WWXLV: The Fellowship of Saruman

[Nogrod]

Tom realised there was preciously little time in comparison to how slow he used to think - and how he needed to puff his pipe every once in a while - and how soon the sun would set that he decided to voice every suspicion or thought that came to him as soon as it came. He didn't care to rhyme them anymore as he'd need the time for thinking the next thought.

And so hew began with calling the fair lady Galadriel.

"My dear lady Galadriel, the carrier of wisdom, you spoke so soon after the terrible murder was uncovered and with such length and eloquence one might think you had it prepared beforehand – which you couldn’t have done unless you knew there was a place for such a speech in the first place… I do not wish to underestimate your prowess in learning and thinking, do not misunderstand me my lady, but there was something too ready and prepared in that first speech of yours this Morning even an elf-queen would not be able to do without some foreknowledge. It really bothers me now as I noticed it.”

[Gwathagor]

"I earlier expressed my suspicion of Elrohir for his unmotivated vote of yesterday. Several of us have asked for some explanation, and he has given none. If Master Elrohir fails to provide a reasonable explanation within the next hour, I will vote that he be expelled from the Company."

[Nogrod]

"And I don't know about you Halbarad the ranger. First you felt suspicios, then less so and now once the tide is slowly turning again in my mind - as I start to wonder why I felt you not so suspicious in the end of that cursed first Day of our trip. But I can't see you planning these treacherous acts together with lady Galadriel as it would be too attention-grabbing... But whatever way this all goes in the end there's something that focuses around you in many ways - like Eomer here stated - and after something happens we may see what there was. Whether it be you gone or one of your lead-suspicioners turning out a traitor."

[Thinlómien]

"I find it weird how Éomer gradually drifts from mentioning that Radagast's evilness wouldn't be noticed to saying that he is one of those he considers voting today. It is definitely odd and I do not like it."

Gildor cast a thoughtful look at the ascending Arien. "There is not much time, yet we all seem confused, and some of us have been very silent. Where now is Lady Galadriel? I would like to hear her opinions on things."

He paused to cast an inquisitive look at a lemming that was eyeing him. When he next talked, it seemed more like he was talking to the creature than his companions. "And whoever said that either Halbarad or at least one of his accusers is guilty, I agree with him. But I'm not sure I want to try to find it out by lynching him... yet."

Gildor then truned to Lobelia and Iarwain. "You two are my main suspects at the moment, I'm afraid, but I would not like to see either of you sent home for feeble reasons.

It remains an open question who I will vote."


edit: xed with Halbarad and Lobelia

[Nogrod]

"Even if our spicy little hobbit will dislike what I say I must say that I'm a bit uneasy with your enthusiasm Daín... I'm just afraid of too much trust.

I will join master Halbarad's dislike for Elrohir's presence. And even if I can't say I trust the ranger's innocence any more than I do with anyone of you.

If you say we can't do it as his brother was just murdered cold-blood I'd turn that very unhelpful argument back to that Elrohir might better go home if not for any other reason than just to make sure even one from the house of Elrond gets back safe and sound."

Tom seemed to stop for a moment but then got back to his senses.

"I could vote for Galadriel or Elrohir. Those might be my first choices right now. I might vote some others I have spoken already toDay as well but I need to think them a bit more."

[Nogrod]

"It's also interesting to see how certain people jump on half-defending lady Galadriel, half-turning the suspicion of her to be a suspicious act itself as soon as some believable suspicions have been raised against her. That's good indeed as all these twists increase the probability of the next sending away from the fellowship and the possible Nightly act of murder will start telling us things."

[Aganzir]

"Master Bombadil, this very same person thought right after hearing lady Galadriel's speech that she wouldn't be surprised if it was used against her by a traitor, and that is why the half-defense. She is not certain about Galadriel's innocence, quite the contrary, but if she sees something she finds a bad reason to accuse of, she will definitely comment on it."

[Nogrod]

"Ahh, but it's not a bad reason. Indeed it seems like the best one I've come forwards this far - which might be because I was lost in the woods myself thinking other things than this mission most of the Day. Sure.

But one has to know that such an act takes place and it doesn't take you yourself with it. That's what I'm looking at there. She knew nothing bad would happen to her and thence she could prepare her speech in advance.

As soon as you give me a better case I'm ready to follow. But now I would probably favour sending the dear lady back to Lothlorien.

Gah, the straightest route for her would be to accompany us..."

[Groin Redbeard]

"The suspicion of Galadriel is due to the uncertainty that we are in," Dain said again when hearing Bombadil's words. "Indeed even you say that Galadriel and Elrohir would be the first for you to vote out, both of which are not here to defend themselves."

Dain went back to his own thoughts, but turned back as if something had just jogged his memory. "I don't know how my mistrust of Lobelia could be called as enthusiasm I expressed my concern of her change of mood from the beginning, but I have not singled her out. I said that I would ponder everyone's words and I find her suspicious. I do agree with you however about being to fond of trust."

EDIT: X'd with Radagastt and Eomer

[satansaloser2005]

Dain and Tom Bombadil's sudden outburst was just the thing Theodred needed to get him to speak. He did his best to be heard over the many overlapping voices of his companions.

"I have returned from some thought, and though I have much to say, there is little time to say it. There are some in our company whose behavior has been discussed enough for the day. Let us leave Galadriel to be further investigated at a later time; I feel her dawn speech was no more than an eagerness to share her views. Focusing on only one of our number benefits no one, for there are THREE traitors in our midst, and after hearing your recent arguments, I must say that

++Lobelia

is a suspicious little woman. I would almost prefer to be rid of Halbarad, just to be sure of where his loyalties lie, but at present I find her to be toublesome. Let us hope, my companions, that we do not send our ringbearer packing in vain."

[Gwathagor]

"The evening draws on ever swifter, and only vote has been cast. I fear the frenzy of the last moment, for all too frequently it produces a bad kill. I do not wish to get involved in such a frenzy, so I shall vote now. I vote that

++Elrohir

be sent home, for he is either a traitor hiding behind the shield of family tragedy, or an innocent whose unreasoning hate makes him dangerous as well."

[A Little Green]

"My lord Gildor", said Éomer, "what you said about my thoughts about lord Radagast is understandable. I would hope, however, that you would take into account the thinking I have done between my speeches. I cannot have done all my thinking out loud in order to let others have a say as well. The more I think about Radagast, the more uneasy I am with him. I hope that cleared my words.

"I have thought about Halbarad and find him more suspicious now. His behaviour in the last minutes of the dreadful day was definitely fishy. I do not have the time for straight quotations or specification, for already the sun is setting.

"My vote will go to Lobelia, Halbarad or Radagast. I am still torn."


EDIT: x-ed with Lobelia, Tom and Radagast

[Aganzir]

"Tom, making a speech doesn't take so much effort that one wouldn't do it even if she wasn't sure whether she would survive the collision. But let's not argue about it now."

edit: xed with Halbarad

[Nogrod]

"Wake up Radagast my friend! We have no time to this kind of thing anymore. Are you trying to force me to stand up against you after I have voted my dearest friend and your kin out? Try to be more constructive - or are you not interested? Because the traitors are safe at the moment so it's just fine whoever of the top-candidates right now get sent away and you don't feel any urgency to bring in your own thoughts about the vote?

I need some puffing of my pipe right now."

[Groin Redbeard]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

"I need some puffing of my pipe right now."

"No!" Dain cried in anger, running over to the rest of the fellowship, "We need action! The Sun is nearly set and half of our minds are not made up. I'm not sure about the rest of you but I'm going with the one who looks the most suspicious on my list. Please hurry the night is almost upon us!"

++Lobelia

[Thinlómien]

"Iarwain, you said:

Because the traitors are safe at the moment so it's just fine whoever of the top-candidates right now get sent away

and I did not quite get it. How so? Do you happen to know that none of the top candidates is guilty?...

I brought back to my mind Galadriel's early words and they indeed seemed somewhat fishy. I might vote her, or Iarwain, or Lobelia and I should have made my mind up already..."


edit: xed with Dáin

[THE Ka]

Originally Posted by A Little Green

I cannot have done all my thinking out loud in order to let others have a say as well.

"That is of course, understandable, but it is slightly troubling you won't let others have a say or explain a bit more. I believe Gildor is concerned that you are saying something, but without much in it."

" Voting for Galadriel does not seem to be the quickest way of flushing out traitors, if that is what voting for her is to acomplish. Unless the goal is to just send her home without getting any information from her, but to me that seems a waste of good judgement."

Originally Posted by Nogrod

Gah, the straightest route for her would be to accompany us..."

Indeed, it makes little sense if she'd be following our same path anyways.

Theodred's immediate concern is troubling, but I can't vote him simply for racing to the deadline with something, since I don't have much evidence to use either. Still, many others did this on the first Day, hopefully he can explain in full toMorrow as others have.

Gah, I have little to no evidence to give a vote that would suit my conscious or any others. I am going to regret this, but if only to save someone from further harm I will have to agree with Bombadil about Elrohir, except in the light of recent circumstances I do not believe it would be kind to suffer the House of Elrond any further when it needs its kin now more than ever.
If you object to this lord Elrohir, I understand and am sorry if I act by a different feeling.

++Elrohir

[THE Ka]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

to that Elrohir might better go home if not for any other reason than just to make sure even one from the house of Elrond gets back safe and sound."

"It is not so much unhelpful as Elrohir said himself earlier that his thoughts would be few after the event of such a thing and that he needed time. If he wished to return home he might say more on this, but I think it pity-seeking of others to force words into his mouth."

[Gwathagor]

[quote=Nogrod;551428]"My dear lady Galadriel, the carrier of wisdom, you spoke so soon after the terrible murder was uncovered and with such length and eloquence one might think you had it prepared beforehand – which you couldn’t have done unless you knew there was a place for such a speech in the first place… quote]

"This is a good point. I may renew my suspicions of Galadriel, to whom I have perhaps not given enough attention today. I hope you are not trying to lead us astray, Bombadil."

Halbarad looked shrewdly at the old fellow and pondered what Gildor had said about Bombadil earlier. Was there something darker to Bombadil? He was not sure.

[Aganzir]

"Masters Bombadil and Halbarad, I do not see anything that suspicious about lady Galadriel's early start. If she had been too deep in thought to concentrate on the last part of the discussion in Hollin, why could she not prepare her speech beforehand? I do not think it necessarily indicates any certain foreknowledge.

But on the other hand, I find her speech something a traitor might wish to use against her - just because it is possible to do so."