Barrow-Downs Birthday Party at the Fields of Cormallen

[Mithadan]

Mithadan stood still for a moment, shocked by this turn of events. Then he rounded the bar once again and seized the fallen laptop. A map of the surrounding area appeared but he cursed quietly. Rose's (apologies, slippery fingers) location did not appear on it. He changed the view until the map showed a wider area. Then he zoomed in again and smiled grimly.

"She didn't specify what forest," he said. "She's in Fangorn."

He looked up at the group which had surrounded him bearing knives, bottles and chairs. Then he sheathed his sword.

"I would think that your little 'adventure' in the void would have convinced you that the REG is dangerous and now very unpredictable," he said drily. "Rose thinks that she controls it. Say rather that it now controls her. And who knows what mischief it will do. It nearly freed Morgoth... with a little help." He glared at the guests who now lowered their weapons and shuffled their feet sheepishly.

With a pointed look at Birdland, Piosenniel and Child, he continued. "I trust that you now believe me when I say it must be destroyed. You must follow Rose, find the REG and take it from her. It must be destroyed, not hidden. Do not be fooled by it. It is malfunctioning. It is no longer a tool for livening up a party. It is much more than that."

He handed the laptop to Birdland and smiled. "You did well in the encounter with Morgoth. You must find Rose. She will not trust me but she will trust you, her friends."

Piosenniel asked, "Will you not come with us?"

"No," responded Mithadan. "Not immediately anyway. I have an errand elsewhere which will likely consume several days. And as I said, she does not trust me. But you...all of you have grown. You are no longer newbies. You can do this task. But I am not saying I will not help. You may see me again ere the end."

He handed his pack and its contents to Child. "This may assist you," he said. "Now, I must go." With that, he walked from the room and, again, disappeared.

[VanimaEdhel]

Erm...ummm...Mith: isn't there a "no new screen-names" unwritten rule? Oh well...haha.

She watches Rose struggle with Mithadan, very amused!

[Rose Cotton]

Rose had been wandering for awhile but couldn't figure out where she was. But she could now talk freely with the REG so she asked it.

"Tell me where we are."

"We are in the forest." it said in her head."Fangorn forest."

"What! I wanted to go to the forest around the party."

"You didn't say that. Besides, I wanted to come here."

"Why?"

"We have to get as far away from Mithadan as possible. And..we are also going to get the Ents on our side. You will talk to treebeard. Tell him that Mithadan and the others are going to burn Fangorn."

"No."

"Do it. If the Ents are on your side nothing will stop you."

"But Mithadan and the rest are my friends. Who knows what the Ents will do to them if I tell Treebeard that."

"They don't trust you. They don't matter anymore. Think! You could rule middle earth with me. And only me."

"No!!" Rose threw down the REG and brought out her sword. But suddenly it dissapeared from her hands and was replaced by the REG.

"You have no choice now."

Rose tried with all her might to fight off the REG but it overpowered her. It took control of her body and Rose's soul was trapped inside of her.

Then Rose spoke. They were words that were not hers. They belonged to the REG. It was speaking through her. Using her body like a puppit. Then it transported them to Treebeard's home.

[ May 31, 2002: Message edited by: Rose Cotton ]

[Losthuniel]

Celeaewen watched all the events of the last page rather apprehensivly. she was NOT ready for another battle, with her wounded shoulder. then she saw Rose dissapear
" oh sh*t. Rosseil, am i imagining things, or did that hobbit just disapear?"
Rosseil shook her head. " no, no, she dissapeared" and went back to eating. Celeaewen was decidely wiered out. Rosseil was not reacting AT ALL to all these strange things. something was very, vey wrong........

[Samwise]

Sam sat by the fire, watching the stew. Primrose came back to him with some spices that he needed.
Prim: Papa, isn't Miss Rose acting a tad odd?

Sam: *nods* She is, Tiny Rose, she is. *Looks around* Where did she go off to, any way?

Stacey: Have either of you seen Frodo? I'm afraid he's going to hurt himself if he dosen't get more rest. He's almost as stubborn as....*glances at Sam, a half-grin on her face...* [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child glanced about her. She could see that Birdland had Mith's laptop firmly tucked under her arm. It had fortunately been recharged and appeared to be acting in a somewhat normal fashion.

Child struggled with the backpack which Mith had given her. What in all of Mandos was this? It appeared to be very lumpy and Child swore she could see something moving inside of it.

"Don't be ridiculous," she told herself. "Even Mith wouldn't pull a trick like this"

Still, she was curious. She emptied out the contents of the backpack on the ground. Much of it seemed pretty regulation for someone going off on an adventure. There was a considerable stack of Lembas which took up a good portion of the backpack.

There were also several maps of Middle-earth. What was perhaps strange was that each map was from a different age.

"First age, second age, third age, fourth age", she counted.

She wasn't sure this was good. Either Mith knew a lot more than any of them, or else, he knew absolutely nothing and had no idea where they would end up. Neither prospect particularly pleased her.

"Let's see, a frying pan, two hobbit size daggers, a magic rope, a portable Elven bow with arrows, instructions for erecting an emergency shelter. Hmm, how long does he expect us to be gone?"

And then, she came to the second compartment and opened it very, very slowly. She looked deep inside it and to her shock saw a very, very small golden dragon. It really was tiny. In fact, the first thing Child thought was, "This must be a hobbit dragon. Even if it gets older and grows, I doubt it will get much bigger than my pony."

Suddenly the bottom of the backpack started to smoke. "Oh, bother," she thought, "This crazy little thing is puffing out smokerings. Who ever heard of a baby dragon with smokerings?"

The tiny dragon emerged from the pack. Its green eyes whirled and glowed. Child tried to place it on her shoulder but it didn't seem that it wanted to be tamed. In fact, it seemed quite independent.

It took off and flew above the heads of Birdland, Pio, and herself. But it stayed quite close to them and seemed to listen as they spoke.

Child turned to her companions. "You know I think we better do what Mith said and go get this REG. Do you want to let some of the others know so they can go with us, or not? Frodo, Sam, whatever. Or we could leave a note and let them follow if they want? What do you think?"

Suddenly from above their heads, the small golden dragon dipped down, laughed, and looked them right in the eye. He chortled, "
Whoever you bring, the important thing is the REG. And once you get it, then you can decide what to do with it."

Child scratched her head. She thought this dragon had belonged to Mith, but what he said made no sense if that was so. Perhaps, he had simply crawled into the pack.

The dragon continued, "By the way, my name is Angara. I come from Falas, but now I live in the Northern Waste."

"Falas," Child scratched her head. "That wis a coastal realm of the Grey-Elves where CCirdan the Shipwright had originally llived. I believe it sank underneath tthe sea with Bereliand several ages ago. Oh, dear, this doesn't sound good."

[Gimli Son Of Gloin]

Gimli drains his 3,452 mug.

[Rose Cotton]

Rose found Treebeard easily.

"Hoom" he said " Who might you be. Hm I remember your kind here. Your a hobbit. What brings you here Hoom?"


"Treebeard, I am Rose Cotton from the Shire.Trouble is about. There are those that come to burn down Fangorn."

"Hoom hoom burn it down? You are very hasty but yes that does call for haste. Who might these tree burners be? Hm"

"A man named Mithadan. He is leading a group of hobbits, elves, and other folk."

It took a while for Treebeard to reply.But then he picked up Rose and said "Come, we will get help." the REG's plan was working. The Ent's would distoy Mithadan and all the partyers. Then it would take over Middle Earth. And Rose was powerless to stop it.

[ May 31, 2002: Message edited by: Rose Cotton ]

[VanimaEdhel]

Menelduliniel goes over, thinking maybe Gimli does have the idea right, after all!

She goes and joins him for more ale, and watches, apprehensively, ready to defend herself if necessary.

[Gimli Son Of Gloin]

Gimli drains his 5,672nd mug.

[Ithaeliel]

"Oy... I'm surprised you're still awake," says Ithaeliel, who has been observing from a distance but must be on her way.

[Frodo Baggins]

Frodo was having second thoughts about being so forward with the stranger. Rose cam over to apologise and he kissed her on the cheek. However, when the REG floated into Rose's hands and she disappeared he fell of his chair and fainted.....

[Samwise]

Sam, out of the corner of his eye, sees Frodo fall.

Sam: Mister Frodo!

He leaves his daughter in the care of the pot and runs over.

Stacey, who had just come back to the field after having to go to another engagement, saw both Frodo falling and Sam running over.

Stacey: Not again..... [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[Birdland]

Birdie was in the middle of a beautiful nap, after stuffing herself silly at the buffet, and downing a couple of three ales. (Sorry guys. I was sick as a dog for three days and my imagination buttons weren't working.)

Suddenly she was awakened abruptly by the startling re-appearance of Mithadan, who kicks her feet off the table.
"Oh, look who shows up NOW!. Mr. I'm-Number-Four-On-The-Board takes a 'vacation' just when Morgoth shows up."

"I purchased those tickets months in advance" he replied loftily. "Here. Take this." He shoves the suddenly resurrected laptop into Birdie's arms. "The party's not over yet, I'm afraid."

"Hey! How did you get this thing repaired so fast?

"Never mind that. Child and Pio will fill you in on the situation."

You know, when my PC went down, it took them two weeks to send a repair guy...uh, is that a kettle dancing on the table? Who turned on the REG?"

That is not an REG character. That is a newbie. Will you please listen! The REG should have been destroyed. It wasn't. Now you have to finish this job.

Mithadan swirls his cloak dramatically over his shoulders and stalks off muttering under his breath, "The trash can was right there! All they had to do was throw the REG into the trash can. But Noooo...they had to keep the thing and try to use it. You'd think they'd learn by now..."

Child and Pio come running up breathlessly. "Birdie, Rosie Cotton has stolen the REG and disappeared into the Fangorn Forest! We have to go after her, right now!"

"OK! OK! Hey, a little baby golden dragon. Awwww, he's sooooo cute! Yes he issums...come here, lil fellow..." Birdie reaches out and pats the dragon on the head. Then snatches her hand back immediately as the golden wyrmlette snaps viciously at her fingers.

"My name is Angara of the Northern Wastes, formerly of Falas," he states. "I am not a baby, thank you. And NOBODY pats me on the head!"

Mithadan had him in this pouch he gave us," said Child. "But I don't think he actually belongs to him." she finished doubtfully.

"Well, with that attitude, he should belong to Mith," grumbles Birdie. "I was just trying to be friendly!" Birdie scowls. Angara blows a smoke ring at her.

Birdie! Pay attention!" snaps Pio. "Rose has escaped to the Fangorn with the REG. We have to follow her and get it back. It's turned dangerous. The Barrow Downs itself could be threatened. Just think of the posters we'll get if that thing takes over the Downs!"

"We already have a dancing kettle."

"No, he's just a regular newbie. With some really interesting posts, so far...but never mind that!"

Birdie looks around the party. "Well, Gimli's 3,452 sheets to the wind. Don't know how much good he'll be. Where's Sam? He has a kinda thing for Rosie, doesn't he? Maybe he can talk some sense into her."

Child says, "Sam won't go without Frodo, and Frodo's still sick from his wounds."

"Now did he take ALL of the water from that phial like I told him?" Birdie huffs, "You know, you just can't stop taking that water when you start feeling a little better, you have to take the whole thing..."

"I don't know!" said Pio. "Listen, Rose is in Fangorn right now, OK? So Fangorn has Ents, Right. And what do Ents want?"

"Fertilizer?"

"Nooooo! Entwives! And who played an Entwife in the RPG room...?"

"Oh, I don't know if I can pull this off", Birdie protests.

"Sure you can!" exclaimed Child. "Treebeard and the gang haven't seen an Entwife in - what - 800 years? They'll be willing to believe anything in a birchbark skirt is an Entwife. You can do it, Birdie!"

"Oh, Alright" Birdie takes a deep breath and morphs into a 40-foot (approximately 12 meters) mulberry Entwife. "Well, how do I look"

Child and Pio tilt their heads and study Birdie critically. "She could use a little make-up." opined Pio.

"Oh, c'mon!"

"Can you do something with your leaves?" asked Child.

[ June 01, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[Gimli Son Of Gloin]

Gimli drains his 9,765th mug.

[piosenniel]

:: ooc -- Child, Birdie - exactly what age is this present b-day party taking place in?::

'Somehow', thought Pio to herself, 'I always thought of Entwives as a little shorter, and well, bushier. A little closer to their gardens. But I suppose a 40 foot Entwife is sure to get the immediate attention of an Ent!'

She looked at Birdie bemusedly, and at Child who was now fluffing up leaves as Birdie lifted her into the air. Child had just gotten out a rag and was polishing a few dusty twigs, followed by some rather vigourous pinching to bring that apple-cheeked appearance to the face, when Pio cupped her hand round her mouth and yelled up to them.

'HALLOOOOOOO! We've got some important planning that needs to get done before we start off in pursuit of the REG!!!!!'

Child stepped from the large brown hand that lowered her back to earth. And Birdie resumed a more normal size so that her friends wouldn't have to yell up at her.

Pio motioned them over to a secluded area of the Fields and invited them to sit and be comfortable. Pouring each a large glass of wine, and one for herself, she leaned back against a tree and said' 'I really think we should plan this out a little better than the previous adventure. The REG seems to be on a fast paced learning curve, and I doubt that flying by the seat of our pants will make it this time. And besides that, I'm concerned for the safety of Rose. I've grown quite fond of that spirited hobbit and I don't want anything bad happening to her.'

The other 2 shook their heads in agreement.

'What say we take a close look at that equipment Mithadan gave us', said Veritas coming up on the three from out of the shadows. 'And Birdie, can I take a look at that laptop? I'd like to see if it replicates the one that Pio skewered on our return from the Void.'

The four fell to parcelling out the contents of the bag and looking through the programs in the laptop.

In the shadow of the branches of an overhanging tree, the small gold dragon sighed and waited . . . 'These creatures are so slow!'

[Losthuniel]

Celeaewen was extermly worried. obviosly, one of them had come unhinged. But since Rosseil could see the kettle and she said Rose had dissapeared, and that it wasnt all in her head, Celeaewen was very worried for her friend's sanity. normally she would havve been rushing all over the place, to find the dissapearing hobbit, and...well no one had really seen a beserk kettle before. Celeaewen got up. what they needed was a phyciatrist. NOW

[Rose Cotton]

As Treebeard ran he only asked Rose one question.

"And where are these tree burners coming from?"

"The Fields of Cormallen." Rose replyed.
NO. I don't want to tell you. You' ll hurt everyone. thought Rose."You will need to round up as much help as you can. I'm not sure how many will attack but they will be agessive."Stop! REG, stop it now!

It was taking longer than the REG wanted but finally all the Ents were brought together and were having their Ent Moot.

The Ent Moot took a remarkably short time. Only one day. They all headed south to the edge of the forest to try and find their enimies.
They arn't enimies. And I don't want to find them. Please guys, don't come after the REG. These Ents look angry.

[ June 01, 2002: Message edited by: Rose Cotton ]

[Frodo Baggins]

Under the greenwood tree
Who loves to lie with me,
And turn his merry note
Unto the sweet birds throat,
Come hither, come hither come hither!
Here we shall see
No enemy
But winter and rough weather.

Who doth ambition shun,
And loves to live i' the sun,
Seeking the foods he eats,
And pleased with what he gets,
Come hither, come hither, come hither!
Here we shall see
No enemy
But winter and rough weather.
~William Shakespeare

Under a tree is where Frodo was sitting. He had a book in his hands, but was not reading. He was thinking. He remembered that poem, his half-hobbit cousin Cahira head read it for literature. He liked it, but he wished it was only winter and rough weather. He stared at the emerald cuff links that Sam had brought but forgotten to give to him. He listened to the plans to go after Rose and the REG. He wanted to go, but he knew he would not be albe to.
He thought Ents were supposed to be good. How he wished Merry and Pippin were here! They always understood ents better than he.
Frodo wondered what had come over him. He finally came out of his swoon, but it was a while before Sam would let him go. Now Frodo was wondering why he had been so friendly with the grey stranger. He was full of mistrust now. Was he coming to his normal senses alone? Or, had Sam finally given him what he really needed and deserved, A nice hard smack across the back of his head.
Frodo remained staring into space...

[ June 01, 2002: Message edited by: Frodo Baggins ]

[Frodo Baggins]

Not to mention that Rose Cotton was beginning to scare him silly.

[Gimli Son Of Gloin]

Gimli drains his 12,536th mug.

[Losthuniel]

Celeaewen was searching high and low over the aprty grounds for someone who knew insanity when they saw it. unfortunately, there seemed to be no such creature. Celeaewen was about ready to give up. she sat down, completly exahsted.
"and ya think with 500 people here, one of 'ems gonna be a shrink"

[Rose Cotton]

(Not Part of Story. Scared, are we Frodo? Well there's more to come yet. [img]smilies/evil.gif[/img] LOL! Just kidding.Oh, and if you're confused: words in " " those things are what Rose is saying and words in italicsare what she is thinking. Back to story)

"I should ask the eagles to help us." said Rose. Haven't you ruined thing enough?She thought. "They would be usefull." They'd never believe you. You will never get the eagles on your side."Treebeard."

"Hoom hoom what is it now?"

"I am going to seek asistace from the eagles. I will be back shortly." Rose walked away from the Ents untill she was out of site then dissapeared. She reapeared close to the cliffs where the eagles lived.

[ June 01, 2002: Message edited by: Rose Cotton ]

[Gimli Son Of Gloin]

Gimli drains his 16,743rd mug.

[Samwise]

Primrose walks over with a bowl of stew in her hands. She waits a moment, as Mister Frodo is reading.
"M-mister Frodo, sir?" she finally stammers. For some reason, she is very nervous. Then, what is on her mind is a tad different than concentrating on getting her bow back from a moderator or aiming straight at elf-chasing hill trolls. "I--I wanted to ask you something... "

[VanimaEdhel]

Menelduliniel drains another mug of ale, then goes over to Rose.

"Ai! If you are asking for eagles, mellonamin, I might be able to help. I have met a few of them. Although they owe me no favors, maybe they would be willing to comply to one of your demands," she says to Rose.

[Frodo Baggins]

Frodo looks at Primrose

"Yes Prim?? What do you want to ask?"

[Gimli Son Of Gloin]

Gimli drains his 20,647th mug.

[VanimaEdhel]

Menelduliniel, not being answered, goes and gets more ale and waits.

"Aiya: Gimli: Do you have a designated horse-rider? I mean, with all that ale...ai, well, naugrim..."

[Samwise]

Primrose:*Gets on her knees and looks him in the eye*Well, sir--um--Papa told me so much about you--I feel like I know you--and--that I'm almost as close to you as he is.
Um, sir--Papa always said that he would have liked-- [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] Why is this so hard?she thinks. Taking a deep breath, she says,
Sir, Papa always said that he would have had my brothers and sisters and I--*nearly whispers* call you 'Uncle'....

[Gimli Son Of Gloin]

'Naugrim, nope, never touch the stuff, Menelduliniel." says Gimli as he drains his 25,786th mug.

[Frodo Baggins]

Frodo looked at Prim with wonder for a moment. Then he laughed!! And then he bacame serious.
"And you may, Tiny Rose. You may." He kissed her forehead and smiled.

It is nice to be back in Middle-Earth.

[ June 01, 2002: Message edited by: Frodo Baggins ]

[Samwise]

Primrose smiled broadly, glad she'd finally said it, and hugged Frodo's neck.

Thank you sir--ehm--Uncle Frodo.

Stacey, who had come over to help Sam serve stew to those who wanted it, stopped and watched this little scene.

Stacey: Well, I'll be darned, she's showing her heart here, too...

She chuckles and turns before Primrose sees her watching, and gets either mad or embarraassed or worse, both. As she turns, she catches Sam wipin a tear from his eye.

Stacey: Heh--guess he was watching, too.... [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[Samwise]

"And you may, Tiny Rose. You may."

OOC:LOL! Did you realize what you just said here, or was that on purpose?

[Rose Cotton]

(Not part of story. Um...Menelduliniel, perhaps you didn't see, put I am right now somwhere along the Misty Mountains. So even thought I'd love, I mean the REG would love to have your help, it would be difficult to comunicate right now. If you are confused then go back and read the story again. Back to the story.)

Gwahir the lord of eagles spotted Rose before she did him. He swooped down and questioned her.

"Who are you, and what is your errand?" He asked.

"I am here partly to ask your help and partly to warn you of great danger. There are those lead by Mithadan that are going to attack. They will start by burning down Fangorn forest. But then they plan to set dragons on the eagles. You will all surely be killed. Unless you join forces with the Ents." Rose said. These are feable lies. He will never believe them. thought Rose.

"Mithadan is a great friend and ali. Why would he do such a terrible thing? Why should I trust you over him?"

"Because I can prove it to you.What? No you can't.Then Rose reached into the pocket that didn't contain the REG. Instead there was a laptop inside that the REG had created. Rose opened it up and on the screen was a projection of Mithadan with torched in his hands and a burning forest behind him.You monster. You edited a figure of Mithadan into that scene and put the torches in his hands."That was the forest around the Fields of Cormallen. They are now up in smoke. Fangorn is next."

The eagle considered Rose for a minute then flew off. It was going to get the rest of it's army.

[Frodo Baggins]

What did I say, Sam? I'm confused.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child was fidgeting with Mith's backpack. She found a very small keychain palantir in the very back pocket.

Birdland was still fussing with her hair and branches. She was an exceedingly large Ent, but she also appeared to be a very vain one as well.

Pio was running around in large circles instructing Birdland how to hold her branches and leaves. Angara was circling around Bird's treetop (or whatever Ents called the top of their head!), and was periodically setting small fires here and there which she then blew out!

That little dragon was a menace, Child thought. Why must she come with us? Oh, well, I guess it's supposed to be so.

Meanwhile, Child walked slowly over to where Frodo still lay, resting on the ground.

"Mr. Frodo," Child said, "I know you are not feeling right yet, and you will probably have to stay here while we go looking for Rose and the REG. I also know you're worried about Rose."

"Well, I have two favors to ask you. First, here is the copy of the beautiful Silm which you gave to me. I'm very afraid of taking it on this crazy adventure and losing it. So, please, please, keep it here till I return. If you go somewhere, hide it in a safe spot."

"Second, here is a little keychain palantir which Mith left in his backpack. We have the laptop, so this really isn't necessary for us."

Child looks down at the ground and surveys her large furry feet, "I can't explain this Frodo, but I think you were meant to have this palantir."

"Maybe you can keep track of where we are. When you feel better, you can join us, or......I don't know, maybe you will see something we haven't noticed and you can send through a message to one of us using osanwe-kenta. Pio is an Elf so she is into that kind of mind-to-mind communication. I'm just a hobbit so it's not as natural for me."

"I never was very good at that kind of thing," Child admitted plantively. "But you are special, so you should be able to do it, especially after your trip to the West and such."

Child stepped back and hung her head. She was surprised at her boldess. People just didn't remind Frodo about his trip to Elvenhome. Someimes, he looked sad when they did so. But this seemed too important not to say. And she knew in her heart that, in a pinch, Frodo could send them a message using osanwe-kenta. She always figured Galadriel had taught him that....

And Child did wonder what Rose might say or do if, out of nowhere, Frodo sent her a message of warning just like Gandalf had sent one to him when he had put on the Ring so very long ago. Or perhaps, he could offer Birdland some good advise.

Child had a sinking feeling that Birdland could use some good advise!

[Gimli Son Of Gloin]

Gimli drains his 31,987th mug.

[Samwise]

What did I say, Sam? I'm confused

OOC:LOL! That's one of the things I like about you--you seem to get as confused as easily as me....
I'm being sentimental. When you first posted:

"And you may, Tiny Rose. You may."

This was what came to my mind:

"Yet we may, Mister Frodo. We may."

Don't mind me.
Now back to our story.... [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[Samwise]

After Child leaves, Sam, having finally dried his tears, comes over to see if he is all right.
Sam: Mister Frodo, sir? I hope the stew's t' your liking.
Eh...if I may ask, sir, what did Miss Child want?

Primrose comes back then, having stepped away when C7A came over to talk to Frodo.

Prim: Is everything all right, sir?

Stacey comes over, having heard what the Gamgees had said, so saying nothing but wondering the same.