The Road to Erebor RPG

[Himaran]

Arien’s post :

Belegond leaned against the cold wall staring at the floor. He could hear the dripping of water and the soft murmur of voices that came from outside. He unsheathed one of his daggers and held it in his hands. And while humming softly to himself, slowly caressing it with his left hand. So, tonight was the eve of the battle, what he had been waiting for. Bali had briefed them and wise words he had said but this was no comfort for Belegond. The battle was ahead, he could not escape it and he indeed did not want to. But he felt a certain discomfort, uncertainty about the confrontation as if it was to be his last.

No but that was stupid! Absurd, how could he think like that. He now thought of the rest of the company. The dwarves they were brave, stout and good in combat. They would truly fight a fight to the end. The elves skilled and the men. Well the men, they were men. Also skilled, brave. But he could not bring himself to see the others of the company fall. Especially those that he had known or grown close to.

No he was interrupted by the sound of soft footsteps coming up to the battlements. He could see a shadow. It was of a woman. Yanithe. She kept walking steadily towards him and as she turned a corner they met face to face.

“Yanithe,” said Belegond, he paused. They had not spoken for along time. But you do not always need to communicate through words, sometimes your body language even your eyes do it for you.

“Yes?” she answered softly as she stopped walking and lent on the opposite wall to face him.

“Ar…are you ready for the battle?” Belegond’s words tripped, he did not know why. Whether it was because of their looming doom or the beautiful woman standing before him he could not tell. But he felt weird. His heart was pounding against his chest and he was almost shaking. Nervous, he was nervous. But he didn’t know why.

“Yes, yes I am.” She stared at the floor and then looked up at him again, “And you?” she said as she crossed her hands in front of her.

“Yes, b-b-but I fear some of us will not make it. Now the hour comes when we must bid our friends farewell, as we go into battle not knowing the fate we are tied to.”

“You have so little faith in your friends my lord?”

“No, no it is not that. You must not think that I think that.” he stopped, what he was trying to say was so hard to tell her. She must think him stupid or something. He tried to open his mouth again but no sound came out. “Good luck,” he said finally. “You are a valiant warrior and no doubt you will slay a fair share of the advancing enemy, good luck and farewell for now!” He gazed into her eyes and sheathed his dagger. And with that he nodded and drew away from the wall.

As he turned his back on her he felt a soft hand pull him back. “ Wait.,” she whispered.


Frodess’ post:

"Wait," she whispered. He turned to face her, though she knew that he would not look her in the eye.

"We cannot part like this! We both know it. My friend, I have spent many sleepless nights on this journey, but the thought of you-even if you were nowhere near- has been such a comfort to me. Look at me, my lord." She gazed imploringly into his eyes.

"I have come to love you. In fact, I think I have loved you since you first spoke to me in the tavern. If all of this should come out all right. . ." He stopped her with a gesture of the hand. "Let us not think of tomorrow. Let us think only of now, for who knows what fate awaits us." With this, she drew him near and pressed her lips to his.

They stayed like this for a while longer, then both left at opposite sides, like two shadows under a full moon.

Maikafanawen's Post

Ani Dao stood at the wall, watching the oncoming storm with apprehension. The dark rolling clouds, were fluctuating with rain, and hovered like a harbinger of danger, foreshadowing the bloody war that was to come in the early morning, before dawn splashed across the sky with it’s warming colors of soft pinks and yellows. No, that dawn would be a red morning. She sighed heavily and traced the cracks in the stone with a slender finger. Them, all of them, the dwarves, the elven warriors and the small company of about fifty led by Bali were all isolated from assistance; walking into a labyrinth: there was no way out, and a terrible beast waited for them at the end of the line. She shivered involuntarily as a crack of lightening flickered in the distance, sending a rumbling clap of thunder over the presently deserted valley.


Dwarves were rushing all around her, securing weapons, sharpening axes, readying every form of missile or debris they had to throw at the approaching enemy. The wall around Erebor was strong, but should it be breached, the dwarves had little chance. Little over five hundred defended the mountain. Ani Dao didn’t need to quip about her poor arithmetic skills to know that five hundred verses fifteen thousand might as well be a preying wolf upon a sleeping baby. She pounded her fist on her the wall and cursed.

“Such language coming from a lady?” The assassin looked to her right to see Burzdol standing beside her. She hadn’t noticed him approach. Ani Dao welcomed his jovial comment that breached the tension.

“Tsk, tsk. Which lady?” she looked around and Burzdol snickered.

“Have you been standing here a while? I’ve been searching for you.” The assassin nodded and resumed tracing the tiny crevices between the blocks of stone. “I’m sorry Ahret Ban wouldn’t join us. But then, it wouldn’t do you any good if he had gotten killed.” Ani Dao guffawed defensively.

“Ahret Ban wouldn’t have died.” Burzdol batted away his remark with a gesture of his hand.

“Ah, no of course not.” The elf looked sideways at the person beside him. She was, he realized, an elf of rare and exceptional beauty. Long, wavy blonde hair blew away from the perfect oval face and contrasted nicely with her radiant, glowing skin. Her cheekbones were sharp and high, as if a delicate hand had sculpted her features. Fervent eyes stared into their oncoming doom. He touched her arm, “Come now. Isn’t it always you trying to lighten things up? See past the odds? Wasn’t it you who had once breathed hope into a dying flame?” Ani Dao shook her head.

“Not … anymore,” she replied through clenched teeth, fighting back tears of frustration. Damn all this! Why can’t the Uruks leave these peaceful people alone! Burzdol wrapped his arms protectively around Ani Dao as her body, racked with unshed tears, shivered in his soothing embrace. The assassin resolved never to cry again unless they are tears of happiness. I will not cry until this foe is vanquished and my life is spared.

The embrace changed suddenly from one of comfort to one of love. The two elves realized it with something of a shock. Ani Dao smiled contentedly and leaned into the crook of the elf’s shoulder. Burzdol laid his hand upon her head, weaving his fingers in her hair. The wind moved in susurrus waves over the two lovers. Ani Dao looked up into the beaming face of Burzdol and he bent down and kissed her lips softly, holding her face in his hands. There was an awkward silence when they pulled apart and then Ani Dao smiled softly and in a voice barely audible said the words that she had never thought she ever would,

“Burzdol I…I love you.” His eyes softened and he nodded.

“I know.” She pulled away and punched him jovially.

“Ah now, you’ve gone and broke the mood.” Burzdol laughed, but then became serious again and firmly placed his hands on her shoulders and looked earnestly into her eyes.

“I love you too Ani Dao, and seriously. So in the morning, when the fighting starts, be careful. I will not tolerate losing you.” He pulled her into another embracing kiss. The first drops of rain began to fall upon the defenders and the placid sound of drumbeats echoed across the valley. Then an elvish voice cried out above the once tame, now roaring wind.

“The Uruk Hai are coming!!” Ani Dao and Burzdol ran down to stand beside the elvish archers and raised their bows. She took a deep steadying breath. This morning, she thought, squinting through the rain towards the oncoming foe, there will be no tea. Only blood.

Walking slowly, two men came within hearing range of the gate. "Dwarves of Erebor, we have no want to destroy you, as will happen if you refuse this offer of peace. If you send the elves and rangers down to us, we will leave your mountain alone. They will be held as prisoners for bartering, later."

From nearby on the wall, Arlome muttered; "If only, you old fool, if only I could go down to you." The hoods of the two were thrown back. All the members of the company recognized Kaldon, but the other was a stranger to them. He was obviously Galdon, Kaldon's father.

Bali then spoke to them, clear and loud. "I will have no dealings with a meddler and a murderer, nor a warlord such as yourself. We have defeated your son, as we will you. Send your worst against us. Erebor will be your grave."

"Daer ú-o chyn, Ú-danno i failad a thi; an úben tannatha le failad. Hain 'war di na lanc a nu ranc.” " (Show them no mercy! For you shall receive none! Their armor is weak at the neck, and under the arms), Hathalas’ voice shouted out to the elven archers. Burzdol and Ani Dao pulled their bows taught and aimed down into the masses of Uruks. Then Hathalas gave the final command.
“Tangado haid! Leithio I philinn!” A shower of arrows was released as the first of the Uruks came in range.

A hail of shafts from the wall sent ripples of death into the ranks of the Uruks. They charged, while Galdon and his son hurried out of arrow range. Eruantalon aimed his bow and fired. "And so it begins, my friend."

[ April 15, 2003: Message edited by: Himaran ]

[ April 15, 2003: Message edited by: Himaran ]