carry off the stream of consciousness-ish aspect of it. I messed it up pretty badly with something vaguely similar I did recently (not really, just that I didn't like it) and wanted to try again and this was a perfect chance.

[Anguirel]

Hee hee...I never expected to say this, pio, but please can you fill in your SAVE? Filling my own will be more difficult until I know Endamir's reaction to the tragedy.

EDIT: Typical...I post this and you've done it! Wonderful post. My SAVE following...sorry...

[Anguirel]

SAVE filled. Firefoot, I moved Lomwe from his chains; do say if you object.

[Firefoot]

Ang - that's fine.

Save is filled.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Save filled.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Tasa will be unable to follow (referencing Child's post) of her own will. If guided, she can be led, but she's not really following what's happening.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Thanks for the reminder. Surely we would not all run out on a companion who seems dazed and distracted. At the very least someone would bring her along. (Hint to those posting after me..... :p )

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I'd post myself, but how in depth can one get with "Tasa kept standing there."? :) Sure, I could make it fantastically lengthy and all, but when it all comes down to it, it would still just say "And she kept standing there, totally missing out on what was happening."

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Um........

Ang?

[Anguirel]

Firefoot, we cross-posted, but not to ill-effect, I think.

Everyone-would it be completely unrealistic to aim to end this game by a week on Friday?

I'm hoping to end the day with Maglor's song tonight or failing that tomorrow morning. Before I do that it would be good to see poor Endamir's reaction to this throng of sombre well-wishers...

After that, here's what we have to do:

It will be found that the front entrance into the forge has mysteriously closed. The Smith will swear he has nothing to do with it. Malris and Tasa will be uncannily reminded of the door out of Giledhel's quarters closing.

Anyway, the party will have no choice but to press on through the backrooms of the armoury and into the Keep, accompanied by the Smith who seeks his bones. In the ancient audience chamber they will encounter one more powerful Coavalta, who you can find if you scan the battle with the band of Orc-spirits very closely-the Chamberlain of the Palace.

He will inform them of a remarkable situation and they will be presented with an unheard of choice. After they have made up their minds, the party (possibly numbering even fewer) will be conducted out of the fortress and sail to Mithlond. A fair wind will carry them. Then those who wish to stay in Middle-earth after all will do so; those who wish to sail will sail.

Do you think we can pack that into a week and a half?

[Firefoot]

I'm willing to go for it; it would be great if this was finished before I leave on vacation on the 20th (two weeks away).Firefoot, we cross-posted, but not to ill-effect, I think. Agreed. It's always bad to be the second poster of a cross-posting... but fortunately this time I only had to change "Lindir's voice" to "Lindir's and Malris's voices." *relieved smilie*

[piosenniel]

No need to wait for my post fill in . . . it will resolve the present situation . . . after the France-Portugal match is over, that is . . .

Someone go ahead and carry us forward

[Anguirel]

If anyone wants to do something more dynamic than sleeping, feel free to skip ahead to morning, I suppose, finding yourself still in the forgery, with a faint memory of a Song lingering in your head...

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Like Firefoot, I'd like to be done before I leave town, only I leave in three weeks, not two, for Oregon, and it's not exactly a vacation, though I'm sure it will be a lot of fun. :) I'm up for trying to end this soon, much though it will be really... odd... not to have it any more.

[Anguirel]

Yes, well, you see, I'm off to Florence on the 15th, so I need a speedy resolution still more!

I'm going to post waking us up now.

[Anguirel]

Can some of you start pulling us further into the day, please? If you're at a loss for what sort of thing to do, see my outline above. Someone needs to discover that the front entrance out of the armoury doesn't work.

If we don't get this finished by Friday (now five days!) then there are two options-another mega-break (the last one, I promise) till September, or you, pio, could kill Malris off, amputate the plot and finish the game speedily, I suppose.

But best I'd like to finish it properly this week.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I've got a bit of unexpected time today. I can snap Tasa out of her thing (and the enchanted[ish] sleep is even a good excuse for her return to her usual self) and have her take a bit of charge. It'll be up any time between now and tonight, but it shouldn't take too long.

[Anguirel]

Good going, everyone. Do me a favour and let me see we've moved exponentially fast by the time I've woken up...

By the way, everyone, feel free to NPC the Smith. Shouldn't be too challenging. He's driven by two main impulses-his irredeemable debt to Endamir, which comes out now in obedience, and his desire to find rest, ie, discover his bones and get the Elves to bury them (or ship them off, or whatever).

[Firefoot]

There, Ang, I tried to set it up for you to bring in that last Coavalta you mentioned. Getting to this big choice seemed the most important thing if we're supposed to be finishing this up in just a couple days.

[Anguirel]

I'm aware that some of you will want to point-blank refuse to go up to the Tower, just wanting to get out. If so, the Chamberlain has no power to stop you. But Malris at least will not be able to contain his curiosity!

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Tasa will continue to follow Malris.

[Anguirel]

Oh and by the way, the momentous choice isn't simply whether to accept the meeting with Maglor, or whoever else rules Himring.

It's an offer that will be presented by the said ruler in that same meeting...

[Firefoot]

Well, I wanted Lomwe to go on... but unfortunately that would be rather out of character for him, and there you have it. *sighs*

[Anguirel]

There's one other thing...the Smith's bones ideally need to be found...I slightly forgot about them. It would be rather ironic and moral dilemma inducing if Endamir discovered them and had to decide whether to lay them to rest...pio, can you do that?

[piosenniel]

I sent a note to Child to see if she can do that in a post for her character.

If she can't, I'll do something.

But keep the game rolling on, as I can slot a post in anywhere as can Child.

~*~ Pio

[Anguirel]

Good thinking pio. I might cut straight to the Tower in a bit then.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Bones buried. Honor required that Lindir forego the chance to see what lay in the tower.

Regarding the bones, I don't know quite what you had in mind, but I hope this helps.

[Anguirel]

This is fabulous-only thing, why is Malris being addressed as though he was Lindir's King?

Ah, well. The Tower, and the Revelation, coming up...

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

If I don't get Tasa's response up very soon, I will shortly after work (which will still be rather soon). Expect a post within the next four or five hours.

[Child of the 7th Age]

This is fabulous-only thing, why is Malris being addressed as though he was Lindir's King?

The deference and formality, even the use of the word "leave", were carefully considered. Lindir has many faults but excessive pride is not on the list. He has always regarded Malris as his "better". The two have known each other several thousand years, yet are now about to part ways: Lindir to Middle-earth, and Malris to the West. This is no small thing. Moreover, Lindir has serious doubts about what is in that Tower and fears that Malris will not emerge alive.

Given this scenario, Lindir prefers a graceful, formal exit rather than the emotional scene that would likely result were he to expose his very real sorrow and regret. Lindir would also assume that Malris knew him well enough to sense that, beneath the formaility and deference, lay a wealth of genuine feeling. My post stands as written. ;)

[Anguirel]

As I leave at 5:00 this afternoon, I fear I'm not quite going to see things to the end. I will write some posts rounding up Malris' story which pio can put where needed-is that alright?

So, Endamir's avoiding the Ghostbearer...is he going to Mithlond, or straight West?

Firefoot, will Lomwe sail West or not? Please say he will...rather embarassing for poor Malris to turn up at Cirdan's ship having lost all his companions by the wayside!

[piosenniel]

Endamir will sail westward ... and I believe he will be dropping Lindir off in Forlindon before he does so...

[Firefoot]

Yeah, he's sailing west. :)

[Anguirel]

The Return Voyage

The boat that had been a little crowded with half-a-dozen felt almost empty with three. Malris and Tasa had found Lómwë waiting alone by the Ghostbearer.

"The others left by way of one of the fishermen's crafts," he explained to them. "Lindir has decided to return to Middle-earth, while Endamir would rather take the straight road alone, I think, than amid the bustle of the passage Cirdan has arranged for us."

"May the Valar give him an easy wind," Malris answered, biting his lip. "It is a small boat and Endamir is little versed in sailing."

"I do not think he will be troubled by storms this time," Tasa said quietly, looking up into the sky. It was indeed blue and cloudless, though there was a healthy pitch in the water and a chilly enough breeze.

"Let us to Mithlond, then. There we shall part our various ways," said Malris, feeling the wooden ship of the harp in his hand. "And I rename this vessel; not Ghostbearer, but Ghostlayer shall she be. I have," he smiled wryly, "a spare, white, sail..."

***

It was a swift, yet untroubled journey; indeed as if the ocean had taken pity on this battered group of travellers in their stained, torn, grey garb.

"Why, the Anduin can be more trouble than this," Lómwë remarked.

"On certain days. At certain periods. With certain passengers," Malris contemplated from the tiller. "This wind is a Western wind wafting us south-east, and I say it comes in the way of a reprieve."

And so it fell out. Mariners at Mithlond loitered at the harbour, waiting for the return of the ship with Star of Feanor on her black sail, scheduled to arrive on that day, waiting so that they could curse her.

But they saw no sign of the ship's dark sail. "She must have perished; good riddance," one Telerin sailor said to another. She had perished, in a way, or the spirit in which she had been launched; it had died within Malris when he decided to resist the Harp.

And none noticed the landing of a grey boat with a plain sail, with three wild-looking Elves swathed in tattered grey aboard.

None except the Shipwright, and he stood and wondered.

***

Malris, Tasa, and Lómwë found themselves disembarked amid a scene of splendour. Before a tall, three-masted ship the Shipwright spoke with the three Elven Ringbearers; Galadriel, mistress of Tasa, glorious but humble in the fresh cleansing of the air, her hair blown about; grave Elrond, foster-son of Maglor, bearing a silver harp, perhaps in secret remembrance; and hoary old Mithrandir, whose sardonic laugh brought something earthier to that very unearthly meeting.

"Tasarënì, my dear!" Galadriel cried in some astonishment. "You are as punctual as ever. Do you mean to come with my company after all?"

"Nay, my lady, mine is the way of Celeborn," Tasa replied with regret. In more ways than even Artanis knows, Malris thought. For Tasa too was watching her love sail while she waited on the shore. Only it was another sort of love, with less drama and more artistry.

The three last fighters of Maedhros' host went aside during the commotion the arrival of the Periannath caused, and Malris knelt before Tasa, kissing her hand once. Then they exchanged one look, a deep look of minds as well as eyes, and parted amid the throng. Malris and Lómwë filed wordlessly into the ranks of the Elven retinues of the Three Elven Ringbearers, walking uneasily over the birch ramp and onto the deck.

"You will find your wife, and Aradol too, Lómwë," Malris said softly as they walked alone on the deck. "Aradol was an innocent, and will have been freed from Mandos. He'll be a fine young Elf now...a sturdy son for your old age, eh?" he said, unable to resist a gentle jibe.

Lómwë looked back, and silence fell for a little. "You will enter Namo's Halls to find Giledhel?"

"Aye."

"Then may you be rewarded as you deserve," Lómwë said, his eyes wide. Malris almost thought that in that moment he had the aspect of a prophet.

"That is all I can hope for." Would he be forgiven by his time-estranged wife? Malris did not know; but this he was now sure of, that had he denied himself this path to possible reconciliation, he would never have forgiven himself.

The breakers shifted and crawled and pounced, but the ship went on just the same. It was a smooth road, a quiet road, a simple road.

A straight road.


Ahem. Does this work as a last post? If anyone wants changes, do speak up.

[Anguirel]

It's been great fun, everyone. I'm off now...

[piosenniel]

Fea, Firefoot

Do either of you want to put on a final post?

If not, I'll fill in Endamir's save and then put Ang's final post on thegame.

~*~ Pio

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I do want to put up a final post, but I don't know how exactly to make it fit since I don't know what the others have planned.

[piosenniel]

By the time Tasa gets to the ship - Lindir and Endamir will have left in their small sail boat. So you only have to coordinate a post with Firefoot.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Okay.

Firefoot? Have you got anything planned that I should know about?

[Firefoot]

I'm not going to write another post for Lomwe; I'll leave that end as Ang has it. But I think I'm going to edit a little more into the last post I wrote, to make it a bit more conclusive. So Fea, do as you want with your post. :)

It's been excellent writing with you all.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Actually... I'm still not sure what I'm doing. Where does Ang's final post leave everybody?

[piosenniel]

Well --- this is the last post by Ang:


The Return Voyage

The boat that had been a little crowded with half-a-dozen felt almost empty with three. Malris and Tasa had found Lómwë waiting alone by the Ghostbearer.

"The others left by way of one of the fishermen's crafts," he explained to them. "Lindir has decided to return to Middle-earth, while Endamir would rather take the straight road alone, I think, than amid the bustle of the passage Cirdan has arranged for us."

"May the Valar give him an easy wind," Malris answered, biting his lip. "It is a small boat and Endamir is little versed in sailing."

"I do not think he will be troubled by storms this time," Tasa said quietly, looking up into the sky. It was indeed blue and cloudless, though there was a healthy pitch in the water and a chilly enough breeze.

"Let us to Mithlond, then. There we shall part our various ways," said Malris, feeling the wooden ship of the harp in his hand. "And I rename this vessel; not Ghostbearer, but Ghostlayer shall she be. I have," he smiled wryly, "a spare, white, sail..."

***

It was a swift, yet untroubled journey; indeed as if the ocean had taken pity on this battered group of travellers in their stained, torn, grey garb.

"Why, the Anduin can be more trouble than this," Lómwë remarked.

"On certain days. At certain periods. With certain passengers," Malris contemplated from the tiller. "This wind is a Western wind wafting us south-east, and I say it comes in the way of a reprieve."

And so it fell out. Mariners at Mithlond loitered at the harbour, waiting for the return of the ship with Star of Feanor on her black sail, scheduled to arrive on that day, waiting so that they could curse her.

But they saw no sign of the ship's dark sail. "She must have perished; good riddance," one Telerin sailor said to another. She had perished, in a way, or the spirit in which she had been launched; it had died within Malris when he decided to resist the Harp.

And none noticed the landing of a grey boat with a plain sail, with three wild-looking Elves swathed in tattered grey aboard.

None except the Shipwright, and he stood and wondered.

***

Malris, Tasa, and Lómwë found themselves disembarked amid a scene of splendour. Before a tall, three-masted ship the Shipwright spoke with the three Elven Ringbearers; Galadriel, mistress of Tasa, glorious but humble in the fresh cleansing of the air, her hair blown about; grave Elrond, foster-son of Maglor, bearing a silver harp, perhaps in secret remembrance; and hoary old Mithrandir, whose sardonic laugh brought something earthier to that very unearthly meeting.

"Tasarënì, my dear!" Galadriel cried in some astonishment. "You are as punctual as ever. Do you mean to come with my company after all?"

"Nay, my lady, mine is the way of Celeborn," Tasa replied with regret. In more ways than even Artanis knows, Malris thought. For Tasa too was watching her love sail while she waited on the shore. Only it was another sort of love, with less drama and more artistry.

The three last fighters of Maedhros' host went aside during the commotion the arrival of the Periannath caused, and Malris knelt before Tasa, kissing her hand once. Then they exchanged one look, a deep look of minds as well as eyes, and parted amid the throng. Malris and Lómwë filed wordlessly into the ranks of the Elven retinues of the Three Elven Ringbearers, walking uneasily over the birch ramp and onto the deck.

"You will find your wife, and Aradol too, Lómwë," Malris said softly as they walked alone on the deck. "Aradol was an innocent, and will have been freed from Mandos. He'll be a fine young Elf now...a sturdy son for your old age, eh?" he said, unable to resist a gentle jibe.

Lómwë looked back, and silence fell for a little. "You will enter Namo's Halls to find Giledhel?"

"Aye."

"Then may you be rewarded as you deserve," Lómwë said, his eyes wide. Malris almost thought that in that moment he had the aspect of a prophet.

"That is all I can hope for." Would he be forgiven by his time-estranged wife? Malris did not know; but this he was now sure of, that had he denied himself this path to possible reconciliation, he would never have forgiven himself.

The breakers shifted and crawled and pounced, but the ship went on just the same. It was a smooth road, a quiet road, a simple road.

A straight road.


So, you can see what he's done with the characters and fit your post so it leads into it . . . ?

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I should never have second-guessed. No other post from me is necessary. I'd forgotten how attuned Ang became to how Tasa's story would end by me. I am content with what he has written.

It's been wonderful writing with you all. We must do it again...

[piosenniel]

Firefoot

Let me know when you are done editing -- then, I'll close the thread . . .

~*~ Pio

[Firefoot]

Okay - all done. :)

[piosenniel]

I re-read the entire game - great writing everyone!

I'm very happy to have been part of such a lovely project. Hope to write with you all once again some time.

~*~ Pio

[piosenniel]

~*~ Finis ~*~

[piosenniel]

~*~ To Elvenhome ~*~