<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Seeker of Light
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Re: A Pertinent Question
Ulfwine did not know how to answer the stranger's probing questions, at first. He was silent for a moment, as he thought about why he was so willing to betray his chief. He remembered back to the day, months ago, when Borleg had first appeared in his village, high in the hills of Dunland. He sighed and slowly began to speak.
"Many months ago, Borleg came to my home, and demanded that my father join him. He said there was to be a war, and that every man was needed. My father was old, yet hale, and a mighty warrior. He did not want to leave my mother and sisters though, and resisted. Borleg cut off both his thumbs as an example to others. He took me anyway. He said to my father as we rode off, "Let the coward's son do the fighting for him!" I hate him and the day that he was born! I have tried to be the best soldier that I could, to honor my father, but he treats me with disdain. "
Ulfwine struggled to stand, but was stilled by the knife at his throat. "And now it seems that I will be useless even to his enemies. I wish there is more I could tell you, but all I know is this; A man of Rohan is in league with Borleg. Indeed he has great authority, and favor with the Wizard. He is the one who ordered Borleg here, and he is the one you should watch for. He is called Ortheng in our language, " Cunning Tongue". There is aught else I can tell you of use, but I may be able to aid you, in other ways."
"What did Wormtongue want with him?" asked Thenamir.
"Something about a trip somewhere, some city of the elves. I didn't hear much else."
"You expect us to believe that!" Taradan grabbed Ulfwine roughly with both hands pulling at the prisoner's collar so that breathing became difficult. "A bunch of Dunlenders going to the Golden Wood where not even the bravest dare to go?"
"NO! Urgh! Not there!" Ulfwine struggled to speak and to breathe.
Thenamir said, "Let him talk." Taradan released him with a hard shove to the ground.
"Another city.... an old city.... ruins now... to the north," gasped Ulfwine.
"Why?" demanded Taradan.
"To get something for the wizard. To find something. I don't know what," said Ulfwine, raggedly. But I can help you follow them to it. It must be important."
"Do we need his help?" asked Taradan.
"Please! I want to! I know what villages will be safe for you. And I know the places you should avoid. You'll never follow them through my countryside without meeting more trouble than you can handle. You need a guide!" said Ulfwine.
"He may be right," said Thenamir.
As the four riders deliberated, hostile eyes watched them from seclusion. The hunters were also being hunted.
</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000006>Gilthali on</A> at: 8/20/01 7:49:25 pm
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