Hunt for the Palantíri RPG

[Orofaniel]

Feeling all better, Galhardir was exceedingly happy to be back at the ship. Last night had been a night without much sleep, and he was no left alone in his cabin to rest. Even though he wasn't completely healed, he felt much better. He didn't remember as much as he wanted from the events of yesterday, though. He did remember being lost on the ice, not able to find Luindal. He also remembered the horror he had felt. He shuddered. He didn't believe he had ever been that frightened in his whole life. But the rest of it was very faint to him. The reason he had been lost on the ice however, he remembered too well; his rope. The end that Hilde and Alahseey was supposed to hold was suddenly just in front of him. Speaking of that, it had been quite short, which meant that it had been cut of just before he noticed it himself. He wondered if it really had been an accident or if....Paranoia wasn't his way of dealing with things. He let it go, as he tried to recall the events that had happened later on. He remembered that he had cried for help. Yes, he remembered that pretty well. No answer had come though, which had made him even more insecure and frightened than he had been before. The next things that followed were....Oh, yes, the ice. The ice had suddenly started to move. The ice had all of a sudden been torn apart underneath his feet....Thinking about this, he realised that everything after that was in fact, missing. A big black hole in his memory. How could he fill it? He wanted to remember. He closed his eyes again as he lay in his bed. Focusing on the lost memories he once again managed to pull threads from the previous events. He had in fact managed to escape from that particularly trap; it had been another one who had almost killed him.

Although these were only faint thoughts, he knew that this was in fact what had happened. Even thought his mind didn't fully remember it, his body did. But how had that hole he'd jumped into gotten there? He couldn't recall seeing any such holes in the ice from earlier adventures. Such holes just didn't exist. It was different if the ice had done it all by itself, meaning that the water beneath it had been moving, causing the ice to stir. This was different. Such a hole he had jumped into couldn't have been caused by the water beneath it. It just couldn't. How could this be?

The knocking on the door surprised him, as he had gotten a strict message of Luindal to stay in his bed, preferably, undisturbed. But as he saw his nephew, Rodhal running in, he was delighted to see him. "Uncle!" He gasped as he approached the bed. "My dear Rodhal," Galhardir said feeling his heart beat faster. "I was wondering when you were going to pay your old uncle a visit..." he then said, smiling at the young boy. The boy giggled, as he found a chair, seating himself just next to Galhardir's bed. "Luindal told me that you needed some rest, so I told him I’d just visit you later on...But then I saw you through the cabin window, and you were awake...I just thought I'd see how you were feeling, that’s all," Rodhal then said, looking a bit worried about his uncle health. "Oh, how thoughtful of you. Luindall was right, I did need some rest, but I've rested long enough now. I could use some company too you know," Galhardir said as he pulled the quilt over himself. “It’s is in fact, the best medicine, or at least that’s what they say…”

“So, how are you then uncle?” Rodhal asked innocently.

"I still have a bit of a fever, and a few scratches from the falls I've experienced over the last days," Galhardir said, looking at Rodhal again. "Yes, they did tell me," he muttered, pointing at Galhardir's face. He hadn't noticed it himself, but he had gotten himself a big scratch on his left cheek along with some dry blood. "Are you sure you're alright, uncle?" Rodhal then said full of sympathy. "Yes, I'm sure. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine..." Galhardir said, leaning over to give Rodhal a hug.

"Alright then, uncle. I'll go so you can rest some more. Annû told me that I shouldn't stay too long at a time. I could rather come visit you later on. Is that alright?" He asked as he got up from the chair. "Of course Rodhal!" Galhardir said, smiling as widely as he could. He could feel the pain from the scratch however, preventing him of making his smile look convincing.

Just when Rodhal was about to open the door and leave, Galhardir asked him if he could ask Annû and Carandû to pay him a visit. "If they'd be so kind.. I would be very grateful."

[Niluial]

Elwë was happy back in his cabin. He now enjoyed and appreciated the warmth of his room and the soft bed he slept on much more than before. He did not at all enjoy camping out in the ice cold snow, on the hard, numbing ground. He also felt safer on the ship, not so vulnerable. The knot and anxiety that once sat in his stomach for long was almost gone. Of course he did still feel slightly uneasy. They are out there, we saw what they did today. I may be worried about myself, but Andtuariel… she is more vulnerable. I love here, I really do. Elwë stood up suddenly, curious as to where Andtuariel had actually gone to.

He walked down the long corridor, observant of many things he had never noticed before; a crack on the walls, a few painting of a rough sea and a few others and also ornaments in glass cabinets. He looked ahead and Andtuariel stood talking to a Lossoth, smiling ever so sweetly. Elwë gestured for Andtuariel to come to him. He watched her walk towards him. Her sunflower yellow dress danced about her legs as she walked and her hair was slightly messy, though it still looked perfect.

“I wonder what did happen to Galhardir yesterday, it is all very dodgy if you asked me.” Andtuariel said to Elwë. He watched her eyes, they were filled with curiosity and mischief-ness.

“It would be better for us to stay out of it. I would like to know too. I heard Annu talking about it too. I heard that someone cut the ropes and it wasn’t just an accident!”

“Very odd. I wonder who it is.”

[Arry]

Annû was in the galley fixing himself a cup of hot tea when Rodhal wandered in. The boy’s face lit up when he saw the Elf, and he called out Annû’s name. ‘Well, look who’s here,’ said Annû, waving the boy closer. The Elf drew him close to his side with an arm about his shoulders, ruffling Rodhal’s hair as he asked the boy did he want a cup of tea, also. Rodhal nodded his head ‘yes’, asking if there were any honey left to sweeten it. Annû laughed, and brought out the big pot of honey in the cupboard. ‘You’ve as big a sweet-tooth as my brother!’ Rodhal watched with wide eyes as the Elf scooped up a heaping teaspoon of honey and stirred it into the tea.

‘Hey! Did I hear someone saying something bad about me?’ Carandû grumbled coming in through the entryway. He had just finished changing his clothes and was in the process of pulling a thick tunic over his head. Annû held out a mug of steaming tea to his brother, whose nose wrinkled in distaste as he took a sip. ‘Where’s the honey? You know I like two spoonsful!’ He helped himself to more sweetener, frowning as both Rodhal and Annû laughed. The joke explained, Carandû laughed, too, shaking his head at his brother.

‘Are you two busy right now?’ Rodhal asked, blowing on his tea to cool it.

‘Well, no, actually. Did you have something in mind?’ Annû said, pouring himself a little more tea.

‘My uncle would like to see you two. He told me so.’ Rodhal looked hopefully at the two Elves. ‘He’s still awake. I just saw him not too long ago.’

‘Pour another mug of tea, Annû,’ Carandû said, rustling through one of the cupboards. ‘We’ll bring Galhardir a cup and share some of these.’ Carandû pulled out a plate of nutbread slices from the back of the cupboard.

The three walked slowly back to Galhardir’s room, taking care not to spill the mugs of tea. Rodhal opened the door when they got there and peeked his head in. ‘Uncle,’ he said, a smile on his face, ‘look who’s come with me!’

[Orofaniel]

The two elves followed little Rodhal into the cabin. Galhardir looked at them, smiling warmly. "Thank you so much for coming," he said quietly. "We were hoping to visit you as soon as possible," Annû said holding his mug high in the air. "We've brought tea," Carandû said and smiled; “And nutbread. We thought you might be thirsty and hungry..” he added immediately. "Oh, how very kind of you," Galhardir said, sitting up in his bed. The elves found two chairs and seated as well.

Galhardir then thanked his nephew for bringing the two elves to him. "I'm going to climb the look out post again if I'm allowed," Rodhal then said. "I am getting much better," he then continued seeming a bit proud over his achievement. "I see. Well, hurry up then, and be careful," Galhardir said and waved. “When I’m fully recovered I’ll come and watch you,” he then muttered after him.

Now the three of them were alone and free to talk. Annû started to pour some tea into Galhardir cup. Holding the warm cup of tea, he too felt warm. "How are you then?" Annû said, sipping his own tea. ”Feeling much better, thanks. I still have a bit of a fever, but I expect it to be over very soon," Galhardir said. Carandû nodded.

"After what I've heard you stayed for quite some time in that icy water," he said, looking a bit worried. "Indeed, too long, but at least I'm alive," Galhardir joked. It was good to hear Carandû's merry laughter again.

"The reason why I wanted Rodhal to bring you here is that I wanted to thank you. Both of you," Galhardir then said humbly. "I don't remember much from the battle, as I fainted a couple of times. But I do know that one of you saved me from one of the Corsairs, who would have killed me if you hadn't been there. I was too weak to fight him on my own," Galhardir said with gratitude, because that was what he felt - gratitude.

The two brothers looked at each other. Annû blused a little, as he didn't know what to say. "It's what companions and friends do," Carandû said eventually. "We help each other when we're in danger," Annû added. "Well, thank you," Galhardir then said again, taking a sip from his tea, which had almost gotten cold within these few minutes.

"Who pulled me up from the water?" Galhardir then asked. The two brothers shook their heads. "Hm...I can't say, really..." Annû said.

There was some silence. None of them spoke much, just drank their tea and ate their nut bread. Galhardir ate and drank eagerly as he was quite hungry. It seemed like a merry atmosphere, but at the same time it was affected by something that Galhardir couldn't put words on.

"Do you know how you got lost on the Ice, Galhardir?" Annû then asked. Galhardir did remember some of it. In fact he had cleared almost everything. "Yes, I do remember that the rope had suddenly been cut. I don't know if it was by accident...or.." he didn't complete his sentence before Carandû continued;" We don't think it was by accident," Carandû as did, his eyebrows closing up, making his face look grave and morbid.

"What?" Galhardir asked. He was confused; of course the thought had hit him, but he never imagined it to actually be the truth. "We know that it was cut by a...spy," Annû said. "A spy?" Galhardir exclaimed.

"Please do explain, because I don't understand," Galhardir said, confused and feeling utterly lost. "Luindal hasn't been here, has he?" Annû then asked. "No, not yet. I think he still thinks I'm asleep. He wanted me to rest for as long as I could," Galhardir then explained.

"Well," Carandû started. "There happened something odd," Carandû then said. "I still don't believe it's true," he added. "Luindal found shreads from the rope you had around your waist on Alahseey's axe blade," Annû told Galhardir. Galhardir gasphed, like he was out of air. Holding his hands over his mouth he was horrified by the ill news.

"Say it isn’t so!" he exclaimed yet again. He almost drop his cup as horrified as he was. "I heard it was Hilde who suspected Alahseey to be some sort of spy...I think she reported it to Luindal and took the matters into his own hands, checking Alahseey's axe," Annû continued. Galhardir did believe it. He couldn't. It had been, after all, Alahseey's and Hilde's job to keep the ropes safe on the bay. How could she have done it?

"I don't believe it was her," Carandû then said. "There was something....I can't express it, but I feel there is something here. It's not right..." he then said. His voice told them that he felt a bit frustrated over himself as he didn't manage to fully express himself the way he wanted too. "I can't believe it either.." Galhardir muttered. He was still in shock.

“I think there will be some sort of a hearing,” Carandû said. “Luindal mentioned it, and said I could come…I think everyone who wants to come may do so,” Carandû said.

“Maybe you should go,” Annû suggested. “I mean, since it was your rope that was cut. Maybe you’ll manage to remember something that can clear this up. It may not be Alahseey after all…we don’t know yet.”

Galhardir thought about this. Maybe he had seen something on the ice, but didn’t remember it after his fall. How could he make himself remember it if this really was the case?

[Lalwendë]

Tarn was back at his stone hut and the fire was blazing. His damp outer clothes hung about the room, giving off steam as they dried, and a pot of stew was bubbling, ready to be served. Thynne took two wooden bowls and ladled out a serving for Tarn, who took it silently without any thanks. Beads of feverish sweat broke out on the man’s forehead. He stared into the flames as he ate, turning over the events of the previous day in his mind.

The Corsair man he had rescued had been dragged on a sled all the way back to his ship; he lived, but Tarn wanted to see if he had recovered yet. He was keen to get to the Corsair ship and learn the news but he had just woken from a much needed sleep after the hike back and he needed to eat first. Luck had been on his side after the battle, as Thynne had found not only a sled, but someone’s dropped water bottle and a spare fur. It turned out the lad had stayed with the archers and then they had directed him to search for anything of use which the elves had dropped or left behind; they could see he was not big enough for battle but that they would need supplies after the fighting was through. The water and the warmth of the extra fur had sustained Tarn during the hike home, where he could finally stop and tend to his wound.

The cut was not long, but it was deep, running laterally across his left bicep. He knew that untended, the wound could fester and sap his strength. As soon as he had got back to the hut he had boiled water while Thynne curled up in a corner and slept soundly, tired and overwrought from the battle and the march home. Before Tarn could sleep he had needed to tend to his injury. He had bathed the wound and then took some sphagnum moss and comfrey leaves and packed them around the gash in his skin, before binding it with a strip of clean woollen cloth.

He had crept into bed as a red dawn broke across the eastern sky and fallen into a deep sleep, untroubled by dreams. Now, as he ate, he remembered those he had injured and wondered if they too were sitting by warm fires or if they had succumbed to their injuries. There was no question about the elf he had felled with his harpoon. He had seen the life drain from his eyes and the blood spill from his body. He shivered a little as he thought of it, but then Thynne distracted him from his musings by opening the door and looking outside.

A cold wind blew in, making the flames in the fire shudder and Tarn winced at the icy draught as he turned his head to see what the day outside was like. Whatever the weather, and despite how he felt, he knew he could not and would not be staying in the hut today.

[Regin Hardhammer]

Marreth awoke by mid-morning in better spirits than he had been before, considerably refreshed from a good night’s sleep. Next time they were forced to camp away from the ship, he vowed to bring tents. The biting frigid winds had assaulted the crew all the way back to the ship. The storm had evidently died out overnight, or had not stretched this far south: the day looked to be clear and calm. The hours spun by quickly as Marreth and those of his crew who were healthy put in a full day's work tending to the ship and its rigging. By late afternoon, all the Elves and their band had returned to their ship. As evening approached, Marreth resolved to take a walk by himself out on deck so he could contemplate what he might try next.

His sabotage had worked, but the Elves had nevertheless managed to organize themselves and put up a good fight. The Corsairs did not score a decisive victory against their adversaries, but then again they had not lost mightily either. As Marreth considered what to do next, he saw three flashes of light coming from a patch of bushes on the nearby shore. He looked out and saw a red lantern, and crouched beside it a hooded figure. Of course, thought Marreth, our Lossoth friend may have some ideas what we should do next.

Hastily leaving the ship, he approached the agreed upon meeting place. Marreth trailed the Lossoth into a secluded clearing, a few feet away from the edge of the Bay; they were wholly surrounded by bushes.

Before Marreth could ask the Snowman about the Elves’ plans, the hooded figure spoke in a shaky voice, “The Elves know there is a Corsair spy. Rumors are flying around the Elven ship. I arranged a little accident on shore for one of their party, and made it look as if Alahseey was the one who did it. Still I am not comfortable. Too many people are asking questions. One minute they may blame Alahseey, and the next start looking for another to blame. I fear they will catch me and put me in chains. Yet I do not waver in my mission; I will continue to relay information to you as best I can. Even if I am found out, I can still be of great use to your cause. I know the Bay like the back of my hand, and can show you likely spots for your treasure hunting. I only ask that you send some men onto the nearby shore to keep an eye on the Elven ship. They can alert you if something happens to me and I am in need of aid or rescue.”

The Captain replied, “I will grant you this aid; it is no fault of your own that our plans to exterminate the Elves have failed. But I send you fair warning Lossoth that this is not some kind of trap laid by the Elves who have sent you here. If you plan to deceive us, I will bring down vengeance upon your head stronger than a raging blizzard. Very well then, you may go.” Marreth did not completely trust this stranger, but if the Lossoth was discovered, he would have no way of knowing the plans of the Elves. Worse yet, the spy might disclose something to them of his own plans and strategies. Better that the Lossoth should be with him, where he could monitor things. He concluded it was best to lend aid to this stranger but do so cautiously. Marreth would not have his men lured into an ambush.

"Return now to the Spirit," the Corsair captain continued, "and here is a coin or two for your pains. But see that you carry yourself carefully, and do not say a word to anyone of my plans..."

Mareth dropped two gold coins in the spy's hand and was about to turn away, when he glanced back and asked one more question. "The Elven ship must be low on supplies. Except for the special things they needed for the trek north, I've not seen them bring in large barrels with ale or herring or other needed foodstuffs."

"That is right," the Snowman nodded. "Not since the first day have they restocked their larders. I heard Luindal say that he has sent several large orders to Igal, a local merchant and procurer of goods, and that many items and workmen will be coming onto the ship in the next few days while they rest up and make their future plans."

Marreth nodded but said nothing more, although his mind was spinning very fast. He quickly returned to his ship, and summoned Jynne and Diera to be brought to him, since Jarlyn was resting as he had ordered. When the two arrived, he began “I must reveal to the two of you something. Since the arrival of the Elves, I have had a Lossoth spy on board the Elven ship to relay their plans to me. That is how we were always one step ahead of them. But now I have reason to believe that this spy, a valuable information source to me, may fall in jeopardy. At the very least, the Elves are suspicious of us so it will be harder to get information."

"Therefore, I am asking you to go and hide on the shore behind the rocks and the snow bluffs in one of the secluded groves. Take some trusted helpers with you and see if you can pick up any news. I understand that they will be having an inquiry tomorrow morning out on deck. One of the Elders is to be tried, although she has nothing to do with us. Possibly, some of our Lossoth friends may even care to pose as local traders bearing goods from Igal and offering to take these provisions onto the ship and store them away. That way they can get up close. You can't get away with showing your faces, but our Lossoth allies can probably do so."

Then he told them who the spy was and added, "Alert me if you see that the Elves have captured this Snowman or anything unusual is taking place. You are to leave immediately and take the seal skin tent with you. If the snow flares up like it did last night you will need it.” Marreth was exceedingly glad that he did not have to go camping outdoors again. He turned back to his cabin wondering how Jynne would react to the order that he again go camp out in the snow.

[Imladris]

So that was what Marreth had been up to in his secrecy: talking to his little spy on the elven ship. The problem, of course, was the fact that he had to babysit the fellow to make sure he didn't get caught. Well, he wasn't much of a spy, was he, if he was caught so easily.

"You are to leave immediately and take the seal skin tent with you. If the snow flares up like it did last night you will need it," Marreth was saying.

Jynne scowled. Not only did he have to babysit some traitor, but he had to to do it in the cold wet snow. If he became sick, all could be spoiled...

With a curt nod, Jynne turned on his heal and slipped into his own quarters. Taking a small oaken chest from underneath the cot, he opened it. Inside, tiny vials clattered brightly against each other as he sifted through them. Finally, he found what he was looking for: a concoction that would fend sickness from his flesh. Holding the green vial aloft, Jynne peered into the transclucent glass. The vial was only half full -- he would have to use it sparingly. Plucking the cork from the vial, he swallowed three times, and then replaced the vial with the others.

As he slipped from his room, clinging to the splotchy shadows, he thought about what Marreth had said. He had ordered them to bring along some trusted men. Jynne smiled thinly. Trusted men...did Marreth not know that men could not be trusted?