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Post by arienv on Sept 11, 2016 17:11:29 GMT -5
Frali:
Frali bowed to Elrond: "Thank you for your hospitality, kind sir. I hope we can give you back at some point in our halls under the mountain." He bowed again and left the library with the others.
Outside the young dwarf turned to Calion and Fainan: "I could go scouting the borders while your birds are out in the air , do the same thing on the ground if you want."
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ArPharazon
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Post by ArPharazon on Sept 18, 2016 17:31:37 GMT -5
Calion:
Calion gave Frali's suggestion some thought, but thought it unwise to venture out so close to the time when they would be leaving. It would not be a good idea to risk anyone getting lost or delayed before they moved out on their mission.
Out loud, he replied: "I don't think that will be necessary. I'm sure the city's scouts have a constant guard on their immediate borders, and if there's anything you want to know it should be easy to ask around somewhere. Also, it cannot be long now until Lord Elrond gives us leave, and we had best be rested and prepared. We probably won't remain here more than a few days longer."
Calion smiled at both his companions and added, "If there's anyone you'd like to speak to before we go, do not wait too long."
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Post by arienv on Apr 10, 2017 14:56:49 GMT -5
Frali:
Time passed and scouting reports were collected. Frali passed the days honing his sword skills and looking over the shoulders of the Elven smiths and, when they were generous enough to allow it, gave them a hand as far as they would trust him to do. Their own departure didn't seem to come any nearer, but he tried to keep himself busy to play over the restlessness of youth. Besdes the physical work of course, he spent as much time as he could with his kinsmen Gloin and Gimli.
The year got older and it was a day in late autumn that Gimli came over to his young kinsman. "Elrond's scouts have gathered all the reports they can and we cannot delay our errand any further. By stone and beard, lad, it was a pleasure to have time before going out towards things we cannot be certain of." He hugged Frali in true dwarvish fashion and the two clapped each other's back before looking in their opposite's eyes.
*No time for bawling", Frali said, *let's grab a mug of ale or two and give that road of yours a true dwarvish scent." He grinned at his friend and kinsman and dragged him towards the Hall of Fire where Gloin joined them.
So it was with a sore head that Frali waved after the nine wanderers as they left Rivendell. "I really hope we will meet again " he muttered to himself.
Aragorn, who walked past him at this moment, turned to him with an encouraging smile: "We may yet, young warrior. You have a stout heart but you have your own story to write and your own path to walk. Take courage, friend, and do not be sad, the Valar see everything and will guide your feet where they need to go. Farewell!"
With that the ranger continued and the young warrior looked after him with a gleam of hope that wasn't there before: "May the Father Smith watch over you all" he muttered and retreated back into his room until second breakfast.
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Varda
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Post by Varda on Apr 10, 2017 18:09:41 GMT -5
Fainan:
With determination partly born of fighting boredom and to prevent a disrespectful remark to Lord Elrond, Fainan forced herself to study maps and everything she could find about the Angmar area, even, ugh, history. Much of the rest of the time, she studied with the local bowmasters and even worked on some trick-riding, hoping it might help avoid surprise attacks from the stony lands. She was sorely going to miss trees.
The days that seemed to drag came surprisingly quickly to autumn, a time that well-suited the looks of Rivendell to her eyes. She could not remember a time when the forests of Mirkwood had looked so colorful. If she kept fighting those that so injured her home, maybe it could someday enjoy the beauty that it should. To her surprise, Legolas called in the Mirkwood elves, visiting with them in the brilliance of the gardens, and in their lack of nearby eyes and ears.
"I must leave soon, on the mission that Gandalf has us working on. In my absence, you are to safeguard our home, as coming home to it would be most welcome after this journey. You have your own mission coming soon, one that will be important to our home's safety. I trust you to accomplish it and return home, to enjoy it and keep it safe."
Fainan curtsied, having finally learned to do so in an actual long dress with reasonable grace. "May your work go well and you return to us safely."
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ArPharazon
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Post by ArPharazon on Apr 16, 2017 15:50:23 GMT -5
Calion:
He could've been ready to depart within a day or so from the meeting with Elrond, but that wasn't to be. Calion was no stranger to spending time in the halls of the mighty, but the semi-urban environment started to get to him when enough time passed. Spending more time in the library didn't help. He did have some genuine interest in where they would be going, and other topics besides, and Fainan's own determination made him feel he had to keep up. But there were only so many hours he could spend among the books before he had to take a break in the outside world.
So, he spent much of his time walking the lanes, communicating with the wildlife, and sometimes, when he thought nobody was looking, he would climb a tree, swing about a bit, and relax among the branches. It was good exercise, as well. On some days, he would join Fainan among the archers, but the targets were not really suited for dagger-throwing, and such activities would not last long. And two or three times, when he was really tired of being surrounded by the stone architecture, he would excuse himself, leave Rivendell, and camp out in the nearby wilds for a night or two, making sure not to go too far from the city, or too near orc territory. He did not want to leave himself vulnerable at such a critical time. It also gave him more challenging targets to keep his skills honed, like branches waving in the wind.
It was with some relief that Calion answered the summons by Legolas. He knew that things were moving along now. And when the prince announced his own departure, he knew the Angmar expedition would not be long behind. With a short bow, he gave his own well wishes to his old friend, adding the hope that the mission would go unnoticed as long as possible and that the world would fare better for its success.
When the time came for the nine walkers to leave, Calion stood to the side, nodding his head politely as Legolas walked by. After Legolas did the same in return, and the party moved on, he watched them go until they were out of sight, quite a distance for an elf. He then turned around and resumed his daily rounds, checking with the birds if there was any more news from the north.
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Eonwë
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Post by Eonwë on Oct 4, 2017 6:51:13 GMT -5
Auros:
It was a quiet morning for Imladris as the sun began to rise a few days after the Fellowship had left. That is, until the sound of a hammer hitting an anvil rang throughout the valley. The sound became stronger, more fervent, then paused for several minutes. It came back louder and more fervent yet, then again ceased. A louder ringing, as of a bell, now sounded, and again fell into silence for several minutes. One last, great crash was heard, like the falling of a bell from a tower where it was hung, and then it was silent. Not an hour later, a summons was sent to Calion and Fainan, and to the Dwarf Frali, to gather before Elrond.
Elrond sat now next to an Elf who was facing away from the door, looking at him. When the summoned parties arrived, he motioned for them to hold their peace, then rising to take his original seat at the head of the table, one surrounded by papers and books, motioned for them to likewise take a seat. The other Elf, Auros, was looking at the table, though it appeared that may not be what he was seeing. His face was still red from the heat of the forge, though he managed to appear the image of dignity. He gave no sign that he had noticed the others' arrival, but there was a hint of... something... in his eyes, if one could see them.
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Varda
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Post by Varda on Oct 5, 2017 19:22:42 GMT -5
Fainan took a seat quietly but quickly, wide awake and wondering what the tremendous noise had been. Maybe Elrond would let them know in a bit. She was glad to see Auros again, after all this time, and wondered if he was well, but would wait for a better time to ask questions of him, especially if they might embarrass him in front of his lord.
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Post by arienv on Oct 17, 2017 15:28:26 GMT -5
Frali:
The young dwarf sat still at second breakfast when Elrond's summon arrived. He hastily swallowed the last of his morning drink and followed the Elf who came to inform him of the meeting. Frali nodded his thanks to his guide and greeted the others of his travel companions with a bow and a warm smile. "Nice to see you all again, and Master Elrond, what is the news?"
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ArPharazon
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Post by ArPharazon on Nov 11, 2017 11:59:02 GMT -5
Calion:
Elrond's summon found him after a short delay, as Calion was just returning from another short camping trip. He had not been present for the hammering sound, and wondered what had been going on that seemed to be the topic of conversation he occasionally heard around him, as he returned to his assigned guestroom to drop his gear.
After a quick wash and cleanup he thought himself dignified enough for even the taste of the Noldor, and went on to Elrond's room, pleased to note that the other parties were only just arriving themselves. Apparently the timing of the summon and meeting had been adjusted for his activities, or other preparations had to have been made.
Calion entered the room with the others, casting a quick, curious glance at Auros, who he had not seen around Rivendell for some time. But then, his own partial absence might also be to blame for that. Nodding respectfully to the host of the meeting, he sat down on one of the free seats, waiting for the news to come.
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Post by arienv on Jan 2, 2018 15:57:24 GMT -5
Frali:
The young Dwarf looked at Fainan and Calaron. "I can add something maybe .. I felt sort weird, when i took the sword. I wanted to keep it you know? Not give it away again.. and in the first moments thoughts about defeating a dragon sitting on an immense heap of treasure came across my mind, but only briefly." Frali then looked at Elrond. "The feeling seemed to disappear when we entered the valley .. but when Aranwe came and started asking his questions it came back .. even though the sword was away from me."
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Eonwë
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Post by Eonwë on Jun 12, 2019 6:59:13 GMT -5
Auros:
Auros sat quietly, his hand upon a cloth sitting on the table in front of him. Elrond motioned to him. "Go ahead."
After another moment of silence, Auros began. "It cannot be destroyed; not by any art I possess. Whatever power lies upon the sword prevents it."
"It appeared to be an ordinary orc sword, perhaps of a better quality, but after the fashion of orc weapons in the Hithaeglir. There were runes upon runes upon runes,... They were all of the orcish mode, and all newer than the weapon. This sword has had many owners, and it seems they each made their own ornamentation to the sword. There was nothing surprising in the runes: calls for the fall of the West, names of the owners, battles won. I learned nothing from them." Auros paused for a moment.
"It was in the darkness that I made a breakthrough. In the waning light of my candles, I saw a hint of another set of runes, revealing themselves only to the shadow. Seemingly the less light there is the more prominent the runes,.. ingenious given that it would be harder to see with a lack of light, yet for those who need not eyes to see..."
"In waning light they were revealed, and so I was able to discern them to some extent. But I had to be sure, and so I removed the hilt, which was not so sturdy as the blade, and my fear was confirmed: this blade is not the entirety of the danger. The runes ran under the hilt, and revealed more. By the dim light of embers in the smithy I recalled a passage in one of the older books about a blade mounted upon a staff --- a glaive, or bill,.. some sort of polearm,.. the descriptions were vague --- a brief passage with no final fate of the weapon given. I then remembered a report received by King Thranduil of Mirkwood while I was there, concerning something his scouts reported called 'the crooked staff' ... perhaps that was a mistranslation ... but he said it was also called 'the staff of unlight.' And then,...." Auros trailed off, lost for a moment in his own thoughts.
Elrond interjected, "So you think that this weapon you read of was broken up?"
"Aye, but for what reason? My digging revealed only more questions: How was this weapon separated, and by whom? Was it the owner's own forces who turned against him? If it was a friend of the West, certainly a way to destroy it would've been found, or at least it would not have been left in the hands of orcs. If the owner's forces were willing to break up the weapon rather than wield it themselves, what does that say of the danger we deal with? Perhaps there is hope in that it can be broken up at all."
Auros looked up. "One thing is for certain: it must be destroyed, and there must be a way. The newer runes were etched upon the blade, and yet my efforts to destroy it did little." He pulled back the cloth to reveal the blade, separated from the hilt. No damage was evident on the blade. "Perhaps the separation of the blade from the staff reduced the potency of both for a time. Whatever power lays upon the blade did not protect it when those runes were placed, so there must be some way to weaken that power."
"I know you have business in the North, Noldo! I will be waiting for you! Find me if you dare!"
With a sigh, Auros added, "I suspect the answers can be found in Angmar. That is where the spirit inhabiting Calion's brother is heading, and it seems he has invited me to find him there."
Though what business he thinks I would have is unknown.
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Varda
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Post by Varda on Jun 23, 2019 17:39:19 GMT -5
Fainan:
"You believe this awful thing has more parts? Why is it calling to you? Why did it pull Frali? I found it repulsive, instead. Could it be that it is because neither of you are of Mirkwood?"
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Eonwë
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Post by Eonwë on Jul 30, 2019 7:59:04 GMT -5
Auros:
With a sharp look at Fainan, Auros said, "What leads you to believe this blade calls to me? I have examined it, and I would have nothing more to do with it than I must. I know not what sway it exercised over Frali, if it was even the blade, but I do not lightly or carelessly present it here before him." His hand resting on the table was clenched tight, but never far from the blade perchance he needed to seize it.
"Auros," Elrond began, "I have asked you to examine the sword, and you have done so. Have you determined to take up the task to dispose of this weapon? To journey to Angmar and seek the information you need to complete this task?"
Auros paused for a moment. "I suppose that I must," he finally said. "I cannot leave this task undone, and I would not burden another with it as I sat by."
"But you need not set out on this venture alone. Who will you seek to aid you?"
"The delegation from Mirkwood has a share at least in this task, being charged with the resolution of the staff. It seems fitting to me our goals be united."
"Indeed."
"Aye." Looking at Calion, he added, "Both Fainan and Calion have proven themselves capable." After a pause, he continued, " Also Meren ---".
"Meren has been given other duties," Elrond interrupted.
Auros turned to face Elrond. "Oh," he said, furrowing his brow. "I had heard that she elected to join us in Rivendell, but I thought she would still take part in this task. That is a shame."
After a moment, he said, "I would then choose Telperos. He has recently served to scout the land we now aim to travel."
"He has not returned."
Auros could not hide the look of surprise. "He should have returned by now. Have we sent no one to find him?"
"That too will be your task. Given what we have just discussed, I would leave it to no one else."
Auros grimaced. He perceived now that this was going to be his mission regardless of his initial decision.
"As for you," Auros said, turning to Frali, "You are yet young, even by the reckoning of the Dwarves. I will not expect that you accompany us, and I will not ask. You are not bound to this mission as we are. So far we have run from safe harbor to safe harbor. We no longer have that luxury. We are marching now into danger and cannot expect safety anywhere, unless perchance we complete our mission and return. I do not guarantee your safety. Yet, on this journey you have seen what we may face. You have been tested. It is up to you to decide if the trials you have experienced so far have strengthened you for greater ordeals, or if you have found yourself wanting. I think, though, that there is merit in you seeing to the destruction of this sword yourself."
Addressing those gathered, Elrond said, "Bound by duty or not, I will ask each of you: Of your own accord, will you commit together to this task, to find one of our people, and to seek an end to the sword before us, and to the staff held by a foe?"
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Varda
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Post by Varda on Aug 2, 2019 10:12:30 GMT -5
Fainan:
Fainan stood and gave a small bow. "Your pardon, Auros, if offense was given." She sat again. "I will go. My gear and horse have been ready for long as this task is necessary for the protection of Mirkwood on which this attack first came, and to stop the danger from spreading past us to potential future targets such as Erebor and Rivendell." With a smile she added, "Besides, seeing new places in the wide world would be a joy, if only for bringing new tales to future campfires whether or not we are fortunate enough to be the tellers."
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Post by arienv on Aug 4, 2019 16:23:45 GMT -5
Frali: Frali listened to both Elrond's and Auros' words , but it took him only a short time to answer. "I found this sword, Master Elrond and consider it my duty to see to its disposal, if that is what we are supposed to be doing. I didn't repair my armor and weapons only that they collect dust in Rivendell's wonderful armory although they certainly would be a worthwhile addition. They are quality work from the Lonely Mountain, Master Elrond." Then he turned to Auros: "I also spent time training my swordsman ship. You can ask Gloin whether my skills improved. So if you want and consider me worthy, Master Elf, you shall have my sword . and i 'd like to get a decent orc count to compare with Gimli when we meet the next time. " He smiled briefly but nodded seriously and determined.
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