Wolf Run RPG

[Dwarin Thunderhammer]

Gaddy Furbarrow walked along the worn road of Bree that lead to the Inn of the Prancing Pony. As he darted past the huge carts of the Big Folk, Gaddy looked down at the rolled up piece of paper that he held protectively in his hands. He had to delver this safely to the Prancing Pony. There, he would gather together some men and women, big and small, to join him on the mission that he had been assigned to by the mayor and the sheepraisers of Bree.

Suddenly the Inn of the Prancing Pony loomed over the hobbit. Walking into the warm inn, Gaddy was greeted by sound of singing and the smell of delicious food cooking. Gaddy walked over to the warm fire, the nights in Bree kept getting colder, though the days were still plenty warm, to warm his hands. In the inn were gathered an odd looking group. There were an assortment of hobbits, Big Folk, and even the occasional elf or dwarf.

Walking over to the Innkeeper, Gaddy talked to him alone for a moment, and explained his situation. The innkeeper gave Gaddy permission to tack his notice there and make his announcement. Going back into the noisy and stuffy room once again, Gaddy took a chair from one of the tables and dragged it to to the middle of the room. People began to notice the hobbit now, and all conversations ceased as the travelers gazed curiously over at him.

Gaddy then stood up on the chair, unrolled his paper and began to read, “It seems that a incredible stroke of luck has befallen our little town of Bree. As the harvest nears, the farmers have noticed that their crops are nearly double that of the previous years. This fantastic stroke of good fortune has also greatly affected another facet of life: sheep herding.”

“Due to our town’s remote location, Bree did not have the luxury of specializing their local economy like Lake Town or Dale. Instead of simply producing one product for trade, the men, hobbit, and the occasional dwarf have diversified into many areas. The inhabitants of Bree have been raising sheep since the founding of the town, using their wool for clothing and milk to make cheese. These wooly-coated animals generally spend most of the grazing in the hills around Bree, cared for and watched by a good number of shepherds. The town shelters a large number of corrals for these sheep inside the walls, guaranteeing them safety during the long nights. This past year, the output of wool has nearly tripled, and the corrals are overflowing with kids and yearlings.”

“But darker creatures are now lurking in the lonely lands surrounding Bree. A pack of Wargs has recently arrived in the area and has begun systematically raiding the flocks of sheep while they graze. At first, these casualties were merely passed off as normal attrition. The lands surrounding Bree had never been free of pests, and it was normal that a few sheep would be lost to the occasional bear or wolf. However, as the summer has now worn on, the mortality rate of the sheep has begun to skyrocket. Shepherds have told tales of an old wolf that would trick them into chasing him, and that when they return, they find their flock scattered and shattered. The mayor of Bree, Brand Orger, has decided that this can not continue. These attacks are seriously hurting the intake of wool, and the loss of several of the best breeders can not be accepted.”


After rolling up the notice, Gaddy looked around the room. Everyone was staring wonderingly at him. Gaddy smiled, so he had finall y gained their attention, and said, “My name is Gaddy Furbarrow and I am a sheepraiser from around these parts. I have been recruited by the mayor and the other sheepraisers of Bree to organize an expedition to stop these vicious wolves from attacking the sheep of Bree and to protect the sheep. I will need some strong and willing people to go with me. Come now before me if you think that you are up to this challenge. I will judge if you truly are.”

Gaddy stood straight on the chair looking quite fierce and big there with his hands on his hips and a wry, challenging grin on his face. Gazing around the room, Gaddy dared anyone to step forward to present his or her case to the hobbit.


---Galadel Vinorel

[Garen LiLorian]

Ned Brandybuck looked up quickly when Gaddy mentioned adventure. He had been regaling his listeners with his (imagined) adventures in the Old Forest, but the story left his fertile brain as quickly as it had entered. "Well, come on then, what did you do next?" asked Tim Underhill, a hobbit lad who had been eagerly awaiting the end of the story. "Hmm? OH! Right... well, I, uh..." Ned scratched his head, trying to remember where he had left off, but it was no use. Gaddy's news had driven it clear out of his head. He struck a noble pose, which was only slightly marred by the flagon in his hand. "Tim, I regret to tell you that I'll be finishing my tale another day. For now, it seems my skills as an adventurer have been called upon. Fare thee well, my lad!" Tim was suitably impressed, and didn't even protest as Ned left the table.

He made it almost halfway over to Gaddy before second-guessing himself. After all, it was all very well to impress hobbit children round the fire, but this was a real adventure! Ned hoped he'd be accepted. I'd look right foolish, he thought to himself, If I didn't go through with it after that. And, thus bolstered, crossed the common room with a little swagger in his step to speak to Gaddy.

"Good sir!" His voice came out in a squeak. This certainly wasn't how it was supposed to go! He deepened his voice to what he hoped was a suitable gravity. "Ahem.. Excuse me sir, but I couldn't help but notice that you were looking for brave and hardy adventurers, for some dark and fearsome task...or...other..." He looked blank for a minute. "What was it again? Oh, yes, Warg hunting. Well, sir, I'll have you know that with this here axe," and here he held up for inspection a cunningly made little hatchet, that had probably started life splitting wood for the stove, "I've personally caught and killed over five wild beasts! Of ferocious cunning and wild disposition! Oh, yes," he said, mistaking the gleam in Gaddy's eye for one of interest or respect, "And, I'd be willing to come with you on your little adventure! Now, what do you say to that?" And he struck such a pose that little Tim Underhill leapt from his seat, squealing with delight and clapping at the brave sight.

"Not a chance," said Gaddy firmly. He turned to survey the room, hoping that some more likely candidate for the dirty and dangerous work would show himself. Ned deflated like a balloon. It was funny, you could actually see him grow smaller. "Um," he said, in a much more normal tone of voice, "Sir? I really would like to join... I can hunt, and fish, to some degree, and I'm the best in Buckland when it comes to throwing, be it axes or stones." He regained some of his lost grandeur at that last, but kept his voice humble as he finished, "I'm big and strong, and I can bag a coney from 20 paces, and I could pro'bly fetch even a wolf with it. Please?"

[the real findorfin]

Two figures, heavily cloaked entered the Prancing Pony; Fin, a solid but charming rogue and Celebmornie , his lady friend and resident nearby. They slid quickly into a pew to watch as Ned began his long, and obviously fraudulent story of ‘5 beasts’. Fin smiled and couldn’t help chuckling to himself when Gaddy refused him utterly.
The Hobbit, Ned, mumbled and tried for a second time, “and with a lot more truth! Fin thought to himself. Gaddy was still edging toward a ‘no’ when Fin stood and entered into the middle of the room.
“Come now good sir Furbarrow, surely you cannot turn away such capable help1” A low rumble of laughter crossed the room, during which Ned’s quick puff of the chest deflated further. “Larger numbers on a journey such as this would surely not hinder.”
“And what know you of this journey?” Gabby asked, hoping this strong man was interested.
“Well, good sir, I came with the idea of joining this little adventure, along with my friend Celeb, but,” and Fin’s voice turned to a sorrowful tone, “alas, if you are refusing such as Sir Brandybuck, then I have no chance. My only option is to leave again, unless you do decide to let him join. Then I may have a slim chance.”
Gaddy, silenced and unable to think, merely spoke on instinct, “you can both join.” There was no way he was letting this strong man slip through his grasp, and if Ned had to come, then maybe it wasn’t so bad.
“Excellent!” and with this shout Fin turned and made his way toward the bar. “An ale Celeb?” he asked questioningly.
She smiled and nodded.
As the ales were being poured Ned Brandybuck sidled deliberately slowly up to him.
“Ah, hello Ned!” Fin grinned at the hobbit.

[Garen LiLorian]

Saved by the bell! Ned thought to himself. He couldn't have been more pleased if Gaddy had actually believed him the first time around. Ned wasn't really a liar, not in his heart, he just had what could be charitably referred to as a talent for exaggeration. Never let the truth stand in the way of a good story, that was his motto. Besides, with these tall and obviously capable Big Folk around, he was much more likely to survive the adventure. He sidled over to the larger of the two, a rough and tumble looking rogue with a rascally sort of gleam in his eye. "Evening sir," he began, wishing very much that he were taller, or maybe standing on a stool or something. Why did these folks have to be so blessed TALL? "Ah, hello, Ned!" The big man grinned down at him, and Ned began to feel a little more at his ease. He started to regain some of his lost momentum. "Ah, yes. I thought I'd come over and cement what will obviously be a long, and fruitful partnership," He said, in what he thought of as his "hero voice." "Aha, ha. Even the grim Mr. Farbaring... or, Fourburrow... er, what was his name again? Ah, yes. Even the grim Mr. Furbarrow couldn't refuse TWO such heroes, eh? Brandybuck's the name, Ned Brandy... Oh. Wait, you knew that, didn't you...ummm, right. Oh, yes. Ahem. Might I inquire as to your name, sir?" During this speech, the ingenious little hobbit had contrived to pull a stool to him, by use of his feet, and, by the end of it, had actually managed to climb atop it, and ended by staring the bemused (and rather delighted) Findorfin in the face.

[the real findorfin]

“My name is Fin, good hobbit, and it looks like we’ll be travelling together for some time.” Fin stooped low, “I like the bold front but maybe when you’re with some of the other hobbits, you should do it less. They tend to be a bit stuffy about telling the truth. Personally, truth is what you make it.” The rogue winked at Ned, before picking up his two mugs of ale and moving away from the bar.
Ned smiled after the tall man, “he was going to be a friend, and a fun accomplice!”

[Gimli the Dwarf]

Bailin spoke once Gaddy had finnished the announcement, "Well you will need a good Dwarf in this expidition. I have had experience with Wargs before and they are very determened and stuborn. We will have a time getting rid of the vermin but with some luke will will teach them a lession they will never forget. My axe is with you Mr. Gaddy!"

[Birdland]

Elfred Thistle had been shepherding in the lands around Bree since he was nothing more than mere stripling, some 70 years gone. He knew every inch of this country, from the windblown heights of the Weather Hills clear to the edge of the Old Forest.

If there was a stray from the flock, or a bit of fine pasture, then Elfred would find it. So the fact that he was now looking for over twenty strays was a source of pain and worry in his heart. The strays were part of a flock over 200 which had been driven and scattered the night before by a pack of wolves.

No he thought, Not wolves, not by a long sight. For mere wolves would not have stolen a flock of over two hundred wethers and driven them off, canny as any shepherd and dog. A wolf pack would have singled out a couple of stragglers, and left the rest.

A good majority of the flock was found dead, with broken bones and throats ripped out. A small portion had been found huddled in a small dell some five miles from Bree, lame and torn, exhausted and trembling, barely able to make the trip back to the safety of the town, Indeed, a few had been so far gone that they had been slaughtered where they were found to put them out of their misery.

And twenty were still missing. And along with the twenty, Tig, Gaffer Heathertoes fine sheepdog, who had run off into the night, following the flock with which he had been charged. The loss of the flock was a disaster. The loss of Tig was a misery.

So Elfred continued on, as he had since first light, searching every beck and covert for any sign of the missing wethers. He was following no trail. That had petered out long ago. If was as if the flock had been lifted bodily from the earth into the skies.

Nop, Elfred's best friend and finest sheepdog, ranged ahead, searching for any hint of a scent in the poor, rocky soil of the Weather Hills. A massive, rocky outcrop stood before them, one of many that topped the rolling hills of the area, like a statue placed on a pedestal. Elfred was down on one knee, checking a bare patch for any hint of hoof or paw print, when suddenly he heard Nop give voice to a heart-rending whimper, a sound seldom to be heard from the brave little collie, even after being kicked by a cross ram.

"Nop, good sir, what's wrong?" said Elfred, stumping over to the dog. And it was then that he saw the blood, a sticky pool lying at the bottom of a rock outcropping.

Elfred's reluctant eyes followed the clotted track of red slowly up the cliff face to it end, some 12 feet above. And there he saw the head of Tig, eyes glazed in death, mouth frozen in a gaping tooth-baring snarl, as if he were still confronting the enemy that had slain him.

"Oh, Tig. Tig. How can I carry this news back to the Gaffer?" said Elfred with sadness and horror. Then with a sigh, he slung his crook over his shoulder by its leather loop, and started scrambling to the top of the rock. Nop paced worriedly back and forth at the base, whining all the while, then scouted his own path to the top.

And it was there that they found the rest of the herd. Or Elfred had to assume it was the herd. The only way he could know all twenty were here was by counting the heads. All twenty had been ripped from the bodies and arranged in a circle around the killing field. As for the bodies, there were none really. All that was left were clotted lumps of meat and wool, scattered over every inch of the top of the outcropping. Even in the cool of the coming evening, the smell of death was overwhelming. All the winds of Middle-earth could not wash it away.

Nop threw back his head and let loose with the most unearthly howl, as if calling on the gods of the canines to witness what had happened here. Elfred stood shaking, grasping his crook until the knuckles were as white as his face, while the winds of the Weather Hills dried the tears that streamed down his face.

Then pulling himself upright with a long-drawn breath, he turned and, calling Nop, headed back down the cliff as fast as he could, to carry the news of the disaster back to Bree.

[ December 06, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[Durelin]

Hamfast Greenhand loved inns and loved them even more when something big was happening in them, and right under is nose! He had been well aware of the wargs, recently being at the Green Dragon when it was basicly attacked! It had certainly disrupted his drinking! Wargs were pests to be rid of.
"Hmmmm," Hamfast thought, "I could do with some excitement these days to keep my age from catching up with me!" he chuckled to himself, "and look! A hobbit has started this and there is another one who has just joined! There is no reason you should not be accepted Hamfast, if your brave enough!"
Hamfast's thoughts had until now been completely controlled by his Tookish side, but the other side of him, the Greenhand side was slipping through at this last question, "was he brave enough"
"No you're not Hamfast," his Greenhand side yelled at him, "you're nothing but a silly hobbit with silly ideas, you belong drinking ale all day in a merry old inn! Not out hunting wargs!"
But his Tookish side had always prevailed!
"I am too brave enough, and I am ment to kill wargs, the old Bullroaer Took killed the chief goblin in the battle of Greenfields, why not Hamfast Greenhand killing the chief warg, eh? And being the hero of Bree!"
That was enough for Hamfast! He stood up straight with resolve in his face, but he stopped.
"Look at that man! He's huge! Like I'd be the one to kill the chief warg! No way of that, he's definetly the one to put up against the cheif! Oh, Hamfast, what are you getting yourself into!"
These were his thoughts as Hamfast slowly strode over to Gaddy. "Strode"? More like slumped! His feet felt like lead and his legs were turned to mush. But there was something left in him, because he straightened up and told Gaddy, "I'd be interested in takin' part of this expedition. The name's Hamfast Greenhand at your service." He bowed to Gaddy and waited for a reply.
"Thankyou Hamfast," Gaddy said hospitably, "your services are welcomed on this expedition, Hamfast Greenhand, thankyou again for being brave enough to volunteer!" "Thankyou sir," replied Hamfast in a gruff voice. He went to speak with Ned Brandybuck thinking "Oh Hamfast! This is going to be a long set of days, what have you gotten yourself into!"

[ December 06, 2002: Message edited by: Durelin ]

[Gimli the Dwarf]

Bailen listens to the reporst and says,"Well lets get to buisiness. How do you plan to do to get rid of these things? I suggest we split up into groups and go out and gaurd the boarders of the sheep fields by day and night watch."
Bailen raises his axe and asks, "Who is with me?"

[ December 10, 2002: Message edited by: Gimli the Dwarf ]

[Durelin]

Hamfast saw that Bailin was already making plans. Was he with him? "He sounds like he knows what he is doing, I think he might be a fine person to agree with on matters that are far past you Hamfast. Well, that are far past you currently, I guess I could get used to it," he thought and then immediatly said, "Sounds like a plan to me Bailin!" The dwarf didn't seem to be more sure it was.

[ December 06, 2002: Message edited by: Durelin ]

[Amanaduial the archer]

Nariah Alderleaf listened with interest to the conversation from near a table in the corner. So at last someone was going to do something about the wargs...and all sorts had turned up she realised, gazing around. Her eyes caught that of a young man, smiling slightly. Flustered at having been caught evesdropping and not doing what she was meant to be, Nariah bent over the tabel again, arduously polishing it.

"Lady, I cant help noticing that you have been polishing that table for the past ten minutes." She looked up into the eyes of Fin. He turned back to the crowd around Gaddy. "And there is quite a lack of women...?"

Nariah bit her lip as she considered. She had dreamed of quests, met the elves, saved kings since she saw little, but the real thing...and Butterbur probably wouldnt be to happy about it either...

Making up her mind in a sudden moment, she put down the cloth she was holding and held up her hand, catching Gaddys attention. "Excuse me, sir hobbit, but I think I should like to join you." She felt eyes on her and tried desperately not to blush as she fiddled with her apron strings. "Please?"

Gaddy surveyed the slender young waitress with quite a bit of doubt. "Are you sure Nariah? Do you even know how to use a weapon?"

Well, at least thats one thing I can safely say. "I can use a bow with quite considerable aim, Mr Furbarrow."

"Aye that she can Mr Furbarrow. Shes got rid of many a troublesome scavenger around here." Nariah turned, surprised to hear Butterbur backing her up; she hadnt thought hed want to lose a waitress. He smiled at her and turned back to a customer. Gaddy inspected her for a moment more before nodding.

"Alright then Nariah. WE will be glad of your company."

She smiled gratefully and was about to reply when an elderly hobbit she recognised as Elred burst in breathlessly...

[ December 08, 2002: Message edited by: Amanaduial the archer ]

[Durelin]

Hamfast watched as the young waitress walked over to the group. "Oh," he thought "another of the big folk, looks like my chances of a hero are getting slim. But, becoming friends with these people could help me also, especially when I am in trouble with those nasty Sackville-Bagginses. Humph! They could do with a beatin' from a man...or woman of course."
Hamfast moved over to speak with the young lady, she seemed like a nice type. "Hallo, m'lady, welcome to this expedition, I am Hamfast Greenhand, a lover of tales and inns. We were just beginning to make plans, here. Who are you, may I ask?"
The woman's expression lightened and she replied in a cheery tone, "My name is Nariah Alderleaf, an excellent waitress and archer!"
"Welcome again, Nariah, a good archer is always excellent to have on any expedition!"
Hamfast couldn't believe what he was saying, he was talking about 'expeditions' as if he knew what he was doing! "Well," he thought, "I am now on a real, true expedition so I might as well act like I know what I am doing!"
He decided to continue his conversation with Nariah, "Well, what thoughts do you have archer Nariah? We need all the input we can get on a plan. Bailin has started one as you have most likely heard while washing the table over there," Hamfast gave a little chuckle and continued, "I have learned not to be shy about things or they will go very wrong for you! I'm sorry, I have just chatted on and on and haven't let you say a word besides your name! So sorry, m'lady, do you have an addition to our plan?"

[Amanaduial the archer]

Nariah smiled as the hobbit chattered on.

"... I'm sorry, I have just chatted on and on and haven't let you say a word besides your name! So sorry, m'lady, do you have an addition to our plan?"

m'lady?! Well thats a new one! She was being treated like she was important, not just a waitress! She thought for a moment before speaking.

"I agree and disagree in part with Gimli. It is a long term plan and I fear if small groups were caught unaware by the wargs, hunting in packs...well, not such a pretty sight. We need a few more people I think, and a few who can use bows-or throw axes." She added, smiling at Ned who beamed with pride. "I think we should have archers in the trees surrouding one side of the field. A few sheep should be put in front of here. The wargs would attack, archers can shoot a few arrows into the fray as they approach and the others on foot or horses (or ponies) would join from in front and behind."

What? Her brain caught up. She had made a plan! As Nariah caught up with this automatic planning system, she added. "Theoretically."

[piosenniel]

Mid-day and the yellow face glared down on the high hills. At ease, in the shade of a rocky northern overhang, lay the new lords of this region, glutted with meat and tired from the night’s exertions. The wind from the northeast brought chill scents, down from the iron red halls of the wasteland, and they stirred in their dreamings.

Paws twitched and scrabbled against the rocky surface . . . running, running. . . pushing the prey before them. Low growls and the clacking of teeth as they nipped the heels and drove them on . . . then deeper, beastly dreamings of the kill . . .

A sudden breeze from the southwest brought faint scents of the far off river and smells of Men and Halflings. The older Warg roused and sniffed the scents, his nostrils widened as he drew the air in, tasting it on his tongue.

In time . . ., he thought, looking toward his two sleeping offspring, in time will the line of Carchoroth reclaim this land for the pack . . . for the hunt . . . He licked a dark red stain from his grey paw.

His head dropped down upon his crossed paws, yellow eyes shining forth from the darkness. On the wide, rocky ledge below him lay the lesser Wolves, stretched out on their sides, full bellies to the breeze.

His vassals. he mused, They would rest for several days, then hunt again . . .

[ December 06, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Durelin]

"Wow," Hamfast thought, "that made a lot more sense, she is a smart one!"
"Hmmmm," began Hamfast, "I believe you're right Nariah, that would work pretty well I think. The only problem is, these wargs are smart, with a just a few sheep in an area where there may not usually be sheep, and the smell of horses and men and hobbits close by, I don't know if they would fall for it." Hamfast stopped, suprised, he had just found an intelligent problem in the woman's plan! He was overjoyed and continued,
"I believe we should speak to Findorfin on this matter, he seems like the type who is experienced in these matters."
Hamfast strolled over to Findorfin, he could not believe he was going to talk to this man who seemed to be four times the size of himself, but he had done well so far so he grabbed the stool Ned had used, hopped onto it and continued on,
"Findorfin, sir," Hamfast paused, he wasn't sure if he should have called him 'sir', but it was too late now, "Nariah and I would just talking about a plan of action..." Hamfast told Findorfin of their conversation then asked, "We need your opinion, what would you say?"

[Galadel Vinorel]

Autumn Gamwich watched as some of the Big and Little Folk stepped up to ask Gaddy if they could go on the mission, quest, thing with him. The hobbit lass smiled to herself as Gaddy refused to take along Hamfast. Though Gaddy was a very stubborn and big hobbit, he was a real softy when you got to know him.

The hobbit lass stood up after a young woman had been accepted by Gaddy to go on the quest. Autumn turned to Gaddy and said, "Gaddy, I can shoot a bow and weild a knife, and I know a bit about sheep raising, after staying on my uncle's farm for the past few weeks, so may I go along?"

Gaddy looked down at the hobbit lass. He wondered if she could handle the harsh conditions that the people on the quest would be facing. Then he thought of when he had seen her defending her uncle's sheep once from a couple of wolves. Making up his mind, Gaddy nodded, and said, smiling, "We would be happy to have you with us, Autumnal."

Autumn fronned at Gaddy. She hated when he called her that. "You know perfectly well, Gaddy Furbarrow," said the young hobbit lass angrly, with her hands on her hips, "that my name is Autumn Gamwich. So, don't be callin' me Autumnal."

Everyone in the room, especially Hamfast, stared at Autumn in shock. They couldn't believe that the hobbit lass had just spoken to Gaddy like that. Gaddy just grinned at Autumn, and said, "Sorry, Autumn." Autumn grinnned back,


Gaddy Furbarrow turned to the rest of the group who had volunteered to go with him. "I would like everyone who has so far volunteered to go with me, to pack some clothes and provisions, and meet me here, at the Prancing Pony, tomorrow. Tomorrow, I will hand out weapons to everyone, so you don't need to worry about bringing any. So, for tonight, enjoy yourselves, but remember that we will leave at nine a.m. tomorrow, whether or not we have everyone with us. Make sure that you all have enough rest, and, don't forget, this is no hobbit walking party. This is serious bussiness."

Gaddy stepped down from his chair and walked over to the innkeeper and ordered some food and a room for the night. Then hobbit sat down at a table by himself to await his food. Auutmn joined him a bit later, after ordering some food for herself. Two hobbits sat together at their table, talking about their journey, which would begin the next day.

[Birdland]

Elfred squinted as his eyes began to adjust to the comfortable gloom of the Prancing Pony. Normally the noisy, smokey ale-house would have delighted him, but not tonight. He had walked too far, with too heavy a burden on his heart, to be cheered by the familar faces at the Pony.

Even Nop, who would normally have trotted off to the kitchen to eat his fill of scraps and get his ears scratched by the kitchen maids, could not be cheered tonight. He crouched, silent and sad, at his master's feet, with his head resting on his paws.

But the crowd tonight at the Pony seemed to buzzing with some undetermined purpose. Elfred could hear the words, "wargs", "wolves", "weapons", and "adventures" flying through the air, and most of people at the inn seemed to be involved in deep discussions, (and a few outright arguments), about any and all of these subjects. Something had been decided, apparently, but as yet Elfred had no idea what.

He spotted the quiet, friendly face of Nariah clearing a table, and flashed a sad, tired smile at her greeting. "Would ye kindly fetch some hot, mulled wine for these old bones, dearie. And can ye tell me if Master Furbarrow is in the Pony tonight?"

Nariah smiled back and pointed towards a table to the rear, then went to fetch Elfred his wine. The Hobbit then wove his way through the crowd, avoiding the knees and elbows of the Big Folk through long practice. Finally he stood before Gaddy Furbarrow, and tipped his hat in a respectful manner to the sheepraiser, as befitted a Hobbit who owned such vast flocks. Or rather, used to own such vast flocks.

"Master Furbarrow, sir, I searched the hills this entire day, and I found them. That is, I found what was left of them. Out of the entire flock of 200 odd, I'm afraid to tell ye that there be only fifteen left. Those last missing twenty were all slain, as well as Gaffer Heathertoes Tig. I'm that sorry to have to tell ye."

[ December 07, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[Garen LiLorian]

Ned was bored. Admittedly, he spent a lot of time in that state, but that was no excuse. Since Fin had wandered off, he'd sat in a corner, and watched the procession of would-be heroes approach Gaddy and be welcomed to the expedition. He was glad to see that some in the group, namely a young dwarf, Ned thought he had heard the name Bailin, but couldn't be sure, and the waitress Nariah, along with a cheerful looking hobbit and Fin, had started to come up with some plans for the actual adventure.

Ned was just going to join them, when he noticed the old shepherd, Elfred, enter the Prancing Pony. He looked awful. There were some discolored stains on his hands and clothes and he looked as if his old granddam had just died. Even his sheepdog looked depressed. Ned looked interestedly at the stains for a moment. "Dark. I wonder if-" then he broke off, with a shudder. The first seeds of doubt entered his mind. This is no place for me, he thought to himself, This is a job for Fin, and Gaddy. I'm just going to be a nuisance.

He dragged himself over towards Gaddy, in time to hear Elfred's closing words. "...all slain, as well as Gaffer Heathertoes Tig. I'm that sorry to have to tell ye." He shuddered again. He knew very well what this meant. Normal wolves wouldn't kill a whole flock of sheep, and certainly not a dog as vicious as Tig. He considered for a moment that his opinion of Tig might be a little harsh, as his only experience with the dog was when old Heathertoes had set the creature on him, for tresspassing and using his sheep for target practice, but the thought was lost on him.

He returned to the matter at hand. "Wargs!" He thought to himself, excited now, "I'm going to be fighting Wargs!" All fears vanished. Immediately, he was in his own world, a world where he dispatched a dozen Wargs with one swing of his axe, and single-handedly saved the rest of the group from sure destruction. He imagined pretty Autumn throwing her arms around him and kissing his cheek, tall Findorfin and Celebmornie asking humbly if he would deign to accompany them on thier next adventure, Gaddy looking at him as an equal! No sir, you couldn't pay me to stay behind now! He thought triumphantly.

[the real findorfin]

Fin mused for a second before replying.
"The plan is good, as far as it goes! But we musn't be rushing into it. Capturing and slaying is the final piece in the hunt. Firstly we must gather together all the information we have on them. Their rough areas of concentration, their attack methods, etc. Another problem we face is that they can smell us! We need to make sure that we are downwind of them when we finally do set the trap. And of course for that we need to know where they are coming from. We need to get into their mind!"
Fin finished and looked at the amazed Hobbit, Hamfast.
"I didn't know it would be so complicated, sir."
"Ah, it takes cunning and planing to capture your prey. Strength is not everything and even a Giant, strong as he is, could not catch a mouse, even if his life depended on it."
"Proverbs now is it Fin," Celeb chuckled at her male friend.
"My lady, your man is clever beyond us mere hobbits," Hamfast said in an awed voice.
"Celeb's Man friend?" thought Fin, "I like that!"
"Thank you sir for your advice," Hamfast said, backing away.
"A pleasure, my good Hamfast, and please...call me Fin."

[ December 07, 2002: Message edited by: the real findorfin ]

[Helkahothion]

Anuionin heard what Gaddy had to say and his blood boiled.

For 30 years now, he lived in Bree and was pleased with the wool they delivered. He whore chainmail and because that was quite heavy it was good to have some light and warm clothes.

He heard Bailin speak and right afther him he spoke with a raised voice troughout the inn:"I buy your wool clothes for good price and great plesure. Those wargs have no rigt's at all and by taking those sheep they have made me there enemy!. I wish to join the expedition Gaddy, and split some warg and wolven skull to repay them for stealing.

Gaddy smiled and sayd:"Yes master Dwarf it is good to have a good warrior with strength on our hands. I accept your offer.

Satisfied Anuionin returned his bottom in his seat."Ill show those rats of wargs not to mess with the village of Bree"He sayd to himself.

[ December 19, 2002: Message edited by: Helkahothion ]
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[Celebmornie]

Celeb smiles at Fin.
"Why are you being so helpful all of a sudden?" She laughs at the look on his face.
"My lady I am allways helpful!" He answers her looking thoughtful.
"I just thought that I would ask what this whole helping the Hobbits thing was about! Usually you just ignore anything that cant look you in the eyes!" She says joking. He looks hurt.
"I am not like that!" She smiles.
"I was making a joke! Not to be taken sereously! Just for fun!" She smiles and hugs him.
"I need another ale! You?" He nodds and she makes her way over to the bar.

[Galadel Vinorel]

Autumn Gamwich watched as her friend, Elfred entered the inn. As he approached her table, where the hobbit lasssat with Gaddy, Autumn stared hard into the hobbit's face. He looked very pale, and it looked as if he had been crying. She knew what was to come, and so Autumn closed her eyes in fear.

Elfred came up to the table and told Gaddy the terrible news. Autumn knew it. Opening her eyes, the hobbit lass turned to Gaddy, trying not to cry. Those sheep had been Gaddy's life, and now they were all gone. Looking into Gaddy's face, the hobbit lass saw a great pain there, but also a strong determination. 'He has made up his mind on what to do,' thought Autumn, 'Good. But, I'm sorry that it had to come about this way.' "I'm sorry, Gaddy," said Autumn. Her heart felt very heavy, like it was about to burst.


Gaddy turned towards the young hobbit and smiled painfully at her. "It's allright, Autumn. I had already given up all hope that they were alive. Now I know what we must do." Gaddy Furbarrow turned to Elfred, "Elfred will you come along on our expedition to kill the wargs who have been attacking the sheep of Bree? We could use you. I would like you to show us where the sheep are tomorrow, and then we will tracks the wargs from there. That is our plan, for now. Will you join us, Elfred?"

[Amanaduial the archer]

Nariah smiled back at the old hobbit as he came in, nodding to a table and going to fetch him some mulled wine. She knew him well, and was surprised; she had never known Elfred to look so shaken up.

She put the mug in front of Elfred to hear the last sentence. Tig was dead? And 200 sheep! She had read about wargs, but now... This was his liveliehood. Gone.

She bit her lip as she put an arm around him and was even more shocked when the tough old hobbit didnt shrug her off. She looked up as Gaddy spoke. "Elfred, will you come along on our expedition to kill the wargs who have been attacking the sheep of Bree? We could use you. I would like you to show us where the sheep are tomorrow, and then we will tracks the wargs from there. That is our plan, for now. Will you join us, Elfred?"

Elfred stared at him for a moment then gritted his teeth firmly. A small grim smile spread across his lips. "Aye lad. That I will."

[Gimli the Dwarf]

Gimli saw Gaddy and asked, "Well shall we do this or do you have a better plan?"

[Birdland]

"Aye, that I will, Master Furbarrow". He smiled up at Nariah as she set the wine in front of him and hovered in the background, hoping to catch more of the tale. Though the young bar maid towered above the old shepherd, still Miss Nariah had always reminded Elfred of his own daughter, married now and living far off in Michel Delving.

He wondered why the pretty Man-child had never married herself, but then, what of these rough Breeland farm lads would be good enough for her?

Then he noticed that young Autumn Gamwich was looking at Gaddy with tears in her eyes. This attack could well-nigh ruin the good gentlehobbit. And who knew when the next attack might happen?

"There now, lass," he said, patting her hand, "fortunes are gained, and lost, and gained again. And a fine flock has been built up from less than fifteen sheep before." He didn't mention that many of the survivors had miscarried from being run so hard during the attack. There would be twelve fewer lambs next spring.

"I'm that glad that something is going to be done about this, Master Gaddy, and done soon." Elfred took a grateful pull from the hot wine, and continued. "There are some fine lads here, more than willing to back you and put an end to this evil. But I have to wonder if they know just how great an evil they will be facing. These are no mere wolves, to be harried by dogs and shot down with a few well-placed arrows. These are Wargs, from the heart of the Darkness itself. There is a will and a mind behind these attacks. And an evil that does not sleep."

"And I also have to wonder, Master Furbarrow," and here Elfred leaned forward and whispered in Gaddy's ear, hoping that the women-folk would not hear him. "I have to wonder: how long will these devils be satisfied with just killing sheep?"

[ December 07, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[Helkahothion]

Anuionin went over to Fin and his Hobbit companian.
"About that plan of yours"he sayd"if we would all dress in the wool of the flock and then hide in ditches, That would take the smell of right?
Or maybe if we hide ourselfs on Talan's and wait for those rat's to attack the flock, we could quickly slide out of the trees and suround those wargs. What do you say about that?"he asked.
Then he nodded to Fin and quickly added"Afther we investegated their line of movement and attack style ofcaurse"

[ December 19, 2002: Message edited by: Helkahothion ]
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[Garen LiLorian]

"...I have to wonder: how long will these devils be satisfied with just killing sheep?"
Ned came out of his dream world with a thump. That wasn't the way the story was supposed to go. Threaten, yes. Bully, maybe. Otherwise he couldn't save the group, and that just HAD to happen. But actually kill? None of the books Ned had read ever dealt with that sort of thing. He began to formulate plans in his fertile little mind.

Maybe they could all hide in one tree, then, have the wizard throw fireballs down at the Wargs. That was the approved way of doing things, Ned had it from the best of sources. Of course, he didn't have a wizard. That was most inappropriate. He frowned. Maybe they should let the sheep be captured, then follow them to their lair, and run around singing songs and poking at them. Did Wargs take prisoners? Ned couldn't remember, but if they did, he was willing to bet that they weren't of the sheep kind. He wondered how many Wargs there were. He ran briefly through some other schemes he'd read somewhere, but none of them seemed to fit. He heaved a sigh. He guessed he'd just have to think of something new.

He heard Fin and company over by the door, talking about hiding in the trees, or maybe hiding in sheeps wool, and using the sheep as bait. This last appealed to his sense of romance, but a clear thought somehow penetrated the customary haze around his brain. "I don't think we can afford to lose any more sheep," he piped up. Everyone looked around, to see who had joined, and were mildly surprised to see Ned, looking a bit nervous and flustered. "Um, what I mean to say is, if these Wargs can carry off over a hundred and fifty sheep at one meal, well then, there's either a whole lot of them, and they'll just spring any trap we set, and laugh at any attempt we make to stop 'em, or they're really full, and they won't feel any need to attack again. They can wait for us to get bored, or start setting picket watches before coming back. We can't stay awake all night every night for the rest of the summer." It was amazing. Ned watched as his tongue, utterly independent of any controlling impulse, blithely spewed out problems with the plans that the others had concocted. "I think," he concluded, as the others looked on in amazement, "that we need to search these creatures out. Track them down, and don't give them a chance to attack again. Bree can't afford another disaster like this." He realized what he just said. His knees began to shake. "Or... not..." He trailed off lamely.

[Helkahothion]

While erveryone was stunned by the clevar words of Ned, Anuionin jumped of the chair he was standing on.

"My my, you have a clevar brain"He sayd."But if we are to track down these Warg's we should need a ranger or someone with a lot of experience and where are we going to find someone like that?"

"Altough I do like the idea of hunting them down to there hole and destroy evrey last breed of those rats"he continued.

In his green eyes a bright fire started to burn his he grabed the two-handed axe from his leather belt and yelled with a loud voice:"The firsth Warg we encounter will leave our company with a splitted skull!"

Ned toke a step back as he saw this Dwarf standing ready to strike the firsth living creature he would not like. But Anuionin lowerd the axe and sayd:"Do not fear me Ned for it is Warg's for witch this blade is ment to hit and not Hobbit skull.

Anuionin returned to Fin and sat down at the bar."Another pint Botterburr and give my brave expedition friends one aswell. My treat for you sturdy adventurers" He loudly sayd."Oh and while you are doing that poor one for the rest of the pony and take one yourself" The pony yelled and thanked Anuionin. "hahahaha you have found the perfect non failure method to make friends little dwarf." Butterburr sayd. Anuionin smiled trough his brown beard and drank his pint.

[ December 08, 2002: Message edited by: Helkahothion ]

[ December 19, 2002: Message edited by: Helkahothion ]
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[piosenniel]

Dûrêl watched as her brother sat on the edge of the rocky outcropping, his muzzle lifted to the late evening breezes, taking in the rich scents from the south. Carchmoroth had sent them to gather information and they had moved closer in toward the land infested by Men, listening and looking and smelling out the news. Dúgoroth turned his head toward her, motioning her to come sit beside him. ‘The wind carries promise of another large group of four-leggeds.’ he said, smiling wolvishly at her.

‘Sheep.’ she said, rising languidly to stretch. She trotted slowly over to him, and sat down, her shoulder touching his. ‘That is what they are called.’ She sniffed the air, her eyes narrowing. ‘There are more than the scents of sheep, brother. They have put more dogs among them, and more men.’ They sat, drinking in the information that the wind brought them. The scents grew fainter as the shepherds moved their flocks back towards the large, fenced village for the night. The two watched the sun sink low and drop behind the hills. On silent feet they raced back to their pack’s lair.

‘Sheep – so that is how they are named.’ mused Dúgoroth, turning the name over in his mind as they sped along. ‘Four-legged . . . two-legged . . . they are all good hunting.’

[ December 08, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Durelin]

There was a lot more wrong with their plan than Hamfast had realized, this was going to be a trick! He was glad to see that Ned's brain was working, a young hobbit's common sense can come in handy. Hamfast suddenly jumped. All in one day he had spoken with men, a dwarf, and as if he knew what he was doing. And, on top of that, he had been asked to call a giant man by a more familiar name! Hamfast was overjoyed with himself. But his mind jumped on him again, he thought again of the situation. The plan wasn't looking too good. It needed a lot of work. Hamfast mind was drawing a blank, and they were running out of time.

[Celebmornie]

Celeb looks around as she waits for the two ales.
"When do we leave?"
She yells above the crowd and grabbs the ales. She takes them over to the table and sits down.
"What you guys been talking about while I was gone?"

[Gimli the Dwarf]

Bailen asks for an ale and says, "I think that We should not be separated but should do like a border controle encercling the boaders of the outermost fields. We should have a lot of people with long range weapons. Let the Wargs come and kill them when they attack."
The server girl delivers him his ale and he sips it. He loves the foumtast. Bailin again looks at the hobbits and men arguing over his last statment. A stray hobbit sits down the seat infront of him.
He says, "So you know a lot about fighting orcs?"
Bailen replies gruffly, "I know a lot about them from previous experiences yes."

[Helkahothion]

"I think Bailin has a point. We don't know how many warg's we are facing so it would be best that we have a lot of warrior's with us that are long ranged." Anuionin sayd.

"But," he continued "we should not overdo it either. We must devide our group in ranged and melee warrior's so that we can plan ahead for our own action's in combat, and also plan a little strategy for as mutch as possible"

He sayd down next to the dwarf and ordered another ale."Ah well, but that's just my idea" He added.

[ December 19, 2002: Message edited by: Helkahothion ]
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[Galadel Vinorel]

Autumn listened to all the ideas that people were suggesting. Looking over at Gaddy, she wondered what the hobbit was thinking, as he sat there with a grave expression on his face, watching the other members of their expedition. "So, Gaddy, what do you think of all these ideas everyone seems to be having? I like Ned's idea about hidding in a tree myself. I don't think, though that we need to have a ton of big warriors on this mission, thing. I think that the people that we have so far are okay to attack the wargs. What do you think, Gaddy? Autumn asked, looking at the hobbit next to her intently.


Gaddy turned to look at Autumn. Gazing down at the younger hobbit, Gaddy smiled. "No, Autumn, I do not think that we need a lot of people to carry out our mission. I think that our group will do all right. I will think over Ned's idea. It's an alright idea; it just needs some polishing up, that's all." Gaddy suddenly laughed and said, "Autumn, why don't you go talk talk to the other members of this expedition, and stop hanging around this old hobbit?"


Autumn stared at Gaddy and then her face relaxed into a grin. Excusing herself Auutmn walked over to where Ned was sitting with some of the other travelers and introduced herself. "Hi, I'm Autun Gamwich. May I join your table?"

Ned nodded and pulled out a chair for her, and Auutmn sat down. Turning to Ned, the female hobbit said, "I liked your idea of climbing in a tree to shoot the wargs. How did you think that up, Ned?'

[Durelin]

A candle lit up in Hamfast's head(hehe,sorry), he knew the wargs were smart and cunning, but they had most likely grown cocky with the luck that they had been having. They had killed so many sheep and put the people of Bree in panic, he was sure they were very proud of themselves. This might be easier than he thought, although wargs are smart, he knew that when someone gains power over another, they are certain that they are better than them and do not worry about being wrong. Hamfast stopped his thoughts, he wasn't making any progress with the plan, only reassuring that there was more of a chance it could work. "Oh well," he thought, "here I go." Hamfast began to speak his mind,

"Fellow travelers, I believe we are coming closer and closer to a refined plan, which will have more of a chance of working. I have had doubts of hiding in trees working because of wargs' intelligence, but, I have recently thought of the possibility of them becoming cocky. They have had much sucess, which might cause them to be careless when the hunt. For example, not checking the air for the smell of archers in the trees and hobbits in the bushes. Hopefully, the wargs view the people of Bree as weak because of how many sheep they have been able to kill, so they will not expect any resistance. We must keep our hopes up then, and put our heads together. I believe one large table is in order! The seperation of conversations is causing confusion, I believe, and we need to begin to put the ideas together into one plan."

Hamfast was suprised at himself and happy with himself, almost taking charge and actually say all of that aloud! He hoped no one was offended by this, he only wished that this expedition could go as smoothly as possible!

[ December 10, 2002: Message edited by: Durelin ]

[Garen LiLorian]

"Hi, I'm Autumn Gamwich. May I join your table?"
Ned was petrified. Somehow, he managed to pull out a chair for her, and nodded about forty or fifty times with a ridiculous expression on his face. "I liked your idea of climbing in a tree to shoot the wargs. How did you think that up, Ned?" She flashed a smile, and Ned was so stupified it took most of 30 seconds for her words to penetrate.

"Oh!" His face spontaneously combusted. With the part of his brain that was still working, he wondered if he was actually going to die, or if it just felt that way. "I, uh..." Pull it together Ned, he thought to himself "Er, um... that is to say..." He stuttered furiously. Mr. Bilbo! His mind screamed at him, from Mr. Bilbo's stories! His tongue tied itself in a very complex knot. His body in open rebellion, his mind frantically trying to reassert control, he completely missed Hamfast's speech. Coincidentally, though, just as Autumn had turned away, and Hamfast wound down, he blurted out "Staggins Frilbo borryies!" Autumn looked at him pityingly. "I mean, Bilbo Baggins' stories!" Everyone turned to stare at him.

If he thought he was going to die before, now he was sure of it. His face turned the color of a prize tomato, and he shrunk down in his seat. In a very small voice, he said "I got the idea from old Mr. Bilbo. That's how he escaped from the Wargs, on his way to the Lonely Mountain. Thanks for the compliment, Miss Autumn." He buried his face in a mug of beer that someone had left unattended, and waited for the world to end.

[ December 11, 2002: Message edited by: Garen LiLorian ]

[Gimli the Dwarf]

Bailen looked over at Gaddy listening at the far end of the room to the ideas of the other people. people. He thought, "It must be hard to decide on an idea but he must decide soon because it is getting late and the sooner we get out there to gaurding their fields the better."
Bailen stood up and got everyon's attention he said rather cheerfully, "Well, We are not going to get anywhere just listing ideas we should get the most popular ideas and put them to vote and go out tomarrow and solve this delema we are in.

[Helkahothion]

Anuionin heard Bailin talk and was happy with the idea. But then he realized: How on Middle-Earth can we vote on plans that are doomed to fail, because they are incomplete?

He walked over to the Dwarf and spoke his mind."My fellow dwarf,"he started",it would be easy to vote on a plan, but we simply don't have one that works. We must firsth come up with a good plan, because if we do not then we will find ourself in a field surrounded by blood-thirsthy wargs sooner or later. So we will need a full proof plan if we don't want to get ourselfs killed."

Bailin looked at Anuionin for a while. The whole inn was silent and waited for Bailin to reply. Bailin broke the silence and sayd:"hmm you got a point. We will need to stick out heads together and think up a plan that will be so smart and cunning that we will surprise those wargs for shure.

The company liked Bailin's idea and they all toke place on a large table. The meeting was under the comand of Gaddy Furbarrow since he was leading this expedition. Then the inn returned to mumbling and conversation as the group started brainstorming.

[ December 19, 2002: Message edited by: Helkahothion ]
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[Galadel Vinorel]

Autumn sat thinking at one of the largest tables in the Inn of the Prancing Pony. Around the table was gathered all the members of the expedition. No one was talking, for everyone was thinking up plans for attacking the wargs, and the young hobbit wondered if she could say soemthing. Auutmn looked timidly around the table, and then gained her courage to speak.

"I'm not sure an exact course of action that we should take," Autumn began nervously, then she began to talk faster as she began to gain courage, "but, I do not think that we should have a huge group to attack the wargs. The usual number of wargs in a pack, at least that I have seen, is, at the most, twenty. Maybe we should just track them, and then devise a trap in which to catch them and kill them. We could use something as bait and lure them to an area, and then attack them with arrows from hiding places, and some people could charge at them with their sword and knifes. One issue that I would certainly like to discuss during this meeting is weapons. I don't know about anyone else, but, though I have my own knfe, I don't have a bow or arrows, which I think that I will need for this expedition."


Gaddy perked up his ears when Autumn began to talk. He was glad that the young hobbit had finally gained the courage to talk. She had some good ideas, though they did need a little polishing up.

When Gaddy heard Autumn mention about swords he turned and began to speak, "Weapons have already been ordered for the members of this expedition by the mayor. They are waiting for us at the Town Hall of Bree. I was going to send someone to go get them. Would you like to go, Autumn? Here, give this to the man at the front desk, and say that you were sent by me."

Gaddy handed a piece of paper to Autumn, and then said, smiling broadly, "Take Ned with you. You two can carry the weapons back here to the inn. I'll talk to you both later about what we decided at this meeting. Now go, you two, before I shove you out the door!"

Autumn and Ned quickly hurried to the front door, grabbing their cloaks on the way out. They rushed out the door, and down the street in the direction of the Town Hall. Once they were a little ways from the Inn, they slowed their pace down a bit, and breathed in the refreshing night air of Bree.

[ December 12, 2002: Message edited by: Galadel Vinorel ]

[Helkahothion]

As Autumn and Ned left the Pony Anuionin was still thinking. He had heard what she said, but found some errors. While cursing his pessimistic mind he sayd:"Well we can trap the warg's but what should we use as bate? It can't be sheep cause there are a lot of them in Bree and they take out whole flocks. So what do you suggest?

I suggest a person. One guard. We will send him along with the sheep and dig a large trensh around him so he won't get hurt. Then when the wargs attack. We will attack them. Archers in the trees and the warior's aswell. But the warrior's will hide on lower talan's, so that when those rat's attack they can get out quickly. How about that?

[ December 12, 2002: Message edited by: Helkahothion ]
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[Gimli the Dwarf]

Bailen decided to make his own plan on thengs. He asks, "Doese anyone have a map of the fields of Bree?"
A map was provided and he looked at it there were definatly not enough people to gaurd every field. The only way to protect the fields was to have the protection on the farthest fields from Bree.
Bailen says, "We do have enough to protect the farthest fields from Bree neerest to where the Wargs are thought to be. What we need to do is get people who are skilled archers and place them in the trees hidden and when the wargs approuch they would shot at them and sound an alarm. Then good swordsmen and axemen would come and with help from the archers fight the Wargs."

[the real findorfin]

Fin wandered over to the huddled group and listened to all of their plans, before placing his mug firmly down on the table. All talk stopped and they turned to look at him.

"All of these plans sound good," he began, smiling, "but in the end, it is up to our leader. What will the final plan be Gaddy?"
Fin sat and all faces turned back to the leader of the group.

"I wonder what he will decide," Fin thought as Celeb came and sat beside him, "will it be trees and archers, bait and trapping, a mixture, or something completely different?"

Fin relaxed and listened closely, as Gaddy began.

[Galadel Vinorel]

Gaddy sat at the head of a big wooden table in the Inn of the Prancing Pony. The eager faces of his companions stared back at him, as they waited to hear what he would say in reeponse to Fin. Gaddy was not used to making fine speeches and such, that was the job for some one like the mayor. Yet, the hobbit was strong-willed and stubborn, and he knew how he wanted to kill the wargs.

Gaddy had known since the time when he first entered the Prancing Pony in search of people to join his quest. Yet, he hadn't let this on to anyone, not even to Autumn. He had listened while the Big Folk adn Little Folk had created their daring plots in which they were the heroes, and no one ever got hurt.

Gaddy was not like that, though. He had fought against wargs before, he knew that people usually did get hurt, and sometimes even killed when they were faced in battle with such a cruel animal. He did not fantacize about saving everyone from danger, and becoming some great hero, all that he wanted was to stop those mudersome beasts from attacking anymore sheep. And he knew just what to do, but he decided that he would not reveal all of his plan to his companions just yet. He would shed a little light on his plans for his fellow companions, but not enough to reveal all of his wonderful plans.

"Tomorrow morning we will head out quite early. We will split up into groups of about two to three poeple apiece. One group will track the wargs, and then report back where they are. I will be taking one group with me to head around Bree in search of some able men and boys who can help us to attack the wargs. Another group will head to the Town Hall and ask what the mayor wants us to do about food, and then head around to selected inns, etc. to pick up food, which we will surely need to feed everyone. After this, if the group finishes early, I would like them to begin to set up camp here at the Inn. We have reserved a few rooms for this specific purpose. The rest of the groups will go the farms that have been attacked by the wargs, and ask what the sheperds saw the night that their sheep were killed or taken. We need to know as much as we can about hese attacks to decide fully which way will be the best to battle these wargs. I will tell you all who is in which groups in the morning. I will be assigning the groups myself, but if anyone wishes to ask to be with any specific person, do so befor I go to bed, or you will have to just deal with who you get. I am not saying, though, that I will pair you definatley with who you want to be with, but I just might consider to pair you the way you want to be. Also, I would like to ask you all not to stay up too late, for, remember, you will all be getting up early tomorrow."

[ December 14, 2002: Message edited by: Galadel Vinorel ]

[the real findorfin]

As the group dispersed, Fin came toward Gaddy.
"Good plan, Gaddy."
The hobbit leader nodded in thanks.
"About pairing," Fin continued, " I would like to pair with Celeb. We are great friends and I would not want to be separated."
"I'll have to see about that," Gaddy said, before turning away.
Fin retunred to his table with Celeb and said, "Hopefully we will be together but if not then I hope that nothing will befall you."
"I'll be fine Fin, don't you worry," Celeb replied, smiling.

The two friends talked some more, but as the fire in hearth began to dim slightly, and many people retired, so the two friends made their way up the stairs and into bed.

[ December 14, 2002: Message edited by: the real findorfin ]

[piosenniel]

Two more small packs of wolves had now joined with them. They had come east from the moors and were hungry.

Tomorrow early they would hunt again, taking these new ones out on their first foray. Just to the northeast of the Men's hill they would go. There were small farms there with fine, fat sheep for the taking . . .

[ December 15, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Galadel Vinorel]

Autumn and Ned walked for a long time down the road to the Town Hall. The building was quite far away from the Inn of the Prancing Pony, and they needed to get back there and back to the inn before it closed and locked its doors for the night. As they walked, the two hobbits rarely talked, for they were walking very fast. If they did talk, they discussed their mission, and what they thought their companions were discussing back at their meeting at the inn.

Finally, they reached the old Town Hall of Bree. The door was locked, but they could see that a light was on through the window, so they knocked. A short male hobbit answered the door, and, after Autumn had given him Gaddy's note, led them to a room. In the middle of the room was a table piled with weapons. The hobbits loaded the weapons into the cart as fast as they could and left the Town Hall, headed for the inn.

As they walked down the almost empty streets pushing the heavy cart, Auutmn felt her eyes drop. She quickly jerked them open; she was very tired. Today had been a very long and exciting day, and the hobbit knew that she would rest well that night. Autumn glanced over at Ned, and saw that he too was trying to keep his eyes open with all his might. Autumn smiled to herself, and poked Ned in the ribs. "Stay awake, sleepy. We're almost at the inn. There you can rest to your hearts content; or should I say to your eye's content?" teased Auutmn with a grin.

Ned smiled at her and teased back, "I'm not tired; you are the one who is tired. I saw how you just now tried not to fall asleep, Autumn." Both of the hobbits laughed and continued on the long road.

Finally, they reached the inn. They dragged the heavy cart of weapons into the main hall, and found Gaddy waiing there for them. The hobbit then led them to a closet where they deposited the weapons. Gaddy said good night to the two then, and Autumn and Ned went to put the cart in the Inn's shed.

While they were doing this, Ned looked over at Autumn to say something, but all other thoughts left his mind, as he stared at the female hobbit. For Autumn's face was drained of all color, and the look in her eyes was a look of complete and utter terror. She was staring away to where some of the farms were located, and as Ned looked in that direction he heard what had Autumn had, that had made her rooted to where she stood. The two hobbits could hear a faint, but unmistable sound; the sound of the howling of wargs.

Suddenly, the howls broke off, and the two hobbits could hear nothing at all, besides the sighing of the wind. Not saying a word, Auutmn and Ned turned and walked back into the inn.

[piosenniel]

The village of Bree stood just to the east of the intersection of The Great East road and the Greenway, or North road. It was an ancient settlement, lying on the southwestern foot of Bree-hill. The men who founded it had fortified it well against intrusions, digging a deep trench in a semicircle from north to south and planting just behind it a tall, thick hedge.

There were only three gates into the village, North-Gate, West-Gate, South-Gate, and they were constantly guarded. The only other way in would be the difficult way over the Hill itself, which leaned out over the village.

The good folk of Bree kept their livestock penned within its safe walls at night, it was only during the day that the flocks went out to pasture.

Not so, the other villages of Bree-land which lay outside the protection of the trench and hedge: Staddle on the gentler southeastern slopes, Combe in a valley on the eastern flanks, and Archet in Chetwood, north of Combe.

It was all ‘a small country of fields and tamed woodlands, only a few miles broad.’ (Fellowship of the Ring) This was the present hunting grounds of the Wargs and their united packs of Wolves.

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

The new Wolves were hungry from their journey. They had traveled quickly, and the hunting had been poor. Carchmoroth, wishing to keep them satisfied under his command, proposed a hunting party, to be led by Dûrêl and Dúgoroth.

Pre-dawn, in the chill air of that hour just before the sun rose, they moved liked a silent mist beneath the trees of Chetwood, the two Wargs and the pack of ten Wolves. Their eyes glinted in the waning starlight, and the birds were silent at their dread passing.

Along the outer rim of the clearing where Archet stood, they found a small farm, one dog to guard the flock of twenty sleeping sheep. The dog himself was sleeping, no news of any dangers brought to the notice of his nose.

They had come upwind of him, and now they poured down into the yard where the sheep were like wraiths. The dog fought bravely, but was overcome by the two Wargs. The Wolves had leaped into the pen and set about killing sheep, dragging their carcasses beneath the posts of the pen to be taken back to safety and eaten.

Five fine, fat sheep met their deaths and had been dragged off before the Farmer could get out to drive the marauders from his small flock. His eyes met the yellow eyes of one of the Wargs as it loped off, unintimidated by his meager threats.

‘A quarter of our flock is gone!’ he cried to his wife, who had come out armed with a thick cudgel to assist him. ‘And Tomba is dead!’ He went to the body of his faithful dog, and knelt down by it.

‘I have heard,’ she said, ‘from Farmer Gilham’s wife, that there is a meeting over in Bree, at The Prancing Pony, led by Gaddy Furbarrow. They’ve lost a lot of stock over there, too, to these wolves. They’re planning some sort of organized way to get rid of them. Perhaps you and some of the other men from around here should join them.’

‘Perhaps we should.’ he said, thinking who of his neighbors might be next to lose their stock. ‘We’re only small farmers here and we have no protection for our flocks as do the farmers in Bree.’ He thought for a moment, making a list of those he might persuade to go with him.

Then they would set out to the Prancing Pony to ask for help and to give it as needed . . .

[Garen LiLorian]

Ned awoke bright and early the next morning. Usually, he wasn't what you'd call a "morning person." In fact, he held a private belief that such unholy times were reserved especially to torment him, and he regarded any hour before 11 as something to be avoided at all costs. Today was different, though. Today was the first day of his Adventure.

He made a determined effort as soon as he opened his eyes, flung back the covers and stood shivering on the cold flagstones. He wanted to be the first one there, to show that he could be counted on, and (he admitted to himself) to get the pick of the new weaponry. He had picked out his clothes the night before. His best outfit. He'd made it himself, and modeled it on the clothes those old Rangers wore whenever they came to the Pony. A old cloak, carefully and deliberately weatherbeaten. Leather pants and tunic. Ned struggled a bit with this part, as he had grown a bit since he made them. Then, he eyed his nemesis from across the room. A pair of battered boots. Normally, Ned had no more use for footwear than most Hobbits, but he'd watched carefully, and every single Ranger had them. So he'd heaved a sigh of resignation and gotten these made. They fit (if such a word even applied) abominably, and gave even Ned's thick soles blisters, but the rules were the rules. He heaved another sigh and struggled manfully with the awful things. One of them split down the heel as he tugged it on, and Ned winced as his toes were crunched against the front most painfully. At last he limped over to the mirror and regarded his form approvingly. He threw some old clothes into a backpack and strapped his little hatchet to his waist. Then, slowly, painfully, he made his way down the road towards the Pony.

He had gone about a hundred yards down the road when his left boot split entirely, and his toes peeked out of the front. He stood bewildered, then, glancing furtively around to make sure no-one was watching, ridded himself of the hated footwear. He proceeded much more cheerfully then.

When he reached the Pony, the Sun had just peeked over the horizen, and Ned was in high spirits. He flung open the door. He was the first one in the common room. He whistled a little tune, found a seat in the corner and waited for the others to show themselves.

[Helkahothion]

As Anuionin walked into the inn, he could see that Ned had already arrived. He walked over to Ned and started a little conversation.

"Good morning Ned",Anuionin sayd,"much to early to get out of bed won't you say?
You got that right!" Ned responded,"I can't wait to go on adventure, but it would be nice if adventure started at 1'o clock or something." They both agreed on that but then a loud voice shattered trough the inn.

"Well adventure could start later, but than there would be no adventure anymore. We can wait, Wargs can't. They will eat all the sheep before we will even be out of bed. And then there will be no sheep clothes Anuionin"

Anuionin reccognized the voice and sayd:"Well I guess your right my friend. Join our table so that we can wait for the others.

BUTTERBURR! He shouted and Butterburr came running out of the kitchen."Yes master Dwarf?" he sayed."Give me and my friends a pint and put it on my tab"Anuionin sayd. Ehm about that tab you have reached your maximum and the inn would like that one covered before any new consumptions will be provided."Butterburr sayd. Anuionin laughed and remembered the tab that he left unforfilled yesterday. His brown beard shaked and his helmet fall off. I'm so sorry Butterburr. Because off the trouble I had yesterday I completly forgot about you. How much do I ow you?"Anuionin sayed. Well let's see: You had a meal, hired a room for the night, drank 17 pints and gave a round to the whole inn including me. That will be 5 gold coins. Anuionin payed the tab and gave Butterburr 3 bronze coins because he felt sorry for the barliman.

[ December 17, 2002: Message edited by: Helkahothion ]
________
Tr (http://www.ferrari-wiki.com/wiki/Ferrari_TR)

[Galadel Vinorel]

Gaddy yawned. It was very early, even earlier than he would get up on the farm, but he needed to get to eat breakfast, get groups assigned and hand out weapons before 11 o'clock, at the latest. His feet barely made any sound as he walked through the hall to the main hall.

As Gaddy passed a mirror, he looked into it. His reflection, with messed up hair and rumpled clothes included, stared back at him. He ran a hand distractedly over his clothes, and pulled out a comb. The hobbit briefly ran the comb through his hair, as he looked over his list of partners in his hand.

Finally, Gaddy reached the main hall, and he stuffed the paper into his pocket; no would be able to see the list until everyone was gathered in the hall. Gaddy nodded to Ned and the others who were already gathered there, and walked over to Butterbur. Gaddy had ordered a room the night before, where everyone would recieve their weapons and job assignments. The hobbit and man walked into a small room with a fireplace and huge table, with chairs included. Gaddy nodded in approval at the room and went to get the people in the main hall.

Gaddy then led them to the room, where they made a fire. Anuoinin was left in the main hall to direct people, as they came, to the room. With Ned's help, Gaddy carried the weapons into the room, and set them on a small table in the corner. Then he covered them with his jacket, and he said to Ned, when the hobbit tried to pick one out for himself, "If you or anyone else touches those weapons before I hand them out, lad, someone will loose an arm. That I can guarantee you."

Let's just say that after that stern warning, Ned never touched those weapons, before Gaddy handed them out, and he made very sure that no one else ever laid a hand on them. He knew, of course that Gaddy really wouldn't chop off someone's arm, but he didn't want to take any chances. And, so, Gaddy and Ned waited in the small room for people to join them, so that they could finally get started on their quest.

[ December 17, 2002: Message edited by: Galadel Vinorel ]

[Amanaduial the archer]

Nariah was also up early. She woke early and hadnt been able to get back to sleep so she went down to the main room of the inn, and was suprised to see that shed been beaten to it. She stopped midyawn, staring at the early risers. Or maybe late drinkers...no, the now barefooted Ned was among them and he really didnt seem like a hardened late night drinker. She smiled at the thought.

"Well let's see: You had a meal, hired a room for the night, drank 17 pints and gave a round to the whole inn including me." Nariah caught Anuionins eye and smiled at him as he winced with recollection; after over ten pints hed obviously been of the feeling that he loved the world. Now he just was realising he probably wouldnt be loving this bill. Butterburs face meanwhile was contorting with effort as he was did the calculation. His face cleared and he continued triumphantly "That will be 5 gold coins."

After Anuionin had paid, Butterburr turned grudgingly to go the bar, before seeing Nariah standing there and beaming; hed found a way to go back to sleep after all. "Ah, morning lass. Ooh, it is awful early to be waking isnt it, realy makes me back play up, so it does-"

The young woman laughed and held up a hand. "Alright, alright. Ill stay at the bar ok?"

"Oh would you lass? Ooh, youre a great girl Nariah. I however, have pressing business in my bedroom."

"Of course you do, of course you do." Nariah smiled after him and started opening the inn and preparing it for another day as more sleepy figures drifted in.

[ December 20, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[the real findorfin]

As Nariah opened the main doors, Fin came rushing in.
“Just been for a run,” he said, sitting down and wiping the sweat from his forehead. “An hour run always wakes me up. Anybody else around yet?” he asked as Nariah smiled.
“Through there,” she said, pointing toward their private room.
“Good,” the man said, getting his breath back, “I’ll go and call on Celeb and then I’ll be back down.”


Fin ran up the stairs to his friend’s room and knocked gently on the door. After a call of ‘come in’ he turn the handle and stepped inside. Celeb was brushing her hair and tying it back so as not to get in the way.
“You already look beautiful, why bother,” Fin commented. Celeb smiled at him and carried on.


Eventually, when she was ready, they made their way downstairs and into the room. Ned was there, already looking sleepy, and Gaddy was also present, looking his usual official self.
“Greetings friends,” Fin cried, clapping Ned on the back. “Now where’s the food?” He returned to the main common room and walked over to Nariah. “Any chance of some breakfast?”
She smiled and moved off into the kitchen. She returned moments later, saying, “At this hour there’s only some porridge.”
“Fine,” Fin said and took two bowls into the private room, giving one to Celeb.
“Here is your feast,” he mocked, tucking into the food.

[Gimli the Dwarf]

Bailen woke up and looked around at his room. He gathered all of his belongings and sorted them into piles the things he would not need fore his adventure were to stay in the innkeepers keeping while he was gone the rest of the stuff was put into his pack of his weapons there consisted of a single headed axe used mainly as a walking stick but could also be used as a weapon. Two throwing axes and his beloved doubleheaded axe. He went down stairs to the main room of the inn. He first goes to the innkeeper.

Bailen says, "I would like a months suply of pipeweed if you please"

The inkeeper says, "That will be a five hundred in Bree curancy."

Bailen pays the innkeeper for his expenses and gets his pipeweed.

He then turns to Gaddy and asks, "Where do you want me to be in this expedition?"

[ December 20, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Celebmornie]

Celeb eats and then gets up and walks outside to see what the weather was like.
It was beautiful and she almost didnt go back in. When she finally did she went to find Gaddy. When she found Gaddy she smiled.
"Morning to you!"

[ December 20, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Galadel Vinorel]

Autumn woke up later than most of the rest of the travelers. The trip to the Town Hall with Ned the night before had worn her out more than she had realized. Yawning, the young hobbit got out of bed reluctantly and washed her face and hands.

She dressed quickly, and then she began to comb out her tangled hair. Finally she was ready, and she went to over to a mrror to inspect herself. She was wearing her normal brown pants with a blue tunic. Her blond hair flowed like waves down to the middle of her back, with two strands on either side pulled back from her face with a blue ribbon. Autumn smiled back at her reflection, her blue eyes sparkling in anticipation of what the day would bring. Then, finally, Autumn set off out her room and down to the main hall of the Prancing Pony.

When she entered the hall she saw Helkahothion sitting at a table, and he hastily directed her to a side room. In the small room she found Gaddy, along with a few of the other travelers sitting or standing around a huge table. Autumn nodded, smiling, at Gaddy and walked over to Ned.

"Good morning, Ned. How are you doing on this fine morning?" Autumn asked and smiled at him, slightly tilting her head to the side, waiting for a response.

[ December 18, 2002: Message edited by: Galadel Vinorel ]

[Garen LiLorian]

Ned took a deep breath as Autumn walked towards him. Ok, Ned. You can do this, he thought, trying to calm his nerves.
"Good morning, Ned. How are you doing on this fine morning?" She asked, and flashed that smile again. Ned could feel his brain turn to goo. He acted purely on instinct.
"ImfineAutumnniceofyoutoaskhowareyou?" He took a deep breath and tried to smile in return. He failed miserably, and heard someone (Fin?) chuckle, rather maliciously, he thought.

He took another deep breath, and tried to discern the culprit, but the sun flashing off of Autumn's hair was... distracting. Making a final, last ditch effort, he looked up at her. "Have a seat!" He said, desperately trying to escape with some semblance of dignity, "But don't touch anything. I think Gaddy got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning." His smile, he was relieved to note, didn't quite resemble a dead woodchuck's grimace this time.

[piosenniel]

Dûrêl and Dúgoroth sat on a small rocky rise and watched as the Wolves tore into the still warm carcasses of the sheep. They had dragged the five bodies well into the protection of the woods and savaged them with a vengeance.

'Must be poor hunting where they've come from, eh?!' remarked Dúgoroth to his sister. 'Unlike here.' he finished with a feral smile.

'You remember well the northern country where the two-leggeds and their spawn drove us long ago, do you not?' she said eyeing him. 'Nothing to eat but snow and twigs and the half starved crebain when we could find them.'

'Yes, but this is our hunting ground now, sister mine. And when we are done here, we will move farther west and begin again. Soon all the lands will be ours to roam as we will.' He turned his gaze back to the Wolves. 'Let's get them going, they've just about finished up.'

Dûrêl went down among the Wolves and snapped at them, bringing them into line, and hurried them back to where the pack was resting. She turned back once to see if her brother followed. 'I will come soon.' he called to her.

He took the heads from the sheep and brought them to the flat top of the rocky rise. He arranged them, the backs of the heads touching each other, their faces pointed north, south, east, and west. The last he propped nose up, on top of them, sightless eyes looking to the uncaring heavens - for help that was too late in coming.

Satisfied, he turned and broke into a run, hurrying to meet his sister.

[ December 20, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Amanaduial the archer]

Nariah smiled, her hair covering her face from Ned while she cleaned a table as she heard his attempts. She brushed it away as he walked hurriedly past, his face red.

"Nicely done Ned." She murmered in his ear. The hobbit looked up, pleased and beamed before continuing on his way smiling dreamily as he thought about Autumn and his beetroot face paling from beetroot to a sort of tomato. Nariah smiled after him and turned her thoughts back to Fin.

Findorfin...the name was musical. The handsome young man had come running in a while ago after a morning jog. So hopelessly showy, but still.

She shook her head. He had his Celeb, more was the pity. And no way would he turn from the dark blonde beauty to the barmaid.

"Alright there? Once again, youve been wiping the same bit of table for almost ten minutes, it seems to be a habit with you."

Nariah jumped as the object of her thoughts appeared in front of her. Luckily her skin didnt easily colour and she was able to cover her immediate reaction of being flustered. She stared at him for a moment then saw Celeb come up behind him. Bother.

"Can I get you anything either of you?" She asked smoothly smiling.

[ December 21, 2002: Message edited by: Amanaduial the archer ]

[the real findorfin]

“Um…I’m not sure,” Fin replied, taking on a pose of the utmost concentration, “after that wonderful porridge I don’t think I could possibly eat anymore!”

“Full already,” Celeb teased, "surely not.”

Fin scowled at her, but it quickly broke into a smile, “perhaps a drink to wash it down.” Nariah left the tabletop, which was now shining brightly, and made her way behind the bar.

“What would you like, Fin,” she asked, starring at him.

“To early for ale, really,” he said, “so better just make it a glass of water. Need to be on top form today, no room for drunks!”

As Nariah poured his water from a jug on the side and he turned so that he faced both women, “looking forward to starting? It seems we have a good company.”

[ December 21, 2002: Message edited by: the real findorfin ]

[Galadel Vinorel]

Gaddy nodded to each new person as they came in the door and went off the talk with their new friends. 'Not a very hardy group,' thought Gaddy, 'but they will have to do, though I do wish that I could find a few hardy farmers of Bree or even their sons. But no one can be spared during these hard times, so I will have to make do with who I have. Maybe these few people will actually turn out to be allright hunters. Maybe even that Ned over there will turn out allright.

Gaddy sighed to himself and turned to look at Autumn and Ned where they sat by each other at the table. Gaddy smiled as he saw Ned's face go beat red as he tried to say something to Autumn. 'I better have a talk with those young ones, ' thought Gaddy, 'This is not the time to develop crushes on pepole. This is serious business, but I might as well let them have some fun while they can. They need something to lighten up their spirits.'

Gaddy watched as the last few people of their company came into the room and Nariah closed the door behind her. The hobbit waited until everyone was seated around the table then he stood up on each chair and began to list the groups.

"I have the made up a list of what the groups will be, and where each of you will go. The first group will go and track down the wargs. The leader of this group will be Elfred Thistle, and, joining him will be Autumn Gamwich and Ned Brandybuck. I want you three to track down the wargs, trying not to be seen of course, and then report back here at the Prancing Pony."

"The next group will go around to the farms that have been attacked by wargs and fight out thing s about the attack. Such as: when did it happen, what happened before and after the attack, and so on. The leader of this expedition will be Nariah Alderleaf, and Fin and Celebmornie will be joining her."

"The last group will go to the Town Hall and around Bree collecting supplies. I will head this group and Anuionin and Bailin will be coming with me. Any questions?"

No one spoke up, so Gaddy continued, "Now everyone will choose their weapons. I would like each group, one at a time, and each person choose what kind of weapon they will use." Groups began to go and choose their weapons, and Gaddy choose this oppurtunity to speak to Nariah alone.

"Nariah here is the list of farms that were attacked by wargs. I want you to go and ask what I said before, and do not take any bad mouthing from anyone, girl. Remember, I choose YOU to be the leader of your group, not anyone else. I choose you to be the leader because I know that you can do this. Don's worry, lass, you'll do fine, and I'm sure that you will make us all proud."

Nariah smiled, embarrassed, and looked down at the list in her hands. Suddenly her head sang with shcock, and she looked up at Gaddy quickly. "Your farm is on this list, Gaddy! But, I...."

Gaddy quickly interupted the woman, "Now, Nariah, you know that my farm was attacked. If you need to talk to me about it, then you will probally be able to find me here or at the Town Hall. Now go grab your waepons, or your group will be late in leaving."

Nariah quickly ran over to Fin and Celebmornie, who had allready begun picking out their weapons. After everyone was finished Gaddy wished them well, and went to join his group.

[ December 22, 2002: Message edited by: Galadel Vinorel ]

[Amanaduial the archer]

Nariah beamed and practically glowed with pleasure. She was the head of a group- with Fin in it! She started towards the pile of weapons before a few things hit her...
-They were going to fight wargs.
-Not only was Fin in her group. The lovely Celeb was as well.

Bother.

This deflated her happiness, but only a little. She continued with a small sigh to where Fin and Celeb where picking weapons. Nariah rooted around for a bit until with almost a gasp she picked out a beautiful bow. After testing its sighting and balance for a moment she smiled, satisfied, and then beamed at Gaddy.

She inclined her head to Fin- and Celeb- and scanned the list in her hands. Right... purposefully, the three set off.

[the real findorfin]

As Gaddy called the groups out, Fin smirked. “Oh dear,” he thought, “this could be…interesting.”
He carried his sword, a fine dunedain blade of ancient times, but he saw no harm in adding to his arsenal, so along with everyone else, he moved over to the pile of weapons. After discarding many a rusty and not-so-good weapons he came across a small knife. Many of the others had already passed over it, but Fin noticed the tiny runes running along the blade, and elvish blade perhaps? He quickly strapped it and its sheath, a small leather affair that was obviously not an original, onto his belt and continued to look. He found another knife, of poorer quality but still in good shape and decided that that would be enough. Although Wargs would be tough, it was no use piling himself up with weapons and becoming to heavy to move. He had noticed Nariah, and the bow she had found..

“Well now we have long and short range weapons just in case,” he thought. Fin didn’t want anyone getting injured around him, no, he wouldn’t let anyone!

When Celeb had chosen her weapons, as well, they all gathered and Fin asked, “where is our first port of call?”

[Helkahothion]

As soon as the group's where formed, Anuionin was glad that he would travel with one of his own kin.

He quickly rushed over to the table where he saw this beautifull axe. It was a light, but strong, two-handed axe with a dubble blade. Happy with his new found tresure he went back to the table and starting rounding up his equipment. Because he was quite the strong type he carried more then one axe. He had the two-handed that he just got, two one handed axe's and 3 axe's that could be used for trowing and fighting.

"Ha those Rat's will be sorry when these here blade's will strike there skull" He tought and as he went over to Gaddy his tirsth for battle grew larger.

"I just wish that we can get those rat's very soon"

[ December 22, 2002: Message edited by: Helkahothion ]
________
VANOS (http://www.bmw-tech.org/wiki/VANOS)

[Garen LiLorian]

Ned sat bolt upright when he heard the announcement. He was going to be hunting the Wargs! Of course, this is what he wanted, but he'd always had a sneaking suspicion that Gaddy thought him a bit too... something... for that job.

He hoped Old Man Thistle didn't remember him, though. It would be a tough trip through the countryside if that was the case. Ned hadn't done anything wrong persay, but Elfred hadn't appreciated his idea of re-enacting the Battle of Five Armies using groups of sheep. It had been a good idea too, he remembered ruefully. All planned out perfectly. But when he had charged out of the woods, playing the part of Thorin, Nop had immediately jumped him and Elfred had laid the great Thorin Oakenshield across his knees and given him an ignonimous defeat. But that was years ago. He couldn't possibly still remember that. Ned had barely been into his teens.

While locked into this memory, most of the other members of the group had already selected weaponry. Fin in particular grabbed a knife that Ned had had his eye on. He pouted, then moved up to the table to see what was left. He collected another little axe, that balanced much better than the one he had. Then he went rummaging for a sword. He didn't particularly know how to use one, but every hero he had ever heard of carried his trusty elven blade by his side, so Ned would too. Unfortunately, there didn't seem to be an abundance of Elven craftsmanship on the table. He ended up with a light little sword, perhaps a bit too long for him, that had probably been made as a training weapon for a youngster of the Big People. It was light enough for Hobbit use, though, and Ned was pleased with it.

Newly armed, he retired to a corner, waiting for both Autumn and Elfred (whom, he realized, he hadn't seen yet today) to join him.

[Olo Gamwich]

Olo Gamwich sat at his small kitchen table scanning over the tattered notice. He rubbed his finger around and around the rim of his mug, deep in though. Over the sizzle of potatoes, Ruby grumbled, "Autumn's been swindled into goin' with them foolish crusaders, ya know. Silly girl"

"Did she now? Well, I trust she knows what she's doin', Ruby. She's not the little girl you remember."

"Oh, I know, but...oh, it just seems like a lot of tom-foolery to me. I don't want you goin, O'. You remember what happened to..." Ruby stopped herself suddenly. She turned quickly and pressed her hand to her mouth.

"Yes, Ruby...I remember. I'll always remember. But that's why ya' can't stop me. I need...revenge." Olo pushed his chair back and walked out of the small room. He grabbed his cloak, a bit of gold, then hesitated. He turned to the dusty chest that was pressed into the corner of the bedroom. Inside was the sword...the sword that had killed the warg that had killed his brother. It was long since his hand had gripped it...but now, it was aching to grip it.

Olo set off from Archet, arriving at Bree by nightfall. He opened the door of The Prancing Pony and stepped inside...

[ December 23, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[ December 23, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Birdland]

"Pretty much how I thought it would come out." thought Elfred as he rose slowly and walked towards the center of the room. He had waited patiently in a corner by the fire, enjoying its warmth whilst the other adventurers had rummaged through the pile of weapons and gear. Elfred was appreciating the comforts of the Inn while he could. He knew that once this hunt started, it might be awhile before he enjoyed it again.

"Ned Brandybuck! Ho, boy!" he called. Elfred had always had a great respect for the Brandybuck family, but he knew they all had a wild streak, especially when still in their tweens. Young Neddy had a reputation for being a bit of a dreamer and gad-about, and Elfred had not forgotten some of the childish pranks he and his cousins had played amongst the flocks.

Still, he seemed intelligent enough. As for courage? Well, the Brandybucks weren't known to be cowards: not with taking up residence hard by the Old Forest. But Elfred believed that the young tween had never really experienced the true evil that dwelled in the wild lands beyond the Shire's borders. He'd be learning though, soon enough.

"Aye, sir!" cried Ned, taking a deep swig from his hot tea and trotting over to Elfred, almost tripping over his newly acquired sword. Elfred hid a smile. "G'morning, Mr. Thistle. And good morning to you as well, Nop." Nop let out a great, jaw-cracking yawn and gave a lazy wave of his tail. He was getting his rest while he could as well.

"Call me Elfred, Neddy. Most do. No use standing on ceremony. Are you just about ready to start out, then?"

"Yes, sir...I mean Elfred. I can't believe we're really going to be hunting Wargs!" Ned gave a experimental swing of his sword, causing the old shepherd to jump back out of the way.

"Now then boy. They'll be no hunting. Not yet, least ways. We are tracking and looking for signs, and the less those devils know we're on their trail, the better. I'd not like to be facing down a pack of those fell beasts on our own. We'll not be doing any "hunting" until we know where they hole up, and the entire group can come on them and take them by surprise."

Elfred wondered whether Ned was even listening, since he was still admiring his new blade. "Aren't you going to choose a weapon, Elfred?"

We'll be stopping by my hole so I can fetch my bow and arrows. But this is my true weapon, Neddy." Suddenly the old hobbit whirled his aged staff through the air, and spinning round, smashed the knotted head into the heavy oak table behind him. It left a considerable dent in the hard, ancient tabletop.

"Did you think this old crook of mine was only good for prodding strays? Made from a whole tree root from the Old Forest itself. Hard as iron, though not near as heavy. It'll do some damage. And in my day I was quarterstaff champion five years running at the Midsummer's fair."

"What happened in the sixth year, Elfred?" asked Ned with a grin.

"I got married. Now, where has that Autumn got to? I have my misgivings taking a lass on such a dangerous mission. But Gaddy insists she will be no burden. Though I don't doubt that he put her with us so'se I could keep an eye on her." Ned looked a little uncomfortable at this. He hoped Elfred would not be keeping [i]too[i] strict an eye on her.

"Oh, Autumn will keep up. Have no fear, Elfred. Why she told me hers..." But at that minute the door to the "Pony" crashed open, and Matt Heathertoes came running into the inn. He shoved a newly arrived hobbit carrying a sword out of his way, and collapsed on a bench, white as a sheet and panting from exhaustion.

"Wargs!" he gasped. "Wargs have attacked in Chetwood!"

[ December 23, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[ December 23, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Celebmornie]

Celeb grabbs a sword that is burried under all of the other weapons and smiles. She recognises this blade. It is the one she left laying here on her last visit. She strapps it to her waist and grabs her bow. She smiles and goes over to Fin and Nariah.
"Well it looks like we all have good weapons and are ready for anything!"
She smiles and looks at Nariah.
She likes him! I cant believe I have been so blind not to notice!
Celeb thinks to her self she quickly notices that if Fin keeps flirting with her like he was that she would get the impression that he wants her.
What if that is what he wants her to think? What if he dosent like me anymore?
Celeb smiles at them and decides to find out sometime!

[ December 23, 2002: Message edited by: Celebmornie ]

[ December 24, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Galadel Vinorel]

After Gaddy had announced what their groups would be, Autumn had quickly darted up to her room to change her blue tunic to a green one, which would hide her better from the wargs.

She was so happy that she would be helping Elfred and Ned track down the wargs. She had had been afraid for a while, that since she was a lass, Gaddy would assign her to go with him to collect food. But, luckiy, Gaddy trusted her more than that, and knew that she was good with a bow and her trusty knives, though, he had probally assigned her to be with Elfred so that the hobbit could keep track of the lass.

Autumn burst into the room where everyone was still gathered and busy finding their weapons. After setting down her pack by Elfred and Ned, and telling them that she would be right back, the lass quickly hurried over to the table in search for a bow and some arrows. She already had her four knives, so all that she need now was a good bow and some arrows. As Autumn searched she found some arrows in a leather pouch, and then, finally, a sturdy bow made out of looked like oak wood. The hobbit quickly flexed the bow and then strapped it, along with the arrows, onto her back.

Then she moved back to her group and put on her pack. While making sure that all of her weapons were secure, Autumn heard the door of the Prancing Pony open with a bang. With her group following behind her, the young hobbit lass rushed out to the main hall in time to see her relative, Olo Gamwich being pushed in by another hobbit, Matt Heathertoes.

As Autumn watched, Matt sat down with a puff and said, gasping form lack of breath, "Wargs have attacked Chetwood!" Autumn stood frozen to the spot. How could this be! Fear in her eyes, which was trying to hide, though, the lass turned to look at Gaddy.

The old hobbit was just standing there, though, a fierce, angry expression on his face as he stared at Matt. Suddenly Gaddy turned to the members of his company and said, "It seems that our plans have been interupted. We will not allow the sheep of Chetwood to be massacred while we still have strength in us."

Autumn stood straight, thinking that she knew what was to come, but she was wrong. "I will take all of the groups, except for the group that will track the wargs, and go to the farms near Chetwood to gather more mens. Then we will attack those filthy wargs. But," Gaddy continued, looking directly at Elfred, "I would like if Elfred with his group to go to where we last spotted the wargs and track them from there. I have a feeling that there is more than one group of wargs. If the group discovers that there is only one group of wargs, then meet us at Chetwood, and helpp us to defeat these creatures. But, if there is more than one group, track them down to where they are, then come to Chetwood or here and report to me what you find. Now, let's go."

Autumn turned to look at Elfred, who was still staring at Gaddy. "Why is Gaddy making us still track the wargs, Elfred? Why does he think that there are two apcks of wargs?" Autumn asked, looking over at Elfred.

Elfred looked down at the wide-eyed hobbit lass and said, "I think that Gaddy has his own reasons for think this, Autumn, but we need to follow his orders. We will go back to where I found Gaddy's dead sheep, and track the wrags from there. Hopefully they lead to Chetwood."

"Why do you hope that they lead to Chetwood?" asked Ned.

"Because," began Autumn her eyes growing wider as she stared at Elfred, "if they don't lead to Chetwood, then that means that there are at least to packs of wargs in Bree, and we have a bigger problem to deal with than we thought at first." Elfred nodded, but didn't say anything, and all three hobbits began to get ready to leave.

[Olo Gamwich]

After being knocked to the ground by a powerful shove, Olo shook himself off and stood to his feet. A man had entered the room just after him and began to shout something about Chetwood, but Olo heard little of this, being a bit dazed. The hustle and bustle of the inn left him feeling a little out of place; a large crowd had gathered over a table of various weapons - clearly the adventurers. None of them seemed to notice him, but when seen wielding a sword he was quickly identified as one, and without greeting he was sucked into the mass of rag-tag warriors in the middle of a discussion. Olo tried to follow the voices of the group, but all of their words seemed to become mashed together and inaudible. This was clearly going to be an interesting quest...indeed. But the glimpse of Autumn's face in the group was comforting...despite what his wife said, Olo knew that Autumn was very courageous and could kill a warg with no more than the fight in her heart. So as the talk began to settle, Olo nudged the leg of a tall man beside him. The man looked down with a smirk and spoke...

[ December 24, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

Carchmoroth paced restlessly on the stone ledge at the lip of the cave. He had expected the Wolves back by now with Dûrêl and Dúgoroth. Why were they late? He snapped angrily at a Wolf who ventured too near to him. He should never have allowed them to go out hunting this soon after the last hunt.

He heard the pack take up a low timbred yipping, and raced to the top of the hill, peering south. Narrowing his keen eyes against the light, he picked them out, travelling at a good pace toward the den. The Wolves ran before, their red tongues lolling out, and behind, driving them on were his children, snapping at the heels of those who would not quicken their pace.

[Durelin]

Hamfast ran puffing and panting toward the Prancing Pony. "I'm so late" he thought, "they have probablt left by now! You're in deep now!" He rushed through the door just in time to see Gaddy announce the groups. "Sorry I'm late" he said, "had to get the wife and kids settled, you know how it is..." They all stared at the embarrased hobbit, it was obvious that they didn't know how it was. "Well, have I missed too much? I do not have to be part of the expedition if I am too late! I promise you it will not happen again! I can stay here at the Inn for as long as you need me! I'll even act as bait to lure the wargs into a trap! Anything, anything, I only wish to be a part of this!"

What was he saying? Hamfas could not believe those words had come out of his mouth. He gave a little squeak of suprise and sat down with a thump onto a nearby stool. Everyone was looking at him again. His face was bright red, partly because he was tired and partly because he felt very awkward. He certainly was in an odd position. "I thought you would still need help, so I came back quick as I could...I'm so sorry, so dreadfully sorry!" Hamfast gasped. He wasn't sure his words had went too well with those around him. They had the strangest looks on their faces. Was it suprise? Anger? Amusement? Or a mix of the three? He probably did look ridiculous. A short stout hobbit huffing and puffing, red in the face, gasping out apologies. He hoped amusement would help the situation. Though there might not be room for it here.

[ December 30, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Helkahothion]

They all had watched the Hobbit come in and where surprized when he came in.

As Anuion came in and saw that odd little man stumble about being bate and that he had to get his wife and kid's setteled, he just had to laugh really hard. But since the poor Hobbit was still talking it would be unpolite.

When the Hobbit was finished everyone wass still looking at him and there was a painful silence. Anuionin could not keep his strength much longer and bursted out in a tremendous laughter.

"Hahahahaahaahaa settling your wife and kids hahahahahaha yeah I know dear Hobbit I know hahahahahahaha" he sayd between his laugter.

The Hobbit's face cheared up and he starting lauging. The laugh was happy and cheerful and it seemed for a moment that it was just like normal lauging over a joke and they forgot there troubles for a moment.

As Gaddy came in the room and saw this awkward play he asked Anuionin what was going on.

"Oh, nothing."Anuionin replied"Just a little late Hobbit with a funny speach. He thinks there is no place for him and if that is true, I would love to have him on my group. That is, if you and Bailin don't have a problem with it."

[ December 30, 2002: Message edited by: Helkahothion ]
________
LINCOLN SPORT HISTORY (http://www.ford-wiki.com/wiki/Lincoln_Sport)

[Durelin]

It was amazing that Hamfast had been able to laugh in his position. He felt brave again when Anuion actually said he would like to have him in is group! He felt he could even start talking about plans like he was an experienced warrior again. He even thought about the bait idea again. If the tied a rope around his waste underneath his clothes and have him stand in as an angry sheep herder they could have him (dumbly) attack the wargs next time they would come looking for sheep, then he could run from any wargs that would chase him for only a few yards to a nearby tree where he would be hauled up to safety then they could spring whatever trap they create.

As soon as the Hobbit had formed his plan he dismissed it to the back of his mind. It was so risky and who knows if the wargs would bother to follow a stupid little hobbit who was stupid enough to hit them with a stick. "Another silly idea...as usual!" he thought to himself, "I better start listening more!"

By this time he had compltely forgotten his predicament but his memory caught up with the rest of his brain and Hamfast went back into anxieties. What would Gaddy say? Anduion was amused and found there was nothing wrong with his lateness or his reasoning, but what about the rest? This wasn't a hobbit walking party and Hamfast knew that, but did they know that? His line of thought came to a crashing hault. "What?" he asked himself, "you're mixing yourself up!" His line of thought went on. He could be tough when needed and he had always loved the stories and songs of warriors of old, this was as close as he would get to that, assisting in the extermination of pesky wargs in Bree. It had a nice ring to it at any rate. He would fight to the end and wouldn't complain one bit! Even if the outcome was dea...he stopped again. Death. This was the first time he had come to face that thought. He could die. "You promised you would be brave, you promised," his conscience screamed at him, "A promise is a promise, and I keep promises!" he screamed back. He would face what was to come with uncertainty, but with hearty resolution because he had made a promise.

[ December 30, 2002: Message edited by: Durelin ]

[Galadel Vinorel]

Autumn had nearly collapsed into laughter when Hamfast had come barging into the inn, but she held her hand over her mouth so that she wouldn't embarrass poor Hamfast. The hobbit lass then turned to Ned, with a smile on her face, as she heard Anunion laugh. Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, Autumn caught the glimpse of a very familiar face.

Smiling to herself, Autumn made her way through the crowd to an old friend, and a relative of hers for that matter. As she reached him, Autumn tapped the hobbit on the shoulder, and Olo Gamwich turned around surprised. As he saw who it was he smiled and said, "Hello, Autumn. It's good to see you again, lass." Autumn smiled back and said, "It's good to see you too, Olo." Then Autumn pulled one of Olo's curls attached to his head quite hard, which was recieved with a satisfactory grimace. Autumnm let go with a light chuckle and motioned for Olo to follow her. When they reached her group, the young lass introduced Olo to Ned and Elfred, thoguh the hobbit allready knew Elfred before this. Olo nodded and turned around as Gaddy began to talk to the group gathered in the small room.

This is what the sheepraiser had to say, "All of the groups will now, with the exception of the scout party, head to Chetwood as fast as we can to stop these terrible creatures. The new arrivers, besides Olo Gamwich, will join us in stopping this threat, and we will also gather other men and boys old enough to fight, along the way. The scout party, which will now be joined by Olo Gamwich, an experienced scouter, will track the wolves from their last known position. Now let's move out!"

After Gaddy was finished, he jumped down rather loudly from his chair, and with everyone, except for the scout party, headed out the Prancing Pony's door. Down the road they marached, and they were joined by other men and boys as they traveled along the road to Chetwood.

Back at the Inn, Autumn stood, with her group, nearly rooted to the spot. As Gaddy had passed her on his way out the door, he had slipped a note into her hands. Now the poor hobbit lass stood staring at the note in her slightly trembling hands. Clearing her throat, Autumn opened the note and read out loud to her group:

"Dear Autumn and Company,

Be careful and quiet as you track the wargs or wolves, as they may turn out to be. If the tracks lead to Chetwood, then join us there, but, if not, then find their lair. Do not attack them, or let them know that you are there. Be carefuul. Wargs and wolves have a good sense of smell, and they will not stop tracking or attacking you until you or they are dead. Be very careful. After this, come back to the Inn or even come and report to me at Chetwood. I can not tell you enough, BE CAREFUL. I will be keeping watch for you all. Return safely, everyone.

Yours Truly,
Gaddy Furbarrow"

Autumn gently folded the note back up, and handed it to Elfred. Then the hobbit lass gathered up her weapons and pack, and silently followed Elferd out the door, with Olo and Ned following behind her.

[ January 05, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Helkahothion]

Anuionin was marching along side Hamfast. He felt the tension in the group and knew tha not may of them had seen combat.

Anuionin tought that he might cheer things up a bit with one of his own made Battle songs.

He started singing:

Anuionin has come to battle
high will wave his axe
enemy's bones will break and rattle
because theire cunning lacks
he will strike with no merci and not be stopped at all
you know your life will end at last
when you here this call:

At the end of the song Anuionin let out a large battle crie.

He was proud of this song because it was not him, but a singer at the court of the lonly mountain made it.

As he went on he kept on singing battle songs.

"Haha nothing more than a little song to cheer up the battle, won't you say Hamfast?" Anuionin asked happaly. His happy mood was explained by the turn in event's and they where marching directly to the Warg's. Altough, he hoped that the Warg's where still there.
________
FAKE WEED (http://syntheticweed.org)

[Durelin]

Glad to have the company of the cheery dwarf Hamfast smiled at Anuion, loving his attitude. He greatly appreciated his battle song, it reminded him of the songs of warriors he had heard in tales. This gave him strength and he continued on with a spring in his step.

Hamfast knew that anytime he felt homesick and thought of the cheery little hobbit hole he lived in with his dear wife and beautiful little children, he would just about turn around right on the spot and head for home. Except for the tales, the songs, the stories. He would remember, a long time gone now, when he was a small child and sat by the hearth and listened to the stories of battles and glory and romance and of far away lands. Hamfast felt like a hero marching along next to a dwarf with a pack on his back and a weapon near at hand. He told himself would never forget this day, though he hoped that that thought would last out the night.

[ December 31, 2002: Message edited by: Durelin ]

[piosenniel]

They had rested for a while once they returned to their lair. But early in the morning Carchmoroth got them up, saying that the two-leggeds, slow and stupid as they might be, would soon be after them.

The younger Wolves curled their lips at this, saying the two-leggeds were no match for them. Carchmoroth silenced them with a snap and a cold yellow stare. 'Their weapons are sharp and they bite deep and hard. They will fight for their pack as fiercely as will you. We must be wary of letting them sight us, for they will be relentless in their pursuit.'

He paced back and forth before the pack. He could feel the tension and anticipation build in them. 'We will seek them out, to see what they are doing. Were I them I would begin where last we killed.'

He halted in his pacing and motioned to Dûrêl. 'Take five of the biggest males and go south, near the hills where we drove that large herd - the one where your brother left the Men a small token of our esteem for them. Look for the group who will be trying to track us there. Harry them, and engage them if you wish. Kill whom you can.'

He stepped to where Dúgoroth stood, and stood shoulder to shoulder with him. 'We will take the rest of the pack, fifteen males and females, with us to scour the area around the Forest. Some of the searchers will be there. We will drive them back as we can, though I think we cannot kill them all.'

He raised his head and a bloodcurdling howl echoed across the grassy rolling hills of the downs and rang from the rocky ledges of Deadman's Dike. The pack raised their voices with his, and for a moment it seemed the dark spirit of Angband had come again to Fornost.

'Come, Wolves! Let us hunt the two-legs, even as they hunt us.'

And with that, they moved south like a dark swift shadow across the lowlands.

[Galadel Vinorel]

While Gaddy and his company were travelling along the road to Chetwood, the scout party began to make their way to Weather Hills. Elfred knew the way the best, so he led them most of the way, then he traded off with Olo, who then traded off with Autumn, after his time was done. After about forty-five minutes into her tracking time, Autumn yelled and began running ahead of the rest of the scouting party; they had reached Weather Hills.

As the hobbit lass turned the corner she was confronted with a horrible sight and smell which rocked her senses and made her sick to her stomach. Autumn collapsed onto her knees trying to breath through her mouth instead of her nose, and, though this helped a little with the smell, it did not take away the horror of the sight. The rest of the scouting party ran over to Autumn and then nearly became as sick as the hobbit lass at the sight.

There, lying strewed all over the grass, were the torn apart bodies of the missing sheep of Bree. Most of their heads were ripped off and their guts thrown wildy over the area. The sheep's blood stained the grass completely red, and there was a horrible smell in the air of rotting flesh. The poor hobbits could see maggots crawling over the bodies of dead animals.

Next to Elfred, Nop howled and buried his head in his master's side. Slowly Autumn stood up and saw wolf and a few wargs tracks leading away from the horrible scene. The scout party decided that they would soon follow the tracks, but they nedded something to eat first, preferably nothing to do with meat. Choosing a spot not too far away, but far enough not to smell the dead sheep, the scouting party sat down and began to eat their meager meal of bread and dried fruit.


Further away Gaddy had just stopped at a farmer's house with his company for a light (for hobbits) lunch. The nice hobbit farmer had been so kind as to allow Gaddy and his comapny to dine with his wife and himself. There they had a very delicous and satisfying meal of mutton, mushrooms, bread, and dried fruit. After lunch the women in the company helped the wife to collect the dishes and wash them, while the men sat down to discuss their plans with the farmer. Then the company, along with the farmer began to leave.

As Gaddy turned around, from where he stood in the street looking at Chetwood not too far away, to check that everyone was there, he saw the farmer's wife slightly crying on the farmer's shoulder. it seemed that she did not want him to go and fight the wolves, but he thought that it was his duty to help save Bree. While Gaddy watched he saw the farmer's wife turn away from her husband, sobbing more than ever, and run back into her house. The farmer, looking quite sad, turned and went to join the group.

Then the company began to march down the road, and Gaddy made a promise in his heart to himself that he would make sure that that farmer would return home to his wife. 'I hope everyone else will too,' Gaddy thought to himself, 'I don't want to loose any of them.'

Gaddy turned his head slowly in the direction of the Weather Hills and sighed. He was wondering at that moment how the scouting party was doing. Then the hobbit turned back to the path laid out before him and the good people under his command.

[ January 05, 2003: Message edited by: Galadel Vinorel ]

[Olo Gamwich]

After a friendly meeting with Elfred and a whimsical, comforting reunition with Autumn, Olo was ready for the task at hand. As part of the scouting group; one of alternate leaders through into the Weather Hills, an old spark of youthful enthusiasm took over him.

But at the sight of the massacre of sheep, Olo's vigor was smothered. The stench poisoned his lungs with disgust and the blood on the grass felt as if it was dripping from his own heart. It was a terrible experience, filling him with anger and loss.

The group found a spot to sit and eat, but the vision of the sheep was was branded on his mind and caused his stomach to go sour. When offered a small loaf of bread and a dried pear, Olo smiled but shook his head. He leaned back on a large stone and pulled out his pipe, and as he lit it he softly began to troll a hobbit song -

I sit beside the fire and think
of all that I have seen,
of meadow-flowers and butterflies
in summers that have been;

Of yellow leaves and gossamer
in autumns that there were,
with morning mist and silver sun
and wind upon my hair

Olo puffed at his pipe and his eyelids began to get heavy. He didn't finish the song, but nodded off to sleep.

[Garen LiLorian]

As the little scouting party exited the inn, Ned's spirits were in high order. Elfred had impressed him mightily with his quarterstaff-cum-walking stick, and Ned knew he was in good company. Especially with Olo along as well. Ned constantly eyed the sword Olo carried as they walked. He hoped the older hobbit might take some time, maybe after lunch, to show Ned a few things. It was all very well to carry a soon to be famous sword, he thought, but I might need to use it, and then where would I be?

He was a little upset about not being allowed to lead the party at any point, but his common sense prevailed. After all, this was country he knew nothing about. Better to let- Then Autumn gave a yell and ran on ahead. Ned looked up from his musings and, holding his sheathed blade away from his legs this time, followed behind her at a run.

The sight was the most awful thing he'd ever seen, bar none. He swayed, feeling sick to his stomach as Autumn dropped to her knees in front of him.
"Oh... goodness." He managed, before dropping to his knees as well, and offering up breakfast to whoever might be watching.

He felt miserable, and wondered why he'd ever volunteered for this job. He was no hero. This was a job for Old Elfred, and Gaddy, not to mention the Big Folk.

The howling of a dog brought Ned back to himself. He dragged himself to his feet, and braced himself for another look. Yep, it was still awful. But he could sort of bear it now. Autumn pointed at something that Ned was too far away to see. Tracks, apparently. A fire started burning somewhere in his stomach region. He was going to find the beasts that had done this, and then... Well, he didn't know what then, but he was sure something would present itself.

Elfred clapped him on the back. "Steady on, young Brandybuck. We'd best be resting a bit before following those tracks any further. Come away here, and let's have some lunch."

Ned allowed himself to be led back to the group, out of sight of the horrible slaughter.

[piosenniel]

They had been waiting in a thick copse of scrub trees at the southwestern edge of the Weather Hills. A brief rest before they tracked the two-leggeds. Dûrêl sniffed at the breezes, taking in all the news they carried. A deer, some miles away to the north, moving further away, its scent growing fainter . . . the smells of the trees and earth and even the sun warmed rocks . . .and faint, very faint the scent of the river’s water, to the west . . .

The five Wolves who had come with her edged near her. Their bodies quivered with anticipation of the hunt, yellowed eyes flashing with the thoughts of hunting the hunters. One of them, a young male, gave a low whine of eagerness. Dûrêl turned on him swiftly with slashing teeth, cowing him.

‘Silence!’ growled the Warg, menacing and low.

Her ears caught the sound of something to the north. The Wolves had heard it, too. A dog, howling. Not too far away.

As one they moved from the copse northward, staying beneath the trees as they could, trotting swiftly along the rocky ridges of the hills, coming to the place where they could see who hunted them. They approached down wind of the trackers. There were four two-leggeds and only one dog – one of the two-leggeds looked to be older, though he carried a large thick stick and walked about without any sign of weakness. The other three were younger, and looked to be carrying blades.

The Warg wrinkled her snout in disgust – there was fear she smelled! The scent of someone’s last meal lay souring in the sun. What kind of hunters were these to fear their prey. He motioned with his head, and the pack descended toward their target at a dead run.

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

Nop heard them, and began to bark furiously, standing stiff legged by Elfred. Elfred raised his stick in his thick hands, staring in the direction toward which Nop faced. ‘Wolves!’ he shouted. ‘We are being attacked!’

Autumn, Olo, and Ned came swiftly to his side, readying their weapons. They spread out a little, to form a hasty line of defense. The five Wolves slowed as they approached the group, slowly advancing, their heads low and snarling, eyes fixed on the weapons of the defenders.

The Warg, Dûrêl, hung back, stopping to assess the strength of the group before her. ‘One of you, come with me.’ he growled. ‘We will cut the old man from the flock, and bring him down first. Beware the dog and that stick he holds! You others – take the remaining three. Kill them if you can.’

Three wolves charged the line, slashing and biting furiously at the three younger members, drawing their full attention. The Warg waited for the opening she needed and then moved in with deadly precision, cutting Elfred from the other three.

Nop charged the two, a look of savage determination on his face. The Wolf engaged him, blocking his advance toward Elfred. He slashed the dog along his flank, ripping open his skin. Nop turned and leaped at him, his teeth finding purchase on the Wolf’s ear. Bleeding profusely, he brought the Wolf down.

Elfred, seeing his boon companion in dire straits, turned with his stick and aimed a blow for the Wolf’s head, killing him. It was an understandable action, and a fatal mistake.

The Warg moved in, launching herself at the back of the elder Hobbit. The weight of her attack brought Elfred down, and with a snap of her mighty jaws, he broke the Hobbit’s neck, sending his body flying with a shake of his head. Nop lunged at the Warg, but he, too, was flung in the air. The Warg had managed a hold on the nape of the dog’s neck, but the skin had torn as the Warg’s teeth slashed at it, and she had lost the hold as he shook the dog. Nop flew through the air to land in a bloodied heap some distance away.

Dûrêl turned her attention now to the three who defended themselves against the onslaught of the three Wolves . . .

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

[ January 09, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Olo Gamwich]

Shortly after leaving camp, Olo began to feel tense. Demise seemed to be enshrouding the company as they trekked through the hills. Nop suddenly began to bark loudly; a sign perceived by Elfred as an oncoming attack.

Olo unsheathed his sword and, with Autumn and Ned, stood ground. A cold sweat trickled from his brow, sword in trembling hand. It was then that a warg and five wolves stormed over a nearby hill and into the party.

A large wolf leaped for Olo's neck. He attempted to evade; escaping death but bitterly slashed across the face by a long, sharp nail from the malicious beast. It turned and seized Olo's right arm. His sword dropped to the ground; the blade sticking into the soft ground. With his free left hand, Olo thrusted his fingers into one of the wolf's eyes, gorging it out. The wolf released his arm and howled in confusion and pain.

Olo quickly snatched his blade from the earth and with a fierce swing slit the creature's throat. Wounded and exhausted, the hobbit collapsed on the side of the hill...

[ January 06, 2003: Message edited by: Olo Gamwich ]

[ January 07, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Garen LiLorian]

Nop's bark cut the air, shocking Ned from his contemplation of the dried fruit before him. 'Wolves!’ came Elfred's shout. ‘We are being attacked!’

Ned fumbled his new axe from his belt, and loosened his other weaponry for quick access. Everything went into slow motion. Quite clearly he heard the click of claws over stone, the heavy breath of the wolves, Elfred's shouted commands. He moved into place slowly. His hand trembled as he brought up his axe, sighted along it, and threw it. It was a perfect toss, and Ned seemed to have all the time in the world to admire the glint of sunshine off of the blade as it twirled towards its target; the closest, and smallest of the wolves. Unfortunetely, when you are practising throwing knives, axes and stones, you rarely are allowed moving targets to practise on. Ned noted this with one corner of his brain.

The axe was, as aforesaid, a perfect toss. If the wolf hadn't dodged, it'd have been one mighty sick wolf. As it was, the blade gouged a line down its flank, and caused the wolf to veer aside from its intended target, Autumn, and head right for him, the handle of the axe still wagging from its flank. Even a wounded wolf could move awfully fast, and Ned's hands wouldn't work, grabbing first at his other axe, then at his sword. It was 10 feet away. Ned grabbed the sword. 5 feet. He started to pull the blade. It seemed to take forever to come out. Miles and miles of gleaming steel. Then there was no more time, and the wolf crashed into him, its jaws slavering as they searched for some hold.

Ned desperately tried to keep it away. His sword, forgotten, slid the rest of the way out and lay on the ground. He was holding its neck, and the awful jaws were 2 inches from his face, the paws scrabbling on his chest causing long, painful furrows. He wondered how the others were doing, hoped one of them could come to his rescue, but knew it wasn't going to happen. 'This is it, Ned,' he thought, 'the end of my story. It was pretty short. Wish I could have seen the rest of the tale.' The wolf lunged again, and Ned didn't have the strength to hold it off. All he could do was yank his head to the side. The wolf's teeth sunk into his shoulder, and he screamed. The pain was excruciating.

That was when he saw his axe, still sticking from the side of the creature. His hand was free now, and he reached for it, pulled it loose, and swung down. The wolf didn't expect this. Its prey was down, it had a hold. This was supposed to be the end. Then pain lanced through its side, over and over again. Ned didn't have the strength to kill the beast from this angle, but he was hurting it badly, and it was getting demoralized. It let go, backed off, the ran back towards the safety of the rest of the pack.

"Coward." Ned muttered, smiling tightly through the pain. Darkness reached for him, and almost he welcomed it, but shook his head, swimming back towards consciousness. 'That'd be great, Ned Brandybuck. Just when they need you, you go and let them down,' He thought.

His left arm didn't obey any of his commands, and the pain very nearly caused him to vomit again, but somehow he managed to struggle to his knees, and surveyed the battlefield. Elfred was down, Nop lay bleeding in a pile. Olo seemed to have killed one of them, but was on the ground as well, facing away, and Ned couldn't tell if he was conscious or not. Another of the beasts lay beside Elfred, its skull smashed in. Then he panned across to Autumn. As he watched, all the unharmed animals were advancing on the pale but resolute lass. One sprung...

[ January 07, 2003: Message edited by: Garen LiLorian ]

[piosenniel]

Two of his Wolves were dead and one had dragged itself from the fray, bleeding profusely; it too would soon be dead. Dûrêl pulled back, taking stock of who was left. One of the men was dead, and two lay still on the ground. Only the woman remained.

He growled at the last two wolves and they hurried to his side. Heads lowered, snarling, the dark phalanx advanced on their prey. Yellow eyes fixed on the grim faced woman with the yellow hair, as she held her weapon ready.

A sharp bark from the Warg and the lead Wolf broke into a run, leaping as he drew near the lone defender . . .

[ January 07, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Garen LiLorian]

Ned scrambled for his sword. At the moment, all the beasts were focused on Autumn, and the hindquarters of the big one were no more than 10 feet from him. His hand closed on the handle, and he crawled forward, the sword clenched in his good hand dragging through the dust. If it would just keep focused for a few more seconds... Ned was pretty sure he didn't have the strength to kill the beast, but he hoped he could at least keep it from finishing off Autumn. Every little bit helps...

5 feet. Then 3. Almost there. He reared up, sword poised. The Warg's ears pricked up. It spun around. Too slow. The keenly edged blade bit through skin and muscle and lodged, quivering, in the creatures right flank. The blade was torn from his grasp as the beast spun, and was flung through the air to land harmlessly in the grass. Ned, still on his knees, stared into the eyes of the beast. He was completely helpless now, and he knew it. His hands were held in front of him, miles away from the axe at his belt. The Warg stared at him for what seemed an eternity. Then it howled, full of anguish...

[ January 07, 2003: Message edited by: Garen LiLorian ]

[Galadel Vinorel]

Autumn watched angrily as the wargs and wolves approached her. Suddenly Ned sprang from her side and swung his sword at the wolf, barely hurting it at all. Then Ned fell not too far away form the slightly injured wolf adn the wolf howled and then growled at him and prepared to attack. Autumn knew that Ned couldn't defend himself, so she quickly ran and put herself between the wolf and Ned.

The other wolf and wargs then came and joined their companion, growling fiercly at her. Calmly Autumn turned her sword upward and grinned at the warg; the lass had faced wargs and wolves before and killed them, she was not afraid now. All that she was thinking of right then was how to treat the wounds of her friends.

One of the wolves sprang forward, and as he leapt Autumn swung her sword across his chest. The wolf lunged for the hobbit's right arm, but just as he was about to bite into it, Autumn jerked her arm away and stabbed the wolf through one of his eyes. The wolf jerked back, but his teeth still caught in her skin and it tore away as he backed off. Autumn gritted her teeth as pain rang through her arm, and she quickly switched her sword to her left hand. The wolf stood in front of her, the lass' blood dripping form his teeth.

Then the wolf leapt at her again and Autumn struck the sword right through his skull, and the wolf fell down dead. The other wolf howled, angry to see that small hobbit kill his friend and leapt over the other wolf's body straight at Autumn's neck. The hobit then took a knife from her side and threw it right into his open mouth. The wolf fell backwards onto his friend and lay for a while making horrible gurgling noises. Then the light died in his eye's and the last of those wolves were dead.

Now all that remained was the warg. As the warg faced Autumn it growled and lunged at her. Smoothily realing her blade Autumn ducked and swept the sword along his back, cutting off most of that fur. He howled in pain and then scratched her deeply on her upper right arm. The warg howled once again and ran away from Autumn off past the Weather Hills.

After he left, Autumn fell backwards and lay there in pain on the ground, her right arm a bloddy mess. After a little while Autumn got up and began to rap Ned, Olo, and Nop's wounds and put herbs on them to help them heal faster. Then Olo wrapped the lass' arm and put it in a sling, for it was seriously wounded. Next Autumn moved to treat Elfred. But Elfred's eyes were closed, and the hobbit could feel no pulse. Olo and Ned came over to Autumn, and Ned knelt at the lass' side.

"What's wrong, Autumn?" asked Olo looking fearfully at Autumn's pale face.

"Will Elfred be okay?" said Ned, peering at Autumn's almost white face.

"He's dead. Those stupid beasts killed him," answered Autumn, her voice slightly shaking.

[ January 07, 2003: Message edited by: Galadel Vinorel ]

[piosenniel]

Carchmoroth and Dúgoroth watched as the smaller group went out to hunt the two-legged trackers in the Weather Hills. It had only been a small party of trackers, and Carchmoroth expected Dûrêl and her five Wolves to deal with them in a swift and deadly fashion.

The two remaining Wargs were going after the larger group of hunters. And with them would be fifteen Wolves. Down through the grasslands south of the North Downs they came, passing Deadman’s Dike and heading straight for Chetwood Forest. The foolish two-leggeds would try to track them from their last kill, ignorant that they were being tracked themselves.

From the dense cover of the trees, they watched as the group left Combe, gathering farmers along the way. On silent paws they traveled on both sides of the dirt road that lead from there to Archet.

Carchmoroth motioned for Dúrel to take eight of the Wolves and go on ahead, to where the small path to the east intersected the main road. Carchmoroth led his Wolves to the point of the angle where the two roads intersected, keeping them well under the covers of dense brush. Dúrel’s group was just across the widening of the road, diagonal to Carchmoroth’s group.

The hunting party, led by Gaddy, arrived at the crossroads. He called a halt to their march, wanting to give them a few last minute instructions. They gathered in a tight crowd about him, listening to him talk, their attention focused on his words.

With a low growl from Carchmoroth, the Wolves on both sides of the crossroads charged the group as if it were a herd of sheep. They ran in, heads low, biting and nipping at the legs of the people on the outside of the group, cutting them out from the herd to do them further damage.

Chaos reigned among the two-leggeds, caught by surprise. And several of them fell victim to the Wolves’ “attack and separate” maneuvers. Once the group was scattered and many in panic, the two Wargs emerged from the opposite sides of the road and began the killing in earnest.

They had no love for these creatures who had taken land from the pack, and they meant to kill as many as they might, if not all. Yellow eyes blazing in the filtered light of the forest, they charged them again and again, urging their Wolves on - to bite and slash and bring down as many as they could.

Soon the grim arena was filled with the cries of the dying and the injured, while the two leggeds rallied against the pack as best they could . . .

[ January 08, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Amanaduial the archer]

"Nariah was hot, bothered and truly fed up of being huffed at by farmers. They were coming back from the fourth farm on the list and werent even halfway down. Celeb and Fin were behind her (lovebirds!) which was doing approximately nothing for her mood.

"If one more person says "Listen here young lady", I will honestly..." She muttered to herself before stopping. Sounds were coming from over the ridge they were coming up....battle, screams..and howls!

Sprinting to the top if the ridge, Nariah looked down in horror at the scene below. Not time to just look though, need to think sharp, as shed heard Elfred say before.

Pulling her bow from her back she sighted along an arrow. Pull back, pull back...get exactly the right spot...She let fly and was rewarded by a yelp as the creature went down, with an arrow in its stomach. Taking another, she fired again, finishing off the wolf.

Gaddy was fighting nearby, cutting the throat of a wolf nearby.

"Gaddy...!" Nariah started to call, but didnt have time and decided it was easier to deal with it herself; she finished off the wolf about to leap at Gadddys unprotected back with the long knife she had taken from the pile. Gaddy turned back to her gratefully, and Nariah smiled briefly before grabbing Gaddy and pulling him down as another wolf soared growling over their heads. When it landed it turned more quickly than Nariah, swiping at the barmaid with a beclawed paw. Now, in the inn Nariah had learnt to deal with difficult customers who swiped at her, and this wolf was not going to be an exception. Slapping his nose scoldingly with the flat of her blade, she shouted at it randomly. The wolf backed away slightly, confused and with a slightly swelling nose. In its confusion Nariah swiped at it with her knife and by some strange fluke managed to hit it across the throat. Well, that was never the way Ive had to do that before...

Turning, she surveyed the confusion and bloodshed. Muttering slightly under her breath, she pressed her back against a tree and, taking out her bow, began to let rip with deadly accuracy into the melee...


[ January 08, 2003: Message edited by: Amanaduial the archer ]

[ January 08, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Gimli the Dwarf]

Out of no where Bailen bounded out into the fray. He slashed at a wolfs throte Bailen then turned around noticing a wolf about to pounce on a boy. He leaped toward the wolf and slashed at the wolf with his axe. The wolf turned on bailen and growled and pounced. Bailen found himself knocked to the ground and the wolf on top of him. Bailen then at the last minute, just as the wolf was about to deliver the killing blow. Bailen struk the wolf with his walking axe. The boy from the inn pulled the dead wolf from bailen and nodded his thanks.
Bailen said,"follow me."
Bailen saw Gaddy fighting off a wolf at the other side of the field fighting a group of wolves. Bailen came within throwing distence and threw both his throwing axes at the leading wolf. Both hit thier targets but the lead wolf bit off them and snarled as he retreated the field.

[Sadbh]

Afton wiped her forhead with the back of her hand. The undergrowth was barely undergrowth at all in this part of the forest, and grew dense and heavy at the traveller's legs, all the way to their hips. For a good length they had been travelling through the thick and grasping brambles of a highly complicating bit of forest. Even Haurin, the eldest and most knowledgable of the three was utterly lost. A breathless young man stumbled up beside the elder two, nursing several soar scrathches on his face. "Haurin do... you even know... which direction... in what Bree lies?" Although his words came in panting, gappy chunks, he still managed to sound sacrcastic and tempermental.

"Olrin, be quiet." Haurin replied curtly, brow creases in frustration. They had taken a lost turn somehow, someplace. And the party had most likely already set forth from Bree. No matter. Haurin pulled himself roughly through bush and branch, the others following suite. Afton was on the brink of collapse, though she tried not to show it. She had tramped sturdily behind Haurin for many miles but was lagging. However, a strange set off sounds trained through the trees. Shouts, screams, barking and... a howl. "The party has found their quarry or the wargs have found theirs!" Gasping and tripping, the three ran through the growth.

"I hope that it is the prior but fear that it is the latter, Haurin." Afton gasped as she hauled her tired form over brush. Her fingers clutched a stich inside side, an with her free hand she unsheathed an old knife. Finally, they tumbled from the wasted 'shortcut' and into the clearing, too late. The predators had gone and one of the party lay pale as death. Afton caught her breath and shook her heads. Halflings. They had not done so bad, but one of their number lay dead.

"Late." Haurin muttered, disgusted with himself. How could they be so slow as to let such pass.

[the real findorfin]

As the wolves attacked the group disintigrated around him, but Fin and Celeb remained fast, moving together in a defensive posture. Fin drew his sword, his father's blade and as the nearest wolf turned on him, Fin gave him a deadly blow to the face. Slitting the side of his face smashed the wolf's mouth open and Fin lunged, piercing the brain through the top o the mouth. He had become calm and all trace of humour had gone, this was battle and concentration was what was needed, not raw strength.
"To me, Halflings, to me!" he cried, hoping to rally the force that was milling around. Bailin and Gaddy seemed to be coping but nevertheless, it was better to fight in a group than in isolated cells.
Celeb took a strike at a wold near her, but it darted away to the right. The wolves seemed to skirt the two more than before, going for the easier prey.
"To me!" Fin cried again.

[piosenniel]

The two Wargs drove the Wolves hard against the two-leggeds; the wolves responded in a frenzy. Biting, slashing, cutting the two leggeds off from their fellows, killing them.

Together Carchmoroth and Dúrel advanced into the fray, one challenging a 'hunter' from before, the other taking him from behind.

Now they faced the man and woman who called for the hunters to unite for their defense. 'To me Hobbits.' Carchmoroth heard the male call.

Carchmoroth feinted in toward the two, drawing their attention, staying well out of range of their biting blades. Dúrel flew from behind at the male, but the woman turned swiftly, dealing him a burning slash across his right flank.

The weight of the Warg's body bore down the male, snapping his left arm beneath him as he hit the ground. Mad with the pain from the sword cut, Dúrel stood up, over the male, intending to snap his neck with a bite from his massive jaws. Again the woman's blade slashed at him, sending him in retreat.

Carchmoroth, moving behind her as she swung, slashed her deeply with his teeth in the right calf. She fell with a scream of pain, beside the male . . .

The Warg moved on, satisfied that they would cause no more trouble, and went to find Dúrel.

Their next target was the Dwarf and his deadly axes. Dúrel, his blood now clotting along the ragged gash on his side, watched as the Dwarf threw out his two smaller axes, driving off one of the Wolves. Still he held that deadly walking axe with its sharp edges and its long reach.

The two Wargs circled the Dwarf and the boy which stood with him. Dúrel feinted in, and Carchmoroth ran swiftly against the duo, knocking them both flat. The boy scrambled to his feet and beat the Warg off with his thick, blackthorn walking stick, driving him with blows to the head, away from the fallen Dwarf . . .

'Come, Dúrel!' growled Carchmoroth. 'Leave these two. We need to bring down the one who leads this pack, and that one, over there, who is all too sure with her bow.' He motioned toward the woman who stood, back against a tree, firing her deadly arrows into the Wolves. They called to the pack, and five Wolves came at a run.

Three of them they sent against Gaddy. They ringed him, their terrible eyes fixed on his moving figure, lips curled back from their sharp, yellowed fangs. Two of them leaped at him, and he swung his blade in a mighty arc, knocking them away from their intended target. They landed stunned against the trunks of two trees at the edge of the road. The third Wolf, who had moved to the rear of the man, now charged him, sinking his teeth into the back of the man's left knee, bringing him down . . .

The woman with the bow, fired an arrow at the Wolf attacking Gaddy, killing him with a sure shot to the base of his skull.

Now she faced her own attackers, two Wargs and two Wolves, at very close range. Her arrows now were perilously low in number . . .

[ January 09, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

HELKAHOTHION'S post

Anuionin saw the Wolves charging the group and got filled with courage. Stupid courage, none the less, but courage. He felt that Hamfast was in danger.

"Stay close, Hamfast and keep your weapon ready to strike at any of these rats." Anuionin said.

He grew fond of the hobbit and the only way these creatures where going to get him was over his dead body.

The wolves started to circle and two came close to him. His hand was swift and secure and two axes flew trough the air striking at the wolves. They retreated and Anuionin let out a loud battle cry before rushing into the heat of battle.

Khâzad!!!!!!!

He ran over to tree wolves that where gathered near a tree. The wolves noticed the not so happy Dwarf and launched a counter attack. They jumped around him and attacked him.

The first wolf charged him from below and tried to bit him firmly in the leg. But the agile Dwarf made a leap next to the wolf. The wolf jumped to his throat but was badly surprised of the power in this little man. The stick of his axe knocked him back and the wolf fell on the ground. The axe waved with power and the wolf’s carcass fell on the ground. Screaming of pain it was unable to move: Anuionin slashed his legs off.

In the meanwhile the second wolf snuck up behind the Dwarf and attacked him. But the foolish creature made a leap too big. Anuionin ducked and the wolf landed in front of him with his back facing the Dwarf. By the surprise of Hamfast, Anuionin did not strike to kill, but used the flat side of his axe to spin the wolf around, facing him head on. The wolf, still dazzled from the spin, could not stand his ground and Anuionin split his skull, vertically.

"That will teach you to kill the sheep of my hometown, you disgusting rat!" he shouted at the dead wolf on the ground.

But this was an act of dumb pride and the last wolf leaped to his neck. Anuionin realized that he could not bring his axe up and blocked the bite with his arm. The wolf went trough his equipment and Anuionin lost his balance. The wolf was now on top of him and was still holding his
grip on his arm while scratching his chest, inflicting some serious wounds.

"This is it!" Anuionin thought. "This is the end!"

But suddenly a shiver went through the foul beast and it stopped moving. Anuionin threw the wolf off him and was gladly surprised. He saw Hamfast's sword sticking out of the wolf's head.

"You are truly a blessing from the sky dear Hobbit" Anuionin said.

And then he passed out because of his injuries. He could just hear a cry of victory coming from the fields.

[ January 11, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Galadel Vinorel]

When the fighting had begun, Gaddy had been surrounded by a ring of men and women, and now he was alone, surrounded by wolves. Swiftly swinging his sword, the hobbit cut two of the wolvews in their sides, knocking them away, but the one behind him bit deep into the back of his leg and the hobbit fell forward onto the ground.

Behind him Gaddy heard a thump and turned around to see the wolf that had attacked him lying dead with an arrow sticking out of him. Looking around, the lead hobbit could not see Nariah in the frenzy of battle, and so he turned his attehtion back to his attackers.

The two wolves were now circling him again, and each of them had a nasty cut on their side. They growled at Gaddy as he stood up, leaning heavily on his right, uninjured, leg. Suddenly one of the wolves leapt up, heading straight for Gaddy's right hand, so that he could knock his sword away and finish this battle. But Gaddy was too quick and he struck his sword right through the throat of the wolf as he ran up.

The wolf felt back, gasping for breath, then charged one more time. The male wolf lunged at Gaddy and was able to swipe his paw across the hobbit's stomach, causing a deep wound, before Gaddy thrust his sword right through the skull of the wolf. Now Gaddy faced his final attacker.

The wolf circled Gaddy one last time, then howled and leapt for the hobbit's throat. As he leapt, Gaddy pulled his knife from his side and flung it into one of the wolf's eyes. The wolf fell back, and then ran full speed at Gaddy's left leg, swiped it with his paw, and knocked the hobbit to the ground. Standing on top of him, the wolf bent down to snap the hobbit's neck, but Gaddy was ready for him. Quickly, the sheepraiser raised his right hand, still holding his sword, and cut the head of the wolf off.

Pushing the wolf off of him, Gaddy stood up as well as he could, and looked around him. Some people were lying dead in the road, while most everyone else had a wound of some sort.

Hearing yells from behind him, Gaddy turned to see a mob of farmers, many with burning branches in their hands, running up along the road. Gaddy smiled to himself; you could always trust farmers to help you when you needed them. As the farmers came running up, the wolves, under command of the wargs, drew away from their prey and formed a line blocking the farmers from the company....

[ January 09, 2003: Message edited by: Galadel Vinorel ]

[Amanaduial the archer]

Nariah finished off another wolf at Gaddy's back with a sure shot, but it was getting harder. She hadnt been wounded too badly, mainly because most of her attackers were dead at twenty paces, but her arms ached and she could feel the wolves and wargs closing in around her...

It scared her how the wargs were so obviously intelligent. They seemed to communicate with each other, even more than just with howls. There was something deeper, like they actually talked...a disturbing thought, and one that Nariah neither wanted to dwell on, nor had time to.

She readied her bow as she saw a wolf nearby, then stopped. A long low growling was coming from the other side. Turning slowly, Nariah saw two wolves, two wargs, watching her. The girl drew her long knife as the first wolf leapt at her and once again she was hit by a strange feeling; they all jumoed at the same time...

[piosenniel]

They bore the archer down beneath the tree, the weight of their hurtling bodies crushing her beneath them.

Her long knife flashing, she had managed to stick the Wolf which reached her first. The dead weight of its body as she drove the knife in to the hilt threw her off balance, and she stumbled back against the tree, then crumpled beneath the onslaught of the others. Long, sharp fangs ripped her exposed arm, and she felt the hot, foul breath of the Warg against her neck.

As suddenly as it happened, it was done. The Wargs had called the Wolves from her, in answer to another danger. She lay under the dead body of the Wolf, her arm aflame with pain where the teeth had scored her - her head pounding from its hard contact with the tree as she fell . . .

[Amanaduial the archer]

Nariah gasped in pain as she lay under the wolf for a moment, her entire body aching, her arm pinpointing it. Blood was oozing through her fingers where she was had her hand pressed to the gash along her upper arm, where the wolf had ripped her sleeve as well as deep in her arm.

But only for a moment. Her head felt like oliphaunts were stampeding around in it, her arm was still flaming, but no way was she going to let those wargs and wolves get away. Especially the wargs; she still had that strange feeling there was some kind of control there and she didnt like it...

[the real findorfin]

Fin rose on one knee, clutching his sword in his right undamaged hand. His left arm hung limp by his side but he would worry about that later.

Celeb lay beside him, "are you OK?" he asked.
She nodded and grimaced.
"Stay there," he said, "you'll be fine."

As the farmers drew level with him, he rose up and joined them. Together they moved forward against the remaining wolves and wargs.
"We have them now!" Fin thought, triumphantly.

[piosenniel]

Only four Wolves were left of the pack that had come into Chetwood Forest. Four Wolves and the two Wargs. Carchmoroth had seen the flare of the torches that the men bore coming dangerously close to them. And he did not relish the thought of being pinned between them and the blades, arrows, and axes of the hunting party. He sent a short series of deep barks across the battlefield, gathering the Wolves in.

Between the two lines of foe they ran, through the underbrush, making for the northwestern border of the forest. To the place called Fornost, as Men called it. There to regroup with Dûrêl and the Wolves who remained with her.

Pushing hard they came to their lair among the rocky ledges at the southern end of the North Downs. Too tired to hunt, they rested, licking their wounds. Dûrêl did not return until well into the next day, and no Wolves were with her. Her side was bloodied and she limped from the blow to her haunch.

She lay down, exhausted from battle and loss of blood, near her brother, cradling her head on his flank. Day passed into evening. Carchmoroth and two of the less injured Wolves trotted silently down from the ledge, heading west. They would hunt, and then the pack would feed, and make their plans.

[Galadel Vinorel]

After the wolves and wargs had retreated the farmers had, under the direction of Gaddy, set up a camp for the injured and for the people who had fought in the battle. One tent was set up as a hospital and the healer of Archet came in and began to bandage people up. First he worked on the people badly injured; one of these people was Gaddy. The poor hobbit could not even walk any more without help of a walking stick and the skin on the back of his leg, by his knee, had been torn off so deep that you could see the bone. The scratches caused by one of the wolves on his stomach was not terribly bad, but they still had to be wrapped up so that they wouldn't get infected.

After being treated, Gaddy was brought a staff, which he used to walk around the camp and give orders. He first established a ring of gaurds around the camp, mostly farmers who could both shoot a bow and arrow and weild a sword. These men would roate with others who had come from all around Archet to help protect the camp. Next he ordered for fires to be built and dinner was started for the hungry warriors.

During the middle of Gaddy giving orders, he heard a shout go up near the edge of the camp, "The scouts are back! The scouts are back!" Quickly the hobbit hobbled over to where the shouts were coming from. There he found Autumn, Ned, Olo, and Nop standing looking extremly tired with a ring of farmers surrounding them.

As Gaddy stepped forward the ring parted to let him through, and Autumn looked up to face him. Her face was very pale and her right arm was completely covered in blood. "What happened, Autumn?" asked Gaddy worriedly.

"We were attacked by a warg and five wolves at the Weather Hills. We were all injured, and those beasts killed ELfred," answered Autumn, her voice slightly shaking.

"There was nothing that we could do for him, Gaddy, so we came back to report to you," said Olo standing forward.

"But what happened here? We saw dead bodies of wolves a little ways back and some hobbits and men as well," asked Ned, looking around.

"We were also attacked by wargs. I lost ten good farmers in the fight, and almost no one escaped without injuries. Come along you three, and you two, Nop. I can see that you are tired and hungry, and you also need to be treated for your wounds," said Gaddy, leading the way to the tent which served as a slight hospital for the injured. After the wounds of the three hobbits and the dog were treated by the healer they ate a very refreshing meal. During their meal they took turns recounting the story of the fight with the wolves and warg.

Gaddy was slightly shocked at how brave the hobbit had been and told them so. "You three are very brave; more than you look for sure. You fought a good battle by all accounts, and one worthy of song," said Gaddy, smiling one of his rare smiles. Then Gaddy raised his glass of ale and said, "To the memory of a good sheepraiser, wairor, and most importantly friend; to Elfred Thistle!" The three hobbits also raised their glasses, very glad indeed that they were alive.

[ January 11, 2003: Message edited by: Galadel Vinorel ]

[the real findorfin]

As the enemy ran off into the brush, Fin finally let his guard down and succumbed to the pain in his arm. He sheathed his sword and helped Celeb over to where the camp was being set up.

As his wounds were less bloody than many of the others, Fin had to wait for a long while but finally he was seen to. He emerged from the Healing tent, arm strapped to his side and moved over to where Gaddy and the other warriors were retelling thier stories.

He was shocked to here about the old hobbit Elfred and could see that many of the others were to. He sat and took a bowl of the sew they were eating, wondering where it had come from and who had cooked it.

"We have done well, my friends, but I don't think that we have vanquished them yet. Some remain, and they will return."

[ January 11, 2003: Message edited by: the real findorfin ]

[Helkahothion]

As the battle was over, Hamfast helped Anuionin over to the healer's tent. Anuionin passed out again and woke up later to find himself in a white tent with a lady bowed over him to see if he was alright.

"Am I dead?" Anuionin asked.

The girl laughed and went on to see other patients. He walked out and saw a gathering of people that he knew.

"We have done well, my friends, but I don't think that we have vanquished them yet. Some remain, and they will return." Fin said.

"I think I little overdid it if you know what I mean Fin." Anuionin laughed.

"But I think your right. They are still not all gone. I saw that Warg leader. I shurly wish the stick a blade in his skull. But I don't fear them. I wish they would be back so I can avenge my arm." He continued on a more serious tone.

Anuionin went of in staid away a little. It was beginning to get a little dark and Hamfast got worried. He went of to search the Dwarf. He found him crawling on the ground on his hands and knees. Hamfast wanted to call him, but the Dwarf screamed happaly and rushed to a nearby stick in the field. Than Hamfast realized what he was doing: He was looking for his trowing axes.

"These things are bloody hard to find when it's dark." Anuionin said.

Hamfast laughed and together the two went back to the camp.
________
Yamaha Xv250 Specifications (http://www.yamaha-tech.com/wiki/Yamaha_XV250)

[Olo Gamwich]

Olo was quite grateful that both parties had met up again. His arm had been treated and Autumn and Ned seemed to be on the mend as well. But the death of Elfred had struck right at the heart of the group's endurance. It had been most unpleasant and clearly painful. The sight of his bloody, crumpled body would not leave Olo's mind. The weary hobbit suddenly turned and vomitted on the ground. He fell back and...and his mind began to...wander...

[Amanaduial the archer]

Nariah sat on the grass on a a hill a small way from where the group were celebrating. She was no longer crying, but her cheeks were still wet from her silent weeping. Elfred was gone.
She lay back on the grass, staring up at the stars above her. Was the old hobbit one of them now? How could he be gone? How?
Nariah sighed. She had already been angry at the rest for celebrating, but she knew they were doing it to try and expell the thoughts of what would inevitably happen later....
She stared at the stars before closing her eyes and trying not to think either. Not to think of anything....
A sound nearby of someone releasing their last meal the way it had gone in made her open them again.
"Hello Olo."
Olo looked a little sheepish as he wiped his mouth. He came over, sitting beside Nariah.
"Elfred was-" He started, before stopping. He looked like he was about to say something else but replaced it with a sigh and just stared at the stars, eventually closing his eyes and thinking his own thoughts, like Nariah.

[ January 12, 2003: Message edited by: Amanaduial the archer ]

[Helkahothion]

Just as Nariah turned around and went away she heard a voice behind her.

"You really liked Elfred huh? I know it's hard to loose a friend to those beasts. I lost my brother in that way."Anuionin said.

"Really?" Nariah asked surprized by the dwarf standing behind her.

"Ohw yes, my brother was killed when he was protecting me from two wolves. I ran and was save. But my brother was not to be found. Only a dead wolve."

Anuionin sighted and looked into emptyness for a while. Then he smiled and turned to Nariah.

"Come, let's go back. You have avenged the death of your beloved." He said to Nariah.

"I myself never will." He added softly.

[ January 13, 2003: Message edited by: Helkahothion ]
________
TOYOTA TACOMA HISTORY (http://www.toyota-wiki.com/wiki/Toyota_Tacoma)

[Garen LiLorian]

Ned's shoulder hurt abominably, and he was so covered with scratches from head to foot he looked like an escaped art project. But none of this really mattered, in his mind. He remembered all too well the feeling of the fight, of being held helpless under the weight of the wolf and of Elfred's corpse. He remembered trying to help Autumn and failing, staring directly into the yellow eyes of the Warg and knowing, just knowing that he had failed. It was the worst feeling of his life, and one that he expected wouldn't leave him alone for a good long while.

He spent the rest of the day in shock, moving mechanically when told to, responding to queries with short, brusque answers. At some point, he couldn't remember when, someone had put his arm into a sling. He skipped the congratulatory dinner, preferring instead solitude and the night sky. He thought about Elfred. How the old shepherd had encouraged him, spoke to him, even scolded and (on occasion) beat him seemed like pleasant memories.

He drew his sword awkwardly, and looked at the blade, glinting in the light thrown down by the Moon. Such a simple thing. He was filled with self-loathing then, thinking; 'Some hero you are. I suppose now it's back to the Pony, to recount your bravery to all the farmers? Why, it took all you had to drive off a single wolf, and when your friends needed you, where were you? Sitting helpless. That's where. Had to be rescued yourself. Elfred's death is your fault.' The thought was so horrible he had to think it twice. 'Your fault.' He knew intellectually that this was untrue, but that hardly mattered. Tears began to stream down his face, unnoticed. They splattered on the sword blade. "It is strange," he said softly, his voice shaking, "that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over such a little thing. Just a sword."

He knew then, what to do. He was no hero, no Bandobras the Bullroarer, to destroy Goblin kings with a single blow. He cocked his arm, ready to throw the hated blade into the bush and be done with it, when he heard footsteps.

"I wondered what had become of you, Ned. Seems the bushes are a popular place tonight. Nariah and Anuionin are over there..." Autumn trailed off as she saw his tears. "Oh, I'm so sorry. It was a bad joke."

[Amanaduial the archer]

"I wondered what had become of you, Ned. Seems the bushes are a popular place tonight. Nariah and Anuionin are over there...Oh sorry, it was a bad joke."

Nariah smiled as she walked over with Anuinion who had gone a deep shade of red. She decided to make light of the situation; Ned frankly looked like he was about to cry. "I heard that Autumn!" She said, putting her hands on her hips in a mock serious gesture. Then she turned to Ned, speaking behind her hand as if to only him. "But Ned, Ive always loved a man with hairy feet..."

She recieved smiles, even a rather shakey one from Ned.

[ January 16, 2003: Message edited by: Amanaduial the archer ]

[Galadel Vinorel]

Autumn smiled at Nariah and looked sadly over at Ned, who was looking out, with tears in his eyes, towards the trees of Chetwood Forest not far away. A memory from the battle flashed through the lass' mind, and she tried to shake the horrible image away; it was an image of Ned lying in the grass, his face very pale. Blood covered his left arm, and, not far from him, stood the wolf had just tried to attack Autumn. Looking over at Ned, the hobbit wondered if Ned was thinking of the battle as well.

Crossing over to the lad, Autumn stood next to him and whispered in his ear, "What's wrong, Ned? Do you want to talk?"

Ned turned towards Autumn and looked sadly into his face. A tear dripped down his face and then fell onto the grass. "Was Elfred's death my fault, Autumn?" Ned asked, his voice shaking, "I just know it was. If I wasn't such a weak and braveless hobbit then he would still be alive."

Autumn stared surprised at the hobbit lad, and then put her arm (left one) around his shoulder, and smiled at him. "It wasn't your fault whatsoever, Ned. Don't ever think that. You are one of the bravest people that I know. You jumped right in front of that wolf without hesitation to try and stop it from attacking me, even when you were hurt yourself. Only the wargs and wolves are to blame for Elfred's death. Not you, Olo, Nop, or me are to blame. Don't ever think that, Ned. Ok?" said Autumn staring into the sad face of Ned.

[Durelin]

Hamfast was burning, sweat trickled down his forhead, stinging his eyes. He still had not gotten over the heat of battle, though he had done little, the hobbit had gotten his first taste of the confusion and bloodlust of battle. And it seemed he had bitten off more than he could chew, whether he had wanted to or not.

He was still amazed at Anuionin's skillful brutality, and the rest of his companions. He felt like a useless lump of flesh, just dead wait that had to be dragged along by them. You will learn, a voice in the back of his mind told him You will learn to pull your own weight. Look at your sword. Hamfast immediately obeyed looking down at the short blade still in his hand. He had not even noticed it was still there It's getting lighter. He noticed he had stopped sweating, and he felt a wave of calm confidence come over him. It was over for now, next time he would be ready.

He saw his friend emerge from the tent with a grin on his face watching the hapless hobbit. "Thank goodness your all right!" he called as he ran to the dwarf, "Will we be moving on?" he asked Anuionin as he stepped to walk next to him, "Or are we going to have a rest?"

"Yes, I am all right thanks to you! So eager you seem, Master Hamfast," he replied. "Only a minutes earlier you would have been shaking in terror at the thought! Have you found something in you you did not know about? I remember my first time, in battle I mean, yes, quite clearly, you are doing as excellent as any dwarf ever could! Hamfast, do not worry about next time, you will do even better."

Hamfast was silent, he was glad to hear Anuionin's support but he it was hard to hear someone else talk about next time.

Suddenly he jumped in the middle of his thoughts Yes, I am all right thanks to you. that was what his friend had said, Thanks to me? The hobbit noticed a strange sweet smell in the air, a sweet, but sickening smell, coming from... Hamfast looked down at his blade, he still hadn't sheathed it. Blood! There is blood on my sword! My sword! He stopped to stare at the dwarf. Memory came swirling back. Of course, I...I...killed it! I saved...his life! I... The hobbit began to laugh, a long clear laugh. His friend joined him, it seemed like ages since he had last laughed.

"So, did I really kill it? Really? I did?"

"Of course you did, you didn't remember did you? That is normal, do not worry. You're going to be a fine 'hobbit warrior', Hamfast! A guardian of the Shire!" Anuionin chuckled. A guardian of the Shire! A title! Hamfast began to chuckle also at this thought. He had saved his friend's life, that was what mattered, not titles and heroics.

"Continue to watch my back will you Hamfast?" the dwarf said cheerfully. Of course I will. "And you watch mine!" he answered wiping the blood off his sword. He watched the sunlight dance along the silver blade. He was worthy enough to wear it after all.

[ January 20, 2003: Message edited by: Durelin ]

[piosenniel]

Carchmoroth counted heads once they retreated to their lair. He and Dúgoroth were whole, only minor bruisings. They would be sore for a few days only. Dûrêl was the one who had sustained a major wound. Her left flank was gashed, and blood still trickled from it when she moved. Of the Wolves, there were seven left, and they were sore and beaten. Nothing though that would not heal quickly.

Leaving Dûrêl at the lair to rest, he took Dúgoroth and the seven with him to hunt. They needed food and time to heal. Then they would return, and this time their prey would be the two-leggeds.

*****

The scent of the deer was strong on the air. The pack flanked them and cut two stragglers from the herd. Swiftly were they brought down, and swiftly killed. They took their fill on the killing ground then took a large haunch back to Dûrêl. Once she was healed, they would hunt the others . . .

[Garen LiLorian]

Ned sniffled pathetically, but nodded. He knew he wasn't to blame, really, but the thought just kept recurring to him that if he had known what he was doing, like Autumn had, Elfred might still be alive. Autumn. His mind flashed back to the frenzied battle scene. It had looked bad; Olo and Elfred down, Ned helpless before the beast, leaving only the brave hobbit-lass to deal with two wolves and the Warg. She had made it looks so easy. Graceful, even.

Ned's resolve firmed at the same rate as his voice. It was foolish of him to have pretended to be a hero, to wander through the wilderness like one of the famous Rangers. For the first time, Ned could see in his mind's eye how battered and miserable the Men looked, how pathetically pleased they were to have a roof over their heads for a night, and a dinner they didn't have to catch themselves. Adventure. he thought, (and was far from being the first to do so) Weeks of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror, rather.

"Autumn?" Ned hated how quavery his voice sounded, but there was very little he could do about it. "Do you think..." He gulped.

Her voice, when it came, was gentle. "Yes?"

"Erm. Well, that is to say... do you think maybe sometime, if you aren't too busy, that you could maybe... Uh, teach me?"

She looked confused for a moment, then began to laugh. Nariah, still standing nearby started in as well, and both of them laughed and laughed, sinking to the ground in shared merryment. Truly, the Hobbit's spirit was indomitable; only moments before he had been weeping, now, somehow, his thoughts had already left the horrible events of the day, and he was already thinking about swordplay! After a moment Ned began to chuckle himself, more out of commiseration than mirth.

"Oh, oh," Autumn managed between spurts, "Of course I'll teach you..." She couldn't contain herself then, and laughed helplessly, holding her ribs.

Perhaps it was more than the feeble joke which Ned had offered. Certainly there seems to be that in the human (and Hobbit) spirit which objects to scenes of war and strife, of battle and bloodshed and evil. Perhaps this bout of merriment was brought on by this indescribable impulse, as a balancing between good and evil, a laughter which lightens the spirit and diminishes the horrible events which the folk, both big and little, had endured that day to a bearable level. In any case, Ned too soon began to laugh helplessly, and found he could not stop.
The laughter of the three friends sounded in the night, defying the horrible events of the day.

=============================================

It was the next morning, and Ned was tired, miserable and feeling that his request of the night before had been somewhat ill-concieved. He had been roistered out of bed at an ungodly hour by Autumn, who had been smiling what Ned was sure was the most evil smile ever seen this side of Mordor. She had taken him to a field, and equipped him with a large, heavy stick. Then the beatings had commenced.

At the moment Ned was lying on his back, feeling very restful and admiring the patterns the flashing lights and colors were making. He heard a voice from far off. "Oh dear. Ned, you really have to work on that overhand parry." He focused on the voice, and his vision slowly swam back into focus.

"Ouch," He said. His fingers encountered strange protuberance on his forehead, where he was pretty sure there hadn't been one before. He was conscious of another sound, a sort of chuffing. It was the sound of a Dwarf laughing. Unceremoniously, he was hauled to his feet, where he stood blinking confusedly. Autumn was standing in front of him, the stick held in her left hand was resting on the ground and a worried expression was on her face.

"Are you all right?"

Ned didn't rightly know how to answer that. He didn't hurt, yet, although he was pretty sure that wouldn't last. He nodded, rather unsteadily.

"That's m'boy!" Shouted a loud voice right in Ned's ear, and a hand came down on Ned's back with the force of a mining sledgehammer, nearly knocking him down the other way. "We'll make a swordsman of you yet, young Hobbit!" Anuionin also looked far to cheery for the hour, but then again, Dwarves have strange senses of humour, and watching Ned being knocked around a field with a large stick seemed to fit the bill, at least for this Dwarf.

Ned shook his head, trying to dislodge some of the cobwebs, then rather reluctantly assumed a defensive posture. "I'm Ok. Come on, let's get this over with."

Autumn advanced again, her stick held before her like a rapier. Because of her wound, she was forced to use a smaller weapon than normal, but this made her no less dangerous to a untutored character like Ned. Ned also was forced to use only one hand on his "blade," but, unlike Autumn, it certainly seemed to make a difference in his fighting.

"One!" Autumn yelled, then swung down. Ned parried. "Four!" Ned made a hanging parry that just managed to keep her stick from his stomach. "Two!" Left. "Three!" Right. He grinned. He was getting the hang of this!

[*Anuion*]

Anuionin had heard the cheerfull laughter and later on he asked Nariah what it was all about.

"Well Autumn is going to teach Ned to sword fight."

Anuionin smiled. He just had to see this. He always loved those little Hobbit's. He was sertain that Autumn was going to start at an early hour.

"Oh well, you win some you lose some."

It was still early when Anuionin went over to the field. It was going to be one of the most funniest mornings.

[Garen LiLorian]

It was a sorry sight that greeted Tom Leafthistle that morning. The ragged band of would-be heroes stumbled back into Bree, footsore, wounded and pleased merely to be alive. Several faces were missing from among the group, too. He wrung his hands in consternation. "Gaddy?" He called out, searching vainly the faces for one he recognized, "Elfred? Nariah, lass, are you here?"

Gaddy moved forward out of the pack of farmers and other motley characters. His face was white and he was limping badly, but he was alive. Tom sighed in relief. "What happened? Oh, never mind about all that." He lifted his voice to reach the entire group. "Come with me, all of you. Pints to the returning heroes at the Pony, on me!" There was a ragged cheer at this, but not nearly as much of one as the jovial Mayor expected.

=============================================

The Prancing Pony was filled with light and warmth, two things the weary heroes needed. Most of the band sat round the fire, too exhausted for conversation and cradling mugs of cider, but Gaddy and Tom claimed a table in a corner, and spoke of events. Gaddy had related the events of the previous day, and now the two of them were arguing.

"Nonsense," Tom boomed, his face an even more vibrant shade of red than usual. He slurped noisily at his fourth pint. "They must be halfway to the Misty Mountains by now, after the thrashing you gave 'em. You're heroesh, I tell you! Heroesh is what you are."

"Don't be a fool, Tom," Gaddy hissed. The two characters painted a sharp contrast in the firelight, the large fat Man red with drink and good health, while the small figure of the Hobbit was drawn and pale from his wounds. "There must have been eight or ten wolves left from that battle. These aren't normal wolves, Tom. These are Wargs, demons in wolf-form from high in the mountains. They won't be satisfied until we're dead."

"Jumping at shadows, my dear hobbit. You're jumping at shadows. Ish Ok. I'd be shcared too..." The big Man blinked and tried to remember what he'd been saying. "WherewashI?" He asked plaintively.

Gaddy sighed. Tom was a good enough sort, as the Big Folk went, he thought. But why did he have to get like this all the time?

"You were saying, Tom, that you're going to send out some farmers to search the area for signs of the animals."

"I wah?" Tom looked confused. "Oh. Right. Barli!" He shouted full into Gaddy's face, and the stoic hobbit winced as the intoxicated human's breath washed over him. Barliman straightened up from where he'd been fussing over Nariah with the instincts of a mother hen, and gave Tom a withering glare before trotting over obediently. Tom made a vague gesture in the air. "Roundup a few of those... wossnames. Dark, thingy, Rangers. Tell 'em to shearch around for, you know, thingy, doggies, mean..." He blinked owlishly. "Wolves," Gaddy prompted. "Yeah. Like he shaish." The inebrieated human waved a hand in the general direction of Gaddy before collapsing on the table.

Barliman Butterbur straightened up. "Maybe you'd better be telling your story to Old Mugwort," he said. "He'll be in and about Bree-village this time of day. Ho! Nob, you wool-pated numbskull! Nob!" The much put upon serving hobbit appeared in a flash. "Fetch Bob. Tell 'em to run out and bring old master Mugwort, with my compliments." Nob disappeared as quickly as he had come.

"No doubt, master Furbarrow, but old Tom here will be wanting to give you and yours a party before the week is out. Not every day something like this happens in Bree. Why, I can't remember..." Gaddy sat still as the garrolous innkeeper's monologue flowed over him. A party? Why? Didn't any of these people recognize the danger? Gaddy hoped Mr. Mugwort would be a better ear.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The patriarch of the Mugwort family had proved most accomodating. Farmers and experienced folk of all ages had taken up combing the hills for any sign of the murderous wolves, but it had been to no effect. 'Maybe they really have gone back to wherever they came from,' was the thought on every persons mind at one time or another, even Gaddy. A day passed, then two. The faces of the heroes began to show life and energy again. Wounds, both physical and psychological, were healing over. Ned continued his sword lessons with Autumn.

All of Bree was in an uproar over the celebration to be thrown for these heroes. A party of special magnificence, to be presided over by the Mayor himself, was to be thrown for the brave band, with presents for all and sundry. All the town was invited, and most of the outlying villages of Archet and Combe as well. Tom strutted around the the village, red as a turkey cock, puffed up with self importance. Only Gaddy still harboured doubts, but those were fading fast with the continued reports of "nothing to report" he recieved from the scouts. The party was to be this evening...

[ January 26, 2003: Message edited by: Garen LiLorian ]

[*Anuion*]

The morning they arrived, everything was sad. The light was barely pooring trough the village and the feet of Anuionin where not adding to the joy either. As they went in the mayor was waiting for them. He shouted some names, but Anuionin paid no attention. All he wanted was a nice warm bed a meal and a drink. And lot's of that last part. He sharpend his ear as the mayor spoke to them.

"Come with me, all of you. Pints to the returning heroes at the Pony, on me!" The mayor said.

Anuionin cried out happely and his mood got better.

"You see little Hobbit. You are a hero now. Arren't you glad that you made it now?" Anuionin said to Hamfast.

They went in and Anuionin got a lot of sleep that day. Unnatural for a Dwarf.

Later, when he went downstairs, the room was filled with his companion's. He searched the room for Hamfast and encountered him by the fire. He sat down next to the Hobbit. He had grown fond of him. When he sat there, the firsth encounter between the two came up in his mind. He remember him coming in late and how much he laughed about the guy. A smile came upon his face. He took out his pipe and litted it. He trew his feet on the table and smoked his pipe. For the firsth time in a long stretch of time. He felt peaceful.

[piosenniel]

Dûrêl’s strength had come back. Her wounds were healing, and she had been able to eat well since the pack had hunted.

Seven new wolves had joined them since the previous attack. They were strong and eager to try their strength against the hated two-leggeds. Carchmoroth bade them be patient. Their chance for revenge would come soon . . .

[ January 26, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

The evening of the party, and numerous little lanterns had been hung here and there from branches of the trees, unlit as yet, the westering sun had not yet sunk low enough to warrant that. The evening was mild, no chilly winds from the north stirred the grasses on the greensward. In the town square, the podium had been festooned with flowers and ribbons, and the small town band stood listening patiently to the last hurried instructions from the bandmaster.

To the side of the podium, like a lovely ship come into harbor from a prosperous trip, a large table with a crisp white table cloth was set up, and piled high with gifts wrapped in festive papers, tied up with silvered ribbons. There were plaques, too. One large one to be hung in the Inn commemorating all the heroes, alive still and those fallen. Individuals would also receive smaller ones with an appreciative verse on it, and their name inscribed.

Mayor Woolman sat in the shade of a tree watching the last minute touches go up for the ceremony honoring those brave heroes who had driven the Warg menace from Bree-land. A few last rows of chairs and benches and all would be in readiness. He sipped a small mug of ale, just something to wet his throat, dry as usual, from practicing the long-winded and flowery speech he was to give.

‘Yes,’ he thought, smiling broadly as the crowd began to gather. ‘This would be a great day in Bree-land.’ And the start of a long series of days, he hoped, for the continued peace and prosperity of all this area.

[Helkahothion]

Anuionin smiled as he walked over to the party. He had been waiting for it all day. He went over jumping up and letting out smal cheer's like a child on his birthday. He had polished his weapon's extra good for this special occasion so they would look in tip top shape. (That and he needed something to kill time with)

When he saw the festiveties he could not believe his eyes. The stage was larghe and the table even largher. The food looked delicious and the guests where happy. Just the way he liked it. He scouted for his buddy and soon found him. He joined Hamfast and was happely surprized to be meeting his wife and children.

"Well you do have a good reason to be late old man." Anuionin said to Hamfast.

His wife asked him what that was about, but Hamfast just answered with:

"Nothing dear. Just a little joke between Anuionin and me."

Anuionin talked with Hamfast and his wife and was not eager to tell the story about the battle again. He especialy paid a lot of atention to the part where Hamfast saved him since his children where listening along.

"Wow daddy, you really saved that guy. That is so brave." One of his children said amazed.

"Mwoah, I just killed a wolf no big deal." Hamfast said.

The little Hobbit began to turn red and his wife looked at him with a intence look of love in her eye's: They really loved eichother.

Anuionin talked to some other's that had been with him trough out the experience.

It was the best time he had in Bree for years.

[ January 30, 2003: Message edited by: Helkahothion ]
________
MERCEDES-BENZ W221 SPECIFICATIONS (http://www.mercedes-wiki.com/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W221)

[piosenniel]

The sun had sunk below the horizon, and the last notes of the special ‘Heroes of Bree-Land’ suite were fading as the Mayor approached the podium. He could see the audience squirm on their benches, wondering how long he was going to talk. He raised his hand to them, and smiled. ‘This won’t be a long speech.’ he said, watching the smiles light up their faces, and their eyes drift to the tables laden with food and drink.

He called each of the participants to the small stage and gave them a plaque bearing words of gratitude from Bree-land for their effort in driving out the Wargs and Wolves. They all stood in a group as he called the next one up, and once done, he gave a short speech on the brave spirits who had surrendered their lives in the defense of Bree-land. A large commemorative plaque was held up by two strapping farm lads. It was to be placed on a memorial on the side of Bree-hill, that everyone would see as they passed down the Great East Road. Finally, he pointed to the table piled high with presents from the grateful citizenry, directing the heroes to pick out the ones with their names on them.

He bowed toward the group and they nodded their heads to him and proceeded toward the table. The audience clapped for them, and whistled, then went to the tables to enjoy the feast provided. Music swelled up into the festive night air as the conductor wielded his baton once again.

All were in the mood to enjoy the party thoroughly.

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

Visitors, quite uninvited, had also come to the party. Just on the outer perimeter of the stand of trees to the north of the party site, hidden in the shadows cast by the trunks and branches, were the three Wargs, and with them, ten large Wolves. Thirteen pairs of yellow eyes caught the moonlight and glinted beneath the trees as they moved in closer to the two-leggeds.

The loathsome two-leggeds were relaxed, laughing and drinking and stuffing their faces with food.

The great beasts moved in closer; the silent padding of their feet on the undergrowth almost in beat to the quick dance music the band now played.
With a motion of his head, Carchmoroth bade them spread out. Then, just as the music ended, and people turned toward the band to clap, he growled low.

Like a grey torrent from an unleashed dam, the Wargs and Wolves poured out in a swift and deadly deluge upon the unsuspecting partiers. And the dance floor ran red as the beasts began their slaughter . . .

[Helkahothion]

Anuionin was dancing with own of Hamfast's children. He had a great time. He had laid his old one-handed axe on the gift table and had equipped the new one. It was beautiful. Made by one of the Breelanders, it had writing in the blade and the stick was made of proper, decent and very strong wood. It was light to handle non the less. As the music stopped Anuionin could hear a little growl coming from out of the crowd. But it was not in the crowd. It was past it. Suddenly, the people divided and the Dwarf saw what he had feared when returning. The rat's where not all dead yet.

"The children, Hamfast, I must protect them." He taught suddenly.

Thoughts rushed throughout his mind. What would he do? Protect or attack? He chose for the second one. Offence is the best defence, as he tended to say.

He grabbed out his throwing axes. And he rushed into the slaughter field that was already filled with corpses of the poor surprised Breelanders.

"KH?ZAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" He yelled as he rushed towards the foul beasts.

He threw one of the axes at a wolf and it struck the beast right in the head. The second one landed in a flank. He knew that his large two-handed axe would do nothing to these agile rats. He yanked out the newly acquired axe and grabbed his other one from the table.

"Let's see what this toy can do." He said to himself.

He ran into the battlefield and one of the wolves charged him head on. He had his axe still in his body when he leaped to Anuionin. He would not get far. Anuionin struck him in the head. The head of the wolf was half of when it struck the ground. With a second blow he killed him. He grabbed out the throwing axe that was sticking out of his flank.

"Let's see if your friends also know how to play fetch." he said to the wolf.

He raised his arm and again the axe flew trough the air. It struck a wolf on the backside this time. He ran over there and gave it an immense slash in the back. That wolf would not be moving again. But then tree of the wolves came running to the Dwarf and started to circle him. Anuionin could not take on out with his axe, because if he reached for it the wolves would surely leap to his throat. He just waited for them to attack. The first one started the offensive and he reached for his leg. Stupid of course, because the toughest and strongest part of a Dwarfs body are his leg's. Anuionin raised his foot and planted it on the wolf's head. It struggled to get loose, but it's attempts where infane. Anuionin's newly acquired axe struck him in the neck, causing his nerve system to break. Its last struggle to survive looked hideous and the wolves got mad.

The second one leaped. To his neck this time. Anuionin ducked and the wolf flew over him. With a quick back-slash he ripped his stomach open. Anuionin turned around and cutted the back open aswel. Another wolf corps.

The third one had not been resting while Anuionin was chopping wolf-lumber. He had stopped running and now had Anuionin's back in sight. It was about to leap at the Dwarf when a stinging pain entered his back.

"Quickly Master Dwarf, turn around!" A child's voice said.

Anuionin made a quick turn and slashed the wolf's head of with one blow.
He was amazed to see that it was no man that had struck the wolf in the back. It was a child. Hamfast's child.
Quickly Anuionin lifted it from the ground and took it back to his father. But his father was nowhere in sight. He could only find his mother.

"I found this brave little fellow running around in the field M'lady. Can you take it from here?" Anuionin said friendly with a happy undertone.

The lady nodded and Anuionin rushed back in battle. He went out to search Hamfast. Where was the little fellow? He could not find him anywhere. He ran around screaming his name when he finally found him. He was leaning against a tree. Blood was leaking out of his arm. He had blood on his sword and a dead wolf lay next to him. But he was in trouble. Another wolf was standing in front of him. It was going to kill that poor fellow. Anuionin could not let this happen. He took a knife of the table and threw with full power at the beast. It did not hit him tough. It was planted between the wolf's legs, but caught his attention all the same. The wolf turned around and ran towards Anuionin. Anuionin had grabbed his two-handed axe of the table and was standing there very secure with his leg's spread and his hand's firmly holding the stick. The wolf leaped and Anuionin let out all of his anger. With a loud roar he took a swing at the Wolf. He struck the wolf head on. The strike was so hard that the wolf was cutted in two peaces. Hamfast could not believe his eyes. Anuionin rushed towards Hamfast.

"You did not seriously think that I would go easy on that rat when he has attacked you my friend." Anuionin said happily. "Let's get you out of here."

He took the Hobbit on his back and walked out of the battle.

His arm was avenged.
________
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[Amanaduial the archer]

Nariah had been standing near a table as the wolves and wargs attacked. She ducked as one flew over her head, landing on the table and knocking over a cask of red wine. The dark liquid spread over the white table cloth, red as blood...

"Woah!" She moved sharply to the side as the wold on the table gathered itself and started to turn clumsily. Grabbing a bread knife off the table without really registering it. The wolf crouched in front of her and began its jump-

-before landing with a still crumb coated knife in its chest. Suddenly remembering to breathe Nariah stared at it for a moment before pulling the knife from its chest and going into action mode. She looked around, scanning the chaos filled area. Wolves were surrounding Fin and Celeb, and now one was crouched near them, its jaws wide as it prepared to leap-

Another wolf leapt at Nariah. With a wild yell, the barmaid flung the knife threw the air before it lodged itself rather satisfyingly in the creatures skull.

Running beside the trestle tables she ducked under the table, pulling the blanket off her bow and quiver; she had left them there, not wanting to miss any of the party. She grinned wryly as she picked up her bow, staring at it for a moment; luck was too weak for this! She winced as she heard something splinter and crash outside and ducked under the table cloth. Vaulting onto one of the long tables the archer took aim and began to fire into the chaos.

[ January 30, 2003: Message edited by: Amanaduial the archer ]

[piosenniel]

Carchmoroth loped to the back of the fray, and re-entered the trees. At a loud bark from him, his seven waiting wolves attacked, spreading themselves out among the party goers.

Four of them harried the ones called Celebmornie and Fin. The man and woman stood back to back, swords drown defending themselves as the wolves feinted in and out, drwing blood from their victims legs. One of the wolves ran in, teeth snapping, drawing the attention of the two beleaguered warriors, drawing all their attention to him. From behind, the other wolf gathered his strength and leaped . . .

Another three surrounded Ned, Autumn, and Gaddy. Eyes blazing, jaws slavering at the thought of rending them from limb to limb, the Wolves attacked them in a frenzy . . .

Dúgoroth, the younger male Warg, was enjoying himself chasing the partygoers in therir finery about the area. Running swiftly behind them, he would nip at their heel and the backs of their knees, herding them like so many frightened sheep.

'Stop playing with your food!' shouted his sister, grinning in her ghastly Wargish way. She trotted slowly past him, following the fat mayor, like a cat after a mouse.

Carchmoroth made the rounds of the buffet table, yanking on the tablecloths so that all the mannish food fell to the ground. 'Ah! Here it is!' he growled to himself. He rolled one of the ale casks from its supports and nosed it toward the protection of the trees. Once they were done here, he and his pack would celebrate in style . . .

[ January 31, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[the real findorfin]

As the wolves charged, Fin and Celeb closed ranks and drew their weapons. The Ranger cursed himself for leaving his sword unattended, he only had his knife to play with. Celeb was in a similar situation. Immediately two of the wolves came at them and circled, waiting to pounce.

"Damn these things," Fin muttered, "I was about to dance with Celeb!" He swung out quickly and took the wolves by surprise, leaving them no time to counter before he was back in a defensive position.

"As long as we are here, less Breelanders are being hurt," he whispered to the beautiful maiden beside him. "We need to keep them here."

As he spoke the first wolf jumped at him. He side stepped and threw a fist into the wolves jaw, hearing an audible crack as a reward. But as soon as it had landed it turned and attacked again. As it came in, Fin saw the second wolf leap at Celeb and his anger swelled. As the wolf jumped he ducked and rolled, cutting the neck of the wolf with his knife. As the dying beast fell it racked his arm and the knife flew away. Fin was now unarmed.

He rose quickly, only to see the wolf closing in on Celeb. She was on the ground against a tree with the beast a mere second away. He glanced at his knife that had been flung away but had no time. With a giant leap he tackled the wolf in the side, rolling away into the trees. They rolled until they hit a huge tree root and unfortunately, the wolf came out on top. He racked Fin's face visciously, cuting a gouge from his cheek. The ranger cried in pain and launched a mighty blow with his fist, sending the creature reeling. As they fought, he thought, almost humourously, "I've fought trolls in the north, orcs in the east and won, but now I stand alone without a sword and what am I...useless." He sighed with remorce before a picture of the breeland children entered his mind.
As the wolf charged again he cried, "I will not let foul evil as though hurt the innocent, be gone demon creature," and he collided with the wolf. As they grappled, blood flying from him, he saw something in the trees. Was it help? But as four padded feet emerged his hope went.
"Well, I can still kill you," he shouted and with a huge wrench, snapped the neck of his enemy.
The second pounced.

[Helkahothion]

Anuionin carried Hamfast towords a table and laid him on it. He than rallied all the woman and children behind him. The group was save for the moment, but could not be left unatended. He would not let them down. A wolf came towords them, but the dwarf and the group behind him, gave the beast second toughts and it went back again. Anuionin held his axe ready, but is was not necesary. Non of the wolves came close. Maybe it was his powerful apearence.

Maybe it was the splitted body of the wolf next to him that coused the fear.
________
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[Helkahothion]

The people where save, for now. Anuionin tolled them to go into the inn and stay there while the rest would take care of the wolves and Warg's. They took Hamfast along with them. Before Hamfast was taken away, Anuionin could here him say:

"I took care of two. I killed two master Dwarf."

Anuionin waited till the villeger's where out of sight. Then he grabbed his two-handed axe and rushed into battle. Ned, Autumn and Gaddy where surrounded by tree wolves. They where circling them. Ned held his sword up high and screamed terrible curses at the wolves. Anuionin smiled. He had tought him just a little that morning, but it was enough. The wolves did not closed in on the tree..... yet. Anuionin rushed to there aid, but the wolves had already started their offensive. On of them leaped at Autumn. The hobbitlass struck him in the stomach and healed her arm back, causing a massive wound. Ned, in all his anger, slashed at the wolf and killed it. But he did not pay attention to the other two. The two wolves leaped. One at Ned and one at Gaddy. Ned was to surprized and was struck down. The wolf was clawing on his chest and Ned was beating back with his sword, but he barely did any damage to the beast. Autumn rushed to Ned's aid and struck the wolf in the back. But the poor gaddy was unatended. The wolf missed him, but charged him right afther he landed. He jumped untop of Gaddy and he also fell over. Gaddy had more luck than Ned and managed to get his sword inside the wolf's flank. But the wolf was getting the best of him. Right at the moment that Gaddy was stugling and felt that he lost control a large pound fell on the wolf. Gaddy felt all the air being pushed out of his long's. The wolf was trown of him and Gaddy gasped for air. He could just get a glimp of a laughing dwarf face.

"At your service mister Gaddy" Anuionin said. ANd ran to the aid of Autumn and Ned. Autumn had dragged the wolf of of Ned and tried to stab it. But the wolf was cunning and snapped at her leg, getting a firm grip. Autumn yelled. Ned, who grew fond of the lass and rushed to her aid. He stabed the wolf in the back. The wolf, now very mad, scratched him in the face with his back paw's. Autumn felt the grip growing stronger and tried to strike at the wolf. But the beast was to low. The wolf, desperatly clamping on to the leg of the lass. Was as tight as a lock. Anuionin ran over to thw wolf. In his madnes he kicked the creature in his stomach. It flew and Autumn grabbed this one oppertunety. She took a firm grip of her knife and struck as hard as she could at the wolf's head. A cracking noise was heard and the knife went trough the skull like a knife trough hot butter.

In the meanwhile, Fin was facing a wolf totaly unarmed. He had managed to get it away from Celeb. The wolf charged him and Fin had no time to get his weapon's. It flew trough the air and went right for his troat. Fin had a fast reflex and saw his chanse. He stepped aside adn the wolf flew past him. He healed his arm back and like an arrow from a bow his arm flew forward, striking him in the neck. The wolf flew sidewards away from the ranger and landed on the gras. The one blow was enough to kill it.

The Warg's did not care much for these anymore. They where outnumbered and went afther the villagers. They chased them to the "Prancing Pony" and got there before they did. But what they did not encounter where the mad Hobbit son's of Hamfast. Armed with bread knifes they attacked the Warg's. They slashed and struck at the Warg's causing minor injuries. Not bad, but nasty all the same. Scared by this counter attack, the Warg's choosed a different path.

Outa here.

Still gasping breath from the long run the Mayor said to Hamfast:

"Youre famaly must be some breathing nest for heroes Hamfast."

Hamfast said nothing. He was happy.
________
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[Durelin]

As soon as the lights went out, his sword was in his hand. He moved his family away and got ready to defend them with his life. As a wolf came he slashed and hacked over and over until it was still. Another sprang at him. He pushed his sword upward and caught it in its stomach. Only then did he notice the searing pain in his arm. He looked down at the bloody arm where the gash was almost invisible under the blood.

Hamfast was dazed from the pain of his arm. He tried to bring his sword arm up, but it hadn't budged. His brain couldn't connect with his muscles and he lay there limp. The wolf was licking its lips, getting ready for its big meal before him. Atleast I'm a hero now he thought. Then the hobbit saw the flash of a familiar axe and two halves of a wolf lay at his feet.

He only half felt Anuionin pick him up and when he spoke it sounded far away. The hobbit hadn't been hurt this way before and it was a shock. Once laying down away from the dead wolves he gathered up his strength and tried to focus on what was going on around him. He was doing better already and he even remembered that he had killed two wolves. As excitedly as he could get with his bloody arm, he told his friend of the two wolves. But he was in for a bigger suprise, Anuionin told him of his own son killing a wolf. And the mayor, "You're family must be some breathing nest for heroes Hamfast." He was a hero, and so was his son! His wife loved him, and his children were proud of him. He had a good friend, who had saved his life, and he was alive. This was the happiest day of his life.

[ February 01, 2003: Message edited by: Durelin ]

[ February 01, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

The Wolves were all dead at the hands of the villagers. Perhpas this was not the right time to reclaim the hunting rights to this land.

Carchmoroth led Dûrêl and Dúgoroth away from Bree-land,to the north. They would rest and regain their strength. They would bide their time. and when circumstance proved favorable, they would return . . .