Last Ride of the Heir RPG

[Potatothan]

Nuwethion listened to the words of Elrond's son and he knew them also. Like his brother they twins never spoke of doom or distress, just truth. It was nice to know that the two could be serious when needed, for they always were a bit of rascals. Nuwethion walked up to Hanindur and laughed with Elladan. He was caught up in thought for a second that he didn't notice the silence that was creeping upon the group. He patted the ranger on his shoulder and gave him a smile.

"Everything wrong has a right indeed. But don't you worry about that. How many there are nobody knows. It is not important to me anyway. We are large enough to defeat them. Else Lord Elrond would have send a bigger party. As for me, I only count the orc bodies afterwards. That is much more important." He said with a wink.

"So you count your friends afterwards too?"Hanindur said.

"I don't count my friends. Everybody is responcible for their own actions. Not that I don't care about them, nor that I don't assist when needed." Nuwethion answered.

Nuwethion walked on trough the terrain surounding the hidden valley. The silence was still around them and it was getting on his mind. As a responce to it, Nuwetion broke out in chanting for he was always eager to sing and an audience. And so he chanted on as he went.

[Mad Baggins]

As Beroth walked, his last sight of Rivendell resonated through his head. The early sun had bathed everything in a soft, warm light. Thinking of the beautiful sanctuary that now lay behind him made him slightly dread the long march ahead, not to mention the unavoidable battles with Orcs.

His head was throbbing slightly from the night before, and he only remembered a few scraps of what had happened. There had been dancing, and ale, lots of ale. He also remembered an elf-maiden that he had danced with, but that was about it. He could think of nothing more.

He grimaced shortly when he heard someone, it sounded like Owacyn, say that they did not know how many Orcs there would be. Others behind him started talking, but he could not make out their words. He heard Nuwethion say, "...don't assist when needed." Soon after, he broke out into song. Beroth smiled as the melody lifted his heart and spirits. He looked up into the sky and noticed a flock of birds wheeling up into the endless blue.

Beroth closed his eyes, breathing deep the sweet scent of morning dew, and continued on.

[Eowyn Skywalker]

So do you count your friends afterwards too? The words still rang in Hanindur's mind, and he knew them all too well to be true. Indeed, he tried to act like nothing could go wrong, but still, there was everything that could go wrong. It was true, as well, Elladan was wise in such matters. Hanindur agreed quite well with what the elf had said. But still, there was always the chance that something would go very wrong... very wrong. And they were long overdue for something to go wrong.

He tried to keep up the pretense that nothing would go wrong, but in his hearth, he knew all too well that something could, and would go wrong. And there we have it, he thought with a slight laugh. I'm back to thinking the worst in everything. If there were many orcs, they would've sent a larger party, right?

Hanindur shook the sudden dread from his mind. They still had no way of knowing how many orcs there were, and what would happen. And that feeling was not pleasant in the least. Not to mention the lightheaded feeling from too much ale the night before, but that would wear off soon. In the meantime though, all Hanindur's thoughts were dark, and full of shadows. And Nuwethion's words did not help the darkness within him, though the sing was indeed lightening to the mood that covered many of them now.

But to leave Rivendell to face inevitable battles, and possible loss to friends was not a fair thing to think of.

The trees whispered softly, and the wind was gentle, as they had no fear of what could happen, trees could be cut down, and mountains would stand in the way of the wind, but still, the trees could not count the loss of friends, and the wind would continue to blow, no matter what stood in their way.

Everything was bathed in warm sunlight, and the plesant scent of the morning dew, but Hanindur walked in a silence, and a shadow, oblivious to the peace of the area, as his thoughts dwelled in foreboding and darkness... who knew what was to come?

[Saraphim]

Despite the revelry of the night before, the spirits of the elves and men had dropped well below Elrohir's tolerance level. All were talking in hushed voices of certain doom.

"This simply will not do," said Elrohir loudly, causeing everyone to look aroound at the disturbance. he stepped to the front of the group.

"Listen to me, my comrades. This talk cannot go on. It will bring us down to cowardace and shame, two things that do not belong in a battle party," the elvesa and rangers looked around at each other, surprised at Elrohir's speech.

He continued, "My lords, If it is woven into our fates to perish this day, then so it shall be. No words or actions will prevent it. But shall we march into battle singing the praises of doom? Or will we fight to the tune of life, and love of those we would protect and serve?"

Those gathered were now utterly silent, listening to the elf's words.

"If it one thing I cannot abide, it is sadness without a cause," said Elrohir quietly. Then, louder, "If at the end of this mission, our friends lie dead, we may feel anguish and pain. But not until! No, my comrades. Do not let the fear of death hinder your courage. Without that, we are certainly doomed."
Elrohir finshed, eyes aflame, and waited to hear what they would say.

[bilbo_baggins]

Hearing Elrohir's speech lifted Anga's spirits beyond the glum that had settled on all, a premonition not easily rid of. But, as he had said, it was not the time nor place for such behavior. He felt a little ashamed of himself and hoped he would be worthy of forgiveness.

Continueing to walk, Anga thought things through. He had to make some connection with another of the party, or he would be rather lonely. Of course, he had always been a loner, hadn't he? No, Anga thought viciously, don't think those things! But the evil personification of his doubts did not relent. You are nothing, it continued, nothing but a worthless lump of flesh. Even the gift of immortality is wasted on such as you. Why do you not cease to exist? It would be so much simpler. The voice droned on, and for once in his life, Angakemion had no-one to turn to.

With sweat breaking on his brow, he tried to plod ahead. Gazing at the passing scenery stilled his thoughts. The wind in the trees, blowing gently. The same cool zephyr passing through their company, sweetly refreshing them.

The promise of a fight also helped him. He mentally went through a half-dozen exercises he would practise tonight. Sharpening his skills, every movement at a time. He hoped that by the time they reached orcs, he would be more than ready to face them.

[The Perky Ent]

As the men and elves left Rivendell, Arathorn kept a steady pace in front of everyone. As he walked, Arathorn realized just how green Imladris was. Everywhere he looked, trees, flowers, and shrubs. It truly was, in Arathorn’s opinion, a blessed land. It was a pearl in a dead clam, Arathorn thought. “Arnor is in ruins, the Angle isn’t exactly a palace, and Bree is a insult to my fathers great work. Lindon is empty and The Shire is a secluded mystery. The West is in a decline.” Arathorn said, although everyone was either too far behind or arguing to hear him. Giving a sigh, Arathorn continued his walk.

After a considerable time of walking, Elrohir ran up to Arathorn with great energy. “So Arathorn, we are to walk the East Road until we see orcs? It doesn’t seem promising! Thought we haven’t done this in a while, my bow, along with my brother’s, haven’t be gathering dust all this time.” Elrohir said, as he loaded his bow and fired it into the air. All the men and elves noticed at once, but didn’t see that Elrohir fired it.

At once, Elladan ran up with his bow drawn. “Where are they? I wish to use my bow before the day is out!” Elladan said, eyes darting around. Angakemion, along with Hanidur, came right after Elladan, swords clasped. “Put away your swords men. There is no orcs. Elrohir was just…uh…demonstrating his skill. Yes…um…I bet that he couldn’t land an arrow in that tree over there,” Arathorn said, pointing to a tree far away. “And he did, so…now he’s won the bet!” Arathorn said, giving Elrohir a piece of gold. Elrohir was blushing. Arathorn was a great man, he thought. “He just saved your hide Elrohir, pay him back!” Elrohir thought, trying to quickly improvise. “Yes, I won. However…uh…my arrow bounced off in the wind. So, Arathorn deserves his money back!” Elrohir said, giving the gold back.

After Elrohir’s embarrassing incident, the party was quite for a while. Slowly, the bright red sun became level with the horizon. Then, as the sun began to set, and the moon began to rise, Eldín started making uproar. “What is it Eldín?” Elladan said, wondering why he was making a commotion. At once, Eldín pointed a pale finger out into the horizon. “I see nothing!” Arathorn said, tightening his eyes. “Nor can I! Elf, what is it you see” Hanindur said. Suddenly, Elladan and Elrohir gave a great laugh. “The Trollshaws! Our first landmark!” Elladan said, running off. The others quickly followed.

As the last light of the sun slowly dimmed, Arathorn reached the Trollshaws. Finally, they would get to the hunt. Before the trees, Arathorn stopped the men and elves for a speech. “Now listen!” Arathorn said with a stern face. “We are here to hunt orcs! Let us not be tormented with trolls. They aren’t exactly flowers in the meadow. Let us be cautious!” And as soon as Arathorn had said those words, and arrow flew past his head. And in the darkness behind the trees, he could see illuminated eyes. Orcs. At once, Arathorn ran into the forest, sword drawn. Almost instantly, the others followed. As they ran through the forest, over mud and branches, Arathorn suddenly realized he couldn’t find the orcs. “Where are you?” Arathorn said, sword waiting to strike. To the right of him, he could hear a stomping sound. Then a crunching sound, and silence. As Arathorn followed the sounds, he came into a clearing. He had found the orcs. They were dead. “We are too late! They have been taken!” Owacyn shouted. “What was their cause of death?” Paladir asked, as he and the rest moved into the center of the clearing where the orcs lay. “It seems,” Elrohir said, “that they were beat to death.” Arathorn gave a curious look over his shoulder. “But that means…” And as Arathorn turned around, he saw a ring of trolls surround the men.

[Saraphim]

Elrohir was surprisingly unruffled, given his situation. Underneath his tactical, battle-ready mind, he knew that after the battle had ended, he would replay it in his mind, and remember how many times he came to within a breath of dying.

But it was with eerie calm that Elrohir loaded his bow and shot, the arrow hitting its mark in the eye of one of the trolls.

Another arrow went through the other eye, felling the beast, and creating a opening point to escape from the ring of approaching trolls. That one came from Elladan, who nodded to Elrohir.

He knew what to do. Swift as he could manage, Elrohir had used the fallen troll to give him a boost up to a tree, where he used his vantage point to shoot arrow after arrow, aiding the elves and rangers. In a matter of moments, more of his comrades were with him shooting from the canopy.

Then, the moment came. Elrohir reached into the quiver at his waist, only to find it empty.

A wave of fear washed over him, but was abated when he saw Elladan below him, battling for his life with a great brute of a troll. Drawing his sword from his back sheath, he leapt down from the tree, and used the momentum to aid in his swing, slicing the great head from its putrid neck.

Elrohir landed kneeling on the troll's back, sword still in the follow-through position. Elladan helped him from his knees, thanking him.

"But there is no time for words, brother," said Elladan quickly, "Our friends are still deep in the fray!"