The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post

Burzdol · 02-21-2003, 03:50 PM

Maikafanwen's Post

Ani Dao stood next to the dwarf Durin, who was Dain’s son, listening to the discussion. Bali had informed the group of warriors of their mission and already had given them a choice. Was the group to travel by way of Caradhras, or the Gap of Rohan? When Bali had inquired about the subject, Ani Dao immediately thought of safety and mentally decided on Gap of Rohan. However, most of the dwarves had stepped forward and immediately voted Caradhras. They were too quick in their decisions, thinking only of reaching Erebor on time. Suppose Caradhras betrays us?, thought Ani Dao, then the time would take even longer and Erebor would most definitely fall. Feeling a bit guilty at her reason for joining the expedition, she decided to consider the safety of the company, and be of some importance to their assembly. She was about to give her opinion when the man, Kaldon stepped forward,
"You all have good, sound arguments, but I think you overestimate the foes attacking Erebor. It would be safer to take the pass of the Gap. You cannot imagine how dangerous the Caradhras is, most of you would not last a day on its frozen slopes." Kili protested angrily, but Kaldon didn’t waver his vote. Ani Dao knew by the glances cast towards Kaldon, that not many trusted him. His dark looks gave him an evil appearance.

There was only one vote for the Gap, and the rest were for Caradhras. Ani Dao shook her head. The Gap of Rohan would be safest, and the smartest at that. If the rest would only think about it rationally and set aside their determination to reach Erebor quickly, they would realize it. Kili was most vexed about Kaldon’s comment, and Bali attempted to settle his spirits:

"Kili, calm down," said Bali. "He is right, though, Kaldon. A group such as this will travel over the Caradhras easily."
Ani Dao spoke up as Belegond and Kili left the group for a moment, “Easily? She looked quickly at the group’s leader. “Caradhras is never easy.” Her words were sharp. “The mountain doesn’t care if we are a hundred brave and strong dwarves, or an old group of elves, it can devour us! You all are too quick in your decisions. The path of that mountain is treacherous. Those of you who have crossed it were lucky. I do not think we will make it through that pass. And if we don’t, what happens then? We have failed. It is as simple as that. We would never reach Erebor in time. Think of your family.” She glanced at Dain, and Gromfelt. “Maybe Kaldon is right.” She gestured without looking towards the dark man, “Maybe you do over estimate your foe, the Uruks. Perhaps they are not so strong.” Even as she said it, she began to doubt it … she glimpsed suddenly towards Kaldon, wondering if he mean to lead them back... Something’s not right ….

Her mind raced with new thoughts. What was so dangerous? Snow … bah! We have dwarves, the bravest and strongest of all the races. Elves, there are three of us, and the weather and ice is no threat to us either. But the men … men are stubborn and invalid. They think too highly of themselves, costing them sometimes their lives. Ani Dao had never liked them, choosing to spend her time with the dwarves. She looked then at the young girl. She had no idea why she was there, and why Bali had chosen her. The young Rohanian would only be a problem. She thought anew, Caradhras could be conquered. And if it cost the lives of the men, it was their own foolishness. Ani spoke again,

“But,” she said slowly, “Maybe I am wrong, and Bali is right.” She looked challengingly at the rest of the group. “Perhaps we will cross this mountain. As a matter of fact, I do not think we have a choice no matter how perilous it is,” her voice began to raise with determination now, and she made to quiet herself. “Besides”, a smile crossed her thin face, “we are not a hundred dwarves, and certainly not old elves.” She looked respectfully at Astarielle and Burzdol. “We instead, are five from the race of men, five of the race of dwarves, two elves, and a half-elven. All of us are warriors, and brave. If we take the Gap, we will be too late. Kaldon, I believe you are over-estimating our foe. We must take the path of Caradhras.” The warrior glanced towards her friend, Durin, and the moved beside the dwarves who had already made their decision.

---------------------------------------------

Burzdol strayed out from the rest of the group. He found a nice small log. This will work for Bali. Then he heard some dwarf, outraged, saying something anout how Kaldon was saying they weren't tough enough to survive the cold ahead. The elf laughed to himself and sat down on a rock to carve the log. I'll just wait here and widel until we move out again.

********************************************

Hogar laughed at the mad dwarves. He lit a pipe and stuck it in his mouth as he watched Kaldon debate with the dwarves. He could see that the man seemed unconcerned by the dwarves. He watched in content and then signaled to the dwarf. Hogar walked into the woods behind Bali, his axe raised. A sound of string being pulled tight was in the woods somewhere. What was that sound? The dwrf turned to see an arrow point thrust near his face. That dang elf. Why was he out here?

Hogar lowered his axe, "Why hello yon elf."

"Put the axe down now or I'll shoot," Burzdol said with the arrow pushing closer.

As soon as Hogar let down his axe the elf jumped on him. The two rolled out into the middle of the group. Bali and Kaldon came and pulled the two apart still yelling at each other.

Bali and Burzdol walked away into the woods. Burzdol sat down on a fallen tree. Bali sat also and the elf told what he had seen.

[ February 21, 2003: Message edited by: Burzdol ]
Manikafanawen's PostMaikafanawen's Post

[ February 21, 2003: Message edited by: Burzdol ]

02-21-2003, 03:50 PM	#11
Burzdol Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: The Fair City of Rivendell Posts: 274	Maikafanwen's Post Ani Dao stood next to the dwarf Durin, who was Dain’s son, listening to the discussion. Bali had informed the group of warriors of their mission and already had given them a choice. Was the group to travel by way of Caradhras, or the Gap of Rohan? When Bali had inquired about the subject, Ani Dao immediately thought of safety and mentally decided on Gap of Rohan. However, most of the dwarves had stepped forward and immediately voted Caradhras. They were too quick in their decisions, thinking only of reaching Erebor on time. Suppose Caradhras betrays us?, thought Ani Dao, then the time would take even longer and Erebor would most definitely fall. Feeling a bit guilty at her reason for joining the expedition, she decided to consider the safety of the company, and be of some importance to their assembly. She was about to give her opinion when the man, Kaldon stepped forward, "You all have good, sound arguments, but I think you overestimate the foes attacking Erebor. It would be safer to take the pass of the Gap. You cannot imagine how dangerous the Caradhras is, most of you would not last a day on its frozen slopes." Kili protested angrily, but Kaldon didn’t waver his vote. Ani Dao knew by the glances cast towards Kaldon, that not many trusted him. His dark looks gave him an evil appearance. There was only one vote for the Gap, and the rest were for Caradhras. Ani Dao shook her head. The Gap of Rohan would be safest, and the smartest at that. If the rest would only think about it rationally and set aside their determination to reach Erebor quickly, they would realize it. Kili was most vexed about Kaldon’s comment, and Bali attempted to settle his spirits: "Kili, calm down," said Bali. "He is right, though, Kaldon. A group such as this will travel over the Caradhras easily." Ani Dao spoke up as Belegond and Kili left the group for a moment, “Easily? She looked quickly at the group’s leader. “Caradhras is never easy.” Her words were sharp. “The mountain doesn’t care if we are a hundred brave and strong dwarves, or an old group of elves, it can devour us! You all are too quick in your decisions. The path of that mountain is treacherous. Those of you who have crossed it were lucky. I do not think we will make it through that pass. And if we don’t, what happens then? We have failed. It is as simple as that. We would never reach Erebor in time. Think of your family.” She glanced at Dain, and Gromfelt. “Maybe Kaldon is right.” She gestured without looking towards the dark man, “Maybe you do over estimate your foe, the Uruks. Perhaps they are not so strong.” Even as she said it, she began to doubt it … she glimpsed suddenly towards Kaldon, wondering if he mean to lead them back... Something’s not right …. Her mind raced with new thoughts. What was so dangerous? Snow … bah! We have dwarves, the bravest and strongest of all the races. Elves, there are three of us, and the weather and ice is no threat to us either. But the men … men are stubborn and invalid. They think too highly of themselves, costing them sometimes their lives. Ani Dao had never liked them, choosing to spend her time with the dwarves. She looked then at the young girl. She had no idea why she was there, and why Bali had chosen her. The young Rohanian would only be a problem. She thought anew, Caradhras could be conquered. And if it cost the lives of the men, it was their own foolishness. Ani spoke again, “But,” she said slowly, “Maybe I am wrong, and Bali is right.” She looked challengingly at the rest of the group. “Perhaps we will cross this mountain. As a matter of fact, I do not think we have a choice no matter how perilous it is,” her voice began to raise with determination now, and she made to quiet herself. “Besides”, a smile crossed her thin face, “we are not a hundred dwarves, and certainly not old elves.” She looked respectfully at Astarielle and Burzdol. “We instead, are five from the race of men, five of the race of dwarves, two elves, and a half-elven. All of us are warriors, and brave. If we take the Gap, we will be too late. Kaldon, I believe you are over-estimating our foe. We must take the path of Caradhras.” The warrior glanced towards her friend, Durin, and the moved beside the dwarves who had already made their decision. --------------------------------------------- Burzdol strayed out from the rest of the group. He found a nice small log. This will work for Bali. Then he heard some dwarf, outraged, saying something anout how Kaldon was saying they weren't tough enough to survive the cold ahead. The elf laughed to himself and sat down on a rock to carve the log. I'll just wait here and widel until we move out again. ******************************************** Hogar laughed at the mad dwarves. He lit a pipe and stuck it in his mouth as he watched Kaldon debate with the dwarves. He could see that the man seemed unconcerned by the dwarves. He watched in content and then signaled to the dwarf. Hogar walked into the woods behind Bali, his axe raised. A sound of string being pulled tight was in the woods somewhere. What was that sound? The dwrf turned to see an arrow point thrust near his face. That dang elf. Why was he out here? Hogar lowered his axe, "Why hello yon elf." "Put the axe down now or I'll shoot," Burzdol said with the arrow pushing closer. As soon as Hogar let down his axe the elf jumped on him. The two rolled out into the middle of the group. Bali and Kaldon came and pulled the two apart still yelling at each other. Bali and Burzdol walked away into the woods. Burzdol sat down on a fallen tree. Bali sat also and the elf told what he had seen. [ February 21, 2003: Message edited by: Burzdol ] Manikafanawen's PostMaikafanawen's Post [ February 21, 2003: Message edited by: Burzdol ] __________________ "Kill them all for all I care. You just keep that bow away from me!"