RP#52-Ancient Retribution

[roguelion]

Greetings,
We will be needing about 3-4 more players before this game starts,

2-3 dwarves, 1-2 elves...once all positions are filled we will start. When new spots open an announcement will be made. If you wish to join please post you character profile and contact roguelion at: roguelion@shaw.ca , or you can PM me.
Special thank you to YayGollum for working on the plot with me...thanks Bro!!

for OOC discussion on #52..go here-> http://www.thetolkienforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5281

Here's the intro....enjoy.


Ancient Retribution

Introduction: The Prophecies.

The Prophecy of Avarminuial, the Hammer of the ancients
And it shall come to pass in days of peace the hammer shall be forged, it shall be stronger than the ancient stones, and lighter than the feathers of a dove. With the blood of a Dwarven king it shall be cooled. From this hammer shall come many great implements of war, but it shall forge peace between those who dwell in the mountains and they that live on the green earth.
(Unknown prophet)

The Prophecy of the Elven scorn.
In days of great war, a child will be born, he shall have the visage of the fair Elves, beauteous and kind in looks, but dark and evil of heart. The child shall grow, and as he grows to adulthood, the evil and greed that reside in his heart shall expand to overtake all but his fair face. He shall be a deceiver of Elves and Dwarves. He shall be the spiller of innocent blood and thief of an ancient relic. With this relic he shall attempt to set up a kingdom, with the blood of the innocent he shall forge a great weapon.
(Enedrhos the Elven seer)



Intro

In a time long forgotten, when Elves warred with Elves, and Dwarves parleyed and made treaties with Elven armies. Long before the Fellowship of the ring, or even before the ring was a fragment of a thought, there was a Hammer of power, a master hammer, that forged the first bit of steel into a blade. It was called “Avarminuial. It was created by a Dwarven Master Smith called Fain Orkshield. For age after age the Hammer sat in its rightful place, In the hands of the Dwarven Kings, this is where our story begins....


PART 1

“A very strong flavor this wine has..i like it” said Ibun, The Dwarven regent of the northern colonies, to his Elven visitors. “I shall like more, I have never tasted such...flavorful wine before”.
“But of course my Lord, we shall get you many barrels with which to stock your cellars with, after the treaty has been signed of course”. Said Makachil, the Elven negotiator for the armies of the North.

(Many hours later..when all are asleep)

The heavy oak door opened silently in the night, complimenting the dwarven craftsmanship and skill that made it. Two shadowy figures entered the chamber silently and slowly walked toward the bed. “It worked brother...The regent is dead, the poison was swift. Now quickly pick the lock on the safe and get the hammer.” Said Makachil in a whisper.
The sound of lock pick echoed through the vast bed chamber, and with a final and loud click the safe door swung open and the Hammer was theirs.....

[roguelion]

The crowded chamber echoed with the voices of a multitude. With both Dwarf and Elf in attendance, this could mean the end of the war. The Dwarves and Elves mingled in the Great hall of Ithicur, keeping each to their own race and creed. Suddenly the blast of a great horn boomed through the hall, echoing off the high sealing and reverberating through empty chambers all through the Dwarven stronghold. The King of the Northern reaches approached the podium with little more fanfare and quieted the room.

“Citizens of Tanaroth & Elvish guests, hear me now.” Said King Rolphin, the Dwarven King of the North. “A tradegy has befallen us in our peaceful negotiations, Not only has a life been taken out of greed and evil, but stolen from us was the heart of the Dwarven nation, The Hammer of the Ancients, beloved Avarminuial has been removed from the hands of Dwarven nobility and taken for evil purposes. It breaks my heart to tell you that the keeper of the hammer,
Ibun Hammerguard has been poisoned, and now sleeps eternally in the embrace of death. The Dwarves in attendance exploded with wails and shouts, clanking there axes, picks and other weapons and tools against each other in a show of anger and grief. The Elves all stood quiet and stoic, not moving or saying anything. “It also pains me to tell you good Dwarves, that the perpetrators of this crime were of the Elven race.” King Rolphin said with painful truth. When this was said all the Dwarves turned and raised arms toward the Elves that were present. “Lift no blade or fist to the Elves” The king shouted over the din of the murderous noise.”This I command you, Dwarves of honor.” At the Kings command all weapons were lowered. The Elves who stood, were static like pillars or statues, no fear could be found in their presence.

When this was said one Elf walked up to the podium from the front of the crowd, His green cloak shimmered in the candle light, and a crown of golden leaves sparkled upon his fair haired head. Gracefully he bowed to the King of the Dwarves and began to speak.

“Dwarven hosts, King of the north and Elven brothers. Prophecy tells of a Dark elf, an evil Elf who will spill innocent blood and steal a relic of great power. Enedrhos the Elven seer foresaw this 2000 years before today, and wrote of this in his book of prophecy.” The Elven leader went on to quote the prophet.

“In days of great war, a child will be born, he shall have the visage of the fair Elves, beauteous
and kind in looks, but dark and evil of heart. The child shall grow, and as he grows to adulthood,
the evil and greed that reside in his heart shall expand to overtake all but his fair face. He shall
be a deceiver of Elves and Dwarves. He shall be the spiller of innocent blood and thief of an
ancient relic. With this relic he shall attempt to set up a kingdom, with the blood of the innocent
he shall forge a great weapon”.

When he finished the telling of the prophecy all who listened were silent. “It is not the will of the Elven people to continue this travesty of a war with you noble and honorable Dwarves. Peace is all that matters now friends” said Thaliondil (Elven leader) The Elven people will assist in the capture of these Evil Elves, and spare no expense in supplying a party of heroes to seek out and bring these....miscreants to final justice!” The assembled Elves and Dwarves erupted in a great cheer. Thaliondil then quietly stepped away from the podium and King Rolphin stood to approach & speak once again............

[YayGollum]

...but a Dwarf sitting farther away from the rest stands up to shout, "Excuse me, my king, but I am Boffin, son of Ibun Hammerguard. If there is to be any party of heroes to bring my father's murderers to justice, I must be included. He was the one to send me out of my secluded life in the palace to learn about Tanaroth's people. I believe that if I were included, I might fulfill his wish and gain more experience in the position that I was to hold." *kicked by a Dwarf sitting next to him* "Yes, and I need try out my mace, too." *sits back down and argues with the Dwarf who made him stand up*

[Arathin]

A tall, cloaked figure stood from a dark corner of the room. The figure approached the two kings. A soft, sweet, melodious voice emerged from the hood of the cloak, quiet but clear and heard by all. The elven king stood back and bowed slightly to the figure. "I, Arathin, half sister of the great high born elf Glorfindel, will assist you." She pulled back her hood to reveal a face beyond age. Her long brown hair fell down beneath her cloak in a single braid. A star seemed to sit on her brow. "I will do all I can to help avenge your lost friend and regain you relic for you." With that Arathin stepped back and stood beside the Elven king.

[Ice Man]

Hellerin approached the two kings, as soon as Arathin finished talking to them, and gracefully spoke: "My kings, I shall seek justice, and set on to capture this evil one that is of my kin. You may trust my bow, my sword and my will in this search". Hellerin's voice was gentle, yet firm, and left no doubts about his will to find and capture the assassin.

[roguelion]

The Dwarf, who was standing next to Boffin stood and proclaimed "I grow weary of pounding steel and stoking fires, I too will go and help bring these murderers to justice, you may count on my steel" Said Thorvild Ironshank, Master smith.
Thorvold turned to Boffin "This is gona be fun!" as a big goofy grin crossed his bearded face.

The Dwarven King quieted the crowd and called forth all the heroes, "These will be the bringers of justice, the bearers of hope. The Kings steward then escorted the group into a side chamber and left the group to talk amongst theirselves.

The Group all sat quietly, the suddenly Thorvold spoke "For those who do not know me I am Thorvold Ironshank, Master smithey & maker of arms and armor....."

[YayGollum]

*leans back in a chair* "Yeah, he's pretty good at making a few things. *holds his mace up* As most of you know, I am Boffin, son of Ibun Hammerguard, the Dwarf we have to avenge." *looks at each of the participants, lingering on the elf* "Do any of you have any ideas as to who might have killed him?"

[Ice Man]

Hellerin stod up and spoke - We must find and interogate those who were with Ibun Hammerguard in his last momments. I have heard that Makachil, Elven negotiator for the armies of the North, was with him hours before Ibun passed away. We must find Makachil and have some words with him. Who here knows where we may find him?

[Gamil Zirak]

A dwarf comes running up from the back of the room. Huffing and puffing, he proclamis, "Sór Foecear at your service. I would like to join your band of heroes and help track down these murderous thieves."

[roguelion]

Just then the great door on the other side of the room open and the Kings 3 advisors and another Elf enter.

"Would everyone please have a seat and we will begin to tell you all that you need to know, or as much as we kknow allready. Stated the Elf.
We know that an Elf by the name of Makachil was with the king shortly before his demise, we also know that he worked in close connection with his younger brother Drinamor. The tow have since disapeared without a trace. But we suspect them as only part of the plot, they have an estranged 1/2 brother named Meneldur, he resides about 5 days travel East of here in or near the town of Pax-Thorkaras. He is a loner and may have reason to steal the Hammer. Our theory is, find Meneldur, find the other two.........."

[Arathin]

Arathin stepped forward. "Then what are we waiting for? I say let us go and find this Meneldur and question him. If we find his two half brothers, then we will question them as well."

[Ice Man]

Hellerin stodd up and spoke - So at least we now know where to start from, tommorow morning we will travell to Pax-Thorkaras and seek Meneldur. Hopefully, he may help us on this quest of ours. I suggest ready ourselvews for tommorow, and try to rest. I do not expect this journey to end any time soon.

Hellerin removed himself and went to his chambers. He was the only elf on the journey, and so he knew that he would be playing a big part in whatever was to happen from there on.

On the following morning, Hellerin returned to the common room, and saw everyonbe ready for the trip. Those who would be on the journey were Arathin, Boffin, Sór Foecear, Thorvold and Hellerin himself.

Hellerin approached Arathin and said - Arathin, sister of Glorfindel, I am pleasently suprised to see you here. Are you ready for the journey?

[Arathin]

"Indeed," Arathin murmered softly. "I am ready for the begining of our journey. I have sent a letter by one of my pet eagles to my brother, Glorfindel, telling him not to look for me at home for sometime. Maybe our journey will bring us by there and you all might see our home in the forest outside of Rivendell. It is a lovely place."

[roguelion]

The Sun shone brightly overhead, reflecting off the new fallen snow, the wind was cold and the air crisp as the heroes quietly slipped away from the ancient mountain home of the Northern Dwarves. they found the road east and travelled in silence for a time. There horses, all packed with rations and supplies from both the Dwarves and Elves were heavy laden, but did not seem to strain under their burden.

"It looks like a nice enough day" said Thorvold to no-one in particular. "we should reach the Medos mountain pass by noon, & the Low lands by nightfall."

The group continued carefully down the steep paths that lead them stedially eastward.

[Arathin]

Arathin walked in silence. Her cloak wrapped close around her body and her head down in thought. She pondered many things. Suddenly, an eagle was spotted over head. The rest of the party hid, thinking it was a spy, but the eagle didn't mind them. It swooped down upon Arathin's upheld arm. "It is alright everyone. This eagle is one of my pets." Arathin openned a small scroll on the eagle's leg, read it in silence, and then continued on down the path in thought with the rest of the company, the bird still sitting on her shoulder.

[Gamil Zirak]

Sór Foecear walked along whistling a tune while running through a check list of sluplies in his mind.

[Ice Man]

Hellerin walked in silence too, for he did not have much to say. He was curious to know what was the message that Arathin had eceived, but he did not know her well, so he decided to wait for another time to ask her about it.

It was quite an uneventfull day, nothing of great importance happened to them and everything went as predicted. The reached the Medos Mountain Pass by noon.

Hellerin, tired of having said nothign for an entire day, turned to Boffin and asked "You father was a great dwarf Boffin. What do you plan on doing once we capture his assasin?"

[YayGollum]

*Boffin (on his pony, Pooftop) looks to Hellerin* "Oh, yeah? (remembering being cast out by Ibun) How did you know him? I know that if we find these assassin elves, I would want to deliver justice on them. There isn't much doubt that they did it. I suspect that we'll find this Meneldur and he can help us in locating his brothers. Sounds simple enough. Once we find them and deal with them, I will claim the hammer." *looks to Arathin* "Well, what did that eagle have to say? And how is it that an eagle would be someone's pet? I thought they were some noble race of mountain dwellers."

[Arathin]

Arathin looked up at Boffin, slightly started. Then she sighed, "Only the Great Eagles of the North live in the high mountains. This one is, as you can see, only a regular small eagle. I found it and its brothers and sisters as babies in several abandoned nests in the Misty Mountains foot hills. I guess the orcs had been hunting the parents. So I took them all in, so twenty or so to start, and raised them as my pets. They can be very very useful. I now have about fourty birds in total. They fly freely around all of middle earth and come to my call when I have need of them or when the hunting is bad. This one just returned from Glorfindel. It bares tidings of some going-ons in Rivendell. I am afraid these evil elves influence is greater than we first thought. He seems to have some followers in the Rivendell. I would have thought it impossible, but some of the elves there chant these murdering elves names. This I feel seals that they are responsible. We might want to stop there after we find this Meneldur. His brothers might even be on there way to Rivendell now."

[roguelion]

Suddenly, without warning, a loud thundering boom erupts from seemingly from out of nowhere. Then again....and yet again in quick succession.The sounds draw closer, and the ground begins to shake and rumble. Rocks, rubble and snow flow down the slopes, threatening a landslide. As suddenly as it started the booming stops and another sound can be barely heard, the sound of a great object being ripped or pulled off the side of the mountain. More rubble and snow fall upon the path, blocking the next few meters of trail before the group, and cutting off a means of escape if necesary. Then all of a sudden a large boulder crashes down beside Boffin and Thorvold, narrowly missing them by inches and scaring all the horses. Thorvold jumps back, away from the boulder and looks around. "This don't look good" he says and pulls out Cleave his trusty axe.

[Gamil Zirak]

Sór Foecear puts on his battle helm and pulls out his axe, Flaurung, as he prepares for an onslought from an uknown attacker.

[YayGollum]

*barely stays on Pooftop when he gets scared by the avalanche, then calls to the group from the way they came* "Come this way! We can hide in a cave back here!" *with a better view now, he can see what's been creating the avalanche* "Better hurry! That giant is about to throw more down here!"

[Ice Man]

Hellerin went back into the caves, just in time to see the berseking giant throwing more stones into the air. The giant was fifteen feet tall, too big to enter the cave, but he still threw some rocks inside. The rocks flied towards them with alarming danger, and so the group was forced to retreat and hide deeper in the cave.

- Wait here my friends, I shall be back in some few momments. - Said Hellerin as he walked away back to the cave's entrance.

Closer to the cave's entrance, Hellerin saw the mountain giant guarding the entrance. As silent as possible, Hellerin walked closer and closer to the entrance, not allowing the giant to notice his presence. At a given time, Hellerin hid himself under a big stone in the cave. From behind the stone, Hellerin readied his bow and an arrow. Carefully, he aimed at the Giant's oversized head, but decided to speak before shooting.

- My dear Giant! Let us pass and continue on our way. Forgive us for tresspassing, we apologize for disturbing you! - Yelled Hellerin towards the giant.

The giant replied - I will crush with my hands you stupid Elf, these are my lands! Nobody enters them without my perimssion! - But the giant couldn't see Hellerin, so he laid down the ground and poked his head into the cave, trying to see where Hellerin was.

Hellerin, from behind the stone, could see where the giant was, and once again he aimed at the oversized head. The Giant's eyes were wide open. Hellerin quickly stood up and let two arrows fly.

One arrow hit the Giant in the eye, the other hit the giant in his skull. The Giant stood up, and walked away from the cave, with his head bleeding and cusing the Elf. Hellerin ran to the cave's entrance and fired two more arrows at the Giant's head, who seconds later fell to the ground, motionless and dead.

Helerin walked back to the roup and said - Let us be on now, I have taken care of the Giant. - And so the group exited the cave and saw the dead Giant.

[YayGollum]

*walks out and looks at the dead giant, then at Hellerin* "I'm impressed. Glad to have you with us, my good elf!" *looks to the two Dwarves* "Did either of you know that this pass was held by a giant? I would have thought that our passes would be safer!" *coaxes Pooftop out of the back of the cave*

[Ice Man]

- Arrows can be even deadlier than swords and axes, with the great advantage that you can hit your enemy from a considerable distance. Precision, my friend, is much more important than strength. - Says Hellerin to Boffin, as they move back to the road.

They continued on their journey, moving away from the Medos pass and approaching the Low Lands, as the night begins to fall.

[Arathin]

Indeed Hellerin, my friend. Arrows make a very impressive weopon, but they are not so fine when they are being used on you or against rocks and snow. Sometimes the hidden strength of Elves comes in handy. *states Arathin as they come to the blockage in the path caused by the giant. She begins to brutely shove the huge rocks aside and then walks right through the blockage, hesitantely followed by the rest of the party. She then whistles shrilly and a single dapple grey stallion comes galloping up to her. She swings onto him as he runs by and then rides ahead a small pace.*

[roguelion]

The group starts to set up camp as the moon wanes overhead, "We need to set a watch" says Thorvold matter of factly. "I will take the first, who will take the next" he continues....

[Arathin]

Well I will take the second watch.

[Gamil Zirak]

"I will take the third watch. Wake me Arathin, if need be," stated Sór Foecear while unrolling his pack.

[Ice Man]

And so they went to sleep, under the guidance of the great eternal skies and having the stars as their peacekeapers.

Hellerin didn't sleep at all, for he was much too worried with the destiny of their journey. He did not want to have to fight a fellow Elf, much less kill one, but he knew that there was a strong chance that he woud have to do so.

Nothing importante happened during Thorvold's watch and soon came the time for Arathin to take watch. As soon as Arathin woke up, a cold shivering wind began to blow and clouds covered the moon and the stars. It seemd as if rain was heading.

[Arathin]

Arathin sat upon a small rock and took watch. She looked over at Hellerin. "I know what keeps you a wake, my friend." "How can you know?" "Because it troubles my mind as well. Killing a fellow Elf will be a hard thing to do, even though I myself am only half." As Arathin stopped talking a gentle rain started.

[Ice Man]

- Your are correct Arathin, such thought does concern me much. Much blood have I seen spilled on these lands, and never did it bring happiness, it only disguises sadness and other sad states of the mind.

Hellerin aproaches himself to Arathin, so they can talk without disturbing the others. They talk of many things, including some bits and peices of nonsense.

[ILLOTRTM]

( I'm sorry if this is a bad time to come in, but I'm also signed up for this and I know it's kind of late but I've been away for a week and... oh, here goes.)
The two are tightly wrapped in their conversation, when a figure approches them from the shadows. As it steps into the light, it can be seen that it is a female Elf. She has an elven cloak about her shoulders and it is fastened at the throat with a rose brooch. She leads a black hores behind her. She has green eyes and long black hair that glimmers in the moonlight. "Do not be threatend." She says "I come to give you my aid. I have learned of your quest and wish to help you in it. My name is Valanthe Liadon. I hail from Rivendell." Her eyes turn towards Arathin and linger a bit. " I am a skilled archer and know some magic. I may be able to help, so I shall do what ever I can. May I join this party?"

[YayGollum]

*having always been a light sleeper, along with the fact that the cold wind and Boffin's unease at sleeping outside had been keeping him awake, Boffin looks up and sees the shape of the newcomer* "Hm? Who is that? Another elf?" *flops back down on his bedroll* "Tell them they can join us if they can keep quiet!" *tries to go to sleep again*

[ILLOTRTM]

Valanthe jerks her head in the dwarf's direction, startled. "I... I did not know how many were in your party." She says in a softer voice. She turns silently back to the two, waiting for a response.

[Ice Man]

- Yes, you may join us, as long as your will is good and your heart is kind. Sit by my side, I suppose you are eager to know of all the details of this journey, I will gladly tell them to you. Sleep will not meet me this night, so I may at least have a good word with a fellow Elf.

Valanthe joins Hellerin and Arathin, as they introduce theirselves to each other and out Valanthe updated with all she needs to know.

[Arathin]

"You hail from Rivendell?" whispered Arathin. "Might you have heard of my half-brother Glorfindel? I have word from him that he is well, but I wonder if you know of him. By the way, I am Arathin, half-sister to Glorfindel." Arathin eyes the new comer intently awaiting an answer.

[roguelion]

Thorvold walks over to the group of elves. "Greetings" he says to the newcomer "I am Thorvold Ironshank at your service, that pile of blankets grumbling over there is Boffin son of Ibun Hammerkeep, and someware around here is our other Dwarven breatheren Sór Foecear. that makes six" he explanes. By noon tomorro we should be almost to Pax-Thorkaras, and finding Meneldur". Untill then I bid thee goodnight!

[Ice Man]

Thorvold grunted and moaned a bit before going to sleep, few minutes later, he began to snort very loudly, and only stopped when Hellerin whispered some gentle words to his ears.

Arathin, Valanthe and Hellerin talked all night long and did not bother to wake up Sór Foecear for the third watch. They talked about themselves and some of their adventures, and also about how life was in the places where they came from. It turned out to be that all three of them were born in Rivendell, but Hellerin was quite a stranger to them, because he spent almost his entire life travelling in the far northern regions of Middle Earth, which were much more savage and wild than the rest of it.

Early in the morning, when the first rays of sun were piercing through the clouds and when some lonely birds began to sing and fly, the group woke up. They had restored their strengths and were ready to travell some more.

Sór Foecear did not even notice that he had not been woke up for his watch, but that did not build up to more than three minutes of conversation.

As soon as they were ready, the group set on the continue their journey.

[Arathin]

Arathin turns to Thorvold. "We must hurry. A storm is coming. A huge storm. It will hit us before noon today."

[roguelion]

An odd feeling northern wind blows harshly through the camp of the heroes, chilling everything it touches, like the cold fingers of death it weaves into to the fabric of their clothing, onto their skin. It bites and rips at their faces as hoods and cloaks are dawned and horses covered to protect their eyes from the ice crystials circulating through the evil wind like miniature daggers ready to perice eyes and flesh. "This wind is not natural" Says Thorvold "Arithin is right...we must either get moving or find adaquate shelter to protect us from this storm!"

[Gamil Zirak]

Sór Foecear, stiff joints and all, picks up his pace and says, "there's a queer smell in the air. We should seek shelter soon."

[YayGollum]

*Boffin, barely able to see, lets Pooftop wander away from the group and soon finds himself in a large crack in the cliff, he half falls off of his pony and stumbles deeper into the widening cave* "You have more sense than me, Pooftop! We should go out and look for the rest of them. I hope you can find your way back!" *hops back on Pooftop and tries to locate his companions in the steadily growing storm*

[ILLOTRTM]

Meanwhile, with the other heroes, Valanthe darts up next to Arathin. "I'm sorry I haven't answered your question about Glorfindel yet, I got sidetracked. Indeed I do know of him, but unfortunatley I haven't spoken with him in at least three years. It would be nice to see him again sometime." Valanthe suddenly looks around her. "Where is Boffin?" She asks.

[Arathin]

Arathin looks around too. "He is gone." She turns to the rest of them and yells. "Hold! Boffin is missing. Stay here. I will go look for him myself. I won't be dragged down by the storm. Try to find some shelter in those rocks." Arathin points to the groups left and, before anyone can argue, is gone from sight back the way they had come.

[roguelion]

Thorvold runs over to the cliff face, scouting for any sign of Boffin. "BOFFIN.....BOFFIN....BOFF...." his words were silenced by the deafining wind. He heads over to where his horse was last standing and can find no sign of it, the footprints of the party have been covered over , by the violent snow storm and Thorvold gets turned around. He soon gets disoriented by the swell of the snow and ice flying around him "Blast!!" he curded "should have stayed with the group, when I get my hands on Boffin im gonna...oof" Thorvold slips on some loose ice and smacks his head in a rockey overhang and falls unconsous to the ground. Minutes later he is completly covered in snow....

[Gamil Zirak]

Sór Foecear unwillingly heads over to the rocks mumbling something under his breath about those blasted elves. On his way to the rocks, a small boulder comes rumbling down the mountain. With the wind blowing so loudly and the snow coming down so thick, Sór Foecear is unable to see or hear the object. The boulder side swipes him and knocks him onto the ground. Everything goes black and the last thing Sór Foecear saw was the snow coming down.

[Ice Man]

Hellerin suffers to walk though the wind and the snow, and does not see what companions. Little time passes before he notices that he is alone and lostin the storm, so he runs to seek shelter.

Hellerin sees a cave in the distance and enters the cave.

There he awaits for the storm to cease, or for any of his companions to appear.

[YayGollum]

*when Pooftop starts slowing down because of the cold, Boffin gets off and starts leading him, he decides to walk along the side of the cliff, so he doesn't get lost and after only a few steps, he trips on a mound of snow covering something solid* "Ack! Rocks always getting in the way!" *kicks the mound of snow and is rewarded by a sick thud instead of a satisfying thunk* "What was that?" *uncovers the unconscious Thorvold and starts dragging him back to the cave* "Great! You are one heavy Dwarf!" *sees that Pooftop wandered away again and drops his friend to look around, but decides that he'd better not risk getting lost as well and starts fighting his way back to the cave until he hears Pooftop neigh* "All right. I'm coming, I'm coming." *drops Thorvold again and finds his horse standing over another mound of snow* "Not another one! What happened out here?" *uncovers Sor and barely gets him on Pooftop, then leads him back to the cave and is about to go back out to find Thorvold when he sees Hellerin* "Hey, uh, elf friend! Wanna help me find the rest of our companions? I left one buried in the snow. I'll be right back." *goes back out to find Thorvold*

[roguelion]

The cave
Thorvold stired, "oh, my head...what happened, where am I?" The fire cast a redish glow off the sides of the cave and the heat thawed cold legs and frozen toes and fingers. "Boffin..what happened here, where are the elves....but moreso..wheres my axe!!!?

[YayGollum]

*sees Thorvold waking up* "Well, you've got a pretty bad bump on your head, so it looks like you ran into something. I thought I was the clumsy one! Oh, well. Pooftop found a nice big cave for us. I know I should have explored it, but there wasn't really much time for t hat. Hellerin and Sor are here, too. I was just about to go look for those other two elves. Sorry, but I never saw your axe. Wouldn't it be better to wait until the storm is over before we go looking for that?"

[ILLOTRTM]

Before Valanthe can tell what's happening, she is all alone in the storm. Shaking her head and mumbling to herself, she tries to figure out what to do. Soon, she decides staying there will do no good. For nearly thirty minutes, she wanders around looking for her companions. She finally finds most of them gathered in a cave. She comes inside and sits down. "What did you all think you were doing splitting up like that? You should have known better than to wander away like that, Boffin!" she brushes some of the snow off her mumbling to herself "Those cursed dwarves..." noticing an irritated look from all of the dwarves, she waves her hand, dissmissing her own remark. "Well, I'm not her to point fingers. Who are we missing now?"

[chrysophalax]

Voices?! Had he finally lost his wits in his self-imposed isolation that he was now hearing voices?

Meneldur snatched up a cloak and strode to the rear of his cave and down the winding, twisting passage that led to a connecting entrance to his home. As he walked, it became clear that indeed there were voices coming from one of the side-passages that made up this maze of a cavern he claimed as his own. By what right did anyone come here, intruding on his solitude? His temper, never long at the best of times, sparked into flame as he listened to the voices, several by the sound. He turned and ran soundlessly back up the passage to the main cavern and began digging through a chest. "I must be sure to give my ...visitors a proper welcome." he thought as he pulled from the chest a wicked set of knives. He pulled out a whet-stone and began to sharpen them. He smiled in anticipation.

[YayGollum]

*misses the Dwarf comment and counts heads* "Looks like it's just Arathin. And Thorvold's axe, if you want to count that. Did anybody think to bring any rope? I'll probably get lost in that storm without it."

[ILLOTRTM]

*sighs* Though I don't think we should split up, I will go and look for her, I can't stand the thought of something happening to her. I'll keep an eye out for Thorvold's axe while I'm at it. Please try to stick together untill we all get back!" and with that, Valanthe darts out into the storm, calling Arathin's name.

[roguelion]

Suddenly the ground starts to rumble and shake and then without warning a great WHOSH fills the air and the entrance to the cave is filled with snow, ice and rock...

[ILLOTRTM]

Valanthe whips around, feeling the vibrations in the ground. She curses softly to herself when she sees the entrance to the cave. She heads back out to look for Arathin, to see if she might seek aid, but has no luck. Valanthe runs back towards the cave. On the way, she nearly trips over something sticking out of the snow. "Thorvold's axe." She says to herself. She picks it up and continues on to the cave. When she gets there, she looks everywhere for another way out. She finds a small opening, but it is hardly enough to fit her hand through. She looks in to see her companions still safe in the cave. She calls in through the opening. "Hullo, friends! Quite a bit of a problem we're stuck with here. I could not find Arathin, but I did find your axe, Thorvold!" Valanthe carefully lowers it through the opening. "Is everyone alright?"

[Ice Man]

- Yes, we are all fine. Yes, Boffin should have payed more attention. - Says Hellerin with much sarcasm. - But there isn't much we can do now. We either try to force a way out, or go deep into the cave. Either way, there isn't much we can do about Arathin.

Hellerin walks a little deep into the cave and stands against a wall. He does not know what to expect, so he lays his hand over his short sword and awaits for whatever shall come.

[ILLOTRTM]

Valanthe keeps a close watch on the area around him. Her keen elven eyes see nothing of intrest- yet.

[Gamil Zirak]

"Well, I have some rope in my pack," says Sór Foecear as he digs through his pack. "Ah, here it is. I for one think we should stay the night in the cave and see what lies ahead of us in the morning."

[roguelion]

Thorvold strokes his beard in thought.."Boffin...come with me...and bring that mace.." he says "And whoever has my Axe...Ill be needing Cleave now thankyou" Thorvold retreved his Axe and heads back up the tunnel toward the opening of the cave..
"Blast!!" Curses Thorvold when they arrive seening the caves main entrance covered with snow and rock "were trapped brother" he says to Boffin, who just nodds his head, deep in thought. "Stand back Boffin, It is time for Cleave to shine!" at that Thorvold raises the mighty axe above his head, his muscles heave and strain under its weight. BOOM...the weapon falls upon a nearby boulder, and it splits in two clean and precise. "ahh, thats a girl.." Thorvold whipers to his beloved axe. "Ok, the test worked, Ill bet we can cut our way out of this hole brother, Ill crack them, you bash them after with that mace. we should be out in no time."

*A FEW HOURS & MANY CURSES LATER*
The two dwarves hammered and smashed at the rock and ice in the entrance to no avail. "Its no use" says Thorvold "were stuck..If Cleave cannot get us out then we shall have to find another way out" Thorvold turn to see the rest of the party standing a few feet away. "Well friends...were stuck, theres no getting out this way, any Ideas?"

[Ice Man]

- Well then, all we have left to do is venture deeper into this cave and seek for exit which wasn't blocked by the storm. You dwarves go ahead, I assume you are familiar with caves and underground dwellings. And try not to get lost this time. - Says Hellerin, who is still very upset with the situation.

[Arathin]

Arathin wanders around a maze-like cavern. She is following a strange sound. It seems to be the welting of knifes. She follows it til she see firelight on the walls. Then peeks inside. There is an Elf, tall and dark, sitting, sharpening some deadly looking knifes. She ventures to speak, without stepping out of hidding she whispers. "Hello fellow Elf. I am Arathin, step-sister of Glorfindel. I am sorry to have come upon your home like this, but my friends and I got lost in the storm and I came here for shelter. Whom might you be?"

[roguelion]

Thorvold rumages through his pack, finding a few tourches and his tinder box and flint, he stealthily strikes the flint and starts the tourches burinig. "I shall lead" he says, I wish to have a goos steadfast dwarf to take the rear, but since I have none, Boffin will do fine" he says as he nudges Boffin with a smirk on his face and hands him the tourch. then holding his tourch as high as he could he looks up, folowing the trail of smoke created by the burining wood. "See there friends, the smoke from my tourch goes up, and disapears, there must be a shaft or somthing up there, but that could be very small." We shall travel in silence, that should be no problem for you elves, everyone stick together, we shall stop hourly to make sure we are all here" And with that the group heads off down the winding tunnels.

[chrysophalax]

Meneldur froze, then turned looked at the Elf-maid before him. "How came you here?" He asked coldly, "none know of this place. Tell me, lovely one, are you alone?" He began to move slowly toward her, his eyes sweeping her from head to foot, causing a blush to spread slowly across her face. She glanced uneasily behind her but didn't move.

[Arathin]

Arathin stood still, her hands palm out before her in a sign of peace. "I am now alone, as I have lost my companions. Perhaps you have seen them? I swear to you I came upon this place by shear accident. My friends and I were looking for one named Meneldur, when we were caught in the storm. Might I remain here til the storm passes, then I will continue on my way to find my friends."

[chrysophalax]

"Why is it you seek this one named Meneldur, Lady? Is he kin, or perhaps, a lover?" He saw that she was telling the truth, yet long years of mistrust lay deep in his soul and he moved away from her toward the fire. "Would my Lady desire something to warm her? I require little, however a few luxuries I afford myself.' He brought forth a glass bottle containing amber liquid and poured her some, holding it out before him in invitation.

[Arathin]

"If I may, thank you most graciously, kind sir." She stepped forward and took the extended cup. She sipped the amber liquid and sighed. "It has been long since I have had such a rich Elven drink. Thank you again. As to your question. I have no lover. I have never before met this Meneldur we seek, but we do seek him. A few days ago, this Meneldur's two brothers murdered a very powerful Dwarf at our peace meeting with them. We are looking for Meneldur to see if he might lead us to his brothers as we wish to do judgest on to them."

[chrysophalax]

His eyes narrowed and his face grew white as he heard the news and he turned away from her. Inside conflicting emotions stirred within him. Shock that his kin had perpetrated such an act and joy, that at last here might be a way to exact revenge on them for all his long years of exile. Turning back he said, "Lady, speak you the truth in this? Such a deed as you speak of should not go unpunished 'tis true, yet what leads you to think that they are the ones responsible?

[Arathin]

Arathin noticed the change come over her host and wondered at it. "Tis true. We are sure twas them as after the deed was done, they were the only two missing. Also we have always heard things about their "darknesses"." She put down the cup and, kneeling, took her host's hand. "Might you know of them? or their brother Meneldur? If so, I would be most humbly in your debt for any aid you could give me."

[chrysophalax]

"Lady, I am outcast among my people. It is far better for you not to know me, therefore, as this part of the world is wild, and many dangers await without, might I suggest that I escort you safely to the closest settlement where you can await your companions? I fear I can be of little assistance, else."

[Arathin]

Arathin stood up. "Sir, you are noble and kind to think so, but I see not how a fellow Elf can be an outcast. We don't cast out our own. Pray sir, I beg of you. What is your name? I will not leave without my friends. How will they know of where you have taken me? Pray allow me to stay with you til i have found them. Please good sir. I implore you."

[chrysophalax]

"Ask me not again, Lady! That knowledge is for no one but myself. And...as I much as I might desire to keep you in my company, lovely one, I fear that that is unwise. Where are these companions? Who are they that they would allow one so fair to wander unprotected?"

He loathed any intrusion, any contact with others, especially others of his own race. Beautiful though she was, he must not allow himslef to be swayed.

[Arathin]

"As you will, kind sir. I will not ask you again." Arathin gazed at her host intently, seeing no reaction, she continued. "I have lost my companions and know not where they are. We were seperated by the storm which even now still rages without these cave walls. So I cannot leave before it relents. Amoung them are Elves and Dwarves traveling in peace. We are all out to punish your brothers, Meneldur." Meneldur turned from her and Arathin placed her hand on his shoulder. "Please, Meneldur. I need your help. I care not why you live so far away from our people, nor even why you were exiled. That isn't important, but we must find and punish your brothers." She whispered. "Will you help?"

[ILLOTRTM]

As the group moved deeper into the cave, Valanthe suddenly perked up. "Voices" She said as the others turn to look at her. She silences them by putting up her hand, then she points in the direction from which they are coming. After heading that way for a short time, They see the flickering light of a fire.

[chrysophalax]

His head jerked around as he heard noises coming up the passage. He snarled at the Elf-maid "So! You would engage me in conversation, while your "lost companions" find one of the many entrances to my abode?" He glared at her in cold accusation and she flinched.

He lunged for his knives and jerked her to him, holding a knife to her throat. What did they want with him? he had done nothing! "Do not move or breathe, lovely one. It would be a pity indeed to damage so beautiful a throat." He whispered in her ear.

[Gamil Zirak]

Sór Foecear unsheathes Flaurung as they approach the light.

[roguelion]

Thorvold drops his tourch as the group enters the small chamber, seeing the Elf holding Arithin hostage he is filled with little pitty for her, but he unsheaths Cleave from his back harness and stands at the ready. "Let her go Elf, or the last thing you shall see is the blade of my axe come down upon your skull, it is your kind who got us in this mess, and it is my kind who will get us out!, now Let her go!" Thorvold demanded, Boffin and Sor stand behind Thorvold ready for what would happen next...The elves on the other hand stand off to the side taken aback by Thorvolds harsh words toward their race.....

[chrysophalax]

"Come ahead, Dwarf! I have no quarrel with you however ,you have invaded my home and I do not suffer that lightly. Leave now and I shall not harm her, remain and I shall take as many of you with me as I am able, starting with her!"

[Gamil Zirak]

What's one less elf in middle earth? Besides, we don't negotiate with hostage taking criminals (or at least I don't).

[roguelion]

"Let her go stranger, then we shall leave. We are on a most signifigant errand". Says Thorvold. "Do not keep us from reaching our goal, or you shall be sorry!" Thorvold, the blood pounding in his ears is almost overtaken by a beresrk rage, Boffin grabs his shoulder and pulls him back and whispers somthing into his ear. "Boffin is right" proclaims Thorvold "More innocent blood need not be shead over this, I beg your pardon kind elf, please, could you show is the way out and if you know of an Elf named Meneldur's whearabouts. It is most urgent we find him" Thorvold lowers Cleave and takes a breath to calm himself....

[Ice Man]

Hellerin, who was behind the group, steps forth and says:

- Those who speak the truth do not need weapons. It was not by our will that we invaded your home, we came to this cave to protect ourselves from the snowstorm and the entrance was sealed by an avalanche. We did not know Arathin was in here too, but at least we have found her. Please, forgive the dwarves for being so hasty at grabbing weapons, it's only natural to them. But trust me, a fellow Elf, so that we can solve this in the most painless manner possible. I beg you, let Arathin go. As long as you are fair with us, I will not allow any of my companions to lay hands or weapons on you.

[ILLOTRTM]

Valanthe dissmisses all the remarks about the elves for she had delt a few in the dwarfs' direction. As she looks into the fearful eyes of Arathin and the undecided eyes of Arathin's captor, Valanthe makes a decision.

Valanthe steps up in front of the rest of her group, but even now is having second thoughts. "It's risky" She thought "but I've still got my magic." She takes the sword from her side and the bow from her back and lays them on the floor behind her. At all times she keeps a completley unreadable face. "I lay down my weapons as a sign of my peace, and ask, but do not beg, for your forbearence. I will tell you only once: Let the elf go."

[Arathin]

Arathin starts to shake her head, but feels the tip of the knife draw blood. So instead she speaks, "Please don't. All of you stop this foolishness. This elf was startled, that is all. This is his home and we are the invaders. You should have stayed where you were. I would have found you and the snow would have melted. Please all of you, put down your weapons. I will not have you bear arms against this elf." She whispers to Meneldur so the others cannot hear. "I will not tell them your name if that is your wish, but please understand"

[ILLOTRTM]

Why don't we just forget it happened or something?

[roguelion]

I agree....that should have been cleared with myself, Arcanjo and Chrys...please do so in the future....As far as im concerned it never happened...please continue...

[ILLOTRTM]

*It wasn't Chrys, but it's not important*

As Valanthe stands unarmed, waiting for the Strange Elf to respond, she realizes who it must be. Though she is suprised, she waits in silence with a stern expression.

[Arathin]

(everyone happy? geez, i need to get back into some serious rps. that was tipical for one of them. ugh)

[Ice Man]

- I ask you again elf, who's name I do not know, will you let go of Arathin or not? What is you name? Tell me it so we can have a civilized conversation.

[Gamil Zirak]

Sór Foecear is starting to get antsy. He's prepared to strike if nothing new materializes.

[Arathin]

Arathin stands very still in Meneldur's arms, his blade still at her throat. "Please don't attack him." She implores, sencing the groups tention. "Let him have his say. We are in his home."

[ILLOTRTM]

OOC: Yeah, Arathin, we'll fight to save your life, but you will not control ours! :p lol, I'm just kidding. Everyone repeat after me, in with the love, out with the jive :D:D:D (Oh great, I've been transformed into a flower child :D )

IC:Valanthe, now knowing who Arathin's captor is, knows they should not strike him unless forced to, they need his information. She mutters a few words under her breath, closing her eyes. As she hoped, she saw a few people relax a small bit, but it would not be enough to keep them from attacking much longer, since the spell was not very potent. "Say something, Meneldur!" says a voice inside her head.

[chrysophalax]

"By what right do you seek to enter my home, to corner me though I were a trapped animal?" He threw down his blade and shoved Arathin away from him. "Aye! My name is indeed Meneldur, what of it? What could you possibly wish from an exile?" His dark hair fell across his eyes and voice dropped menacingly. "There are many Elves that stand in righteous judgment over me, I expect no kinder treatment from you."

[YayGollum]

*looks at his now complete group of travellers* "Sorry I said that this would be simple!" *sees that Sor is the only one who still looks threatening, so he walks over and lowers Sor's weapon* "Calm down. We found the elf we've been searching for. It wouldn't be smart to threaten him just yet." *steps forward* "Thank you for returning our companion, elf. We already told you why we're here. It was the storm. But now that we know who you are, we'd like to talk about your brothers. I don't care about your history, elf, only your brothers'. I'm sure you've been up here for quite some time, but we were hoping that could give us any information about where they might be. You see, they stole something of great value to us Dwarves and we have been sent to bring it back. What do you say, Meneldur, was it? Need some incentive?"

[chrysophalax]

Meneldur's eyes glittered in response to the Dwarf's implied threat. "Incentive? You would threaten me? That would be a most ill-considered action, friend. I have no need to answer under duress any questions you may put to me. Leave me in peace ! I have done nothing to your kind!"

[Arathin]

(Meneldur is an Elf, not a Dwarf and he let me go already)

Arathin steps toward Meneldur. "Please, Meneldur. We just want to bring just punishment to your brothers. We don't wish to bother you longer than we must, but we must know of your brothers."

[Ice Man]

OOC: Sorry for that, I misread the other posts, of course I know he's an Elf.

IC: - Meneldur, we seek only justice. We did plan on meeting you, but not on encountering you under such tense and bothering situation. What shall we do so you can understand that our intentions are of no harm?

[roguelion]

Thorvold steps up close to meneldur, and lowers his axe and places it on the ground before his feet, he then extends his arm in a show of truce. "Our intentions have been mistaken master Elf" Thorvold proclaims " We only seek justice and the return of what was taken, can you aid us in our quest"? And bows deep at the waist.

[ILLOTRTM]

Valanthe remains silent as she is, though she picks up her weapons and sheaths them. She decides that there could not be more to say, but keeps her unblinking eyes constantly focused on Meneldur.

[Gamil Zirak]

Sór Foecear heads Boffin's advice and sheaths Flaurung. He doesn't take his hand off of the hilt in case need be to use it.

[chrysophalax]

Looking warily at the group gathered before him, Meneldur weighed his options and found that he stood no chance of either driving them off, or fighting his way out. He looked thoughtfully at the Dwarf before him who had offered truce. "Very well. I doubt that I can give you much assistance in your quest, but I see that your intentions are honourable." He reached out and clasped hands with the Dwarf and everyone in the cave visibly relaxed. He nodded a stiff apology to Arathin, then stood waiting to find out what it was that his erstwhile "guests" needed to know.

[Ice Man]

- Meneldur, allow me to tell you what has happened. The Elves of the North, under the lead of Thaliondil, and the Dwarves from Northern colonies, under the lead of Ibum Hammerguard and King Rolphin, were about to sign a treaty. The objective of this treaty was to bring an end to The War. (OOC - What's the name of this war?) The negociations were advancing quickly and so it seemed that the treaty would soon be signed. But then there was a very infortunate incident came to happen, Ibun Hammerguard was poisoned and mudered, and since then the discussions concerning the treaty were interrupted and peace has been delayed.

Hellerin pauses himself and looks into Meneldur's suspicious eyes. He then looks around him and sees the others in silence, so he continues to speak in his always ellegant and gracious manner.

- Makachil, your half-brother, was in Ibun's presence shortly before Ibun died. Strangely, Makachil is yet to be seen since the Ibun's death. We strongly suspect Makachil is somewhat resposible for Ibun's death, and so we came here to find you and, if possible, have your assistance so that we can find Makachil and have words with him. So now I ask, are you willing to help us?

[Arathin]

Arathin nodded back to Meneldur's appology, and when Hellerin had finished speaking stepped forward. "We don't ask you to come with us, unless that is your wish. All we ask is that you tell us where your brother might be and what he might be doing or planning. I know you do not trust Elves and have no reason to trust Dwarves. I cannot speak for my companions, but i am sure they would agree that whatever you did to be exiled is of no concern to us. I for one do not even care. We ask only for your assistance in this matter, nothing more." Arathin stood her hands at her sides in a calm stance. Her thoughts going to why Meneldur had be exiled. She had heard rumors of some Elf's exile, but she wasn't sure if this was the Elf she had heard of. In her opinion, that Elf at least had been wrongly exiled from his people, but what about Meneldur?

[chrysophalax]

Meneldur hung his head in silence, his long hair falling across his face. He began to chuckle and he raised his head, a lop-sided grin lightening his countenance. "Ah, yes! My brothers...my dear brothers. Once again they bring trouble to my door like some cast-off orphan. Supposed murder this time? Makachil has grown bolder with his increasing years then, if indeed it is he." He turned away and helped himself to some miruvor. "As to where you might find them, their whereabouts ceased to be of any concern to me long ago."

Sor moved restlessly and grunted his disbelief in Meneldur's statement.
"Believe me, all of you when I say that nothing could possibly give me greater pleasure than to see them dead. It is for their sakes that I am exile, out-cast. Though I know not where they may be, I shall assist you in this!" Meneldur's eyes took on a fanatical light and he smiled wolfishly.

[Ice Man]

Hellerin considered asking Meneldur what his borhters had done to get him exiled, but that didn't seem as the most indicated time to be asking such questions, so he said:

- One more to help us, good. Since you do not know of their wereabouts, all that is left for us to do is ask the wind, or simply head towards Pax-Thorkaras and see if we can gather any information concerning your brothers there. We are still some days of travell away from it, but we are quick on our feet and we can soon be there. Does anyone have any other idea?

[YayGollum]

"That sounds good to me! Glad to have you with us, el - uh, Meneldur! We'll leave as soon as you're ready." *plops down on the floor*

[roguelion]

Thorvold grunts to himself in satasfaction...."This is where it really begins" he thinks and nod's at Melendur.

[Gamil Zirak]

Sór Foecear says, "As soon as this storm passes we should continue our journey."

He thinks to himself, "I don't trust this Meneldur fellow. I'll have to keep an eye on him."

[ILLOTRTM]

Valnthe's heart drops a little to hear that Meneldur is joining them in their task. She knows he is a fellow elf and is willing to help, but she feels incredible discomfort and a watched feeling with him around. She sits halfway between the wall and Meneldur. She does not want to sit to far away for fear of seeming rude. She is sure to sit next to Hellerin and Thorvold, friends she now trusts.

[ILLOTRTM]

Valanthe is becoming very uncomfortable with the silence. She finaly thinks of what to do. "Arathin." She says while standing up. "The way we came in has been blocked. Could you show me the way you got in? We could see if the storm has ended." Valanthe says with a pleading look in her eyes.

[Ice Man]

As soon as Valanthe finishes to ask her question towards Arathin, Hellerin approaches her and whispers:

- Lets not forget that this is Meneldur's lair. It is unlikely that he will be pleased to have us wandering freely in here. - And then Hellerin speaks out loud so all can listen. - It is best if we simply await here. The storm is still falling strong outside and we will have no lick if we walk against it. Rest while you may, for the journey will be tiresome.

Hellerin then goes to Meneldur and says:

- We will follow your lead out of the mountains, since you surely know these paths much better than the rest of us. All we need is that the storms stops, which I suspect shall happen in the matter of an hour or two.

[Arathin]

Arathin shakes her head. "I will only leave this room with Meneldur's permission. I remember the way I came, but will not be rude to a fellow Elf by knowingly wandering about his home against his will."

[ILLOTRTM]

Valanthe knew that her fellow elves were right. She had known that even before her question was asked, but she couldn't help but still feel strange in Meneldur's presence. She sits down, trying to cover up her discomfort, feeling even worse knowing that she now may have sounded like she was trying to get away from Meneldur. Though this is true, she didn't mean it the way it had sounded. She wanted no trouble between her and any others.

[Arathin]

Arathin came and sat on her haunches beside Valanthe. She whispered some encouraging words to make her feel better, then rose to her feet. "If you do not mind, Meneldur, I will make some food for us. I am sure we are all hungry." With that Arathin began to move about and prepare a warm meal for everyone.

[Ice Man]

And so Arathin prepared the meal.

Hellerin did not eat, because he was lost in his thoughts and too worried with the storm to be hungry, but from the smell he could tell it was a delicious meal indeed.

About two hours later, they had all eaten and the storm had passed. Meneldur came upon them and told them - The storm has ceased, come after me, it is time we leave. - And so he showed the group the way out of the cave.

It was still snowing outside, but the snow was falling soft and the flesh cutting wind was reduced to a small harmless breeze. The day had passed and they were in the afternoon, but there was still enough light for them to walk for an hour.

As they walked, the land became smoother and the trail easier for them to be on. The snow that covered the ground was thin and vaguely reminded them of the storm they had been in some hours before. And so they were able to walk for hours, not bothering with the fall of the night or with the chilling breeze in the air.

They walked until the came to some trees and a small river. The water was pure and crystal clear, and by the river under some trees the group decided to stay for the night.

- Worry not, I shall stay awake and take guard this night - Said Hellerin to the group. Hellerin wanted to take guard that night, for he still had some doubts towards Meneldur and he didn't want to let Meneldur out of his sight.

[Arathin]

Arathin lay down, but found she could not sleep. She tossed and turned and found no rest. She knew what it was that troubled her, but couldn't put it to words.

[ILLOTRTM]

As hard as Valanthe tried, she could not, nor would she let herself sleep. Not with Meneldur so near her. Though Arathin had calmed her slightly, Valanthe's doubts were hardly silenced in her mind. Silently, she rose and moved silently next to the river. Splashing some water on her face, she thought foundly of Rivendell. She closed her eyes and was able to see the many elves and beautiful gardens. After a few minutes, she walked over to where Hellerin was keeping watch. "No sleep will come to me on this night. Would it not be alright if I stayed in your company and help keep watch?"

[Arathin]

Arathin's tossing form suddenly stood up. She walked out of camp without being noticed by Hellerin and Valanthe, but she was noticed by one other within the camp. She wandered about the pathless forest for a short while in deep thought. Upon hearing a rustle in a bush, she froze. In that moment, she relized her sword was still at camp. Her hand stole to the top of her boot and toyed with the dagger hidden there.

[roguelion]

"It appears you have forgotten something." Arithin spun and saw a figure with a gleaming sword in its hand and froze. Meneldur stepped from the shadows of the trees into the starlight and extended her sword hilt first, a smile playing on his lips.
She remained still, he walked forward and planted the sword tip first in the ground at her feet. She winced and he looked at her questioningly, wondering why she and the other elves were so distrustfull. " It is I who should be distrustfull of you Lady, you and the others who so rudely invaded my home. I have done nothing to earn your distrust, nor have I ever done anything to earn any of my peoples distrust." He walked a few steps away from her then turned again to her thoughtfully. " Tell me Lady," he whispered softly. "What is there about me that is so very unattractive in your eyes?"

[Arathin]

Arathin left her sword in the ground and stood before Meneldur. She touched his arm. "It isn't so much anything unattractive. It is more something... unnerving. I can't name it, but...." She paused, then grasped Meneldur's hand. "From you, I sence a great.....darkness. Not trully so much evil, but just dark. A dark Elf can be very frightening to other Elves. I think that is why everyone seems to mistrusting of you." Arathin lowered her eyes. As she gazed at the ground, she murmered something that Meneldur couldn't hear.

[roguelion]

Meneldur reached out and tilted her chin up so that his eyes met hers. "Dark I may seem to you Lady and dark indeed is my soul, but my people have unjustly exiled me, merely for the name I bear ask no firther questions of me, but know that I bear you no ill will," He looked deeply into her eyes "I say truly beautifull and fair you seem to me"

[Arathin]

Arathin stood very still and looked into Meneldur's eyes. "You're too kind to say such things, but even with this darkness that is about you, I can see no reason for you to have been exiled. As you said, you have done nothing to earn our mistrust. I cannot think why any Elf would have been exiled."

[roguelion]

Thorvold awakend by the wind whistling through the trees sits and rubs his eyes. Looking around he notices that Arithin and Meneldur are not with the group. He looks around and sees no sign or trace of Hellerin, his pack,his horse and all of his belongings are no where to be seen. Thorvold gropes in the silver moonlight for his axe and then walks over to Boffin, awakening him. "Arise brother, Something is amiss I need your eyes and possibially your mace"

[roguelion]

Boffin, grumpily awakes "Durins Beard!" He curses "Whered everybody go, did all the elves run away?!" Boffin then crawls over to Sor and nudges him awake "On your feet Sor, Thoes Elves have gone missing, Keep your eyes on the camp, Thorvold and I will search for them..Stay allert Friend, now wheres my mace?" Boffin quickly recovers his mace and walks into the surrounding bush with Thorvold, in search of the Elves.

[Gamil Zirak]

Sór Foecear gets up cursing those wretched elves. He grabs Flaurung and paces around the camp waited for those blasted elves to come back.

[ILLOTRTM]

Valanthe sits on a log on the ground next to the fire. After Hellerin left, Valanthe stayed watched. She could tell most of Them were up, but didn't feel like moving, she sensed no danger. However, she did turn around and call softly as she saw Thorvold up: : "What might be the problem, Thorvold?"

[roguelion]

"What might be the problem?, What might be the problem!!" Thorvold says grumpily, "The problem is that thoes blasted Elven kin of yours wandered off into the wilderness, Hellerin has disapeared and now I have to go looking for comfounded Elves who cant stay put for more than 10 minutes!!!!, Now you dont go anyware and keep an eye out for trouble with Sor!!" Thorvold angerly stomps off into the trees looking for The Elves and grumpily talking to Boffin.

[ILLOTRTM]

Valanthe laughs a bit at Thorvold's grumpiness. "Looks like some dwarf got up on the wrong side of the ground." She says under her breath. She looks to the trees where Hellerin dissapeared. He had hardly said anything, he just grabed his things and left. Valanthe looks around, mildly curious at the commotion having to do with her fellow elves.

[roguelion]

The fire crackles as Sor and Valanthe sit quietly around the burning embers. There is a chill in the air and the smoke from the fire rises quickly in the cool crisp air. Suddenly and without any warning a massive shape crashes through the trees and enters the clearing. With massive clib rraised over its huge head the Troll rushes to the campfire. In a murderous rage it attacks.......

[Gamil Zirak]

Sór Foecear quickly hops to his feat and grabs Flaurung (luckily he had it laying on the ground next to him). As the troll rushes, Sór takes a swipe with Flaurung and barely grazes the trolls massive leg ...

[roguelion]

As Sor's blow glances off the trolls leg it does not notice, it raises its club again and smashes the fire sending embers and logs flying, It bashes again and again at the spot where the fire was then turns and grabs for the Elf....

[Gamil Zirak]

With smoke filling the night and ambers flying, Sór Foecear can not see anything and become disoriented. He wildly swings Flaurung hoping he makes solid contact with this smelly troll and not Valanthe (although one less elf in the world isn't that bad).

[ILLOTRTM]

Thinking fast, Valanthe draws her bow and fires an arrow aimed at the trolls throat, and prays that her arrow and Sor's sword (It is a sword, isn't it?) have true aim.

[roguelion]

The arrow hits its mark true and swift, but the Troll keeps comming, enraged by by the annoyance of having his throat peirced by an elven arrow, He rips the arrow out of his throat and screams in pain, blood flows from his wound, staining his chest and neck a dark crimson and black as it oozes down. Troll advances on Valanthe with his club raised and smashes it down missing her by mere inches, He stumbles and starts to wobble......

[Gamil Zirak]

After hearing the troll scream and hearing the loud thud, Sór Foecear gets his bearings back. He grabs Glaurung, his trusty axe, and begins swinging franticly at the buttux and thighs of the troll...

[ILLOTRTM]

Thankful for her true aim, Valanthe returns her bow to her back and draws her blade, Aramil. She begins to slash at the troll's knee and lower leg.

[YayGollum]

*finally noticing that his companions are in trouble, he gives up the search for the missing elves and rejoins them, mace in hand, he hangs back when he sees that it's a huge troll, but when noone else is in the way, he runs forward to try and trip the troll :rolleyes: with his mace*

[Ice Man]

As the group clashes with the wounded troll, another troll comes running and charging into the scene. Gromp (the troll's name) charges in fury and anger with his body already pierced by a couple of arrows. He goes in the direction of his companion (Bob), who is ever more wounded and closer to death.

Gromp swings his club and comes less than half an inch from releasing Boffin from his head. Boffin falls down in suprise and Gromp prepares to strike Boffin with a mortal blow. Then, out of the darkness of the night and from the shadows of the trees, jumps Hellerin, who shows no hesitation and sinks his blade into Gromps flesh.

Gromp screams in pain, as the blade cuts through his leg and goes deep towards his bones. Hellerin pushes his blade back and again strikes at Gromp's leg. Gromp falls on his knees and let goes of his club.

Boffin, posessed by anger, begins to hit Gromp in his head. Gromp loses strength and sees nothing but some blurs ahead of him. Hellerin jumps over Gromp's back, and mercyless sinks his blade into Gromp's back.

Gromp is strong, but he soons fall unconcious, and minutes later bleeds to death.

Hellerin looks aside, and sees that Bob (the other troll) has also fallen dead, and probably wanders together with Gromp in the aftermath.

- Before you ask - says Hellerin - I did not leave you. I went Troll hunting. Be thankfull, for Gromp here would have killed you all if I hadn't delayed him.

[chrysophalax]

Meneldur jerked his head around as he heard the sounds of combat coming from the camp. Without another thought, he turned and ran to see what was amiss. When he arrived, it was to see Hellerin in the process of finishing off the troll. He leaned against a tree and watched his fighting style closely, in case he should ever need to fight this one. As combat ended and Hellerin and Boffin stood breathing heavily, Meneldur clapped his hands in mock congratulation.

"Well done, valiant ones! Trolls are very hard things to kill, too stubborn to die, 'tis said. Hellerin, where did you wander off to so...secretly? There are those amomng us who were concerned for your welfare."

[ILLOTRTM]

"Did you not hear him?" Valanthe speaks up, feeling a need to defend her fellow elf "He went troll hunting." But to even Valanthe's ears there is a note of disbelief in her voice.

[Gamil Zirak]

"Troll hunting? Who goes troll hunting by themselves?" says Sór Foecear. He mumbles under his breath about the wreckless elves and the mess they've gotten everyone into as he picks up a grinding stone and begins to sharpen Flaurung.

[chrysophalax]

Amusement flashed in Meneldur's eyes at Sor's words and he chuckled to himself. There seemed to be underlying tension in this group of "allies" and he wondered how he affect a truce of sorts. Mistrust was something he was all too familiar with and something he despised.

[YayGollum]

to Meneldur ---> "Where have you been for so long? And what happened to Arathin?"

[chrysophalax]

"I assumed she would follow behind me. I left her back there in a clearing." He said gesturing back the way he had come. "I am not her keeper, Dwarf. I assume responsibility for no one but myself."

[Ice Man]

Hellerin looked at Meneldur and at Sor. Many were the thoughts that crossed his mind, but he chose to not give voice to all of his thoughts, for it was obvious it would bring no benefit. Hellerin was more concerned in taking notice of Meneldur's behavior than explaining himself to Meneldur or anyone else.

- I suggest we pack our bags now. Sleep will not reach us this night and these lands are not safe. I say we leave as soon as Arathin returns. With luck, we may arrive at Pax-Thorkaras by tommorow night, and there we may ask for information concerning Makachil and Drinamor. Or have you forgotten them already?

[chrysophalax]

Shrugging non-commitally, Meneldur walked over to where he had left his pack, extremely aware that Hellerin was keeping an eye on him. He looked around him and said "Has anyone seen Thorvald? I believe I heard you, Sor, complaining that Elves were causing difficulties. Who is it that delays us now I might ask?"

[Gamil Zirak]

"Thorvold has gone to look for the missing elves," proclaims Sór Foecear. "Beeing that one of them is still missing, I'm sure he is still looking."

[YayGollum]

*looks at the trolls, wondering if their hides would be worth much in Pax-Thorkaras, then hears his companions still bickering* "Hm? Oh, he just went to find you and Arathin. Just lead me there. The rest of you should start getting ready to move on."

[ILLOTRTM]

It takes Valanthe less than two minutes to gather her things, for she travles light. After that is done, she wanders over to Meneldur, but immeadiatly withdraws her action. I few more times does she try to approach him, but in the end cannot bring herself to do so. She wants desperatly to speak personally with Meneldur, to call a truce, to regard him as an ally instead of an unspeakable mystery. As much as she hates to admit it, she knows the truth: She is intimidated by Meneldur. She is afraid of him. Valanthe walks over to a tree and leans against it in silence.

[Arathin]

*sorry i have been away for a few days*

Arathin wanders back through the woods, slowly. Many are the thoughts that press in upon her mind. She heard the fighting same as Meneldur, but knew that her companions could handle it and she was unneeded. So she walked back to camp slowly. Upon nearing camp, she hid in the shadows without anyone noticing. All she heard was bickering from them. She shook her head and silently picked up her things, already packed as she hadn't unpacked them, and made her way over to Meneldur. "You left in quite a hurry. So would think you actually cared about our little group." She whispered in his ear, then before he could reply presented herself to the company. "Where is Thorvold? I haven't seen him on my way back to camp."

[roguelion]

Thorvold awakens, his head pounding constantly as a blacksmith pounding mithril on an anvil. He shakes his head to try to clear it. He then realises that he is bound hand and foot. It is so dark and quiet that for a moment he suspects that he is dead, then realizes that the wetness he feels on his head is blood, it drips warm and fresh from a laceration on his scalp. His head spinns, he closes his eyes and falls into unconsiousness once again......

[Arathin]

Arathin pauses. ~something is wrong within the forest~ she thinks. ~it should be celebrating the death of the Troll, but I sence a great, unnamed fear within it.~ Looking around she can see that some of her fellows also sence this. "We shouldn't wait for Thorvold. Something is very wrong in this forest. I sence a great disturbance within the trees, as if they themselves were in fear of some evil thing. We must go and look for Thorvold quickly. I fear the worst."

[Gamil Zirak]

Sór Foecear states, "You sence a disturbance in the trees? That's a little odd, but Thorvold should be back by now as well as Boffin. Someone needs to stay here in case they come back to the campsite. We should go in pairs as well."

[chrysophalax]

Meneldur frowned in anger. What had he to do with these people? What did he care that his brothers had committed a crime, no matter how wrong? Dissension and confusion appeared to be rampant here and it wore on his nerves.

"I will assist in finding your comrade, then I will return to my mountains. I feel I owe it to Thorvold to aid in finding him, but nothing more. This whole journey will end in disaster and I wish to have no part in it!" Ignoring those around him, he strode off into the forest.

[Gamil Zirak]

Sór Foecear grabs Flaurung and runs after Meneldur. As he leaves the camp, he turns and yells, "Go in groups and leave someone here."

[ILLOTRTM]

"I will stay." Says Valanthe, moving from her tree. "The rest of you can look for him, I will remain here." Valanthe leaps lightly to a low branch in a tree and reaches an alert position, ready to pounce if neccisary, but she thinks the need will not be. She is feeling troubled, however, for she also senses a disturbance. As she climbs a little higher in the tree, she can see Meneldur hurrying off. Though she should be feeling releived with the fact that he has annouced his leaving, she has a feeling of guilt and insecurity when she thinks back on the subject. She tries to remain focused on the woods around her, when she sees- or senses- something moving, just slightly towards the southwest. "Hark!" she cries to the remaining few on the ground "I see something breaking the tranquility of the area to the southwestern area! Let it be searched!" And Valanthe climbs ever higher, looking for any other signs.

[Arathin]

Arathin runs off in the direction that Valanthe indicatied after a short hesitation in Meneldur's direction.

[roguelion]

Thorvold is woken, this time by a violent hand,His face explodes in a shower of pain and he is thrown sideways by the force of the blow. "On your feet Dwarf" a human voice says as he is roughly yanked to his feet and pushed forward. He stumbles and falls, landing on his chest and smashing his chin into the hard wooden floor, his hands bound behind his back. He is then kicked cruelly in the side, causing him to lose his breath, He is pulled up by the hair on his head, being once again prodded forward. "I said on your feet Dwarf." the cruel voice says again..

[YayGollum]

*running with Meneldur, Boffin hears what Valanthe says about movement to the southwest and stops the elf* "Don't you think we should go that way? Or have you already picked up some kind of trail in these stifling woods?"

[Ice Man]

Hellerin quickly climbed the tree and went to where Valanthe was, there whe asked - What do you see? Where is it? - Valanthe answered and pointed out to the southwest.

- There, do you see it? Something is happening under those trees, but I can't tell what it is. - Said Valanthe with a worried voice.
- Tell everybody that's where I'm heading - Said Hellerin as he jumped down from the trees and dashed into the woods.

Hellerin soon reached Arathin and they ran together. It was a long ran, and they were not sure what they were chasing, but they felt it, and they felt its evil, and they knew they have to go after it.

[Arathin]

Arathin glanced at Hellerin as he ran up beside her. "I am glad to have you with me in this." she muttered as the two ran.

[ILLOTRTM]

Valanthe looked anxiously out at the different movements of her companions. She longed to go with them, but she had to stay where she was. She fitted an arrow to her bow and kept it aimed at The Spot to wich Hellerin and Arathin were running. With every step her friends took, she got more nervous, and her heart beat faster, but she did not know why...

[Gamil Zirak]

Suddenly everything goes black as a bag is thrown over Sór Foecear's head. He then feels the brunt end of an axe being rammed into his skull. Sór stumbles to his knees as another blow hits him in the small of his back. Blood begins to drip into Sór's eyes and mouth. He tries to stand up and get the bag off, but he's hit in the admonin. A voice says, "Don't worry, we aren't going to kill you... Yet." One more blow to the skull and Sór drifts into unconciousness.

[chrysophalax]

Glancing down at the sturdy dwarf by his side, Meneldur grins to himself. "Apparently not everyone in this company thinks I am anathema! Heh, so much the better!" He begins looking for signs, tracks, anything that will show him what has befallen Thorvold. A nagging suspicion begins to grow in his mind. No cry for help, no sound of fighting...where had he seen this happen before? Suddenly he hears Hellerin's voice calling out, "Sor!....Sor!"

Meneldur grits his teeth. "Not another one..."

[ILLOTRTM]

Valanthe suddenly hears her friends calling to each other.... Sor... something must have happened to him. Valanthe looks around. The, she sees something large moving away from the spot where she last saw Sor. Just as she aims her bow and draws back, she lowersit again, for fear that she may hit Sor. Then she sees another large figure, too far away to be any of her friends. She draws her bow and fires at the spot, but the lighting of night does not aid her accuracy. She waits in silence to hear if there is a reaction from her arrow.

[Arathin]

Arathin and Hellerin hurry along. Soon they come upon footprints, no sighs on stuggle, but footprints of no one from their party.

[Ice Man]

- These footprints are heavy. Very heavy indeed, they do not resemble anything orcish, so they must be human footprints. Seems as if 3 or more tall and strong men have been here some minutes ago. We must follow them.

At that momment, Hellerin turned back to Arathin and was puzzled by something he saw in a shadow behind the trees.

- What is it Hellerin? What are you looking at?

Before he could answer, Hellerin listend to a low but unique sound. Hellerin pushed Arahin away and a flying dart hit Hellerin in the shoulder. Within seconds, Hellerin was dixxy and sleepy. His sight was getting blured and so he said - I'm poisoned...Run Arathin, go ask for help. Run quick! - Hellerin fell to his knees and was struggling to stay awake.

Another dart flew and landed at Hellerin's chest. Arathin instantly got on her feet and ran back to her friends to ask for help. She knew it was better to ask for help than to stay and be taken unconcious.

Arathin did not see the moment when three men came out of the shadows and walked towards in to Hellerin. Hellerin stood and tried to fight, but he was far from being any threat to the men, and soon he was beaten and taken unconcious.

- I didn't know these elves were so tough. I thought one dart was enough to knock a full grown stallion unconcious in five seconds, but two darts weren't enough for him. - Said one of the men as he tied and blindfolded Hellerin.
- Don't worry, he's alseep now. He can't cause us anymore trouble. - Said another men. Seconds later the three of them were running away with Hellerin, back to their hideout where Thorvold also was...

[Arathin]

Arathin reached the clearing. Panting and gasping for breath, she muttered, "Valenthe, Meneldur, anyone..." and passed out from shear fear and exhaustion.

[chrysophalax]

Meneldur was thinking furiously. "Who is behind this? It has to be one of our honourable High Elven council members. Only they would be so audacious as to try to prevent the return of so important an object."

Finding nothing in the direction he had chosen, Meneldur and Boffin re-traced their steps rapidly, only to come upon Arathin gasping for breath on the ground. Stooping beside her, Meneldur began questioning her. She replied that Hellerin had been taken by several Men and that she had returned for help. Looking around, Meneldur spied Valanthe in a tree, her bow in her hand. "Valanthe!" he cried, "Come ! Join us! Your comrades are need of rescuing it seems and four are far better than three." As he waited for her to join them, he asked Arathin to show him where Hellerin had been attacked. She led them back through the woods and they came upon the same tracks that Hellerin had seen. "Stay alert! I have no desire to be captured this fine day."

They continued on, moving quietly through the trees until they came upon some wagon ruts in the soft soil. They appeared to be heading back into the mountains. Suddenly a thought, an extremely chilling thought came to Meneldur and his eyes narrowed in anger. "Makachil..." he whispered to himself, "so, dear brother, it is fate that will bring us together once again." He turned to the others and said, "We must get to them...and quickly!" he took off at a steady, ground-eating pace, grinning in anticipation.




Thorvald was having difficulty focussing and his head was splitting. He's been watching two Men beat Sor into unconsciousness and his fury was raging unchecked in his heart. " Durin's Bane, if I had an axe..." he growled. Suddenly the back of the wagon was opened and a body was thown in. Hellerin's. Thorvald's eyes widened as the Elf lay still, unmoving.

[ILLOTRTM]

Valanthe moves along with all the speed she can muster, until she spies something moving up ahead. She halts and motions for her friends to do so as well.

[Arathin]

Arathin stopped beside Valanthe. It seemed as if she heard the same noise as just before Hellerin was taken. "Everyone down! NOW!!!" Everyone ducked immediately as a dart came right at Arathin. But before it could hit its mark, it fell to the ground in two pieces. Arathin resheathed her sword and ran into the bushes looking for the dart blowers.

[roguelion]

The 2 Men throw the unconsous and bloody Hellerin onto the back of the small covered wagon then pull the cover down so their cargo cannot be seen. Suddenly out from the edges of the roadthe third member of the party rushes out of the treeline, "GO!" he shouts, "we have been found out!" all three jump on the wagon and with a speed that seems impossible the wagon slips away up the eastern path into the mountains.....


Thorvold, now painfully awake and consous for the first time in many hours curses at his dumb luck. He is bounced and jostled around in the back of the small wagon, half covered by the body of Hellerin. A rage fills his heart and he strains at his bindings, they budge a small bit, but not enough to loose his hands. He looks around in the dimness of the shroud that covers the wagon and spies a small dagger sticking out of Hellerins boot, the attackers missed this in their hasty kidnapping of the elf. The dagger is not close enough for him to reach but if Sor were awake he could easily reach it, even with his hands bound behind him....

[Arathin]

Arathin came running behind the last man just as the wagon took off. Everyone else came up just behind her. She gazed at the wagon long as it vanished from sight. "They were in there. I know it. We have to follow them." She set off down the road after the wagon.

[Gamil Zirak]

A bump in the road startles Sór Foecear awake. His body is aching and his hands are bound and he is gagged. He notices Thorvold motioning him with his eyes to Hellerin's boots. In the dim light Sór sees a small glimmer of hope. He rolls over and reaches back behind him, grabbing at the dagger. He cuts his hand as he pulls it out of Hellerin's boot. He begins to slowly cut his hands free...

[Turgon]

Makachil walked slowly to the window; flinging the shutters open he gazed down from his mountain fastness into the valley below. A chill wind was blowing in from the south and the dark-elf sighed as it washed across his face. He had spent many hours hunched across his desk pouring over dusty tomes - searching, always searching, for some secret that would help him in his work. Now his very soul was weary.

Yet the dark-elf could not help but smile, he was almost ready, soon he would unleash a fiery hell upon the earth and all would fall before him, kindling to ash in the furnace of his hatred. He just needed one thing, one simple thing to set him on this dark road to conquest. And the secret would not stay hidden long...

[YayGollum]

*whistles for Pooftop, then gets on quickly, trying to keep up with the elves that are already following the wagon* "Wait up for me! *gets caught up with them* Well, it looks like we're down to four until we can get them back. *slaps Meneldur on the back* Glad to have you with us, now! It's too bad Thorvold isn't here, because he'd probably know a shortcut to Pax-Thorakas."

[roguelion]

The wagon thundered up the mountan pass, the noise from the wheels echoing off the massive rock walls of the mountuans. "faster!' yelled Brondir, There gaining on us! Faster!" Voronir whipped the two massive horses harder. "yaaa!" he bellowed to urge the horses along. The heavy wagon lurched forward, weaving and wobbling along the road. A rut in the road cought the left wheel and with a loud snap the axel breaks in two, tipping the wagon and throwing its drivers and cargo out on to the open road...

[YayGollum]

*Boffin rides up and is able to jump off Pooftop in time to stand over one of the humans (before they come to) with his mace ready to strike, then looks to the others* "I've always wanted to do this!" *the human wakes up* "Now, tell us why you've taken our friends hostage and we won't kill you!" :D

[roguelion]

The human standing under Boffin stirs and shakes his head before he notices the remarkably well made Dwarven mace inches from his fragile face. Biffin pulls him up by the scruff of his shirt and raises the Mace over his head, fully intend on ending the miserable existence of the human. The human stammers, "we....um....were.....Lord B....um..." his face starts to blush as the crotch of his pants turn dark and wet..he swoons and passes out. It is then that Boffin notices a large laceration in the back of the humans head, bleeding porfusely and constantly, in seconds he is dead from blood loss. The others start to stir....

Thorvold is shaken by the fall, but not unjured, he stands, stripped down to his underclothes and begins to shiver..."Cleave!!...where is Cleave??? He grumbles looking around for his beloved axe. His search ends in vain. He sees boffin drop the now dead human...

[YayGollum]

to the other peoples in my group ---> "Will you watch those other humans?" *goes over to Thorvold* "What did they do to you? Did they say why they did this?" *notices his condition and finds his clothes and weapon in the back of the wagon* "Here you go. Are you guys okay?"

[Arathin]

arathin stands over one of the other humans. she slaps him to awake and holds her knife at his neck. "Tell me why you took our friend's captive and who you're working for, and I might not kill you. Or at least I'll make is sure and swift instead of slow and extremely painful."

[roguelion]

The Man looks up at arithin, odviously in pain and gravely injured. He looks Arithin streight in the eye and spits in her face, a mixture of saliva and blood run down arithins cheek. "I will tell you nothing half-breed"!

[Arathin]

"Oh won't you?" She doesn't bother wiping the spit from her face. Picking him up by his collar, she leans him against the wagon and binds his hands and feet then binds his wounds. "Well I am not going to let you die until you do, you pathetic excuse for an Mortal." She puts her face close to his. "I can keep you alive for a very long time and in an immence amount of pain during that time..." She sneers.

[Gamil Zirak]

Sór Foecear staggers to his feat and grabs Flaurung. He heads towards the closest human to give him his just rewards for the torture Sór was put through.

[chrysophalax]

Meneldur stepped in front of the dwarf. "Allow me, friend Dwarf." He said with a malicious grin on his face. He pulled Arathin roughly away from the man and grabbed him by the shoulders. The man glared back defiantly and Meneldur struck him brutally across the face. "Listen to me. I know who hired you. It was one of the Council, was it not? This has all the marks of my dear brother Makachil written all over it! The honourable, legitimate , brother...Tell me, why does he wish to stop this company so eagerly? Tell me swiftly, for I am not known for my forbearance." he said as he drew a dagger from his boot and twirled it expertly in his hands.

[Arathin]

Arathin stared at Meneldur in amazement. "Legitimate?" She muttered. "Well that would explain why he was exiled by our people. He wasn't born under improper conditions. So they exiled him." Her face hardened. Her people feared such births. Meneldur's exile didn't actually have a thing to do with him, if that was indeed the cause for it.

[roguelion]

The Man laughed long and hard, sweat and blood running down his face. He grinned manicially as he watched the dagger twirl in Meneldurs hand. "Nothing will I say to you outcast!, Not even your own flesh and blood want you! you are even more wreched than I" His eyes gleemed and he tilted his face toward the sky. "You shall learn nothing from me, and I am usless as a hostage, for they value my life almost as little as they value you!. If you kill me you only release me from this life of slavery! So I beg you, Kill me now! for I shall not betray even thoes who despise me!" he said, the integrity of his words ringing true. He would speak no answers now, and would die knowing that his hounor is in tact. "But mark my words, once we have been slaughtered and left to rott and be picked clean by carrion birds and insects, More will come after you! You will not get to the Hammer!" He pushed out his throat, offering his jugular vein to the sharp metal blade in meneldurs hand......


Thorvold rushes over to the remaining human, he is unconsous still, and apears unharmed, "I beleive this....man, will not talk also. I beleive this man was the leader , it is he who bloodied my face, and beat me till all cousciousness left me, and it is he who will now die!" With that Thorvold raises Cleve up over his head and brings it swiftly down on the mand neck, seperating it cleanly. His anger boils up and overflows, and in sceonds Thorvold is overtaken be a berserk rage, the axe falls time and again upon the body of the man, dismembering it with sugical precision. blood flows and splatters everything around soaking thorvold from head to toe in crimson........

[chrysophalax]

Meneldur's eyes narrowed in rage and he smiled. Never a good thing.
"If you know me as outcast, you have answered my question, Mortal. My brother will pay dearly for this offense." he said as he casually nicked the Man's artery. He watched with pleasure as the Man bled to death, slowly. He then turned and watched as Thorvold finished pounding the other's corpse into the dirt. "Crude, but effective." he thought to himself. "He could well assist me in meting out justice to my brothers." He stepped forward and shouted at Thorvold. "Gloroius, friend! Magnificent! Control yourself, Dwarf. You may yet slay your companions if you don't."

[roguelion]

With blood pounding in Thorvolds ears he finds it hard to hear the noise around him, his rage guides him in a murderous rampage and the brutial dismemberment, then suddenly, clear and loud an elven voice breaks through the rage and begins to calm him, his breathing returnst slowly to normal and he drops his axe and falls to his knees exausted and weary. "thank you friend, I was beginning to wonder if the rage would pass, I come from a line of Dwarves who are cursed with the breserk rage in war, and that was the first time i have ever submitted to its draw." he says quietly. Thorvold reaches into his pouch and pulls out a small bit of cloth and whipes his face as clean of the blood as he could. His heart still pounds in his chest, but the rage has left. "The Men said somthing about an Elven lord and somthing about Master Makachil, I know now that deception is guiding our quest, we must make haste now and it is more urgent that we retreive the Hammer at all costs, time is of the essence friends."

[chrysophalax]

"Indeed," thought Meneldur to himself, "time IS of the essence, though not for any reason you may think. Brother Makachil is in for a rude awakening it seems." He looked around at the others and sneered. Not much of a group to re-gain his stolen heritage with, but it was a start.