WWXLV: The Fellowship of Saruman

[THE Ka]

Radagast joined the others slowly back down from the pass, but the heaviness in his somber actions wasn't from defeat at Caradhras, but the loss of Elladan and that of Gandalf. He sat quietly and starred deeply into the distance of his own thoughts and worry, while it felt the literal age of his body was finally coming up on him as if in some cruel joke to his worthiness for such a challenge of the Fellowship.

Of all the ages I've passed, to have Olorin distrusted so by those he had openly embraced is something I have never known. Or the great loss of Elrond's house, such a noble elve has lost too much by this world to be stripped of more kin. I greatly hope he will not loose further meaning to stay in Arda, but after such as this I cannot judge his actions. Nor would I have thought I'd be so lost now, even among a company of great hope. If anything could become worse, may the Valar pity us in our despair.

Thoughts of a darkened sky seemed to creep up on his mind, but quickly he shook himself out of it realizing that if anything, he might carry on the work of the Gandalf he remembered and in honor.
Quietly, but assured he added after listening to the debate on what had passed after Gandalf's departure.

" Our recent days have been ones in loss, as we all are sure. Even though we have lost kin and kif and we are asundered in doubt, I can hold no grudge against you who voted Gandalf's leaving. It would not be in his hope, and what I have known him for, to become revenged in sorrow, but instead to aid what work there is yet to be done. That, if any of you feel shamed in guilt by your choice should remember about him, and should not continue punish yourselves needlessly.
What has happened on the pass I fear is only a taste of what our traitors wish to befall us and any hope in this journey. Though, for what I know Gandalf, and have come to know Elladan of, they would not wish us needlessly to stab blindly in the dark with our fears or hatred. We should act in our reason and hope."

He regained breath before he spoke again,

" I am sorry I may not add anymore thoughts, but I must like most of you, think greatly on this matter that it might not effort in vain."

[Thinlómien]

Gildor had not spoken before, for he had spent the beginning of the day singing a lament for Elladan, his brave kinsman.

"His death is an evil we can not leave unavenged. Who did this foul deed? Everybody saw the footprints. Now, we Elves do not tread that way and leave such marks on snow as we walk. Therefore, I conclude that at least one of the traitors is not an Elf. But with Elladan dead and innocent, that does not actually help me, for I anyway know that there can't be three guilty Elves around, for that would mean that I myself would be guilty, which I'm not." He smiled, and his smile was a sad one. "So after all it does not help us at all that the murderer left footprints. We must find other clues then."

Gildor sighed. "Who of us would kill Elladan? I can not answer that question before musing on what people said in Eregion properly. Maybe some of you has an idea? The only reason that occurs to me right now would be that it would leave no tracks except for the actual footprints."

"Lady Galadriel and Captain Uglúk, you accuse me and Iarwain for accusing Mithrandir and say we should know better. I know he's a wise wizard and can be of great help with his Maiarin intuition, but I also know that when he regards some mission unimportant, he does not bother to commit much time to it. Why would he? He's here to save Middle-Earth, how could he attend every quest with full enthusiasm? Maybe he just didn't regard this quest as very important." Or maybe he did not want to show important because he grudged Curunir of coming back and taking his place. He banished the thought. Old Mithrandir is not like that.

Then Gildor buried himself deeper in thought, swearing to return the words said in Eregion to his mind before opening his mouth again...

[Nogrod]

Tom had accidentally wandered quite far from the others thinking how weird everyone's reason to vote on the first Day had been. After mulling through them for a while he realised they all looked bad... How easy it had been for the traitors not to stand out in there in the middle of those ad hoc statements supporting the votes.

He had to share his thoughts with the others but there was no idea in yelling them from that far. So Tom turned back towards the way from were he could hear the faint occasional voices of the companions. It was to be a long trek to reach them but he was confident he would join them before the sunset.

[satansaloser2005]

Originally Posted by Halbarad

"It is curious, Galadriel...you say it was Theodred's words, in fact, and not mine that had originally drawn out your suspicion, and yet it is now Theodred who seems most eager to take your side."

And then grim and stern Halbarad laughed, as he had not in a long while. Theodred had been brashly eager to confirm Galadriel's accusation which was now shown, essentially, to be an indictment of words spoken by Theodred himself. This struck the Ranger as paradoxical, and even funny. However, he soon quelled his mirth, for he knew it was inappropriate in light of the dark events which had thus far haunted their journey. He resumed his usual sad, thoughtful expression. There was work to do.

"I apologize for not explaining myself properly. I, like Galadriel, question the motives of Halbarad, but not for the same reasons as she; those I will explain when we are not constrained by how much time I have. I was merely stating that I agreed with the conclusion she had drawn, that which implicates Halbarad as a traitor.

"First of all, he more than happily advocated the dismissal of our fellow Gandalf, giving little reason for his decision. I believe that he may have seen his own position on the fellowship in jeopardy and, not wanting to leave his two felllows (the other traitors) behind, quickly secured Gandalf's departure, disregarding Gandalf's importance in our company and making the cowardly choice to save his own hide.
And now he takes my words (and those of Galadriel) and attempts to use them against me. This, I admit, is not a difficult task, as I did not speak plainly at the time, but again Halbarad uses other's ambiguities to secure his continued presence among us."

Theodred wished to say more, but there was no time. The fellowship continued moving, so no one was particularly keen to listen. The others became very quiet, and so Theodred got to work.

(OOC: Literally to work. Back briefly around 2hr til DL, then again right before DL)

[Aganzir]

Although Lobelia had never felt much love for Gandalf, she was sad to see him go. And although she hadn't approved of the Elf's behaviour, she was now beginning to understand that if not caught, the traitors would do the same to everyone. Lobelia knew that one day, she was going to die anyway. She was old, and she was not afraid of death. But she had set out to take the Ring to Mordor, and she wanted to do her work before dying. It would be too humiliating to die on the journey and prove unworthy of the trust of the Wise.

She caught up with the others.

"Éomer, there's something about that you that I don't like. Perhaps it is only the smell of horse, perhaps it is the way you speak. I do not know, but I will try to explain.

When you first spoke, you disagreed with Master Bombadil about his words 'So look closely the hasty accusations, as they may reveal darker aspirations'. I am perfectly fine with people disagreeing with each other, but the way you said it sounded like you were speaking of a very insignificant thing just to have something to say, if you understand what I mean. And it is traitors who have to grasp at the insignificant things.

Also, before voting, the way you went after Gandalf and lady Galadriel for not speaking their minds looks a bit sinister to me. I do not think they said that little, but a traitor might wish to make a big issue of it in order to get an easy lynch, as indeed happened with Gandalf - whom you decided not to vote, after all.

"Dáin Ironfoot, I find you trustworthy for now. Were you a traitor, I believe you would have treated me differently in Hollin.

"I trust Halbarad even less than in Hollin. Let me interpret his words now as I wish:

He cast vague suspicion against Master Bombadil's singing and backed off of it immediately. It was just meant to make people feel bad about Tom. In truth, he is saying: 'Look, he is behaving in a way that might be considered suspicious because he could hide his treacherous behaviour by doing it! I, of course, don't suspect him but you others should!'

And then... Let me repeat his words again!

Originally Posted by Halbarad

"Perhaps I should be more suspicious of those who have said little to nothing at all. In truth, silence is a better cover than speaking, for the talker draws attention to himself, whereas the silent will be considered wise."

'I have been caught doing a suspicious thing I shouldn't have. I will change my behaviour. I will start suspecting the silent instead - those of more vocal sort don't mind me doing it even if the silent were innocent. I myself can't be a traitor because I talk and silence would be a better cover.'

Then he asked Elrohir why he voted for Uglúk:

Originally Posted by Halbarad

"Why do you cast your vote against Ugluk? Persuade us with some reason, if you can. Justify your decision."

While I agree that Elrohir should have given reasons for his vote, this looks a little too jolly, a little too by-the-way. The tone is overly light. It's sooo... 'Give me a reason to vote for Uglúk and I will!'

He suggested that a traitor is hiding amongst the quiet and wanted to hear whom Tom would vote before voting himself.

And now, see what he said just a while ago!

Originally Posted by Halbarad

“I believe that Bombadil, myself, Dain, and Gildor were justified in voting for one who... *blah blah blah*

“We were wrong, yes. But it was an honest, reasonable mistake

An honest, reasonable mistake from whose part? You can't speak for each and every one of those, as, if innocent, you shouldn't know whether they were honest or not. Or are you trying to gain allies by defending also them? This looks rather treacherous to me.

"Am I the only one to not find anything that weird about Elrohir's vote yesterday? It looks like he didn't have any better suspects so he decided to stick with racism. I dislike prejudiced people, but it alone doesn't make him a traitor.

"Nothing alarming about Uglúk this far.

"I have no idea what to think about you, Tom Bombadil. You have been repeating your trust-may-be-a-kiss-of-death thing too much, in my opinion - so much that it looks like you could say it as often as you wished without having to fear that the traitors would start to think if you really mean something more serious with it or if it's just a good piece of advice. Also, I don't agree with you on Gildor being suspicious.
But this far you have felt rather innocent, and I am unlikely to vote for you yet.

"I am inclined to trust lady Galadriel for now, although my heart does not feel as comfortable about it as my logic.

"Smelling of horse or not, Théodred is one of the most honest-looking here. I trust him.

"Of Radagast I have little idea, but if I had to choose, I would say he is innocent.

"I trust Gildor Inglorion. He doesn't look like he had something to hide."

Lobelia shivered. It was cold, and she felt a chill in her old bones. She took the tea skin from her bag and drank.

edit: xed with Gildor and Dáin