[Estelyn Telcontar]

Merisuwyniel and Gravlox reappeared just as Vogonwë emerged from behind the tree. Energetically (yet gracefully) the Elven maiden strode into the clearing and proclaimed dramatically, “Has everyone forgotten Earnur? We cannot leave him to an uncertain fate – we must rescue him! Let us be on our way without further delay.”

There were several murmurs to the effect that she’d been in no particular hurry herself, but those of the Fellow/Galship who remained packed their baggage and were ready to leave in a matter of minutes.

Suddenly Merisuwyniel screamed, the high-pitched sound which a lesser female might make when sighting a small rodent and looking for the nearest chair. Startled, the others turned to look at her. “The Bow!” she gasped. “The Bow is gone!”

“Didn’t you have it with you?” Pimpiowyn asked.

“N-no,” she stuttered, blushing. “I left it here, right beside my pack. I – I thought I didn’t need it.”

Kuruharan rummaged through his various bags, then exclaimed, “The Great Foozle is gone too! Someone must have taken them when Etceteron was captured. That settles it – we must find them!”

° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° °

After adventures too numerous to be told at this time, but certainly promising material for flashbacks, dream sequences, and perhaps even for Episode I, II, and III, if there’s money to be made, the company arrived at the foot of a great mountain upon which loomed a dark, threatening, menacing, ominous, dangerously alarming looking tower. Their hearts sank as they looked at each other; they had only one of the three heroes left, though Gravlox’ military experience was an asset, of course.

As they gazed upon the great tower of Minus Moreghoul, despairing of ever passing its fortifications, they saw a lone figure sitting before the gate. At first, the shadows of the huge walls concealed its identity, then a flash of light glanced from a silvery flask that the man lifted to his mouth. “Earnur!” Orogarn Two shouted. They rushed forward to greet him.

Puzzled, Vogonwë asked, “How come every time we want to rescue someone, he’s already freed himself?” But no one heeded his words, as usual.

So excited that they all forgot the danger in which they were, they crowded around their lost companion, asking him questions in a cacophony which would have been confusing even for one not already bewildered by the loss of a great love and the contents of the flask which had been his only comfort.