[This message has been edited by Smeagolfan24 (edited 02-15-2007 @ 05:01 PM).]

Now Sobet was truly concerned for his friend. However, by the time he had bent down to retrieve the short swords, Bartok had rushed off, and vanished.

Black Hand didn't say anything and Gamush continued, "I was recently, uh, killed, by one of Sauron's minions, and I consider all of our ties broken. Thus I would like to offer the service of the Four Shamen to you and swear fealty, and to follow your command." At the end of this sentence, Gamush moved ever so imperceptibly and the other three shamen dropped to one knee and bowed their heads. Nlack Hand had no emotion on his face and asked Gamush, "And what would I be doing for you?" Gamush smiled and said, "Help me kill Ikawi of course."

John, you can either accept Gamush's proposal or decline it, as I have plans for him either way.

"Very well, I think I have just the item to assist you in destroying the elf once and for all." Hand motioned towards a black chest in the corner. Gamush started that way, adn Hand stopped him. "Oh no, don't touch it." Said Hand, without any true concern in his voice. "The item within that chest is equally fatal to you as well. However, I know of an enchantment that will allow you to wield the weapon, and strike down the elf once and for all. But first, I have need of your magics."

Gamush was distracted by the chest, but turned to face Black Hand.

"Our magics? Surely the abilities you possess..."

"Oh no, my friend, your magic comes from nature, and it is that connection that I no longer possess. Morgoth can only destroy, but I need something grown."

"Very well, what do you need of us?"

Hand smiled evilly, "I have a nursery across the courtyard, and in it are hundreds of young ents. I need them aged. I have already corrupted them, but your own skills would have them ready for war in months. Go and cast your magics, then I will cast the enchantment upon you, and you will be more than prepared to slay the elf."

Gamush nodded. "Very well...master."

"Good. I expect it to take a few hours for the spell to take effect, return when it is finished."

[This message has been edited by Johndisp (edited 07-23-2006 @ 00:37 AM).]

"Damn you Inferno. Atleast your on my side now." he said softly, and went to sleep.

Flame felt a pain behind his eyes as he shot up from his dream. He began to scream, "I'm blind!" But his vision soon faded back to him.

[This message has been edited by Boddah (edited 07-23-2006 @ 06:53 AM).]

"You can't do that alone," an elderly voice said. Elesser jumped, turned around drawing his blade and saw an old man, with a white shining beard and dressed in a white cloak of some sort.
"Who are you?" Elesser demanded.
"I think the real question is who are you?" the old man replied. "Are you heroic? Greedy? Lustful? Or faithful?"
Elesser shook his head- this made no sence.
"Did you remove this?" he asked. The man made no answer for a while, closing his eyes breifly.
"Times have changed," he said finally. "What was certain to happen is now only a possibility. The future you saw on the wall last time may never be. It is up to inderviduals to choose which future will be the outcome, for no one will be unimportaint, from the smallest child to the mightiest of Kings, in this conflict."
"But who are you?" Elesser asked again. The old man smiled and faded away into thin air. But a voice sighed in the air as he went.
"Illuvatar..."
Suitibly mysterius, methinks

"Most likely not, why do you think Elves and Dwarves were created?" Valandil asked in a joking voice. A long conversation discussing the virtues and vices various races ensued, ending only when the two retired for the night.

[This message has been edited by Aeneas2 (edited 07-23-2006 @ 08:46 PM).]

Raina nodded a solemn nod. Estrenton smiled a weak smile. "Do not trouble yourself with my woes. Look to your own. Take care of those you love, I rest assured that Eruco will be happy as long as you are at his side..." Raina could not answer. Estrenton had closed his eyes and gone back to sleep. His wounds were bandaged up. His armor had been taken to the dwarven smithy to be repaired. She wondered if he would approve of his armors repair...

[This message has been edited by SuicidalScotsman (edited 07-23-2006 @ 10:58 PM).]

Alone on the dock of the town hall she could just make out a figure standing in a swirl of cloak, hood obstructing the face. Hoping it was Eruco she began to run.

[This message has been edited by Lady Arcola (edited 07-24-2006 @ 01:18 AM).]

[This message has been edited by Pyronix (edited 08-08-2006 @ 04:09 AM).]

After about an hour, Flame reached a small clump of trees. He heard a strange noise, which he decided must be an owl, even if it was a different noise compared to the noises of the owls he was used to. He looked up into a tree, and found an owl with large eyes staring down at him. He wandered through the clump of trees until he was on the other side of the tree that the owl was on, and the owl thought he had left. He started to climb silently up the tree until he was around two metres away from the bird. He lifted up his dagger and threw it hard. The shard blade pierced its heart, and the bird fell to the ground. Flame retrieved his blade, and waited for a signal. It did not come, so he clambered back up into the tree and fell asleep.

This is very long but it has a light fun side toward the end i promise

Eruco stood silently on the dock gazing out across the water in the moonlight. The streets were quiet and the night air offered just the slightest of sounds as a gentle cool breeze glided through the sky. As he stood his mind flashed here and there, past and present. Voices lost and faces missed faded and formed before his very eyes.

The oncoming storm was ever present in his minds eye but for now he tried to block the thoughts from his view.

A presence appeared behind him and he turned slowly to see Raina. She walked over to the wraith neither said any words but Raina let her head rest into his shoulder. Hesitantly Eruco placed his arms around her. They stood in silence for some time, Eruco could not focus on his feelings for her and felt strangely distant from her.

Eventualy she spoke

"Eruco, my love for you is undying. My heart yearns to be joined with yours. Forever will my eyes look toward your soul".

"I too would walk to the very end of Arda to earn the right to stand by your side my love. But Felanil...he loves you also and you him. I am but an ancient doomed warrior. You are both young and from the same lineage. Long could you and he be happy. My time grows short, my destiny grows near".

"I fear not your hidden fate..or doom. I will share that destiny with you wether it be for eternity or for a short while. I love you and no other".

With these words Eruco spun her around infront of him and looked deeply into her eyes.

"It may well be your end Raina. If you follow me upon my path you may never gain happiness".

"I will never gain happiness unless it is with you"

She replied simply with tears forming in her blue eyes.
Eruco turned away and looked once more to the water...
Slowly a vision formed upon his minds edge.

Averia, Erucos wife was stood before him on the very water. Her long flowing blond hair danced in the mists of the vision. "Erucolindo long years have passed between our love. Many deeds of evil have you commited. But now you are pure and good and you follow an uncertain path. My path is certain. I have my happiness and long have I gained peace, long have I watched you stray from your path. My memory was not enough to help you. Your feelings for me faded and with them your love diminished. Only now has your heart been renewed. Raina is your destiny now. I go on to happiness and you will find yours. Goodbye Eruco and by free, free of hurt and free of pain". As Averia spoke the wind seemed to blow her away and the vision vanished.

Eruco bowed his head but then he felt Rainas soft hands reach around him, he turned and smiled.

"We will never be parted...Our love will outlast the very sky and our bond will be stronger than the earth we stand upon...I love you Raina".

With those words the pair embraced and he kissed her upon the cheek. The moment lived on in thier hearts forever. Raina and Eruco were together and would remain so until the very worlds end.

After a while walking in the moonlight Eruco and Raina returned to the wraiths room. Not long had they entered when a strange noise caught their attention.

Suddenly a light tap broke the peaceful silence, and then a second tap and then another rang out into the night.
Eruco leaned forward over the balcony and then 'TING' a small rock hit off his chest armour. Below Sobet giggled and Scar stood towering above the hobbit.

"We thought we would come to keep you company! Seeing as you cant go wondering amongst the people. And besides me and Scar are getting our share of funny looks so here we are"

Sobet announced merrily. Raina sleepily stood up and Eruco stood with his hands on the rail of the balcony.

"I have all the company I need..."

"Nonsense! The more the merrier" Sobet interupted and he began to climb up the wall to Erucos room. Scar followed and the pair entered into the dark room. Sobet lit the candles and the torches on the walls and began to talk in a loud voice.
"Well this is better, nice and bright now!"

"Scar wants to play skulls, Play skulls again small one"

"Not yet big fella, you wait here with the ghost...eh..erm I mean Eruco and I shall retrieve something special, I shall return in a little while".

The halfling climbed back out of the window and dissapeared. Eruco looked at Scar and the large uruk smiled a wide sharp teeth filled grin.

A short distance away Sobet loitered in a dark allyway and suddenly a door to a rowdy inn opened. A man quickly placed a large barrel of beer on the outside and then Sobet handed over a gold coin. The man shut the door and left the halfling stood there.

"Ok you beauty lets get you to a safe place" Sobet said and he wrapped his arms around the barrel and tried to lift.
"Oh drat! I hadnt thought this far ahead" Sobet said defeatedly as he realised he could not lift the barrel.

Toward the end of the street Bartok and Spawn emerged walking drunkenly.
"The thing ish Shpawn we dwarves are underesh...underesh...undereshtim...not thought of as well ash we shhhould" Bartok said to the barbarian.

Just then a rolling sound and a yelp caught their attention.
Suddenly a barrel came rolling infront of them complete with a running hobbit on top of it.

Spawn reached out and grabbed the halfling and Bartok stopped the barrel with his strong arms.

"Whats this then? You been liberating beer little one?"
Spawn joked whilst holding Sobet in the air.

"A fine batch ish thish as swell" Bartok mumbled.

"Dont worry we were going to share!" Sobet said with a grin.

"What do you mean we?" Spawn asked.

A few moments later the three were under Erucos room. The wraith looked out and saw Spawn toss Sobet up followed by Bartok and then...a barrel of beer. The dwarf caught it and fell backwards into the wraiths room. Scar laughed a coarse laugh and Sobet hurridely got to work at opening the barrel.
Raina laughed at the scene as the fellowship members prepared to hold a party in Erucos small room.

The wraith sat at the large table in the centre of the room and was joined by Spawn who was last to enter. Bartok sat next to Scar and then Sobet proudly handed out full tankards of beer.

"Letsh teach you bout drinkin Shcar" Bartok mumbled as he took a hefty swig. Sobet began to sing and jumped up on the table. The warriors felt young and foolish and felt the cares of battle wash away.

After a while, and nobody could quite remember how, an arm wrestling competion was started. Sobet announced he was going to beat Bartok and sat opposite the dwarf and gripped his hand confidently. With one heave, not only did Bartok win but he sent Sobet flying across the room...the halfling landed softly on the bed and the small company laughed at his comic defeat.

Next Spawn took on Bartok and after a very long time the drunk dwarf finaly lost, but not out of a mismatch of strength, but because the dwarf began to snooze as the stale mate continued. He woke with a start and was very dissapionted at the loss.

Next Scar attempted to win against Spawn and again a stalemate of strength went on, until finnaly Eruco stood and made a challenge.

"It is all fine and well you competing your mundane strength against one another but let you try and win against my power" Eruco smiled as he challenged the warriors.

One by one they tried and failed, Eruco merely sat still and not one of the three mighty warriors could move his arm.
Finally Bartok shouted out with a full pint of beer spilling in his hand.

"Ok Ok we cant move an immovable object, trust an elfish wraithish rogue to cheat with...." Bartok was interupted by the, until now, quiet Raina.

"You have been victorious against these three but can you defeat me?" she said teasingly. The others looked on incredulously.

"Or perhaps you are affraid?" She goaded the wraith with a beautiful smile.

"I have my money on Raina!" Sobet said loudly

"nonsense"

"No way"

The others replied and a bet was made of two gold coins apiece. Sobet was the only one to back Raina.

Eruco nodded in acceptance of the challenge and the others cheered in joy. Raina sat opposite Eruco and raised her hand. The wraith lifted his hand to meet hers and as they gripped ready the other fellowship members began to shout.

"One, Two, Three...GO!" they yelled in unison.

Eruco calmly held his grip expecting Raina to exhert her full pressure. But she smiled at him with a hint of mischief and suddenly she kicked out under the table, catching Eruco in between the legs. The wraith doubled up and then the maiden of Gondor slammed his hand against the table.

Sobet cheered and leaped upon the table dancing and singing for joy. Bartok and Spawn slowly began to laugh as did Scar.
Raina leaned back in the chair victoriously smiling at the wraith.

Eruco looked up and shook her hand with a smile upon his own face that only she could see.

"Well done! Very well done!" He laughed.

"I wonder if we should invite any of the others up here?" Sobet said jumping down from the table out of breath.

"I am sure with this noise they will find their way here soon enough!" Raina smiled.

[This message has been edited by Eruco Elessar (edited 07-25-2006 @ 07:03 AM).]

[This message has been edited by Lame Fat Orly (edited 07-24-2006 @ 08:05 AM).]

Go to the disscussion thread please lord.. thats what its for

[This message has been edited by Eruco Elessar (edited 07-24-2006 @ 09:49 AM).]

There was a silence in the room for a long time as individuals pondered the story of Johnquill. Sobet broke the silence by saying, "Well, you're here now, and everything is fine! Come, Johnquill, enjoy the party! We still have a whole night left!"

[This message has been edited by Lord Iarune (edited 07-24-2006 @ 10:54 AM).]

Flame tried to feel deep down inside Ikawi to find that piece of good inside him. But it was gone. Flame knew instantly that he was not kidding around and said, "Ikawi please..."

As Bartok entered the common-room of the inn, he looked across at dozens of sleepy patrons until he found what he sought. Across the room, a young man had fallen asleep with an open journal before him. A pheasant quill was still resting in a bottle of black ink. Bartok walked over, took the ink, quill and a page from the journal. He found an empty table and sat about writing a letter.

My dearest Bella,

I know that I shall never again look upon your bright grey eyes, and run my fingers through your hair. Never again will I hold you close listening to the rhythmic hammering of the forges. Never again, can I say “I love you” as we celebrate our anniversary. No dear wife, soon my ancestors will judge me, but I would have you know why I did not avoid my fate and return to you.

Long ago, you knew the blood of a traveler flowed within my veins, and although I always supported you, I was often gone when you most often needed me. For the times I wasn’t there, I am sorry. For the nights, you warmed our bed alone, when I should have been their, I am sorry. For all the times, Bartokor needed his father and I was off seeking fame and fortune, I am sorry. When Bartokor grew sick, and you had to bury him alone, I am sorry.

Bella, so many times I failed you, and a thousand years could never make it right. I have no excuse for the pain I caused you, but I beg for you to understand why I had to be gone. This world we live in is hard. Evil springs up in numbers greater than those of the good, and seek to destroy all. In the last few months, I have slain more foul folk, than I had ever seen before. It seems clear to me, that this is a key time in our age. I feel like this age is ending, and that a new one will soon begin. The battles I fight in help determine if the age shall be of light or darkness. I must fight for the light.

It is for the light, that I shall soon give my life. I shall die to save the lives of many who would fight for the age of light to emerge. Know this my wife, I love you with all my heart, but my soul demands more of me than I can give…and survive. I shall pay the price, so that you and Bartokian, can survive and find peace. Think well of me dear wife, and remember that my final thoughts shall be of you.

Yours in love forever,
Bartok Thunderdelve, King of the Thunderdelve Clan

Bartok read and reread the letter to make sure it sounded right. Satisfied that he had said everything he needed to, Bartok folded the letter, and then used a spot of wax to seal it.

Bartok emerged from the inn, and found dwarven warriors passed out, and off to the side, King Dain himself sat sleepily leaning against an empty barrel of mead. Bartok reached into his backpack, and drew out a different helmet than the one he normally wore. This helmet was a ring of mitharil carved into an intricate stonework pattern with four dark diamonds set around the band. Bartok put on his crown, and approached King Dain.

As Dain was trying to awake from his drunken stupor, he caught a glimpse of Bartok approaching him, and his new headgear. Dain drew suddenly serious, and forced himself to his feet. The two kings faced one another and Bartok bowed deeply at the waist.

Dain spoke first. “Dwarven kings only wear their crowns for two reasons, they are holding a council, and they are preparing to die. Please tell me we are to be attacked again.”

“No great King Dain. My time is come. I was visited by my ancestors and soon after we leave here, I will be called home to The Great Hall, for judgment. I would ask you a favor though.”

“Speak to me King Bartok, and I shall move a mountain to bring it to pass.”

“It is nothing so great Dain. I simply need a letter delivered to my clan, to my wife in particular.”

Dain nodded and took the letter from Bartok’s hand. “Very well, but I ask a boon of you.”

“Ask, and it shall be so.”

“There was a young dwarf within The Lonely Mountain that was much impressed with you in battle. He wishes to travel with you, and learn from you.”

“I would be honored, but….”

“Ah, none of that now. Perhaps the presence of my young dwarf will serve some purpose yet. Your party seems to need a dwarf’s since from time to time.”

Bartok smiled in spite of himself, and nodded. “Aye, they can be a bit of a mess. Very well, bring on my young squire, and let us see what he can learn from this old dog.”

Suddenly Flame found himself a short distance from Laketown. Ikawi was gone. He walked over to the water and swam in. He went through the canal and up some ladders. He went back to his room and fell asleep.

The three stood looking out across the slow flowing water and watched as the clouds dispersed leaving the sun to cast its warmth upon the wounded north country.

[This message has been edited by Eruco Elessar (edited 07-25-2006 @ 07:29 AM).]

After leaving Pulkit and Eruco, Elessar wandered in search of the rest of the fellowship. The captain was eager to check on the well being of all those in his command.
His first stop was to see Estrenton, the elf was awake but drowsy and Elessar left him in peace.

Valandil and Arthion he found sparring and training in a practice hall.

"I see you two are well" he smiled as he looked in. The pair of elves stopped and joined him by the door.
"Our inability to defeat that hideous soul has left us both hurting, we will not make such mistakes again" Valandil announced.
"You made no mistakes my friend you both fought well enough for ten. You should feel no hurt" The two elves bowed their heads at Elessars kind words but remained ever dissapointed inside.

Elessar continued to walk around the town, stopping here and there to help lift a large piece of debris or to comfort a wife who had lost a husband. The captain of the fellowship tirelessly wandered around Esgaroth and children ran to him bearing gifts of flowers and of fresh bread or fruit juice. As he walked here and there, whispered words followed of the hero of the north and children would ask
"did you really ride a giant oliphant and stamp all the nasty orcs?". And Elessar would reply each time
"the true heroes are those men over there working to rebuild your homes, or those women over there who work so hard to restore the food supplies".

The morning was passing into noon and the ranger sat himself upon a pile of rock and began to eat an apple given to him by a child. Raina appeared and came and sat next to him. He tossed her a second apple with a smile.

"They work well to repair this place" she said.

"Yes they are truly amazing, many would have fled in the face of such terror yet they stayed fast and they now brush it away as if it was a mere passing storm" Elessar replied.

Raina seemed distant to him, she seemed somehow in living memory or dream.
"Tell me Raina, what gives you such trouble and worry?"

"I am fine, I have no troubles" Raina objected unconvincingly.

"Come now, we are the same you and I. I can tell that not all is well..is your heart not glad that Felanil has returned to you?"

"Yes but.... it hurts to deny him the love he wishes"

"His love for you will make him strong wether it is returned to him or not. Fear not for Felanil for he is wise and strong and he knows ,I am sure, of the love you and Eruco share"

"But does Eruco know?"

Elessar wondered at this last comment and as he threw his apple core into the water behind him he could not think of a response.

"Perhaps you should tell him of your feelings?" He said eventually.

"I have tried yet the words never seem enough. My mind roars with words I wish to speak to him, yet my mouth finds only the smallest token of speech to ease his concern"

As they talked Felanil and Kestria walked over. Felanil was rubbing his hair with a cloth to dry it.
"The water is fresh and cool, you should have a swim Elessar" he said as he sat between the two.

Kestria sat next to Elessar and sighed
"ah this sun reminds me of riding in the open upon the grasses of Rohan" she said.

"Ah your dripping water all over me!" Raina laughed in protest and Felanil jokingly shook his wet hair over her.
Elessar laughed and Raina grabbed a stick and began to mockingly hit Felanil. The four laughed in the noon sunlight and forgot the woes of the troubled times.

Eruco watched from the far side of the square as Raina laughed and playfully joked with the her fellow mortals and felt once more the feeling that she would be happier in different arms. The wraith pulled his hood closer around his face and withdrew from the square.

[This message has been edited by Eruco Elessar (edited 07-25-2006 @ 08:20 AM).]