Bree (Some years before the War of the Ring)

[The Barrow-Wight]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wraith of Angmar
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Taking the Old Road the travelers plodded slowly downhill and up again, until at last they saw lights twinkling some distance ahead. Before them rose Bree-hill barring the way, a dark mass against misty stars; and under its western flank nestled a large village. Towards it they now hurried desiring only to find a fire, and a door between them and the night.

Bree was the chief village of the Bree-land, a small inhabited region, like an island in the empty lands round about. Besides Bree itself, there was Staddle on the other side of the hill, Combe in a deep valley a little further eastward, and Archet on the edge of the Chetwood. Lying round Bree-hill and the villages was a small country of fields and tamed woodland only a few miles broad.

In those days no other Men had settled dwellings so far west, or within a hundred leagues of the Shire. But in the wild lands beyond Bree there were mysterious wanderers. The Bree-folk called them Rangers, and knew nothing of their origin.

The Big Folk and the Little Folk (as they called one another) were on friendly terms, minding their own affairs in their own ways, but both rightly regarding themselves as necessary parts of the Bree-folk.

The village of Bree had some hundred stone houses of the Big Folk, mostly above the Road, nestling on the hillside with windows looking west. On that side, running in more than half a circle from the hill and back to it, there was a deep dike with a thick hedge on the inner side. Over this the Road crossed by a causeway; but where it pierced the hedge it was barred by a great gate. There was another gate in the southern comer where the Road ran out of the village. The gates were closed at nightfall; but just inside them were small lodges for the gatekeepers.

Down on the Road, where it swept to the right to go round the foot of the hill, there was a large inn. It had been built long ago when the traffic on the roads had been far greater. For Bree stood at an old meeting of ways; another ancient road crossed the East Road just outside the dike at the western end of the village, and in former days Men and other folk of various sorts had travelled much on it. The Northern Lands had long been desolate, and the North Road was now seldom used: it was grass-grown, and the Bree-folk called it the Greenway.

The Inn of Bree was still there, however, and the innkeeper was an important person. His house was a meeting place for the idle, talkative, and inquisitive among the inhabitants, large and small, of the four villages; and a resort of Rangers and other wanderers, and for such travellers (mostly dwarves) as still journeyed on the East Road, to and from the Mountains.

The gatekeeper wished the weary travelers good night, and said no more. The travelers continued on up a gentle slope, passing a few detached houses, and stopped outside the inn. Even from the outside the inn looked a pleasant house to familiar eyes. It had a front on the Road, and two wings running back on land partly cut out of the lower slopes of the hill, so that at the rear the second-floor windows were level with the ground. There was a wide arch leading to a courtyard between the two wings, and on the left under the arch there was a large doorway reached by a few broad steps. The door was open and light streamed out of it. Above the arch there was a lamp, and beneath it swung a large signboard: a fat white pony reared up on its hind legs. Over the door was painted in white letters: THE PRANCING PONY by Barliman Butterbur. Many of the lower windows showed lights behind thick curtains.

As the travelers hesitated outside in the gloom, someone began singing a merry song inside, and many cheerful voices joined loudly in the chorus. They listened to this encouraging sound for a moment and then got off their ponies. The song ended and there was a burst of laughter and clapping.


</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 4/12/01 1:21:18 pm

[The Barrow-Wight]

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A Man approaches.

A dark-haired Man dressed in the simple-clothes of a farmer walked quickly up the road from the South Gate of the village. He whistled a tune cheerfully and was seemingly without a care as he approached the Pony. A smiled appeared on his face as he heard the singing from within and he quickened his pace up the stairs of the inn.

Before he reached the door he noticed the travelers.

&quot;Hello&quot; he said, turning to greet them. &quot;A cool night to be standing outside such a warm and friendly inn. Are you going into the Pony?&quot;

Sensing hesitation in the weary folk he stepped forward.

&quot;I'm Tom Ferny&quot;, he said, extending a hand.

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/10/01 10:46:39 am

[Lord Aragorn]

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Another weary traveller...

Another man with an old grey cloak also passes into Bree this night, a man with black hair, and a large scar upon the right side of his face. Talondin is his name, he is an old soldier, but he still has more than enough fight left in him. As he wanders through the streets of Bree aimlessly, he hears a song arise in a nearby tavern. He recognizes the song with a faint memory, however it is a happy memory indeed. He walks towards the inn and sees the sign, &quot;Prancing Pony by Barliman Butterbur&quot;. He stops to read the sign for a moment, and then begins walking towards the door.

</p>

[The X Phial]

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Re: Another weary traveller...

One of the travellers emmerged from the shadows to return Tom Ferny's greeting. She extended her hand before speaking, &quot;I am Calimir. Do you know if this is a suitable establishment for my companions and myself?&quot;

It was obvious from her bearing and her voice that Calimir was an elf maiden. She was, however, dressed in worn travelling clothes and did not have a steed. Her dark hair was tied behind her and if not for the light in her eyes she would have appeared travel weary indeed. She turned from the farmer to the battered man approaching behind him. After studying him silently for a moment, she decided that whatever the farmer said, she, at least, from among the travellers would enter and explore this inn.

</p>

[The Barrow-Wight]

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An Elf in Bree!

Eying the scarred stranger warily, Tom Ferny stepped down to shake Calimir's offered hand. He hadn't seen one of the Elven Folk in Bree-land for years and could not conceal his excitement.

&quot;Imagine! One of the Fair Folk here at the Pony.&quot; he said, continuing to shake her hand until she withdrew it. &quot;We don't see many Elves around here. Welcome again.&quot;

He looked over Calimir's shoulder to her companions still standing in the darkness.

&quot;Are your friends Elves, too?&quot; he asked


</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/10/01 2:50:13 pm

[Beregond]

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One of her companions

One of the other companions stepped forward. He was tall, and had short jet black hair. He was clad in a black cloak and boots, and he was girt with a sword. He also took Tom Ferny's hand, and smiled.

&quot;No, not all of them&quot;, he said, &quot;My name is Beregond, son of Barager, messenger of Gondor. I passed up the Greenway nigh on eight days ago. There I was chased by wolves, and my horse fled. Searching for him, I met these fair folk camped by the South Downs.&quot;

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000114>Beregond</A> at: 4/12/01 1:47:21 pm

[Suldaledhel]

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Another of the travellers

Another of the travellers stepped forward from the shadows. The figure was obviously an elf as he showed himself to Ferny.

&quot;And yet some of us *are* of the Elven type,&quot; he said grinning. His golden brown hair glistened as it hung lightly down upon his shoulders. His eyes shone a blue-green fire, and these gleamed under his surprisingly dark brows. The elf possessed a muscular upper-body, despite having a slender build.

A silver shirt of light silken material draped loosely over the his broad shoulders, and blue pants made of the same stuff, but the color of the sky on a clear day, were tied to his small waist with a brown leather belt. On his feet he wore moccasin style shoes being made of light material, but sturdy enough to walk great distances in. The scout carried with him a spear, engraved with runes on it in some ancient tongue. A small shield he wore strapped upon his back, for easier transportation.

Around his neck hung a necklace, and a pendant dangled on the silver chain. The pendant was a small silver circlet with a gem inset in its center, which gleamed as if it shone with its own radiance.

&quot;My name is Menel,&quot; the Elf began. &quot;I came from Rivendell, on a scouting mission. During the course of my journeys I came about these folk, and have since took up with them. Please do not be alarmed of my weapons, for the roads I have journeyed upon are not the safest, and one must not be caught unaware.&quot; The Elf spoke with a flowing melodious sound as he gazed at Tom Ferny.

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/10/01 6:10:39 pm

[The Barrow-Wight]

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Tom Ferny speaks again.

Tom turned and spoke to the cloaked Man who still stood at the door of the inn. &quot;And you, stranger, are you also travelling with these fine folk? I do not recognize you.&quot;

</p>

[Lord Aragorn]

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Hmm?

As Talondin heard Tom speak he stopped humming along with the song from inside the tavern, and returned to his solemn state of mind. He turned towards Tom and the others. He pulled the hood of his cloak off of his head and looked into Tom's inquisitive eyes, &quot;Talondin, my name is Talondin.&quot; Talondin looked about at the others and noticed Menel. &quot;Menel?! Is that you old friend? Could it truly be you after all this time?&quot;

</p>

[Suldaledhel]

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Glancing up abruptly..

Glancing up abruptly upon hearing his name being called, Menel spied the shadowy figure, recognizable to him as Talondin.

&quot;Well, this world isnt as big as I have been trained to think!&quot; the elf exclaimed, his blue-green eyes seemed to shine brighter for a minute. &quot;Its has indeed been a long time since we have seen each other. Still wandering about in secrecy I see. Well, I'm sure we both have some tales to tell and some catching up to do.&quot;

Menel he shifted his gaze to inspect his old acquaintance.

&quot;Come! For now let us go inside, and be at ease. 'Tis not often such encounters occur!&quot; he said with a warm smile at Talondin.

He then regripped the shaft of his spear, and for the moment using it as a staff , Menel turned back to Ferny and the others.

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/10/01 7:36:57 pm

[The X Phial]

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Calimir's mission

Smiling at her companions, Calimir turned to start unloading her gear from the ponies. She was, as yet, unsure about the men she had met in Bree.

Menel seemed to know the worn one, which was a good sign. She and Menel had been friends for many lives of the second born, and she trusted his judgement. As for the friendly stranger, he seemed harmless. Still, it seemed wise to keep her mission secret for the present.

Having finished her busywork, the elvish maid checked that her dagger was securely held in her boot. Satisfied that all was well she rejoined the growing company before the door of the pony.

</p>

[The Barrow-Wight]

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The Prancing Pony

As Calamir reached for the handle, the door burst open and out ran a Hobbit, barrelling into the surprised Elf woman. The Hobbit rolled down the stairs and sprawled on the courtyard stones, but Calamir jumped back and landed neatly on her feet.

&quot;Oh my!&quot; exclaimed the Hobbit, getting up. &quot;I didn't see you at the door, m'lady.&quot; He quickly glanced at the other, assessing them and their mounts. &quot;I take it you're visiting the Pony?&quot;

&quot;Yes, we are&quot; Calimir smiled. &quot;There are three of us, very hungry and very tired.&quot;

&quot;Well, then, I''ll take care of your ponies and you can go right in. Talk to Butterbur and he’ll find rooms for you.” The Hobbit ran off across the courtyard leading the ponies. “Hullo Tom” he shouted as he rounded a corner out of sight.

Tom Ferny grinned and explained “Manny is always in a hurry. Let’s go inside.”

He stepped forward and opened the door allowing the others to enter.

“Welcome to The Prancing Pony” he said.


</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/11/01 12:38:09 pm

[Gilthalion]

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The Common Room of The Prancing Pony

The Prancing Pony was much like any other tavern and inn, only more so. A very old establishment, it was rather large with additional wings and stories built onto the oldest and largest construction.

This was the Common Room, and into it the travelers walked and saw first great upright timbers darkened with many years of the smokes of fires and lanterns, polished by the chance rub of passing hand or cloth. The wooden posts sturdily supported a simple truss-work that held a high roof pitched tall against winter snows. Between the wide posts were many rough tables and benches. In the center of the room was a large, rough laid, stone chimney over a glowing hearth that warmed the entire Common Room.

Here the folk of Bree would gather for news or company and here the few travelers on what had been the great crossroads of ancient kingdoms would come for food and drink and rooms. There were, as always, some dwarves at a table, keeping to themselves. Not very many other folk, even the locals, had come out that evening. Business was a bit slow.

At the back of the great room, beyond the hearth and the tables, was a tall bar. A platform extended halfway up across half the length of it, so that the handful of hobbits gathered there were at ease and on eye level with the Big Folk at the other end of the bar. Behind this bar, were double doors that led to a large kitchen, not to mention, pantries and root and wine cellars.

On either side of the Common Room were other doors that led on the one side to a small wing built especially for halflings. The other doors led to corridors wherein there were rooms and stairwells to still more rooms on the upper floors. The stables were kept around the back of the Prancing Pony, where deliveries were also made to the kitchen.

The owner and proprietor of this establishment was Barliman Butterbur, a short fat Breelander, red of face, short of wind, and always in a hurry.

This evening was no different. No sooner than Tom Ferny had led the strangers into the Common Room, old Barley himself came bustling out, saw them, and hurried over as they took in their surroundings.

&quot;Hullo, hullo, hullo!&quot; he said breathlessly.

&quot;It's good to have some fresh faces here, and that's for certain! No doubt you're tired and hungry and would like some food and some rooms for the night! Manny taking care of your steeds? Well say no more!&quot;

In fact, none of them had yet said anything!

&quot;Come take this table near the hearth and we'll start to take the chill off! What'll you have, beer, wine? We've the best of both and that's for certain! Why bless my soul, an elf! I don't believe we've had one of the fair folk under this roof since my dad was a boy and that was a long time ago, I can tell you! You'll be wanting our best wine, Mistress, I'm sure! Good enough even for elves and that's for certain! We've got some good meat pies and some roast chicken tonight for them that want's it or we can cook up something special. Is that all together? Separate then? I'll have Nob bring out the beer and wine and mugs and plates and some bread and take your orders while I see to your rooms!&quot;

And with that, the fat old innkeeper turned and bustled back to the kitchens as quickly as he had come.

</p>

[Lord Aragorn]

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How odd...

&quot;What an odd little man..&quot; said Talondin after Butterbur walked away. Looking back to Menel and the others with his usual emotionless look upon his face. &quot;I need a drink, I've been walking for a month or so now, and I need a break, anyone want to join me?&quot;

</p>

[Sharkû]

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Enter Valdavar Son of Vurdvrikar

Suddendly a voice burst out in loud laughter, so clear and with a deep voice, that the travellers jerked at its sound.

It came from a man who was sitting at a table to one side of the common room together with a few local hunters and woodcutters.

The fire from the hearth showed well, although sitting on a chair, what a huge man this was. Tall, broad, and massively built, with a big belly, and long and strong arms like branches of an old oak, and big, firm hands which held a stone mug with a clutch which let the mug look like a thimble. His round face was young and red, and was well covered by brown hair which he wore wild, and a brown beard. The light which was caught in his eyes showed they were amber, and gave the friendly, simple face an air of wild cunning. He was clad in simple woollen clothes, and had a brown, rough shirt on which did not cover his hairy arms.

As the travellers gazed at him, he laughed out again, opening his mouth widely, his belly shaking with the sound of his loud laughing. But now that they saw his face, along with hearing his hearty laughter, anyone could tell this was not an evil man who can laugh so merrily and clear. He seemed rather like a friendly bear than like the thug a first glance may let him look like.

Still chuckling, he met the travellers' glance with his own, and shouted over the few feet between the tables,

&quot;What have I done to you people that you look at me as if I was the thunderstorm that has just ruined your harvest? But I should not be unfriendly. Innkeeper, serve this strangers a round of the mead I brought!
Now let my introduce myself. I am Valdavar, son of Vurdvrikar. While this may not ring a bell, you may have heard of my great-grandfather, Beorn the Bearserker!&quot;


</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000003>Sharku</A> at: 4/11/01 3:11:29 pm

[The X Phial]

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More introductions

Calimir turned to the giant man. Her grey eyes shone with amusment.

&quot;Indeed, Sir, I have heard much of your family in the past. All of the free peoples owe gratitude to the Beornings for their unceasing watch in the North.&quot;

She turned to her companions, new and old, and spoke, &quot;I will join Valdavar for a much needed rest. Though, I would prefer the wine proffered by the innkeep to mead. Will you join me or no?&quot;


</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/11/01 3:46:20 pm

[Lord Aragorn]

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No

&quot;I would rather not&quot; said Talondin. &quot;I feel uneasy about him, I would much rather drink alone, if he is the only alternative. I'm going to the bar to get a drink, anyone may join if you so wish.&quot; Talondin then started walking towards the bar to get a drink.

</p>

[Beregond]

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I shall join Calimir

Beregond sighed, and said, &quot;I am weary from my travels, and would be glad of rest&quot;. He paused, and looked at Valdavar. &quot;I shall join Calimir, and learn more of this man, and tidings from the north. I should also like to know what brought him to this side of the Misty Mountains.&quot;

</p>

[Lord Aragorn]

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Allright

Talondin replied with,&quot;As you wish messenger of Gondor, I suppose I will see the two of you in the morning. Friends of Menel do seem to linger about him. And what of you Menel, shall you accompany me? Or your newfound travelling companions.&quot;

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/11/01 5:30:37 pm

[The Barrow-Wight]

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Re: Allright

&quot;I will accompany you to the bar, Talondin, if I may&quot; said Tom Ferny. &quot;I have a matter discuss with the barmaid.&quot;

He turned to Carimir, &quot;But I would greatly like to speak with you later, Miss, if you would allow it. Perhaps you could tell me stories of your Folk and your journies.&quot;

He stood and accompanied Talondin to two stools at the bar. He offered one to his companion and sat in the other, motioning with his hand to a pretty girl drawing ale behind the counter. She looked up and, spotting who it was, gave a frown and a &quot;Hmmph!&quot;.

</p>

[Lord Aragorn]

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Well..

&quot;Does she know you, Ferny? If so, what have you done to get on her bad side?&quot; asked Talondin. &quot;It would seem as if you are not welcome here.&quot;

He looked around him at all of those happy people and wondered if they were happy only because they were drunk.

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/11/01 7:02:18 pm

[Suldaledhel]

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Menel the scout..

Menel the scout from Rivendell shifted his gaze until it came upon Valdavar the Beorning.

&quot;I too would just as soon find out what brings a Beorning hither,&quot; the Elf said at length as he glared at Valdavar,&quot;But for now, I, too shall have a drink.&quot;

With that said, he turned and walked towards where Talondin and Tom sat near the bar, the soft tapping of his spear announcing his coming as he drew nearer to the counter.

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/11/01 7:42:20 pm

[The X Phial]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Haunting Spirit
Posts: 93</TD><TD><img src=http://community.universitypride.com/cecilyanne/X-Files-01.gif WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Conversation

Calimir and Beregond seated themselves at the large oaken table in the corner, already occupied by many large men (not to mention the Beorning himself).

A busy hobbit rushed across the room with mead and, with a word, the Elf sent him back for some wine. She untied her long, dark tresses as she spoke and removed her travel-stained cloak. Beneath, she was dressed plainly in simple green and grey garb. From around her neck shone a white stone set in silver, which had been covered by the clasp of her cloak. The stone, when revealed, seemed to shine with an internal fire. Her only other adornment was a plain silver buckle on the belt encircling her waist.

Keeping an eye on the conversation at the bar, Calamir addressed Valdavar, &quot;It is rare indeed for such company as us to meet in Breeland. My companion and I are curious. Please, tell me of the errand that brought you so far from your home.&quot;

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000095>The X Phial</A> at: 4/11/01 8:11:35 pm

[Lord Aragorn]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pile o' Bones
Posts: 12</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Menel

&quot;So you choose to join us finally? You seemed to stand in thought for sometime.&quot; Talondin said to Menel who finally came and sat with Tom and him. He wondered to himself &quot;I wonder how many years its been now...&quot;.
He looked to Menel and said,&quot;So what brings you to such a place my friend?&quot;

</p>

[The Barrow-Wight]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wraith of Angmar
Posts: 2158</TD><TD><img src=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/my_pic.jpg WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Tom sits quietly.

Tom was a bit frustrated that the barmaid refused to even speak with him so he casually ignored Talondin's inquiry about her, hoping the stranger wouldn't think him rude. He already had the girl mad at him and it wouldn't do to anger someone else. So, instead he sat quietly listening to Menel and Talondin but also keeping an ear to the group at the table where the Beorning could be heard talking loudly with the Elf maiden and the Gondorian.

</p>

[Suldaledhel]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Shade of Carn Dûm
Posts: 315</TD><TD><img src=http://suldalpic.homestead.com/files/00004.jpg WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: Menel

Menel pulled out the stool from the counter and sat facing Talondin. He positioned his spear carefully, the deadly tip pointing at the floor, placing it gingerly down so as not to make any scratches. The elf then glanced about the room, aware that many of the folk were staring at him and his armaments.

&quot;It would appear these folk have never seen an armed traveller come knocking upon their door,&quot; Menel jested, still glancing about. His eyes then met those of Calimir at whom he smiled warmly.

&quot;Well my friend,&quot; the elf began as he turned back to Talondin,&quot;as for the number of years I have not a guess, but it has been awhile.&quot; Menel then motioned for Talondin to come closer. &quot;What do make of this beorning travelling so far from his realm?&quot; he said in a hushed voice. &quot;I dont know what to think yet, so I wont. But I still think it odd..&quot; Menel's voice trailed off as he chanced a glance at Valdavar.

Then resuming his casual tone and posture, Menel gazed at both Ferny and Talondin saying,&quot;I have been sent to gather information about the happenings in this land for my Lord. I have journeyed far, having visited the Gray Havens at one time, and I was planning upon returning to Rivendell, but I would like to find out what Valdavar is doing here. It might just alter where I head for.&quot;

Menel ordered a brink from the bar keep before once again looking at Tom Ferny. &quot;Well then, you know something about me, but what of you Master Ferny? What brings you here this night?&quot;the elf said with a tone of anticipation in his fair voice, and a friendly grin on his face.

</p>

[Gilthalion]

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Posts: 296</TD><TD><img src=http://home.att.net/~robertwgardner/lotrmap.gif WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Dinner is served!

Tom Ferny was saved from answering at that moment for the little hobbit came back out and cried, &quot;Dinner is ready!&quot;

He poured wine for the lady elf (who was surprised at its quality) and more mead and beer for the rest. Another hobbit brought out a tray bearing many loaves of hot bread, a big wheel of cheese, and fair sized tubs of sweet and salty butter. Yet another hobbit carried a tray piled high with roasted ears of corn and steaming potatoes. Soon, Butterbur himself bustled out carrying a huge platter loaded with meat pies and whole chickens roasted to a turn.

The Beorning growled a little at the fare, and chose for himself from the breads and cheeses and vegetables. This was fortunately plentiful, for the Beorning was a big man with a big appetite, though it was noticed he ate no meat.

The Dwarves made the first noise that had been heard all evening from them, complaining a little that the meal had arrived so late, though regulars like Ferny knew it was served the same time as always.

The conversations fell to silence briefly, as the hungry travelers fell to the tucker.

Tom Ferny grinned a little, noticing the fine etiquette of the elves and the messenger from Gondor (who all insisted on utensils!), especially compared with the Beorning's noisy eating. Ferny was none too polished himself but saw how the Prancing Pony maintained a high reputation amongst all the different folk who visited.

But, as the keen edge of hunger was blunted, the conversations resumed...

</p>

[Lord Aragorn]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pile o' Bones
Posts: 13</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Beorning

&quot;Well old friend,&quot; said Talondin to Menel while looking at the feasting Valdavar. &quot;I do not know what could bring one such as him to a place as this, but I am sure that he would say the same of you or me!&quot;

He looked at Calimir and Beregond and then back to Menel. &quot;Who are these two whom you travel with now, eh? You always did choose friends quickly, and always took the matter lightly as well.&quot;

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/12/01 11:04:16 am

[Sharkû]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hungry Ghoul
Posts: 850</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Eating and drinking holds body and soul together

Valdavar gestured at the new neighbours at his table with a piece of bread, and, while still chewing some cheese, he answered:

&quot;Well, now for serious talk. Those words which I can tell you, that is.

I did not come here for leisure. I have an errand for our folk. We Beornings have been keeping the High Pass over the Misty Mountains and the Carrock-ford free of foul folk such as orcs for some decades now. Many of us can no longer afford to care for the beasts or the fields because of that, and so we have to take a fee for our guidance over this route to make our living from.

When, some months ago, less and less travellers came, it was queer, and my grandfather was worried how we should make ends meet before the winter. But we are tough, we got by by going back to what we love dearest- our beasts and our trees.

That isn't what caused me and my brothers to be sent out, however.

Ever more and more strange folk appeared near our dwellings, and especially to the south. Most of these persons none of us has ever seen the like. Some were slant-eyed and swarthy, others even resembled the orc-vermin.&quot;

As he said that, Valdavar spat out on the floor next to him, and received a very angry look from one of the hobbit workers whose job obviously was to lean on a broom all day and glare at the guests.

Valdavar just grinned at the hobbit, and resumed his explanation to Calimir and Beregond.

&quot;And then it got even queerer... but you cannot expect me to talk of the incident which drove me here, gathering news and searching for certain people, if I do not know who you are and whether I can trust you. Please understand this - I do not mistrust you, but in such a case I have to be sure.
Orders from Gramps, and he knows what's good for us.&quot;

With that, Valdavar laughed again, something he had not done over the time he was talking about what happened in his homeland.

&quot;Now tell me your story, if I may hear it, and if you want, we may seek a room with less ears and I'll see if you can be of help to my errand.&quot;

Valdavar put his hands, which he had just cleaned from the last cheese by rubbing them on his shirt, on the table, and looked from Calimir to Beregond with big wary eyes.


</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 4/12/01 1:18:12 pm

[Gilthalion]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hobbitus Emeritus
Posts: 299</TD><TD><img src=http://home.att.net/~robertwgardner/lotrmap.gif WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
A brief interlude...

It seemed that many folk in the Common Room were interested just then in Calamir and Beregond, and what their business was in this backwoods of a forgotten kingdom. Tom Ferny, glad for the moment that Menel had not pressed him for answers, was now annoyed to see the elf lass and the messenger from Gondor, who were just about to answer Valdavar, interrupted by some of the local hobbitry.

&quot;A song! A song!&quot; called one of the hobbits. &quot;Come on Nob, sing us something!&quot;

&quot;Just a minute!&quot; said Nob, who was carrying a large tray from the tables, laden with used plates and bowls. The hard-working hobbit returned from the kitchen, wiping his hands on the towel hanging from his waist. &quot;How about something for a cold night outside and a warm fire inside!&quot;

He began clapping his hands in a rhythm and the other hobbits joined in. Then, he lifted his homely voice and sang:

Don't you go where the cold winds blow
And fogs and mists hide the mounds below
Don't lose your life for a jeweled knife
Robbing graves of kings in barrows
Harrows! Narrows!
Don't lose your life for a jeweled knife
Robbing graves of kings in barrows!

Slowpate Jim of brains was slim
And thought the gold was there for him.
He ventured out and had no doubt
He'd come back rich tomorrow!
Borrow! Sorrow!
He ventured out and had no doubt
He'd come back rich tomorrow!

Grass grows green and the Sun shines keen
On mounds that cover those who have been.
There are spirits cold and darkness old,
And things that live at midnight!
Dark sight! Take fright!
There are spirits cold and darkness old,
And things that live at midnight!

Jim went there, for he did not care,
Of wights or ghosts or things less fair.
He did not believe, could not conceive,
That wights would come and claim him!
Shame him! Blame him!
He did not believe, could not conceive,
That wights would come and claim him!

So Jim is gone, to the Barrows yon,
And there lies still under grassy lawn.
He has his gold, but his bones are cold,
For the Barrow-Wight has got him!
Bought him! Caught him!
He has his gold, but his bones are cold,
For the Barrow-Wight has got him!

All of the hobbits laughed, though they had heard the song many times before, and even the dwarves enjoyed the silly song. But around the room some of the folk started thinking about the wealth of gold and jewels and weapons that lay buried in the green mounds not so very far away.

Tom Ferny noticed this, and rubbed his stubbly chin, looking shrewdly about the Common Room of the Prancing Pony.

</p>

[Lord Aragorn]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pile o' Bones
Posts: 14</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Fools..

&quot;I never was much for songs, or halflings for that matter&quot; Talondin said to himself, but loud enough for Tom and Menel to hear. &quot;I am beginning to see this place as nothing but a large waste of time.&quot;

He looked once more around him, and noticed Beregond, Calimir, and the Beorning once again talking amongst themselves.

&quot;I hope they don't do that while I'm trying to sleep...&quot; he said and took another bite of bread.

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/12/01 3:35:09 pm

[Beregond]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Haunting Spirit
Posts: 90</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: A brief interlude...

Beregond and Calimir were still talking to Valdavar. Beregond felt he could trust the Beorning, so he said, &quot;Come! Let us talk in private for awhile, for like you said, not everything we have to tell is fit for all ears. Not everyone is to be trusted these days.&quot; He lowered his voice to a whisper, &quot;I have brought important tidings from Gondor, which I will tell you, if you want.&quot;

&quot;Hold!&quot; said Valdavar. &quot;Hark unto the conversation at the bar. I want to hear this first!&quot;

Beregond strained to hear the low voices across the room. &quot;The ears of the Beornings are keen! I cannot quite make out their words. Are they talking of gold?&quot;

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 4/12/01 5:27:06 pm

[The Barrow-Wight]

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Posts: 2160</TD><TD><img src=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/my_pic.jpg WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Tom has an idea.

Tom leaned over and said to Talondin quietly &quot;I don't know about that, my friend. Were you not listening to the words of the song?&quot;

Talondin shook his head and said &quot;No. As I said, I don't go in much for such things.&quot;

&quot;Well I was listening&quot; said Tom , &quot;and I know the words well. I've heard them many times and even sung along with them before. But until this very moment I don't think I ever realized what they said.&quot;

He paused and Talondin motioned for him to go on.

&quot;Jewelled knives and piles of gold isn't just hobbit stories &quot; continued Tom. &quot;There are hills just beyond Bree-land stuffed full of such treasures. Left over from the Kings of Old, they say. With the right partners, a person could likely get pretty rich, I'd say.&quot;



</p>

[The X Phial]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Haunting Spirit
Posts: 94</TD><TD><img src=http://community.universitypride.com/cecilyanne/X-Files-01.gif WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: Tom has an idea.

Listening from across the room, Calamir's eyes narrowed. She, too, knew of the barrows and the riches. None beside herself and Menel, however, appeared to know the nature of the barrows' inhabitants.

Catching Menel's eye, she shook her head slowly as a sign for him to try to steer the conversation away from such matters. The farmer was heading into dangerous territory and she was feeling more and more wary about him and his intentions. Menel knew her mind and turned back to his whispering companions as Calamir addressed her table mates.

&quot;A room with fewer ears would suit my purposes well. Let us continue this conversation in the room prepared for me by Butterbur. I would like to delay the adjourning, however, long enough to listen a while more. What say you to this suggestion, my friends?&quot;

</p>

[Lord Aragorn]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pile o' Bones
Posts: 15</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Riches you say?

&quot;Perhaps I should have listened after all...&quot; thought Talondin.
&quot;Would you happen to be getting the same idea as I am friend?&quot; Talondin said to Tom and afterwards got a wicked smile upon his face with the thoughts of endless riches.

&quot;Tell me more......&quot;

</p>

[Sharkû]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hungry Ghoul
Posts: 851</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Songs and questions

&quot;You can always count on my thirst to have me stay for another round!&quot; replied Valdavar.
But both Beregond and Calamir could well see that it was not just ale the Beorning was interested in. As if he had read their thoughts, he asked:

&quot;Say, if I can ask, you seem to be a knowledgeable Lady, and you an experienced traveler, Sir. Can you tell me if there is something behind this song?
For one thing I have learned soon in my life is that even the silliest song contains truth, and legend is just another hide for things past. What's more, when I looked at the young fellow's face&quot; - Valdavar made clear with a notion of his head that he meant Ferny - &quot;as he heard of the treasures sung of, I saw the eyes of a hunter. And I doubt that this time it is the white stockings he is after!

&quot;And where are those barrows? I have never heard of such a region, so they must lie to the west, I assume?&quot;



</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 4/12/01 6:41:06 pm

[The X Phial]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Haunting Spirit
Posts: 95</TD><TD><img src=http://community.universitypride.com/cecilyanne/X-Files-01.gif WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Answers and concerns

Calamir, keeping her eyes on the men across the room, answered her companions, &quot;Aye, Beregond, they speak of gold. Gold that is not theirs for the taking. As for your questions, Valdavar, you are right to be wary.&quot;

She lowered her voice considerably as she continued, &quot;These barrows are less than a day's ride from this village. At one time they were the resting places of great men. Many things turn evil with time and lack of care, however, and these graves are no exception. More should not be said in mixed company, but I do say this: Beware the barrows and those who live within.&quot;

With this comment the lady raised her wine goblet again and settled back on her bench.

</p>

[The Barrow-Wight]

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Tom gets a room

Tom looked around him and noticed suddenly that everyone seemed to be listening to him. The Beorning in particular was staring his way and the Elf maiden was watching him with a curious look in her eye.

&quot;Perhaps we should discuss this privately&quot; he said to Talondin. “I know much of the land around Bree, including the Downs, but here is not the place to discuss it.&quot;

He saw the innkeeper across the room and shouted &quot;Butterbur! Come over here for a moment, good man.&quot;

The fat man looked up from where he was serving a tray of steaming meats to a party of Dwarves. &quot;What is it, Tom?” he shouted. “You know I'm busy and the Pony is near full up tonight! What is it you're wanting? I’ll not be a part of your feud with Dorie.&quot;

The regular visitors to the Pony all laughed at that and Tom grew red-faced. Everyone knew he was trying to court the barmaid, but they didn’t all need to know it wasn’t going well for him. He looked behind the bar where Dorie quickly dived behind the bar to avoid his gaze.

With an embarrased look he rushed across the room and whispered to the innkeep “Could you please set my new friends and I up with a private room where we could relax in better comfort? We have business to discuss.&quot;

Butterbur looked at him and said “What are you getting yourself mixed up with, Tom. First Dorie and now a troupe of strangers you just met. Can’t you ever avoid trouble?”

“Come on, Barliman” pleaded Tom. “Can’t you please just help me out? You’ve already made me look the fool in front of everyon in the place.”

Butterbur laughed “You don’t need me to help you do that. But yes, I've got a room. It has several chairs and a nice fireplace and should suit your ‘business’ well. Let me get it ready.&quot;

&quot;Nob!&quot; he shouted, startling Tom. &quot;Nob! Get over here.&quot;

The little hobbit appeared for behind the bar and ran over to where Butterbur stood.

&quot;Take these good folk back to the big room. And for goodness sake, light the Fire!&quot; he said, and then ran off to answer the shouts of a pack of thirsty hobbits.




</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/12/01 7:09:12 pm

[Suldaledhel]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Shade of Carn Dûm
Posts: 316</TD><TD><img src=http://suldalpic.homestead.com/files/00004.jpg WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Having caught Calimir's glance..

Having caught Calimir's glance, Menel turned back towards the plotting Talondin. &quot;You dont realize yet what you are getting into old friend,&quot; the elf began in a hushed voice.

&quot;The Barrow Downs do indeed have riches within them, but every man who has tried to claim these as his own does not come out of it. Of course I realize we have been through battles before, but goblins are one thing, old friend, magical haunts are completely another..&quot; Menel's voice trailed off as he spoke these words, and his gaze drew upward as the elf wandered through his memories.

The scout from Rivendell came out of these with a shudder. &quot;If you were wise, you would stay from the dreaded Barrows and their enchanting riches. No good shall come of it, should you enter a wights Barrow.&quot; Menel said, his voice scarcely a whisper, but even as he spoke ever so softly, the gazes of others in the room were drawn to him. &quot;But for now let us be merry and speak of no things until later!&quot;

</p>

[Gilthalion]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hobbitus Emeritus
Posts: 301</TD><TD><img src=http://home.att.net/~robertwgardner/lotrmap.gif WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Down to Business!

Conversation in the Common Room died down somewhat. The Dwarves continued their private murmur. The hobbits were enjoying some story about one of their relations. The outlanders were quiet, waiting for Nob to tell them a room had been made ready.

Soon enough it was. The busy hobbit had built a nice fire, quick-started with coals from the kitchen.

&quot;Your room is ready, Tom. How long d'you think you'll be up?&quot; asked Nob.

&quot;Might be a little while, Nob,&quot; answered Tom, puffed up a little. &quot;Just come around in about an hour and see if anyone needs anything will you. We might have a lot of planning to do!&quot;

Then Tom Ferny got up from his stool and turned to the outlanders and said, &quot;This way if you please, and we'll talk some business and see if there's not some profit to be had here abouts.&quot;

He walked to the door on the left and into the first door on the right. Then he turned back to see who would follow.

Talondin drained his mug and set it down with a thump. He got up and walked straightway to the meeting room. Menel gave Calimir a look as if to say, &quot;Let us see.&quot; The slender elf followed his old friend.

Valdavar the Beorning lumbered to his feet, grabbed a full pitcher of mead and followed as well, curious about all things in this land and mindful of a chance to earn some wealth.

That left the elf maiden Carimir and Beregond of Gondor. They looked at one another, spoke quickly, and reached swift agreement that it would not hurt to listen. Soon they were all seated inside the room and Ferny shut the door.


</p>

[The Barrow-Wight]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wraith of Angmar
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Tom tells his tale.

Tom took a place near the fire and rubbed his cold hands together in the warmth of its blaze. He stood looking into the flames, deep in thought, occasionally nodding his head as if he had reached some kind of an agreement in an internal conversation. His strange manner continued for some time until finally he turned and, with a smile on his face, looked around at the group of strangers.

“Good friends” he began loudly, “I have lived in Bree all my life. I know every inch of the all of Bree-land, every trail through the Chetwood and even every path of the Midgewater Marshes.

He paused to see if they were impressed yet. Since no one moved or said anything, he went on.

“And, indeed” he continued, “I know the Barrow-Downs as well. A place of great history but also of evil reputation! Long have the long mounds hidden the burial chanbers of dead Kings. And long have people yearned to rob them of their riches. But they are haunted!”

Now he was sure they were impressed. He began to gesture wildy as he continued his story.

“Torn Gryphon they are called in the ancient tongue.” He nodded to Menel and Calimir knowingly. “And the treasures in them are great . I once saw a sword thar was removed from one of the barrows, and it was the most exquiste weapons ever made by Man or Elf. But the man who found it died shortly after arriving in Bree, slain by a wight that pursued him from its rotten grave.”

He was beginning to sweat from the heat of the fire and the effort of his speech. He raised his hands above his heads menacingly.

“Yes! There are wights. I myself have seen one and it near scared the life out of me. But because I lived, I know the secrets of the Barrows. I know how to find the entrance and avoid the spirits. And with your help I, I mean we, can all become fabulously wealthy! Are you with me!?”

He ended his tale with a stomp and threw himself into a chair, grabbing the nearest mug and draining it.


</p>

[Lord Aragorn]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pile o' Bones
Posts: 16</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Hmmm

&quot;I am at least curious to learn of this place, and before you warn me again Menel, you know you cannot stop me aside from killing me.&quot; Talondin said aggressively.

&quot;How many people would you need for this, Tom? Better yet, could my weapons harm whatever we come up against?&quot; he asked putting his hand upon the now obvious hilt of his sword.

</p>

[Sharkû]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hungry Ghoul
Posts: 853</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
The frowning Beorning...

Valdavar remained silent for the moment, but it was obvious he was thinking hard. The Beorning had his head hanging, and was chewing on his lips; sometimes he shook his head, and then he seemed to count something on his fingers. He gave a sound of displeasure, which disturbed the silence that had filled the room over the last few moments, and slowly raising his head, began to speak.

&quot;It is no good disturbing the dead. I would never do this voluntarily...&quot;
Valdavar took a deep breath.
&quot;But I did not come here for pure leisure either. Times are hard for us, I have to admit. And I think I can smell something fishy about those Barrow-Downs. If there is to gain something for me which I can bring home, and it would make profit, then we could afford more time for the things and tasks in which my heart really lies. Currently, we even have to struggle to make ends meet...&quot;

&quot;And so, people, let me tell you why we have sent out scouts, me being one of them. Travellers over the mountains are less and less, and business is made the worse by ever harder circumstances. We have many hungry mouths to feed. I have been given the errand to gain whatever useful I could find along the western road - information, impressions, friends and travellers, and also whatever a strong man could honestly lay his hands on. Such treasures may lie in that place.&quot;

&quot;I am a strong man, and learned in the ways of nature; I have learned to speak the tongues of animals, and to read the signs in bark and snow. I, Valdavar, son of Vurdvrikar the Word-keeper, will accompany if you are willing to go there! I fear no living man, and by my forebears, you should be glad if I go with you, and if you know what is good for you, you better watch what is good for me. For the hand which is laid on my back I will not leave there, or on its arm for that matter!&quot;

And, being glad as a small child because he really seemed to have scared at least some of the listeners a little (Tom Ferny for one), Valdavar laughed out again and clapped his hands on his thighs.


</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 4/13/01 4:29:41 pm

[KM Tinuviel]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pile o' Bones
Posts: 16</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Enter Galenwen

Back in the Common Room, talk fell to tales of the Elder Days, and many half-remembered tales were spun of great deeds done in the war against the Great Enemy. A weary, travel-worn figure in the corner sipped at a silver flask. No one could recall when the stranger had joined the company, but many had tried (and failed) to draw him into the conversation. The stranger wore a cloak of dark green, finely made of some soft, heavy cloth, but marred with the stains of many travels. He was very slight of build and carried no weapon save only a long knife that he brought out now and again to carve a bit of the hard yellow cheese that he ate with his bread. A lyre had been slung at his back and now rested close by his gloved hand. He kept his hood pulled close about his face, but now and again he leaned forward as some thread of a tale caught his interest, and a glimpse was seen of sea-green eyes, though the lower part of his face was hidden by a finely woven scarf.

The fire in the hearth had burned low as one of the company recounted the tale of &quot;Narn i Hin Hurin&quot;. At that very moment when the tale was come to its conclusion, a gust of chill, damp air blew open the great oaken door, and the lamps were snuffed out. The barmaid shrieked, and Barliman shouted for Nob to bring a light. Someone stumbled in the dark, and a table was overturned. A spark flared to a flame, and the glow showed the face of the stranger for an instant before he set the lamp on the table. His hood had fallen away, and all were surprised to see that &quot;he&quot; was in fact a tall elven maid in the riding-garb of a man. She was glad all in various hues of green, and her long black hair was caught up by a cord of leather.

&quot;Perhaps it is best not to speak of such things. There are stirring again in the wide world Dark Powers that relish not the name of the son of Hurin, for it was fortold that in the Last Battle he will smite the Great Enemy.&quot;

One of the company shouted,&quot;Tell us then, some other tale of the old days. Or better yet, play us a song on your harp, Lady.&quot;

&quot;Yes,&quot; said another, &quot;give us a song to lift our spirits on this dreary night.&quot;

The lady brought out her lyre and began to sing in sweet tones the Lay of Leithian, the tale of Beren and Luthien, but her song faltered ere the end, and she fell silent.

&quot;Please, Lady, finish the tale!&quot; one of the halflings begged.

&quot;Nay, friend, you will get no more from me this night. I have no more heart for music-making, and the end of the tale brings to mind painful memories of a dear friend long gone whither I cannot follow, for Luthien the Fair has passed indeed from this world.&quot;

The young hobbit gasped. &quot;Luthien? Your friend? But she died ages ago. You must be really old, then--ow!&quot; The young hobbit cried out as his ears were boxed by one of his elders: &quot;Don't you be fogetting you manners, now, young 'un.&quot;

&quot;Yes,&quot; the elf-maid laughed, &quot;for I am called Galenwen, and in ages past I was a pupil of Daeron the minstrel of Doriath. I sang before the throne of Elu Thingol,lord of Menegroth, and Luthien was my childhood companion. But Beleriand lies now at the bottom of the sea, and I am wont to wander, and I have no lasting abode.&quot;

At that moment Butterbur came bustling in with a tray of mugs, bound for the private room and Ferny's party.

&quot;Hey, Barley!&quot; Galenwen called, &quot;a moment of your time if you please!&quot;

&quot;Sorry, Lady,&quot; Butterbur replied breathlessly, &quot;but a moment is more than I've got at present. But I do have a message for you, if you can but wait for me to deliver this round of ale to the back room. Hi, Nob! Where is that wooly-footed rascal when I need him?&quot; Butterbur hurried out of the room, muttering to himself.

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 4/13/01 5:58:26 pm

[Lord Aragorn]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pile o' Bones
Posts: 17</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Really?

Talondin smirked and replied to Valdavar &quot;If you were tring to scare me with that little speech, it didn't work, beorning.&quot;

Catching Valdavar's attention, Talondin let loose a small smile, indicating that he was neither scared of him, nor would bend to his intentions.

&quot;Go on Tom, but know this, I will come with you, should you go.&quot;

</p>

[The Barrow-Wight]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wraith of Angmar
Posts: 2169</TD><TD><img src=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/my_pic.jpg WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
I'll lead

&quot;That's all I've got to say, really&quot; said Tom from his chair. &quot;But we still haven't heard from everyone. I'll wait to hear from them before I make any plans.&quot;

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/13/01 6:34:43 pm

[Zoe]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Shade of Carn Dûm
Posts: 320</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
The Common Room- enter Andy, a hobbit from Bree

&quot;Ow, dad! Y' didn't have to box me ears!&quot; muttered the young hobbit who'd expressed surprise at Galenwen.

&quot;Well don't be rude to your elders Andy,&quot; replied his father.

&quot;Then I'll go an' apoligise to her,&quot; he said, secretly glad of the chance to see an elf. And one as old as Galenwen, too, he thought. Wow!

&quot;Don't you be making a fool of yourself.&quot;

&quot;I won't, dad!&quot;

Andy ducked another, friendlier ear-boxing from his father and walked over to Galenwen, nearly tripping over his oversized hand-me-down trousers.

&quot;Please, miss, my name's Andy, or rather Andonas, if it so please you,&quot; he stammered. &quot;I'm... I'm uh...&quot;

Galenwen looked up. &quot;Yes?&quot;

</p>

[The X Phial]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Haunting Spirit
Posts: 96</TD><TD><img src=http://community.universitypride.com/cecilyanne/X-Files-01.gif WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
From across the room

Calamir stirred in a far corner of the room. By the flicker of the lamplight she seemed almost a shadow as she sat in a high-backed chair near the door. Rising to her feet she surveyed her odd collection of companions.

&quot;My heart is heavy within me to hear talk such as this. I mean disrespect to none in what I am about to say, but I feel it my duty to speak my mind. This errand seems foolhardy to me. No, Talondin, allow me to finish.

&quot;I have lived for many years in the Hidden Realm of Lorien. I see that some of you are familiar with the name. I was sent by my queen, the Lady of the Forest, with messages which at the time seemed of little consequence. My mission is complete and my journey for now is simply to return home. Despite my misgivings and, quite honestly, my fear, of this errand, I feel that somehow my fate is caught up with this party. Perhaps the mission I was sent on was simply a vehicle to bring me into your company. In any case, it was foretold long ago that Calamir would encounter the lifeless in their homes. For these reasons, and others, I will accompany this party, though I seek no treasures of my own.&quot;

With this speech, she returned quietly to her chair. None spoke for several moments and it seemed to all that the noble lady was less joyful than before. Despite the gloom, however, Calamir's eyes shone with the knowledge that her ancient doom was finally upon her.

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/13/01 8:13:26 pm

[KM Tinuviel]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pile o' Bones
Posts: 17</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: The Common Room- enter Andy, a hobbit from Bree

Galenwen waited expectantly for the young halfling to speak.

&quot;So, you'd hear more tales of Elves?&quot; she asked.

Andy nodded vigorously, but didn't speak.

Galenwen laughed. &quot;Alright,&quot; she said, &quot;but this will be a bedtime tale for you, young one.&quot;

She lowered her voice to a whisper: &quot;I am on a mission.&quot; Andy's eyes widened as she continued. &quot;I am come from my kinsman Celeborn in the Golden Wood with a message for Cirdan of the Havens. That seems to be how I spend much of my time these days. No one takes notice of a lone minstrel, singing for her bed and board...going back and forth between Lorien and Rivendell, and running errands for that grumpy nag of a wizard, Mithrandir...which reminds me, where has our good innkeeper got to with my message?&quot;

Galenwen sighed. &quot;Oh, well, I suppose the weather is more favorable for fireside tales than for travelling.&quot;

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/14/01 8:45:30 am

[Beregond]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Haunting Spirit
Posts: 94</TD><TD><img src=http://www.luckyblackcat.com/halloween.htg/candle.gif WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Beregond speaks

Beregond stood up. Tall he was, and in the glimmer of the firelight they could see his sword, shining bright.

And he said, &quot;I am a messenger of Gondor, sent to find tidings from the west. Long have I been abroad, and many roads have I tread since I left Gondor, yet now my mission is accomplished. Yet tidings also I bear from the east, and I will tell them to you.&quot; He paused, then said, &quot;We have reason to think that the Dark Lord has risen again in Mordor, and has built anew the Dark Tower. Forces he is gathering, and Mount Doom is smoking again. This may or may not be news for you, I do not know. Yet that is not my mission.&quot;

He stopped for awhile, as though thinking, then said, &quot;I will accompany you on this mission, though I do not know my peril, for we in the south know little of these wights, save in song, and they are but legends to us. Even so, I would go with you, for I deem that it is my fate. I will come with you, at least as far the barrows.&quot;

He then sunk back into his chair.

</p>

[Gilthalion]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hobbitus Emeritus
Posts: 314</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
A Message for Galenwen

At that moment, Barliman Butterbur bustled back into the Common Room, this time with a sealed note in his fat fingers.

&quot;Begging your pardon, Lady. But there's that much to do around here and it seems you lordly folk find me useful to be your private postmaster, too, on top of all else. But that's as may be and it's well I can provide the service, when I'm not too busy with other chores, and there are plenty of those. Will there be anything else just now?&quot; he finished breathlessly.

&quot;No, my good Barliman, I thank you,&quot; said the elven minstril. Turning to the hobbit lad, she said, &quot;I pray you let me read this letter, and then I'll have a story for you.&quot;

Young Andy was happy to wait and half hoped to find out what was in the letter. He would not find out (at least not right away), but his disappointment would be assauged by the minstril's tale.

The letter was from the grey wizard.

<blockquote>Quote:<hr>
THE PRANCING PONY, BREE. SEPTEMBER 3

My dear Galenwen,

As usual, there is little time and I hope that we may have a merry meeting in the Golden Wood some time hence. You are aware of the growing Shadow, and of how all dark things in Middle-earth grow stronger and more wakeful with it. I need not tell you to be cautious. But I do.

I shall be gone from Eriador for some years most likely and I have sent such messages as I could contrive to those who travel through the land to be wary. It seems to my mind that the orcs and goblins of the Misty Mountains grow more numerous and the Road more difficult. Other things there are in the mountains who have been stirred to enmity for the traveler. Beware the Old Forest and the Downs, for ancient shades of malice are waking and will prey if they can upon greed or need.

<center> Treasures of old
of sword and gold
lie buried there.

Spells of shadow
'neath rolling meadow
fall to songs more fair.</center>

Keep your counsel for those with ears to hear, and let the wicked step into their own snares. Often foolish choices create opportunity for unforseen good. As is the elven way, say neither yea nor nay, but look for ways to help those who think they need no help, for they usually need it most.

Your friend,

Mithrandir (Gandalf)

P.S. My heart tells me that you may trust your luck once, but not twice! G.

P.P.S. Highway robbers may be found on the low way as well! G.


P.P.P.S. Small frames may conceal great hearts! Have a care for those who dare! G.
<hr></blockquote>


Galenwen refolded the note and tucked in into a bag.

&quot;Well now, little fellow! Perhaps you would like to hear the Tale of the Sun and the Moon?&quot;

Andy, and indeed the rest of the Common Room (even the Dwarves), were quite ready to hear whatever the elven minstril would say or play.

Meanwhile, other elven ears also heard faintly through the oaken doors, Galenwen's fair voice lifted up in song, and were ready for the matter with Tom Ferny to be decided.

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 4/14/01 2:27:07 pm

[The Barrow-Wight]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wraith of Angmar
Posts: 2170</TD><TD><img src=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/my_pic.jpg WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
That's settles it!

&quot;Well then, that settles it!&quot; said Tom, standing and walking towards the door. &quot;We're agreed to explore the Barrow-downs and find our fortune.&quot;

He walked to the door and opened it.

&quot;But it is late and I have business at home yet. Shall we meet here at sunrise?&quot;

</p>

[Sharkû]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hungry Ghoul
Posts: 854</TD><TD><img src=http://www.tolkiens-legacy.de/skogtroll[1].jpg WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Shadows and sunrise

&quot;Alright! Sunrise then! I do not have anything against an early hour.&quot; said Valdavar.
&quot;I have to get a place to sleep now. Let's see what the innkeeper has still left for me.&quot;

Valdavar trotted slowly to the common room again, but halfway out of the room, he turned back to Beregond, the soldier of Gondor.

&quot;Say, Master Beregond, if you can spare a moment, I would like to hear more of the tidings you have brought. For the long reach of the things you have hinted can even be sensed far more north, in our lands; through the foul folk I have mentioned, and by the dreary sight of the Bald Hill.

&quot;Although, I can well understand it if you would rather not speak of the shadow any more. That which lies ahead of us might be enough even for a brave man.&quot;


</p>

[The X Phial]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Haunting Spirit
Posts: 97</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Meeting in the Common Room

&quot;Sunrise by the door of this establishment it shall be, Tom Ferny,&quot; Calamir said, and then quickly slipped out into the hall. She was anxious to return to the common room for she had heard, even while Ferny spoke, the voice of her kinswoman Galenwen.

She reentered the large room as the minstrel began her song. Unnoticed, she sat and listened to the ancient tale of sun and moon, as she had so many times in the past. She noticed one small Hobbit in particular was entranced by the tale and smiled to herself as she thought 'Galenwen is indeed gifted in song.'

When the tale was over and the young halfling had started to beg for another, Calamir stepped forward, surprising both teller and listener.

&quot;Well met, Galenwen, fellow traveller of Lorien. In sooth, I was sent out long after you and yet we meet on our return journies. Has Cirdan kept you so busy?&quot;

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 4/14/01 2:31:41 pm

[The Barrow-Wight]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wraith of Angmar
Posts: 2171</TD><TD><img src=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/my_pic.jpg WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Tom leaves the Prancing Pony

With a short &quot;Goodbye&quot; Tom left the room and walked to the Common Room. Without a glance aroud him he went directly to the front door of the inn and left.

Barliman looked up from where he was breathlessly arguing with the Dwarves over the stabling of their ponies.

&quot;Tom and his schemes.&quot; he muttered to himself, and then, much louder &quot;No, my good Dwarf, your beast may not sleep in the inn no matter how clean he is! I assure you it is quite safe in our stable!&quot;

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/14/01 12:14:02 pm

[Gilthalion]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hobbitus Emeritus
Posts: 315</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
A Fair Morning

Rooms were found for those who wanted them and soon the locals made their way home and the hired help of the Prancing Pony set to work on cleaning the place, as was their nightly custom.

The three elves adjorned to Calamir's room and talked through the night by the fire laid for them, with a jug of wine and one of fresh water and a loaf of bread and a small cheese on the side table.

While the others slept, the elves discussed the wayward men, and their need for the gold of the dead. Calamir was fearful of the dread Barrow-Downs. Menel less so, but could not let his headstrong friend go into danger alone.

&quot;Besides,&quot; said he, &quot;if that Tom Ferny means well, I'm a hobbit! He says more than he really knows, and has something to hide besides.&quot;

In the end, it was the elven minstril who decided them. The letter from Mithrandir seemed written for such a day, and she had no fear of elvish wights and the spells they wove.

&quot;Aye, that is well for you,&quot; said Calamir, &quot;for you have lived long and are very wise and skilled. But the song of one can be drowned by the songs of many, if they rise in legion.&quot;

&quot;Calamir speaks truth,&quot; said Menel. &quot;I do not think we dare stay long.&quot;

The elves agreed to help their friends in their reckless endeavor, for they pitied the good Beornings and the hard times that had befallen them, and did not desire to see Talondin or Beregond fall into the power of the evil wights.

<center> ~~~</center>

Beneath the window, under the eaves, a small dark shape listened to all they said with keen ears. Not even the elves could hear this, so quietly did it move. After a time, their conversation turned to other matters beyond the understanding of the eavesdropper, who had heard more than was good for him in any case. Ever so quietly, Andy moved away, and scurried back home before his father noticed him missing. Not even the elves would know it, but a certain young hobbit boy had decided that he would follow the adventurers himself the very next day!

<center> ~~~</center>

The next morning gleamed brightly, as Autumn mornings often do. Tom Ferny had even shaved and wore a clean shirt and was waiting for them promptly with the rise of the sun. He had a pack horse laden with supplies and tools. Talondin and Beregond were ready, Caramir and Menel were joined by Galenwen, and Valdevar the Beorning was timely as well, though he yawned continually and so widely that one could see the back of his teeth.

As the cocks crowed in Bree, the party set out West, leading the Sun on their journey, hoping to make good time so that the next sunrise would find them entering the Downs.

No one noticed for quite some time, the small figure that cautiously and quietly followed.

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 4/14/01 3:14:34 pm

[Melgara]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Plague Bringer
Posts: 8</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Deep in thought.

Talondin walked, looking at the ground, lagging a few paces behind the rest of the group. The sun had risen high, and the party ahead was just discussing stopping briefly for some lunch.

The foremost thing on his mind, however, was whoever trailed them. He knew someone was there, but he could not hear much over the speech of the others.

&quot;What should I do about this follower..&quot; he thought to himself. Slowly and silently he drew a hidden knife from within his cloak. He spun around quickly and loosed the knife from his hand. It stuck in the ground just in front of a very surprised hobbit.

&quot;Who are you, you little tag-along?!&quot; Talondin yelled to Andy.

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 4/14/01 6:19:09 pm

[The Barrow-Wight]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wraith of Angmar
Posts: 2173</TD><TD><img src=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/my_pic.jpg WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Andy! Go home!

Tom looked back to the rear of the group where there was some kind of disturbance involving Talondin. The strange man seemed to be attacking a large rabbit or perhaps a small dog. The creature cowered in the road, Talondin’s dagger quivering where it stood half-burried in the hard-packed dirt.

“Please sir”, said the creature “don’t harm me. My da’ will die of sorrow if I don’t come home tonight.”

Tom recognized the tiny voice and walked quickly to where the hobbit lad lay on the ground.

“Andy Middleburrow!” he shouted at the frightened lad. “What on earth are you doing following us. Yer dad’s going to tan your hide with a willow switch when he he finds where you’ve been.” He ran his hands through his curly dark hair and glared down at the terrified hobbit.

“Please, Mr. Ferny” said Andy, coming to his knees and wringing his hands, “I didn’t mean no harm. It’s just that the elf lady told such wonderful tales last night that I just had to see where you all were going. And when I saw you were with them, sir, I figured it be alright for me to tag along.”

He looked around to the faces of the other adventurers hoping to find support or a friendly face.

Tom said to him angrily “Boy, you have no business out here on the Downs. You know better than that! Now get on back to town before I punish you myself!”


</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/14/01 6:47:34 pm

[Zoe]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Shade of Carn Dûm
Posts: 327</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: Andy! Go home!

&quot;But... please, sir? Just to follow you for a while? I don' mean no harm, honest!&quot;

&quot;Do you know what danger we face?&quot; asked Galenwen, looking carefully at Andy.

Not sure what would be the most appropriate answer, Andy mumbled something.

&quot;Lad, when y' speak with a lady, y' don't talk to yer toes,&quot; said Tom.

Looking up, Andy said, &quot;I'm not scared of nothin'. Or not much, rather... Spiders an' the like...&quot; trailing off again.

&quot;Not scared of anyting?&quot; asked Galenwen. &quot;Very brave, but very foolish, too.&quot;

&quot;But please can I come with you? Just for a little way?&quot; said Andy, putting on the face he used when trying to get out of a beating from his dad.

</p>

[The X Phial]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Haunting Spirit
Posts: 99</TD><TD><img src=http://community.universitypride.com/cecilyanne/X-Files-01.gif WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
As he wishes

Calamir, a bit startled by Tom Ferny's violent response to the Hobbit child, took a long look at the poor lad obviously yearning for adventure. Her first instinct was to send him home where he would be safe. Casting her mind back, however, she remembered the note to Galenwen from Mithrandir that she had read the night before.

She turned to Galenwen, who was studying the child with a look of bemusment on her face. Finally, she spoke,&quot;Young sir, I do not doubt your bravery or your will, but this errand is simply far too dangerous for one as young as you.&quot;

Andy's face fell and he seemed to crumple to the ground in disappointment.

&quot;However,&quot; she continued, &quot;we do have need of a companion who would be willing to keep the ponies together for us. He would need to be quite brave, and patient, too. Would such a position interest you, Hobbit Lad?&quot;

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000095>The X Phial</A> at: 4/16/01 1:34:16 pm

[The Barrow-Wight]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wraith of Angmar
Posts: 2180</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
The lad will be trouble..

&quot;Were you not listening to me, miss?&quot; said Tom angrily. &quot;The boy's parents surely don't know he's here and will be scouring Bree-hill for him if he's not home for the midday meal. We've got no business dragging hobbit-lads out onto the Downs.&quot;

&quot;No, they won't!&quot; Andy piped up. &quot;They think I've gone camping with my cousins! And well... I am going camping at least!&quot;

He looked around him but realized the others weren't supporting him. Calimir stood with her arms crossed and Menel was nodding his head in agreement with the elf maiden. Talondin and Beregond seemed completely indifferent and the Beorning wasn't even paying attention to the discussion, instead digging for something in his pack.

Tom obviously wasn't getting anywhere with his point about the boy so he said &quot;Well, it won't be on my head if anything happens to him!&quot;

He gave the young hobbit an evil grin and said &quot;The Wights especially like children!&quot;

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 4/16/01 6:21:21 pm

[Zoe]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Shade of Carn Dûm
Posts: 331</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
But he can come if he wishes

&quot;Tom,&quot; said Calimar, &quot;Wights are especially 'fond' of all who disturb them. Let the boy come. And since he will stay with the ponies, he will NOT come onto the Downs, will you, Andy?&quot;

Andy's face lit up.

&quot;But,&quot; she said, &quot;You must realise what you're getting yourself into. This is not a walk in the countryside, to end with a hot supper, a mug of beer, and a bed. This is dangerous. We may never return. Do you still want to come with us?&quot;

Andy almost argued, but then thought better of it.

&quot;Yes, I'll come. And I'll stay with the ponies.&quot;


</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 4/16/01 6:24:05 pm

[KM Tinuviel]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pile o' Bones
Posts: 18</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
on the stubbornness of hobbits

Galenwen smiled to herself as she watched the hobbit lad strolling along beside her. He whistled a merry tune, and there was a bounce in his step. He acted as though he were going to a birthday party, she thought, amused.

She took a moment to observe young Andy; in all her travels, she had never met a hobbit before. The old wizard, Mithrandir, had always taken a special interest in Bree and in the Shire, and put great store in the courage and &quot;downright stubbornness&quot; of hobbits. Galenwen was observing plenty of both traits in Andy! And, strange as it sounded, having him in the company was rather comforting.

She thought back on the words of Mithrandir's post-script and wondered, not for the first time, if this was more than merely a &quot;chance&quot; meeting. She should have been on the road a day earlier, and would not have met up with this company at all if she hadn't tarried at the Prancing Pony. She had hoped to speak with the old wizard himself, but she once again had to content herself with a hastily scribbled note. She was seeing less and less of him as late; and his messages were becoming more and more cryptic of late! What could be keeping him so busy these days? Celeborn and Galadriel had warned her of increasing danger on the northern roads, but she'd not paid them much heed, thinking her errand lay elsewhere. And now, here she was, in a company of strangers, bound to knock on the front door of a barrow-wight!

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/17/01 12:41:00 pm

[Suldaledhel]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Eru's Gift
Posts: 328</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Menel's conerns..

Menel had kept silent since the decision to travel to the downs, wrestling with his own inner thoughts and doubts. During most of the walk he had kept his head down, and watched his feet shuffle along to the pace set by the shaft of his spear tapping the ground.

Although Menel thought better of bringing the hobbit boy on this journey, that might well be the end of few--or all-- he grinned at the over ruling of Master Ferny's decisions, and the authority of Calimir on the matter.

He now approached the hobbit with a warm smile on his face, and his blue-green eyes glinted with an elvish twinkle. &quot;Well lad,&quot; he said in a friendly tone,&quot;I was once a boy myself, although many hundreds of years ago, and I can tell you right now you may watch the ponies for ten minutes before the spirit of adventure overcomes you, and then you shall set out trying to follow the rest of us. You must resist!&quot;

The elf grinned as he spoke, peering into the young adventurer's eyes. &quot;But,&quot; he added while drawing his voice to a whisper, which Andy scarcely heard,&quot; I know well the way of things, having lived here a long while. And who is to tell where valour may be found, ere all is finished. So tell me, tell not show, do you carry any sort of weapon? A pocket knife, a sling praps?&quot;

The eye's of the scout narrowed as he said this, and he glanced quickly in the direction of the Downs before returning his gaze to the hobbit near him.

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 4/17/01 12:45:29 pm

[Sharkû]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hungry Ghoul
Posts: 858</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
From silence to whispers to talks

Valdavar had remained silent all the time since the company departed from Bree that morning.

Even when Andy joined the company, he paid little attention and was deep in thought. A restlessness seemed to have come upon him, as if they could not reach the Barrow-Downs fast enough, and whenever the way ahead was clear, he went way ahead of the party with long stalks, and only stopped when he heard Ferny or one of the elves call.

Now that the sun had nigh climbed up to its highest point, and shone as a ghostly lamp behind the thick clouds, the company rested; and the Beorning went to examine the new half-grown traveler a bit more.

He was as open as always in his action - the way he looked at the young hobbit from head to feet made clear that he was not overjoyous because of his company. While Menel talked to Andy, Valdavar shook his head and went off again.

But later, the Beorning walked at to the side of the ponies, who were standing near the travellers, and patted them softly on their manes with his big hands. At each of the ponies he lowered his head a bit and spoke something in their ears, shortly and calm, and too low for even the elves to hear, had they paid attention to this.

When Andy noticed this, and looked with big eyes at the strange massive man which he, in company of so many fascinating travellers, had not shown much interest in yet, Valdavar smiled at the hobbit, and said, &quot;Well, my lad, we know much of the nature of beasts, and these are fine ponies I may say. To speak the truth, I'd even say some of these can be more trusted than most of these people here. Aye, I prefer the pony to the weasel...&quot; Valdavar tried hard not to let it show that he meant Ferny. &quot;You seem to me a young hobbit who likes the beasts, although I well know you did not want to follow us because of them! Well, come here, and let's have a talk. A cheerful chap can always drive my bad thoughts away, and that's what I need right now.&quot;

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 4/17/01 7:19:56 pm

[Zoe]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Shade of Carn Dûm
Posts: 333</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
A brief conversation

&quot;I'm - I'm afraid I never caught your name before, sir,&quot; said Andy, hoping he wasn't being rude by this tall stranger's standards. There weren't any men like this in Bree, and he wasn't sure what to do.

&quot;It's Valdavar, lad,&quot; he replied, smiling slightly.

&quot;Ah. Yes,&quot; said Andy. &quot;Valdavar, Valdavar,&quot; he muttered to himself, hoping he would remember it and not embarrass himself later.

&quot;So, lad, why do you want to come with us? I've been wondering all this time. It's not like small folk to want to go adventuring,&quot; said Valdavar.

&quot;I really don't know,&quot; said Andy. &quot;But I don't want to stay back in Bree, where nothin' ever happens - why, Galenwen singing last night, that was practically the most exciting thing to happen at the Inn all year! I want to do something exciting, not just stay in Bree all my life, if you get what I mean, sir.&quot;

&quot;I do, I do,&quot; said Valdavar, and seemed lost in thought for a while.

</p>

[Gilthalion]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hobbitus Emeritus
Posts: 338</TD><TD><img src=http://home.att.net/~robertwgardner/lotrmap.gif WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
On to the Downs!

The big man and the little hobbit got along quite well, finding much more in common than either would have guessed. Menel learned that Andy did indeed have a sling and boasted that he was quite proficient with it!

Tom Ferny grumbled to himself, but this signified nothing to the elves and men who went along the Road, following the setting Sun west to the Downs.

The rolling meadows rose up to the south of the Road, and could be seen beyond a long grey line.

&quot;That marks the bounds of the old Kingdom,&quot; said Tom.

&quot;I know,&quot; said Galenwen, who knew something more, but did not say. She looked at Caramir and Menel, who both also knew somewhat more of the region than Tom Ferny guessed.

&quot;My distant kindred were buried there,&quot; said Beregond. &quot;It is better that their gold be removed and no longer serve as the bait for the snares of evil wights.&quot;

&quot;I wonder,&quot; said Caramir.

&quot;I don't,&quot; said Talondin.

&quot;Are we going there tonight?&quot; asked Andy, looking nervously at the falling Sun.

&quot;No!&quot; said Tom crossly. &quot;No love of money would lure me out there after dark! We will camp on this side of the hedge line and explore after the Sun is on her way again!&quot;

Tom piled some rocks one atop another but did not say why. They left the Road at that point, and crossed over the fields until they came to the long hedge, which was much taller and broader than it had looked from afar. They made camp, building a nice fire, and talked and planned what they would do the next day.

After a time, Galenwen brought out her instrument and began to sing.

Kings there were not long ago
Who strode the world with pride.
They fought their kin both high and low
And fighting thus they died.

After came old spirits dark
In answer to dark spell
Calling ghosts with ears that hark
To summons dark and fell.

They wait there now in mounded grave
For those who lust for gold.
And who shall come and from them save
Mortal men grown over bold.

Songs there are that can be sung
By spirits living still
With warm sweet breath and harpstrings strung
That blow away the chill.

They wait for us in mouldy grime
To steal our lives away.
But let me sing to them in time
And live another day!

Talondin grimaced, but said nothing. The song did not bring them much comfort, though it ended well. They bade one another sleep well, though the elves took it upon themselves to keep watch.

Andy found it hard to sleep, imagining every change of wind to be a wicked wight calling out to him. But he dozed off and was snoring softly sooner than he knew and knew nothing more until the morning.

</p>

[Armiel]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Newly Deceased
Posts: 4</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Enter Armiel

When the night had fallen completely dark a new song could be heard in the air, but it was not Galenwen who was singing. The voice drew nearer to the camp and the members of the company who had not yet gone to sleep could hear the song cutting through the dark night. Then the singer, walked into the light of the campfire.

By her appearance and her song it was obvious she was elven. She wore a long grey dress and a strong elven blade hung from her slender waist. Her hair was tied loosely behind her and her bright grey eyes glowed with a light of their own, for those who could see it.

“Greetings! What an odd place to find a camp and what an odd mix of campers! And Menel! It has been much too long dear friend” she said as she walked to the tall elf. “Though we Wanderers do get around indeed, we too seldom run into our friends...”

“It has indeed been too long my friend,” replied Menel and the sight of his old friend had brought a sound of cheer to his voice, though his countenance remained grim as he thought on their task.

Armiel then turned to the others “Forgive me for not introducing myself, my name is Armiel, I travel often through these parts. I have an errand to Rivendell, but now I see another task at hand. Perhaps I can help you!&quot;

Armiel glanced around the camp, her eyes narrowing when she saw Tom Ferny... whose shifty eyes did not meet her gaze. The other elves saw the glow of her eyes grow fiery, but this subsided as she turned away from the man and listened as the other elves quietly told her of the quest and of their misgivings.

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 4/20/01 12:06:02 pm

[The Barrow-Wight]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wraith of Angmar
Posts: 2199</TD><TD><img src=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/my_pic.jpg WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
What a strange new traveler

Tom Ferny shuddered at the strange look the elf woman had given him. He had no idea who she was though he thought he may have seen her a time or two in the Prancing Pony. But she certainly seemed to know him or of him. Perhaps she was mistaking him for someone else. Sometimes people confused him for his brother Bill.

He turned to Talondin who sat near him tossing small rocks towards the fire as he eyed the newcomer.

&quot;What a strange new traveler&quot; Tom said quietly. &quot;I don't like the look of her. Not all elves are as good as people say, and some are downright wicked. Or so I've heard.&quot;

He moved a little closer to Talondin and lowered his voice even more. &quot;And we certainly don't need to divide our treasure any more than we have to, do we?&quot; he whispered.

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/20/01 7:32:53 pm

[The X Phial]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wight
Posts: 105</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Greetings, Armiel

Calimir and the other elves stood near to where Andy and Valdavar were slumbering and discussed the mission to the Downs. Calamir, delighted at seeing Armiel, welcomed her warmly.

&quot;Armiel, I have missed you, old friend. I have never forgotten that it was you who encouraged me to explore my skill at craft after my parents were slain by the orcs. What brings you into this part of the world?&quot;

Valdavar woke and turned, his ears quick to hear noises in the night. Even the little hobbit stirred, and seeing yet another elf in the camp, was suddenly wide awake!

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 4/21/01 8:35:12 am

[Sharkû]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hungry Ghoul
Posts: 867</TD><TD><img src=http://www.tolkiens-legacy.de/skogtroll[1].jpg WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: What a strange new traveler

Only after he had recieved a questioning look by Menel did Valdavar mutter a greeting at the elf woman. He saw Ferny's mood getting somewhat worse too, as he could judge by Tom's eyes narrowing and his lips pressing together. With a laconic shrug the Beorning got up and walked some steps away from the fire-place, so that he could just be seen at the border of the flamelit area.

&quot;Odd mix of campers, whom're you telling...&quot; he muttered too low for anybody sitting at the fire to hear, at least that was what the Beorning thought. &quot;And getting stranger and stranger... Elf-folk, I can stand... But so many, in such few time together in one place...&quot;

He sighed clear for all to hear.

&quot;And by the Great Bear, if that isn't a sign of danger, whether those mean well or not...&quot;

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/20/01 7:20:41 pm

[Lord Aragorn]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pile o' Bones
Posts: 19</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Odd? We shall see...

Talondin turned to Ferny and whispered &quot;Let us find her way afore we should judge her so much.&quot;

He stood from his place away from the group, and walked towards Armiel, smiling slightly as he stopped in front of her, a very rare occurance for him.

&quot;My name is Talondin&quot; he said. &quot;Unlike most of these people, I hail from no certain place. My 'home' is my pack and cloak.&quot;

He then outstretched his hand from under his cloak. &quot;It is nice to meet you.&quot;

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/20/01 7:33:32 pm

[Armiel]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Newly Deceased
Posts: 5</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Interesting tale

Armiel returned Talondin's smile and warmly accepted his outreached hand. &quot;I too know what it is like to live from one's pack. Though I have a home in Rivendell, I spend most of my time wandering these lands&quot;

Her eyes glistened at such a warm welcome from a stranger and her gaze went directly to his eyes. Talondin could feel the deep penetrating gaze inside him as if she were reading his thoughts. Finally, she removed her gaze and smiled, turning happily to face Calamir.

&quot;It is very good to see you once again&quot; she said. &quot;It has been too long since my eyes have seen the fair beauty of Lórien.&quot;

Armiel beckoned Calamir closer to her and whispered so quietly that not even the Beorning could hear her words &quot;It is very strange indeed to find you on such a journey my friend. I am curious as to why you would be a part of this group. However I am sure there will be much time for explanations&quot;

Armiel's manner had become quite charming as she spoke to Talondin and Calimir but she spoke stiffly as she finally addressed Tom Ferny. &quot;Greetings Mr. Ferny&quot;. Again, thought not as bright as before, fire could be seen in her eyes.

&quot;Have we met?&quot; replied Tom harshly, obviously unhappy with the tone the elf was taking with him.

&quot;We just have&quot; she said and simply walked away from him.

Her wit had not impressed Tom.


</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/20/01 8:11:01 pm

[Zoe]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Shade of Carn Dûm
Posts: 334</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
More Elves!

Armiel's wit may not have impressed Tom, but Andy was fascinated. So many elves in one small point in space and time! There must have been something strange going on, causing all these chance meetings of old friends, but Andy was thinking only of how lucky he was. Imagine if his dad could see him now - the old man'd be shocked, probably give him a beating in surprise.

&quot;But who is this?&quot; asked Armiel, looking at Andy.

&quot;I'm called Andy, lady,&quot; he said, and too his surprise, bowed low.

&quot;I never knew a child with such manners,&quot; said Armiel, smiling.

</p>

[Suldaledhel]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Eru's Gift
Posts: 329</TD><TD><img src=http://suldalpic.homestead.com/files/00004.jpg WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: Interesting tale

Menel stood watching the beorning mutter to himself before turning to Armiel. His friendly gaze met hers as he stepped forward, bowing with a warm smile on his face. &quot;Armiel it is always good to see you, although experience tells me that whenever you do so unexpectedly, trouble is oft afoot. What brought you hither? Surely it would be a fine coincidence should your travels and ours meet in such a way!&quot; As the elf spoke, he looked around, surveying the area as he greeted her, as if he expected some evil to descend upon the company that moment.

</p>

[Beregond]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wight
Posts: 102</TD><TD><img src=http://members.attcanada.ca/~kind1/beregond.jpg WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: Interesting tale

Beregond now walked over to Armiel, and offered his hand. &quot;My name is Beregond, and I am a messenger of Gondor,&quot; he said, &quot;I'm glad to meet you!&quot;

</p>

[Gilthalion]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hobbitus Emeritus
Posts: 342</TD><TD><img src=http://home.att.net/~robertwgardner/lotrmap.gif WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
A Grey Morning

Introductions had been made all around but soon the men and the hobbit grew weary once again and turned in for the night. The elves talked softly for some time before themselves taking rest in their dreamy waking elvish way.

The sun rose the next day, pale and watery behind a low cover of clouds. The Downs were shrouded in mist, as if expecting the travelers, and as if the haunted lands had prepared a gloomy reception especially for them.

After a hurried breakfast, Tom Ferney called to the party from a gap in the grey hedge.

&quot;The biggest mounds are probably the best,&quot; said Tom. &quot;And they are in the center of the Downs. It will take much of the morning to reach them, but the best pickings will likely be dug up there. Let's get going!&quot;

Leaving Andy to see to cleaning up breakfast, tidying the camp, and keeping all but Ferny's pack horse, the party followed behind Ferny and his animal deep into the heart of the mist shrouded Barrow-Downs, to where the greatest treasures --and dangers-- were said to lie.

</p>

[Lord Aragorn]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pile o' Bones
Posts: 20</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
A Queit Day

As the group walked deeper into the downs Talondin couldn't help but be excited at the riches he would be gaining once they got to their destination. He followed at the rear of the group, watching everyone and everything around him, all the while holding his fingers loosely on the hidden hilt of his sword. He was prepared for anything that would come along.

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/21/01 4:31:16 pm

[The X Phial]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wight
Posts: 109</TD><TD><img src=http://community.universitypride.com/cecilyanne/X-Files-01.gif WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: On the downs

Calimir, near to the front of the group, could already feel a sense of disturbance among the company. She and the other elves were all armed with weapons but she knew it would take more than swords and bows to defeat a wight. In fact, she had brought several smaller objects that might be of more use than any dagger, no matter how smartly wielded.

In her pack she carried a small bag of white stones similar to the one set in silver about her neck. These stones were the Calimiri from which her name had been taken, Jewels of Light. They were her special creation, the result of many years of work. The white stones, which appeared to be quite normal upon inspection would lend to the owner or carrier a white glow when confronted with creatures and things twisted by the Shadow. They had many drawbacks as they made it very difficult to hide and their power could be quite short-lived, but she knew that of everything in her arsenal, light was the one the barrow wights hated most and even a small glow might provide a measure of protection.

Sureptitiously, Calimir had given one of the stones which bore her name to each of the elves and had stowed one secretly in the packs of the other travelers as well. One had also been left for Andy, and she had told him to keep it for luck. She had decided against openly giving the jewels to the non-elven for fear that avarice and greed for the stones would mar their functioning. She hoped they would not be needed, but if they were they could help the travelers whether they knew their real worth or not.

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/21/01 6:53:58 pm

[KM Tinuviel]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pile o' Bones
Posts: 19</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
At the Barrow

Galenwen had her own weapons for combatting Wights. She was comforted by the weight of her lyre, still slung at her back. She knew the power of a song-spell, and tried to recall all of the tales she had heard of the Eldest, Iarwain Ben-adar, who was said to hold sway over what was left of the Old Forest. Indeed, such songs were one of the ways the Wights' spells were broken, if the stories were true. Galenwen was glad also of the white stone hidden away in her pouch, next to Mithrandir's letter. That letter! She pondered how she had gotten mixed up in all this. She had some choice words for the old wizard at their next meeting!

It was almost noon when they reached a large barrow near the center of the Downs. The great, green mound cast no shadow, for the sun was directly overhead, but a chill draft wafted over them from a dark doorway of ancient stonework. Tom Ferny shivered.

&quot;Having second thoughts, Ferny?&quot; Galenwen asked.

Ferny scowled, &quot;No, Lady, not I. But can't you feel that cold dank wind? It's eerie, like, that wind, the day being bright and warm, that's all.&quot;

&quot;Indeed, the fell winds of Angmar are enough to bring a chill even to my bones, Ferny,&quot; Galenwen replied, &quot;but I fear not the shades of Men. Petty spirits bewailing the loss of their brief kingdoms, jealously guarding their stolen hoards. No, I don't fear them. But I would not be unhappy, even so, if we abandoned this quest. What say the rest of you? If the others are determined to go in, I will accompany you.&quot;

At that Beregond spoke up. &quot;I for one will go in!&quot; he said. &quot;I like not the thought of my ancestors' bones being profaned by Barrow Wights.&quot;

Talondin, Menel, and the Beorning were in agreement. Armiel made no comment. Galenwen and Calimir shrugged at each other. &quot;Well,&quot; Calimir laughed in a low voice meant only for Galenwen and Armiel to hear, &quot;it seems that we must tag along, if only to save them from themselves.&quot;

Galenwen laughed as well. &quot;Maybe that was Mithrandir's purpose in sending me that message. In any case, we must urge the others to make all speed, if we are really going to do this, before the Sun climbs much higher in the sky.&quot;

Ferny noticed the Elven maids laughing quietly together, and frowned. There was nothing funny about this whole thing that he could see!

</p>

[Armiel]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Newly Deceased
Posts: 6</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
I've myy own defenses, thank you.

Armiel snickered at Ferny's fearfuless and looked at Galenwen.

&quot;You act as if you know me not, old friend,&quot; she said. &quot;You should know me well enough to know I would never abandon an adventure, especially one that has such people in it.&quot;

She too had defenses other than mere weapons and knew all too well that mortal weapons were no match for the dead. She had spoken with Talondin earlier that morning and had given him the stone that Galenwen had given her. She felt the mortal could use it more than she.

&quot;What do I do with this?&quot; Talondin had asked of her gift. But she told him only that he would know when to use it when the time came.

Armiel now looked towards the rest of the company and wondered if they would all return from this journey.

She shook her head to rid the thoughts and continued to walk.


</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/21/01 9:17:17 pm

[Zoe]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Shade of Carn Dûm
Posts: 339</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Andy feels bored

Back at the camp, Andy was starting to experience the pangs of boredom and loneliness. It wasn't fair. Why couldn't he search for treasure too?

In the warm sunlight, the Downs didn't seem so scary. Just a bunch of hills, nothing more. Had he come all the way from Bree just to watch the animals?

Barely noticing what he was doing, Andy tied the reigns of the horses to a nearby tree, hid the other supplies under some bushes in case of (very unlikely, he thought) robbers, and then started to make his way to the Downs.



</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 4/22/01 9:25:38 am

[Lord Aragorn]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pile o' Bones
Posts: 21</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
The Stone

Talondin had one hand upon the hilt of his sword, and one in his pocket, groping at the stone. He had wondered what the stone's purpose was all the time. Now he was still behind the elves, but he did not notice them.

Talondin was in deep thought about the Wights amongst these barrows, and the stone which he had, and many other things. From time to time he would look up and be sure he was still with the group, but he was not very concerned either way at the moment.

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 4/22/01 1:02:28 pm

[Zoe]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Shade of Carn Dûm
Posts: 340</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Andy catches up with the others

Talondin turned. Behind him stood Andy.

&quot;What are you doing here?&quot; he asked.

Andy looked at his feet.

&quot;We said you could come, but only if you stayed behind at this part. What are you doing here then?&quot;

Andy said nothing.

&quot;Speak to me, boy!&quot;

&quot;I, um, got bored...&quot;

</p>

[Beregond]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wight
Posts: 107</TD><TD><img src=http://members.attcanada.ca/~kind1/beregond.jpg WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
&quot;Where did Talondin go?&quot;

The fog was now thick in front of them, as Beregond walked along, thinking of the wights, and whether or not he would ever come out of this place. He glanced back, and saw that the fog was now all around them. Suddenly he noticed something was wrong.

&quot;Where did Talondin go?,&quot; he said.

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000114>Beregond</A> at: 4/25/01 12:13:23 pm

[The X Phial]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wight
Posts: 123</TD><TD><img src=http://www.jamestbaker.com/cec/X-Files-01.gif WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
This fog is too thick.

At the front of the group the elves turned as one to Beregond's question. The fog, which had slowly been getting thicker as they walked toward the middle of the meadow, was now so dense that even the gifted eyes of the first born could barely discern the Gondorian and the Bree-lander who followed behind them. Valdavar was not to be seen, nor could Talodin be spotted.

&quot;The trickery of the wights has begun,&quot; stated Calimir into the churning mist that refused to reveal their companions. &quot;We must make a better effort to stay together now. We are more vulnerable alone.&quot;

The pack horse they had brought with them whinnied in what sounded like distress, and the fog continued to pour in.

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000095>The X Phial</A> at: 4/27/01 10:05:52 pm

[The Barrow-Wight]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wraith of Angmar
Posts: 2225</TD><TD><img src=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/my_pic.jpg WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Pea soup

The shape of the Calimir faded into the fog in front of Tom Ferny, leaving only the man Beregond and the hobbit lad Andy still visible to Tom Ferny. The tendrils of mist were now low enough to weave their way among the travelers, touching them like long fingers and soaking them through their clothes.

Tom had not said a word since the boy arrived but he was obviously not happy that he was there.

&quot;Andy&quot; he said, &quot;since you are determined to get a beating at home when I report your journey to your father, you should at least keep close to me so that my report will be accurate. I don't want you out of my sight, understood.&quot;

The small hobbits looked up with fear in his eyes.

&quot;Yes, sir&quot; he said in a small whisper, though he crowded closer to the Gondorian than to Tom.

&quot;Good&quot; continued Tom, &quot;this fog is not natural and is the work of the spirits of the mounds. We'll have our gold soon.&quot;

He stood up tall and tried to put on a brave face, but the terror of the mound was clearly on the Bree-lander. His conversation with the boy had been more to boost his own confidence than that of Andy.

&quot;Where are the rest of you?&quot; he shouted. &quot;Calamir, m'lady, could you slow down a bit please. Everyone! We need to gather together again.&quot;

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0> at: 4/28/01 8:50:49 am

[Suldaledhel]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Eru's Gift
Posts: 333</TD><TD><img src=http://suldalpic.homestead.com/files/00004.jpg WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: Pea soup

Menel marched along a litle to the left of Calimir, shaking his head with doubt as the fog rolled in. He still clutched the spear in his hands, and used it to feel the ground in front of him, lest the elf trip in a gully. Menel stopped at Ferny's request, and now caught a glimpse of the hobbit that was tagging along.

&quot;Well,&quot;the elf spoke glancing around, trying to peer through the wall of fog,&quot;Dont we make a strange company, marching up and over the Barrow Downs, actually *looking* for a wight. But I do wonder what has become of Valdavar?&quot;

</p>

[Sharkû]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hungry Ghoul
Posts: 871</TD><TD><img src=http://www.tolkiens-legacy.de/skogtroll[1].jpg WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
That fog...

Valdavar was shocked when he looked up from his thoughts again, and around him. Just for a quick moment let he drift his mind away, back to his homelands, when a weariness of travel seemed to have overcome him, and now he was lost without one of his comrades in sight or within a shout's range.

The man fell the hairs on his neck and arms rising, and Valdavar became uneasy. His instincts told him that this was no natural fog, but maybe even one of the earlier mentioned witch-crafts of the Wights.
He took the hilt of his throwing axe, and thought that if there was an enemy here which could withstand its free blade, then he could not prepare better otherwise anyway...

He seemed to have lost orientation, too, and even though he tried his best skills of an experienced traveller, who could tell the directions by the smell of the wind, and the songs of the birds, all perception in here seemed to have been devoured by the fog, which lay on the land like a ghastly shroud.

Valdavar planted his feet firmly to the ground, and shouted from the top of lungs. Who or whatever it is that may be threatening him now, he might as well stand, and face it...


</p>

[Gilthalion]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hobbitus Emeritus
Posts: 356</TD><TD><img src=http://home.att.net/~robertwgardner/lotrmap.gif WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: Bree (Some years before the War of the Ring)

Now Talondin had vanished from sight.

Valdevar was lost in the deep mists.

Ferny and Beregond and Andy were only just within sight of one another.

The elves drew closer to one another.

The party members called out. Andy thought he could hear the mighty voice of Valdavar, but could not guess at the direction.

Valdavar's sharp ears heard sounds all around, but nothing that sounded like a member of the party.

The mist grew so thick that none could see as far as their hands before them. A dark cloud blocked the sun so that rather than even the watery yellow it had been, now it seemed dark as twilight.

And where ever each one of them was, they each knew that they could hear one thing for certain.

As they pulled their cloaks in tight against the cold and the dew, they heard mocking laughter as if from a distance and as if not from one but from many voices...

</p>

[Lord Aragorn]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pile o' Bones
Posts: 22</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
The Stones

As Talondin looked around him he saw nothing but fog in all directions. He lifted his hand once more and noticed that the stone that was given to him by his new elven friend, was glowing slightly. As the stone's glow grew brighter, the fog moved away from him a little more.

Talondin could not yet see any of his company, but the fog was slowly receding.

</p>

[The X Phial]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wight
Posts: 156</TD><TD><img src=http://www.jamestbaker.com/cec/X-Files-01.gif WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
The fog begins to clear

Lost within the swirling cloud of fog, Calimir struggled to keep an eye on her companions. From all around came voices that she knew were of men long since dead. She reached into her pack to grab one of the white stones and saw that she was glowing. With this warning of twisted spirits close at hand, she turned to see that, while the fog was beginning to clear, the light of the sun was not returning. The deep dark of a barrow surrounded her and despite her radiance, she could not clearly see the others. From what seemed a long distance, she saw other slightly glowing figures. Though not afraid of the dead, Calimir could feel the doom of her fate close at hand.

</p>

[Zoe]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Shade of Carn Dûm
Posts: 352</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
An opening

&quot;What's happening?&quot; asked Andy.

&quot;Don't ask questions!&quot; snapped Tom, nervously kicking at a tuft of grass near his foot.

The fog was starting to lift, revealing what seemed to be an entrance into the hillside.

&quot;Andy,&quot; murmered Tom, slyly, &quot;You want adventure, don't you? Why don't you go and look at that? Be a scout for us?&quot;

&quot;N-No thanks, Mr Ferny, sir,&quot; replied Andy. &quot;All this fog and then a hole in the hill - it's not canny to me.&quot;

He looked to Beregond for support.

But Beregond was gone. He looked back at Tom Ferny.

Tom Ferny was gone.

&quot;Where are you all?&quot; Andy cried.

The hair on the nape of his neck and on the top of his feet stood straight out as he heard a chill voice from the depths of the gaping hole answer, &quot;Here!&quot;


</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 5/5/01 4:56:14 pm

[KM Tinuviel]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pile o' Bones
Posts: 20</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: Bree (Some years before the War of the Ring)

Galenwen paused to get her bearings. She thought she had heard footsteps padding along a few paces behind her for quite some time now, but to be sure she needed to separate herself from the other two Elves. The fog was still thick, and muffled all sound in a strange way that made it difficult to tell where any particular noise was coming from. She drew out her Elf-stone. No glow from it at all...that was a comfort. But who was following them? She stopped altogether, and waited. She heard the footsteps coming closer and closer. She thought she heard someone breathing. Well, she thought, she'd never heard tell of a Wight that still breathed! She pulled out her long knife, and then she stood up and reached out with both arms at full length.

&quot;Eeeyaaah!&quot; a small voice screamed. &quot;P-p-please, don't hurt me, I'm nobody, I'm just a hobbit, I don't want your gold, I promise, I'll leave the way I came (whichever way that is), I will never, never, never come here again, oh please, Mr. Barrow-Wight, I--&quot;

&quot;Ssh, quiet, my brave lad,&quot; Galenwen smiled to herself. &quot;It's Galenwen. Stay close to me, Andy. Hold on to the hem of my cloak, and don't let go.&quot; Galenwen didn't want to frighten Andy, so she didn't tell him that the Elf-stone had begun to glow brightly in the ever-deepening fog. It had grown dark, though it should have been bright day still, and a cold wind blew from just ahead. She feared they had wandered into a Barrow.


</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 5/5/01 4:58:32 pm

[Beregond]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wight
Posts: 132</TD><TD><img src=http://members.attcanada.ca/~kind1/beregond.jpg WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: Bree (Some years before the War of the Ring)

Beregond looked around him. The fog was gone, but where was the sun? He couldn't see anyone or anything, it was so dark. All he could feel was a cold unearthly wind. He shivered.

He tried to remember what had happened to him, but his memory was faint. After awhile, it started to come back to him; the fog starting to clear, the entranceway in the hill. He strained his memory. &quot;Of course!&quot; He remembered hearing Andy's frightened voice, though he couldn't hear what it said, and he could hear cruel laughter and voices in ancient tongues which he did not recognize. Then Andy had started to fade away, and... That was all he remembered.

He figured he was in a barrow, though how he got there he didn't know, and (he thought), didn't want to know. He shivered to think what the barrow-wights would do to him, if they caught him. He had better get out of there!

He could not see anyway out, and he did not know which way he had come in.

He was really thirsty. It felt like all the water had been sucked out of him. He felt for his pack. &quot;Yes!&quot;, it was still there. He looked in it for his water skin, but he saw a white stone! He pulled it out, and saw that it was shining. &quot;How came this to my pack?&quot;, he wondered. He clasped it in his hand, and the shining subsided. Nevertheless, he felt better.

&quot;Where has everyone else gone?&quot;, he wondered.

</p>

[Sharkû]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hungry Ghoul
Posts: 879</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: Bree (Some years before the War of the Ring)

For a while Valdavar stood like this, and he had no idea how much time had been passing. Without him noticing it at first, an unnatural darkness quickly fell, and the fog surrounding him withdrew some feet away. Above himself he could already see the stars, although it should not be so at the time of that day he thought it to be. Valdavar perceived that he was in a small valley amidst the hills. A pale light seemed to illuminate the shrouds of mist around him on the ridges, and before Valdavar's eyes the fog swirled, and moved slowly back and forth, hither and thither, like a pulsating, living entity.

Bewildered, the Beorning gazed at this for a moment, when from behind the fog voices began to rise. Hollow and ghastly they sounded, a whispered cacophony of chants which no living mouth could ever utter. Valdavar recognised no words from it, and whenever he thought he could catch a piece of an ancient tongue, the voices rose chaotically.

The peril sent shivers down his spine, and Valdavar's hair hung wet and ice-cold on his neck. In a brief moment, in which it seemed as if a light came from behind and lifted his mind, the Beorning found his courage again, and he believed that he was able to overcome the paralysis the evil spells and his own superstition had laid upon him. As quickly as this enlightment came, it passed, as if the darkness was strong enough to swallow all signs of hope here as soon as they arose. However, left behind was one thought in Valdavar's mind, which was as clear as never anything had been present in him.

Now calm and stern, he took the small pack, which he had not wanted to deposit on a pony, from around his shoulder, and revealed a package wrapped in brightly coloured linnen. Valadavar removed the fabric, and brought forth a richly adorned horn. With his fingers he caressed its black form, and ran over the intricate ornaments of birds and other beasts of prey on it, and the mouth-piece which was wrought of amber.

Valdavar put the horn to his mouth, took a deep breath and blew the horn nine times loud and clear in the night, the hills ringing of its tone.
With the certain knowledge that his doom had drawn upon him, he spoke to himself, &quot;Let this then be my final hour.&quot;


</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 5/6/01 4:42:21 pm

[Zoe]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Shade of Carn Dûm
Posts: 356</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: Bree (Some years before the War of the Ring)

Andy clung to Galenwen's cloak.

&quot;It's only you! Phew!&quot; he said, relieved at not being alone any longer. &quot;For a second I thought you were - I thought you were...&quot;

&quot;A wight? But hush now, I am not a wight, and I'm not going to eat you for supper, Andy. Although I think that if we hang around for too long in this one place, danger will probably find us - if not the cold.&quot;

&quot;Brr, yes, I am cold. All this fog! For a while, I thought it'd clear up.&quot;

&quot;So come! Let us find a way out of here.&quot;

Galenwen hoped Andy wouldn't detect the layers of fear and uncertainty in her voice, and they started to walk, trying to work out where they were, and using the elf-stone for light.

</p>

[Suldaledhel]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Eru's Gift
Posts: 336</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: Bree (Some years before the War of the Ring)

Menel, the scout from Rivendell, stood some paces ahead of Galenwen and turned to look back, his keen elven eyes barely able to make out her pale silhouette against the gery mists of the fog. The elf stood fast in his position, not wanting to wander further into the peril that had befallen the party until everyone was accounted for, at least by his sharp eyes. Menel sighed deeply, taking in the thick sultry air of the place before hearing a horn being sounded in the distance.

The elf's ears pricked up upon hearing this, and he turned, straining his eyes trying to clear a path through the fog and see who needed help, or is the cause to need aid. Pausing briefly to consider the wisest path, Menel gripped tight his spear and then gazed back in the direction of the sounding horn, storming off with great determination.

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 5/9/01 10:18:26 am

[Armiel]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Newly Deceased
Posts: 7</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Frustration

Armiel had been wandering about in the fog for some time now, she had somehow gotten separated from the entire group. Frustrated with herself for being so incapable of finding her way she began to think of the others...she was an experienced traveler and an elf besides, and yet she had managed to get engulfed in the fog, she worried about how the others were faring.

Now she thought of one thing only..finding the others. She had yelled earlier but had heard nothing, the thought now crossed her mind that music may cut through the mists... &quot;Elven song has solved harder problems then this,&quot; she said aloud to herself &quot;And so I confront this mist with mine&quot;

Armiel took a deep breath and began to sing, a tale of elven travellers from long ago, her voice was loud and clear...and she couldn't be certain but it seemed she heard voices, but she would not stop her song...



</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 5/9/01 10:51:51 am

[KM Tinuviel]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pile o' Bones
Posts: 22</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Starry, starry night

Galenwen heard the faint echo of a horn blowing somewhere in the pitch darkness ahead. She counted nine blasts, then there was silence. What in Arda could that be? she wondered. She heard a faint hissing directly to their left.

&quot;Stay with me, Andy,&quot; she said as she entered a downward-sloping tunnel. There was noise of dripping water, and the hissing noise grew louder. She reached out with both hands, and found that the tunnel was no more than five feet wide and made of stone, sloping steadily downwards. She saw a faint light ahead, and made for it. She could no longer feel any walls, but she looked up and saw stars overhead.

&quot;How long have we been in here?&quot; Andy whispered. &quot;Is it night already?&quot;

&quot;No, Andy,&quot; Galenwen answered. &quot;These are no stars that I have ever seen. This is some spell of the Barrow-wight.&quot; She turned, thinking to go back the way they had come, but the tunnel was nowhere in sight. The dark plain they stood on stretched unbroken to the horizon under the eerie stars. There were ruins here and there of ancient stoneworks.

&quot;It's no use wandering around in this,&quot; she said as she took out her lyre. &quot;Sit down with me, Andy.&quot;

Andy and the elf-maid sat down together on the cold, hard ground. Galenwen strummed her lyre and began to sing.

&quot;A! Elbereth Gilthoniel...&quot;



</p>

[The X Phial]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wight
Posts: 166</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: Starry, starry night

Calimir wandered through what appeared to be an endless maze. She knew that she had been pulled, somehow, into a barrow, but that knowledge was superceded by the need to find the blower of the horn. From the moment the first blast had sounded, Calimir had felt the call of the horn.

Somehow she sensed that she was close to her target. Guided by only the small light of her stone, the elf could see an answering glow ahead of her. She crept around the corner slowly and found the Beorning prone on the floor, hand clutching the horn she had been compelled by earlier.

Calimir noticed that he did not move and that his feet seemed to be wrapped in a green-glowing fabric. Before her eyes, the fabric continued to wrap itself around the large man's legs. With a ferocity that would have startled any onlooker, the smith of Lorien grabbed her dagger and tore the fabric from Valdavar. She uttered the name of the Star Kindler and the green light fled from the cavern.

Wishing that she had been apprenticed as a healer as well as as a smith, Calimir took her water from her pack and bathed the face of the Beorning in it to the slowly fading light of the Calimiri. Once again, she began an incantation to Elbereth and was startled to see the prone figure begin to stir.

Valdavar groaned, and Calimir began to hear from afar the song of Galenwen. As the Beorning lay cold before her, Calimir turned toward the song, and herself began to sing.



</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 5/11/01 10:13:16 am

[Zoe]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Shade of Carn Dûm
Posts: 363</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: Starry, starry night

As Galenwen started to sing, the air seemed to clear a little. Although his mind told him he was in terrible danger, Andy's heart was becoming braver.

&quot;Come on! We've got to keep on moving!&quot; cried Andy.

&quot;No, no, running around will bring nothing but fatigue.&quot;

&quot;Oh, why must we be so careful?! Can't we just get going? The Wight can't be that bad. And besides, your singing is so beautiful you'd probably scare it away, Ma'am; meaning no offense.&quot;

Galenwen laughed. &quot;You are brave, but the time is not yet come. Here, have a look over there. In the distance.&quot;

&quot;It's brighter over there? What is it?&quot;

&quot;Stand still. It comes.&quot;

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 5/10/01 8:46:14 pm

[Gilthalion]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hobbitus Emeritus
Posts: 395</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
The First Wight

Valdavar struggled to conciousness as Calimir sang over him.

His eyes opened suddenly as if startled from sleep. He looked about him as if seeing something else, other people or things in another place. It was as if he dreamed with eyes wide open.

Calimir did not discover what afflicted the Beorning, for at that moment, Armiel came singing into the barrow and joined her in her song.

Then, gradually the Beorning became aware of himself and his surroundings as the elves sang.

Suddenly, they felt an unnatural chill from the inside out, starting deep and working fear into the fiber of their beings.

Calimir looked up in horror...

Armiel's singing faltered...

Valdavar finally learned the meaning of fear...

Before their eyes, a ghastly corpse light began to glow, taking hideous form as much in the mind as in the eye. Putrescent as rot and yet dry as bone it seemed, both corrupted and desicated at once. It's voice issued from a mouth of foul decay and it's eyes burned with a freezing fire that pierced the soul with blinding cold.

His withered hand held aloft a sword both straight and long. It stepped toward the prone and petrified Beorning and the quavering elf maiden. She did not fear the spirits of dead men. She now learned that this Wight was the spirit of no man.

It was the faded remnant of an ancient Elf Lord, gone over to the service of Morgoth ages ago. A thing of lingering power, strengthened by the horrors of ages of dark contemplations and wicked desire for the end of all things in a blackness of utter evil.

The Wight began to chant, and his whispering voice came clearly to everyone in the Downs. It was uttered in words of an ancient tongue, and yet it's meaning carried clear and cold to their minds. Armiel stood her ground over the fallen Beorning and sang in reply.


The Wight:

Dark as nothing in the Night,
Black as deadly shade of fright,
Sightless force of Melkor's spell,
To blind thine eyes in lightless hell!

Armiel:

Colder still was Helcaraxe,
And deeper than the bite of axe,
Was wind that blew before the Sun,
Thy spell of blindness is undone.

The Wight:

Colder yet is void of space
Where greatest of the greatest Race
Waits in Darkness for the Day
When Light shall fail and pass away.

Armiel:

Greater still is He who made
Arda, where, although we fade,
We live here free in Truth and Light
And fear no Evil in the Night.

The Wight:

Listen to the cry of Doom
And harken to thy calling tomb.
Now nears end of thy long wait;
Come to me and meet thy Fate.

Armiel:

I'll come to thee with Elvish steel
Thy deathless heart its touch will feel.
Mortal Men die once they say,
But thou shalt die again this day!

And with that, the shambling Wight brought down his great blade with a strength beyond the strength of men. Armiel barely parried and attempted a riposte, which was whisked away with the lightning speed of an elven warrior in his prime.

He swung again, nicking her arm as she whirled lightly aside.

Calimir tried to pull and drag the petrified man to safety.

Valdavar struggled to regain his courage. It would not be meet for these maidens to meet death while he did nothing! His fear was soon swallowed by his wrath, as Armiel stayed only a breath beyond the great blade of the hideous wight. A growl rumbled deep in his throat, as the Beorning felt the familiar rage building, pouring a rush of fury in his heart and a mighty power into his limbs...

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 5/11/01 10:17:33 am

[Lord Aragorn]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pile o' Bones
Posts: 23</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
The Wight

Talondin heard or sensed the chanting of the wight and the singing of the elf somewhere ahead of him. He drew his sword. Step by step, his limbs slow and cold, he strove to master his fear and head for the source of the horrifying feeling of terror somewhere before him.

The stone which he held in his other hand began to glow more and more.

The light gave him some hope, and he felt as if Calimir suddenly perceived him through the stone.

He struggled on...

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 5/11/01 6:27:19 pm

[Armiel]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Newly Deceased
Posts: 8</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: The Wight

As the rotting figure swung the great blade, he sang a song of slaying and of death, learned long ages ago, when still living, he fought in the service of Morgoth.

Calimir perceived through the Calimiri that the others were in trouble as well. Then she cried out, seeing that Armiel was now bleeding from several wounds, and beggining to slow down.

Armiel lunged and her stroke might have hewed the blade from his dead hand, had it not moved so swiftly to parry. She perceived the spirit of the wight and found that she did not fear it. Rather, she feared the unnatural strength of its wasted limbs and the hideous speed of the massive blade. She whirled aside from another attack from the wight, a smashing stroke that would have likely been her end.

She sang a song of the great tumults of the Valar against Morgoth, and the walls of the barrow trembled and dust and debris fell from the ceiling. The attention of the wight was momentarily diverted.

But Armiel was also startled, for she suddenly heard behind her the engraged roar of some tremendous beast filling the enclosed barrow. The sound was a blast of animal fury as clear to her mind as had been the blasts of Valdavar's horn.

The others momentarily forgotten, Calimir looked upon the scene and in the sureal speed of thought and association that comes in the heat of action, found herself wondering if even Galenwen could sing a song for what she saw...







</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 5/11/01 7:08:54 pm

[Gilthalion]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hobbitus Emeritus
Posts: 398</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Whatever Happened to Tom Ferny?

Tom Ferny called out.

&quot;Halloooooo! Hallooooooo!&quot;

There was no answer. He struck his sixth match (from a box he had &quot;borrowed&quot; from the Prancing Pony. It illuminated a corridor of rough stone. He thought he caught a gleam in the darkness at the end of the long way.

As frightened as he was, he had to check it out. He hurried along, shielding the match until it burnt his fingers. Two matches later, he found the end of his journey.

&quot;Gold!&quot; All fear was now forgotten. Even the chant of the wight and the song of the elf was barely felt. Ferny evaluated what it meant. Calimir had called, but that had been ignored. This too, meant something to the greedy man. Perhaps some little part of him regretted his decision, but he wasted no time with it and his shrewd mind was calculating what was in it for himself.

&quot;They're all busy! And all of this is mine!&quot; Tom's only thought was of how much of the riches he could gather, carry, and take away while the others met their doom. Not the tremor that followed, nor the roar of some great beast after that, made any impression upon him.

His tenth match burned out as he looked upon the hoard of gleaming jewels, fine blades and other items that would fetch a fine price from some of his new connections. He ripped a long strip of rag from a skeletal figure on the slab before him. He borrowed a shin bone and wrapped the rag around one end. His eleventh match broke, and so did the twelveth, as he tried to light the ancient cloth. Tom finally lit it with his thirteenth and final match. Not much of a torch, but it would do.

He clad himself with belts and scabbards, and was soon weighted down with swords and axes and daggers and jewels, and whatever else of value he thought he could carry.

&quot;Pardon me, Yer Majesty,&quot; he said, and made another torch from another shin bone and more scraps of what once was a very fine dress.

Just in time, he lit it from the waning fires of his first grisly torch. As he congratulated himself on his ingenuity, a cold wind blew out his torch. His chest was tight with a stabbing pain and sudden dread.

He turned into the freezing wind, and felt its bitter bite clear down to his own bones. He looked up and then froze in horror seeing a form moving slowly toward him that was so dark that it was blacker and deeper than the darkness of the grave he was robbing. Its eyes were fixed upon him with a freezing promise of lifeless damnation.

He screamed in wild and utter terror, completely unmanned and out of his wits as the black spirit of the wight came for him from the Darkness beyond...

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 5/11/01 7:32:37 pm

[Gilthalion]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hobbitus Emeritus
Posts: 400</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
INTERMISSION

Calimir/X-Phial may write an entry in the chamber with the First Wight. This might tie in scenes with the Calimiri, or set up the wight v bearserker battle, or both.

Beregond may write a completely different entry, off on his own.

<center> OTHERWISE, TIME TO STOP UNTIL SHARKU &amp; THE FIRST WIGHT CAN FIGHT IT OUT</center>

This duel shall be conducted in the BREE DISCUSSION thread in the RULES &amp; ROLEPLAYING forum. We will require Barrow-Wight to officiate. The duel will be played out there, and in a chat. The results will be posted here.

LET'S GET IT ON!

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthalion</A> at: 5/11/01 7:51:29 pm

[The X Phial]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wight
Posts: 169</TD><TD><img src=http://www.jamestbaker.com/cec/X-Files-01.gif WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Threads combine

From her vantage point on the floor, Calimir saw Talodin approaching from behind the wight. She could sense his fear through the stone he carried, but also his steely resolve.

&quot;Throw me a sword,&quot; she called to the warrior.

He pulled a sword from the wall of the barrow, sending more shivers of fine dust onto the company, and sent it spinning across the floor. Calimir dove for it and rose to her feet with sword in one hand and dagger in the other, positioning herself between the injured Armiel and the wight, whose focus was entirely held by the enraged Beorning hurtling toward him!

The two finally met, and Calimir had time only to notice that Galenwen and Andy had arrived before the room decended into shrieks.

</p>

[Beregond]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wight
Posts: 136</TD><TD><img src=http://members.attcanada.ca/~kind1/beregond.jpg WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: Threads combine

Beregond was now walking down a passage in the barrow. He had found some matches in his pack, and with the light of them, he could see a little around him.

He was really hungary, and he didn't have any food left in his pack.

He was in a tunnel of some sort, and it was dark, though a strange greenish light seemed to be all around him. He had been searching for awhile now, without making any progress. In one hand he clasped the strange stone he had found in his pack, in the other hand he held aloft the match.

Suddenly he tripped over something, and fell flat on the ground. His head hit the cold earth, hard. His match went out. He lay there, unconscious.

Still in his hand, the stone began to shine brightly.

</p>

[Sharkû]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hungry Ghoul
Posts: 899</TD><TD><img src=http://www.tolkiens-legacy.de/draugen.jpg WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Bjoernhethnar

All conscious thinking left him as the familiar rage of his house fell on Valdavar. His senses sharpened to unnatural efficiency, and every muscle within his body grew to superhuman power.

As he sprang up to lash out with one of his hands against the enemy, Valdavar could still perceive, even through the red curtain of his battle frenzy, a thing bringing a thought to his mind that was so surprising to him that to a watcher it would have seemed as if the Beorning's lightning-fast movement halted for the glimpse of a moment.

In the hand which he raised against the evil creature in front of him Valdavar held no weapon, and still he knew subconsciously that he could slash his enemies with his hand, for it was not his hand, but the paw of a beast, and his arm was clad with fur, and such was his body. His ancestors had lent him their powers in this hour of need!

What human sense had still remained in him at that time, it had to wait until later to ponder over this curiosity...


</p>

[Armiel]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Newly Deceased
Posts: 10</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re:Bjoernhethnar

Armiel was now collapsed on the ground. She stared in amazement at the changed Beorning, she blinked a few times and to her surprise the image didn't disappear. She attempted to get up and make her way to the others on the other side of the fight but she could not move.
She vaguely heard Calamir say to Talondin &quot;Do something, she'll die over there!&quot; then she lost consciousness, the last thing she saw was the giant bear knocking the Wight to the other side of the Barrow.



</p>

[Lord Aragorn]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Animated Skeleton
Posts: 28</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Armiel

After Talondin heard the yell to help Armiel, he took one last look at the Wight and ran to her side. Once there he picked her up and took her a good way from the battle, while stile being in sight of it.

Talondin reached into his cloak and pulled out a small vile, and poured some water in it and shook it around to mix it into a liquid.

He then bent over Armiel's face, and said quietly to her,&quot; I know that this stuff doesn't taste good, but it will heal you, and that's better than dying.&quot; After that he poured the liquid in her mouth and watched her struggle down each horrid tasting drop.

Once she had drank all of it, he sat her up so she was leaning against him, and let her drink a little water.

&quot;You're going to be fine,&quot; he said to her, with a bit of a smile.fter Talondin heard the yell to help Armiel, he took one last look at the Wight and ran to her side. Once there he picked her up and took her a good way from the battle, while stile being in sight of it.

Talondin reached into his cloak and pulled out a small vile, and poured some water in it and shook it around to mix it into a liquid.

He then bent over Armiel's face, and said quietly to her,&quot; I know that this stuff doesn't taste good, but it will heal you, and that's better than dying.&quot; After that he poured the liquid in her mouth and watched her struggle down each horrid tasting drop.

Once she had drank all of it, he sat her up so she was leaning against him, and let her drink a little water.

&quot;You're going to be fine,&quot; he said to her, with a bit of a smile.

</p>