[Gollum the Great]

And at the conclusion of the third day, The Balrog Strongbow was selected for elimination. He jumped upon the council table and whirled his whip around, and the flaming streaks seemed to form alphabetical characters in the air. He snorted black and red bolts from his nose drew his spiked mace.

"I cannot read the fiery letters," said Aganzir in a quavering voice.

"No," said Strongbow, "but I can. They run in an ancient script from years past, designed by Gothmog Lord of Balrogs. This is a rough translation: 'I can't believe you let a good Balrog down.' Our version is, as you probably know, is much more refined and more interesting. And now," he continued, as Gwathagor twitched a little nervously and Sally, Eonwe, and Meneltarmacil stepped forward, ready for combat, "for a little action."

He brought the mace down on Meneltarmacil's head, stunning the dragon but not piercing the scales. Simultaneously he made leap for the gateway and curled the thongs of his whip about Eonwe's ankles, causing him to fall. He began to run down the passage to the exit, but a blur of grey flew through the room and landed on his back. Aganzir tore out the back his neck and lava-ized blood spurted about in great quantities. The wolf dropped to the stone floor and rolled over and over, putting out the inevitable fires in his fur.

"I hope I did well," gasped Aganzir.

"You have not done so," choked out Strongbow, somehow surviving, "but I do not think you are a traitor. Few in your place would risk a deed like that for the Council out of hate or fear or inducements even from a master as powerful as the one here...."

And the loyal Balrog expired.


Living:

Aganzir
Eonwe
Gwathagor
Isabellkya
Kath
Meneltarmacil
Sally
Shasta

Dead/gone:

Ilya (inno)
Nogrod (inno)
Boro (inno)
Brinn (inno)
Strongbow (inno)