The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Castle Maladil

Gandalf_theGrey · 04-03-2003, 01:42 AM

* Gandalf folded the deed to Laurëondo with a neat crisp crease, then placed the time-browned parchment for safekeeping into the same pouch that held Elrond's letter to Galadriel. *

* A bedraggled woman who yet carried herself with a drifting gracefulness strolled up. Introducing herself as Anna, she looked down, gazing at the impressions in the deep grass made by the many strange pairs of feet come to the Castle this fateful night. And what would be Anna's own fate? Pretending to be the rightful owner of the body of Linea, Linea of Bree, would be no use if someone asked her any questions beyond her name and town. Surely this old grey man looking as bedraggled as she did would not harm her? Though perhaps his fierce-featured Elvish companion might. Anna's gaze traveled from the old man rubbing absently at an injured arm to the fearsome warrior who'd come to stand up to Maladil, blade to blade. No Elf had ever drawn a weapon against Lord Maladil before, neither in life nor death. * "I will consent to your owning the Castle, if you will consent to my living in it."

"Done. I, Gandalf, consent on behalf of Elrond and Galadriel, and you will consent to their terms governing your life here. For though you are free of Maladil's curse, you remain here now as a captive of your own making. And yet as this place becomes a House of Healing, may you find healing here as well, Anna." * Gandalf reached out to Anna with a firm handshake to seal the deal. *

* Noticing Calimiel's newly-left body at the foot of the Castle wall, Gandalf motioned sadly to Estelarion and Nardol. Not long after, another grave joined the others recently dug out back. *

* In between tending to such necessarily somber duties, Gandalf shared with the company well-earned smiles of relief and accomplishment. The wizard beamed at the sight of Poppy hanging onto the Green Book of Laurëondo once again. "Why Ambassador, as the first one in an entire Age to set foot inside the Castle of your own will, you've made history! Keep now the Green Book, for you deserve a page of your own therein."

* Likewise, Gandalf urged Hinura to keep the Key which the sweetness of her bardic voice had led her to discover, and Menelduliniel to keep the Note with its well-chosen words to match the lyrics she'd chosen with such generous wisdom. He then spoke to the Company in general. * "Each one of you as a reward for your heroic labors on this successful quest is entitled to either a fair share in the sack of gold sent here by Elrond, or to one treasure from within the former Castle … though take nothing belonging to Anna."

* As for Gandalf, he strode through the Castle rooms, and for his treasure, settled on the small, battered tin Shire-watch he found perched atop the fireplace mantel of the Private Dining Room. It would make quite a curio for the mathom house at Michel Delving. Indeed, it was engraved with a "G" … and another letter as well, but the second letter had been blunted through the years into illegibility. *

* As he was pocketing his chosen item, the wizard noticed a familiar ethereal figure ... Kenelm, son of Maladil. Gandalf bowed. * "You are free to go into the West. To the Halls of Mandos, then Valinor."

* Kenelm bowed back, letting escape a sad sigh. * "Ah, Valinor! Such beauty there. But … Father would not approve."

"Your father is not here, Kenelm." * Gandalf's voice was as gentle as he could make it. * "Look first around the Castle if you wish. Then, you may take your leave when you are ready."

* Certain other ghosts had delayed their journey as well. Daerohil could be found in the stables, currying horses in between concerned glances at Whinny on the ground. Tiroedrath, Guilin, and Halblung remained standing on guard at the perimeter of the Castle grounds, weapons drawn, peering out into the night so as to keep any unseen surrounding Orcs at bay. *

* Gandalf came outside again and on seeing the ghostly warriors, approached Aislan, Alearindu, and Midnight. * "Aislan ... I wonder if you might see whether Midnight will wear a saddle again? Not to bear a rider, but an attached written message. Midnight knows where to find the Rangers in their hidden cabin near Sarn Ford.

" ... And Alearindu, I wonder if you too might seek out the Rangers there? You shall set out by one route, Midnight by another. You can start under cover of daylight, the better to avoid Orcs. Remember to keep alert for traps along the road! For the Company must guard Laurëondo now, relieve the warrior-ghosts of their long-endured task, until any Men who might be spared can come to help drive away the evil creatures who have too long crept close here. Otherwise, we risk this place becoming easy pickings for Orcs to plunder and set up a fastness of their own before a House of Healing can be established."

[ April 03, 2003: Message edited by: Gandalf_theGrey ]

04-03-2003, 01:42 AM	#397
Gandalf_theGrey Visionary Spirit Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 633	* Gandalf folded the deed to Laurëondo with a neat crisp crease, then placed the time-browned parchment for safekeeping into the same pouch that held Elrond's letter to Galadriel. * * A bedraggled woman who yet carried herself with a drifting gracefulness strolled up. Introducing herself as Anna, she looked down, gazing at the impressions in the deep grass made by the many strange pairs of feet come to the Castle this fateful night. And what would be Anna's own fate? Pretending to be the rightful owner of the body of Linea, Linea of Bree, would be no use if someone asked her any questions beyond her name and town. Surely this old grey man looking as bedraggled as she did would not harm her? Though perhaps his fierce-featured Elvish companion might. Anna's gaze traveled from the old man rubbing absently at an injured arm to the fearsome warrior who'd come to stand up to Maladil, blade to blade. No Elf had ever drawn a weapon against Lord Maladil before, neither in life nor death. * "I will consent to your owning the Castle, if you will consent to my living in it." "Done. I, Gandalf, consent on behalf of Elrond and Galadriel, and you will consent to their terms governing your life here. For though you are free of Maladil's curse, you remain here now as a captive of your own making. And yet as this place becomes a House of Healing, may you find healing here as well, Anna." * Gandalf reached out to Anna with a firm handshake to seal the deal. * * Noticing Calimiel's newly-left body at the foot of the Castle wall, Gandalf motioned sadly to Estelarion and Nardol. Not long after, another grave joined the others recently dug out back. * * In between tending to such necessarily somber duties, Gandalf shared with the company well-earned smiles of relief and accomplishment. The wizard beamed at the sight of Poppy hanging onto the Green Book of Laurëondo once again. "Why Ambassador, as the first one in an entire Age to set foot inside the Castle of your own will, you've made history! Keep now the Green Book, for you deserve a page of your own therein." * Likewise, Gandalf urged Hinura to keep the Key which the sweetness of her bardic voice had led her to discover, and Menelduliniel to keep the Note with its well-chosen words to match the lyrics she'd chosen with such generous wisdom. He then spoke to the Company in general. * "Each one of you as a reward for your heroic labors on this successful quest is entitled to either a fair share in the sack of gold sent here by Elrond, or to one treasure from within the former Castle … though take nothing belonging to Anna." * As for Gandalf, he strode through the Castle rooms, and for his treasure, settled on the small, battered tin Shire-watch he found perched atop the fireplace mantel of the Private Dining Room. It would make quite a curio for the mathom house at Michel Delving. Indeed, it was engraved with a "G" … and another letter as well, but the second letter had been blunted through the years into illegibility. * * As he was pocketing his chosen item, the wizard noticed a familiar ethereal figure ... Kenelm, son of Maladil. Gandalf bowed. * "You are free to go into the West. To the Halls of Mandos, then Valinor." * Kenelm bowed back, letting escape a sad sigh. * "Ah, Valinor! Such beauty there. But … Father would not approve." "Your father is not here, Kenelm." * Gandalf's voice was as gentle as he could make it. * "Look first around the Castle if you wish. Then, you may take your leave when you are ready." * Certain other ghosts had delayed their journey as well. Daerohil could be found in the stables, currying horses in between concerned glances at Whinny on the ground. Tiroedrath, Guilin, and Halblung remained standing on guard at the perimeter of the Castle grounds, weapons drawn, peering out into the night so as to keep any unseen surrounding Orcs at bay. * * Gandalf came outside again and on seeing the ghostly warriors, approached Aislan, Alearindu, and Midnight. * "Aislan ... I wonder if you might see whether Midnight will wear a saddle again? Not to bear a rider, but an attached written message. Midnight knows where to find the Rangers in their hidden cabin near Sarn Ford. " ... And Alearindu, I wonder if you too might seek out the Rangers there? You shall set out by one route, Midnight by another. You can start under cover of daylight, the better to avoid Orcs. Remember to keep alert for traps along the road! For the Company must guard Laurëondo now, relieve the warrior-ghosts of their long-endured task, until any Men who might be spared can come to help drive away the evil creatures who have too long crept close here. Otherwise, we risk this place becoming easy pickings for Orcs to plunder and set up a fastness of their own before a House of Healing can be established." [ April 03, 2003: Message edited by: Gandalf_theGrey ]