Scouting ahead

[Elatan]

Dusksinger

With the back to the people at the gate
A dwarf and three elves ? strange company ! she made ready to face the wolves There is a good tree to climp if needed but one of the beasts is going down first

The wolves came close enough to see, seven of them and suddenly all became a huge battle. One elf rushed with knives in his hand straight forward into the pack with another holding a sword right behind him. The Dwarf climbed a tree A dwarf climbing a tree, hiding from battle? guess the fierce rough reputation of those are greatly overrated. She could hear the wood of the bow the last elf had behind her bend and stretch and then the string of it through the air and the whistle of an arrow passing over her head.

hmm they are helping, not bad but after all they would be prey too if not When she looked up again four wolves were lying down but one huge bastard were almost to bite the throat of one of the elves when a couple of axes from above was firmy planted in its eyes.

The last two wolves turned to flight They con not escape, they will alarm every pack in the area and a man hunt for us will begin Dusksinger cleansed her mind and concentrated, whispering words to herself holding the staff vertical with the end of it planted in the ground. With all her concentration a thin barrier behind the wolves grew stronger and higher and from it increasing heat were wavering, preventing the two last wolves to run away. The heat barrier stretched, each end moved around the wolves in a circle enclosing them in a trap leaving the two elves outside.
I cannot hold this for long, now finish them off people.

[Varda]

Fainan:

The last two wolves started to run and Fainan started to lower her bow. She had no wish to slaughter animals, especially when they were fleeing. Orcs, yes. But the wolves abruptly backed away from a weird shimmering in the air, reminiscent of heat waves. As the wolves turned, once again menacing the party, Fainan shot one.

[Eonwë]

Auros:

Seeing the barrier surrounding the Wolves, Auros stepped back. I see,.. the woman. This was no Dwarf, and certainly no Avar.
Realizing he could not reach the wolves, he wiped the blood from his blade and sheathed it. One wolf approached the barrier as it stood before Auros and Calion, but was quickly shot dead. The other wolf stayed in place, and no arrow came to slay it.
The Mirkwood Elves hesitate to slay the beast. Cetainly it cannot be held in this way for long.
"The wolf must die!" he called out to the others. Placing his hand on Calion's shoulder, he spoke to the Mirkwood Elf, "Whatever else happens, this wolf must die." He walked away from the barrier, surveying the bodies of the wolves as they lay in the moonlight.

He walked over to the body of the wolf that attacked Calion. The axes still stuck firmly in its eyes. With his good arm, he traced the gashes along its body. Old wounds. This beast was tortured before it ever came to this field. The beast was of an unnatural size. He touched chest, checking to ensure the beast truly was dead. Sure of this, he opened the beast's mouth carefully, examining the fangs.

As one of the others approached, Auros spoke aloud. "This was the leader. Tell me, what do you make of this?"

[ArPharazon]

Calion:

A magical barrier appeared slowly around the wolves, causing them to be trapped at the spot, unable to run, and unable to fight back. Calion looked behind him, at the source of the magic. He thought: Surely this is not a normal human? She seems to have great potential powers, if she could do this to the beasts in her current exhausted state. She could definitely be a great asset to our party.

One of the two remaining wolves stepped towards them, of course remaining within the barrier. It got shot down quickly. The other was left alive: how could any sane being kill any animal who wasn't currently a threat to them?

The Noldo seemed to have a different mind about that. He shouted to the rest of the party to kill the wolf, and whispered to Calion "Whatever else happens, this wolf must die." Calion did not agree with this statement, knowing the threat to him or his party was minimal, as the wolf was now alone, and trapped.

Auros now walked back to the corpses, examining them. Calion remained in front of the barrier, trying to subdue the remaining wolf with his eyes. It seemed to work, as the wolf slowly stepped back, burning it's tail to the barrier in the process, but he seemed too scared to even notice. Calion approached the barrier, and the wolf shrunk back, started crying, and all it's aggression was lost. It was now tamed, and could lead the party to it's source, because Calion knew there was something unusual to these creatures: He had noticed the old torturewounds of their leader, when he finished the large wolf off. Calion, in a slightly unappropriate thought, said to himself: "I'll call him Fluffy."

Behind him the Noldo also seemed to have noticed the wounds, as he said aloud: "This was the leader. Tell me, what do you make of this?"

[Varda]

Fainan:

Fainan saw no further threats to the party and dropped to the ground. She bowed her head in greeting to the newcomers, then joined them in checking the peculiar wolves.

"Dol Guldur", she hissed. "They've found yet another way to move on us, with normal animals this time. This has to be stopped!"

She looked back into the trees. "And what happened to the border guards?"

[arathorn]

Haran:

As the remaining wolves were being slain something very odd occurred. Two of the wolves were mystically encircled by a radiance that seemed to appear from nowhere. He noticed that the newcomer had her staffed raised and thought "A sorceress!?" He had heard tales of such a being but had never met one, yet here the truth was upon him. Wizards and sorcery. Perhaps his nightmare was not just a fever induced dream after all. A sense of foreboding lingered.

He turned his attention back to the glowing ring and saw that only one wolf remained. It now seemed frightened and subdued. He could kill it now with no trouble, but pity stayed his hand.

The elves were now examining the dead and seemed particularly interested in the giant that Haran had blinded earlier. Not wanting to be left out of the discourse, he made his way down to the troop below to see what was afoot.

[ArPharazon]

Calion:

Calion left his wolf in the circle, not having the power to free him, and joined his comrades in the examination of the wolves. The Dwarf joined as well. Fainan looked back into the trees, saying: "And what happened to the border guards?"

Calion sadly answered her and the rest of the party: "I know not about the gate's guardians, but I do have a guess at the patrols along the Elf-path. For when I found the white willow-trees to heal Haran, I stepped into the forest, and found there a horrible sight. Pieces of Elven armor and weaponry, spider webs, and the ground soaked with blood. It seemed the spiders' intelligence is growing, just like the shadow emitting from Dol Guldur further South. If they could eat the road-guards without a single loss, they're definitely organising... who knows in how large packs they move now?
Yet this was not the only thing I saw. Looking from the slope down to the fields and towards the mountains, my eyes perceived smoke arising from the area of Dol Guldur, more black than any thundercloud I've seen, and steadily growing, advancing North. It has passed the mountains, and my eyes saw mountain beasts going crazy with anger. I do not know what this smoke holds, but it's pure evil.
If the wolves indeed came from Dol Guldur, their anger and rage should increase with time, until they become a great danger to Mirkwood. I have been able to save Fluffy from the darkness, but within short time all the wolves around Dol Guldur, or even in the regions in which we stand now, will be unsaveable, and death will be the only way to stop the poor things from ravaging our home. Does anybody have any suggestions on what to do now?"

[Varda]

Fainan:

"This is dire news indeed. This must be reported to King Thranduil on our way back. Yet how will he have us fight a cloud? If it does not go outwards in a circle, perhaps a force could be sent around to destroy the source, and let us pray that this source is not inside the fortress itself."

She turned and bowed her head politely to Auros. "But for now, my lord Auros, we were sent to escort a Noldo elf from Rivendell and any companions of his through Mirkwood, and to give any assistance you might require."

[Eonwë]

(OOC: Pardon, I tried to post this last night, but my internet decided to quit on me then for some reason give me busy signals when I tried to get back on. Luckily, I had a chance to save this to notepad :})

Auros:

Fluffy? Auros' eyes widened slightly as he turned his attention from the beast, and seeing one wolf left alive his face darkened. He turned his attention back to the beast.

He heard Fainan's words as he moved his hand toward one of the axes in the beast's eyes. As he pulled the axe out, the blood began to pour freely. He examined the edge closely. It was actually smouldering! Tossing the axe down, he said, "I'm afraid these two will do you no more good, Master Dwarf. I suspect some of your knives are in similar shape, Calion."

Rising to his feet, he turned to the female Elf. "My apologies, milady. I did not mean to ignore you." Motioning to the alpha wolf's body, he said to everyone, "Based on the evidence," as he shot a dark glance at the living wolf," I believe the leader acted as an overseer for the pack, spreading a foul will through itself into the entire pack, linking them to his master."
He paused a moment, then continued, "Evil has arrived before me and come in my wake. While I do not believe it has come looking for me, I cannot take the chance it will hinder my mission. The wounded must be tended to and all of us must rest and take nourishment while we can. We will be leaving before dawn."

"As for you," Auros turned to Calion, "you are now responsible for that wolf," he said, pointing to the creature sitting not far off. "It may not leave your side so long as I travel through Mirkwood. It has tasted both freedom and slavery, and while you may believe it cleansed, it can still take news to its former master. If it tries to leave, you must kill it. It is your,.. pet."

The idea was disturbing to Auros. The wild birds and beasts of Imladris served Elrond faithfully, gathering news from abroad when needed, but they were not owned by any Elf. It would've been better for the wolf to die free, Auros thought. Horses and domestic animals were a different matter, but even they were not delegated as "pets."

Once again speaking to all, "Of my mission I will say no more aloud than I must go through Mirkwood. You must also take thought of your own realm, and I must take thought of my mission. Someone must be sent to Imladris while I continue, and someone must be sent to your king. The latter at least will travel with us for some time. Take counsel with yourselves and decide what you will do. The gate cannot stand ungaurded for long, but we cannot wait for patrols, or for the guards to return."

Turning to the Dwarf, "Master Haran, since you are aparently well enough to be up and around, perhaps you would help Calion to gather these corpses together away from the trees. I think burning the bodies would be better than simply burying them. When the newcomer is tended to, we'll gather brush."

Turning to the female Elf once again, " Please see to the woman. I will see what I have to help in my pack."

With that, Auros walked back to his horse. He began to lift his pack, but the flexing of his shoulder caused the blood to run anew. He winced in pain. As if sensing Auros' reaction, the horse knelt down so he could slide the pack onto the ground.
"Hantalyë, meldo," he said softly to the horse, placing his hand on the horse's head. He slid the pack down and began to rummage through for his bandages.

[Varda]

Fainan:

"Pardon, I should have introduced myself. I'm Fainan. Calion exaggerates kindly when he calls me a 'famous archer', but I should be competent enough to be of service as one of your escort. I would be glad to help your human companion, and aid in skinning the wolves and disposing of the carcasses. May I see to your shoulder, when you have a moment?"

Not far away, a border guard slipped back into position, shooting us a surprised look. After Calion and I gave him the "all's well" signal, he shrugged and settled down to watch the gate. We could tend to our business while he acted as sentry.

[Elatan]

Dusksinger.

One of the wolves in the barrier died and with it some strength of will returned. The magic is only minds towards minds, the more intelligent the opponent is the harder and faster you must work. It is like a mellee fight but in a mental sphere.
Radagast once told me " If you want to use a 2 handed sword you will hit hard but slow and only one opponent at the time, use 2 light weapons, one in each hand and you hit fast but not as hard on two opponents. It is the same with magic as most call it. You can blow off hundreds of minor rockets and firecrackers at a party, no harm but alot of noice and colors or one big gigantic boom which will drain you"

As strength returned Lomelinde felt only one will struggling in the field-trap and the strength of that will fast gave up fight and subdued. She saw up and in the trap one wolf were sitting with its tail between the legs and the tongue out the mouth making no attempts to attack or run. It was just sitting there, defeated, awaiting something.
She loosened the mental grip, the barrier vanished and she sat down, physically tired from the days long ride and mentally from the fights.

[ArPharazon]

Calion:

As they talked, the mental barrier went down, and Fluffy was freed from his prison. He slowly walked towards Calion, who was now busy pulling away the wolves' corpses, and Fluffy stood next to him, a tear in his eye. His leader and all of his troop had been slain, and he would surely have followed, if Calion had not believed the wolf could be cured from the dreadful smoke.

As his new personal project came standing next to him, Calion looked at him, and saw the tear. 'Wow, these creatures truly are intelligent' he thought to himself. 'I just hope the Gulhuine', as he had now named the smoke in his thoughts, 'won't leave any permanent markings on his soul.'

Then Calion heard another presence nearby. He looked around him, and saw a border guard, not far away, slipping into position. He and Fainan gave the guard the 'all's well' signal, and the guard shrugged and settled down to watch the gate.

Calion gathered the wolfleader away from the trees, along with the other corpses, and started gathering wood and other fuel to burn the corpses.

Fluffy, tired and sad, yet also glad he was safe from both the Gulhuine, and the death which had come to his companions (although he was still not sure of Auros, and Auros' intentions for the wolf) walked to the clearing, lying down on the grass. Quessëlómë looked at this new creature, but recognized the will of her master, and turned back to grazing without worries.

[arathorn]

Haran:

"Aye, the worst part of the battle. Clearing of the dead, even if it is the enemy. Although I cannot but feel that these beasts were somehow entranced and not attacking of their own free will. The marks upon the bodies shows at least that they were coerced? What say you, Calion, you were closest to the leader, what did you feel of his demeanor?"

As he awaited the elf's response he began dragging carcasses to the pile Calion had started, careful not to get stained by the foul blood that had been spilled.

"I also noted that you seem to have garnered a kind of affection for the lone survivor... this "Fluffed" one you named him? I too could not bring myself to slay him although from above I indeed had the opportunity. I worry that there may be a danger we ourselves have been bewitched. Perhaps the enchantress can shed light on these matters?"

After piling the last of the corpses, Haran rested on the hilt of his axe and turned a questioning glance to the group.

[Varda]

Fainan:

The human lady seemed uninjured, but fatigued. Fainan offered her the waterskin. "Drink all that you wish. I will refill it from the spring just outside the gate." By the skin, she laid out a bit of jerky and hardtack, keeping back the few lembas for emergencies. Fainan wanted very much to talk with the lady, to hear of what must be an intriguingly alien way of life, but had other pressing matters.

She approached Auros with determination. He struck her as one of those "I'm fine" patients who had to be knocked over the head to be tended. "Let me see to your shoulder, so that you may complete your mission. It will be hard to reach on your own."

[Eonwë]

Auros:

Auros looked up at Fainan, then smiled. "Very well. It will be easier for you to wrap my shoulder than to do it myself."

He handed her the bandage, as well as a small vial with an ointment inside. "This will help the healing. If Calion or the newcomer have any small injuries, it will help them as well. Be sparing, though; that is all I have."

Looking up, he saw the Elf guard now in place, watching outward towards the mouth of the path. "I see the guards have returned. Perhaps you or Calion should speak with them once the burning has begun. There must be good reason that they left the gate guarded only by an escort. "

Looking out as the Dwarf and Elf gathered together the bodies of the felled wolves, Auros said, "The pelts I deem would not be worth the time to skin them. There is a foulness in them that goes beyond the flesh."
After a moment, he added, "I was wrong about the leader. He was not a normal wolf. At first maybe, but now it's something,.. twisted."