Hunt for the Dragon RPG [Archive] - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Child of the 7th Age

05-08-2003, 12:20 AM

Waendoliel's post

Merenwen wiped the sweat on her forehaed.She had been walking for hours. Her feet were aching, but she would not rest until she reached Mirkwood, and was sure that her mother was safe.
Deep inside herself a fear was growing; what if her mother had been killed under the attack of the dragon. Merenwen increased the speed by the thought, she had to hurry before it was to late.

After an hours walk she could dimly see some old trees which looked very well-known. It was Mirkwood, home, where she had not been for months. A terrible thought crossed her mind; what if the place was so ruined that she would not recognize it. When Merenwen approached the wood, she was proved rigt. The home she knew had been filled with laughter and joy, but now it was moved by destroyed houses and families crying for the lost ones.
While she was walking in sadness, not knowing how to respond, a very familiar voice from behind interrupede her. "Merenwen!" it called out loudly. She turned quickly and fell in to her mother's open arms. For a moment they just stod there hugging and kissing each other.
Afterwards her mother invited her home for a good meal and some rest.
Sadness fell over Merenwens face, because that was not the reason she had returned home. Her plan was to join Elentari's company and hunt down the dragon who had caused her people so much pain.
Merenwen feared that her motehr would not understand, but she had to try to explain to her. "Dear mother, you know deep in your heart that I have to do this. You traind me to be a warrior, to protect what's good and fight against evil. Now I have to live up to that. Since you are my mother I will not leav if you forbid me to. But I beg you, pleas, try to understand, it is for the best of everyone. You would have done the same."
Merenwen's mother shead some tears, and waved her hand at her. "You have my permission my child, but promise me this; one day you will return home," she whisperd in Merenwen's ear.

Merenwen walked away with tears in her eyes, and disappeared behind some trees. She was on her way to consulte Elentari. The bigest test in life was probably ahaed of her. But Merenwen was not afraid.

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

Faybeven Bombadil's post

Selvren was working to dam a section of the river that had overflowed in the latest dragon attack. The usual barrier had been smashed, and water was flowing into the valley behind the forest. He and his friend Rilgonion worked to move the large slabs of stone and hammered the wooden beams across them. It would take another day or so, and no one knew when the next attack would be. Soon, the two were joined by Erinrandir. He was a hunter friend of theirs that had witnessed the most recent attack, and had done all he could to save the elves. Three wives still had husbands thanks to him, and he was always about.

“Elentari has been given a new task by the King.” He said too simply, standing over the other two as they heaved a second stone into place. Selvren stopped and looked at Erinrandir. The simplicity of his words baffled him. Rilgonion set down his side of the boulder, and Selvren did as well. They turned to face the hunter. “She is gathering a group to track the dragon, and defeat him.” Selvren’s jaw dropped slack and Rilgonion held up a hand.

“Who has responded?” he asked.

“No one yet. If anyone wishes to volunteer, they are to see her in her house,” answered Erinrandir. Selvren shook his head.

“Does the King realize what he’s asking? We don’t have a chance against the wyrm.”

“I’m not sure what to think,” said the hunter, leaning against a white beech. “But if Elentari is leading it, I think our odds are better than one can guess. The gods seem to favor her, as well as the King.” The three shared an agreeing nod.

The pre-noon horn blew, and Erinrandir bid his friends farewell.

“I am also hungry,” said Rilgonion. “Let us go have a short meal in the hall. We’ll return for this in an hour, I promise.” Selvren shook his head stubbornly.

“No,” he said. “I’m going to see my father. But then,” he said quickly, before Rilgonion could nod with satisfaction that his friend was taking a rest, “I’m coming back here and working more on this dam.” Rilgonion shook his head. “It must be finished as soon as possible.” Turning his back in defeat, Rilgonion ran up the path to the palace for his lunch.

“So,” said Astaldohen to his son, as they shared a light meal in his study. “You are interested in aiding Elentari with tracking the wyrm?” Selvren nodded. A sliver of light shone through the window on the east side of the room as the sun ascended to its noontime position. Selvren had spoken with his father briefly about his reasons to go with Elentari. He desperately wanted to be rid of the dragon and to see that Mirkwood and the Lake Men were safe again and their trade renewed.

“Father, you have been given a name as a brave warrior during the wars of the First Age. I haven’t. I am known as a musician and recently, a relentless worker in repairing the wyrm’s damage. That is all. I want to come through for the elves of Mirkwood, and be remembered as something more than a bard.” Astaldohen nodded, understandingly.

“Yes, my son. I understand. It is now your turn to be great. You have my faith, evergreen.” Selvren stood and bowed his head.

“Thank you.”

After convincing Rilgonion to help him, he returned to working on the dam. By early evening, the stones were all in place, and in the morning he resolved to secure the beams. After joining Rilgonion for supper, he went to see Elentari.

[ May 08, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Child of the 7th Age

05-08-2003, 12:23 AM

Novnarwen's post

"Mother?? Where are you? I am home!" Lostlondwen had been in Rivendell visiting her father. It was quite dark outside and the stars shone, and cast some light over the elves in Mirkwood. Lostlondwen looked out of the window. She could see smoke over the hills. "Oh, is that fire I see?" she asked herself. She ran quickly through the little house and went for a walk in the night. Where is my mother? she tought. She was supposed to be here by now. She wandered off in to the main area where most of her friends and the "first class" elves lived. The smoke was not far away. "That means that it's burning in the center of this Elvenhome," she muttered to herself. She ran down the long sloping path and followed the the loud voices she could now could hear.

"He took them!! Fire!! Foe!!"
It was a tall blond elf who stood there. She turned around, and eyed Lostlondwen. "What's happening?" Lostlondwen asked in an insecure way. She got a feeling that something was wrong. But she couldn't say what. "He was here again," she said in a low voice. "He?? Who was here?" asked Lostlondwen. "Again?" she continued. There was a big pause, before the elf, in green answered. "There had been another attack. He came again, and kidnapped a whole lot of people. We tried to do something, but the fire, and the evil in his eyes, we'll need warriors to take him down." She looked out over the part of the wood that was nearly burnt down. "This isn't the first time?" Lostlondwen wasn't sure what this elf was talking about. She wasn't sure if she understood. Fire? Evil eyes? Could it be.... "A dragon!!" Lostlondwen burst out.
"You didn't know?" the elf looked suprised. "I've dwelt in Rivendell for a while now. Just came back. And my mother is missing," Lostlondwen answered. "What's you name?" "I am Lostlondwen, and you are?" "We have been looking for you," she said in a mournful voice. "I am Elentari," she answered. "You've come too late," she continued. Lostlondwen was wondering what she was trying to say. This wasn't making any sense. She didn't know this woman. Or did she? And why had they been looking for her. Her taughts were interrupted by Elentari. "You mother is missing, because the dragon took her some days ago, I am sorry. I really am." "What?" Lostlondwen burst in to tears. Elentari looked her in her eyes and tried to comfort her. "We will find him, we will hunt the dragon, and find your mother. I am gathering some warriors, and we will be heading for The Blue Mountain. Go home and get some rest. I promise you, you'll get her back." She turned her back and went for the area that was burning.

Lostlondwen stood there, she didn't know what to do. Without knowing it she shouted out: "Wait!" Elentari stopped, and Lostlondwen ran towards her. Her eyes was filled with tears, but she didn't say anything. "Let me join you, let me join you on this quest?" Lostlondwen asked.

Child of the 7th Age

05-08-2003, 12:27 AM

Eruwen's post

Callo walked out of the forest toward where many Elves were cleaning up from the distasters the dragon had caused. He led his horse, Melimo, by his side quietly. As he walked along heading back home, he noticed a female Elf weeping as she gathered pieces of wood into a pile.

"Might I help you with that, Tinwe?" Callo said approaching the woman. "I know it can't be easy losing your home in such a hard time as it is already."

Callo was addressing the fact that Tinwe's husband was one of the captives in an earlier Dragon incident. This captive also happened to be a great friend to him. Tinwe nodded, but didn't look up. After a few moments of silence, she looked at Callo smiling.

"But at least this will be over soon, right?" Tinwe said.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, havn't you heard? The King had set Elentari in charge of a quest to slay the dragon. Maybe you should go talk to her about it. You're skillful with archery, and besides, it would be good for you to get away from all of this misery."

A quest to kill the dragon? Callo thought to himself. He looked around at the other families of Elves still managing to hold on to what was left since the Dragon came. He knew what it felt like to lose someone close. He could feel their pain. Just then Callo stood up straight. He quickly mounted his grey steed which was grazing on the grass at his feet. Tinwe smiled as she watched Callo set off.

"Elentari, are you here?" Callo said riding up quickly to the Elf's home. Elentari did not know him much, but they randomly talked here and there. Callo unmounted from his horse as he saw the Elf peer down from the tree.

"They are not completely lost!" Callo said smiling. Elentari gave him a queer look. "The Elves which were taken...they may not be dead. I know how it is to lose someone very close to you. Please, let me help these families out. Let me aid you on the quest to slay this dragon. I could not save my own family, but I can try to save these."

Elentari stared down out of the tree towards Callo trying to comprehend all that the Elf had said so quickly. Callo waited for a reply.

Child of the 7th Age

05-08-2003, 12:29 AM

Excheeto's post

Alcyávëiel went inside from the left field.She was wondering whether she should let these plants pollinate themselves again,or if it was time to cross them with the plants on the other side of the vineyard.The result would be one line of especially excellent plants,but once those plants die off,it would take severel years before she could produce another crop like it.She had been selling off more of her vintages in the celler,waiting for the boom the great crop would bring,but the demand was higher than she had expected,and she was running out of vintages before she had as much of the time she had wished for in the large center field.It was fallow now,but it wouldn't be soon,she stared at the fields hoping it wouldn't be too soon for what she was planning.

She paced her way into the book room,then into the guest wing.Her precious vineyard was one thing,but something more important was on her mind as well.

She heard the hurried footsteps outside.Composing herself,she walked towards the door,opening it before her servent had a chance to knock.

"Mae Govennen Nefelen,have you heard anything about Iarlhach?"
The elven youth hung his head,"My lady,the town has been speaking of a ....well,a dragon kidnapping severel of the smiths"
Alcyávëiel paused,holding back her shock and grief."Have you heard anything about my husband?"
"Severel of Thranduil's archer's looked around the smiths,I spoke to one,he said they were gone"he dug in his knapsack,pulling out a leather bag,in which he pulled out Iarlhach's thick work gloves."They found this my lady,I'm sure they belong to him".

"Come in and have a seat Nefelen"she said.She walked over to the fireplace and sat down.The fire was almost out.Nefelen grabbed a candlestick,lighting it with the fire,then using it to light the other four in the room before taking a seat across from Alcyávëiel.Her hood nearly hid her face compleatly as she stared at the gloves,her fingers tracing her husband's initials carved on the edge.

"You should wear these until I come back"she said quietly."My lady?what do you mean?""The left field needs pruning,I know your good at it,but take these gloves to protect your hands,keep them for me,and tell Culerin to watch over you and the vineyard,should I not return".

She held her head up and rose,placing the gloves in the shocked servant's lap.He sat with his jaw dropped as she daintily took his bow and unbuckled his quiver,adjusting it on herself as she walked out of the door.

Child of the 7th Age

05-08-2003, 12:31 AM

Orofaniel's post

Ewinda was riding as fast as she could. She had heard about the dragon and that Elentari was gathering a company to track the dragon down and slay it. She thought that the company may find use in her. Ewinda was sick of the boring life that she lived , she wanted a bit excitment.

When she had reached Mirkwood she jumped off her horse and looked for Elentari.At first she couldn't find her and Ewinda started to think that they already had gone.She was dissapointed that she was going to miss this exciting adventure, when she suddenly saw a flash of Elentari. The blond hair was blowing in the wind. She ran towards her and asked:" Can I hunt the dragon with you, Elentari?" "Please", she added.

Child of the 7th Age

05-08-2003, 12:39 AM

Iarbarion's post

Nalin wandered through the unfamiliar trees of Mirkwood. The lush green vegetation interested the dwarf. He thought to himself while walking, These trees are so unlike the caves of Moria. Nalin also enjoyed the elves. He thought that their conversations were quite interesting and walked past the creatures frequently to hear bits and pieces of conversations. The dwarves in Moria also had interestign conversations such as these. In fact, he was only in Mirkwood because of gossip he had heard in Moria. This made him come to Mirkwood. Even though he enjoyed the trees, he missed the caves of Moria.

He walked up to a group of elves that were to come with him to save elven and dwarven captives from a mysterious dragon. "These trees are new to me" he said in an attempt to spark a conversation of his own. The elves began a long interesting conversation with the dwarf.

Child of the 7th Age

05-08-2003, 12:45 AM

Elven Maiden Earwen's post

When Rowan learned of the quest to hunt down the dragon he was eager to come too. Rowan had known some of the elves that had been kidnapped. He did not know what had happened to the elves and dwarves that had been captured but he was eager to find out and try to save them. Rowan ran outside and untied his horse Bulëgalad. “Come on boy,” he said quietly. He saddled Bulëgalad up and hopped on.

“Go” he said and Bulëgalad and he rode off towards Mirkwood.

It was about a day's travel to Mirkwood. Rowan arrived on the confines of the forest near nightfall. I hope they haven’t left yet he thought. He traveled in to the forest. It was very quiet and dark. All of a sudden, he caught sight of a small group of people. An elven maid with blonde hair was talking to them. That must be Elentari he thought to himself. He rode over to them to have a look.

[ May 08, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Child of the 7th Age

05-08-2003, 12:46 AM

Salix's post

The young dwarf walked sturdily through the forest. She had been surprised to notice that very few elves seemed to be guarding the forest. For the first time, the dwarf thought that maybe perhaps the dragon had done more than kidnap her brother. Suddenly, she almost ran into the tallest creature she had ever seen.

The Elf guard smiled at the rather short dwarf standing in front of him. The dwarf was scowling as if it haadn't expected to find snything else on the path, but then smiled as if to say 'Hey look! It's an Elf!' Here was a young Dwarf, probably fresh out of the caves of Moria. "So Master Dwarf, may I ask what your name and business here in Mirkwood might be?" The dwarf looked confused for a moment, and then suddenly broke into a bigger grin. "My name is Farin, and I am here to rescue my brother Perin
from the dragon that kidnapped him." Well, well. Here was a dwarf that expected to be a hero. Unfortunately, Thranduil said that anybody concerning themselves with the dragon were to talk to an Elf named Elentari. "Follow me," the guard told the dwarf.

Farin was pleased. The Elf hadn't recognized her for a female! Maybe it would be best if she faked she was a male so no one would think her weak or something like that. Anyway, everybody knows that dwarf women aren't seen much around the lands of Middle-Earth. She eagerly followed the tall elf to where he was taking her...

Child of the 7th Age

05-08-2003, 12:57 AM

This game is open for play. Please disable your sigs.

I will erase this later. Have fun!

Cami Goodchild

excheeto

05-08-2003, 11:52 AM

Alcyávëiel kept her dappled grey mare,Nevfennas at a quick,but careful trot as she headed down the long path downhill towards Long Lake.
Soon,she saw the damage from the dragon.Trees and homes were torn and burned.Families everywhere were looking for thier friends and relitives.
"I'm sorry"she told a man,"I haven't heard word of your brother"
"My lady"he bowed,tears welling in his eyes,"have you heard any news of the workers?"
"Sir..."she didn't like to be the bringer of bad news,"this looks like the work of a dragon,I've seen them before in my travels towards the mountains"
The man looked up with a desperate expression,speechless.She returned his look,leaning down and whispering"I'm looking for my husband myself"
"There's word an elf named Elentari is gathering a team,I don't know her,nor have I heard of her before,but severel have spoke of joining.....I would"he said,stopping to pick through a clump of herbs,"but I feel my job as a healer would be better spent here,I just can't leave my town like this"
"I understand"she said.She knew Elentari fairly well.She wasn't her biggest customer,but had stayed at her vineyard a few times during long errands,and was especially pleasant company.
"Nevfennas,noro lim"she whispered,tugging her mane in the right direction before speeding off towards Elentari's house.
The tree was empty,but as she climbed up and looked,it looked as if she had just left hours ago,and in a hurry.She paced,keeping careful watch outside,hoping Elentari would return soon.

ElentariGreenleaf

05-08-2003, 12:31 PM

"My Lady," said a messenger of Mirkwood Palace. "What is the message you would like to send?"

"Send word to those who have joined my quest. You know their faces, for I saw you watching."

The messenger lowered his head, avoiding the Elf's far-off look. "Forgive me, my Lady. I was merely interested."

Elentari smiled. "Do not worry, faithful messenger. Your curiosity is what led me to ask the King for you as my message bearer. Please tell them this:

"The Lady Elentari wishes you to meet her at her home, the tree where you met her before. She too will be there, at noon tomorrow. Bring your weapons and supplies, and say your farewells before hand."

"I will not fail you, My Lady," said the Elf, as he ran out of the palace chamber."

"I know you will not," whispered Elentari. She stood, and took her leave of the palace. She said her farewell to the king, who wished her best of luck, for the people of Middle Earth were relying on her. Elentari had gathered the supplies she would need, then gathered it again ten-fold. This was going to be a long journey.

~~~~

Elentari climbed her tree and, not expecting anyone to be there yet, started humming a tune.

"Elentari?" asked a voice.

Elentari spun round, hand on sword hilt. "Alcyávëiel! Please forgive me. What brings you here to Mirkwood?"

"Word travels far Elentari," Alcyávëiel said with a slight sigh. "We heard of your quest at Long Lake. I wish to join you, for the dragon has been attacking other apart from the Elves."

"I knew it to be so. You are not the only traveller who has joined my quest. Please stay until they arrive tomorrow noon."

~~~~

Elentari stood before a group of Elves, Dwarves and Men at midday the next day. She realised that the Free Peoples of middle earth must unite against the dragon, for its actions affected them all.

"Welcome, brave people," began Elentari. "I am honoured that you wish to accompany me. I know that some of you have joined to rescue loved ones. Please speak up now if your heart is not truly set on this quest."

None of those present spoke up.

"Then we must leave now, to defeat this evil. Come, O Protectors of the People, and Quest to the Blue Mountains!"

[ May 08, 2003: Message edited by: ElentariGreenleaf ]

elven maiden Earwen

05-12-2003, 06:45 PM

When Rowan arrived many had already gathered around Elentari. He saw Ewinda a woman from Long Lake. He was quite surprised to see such a young woman here. He also saw many elves. There was Selvren Anion a male elf with silvery blonde hair, and Merenwen Táralóm an elf with the most beautiful eyes Rowan had ever seen. There was Alcyávëiel with blonde hair and Lostlondwen an elf with amazing raven black hair. There were also a few dwarves.

Rowan was very exited to start the journey but he was feeling a little insecure. He barley new the people he would be journeying with for the next to months. He was a little intimidated by the elves. He had always been intimidated with elves. They were beautiful and wise and graceful. They seemed so perfect. Even though Rowan new they weren’t perfect he couldn’t help being somewhat jealous of them. Cut it out he thought to himself. I have people who love me and a place where I belong, that’s all that matters. And besides I have to keep my mind on the mission. Elentari began to speak and Rowan listened.

"Then we must leave now, to defeat this evil. Come, O Protectors of the People, and Quest to the Blue Mountains!"
So it begins, Rowan thought, after Elentari spoke those last words.

Eruwen

05-13-2003, 05:57 PM

Callo smiled eagerly and began to set out with the others on the hunt for the dragon. The group left the palace rather quickly and journeyed out through Mirkwood. The scenery around did not change much due to the vast amount of trees surrounding the palace. Callo, although an Elf, almost felt sick of seeing trees...every day...every minute. He wanted to get into the main part of the quest as soon as possible---the real adventure.

With Melimo by his side and bow in hand, Callo walked on with the rest of the travellers. Beside him was Merenwen Taralon, another Elf along on this quest. Callo looked down at her hand which, as well, carried a silver bow.

"That weapon of yours is very well crafted," Callo said to the young Elf maiden. "Did you make it yourself?"

excheeto

05-13-2003, 09:00 PM

Alcyávëiel walked at the end of the group,looking around and sighing deeply.The edge of Mirkwood was sinking behind them,and though the area wasn't as grown over or treeless as she remembered,this trail still had a familiar smell,and she knew from years past that the small pink and orange rûdhtathran flowers were starting to bloom.A small part of the weight had momentarily been lifted off of her chest.

They walked on when the smell suddenly became stronger."Excuse me"she said to Rowen,one of the few human customers she had ever had,"we need to hurry,the flowers in this area,they tend to bloom and seed very quickly before a storm".

She turned towards Merenwen."We have a few hours to find shelter or low grounds,of all the things I thought could happen,I never expected this".

The weight in her chest returned as she thought bitterly,=Barely two steps out of the woods,and already we're having trouble!This had better not be a sighn of things to come!=

[ May 13, 2003: Message edited by: excheeto ]

Child of the 7th Age

05-16-2003, 10:58 AM

Annunfuniel's post

"Where are we now?" asked Vráin in a voice full of wonder and looked around in the strange land. He stood on a rocky hill and watched south over endless forest - or so it seemed to him. Mirkwood began right under the slope to which Vráin had climbed from the northwest. Grey Mountains loomed behind him.

Vráin turned back to face north and yelled at a figure that was scrambling slowly to the hill "Come on, Grái! Are you a snail or something?" The answer was a loud murmur and a rock aimed at Vráin's head. He ducked easily and laughed mischievously. "Ya wouldn't hit a wall when inside a cave!"

Gráin reached the top and tried to cool off; this really wasn't the time or place to get into a fight. He eyed the surroundings calmly ignoring Vráin's eager questions. Finally Gráin spoke and appeased his brother's curiosity. "We are at the north edges of Mirkwood and even you should have been able to figure that out." Vráin gave him a not-so-friendly look and was about to return the compliment but Gráin got to speak first. "You may keep your opinions to yourself at the moment. We have no time to waste."

Vráin knew this was true but still he had hard time keeping silent. "Fine then", he said "Let's go and hunt the petty beast." The brothers had been following Glawr for a week now but both of them knew he was still far ahead of them. They had seen the havoc the cold-drake had caused on its way south and east but all the tracks had been at least a couple of days old so far. "Petty beast?" Gráin snorted and he was forced to smile. "That's what I call an understatement!" They came down the slope and continued their pursuit following the skirts of the forest still reviling each other in turns.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A week later Gráin and Vráin walked through the forest. They had entered it the previous day. They followed a small stream that flowed mainly towards south. Then all of a sudden it made a sharp turn westwards an cut their way. "Well, I thought already it was a time to get my beard wet!" exclaimed Vráin and made his way to the water. Before Gráin could say a word he had jumped into the stream.

"Thrice a fool!" screamed Gráin but too late. The flood was stronger than the surface implied and adding the fact that Vráin carried a heavy axe meant that he was in worse than trouble. Gráin searched feverishly for something with which he could reach to his brother now struggling for his life against the flux. "Try to hold!" Gráin yelled as a sense of panic started to creep into his mind. No time to think and he was helpless. He rushed to the water and, knowing not what else to do, was to follow his brother to the stream.

"NO! Don't jump!" An unexpected call from the other side of the bourn halted Gráin. A tall man run to the riverbank and threw a rope to Vráin - not a second too early. Vráin was dead tired and soaking wet when he finally was pulled to the shore. His older brother sighed with relief. Then the anxiety started to shift into irritation and he shouted "You lucky cad! Wait till I get there you'll wish for another swim!"

Hearty laughter filled the air and forced Gráin to pay attention to the stranger who had rescued his brother. "Ah! Dwarves with sharp tongues and urge to bathe!" And the man laughed some more. This once Gráin checked his words and addressed the man "Thank thee for saving my brother's life though it may be in vain when I get my hands on him." He continued "Gráin son of Thráin at your service! And my brother will second my words and add his commendations after he regains his breath. His name is Vráin."

By now Gráin had come to notice that this was no mortal human he was talking to but an elf! And he introduced himself...

ElentariGreenleaf

05-16-2003, 12:43 PM

"Greetings dwarves," said Elentari. "What brings you to Mirkwood?"

Gráin and Vráin introduced themselves, and stated their business in Mirkwood. They noted that there was already a dwarf with the elf, and that some more elves and two humans were stepping forward out of the trees.

"Gráin and Vráin, you have found the elf you look for. I am Elentari, leader of the quest to the Blue Mountains. This other dwarf you see is Nalin, who is helping me guide this quest. The elves you see are Merenwen, Selvren, Lostlondwen, Callo and Alcyávëiel. The two of the race of Man are Ewinda and Rowan. We are honoured to have you with us, Gráin and Vráin, for come with s you must if you wish to defeat the dragon."

"It is we who should be honoured to accompany you, killer of Shelob," said Gráin.

"Then let us continue, for we must find shelter before dark."
~~~~~~~~
It was three days after the great storm that the company came to the border of Mirkwood forest. Elentari held up a hand for silence. Quiet spread like wildfire, as the companions were eager to her the Elf.

"A must admit, that my knowledge of these mountains was poor until a looked at a map I was given by the King. We will follow the Old Forest road, as we have been doing, as cross the Misty Mountains by the High Pass."

"A wise choice, Lady Elf," said Nalin.

Callo now held up a hand for quiet. "Someone approaches. Two I believe."

Sure enough, two male dwarves walked down the road toward them. One of the dwarves was obviously young, as he had no beard.

"Hail, dwarves. Do you seek our help?" Callo was the first to speak.

"Nay, Master Elf. We seek Elentari the Spider Slayer," replied the older dwarf.

"I am she," replied Elentari. "Then may I presume you wish to join our quest?"

"That is true." Now the beardless dwarf spoke. "I am Farin, and this is Oin Woodenbrace. It would bring us great joy to join your quest."

"Then join us!" said Elentari, her heart full of joy. Now there were twelve, Elentari included.

It took the company till dusk to reach the Old Ford. There they camped for the night.

Faybevin Bombadil

05-16-2003, 03:00 PM

Selvren Anion sat with the rest of the group listening vaguely to the conversations around him. A fire had been started and Vraín stoked it every now and then to keep it alive; his brother Graín telling him where there was a still an unconsumed log poking out of the flames. The elf had met but a few dwarves and because of the circumstances, had had no time for conversation. He stood and walked over to where the two dwarf brothers were seated.

“Selvren Anion at your service,” he said bowing his head slightly. “Vraín and Graín you are, so I have gathered.” The two dwarves nodded simultaneously and extended their hands in greeting. The elf shook both and took a seat beside them. “I have heard very much of Erebor and on occasion spoken a little with some of its inhabitants. You two and the rest,” he said nodding towards the other dwarves in their company, “are the first that I will ever get to know better. Perhaps you can share a bit with me about your lore?” Selvren was so intrigued by the pair that he wanted to jump right into a full-blown conversation on their histories and culture. However, since they had only just met, he decided to wait a bit before speaking too much. Such was often the fault of many.

Iarbarion

05-17-2003, 12:06 PM

Nalin was excited that other dwarves had joined the quest to slay the dragon. Now he could help command the dwarves while Elentari would command the elves. When Nalin had first seen Vrain and Grain walking to Elentari he had made a note to himself to learn more about the two dwarven brothers. The quest had started and at the first campsite Nalin made an attempt to spark conversation with the brother dwarves.

"Hello, Nalin son of Talin at your service." He bowed low and his beard reached the ground. The dwarves returned the gesture and introduced themselves. The dwarves traded reasons for tracking the dragon and Elentari asked everyone to go to sleep. They would need their rest for the next couple months.

elven maiden Earwen

05-18-2003, 04:29 PM

They didn’t have a great start, it rained for three days and after that they set of. The Company of the Dragon was headed for the Misty Mountains. Four dwarves had joined them. They were Farin, Oin Woodenbrace, Vráin, and Gráin. It was night and they had just reached the old fords. They set up camp and put up a fire and talked long. Later most of the company went to sleep immediately because they were tiered for traveling so long. A few sat in a small group talking softly.

But Rowan couldn’t sleep. He got up and untied Bulëgalad.
“Come back here by light of sun.” He whispered to Bulëgalad. Bulëgalad ran off with his chestnut hair flew in the wind. Rowan sighed. He was too nervous, and scared of what might happen on the trip. He walked over to a large rock and sat down on it. The wind blew softly threw the trees and the leaves rustled. Moon light shown through the trees and black shadows danced on the ground. Rowan looked at the trees all black, and gnarled, and twisted. They gave they woods an eerie feeling.

Rowan stared out across the dark, starlit sky. When he was young and his parents weren’t home at night, he used to always sneak out and stare up at the stars. He had given many names. He thought of how the stars might look to those that were captured by Glawr. Could they even see the stars? The Company of the Dragon needed to rescue them but they had barley gotten anywhere in little less than a week. He hoped that they wouldn’t be too late.

Bright light streamed thought the trees. Rowan awoke after sleeping for only a couple of hours. Many around him began too stir too. He was ready to get up, eat, and go. He had promised himself the night before that he would never give up on the captives and that they wouldn’t be too late. He got up and rolled up his mat. He saw Elentari.

“What is your plan for today, Milady? ” Rowan asked.

[ May 18, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

excheeto

05-18-2003, 08:50 PM

Alcyávëiel lifted the load off of her horse,letting her rest and graze in the rain before morning.

A large tree grew in the middle of the field.It looked out of place,but many of the elves had used it for direction.They had built a fire beneath it,using kindling and dead twigs.

She propped the load against the trunk and tossed a rope over the lowest branch overhead.Grabbing both ropes,she climbed up,then sprinted up the branches until she found the right spot.

She sat on one branch,leaning her head on another,with the third branch across her lap.There had been no thunder,so she felt safe in the first dry spot she had seen in days.The branches opened up,giving a narrow view of the Misty Mountains.

She looked over at her right,seeing Rowen look at the stars shining dimly beneath the thin clouds.To her left,the rest of the group huddled around the fire.The group had grown with dwarves hunting after the dragon they called Glawr,and though she didn't like to admit it,she was happy they came.

She had not seen too much of dwarves,and what she did see of them,they seemed ugly and belligerent.These seemed polite so far,and she had an idea they would soon be leading as the group went further into the unfamiliar territory of the Misty mountains.
Well,if she had to be stuck with dwarves,at least they wern't anything like the others she had met!

She propped her feet up on the branch in her lap,sinking down and letting herself doze off.

Annunfuiniel

05-19-2003, 05:00 AM

Vráin and Gráin sat by the campfire after the long day of travel. Vráin was playing with the fire – to his brother's great annoyance, how else. Gráin was just about to comment that luckily there was again a river close by for him to jump into in case his beard would catch fire when one of the elves of the company approached them.

"Selvren Anion at your service," the tall elf introduced himself. "Vráin and Gráin you are, so I have gathered."

The dwarves from the Grey Mountains were seldom in contact with the elves and Vráin had been burning to learn more about them ever since the brothers had joined Elentari's group of hunters. Gráin was more guarded but couldn't completely suffocate his curiosity.

"I have heard very much of Erebor and on occasion spoken a little with some of its inhabitants. You two and the rest are the first that I will ever get to know better. Perhaps you can share a bit with me about your lore?"

Vráin leaned forward and took a deep breath. Gráin gave him a sideways look and sighed: he knew those marks only too well. This turned out to be a night without rest, I see, the older dwarf thought, trying – unsuccessfully - to convince himself he was irritated. He couldn't help but grin.

"I'll have to warn you, master elf. Once my brother gets started with his stories your ears won't find rest for a long while."

"That suits me fine!" exclaimed the elf and burst in to hearty laughter. His voice was so full of warmth and pure joy that hearing it even Gráin had to laugh.

Vráin managed this once to bypass his brother's comment for he was too eager to ask Selvren about his weapons, especially his knives. Vráin's own throwing knives were indeed fine examples of dwarven craft but artless compared to elven ones. His eyes widened as he learned those sharp-edged weapons had once served Selvren's father and that they originated from the First Age.

"You were born in the First Age, then!? But that...that's a long time ago..." Vráin tried to count the years with poor success. "Compared to Men we dwarves live long and our lore tells about Durin the Deathless and six other dwarf fathers that lived in the First Age. But to live so long... Would think your head would just swell from the amount of knowledge and memories you must have stored during all those years!"

Gráin groaned and gave Vráin a slap to the back of his head. The elf's facial muscles jerked funnily as he tried to control his expression. Before the dwarves could get into more quarrel Selvren spoke, aspiring to earnest tone:

"I have never thought it like that. Maybe that's why we like so much to keep records – so we don't have to memorize it all but still won't forget anything as we can look up every detail from the books." He paused for a while and then grinned, his grey eyes flickering. "But now that I think about it... You may be right! I'm quite certain some of the very old elves have a bit swollen heads."

The dwarf brothers gave the elf a dubious look and that was too much for him. Soon the whole trio was under sway of an uncontrollable laughing fit.

--------------

Gráin, Vráin and Selvren Anion had talked and laughed and talked some more while laughing. Finally, as the moon shone high and the stars had clearly moved on on their way around the Pole Star, the elf had to excuse himself.

"I would gladly listen to your stories till the dawn but now I have to consult with Elentari on our quest. Fair rest to thee, my new friends. May tomorrow give us a chance to continue our talk." And with that he was gone.

The elf had hardly stepped outside the circle of the fire when the brothers saw the next companion drawing nearer.

"Hello, Nalin son of Talin at your service."

Gráin and Vráin rose, introduced themselves and bowed low. Nalin turned out to be a merry fellow too and Vráin had a lively conversation with him – on throwing axes and knives, what else. Gráin had already spoken more than he was accustomed to and now he just sat there listening with one ear and giving occasional comments, mostly when Vráin said something which he considered to be disturbingly stupid – even for him.

Gráin looked around the campsite and saw the man from the Long Lake staring at the stars. He appeared noticeably uneasy and Gráin wondered what troubled his mind. Well, even if he was but scared there should be no-one to blame him. Danger shadows our road - only fool would not worry. Having thought that he glanced at his brother and rolled his eyes.

Vráin got suddenly distracted from the conversation he was having as he caught a glimpse of Alcyávëiel, one of the she-elves, climbing to a tree.

"First they ride those gigantic horses and now they climb trees? Queer folk these Men and Elves, that's what they are!" he commented to Nalin, gaining another slap from his big brother.

--------------

The next morning dawned fair, the sky was cloudless and the sun was just rising above the forest in the east. The mists lay still thick on the world when the company was ready to continue.

"What is your plan for today, Milady?" the dwarf brothers heard Rowan speak up, and they waited for Elentari's answer, ready to go wherever the road would lead them.

[ May 23, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]

Novnarwen

05-19-2003, 12:12 PM

There was a silence, and then a scream. Her mother dissapeared into the darkness.

Lostlondwen opened her eyes. "It was a dream," she muttered to herself. She couldn't stop thinking about her mother. Was she safe? Was she even alive?

To her suprise everyone seemed to be both rested and eager to continue this journey. They were all talking to eachother, only Lostlondwen remained silent.

She was tired, and out of faith. How were they supposed to slay a dragon? She was beginning to have doubts. And these dreams didn't exactly help.

Lostlondwen walked by herself, found a tree and sat down. She leaned against the bole, and wondered where this journey would take her, and what it would bring.

Eruwen

05-19-2003, 03:10 PM

Callo sat atop a rock while the others were about talking amidst themselves. He sat behind Melimo sharpening one of his arrows with a stone that lay beside where he was sitting. As he listened intently to the constant sound of the rocks and the whispers coming from others in the group, his eyes suddenly drifted from his idleness.

He looked up and noticed an Elf sitting against a tree. She looked troubled as she sat looking at the ground in deep thought. Callo put his bow back into a pouch on Melimo's side and threw the stone down. He walked over to where the Elf sat.

"Nervous?" he said suddenly from behind. The Elven maiden jumped at his voice and turned to meet him.
"About the dragon, I mean." he continued. You seem to be troubled."

"Not exactly nervous," the Elf replied returning to her position against the tree. "Just curious...how are we supposed to accomplish this task anyway? It seems almost impossible. We have so few people."

Callo took a seat beside her on the ground. "I think we can do it though," he replied. "With Elentari's guidance we can. Have you heard of her defeat at Cirith Ungol? Only 6 people on that journey when they actually faced Shelob. I knew one of them, but...she died while fighting against the evil menace. Elentari made it through though, and I believe she can get us through this as well. I'm Callo, by the way."

"My name is Lostlondwen."

Callo looked up at some of the others when he heard Rowan speak to Elentari about the plans for the future day.

"Well, looks like we're about to set off again," Callo said to Lostlondwen. "I'd better go tend to my horse now."

Lostlondwen nodded as she smiled and watched Callo walk off toward Melimo. Callo finished making sure everything was secure on Melimo's back and waited for Elentari's command.

Orofaniel

05-20-2003, 08:12 AM

The morning came after a long night, with little sleep and strange noises filling the air.

Ewinda looked towards the others and made a sign that she was ready, well as ready as she could be. Her anxiousty was about to fade away and true excitment was filling her body.

Everyone seemed to be set and ready to go. Some of them were talking in loud voices and others were already on their horses. Ewinda walked over to Elentari, she was eager to know where they were heading.

Novnarwen

05-20-2003, 01:59 PM

Lostlondwen watched Callo walk towards his horse, Melimo. It was a nice horse. A nice horse for a nice person, Lostlondwen tought. She had got the impression that Callo was encouraging, and very understanding. It was like he had read her mind, and that he actually cared about what people were thinking.

She crossed the camp, and over to her beloved horse Laurelin. She was eating of the green soft grass. And seemed to be very happy indeed.

"Sorry," she muttered in a low voice. Lostlondwen saddled up the eating horse.

"We are leaving," she said more determined.

"No more eating of this soft grass for a while," she continued, and gave a little noise, which was meant to be laughter.

Lostlondwen mounted the horse, which didn't seem to like the idea of leaving, and rode over to Elentari, and those who were ready to leave.

She was ready. They were here togheter. They were going to take this dragon, and she was going to find her mother.

The conversations, that were going on, broke off. It was time to let Elentari give orders. They all listened very carefully.

Annunfuiniel

05-23-2003, 05:34 AM

Elentari’s command had been clear: they would cross the Old Ford and follow the Road that would lead them straight to the High Pass. The Elves, Men and their horses were ready for the crossing of the water. Gráin turned to Nalin

"You know these paths: how deep is the water?"

"Don’t worry. Even if it had rained for a week we could still cross the river here. The current is strong but the water shallow, though it deepens sharply on your left hand."

Vráin overheard this conversation and saw the relief on his brother’s face. That, of course, gave him a mischievous idea. Trying to conceal a grin he yelled

"I’ll go first!" and with that he spurted towards the stream but curved to the left.

"What?! NOOOO!! WAIT!" cried Gráin and was about to run after his brother. Just then Vráin halted right on the river bank and swung round –

"Fooled you!" he exclaimed and burst into laughter.

Gráin looked at first puzzled but recovered very quickly. Vráin made the mistake to think he was safe when there were other people around – surely his older brother would know how to behave in company. He bent over in laughter and – FHHIII- *thwock* – a fairly large pebble hit him right to his forehead! Vráin stumbled and – holding his head – fell on his back to the low water.

Nalin’s expression formed a question mark as he looked first at Gráin, then at his brother spattering in the stream, and then at Gráin again. The racket had by now aroused attention among the rest of the fellowship too. Gráin grinned

"See my brother here, he’s a really enthusiastic bather! There’s no pool or puddle to which he won’t dive in but he’s especially fond of strong streams."

Selvren Anion, who was familiar with the dwarf brothers’ earlier river-incident, was laughing already and others joined him soon. When Vráin finally managed to climb to the river bank he was quite a comical sight: water dripping from his soaking wet clothes formed small ponds around him, his hair had clued to his face and weeds hung from his tangled beard. Under the tan his face turned bright red as he first eyed his audience. But then he spluttered, coughed and called with laughing voice

"My, that was refreshing! I warmly recommend a bath to ya’ll!"

---------

The crossing of Anduin went without any further episodes. They had over 60 miles in front of them, from the Old Ford to the roots of the Misty Mountains. Haste drove them forth and though the dwarves had no ponies the company covered some thirty miles before the night came down on them on their first day beyond the Great River. Last miles they travelled in the deep shadow of the Misty Mountains before they camped for the night in a small pine wood right beside the road. Needles formed a dry soft mattress for the weary travellers to lie down.

The next morning dawned pale and chill. Breaths smoked and dwarves’ beards were still all frosty as the entourage was ready to set forth. In the light of the rising sun they saw the highlands in front of them and then the steep slopes of the mountains. The dwarves were excited and quickened their pace – after all the mountains were their 'home'. But others were worried and glanced at the dark walls suspiciously: they felt this would be no safe pass ahead of them.

That evening dusk found them early. Rocky waste lay around them; no trees grew this high and even the undergrowth was scrubby. The night was not as pleasant as the previous: few slept well on the hard ground when cold wind howled in the rock fissures and crept under their blankets. Many lay still, watching the twinkling stars, thinking about the next morning and the narrow mountain paths they would be taking.

"Queen of the Stars, guide our road..." one of the elves murmured in the darkness and then there was silence.

-----------

The morning came with a change in the weather. Grey clouds hang low on the mountain-sides and under the campsite world seemed like an endless sea of fog. Needless to say the atmosphere sank to the bottom.

"Just what I thought! We have been too lucky..." Gráin muttered, mainly to himself. Even Vráin looked disgruntled. Before they had finished their breakfast it started to rain fine drops in the windless air. Elentari called the group around her.

"From now on the road rises sheer and gets narrower the further we go. We must travel in line. Usually I would suggest we keep some distance between every traveller but now that the weather is like this... We must stay close to each other, otherwise we’ll soon get separated and lost in the mist." She eyed her companions with concern but then smiled encouragingly. "You all have steady feet and brave hearts! We will do just fine!"

Nalin led the group with Elentari right behind him leading her horse, Moon. She was in turn followed by Selvren Anion, Merenwen Taralon, Alcyaveiel and Lostlondwen, Callo walking protectively behind the she-elf. Ewinda and Rowan marched successively and last, after the elves, men and all their horses, came the other dwarves; Farin, Vráin and hindmost Gráin.

Their trudge progressed painfully slow. Everything was silent except the sound of rain humming in their ears. Thank gods Nalin is with us for else we would never get down from here! Gráin thought while pushing forward in Vráin’s footsteps. He loved rocks and mountains but rather he would have gone under them than tried to get over them.

Then all of a sudden, as is common so high up, the weather changed again. Wind came rushing down the slopes and drove the fog ahead of him. The rain changed too: now it came pouring down on them. Gráin had cursed the weather too early for this surely was far worse than the fog and soft rain.

Vanguard took a sharp turn as the path curved left and vanished behind a cliff. On their right side the brae slant steeply for about 35 feet and ended to another pass, a bit wider than the one they were trooping.

Who knows were they just unlucky or was it for some greater cause but just then and without a warning the mountain eased its grip of a heavy rock right over their heads. It came off silently, fell down with deadly force and crashed to the rocky path between two travellers!

The horses jumped up in terror. Vráin backed up as Farin bumped into him. He couldn’t see a thing but Gráin was in a corner from which he saw the horses bolting. Like in a nightmare he was unable to do anything but yell and watch as one of his fellow travellers staggered, fell and rolled down the cliff.

[ May 23, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]

Eruwen

05-23-2003, 11:57 AM

Callo walked on behind Lostlondwen as they entered a very narrow part of the road. He did not mind the rain. The outdoors were what he loved, and the rain seemed to make it easier on him. It distracted his thought from the terror that awaited them, and brought his mind to ease. No one seemed to be talking, and if they were, the light rain drowned their quiet voices out.

Suddenly what seemed like an ocean of rain started to pour out of the sky. Callo was almost hating this new weather now, for as the rain broke up the fog, he could see cleary the loose rocks about their head just waiting to fall. Some small stones rolled down the side of the mountain, but fazed them little. As Callo dodged a few smaller rocks, he looked up to see a monstrous boulder about to tumble down as well!

"Look out!" he yelled into the silence, but his voice was smothered by the loud downpour of rain around them. The rock came down fast and hard splitting the company inbetween Callo and Lostlondwen. Melimo began to bolt and run wild due to his fright.

"Melimo, down!" Callo yelled at his steed. He pulled the rope around Melimo's neck toward him as hard as he could, but he lost grip when the mountain seemed to give way beneath his very feet! He trid to hold on to whatever rocks he could, but it was no use. Callo, steed and all, started to roll down the cliff.

The fall didn't seem very long, though Callo could not recall most of it. As his ride down the mountain came close to an end, he was turned to where he could see what he would be landing on. He hit a small ledge sticking out from the side of the mountain and laid for a few moments waiting for the rockslide to end. He knew not whether Melimo had survived or not, for the horse was lost from his vision on the way down.

Callo remained still with his face toward the ground. The rain repeatedly beat down on his body as he began to recap what had happened in his mind. He moved slightly to see if he had been injured, but nothing serious had happend. There were minor cuts and bruises, but no broken bones to be found. He felt what he thought to have been a bruise on his head, but noticed that it was indeed blood which ran from above his eye. As he tore a piece of cloth from his garment to help stop the bleeding, Callo listened for any sign from his company...hopefully still above on the road.

elven maiden Earwen

05-23-2003, 08:53 PM

They traveled long. Finally they had made it to the Misty Mountains. In the High Pass. The weather became rainy and fog was about. It was quite eerie because it was quiet except for the pounding rain. *Trip-trop-trip-trop * Rowan was soaked and he kept shivering. Her turned around and grabbed his bag that lay on Bulëgalad’s back. He grabbed his heavy coat and put it on. He turned around and heard a scream coming just in front of him. Callo was in trouble!

Rocks began to come rolling down fast. The fog cleared for a moment. Rowan gasped. Callo was roiling down the hill. On instinct Rowan shouted.
“Callo”. There was no reply. He stared down the cliff, rain drenching him form head to toe. It blurred up his eyes. It was no use. Rowan couldn’t see him from where he stood. All he could do was hope that he was still alive.

Lostlondwen stood nearby. Rowan hurried over.
“Can you see him?” he asked anxiously. Lostlondwen peered down the cliff into the fog. Rowan waited for a reply.

excheeto

05-23-2003, 09:46 PM

Alcyávëiel spun towards the sound of rocks sliding,scuffling,and the high pitched *NEEEIIII* as Callo and his horse slid off the edge of the trail.

Her drenched cloak slapped heavily against her as she sprinted towards the back.Easing on her hands and knees,she slowly crawled towards the edge with a firm grip on the reighns of one of the men's ponies.

She saw no sighns of the horse,but Callo was on a small ledge.She gave a sigh of relief as he rose up,then gasped as she saw blood running from a gash on his head.

She eased back towards the path,then sat,looking at the reins in her hand,then looked up towards the halter.

"Get all of the ropes and the halters,no,leave the reins on one horse,we'll make a harness or a hanging stretcher of some sort,hopefully one horse can pull it steady"she murmered to Merenwen as she pulled her towards the path.Alcyávëiel was shocked,he may be moving now,but she wouldn't be able to guess at his condition until he was brought up,and even then,they appeared to be nowhere near any herbs,bark,roots,or any type of plant.Her younger years of trading and traveling had given her a weariness and caution about injuries and death.

ElentariGreenleaf

05-24-2003, 01:30 PM

Elentari was glad Callo had not fallen further. The Company worked quickly to tie the ropes and halters to lift him with. Elentari pulled some herbs from her bag.

"Selvren," said Elentari to the closest Elf. "Please boil some water."

"Yes Elentari," replied Selvren, as he swiftly got a fire going.

Callo's head suddenly appeared over path's edge and those not pulling the ropes hurried to get him back onto the path.

Later that night, Elentari applied some medicine to Callo's wound and rebound it with some new cloth.

"You are going to look like a Corsair of the south with that bandage," laughed Elentari. "What of your horse?"

"I lost sight of my steed." Callo was downhearted, for he loved his horse.

"You will ride Moon." Elentari stood and addressed the Company. "In the morning we will continue, but we cannot know because of the strong winds. The path widened only a small way back, and if I remember correctly, it was sheltered from the wind. There you shall spend the night."

"Why do you not include yourself?" asked Nalin.

"I will search for Melimo, Callo's steed. I will meet you in Rivendell, and there we shall rest for a while. You must travel swiftly, however, for this mountain pass is not safe, because of both the weather and foul things that crawl the cliff paths."

A number of the group tried to persuade Elentari to stay, for they were slightly afraid. Others wished Elentari good fortune.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was evening the following day when Elentari found Melimo. He had not lost his saddle and bridle, so Elentari mounted him. However, as she followed the path west, she found it came to a dead end. For a whole day she had ridden him before she was back to below where Callo had fallen. Fortunately, the path widened, so Melimo should canter all the way back to the eastern most point of the High Pass to rejoin the path.

Elentari was now two days behind the Company, and the going was slow because of the weather. Elentari was forced to dismount Melimo when the wind became too strong. The horse occasionally tried to bolt when rocks slid down the cliff or he lost his footing, but Elentari managed to calm him.

Five days after Elentari had left the group she arrived in Rivendell. Elrond welcomed her, and she reunited Callo with Melimo.

"I am forever in your debt Elentari," said Callo graciously. "Moon is a wonderful horse to ride. I barely had to lead her, and she never once threatened to bolt."

"She is a wise beast. But Melimo too is a joy to ride. He is in excellent shape, and received no injured from the fall. How is your head?"

"When we arrived two days ago it was nearly healed. Your medicine did the trick."

"I learnt from I wise Elf."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That night a great feast was held in the Company's honour. Elentari was a little nervous, as many Elves asked her questions. The most common one was "Elentari? But I thought you sailed. How can you be here?" Elentari found it hard to answer this question, and just replied "I went to Mirkwood instead". In the end, Elentari had to step outside to get some air.

Novnarwen

05-24-2003, 02:50 PM

Lostlondwen had just been looking over her shoulder, watching the blonde elf riding his horse Melimo, when a huge stone came between them and cut the narrow path in two. "Callo!" she screamed. Lostlondwen heard a cry from far below. The mist lay thick around the company, and she lost sight of the elf.

Rowan had run towards her and asked if she could see him. Lostlondwen had not answered him.

Lostlondwen wasn't sure about what she was feeling when she saw Callo falling down from the cliff. All was like a dream, a bad dream, that never ended. And so she was trapped in a world full of grief and pain. The worst thing was, that she couldn't do anything to stop it.

Five long days had passed since Callo had fallen. Elentari, who had stayed behind to find Callo's horse, Melimo, arrived at the fifth day after the occurrence, and they all where invited to a big feast in Elrond's house, that night.

The feast was a really merry event. The members of the company seemed to enjoy themselves. They were all happy to be off the road for a while and just relax. Lostlondwen was as usual troubled, and went after Elentari, when she saw her leaving for some fresh air.

"Hi," she said in a low voice.

Elentari looked up, and saw the other elf stirring into the dark.

"Are you out for som fresh air?" Elentari asked, after a while.

"I guess so," she replied.

Elentari gave a nod. "Me too, I guess"

Lostlondwen smiled and gave a laugh. Elentari joined her, and fell silent again.

"I had my doubts, you know," Lostlondwen threw in. "But not any more," she continued. "I guess I didn't know who I was fighting for. My mother? You? Me? But now I know. It's for us, in Middle-earth."

Elentari looked at Lostlondwen in suprise. "You found that out just now?" she said in a curious way.

Lostlondwen smiled, and laughed again. Elentari looked serious for a minute, but couldn't hold her mask anymore. And they both laughed so loud and long that they almost got out of breath.

"Your quite funny, aren't you?" Lostlondwen burst out.

Elentari didn't get the time to reply before Lostlondwen had walked to the door.

"Nice chatting with you Elentari," she said before she slipped through the door, and walked to her room.

Eruwen

05-24-2003, 07:50 PM

Callo was grateful when he heard a voice from above on the road showing the company's presence. Before a short time had passed, he was back onto the road and being treated for his wounds by Elentari.

"You are going to look like a Corsair of the south with that bandage," laughed Elentari. "What of your horse?"

"I lost sight of my steed." Callo was downhearted, for he loved his horse.

"You will ride Moon." Elentari stood and addressed the Company. "In the morning we will continue, but we cannot know because of the strong winds. The path widened only a small way back, and if I remember correctly, it was sheltered from the wind. There you shall spend the night."

"Why do you not include yourself?" asked Nalin.

"I will search for Melimo, Callo's steed. I will meet you in Rivendell, and there we shall rest for a while. You must travel swiftly, however, for this mountain pass is not safe, because of both the weather and foul things that crawl the cliff paths."

"But Melimo can find his way home," Callo said protesting the request. "You shouldn't venture out alone on my behalf. There is no need. He is a strong horse."

"Nonsense," replied Elentari. "I shall go search for him and meet up with the company in a few days. Don't worry, Callo, it will be alright."

Callo sighed, but eventually gave into the Elf's request. It was a long journey to Rivendell, but all was worth it when he finally was joined with Melimo again.

"I am forever in your debt Elentari," said Callo graciously. "Moon is a wonderful horse to ride. I barely had to lead her, and she never once threatened to bolt."

"She is a wise beast. But Melimo too is a joy to ride. He is in excellent shape, and received no injured from the fall. How is your head?"

"When we arrived two days ago it was nearly healed. Your medicine did the trick."

"I learnt from I wise Elf."

Later on that night all of Rivendell held a large feast for the company. It was nice to be back in the company of many Elves, not that he hadn't enjoyed being around Dwarves and folk. Elrond made a great speech during the feast in honor of Elentari, but to Callo's surprise she was not there. He looked around the room, yet ceased when he discovered she had merely stepped outside for some air.

Callo turned his attention back toward the feast and began talking with some Elves in the room. It was a joyous feast to end a long day of riding to the great city. The Rivendell Elves had their own way of not only mending physical but also mental wounds as well. It was very soothing to know he could sleep on something other than tree roots and stony grounds. He was truly grateful for passing through this place.

Salix

05-25-2003, 01:55 PM

Since the Company had reached Rivendell, Farin had been restless. She didn't understand these Elves, always wanting to give feasts and congratulations. They hadn't done anything yet, except cross the Misty Mountains. Why couldn't they move onto their quest? All that was being achieved by stopping in Rivendell was wasting time in which the dragon could capture more elves and dwarves. She would have to tell Elentari her concerns. However, tonight there was a feast.

Farin sat, bored. She couldn't see Elentari for the elves surrounding. And here she sat, a small non-descript dwarf. Sometimes elves would look curiously at her. After all, she was a young dwarf. Suddenly Elentari stood and slipped outside. Farin followed. She found herself on a balcony with Elentari standing near the railing.
"Elentari?" asked Farin. Elentari turned.

"Yes?"

"I have been thinking. Shouldn't we be leaving soon? The longer we stay here, the more havoc the dragon can wreak."

"We will be leaving soon. We meant only to stop for some ponies for you and the other dwarves."

Farin nodded her thanks to Elentari and re-entered the feasting chamber.

[ May 25, 2003: Message edited by: Salix ]

Orofaniel

05-25-2003, 02:27 PM

Ewinda was glad that the company had reached Rivendell. She was tired after their journey and relived that Callo was alright.

She enjoyed very much the feast that was made for the company's honour. She used the opportunity to talk to the others, and by the end of the night there had been some really nice conversations.

Ewinda was on her way to bed when she saw that Elentari was back, she had been out, probably for some fresh air.

She went over to her “so are we leaving again tomorrow, or are we planning to stay for a couple of days?" she asked in a low voice.

elven maiden Earwen

05-25-2003, 07:16 PM

After Callo had been rescued the entire company except for Elentari left for Rivendell. In a few long days they finally had come to their destination. It was hidden in a small, beautiful, valley. There were waterfalls and trees, everywhere. Beautiful elves in bright colors could be seen wherever you looked. It was like a heavenly dream.

Elentari arrived shortly after the company had. A large feast was held and Rowan was overjoyed at the great welcome. The food had been amazing. Rowan had never been to such an event. Elrond was as wise and kind as tale told, and Rowan was delighted at meeting him. This would be a night to remember. He didn’t’ want to leave but he knew that his friends needed help and the dragon was still on breathing. We will leave soon he thought.

After the feast Rowan went to his bed. He hadn’t slept in a real bed for weeks and it was wonderful. His room was beautiful too. It was decorated with elven art and the walls and bed was decorated with elven designs in Burgundies, Deep Blues, and Silvers. Everything was so wonderful. But still Rowan couldn’t sleep. No matter where he was he was restless. He couldn’t sit still. He needed something to do. He walked outside to the back. It was very late and few were out. But still silver and gold lanterns twinkled like little stars. Silver drops of rain beat down steadily. They fell one by one like a single beating of a drum. It was so wonderful. Rowan had always loved the rain. In the deep blue-sky small stars shined. The moon was high in the air and Rowan could easily see craters like bruises on it. *Sigh* It was very late now and Rowan went back inside. He opened a window and then lay down in bed. He fell asleep to the rain-drum.

Birds sang sweetly. It was dawn and the sun was just rising. Rowan went outside. The rays of the sun cast a golden gleam upon everything around. Rowan decided to take a walk. The ground was slightly wet from the rain, and dew glistened on leaves, and petals of flowers. Many were stirring, and many elves were already up and about. I must find out what the plans for the day were, Rowan thought and quickly headed back to his room.

[ May 27, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Child of the 7th Age

05-26-2003, 11:19 PM

As the moon rose high in the sky over the gardens of Rivendell, a tall Elf walked across the lawns and made his way over to the guest house where the visitors had bunked for the night. Standing outside the door of the room which Elentari occupied, he knocked on her door with some hesitency and called out with a low voice, "Elentari, Elentari. I have need to speak to you."

He heard a rustle of fine linen as the Elf made her way to the door and gently pulled it open.

"Your pardon, fair lady," Elrond bowed to his lovely visitor. "I would fain not bother you so late tonight, when you have travelled so many miles on the road and sat with courtesy and grace this evening in the great hall. Yet, there are urgent matters of business on which I must speak."

Hearing this polite speech, Elentari nodded and asked Lord Elrond to step inside, offering him a sweet drink of red wine from the flagon that stood upon her table. She indicated he should draw up a chair and sit down near her.

Elrond sighed and then continued, "Elentari, I have great respect for your swift sword and deadly bow, yet I fear for you and those now in your company. The errand that you undertake is no small thing. We have heard tales of this wondrous dragon, for we see him as he flies across our own skies on his path from the Blue Mountains to the forests of Mirkwood. He is a beast of great might and strong will, not a creature who will give in easily to such a small band of adventurers."

Elentari stood up as if to argue with Elrond, but he shook his head and took her hand in his own.

"Nay, good lady. I will not tell you to turn back for I know the need is great. Too many have been carried off to the dragon's lair, and who knows what he does with them? I know you will not turn aside even if I were to stand and try to dissuade you."

"No, I will not do that. But there is one thing you must do for me. Your company goes to rescue dwarves and Elves. As head of Rivendell, it is my responsibility to assist those who venture out on such an errand. For some of those imprisoned are Elves well known to me from my previous dealings in Mirkwood."

"When it is time for you to leave, make your way to the stables where you will find horses have been provided for all those in your company who do not presently have them. I will take no money for these beasts, since it is you who do me a great favor in going out to battle this dragon. For who knows where his attention may turn next? That this beast should fly so far from the Blue Mountains across the Anduin and over to Mirkwood and Long Lake is quite unheard of. I wish you and your company all good luck, and hope that you stay a day or two to replenish your supplies and your spirits."

With this, he bade Elentari good evening and walked back towards the main compound, thinking long and hard on the great cold drake who awaited the company somewhere in the heart of the Blue Mountains.

Child of the 7th Age

05-29-2003, 12:14 AM

Despite Elrond's request that the company tarry in Rivendell for several days to relax and mend their spirits, Elentari found that she was extremely restless and could scarcely close her eyes to sleep. When she finally drifted off into a troubled slumber, ahe awoke at the first hint of dawn and ran quickly to the kitchen to consider what provisions would be needed for the next leg of their journey.

Most of the day was spend on preparations for the road. Elves, dwarves and humans worked diligently together to pick out supplies for the trip, and bind them into neat packets that could be easily stored on the backs of ponies.

That evening, Elrond again entertained the company in his great hall. There was much singing and telling of tales, while a fine feast was laid out on the tables for all to enjoy, with platters of venison, crusty loaves of egg bread, and fat pies stuffed with fresh eels drawn from nearby mountain lakes, along with numerous other dishes. But the company did not linger long at theirmeal as they'd done the evening before, retiring to their bedchambers so they could get an early start in the morning as soon as the morning sun peeked over the horizon.

The next day found them on the trail shortly after daybreak. The Dwarves had warily mounted onto the backs of the ponies Elrond provided for them. There were even three extra steeds for the company's use. Provisions were strapped onto the backs of these small beasts, as the group quietly set out along the road after many good wishes and goodbyes had been exchanged.

With good weather and everyone on horseback, the company made excellent time for the next two days. For the first time, things seemed to be going smoothly. Callo and Selven were sent out by Elentari on an advance scouting party, and came back with the happy news that the Last Bridge lay just a half day ahead. Once they reached that junction, the rough terrain would give way to easier ground, and they'd be able to join up with the Great Eastern Road with a clear shot through to Bree.

The companions settled down for the night after a hasty meal around the campfire, making their beds under the overhanging branches of a small forest clearing. All the companions were tired, and looking forward to the next day when they would join up with the main road. In a short time, everyone in camp had fallen asleep, except for one Dwarf who had volunteered to remain awake and stand guard.

Once or twice, the Dwarf leaned out and cupped his hand up to his ear. He swore he could hear an insistent rustling of leaves or other noises off in the woods, but he could never be totally sure. A quick look around the perimeter of the camp failed to turn up anything other than the normal inhabitants of the forest. The dwarf came and sat back down on a nearby tree trunk, his head nodding once or twice as he struggled to hold off sleep.

[ May 29, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Annunfuiniel

05-29-2003, 08:32 AM

Vráin sat in the chill dusk, wrapped in his cloak. He huddled near a small fire and fed it with dry sticks and bark. Flames flickered on the leafless tree trunks nearby and dyed them red.

Vráin gazed over the camp at his sleeping companions and cursed his luck. How on earth had Gráin managed to trick him like this - again? Vráin tried to think back to the earlier conversation but he was quite sure there had not been any talk on watches. "You noticed it too? Yes, Vráin's a real sleepyhead, as our mother always calls him. He could never be up all night! Am I right, Vráin?" These words exclaimed by Gráin had evidently sent Vráin off balance and he had answered something rash; for the next thing he knew was that everyone thanked him for taking the night watch and then they were off to bed - leaving him pondering what had just happened.

Vráin sighed heavily but the sigh ended in long yawn. The day and travel had been long though they hadn't had to use their own legs anymore. Vráin eyed the grazing horses and ponies still a bit distrustfully. Solid ground, that's what a dwarf needs under his feet.

Vráin stood up and trodded back and forth kicking pebbles. I will not give Gráin the pleasure to find me fast asleep in the morning! he thought and fought the drowsiness. Some small rodent squeaked in the bushes. Vráin picked up a small stone and threw it where he thought the sound came from. There was a rustle and a soft thump as the rock hit its target. But Vráin had no time to triumph for presently there came another rustling sound – from the other side of the camp.

Vráin was at once alert and fully awake. The air was now still, there was no wind blowing in the boughs. Vráin crept across the open place and halted near where his companions slept. He observed the forest in the dieing light of the fire. Everything was peaceful and Vráin started to doubt his own ears. Some of the Elves and Men stirred in their sleep. Maybe that was the sound that I heard.

Vráin walked back to what was now a red ember. He sat down and leaned back to a tree trunk. His eyelids weighed like lead and sleep got the better of his will more than once.

~~~~~~~~~~

Once again Vráin started awake when his beard touched his knees. This won't do, he mused. Vráin stood up and tried to shake off the drowsiness. He chose an old stump by the dying fire for his next seat. Sitting on it he couldn't fall asleep without at once falling down.

Vráin was just about to stir the live coals when he heard the rustle again, now louder and clearer. There was no doubt anymore: some wild beast was near, lurking about the camp.

The blade of Vráin’s axe gleamed in the dark as he drew it from his belt. He opened his mouth for a call but then snapped it shut. What if it’s just a rabbit? Wouldn’t Gráin just love that! No, I’ll go alone and show him!

Once more Vráin slipped past the sleeping Elves, Men and Dwarves and then dashed into the shadows.

[ June 02, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]

Salix

05-29-2003, 12:37 PM

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

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

Child of the 7th Age

05-29-2003, 01:58 PM

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

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

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

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

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

ElentariGreenleaf

05-29-2003, 02:59 PM

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

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

Novnarwen

05-30-2003, 03:25 AM

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

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

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

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

Orofaniel

05-30-2003, 05:58 AM

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

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

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

Child of the 7th Age

05-30-2003, 03:57 PM

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

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

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

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

excheeto

05-30-2003, 05:18 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Annunfuiniel

06-01-2003, 12:31 PM

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

~~~~~~~~~~~

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Salix

06-02-2003, 04:55 PM

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

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

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

Child of the 7th Age

06-03-2003, 07:14 AM

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

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

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

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

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

ElentariGreenleaf

06-03-2003, 12:05 PM

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

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

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

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

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

Elentari rushed to Lostlondwen's side.

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

Annunfuiniel

06-03-2003, 12:36 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Novnarwen

06-03-2003, 01:52 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lotslondwen looked over and found Merenwen at their side.

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

The two others nodded.

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

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

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

Child of the 7th Age

06-03-2003, 05:55 PM

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

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

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

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

Annunfuiniel

06-04-2003, 12:09 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"The troll got Farin!"

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

Annunfuiniel

06-04-2003, 09:35 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Child of the 7th Age

06-04-2003, 10:25 PM

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

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

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

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

Novnarwen

06-05-2003, 10:58 AM

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

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

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

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

Orofaniel

06-05-2003, 12:18 PM

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

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

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

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

"I know" Lostlondwen said shortly.

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

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

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

Lostlondwen nodded.

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

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

Child of the 7th Age

06-05-2003, 01:07 PM

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

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

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

.

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

excheeto

06-05-2003, 01:20 PM

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

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

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

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

Annunfuiniel

06-05-2003, 01:58 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Child of the 7th Age

06-06-2003, 02:01 PM

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

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

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

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

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

elven maiden Earwen

06-06-2003, 07:35 PM

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

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

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

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

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

Annunfuiniel

06-07-2003, 12:29 AM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Novnarwen

06-07-2003, 05:47 AM

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

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

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

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

Orofaniel

06-07-2003, 10:05 AM

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

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

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

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

Novnarwen

06-08-2003, 04:30 AM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

elven maiden Earwen

06-08-2003, 08:42 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Child of the 7th Age

06-09-2003, 12:09 AM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Orofaniel

06-09-2003, 05:18 AM

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

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

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

Novnarwen

06-09-2003, 06:05 AM

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

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

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

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

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

"Hi there!" Lostlondwen cried out.

"Lostlondwen!" she replied.

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

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

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

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

Annunfuiniel

06-09-2003, 01:51 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"What?" he mumbled.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vráin and Gráin stood in silence for a while longer.

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

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

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

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

elven maiden Earwen

06-09-2003, 08:21 PM

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

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

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

Child of the 7th Age

06-10-2003, 10:59 AM

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

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

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

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

excheeto

06-10-2003, 02:24 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

dragoneyes

06-10-2003, 04:11 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Child of the 7th Age

06-11-2003, 06:39 AM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Annunfuiniel

06-11-2003, 02:40 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

elven maiden Earwen

06-11-2003, 08:54 PM

Earwen's post:

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

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

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

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

Annunfuiniel’s post:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Earwen's post:

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

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

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

Annunfuiniel

06-13-2003, 07:18 AM

Gráin watched Vráin and Rowan ride towards northeast. They flew up a gentle green slope, dwindling fast in Gráin's eyes, and suddenly they disappeared behind a ridge. The dwarf sighed and turned around. His brother was riding with a trusted friend and this once away from dints and trouble. For some unknown reason Gráin was also pleased Vráin was to go and meet Aravorn, nearly a total stranger, yet – curiously though - like a dear friend.

Elentari spoke again to all. "There is not much we can do now but wait. We will decide our strategy when Rowan, Vráin and, I hope, some of the Rangers get back. Until then: Sharpen your swords and axes! Get your gear ready; mails, headpieces, shields and all! This time we are going to be ready for the battle..."

To Gráin and every experienced soldier Elentari's calls were self-evident but he could understand her anxiety; Merenwen had died because they were caught incautious and unprepared. That would not happen again.

[ June 23, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]

Child of the 7th Age

06-13-2003, 02:11 PM

After the departure of the scouts, the members of the company had occupied themselves the best they could. Each of them had inspected and cleaned their weapons, making certain they were ready for the assault on the bandit camp planned for later that night. Once all the swords and bows and daggers were battle ready, Elentari found herself pacing back and forth in anticipation of the Rangers' arrival. Unfortunately, that was still hours away.

She considered sending out a spy or two to reconnoiter the area where she suspected the bandits to be hiding. But, with the sun bright overhead, and no cover of mist or rain, this seemed too risky. Still, it bothered her that she knew so little about the band, how many members they had, and what kind of weapons they were toting.

The minutes and hours dragged by slowly, far too slowly for the impatient Elf and her companions. Tempers were beginning to fray when Elentari suggested setting up some friendly competition with bow and blade within the company itself. That way they would keep busy, but still get in needed weapons practice. For the remainder of the afternoon, the Elves and Dwarves and Men took turns aiming at various targets, some stationery and others moving. Laughter and teasing filled the air, followed by moments of intense concentration, as the men and women competed for the honor of besting all their companions. A few went off later and practiced with their swords, being careful not to inflict any real injuries upon each other.

As the sun slipped below the horizon, the practice came to a halt. Elentari had the companions gather under the tangled branches of a thickly wooded grove, sitting silent in the darkness as they ate plain bread and cheese. There would be no warm dinner, since any sign of a campfire might alert the bandits to their presence. Callo stood guard outside, lying down on top of the hill to ensure that no one crept up and surprized them.

It was Callo with his keen ears and eyes who first sensed the approach of the returning scouts. He could hear the noise of hooves beating rhythmically on the hard packed eart, and came back triumphantly to annnounce, "They're here. They're here. Four horses! One bears Grain and Rowan. But there are three others. The riders look to be well armed, and the steeds are swift."

The Rangers quickly pulled into the grove, dismounting and extending their arms in greeting. Elentari smiled when she saw they were led by Aravorn, "Thank goodness you've come." she said, rushing forward. "For you know more about these ruffians than we do."

Aravorn nodded solemnly, "That is true. We've seen these men strike many times and leave the dead and bleeding in their wake. I wish that I could have brought more Rangers, but I had to leave some at camp to protect the roads up there. Unfortunately, there is more than one band of brigands loose on the roads. But these folk are the worst, and I would dearly love to see them pay for their insolence and cruelty."

For the next hour, Elentari consulted with Aravorn learning as much as she could of the thieves' ways and schemes. "So there are only seven of them? she questioned. "Then we should definitely prevail."

"Don't be sure!" Aravorn stood up, addressing the entire company. "These men are fiendish. They have constructed a tunnels through the tall grass where they may walk without letting anyone know they're coming. Rumor has it that they've dug giant pits hidden by branches so that the unwary can slip in and receive serious injury. Even if we all work together, it is not certain who will prevail. But I will willingly risk my neck for a chance to get back at these thugs who have brought tears and misery to so many."

After that, everyone mounted on their steeds, with Aravorn and Elentari in the lead, silently threading their way through the tall grass in the direction of the bandits' lair.

[ June 14, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Orofaniel

06-15-2003, 06:53 AM

They had mounted their steeds and were riding trough the thick high grass in the direction of the bandits' lair. They had about 5 miles to ride and that would take at least one hour. Aravorn and Elentari were riding in the front, followed by Callo, behind followed the rest of the company. Ewinda and Lostlondwen were riding as the last ones.

After riding for about half an hour Elentari finally broke the silence. "We haven't met any pits yet, but we know that they will come, so please watch out!" Everyone in the company gave a nod, so that Elentari knew that they'd understood the message. Arvaron and Elentari started talking. Ewinda couldn't hear it though. She was too far behind. She caught up with Lostlondwen who was riding right in front of her.

"How may bandits are there" she asked in a low voice.

"oh...well,I think Elentari said it's ought to be seven," Lostlondwen answers quickly.

"Then it will be easy to prevail, or what do you think?" Ewinda asked.

"I'm afraid it isn't going to be that simple," Lostlondwen replied."I mean with all those tunnels and those giant pits."

"Oh, right, Elentari just warned us about that. You are probably right Lostlondwen," Ewinda said in an even lower voice than before.

A fresh breeze came over the company as they'd got closer. Suddenly Ewinda lost control over the horse. Sudden movments from made it difficult to stay on the horse's back. She tried to calm it down, when she saw that it was just to trample in a huge pit. Then the horse made a jump so that Ewinda lost her grip and fell of.

She had landed in the pit, and the only thing she felt was a pain in her back. It was quite dark in there and it smelled rotten. She had been so stupid. She was told to watch out for these and she blew it. She cleared her troat and called for Lostlondwen. No replie. They have noticed that I'm not up there, but here, she thought. Or haven't they?

Suddenly she heard some qeer sounds, and she forgot the pain in her back. She grabbed her sword. Could it be the bandits? The only thing she could to was to wait and see. A terror for what it could be was poisoning her mind.

[ June 19, 2003: Message edited by: Orofaniel ]

Child of the 7th Age

06-15-2003, 07:19 AM

Elentari and Aravorn were still at the front of the line, when they heard a loud noise coming up from behind them. The Elf initially turned around with anger in her eyes, supposing that several members of the company had foolishly broken their silence. But it was quickly apparent that something had happened.

An urgent voice ring out above the din, "Ewinda! She's fallen into the pit. We need help."

Almost instantly, Aravorn turned his horse about and pulled a rope from his saddlebag, "I feared we might be needing this." He slowly unwound the rope and lowered it down, then turned around and urged the others to help, "You there, take the end and start pulling, but very slowly. We don't know if she's hurt. I'll lay by the edge of the pit and try and help her up once she gets in reach of my hand."

Novnarwen

06-15-2003, 08:50 AM

"I need some help over here!" Lostlondwen shouted.

They were supposed to be silent, after all, they were getting close to the bandit's lair. Elentari and Aravorn were the first members of the company who came to see what was wrong.

"It's Ewinda," Lostlondwen said in a desperate voice. "She fell, and..." she continued.

Aravorn interrupted her: "I feared we might be needing this." He unwound a rope and lowered it down. He turned to Lostlondwen, who had been struck by terror, and comanded her to take an end and start pulling.

"Someone has to go and fetch her horse," Elentari cried out. Two of the company's members went after it right away. Aravorn, laid himself by the edge of the pit and waited for Ewinda to reach his hand.

"Ewinda?" Lostlondwen cried while pulling the rope very slowly. There was no reply. "Do you think she is hurt?" she asked the ranger lying by the pit.

"It is hard to say," Aravorn muttered.

The company were all silent for a while. They listened to see if there was any sound from the deep pit.

"Oh..." A thin voice filled with pain reached them. Few of them looked up.

"Was that her?" Rowan asked and came over, while stirring down in the dark hole.

"It's getting heavier," Lostlondwen burst out in a kind of excited voice. Rowan and Callo both started eagerly to pull with her. From the deep there was only groans who reached up to the company, but they said enough. She was hurt. But how bad?

After seconds with intense pulling, Aravorn grabbed a hand, coming up from the pit. The dwarves went to get her up and Elentari came with water. "Are you okey?" all of them asked. Lostlondwen ran over to her, and grabbed her by her face and hugged her.

"Ouch," she groaned.

"Oh sorry," Loslondwen said, and took the bottle of water from Elentari's hand.

"Come on, drink. It will do you good." She handed over the bottle, much more careful this time, and looked at the others.

While Ewinda drank, Elentari gathered the company. They discussed what they should do. The woman had injured her back, which seemed to hurt a lot. They weren't sure if she would be able to ride a horse, not right now anyhow.

"Two of us are missing," Loslondwen said after counting the members twice.

"I sent them to fetch Ewinda's horse," Elentari muttered. "They will probably be back very soon," she added.

"Now, this is a situation we never thought we would be in. So the big question is: What are we supposed to do now?"

Lostlondwen looked at Ewinda, then at Elentari. The silent breeze seemed to grow much more loud, and she shuddered while thinking of bandits lurking around in the bushes. They had to get to them first. But now Ewinda seemed to be hurt, she might not be able to ride and to fight. They might lose their advantage of surprise and have to wait. She sat in the shadows wondering.

[ June 15, 2003: Message edited by: Novnarwen ]

[ June 15, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Orofaniel

06-15-2003, 01:41 PM

Ewinda felt that the pit was getting darker. Her back was hurting and she could hear noises. What was she to do? Then she suddenly heard a voice from above. It was Lostlondwen. "Ewinda", she called. "They have noticed," she said to herself and gave a short laugh. But she gave no reply. Ewinda tried to get up, but her legs failed her. "oh, isn't that great," she said in a low and annoyed voice. "I am not giving up that easy," she thought, and tried once again and this time she succeeded.

Suddenly a rope flew swiftly down by her head, which she grabbed. With a little efort she could climbed up. The company was dragging. She was going upwards when she heard the noises were getting even closer than it had ever been before. It was like someone were moving quickly, almost like running. She also noticed something else; It was an opening on the other side, almost like..... Could it be a tunnel? Or maybe an entrance to an old mine?

"Ouch," Ewinda groaned when she reached the edge. " Thanks for rescuing me," she said. "I hope I didn't cost to much of a dilay."

Lostlondwen gave her a bottle of water and she drank. Elentari gathered the company to discuss what was going to happen next. Ewinda interuppted.

"I heard some strange sounds , and I think there was a tunnel or an entrance down there too"

The company turned towards her. "What did you say?" asked Elentari.

"While I was down there I heard some strange sounds. Maybe it was the bandits. I am not sure. It was getting fairly closer, when the rope came down, and you started pulling me up. It was like someone were moving quickly, more like running. And while you were pulling me up I saw an opening on the other side of the pit. I think it was an entrance or a tunnel perhaps." Ewinda said with a cough.

"Maybe we should check it out," Callo said to Elentari.

"Perhaps. I think he Callo's got a point," Elentari said to Aravorn. He gave a short but stern nod.

"But I think we should wait to the others come back, with Ewinda's horse. I mean if it is the bandits we could need their wepons too. Even though they are only seven they are strong. They have tunnels and pits, we have already experienced that and we don't need another accident. Perhaps the hole into which you fell was actually was an entrance or a tunnel to an old mine, we would need everyone to be ready for fight. " Aravorn said and looked at Ewinda.

Elentari gave a nod." Meanwhile don't you think one of us could go down there and just check it out."

"I think that is a good idea, Elentari," said Ewinda.

After a small discussion the company agreed to do so, and only minutes later, Elentari was on her way down.

Child of the 7th Age

06-15-2003, 02:09 PM

Elentari peered around in the darkness. It was very hard to see anything. She felt her way along the outside wall, until she felt it give way slightly.

She knelt down and began ripping away the branches and twigs that covered over what appeared to be an opening.

Elentari ripped the last of the covering away and, with great caution, began creeping down the tunnel. She kept a tight grip on her sword.

dragoneyes

06-15-2003, 03:16 PM

"Hey Boy!" Boy heard the familiar call and went running to where his father stood. His father grabbed his arm roughly and pulled him closer so that he could smell his foul breath. "Now Boy, I can hear things coming from the old tunnels. Go check them and we don't want no suspicions roused before we get there so be nice and quiet like." Boy nodded and slipped down the hole, rubbing his arm where it had been grabbed.

He picked up a stick as soon as he could, a wild boar had been stuck down here before and he had needed a stick to beat it back with. The sounds were quite far off so he need not be completely stealthy right this very second. He had to crouch awkwardly as he ran as the roof sometimes got quite low and there were always rocks and roots for you to catch your head on.

He came closer to the noise. The thing was definitely on two feet. He heard a faint curse as the person had caught their hair in a root sticking from the ceiling by the sound of it. The voice was too high to be a man's, Boy was intrigued as to why a woman would be down here but he dare not get any closer lest he be heard or seen. So he ran back as quietly as he could.

Once he got back out in the open he reported what he had heard.

"There's one woman down there."

"Good good," replied his father, "Any weapons?" Boy faltered, he'd forgotten to check!

"I- I don't know." was all he could manage and as expected, his father clouted him and left him sprawling to the ground. He gathered up three of the men, they got themselves a net, their best weapons and some material to act as a gag, they didn't want her calling to any friends she might have.

They quickly departed down the hole. They corvered the distance quickly and surprisingly quietly. They got as close as they dared when they came to a wide space where four tunnels met. From one, came the sounds of the woman and the four men set themselves up in the other three. The woman approached quickly and soon they sould hear that she was occasionally turning back and talking to some other people who were yelling back, though it was becoming faint now.

Finally the woman emmerged into the space. The men took in the sight, she was cleaner and fairer than they had expected but they soon got over that and as though they were one, they leapt out. Two jumped out from the front with the net and covered her, one from the side got the gag in her mouth as quick as he could and the other helped to hold her down. She was caught, and without a sound to the others outside!

They didn't dwell at all. They suspended Elentari in the net between them and they carried her back through the tunnels and out into the camp. The first thing they did while there was strip her of any weapon they could find, then they bound her to a tree and once she was safely secured they drank to their success.

[ June 15, 2003: Message edited by: dragoneyes ]

Child of the 7th Age

06-15-2003, 04:14 PM

The last thing Elentari remembered was walking cautiously along the darkened tunnel with her sword clutched tightly in her hand, and suddenly feeling a great net descend over her head and body. The ruffians had stuffed a gag into her mouth so quickly that, despite her efforts to cry out for help, she was unable to make a single sound other than a few muffled groans. She'd been slung up into a net and rudely carried down the tunnel, with her arms and legs desperately flailing in all directions.

Halfway up the tunnel, at a point where it split into two different pathways, Elentari had made one last valiant attempt to free herself from the thugs. The Elf had failed miserably. Her necklace had wrenched in two and fallen to the ground, a single gleeming gemstone on a broken silver chain which lay quietly by the side of the darkened tunnel, a silent confirmation of the direction in which she'd been hauled away.

When her head hit against the rough stone walls, Elentari had fallen unconscious. The next time she awoke, her companions were nowhere to be seen. She found herself bound against a tree with the ropes cutting cruelly into her wrists and ankles. She could dimly see and hear the ruffians as they celebrated around the campfire, gulping down large flagons of ale and squabbling with each other over who would get to claim her weapons and have the honor of using them to slice her throat.

[ June 16, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Annunfuiniel

06-15-2003, 08:13 PM

"I need some help over here!"

Gráin heard a shout from behind and pulled his pony to a halt. Vráin on his left side did the same and at the same time reached for his axe. Gráin turned around and saw Ewinda’s horse bolting and then galloping off to the opposite direction. A black pit had opened to the ground.

"Someone has to go and fetch her horse," Elentari called out as she and Aravorn reached the edge of the ditch. The ranger had already a rope in his hands. Gráin was about to dismount to help him when he heard Vráin shout:

“I’ll go get the horse!” and with that he dashed off.

“Wait-…” Gráin tried to call after him - without avail. Here we go – again… he rolled his eyes and urged his steady steed into a surprisingly swift run. This is ridiculous! What if someone needs to get down to that pit? Who knows what caves there might be! And here we gallop; dwarves on ponies after a runaway horse! Madness, pure madness… Gráin continued to grumble as he rode on following his brother.

They were lucky; for Ewinda’s horse was wise enough to stay on the trail which they had made earlier while riding to meet the bandits. They needed not worry about new traps for the ground was already once tested. The horse had galloped off like thousand orcs were at its tail and soon it had disappeared from sight into the moonlit night. But by nature the beast was calm and quickly it cooled off. Its gallop settled down first to trot and then to a light pace before it stopped and tucked its muzzle to the dewy hay. And like that Vráin and Gráin finally found her.

“Here, Sparkle. Come now…easy, easy…” Vráin called warily. The horse couldn’t have cared less for his persuasions: it snorted and turned its tail on the dwarf. Vráin tried another trick and pursed his lips in an attempt to whistle like the elves when they call their steeds. Gráin found it most amusing to watch him puff and blow his face red however not succeeding to create a single note. Finally, when he had had his fun, Gráin dismounted his pony, walked casually to the grazing horse and grabbed her bridle. It whinnied and then followed him lightly.

“Can we go now?” Gráin inquired nonchalantly of his brother.

“Surely, brother horse-master,” came Vráin’s distinctly irritated answer. They rode back to the others in silence
save for a couple of Gráin’s short but clear whistles.

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

Vráin and Gráin had been on their 'hunt' for about a half an hour and returned now just in time to witness Elentari disappear into the pit.

“What is she doing?” Gráin wondered out loud. He hopped off his saddle and ran to the others, leaving the mounts to seek their companions on their own. Vráin had been sulky throughout the whole return ride but now he forgot all his annoyance. He swung himself down from his pony and soon followed Gráin.

“What is Elentari doing?” Vráin echoed his brother’s question; “Why didn’t she wait for me?”

“Look who’s talking. If it wasn’t for you we’d be on our way down right now!” Gráin spat out the words but they went to deaf ears. Vráin had rushed to Aravorn and was now asking him for details. Gráin turned to the others and saw Ewinda lying on the ground, her face twisted with pain. He aimed a questioning glance at Lostlondwen who answered with voice full of worry;

“It’s her back.”

“Well, the Elves are masters of healing arts but these kind of injuries we dwarves know quite well too. If she doesn’t cough blood everything should turn out fine. Most likely she has broken some ribs… Just wrap her in a nice and tight packet, that is all we can do. If you know an herb that will ease her pains then maybe she could even ride soon.” Gráin stepped to Ewinda and, feeling curiously coy, patted her shoulder;

“You will be just fine. These elves know what they are doing.”

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

In the meanwhile Vráin had been exhausting Aravorn with endless questions. And, in his ardour, he felt his answers unsatisfactory. Elentari had gone into a cave, probably an old mine, of which they had no more knowledge – other than that queer sounds were flowing in its air. Vráin could easily guess what Gráin would say of this matter and he had no intention to stay and listen to the words he already saw coming. From the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of his older brother talking with Lostlondwen.

“Aravorn,” he whispered; “I will go down – now!”

Aravorn eyed the dwarf for a while before answering. “Let it be so. For I am worried: there has been no sign of Elentari since she found the entrance into the tunnels.”

Vráin needed no more encouragement not to mention his brother’s leave. He settled to the brink of the pit and grabbed the rope that Aravorn was now holding. Nimbly and silently he vanished to the darkness right before Gráin turned to speak to him again. Familiar curses streaming to Vráin’s ears told him his disappearance had not gone unnoticed.

“Vráin! Get out from there or wait for me!” he saw Gráin’s angry face against the dim light far up.

“Yes, yes…right after I have checked this tunnel!” And with that Vráin plunged through the narrow opening to the mine. A muffled “Vráin” rang behind him.

Vráin crept on all fours for some way before he felt the tunnel widen around him; cool air breathed over his face. He rose and hurried forward. The tunnel wound here and there but yet it didn’t branch. Something warned Vráin not to shout and for once he listened to the little voice inside him. It was too quiet for his liking.

Shortly Vráin’s fears proved true. In the darkness he stumbled to something which with further examination turned out to be a net. The ground was trampled. They have taken her, those filthy savages! Vráin raged and ran blindly forward.

Had Gráin been with him he could have warned Vráin that that sort of action comes with a prize. But undoubtedly things would have ended the same way in either case. So it was Vráin’s destiny to run into an opponent beyond his might: the stone wall!

For a while after the collision Vráin just sat in the ground holding his hurting head and hoping the little lights would stop scintillating in his eyes. When he finally risked to rise again the lights had gone out save for one persistent twinkler. By now Vráin’s keen eyes, used to look for gemstones in the deepest and darkest mines under the mountains, had seen that this gleaming light was no illusion. He reached for it and his hand met with something solid – a bright gem in a broken necklace. This is the way they used to retreat!

The pulsating bump in Vráin’s forehead had driven some sense into his head and now he stood in silence, listening eagerly. There was no sounds to be heard or light to be seen, neither ahead nor behind. But the fresh air flowing from the marked tunnel told Vráin that not far ahead was the way out. After a short moment of consideration Vráin spun round on his heels and jogged back to the others as swiftly as he could. Nearing the end of the tunnel he started to shout

“They have Elentari! They took her!”

Several heads shaded the opening of the pit from above as Vráin finally peered up.

“They attacked her. But I know where they went! If you still have the map then make use of it and look for a camp in the northwest. There you’ll find the villains’ lair!” Vráin paused to catch his breath. “Aravorn, should some of us ride there? Or will we all go through the tunnels?”

“I know the place you are talking about!” Aravorn exclaimed. “Rangers!” he called for his men and beckoned towards the horses. In a second they had mounted and were ready to leave. The moon was steadily westering and stars shone brighter; it was no more than two hours till the dawn.

“Who will come with me? Two or three more, with swiftest horses. The rest of you: follow Vráin!”

[ June 16, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]

[ June 16, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]

Child of the 7th Age

06-16-2003, 11:40 PM

It only took a few minutes to split up into two groups of almost equal size, with one contingent following Vrain and the other gathering in a circle around Aravorn. They agreed to meet on the outskirts of the bandits' camp, where they hoped to mount a unified attack. Still, if Elentari's life was being actively threatened, each of them knew they might have to break this pledge and go hurtling into battle as soon as they reached the ruffians' encampment.

A number of the companions clambered down into the blackened pit with torches and lanterns brightly lit to try and make out where the tunnel was leading and to keep their balance on the ledge which was made up of a mishmash of mud, rock, and rotting planks. They found the going difficult, sometimes sinking up to their knees in mud, and other times crawling over jagged boulders in spots where the path almost seemed to disappear. Vrain worried whether they were really following the same route that the bandits had used to haul off Elentari, since he couldn't imagine how they'd managed to drag her through some of these narrow passages.

With considerable difficulty, they helped each other over the spots where obstacles jutted out into the path, or wet, slick ground made it hard to keep their footing. Still, with Vrain in the lead, they made steady progress until they reached the mouth of a tunnel which looked out from the southeast over the bandits' camp. The Dwarf immediately asked everyone to douse their torches and lanterns and to stand in silence, until he could figure out where the Ranger had brought the other group.

Those on horseback had made it to the camp more quickly than those who'd come through the tunnel. They had initially started out at a pace no faster than a loping canter. However, Aravorn managed to locate one of the manicured pathways where all the grass had been cut back, and they had quickened their pace considerably. They'd continued at a steady, hard gallop and, as luck would have it, met no more covered pits or other traps. They now crouched in the wooded grove just northeast of the main encampment.

Creeping in under cover of long grass, Aravorn could see that three sentries had been posted along the perimeter of the bandits' camp to guard their prisoner and forestall any attack. One of the men stood wide awake and alert, but a second had gone off in the woods on the opposite side of camp to relieve himself while the last was curled up snoring on the ground. Elentari's drooping body was still pinioned against a large tree, held in place by ropes that cruelly bound her arms and legs.

Since there seemed to be no immediate danger to the Elf, Aravorn took time to search for some indication where the other companions were. An instant later, the hoot of a horned owl split the quiet of the night. The sound was too perfect to belong to a real bird. Aravorn turned around in the direction of the noise and peered out in the darkness, as several dwarves and men emerged at the foot of a hill just to his left.

[ June 17, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

dragoneyes

06-17-2003, 06:49 AM

After depleting their stocks of ale, the bandits were very ready for sleep. Boy's father decided that they wouldn'tgo out looking for the woman's friends yet, they had done enough tonight and a rest was well deserved.

No one seemed to have made the discovery that Elentari was an Elf, not a Woman. Indeed, they had all been far too keen on celebratingn and at any rate, she was firmly tied, the rope would have to be cut for her to escape and they had taken any weapon she had. Her sword had, of course, ended up with Boy's father and he now slept with it right beside him. On his other side was Boy and arranged around them were three other sleeping forms. The other three men were 'on guard' though truth be told only one was.

[ June 17, 2003: Message edited by: dragoneyes ]

Annunfuiniel

06-18-2003, 01:54 PM

Gráin struggled forward in the dim, devious and dreary tunnel deep in his thoughts. He still marvelled at the change which had come over his brother after Aravorn’s words. ’Follow Vráin!’ he says and suddenly my brother has brains?

And so it was that Vráin seemed different, grave and considering like never before; the responsibility for the others weighed heavy on him. He was now leading their little group and he couldn’t afford to make a single mistake – for the lives of them all were at stake.

Cold sweat trickled on Vráin’s still aching forehead and his palms were clammy. “If we ever survive this then let others lead – and no complaints will they ever hear from me…” Vráin murmured to the darkness ahead where the soft walls swallowed his words casting back no echo. Once more the treacherous ground gave away under his feet and he tumbled to the left. The lantern in his hand swayed and then smashed against the wall as Vráin tried to keep his balance. The flame flickered and was gone. Blackness deepened around him.

Others were some way behind him for Vráin had gone scouting. Vráin was about to turn back and ask for a torch when he saw the veil of darkness part some way ahead. After the gloomy caves the moonlit greyness looked bright as daybreak in the dwarf’s eyes.

“Come now, I see light and smell the fresh air!” Vráin called cautiously, urging others forward.

“Well, it was about time; the riders surely are waiting for us already.” came Gráin’s low voice right behind him. “All, put out your torches and lanterns! We don’t wish to be seen as we step out.” Soft hisses and reeks from the dying fires filled the darkening air. The pale looming ahead was soon their only light.

The group crawled out from the tunnel, tired and messy but without a sound. The entrance was well covered by thick bushes and wall of trees. The moon was already low and eastern sky began to foreshadow a new sunrise. The chill hour before dawn surrounded the silent travellers and crept under their cloaks. Vráin shivered and turned to look for any sign of Aravorn and the rest of the company. Some way to his right he thought he saw something move.

“Rowan,” Vráin whispered and slipped to the man’s side; “can you hoot like an owl?” Rowan gave him a queer look but then nodded silently and put his hands around his mouth. The sound he made would have fooled anyone save a Ranger. Soon an answer echoed in the air.

“Aravorn,” Vráin said solemnly; “Let’s go and meet him.”

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

Vráin lead the group under his command around the thickest thorns and young osiers that blocked their straight way. Under the great maple trees there was less undergrowth and the company could move without a sound. Soon they reached the dark figures of their companions.

Vráin sighed with relief. “Aravorn…” he began but the Ranger gesticulated that he ought to keep silent. Suddenly Vráin was aware of the bandits’ camp just a stone’s throw away. The trees shielded the site from the tunnel’s side so that those who had come through that way couldn’t have noticed the encampment before.

Vráin and Gráin peered out to see what they were against at. Only one watchman seemed to be taking his task somewhat seriously, his head was turning this way and that and his seeking eyes gleamed in the light of a lonely, half covered lantern.

Vráin’s eyes hit first to the bent figure of Elentari and the sight made his blood boil with just rage. Presently the elf seemed to stir as if she had indeed felt the presence of her friends; a faint groan escaped her lips. The watchful sentry heard her and turned around. For a while the man seemed a bit uneasy, likely pondering if he should wake up their leader to deal with the waking prisoner. But then some malicious idea obviously formed in his crooked mind for a ghoulish grin emerged on his lips. The scoundrel took a step towards Elentari and Vráin gasped: he saw cold steel flash in the dark.

Others had seen the same horrid gleam and no words were needed . There was no time to organise a planned attack. Swords clanged, axes rose and arrows were drawn from quivers. Aravorn beckoned to his left and right trying to broaden their front. The sentry stopped as if he had heard something. Aravorn glanced at Vráin and whispered;

“'In unison shall our weapons be drawn.'”

“And in unison shall our battle-cries ring!” Vráin called, now heedless of the noise he was making; “Let them know we are coming!” And with that they leaped forward.

“Dáin!!!”

“Elendil!!!”

[ June 18, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]

elven maiden Earwen

06-18-2003, 05:26 PM

The group had headed towards the bandits lair. Ewinda had fallen into a pit. Elentari had been captured. Rowan and most of the Company of the Dragon went down into the tunnel. It was extremely dark. All Rowan saw was rocks, dirt, bugs, and occasionally roots as they walked though the arid tunnel. It was definitely an old mineshaft. The group finally immerged from the tunnel. It was now about a hour from dawn and extremely dark. Few stars shone that night, and it was somewhat foggy. “Rowan,” Vráin whispered and slipped to the man’s side; “can you hoot like an owl?” Giving Vráin a queer look, he put his hands over his mouth. An owl’s hoot echoed though the night. It was answered by another owl hoot. It was Aravorn.

Vráin led them soundlessly to where the rest of their companions were under a large maple tree. The bandits came was so close to them. Rowan held his breath. Then he caught sight of Elentari. *Gasp* Cold steel flashed in the dark. The watchman was going to kill her! Rowan overheard Aravorn whisper to Vráin ”In unison shall our weapons be drawn.'” “And in unison shall our battle-cries ring!” Vráin called, now heedless of the noise he was making; “Let them know we are coming!” And with that they leaped forward.

“Dáin!!!”

“Elendil!!!”

Rowan took their cue and leaped from the place they were hiding followed by the rest of their company and the rangers. The watchman turned around and was surprised at the sight he saw. Men, elves, and dwarves, all with weapons ready. Rowan pulled out his sword, and rushed in to the camp. The battle against the bandits had begun.

[ June 19, 2003: Message edited by: elven maiden Earwen ]

Child of the 7th Age

06-18-2003, 06:55 PM

As the clash of blades descended on the camp, the bandits struggled to their feet and hurriedly snatched up swords and daggers, scurrying to throw on boots and rub sleep from their eyes. The two youngest thieves were the first to free themselves from their bedrolls and yank on their clothes.

Boy stared back at Johnny, with terror set deep in the pools of his eyes. The young lad seem petrified with fear as he surveyed the frightening scene that was going on around him. A band of six swiftly neared the perimeter of camp. The riders showed no sign of halting, but thundered forward till they reached the middle of the compound where the embers of the campfire still glowed orange and grey. The horsemen circled the fire pit, then stopped to draw out bows and launch a volley of arrows outward in all directions. Awakening bandits cursed and howled as missiles rained down upon their heads, making it difficult for them to see or regroup their forces on the edge of camp.

Still another band of seven Dwarves and Men sprinted in on foot from the base of the hill where the tunnels from the old mine spilled over onto a stretch of brush. Their mingled cries of "Dain" and "Elendil" resounded in the ears of the ruffians who were grabbing onto weapons and trying to fight back.

For once in his life, Johnny did the right thing. He grabbed Boy by the arm, slapped his face as hard as he could, and screamed into his ear, "Kid! Get out of here. Go hide somewhere."

Then he shoved Boy forward towards the west side of camp, the one place where fighting had not yet broken out. The lad stood still for a minute gathering his wits, then turned and fled westward. Within a few paces of camp, he found a low hanging willow whose long branches drooped down, almost touching the ground. Hurtling himself onto the lower limbs, Boy climbed up in the crook of the tree and swiftly continued upward from branch to branch until he found a secure niche where he would be safe for a while from the mayhem going on below.

It was at this moment that a cry came forth from Aravorn's mouth. "Forward swiftly! Those cowards are attacking Elentari." With that, the company surged towards the tree where the Elf's body had been hung a few hours before. Two thieves had now untied her bonds, placed a knife to her throat, and were trying to use her as a human shield so they could escape from camp.

[ June 18, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Annunfuiniel

06-18-2003, 09:06 PM

Gráin rushed forward after Vráin and Aravorn with his axe high above his head. The camp ahead was in stir, the villains had woken and they seemed to need no time to prepare; swords were raised to meet the attackers. Gráin saw the riders in the middle, firing arrows almost blindly into the still black night. That is of no use in this darkness! Unless our luck truly changes…

In Vráin’s mind there was no room for such musings. His cry drowned to the noise of the battle about him but still his mouth opened to shout. He heard nothing but the blood surging in his ears; his eyes and mind were fixed on one goal only. Elentari... save Elentari!

Vráin saw the two villains unleashing the elf and using her as a living shield against the arrow-rain. He groped for his knives but then hesitated, narrowing his eyes in the dark. Elentari and her captors were like one great body, wrapped in shadows. There were no clear lines - and no target.

“No! They can’t get away!” the dwarf cried out. He glanced around, determined to find a way to stop the crooks’ escape. The answer to his prayers came to him right when Gráin reached him from behind.

“Elves! One elven arrow is all we need!” With that he spun round and almost bumped into Alcyávëiel.

“Quickly, your keen sight is needed!” and hastily Vráin pointed Elentari to the she-elf. In a matter of seconds Alcyávëiel snatched an arrow from her quiver, aimed and loosed the bow. A shivery scream cut the air as the arrow pierced the wretched man’s arm and the dagger slipped out of his hand. Elentari sunk to the ground.

Vráin wasted no more precious time. He took couple great leaps forward and reached the other man. The villain had lost his shield but he wasn’t unarmed. Presently he raised his rugged sword against the charging dwarf.

Had he seen the fire in Vráin’s eyes he would have shrunk and fled. Hah, a miserable dwarf! the thought could be read from his face. The man never had a chance to change his view about the race he so underrated. Vráin’s axe rose and fell; the mocking smile died on the man’s lips as the blade cut through his padded leather jacket and cleaved his breast.

Vráin was heedless of the warm blood that spurted on his face. He kneeled beside the elf, forgetting for a while the battle about him;

“Elentari…” he called gently but his tone was urging. “Elentari, we need to-…” Vráin ceased as he suddenly grew aware of the threat behind him. He knew it was too late to turn and defend - but he had to try. He heard the air stir before the coming stroke and his limp hand fell never reaching the handle of his axe.

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

Gráin had been distracted by the observation of two men trying to sneak under the deep shadows of the trees. Just then, from the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Vráin bending over Elentari. But something else moved there too; a black shape against the grey darkness. Gráin gasped as he saw the shadowy figure rise behind his brother.

“Vráin!” his cry cleaved the air but too late.

[ June 19, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]

Novnarwen

06-19-2003, 09:05 AM

Lostlondwen followed the others into the fast striking battle. First a few shots with her bow, then she was eagerly chasing the ones running, now with her sword. Elentari, was not far away. One of the bandits held her and used her as a living shield. There was nothing she could do, for now.

Screams and other frightened voices rang in her ears. Most of the bandits ran, few of them faught. Therefore it caught her by suprise that a huge man, from behind, attacked her with his long sword. It glimpsed in the dark night and gave noises as terrible as wolf howling. The clinging of the two swords meeting eachother for the first time, died in the shadows from the trees. She wasn't thinking, not clearly anyhow. Fully aware of the danger, she had thrown herself into this battle, and she was not to lose. She wouldn't let herself.

From not far away, the bandit who held their companien and friend gave a shriek and lost his dagger to the soft grass. The Elven arrow who had struck him, was deadly. Then it was him, standing in front of Lostlondwen. He wouldn't give up that easily, he seemed to be just as stubborn as herself. Her knees grew weak and she felt a pain in her shoulder. His grim face darkened. It was like, all light went out. She threw her sword desperately into the air and a cry full of pain died in the dark. A heavy body fell to the ground with hers.

Lostlondwen hadn't been laying there for long. The man beside her was both white and blue at the same time. It was lifeless body just laying there. Now, not before, she wished she hadn't killed him after all. A man was dead, because of her. He was a bandit tough. This man had both killed and robbed people. But was it really fair? She couldn't answer. This moment she would never forget, never.

Her toughts were interrupted by the voice of Vráin not far away. "Elentari, we need to.." There was a cry and then nothing. What was happening? Lostlondwen tought. She caught a glimpse of a shadow in the dark. An elf lay there. Now there was a dwarf too.

[ June 19, 2003: Message edited by: Novnarwen ]

Orofaniel

06-19-2003, 09:21 AM

They had all walked trough the dark tunnel and reached the bandits lair. Ewinda was almost regretting she came along. Although she had taken some elvish medicines she could feel that she was wounded, she wasn't quite herself. She was also afraid of what might happen. But then she rememberd that she did it for Elentari and the company. They didn't afford to lose another companien. Merenwen's death had been hard on them all and if Elentari died, there wouldn't be much strenght left to slay the dragon. Then another thought past trough her mind, they had to save the prisoners and Lostlondwen's mother!

"I can't think now, the only way we will be able to slay the dragon is to get us all out of here, alive. And we aren't going to do that if we don't fight." she said to herself. She grabbed her sword and suddenly she felt a tearing pain in her back. But she didn't have the time to think anymore, because one of the bandits were heading towards her. Behinde him she saw a quick glimpse of Elentari before the bandits body coverd both her and the moonlight. He came almost running and with his sword in his hand. She was sure, she was sure he would use it to kill.

His sword did some quick moves, but he missed Ewinda with an inch. She heard the sound of the sword cutting the wind, but in her ears it was almost like the shreaking voice of death. Once more and then Ewinda fought back. " You aren't getting me that easy," she cried at him as she stuck her sword in his chest. He said nothing just fell heavely to the ground as Ewinda turned away.

Now there was a free bane. She hurried over towards where she had seen Elentari. She was now laying on the ground. Beside her lay a dwarf, it was Vráin.

Gráin was already there.

"Vráin," he said in a quiet voice.

"I think he has passed out," Ewinda said.

"We must get him to safety,and Elentari too perhaps" Gráin wispherd in a troubled voice.

"I know, but where?" Ewinda asked.

Ewinda turned as she heard running behind her. "oh, it's you" she said to Lostlondwen.

"We have one down, perhaps two" Ewinda informed the newcomer.

They all looked at eachother, they all knew that they were thinking the same. " What were they to do?"

[ June 19, 2003: Message edited by: Orofaniel ]

dragoneyes

06-19-2003, 04:05 PM

Boy watched from a little way away, from up in his tree. He watched as his life was sliced away by these intruders, the best life he had ever had. His hand had nearly been impaled by one of the arrows from the horsemen but it was now stuck fast in the tree, not his body. He turned his gaze back towards the battle.

His father had gone down, using his newly stolen weapon. Perhaps it would have been better if he'd used his old sword, that one never failed him, but it was too late now. He'd seen a couple of men run off into the forest, it was probably just as well for them that his father was dead, otherwise they'd be the dead ones. He'd seen the failed attempt to use the woman as a sheild and Johnny had been slain, but not before he'd made his mark on a...very short man? He couldn't see well in this light, but that was what it looked like, he couldn't think what else it could be, it most certainly wasn't a halfling.

Boy wasn't entirely sure which group he was rooting for. On the one hand, there were the bandits, his old way of life. It was perhaps not the best way of life, but it sustained him and he'd known worse. On the other hand there were the intruders but that could go either way, they could give him a better life than he could ever dreamed of, or they could slay him like the theif, and to some extent murderer, he was. He was proud that he'd never killed anyone with his own hands, even if he had led them to it. He resolved to wait for the outcome of the battle and then he'd decide whether to reveal himself or no.

[ June 19, 2003: Message edited by: dragoneyes ]

Child of the 7th Age

06-20-2003, 04:30 PM

The blow to Vrain might have found its mark and cleaved the mighty dwarf in two, but for one stroke of luck. Elentari had been lying in the mud unconscious when she suddenly found her eyes groggily opening, becoming aware of the battle going on all around her. As the reality of the moment sunk in, her first thought was to grope down with her fingers to find her sword and daggers which always hung about her waist. But her weapons were not there. Even if they had been, she did not have the strength to stand up and fight.

Her head throbbed and her body ached as the world wavered in and out before her eyes. Then it happened. She saw the ruffian reach for his weapon and swing it downwards for the final stroke on top of the dwarf's head. Summoning all her strength, she rolled over in the mud and grabbed hold of the bandit's leg. Once more, Elentari valiantly struggled to stand up and fight, but to no avail. Then, in desperation, the Elf reached out to grab the man's leg and sank her teeth neatly in the flesh of his calf.

The ruffian howled with rage and pain as his mighty stroke was deflected. His weapon hit home but only along the side of Vrain's head, rather than hitting him full on the brow and offering him mortal injury. With an angry kick, he'd knocked Elentari's and Vrain's bodies over to the side. It was Ewinda and Lostlondwen who valiantly slipped into the heat of battle and managed to gather them up one at a time dragging their bodies to safety at the edge of the compound.

The battle was beginning to wane. Four of the thieves had been slain and two more rounded up for capture. The remaining thug had taken off into the thick grass, but several companions were already giving chase.

Aravorn had his men guard the unconscious Elf leader and the dwarf, and asked one of the companions to go off and search for water and some herbs which he would need to help tend the wounded. One of the companions readily agreed to do this task and ran off with a water bottle. Suddenly, from just outside the camp came an excited voice, "Aravorn, come quickly. There's a child...."

[ June 20, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Novnarwen

06-21-2003, 03:31 PM

After a few moments of intense dragging, Ewinda and Lostlondwen had dragged both the dwarf and the elf to a safe place. They were both unconcsious when Aravorn comanded some of his men stand guard over them. Lostlondwen stirred at the elf and dwarf, looking as they were asleep. All had happened so fast. She felt exshaused and her only desire was to have a good night sleep. But she couldn't really see how she could sleep now, when all this had happend. Therefore she volunteered to fetch some herbs and search for water, which Aravorn would need to tend the wounded. She grabbed the bottle and started off into the night.

The voices of her companiens died soon away, Lostlondwen was now alone. The cool air touched her skin and she shuddered. It pricked and made her feel uncomfortable. Something was watching her, or someone. But she couldn't tell for sure. Lostlondwen kept on walking, in silence. She walked a few paces not daring to look back. For a few seconds she just stirred out into the night. Hoping the sound of another breathing, was just an imagination. She waited, and waited. There was no sound. Just me then, she tought and walked on.

Water was dripping, she could hear it. Not far away, she cold glimpse the silver drops fall on the ground and into a little pool. Where is the water coming from? she tought. Loslondwen stepped forwards, taking the bottle into the cold water and filling it. She found the herbs near by. They had a wierd smell, good tough. Just an unusual smell. High up in the black cold night she saw the tree tops. Loslondwen found a solid branch and started to climb. There was a much better wiew here. Even tough it was dark, very dark, she managed to see several people, who had to be the company. Luckily they were not very far away, she would reach them in about ten minutes.

She slipped down from the branch, and trodged away. For a few paces she actually ran, but then, at the same spot she had heard breahting before, she could hear it again. She spun around. No one. But the breaths grew even stronger. Who ever it is, must be getting frightened or something, she tought. Unfortunatly the dark made it impossible for Lostlondwen to see anything. For a few moments she just stood there, listening. There was a sound, it was a branch braking. The trees, she tought. She glansed up just in time to see a dark, small figure, sneaking in one of the trees. From the ground it seemed to be a boy. It couldn't have been a full grown man, not up in that tree. Anyhow, she wouldn't be able to take this boy now, whoever he was. She hadn't got anything to protect herself in any matter. Then she rememberd; the bottle and the herbs. We've got to come later then, she muttered and ran in the direction the others were.

"Aravorn, come quickly. There's a child...." she burst out. The others looked up and noticed her arrival.

Annunfuiniel

06-22-2003, 01:51 AM

"Aravorn, come quickly. There's a child...." Gráin heard Lostlondwen's cry, faint and distant like coming from another world. He raised his head but everything was a blur in his eyes. The first rays of the rising sun peeked over the horizon.

Gráin turned back to his brother and with great caution took off his broken headpiece. Suddenly Vráin stirred and moaned, still in his sleep. Then slowly, very slowly he tried to open his eyes. Pale light illuminated his face, revealing a nasty bruise on his right temple. Gráin sighed with relief;

"Brother..."

"Gráin, why it's so dark in here? Are we in the caves again? Where are you?" Vráin spoke in a faint voice staring into the brightening morning.

Gráin felt the icy fist of horror tighten around his heart. With all strength he had left he managed to suppress the scream that swelled inside of him. For a while there was a dead silence. Vráin turned his head from side to side though it seemed to cause him great pains.

"Gráin? Why don’t you answer me?"

"Vráin..." someone began from behind Gráin’s back. Gráin startled but then hushed the speaker with a demanding gesture. Then he struggled to speak in a calm voice.

"Vráin, I’m here", Gráin almost whispered and took his brother’s hand, looking straight at his eyes. But Vráin’s wandering gaze found no hold in the darkness that veiled his sight.

"It’s so dark..." Gráin heard his brother’s tired voice and felt helpless like never before.

"I know." he trembled; "But now you need to rest. That was a heavy blow you took. Sleep, my brother." Vráin’s strained expression relaxed and he closed his eyes. Gráin sat on the ground and listened to Vráin’s steadying breath. All about him nature woke up to a bright, new day but no light penetrated the blackness of his thoughts. Seconds, minutes passed and still he sat there, clutching his brother’s hand. Then a weight on his shoulder roused him;

"Gráin..." There was a voice full of pity. Pity!? Gráin stood up and roughly pushed aside the helping hand.

"No!" was the only word he could form at the moment. Helplessness, grief, bitterness...the feelings intermingled - and from the mixture grew blind rage; "No!"

Gráin seized his axe and sprung forward, heedless of his companions around him. Laying dead on the ground he saw the rotten dog that had carried out the blow against his brother. Madness took him and red curtain fell over his eyes. His axe rose. One cruel stroke and the wretched head rolled aside. The watchers behind him gasped; some lowered their heads - and deep in their hearts they understood.

Gráin threw away the bloody axe and with unseeing eyes he rushed into the forest. Wind wailed in his ears and boughs hit him in the face. Suddenly he stumbled to a wry root and fell over. With one last effort Gráin tried to stood up but fell back on his knees. The strength of rage had passed from his limbs. He cried out loud and then veiled his face in his hands.

"It should have been me..." he whispered into the silence.

[ June 22, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]

Child of the 7th Age

06-23-2003, 01:27 PM

Selven watched as Grain stepped back from the bloodied remains of the beast, then turned and stumbled into the forest. The Dwarf's torment was so clearly written on his face that it was painful for the Elf to see.

Selven turned hurriedly to Nalin. "Tell the others I've gone to get Grain. Aravorn said to leave this accursed place and head to our old campsite that stands some five miles closer to the road. Elentari's not up to leading the band yet. She'll need a day or two to rest. Can you help Aravorn get the others moving in an hour or so and set up camp? I'll follow along with Gráin."

Nalin nodded his head in agreement, "I'll take Vráin with me. Aravorn will help Elentari if she needs it."

With that, Selven turned and vanished into the forest as he carefully followed in Gráin's tracks.

[ June 23, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Child of the 7th Age

06-23-2003, 01:53 PM

Hearing Lostlondwen's urgent calls, Aravorn turned his attention away from the injured companions and went to see what the problem was.

He looked up towards where the Elf was pointing and was startled to see a young lad hurriedly climbing down from the tree. The minute the boy's feet hit the ground, he scampered back several paces as if he was uncertain whether to stay or to rn.

Aravorn took in the boy's ragged clothes, the bruises on his body and the tears brimming out of his eyes. Then he held his hands outward with his palms extended so the lad could see that he was not brandishing a weapon, "It's alright boy, whoever you are. I've a feeling you've just lost some kin, and I'm sorry for that. But this band has brought sadness to many and had to be stopped. I wish it could have been different."

The boy eyed him warily, then walked a step or two closer. "You're hungry, aren't you? If you come back with us, I'll make sure you get a hot plate of stew. Then you'll be free to stay or go. If you have other kin, we'll help to find them. If not, you're welcome to stay with us and put your skills to use. We could use a good, strong lad and I promise we'd treat you fair. We'll need to start by getting you a pony. But, either way, you're not our prisoner. It's your choice to stay or leave. You decide and let me know."

Aravorn turned to leave and motioned Lostlondwn to do the same. The boy hestitated a minute, and then followed behind in their footsteps.

ElentariGreenleaf

06-23-2003, 02:11 PM

Elentari woke, but she kept her eyes closed. She heard what passed between Grain and Vrain. Blindness is a terrible thing, thought Elentari. Not being able to see the beauty of the world. No, Elentari, when she was well again, would use a special medicine that Lorin had taught her. Perhaps that could help to restore his sight. Or maybe it would return naturally, but only time would tell.

Elentari opened her eyes to see her friends standing around her and Vrain. She tried to raise her head and speak, but she slipped back ino the depths of the unconsious world and knew no more.

[ June 24, 2003: Message edited by: ElentariGreenleaf ]

Child of the 7th Age

06-23-2003, 02:18 PM

It did not take Selvren long to find the stricken Dwarf. He saw Grain's crumpled body at the foot of a massive oak as the Dwarf hid his face in his hands and silent tears ran down his cheeks. When Gráin turned and caught a glimpse of Selven, he immediately stood up and willed his face back into a blank mask. The Dwarf gruffly replied, "I know my duty. I'm coming back. I just needed a minute to be alone. You can go now."

Selvren nodded his head, "Anyone would need a moment after what you've just been through. Come walk with me back to the others. Then we'll mount on our horses and head back towards camp."

Grain looked alarmed until Selvren added, "We'll be lendng a hand to Elentari and your brother helping to carry them along on horseback or building a sledge if they find that more comfortable."

Grain said nothing but grudgingly continued to walk alongside Selvren.

"Grain, there's something else I wanted to say. I've been on this earth a good while longer than you and have seen many a man take a blow to the head. It's not unheard of to suffer blindness. Sometimes the blindness stays but sometimes there is healing. A day, a week, even a month later, the eyesight may return. I can't promise you that will happen, but there is hope."

"And something else. You love your brother with your whole heart. But you must love him enough to let him make his own choices. You did nothing to cause him grief. It was his will and desire to do the brave deed he did. That's the kind of man he is. You can't change that, and you wouldn't want to."

For a while they walked along in silence, with Grain staring stubbornly at the ground. As they neared camp, Selvren reached down to pick up the bloodied axe where Grain had thrown it and carried it over to a nearby stream, dipping the blade in water to wash off the stains. Then he handed the weapon back and simply said, "Don't give up hope, Gráin. And, if you ever need to talk, I am here." Then Selvren headed over and mounted his horse, urging the Dwarf to do the same.

[ June 24, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

elven maiden Earwen

06-23-2003, 04:31 PM

The fight against the bandits had ended. Rowan hadn’t been seriously injured, a scrape or two here and there. He now sat on his horse next to Aravorn. Elentari had fainted and Vráin was blind. The group was now ready to ride. They rode slowly back to the old camp. The spirits of the group were dampened by the loss of a few rangers and the state of Vráin and Elentari. The sun was now rising behind a veil of darkness. It was pale and sad. Light slowly crept into the sky and illuminated the way back to the camp.

The ride passes slowly and silently. Everyone was grave and unsmiling. Finally after what seemed like an eternity they reached the camp. Their the laid Elentari and Vráin to rest and hoped that good heath would be restored to them. Rowan helped the rangers make a small meal. Everyone ate but the food didn’t taste right to Rowan.

He remembered the ride to the ranger’s camp with Vráin. He had become friends with Vráin and hoped only for the best for the dwarf. Now all he hoped was that the dwarf would recover from his blindness. His heart was heavy for Gráin. He also thought of Elentari and wished her to get better. She had led us this far she couldn’t stop now. They needed her if there was any hope for them to defeat the dragon.

Child of the 7th Age

06-23-2003, 05:26 PM

Annunfuiniel's post:

"Don't give up hope, Gráin. And, if you ever need to talk, I am here."

Finally Gráin raised his head to look at the elf. Would he dare to hope? He saw his brother's face clearly in his mind and knew there was no other option; giving up would mean leaving Vráin all alone in the darkness.

Gráin took a deep breath, and then another. Anguish didn't go away but it turned bearable. Gráin took the bridle and prepared to mount his pony. Selvren had already turned his steed towards the camp when at last the Dwarf spoke;

"Selvren... Thank you, friend." The elf turned and rode back to Gráin as he mounted. Their eyes met for a moment and no more words were needed.

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

The two silent riders reached the old campsite before the third hour after dawn, though for Gráin each minute after the dreadful sunrise had felt as long as a year. He jumped off his saddle and ran to where his brother had been laid. Alcyávëiel kneeled beside Vráin and was just putting a bandage over his eyes. Gráin felt a stab of conscience; he should have been there, near his brother, and not running in the woods like a madman.

"Has he been awake?" he asked Alcyávëiel in a low but now clear voice.

"No, not so that he would remember it later," the she-elf answered; "I have done all I could. And later Elentari will tend to him. There's no better cure than time; but it is said that a dear, familiar voice can call some back, even from the gates of Mandos... I will leave you two alone now." Gráin felt the same hand on his shoulder that he had pushed away in the hour of despair. This time he let it be and silent strength flowed to his heart.

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

Slowly Vráin revived: from dark, shapeless dreams to even darker reality. Fumbling he reached for the cloth he could feel was covering his eyes. But before he managed this someone stopped him, gently but firmly.

"Gráin?"

"Yes, I'm here. Now let that bandage be though it might feel uncomfortable – - it's better that way."

"Why, what for?" Vráin questioned, starting to get irritated. But then he remembered something and tried to sit up; "The battle! I must..." His attempt ended in a smothered cry of pain and he sunk down to his mattress, without any requests from Gráin.

"The battle is over..... But brother, I need to tell you something..." Vráin heard the stammering voice of his big brother's and faintly, like from another time and place, he seemed to recall the same tone: Vráin...Trís, our sister...she's gone. Suddenly he felt Gráin's fingers touching his eyes –- and he knew. A long, desperate wail escaped his lips. But Gráin clutched his arms and held him still while tears rolled down his own cheeks and dropped on the white cloth over his brother's eyes.

"Vráin, listen to me – listen! I have received good counsel from our wise elf-friends and they say there is still hope: hope that you will get your sight back! So rest now, and I will be here when you wake up." Vráin wanted to fight against Gráin, against the whole world, but he was too tired to do that. Weariness, rather than the iron clasp of his brother's, held him down.

"I will find no rest in this darkness..." he whispered in a thick voice.

"I know... I would that this burden had been laid on me instead of you, my brave brother..." Vráin heard Gráin's muttered words before sleep took him. His answer was no louder than a breath of wind in the grass:

"I know you would..."

[ June 24, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Child of the 7th Age

06-23-2003, 11:44 PM

For several days, the companions remained at their old campsite. They spent most of their time resting, gathering needed provisions, tending to Elentari's wounds, and trying to cheer up the two Dwarf brothers. The prisoners were sent on to Bree under the escort of two of the Rangers where they would be judged and asked to make some recompense for their crimes. However, Aravorn decided to remain behind with the company until Elentari was well enough to lead the group again.

The young lad whom they'd found by the side of the bandits' camp had taken a liking to Aravorn and the other Rangers, and followed them about trying to help in simple ways. When Aravorn finally departed near the end of the week, the boy freely chose to go with him with the promise of finding a new home and friends and a pony of his own as well as learning the skills that a young Ranger needed.

[ June 24, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Child of the 7th Age

06-23-2003, 11:51 PM

Orofaniel's post:

They spent several days at the camp, after their fight against the bandits. Ewinda thought that the battle couldn't have gone any worse. Elentari was wounded and Vrain was blind. Hopefully it would be healed with time. Anyway, her own back was back to normal, something she was happy about.

So the next days went by, slowly. Everyone felt so bad for Vrain and Grain so most of the time was used to comfort them. But they also used the time to rest. Ewinda was curious about what would happen next. Was Vrain going to continue? He was blind, but she had heard that it could be healed. But how soon, she didn't know. Neither did the rest of the company. And then, Elentari was also still wounded, but she would recover very soon.

In the evening two days after the fight Ewinda and the dwarves were the only one sitting by the fireside.

"How are you two doing?" she asked in a low and almost wisphering voice. After she'd said it she knew how stupid it must have sounded.

"Well, it could have been worse, I guess......" Vrain answerd. Grain remained silent.

"You then, your back I mean?" Grain asked shortly.

"My back is just fine. I'm more worried about your sight Vrain. But I'm sure it will be healed by time." She said in a comforting voice.

"Selven said do too, you know, so there is nothing to worry about really." She added quickly.

"Maybe you are right"

"I know I'm right," Ewinda said while a smile rounded her face. The dwarves tried to smile back, but she could see that it was difficult for them both. She couldn't blame them either, after what they'd been through. It had to be hard.

"Well, I think I'm going to bed, so good night and sweet dreams." Ewinda said while she stood up and walked away from the burning fire and hopefully her troubled thoughts as well.

[ June 24, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

ElentariGreenleaf

06-24-2003, 07:10 AM

Elentari's wounds had healed quickly, so as soon as she could she had made up the special medicine and applied it to Vrain's eyes and where the blow had stuck him. Hopefully it would speed up the natural healing process. She made sure that both the brothers knew that if his sight returned, it was not because of some miracle she had performed, but that she merely helped speed up the healing process. If the eyes were never going to heal, then the medicine would do nothing, for naturally nothing would happen.

When it was time for Aravorn and the rangers to go, Elentari saw that the boy was packing to go with them.

"Child," said Elentari. "You have a good heart. It is a pitty your father got you mixed up in such a group. So you are going with the rangers?"

"Yes," replied Boy. "I want to learn the way of a ranger!"

Elentari smiled. "Aravorn will teach you all he knows, I'm sure. Well, you best be going. Take care, and may the Stars smile down on you for all of your days."

"Thank you," said Boy as he went to join Aravorn and the others.

A few days later, as the company sat down to their meal, Elentari made an announcement.

"I think you all know that we have tarried too long here. It is time we headed out on the trail again. The longer we wait, the more destruction that wyrm can cause. Our wounds have all healed, so their is nothing to stop us leaving."

As Elentari said 'Our wounds have all healed', she instantly knew the mistake in her words.

"Vrain, I am sure your eyes will heal soon," she said to Vrain afterward. "The Stars must have been smiling down on you for this to be your only injury from that blow. I have known hits like that to cause amnesia."

"Thank you Elentari," said Vrain quietly.

Elentari packed the supply bags and put them on Vrain's pony.

"Elentari, what are you doing?" asked Grain.

"You and Vrain are to ride back on your pony. I don't want him getting hurt anymore."

"You can't do that!" shouted Grain so that several of the company turned to see what Elentari was doing. "We've come too far now to have to go home."

"I'm sorry Grain, but my mind is made up."

Elentari went to put her own bags on Moon and left the company standing, moths open. They began to talk in low mummers so she couldn't hear.

"She can't do this to us," said Grain to Selven. "How am I to tell Vrain?"

"You know that she doesn't want anyone to get hurt. But maybe someone can talk her round."

Novnarwen

06-24-2003, 07:31 AM

Lostlondwen was been dying to get on the road again. Her nightmares had come back after the fight, and these were actually worse. The longer they stayed, the chances of finding her mother alive... Oh she couldn't bare the tought. The past few days they had just stayed at their campsite, waiting for Elentari's wounds to heal. As the time passed by, Lostlondwen grew bored and restless.

Then, at meal the following evening Elentari annouced their departure. Her wounds had finally healed.

Few moments after, loud voices broke out. She turned her head, and watched the others gather around the dwarves. Lostlondwen ran from her horse, which she had been so eager to tell that they were leaving, and listened to the dwarf's voice.

"You can't do that!" Grain shouted.

Lostlondwen found herself standing between Ewinda and Rowan.

"What is it?" Lostlondwen whispered. Both the dwarves looked as if they had seen a ghost. They were pale, and seemed to be fustrated.

"I've made up my mind," Elentari replied.

"What is she talking about?" Lostlondwen asked. Both Ewinda and Rowan were quiet, and hadn't yet answered her fist question. After a few moments, when Ewinda saw Lostlondwen waa starting to get irritated she answered:
"She is, kind of sending them home."

"Kind of sending them home? What is that supposed to mean," Lostlondwen said. She didn't wait for an answer before she burst out again.

"They have come so far, can't send them home then... Can you?"

Ewinda didn't say anything. In fact, all were being silent.

"She says, she can't risk any of them getting hurt again," Rowan muttered.

Lostlondwen wasn't following. Everyone could get hurt. Any moment. This journey had been full of perils and foes, and yet they hadn't met their worst foe, the dragon. And here she told them that she couldn't risk anyone getting hurt? Then they shouldn't have gone on this journey, they shouldn't have joined this company. Lostlondwen didn't want to seem as she didn't care about her companiens, it just wasn't the time, sending people home. Vrain had fought, he was, and had been brave, and if he wanted to stay, so be it, she tought. In fact she couldn't bare the tought of being on the road again, without the two of them, without the funny dwarves.

[ June 24, 2003: Message edited by: Novnarwen ]

Annunfuiniel

06-24-2003, 12:25 PM

Go back? Go home!?!

"Never!!!" Vráin's cry drowned suddenly all the other voices; "Leave me here if you wish but know that I will follow you to the Blue Mountains, crawling on all fours if need be!" the Dwarf's frustrated rage overflowed. "Elentari, I'm not just a foolish dwarf after some light adventure. If this indeed is what you think of me then I have only one thing to say to you: You are wrong! Has your despairing heart blurred your sight? Do you think I have come this far and suffered all this just to give up and turn back? NO! I will go with you till the end and should I perish on the way... then so be it. Don't you see? There is no turning back – for any of us..."

With that Vráin turned away and called for his pony. The beast came and Vráin groped for its bridle.

"Here..." Gráin was beside his brother and aided him. All about them the camp waited in dumbfounded silence. Vráin leaned heavily on Gráin's shoulder and mounted his steed, clutching tight to the saddle bow. Gráin stood by him and knew Vráin had made his decision: he would go forth. Gráin looked up at the dear figure. And I will go with him!

Vráin bent to his brother and whispered: "Turn the pony so that it will go straight towards west."

"Now," Vráin called out to his companions; "I'm going to hunt down the bloody Dragon! You may come with me or take your own routes; but our goal...our fate is the same. Farewell!" And with that he raised his head and urged his pony forward. The rest of the company stood dead still, watching as the blind Dwarf rode on. Suddenly a cry pierced the silence:

"Wait!"

[ June 24, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]

Child of the 7th Age

06-26-2003, 12:21 AM

Elentari's post:

"Wait!" shouted Elentari. "I cannot allow you to go Vrain."

Vrain did not stop riding. He would not be stopped. He had vowed to help slay the dragon, and slay the dragon he would, with or without the company.

Elentari ran up to Vrain and ran along side as he rode away. She managed to reach the pony's reigns and pull it to a stop.

"Vrain," she said softly. "I'm doing this for your own good."

"Elentari," he replied. "I respect you, and that you don't want anyone else to get hurt like Merewen, but I am going. I'd rather go with the company, but you wont allow me to."

Elentari considered all Vrain had said. After some times, she came to her conclusion.

"I suppose I'll have to let you come along. It's mre dangerous for you to go alone. With the company, you will have friends around to protect you. It is not for me to decide for you where you go, so do what you wish."

Elentari took some bags off Vrain's pony and shared them about for the other horses to carry. She then got on Moon, waiting for the others to finish clearing up the camp.

[ June 28, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

elven maiden Earwen

06-26-2003, 12:49 AM

The company was on the rode yet again. The company had stayed in the old campsite for a few days healing their wounds. And most were healed except that Vráin was still blind. After all the disorder about the dwarf brothers coming on the rest of the journey, Elentari had taken pity on them and let them come. Now they were headed west to the Grey Havens. The journey took many days. Most of the time Rowan stayed by Vráin and Gráin in case they needed any help. He spent much of the time talking to the dwarf brothers.

The trip was long and boring. Scenery consisted of plains and bottomlands with small forests scattered around. The sun was high in the air and it was warm. I wonder why we are going to the Grey Havens, Rowan thought as they rode on steadily. They saw few animals or living creatures for that matter. Well until they arrived at the borders of the Shire.

Soon they arrived at the edges of a forest. They stayed at many inns as they traveled though small towns. Towns filed with halflings. They were in the Shire! Rowan remembered hearing about this place from the Hobbits in Bree. The rode past many hobbits. They all looked confused at the sight of men, elves, and dwarves. They probably aren’t use to travelers going though their town.

[ June 26, 2003: Message edited by: elven maiden Earwen ]

Annunfuiniel

06-26-2003, 07:24 AM

Night had grown dark hours ago but still Farin couldn’t sleep. Once more she turned and then sat up. Immediately her gaze fixed on Vráin’s motionless figure just a few paces away.

There’s nothing you can do! Go to sleep! Farin tried to convince herself – without much success. Her heart was heavy with worry…and guilt. Sighing she stood up and looked round their camp. Under an old elm tree she saw Selvren, whose watch it was that night, and quietly she headed to him.

Selvren startled first but then relaxed as he recognised the comer. “Peaceful night,” the elf spoke softly as Farin sat beside him and drew her knees up towards her breast.

“For some…” she whispered and then fell silent. The crescent moon shone pale light up in the southern sky but a chill wind blew from north. Farin shuddered and pulled her cloak tighter around her.

“Selvren, I can take your watch if you like. I won’t sleep tonight anyway…” Farin said at last. She could read the worried question from the elf’s eyes and forced a small smile on her lips. “I’ll be fine tomorrow. I just need to be alone for a while and think things through.”

Selvren nodded; “Good night then. And remember: I’m wary of giving advice but if you need someone to listen to you…I’m always there.” And with that he left Farin alone under the elm.

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

An hour passed and still Farin sat silent. But ever and anon her gaze wandered to Vráin and inside of her head the storm was growing. Suddenly she stood up and stepped forward. A pace and then she hesitated. Go to him! her mind urged her body, and she moved on.

Vráin slept peacefully. The white cloth was removed from his eyes for the night. Slowly, cautiously, Farin kneeled beside his head and then reached out her hand, almost touching Vráin’s grey brown hair.

“Vráin…” she whispered and her voice was no louder than a brush of wind in the grass. There was a moment of silence as Farin held her breath. A wailing cry of an owl rose and then died down. The moon slipped behind a cloud. But Vráin didn’t move.

“Vráin, I’m so sorry…” Farin stammered; and the dam broke. Tears long restrained flowed freely. “I saw the blow coming… I saw it and did nothing, I froze…And now it’s too late to ask for your forgiveness…” The words came out in bursts between silent sobs. She felt like crying out loud and had to struggle to keep her voice down.

Farin took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Then, all of a sudden, a faint memory from her childhood filled her mind and gave her comfort. Slowly she opened her teary eyes and looked at Vráin. She raised her hands in ancient blessing, passed from mother to daughter for years uncounted.

“Light of my life: may your path be bright to forever walk right.”

Farin leaned over Vráin’s face and kissed the air just over his brow. Two last tears rolled down her cheeks and dropped on Vráin’s closed eyelids. The dwarf stirred in his sleep. Farin startled and drew back - but nothing happened. Vráin slept peacefully again. Farin stood up and silently she walked back to her post.

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

Vráin lay on the ground, eyes closed tight, and Farin’s teardrops mingled with his own tears. He had heard every word and felt her pain. Yet he had not spoken a word and the darkness had veiled his expressions.

Presently the moon peeked again from behind the clouds and revealed Vráin’s pale face. I should have said something! But first I didn’t wish to speak with anyone and then…Then I couldn’t find the words. Vráin’s thoughts were all confused save for one clear voice that rang in his head:

That blessing! Gods, I’ve been blind the whole time! He’s not he but she; Farin’s a girl!

Vráin couldn’t sleep that night. But still he didn’t go to her. Not yet, he thought; I’m not ready…nor is she.

[ July 01, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]

Child of the 7th Age

06-26-2003, 07:28 AM

As the horses and riders made their way down the road, the miles slipped by in rapid succession with the company moving steadily westward. Their first stop came near the Bridge of Stonebows that passed over the muddied waters of the Brandywine and led the travellers along the thickets and weald of Buckland.

After that point, they had no difficulty finding comfortable lodgings in several Inns that stretched out beside the Great Road from one end of the Shire to the other. Each night they settled at different Inns and hostelries to rest their tired bodies and replenish their supplies. The Shire towns of Frogmorton, Bywater, Waymeet, and Michel Delving quickly sped by on Elentari's map.

The local hobbits stared curiously at them and seemed surprised to see so many different Elves, Dwarves, and Men all marching onward in a single band. Many of the friendly hobbit lads and lasses crept up closer to have a look at Elentari and the other Elves. With her bright Elven eyes and the great broadsword resting on her hip, Elentari quickly drew the attention of all, especially since many had never seen a woman attired in this fashion.

Leaving the cheerful comaraderie of the Shire behind, the companions forged on across open fields and hills in the direction of the Lhun. There was less talking and laughter now, and more faces that had grim, serious expressions as they came nearer their destination. Elentari seemed reflective and withdrawn as she rode by herself at the head of the column without looking back at any of the others. When Selvern gently questioned her about this behavior, she'd shrugged her shoulders with a hint of a sad smile, and refused to say anything else.

One evening when everyone was seated around the campfire, she broke her silence and tersely explained more about where they were going. "Before we can tackle the mountains and the dragon, we'll need to stop at the Havens. It's been a long road. The Havens is the only place where we can get the supplies we'll need."

Curious to learn more about a place that seemed so utterly mysterious to Men and Dwarves, Rowan and Falin began asking questions about what they might see in the Havens. Elentari still sat silently apart so Alcyaveiel tried to explain a little about what the Havens meant for those of Elvish blood.

"It is a place of great hope, yet also of sadness. Hope, because for many, it is the final step in a journey that began a thousand years before. They are returning to a land of light and beauty. A place where the Elves were summoned by the Ainur many eons ago."

"But you spoke of sadness," Vráin ojected. "How could there be sadness in such a beauteous place?"

"Ah, the sadness lies not in the land but in the Elven kin themselves. For while some may decide to sail, others elect to stay behind. And there is sadness when friends and family are sundered from each other."

More than that Alcyaveial would not say. But by the next afternoon, the company reached the outskirts of the Havens and everyone could see the blue water of the Bay of Lhun lying just ahead. And, much to everyone's surprise, they could also see the outline of a great Elven ship waiting in the harbor which was scheduled to depart on the Lost Road for the Blessed Lands the very next day. The Men and Dwarves in the Company were curious to go down and have a closer look at the harbor, but Elentari quietly shook her head 'no' and insisted they concentrate on the business at hand and purchase the needed supplies so they could depart the very next morning for the dragon's lair.

It was late afternoon when they mounted the steps of the Swanship Inn, and went up to the proprietor to ask for a meal and lodgings for the night.

[ June 27, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Orofaniel

06-26-2003, 07:29 AM

The company had finally reached the Swanship Inn, which they all seemed to be satisfy with. Ewinda and the rest of the company wanted to see the harbor, but Elentari wouldn't let them, something she wasn't too happy about. Ewinda didn't know how the others felt about this, but she was sure that some shared her thoughts. She really wanted to see the harbor and day dreamed about the ships while Elentari asked the proprietor for a meal and lodgings for the night. Anyway she respected Elentari's wishes and let her thoughts about the subject slip her mind, for never to return.

The whole company sat down by the fireside, and waited for their food. A discussion developed and almost everyone participated accept from Ewinda. She was too tired and hungry to say anything at all. She just sat there looking at an elf some tables away. Even though he was sitting she could see that he was very tall and slender. He had dark hair and deep grey eyes.

She was so tired that she didn't know what she was doing, the next thing she knew was that she had seated next to the unkonwn elf. The company didn't seem to know she had left.

"Good evening," the elf said while looking at her.

"Good evening to you as well" she answerd back in a merry voice. She had now forgot that she was indeed tired and hungry.

"May I ask what your name is? And I don't mean to be rude or anything, I'm just wondering what you are doing over here when you seem to have such nice a company over there?" he said while shaking his head in the direction where the Company were seated.

She thought she saw a little smile surrounding his face while she said: "Well, I'm sorry for not introducing myself, I forgot. My name is Ewinda...." She was now slightly embarrassed.

"I, myself is Lenwe. I'm an resident of Lindon, and an elven scout." He said in a low but clear voice.

He was really curious about the company so he continued; "Well, I see that you are with a company, tell me if I'm wrong..."

"Your not wrong at all. Actully these over there are my companiens, and friends of course." She answerd.

"So, may I ask what this company of yours seeks?" Lenwe asked curious.

"Yes, indeed, you may ask and I will consider giving you an answer." She said a bit thoughtful. Then she changed her mind; she should tell him, if he knew something he might be able to help them. He was an elf scout after all. "Well, actually we are hunting a dragon, which has it's lair in the Blue Mountains. So we are heading there," Ewinda told Lenwe.

Even though he knew he'd herd correctly, (The Blue Mountains), he asked: "Oh, a dragon and The Blue Mountains, you say?"

"Yes",she said quickly. "Have you ever been there, I mean are you familiar with the place?" she asked.

"Yes indeed I am. I know every nook and cranny of the Blue Mountains and the surrounding region." He answerd.

"You do? Then maybe you'll be able to help us." she said enthusiastic.

"Well, I'm not sure," he answerd quite loud. " For a very long time, Ewinda, I've been longing for the sea. I also wish to see my family members who have already taken the ship for the West." He said while he lowered hi voice. " That's why I'm here, at the Havens. I'm waiting for the next boat to arrive." Lenwe continued in a rather sad voice.

It became silent and the conversation ended when Lostlondwen called for Ewinda. The food was now on the table and she rememberd how hungry she was. "Would you like to join us, I maen while we eat?" Ewinda asked while standing up.

"I'd love to," Lenwe said, smiling again.

They both walked the few steps over to the table were the Copmany was gatherd. "This is my new friend, Lenwe," Ewinda announced.

"Greetings Lenwe," all of them said at the same time. "Good evening" he almost wispherd back.

"So, what brings you here, Lenwe?" Elentari asked.

Their eyes were all fixed on him, waiting for a reply.

"As I already told Ewinda, I'm waiting for the next boat to arrive," he answerd quickly, still standing.

Ewinda interrupted; "I told him about the dragon and that we are heading for The Blue Mountains, an Lenwe knows every nook and cranny of the it," she said reather excited.

A smiled appeard on everyone's face. "Please sit down and join us for the rest of the evening," Elentari said smiling even wider than the others.

[ June 27, 2003: Message edited by: Orofaniel ]

Novnarwen

06-27-2003, 07:47 AM

The Swanship Inn was a beautiful cosy place with loads of tables and a fire. After a the traveling time, this was just what Lostlondwen needed. The common room was filled with people, most elves, since there was a ship going to the Undying Lands the next day. Lostlondwen hurried over to sit beside Rowan and Ewinda at the company's table. "Nice place," Lostlondwen burst out. She giggled in a way that showed that she was very happy to be there. Both Rowan and Ewinda seemed to agree with her. While waiting for the food, Rowan and Lostlondwen talked merrily to eachoter. Ewinda seemed to be far off somewhere else. And when she raised, and went in the direction of a darkhaired elf, Lostlondwen didn't ask.

"Rowan.. Have you ever wondered what you would be doing after this quest." Lostlondwen had been stirring out in the air, and continued to do so. Rowan looked at her in suprise. "I mean, I have been thinking. It's a dragon we are going to fight, and you know, things may happen." She turned around to see his reaction.

Rowan didn't say anything. He only looked as if he had seen a ghost. The thought of maybe dying had never occured to him?? Was Lostlondwen just being silly? The situation became all off a sudden awkward. No one sayd anything. As if it all had stopped, they sat there, unaware of time, place and company.

Rowan, was stunned and Lostlondwen was deep in thought.

"Oh, just forget it," she said after a while. Rowan remained silent. She had too often in her dreams watched her mother die, in the dragon's lair. And now she was getting "used" to that thought. In fact, in the past days she hadn't been thinking about much else. Lostlondwen wasn't scared by the thought of death. Something else was in her mind. Her worst fear was losing someone she loved or be lost by someone who loved her.

The atmosphere was tense in a way after that, and soon Rowan left the table, still quiet. Lostlondwen wanted to stop him, ask what he was thinking. But she didn't. Rowan's face expression showed clearly that he wanted to be alone. That she could tell. But still, why hadn't he answered her question, and why was he leaving now? Had she made him think?? Think about the perils in the world, that could end their lives?

"Is there something wrong?" It was a worried voice it was, Elenatri's.

Lostlondwen just shook her head, and gave a smile. "No nothing," she said.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Ewinda, we are eating now." Lostlondwen called for Ewinda who was sitting by another Elf. Who he was, Lostlondwen couldn't say.

"This is Lenwë," Ewinda announced. They all looked up from the food on the table and stirred at the newcomer.

[ June 28, 2003: Message edited by: Novnarwen ]

[ June 28, 2003: Message edited by: Novnarwen ]

elven maiden Earwen

06-27-2003, 09:21 PM

Rowan sat stunned by Lostlondwen’s question. What would he do after they quest? He pondered this question for a while. He had never really thought of it before. Now that he thought of it he realized that he always assumed he would grow up and live a happy life. But what if that didn’t happen? Now that he thought about he realized how he had changed from the quest. He had already started growing up. On the quest he had seen death and pain, something he rarely saw in Lake-Town. But here he also had seen something else, but what was it he could not say.

Rowan got up and walked outside of the Swanship Inn. From where he stood he saw the glistening water of the Gulf of Lune. He sighed. The land was so beautiful. I wonder what it is like to be an elf and to ravel across the sea. Rowan had never seen the sea before and was surprised by its beauty. He had always heard stories about it when he was a young boy. The sea to him always seemed unresting, but here in the Gulf it seemed tranquil and peaceful. From where he stood he could see the elf harbor lined with elven ships. Rowan wondered why Elentari wouldn’t let them see it. Time to go back inside he thought.

He headed inside with one last glimpse of the sea as the sun was setting. He was tired and they had a long day ahead of them. Rowan went to his room and fell asleep. He dreamed of the ships and the sea and for once in many days he sleep long and well.

[ June 28, 2003: Message edited by: elven maiden Earwen ]

Child of the 7th Age

06-28-2003, 08:39 PM

After speaking with the members of the company, Lenwe had returned to his lodgings, packing and repacking his little bag. He sternly told himself to forget what Elentari and Ewinda had told him. The ship bound for the West had glided into the harbor and would be leaving tomorrow morning at the first hint of dawn. Once more, he promised himself that he would be on that ship. It had been too long since he'd seen his parents, his brothers or, even more critically, his beloved wife who'd been slain by Orcs in Mirkwood some two hundred years before. Surely, by now, she would have left the house of Mandos to live in the Blessed Lands.

So what was he doing sitting here worrrying about a little band of travellers who had the audacity to think they could casually march into the mountains and slay a dragon with the paltry number of swords available for their use? It was utterly ridiculous. The members of the band didn't even know where they were going. At least he'd scouted out the area, and had a fairly decent idea of where that cursed dragon was hiding his head.

Lenwe pushed these thoughts to the back of his mind and turned into bed early, hoping to find rest. But he soon found himself flipping from side to side totally unable to settle down to sleep or to forget the topic that he'd discussed with Elentari at dinner. He kept seeing shadowed images of Elves and dwarves held captive by a great scaly creature with huge talons and sharp teeth and a heart that was filled with darkness. Lenwe caught another glimpse of parents, wives, and children sitting in their homes, grieving because they feared they'd never see their loved ones again who'd been hauled off from their daily chores to the dragon's lair. Unable to sleep with such distubing pictures in his head, Lenwe got up from his bed and went over to the table, pulling out some charts of the region which he'd casually tossed aside thinking that he would never need them again. He lit his lamp and unrolled the maps, extending out his right hand and tracing the familiar outline of the Blue Mountains with the tip of his index finger. Then he sat down, picked up a pen, and began scratching out notes, carefully calculating the best route which would take the band safely to the craggy peaks and caves where the dragon's lair could be found.

[ June 29, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Child of the 7th Age

06-28-2003, 08:39 PM

Novnarwen's post

Lostlondwen didn't talk more to Rowan that evening. Soemhow she felt ashamed. After a while she decided that it wasn't shame after all, it was just a wierd feeling. She hadn't proposed to him that he was going to die. Had she? Lostlondwen shuddered. She had absolutely no intension of scaring him, or whatever she had done. In a way she regret even mentioning death. She gave a sigh and consentrated on the conversation around the table with Lenwe instead

When the dark grew and the Inn's common room emptied the company still sat at their table, talking to eachother. Lenwe, shared his knowledge about the Blue Mountains, and they all seemed interested in him, joining them. However, Lenwe was supposed to leave these shores tomorrow, going to Valinor. And begging him to stay for their sakes, would be wrong. But this elf knew all about the paths they should take. There was no doubt that the company could need one like him, now when they were getting so close.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When they said their good night's, Lostlondwen was very tired. It had been a long day, and yet the worst part of their perilious journey was yet to come. Nevertheless, was Lostlondwen more happy now, then she had been, for a long time. This Lenwe, had made it all seem so simple. She knew of course, that it wasn't so. But anyhow she felt that something was about to happen, something that could give the company in a way, an advantage they had been longing for.

"Good night Ewinda." Lostlondwn watched Ewinda step in to her room. She was alone now. The small narrow hall was empty. Only Lostlondwen wandered there among the many doors to the different rooms. And she almost passed her own room in the dark.

As she went to bed moments later, she lighthearted. Everything would be okay, she muttered to herself. She knew it in her heart. The coming battle against this dragon, would not be her last.

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

ElentariGreenleaf

07-01-2003, 12:42 PM

Elentari's heart sank when she had heard Lenwe talk of sailing. So many supressed memories emerged in her mind that she couldn't think straight, and so seemed very quiet. Why did the elves sail at all? Elentari had learnt that happiness could not be gained from where you were, but through friends and family.

As she talked with Lenwe over dinner, Elentari managed to keep thoughts of the Havens and what they meant out of her mind. She would not insult the elf by telling him not to go - it just wouldn't be right, for it is each elf's individual choice whether or not to leave.

The group moved on from the Havens next morning, and Lenwe joined them. He led the way, for he knew the way to the Blue Mountains better than any present. When they finally arrived, all were amazed by the extremety of the mountains. Before them stood many mountains a great deal taller than they had expected to find.

Child of the 7th Age

07-03-2003, 07:07 AM

Finishing up his discussion with Elentari, Lenwe put down a light meal of bread and ale, then hastily trotted out towards the stable with a duffel slung across his back. He carefully tied the bag onto the saddle and tightened the horse's girth as well as tucking in a number of scrolls that should help them find their way along the twisted and perilous mountain paths. The companions filtered in a few at a time, collecting their gear for the journey and taking a moment to nod or extend their hand in greetings to acknowledge the newcomer in their midst.

Other than that, the stableyard was quiet. The casual banter and joking that usually marked the start of each day was conspicuously absent. Everyone seemed to be lost in their own musings, weighing the dangers of the road or trying to guess what chance the band had to reach the hidden lair, best the mighty wyrm and actually rescue the hostages.

Lenwe was no exception. He sprinted forward, caught hold of Falir's mane and gracefully threw his leg over the horse's back, all the while wondering why he had ever agreed to be part of such a foolhardy errand. His keen eyes caught the distant movement of the swan ship in the harbor as she unfurled her sleek white sails and Elves began to stream on board, turning around and waving their goodbyes to folk waiting on the quay. He should be down there, he mused. Yes, he should be the one leaning against the railing and saying his farewells to Middle-earth, then sailing on to a land of peace and beauty. For a moment he felt an irrational urge to spur his mount onward down towards the harbor, and come clattering up the gangplank just before the ship slipped her moorings and sailed.

But something inside held him back. It seemed that everywhere he looked, things were becoming more difficult for those remaining here. Not just for his own people, but for Men and Dwarves as well. Shadows of darkness and intimations of evil kept rearing their heads at the most unlikely times. This attack by cold drakes, both this one and others, seemed to be but the latest omen in a whole string of untoward events. Lenwe had no idea what was behind all these things, but it was hard to believe they weren't related somehow.

The easy thing to do was to turn his back and sail to Valinor. But was this the right thing? He had certain small skills as a scout and could find his way almost anywhere in Middle-earth. He was also reputed to be a wonderful teacher. Just lately, he'd gotten a request from King Thraindul, Lord of the Woodland Realm, to come east and teach tracking skills to some of the younger folk, including his own son Legolas. At first, he'd dismissed that request out of hand, only intent on setting sail to the West.

But just maybe, he would be doing his people more good by staying here and trying to pass on some of his skills as a scout to younger Elves like Legolas rather than simply turning his back on the hardship and strife. He vowed to carry out his promise to Elentari and to think more carefully about where his true path lay.

As the band filed out the stableyard heading towards the foothills and past the waiting ships, Lenwe glanced down at the harbor and laughed. Maybe there was some purpose in this madness, and it was up to him to find it. He spurred his horse onward, coming abreast of Elentari, turning to flash a broad smile at her. "Win or lose, we'll give this beast a taste of his own medicine! Come quickly on and up. We have much ground to cover." With this, the company reached the first of the foothills, and disappeared around the bend. The town was lost behind them as they looked ahead at the great looming peaks of the ancient Ered Luin.

[ July 03, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Annunfuiniel

07-03-2003, 11:51 AM

The dawn was yet to break when the company had already risen. Their second day up on the mountains was beginning bright but cold with a grim wind from north-east. Elves, Men and Dwarves broke their fast in silence. They dared to lit no fire fearing that the dragon might see it.

Gráin sat alone, a half-eaten slice of bread in his hand, and gazed west and north, up the towering slopes of Ered Luin. There’s much climbing to be done yet, he mused cheerlessly while taking another bite of his bread and flushing it down with a sip of water. And to what end? –Doom and death…

Gráin turned away from what lay ahead and sought the pale eastern horizon with a sudden longing. Then, against the lightening sky, he saw the grey figure of his brother and his longing changed to determination. No greater doom can befall us… But death shan’t take us! We will get back home!

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

Vráin felt a tickle in his neck and raised his head with a sigh. That feeling had become only too familiar during the past days. He tried to steer his unseeing eyes towards Farin beside him.

"Gráin’s staring at me, isn’t he?" "Let me guess: with worried look?" he added with a grin.

Farin's heart jumped at the sight of Vráin’s smile. Only now she realized how much she’d missed it. She turned around and indeed; Gráin’s keen eyes were fixed on Vráin in deep thought.

"Yes he is. But I’d say he looks determined rather than worried."

"Uh-oh, that doesn’t bode well! The combination of my brother and determination usually means trouble to me." Vráin’s laughter was low but clear and cordial as he stood up; "We’d better get out of his reach before it’s too late. Come Farin, show me the way!"

Farin sprang up and took Vráin’s outstretched arm. "Well, now he looks a bit worried," she said to him with a sparkle in her eyes.

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

What the…? Where are they going now? We should be leaving in a moment…

"Nice to see your brother is feeling better. But I hope they don’t go far as we are about ready to set off."

Gráin’s musings were interrupted by a deep voice. He turned to meet the stare of grey Elven eyes, keen but kind. With a nod he gestured Lenwe to sit down beside him.

"They can’t go far that way. See, there’s that cliff and then a dead-end." Gráin pointed towards where the landing suddenly and steeply fell into an abyss. Then he grinned and continued. "Anyway, if you’d just call 'Let’s go and hunt the dragon!' I’ll warrant my brother would be striding in the vanguard before the echoes of your shout died away."

Gráin looked at Lenwe and then behind him where the mountain slopes loomed, still wrapped in night-blue shadows - and his smile faded.

"Tell me," he began; "what hope do we have?"

Lenwe’s eyes followed Gráin’s gaze. "We will find the road if that’s what you mean. But how to beat the dragon… I thought you knew the answer to that question: Dwarves have had dealings with these beasts in the past if I remember correctly."

Gráin fingered his flagon in silence, trying to recall everything he knew about dragons. At last he spoke up:

"His eyes… Eyes are his weak spot. And the skin in his chest is softer than elsewhere: a mighty blow might pierce it. But it has to be well-aimed – straight to the heart."

"There you have it!" Lenwe exclaimed; "Maybe faint hope but hope still." Then he took a scroll from his pack and unfolded it in his lap. "Now this is the road we’ll take…"

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

Vráin and Farin stopped at the verge of the cliff. Farin leaned forward and peeked over the edge into the black chasm.

"That’s one mighty fall! I’d…" Farin started but ceased as Vráin suddenly squeezed her hand tighter. She raised her eyes at his face and was frightened by his grave expression.

"Farin…" Vráin stammered, not knowing how to begin. Then he took a deep breath and said the words that first came to his mind: "Farin, I know your secret."

In the deep silence that followed Vráin was sure he could hear the mountain cracking under him. Farin’s hand felt cold in his clutch. Then he couldn’t take it anymore but took an abrupt turn towards Farin – and nearly slipped over the brim!

Only Farin’s quick action saved him. As Vráin swayed on one foot she leaned backwards and pulled with all her strength. She fell on her right side and Vráin came stumbling down, partly over her.

For a short while they didn’t move or speak. Then Farin let out a muffled 'Ouch', rather to say something than because she was in pain. Vráin scrambled up, red-faced and murmuring apologies. "No harm done" Farin muttered in return and drew herself up, taking a quick look towards the camp. No-one seemed to have noticed the little incident.

Vráin cleared his throat and began anew. "Farin, I know who you are or what you are… I mean…" he paused again. What do you mean? he asked himself – and suddenly he knew the answer as if someone had called it out loud.

"You know what I mean. And now I say this: I’m glad that I was blinded for now my mind has opened. I have seen deeper: I have seen the thoughts of my heart… And – though without knowing it – you have let me glimpse at your heart as well. Don’t feel guilty! You couldn’t have stopped what was meant to happen. And as I said I’m now grateful for that blow." Vráin swallowed and his palms sweated. "It brought you near me...and I wouldn’t change that for anything."

Farin felt it difficult to breath and she could hear her heart throb wild. She gazed up but tears veiled her sight. And then she saw Vráin like Vráin saw her – without seeing. She felt him close, his hands over hers, trembling… All was clear to her and to him as if they had proclaimed their love to the whole world from that very mountain; cried the message of joy into the wind for it to bear far and wide.

And just then there came a new wind: a fresh breeze from West over the sea and the mountain. Like a lost friend returned it kissed their cheeks and whispered to them:

"Open your eyes to the beauty of the world and a new dawn - together."

Farin turned towards east to witness the beginning of a new day. First golden rays of the sun peeked over the horizon and she gasped at the sight of the most beautiful sunrise she had ever seen.

"Vráin…our day has come." She managed to breathe. Vráin squeezed her hand as he once more turned to her and spoke:

"Yes, my love. So I see." And his grey eyes, filled with tears of bliss, gazed straight at her;

"I see!"

[ July 03, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]

elven maiden Earwen

07-05-2003, 10:36 AM

Orofaniel's post

Lenwe had now joined the company, which Ewinda thought highly of. The elf had sacrificed to meet his family and freinds again in the Undying Lands. She and the company were very pleased about this, and Ewinda almost felt that she owed him. "That ws a very brave and thoughtful thing to do," she had said to Lostlondwen as soon as he announced that he was joining their company. Lostlondwen had agreed of course.

The next morning they were all leaving the Havens heading for The Blue Mountains. Lenwe had held his word of course, and followed them. Oh, well it was more like the company following him. He was very knowledgable about the Mountains and the area surrounding it. When the reached it, they were all amazed by it. It was much taller than they had expected.

~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~

The next day they felt the bright wind from the north-east blowing softly in their faces.

They had all taken a break and all of them seemed to be in deep thoughts, it was probably their minds that were troubled, which was understandable. Ewinda however didn't know what to think. She only felt that they had yet more to climb and they had to do it quickly if they wanted to see any of the captives alive. Poor Lostlondwen and Alcyávëiel. It couldn't be easy thinking that your husband or your mother was in such a danger.

Ewinda was sitting quite by herself, when she heard a sound that she thought was Vráin's voice. It had to be! Was he in danger? She ran to her feet, towards the others and saw that Vráin was perfectly safe. He was sitting by Farin, but there was somthing with him that seemed different. Then she heard it again:

"I see!"

Ewinda hurried ower to him. She had understood what he'd just said. She thought so at least. He was not blind anymore, he could see. She felt such a joy streaming in her, she was so happy for the dwarf that she started to laugh, quite loud.

The dwaves, Vráin and Farin, lookd at her in suspicion. "You can see Vráin!" she almost yelled! "Isn't that worth a good laugh???" "I mean a joyful laugh," she added quickly.

_____________________________________________

Elentari Greenleaf's post

Elentari was thinking much the same as Callo. I should have left earlier, she thought. She looked up at Lostlondwen. If only I hadn't let us waste so much time along the way. The families of those around me, they are at risk. Have I been selfish? If it were my family perhaps I would have destroyed that dragon by now. Elentari sighed. And now their lives are at risk. They are not fighters, not the fighters I should have bought along. I will have their lives in my hands in the final battle, for they will be relying on me to guide them in a fight.

Elentari looked over at Lenwe. But perhaps Lenwe will help me. He seems to know his way around here so well, and therefore he would be the best of my companions to consult on where we should attack from. Elentari's eyes now shifted to Grain. The dwarves, they would know the best plan of attack, and which weapons to use. They have far more knowledge of dragons than I.

Elentari now looked over to where Vrain and Farin stood. Elentari had noticed a change in their relationship lately. It was odd, and impossible, but Elentari felt that Vrain and Farin were becoming more than just friends. She stood, for she had been sitting, and walked towards the two, for it was high time they were leaving again. Elentari must have walked very quietly, for the two dwarves did not hear her approach, so she heard the last of their conversation.

"Vráin…our day has come."
"Yes, my love. So I see. I see!"

Elentari gasped. Love? Could it be? Could Farin be a woman? But when Vrain said he could see, Elentari was over joyed and ran foward.

"Vrain! I'm so glad you can see again," she said with a smile spreading across her face. "I would have felt so bad if your eyesight had never returned."

Vrain and Farin blushed as Elentari ran forward. Had she heard their conversation? If she had, there was no going back now. Farin's secret would be out in the open.

"I thought there was something going on between you two," Elentari said. "Don't worry Farin. If it is not your wish for your secret to be revealed, it is not for me to reveal it."

"Thank you Elentari," said Farin.

"And Vrain," Elentari said facing him once more. "You should hurry along and tell Grain that your eyesight has returned to you. He will be overjoyed."

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

Annunfuiniel's post:

The "charges" of Ewinda and Elentari had left Vráin and Farin quite speechless. They just stood there, together hand in hand and smiled.

Ewinda had ran to them and then off, to tell the happy news to Lostlondwen and Alcyávëiel who had gone some way down the eastern slope and were out of reach of hearing. She obviously had not heard Vráin’s incautious words.

But Elentari had heard them and Farin feared, quite justly, that she would sent her home like she had threatened to send Vráin. Their relief was great when Elentari smiled and spoke soothingly;

"I thought there was something going on between you two," she said. "Don't worry Farin. If it is not your wish for your secret to be revealed, it is not for me to reveal it."

Farin somehow managed to mutter a 'Thank you' while tears of joy and relief rolled down her cheeks.

"And Vráin, you should hurry along and tell Gráin that your eyesight has returned to you. He will be overjoyed." Elentari continued and Vráin slammed his palm to his head. Of course! Stupid dwarf!

"I’ll do that right away!" Vráin exclaimed and ran off towards where his brother sat with Selvren. Before Vráin had time to call out his news Gráin turned around, as if urged by some outer will. In a blink he gasped, stood up and yelled:

"Vráin! You…your eyes…!"

The brothers stood, face to face and smiling though tears gleamed in their eyes. Then Vráin took Gráin’s trembling hands and nearly whispered:

"Thank you, brother. Without you I would have been lost…" Shadow of pain swept over his face but then it was gone – nothing but a memory.

"No, thank you… for being my brother…" Gráin stammered. But then his expression changed too and he laughed out loud. "My brother can see! Come all and praise this day!"

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

elven maiden Earwen

07-05-2003, 10:37 AM

Alcyávëiel sat down on the mountain. They cool breeze blew her golden hair. Lostlondwen sat next to Alcyávëiel looked at her.

“Are you ok?” Lostlondwen asked looking at her face. Her depressed expression was sad to look upon. She sat in silence for many minutes.

“Alcyávëiel?” She looked up.

“What are you thinking about?” Lostlondwen asked.
“Do you think any of the captives have a chance to survive?” Alcyávëiel asked, tears glistening in her eyes.

“I hope so. My mother was captured and all I want is to see her again. That’s why I joined this quest.” Lostlondwen said slowly. “Why do you ask?”

“Then you and me are alike in some ways as my husband Iarlhach had been captured. I too joined this quest to find them but there seems little hope within me to believe he is still alive”.
“Don’t worry well find them” Lostlondwen said trying to comfort Alcyávëiel.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Rowan sat alone next to a large rock staring to the east. A soft wind blew from the west. Neither birds nor animals dared to tread as far as the company did for soon they would be on the dragon’s doorstep. Rowan turned his gaze west and he saw the first light of day creep over the vast ocean.

The first rays of dawn didn’t help to kindle hope within him. To him it was hopeless. They were so near to the dragon. How would we ever get past the dragon and save the captives? Were the captives even alive still? He knew that many of his companions only agreed to come on this quest so they could rescue their loved ones.

The dragon, how were we ever going to deal with him? They would have to put up a big fight in order to kill him. He knew that if he went in he may never come out. He doubted that they could walk into the lair and then walk out with same number of people. He just hoped that he would again see the light of day and he wished that none of their company would come to a cruel end. But in his heart he knew that it would be a foolish wish.

[ July 06, 2003: Message edited by: elven maiden Earwen ]

Eruwen

07-05-2003, 12:42 PM

Callo sat alone as many of the company were scattered abroad conversing together. It had been long that they traveled toward this land, yet to him it seemed that it had all come too soon. He wondered if he was truly ready for the danger that was about to befall him. Though then again, why wouldn't he be? After all they had gone through, after many difficulties already, this was just another roadblock in their mission. This, unfortunately, happened to be the most fearful of them all.

As Callo thought on the coming events about to take place, his mind suddenly turned to when he first heard of the mission…how he rushed to find Elentari to volunteer to go to the company. It all seemed but a continuous dream to him. More like a nightmare, He thought to himself and looked at Elentari who also seemed to be deep in thought. Flashbacks of his words to her suddenly came to his mind again.

"They are not completely lost!" Callo said smiling. Elentari gave him a queer look. "The Elves which were taken...they may not be dead. I know how it is to lose someone very close to you. Please, let me help these families out. Let me aid you on the quest to slay this dragon. I could not save my own family, but I can try to save these."

Callo suddenly broke from his thoughts. My family? He thought as he looked around at the company. Yes, it was not my family. It was theirs... their families and their friends. That is why I am here. I am ready. A short while passed by, but soon the company began to depart. Callo stood as he looked toward the mountain where the Dragon’s lair was held. Perhaps they are still alive, He thought, but then a chilling thought crossed his mind. But what if we have come too late? What if they are all gone? He paused for a moment. We can only hope, I guess.

Callo sighed and thought none more on the matter. He focused his only attention on slaying the dragon as the company set out once again on the hunt for the dragon.

Novnarwen

07-05-2003, 03:35 PM

Blue Mountains was before them. Their homes and families (not Lostlondwen's whole family though) were behind them. Appearantly Alcyávëiel missed her husband too. Lostlondwen sat by her just stirring at her, wondering what she was thinking. One of her loved ones was in danger. Somehow Lostlondwen didn't quite understand what she was thinking. Why?? They went through the same thing, didn't they? In a way, it was different. And yet again not. Lostlondwen couldn't quite understand nor explain that. It was just the way it was.

Alcyávëiel and Lostlondwen sat togehter. She was still watching her with great eyes. A cool breeze blew and touched Alcyávëiel's golden hair.

"Are you okey?" Lostlondwen asked. She asked this question because she knew she wasn't. Alcyávëiel didn't answer.

Lostlondwen muttered her name.
"What are you thinking about," she continued. This was actually a very hard question to answer. Maybe she asked because she didn't knew exactly herself, what she was thinking. The answer of someone else, sharing the same feeling of fear, the loss of someone they loved, would be the answer to her question too. After a few moment with silence she finally answered.

“Do you think any of the captives have a chance to survive?” she asked. Lostlondwen caught the sight of tears glistening in Alcyávëiel eyes.

“I hope so." she muttered. For a while she didn't know if she wanted to say anything more. The answer of her compamien had simply punched her in the face. The thought had always been there. Oh... there she went again. Telling herself that her mother was dead. Or perhaps not. She was sick of it. But she couldn't help it. Lostlondwen wasn't trying to feel sorry for herself, she just did, in a way. Why did she always have to think? Stop thinking she told herself, and she suddenly noticed that Alcyávëiel began to grow impatient.

"My mother was captured and all I want is to see her again." she continued. "That’s why I joined this quest.” Lostlondwen said slowly. “Why do you ask?” She knew exactly why she asked. But she couldn't help it. Lostlondwen didn't want to talk to her about this. Alcyávëiel was really nice and all. Sweet she was, it was just that Lostlondwen couldn't bare it anymore. All that fear she held in her body, all that anger. But she wasn't the only one here feeling the same. Her about-her-self thoughts were interrupted by Alcyávëiel soft voice.

“Then you and me are alike in some ways, as my husband Iarlhach had been captured. I too joined this quest to find them, but there seems little hope within me to believe he is still alive”.

“Don’t worry we'll find them” Lostlondwen said trying to comfort Alcyávëiel and in a way comforting herself.

Annunfuiniel

07-05-2003, 04:04 PM

Selvren hopped lightly over a narrow fissure and then, instinctively, the thought of turning back to see if Gráin could manage the crack crossed his mind. But he knew the dwarf too well to err to do so; he knew Gráin would manage the leap and also that he wouldn’t appreciate his concern in such matters. So Selvren continued walking, slowing his pace a bit but without even a peek behind. There was a heavy thud and then the sound of hurried footsteps. Gráin gained on the elf and soon took his place beside him.

Selvren glimpsed at Gráin. The dwarf plodded on, staring down at his feet. Sweat oozed on his temples and run down in small trickles, drawing dirty stripes across his dusty face. Selvren frowned but said naught sensing that the time wasn’t ripe for conversation. Instead he steered his gaze forward, first to the backs of his companions and then up, up the impending slopes that seemed to close in on him.

The company trudged in a deep, sheer-walled ravine. On their left the frowning cliffs covered them: the last defence of the unfriendly mountains. For there, beyond sight, was the dreaded goal of their long, desperate journey: one of the highest peaks of the Mountains - and the dragon’s lair.
How are we ever supposed to get up there? Selvren mused, uncharacteristically darkly. Stony ground, walls and roof, stone everywhere he looked. The overwhelming weight of the mountain seemed to fall on him and he bend under it. But his spirit still fought back. No, he wouldn’t give in! Nor would he cower when they finally faced the dragon. I’ll slay that beast with my comrades and ride home with them – or perish in the attempt. Resolution overcame desperation and Selvren felt his heart lighten. Glimpsing up he saw a strip of pale blue sky ahead and suddenly, without any particular reason, – he laughed.

* * * * * * * * * *

Gráin was roused from his thoughts by the most unlikely sound he could think of in that time and place: a clear, heartfelt laughter. He stared at his elf friend at once with eyes wide open. Has he finally lost it? was the first and in itself quite absurd thought that came to his mind. He couldn’t hold his tongue but asked out loud: "Pray tell, what is so funny?"

"Well nothing, actually… And then again – everything. Don’t you see it?" Selvren answered. Gráin’s brow furrowed but then a smile spread to his face.

"Well, no…and then again, yes."

* * * * * * * * * *

Vráin walked with light heart; even the bare, inhospitable cleft couldn’t cast a shadow of worry over him. Let there be a dragon or a dozen dragons, he wouldn’t mind! Now that he was able to see again he felt unbeatable.

A bright laughter from behind him sounded only right in the dwarf’s ears. 'We should hear that sound more often, don’t you think?' Vráin was about to throw the challenge to Farin but her grave, strained expression halted him.

"Farin, what is wrong?" he asked, reaching for her hand. Seeing her anguish was a far greater sorrow to him than any thought of a dragon.

Farin didn’t raise her face but pressed Vráin’s hand tight. At length she spoke.

"I haven’t told this to anyone but…but my brother, Perin, he’s one of the captives…" Finally she forced herself to look up and Vráin nearly drew back seeing the sudden flame of rage in her eyes. "The damned beast took my brother!"

But the moment passed and Farin’s fury was quenched by doubt and despair. "I’m afraid, Vráin…" she whispered; "Not for myself but for my brother. My hope is failing…"

Farin fell silent and turned back to face the road, stubbornly trying to hide her tears. Helplessness and worry settled heavy on Vráin’s heart and dumbfounded him. For a fleeting moment the light of day was lost to him. I’m not going to this doom alone; the ones I love the most are walking with me. What if I lose Farin or Gráin? But despite the cloud hanging over him he didn’t waver:

"I will go with you till the end and should I perish on the way… then so be it. Don’t you see? There is no turning back – for any of us…"

His own words, spoken in despairing rage, came back to him. But now he rephrased the thought in his mind. There was no turning back for any of them – until the dragon was beaten! And he would take care that nothing would happen to his brother or his beloved.

This resolution made the cloud passed and Vráin’s tongue was freed. He turned to Farin and gently wiped off a glimmering tear from her cheek.

"Don’t hide your tears from me, my love; don’t hide anything from me. And despair not – for haven’t we seen that anything is possible?"

* * * * * * * * * *

Gráin saw Vráin and Farin walking ahead, just outside the reach of hearing. His brother’s comforting gesture didn’t go unnoticed to him and a sudden, inexplicable doubt crossed his mind and reflected on his face before he could hide it.

"You’re not going to lose your brother, not to the dragon - nor to Farin." Selvren’s voice broke the silence and the elf's keen eyes observed Gráin’s expressions, noting his embarrassment with some satisfaction.

"What…? How…?" Gráin stammered and nearly stumbled to a rock; "Do you read me now like an open book?" Selvren laughed again but Gráin was determined to get some answers out of him. "So you know about Farin?"

"Of course. I may be carefree but not stupid or blind. Even one word can tell a whole story - and I’ve had many talks with Farin, like with you and your brother. I can’t say I know everything about you but probably more than you’d guess."

Gráin pondered these words for a while before answering, with a grin:

"Well, Selvren the Seer! I’d sure like to learn your secret to such observation skills. Maybe then I could hope to follow my brother’s train of thought!"

Suddenly the silently laughing duo nearly bumped into Vráin and Farin who had halted without them noticing. All sounds ceased and an anticipating silence surrounded the company. They had reached the end of the ravine.

* * * * * * * * * *

To an unpractised eye the road seemed to arrive to a dead end; a sheer wall of rock. But Lenwe knew the ways of these mountains and he had not erred on their route. From the bottom of the gulch between huge boulders led a rocky, barely passable course up to the mountain top.

The ascent was exhausting. At times the travellers had to climb on all fours and haul themselves up the nearly vertical walls. Small and some larger rocks came loose under their feet or hands and fell off on the companions coming in the rear. Save for couple of 'Ouch's and 'Ai's no words were spoken during the last part of their journey.

Suddenly a whisper went through the company coming from the van down to Gráin and Selvren in the tail. "Final steps – the peak is near!"

And then, when no-one could have endured one more tread or push, they came to the top - in the hour of a blood-red sunset.

[ July 06, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]

Orofaniel

07-05-2003, 04:08 PM

They had all climbed for a very long time indeed. The road was harsh and sometimes they had all been climbing on all fours. Lenwe of course, had lead them all the way and he seemed to know what he was doing. A silence had been brought over the comapny and was only interrupted by a few "auch's" and "Oi"s" now and then.

They all felt that they lost their grip when sand and rock rolled down the mountain side, which Ewinda wasn't to pleased about. She was quite afraid of falling down, well no one could blame her after the "pit" accident. She had hurt her back and she wasn't ready for another injury. But then a thought crossed her mind; How on earth were they going to slay the dragon and come out alive? She didn't seem to find the answer either, something that she found very dissturbing during the climbing.

Suddely her thoughts were interuppted by a wispher that said they'd reached their final step, they had reached the peak after a long and hard jurney. The sun was blood red and it shone upon the company.

They all let out a short "yes" and "fianally" when the last two, Selvren and Grain, had come safe up to the peak. Lenwe looked around and so did Elentari. Ewinda herself was to tired to do anything so she just sat down waiting for "orders". A long silence was brought ovr the company again.

"What now?" Ewinda asked quite loud so everyone could hear it. "Oh, well I know what.....we are going to slay the dragon," she added quickly. "I mean, should we set up a camp or something, or would that be follish?" She continued.

"I think it would drawn to much attention, the dragon may see us, it would almost be as camping at the dragon's doorstep." Lenwe said. "But we are all tired, so we must come up with something and find a place where we can gain our streghts."

All gave short nods to show that they agreed. They were all extremly tired and they wouldn't mind to get something to eat either.

"Let's have a look around," Elentari said suddenly.

[ July 06, 2003: Message edited by: Orofaniel ]

Child of the 7th Age

07-06-2003, 08:01 AM

With the dragon's harsh words ringing in his ear, Perin rose slowly to his feet, then stomped straight towards the door of the cave. The wyrm's final admonition had been curt and direct. If Perin made one false move or attempted to escape, one of the captives would meet their death. His task was to go out and gather firewood, making several trips back and forth between the cave and the few remaining trees and shrubs, all scrubby and stunted, that grew along the base of the rocky ledge.

Usually the beast flew out to gather the logs that were needed to keep the huge blazes going in the interior of the cave. But tonight the beast had found some poor victim in a distant coastal village. He had carried the body back to devour. The stench and blood in the cave was truly hideous and Perin was glad to be free to walk away from the mess, even though he was only employed as a beast of burden for lugging wood back at the dragon's bidding.

Plus, without the firewood, they would not be able to do the tasks the wyrm had set for them; the beast would have no reason whatsoever to keep them alive. Best go out and try and gather as much wood as he could. With that in mind, Perin trudged wearily out the entrance, glad to grip a small hatchet for chopping wood in his hand if only for a moment and be able to glimpse the distant stars.

[ July 06, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Novnarwen

07-06-2003, 09:37 AM

Lenwe had lead the way and he was quite good, finding the safest way possible. Only a few stones rolling down, but it had been a piece of cake, comparing to the other dangers the company had met so far. No one or nothing was going to ruin this now. Not when they were so close.

Lostlondwen didn't realise they had reached the peak. The climbing had been exhausting and she was tired and hungry. This stage of the journey was totally different, then were they had been before. The thought of the great evil lurking inside of this very mountain was a burden itself. It was almost like she could smell it. Or even see the evil in the dragon's eyes.

"What now?" Ewinda asked quite loud so everyone could hear it. "Oh, well I know what.....we are going to slay the dragon," she added quickly. "I mean, should we set up a camp or something, or would that be follish?" She continued.
Lostlondwen looked at Ewinda in great suprise. She sounded wierd, like she was afraid. Lostlondwen was afraid too. But she had never heard this woman sound so... desperate.

Lenwe looked around and said in a determined voice: "I think it would drawn to much attention, the dragon may see us, it would almost be as camping at the dragon's doorstep." The company seemed to agree. And all of them gave a nod at the same time after Lenwe finished his second sentence: "But we are all tired, so we must come up with something and find a place where we can gain our strenghts."

Lostlondwen couldn't express how pleased she was. Finally, she thought. Lostlondwen found a fit place and sat down. She leaned against a big stone and closed her eyes. Few moments later she heard Ewinda seating herself at the left side of her. "No disturbance, please," Lostlondwen muttered through her sealed lips. She only heard Ewinda's short laugh, and then there was silence.

"Let's have a look around," Elentari said suddenly.

That announcement pierced through Lostlondwen's mind. She couldn't believe it. "Not now," she muttered. Lostlondwen opened her eyes and stirred right in the eyes of Ewinda. "Stop whining," she comanded and dragged her friend up and made her follow her over to the others.

"Whining? Me? Never." She gave a sigh. "Never heard of that," she continued and smiled at Ewinda.

[ July 06, 2003: Message edited by: Novnarwen ]

elven maiden Earwen

07-06-2003, 10:34 AM

The company led by Lenwe had finally scaled the mountain. After what seemed like an eternity they had finally reached the peak. It was a long and hard journey upon the peak but Rowan knew that the harder journey would be getting into the dragon’s lair. Rowan sat on the peak; they were at the dragon’s front door. He could see that the hearts of many were troubled and heavy.

^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^
Child's post:

Instead of attempting to scale the last of the massive grey cliffs which stood between them and the dragon's lair, they'd pulled back to look for a safe place to camp. They'd left the horses tethered on a well-hidden ledge some twenty-five feet below; here the slope boasted a small, secret cave where their animals and gear could be brought inside and stored. This seemed as good a place as any to halt for the night.

Everyone desperately needed a few hours of sleep and Elentari was likely to require some time the next morning to assess the situation and figure out exactly what to do. Even if the Elf managed to decide on her course of action, it would not be safe for anyone to go out until after sunset, when dark shadows would provide some cover to hide their movements from the dragon's keen eye. Confusing his sense of smell was another matter altogether, and not something that anyone in the company had given any thought to before.

As the companions pulled back on the ledge and began taking out the few meager pieces of journey bread remaining in their packs, Lenwe quietly excused himself and set out under cover of night to get a closer look at the sheer walls of the cliff to see if it had any footholds and also to scrutinize the outside of the cave and determine where the opening was.

After what seemed like an hour of patient climbing, gradually going upward from one small slippery niche to the next, he reached a place where there was simply no further he could go without the aid of a companion or ropes that could act as a support. Before he inched his way back down, he craned his neck upward, staring up and squinting, trying to take in as much of the landscape as he could.

Much of what he saw did not surprise him: the continuing upward ascent of sheer walls, the large hole that marked the one and only entrance to the cave, and the scrubby ground foliage that ran along the topmost peak, half hiding the lair from curious eyes. Then he turned and peered even higher, straining to see the very top of the cave.

What he glimpsed was such a shock that he nearly lost his handhold, threatening to topple off the side of the mountain. He strained again to be sure he was actually seeing things right. Over the roof of the cave was a thick plume of black smoke rolling upward, not the tiny wisps of a campfire but a column that appeared to be as large as a giant treetrunk and blazing far upward into the night sky. What was a dragon doing with a fire in his cave? And why a fire of such amazing proportions? Surely this couldn't be intended simply for cooking.

None of it made sense to Lenwe. This was no fire-breathing monster but a cold-drake with sharp talons and teeth who certainly did not have the ability to use his claws in such a clever fashion to harness the power of the sun or the friction that comes from rubbing sticks together. The fire must have been started by one of the captives, undoubtedly at the dragon's command.

Lenwe was about to climb down and tell Elentari of his discovery when his eyes swept across the lower part of the ledge where he saw something even more startling that caused him to jump back with relief and surprise. There, standing on the narrow precipice where a few spindly trees were growing straight out of the rock was a dwarf of fairly slender build with a long grey beard touched with a bit of brown in places. He stood beside a large pile of firewood, holding a small hatchet in his hand, and was attempting to climb out on the limb of the tree to try and gather even more. Lenwe felt his heart drop, as the dwarf looked hastily downward from his lofty perch and stared straight into his eyes.

The two figures stood staring at each other from their distant perches. There was no way that either of them could bridge the gap of sheer rock and cliff that separated them. Lenwe raised his hand in acknowledgment, then slowly backed down the rock, and rushed back to camp to tell Elentari that there was at least one captive alive and well.

Elven Maiden's post:

Alcyávëiel sat alone. She was tired as everyone else was. She thought back to the day when Elentari had dismissed the dwarf brothers. She remembered Vráin’s words

“I will go with you till the end and should I perish on the way… then so be it. Don’t you see? There is no turning back – for any of us…"

These words echoed in her mind. She wanted to turn back right now but she couldn’t. The day she was accepted to go on the quest she had known that she couldn’t turn back. Her husband was in danger and she knew that she had to save him even if she perished in the end. Now she didn’t care if she did. She knew in her heart that she might die. She had to start what she finished.

[ July 09, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

ElentariGreenleaf

07-06-2003, 02:52 PM

Elentari's post: Conversation between Elentari and Lenwe

Elentari listened carefully to what Lenwe told her. A captive being alive meant there could well be others alive too.

"So you say you saw a dwarf?" Elentari asked.

"Yes," replied Lenwe. "He looked just like Vrain. There was a great amount of smoke coming from above the cave."

"There must be a hole then, for the smoke to escape out of. Did you see where the dragon slept?"

"No."

"Then our way in could well be through the smoke hole. However, being a fire there it is too dangerous. The fire needs to be put out - we need someone on the inside."

Lenwe paused for a moment thinking, but swiftly came up with the answer.

"The dwarf!" he said. "Perhaps he could somehow put it out."

"That's the perfect solution," said Elentari, but her smile left her face. "But it is too risky."

"He would not be at risk, Elentari," piped up Vrain who had been listening. "If that dwarf is as much like me as you say, he'll have fighting spirit and the cunning to get away with it!"

"Then someone must meet with him." Elentari turned to face Lenwe once more. "I need to see the cave and the smoke hole."

"I will show you the way," said Lenwe rising to his feet.

Ewinda stood and followed Elentari and Lenwe as they left the camp.

"Let me come too Elentari," she said.

"No. Stay here."

There was to be no argument, for Elentari's tone of voice settled it.

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

Orofaniel's post: Ewinda overhears a conversation and reacts strongly.

Lenwe had almost been running down towards the camp. He had seen something it was said, and that he had indeed. Elentari was waiting anxious while Lenwe came down the mountain side.

"So you say you saw a dwarf?" Elentari asked. Ewinda was listening carefully; so was the rest of the Company. But some of them stood too far away to hear anything at all. Ewinda however heard it, and she was desperately waiting for a reply.

"Yes," replied Lenwe. And Ewinda finally got her answer. The time between the question and the answer seemed to last an eternity. "He looked just like Vrain. There was a great amount of smoke coming from above the cave." As Lenwe continued, Ewinda was still listening.

The conversation between Lenwe and Elentari continued. "There must be a hole then, for the smoke to escape out of. Did you see where the dragon slept?"

"No." answerd Lenwe quickly.

"Then our way in could well be through the smoke hole. However, being a fire there it is too dangerous. The fire needs to be put out - we need someone on the inside."

Lenwe paused for a moment thinking. Ewinda waited again, but swiftly he came up with the answer.

"The dwarf!" he said. "Perhaps he could somehow put it out." Now Ewinda was concentrating real hard to follow their words. It was like their voices didn't reach her anymore, so she walked towards them, unnoticed of course, and tried to hear the next part.

"That's the perfect solution," said Elentari, but her smile left her face. "But it is too risky." Risky, Ewinda thought. That may be our only chance! They'd have to do it, it might be their only way in!

Suddenly Vráin, who had also been listening piped up; "He would not be at risk, Elentari. If that dwarf is as much like me as you say, he'll have fighting spirit and the cunning to get away with it!"

"Then someone must meet with him." Elentari turned to face Lenwe once more. "I need to see the cave and the smoke hole." And so do I, thought Ewinda. She was eager to get to the cave now. The captives may not have much time left, they could be killed any time.

"I will show you the way," said Lenwe rising to his feet.

Ewinda followed Elentari and Lenwe of course, as they left the camp. She was going to ask if she could join them, something she was quite sure Elentari would accept.

"Let me come too Elentari," she said. But there was something in Elentari's eyes that wasn't positive for Ewinda's sake.

"No. Stay here." She said quietly.

It was like a punch in her stomach, she couldn't join them, something she wanted badly.

"We are just going to check it out, the company will follow afterwards when it's time," she continued comforting to lighten up Ewinda's heart.

There was to be no argument, for Elentari's tone of voice settled it; that Ewinda knew.

*********************************************
Orofaniel's post: Ewinda speaks with a friend and makes a rash decision

She went back to the camp heavy-hearted and her thoughts were indeed troubled. But it was a bit comforting, though, that the whole company would follow later. Ewinda however felt that she couldn't wait for that. "When is that going to be, anyway?" she said to herself. No one heard her of course.

Suddenly she came up with a clever idea; She would follow them without them noticing! But she would have to be careful, very careful indeed. What if she was caught? That would not be good. What if she was taken by the dragon, and than she would really have blown it, once and for all. The whole quest would be ruined and the other captives would probably die. And to have that on her shoulders.......She didn't know if it was worth it. Lostlondwen, whom she had been very close to during their journey, would lose her mother. Not only that; it would be because of her! And poor Alcyávëiel, she would lose her dear husband!

No she couldn't do it! She just couldn't. There was so many things that could go wrong; then again, it was only a little peek.

Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted. Lostlondwen was now standing right in front of her. She seemed curious and asked quickly:
"Did you hear what they were discussing?"

"Yes," Ewinda answerd with a low voice. "But don't tell anyone," she added quickly. She seemed afraid that Lostlondwen would think she had done something wrong.

But Lostlondwen didn't seem to feel that way, she just gave a smile and continued; "Well, are you going to tell me?"

"If you want to hear, I'll tell you," Ewinda answerd shortly. "Lenwe said he'd seen a captive and some smoke coming out of a cave, if I heard correctly."

Lostlondwen looked relived. "He said it looked a lot like Vráin, though." Ewinda continued quietly.

"Then there is still hope for my mother, to find her alive I mean," Lostlondwen added merrily.

"Yes," Ewinda said. She looked a bit pale though.

"And maybe not," continued Lostlondwen as though she had read Ewinda's mind.

"But you can't tell anyone, thay will know I'd been eavesdropping," Ewinda said anxiously. Lostlondwen nodded.

"What are they doing now," Lostlondwen said suddenly. She saw that Lenwe and Elentari was leaving the camp.

"They are going up for a peek, I think." Ewinda answerd. "I asked if I could join, but I was denied," she continued. She almost seemed sad. "But then again, I was thinking of following without them noticing," she added quickly.

"What?" Lostlondwen asked, she seemed suprised. "You are going to follow them?" she asked quickly.

"Well, it couldn't hurt, could it? I mean it's just for a little peek. I'll stay in the background just to see what it's like," Ewinda answered.

"Well, if you want to, I can't really stop you. But you should be careful and please don't get caught." Lostlondwen said after thinking a while. She seemed worried though.

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

[ July 09, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Orofaniel

07-07-2003, 04:58 AM

Elentari's post: Departure from camp

The two elves made sure they climbed toward the column of smoke where they were out of sight. The smoke was too choking to get too close, so they had to make do with watching from a distance. The elves' keen eyesight showed them that there was definately space for people to get in where the smoke escaped. Now if only the fire could be put out.

Elentari heard a twig break close behind them and turned sharply.

"Who's there?"

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

Orofaniel's post: Ewinda follows behind

Lenwe and Elentari left the camp and started to climb toward the column of smoke at which point they were out of sight. Ewinda followed behind. She made sure she didn't make one small noise. The whole thing would be ruined if she did. As the drew nearer the smoke, the Elves in front of her stopped. The smoke seemed to choke them if they came too close at hand. They stood watching for a long time, and Ewinda followed their eyes.

Suddenly Ewinda heard a twig break close behind her. Elenatri turned. Well, now I blew it! she thought.

"Who's there?" Elentari's voice said sternly.

What was she going to do? Surrender? No she couldn't. She wouldn't be trusted by Elentari again. Well she didn't have much time to decide because Elentari was coming right towards her. Ewinda felt her face grow pale.

[ July 09, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

elven maiden Earwen

07-07-2003, 10:26 AM

Lenwe arrived back at camp. I wonder where he’s been Alcyávëiel thought. She sat behind Lenwe and Elentari as the talked. She listened closely to what Lenwe told Elentari. She heard something about a dwarf, a captive of the dragon that was alive. Lenwe has said that he looked just like Vráin. Alcyávëiel was overjoyed at this thought. There was still hope for her husband. Alcyávëiel smiled as tears glistened in her eyes.

+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+

Rowan stood up as Lenwe came running back to camp. Lenwe and Elentari engaged in a talk almost immediately. Rowan strained to hear what they were saying but he only heard every few words.

“Alcyávëiel?” Rowan quietly as Elentari and Lenwe walked away, “Did you hear what they were saying?”

“Yes” she replied as Rowan sat down.

“Lenwe told Elentari that while he was looking around he found a captive. It was a dwarf that looked just like Vráin, he had said. There is still hope for the captives.” She said quietly but happily.

“Is that all?” Rowan asked.

“No, he also said that he had see a hole in the cave. Smoke rose from it.”

“What about the dwarf?”

“Lenwe thought that he could put out the fire, but Elentari thought it was to dangerous. Vráin said that it wouldn’t be to hard.” Alcyávëiel paused, “Elentari and Lenwe went to go look around.”

Just as Alcyávëiel finished speaking Lostlondwen showed up. Rowan was a little uneasy to be around her. He still didn’t have a good answer for her question. He walked away and sat down looking west.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^**^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

"Lostlondwen," Alcyávëiel cried.

“Hi” Lostlondwen” answered back looking around.

"I've got something to tell you," Alcyávëiel continued.

"Alcyávëiel, can it wait, for one second, I've got to talk to Ewinda first," Lostlondwen said as she heard footsteps behind her.

“It’s really important” Alcyávëiel mumbled “But it can wait”. Lostlondwen got up and hurried over to Ewinda.

“I need to talk to you,” Alcyávëiel jumped at the sound of Lostlondwen’s voice, "Okay, you go first," Lostlondwen, giggled at the Elf. She sat down, beside Alcyávëiel.

"I have a feeling that they may be alive, the captives," Alcyávëiel said quickly, "I overheard a conversation, Lenwe and Elentari had," she continued.
Lostlondwen was of course happy at this news. Alcyávëiel smiled and so did Lostlondwen.

Alcyávëiel went quiet after some muttering about the conversation she had witnessed.

"Now, you go," she commanded.

"Well," Lostlondwen said and Alcyávëiel grew inpatient. "I am stunned," Lostlondwen said.

"Yeah, just stunned."

~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~

Rowan sat watching the stars twinkle in the midnight sky. Elentari and Lenwe were gone and He didn’t see Ewinda anywhere. Lostlondwen and Alcyávëiel sat talking. Farin and Vráin were talking by the stream and Gráin sat alone.

“Fine!” a voice yelled. Rowan turned in the direction where the voice was coming from. He didn’t have to look to know that it was Vráin.

“Fine!” Farin echoed as Vráin stormed off. Rowan sat puzzled by this. What was going on? What were they fighting about?

Gráin seemed to notice the two fighting as he immediately jumped up to go talk to Vráin. Rowan just stay where he was confuzed.

^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^

Alcyávëiel watched Lostlondwen get up and leave. In the distance she heard a faint yell of the word fine. It was Vráin. Not long after Farin echoed Vráin as he strode of.

Had they been fighting? Why were they fighting? Is everything okay?

Millions of thoughts ran though her mind as she sat their confused. She watched Gráin get up to go talk to Vráin. What is going on? She muttered.

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

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

Novnarwen

07-07-2003, 04:44 PM

Lostlondwen didn't really know how she had made it through the little "look-around-thingy" of theirs. She didn't even know if she had been on the 'tour'. However, Lostlondwen couldn't really understand how Lenwe could have enough strength to explore a bit more. The others stayed behind and did whatver they wanted to do. (Being careful not to reveal themselves of course.) Lostlondwen for her sake wanted to get some sleep. She hadn't slept very well the last couple of days and she now felt the result of that.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She had only been half asleep when she awoke about thirty minutes later. There were two voices speaking, having an extended conversation. Who it was, she didn't know. Lostlondwen rose and saw that Ewinda wasn't to be seen anywhere nearby. She walked a few paces and discovered Elentari and Lenwe, they both looked at her and she knew that it was a private conversation. "Sorry," she muttered, but they didn't hear her. She walked back and was surprised that Ewinda still wasn't there. Where was she?

Rowan and Alcyávëiel sat and seemed to be in a sort of discussion. Lostlondwen didn't go over to them. Her friendship with Rowan had grown a bit akward after their conversation at the Swanship Inn; she only hoped he wasn't mad at her. "Lostlondwen," Alcyávëiel cried. "Hi," she answered. She didn't really want to come over, but now she had too. "I've got something to tell you," Alcyávëiel continued. With this Rowan stood up, since he had received a tiny hint sent from Alcyávëiel that she and Lostlondwen had to talk, alone. Rowan nodded and went away. There was a pause, neither Lostlondwen nor Alcyávëiel said anything. "I've got something to tell you," she said again. Lostlondwen waited in excitement.

It was then that Lostlondwen heard footsteps a few paces away, it was Ewinda. "Alcyávëiel, can it wait, for one second? I've got to talk to Ewinda first," Lostlondwen said in a stressed voice. Alcyávëiel muttered something about the fact that it was really important but it could wait for one second. Lostlondwen was pleased with the answer and hurried over to Ewinda.

Ewinda seemed as though she had been thinking real hard, and she had something in her eyes telling Lostlondwen that she hadn't expected her dear Elf friend to stand right in front of her, when Ewinda turned around. A few paces away were Lenwe and Elentari discussiing something and Lostlondwen had the impression that they discussed something of great importance

"Did you hear what they were discussing?"
Lostlondwen said in a low voice; she was clearly eager to hear whet the other woman had to say.

Ewinda started talking about Lenwe who had seen smoke from the the Dragon's cave. According to Ewinda, Lenwe had also seen a dwarf, looking quite similar to the dwarf twins in their company.

"Then there is still hope for my mother, to find her alive I mean," Lostlondwen added merrily.

Ewinda agreed.

"And maybe not," Lostlondwen continued.

Lostlondwen wasn't allowed to tell anyone about this, Ewinda had made that clear. She respected that, but Alcyávëiel had the right to know. After all, her husband was one of the captives. Nevertheless, Lostlondwen instructed the woman not to tell anyone else.

"What are they doing now?" Lostlondwen asked suddenly. She saw that Lenwe and Elentari were leaving the camp. Ewinda told her about her plan, following without them noticing.

Lostlondwen was surprised by this statement and was quite stunned. She only managed to press a half hissed "What?" through her throat.

"Well, it couldn't hurt, could it? I mean it's just for a little peek. I'll stay in the background just to see what it's like." Ewinda answered.

Lostlondwen couldn't stop Ewinda. She really couldn't do that, so she let the woman go without another word...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few minutes had passed after Ewinda's departure. Lostlondwen couldn't do this anymore. She had to talk to Alcyávëiel, she had the right to know. Lostlondwen walked over again to the Elf, now sitting alone.

"I need to talk to you," she said. But then she remembered, Alcyávëiel had something to talk about with her too. Alcyávëiel smiled. "Okey, you go first," Lostlondwen giggled at the Elf. She sat down, beside Alcyávëiel, and waited for her to speak. "I have a feeling that they may be alive, the captives," she said quickly. "I overheard a conversation Lenwe and Elentari had," she continued, before Lostlondwen could say anything.

Alcyávëiel seemed pleased with herself, and Lostlondwen was of course happy. She had heard it too, then. This was great, Lostlondwen hadn't broken her promise to Ewinda, and yet Alcyávëiel knew now that there was a pretty good chance that some of the captives were alive, perhaps both their loved ones.

Alcyávëiel went quiet after some muttering about the conversation she had witnessed. "Now, you go," she commanded. "Well," Lostlondwen said. Alcyávëiel grew impatient. "I am stunned," Lostlondwen said.

"Yeah, just stunned."

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

[ July 09, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Annunfuiniel

07-08-2003, 11:14 AM

Vráin watched as Elentari and Lenwe vanished into the starlit night. A dwarf that looks like me? Could it be…? he mused and turned to look for Farin.

Farin had gone to the ponies and presently Vráin saw her lead their sturdy steeds to a small mountain spring rippling nearby. She seemed to have grown curiously fond of the beasts. Vráin slipped beside her. Once again not sure how to open the conversation he absent-mindedly patted his pony’s flank. They watched as the ponies drank. Vráin crouched and took a sip too. Finally he spoke.

"Lenwe says he saw a dwarf…one of the captives; up there," Vráin gestured towards the mountain top, now like a black hollow in the midnight blue sky; "before the opening to the cave." He could sense how Farin became strained. Her eyes sought his face feverishly. "Does your brother…does he look like me?"

Farin opened her mouth to exclaim 'No!' but then she quickly snapped it shut. She took a second look at Vráin and for the first time she noted the similarities: greyish brown beard and hair, tall and slender figure for a dwarf. Yes, to a stranger they probably looked identical!

"To me you look different like day and night. But yes, I can see why others may think otherwise." Then she trembled; "Why do you ask? Did Lenwe see…" her voice failed and she couldn’t finish the sentence.

"Yes! Now I’m sure that he saw Perin. He’s alive!"

Farin didn’t know whether to laugh or cry so she did both. "He’s alive! What are we waiting for? We need to get to him, save him and the others. Why isn’t everyone ready?" Farin gasped for breath and Vráin utilized the break in her flood of speech.

"Lenwe and Elentari went to take another closer look. But I deem that’s rather useless; Elentari should have sent a scout instead to contact Perin. There seems to be a great crack in the roof of the dragon’s lair, from which billows a column of smoke. That gap might be our way in – if the fire was quenched."

"Of course! That must be done immediately!" Farin exclaimed and turned towards the looming peak leaving the ponies to manage on their own. Vráin gaped but then recovered quickly.

"Where do you think you’re goin’?" he asked, gripping her from the sleeve of her coat.

"I will go to my brother. So if you’ll excuse me…" Farin said and tried to leave again. But Vráin’s grasp held and he pulled her back.

"Don’t be a fool, that’s too dangerous. I won’t let you risk your life like that! You stay here - and I will go."

Farin’s eyes flashed at the word 'fool' and she swung round to aim a flaming gaze at Vráin. "Let go of me." Her voice was low, commanding; but she had to struggle to keep it that way as rage swelling inside of her made her want to scream. "He’s my brother and not yours: I will go."

"No." Vráin said though he let his hand fall. His voice rose menacingly; "You won’t go anywhere. For even if you could get to the top what could you do to help your brother? If the dragon should come? I’m the one to go and that’s final! If you try to leave I’ll tell everyone you’re a woman. Who’ll let you go then?"

Even through her fury Farin could see that further words were of no use and deeds would aid her no better. Their wills were equally strong but Farin had to give in in front of physical superiority. Abasement made her wrath burn hot and she no longer gave any heed to the words that she spit out.

"Fine, go then! And I hope the dragon likes his prey stupid, stubborn and uptight! Go to him and get yourself killed! Who’s the fool then?!" She took the ponies by their reins and began to drag them off, away from the camp.

"Fine!" shouted Vráin after her and turned on his heels to go back to the camp. Farin's final "Fine!" saw off his steps.

Orofaniel

07-08-2003, 12:52 PM

"Who is there," Elentari's voice asked again. She was now walking towards the place where Ewinda was hiding. Ewinda could feel the sweat streaming down her face. She stopped breathing for a minute; then Lenwe said something; "Oh, it's probably nothing." To Ewinda's relief Elentari turned and walked back in the direction where Lenwe was standing.

That was close, too close, Ewinda thought while finally breathing normally again. Elantari had now reached Lenwe but her eyes were still fixed on Ewinda's hiding place.

Elentari and Lenwe started to talk, Ewinda however couldn't read their words. But somehow she got the impression that they were planning on walking back towards the camp.

"I've got to get back there first,"she thought. "They would suspect me of something if I'm not there when they return," She was now almost crawling very silently away from the cave. Elenatri didn't seem to notice and neither did Lenwe. They were still busy talking and pointing at the cave.

She had taken a huge risk, but she still thought it was something she had to do. Even though it felt a bit wrong when she saw her companions as she was back at camp.

[ July 09, 2003: Message edited by: Orofaniel ]

[ July 09, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Annunfuiniel

07-08-2003, 01:39 PM

All of a sudden there was a groping hand. Vráin turned around abruptly, still fuming with Farin’s words.

"What now?" he threw in – right to his brother’s face. Gráin’s expression warned him never again to start a conversation with him like that but Vráin was in no mood for such subtle hints.

"I should ask that same question from you or rather: 'What is going on with you?' The whole camp could hear you two fighting!"

"Women!" was all that Vráin could say.

"Hush it down! Farin’s secret is not yours to reveal."

"Oh what do you know about anything!" Vráin muttered and walked off, if possible in ever darker mood.

Gráin watched after him but judged it better to leave him alone for a while. Vráin needed to cool off first. Gráin knew only too well that had he gone to preach at his brother he would do just the opposite that he’d suggest.

Gráin looked around the camp and towards where the horses and ponies grazed but Farin was nowhere to be seen. He sighed and walked through the campsite, gesturing on his way to Rowan, Alcyávëiel and others that everything was fine again – though he doubted if he managed to convince anyone to believe that.

Finally Gráin came to Selvren and slumped down by his side. The elf had placed his quiver between his knees and now fiddled with the fletchings of his arrows. Wisely he did not rush the dwarf but waited for him to speak up. Gráin took Selvren's silvery longbow and tested it’s string, just to have something to do with his hands.

"Women!" Gráin suddenly blurted out; "All he can say is 'Women!'! Poor brother, he still has much to learn…" Gráin shook his head and Selvren tried to suppress a burst of laughter.

* * * * * * *

Finally Vráin saw Lenwe and Elentari return to the camp. The elves seemed troubled as they gathered the company around them. Rumours about what was going on had circled in the camp and caused confusion, to say the least. Now Elentari gave a concise account of the happenings and on what she and Lenwe had newly seen.

"So now you know our hope – and our doom if that hope should fail. What waits inside we do not know and that’s our greatest worry. We need to know more or it’ll all be a fool’s errand. We won’t take any more needless risks…yet someone has to go and contact the dwarf that we saw."

Elentari didn’t get a chance to continue when Vráin stepped forth and said solemnly:

"I will go."

So full of determination was his tone that no-one argued against him. For a moment there was a deep silence where the wind’s wailing cry in the rock fissures seemed deafening. At length Elentari broke the silence.

"So be it. What we have seen you look just like the dwarf you’re going to meet. I think that may prove an advantage though it’s not clear to me how."

Vráin turned and went to get his axe. Behind him tongues were released and the air was suddenly full of voices speaking simultaneously. But he didn’t hear them.All he could or even wanted to think of was his mission – his likely perilous yet somehow soothingly uncomplicated task.

His axe and helm lay on the ground where he had left them with his other gear and his pack. He picked up the helm and turned it in his hands. The spot where the blinding blow had struck was still clearly to be seen though Gráin had tried to fix it. Vráin put down the headpiece. A voice inside of him told him that he wouldn’t need it on this quest. After a moment of hesitation he took off his tunic, untied the leather bands of his chain-mail and let it slid to the ground with a soft chink and a heavy thud.

He shivered slightly in the cold night air before dressing again in his tunic and casting the dark blue cloak over his shoulders. Then he picked up his axe and turned to face the climb with lighter burden on his legs but not on his heart. As he lowered his eyes from the mountain peak he saw Gráin coming towards him.

"Vráin," the older brother began as he reached Vráin; "Let us not depart in wrath." Gráin spoke naught of Farin for the subject was obviously still too tender to him. Instead he put his hand on Vráin’s shoulder and anxiety was clearly to be heard in his following words. "You have grown so much during this quest. I can’t explain it but I feel it… Remember what you have learned and take care of yourself, brother."

In his haste Vráin was about to answer in his characteristic manner and the words 'As always' already formed on his lips. But a quick look at his brother’s face halted his tongue. May be that this is the last time we’ll ever see each other. As this realization finally struck Vráin he placed his own hand on Gráin’s shoulder and looked him straight in the eyes as he spoke;

"I will. Farewell, dear brother; till our next meeting…"

* * * * * * *

Vráin wasn’t altogether sure how he ever managed the sheer climb in the darkness, intensified by the smoke that came rolling down the mountain side in the now nearly windless air. But finally he peeked between two great boulders to the flat opening before the cave’s entrance. For a while all he could do was pant and watch around.
No living creature was there to be seen but from the dragon’s lair there came a faint sound of – hammering? Hammer and anvil! Vráin thought, quite fittingly; What on earth is going on over there?

But he had no time for further musings as presently he heard the sound of footsteps echoing in the tunnel behind the cave’s yawning mouth. Vráin strained to see and hear better while at the same time his right hand tightened around the handle of his axe. Suddenly the echoes died away as a grey figure stepped out and stopped under the very arch of the cave’s entry.

"Perin!" Only with great difficulty Vráin managed to smother his cry into a whisper. Wait a little longer! he told himself; He has to get further away from the cave.

Vráin watched as Perin, though nothing more than a deeper shadow among shadows, walked to a pile of firewood and picked up a small hatchet. His hands clenched the haft of the weapon and with one mighty blow he hewed asunder a great log. Even from a distance and through the veiling darkness Vráin could perceive the dwarf’s frustrated anger and despair.

Behind the rocks, slowly and cautiously, Vráin crept forward out of the sight of the menacing gap on the stone wall. Perin raised the hatchet over his head for another chop.

"Perin!" came out Vráin’s low yet this time audible call and Perin’s blow went astray. But in a blink his axe was again raised and the whites of his keen eyes gleamed as he searched the landscape and tried to locate the speaker. Vráin stepped out from his hiding and spoke calmingly.

"Perin, your enemy is inside – but from the outside come friends and aid!" The hatchet fell to the ground with a soft clang. Vráin heard Perin gasp.

"So I wasn’t dreaming! I really saw an elf earlier. Aulë has heard my prayers! The aid is come, beyond hope the aid has come…" Wonder, disbelief; joy and fear alternated in Perin’s tone and he trembled. Vráin came quite close to him when suddenly Perin’s expression changed again, to reflect ever greater amazement.

"You… Who are you? How is it possible that you know my name?!"

"My name is Vráin and sons of Thráin are at your service as my brother is here too. I mean down there, quite near." Vráin spoke hastily and gestured vaguely somewhere behind him. "We are a group of hunters, a dozen strong – the dragon hunters. So your fates are known to us and that’s why we are come: to set you free and rid Middle-earth from this beast."

While speaking Vráin watched Perin closely but at the moment he had no time to reflect upon his observations. Indeed, the night was already old and some foreboding warned Vráin that they couldn’t afford any more delays: every second was precious. He rushed to continue.

"The elf you saw in the evening: he’s Lenwe, our guide. He spied the smoke column coming out from the mountain top. There must be a great fire inside! What is it for? We have planned to attack through that crack in the roof. And that’s why I’m here: to contact you so we’ll know what is happening inside."

* * * * * * *

Child’s post:

Perin looked over at Vrain and sighed, "The big fire..... That's a very long story. But that cursed fire is the reason all of us are here. Every captive held inside that cave, both Elf and Dwarf, have special skills in crafting metals, especially in the working of iron. That is why Glawr has brought us to this place. He has carefully selected the best smiths and artisans in all of Middle-earth and we are required to do his bidding day and night slaving over the work."

"But what kind of work is this?" demanded Vrain. "What could a dragon possibly want with objects of iron? I can imagine a dragon who might wish to have folk craft beautiful golden vessels or to create wondrous jewelry with the fine gemstones he's accumulated in his hoard. But iron? I have never heard of any dragon who made use of iron."

Perin shook his head, "When I first came here, I asked myself that as well. I even thought Glawr might be raving mad to keep us so busy on such a strange project. But now I know differently. If that dragon is mad, it is the madness of one who is canny beyond belief. For Glawr has ordered us to work on creating a suit of mail armor for himself that is sturdier and offers more protection than any other in Middle-earth, even harder than those objects made of mithril. Many a day, I've spent from sunrise to midnight working beside that huge bonfire using the special ingredients that the dragon brings to us from hidden caves and other places deep in the bowels of the earth."

Vrain's voice was deep with fear and wonder when he spoke again, "You have succeeded then? You have made such wondrous armor?"

Perin turned away in shame and hid his head, "I wish I could tell you 'no', but it is sadly true. This huge suit of armor is almost done. It is intended to cover the dragon's underside and protect the one soft spot on his belly. The miraculous alloy we've crafted is even superior to mithril. I can not say how it is made, for none of us know all the secret ingredients that the dragon brought us to mix together. But we are this close to finishing." Perin held up his two palms spaced only an inch apart. "Two more days at the most, and the deed will be done."

"And once Glawr puts on this suit?" questioned Vrain.

"Then there is no stopping him. If I had understood all this when we first began, I would have refused to do the wyrm's bidding, even if it meant my own death. But he hid his purposes from us. We thought it was just some silly project of a madman. But now, he must be stopped. We must work together to kill him and destroy that terrible suit which can only be used for evil. Otherwise, he will bring death to more innocent folk that I can imagine and his miraculous armor will protect him from any reprisals."

Vrain looked up seriously, "We must not only act then, but act very quickly to stop this dragon from bringing great ill to Middle-earth. How can we put out this fire?"

"The fire," Perin looked over at Vrain and smiled slyly. "Actually, I've dreamed about that for a very long time, for I would love to trick this beast just as he has tricked us. But you must promise to keep this thing secret until we can carry it out." With that he leaned over to Vrain and whispered something in his ear for a considerable space of time.

At the end of the whispering, Vrain leaned back and roared, "It would indeed be good to trick this beast with a little of his own vanity! Master Perin, I think you have hit upon a plan."

* * * * * * *

Annunfuiniel’s post

Vráin’s exclamation had quite an unexpected effect on Perin. To Vráin it seemed like a dark cloud had shifted from the dwarf’s face and taken off the weight of many a tormenting year. Suddenly Perin laughed: a quiet, sheer laughter of joy and relief rang there where destruction and doom awaited just around the corner.

The very echo of that sound pierced Vráin’s heart. That laughter… Of course it has to be the same… Vráin saw Farin’s smiling face in his mind as clearly as on that most beautiful of all mornings, in the light of the rising sun.

Guilt flooded over him and nearly struck him down. Farin! What a fool I have been! 'Thrice a fool', Gráin would surely say. But no, that’s far too mildly put. Oh gods, what made me speak that way? How can she ever forgive me?… Farin!

Perin’s laughter died as suddenly as it had began.

"Farin?" he breathed sharply; "Did you say Farin?!"

Vráin noticed only too late that he had spoken his last words out loud. This once he blessed the darkness as it covered his flushing. But Perin’s expression it couldn’t veil; and Vráin felt his anxiety like his own. Suddenly he saw things clearly again and he knew how he could make amends for his harsh words.

"Yes. And yes, I meant Farin, your sister. Through great perils and sorrows she has come here – all for you, to see you again."

Perin fell on his knees. "Why… How is that possible? She should never have been allowed to come!"

"For some reason everyone thought her to be a man…" Perin’s dubious glance forced a small smile to Vráin’s lips. "Yes, we were all blind! But now I know what we must do: Perin, you must go to the camp to see her. She misses you and needs you! Actually our whole company needs your counsels. For you can help us plan the attack to the cave. You know it: where the captives are, where the dragon sleeps and all. Yes, that’s it!"

Perin stood and stared at the ranting dwarf, once again unsure of how to react. "But I should go inside already. If I leave the dragon kills someone." Hope vanished from his glance; "No, I must stay here."

"No, listen! There is a way…" Vráin began. "Now I remember Lenwe’s words and they have given me an idea. 'He looked just like Vrain.' Yes, that’s what he said and though I doubted those words I now see that there’s some truth in them. We look quite alike, especially in the eyes of others than dwarves." Vráin paused to glance at Perin. "So you see now? We could change places, you and I. I will go to the dragon’s lair and you climb down to the camp."

Perin wasn’t assured yet and he tried to argue against Vráin. But Vráin’s mind was already resolved.

"Here," he said and pulled his tunic over his head; "take this and give me yours: that should fool his sense of smell. And take my axe too, I can’t step into that cave carrying it with me. But these I shall keep, just in case..." Vráin patted his belt holding half a dozen throwing knives before he slipped into Perin's coat. Immediately he was surrounded by a repulsive smell of which there could be no mistake: Rats! What else... "Now tell me quickly all I need to know about those caverns and the bloody beast! Then you’ll hear how to descend that slippery slope..."

Ten minutes later Vráin watched as Perin took his first steps down the mountain side. Shadows had nearly swallowed his dark figure when Vráin saw him halt and look back.

"Go on." He urged; "Farin has waited long enough." Vráin hesitated but then, remembering that this might be his last chance ever to speak those words, he continued. "And Perin… Tell Farin that I’m sorry. That is all I have words for, the rest she’ll know in her heart…" And with that he turned towards the dragon’s lair and walked inside while Perin watched him go and wondered what he had meant with those last words.

[ July 10, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]

Child of the 7th Age

07-09-2003, 12:44 PM

It was still the bleak depths of night when Vrain turned away from Elentari and trudged slowly up the path that led towards the dragon's lair. Lenwe stood and watched him bravely advance towards the sheer rock cliffs, with his axe slung jauntily over his shoulder. The Dwarf looked as if he were going off on some small adventure or picnic, without the slightest care in the world showing in his face. Yet, Lenwe couldn't help but think how very small and helpless Vrain appeared when measured against the majestic slopes that loomed up on all sides of him.

With a tiredness that passed all believing, the Elf had laid down next to the back wall of the small cavern expecting to get some sleep. But, try as he might, sleep completely eluded him. Tossing and turning, unable to rest, Lenwe had finally admitted defeat, wrenched himself up from the ground, and went outside to pace back and forth under the cover of a small pine grove. Until Vrain returned, there seemed little prospect that he would be able to sleep.

It was then that he saw them, scurrying in and out of the cave singly and by twos, their bodies hidden by the deep shadows that ran along the base of the walls. Xandu's bells, what was this? Apparently, they were not the only ones who used the cave for rest and shelter.

A slight smiled played on Lenwe's face as he heard Nalin call out and quickly come sprinting out from the shelter, "Ack, this vile place is overun with rats! They are as large as dogs and stink to high heaven." Nalin had raised his axe and was bringing it down on top of the rat's head, leaving its bloodied body lying in the dirt.

If there were rats here in this small cavern, Glawr's lair must be overflowing with them. For they were too small a treat for the wyrm to savor, and the captives had no weapons of their own to kill them. The lair must indeed be a stinking place. That realization slowly sunk into Lenwe's brain. If they wanted to blend into their surroundings and have the dragon take no notice of them, they could do worse than to mask their own scent with that of the rats. Glawr would be less likely to attack them if he could not detect them with his keen sense of smell.

Calling on the other companions to assail the rat pack with stones and sticks, they quickly went to work slaying a great number of the vermin. Then they hardened themselves to skin and clean the bodies, tossing out the foul remains. Elentari looked over and met Lenwe's eyes, understanding exactly what he intended to do.

She shook her head in confirmation, "Yes, before we head to the cave, we will rub their small skins against our own bodies and clothing. Better that we should smell like rats and slip in unnoticed than be discovered by the beast before we get more than two steps inside his lair. Finishing their task, they piled up the rat skins at the very back of the cave and hid them under one of the blankets.

Still unable to will himself to sleep, Lenwe again marched outside preparing to pace back and forth. The sunrise was just breaking over the mountain. But this time, as he peered up the path jin the direction of the dragon's lair, he spied a tiny shadowed figure in the shape of a Dwarf who was quietly advancing towards their camp. His heart leapt up in joy for surely this was Vrain. He called out softly from the pine trees, "Vrain, is that you? Thank goodness you've returned. We've all been worrying what happened to you." With that, the Elf sprinted forward on the path to go and greet his friend.

[ July 09, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[ July 09, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Annunfuiniel

07-09-2003, 02:23 PM

Farin wandered a while on the gentler slopes of the mountain, just a short way to the south from the campsite. She needed to be alone or otherwise… innocent people might get hurt! Farin didn’t wish to shed her bitter words on anyone else’s but Vráin’s shoulders. Calling me a fool! And threatening to reveal my secret! That’s low!

An endless flow of other similar exclamations poured to the tip of her tongue but she swallowed them quickly. Oh yes; we got enough attention already with Vráin shouting like that to me… But she clenched her teeth and her eyes flamed as she paced fiercely back and forth. The ponies had deemed it better to step aside and presently they were quite content with the green grass-patch they had found.

Eventually Farin calmed down a little, enough so that she decided to head back to the camp. The night had rolled its deepest, darkest shadows over her and now, as she was again able to concentrate on what was going on around her, the whispering darkness made her shiver. Quickly she grabbed the ponies by their reins and walked them to the other beasts. Then she sighed deep and steered her steps towards the camp, preparing herself to face the questioning glances of her companions. But Vráin… That mister had better have a pretty apology ready!

Rowan was the first whom Farin met back at the campsite.

"Are you all right? All have been wondering about your disappearance."

Farin rushed to answer the man before he had a chance to question her on more tender issues.

"I’m fine, Rowan; thank you. I just needed to be alone for a while. Being so near to the dragon’s lair and not to be able to do anything but wait… That just got on my nerves."

By then Alcyávëiel had also reached them and listened eagerly to what Farin had to say. As she paused the elf nodded in agreement;

"I know that feeling. My husband is up there, no more than an hour’s walk away – and yet unreachable." She lowered her head and looked to the ground. But the vision she beheld didn’t come from that place or time but moved behind her eyes: a treasure she cherished, the memory of Iarlhach’s face as he smiled at her and called her name.

A silence fell between those three. Farin glanced around the camp absent-mindedly, though secretly hoping she would soon see Vráin coming towards her. She noticed that their packs still lay on the ground just a few paces away. But there was something strange with that setting: a dark bundle amid Vráin’s other gear. A sudden foreboding forced her to step pass Rowan and take a closer look at their belongings.

Suppressing her craving to run she walked stiffly to her gear. There was her bag and Vráin’s too with her axe and their helmets… But Vráin’s axe was gone. And instead of his weapon there was that bundle: Vráin’s skilfully wrought chain-mail.

"Why has he taken this off?" Farin asked, mainly from herself.

"Where is Vráin?" she then turned and questioned her companions.

"Farin," came Gráin’s voice from behind her. And as she turned again she saw the dwarf coming towards their group with Selvren by his side; "He has left."

"Where to?" Farin continued stubbornly, though she already knew the answer.

"Lenwe and Elentari came back," It was Selvren’s turn to speak up and he nodded towards the mountain; "and they needed someone to go up there and do some scouting. Vráin just announced that he would go and everything was settled. He left some time ago and should soon be at the peak."

All five of them looked towards the looming mountain as if their eyes could pierce the darkness and they would indeed see Vráin climbing up, reaching his goal. Wind had nearly died away; all was silent. But the deeper the silence became around them the louder did her own rash words rang in Farin’s head:

"Fine, go then! And I hope the dragon likes his prey stupid, stubborn and uptight! Go to him and get yourself killed! Who’s the fool then?!"

"Go to him and get yourself killed! Go to him and get yourself killed…get yourself killed…"

No! Vráin, come back!!

* * * * * * *

Perin rolled down the last fifty feet of the slope. Maybe not the most dignified descent but he didn't heed to it as haste drove him forth. He had just crawled back to his feet when suddenly there was a fair voice calling:

"Vrain, is that you? Thank goodness you've returned. We've all been worrying what happened to you." And Perin saw how a tall, slender figure parted from the shadows and rushed forth towards him.

Perin was confused; a sensation that had become only too familiar to him that evening. And, knowing not what to say, he remained silent. The elf reached him and put an arm around his shoulder, leading him firmly towards the camp. Then he let out another clear call.

"Come all! Come and listen! Vráin has returned!"

The whole camp seemed to stir though it was clear to Perin that none had actually been sleeping. A choir of glad and relieved greetings flooded over him. And still he had spoken no word.

Suddenly one voice rose above the others, a shout full of disbelief, trembling and then failing:

"Perin? Perin..."

"Farin? Yes, it's me!"

A dark figure rushed from behind the tall elves and men nearly pushing them over. And then it stood before him, still hesitating for a one more second. In the dim light Perin saw his sister's dear, familiar face. There and then, in the middle of all the horrors, his heart was pierced with joy and he called for her.

"Farin...sister! Come here, I have missed you so much..."

And Farin came, leaping the last few steps to him. Her hiding was over, everyone knew her secret now - and she was relieved. All the suppressed emotions run over her and she wept with joy, safe in her brother's loving arms.

"Are you all right? How... I still can't believe it's really you! How did you escape?" Countless questions circulated in her mind and she was obviously going to ask them all at once. Perin had to hush her by putting his palm over her mouth.

"All in due time! Actually I am hurt..." Farin's face turned pale though no-one could tell that in the darkness. Perin grinned; "Yes, I just toppled down that slope and my knee's aching."

Perin ducked Farin's slap and there were many who thought that Perin and Vráin were quite alike in other ways too than just by their looks.

This similarity didn't go unnoticed to Gráin who had at once, like Farin, perceived that the newcomer wasn't Vráin. He was of course happy for Farin and her brother but presently worry over his own brother was first thing in his mind. Vráin hadn't come back. Gráin was just about to speak his anxiety out loud when suddenly the same reality dawned to Farin and she turned grave;

"Perin, did you meet another dwarf up there? Tell me if you can; where is Vráin?"

"Yes," came Perin's solemn answer; "Yes, I met Vráin - the bravest dwarf I've ever seen. He virtually forced me to come down here... And he went inside instead."

For a fleeing moment there was a dead silence as all understood what Perin had just said. Then Farin and Gráin gasped simultaneously;

"What was he thinking?"

Perin sighed; "My words exactly! But he was so determined and finally I gave in. But he has a plan that might actually work - at least I sure hope so. He took my tunic and gave me his...and this too."

With that Perin took Vráin's axe from his back and extended it to Gráin. "Hail and well met, Gráin son of Thráin! Perin son of Furin at your and your family's service. I believe this is rightfully yours to keep till you can give it back to your brother."

Gráin took the axe and bowed low but said naught. He had prepared for some great evil but still the stroke was bitter.

"And to you, my dear sister, I have something too." Perin leaned over to Farin ans whispered in her ear; "'Tell Farin that I’m sorry. That is all I have words for, the rest she’ll know in her heart…'" Farin clutched to Perin's blue tunic that, when she last had seen it, had been over Vráin. She veiled her face in the cloth and wept now with the torment of her heart.

* * * * * * *

The rest of the night passed as Perin answered all the many questions asked from him about the dragon and his lair. Before the hour of dawn all were weary but more knowing of their peril. And now more than ever they were ready to plunge right in and slay the dragon.

* * * * * * *

Vráin stepped into the warm gloom of the tunnel. He tried to concentrate wholly on his mission but uninvited images and thoughts circled in his mind. I did the right thing! She needs her brother more than she needs me... Deep in his thoughts Vráin stumbled to a small crack in the ground and fell cursing on his knees. Some logs rolled down from the high pile he just managed to balance in his lap. Already sweating he scrambled up leaving the strayed pieces wherever they ended. Concentrate! If you ever want to see any of them again you’ll need to pay a little more attention – or the dragon will know you’re a fraud before you have time to say 'fi…'

Vráin’s musings were interrupted as he came to the first parting of the ways. And here indeed burned a small fire, a torch on the wall on his right hand. And in the next corner of the path, someway ahead in the tunnel on the same side, there glimmered another faint flame. The ceaseless beat of the hammers grew steadily louder as Vráin trudged on, still climbing gently upwards. The sound echoed like hundred drums in the the majestic halls which roof hung in immeasurable heights.

It was a stiff walk, turn after another towards the inmost cave of the vast network of devious paths, smaller caverns and dead-ends. The air became the more suffocating the closer Vráin got to his destination, though ever and anon a cooler breeze blew past him, down from whence he had come.
The last stage of his journey was again lightless save for a dim red glow flickering on the walls. From what had previously sounded like an unisonous hammering Vráin’s experienced ear could now descry at least five or six different tones. The great forging was nearly finished but not yet; the dragon pressed his slaves hard, maybe driven by restlessness over some shadow on the edge of his consciousness or then purely because of his greed and impatience.

While pondering these notions Vráin reached a sharp turn. The path bend first left and then cut back to the right. Suddenly Vráin was blinded by the great bonfire that now blazed straight in front of him. The heat felt at first unbearable. Vráin stood and blinked, unable to continue forth but loath to turn back now at his journey’s end. And then he had no chance to do so anyway as the most dreadful voice he had ever heard rose above the hammer-beat and spoke to him.

"Master Perin!" it thundered; "Had you come but a second later one of your friends would have met an evil end. I had already picked my prey - him." And the beast pointed to a bent elf with his huge, hook-like talon. "What do you say about my choice?"

Vráin shivered though the heat of the fire scorched him. 'Do not look into his eyes!' Perin’s words rang in his head and he kept his gaze on the ground. All he could see of the dragon were his great forelimbs and the bronze scales of his belly. Slowly he laid down his burden and then stood up, ready to carry out the perilous plan.

* * * * * * *

Child’s post:

Vráin breathed deep the hot air and then spoke out:

"Master Dragon, in another day your great and wondrous suit will be finished. It is indeed the finest coat of chain mail in all of Middle earth. No weapon can pierce it. You will be invincible."

In his triumph and joy, a terrible sound came flooding out from Glawr's throat, a sound that contained hints of all the shadows and evil that were now extending their wicked fingers over Arda. It was then that Vráin spoke out, saying exactly what Perin had told him.

"Great master, I am indeed happy for you. But one thing is missing. This chain mail shirt is indeed very effective in protecting your body, but it is also dull and bland. It hides your wondrous scales of bronze. When men see you in this suit, they may indeed laugh for they will judge it to be some old metal thing that has been tossed aside by a blacksmith. Your own bronze scales which glow in the sunlight are a far more beauteous thing."

Glawr extended out his talons and drummed them on the ground, "Why do you tell me this, Master Perin? Do you not fear to say such things to me? Perhaps I will decide to beat your head into the ground. You have created a wondrous suit of mail, but it lacks the sheen and luster of my own scales. That is a serious fault. How do you intend to remedy this?"

"Ah, but that is the fine and wondrous thing. I know exactly how we may fix this sad state of affairs so that you will gleam like the sun and all Men, Dwarves, and Elves will bow down before you. Within your horde, there is much fine gold. Several of us in the cavern are indeed experts in the shaping and decorating of this metal. We could easily create a lovely coat of gold, complete with fine engravings, in order to slip over the dull grey armor so you would sparkle like the sun."

"Go then," ordered Glawr. "Go and do this thing at once."

"Of course, Sir. But there is just one small problem.

Glawr turned back and fixed a jaundiced eye on Vráin, "Yes, what is wrong now? Can you do nothing right?"

"Nothing is wrong. Only this......we must douse the giant fire that now burns in the hearth. For that fire is fed with the logs of many scrub and pine trees, that are really quite soft and unsuitable. Everyone knows that a smith cannot work with gold and engrave it with fine decorations unless there is a fire fed with the hard wood that comes from trees that grow lower down the mountain."

Glawr stared at him with contempt, "Alright, Master Perin. Have the captives douse the fire tonight. Before the dawn I will fly down to the foothills and bring you all the hardwood that you need. But see that you have both my armor and suit of gold ready to wear by tomorrow night."

Vráin shook his head, trying to hide the smile which kept threatening to break out on his face. "Yes, Sir. Certainly. We will do that at once." Then he turned and left.

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

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

Child of the 7th Age

07-09-2003, 11:03 PM

Annunfuiniel's post

Vráin walked towards the captives and tried to perceive what was going on. He saw many a dwarf and elf still bend over their work, sweating in the heat of the fire. But some had sunk to the ground and slept now uneasily. This seemed to be what the dragon meant with rest for his slaves. Only one or two gazes rose as Vráin finally reached them.

"Perin..." The elf whom Glawr had pointed to Vráin greeted him, a silent 'Thank you' clearly to be heard in his tone though not spoken aloud.

"I’m not he." Vráin spoke solemnly, his glance warning the other to keep quiet. In a clear, echoing voice he announced the dragon’s will – that the fire was to be put out.

"Iarlhach, Lossentilien!" Vráin called out, not daring to look at the group that gathered around him in the fear of revealing under the dragon’s watchful eye that he didn’t recognize his supposed companions. When doing this Vráin took a conscious risk for he had not asked Perin if he knew about these two captives, if they even were alive anymore. Luckily two elves stepped forward, the first being the man with whom Vráin had already spoken whereas the other was without a doubt Lostlondwen’s mother, so great was their resemblance.

"We need every bucket and pail you can find; Master orders the fire has to be quenched before the dawn." Glawr saw his command delivered and paid no heed to his crawling slaves anymore. Instead he turned his avid glance at the great iron mail and his thought wandered to the soon to be forged golden coat that would make him blaze like a dreadful sun.

Vráin took advantage of this moment when the dragon’s attention was dispersed. In hushed tone he told the two elves about the hunters and their quest, about Alcyávëiel and Lostlondwen who had come all the way to rescue them and about the plan to get the captives out and slay the wyrm. And to his great joy he saw a hope rekindle in the elves' eyes.

"The aid will come to us through the gap in the roof," he whispered, extending one more dusty bucket to Lossentilien. "If they see the dragon fly away they’ll come as soon as they can. And all must then be ready for a quick departure. Is everyone able to climb a rope?"

Eager nods followed Vráin’s question but they dared not to speak any more as Glawr turned to them again.

"Come now, we must be swift! We mustn’t keep Master waiting!" As the elves took to leave Vráin spoke quickly:

"Spread the word. All must be prepared."

For the rest of the night, the captives ran back and forth between a nearby stream and the cavern bringing back pail after pail of water. By the time the sun rose in the sky, there was only a heap of smouldering ash left in the fire pit.

* * * * * * *

Vráin watched as the last red flicker in the great fire pit died down. Every inch of his body ached, yet he perceived how mild his pains had to be compared to the prolonged sufferings of the slaved dwarves and elves. When he had first turned to them the only things he could read in their eyes were despair and weariness; even fear seemed to have left some of them as they had quietly accepted their inevitable doom.

But now, though still exhausted and nearly consumed by the travail of this latest task, they had all changed: hope had returned to them and the will to live once again free and in peace.

The fire was gone but still a red flame glimmered on the western wall of the gap, high up above Vráin’s head. He raised his glance and saw the light of the rising sun play on the top of the mountain. Morning has come – the new dawn and the doom that awaits us.

Vráin heard the sound of heavy footsteps but above all he felt them, the thumps that shook the ground. Even as he turned around Glawr spoke to him:

"Well done, Master Perin, very well done. Now, with your leave, I’ll go and get you the harder firewood that you have asked for." Glawr’s seemingly courteous speech was nothing but mocking of the dwarves' customs of old which he seemed to know better than Vráin was comfortable with. Perin's words echoed in his troubled mind:

"That beast… he can broke your will with menacing words and delight in the sight of your crawling. But beware his sweet speech! His soft words drip honeyed venom: first he praises you and then he breaks your neck – he strikes faster than his fell cousins, the petty vipers and black worms of the earth."

"We will soon begin to gather the gold from your chambers, Master. And I believe we’ll add some fine diamonds and mithril adornments to perfect it all. Only the best for you, Master."

Vráin had to answer quickly to hold the position he had gained. He could only hope the drake wouldn’t descry its own game in his words.

After a prolonged silence, during which Vráin nearly stopped breathing, Glawr addressed him again:

"Ah yes!" he exclaimed, blinded by a vision of precious metals and shining gems that would grace his splendid figure, his unbeatable power. "Make sure you use only the largest, flawless stones!" And with that the beast took to leave. But before entering the tunnels Glawr halted and swung his great tail in vast arch. The blast nearly capsized Vráin and the scaled tip of the heavy tail missed him only by inches.

"No tricks, you hear me? Or you’ll feel it in your skins – and deeper." With these final words, now plain in their menace, the dragon tramped off and the ground wailed. A moment later a tremor went through the halls and then all was silent. The road out had been blocked.

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

Child of the 7th Age

07-09-2003, 11:48 PM

Elentari stood on the ledge staring up towards the upmost peak of the great mountain where only yesterday there had been a huge wreath of smoke issuing forth from the cave. This morning the sky was clear and bright, and by all indications the fire had been extinguished. Lying down on her stomach and inching forward, the Elf peered over the cliff overhang and saw where the sun had extended its golden rays over the flat plains far below.

Elentari wasn't yet certain at what point in the day she should order the company to make its way up the sloping hill and scale the massive grey rock that would lead them into the cavern. Everyone had made the necessary preparations the night before. They had cleaned and honed their weapons and rubbed the rat fur over their clothes and bodies. Perin had given them detailed instructions on the layout of the cave, the usual whereabouts of the captives, and even how the Dragon most often spent his day.

The members of the company were definitely prepared and ready to go at any minute. Still, it was probably best to wait till evening when the shadows and darkness would do much to conceal the presence of intruders. Elentari leaned back against the ledge weighing the arguments in her mind. Emotionally, she would prefer to make an immediate assault on the cave and rescue the captives as soon as possible, before any more of them could be killed. But, rationally, she had to admit that it made a lot of sense to wait for the cover of darkness.

She was just about to turn away and go about her business of feeding her horse when she felt an insistent tug on her sleeve. Elentari looked down at Perin; the Dwarf had come up beside her and raised his arm into the air pointing an index finger at the skies. "Look! Look there!" he broke out excitedly.

The Elf craned her head back and let her eyes follow in the direction that Vrain was pointing. There, perched atop the roof of the cave, the giant wrym stood poised for take-off. With a single bound, Glawr pounced into the air spreading his wings and ascending upward. He circled the mountain twice, then dipped down towards the lower slopes and disappeared in a verdant grove of great oak trees.

Perin's words tumbled out quickly, "What luck! The creature has gone out to seek wood for the fire. Probably the hardwood that Vrain told him was necessary to craft a suit of gold to wear over his chain-mail armor. We must go immediately."

The Elf's eyes opened wide as she considered the advantage of slipping into the cave while the dragon was tending to some business elsewhere. Lenwe and a few of the band could safely lead the captives down to the camp. Meanwhile, she and the rest of the companions could search for a convenient hiding place in the lair so they would be ready and waiting whenever the wyrm returned. What a stroke of luck!

She looked confidently at Perin and asked "How soon will the beast return?"

Perin weighed his words carefully before he responded, "No one can say for certain. But generally when he leaves the lair to collect firewood, he does not return for several hours."

Several hours! Even better. The Elf smiled to hear Perin's words. Then she quickly called the group together and explained what had happened. "Now! Now is our chance to rescue the captives, deal a death blow to this beast, and destroy the armor. The dragon has gone forth from his lair and will probably not return for some time. We must go forward with all speed to lead the captives to safety and find hiding places from which we may attack the wyrm whenever he returns."

There were quiet whispers of approval all around the circle to hear that they would be leaving now. Standing in front of the band, Gràin lifted up his battle axe and cried, "May Aule aid us in our task and lead us on to victory." The Elves and Men nodded their assent and cried out to Elbereth to pour her grace upon their cause. With that, the companions walked silently forward along the sloping path in single file, wending their way to the topmost ledge where they would scale the great grey rock.

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

Child of the 7th Age

07-09-2003, 11:50 PM

Annunfuiniel's post

Farin had no clear memories of their climb. Only the thought of seeing Vráin made her trudge forward for she felt greater fear than ever in her life. But what if Vráin is already dead? the thought almost paralysed her and she leaned heavily to a boulder on her right.

Perin walked just behind his sister and presently looked at her trembling with pity and worry in his eyes.

"Farin, you could go back…" he began though he could hear the answer even as it formed in Farin’s mind.

"I can’t." She spoke silently but didn’t look back; "And I wouldn’t even if I could." And with that they continued their slow ascent. But from deep down in her heart Farin found the answer to her own, silent question. If Vráin is dead then part of me will die too. But still I must fight on...

* * * * * * *

Annunfuiniel's post

The dragon had left. Vráin could only hope that his companions outside had been watchful and seen him fly off. But presently he had plenty of things to arrange both before the hunters would get to them and especially before Glawr returned.

"Lossentilien, Iarlhach," Vráin called for the elves again; "Once more I ask for your help."

"Lossentilien; I need you to gather all the captives together. Let the stronger aid those who are too weary to walk. We can’t wait openly here if it should happen that the dragon gets back before the hunters come. You know these halls: look for a place that provides the shelter needed - as near this main cavern as possible. But then a group must be formed that’ll go down to the treasuries to get the gold and gems; for we can’t afford taking risks."

Vráin paused and the she-elf nodded; "I know just the place. And I’ll ask for volunteers to go to the underground tunnels." With that she went to carry out her tasks.

Vráin turned to Iarlhach. "For you I have even bigger request: I need a fire, much smaller than the one we just put out but a great fire still. And then... I’m loth to ask this of you yet I beg you to listen to my plan..." And for a while Vráin spoke on as Iarlhach listened keenly. When he finally ceased the elf watched him in silence, with wonder in his eyes.

"You ask much indeed, Master Vráin," he spoke. "And yet I’m willing to do that and more if need be. For I owe you a debt of gratitude, kindler of hope. The work shall be done be it then that I do it alone."

Vráin smiled; "Not alone, for my hands know this art too. I’ll aid you the best I can. But we are in haste so let us get to work!"

The fire was lit again. An hour passed and then another – but finally the deed was done. Vráin wiped his sleeve over his brow and took a step backwards, admiring the skill of the elves and dwarves. The fire was quenched but red ember remained. Iarlhach walked over to Vráin and stood a while beside him. Then he sighed and looked at the dwarf;

"All is done."

"Yes, all is done." Vráin answered solemnly and the elf walked away.

We are ready.

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

Child of the 7th Age

07-10-2003, 12:16 AM

The company had readily made its way to the tiny ledge that lay at the base of the great outer walls of the cavern; the sheet cliffs rose straight up from here and loomed menacingly over their heads. This would be the difficult part. Thankfully, the rock was not completely smooth. Although perilously steep, the grey stone walls were dimpled and pocked with cracks and crevices that provided ample footholds for the climber. Yet even with these niches and clefts in the stone, the going had not been easy.

Elentari had made sure that everyone fastened knotted ropes about their waists to help keep them safe them in case they met any mishaps on the cliff. The Elf was the first to make the ascent, carefully testing each foothold and ledge before letting the others begin their long climb; Lenwe followed at the rear of the column making sure no one was left behind.

The Dwarves found the ascent especially difficult. Several times, Gràin and Perin could be heard muttering choice comments under their breath about the fact that Aule intended Dwarves to tunnel downward in the earth, not to soar upward like eagles. One time, in a particularly treacherous portion of the cliff, Callo's foot had slipped, his body threatening to plunge downward to what would be certain death; the man found himself hanging in mid-air, saved only by the fragile line about his waist. He dangled and twisted from the end of the rope high above the ledge until his companions managed to pull him back to safety.

Almost an hour had passed before they'd made it to the top of the cavern. Standing next to the great smoke hole, Lenwe peered curiously down into the depths of the cave. The Elf leaned over and wrenched off the grate, a crude affair of wire which took no more than one hard jerk to lift up and clear out their entryway. Elentari unwrapped the long spiral of rope she'd brought with her, first uncoiling it and snaking it downward through the hole a little at a time. Suddenly, the end of the rope scraped against the bottom. Elentari felt a welcoming tug as the line was firmly secured and held in place by several of the captives so climbing would be easier for those beginning their descent.

Lenwe and Elentari eyed each other jubilantly. Things were going even better than expected. One by one, the members of the company gripped the thick hemp coil and lowered their bodies down, carefully placing one hand beneath the other until they reached the floor of the cave. They felt welcoming pats on their backs and handshakes of greeting, although it was difficult to see anything in the dark and shadowed recesses. After taking his axe back from his brother, Vrain leaned over whispering into Lenwe's ear that he was going forward with Elentari's party to try and slay the dragon.

Lenwe looked over at the hostages and asked, "Is this it? Is everyone here?"

One of the Elves shook his head, "No, there are more of us than this. Some are back doing their chores in the other portions of the cavern. They had little choice for they must do the dragon's bidding if they wish to remain alive."

Lenwe nodded towards Ewinda, asking her to go with him to find the other captives.
Meanwhile, Elentari and the others slipped off towards the front of the cavern hoping to hide and wait for the dragon to return when they would pounce on him unexpectedly.

********************************************
Annunfuiniel's post:

Gráin loosened his grip of the rope and let himself fall freely the last five or six feet. He landed to the ground with a soft thud and a clang as the two axes on his back hit together. Immediately he swung around to get a general view of the surroundings. A deep sigh of relief escaped his lips as, beyond hope, he saw Vráin standing right next to him.

"So good to see you, alive!" Gráin embraced his brother and then drew forth the other axe. “And this, I believe, belongs to you."

Vráin smiled at his brother and took the weapon, weighing it in his hands. "Yes, and need I say how much I have missed this beauty?"

"Ah, looks like I’ve been totally forgotten in one night." Another soft thump accompanied the voice that spoke first from above the brothers’ heads and then descended on their level. Vráin smiled like the sun had just come down to him.

"Farin!" he jumped forward and grabbed her into his strong arms. Great sorrow and worry it was to his heart that Farin had to come to that dreadful place – and yet nothing could have kindled such new hope in him than seeing her beside him. They were together again; and together they would hold even if the very earth should quake and the blue sky was forever lost to them.

* * * * * * *

Orofaniel's post

Finally the whole company was in the cave. Ewinda was quite anxious because she thought that the chance of finding the captives alive had grown paler for tha last few days.

The cold air that filled the cave was making Ewinda shiver. Without a sound the company was walking around in the dark cave searching for the last of the captives. Elantari and Lenwe lead tham, and Selvren was the last one. Ewinda had to admit that she wasn't jealous of those positions.

Suddenly they heard sounds ahead of them, which she feared was the dragon who might have returned. But as they drew nearer they realised that it was the captives. They were close at hand, but where exactly they were, none of them could tell.

"I'll go and find them," Lenwe said sternly. "Who will follow me?" he asked.

"I am coming with you," Lostlondwen cried at Lenwe. He was just about to run for it. "Okey, come on, quickly!" Lenwe looked at her with wide eyes. "Follow me," he whispered.

Lenwe and Perin were in the front now and said in calm voices. "Be careful."

It was some minutes before they found the missing captives and led them back towards the rear of the caverns to the area where the great hole gaped open in the ceiling.

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

Child's post

Suddenly, from out of nowhere, a huge gust of wind swept through the twisted passages and tunnels of the caverns. Holding up a small firebrand that flickered and gutted, Lenwe looked over and saw masks of fear instantly slip down over the faces of the captives who were still standing beside him. One of the kidnapped Elves turned around to Lenwe, quivering with fear and a look of terror in his eyes. "He has returned. The wyrm has returned. It is the flapping of his wings in the front hall which creates such a windstorm in the maze of the cave."

Lenwe felt his heart lurch forward. His captives were still safe back in the bowels of the cavern. But Elentari and her group had already left for the front and, not having any of the captives with them, would have no idea what the strange wind meant. As if reading Lenwe's thoughts, Perin pushed forward and yelled, "I will go to them and warn them of the danger."

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

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

Child of the 7th Age

07-10-2003, 12:16 AM

Eruwen's post:

Callo followed the company slowly as they made their way towards the dragon’s lair. The climb was steep on the outer walls leading up to the cavern, and he knew it would be a difficult task for even an Elf to manage. It turned out that his thoughts had been correct, for he even slipped himself and his companions had to help him back up to safety. Eventually the extremely long climb came to an end as they reached the entrance to the cavern.

As Callo climbed down the rope, along with the rest of his company, he peered around at the cave. The vast cavern depths were far more than anything he had expected. He soon stepped foot onto the floor of the enormous cavern and waited for the others to reach the bottom as well. Elentari led the company off into the front of the cavern to wait for the dragon to return, but Lenwe and Perin stayed behind preparing to help the captives scale the long rope and make their way to freedom.

The company soon entered the front of the cavern, the dragon’s actual lair. Callo searched the room in awe as he tried to find a hiding place and soon discovered a somewhat larger boulder near the entrance to the room. He ran towards the mound of rock and ducked behind it with bow in position and arrows ready to be launched forth. The room was silent for the most part as the others in the company found hiding places as well, but suddenly the silence was broken.

A large gust of wind came rushing into the room causing Callo to lose his balance and fall back onto the rock floor. Brushing himself off, he managed to get back into position. As he peered over the rock towards where some of the others were hiding, he saw Elentari and another Elf near the back of the room whispering to each other, but soon Elentari turned to Callo.

"Callo," she yelled as quietly as she could from across the room. "From your position, do you have any idea what that might have been?"

"My guess would be just a gust of wind," Callo replied, but his words were broken off by the sound of footsteps running into the cave.

"The wyrm is coming!" Perin cried out as he burst into the room, and Elentari stood up abruptly at his words. "The dragon is on his way back to the cavern!" Perin continued.

Callo stood in awe as Elentari rushed from her hiding place towards where Perin stood.
"Have the captives escaped yet?" Elentari asked as Perin tried to catch his breath. He shook his head in dismay, and Elentari turned back towards the company.
"Everyone get back into hiding and have your weapons ready!" she commanded strongly. "The fight begins now."

Elentari made her way back to her hiding place with Perin close behind her. Callo sat in his concealed spot near the mouth of the cave listening intently to the large gusts of wind coming from the other side of the cavern. Whether he was indeed ready or not, the battle was about to begin.
********************************************

Orofaniel's post

After helping to find the missing captives, Ewinda had gone forward to where Elentari was waiting. As she felt the cold wind rush through the caverns and heard Perin's equally chilling words, Ewinda suddenly realised something: they could all die! What a horrible thought! But deep thinking wasn't really the clever thing to do now. Ewinda and the company were going to distract the dragon form seeing Lenwe and Lostlondwen and the others who were sneaking behind in the back of the cavern and trying to rescue the captives. They had to be very careful, it all could go wrong if they made the slightest little sound.

The dragon was drawing closer. Elentari was drawing her sword and commanded that the others do so to. Ewinda grabbed her sword. She looked at it. The dragon that was pictured on it looked exactly like the one she was going to fight. She prepeard herself and then she thought that if the quest was furfilled at last she didn't mind dying in this battle, beacause it would bring peace and beauty to Middle-earth yet again....

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

Child of the 7th Age

07-10-2003, 09:32 AM

Elven Maiden Earwen's Post

Under Elentari’s command the companions hid. Rowan and Alcyávëiel hid between two large boulders. A fearful gust of wind blew throughout the cavern. The wyrm was coming. Rowan readied his sword at the sound of footsteps that made the earth shake. Alcyávëiel strung her bow. It would be only a matter of time before the dragon entered the vast cavern.

!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!

In mere seconds the company would face their worst fear Rowan thought, and with that the dragon entered. A glistening array of bronzy scales was before them. The wyrm stood their now, a great beast. His piercing glance and his golden eyes searched the room. Soon the battle against the dragon would begin, so soon. And Rowan and Alcyávëiel were more ready for it than they would ever be.
********************************************

Annunfuiniel's post

"Perin? Are you all right?" Vráin shouted but his voice drowned into the tumult. Perin nodded weakly but Vráin shook his head as he saw blood run in trickles to his forehead. The dragon roared just around the corner. This is no place for wounded! he mused, trying to think some solution - and quickly. He couldn’t drag Perin all the way back to the main cave and his options were short.

While gazing wildly around Vráin suddenly observed a tunnel which he hadn’t noticed earlier. Without further ado he lifted Perin up and bore him someway down the slanting path. It was but one of the dead-ends in the labyrinth of endless tunnels and caverns but it had to suffice for now. Perin slipped into unconsciousness but Vráin couldn’t afford to stay with him. He hardened his heart and ran back towards the deafening clamour of arms and cracking rock – above which rose the dreadful roar of the great beast.

Vráin leaped back to the cavern in which the drake raged. Elentari came running towards him.

"We need to get it to rear up, revealing its belly." And with that she ran back, aiming an unavailing blow at the wyrm’s tail.
That won’t do it. But what will? Vráin thought feverishly – and then he remembered his knives. My knives, again! How do I manage to forget about them always in the time of need? But Vráin had no time to scold himself any longer - for their chance had come.

[ July 15, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

ElentariGreenleaf

07-10-2003, 12:33 PM

As Elentari had climbed the cliff, and then as she slid down the rope into the cave, she said a silent prayer.

"Elbereth, after you I am named, Star Queen, so please guide us and watch over us now as we finish what we came to do. Protect us, O Star Queen, so that none will die in the final battle. I owe you much, but I think I can owe you more still."

Elentari smiled at the captives around her as she reached the floor, reassuring them as well as herself. Finding secure hiding places wasn't to hard a task, as there were plenty of large rocks to hide behind. Everything was going so well that it made Elentari nervous. Things were not this easy last time she faced such a beast.

Perin's words as he ran into the room justified Elentari's fears. The wyrm had returned earlier than they had all anticipated. Elentari commanded everyone to return to their hiding places. If only the captives had escaped! But there was no option now, they would have to fight the great wyrm.

The ground shook as the dragon made its way toward the cave where everyone was hiding. As it into the centre of the cave there was a shout from Elentari.

"NOW!"

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

Annunfuiniel's post

Nalin had volunteered to scout the great tunnel ahead which Vráin and Perin had told to be the main way leading out of the caves. Perin’s warning words pulsed in his ears:

"Every time the dragon left for a longer while we felt a great tremor shook the mountain. But we cowered in fear and never even tried to seek a way out. Maybe he uses his hideous strengths to move whole walls of rock at a time, I do not know – but be wary! For if you feel the wind that comes before him it’s already too late to flee."

And then suddenly, indeed as if a whole new wall had grown from the ground, the road was blocked. Nalin looked up and high above in the unattainable heights he perceived a gap between the wall and the ceiling.

Sheer despair took hold of him. How could they ever beat a beast that could move such rocks as this? Nalin leaned his forehead to the cool stone, his hands powerlessly clenching and unclenching at his sides. - - And then he felt it: a gust of wind coming through the gap - the wailing forerunner of death.

Nalin didn’t run or let out a scream. A sorrowful yet peaceful smile was on his lips as the stone wall cracked and then crashed with a roar, covering him into a mound greater than those where the kings of old rested.

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

Elentari's post

Everyone leapt out from their hiding places and ran at the dragon from all sides. Callo and Elentari ran at it at its head end with sticks to try and cease its vision. The wyrm saw them coming and lashed out with its mighty tail, nearly hitting Perin. He only managed to escape the blow by some quick thinking from Vrain who took a flying leap, which was quite good for a dwarf, and pushed him out of the way.

Elentari and Callo now drew their weapons, discarding the sticks knowing that plan would not work.

"Aim for its belly," cried Elentari. "Aim for the softest part!" She drew her sword and dived under the great beast, hoping it wouldn't decide to try to crush her. She swung her sword at the wyrm's soft under-belly, but to no avail - she was still too far to the side. She ran over to Vrain. "We need to get it to rear up, revealing its belly."

Elentari ran to the wyrm's tail and slashed down hard with her sword. The beast roared in anger, but felt no pain. Elentari looked at her sword. It had snapped in half from both the force of the blow, and the strength of the scales.

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

Child of the 7th Age

07-10-2003, 12:59 PM

Elven Maid Earwen's post

Under Elentari’s command the company jumped from their hiding places. Aim for the belly, it’s the softest part on his body. Rowan thought to himself as he came into full view of the dragon. This is it. Alcyávëiel shot two arrows at the dragon to no avail. They seemed not to affect the dragon, only to make him angry. The dragon came charging at Alcyávëiel. Rowan aimed for the dragon’s side. His blow was useless to the dragon. He whirled around forgetting about Alcyávëiel and swiped Rowan with his claws, sending him flying backwards. He landed hard with a thud on the ground.

What am I doing hitting him in the side, we need to turn this wyrm over, He thought as he got up slowly. His left arm was of no use, probably broken he thought. He heard heavy breathing over him. He didn’t need to look to know the dragon was standing over him. Where’s a sword when you need it? His sword was a couple of feet away but there was no way he could get it without being killed.

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

Child of the 7th Age

07-10-2003, 12:59 PM

Child's post

Lenwe could hear the sounds of battle and strife beginning to issue from the front of the cavern. Already, some of the captives within his care had found their way to the long rope and were slowly climbing towards the great hole in the ceiling. Others waited patiently on the ground for their turn to begin their ascent.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, one of the captive Elves appeared at the back of the cave. He was panting and holding his sides. "Wait, stop, there's more of us. I just found out that the dragon sent a group of folk into the underground tunnels to hunt for precious metals."

"Underground tunnels?" Lenwe looked up in surprise. "You mean that there are other passages leading out from here?"

"Not leading out, but leading down into the bowels of the earth. This is where the wyrm secured his metals."

"I will not leave hostages to die in some old mine shaft," Lenwe exclaimed. "You keep the others climbing upward on that rope and I'll go try and find the ones who are in the underground tunnels."

With that he turned and was ready to leave when a familiar voice from the band cried out to him.

____________________________________________

Nova's post

"I am coming with you," Lostlondwen cried at Lenwe. He was just about to run for it, to help the hostages.

Lenwe looked at her and listened. "My mother is one of them," she continued. Tears were in her eyes, but she couldn't cry, not now. Lenwe saw her need and gave a nod. "Follow me," he whispered.

Lenwe gave a sign to follow him, and to be very silent. From the front of the cavern they could hear the growls of the beast and the sound of swords clashing. If the dragon figured what they were up to, he might turn around and .... Lostlondwen didn't dare think about it. This was all so frightening.

From the direction where the rest of the company was, the dragon's voice grew louder. Lostlondwen, however, couldn't hear exactly what was going on. Lenwe led the way. They went a few paces to the west and then they turned to the east. The company was still not far away, neither was the dragon. It almost seemed that the little cave bent in a hundred different directions without really leading any further towards the underground tunnels.

From a few paces away they could see a light shimmer in the dark. When they came closer and crept by, they could see the dragon and the company just to their left. "We have gone behind it?" Lostlondwen asked Lenwe with great wonder in her voice. Lenwe nodded, and they continued pacing east. A few more steps and they came into a tunnel, inside there was light. "We are going around in circles," Lenwe said and sighed. "Come on," he said after a pause, Lostlondwen followed.

It so appeared that they really were going inside the walls in a small and narrow tunnel bending around the whole cave. Where the dragon was now, was really the centre of this whole stony place. As they were drawing near the underground tunnel, they heard voices.

Lenwe, drew his sword. "Just in case," he assured Lostlondwen. They walked as silently as they possably could. Lostlondwen drew a breath. Calm down, she told herself. With a good look at Lenwe, she entered the tunnel, pacing downward for another 100 feet. Suddenly she stopped. There on the floor, a few bodies lay on the dusty ground. It was a terrible sight. Their clothes were dirty and torn. It was even hard to tell if they were dead or alive. They all lay there as if they were not capable of doing something else.

Lostlondwen didn't hesitate to run over. She bent down, and found a few Elves, two dwarves, and last of all her own mother.

"Mother," she cried out. The woman looked up and stirred at seeing the Elf, who appeared to be her own daughter. It was her, and she is alive, the young elf thought. Lostlondwen slung herself around her mother's neck and hugged her. "You came," her mother said in a low voice. Lostlondwen didn't let go of her mother's neck, they just sat there, both of them. They didn't say anything more, they had no words. The others stirred at them, but seemed happy that finally someone had found them. Everything was going to be fine.

Lenwe checked the others, some were in a bad state. "We should try to get them out of here," he said in a determined voice. "If everyone can gather up, we'll find a way out, together." Lostlondwen helped them to get up, and tried to hold them up. "Come on," Lostlondwen commanded. "What about the others?" It was Lossentilien, Lostlondwen's mother who finally had found any words. "The others?" Lostlondwen asked. "Are there more?" she continued. Lossentilien gave a nod. And pointed deeper in the tunnel. "They are working now, for the Dragon." She muttered. "They'll come back in a few hours."

Lenwe looked confused, just as Lostlondwen did. This was a detail they hadn't counted on. What were they supposed to do now? At last Lenwe spoke: "We'll try to take you, out first, then look for the others?" Most of them agreed and followed Lenwe into the tunnel again. Lotlondwen held her mother up, she wasn't able to walk herself. The male elf was in the lead, Lostlondwen and her mother, went in the back.

The group followed the tunnel's bending, the same way Lenwe and Lostlondwen had gone just minutes before. They came to the spot where both of them had discovered the fact about them going behind the dragon, and now they could all get a glimpse of the things going on with the other party fighting the beast.

Elentari swung her sword, and Vrain was at her side. Lenwe was still in the lead, when they left the opening and continued walking in the 'everlasting' tunnel.

"The light," Lostlondwen burst out. The others turned to look, what she was talking about. "Not that way," Lostlondwen said. "There," she pointed upwards. There, just over their heads, and right by the exit of the tunnel, a big hole was seen. "We can get up there, and out," Lostlondwen continued. Lenwe stirred at the opening figuring out how they could do it. "We need a rope," Lenwe said at last. Where had that blasted rope gone? There were murmurs in the group. "There was a rope where you found us," a short male dwarf burst out. "I'll get it," he continued.

No one had the chance to stop him or follow him before he was halfay through the tunnel, and they couldn't see him anymore. The others sat down, and had a rest, while waiting.

Time passed. People were getting anxious for the young dwarf, just when he turned up with a smile on his face. He gave the rope to Lenwe, and muttered something about the dragon binding them at night. Lenwe, however, was more busy binding the rope around his waist. "I'll climb, and I'll drag one at a time upwards," he said. "But.." Lostlondwen didn't get he chance to argue about him climbing, before he was halfway up on the wall, and reaching for the hole.

"I'll go last," Lostlondwen decided. She made the them all line up in a queue, and after turn they dissapeared through the hole, where they helped Lenwe drag the others.

"Last one," Lostlondwen muttered. "Mother, go, I'll come after." Lossentilien denied, but had really no choice, this was after all Lostlondwen's call. Lossentilien's daughter, bound the rope around her waist and made her hold tight. Lostlondwen, gave thereafter, a sign to Lenwe to draw. "I love you," Lossentilien said to her daughter before she was dragged up. "I love you too," Lostlondwen replied.

But this time something went wrong. Lostlondwen's mother didn't hold quite as tight as she had too. Maybe she hadn't strength enough, Lostlondwen thought, but she really didn't know. With a roar she loosened something in the wall, and a big opening appeared. At the same time, she fell down on the floor and let out a big: "Ouch!"
Lostlondwen ran towards her and was about to get her up when two eyes, filled with great evil from the opening in the wall, appeared.
From up above she heard the desperate voice of Lenwe, telling her to run. But she couldn't. She had to stay, stay with her mother.

With tears in her eyes, she arose. Lostlondwen grabbed at the same time the hilt of her sword, and swung it. She missed. "Watch out!" There was yelling from outside the tunnel too, the rest of the company.

The dragon walked simply into the wall, and the wall's opening grew even bigger. At that time, Lostlondwen was ready for a second swing with her sword, but she was hit by the dragon first, with great force. She stumbled over the many stones laying on the ground. Lostlondwen fell and felt the pain growing. Few moments after, she heard a sigh when her mother got hit too. Lossentilien landed on Lostlondwen and she could hear her mother's troubled breath.

Neither mother nor daughter were witnesses to the rest of the fight as their own pain engulfed them. Only now and then, they could hear screams coming from the front of the cave to which the dragon had again retreated.

They were only following their inside fights. Both their spirits were in doubt, whether to leave; to the Halls of Mandos, or to keep on fighting; to see Middle-earth's beauty again.

[ July 15, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Child of the 7th Age

07-10-2003, 01:08 PM

Elven Maiden Earwen's post:

Bows are no more use here Alcyávëiel thought scolding herself on her choice of weapons. The only other weapon Alcyávëiel had was her pruning sickle, and you couldn’t count that as a real weapon anyways. All she could do was shoot arrows at him to distract the dragon. She watched Rowan fly backwards, but she could go see to him because the dragon was between them. The dragon now faced Rowan. She had to do something.

Alcyávëiel grabbed her sickles a hit the dragon with them as hard as she could. They snapped into many pieces. She had no weapon now and the dragon was heading towards her. He raised her up so she was looking at his face. In this moment she knew that she was going to die. The wyrm seemed intent on getting rid of her. She felt herself being flung across the cavern. She heard the cracking of bones and all was dark for a while.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

Rowan stood stunned. Alcyávëiel had saved his life. He heard the cracking of bones and he cringed. Time seemed to stop for a moment as the company stood in horror. First Nalin, now Alcyávëiel. The dragon turned around and the company continued fighting, but Rowan didn’t. He had to see to Alcyávëiel. He owed it to her, because if she had gotten hurt it would have been Rowan. He would have died.

“Alcyávëiel can you hear me?” Rowan asked shaking her gently. She stirred and she opened her eyes.

“Rowan” she said. Her breathing was going ragged.

“Tell my husband to meet me in the halls of Mandos” she continued, her voice wavering. One single tear rolled silently down her check and she closed her eyes. And never again was Alcyávëiel ever seen by a mortal soul. Never again was she to return home to Mirkwood nor to her winery.

~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+

A roar from the dragon brought Rowan back to earth. The dragon was still alive. Rowan rose his sword in the air. That was when he noticed that the dragon had walked simply through the wall. Rowan could make out a figure crying over another.

“Lostlondwen! Look out!” He cried but it was too late. In seconds she was laying next to the other figure.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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

Child of the 7th Age

07-10-2003, 01:09 PM

Annunfuiniel's post:

Glawr was no longer afraid. He had seen the enemy and deemed it weak. Now, he had just played with them for a while before beating them: those rats squeaking in his mighty feet. Such creatures would not stand long between Glawr the Great and his glorious future as the terror of all Middle-earth!

Brooding these thoughts he tossed his head back and let out the most horrible sound that had ever echoed even in those cursed caverns. A high-pitched shriek mingled with roll of thunder deafened his enemies and they cowered in pain. No more games: the dragon was determined to kill with every stroke. He opened his great jaw and stooped down his head with terrible force and speed.

[ July 15, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

Child of the 7th Age

07-10-2003, 11:30 PM

Eruwen's post:

Callo watched as the ground began to shake beneath his very feet. He could hear the immense pounding of the dragon’s steps as it came closer to the room. Suddenly a tall, dark shadow appeared just a few feet from where he was hiding.

"Now!" Elentari yelled as the wyrm itself became visible.

Callo ran with Elentari towards the head to try to hold it off, but there was no use. The wyrm saw the attack and swung its tail around at a rapid speed. Callo ducked beneath the frightening blow and threw his stick aside. Weapons were needed here. He took an arrow from the quiver around his shoulder and quickly put it to his bow.

"Aim for its belly," cried Elentari. "Aim for the softest part!"

As he watched Elentari dive beneath the dragon towards its stomach, Callo looked for a spot to shoot. He aimed carefully and shot as close as he could, but it did not phase the monster at all. He stepped back for a moment to think, and then his eyes wandered toward the beast’s eyes.

"Elentari, keep the beast’s attention as much as you can," Callo yelled.

"Why, what are you planning on doing?" she yelled back still fighting with whatever she could to save her life.

Callo smiled a wry smile and began to back away from the beast but not turning his vision away. He climbed on top of a large boulder at the back of the room and began to climb upward. As he made his was in the direction of a slight crevice in the rock, he could hear the screams of others in the company. He began to climb faster and faster until he reached the dangerously high ledge on the wall.

As he climbed onto the ledge, Callo stood as much as he could. From this point he was high enough to be face to face with the dragon. He slowly pulled another arrow from his quiver and put it to his bow. He stared at the beast’s eyes in anger and glee. Aiming high at the wyrm’s eyes, he let the arrow fly. The arrow hit directly on the mark making the dragon let out a hideous cry. Many of the members of the company backed away as the dragon pulled the arrow from its pupil. Elentari searched to find Callo on the wall and then back at the dragon.

"He’s trying to blind the wyrm," Elentari said aloud. "Let’s go, everyone! Keep the wyrm’s attention! It’s losing vision as we speak!"

The company tried their best to fight off the dragon, but the beast did not seem to be fighting back with as much force as before. As Callo pulled out another arrow and set it to his bow, he quickly looked up to find the wyrm staring in his direction. Callo’s eyes widened as the beast made his way toward the wall. Callo shot many more arrows at it, but the wyrm kept on coming…closer to the wall. Aiming at the dragon’s now revealed belly, he shot another arrow, but the beast knocked it away.

"Callo, get down from there!" he heard someone of the company yell towards him.

Callo looked down below at the ground and then at the dragon. I might just have enough time, He thought as he began his journey back down the steep wall. Noticing the dragon was almost in reach of him, Callo jumped and fell the rest of the way until he hit the floor. He managed to find his bow quickly which had fallen from his hand on the way down, and put an arrow in shooting position. It hit the beast’s stomach, but it did not do enough damage to cause it to cease its walk.

Callo could hear, and at some points see, the others in the company trying to hold off the dragon. Their help was very fortunate for at times the dragon would turn away from Callo letting the Elf escape to a further distance, but eventually the dragon would catch up again. Callo shot many more times, but only a few of these were successful. The dragon continually walked forward until it had Callo up against the other side of the room unable to escape.

As the dragon picked up a broken sword that had been dropped by someone in the room, Callo saw Elentari come towards the side of the beast and shoot once again at its stomach. The wyrm flinched for a moment in pain, and Callo took another shot. In immense anger, the dragon quickly looked into Callo’s eyes and thrust the sword in to the Elf’s lower stomach.

Callo bent low in pain as he screamed a deafening scream. The dragon turned towards the others of the company contented with his defeat of the Elf and lashed out his mighty tail giving Callo one final blow. Callo was knocked to the ground roughly by the painful scales and he lay in deep pain for many minutes. He managed to lift his head to see the others one last time as they continued to fight off the beast, and he pulled the sword from his abdomen. His vision began to fade slowly, and Callo took his last breath. He now joined the other fallen members of their company.

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

Child of the 7th Age

07-10-2003, 11:30 PM

Annunfuiniel's post:

For a moment the dragon stood between Gráin and the rest of the company and the dwarf couldn’t see what went on in the front. The drake’s tail whipped the air before him blocking his way to the fore. I must get to the others! he thought but was forced to step further backwards as the scaled tail nearly raked his face.

Suddenly Gráin saw Elentari run from under the beast and slash the swaying tail. Her sword broke to pieces and caused the dragon no real damage. But seeing the elf’s desperate charge Gráin knew he couldn’t cower any longer. With a cry he leapt forward, ducked a deathly lash and escaped.

At least one blow before the end! rang in Gráin’s head and he raised his axe. But the sight that opened before his eyes stopped him dead.

"No!" Dread echoed in his voice. The dragon held someone in his claws and, even as Gráin cried out, he flung his prey across the cavern like a rag-doll.

"Alcyávëiel..." Gráin’s whisper rasped in the horrified silence that landed on the battle field. His friend was gone; he had come too late. Time seemed to stand still.

* * * * * * *

As Vráin had seen the wyrm stoop down in charge he had made a final decision. With a ringing clang his axe fell to the ground. Steel flashed as he drew two knives from his belt and then pulled his arms behind his head. The dragon’s gaping jaw neared Rowan threateningly. Vráin aimed and spoke a silent prayer:

Gods, guide my hands…

And with the speed of lightning he flung his arms forward in an arch and threw his weapons towards the beast’s eye.

But it was fated that those knives would never hit their target. For the dragon turned abruptly to meet another enemy and the knives broke into shivers against the bronze scales of his neck.

What he saw next froze his blood: the drake had seized his prey. For a moment Alcyávëiel hung high above the ground in its iron clasp. Vráin’s mouth opened to a shout but no words came out. Alcyávëiel hit the wall, slumped down to the floor and lay still.

Vráin felt his heart stop beating. His thought flew from Alcyávëiel to Farin and then back to the fallen elf. Broken families, lovers that shan’t meet again… But his spirit wouldn’t yield - and suddenly his sorrow turned to flaming wrath.

"Curse and death! I won’t have it!" And with that he drew another pair of knives from under his tunic and leapt forward.

Just then the dragon staggered and let out a shriek of pain. Vráin looked up in wonder and saw the beast pull out an arrow from its pierced eye.

"He’s trying to blind the wyrm," he heard Elentari’s cry. "Let’s go, everyone! Keep the wyrm’s attention! It’s losing vision as we speak!"

Blessed Callo! Vráin breathed as his eyes finally caught sight of the elf on a high ledge. Now all we need to do is get back to the main chamber… But he rejoiced too early. For Glawr, rage blazing in his seeing eye, roared and stormed forth, resolved to crush the miserable creature that had dared to deliver such blow on him. With a gasp Vráin perceived the imminent peril.

"Callo, get down from there!" he shouted and ran after the rampaging dragon.

"Vráin, wait!" came a call from behind him. But he didn’t hear it nor would he have paid any heed to it had the call indeed reached his ears. So he rushed on, two small knives as his only weapons. Even if he had caught up with the beast in time it would have been to little avail.

Before him and beside him his companions ran, firing all their arrows or lashing with their swords in an attempt to stop the dragon. But luck seemed to have left them and fate played its cruel games with their lives. Callo managed to land safely – only to get stabbed by his enemy with a blade of one of his companions.

Vráin cried as if the sword had been thrust into his own flesh. Tears welled in his eyes and he halted. The knives fell clanking to the floor.

"Vráin?" This time he heard the call but didn’t raise his face to the speaker.

"Vráin, you can’t give in, not now! It’s time to avenge!" Gráin’s words were demanding but his tone was the one that roused Vráin.

"Here; take your axe and fight with me." Gráin continued, red flame flickering in his eyes. Finally Vráin looked up and the same fire burned in him. He closed his hand around the handle of his axe but instead of taking it he pushed it back to Gráin.

"Keep it for me once more, brother. For time has come…" With that he swung round and rushed on shouting back to the others as loud as he could:

"Come! Run! Run! Back to the main cave!"

* * * * * * *

"Come! Run! Back to the main cave!" Gráin heard Vráin call as he run away. Time has come…for what? Gráin thought, holding his brother’s axe in his left hand while clenching his own weapon in his right. No answer came to his mind but that didn’t matter.

"Elentari!" Gráin cried out; "We must follow Vráin!"

Elentari heard him and turned around. 'Why?' - Gráin read the question on her face but both knew there was no time for speech. The elf nodded and called for the remaining hunters, gesturing them to follow. Selvren, Ewinda and Rowan turned at her bidding and the companions steered towards the main cave. Gráin came last, running as fast as he could with his doubled burden.

* * * * * * *

Glawr still triumphed over slaying Callo and for a while he was unaware of what happened behind his back. But then he perceived, even through the deafening echoes of his own roaring, that the patter of the arrow rain had ceased and swords no longer banged against his scales. He swung round and witnessed the last lousy rat escape from the cavern to the tunnel.

Boiling over with rage Glawr tumbled after his prey. With couple of mighty leaps it reached the arched opening and shot inside. But, half blind as he was, he stumbled on the rough steppes leading to the tunnel. There was a great din as the dragon smashed against the wall. The rock cracked and the wall shattered.

But Glawr was unhurt and his fury unquenchable. Through the new opening he saw something that made him forget the runaways he had been chasing. His gleaming eye fixed on two elves cowering on the floor. When the other of them stood up and desperately swung her sword before his scaled nose a malicious laughter welled inside of him and came out as a horrid hiss.

Glawr rose and pushed forward through the hole. The squeaking voices of the intruders seemed to screech all around him as his two heavy whacks sent the elves flying across the hall.

* * * * * * *

Farin waited in the main hall, clutching to the rope but loth to climb up to where the captives waited. I can’t go! Not before Lenwe gets back with the other prisoners. Not before I see Vráin and Perin again… Her last thought sent shivers through her body and made her heart skip a beat. Would she see the ones she loved ever again?

Just then she saw a bowed figure totter to the cave, his grey brown hair stained with dried blood.

"Perin!" Farin exclaimed and ran to her brother, nearly knocking him over as she reached him. "You are hurt!"

"It looks worse than it actually is," Perin tried to calm down his sister but leaned heavily on her shoulder. "Vráin saved me…"

Farin trudged slowly forward, staring to the ground - and the question hang between the siblings.

"I don’t know," whispered Perin, feeling his sister's pain; "I don’t know if he’s alive…" He had hardly finished when the sound of running feet echoed from the tunnel.

"We will both know soon." Farin said and stood still, ready to face whatever doom should fall on them. Only little hope was there left in her heart.

* * * * * * *

Vráin stumbled into the cave, panting and sweating. But even as he raised his face new strength streamed into him. For there, standing brave in the middle of the wide hall, was Farin – the light of his life. And Perin, whom Vráin had not dared to even hope to see again, stood beside her, bent but grave and bold. When they saw the comer a relieved shout escaped both their lips.

"Vráin!"

And Farin ran to him and Vráin held her close in his arms, afraid to let go again. But he had no time: no time to stay longer, to explain his plan.

"Farin, you need to get up and out. The dragon is coming!" And when he spoke those words a great tremor went through the ground and shook them.

"Now!" Vráin cried and helped Perin to the rope. He tied it around Perin’s waist before he had time to object. "Pull him up!" he called to those waiting on the roof. Then he put his hand over the dwarf’s shoulder and spoke gravely.

"Like brother you have become to me in this short time… Farewell!"

"Say rather: see you soon! For we will meet again." Perin said and then he was towed up.

Vráin turned to Farin:

"Now you’ll go after your brother."

"Only if you follow me!" Farin put her feet down.

"I will…" Vráin said as the rope’s tail dropped to the ground; …after I’ve finished my task. He tied Farin like her brother and pulled the rope as a sign. "I love you…" he whispered as Farin’s feet rose off the ground. And then Farin knew he wasn’t coming up after her.

"Vráin…" her voice failed and Vráin turned away.

For a second he faltered. The escape was at his reach and up there, outside, the sun was shining bright. But no, he couldn’t go! Not as long as his companions, his friends and his brother were in danger.

He had lingered too long already. Like a madman he now dashed towards the hall’s farthest nook where a red ember still glowed. From the middle of the dying fire there stood a long wooden shaft with iron mountings. Vráin grabbed the shaft and pulled.

In his hands was now a great spear. Its tridentate tip towered up to thirteen feet and burned with red flame. The wrath of elves and dwarves had forged it from a plate of iron: the last plate that would have finished the dragon’s suit of mail. Vráin looked up, grim smile on his lips. Then he clutched the shaft tight, run back across the hall and plunged into the tunnel.

* * * * * * *

"Stop him, stop him!" Selvren yelled desperately from the other cave, behind the heap of cracked rock. He was unable to do anything else but watch in horror as the dragon’s mighty claws struck down both Lostlondwen and her mother.

"No!" Gráin cried and leapt forward, over the remains of the wall. He ran under the drake’s forelimb and with all the strength of his right arm he rammed his axe to the great elbow. His blow hit the unbreakable scales and the blade broke in two. Clutching to Vráin’s axe now with his both hands Gráin came from under Glawr and placed himself between him and the motionless elves.

"Turn away!" Gráin’s voice echoed in the depths of the caves and tunnels; and so grand it suddenly sounded that even Glawr faltered. But the echoes died away and the spell was broken. The dragon rose to its full height and burst into a hideous, mocking laughter.

"And what will you do if I don’t? Will you turn me away? Many mightier have tried – and failed miserably. But enough talk: are you ready to die?" And Glawr stepped forward and bent its neck ready to strike. But Gráin stood still, indeed like stone from which his race was said to have born.

"No," he spoke, his voice so cold and calm that Glawr halted; "Turn away and meet your doom!"

Shadow of doubt passed over the dragon’s face. For a second he hesitated, staring at his prey. But Gráin looked away, behind the beast and deadly red light shone in his eyes. Following that gaze Glawr swung round with a roar. His claws hit the ground and his jaw opened wide. Whatever would attack him would crush against the bronze plates of his breast.

* * * * * * *

Vráin had come behind the beast and seen Gráin standing in front of it – stern, unyielding. Vráin halted.

Gráin! he turned all his thoughts towards his brother. And Gráin felt his presence and turned. The brothers’ eyes met - and Gráin smiled.

"Turn away and meet your doom!" Vráin heard his words and needed no other sign. The trident gleamed its inner light as Vráin lowered it to shoulder height and ran forward, silently; a grey shadow defying eternal night.

And even as he charged the dragon turned around to meet him. But Vráin didn’t look at its gaping jaw nor at its yellow eye full of malice. Bronze blazed in front of him, hard mail of scales that had fended off all blows – till now. For Vráin didn’t halt or waver. Using what strength was left in him he took one final leap and thrust his spear up and forward.

* * * * * * *

Glawr heard a sound that he had never heard before, nor would hear ever again: the wailing screech of his scales as they met with iron - and were pierced. For the flaming trident was forged from the metal the secret of which only he knew; the metal that should have made him invincible. One of life’s little ironies, he might have thought if ever he had been given a chance.

The wooden shaft broke and Vráin tumbled down to his knees. But the trident fell on its target and the red flame stabbed and burned Glawr’s cold black heart.

It is done! Vráin thought. The drake swayed; soon it would collapse, over him. But Vráin was too weary to move. It is done…

Vráin watched and the dragon fell down. But strong arms were around him and hauled him aside, not a moment too early. The earth shook for the last time.

"Now, isn’t this a better place to rest than under that carcase?" Selvren’s clear voice called to him, ringing in the air over the echoes of the rumble.

And though great grief for the fallen burdened his heart heavily Vráin had to smile: "Yes, thank you, Master elf!" But then he paled at remembering his brother.

"Gráin! Where is he?"

"Calm down," Elentari walked over to Vráin and kneeled beside him. "He’s coming, he’s unhurt."

"Yes, I’m here and quite alright. Rest now, my brother: you have earned it."

Vráin leaned back and, sighing deep, he closed his eyes.

"It is done…" he whispered one last time.

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

Child of the 7th Age

07-10-2003, 11:31 PM

Elentari's post:

Without her sword, which had for so long a time never failed her, Elentari could do little but shoot arrows aimlessly. There was no place to aim at, for the dragon never showed its belly, and when her quiver was empty she could only try to distract the great wyrm. But, it turned out, her distractions added to those attacking the beast could not prevent it picking up Alcyávëiel the throwing her to her death. Weeping bitterly, Elentari began throwing rocks toward the dragon's head, hoping to hit an eye.

Shrieking in pain, the dragon flung its tail about, nearly hitting Elentari's feet from beneath her. As she looked up, Elentari shouted with joy, seeing a bloody arrow in the beast's hand, blood oozing from its eye. But her joy was short lived. As Callo jumped down from the ledge, Elentari saw the shards of her own sword used to stab him. Time seemed to stand still, as Callo fell to his knees and breathed his last breaths. Running to him, Elentari had time to mouth the words 'Thank you' to him before he passed to a much fairer place, free from pain.

"Forgive me," said Elentari. Closing her eyes she grasped the handle of her sword and wrenched it from Callo's body, causing the wound to become more ghastly. Standing, Elentari took a cloth from her bag and carefully wiped the blade clean. Had it of been the blood of an enemy, she would not have bothered, but going back into battle with the blood of your friend and ally on your blade was disrespectful and incurs the wrath of the Gods.

"Elentari, we must follow Vrain."

Elentari turned to see Grain and those who were left following Vrain. She ran too, her tear-stained face full of misery and grief. How many more must die she thought, before we rid these lands of the dragon and are at peace?. Her hand tightened around the handle of her broken sword. She could feel the ground vibrating beneath her swiftly moving feet - the dragon was following them. Running into a large chamber, Elentari spun round to see Lostlondwen and another elf hit a wall, flung by the huge claws of the wyrm.

*********

From then on, till Vrain's brave charge at the wyrm, things were unclear in Elentari's memory. Perhaps she had been hit by one of the falling rocks that had killed Lostlondwen and her mother, or perhaps it was the shock of seeing another of her friends along with her mother killed, but she would never know.

Elentari was filled with a sense of relief as she saw Vrain drive the trident into the wyrm's dark heart. She was even more relieved when Selvren pulled him out of the way of the falling dragon's body. Walking over she knelt beside the dwarf and told him Grain was all right, then went around healing wounds and bruises from the fight. But Elentari was deeply hurt by the amount of her friends the beast had killed. She had always questioned why the Gods left such things come into existence, but had never doubted that they were in control, and never would. Knowing no one else could die had the claw of the wyrm, Elentari set about the tasks of clearing up and did the job no one else wanted to do - to make her dead companions look as beautiful as they had when they were living.
~~~~~~~~~~~

[ July 13, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]