Eonwë
Vala, Council
Vala and proud member of the Valar Guild. A quarter century of Tolkien fun.
Posts: 1,323
|
Post by Eonwë on May 5, 2020 23:40:55 GMT -5
OK, the next chapter has begun :} Hope you all enjoy the new post :}
|
|
Eonwë
Vala, Council
Vala and proud member of the Valar Guild. A quarter century of Tolkien fun.
Posts: 1,323
|
Post by Eonwë on May 5, 2020 23:14:45 GMT -5
Auros:
It was late in the evening when Auros finally crossed his threshold, and sleep was still far from him. His first task was to return to his armory, and setting the bundle with the sword on a table, he opened the hidden compartment in the back of the shelf, retrieved the bundle and stashed it away inside. He paused for a moment on the way out of the room, looking back and thinking on what he had discovered there the previous night. Heading now to his own quarters, he sat for a while by the fire in the antechamber, deep in thought, before retiring.
Rising early the next morning, he dressed and prepared to depart, but paused for a moment at the door exiting the antechamber. Looking back, he thought for a moment as his eyes lay on the parcel delivered by Aldawë that he had left sitting on the table. Closing his eyes for a moment, he decided it was time to open it. He retrieved the parcel and carried it back to his bedchamber. Placing the parcel upon his bed, he retrieved a long wooden box from underneath the bed and placed that next to the parcel. The box was ordinary, bearing no ornate design save for some flourishes on the hinges that fastened the lid to the body. Lifting the lid, he first retrieved and set aside a small box containing a silver ring, a ring second in value to him only when compared to the gold one he wore. That box now set safely, he cast open the cloth that lay within the box to reveal a sword, forged by him the winter before riding north to free Arthedain from the Witch-King. Lifting the sword, he drew it partially from its scabbard to examine the blade. The blade still shone, the light of day glinting off the edges and accenting upon the runes Auros carved into the blade the day it was forged. The Noldo resheathed the sword and set it down into the box.
Auros now turned his attention to the parcel, unfurling it to reveal that it was a cloak, still bearing the scent of elanor and niphredil. Bound within it was another sword, the mate to that which Auros had kept. Unsheathing this one showed it had been well-cared for. The blade eagerly reflected the light of day, as if it had been in seclusion for so long and now wished to be revealed to all. The runes it bore somehow managed to carry the unmistakable accents of she who had inscribed them, the same hand that had written the copy of the Ainulindallë that sat on Auros' table nearby, the song that had drawn him to the collapsed vestiges of a once glorious gazebo where he found her, her hair somehow even in the clear pale light of the full moon catching enough of Rana's radiance to reflect a hint of a fiery hue when otherwise it would be subdued.
***
The ride through the old lands of Rhudaur towards Angmar was mostly uneventful, fortunately. The remnants of the Men who lived there did not hinder their journey, and indeed, the group had not come across them. Auros had adopted the use of the Silvan hwerme of Mirkwood, with which he had some experience over the years, in order to communicate silently at a distance with Fainan and Calion when they spread out at times to check for signs of Telperos. Frali would remain with whichever of the three took the central path. So far there had been no fresh signs of anyone in the area, let alone an Elf.
Finally, about half a day's ride from the borders of old Angmar, a makeshift campsite was found, that while old, appeared to have been used recently. Auros rested his left hand upon his left sword-hilt and motioned everyone to dismount. While he examined the campsite, he signaled Fainan to check eastward and Calion westward for signs of recent arrivals or departures.
After several minutes of scouting the area, the two gathered back at Auros.
|
|
Eonwë
Vala, Council
Vala and proud member of the Valar Guild. A quarter century of Tolkien fun.
Posts: 1,323
|
Post by Eonwë on Dec 21, 2019 3:45:05 GMT -5
Heya Elatan!
Good to see you and glad you're doing well :}
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you as well :}
|
|
Eonwë
Vala, Council
Vala and proud member of the Valar Guild. A quarter century of Tolkien fun.
Posts: 1,323
|
Post by Eonwë on Oct 6, 2019 3:36:02 GMT -5
Happy 22nd Anniversary to the Valar Guild!
|
|
Eonwë
Vala, Council
Vala and proud member of the Valar Guild. A quarter century of Tolkien fun.
Posts: 1,323
|
Post by Eonwë on Sept 22, 2019 6:40:53 GMT -5
Heya Ioreth :}
I dabbled in WoW Classic, but have determined it's not for me at this stage. I don't have time to spend on another character, and if I did, I'd spend it on my characters on LotRO :} I know we have some others who are enjoying it though.
|
|
Eonwë
Vala, Council
Vala and proud member of the Valar Guild. A quarter century of Tolkien fun.
Posts: 1,323
|
Post by Eonwë on Sept 22, 2019 6:38:11 GMT -5
Heya Morwë :}
Yes, people are still active in LotRO :} I think most are enjoying the Legendary servers Ithil and Anar. If memory serves, Ithil is the more active one, but Varda can give you more up-to-date info on that, as when I pop on, it's on Landroval, where our main kin is as you know. I've seen that people have been on there besides me, so I know there's some people stirring there too :}
|
|
Eonwë
Vala, Council
Vala and proud member of the Valar Guild. A quarter century of Tolkien fun.
Posts: 1,323
|
Post by Eonwë on Sept 10, 2019 1:34:12 GMT -5
The Games Site Mass-Update has begun for 2019. Please get your info in by September 30th.
Thanks!
|
|
Eonwë
Vala, Council
Vala and proud member of the Valar Guild. A quarter century of Tolkien fun.
Posts: 1,323
|
Post by Eonwë on Sept 9, 2019 7:03:52 GMT -5
Looking at the maps for where we're heading, and what we've discussed today, I do have another question to pose: how far do we expect this chapter to go? Each chapter previous as been from Point A to Point B. We're skipping the journey mostly, so are we expecting this chapter to conclude our business in Angmar, or is there some point at which we expect to draw a line and set a new chapter?
|
|
Eonwë
Vala, Council
Vala and proud member of the Valar Guild. A quarter century of Tolkien fun.
Posts: 1,323
|
Post by Eonwë on Sept 6, 2019 7:32:22 GMT -5
Unless anyone thinks we need to actually have the prep scene suggested by my post to be set to take place later that day, I think my post is a fine place to end Auros' part of this chapter, if not the chapter itself should anyone wish to add on afterward. Let me know and I'll close it when we're ready. Additionally, we need to pick a name for the next chapter.
|
|
Eonwë
Vala, Council
Vala and proud member of the Valar Guild. A quarter century of Tolkien fun.
Posts: 1,323
|
Post by Eonwë on Sept 6, 2019 7:26:07 GMT -5
Auros:
"Very well," Elrond said, rising from his seat. Taking the cue, Auros also rose. "I will leave you to set the number of your party, should there be others you think would be valuable in this mission, and to prepare. Let me know when you have set your date of departure." Auros bowed.
After Elrond departed, Auros gathered the cloth containing the sword and said to those remaining, "I will set preparations in motion for provisions. There are also some people I need to speak with before the day wanes. Let us meet later this afternoon, and we will discuss our journey."
Auros stood by the door as the others filed out. When Calion came to the door, Auros stopped him for a moment with a hand on his shoulder, looking him in the eye. "If there is any hope of saving your brother, we will try."
|
|
Eonwë
Vala, Council
Vala and proud member of the Valar Guild. A quarter century of Tolkien fun.
Posts: 1,323
|
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?"
|
|
Eonwë
Vala, Council
Vala and proud member of the Valar Guild. A quarter century of Tolkien fun.
Posts: 1,323
|
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.
|
|
Eonwë
Vala, Council
Vala and proud member of the Valar Guild. A quarter century of Tolkien fun.
Posts: 1,323
|
Post by Eonwë on Oct 8, 2018 3:17:29 GMT -5
Happy 21st Anniversary to the Valar Guild!
|
|
Eonwë
Vala, Council
Vala and proud member of the Valar Guild. A quarter century of Tolkien fun.
Posts: 1,323
|
Post by Eonwë on Oct 1, 2018 17:29:40 GMT -5
Indeed, it is Lobelia :}
She was antagonistic toward both Bilbo and Frodo at the beginning, and was not well liked by other Hobbits either, until the end. When she stood against the Boss' ruffians, the Hobbit's perception of her changed. When she was thrown into the Lockholes, she was a bitter, angry old woman. When she was brought out to the cheers of Hobbits for her bravery, she changed. She gave Frodo back Bag End, and when she passed she left him what was left of her and Lotho's money to help Hobbits made homeless by the troubles in the Shire.
Your turn Arien :}
|
|
Eonwë
Vala, Council
Vala and proud member of the Valar Guild. A quarter century of Tolkien fun.
Posts: 1,323
|
Post by Eonwë on Sept 25, 2018 3:14:39 GMT -5
An interesting guess, but he more went the other way, Hero to Villain. :}
Keep guessing :}
|
|