Chapters Past

The One Ring: The King's Own
GM
Lisa
Starting Year
Fourth Age, 1 (3021 TA or 1421 SR)
Current Year
Fourth Age, 1 (3021 TA or 1421 SR)
The Fellowship
Laramie Twofoot Déor, Horseman of Rohan Vidar, Son of Veig Gilithion Thorondir Theowulf Former Fellowship Members Primrose
Resources
Chapters Past

Earlier Travels!

Scene Setting: Recent Canon Events

The Year is now 3021, Two Years after the War of the Ring, but War is not over and Shadow still lingers in parts of Middle Earth. Much has been devastated, burned, and destroyed. Now the slow rebuilding and healing process is starting to show signs of flowering. Few lands were left unharmed by the Enemy; rebuilding efforts run from Dale to Osgiliath to Rohirric villages to the heart of the Shire.

In Arnor, the pragmatic see-it-to-believe-it Bree-landers still haven’t fully grasped that Strider’s a king and that the Rangers are nobility of old. 
Barliman Butterbur was shocked to learn that Strider was made a king - not a "mere ranger.
" For even some Rangers this has been breathtaking news; they were scattered at the time of Aragorn’s muster and not all got word of it or were able to journey South. Many are still keeping threats of Shadow and Corruption down in the North.

In these two years after the fall of Sauron:

3019

• March 25- Fall of Sauron and the Destruction of the One Ring
• May 1, 3019 - Aragorn is crowned King Elessar of the Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor; Gandalf helps Aragorn to find the sapling of the new White Tree.

• Mid-year's Day (between June and July) 3019 - Aragorn marries Arwen Undómiel.

• July 3019 - King Théoden is laid to rest beside other Kings of Rohan in Edoras. The announcement of Faramir's and Éowyn's betrothal.
 They are married later this year.
• Peace is brokered with Harad: Harad is forfeiting South Gondor and Umbar in exchange for a pardon of fighters, POWs, etc, allowed to return home unmolested

• Thorin III Stonehelm and Bard II, fast friends and allies, are rebuilding Erebor and Dale.

• As a chief commander for King Elessar, Faramir has been tasked with clearing out Minas Morgul and the lost territories of Gondor and act as march-wardens. His and Eowyn's hands are full.

• November 19, 3019 - Battle of Bywater; death of Saruman and Wormtongue; the end of the War of the Ring.


3020 - some events may not have happened depending on our start month. These may help for context purposes.

• Elessar and Eomer rode out against remnants of Mordor

• Spring 3020 - Samwise Gamgee marries Rosie Cotton and together they move to Bag End.

• The Sea of Rhun is proving to be hotly contested vs. the Easterlings

• Thranduil settles his borders at the Mountains of Mirkwood to help his own people thrive.

• Legolas and Gimli share their travels through the Glittering Caves and Fangorn Forest. Legolas is now returning to Mirkwood to recruit elves to heal Ithilien while Gimli is setting out to recruit members of Durin’s Folk to go to the Glittering Caves.

• Durin VII, a descendant of Thorin III, has expressed his wish to return to Moria soon.


3021

• Fourth Age - March 25 3021
• Spring 3020 - Samwise Gamgee marries Rosie Cotton and together they move to Bag End.

• 3021 - Éomer marries Imrahil's daughter, Lothíriel of Dol Amroth.
• September 22, 3021 - Bilbo marks his 131st birthday, surpassing the Old Took.

• September 29, 3021 - Elrond, Galadriel, Gandalf, Frodo and Bilbo depart from the Grey Havens and go to the Undying Lands.

• Celeborn assumes full rulership of Lothlorien after Galadriel’s departure. He plans on extending domain to South Mirkwood and is currently holding both sides of the Anduin.

• The twins Elladan and Elrohir assume a joint lordship of Rivendell in Elrond’s departure. Both expressed wishing to clean the land of Arnor and continue to work with the Rangers. They also expressed a project to translate the works of Rivendell’s library for the use of Men. Neither has stated whether he wishes to choose mortality like Arwen.

• October 6, 3021 - Samwise returns to Bag End.

Part 1, The Fellowship Forms

Chapter 1: Gondor: Blood on the Snow

Rumors of attacked and destroyed farmsteads in Anórien come to the ears of the Company, though whether the cause is Dunlending raiders, Druédan sorcery, or fell beasts is not determined. As there are many regions to search for the truth of the matter, the Prefect of Osgiliath assigned the Company to be a posse together, as a full posse of Guardsmen led by Captain Belfan, and a civilian posse led by Léora of Lamedan have already mustered. Léora has a look of disdain or suspicion against Belfan. Laramie is declared the head of the posse as he is already sworn to service, and is given bone maps with carved ridges that line up with the beacon mountains to help find vales with homesteaders. Léora's posse departs immediately while Belfan's stays on for a hearty breakfast.

The Company is lent horses from Minas Tirith. Asking about Belfan, who appears quite the braggart and Dunlending-hater, reveals the rumor that he may have killed a man, back when he was a minstrel, for playing one of his songs. In Minas Tirith, the Company also meets dwarves and elves who are beautifying the city and engaging in planning work. Their current quarrel is solved by the suggestion of a roundabout, allowing for both navigatable streets and greenery.

Although winter still clings to the land and snow lays on the ground, the four-day journey through Anórien is pleasant and without event. The first homestead encountered was deserted and highly damaged, and at the second, an attack was clear, with bodies, blood, and ruin. A dying man described an unnaturally tough and foul creature that came from "the Morgelad" a word meaning dark path or pass. After burying the dead, the Company followed the tracks and drag marks left in the snow to the Morgelad, a particularly blighted vale where the shelves of shale and twisted tree branches block out the sunlight.

At the mouth of the Morgelad, the Company encounters Imhar the Dunlending and his party, survivors of the beast's attacks. They have been hunting it for a month and a half. As the company dealt well with Imhar, and Gilithion spoke straightforwardly and fairly with Imhar, he was willing to work together. The Company was joined by Léora and her posse, who mistook their tracks for that of Belfan, crossing them at some point. She agrees to help as well, though they were tracking Belfan, whom she claims murdered her brother.

As the Company caught sight of the beast, a particularly large snow troll, they were finally joined by Captain Belfan himself, who mistook the scenario for a trap sprung against the Dunlendings. He was promptly dragged off by the snow troll, meeting a certain demise. Although his hide was indeed tough and teeth fierce, the Company prevailed against the snow troll, taking his head and hoard as proof. The Ranger Thorondir took the beast's hide. The Company convinced Imhar to journey back with them as they could retell the tale and improve relations between Dunlendings and Gondorians. Lóra's posse and the guard were all witnesses to their valor.

Upon return, the Company presented the head of the troll and the Dunlendings to the Prefect. The Prefect agreed to negotiate an audience with King Elessar for the Dunlendings and the Company, who wished that much of the hoard would go to help the survivors of the troll's attacks. With some insight, the Prefect asked the Company to stay in Minas Tirith while this was negotiated. He presented the events to the King.

While the Dunlendings were granted a formal audience, the Company was not. Upon hearing both the makeup of the Company and their success from the Prefect, the King took note. Upon learning that two of the party members were indeed known to him since his childhood and kin, the King opted for an informal audience with himself and Queen Arwen Undomiel to meet their companions and offer them a grand undertaking that perhaps only a group such as theirs might accomplish, a mission to find the lost palantiri of Arvedui.

Chapter 2: Rohan: Red Days Rising

Starting in Minas Tirith, all are celebrating the anniversary of the Fall of Sauron, end of the war, and the start of the Fourth Age. Aragorn engineered seating at one of the nightly feasts so that the Company could be identified by Eomer, King of Rohan. Being in close proximity to the head table led the Company to engage in a debate as to the highest virtues of a warrior, the results of which impressed Eomer. Eomer called the more impressive debaters up to him and related his current strife, feuding marshalls, and his wife, Lothiriel of Dol Amroth, offered the idea of a wedding to give a valid reason to cease hostilities. The Company could act as impartial messengers and could earn great favor with the King. As the Company planned to travel in the King's entourage/train to Edoras and thence to Isengard, this would be mutually beneficial.

Travel through Anorien to Aldburg was smooth, and spring was now showing. The Company was able to gather much information on the journey about the feuding marshalls and the two childhood friends picked out to marry each other for the sake of peace. In particular, the Company talked with Sunnifa, the Queen's servant, Galmod, Cenric's foster son, and traders from the Toft. The Marshals are Eogar of the Westfold, Second Marshall and Lord of the Hornburg (Helm's Deep) and Cenric of the Eastfold, Third Marshal, Lord of Aldburg. The unknowing Romeo and Juliet of our story are Mildryd Shielding of Westfold, Captain of Eogar's personal eored, and Esmund of Eastfold, a brave captain. Both, as it turns out, are recently widowed, and Esmund has a small child. Most asked agree that the two should've gotten together but had married out of duty. The feud between the marshalls is several generations old, but recent killings over a woman, and lack of weregild, have ignighted tensions. Indeed, it appears as though Grima Wormtongue kept the tensions aflame for his own profit and better control of power. While loyal, a new king brings uncertainty and a shakeup of power, one all the more precarious as positions remain unfilled from wartime deaths.

In addition, the Traders from the Toft, Odovacar and Mathilda, related the fate of the Toft. When asked where they were from, and their route, they both became saddened - their home has been destroyed, first by popular uprising, then by the Enemy to be used as a staging ground to invade Mirkwood and Laketown/Erebor, and then by the Galadhrim, the Elves of Lorien, who currently claim the territory, including a part of South Mirkwood. Indeed, the "Sorceress" claims both sides of the Anduin, bringing some concern and ire to the traders. They also noted reavers in the Western lands of Rohan. THis plus a lack of major towns led them to only go as far as Edoras before turning their route back.

From Aldburg, the Company turned to Deor's home village, the Entwade, border and river crossing between West and East, to hear news of Cenric, out seeing to his herds, and Esmund. There they participated in and resolved a bout of flyting between warriors of the Eastfold and Westfold that might've easily come to blows and bloodshed, especially between the two in front, Ashgar of Westfold and Maerstan of Eastfold. This won them the respect and welcome of the participants and onlookers. In the Entwade, they also borrowed horses. From there they encountered Leothere Five Fingers, a wandering minstrel, and his apprentice, a girl named Bida Softsong. After an exchange of news and song, the Company continued to find some of Cenric's outriders and cattle herd. With a storm breaking upon them, the Company helped quell a stampede, reducing loss of cattle and injuries to riders. This gained them Cenric's thanks (in the form of a steed) and his ear for their message. Through their good choices of talk to see the right of the endeavor, both Cenric and Esmund were persuaded. Esmund followed the Company to the Entwade to wait for Mildryd... or word of a nay reply.

As the fastest way to the Westfold would be through Edoras, the Company headed there to pass on word of Cenric and Esmund to Eomer, and hear news of Eogar's whereabouts. Last word was that he was on patrol in the Gap of Rohan, so the Company rode out for the Fords of Isen for better word. Enroute, the Company encountered a messenger, Rynelda Fast-Rider, with news that Eogar was raising a muster of Westfold, and to see Grimborn at the Fords of Isen. The Company could not get more from her as she sped off to take her message to Edoras.

At the Fords, the Company learn the unsettling recent events: on a regular patrol in which Eogar brought his family, raiders or reavers kidnapped his wife, Esfled. Judging from their tracks and direction, the raiders were marked as Dunlendish Gaesela. The Company learned that the West-march was home to Dunlending tribes such as the Gaesela and to tribes of mixed Rohirrim and Dunlending blood, such as the Wulfings, who are territorial. As lord of Grimslade, Grimhelm son of Grimborn was raising the muster riders to prepare for either enemy while Eogar and a handful of riders had sped to track the raiders and find Esfled. The Company was told to head South, down a muddy road. Frightened Wulfing villagers pointed the way to Eogar's camp, which was still guarded by a handful of riders. These riders in turn related what happened, and why they suspected the Gaesela, and pointed the way to Eogar.

While following Eogar and the raider's tracks, the Company turned slightly more southward into the Derne Wood (Eogar was around the North end of the wood. This was fortuitous, as the Company had been following the raiders' tracks directly while Eogar had lost them. The Company was fortunate again in hearing the raiders and had an opportunity to sneak up on them. The Company spotted Esfled, bound and hooded, in the middle of the raider's camp in a small clearing. Attempt at an ambush was unsuccessful, and the Company came under fire from arrows and spears. However, the Company had the upper hand in the end: Thorondir was able to sneak up to Esfled, and with one unconscious member and one out of arrows, the raiders withdrew. Notably, the Company pegged two leaders who looked to be brother and sister, the sister coordinating much of the raiders fighting and when to get out. The brother had been holding on to Esfled, but abandoned her and the fight early on.

The Company brought Esfled out of the woods and they regained the trail to Eogar's camp. Although initially greeted warily, a cry of joy and relief for Esfled's return roused Eogar and his son, Erkenbrand, who ran directly to his mother. The Company easily identified Mildrey Shielding as the imposing shieldmaiden to Eogar's side.

Reunions - and the companions' message- were interrupted by the arrival of Deormod, nephew and lieutenant to Frana of Frecasburg, Lord of the Wulfings. While riders made move to protect Eogar and his kin, Deormod plunged his sword into the ground and issued a formal question to the presence of Rohirrim in Wulfing lands, and mild accusations that Eogar was behind the raiders. After explaining the situation that led Eogar to the Derne Wood, Deomod was molified, however, the air indicated hours of questions and negotiations to come. The Company, however, were able to describe the raiders and Deomod gladly identified them as the twins Caswelun and Rhonwen, and said their raiding was notorious to the Wulfings.

After more peacable relations at camp, the Company related the message of Eomer to Eogar, Esfled, Mildryd, and Deormod. Having his wife returned to him softened Eogar considerably. While being in Deormod's presence certainly couched his actions, perhaps Eogar also took advantage of the chance to appear more peaceable to Frana's nephew and lieutenant. Although surprised, Mildryd accepted the offer, so long as Eogar would release her from service. As he did so, Eogar appeared fatherly, a rare showing of hidden but strongly held emotions.

The Company returned to the Entwade with Mildryd. Mildryd was a bit unsure of how to act, having also kept her emotions and demeanor hidden for some time. Soon, however, Mildryd and Esmund were reconciled. A disruptive rider named Blodred attempted to break the peace, having latched on to the feud completely. Some words from the Company kept him at bay, but ultimately, the riders the Company talked down earlier, Ashgar of Westfold and Maerstan of Eastfold, came to aid the union and took Blodred away without blows. In the lull that followed, Mildryd loudly announced her impending marriage.

Back in Edoras, Eomer and Lothiriel thanked the companions and bestowed gifts of treasure and steeds of quality. The King and Queen announced that as their celebration would be held at the end of summer and the start of harvest, the wedding between Esmund and Mildryd should be at Midsummer. The companions were, as a matter of course, invited to attend both. From this happiness, the companions began to turn their minds to what secrets of the palantiri might await in the libraries of Isengard.

Chapter 3: Rohan: White Lies

The Company turns from Edoras to Isengard to discover and information on the palantiri that might still be in the libraries inside Orthanc. As promised, they received horses for their deeds from Éomer and were allowed to request any needed provisions before travel. They set out with the goal of wintering in Isengard, not knowing how long searches may take.

The weather is fortunately clear, but the waters at the Fords of Isen are still cold and swift from the recent snowfalls. At the Fords, Déor meets with Rynelda Fastrider again, who tells of the muddy but clear road conditions and the tentative peace made (mostly thanks to the Company) and hopes that it lasts through the winter. She also advised that the villagers of Isengard are Dunlendish and insular. Meanwhile, Vidar met a lone wanderer named Dera. While Vidar learned that she often protects people lost or in need, he failed to learn anything else or persuade her to join the Company for supper.

The route north to Isengard starts well, but gradually changes to scenes of devastation and debris remaining from both the flooding of Isengard by the Ents and the destruction of the natural landscape by Saruman in his quest to build an army of orcs and uruk-hai. Farmsteads and hamlets are only half rebuilt, the topsoil has an oily film to it, and plants are only slowly starting to grow back. In Isengard itself, the old road was widened to make room for an army muster, many of the woods were felled, and only a few orchard rows were kept to screen the view of the deep pits and fractures in the wizard's military-industrial complex. The landscape is still flooded; the pits have not yet been filled in while the water is sinking out slowly into ground drainage. Only the natural spring-fed lake is still pure, as it was for drinking water and is consistently refreshed.

At the tunnel through the encircling ring, the Company met the Gondorian guards Ohtar and Hallas and the door warden, a wizened old lady named Dianach. A young stableboy was able to show them around and get quarters for them. The company was surprised to see that they were treated as guests and were not expected to pay for anything, including noon meals. Upon reflection, they realized that the folk of Isengard would have only ever helped guests of the wizard, accepting the last few years of his time. As a shared property of Gondor and Rohan, the land is still the property of the Kings, and the Company was received as guests of the Kings in place of the wizard. The Company also learned that many store rooms and tunnels exist in the encircling ring, and the folk and guards have not yet sorted them all out.

While in the village area of Isengard, Gilithion caught sight of a woman taken aback and led off by another companion. In asking about it later, he learned the woman was the mother of Melmidoc, a boy sick with the "Dark Cholera" spreading through the region. When Gilithion tried to heal the boy, he recognized his ailment as one that did need special ingredients brewed together in an ale. Neither the mother nor her friend knew what they were, however, he identified one as a relative of athelas. This used to grow around the area, but has not been seen since the fall of Saruman as the land was too ruined. Gilithion told the Company, and they hoped to find dried samples or a more complete recipe for the cure in the wizard's possession.

Entering the tower of Orthanc, the Company met Rohirric guards (and twins) Fenwyn and Fenwine. Fenwyn led the Company around the tower and introduced many of its eccentricities. The Company requested to go to Saruman's rooms where they found a secret entry barred by a heavy and cunningly locked door. While smoking out the only window, Laramie recognized that there must be an extra room above the wizard's quarters. Gilithion climbed to the top using a grappling hook and rope, where he found a trap door on the room, and a secret stair wrapping cleverly around the top floors, ending to the passage. Now inside the passage, the Company discovered the secret forge of Curunir, and recalled that his name meant crafty - he had been the maia for Aule.

In the forge, Gilithion found copious but abandoned noted and tools. Vidar recognized that they were all still useable, and both saw that they included tools from all races. Gilithion also found a blessed silver gorget.

Vidar successfully fell through the trapdoor on the roof and uncovered the old room for keeping the Orthanc seeing stone (which is in Aragorn's possession). The plinth broke the dwarf's fall.

While the company found Saruman's stash of journals and identified that they were sorted by subject, they could not find the plant needed for the ale. Turning to the books, they did find the recipe. The recipe, while confirming the herbs used, also called for a drop of the Ent-draught, giving the COmpany a new hurdle to overcome. They sought out the scriptorium keeper, Bocaern, to let him know their plan and ask for advice. The grumpy keeper was only willing to help if they helped his village with the sickness. He revealed that his apprentice was the Melmidoc, the ill boy. If they saved his apprentice, he would be in their debt and promised to help in all ways possible.

That night the Company learned that the boy's mother had also fallen ill, and they made ready to set out in the morning. They asked if anyone knew the way well and were directed to Éobrand, a young rider who was courting Fenwyn. Éobrand told them much of the way over the pass and into the forrest, and volunteered to watch their mounts at the edge of the Fangorn so that the Company could take them over the pass and enter the forest on foot. The journey over the pass was thus shortened to a day's ride, and they made camp at the edge of the trees.

While setting up camp, and into the first watch, the Company was being watched by two unknowns. The first would present itself to be a bear called Stoneclaws, who Primrose welcomed into the camp and befriended. She noted the bear's intelligence and asked its help. The bear, in return, started to lead Primrose into the forest. Éobrand woke Déor, who roused the group. Éobrand stayed with the horses as promised while the Company followed the bear into the night. Stoneclaws led them to a stream and the Ent Beechboe, a tall, slender ent with silvery bark and laughter that ripples his tiny leaves. Beechbone often acts as a messenger and is of good humor to the visitors. The Company explained their quest, and the Ent happily agreed to help and took him to his stash (one of many) of Ent-draught. However, in learning that an herb was needed, the Ent expressed worry that the plant might be depleted if the disease spread. The Company agreed to only take cuttings but to take a couple of plants in their entirety so that the plant could be cultivated in Isengard again. That pleased Beechbone and he obtained amphorae to use as pots.

Upon their return to camp, the Company learned of the second unknown: Éobrand had seen and heard something stalking just inside the trees, similar in size to the bear, but dark and full of malice.

The Company returned to Isengard as heroes; the cure could be brewed, the plant cultivated, and the amount of Ent-draught would be enough to see the village through several seasons of disease. Bocaern expressed his gratitude and willingness to share lore and information with the Company and help them on their searches in Orthanc. The Company also learned that there were rumors of something dark going after villagers in the nearby hamlets, which they took to be the bear.

The Company now prepares to winter in Isengard and search the wizard's trove for information on the palantiri and intriguing treasure. Vidar finds a carving of a boar with agate eyes. Primrose finds a quiver made by the Hillmen with scenes of a hunt wrapping around it. Laramie finds a shield, once made for a young horse lord to wield on his first battle as a child. Déor finds an old jade signet ring.

Over the winter, the Company finds the following information:

Saruman's Journal

These were in papers on the palantir(i):

"Looking through, I turned my gaze Northward. As usual, there was little to see..." "Out of the ordinary, a presence in the far North not connected to the Eye. Is there one who survives in Angmar? The witch-king has been called to his master's side, but still, someone something? is watching from his realm. I have yet to devise who or what it is, nor why the sorcerous fiend would let him use the seeing stone. Surely it cannot..." [cut off as though interrupted, end of entry]

From collections of histories, a telling from the fall of Fornost:

Word was sent of the queen's departure and safe removal from Fornost:

"The Queen and the heir are safe. She and the child were guarded through the occupied land immediately Westward out of the citadel and, in their transit, turning South and East to head to Imladris. Sometime during this transit, or perhaps before in Fornost, the queen had selected one individual to secure their safety, but he refused to enter the Valley and turned back. We think he was charged with returning to find the King, but the plan was for us all to gather here first. We do not have any word of either this individual nor of the King's flight yet."

In addition, there were some further notes on the directionality and calibration of the palantiri and musings on who, if anyone - would ever try using one when so many dark presences are on them in Middle Earth. Musings continue on the master stones in both Numenor and Tol Eressëa.

Part 2, The Fellowship Travels North

Chapter 4: Company of the Wain

At the breaking of spring, the Company bid farewell to Isengard and their new acquaintances. After a brief stop for news at the Fords of Isen, the Company proceeded northwards on the Greenway (the old North-South road).

At Tharbad, the Company received the help of Kyna and Braden, who were looking to restore the "South Town." The industrious couple had restored enough to create a small boarding house, kitchen, and ferry service across the river. This - and the time of year before any major melts - made crossing significantly easier for the Company. "North Town" had a similar village but plentiful grasses for camping - including where a traveling fair had set up.

The traveling fair is the Company of the Wain, and is known for traveling up and down the Greenway in the summertime, gaining new members or trading for goods in the winter. However, many in the caravan are now under the command of their fortune-teller, a woman called Uathach. While initial forays into the Company of the Wain were pleasant and fruitful with purchased goods, observations led to seeing how many deferred to Uathach. (A few bought trinkets and woodwork. Gilithion freed a thrush, with whom he can communicate and promised to serve him for one year. Vidar bought outlandish but amazing set of furs.)

At a minimum, Uathach's minions included a dozen or so guards; Caradog, a Dunlandish bear-baiter; and Thelred, a mute horesman from Rohan; it is unclear if the other members of the Company of the Wain are with Uathach or independent operators. The only two to be known to have no part in Uathach's schemes were the brothers Appledore, fireworks makers from Combe.

Uathach herself appears to be of Gondorian or "southern" origin and had a clear understanding of elvish tongues. Some of the King's Company went in to get readings from her, and it was unclear as to whether she possessed any power or was mighty good at pretending.

Further observation at night revealed a bound man being ferried between the wins. While Gilithion was able to argue for a search to be conducted, the man was hidden by means of a diversion or shell-game by those loyal to Uathcah and not found until later when a rescue mission could be attempted. The name "Gorlanc" was also overheard as being a greater "power" in the North.

Realizing the need to move fast, the King's Company set into motion their own version of a shell game: first, Thorondir met with rangers Halleth, Randir, and Mallor in the village of Road's End, who agreed to look into the name "Gorlanc." Halleth and Mallor would meet Thorondir in one week's time at the Forsaken Inn to share their findings while Randir would keep tabs on the Company of the Wain.

Second, the company launched a rescue mission for the captive. The captive turned out to be Larry Appledore, who was questioned for information (but had none that he thought was relevant). However, he and his brother learned some of their trade via Gandalf, so it is possible revealing this led to Larry's interrogation.

Third, the Company split to provide a diversion - half would go along the road to take a fake "Larry" home to Combe, while another team, led by the hobbit Laramie, would secret the real Larry to safety in the Shire. Laramie led him to his sister Peony Brandybuck's home. Peony resolved to keep him safe. Indeed those going to Combe were followed by both crebain and the rider Thelred.

While this trick to secret away Larry Appledore turned into a great success, meeting Halleth and Mallor at the Forsaken Inn was not so. The Company arrived early and Halleth arrived late. However, the innkeeper, Jack, had seen Mallor earlier at the day and had stored his pack for him. An investigation led the Company to search the outside grounds of the Inn and led to the discovery of Mallor's body tossed down the well.

Chapter 5: Strange Men, Strange Roads

This chapter picks up with the cliffhanger at the end of Chapter 4 as the company has just found the body of the ranger Mallor, called Tarry-Mack. Investigation reveals that the ranger had been struck by preternatural cold, had his throat slit, and was tossed down the well of the Forsaken Inn. Footprints pointed to a scuffle or confrontation with no one leaving the property. An ice-cold knife was also found in one of the storehouses. As Thorondir buried the body, he also found a strange symbol in the ranger's pack, a list of names, and a vial of a restorative drink made in Rivendell.

In truth, Mallor had recognized the name of Gorlanc from some thirty years prior as the leader of a group of brigands and had begun to jot down all the names he could remember from the group. At the Forsaken Inn, he had searched through the belongings of the travelers and found the rune of Gorlanc among a lady traveler, Berelas' possessions. She was traveling with a man, Hirlinion, under the guise of being both brother and sister and, in addition, that he was a healer or potion peddler and she as his assistant. (Hirlinion had his on him). Spying on the two led to a confrontation and the calling of the Cold Shade to protect Berelas and the lesser ring of power she was bearing to Gorlanc - the Ring of Seven Jewels. The Shade chilled Mallor to near-death and Hirlinion cut his throat with Mallor's own knife, chucking the knife into a storage shed and Mallor's body down the well.

While the innkeeper, Jack, and his boy were questioned and had alibies in working indoors during the afternoon, all guests at the inn quickly became suspects and were watched closely by the Company. These included four related dwarves (Vig, Vogar, Narvig, and Narvi), a charlatan-esque medicine man (Hirlinion) and his secretive sister/assistant (Berelas), an old crow-like merchant from Dorwinion (Mirabar), and a guide and his young Bree-lander assistant (Edoric and Eoin). They had been joined ostensibly as a trader caravan with Edoric hired to take them from Laketown to Bree.

While the Company was observing, Déor created a cover story for the company to be able to travel with the traders by faking minor injuries to the horses and spending the night out with them. This allowed the company to join them for the safety in numbers on the roads and the slow pace as the only trader riding a horse was old Mirabar. Over the course of the evening and days of travel, the Company would learn a lot more about the goings-on between the members of the caravan:

In addition to Hirlinion and Berelas, the travelers were led by their guide, Edoric, and his assistant, Eoin. Eoin was from Bree, on his first adventure, and returning home. He also had developed a crush on Berelas and admired her rare singing. Edoric was hired to lead from Laketown to Bree by the Dorwinion merchant Mirabar to go as early as crossing over the Misty Mountains was possible.

Mirabar had several wagons of goods and had several dwarves in him employ working as travelling tinkers. One dwarf, Vogar, was an old veteran and wounded. His brother Vig took on significant debt to care for him and relatives Narvig and Narvi joined to help pay off the debt. Mirabar, however, is questioning whether to dispense the debt or transfer it to someone as he saw the Cold Shade and believes it to be a portent of his own upcoming death.

In addition, the Company was able to see that Berelas was the true healer while Hirlinion was a clear charlatan benefiting from her abilities, though their darker secret of working for Gorlanc was not yet revealed.

As the travelers neared the Chetwood, they were faced by a wolf attack at night. The wolves were led by great white wold from the far North, lured by the Ring of the Seven Jewels. When one wolf jumped and went to attack Berelas, the Cold Shade was called and revealed to the Company.

After the attack, Gilithion was able to question Berelas on the sly and learn that the shade is connected to the ring she bears. Mallor had spied on her and Hirlinion. As she was surprised, it triggered the Cold Shade, which attacked Mallor. However, Hirlinion finished the job. Seeing his actions, and the actions of Gorlanc's shade, she had begun to doubt and fear her role in taking the Ring of Seven Jewels to Gorlanc.

The next night, passing the Chetwood, the Company was able to encounter elves in the wood. The Company was invited to the gathering by an elf named Cenedriel. The Company was able to learn a little about what they were up against from the elves, and Gilithion also learned about the departure of Elrond (among others) the previous fall. When the evening's talk and entertainment ended, the Company fell asleep to wake in the morning with restorative leftovers packed as gifts for them.

On the road that morning, the travelers came across a young girl who had reached the road to gain help for her sick mother and sister. This was Daisy Rushlight, seeking any medicine for her mother Violet, and sister Rose Rushlight of Staddle. While Hirlinion was happy to sell something, from the description, Berelas argued to go in person. This would provide an opportunity for the Company to separate Hirlinion and Berelas.

However, it was not without incident: Berelas saw the situation was dire and used the Ring of Seven Jewels to heal the Rushlights. However, this would call the Cold Shade and she had told the Company to stay back at a safe distance. However, this was not completely followed and some members - and the boy Eoin - faced the Cold Shade.

While the affected members, Eoin, and the Rushlights were warmed with fire and beverages, the Company confronted Hirlinion. Seeing he was cornered, Hirlinion made to take his own life (he failed but did poison himself). The Company discussed whether to finish him off or bring him into custody. Berelas agreed to stabilize his wounds so that Hirlinion could be brought to justice.

The Company proceeded to take Hirlinion to the Reeve of Bree. Members spoke convincingly with a variety of arguments and encouraged Berelas to speak as a witness. The Reeve found Hirlinion guilty but offered Thorondir the chance to sentence the culprit as the victim was a ranger. Thorondir spoke well and returned the sentencing to the Reeve. The Reeve was moved by the deferment to his authority by a fellow representative of the King. The Reeve weighed the options for the quite unprecedented crime and sentenced Hirlinion to death in two days time.

Further conversation with Berelas revealed that she had been held captive during the War, and was freed both in mind and body by Gorlanc. She had thought him a miracle worker and a force for good. He had tasked her to fetch the Ring of Seven Jewels and attached a shade to her for her protection - and thus the ring's protection. She accepted Gilithion's offer to go to Rivendell for safety, and for what to do with the ring. She agreed to stay in Bree while they recuperate and see Hirlinion's execution (though she fears it).

At long last, the Company was able to recuperate at the Prancing Pony. While this did let them clean up, it also led them to catch the recent gossip and hear many rumors, including some involving the names on Mallor's list they were hoping to gain more information on. Rumors and gossip included the following:

Assorted Rumors:

• Market day is tomorrow
• Strange lights were seen at the Hall of Orgulas - a supposedly abandoned mansion built by an eccentric hobbit
• Young Warden of Bree Tad Tillfield has a sweetheart
• Schoolmistress Anna Wintermoss was seen wandering the barrow downs
• Ernest Mugwort, farmer, claims a ranger spent the night in his barn which caused his chickens to stop laying (it sounds like a troll, really)

Information on Timéas Heatherton:

• Timéas Heatherton was one of the names on Mallor's list.
• Tim Heatherton died recently and his nephew Tomas missed the funeral completely
• Tomas was found rummaging through his uncle's things
• Talking up an old drunk revealed that Heatherton owed him some 6 coppers but apparently knew it was coming and paid for his funeral, etc. Inference: he might have had special instructions for his body
• Tim had once gone adventuring but was brought back by a ranger. Probably set the man back on the right track as his associates had been rather ne'er-do-well in type.
• One fellow believed Tim Heatherton to have been murdered and says he saw lights - the killer might not have been human

Undertrees of Staddle:

• The Undertrees didn't invite anyone to their spring festival - they usually invite half the village
• Big Bog the Swineherd (the hobbit, not Small Bob the man) saw a ghostly figure around the apple trees behind the Undertree Smial. He also reported a missing piglet. Do ghosts eat piglets?
• Matt Woolfoot, one of the serving boys at the Undertree Smial, developed a crippling fear of Big Folk and Trees (presumably also Big Trees) and is recovering with relatives in the Shire
• There are so many buds already on the old apple tree above the Smial - sure to predict a bumper crop of apples this fall.

The Company also spied an old hobbit woman, cloaked, watching the younger ones talking about the Undertrees. Vidar also encountered a very rude dwarf who chugged the remainder of his beer, belched in his face, and left for the rooms in a huff.

Chapter 6: Old Bones and Skin

The Company was faced with multiple leads to follow based off of the list of names provided by the ranger Mallor before his death and the rumors gathered in the Prancing Pony, including the strange occurrences at the Undertree Smial in Staddle and the mysterious lights seen at the old abandoned Hall of Orgulas, an eccentric hobbit.

The Company decided to take advantage of the market day to confirm the rumors:

Vidar confirms rumors about the Heathertons has Timeas' nephew Tomas Heatherton pointed out to him (but fails to converse with the teen). In the afternoon, Vidar and Gilithion would venture to the Heatherton home in Old Town Bree. Gilithion attempted to awe and impress the young Tomas, who balked, shut the door in the elf's face and ran upstairs. Gilithion would return to the Company at the Prancing Pony but left Vidar to keep an eye on Tomas, leaving the dwarf to take up position for a good smoke in an alley across the street.

Déor confirmed that two other names on the list, Egri and Gron, were the names of ne'er-do-wells who, according to the local stories, killed each other in some sort of argument over a treasure. In the afternoon, Déor and Thorondir then rode to the Hall of Orgulas to find it undisturbed on the outside, but footsteps - and the dark taint of Shadow - were within.

Meanwhile, after finding a cloak in browns and greens for Primrose, she and Laramie found and were able to talk to Albert Undertree, the young "prince" of the prosperous family. Albert was purchasing seemingly unnecessary items like pots and Big Folk sized table settings, and food in quantities more for a party or feast rather than what even a wealthy hobbit family should use for a week. With a little persuasion and careful pressure, Albert confessed that strange Men had taken his family hostage and was using their cellar as a hideout. The leader was up to something dark and vile in their cellar and was poisoning his younger sister Blossom as leverage to keep the family in line. The poison was some strange purple crystals that Albert could not identify.

With these new turns and discoveries, the Company (excepting Vidar) met up in the evening at the Prancing Pony once more. Unfortunately from his position, Vidar could not have seen Tomas Heatherton slip out his window in the back of the building and shimmy down the pipes and trellis to sneak out... and venture to his uncle's grave.

Instead, Tomas is next seen interrupting the atmosphere in the Prancing Pony, calling for help over a ghost in the graveyard - a ghost that tried to kill him. The Company get Tomas to calm down and join them at their table so that he could tell his story. He confesses that he had indeed gone to search his uncle's grave for a treasure map - one he has seen and knows exists as his uncle would go every so often (or when really needed) to fetch a little money here or there to help keep the family afloat and comfortable. Tomas shares that no one believes him and he didn't know why his uncle didn't leave the map to the family. He believed his actions in the graveyard - disturbing the dead - called the ghost to rise.

While Tomas did show he was largely motivated for his family, he did confess some selfish interest (his uncle had shared the secret with him, after all) and thought that was what brought up the ghost. When asked to describe the ghost it became clear to the company that the "ghost" must really be a troll, which indeed would be a public menace. Tomas offered to share a part of his treasure to reward the company if they take on the troll. Déor and Thorondir attempt to counter offer for a majority share since they are the ones taking out the troll, which causes Tomas to balk - they were asking for his family's security as though it were part of an unclaimed troll hoard. In addition, Tomas did not know how much actually was left or ever was in his uncle's treasure.

While they argue, Laramie and Gilithion resolve to go to take out the troll as it needs to be done. They agreed to meet up with their gear at the graveyard outside of town as Gilithion needed to fetch Vidar first. This convinced Déor and Thorondir to join as they would not abandon their comrades (though they were still bickering about shares in the treasure). Tomas was dragged out of the Pony by his father, Nick Heatherton, who tossed a few coins to Thorondir and Déor to at least pay for his son's drinks if not the trouble the lad caused.

In the graveyard, the Company found that the grave had been disturbed and was empty of the body or map. Primrose discovered faint troll tracks heading south. Considering the speed of a troll, the Company calculated that they would need their mounts and supplies for a few days travel.

With mounts and supplies, the Company pursued the troll to its lair in the South Downs, a cave at the end of a gulley, marked with cairns of bones leading to the entrance of the cave. There they discovered that Tomas Heatherton had finally caught up with them to try to find his uncle's body and the map. The company set an ambush for the old troll, slowly rousing and snacking in the growing twilight. The troll seemed to never weary in the fight. Although the troll was tough, dealt mighty blows, and wore chainmail from Angmar, the Company was resolute and prevailed over the troll.

Searching the troll's cave led to the discovery of many interesting (and some gross) things:

• Thorondir: a necklace of gold, crudely made, but valuable enough (2 treasure) and a few silver coins from Bree that were used as toothpicks by the troll.
• Primrose: A few skins of wine and a brace of stolen chickens (a good meal in the offing); she left untouched a coffin from Bree of a known miser, buried with lots of coins.
• Déor: A woman ring (2 treasure) and a woman's finger (eww);
• Vidar: A merchant's purse with a few real coins (1 treasure) and a larger number of tin coins painted to look like silver (9 false treasure); A box containing cheap but well-wrought jewels and rings made by the dwarves of the Blue Mountains (10 treasure)
• Gilithion: a bunch of well-gnawed bones, but then it paid off to find a cunning puzzle-box of dwarven make. Gilithion passed the puzzle box to Vidar to open, and inside was 7 treasure in coin and jewels and a letter, which if delivered to its owner in the Blue Mountains, would carry with it a reward of additional treasure (perhaps 5 or so). Gilithion kept the 7 treasure while Vidar kept the letter.
• Laramie: first spied the bones of a dwarf with a bag of coins underneath (2 treasure) a boot, with an old map inside. Tomas called out that it was his uncle's, leading to an investigation of the map.

• This is a total of 24 treasure spread amongst the Company, 9 false treasure, a chicken dinner, and 5 or so potential treasure from the dwarven letter. (Plus an unknown and Shadow laden amount in the coffin of the miser - estimated at least 7-10 by weight alone.)

The map was a clear drawing of the Bree crossroads area, and of a dwarven style with runes in the Angerthas Moria style around the perimeter reading: (N) HERE OF OLD WAS ARTHEDAIN LAST KING , (W) HERE ARE HALFLINGS IN MULTITUDE, (E) HERE OF OLD WAS THE ROAD TO DURIN'S GATE, (S), HERE CAME THE COMPANY TO SEEK TREASURE.

Noticing a lack of a mark and some ash and residue, Vidar pressed the boy to recall if his uncle had ever held fire to the map. Tomas affirmed the guess and Vidar, grabbing a torch, revealed the existence of smoke runes hidden on the map: magic calls the smoke to adhere to the letters just long enough to be read - a breeze or blow of breath can scatter the smoke to the winds again.

With the addition of torch smoke, together the Company saw a dot placed in the middle of the Midgewater Marshes and read:

HERE LIES THE BLACK BARROW, HERE LIES THE KING'S CHAIR, AND HERE IS WHERE THE KING CAN SEE ALL

Those familiar with the North and old lore recalled one ruin from some old princely house in the marshes with a dais and fireplace, now often called the King's Chair because of its resemblance to a throne. The Company Speculated that this must be where this "black barrow" is, hiding the treasure.

The Company realized they would need to resupply before a multi-day journey into the Marshes, and returned to Bree for tidings and refreshment. In Bree they learned that the convicted Hirlinion had escaped after his guard - young Tad Tillfield- was concussed and temporarily impersonated. Meanwhile, there had been no changes to the situation with the Undertrees in Staddle. A visit to Tad revealed that his attacker smelt badly of cider and something foul or rotten. Checking out the cell, a hobbit-sized ladies' handkerchief was found, reeking of cider and foul earth. Laramie surmised that the embroidered initials "GTU" were for Geneva Tunelly Undertree, Albert Undertree's mother (a great uniting of two prestigious families to boot).

The Company also checked in with Berelas, who, while nervous and unsettled with Hirlinion on the run, agreed to help cure any poison afflicting Blossom Undertree.

These revelations led the company to begin to formulate a rescue raid on Undertree Smial, with Déor swearing their target Hirlionion would not escape at least his justice again. That night, Laramie and Thorondir staked out the place, while the others plotted to separate Albert Undertree from his watchers on the morrow (another market day).

On the stakeout, Laramie and Thorondir were able to obtain a general layout of the grounds around the smial, including the presence of at least two mastiffs in the front garden, and Men as guards (with axes and bows) on the side and rear, where the apple orchard was. They could also see that the only openings for Big Folk to fit in were the front door, rear and side doors, and three big sunny windows for a hall or solarium on the second floor.

Unfortunately, noises were heard and one hobbit made a break for it, desperately running out of the side entrance for safety in the garden, hoping to make it to the road and passersby. Tragically, he did not make it and was shot dead by the guards.

In the morning, the rest of the COmpany put their own plan into action. Albert's watcher, a courier, was tricked and cornered in an alley between Déor and Gilithion at their most imposing. He broke easily, confessing that he acted as a courier between Gorlanc and his agents in the field. He confirmed that Hirlinion was one of those agents and was now holed up in Staddle at the Undertree Smial with Gorlanc and 10-12 of his men. He also confirmed Vidar's rude belching dwarf to be the other dwarf named on Mallor's list, Gror.

While the courier was confessing, Primrose and Vidar approached Albert. After showing him what was going on in the alley, Albert was willing to open up more about the strange and dangerous conditions in his own home.

(This knowledge - and any questions players have will be available at the start of the game to plan the raid - as well as any NPC's you've befriended or can persuade!)

Chapter 7: Death Under the Apple Trees

The Company puts their thinking together to plan a great raid on the Undertree smial in staddle, to free the Undertrees and see the end of escaped murderer Hirlinion and his boss, the sorcerous Gorlanc. This includes communing with both the Reeve of Bree and old Grandmother Tunnelly of Staddle, to request aid from the former and diplomatic courtesies of the latter. The Company came away with the promise of a dozen men (and Tad Tillfield) from the Reeve and, from Grandmother Tunnelly, permission and a restorative luncheon.

The Company comes up with a plan that would see a multi-pronged assault (splitting the party), centering the plan over the forced outside activities of the family to keep face on the secret activities inside their own home - namely afternoon tea in the front garden. Laramie and Primrose would first climb up the smial's hill the long way and sneak down to Blossom's room using rope. Meanwhile, Vidar and Thorondir would sneak through the orchard to the rear exit of the cellars. When Laramie and Primrose go back out the window with Blossom, Gilithion and Déor would ride to attack the side entrance as a distraction. This would also allow a squad of Wardens of Bree to lead the Undertree family away from the garden to a waiting wagon and then reinforce the Company as needed.

While the plan was sound, the Company seemed to be cursed trying to put it into action from nearly the beginning. Laramie got caught in his ropes and both he and Primrose were attacked by the roots of the venerable apple tree the Undertrees live, well, under. Men came to see what the noise and intrusion was about and close combat ensued. Primrose hid under a bed until she could pull herself and Blossom out the window while Laramie was wounded and lay unconscious on the floor. Primrose lowered Blossom to the ground and then carried the girl across the garden to their waiting escape on the wagon.

Seeing Primrose emerge- but not Laramie- Déor and Gilithion rode full tilt at the men guarding the side entrance, who, after a few blows, cravenly ran away. However, Vidar and Thorondir were spotted in their approach, setting off alarm throughout the followers in the smial. Battle ensued for them as well, though Thorondir discovered he was quite adept at taking out others with a deft throw of an apple to the face. They were met by Déor, while Gilithion went to the upper floor to tend to Laramie, leaving him in Blossom's bed to rest.

Together, Vidar, Déor, Thorondir, and Gilithion explored the lower level to see the twisted dark roots grafted by Gorlanc onto the grand old apple tree, Gorlanc's laboratory with strange roots and poisons, and located the secret door to the old cellars now used as a villainous hiding place. Gilithion led the way, immediately fighting a follower on the stair (whom Thorondir also chucked an apple at). In the old cellar, the COmpany fought the last followers of Gorlanc, Hirlinion, and Gorlanc himself - no sorcerer, just an old, twisted man full of lies and deceit. However, with dying breath, Gorlanc swore that he was only one small part of the great power in the North, and they would soon see its strength return!

Afterwards, the Company was able to be together again but left Laramie in Bree to recover, with Berelas for company while they sought out the "Black Barrow" at the old ruins in the marshes. After days of slogging through mud and muck, the Company reached the ruins and, with a little clever spotting, was able to locate the barrow.

The barrow had been recently disturbed, as the sole remaining member of Gorlanc's original gang of treasure hunters, the vile dwarf Gror, made a hasty dash to the barrow and ran with as much as he could carry. The upper chamber was thus fairly empty of treasure - just wayward coin, some equipment, the bones of the Man Egri and dwarf Gron, and of course, noble bones from what lordly house had once been there. Under a trap door, the Company found a lower chamber, though it was greatly flooded. Each made a swimming venture down to grab what they could and return before tiring too much (as they would have to equally slog back to Bree).

The Company found treasure as follows:

• Déor: 5 treasure in coins and a small gold ring (also worth 5 Treasure)
• Vidar: 11 Treasure in small gems
• Gilithion: 14 Treasure in coin
• Thorondir: a silver ring with an emerald set in it (10 treasure) and, spectacularly, a golden crown set with seven sapphires and bearing the emblem of Arthedain
• Primrose: Primrose found 5 treasure for herself and the party, however, she also located the plot

Primrose uncovered a well made wooden box, as though for sailing, still sealed against the rising waters. Inside, wrapped in a fine but frail cloth, was an exceptionally well crafted false palantir. The Company hoped to find answers about it and their other discoveries in Rivendell.

There were only a couple of events on the way, however, they continued to affect the Company's feeling of being temporarily cursed: Primrose ran into a well after failing to track down her prey, and Thorondir discovered a bag of coins in a tree, just sitting there, and included in them was a bloody tooth. Gilithion, somewhat distracted, nearly lost the way into Rivendell - his home - but Thorondir led the way.

Together the Company marveled at the valley in springtime full of the music of the rushing river and waterfalls and an immediate lightness came over them. Gilithion led the Company to his home, where they were welcomed by his sister to rest from their journey.

This is where we end this part of our story, for a Fellowship phase.

The Company will be welcomed into the House of Elrond, and can take part in numerous possible activities. While Elrond, Erestor, Glorfindel, and others journeyed West, many of the noble household have stayed on as they do not see their parts as yet done in Middle Earth. The Company will still find merriment, hospitality, copious libraries and treasuries, and of course some Noldor of renown and wisdom still in Imladris.

Part 3: Of Rumor and Riddles

Chapter 7: Of Legends and Lore

The Company found good rest and restoration in the Hidden Valley, as did Berelas, finally feeling free of Shadow. After a rest and reunion, the company chose several restorative and useful undertakings:

Laramie received the title "Friend of the House of Elrond" and was given Bilbo Baggin's former room, as it was still done up ever so thoughtfully for a hobbit. Gilithion worked hard in the forges, learning how to evaluate treasure and enhance weaponry, though the latter was challenging and his studies remain unfinished. Déor learned the life of a ranger in guarding the East Road for a time, while Thorondir watched from Amon Sul. This together relieved the Warden of Amon Sul, Arbarad, who was able to take the week off to tend to personal matters and have a "vacation" in Bree. Déor wrote a song of searching while Vidar wrote a song of rest. Thorondir honored the fallen Dunadain before him before returning to Rivendell.

Laramie and Vidar also researched lore in the library, but finding information - and reading Elvish languages - made the task difficult. Vidar was able to locate some letters passed between Queen Firiel, her daughter Ardril, and the heir Aranarth, exchanged while waiting for word of Kind Arvedui's safety. Laramie, meanwhile, learned a rumor that Shire-folk archers guarded the King's retreat from Fornost and fought in the Host of the West against the Witch King.

At a dinner celebrating Elladan and Elrohir's return to the Valley - and the company's reunion- the company made several important connections before speaking with the lords of Rivendell themselves.

First, Gilithion met Gondril, a stone worker, and, with some flirting, agreed to accompany her to check on the Last Bridge as springtime melts were more forceful than usual. Thorondir saw a fellow ranger named Hiruval looking a bit off and made plans to check in on him after dinner. Laramie met the ranger's young son, Edrahil, who was quite curious to learn about his culture.

Meanwhile, Vidar was able to question Lindir about Queen Firiel's arrival in Rivendell and translated the letters. Lindir revealed that the Queen did not take many things with her, and did not carry a palantir. she came with her daughter, a handmaiden, and a Queensguard, although he did learn that one turned away: Elladan and Elrohir were in the party that rode out to meet her and they reported one of her guards being sent away. Lindir translated the letters to reveal that the queen and her daughter corresponded with the heir when he made it to safety in the Grey Havens. As Cirdan had a palantir, as did the king, he was able to see the king's escape and later arrange rescue by ship. However, in one letter Ardril reports her mother caring a palantir amongst the few relics she rescued. In another, she corrects herself and it is like it was never there. Lindir thus suggested that Vidar might learn more from the brothers than from him, as he is no librarian unless it comes to wine.

After dinner, Thorondir spoke with Hiraval and learned of his quest to restore the family manor, which had been taken over by bandits. Thorondir noted some of the personality changes in the ranger and the trauma he experienced. However, there was a small suspicion that more could be going on, but he would have to observe further. Hiraval did describe how the estate was in a key location near Amon Sul and was now being watched by the Warden of Amon Sul, Arbarad. If the estate was. restored, it would provide a key base in securing the area between Bree and Rivendell. Hiraval also shared his desire to provide a better life for his son, a real home. Thorondir agreed to help Hiraval with the bandits if the company agreed to the cause.

While Thorondir spoke with Hiraval, the rest of the Company joined Elladan and Elrohir on one of the patios. The brothers had after-dinner cordials to share, and Laramie offered leaf (which Elrohir accepted). After settling in to the evening, the brothers shared their concern for Hiraval and Lindir's request for help for Gondril - two small quests the company could relieve them of. Then, the two shared rumors of bandits and trolls coming from the North and asked that the company might explore while on their quest to learn more than the rumors, and the company agreed.

The company got down to the business at hand, the search for the two palantiri of Arnor. Vidar and Laramie brought up what little they had learned and were able to question the brothers as more eyewitnesses to some of the events in question. the two shared that they had the fortune of knowing Ardril fairly well and continued to wonder about a "mysterious stranger" that helped them in the escape from Fornost. They assumed that perhaps this person was the same one they saw turn away, refusing to go to Rivendell. Queen Firiel was proud, confident, and not a bit frightened. The Queen gave the stranger a package and then ordered him to return to the heir and then find the King. To the company, though, the order seemed a bit too loud to be real, like for anyone overhearing. In regards to the stranger, the twins could only really remember that he looked "as one of our kin or cousins" might, in other words, tall, dark, and at least from partial elven descent as descendants of Elros tend to do.

Elladan and Elrohir also revealed that Hiraval's ancestor, a lord named Huldrahil, was a member of the Queensguard and later was in the rescue party sent North to exchange ransom for the ring of Barahir with the Lossoth. They suggested that if any record or items remained in his vaults, they could provide clues, so helping Hiraval could equally help their quest.

Other notes/clues

Meeting with Damron

Road Maintenance at the Last Bridge

tracking for survivors

Amos the troll and bandits

Rescued dwarves and the surrendered teen.

return to Rivendell

Chapter 10: Nightmares of Angmar

We begin this chapter with our heroes preparing to travel north as their longing mission to search for the Plantier collides with the learning of the danger and growing power in the north. The company spends two weeks catching up on chores, letter writing, and recovery in Bree, this includes sending letters and contacting Elladan and Elrohir, as well as Aragorn. The company also successfully purchased and organized supplies. However, listening for rumors in the Prancing Pony led them to learn nothing, despite several shifty-looking patrons and two market days. Gillithion is also briefly visited by Feredrun. When all were recovered, the company made for the Last Bridge, and from there almost due North to the refuge of the Rangers hidden in the foothills and slopes of Mount Gran. Fortunately, along with supplies, the company had traded a signet ring for a traveling horse who could lead the others over the rough terrain. With this horse, the company's travel time was shortened to a mere eight days.

The company passed north over green grasslands and wooded hills all but abandoned by Man. These lands clearly once held many people from the ruins dotting the landscape, and the party imagined how they could be populated again. The summer sun grew steadily colder, and no longer gave a cheer as the company entered the wastes around Angmar. Thanks to Deor, the company was able to avoid a spectre and the trip was largely uneventful. The refuge was hidden in a small valley behind a natural optical illusion. It appears to be nothing but a few boulders in among the trees, but when approached at the right angle and with the right turn, the maze of stones with several dead ends leads to a sizable tallus cave. The horse must enter one at a time, but there is more than enough room for them, the company, and our gear. A small stream from a spring runs along the back of the cavern and is safe to drink from. Searching the refuge, revealed a healing kit and other small supplies. The company resolved to rest, hunt and scout out the land from the refuge for several days.

As part of their scouting of the area, the company was able to locate small game and see a great view of the Grey Waste of Angmar below them. Additionally, Deor and Laramie came across a memorial circle in an area of barren ground where at one time the Eotheod piled and burned the bodies of their enemies. No grass or flower ever grows on these dead spots, and their emptiness reminds the Hill-men of their past and the divide between them and the other Northmen. While he was contemplating this history, Deor was spotted by 2 wolf dogs who came bounding over a high wall on the far side of the circle. They did not attack but turned back in the direction whence they came. So to did Deor and Laramie, who snuck back to the refuge to relate what they had seen and form a plan to scout out where the wolfdogs had come from.

The wolfdogs belonged to a group of hillmen who were approaching the memorial circle from the other side. The barking alerted them, who waited for the company to approach (which they did not). Eventually, the two groups would meet each other again, scouting each other on the following day. These warriors belonged to a tribe descending from those hillmen who escaped the wrath of their enemies by hiding east of the Misty Mountains in the vales of Gundabad. From there, small tribes and villages were able to repopulate the mountains. Some returned to serve the Witch King in Angmar while others, remembering the past, stuck to their own business and the survival of their people. The company engaged the Hillmen peacefully and was able to speak to their chief face-to-face.

The chief is a man called Cynbal, who is rugged and weather-worn yet paled from living in the darkness under the hills. He talked in a low jarring voice while pointing two scabrous fingers at anyone he addresses. Some members of the company presented themselves with humble courtesy while others attempted to impress him with Awe, which he rejected. Laramy gained the most conversation with Cynbal, and the two shared information, including the history of the hillmen and the goal of the party to cross into Angmar. Cynbal, tired of the word duel, rose to stretch and swing his sword. He pointed at Laramie to do something similar to get a display of strength from the company. Satisfied with the company's strength and skill, he invites them to participate in a contest of strength called the Black Helms.

Laramie and Deor were allowed to join the competition while Vidar, Gillithion, and Thorondir prepared to sling mud and heckle the opponents. In explaining the upcoming contest, the company was able to observe the other warriors: three Warriors joined the competition, the first was Fraech, who was the second-in-command. He has scars from a bear attack on his left arm and wears the fur cape from the foresaid bear. He appears to be interested in Chief's eldest niece - the only maiden in the party (Essylt the Fair). The second in the competition was Bedwyr, the protector and personal bodyguard of the chief. He notably carries a shield with the carved image of a wolfdog head and wears a black iron cap. His long beard covers a deformity in his jaw. As a cousin to Cynbal, the chief seems to prefer Bedwyr for his niece. The third warrior to join the competition was Taredd. Of all of the tribe members, Taredd is the cruelest, acting more crazed or perhaps more wolf than man. He wears no helm, his clothes are ragged, stained with blood, and covered with thistles.

The other tribe members and warriors that the company meets include Heilyn, Sul, and Uthecar - The chief's younger brothers and the tribe's scouts and lookouts. The first wears an armband of teeth, the second a green tunic, and the last a large helm. Otherwise, they are quite similar in appearance. Daga and Nantha are the names of their wolfdogs (Male & Female). Nantha recently had a litter of pups. Gwal is Cynbal's disfigured son - one eye droops while the other raises, one ear is deaf while the other never formed, one hand has six fingers while the other has two, but Gwal is the fastest, most surefooted errand runner of all the tribe. Next, come the twin sons of the chief, Durthact and Madacht - Quite burly, they carry extra long spears, self-made, and other pieces of iron jewelry. Durthact is missing fingers while Madacht is blind in one eye. Madacht has also brought his son March. He is half the size of his father but wears a heavy iron helm and carries a broadsword nonetheless. It is clear that he only recently joined the older men. He may be dreaming of his first hunt, a goat or a bear. The last warrior is Cynbal's father Forgall. The last of the group is Essylt - Essalt is a rare beauty. Cynbal wishes to give her away to Bedwyr today through the contest, but she hisses and spits at the thought of a husband.

The chief reviewed the rules and prizes of the mock fight. No use of weapons, no deliberate harm, with the goal of knocking off the competitor's helmets. The last man with their helmet on wins. Those not in the competition were provided wooden buckets of mud so they could join the action and make a mess of things. Fraech charged Laramie, making the hobbit out to be the company's champion. Bedwyr charged Teredd, popping his helm off with a terrible squeeze. Deor then went after Bedwyn. Laramie climbed up his opponent and was able to remove Fraech's helm, removing him from the competition. Vidar and Gellithian made quite a mess of Bedwyn, but Laramie was also struck and would not last. Deor, seizing the advantage, was able to outmatch Bedwyn and won the competition. Deor is proclaimed the winner of the roast, cape, and Essylt. Seeing her unhappiness, he suggests giving Essylt to herself, the roast to be shared, and the fur for himself. Essylt nods and seems to see the company favorably.

As soon as the fight was over, a dense fog rolled in, making it impossible to proceed with the celebration. The loss of visibility and chill strikes fear in the superstitious hillmen. In the hustle, Cynbal orders everyone back to dens and Gwal back to warn the women. Cynbal invites the company to send the night under the earth with them, but before the companions can respond, a distant screen is heard. It is a woman's voice echoing through the hills before being cut off. Forgal speaks to scold his son, identifying the scream as belonging to Cynbol's wife. He blames Cymbal for welcoming outsiders. The hillmen and the company run through the fog to see what has happened. Flames could be seen rising from the hillmen's refuge, rough houses of dry mud, wood, and piled rocks, built around entrances to their tunnel network. Gwal stood coughing and choking and the sound of yelping puppies was heard. The two wolf dogs ran to find their offspring. Afraid of the fire, the hillmen were frantic and bewildered. Only Fraich reluctantly proceeded, disappearing into the smoke. Essylt, crying, looked to the company for help and explained that her mother, sisters, and brothers were in there.

Choosing to rush into the fire, the companions search for survivors. Sadly, they discover several hill women dead on the ground, pierced with arrows and broken blades, hands tied behind their backs with rope. It is Orc work, or perhaps goblins. Vidar finds the lone survivor hiding in a hold in the ground, weeping with deep sobs. It is Briga, the wife of Medacht; she is pregnant. She screams that goblins have taken all of the children and begs the company to save them. However, as the fire is too intense to reach the tunnels, they must rejoin the tribe on the outskirts of the camp.

Outside the burning camp a pack of wild wolves, led by a Warg, arrives to attack the company: emissaries of an unseen enemy sent to thwart them. Forgal greets his warg friend in their growling tongue while the rest of the tribe leaves quickly to access other pathways to pursue the goblins and the children. It becomes quickly clear that the company must face the wolves and Forgal on their own. Further hindering the company, Forgal calls in freezing fog to make the fight more difficult. With great effort, the Company is able to defeat the Warg, knock Forgo unconscious and slay enough wild wolves for the remainder to run. Before the company can attend to their wounds, a regiment of grey crows scatters from the pines heading northward, the snow and fog obscure them. But a few words in their crowing can be heard: "Return to Angmar, Carndum! Carndum!" They say over and over. Soon after, Cynbol and the tribesmen return to address the company and gather a plan. They are deeply distraught by the dead wolves. Bedwyr steps forward and says the company had brought ill upon the hillmen and that killing the wolves was a blow against them. To him, the company is as bad as the goblins who were once their friends as well. In response, the company reveals the bound Forgel and explains how he had called the freezing fog and spoke with the Worg against his own people.

Though Deor wishes to kill Forgol, Vidar seems to trip over his own tongue while Thorondir and Laramie attempt to smooth things over through words of courtesy. Gillithion uses his most persuasive voice to convince the tribesmen that they are on the same side. His words most impress March, who thinks the Elf is using magic. Not many tribesmen move to speak, but Gwal plucks up his courage. He stands in the center and agrees with the party that it is not their fault. He shares how it is known that they are not the only tribe with missing children. Ghost Wargs have been howling in the night for a generation. And it is tie something is done about it. He is tired of sending words of warning from refuge to refuge just to see other hillmen die. Essylt, overcome with grief, only cries. Cynbal pronounces his decision. In the morning they will gather other chieftains and warriors for a terrible counsel to decide the best course of action. By the time Cynbal speaks, the fog has lifted and night has fallen. Again Cynbal offers the company shelter in a burrow outside of camp. That evening, some of the warriors prowl the land in spirit warg form in search of their children, but they find nothing. Their eerie howl adds a mystery to the company about their safety.

Sometime before dawn, Gillithion awakes from a nightmare drenched in sweat and startled the rest of the group with a loud gasp. He explains his dream was of a bridge covered in Snow over a deep gorge. Great towers lay in ruins and shrouded in ice. he could hear the sound of children crying from somewhere in the mountain. but when he began to cross the bridge, a piercing wail filled the air as something blotted the light of the sun. After explaining int, Gathitina recognizes the place as a place Feredrun spoke of when she came to him in Bree. It is the frozen path to Carn Dum.

The company discovers that a number of chieftains from various hellman tribes have gathered on top of a nearby mound in sight of the camp. the bodies of the dead have been covered and laid out for burial. Tempers flare as they discuss their options. They cannot count on the help of Northmen, nor can they count on or take the time to ask Baorning across the mountains. Whoever goes must go farther than they would ever dare travel. Some suggest the idea of going to speak to the chief of the Worgs, another reluctantly mentions sending a rescue expedition, while others should remain in the hills and preserve their lives. The company is able to learn that the hillmen were often enslaved by both the Angmar and the Northmen. They fear the rising river waters, floods, and the vastness of the grey waste. They tie floods to a curse from those old times. The company is able to convince the hillmen that it is possible that the chief of the Wargs may be in league with the goblins and Orcs out of Angmar. As the Company has already revealed that Angmar is their destination, Essylt rises instead and announces that she will go with them and do what the chiefs cannot. Her eyes are hard and resolute.

Essylt says: "I will hinder your safe plans by marching into Angmar myself and reclaiming my brothers and sisters! They are but frightened children and the cruel hands of the orcs. I may now be an orphan maiden, but that is not all. Essylt I am, Heddwyn's daughter! Do not stand before me and my kin. move aside or join me, for I defy the man who would attempt to stop me."

In a swift motion, Fraech steps forward and offers to go as Essylt's protector. Observing he cannot halt such determination, Cynbal concedes and the council disperses. He recommends warm clothes, food, and sharp weapons, and recommends finding Hwalda, who is a mixed-blood guide.

The company spends time packing furlined cloaks, thick clothes, extra boots, tried meats, nuts, frying pans, pots, water skins, ropes, torches, flint, and any other important traveling gear. Some of it was salvaged from the village.

Cynbal fears for Essylt but says they will look for her return on a clear, cool morning. And if the grasses and flowers are growing the memorial circles, it will be a sign that the dark days are passed. The chief, Essylt and Fraech explain that they have not traveled outside of the mountains and do not know the passes or dangers leading to Carn Dum. The company too recognizes the value in finding Hwalda who lives only a day's walk or so but may be able to guide anyone willing to give her the proper payment. Cynbal and his men saw her a few days ago returning from a trip, so she should be easy for the company to find...

Chapter 11: Unexpected Friends And Unexpected Foes

The Company went to seek out Hwalda, who resides in a village camp a day's hike from the Hillmen the company encountered. Hwalda was curious and showed some of her adventurous nature through her bearing and attire, including a warg pelt cape and a Dwarven sword from Erebor. With various efforts, the Company persuaded Hwalda that both quests were noble undertakings, and she committed to joining the party wholeheartedly, plus two shares of the found treasure. She pledged a willingness to assist in diversions and rescues, providing an additional lookout and a surprise presence if needed. She agrees that the best and quickest path is best in order to mount a rescue and that the shortest path is to cross the Grey Waste.

Additionally, the Company learns that Hwalda had seen the dark tower in dreams, and feels the quest is something she is meant to do. Over dinner, she shares that her mother was a Hillwoman and her father was a Northman. Raised both in the Vales of Gundabad and the Arnor side of the mountains, she grew up to not fear travel through the mountains, though one should always realistically fear goblins and orcs. She has no desire for a husband or children or to settle down, so has taken her life as a traveler and guide.

Resting in camp, Gilithion again has a nightmare about the missing children. In his dream, he descends a stair in the void, hearing their screams. He was attacked by a monstrous wolf which evaporates and is then commanded to "serve him or die."

Crossing the Grey Waste is a 100-mile trek heading northeast. About halfway through the travel, the cold began to get steadily worse, and flurries began to assail the Company. The trip was not without peril: Gilithion kept getting visits from a spectre telling the tale of how his family was slain by orcs fleeing the advance of the Men of the West while Vidar became lost in a storm of ashes for several hours.

Finally, the Company looked out on Nan Gorthrim, the Valley of the Dead, where they saw an iced-over tower in a long, narrow dale cut by dirty and poisonous streams, though Hwalda says she knows of a spring that is safe. The Company decides to skirt a settlement in the valley to check out the encrusted tower for clues before continuing on to Carn Dum. Hwalda points out a tunnel system that they can enter through but remains outside with Laramie, Essylt, and Fraech to keep watch over the horses and gear.

The Company discovered that the tower had been inhabited by a great orc of some sort, and the stores raided by goblins. A store room contained scrolls that Gilithion saved to try to help Feredrun. The uppermost floor had levered windows to let in the sunlight. Opening them, the company saw runes of every color illuminating every inch of the walls and ceiling; this was the Witch-king's wizard tower. The top was also surprisingly warm, causing the ice outside to melt (and explaining the rivulets of fresh water they saw climbing a stair to the tunnels). Gilithion set himself to task, copying as much of the dark and twisted writing as he could.

Thorondir, meanwhile, carefully removed as much of the great orc's personal treasure stash as he could. In doing so, he found the Dark Hand of Righteousness, an elven blade clearly the sister sword to Gilithion's Light Hand of Shadow. Both blades had inscriptions in Quenya, dating them to days in Beleriand before King Thengol learned of the Kinslaying in Aqualonde. This both puzzled and intrigued the Company as they wondered who the swords belong to and how they came to Angmar.

Meanwhile, the Company noticed that they had been followed and watched by goblins, who surely scurried off to fetch their war boss. While Gilithion scribed, Vidar delved into the other tunnels, finding a few useful items, a week's worth of food, and a special set of crafting tools. The company then planned an ambush. This included assessing several hanging lanterns for their ability to be dropped suddenly, hopefully taking out the great orc with the weight of wrought iron and chain. Laramie and Vidar hid in an old guard room while the others took their places. When the sound of approaching goblins was heard, Gilithion too packed up his things to prepare for battle.

Soon the Company found themselves beset by a goblin horde with no end in sight, as fallen goblins were swiftly replaced by fresh enemies. In the fight, Thorondir briefly lost consciousness but awoke to see his new sword (and Gilithion's) glowing - the Orc had come! The Deadly One entered; an immense great orc wielding a heavy scimitar and broad-headed spear which he immediately threw at Deor. Thorondir attempted to hit the orc with a falling lantern but failed his attempt. Vidar, seeing the way the timing worked, was able to hit - and finally, slay - the Deadly One.

The Company was able to rest and regroup in the old sorcerer's tower. Here Gilithion was best by year another dream. In this, the children could still be heard, but Essylt, too, as she screamed "No, father!" and rushed past Gilithion in a narrow passage.

They gathered their resolve for the next leg of the journey: the Frozen Path to Carn Dum, a perilous and difficult journey of twenty-four days. The Company almost interrupted an orc band slaughtering goblins for their uselessness; whatever provoked the conflict, they did not learn as they moved swiftly to evade the danger.

On the other hand, the Company also spied a group of goblins carrying what looked like a body bundled up. Following them off the path, however, was a trap! the Goblins laughed with glee and dropped their package, leaving the Company to face the Lurker, a crustacean of unusual size with pincers and blade-like legs. The Company was able to overpower the beast, enough for it to run away, down a tunnel that looked like it would go to the center of the earth.

The Company explored the antechamber, the room right at the opening of the cave. Here they found plenty of bleak debris, but hidden among the detritus was some treasure, mostly of Dwarven make, and a pale green beryl, an Elf-stone, but whether it was set there or let fall would be impossible to say. The Company did, however, connect it to the Sindarin writing on the wall: "Here Belegorn son of Bergil of Dol Amroth / banished the thing from the abyss / but died of its foul wounds / Glorfindel of the elves retrieved his body to return to his family."

The company resolved to find out more about Belegorn and wondered if the stone connected him and Glorfindel, and what the stone may have been set in originally, like a pommel, helm, or gorget.

Finally, the Company reached a view of their destination. Carn Dum sits perched atop a steep cliff of stone, the face of which was mottled and carved with vents spewing plumes of vapor, indicating the operation of furnaces somewhere in the deep of the mountain. The keep is half ruined but shows some repair from the recent decades as the Witch-king had been here last in recent memory compared to its previous years of slumber. Orcs and goblins could be seen working across the ice, indicating more within the fortress mountain. A great gate lay at the front and before the gate was a bridge spanning the chasm of the red valley with a sinister sort of grace. Great stalactites hung down from the structure like fangs of a great beast. This was the bridge from Gilithion's first nightmare.

Although it would appear that the bridge might be the only way in, the Company resolved to find another way in and so made their way carefully to the bottom of the chasm to search the valley floor for a secret passage or other such doors. One indeed was found, and Vidar made to use his Dwarven cunning to open the door. Opening the door revealed four Hill-men and two wolf-dogs standing guard over a sleeping body. As they entered to fight, the sleeper awoke to lay its eyes on the company and curse them. Essylt, seeing the person, recognized him as her lost father Hedwynn, and rushed in screaming, "Father, no!"

Hadwynn called for Essylt to join him and see the glory of his deeds, saying that a true king would return to the, and that she could live as the new Queen in Angmar!

However, sounds of battle were also heard outside, and the company shut the door quickly, locking out a battle but locking them inside. The fight was difficult for the weary company: Thorondir fell unconscious again, Hedwynn used dastardly spells to freeze and strike fear in the Company, and the Hill-men were stout and strong. Eventually, all fell to the blades of the Company. Although Essylt and Fraech were confused at the appearance of Heddwyn, it was a puzzle for a later time, and the Company pressed on into the tunnels to find the children.

Unfortunately, the Company spent over long searching through the maze of tunnels for the right path, and could not easily sneak past forges and sleeping areas full of orcs and goblins, so a diversion was created with Gilithion revealing his own majesty and running back the way they had come, leading a host of the enemy away and, eventually, outside to where he could see the banners of Elladan and Elrohir, joined by other elves and rangers. He was passed a vial of miruvor, which he saved for his companions.

This diversion allowed the Company to take out the orc guards in the prison chambers under the mountain. There, they were able to release over fifty children, from Essylt's clan and others scattered through the mountains. Essylt, Fraech, and Hwalda would guide the children while the Company led them safely through the maze and to the outside.

While the company traveled underground, the battle continued to rage on above ground until at last the orc and hill men were routed, scattering the remaining goblins to run into the surrounding mountainside.

After emerging to light and safety, Essylt, Fraech, and Hwalda thanked the Company and declared their intent to return the children to the clans or to the Vales of Gundabad. Fraech set to organize supplies for the trip for the children. Essylt wished to make allies of the free folk of the North and hoped that the return of the children may do well to unite the Hill Men to drive out the goblins once and for all. Thorondir gave Essylt a wax impression of his Star, so that she could show it and not be troubled the next time she goes south. Hwalda was given her share of the treasure found so far, and (with a wink) she too stated she would remain a friend of the company, should they need her services in the future.

Their preparations also allowed the Company to explore some of the fortress of Carn Dum, but not all. Above ground, mural chambers were found. They had recently housed a troll, which was killed in the battle. The company found a small hoard within.

The Hall of the Witch-King, a rotting mausoleum of greenish-black stone, was explored next. Sorcerous inscriptions once effaced the walls, like in the previous tower, but many had been effaced by the enemies of Angmar in earlier days, leaving a scarred, pocked appearance. Still, newer construction was evident from more recent days prior to the defeat of the Dark Lord. Entering, the color slowly drained away until only black and grey were visible. To the side of the hall was a corridor leading to a round chamber. Here, on a pedestal and under a cloth, sat the familiar round shape of a palantir.

The Company swiftly took the orb out of the Hall and into the frozen daylight. At first, they did not wish to remove the cloth but decided that at a safe time they would verify that it was real and not false, like the previous duplicate. It called to Thorondir, and he eventually gave in to its charms.

This experience was more powerful than attempting to use the palantir in Minas Tirith. It flew over the landscape of Arnor, but settled on a few distinct images: blue, rocks, clouds, a seagull, the water, darkness again, and a mysterious presence. Someone was also viewing from the other side, some other palantir.

Eventually, Thorondir directed his will to the stone, and made contact with the stone in Minas Tirith. Thorondir was able to reach his cousin, and share news of their endeavors. King Elessar confirmed that, since they were able to connect such, the stone in their possession must be the master stone of Amon Sul, to which the other stones are bound and directed. Thorondir also asked him to look for the swords they had found, and the pale green elf-stone from Dol Amroth. He promised to send plans by letter or messenger, and in return, Arwen would direct a search through the archives. Plans should not be revealed, as the presence was near.

The Company had achieved a part of their quest, but they were left with a long road home ahead, a great need for rest, and several questions remaining:

• Who did the Queen pass off her palantir to, and how was it exchanged with the duplicate?
• What lies on the seashore?
• Who or what is the presence watching from the palantir?
• What locations might have old vaults or places to find information on the Queen's path after all this time?
• Could a plan be mounted to drive out the troll leadership and quash that gathering?
• Who is really the witch-servant of Angmar? Was Heddwyn doing this on his own, or was he, like Gorthanc and the others, acting on behalf of something much more dark and fell?
• Could Gilithion's findings be enough to free Feredrun?
• What evil still lurked in the Barrows, that the Company had been unable to fully address the rumors of?

And, where would the Company members spend their winter, including undertakings to restore themselves before heading out once more?