Tol-in-Gaurhoth revisited (aka Werewolf 2)

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Well it's terrible and all wot's 'appened to Oddwen, but ere's being thankful as it wasn't me...

Course, now I'm a-wondering who it might 'ave been who killed that lass and all her lovely chickens. Ooooh, how I would like a taste of one o' them right now; they always were the best things after a hard night with the bottle...

But who can tell about the folk in this cursed place? Some of 'em are not right, and that's for sure. That Phantom fellow and all: sure, he can pull a good pint, but what sort of a name is that to 'ave? I ask you? And Ainaserkewen: lookin' and actin' innocent all the day, but fair covers on foul books, I says...

*glower*

[The Barrow-Wight]

"One thing is for sure," said the mason, pulling his fingers through his greying hair. "We're going to need to protect ourselves."

He looked around the room, first at the unfortunate victim and then, one-by-one, a long stare into the eyes of each of his fellow citizens.

"One of you, or maybe more than one, is a werewolf. I have no magic eye to determine which of you it is, so I'll cast no accusations so early in the morning. But I will prepare a place where you can be dealt with when we do discover who you are."

The mason walked through the door saying, "This town needs a gallows. I shall be in the square building one."

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Poor Oddwen. We'll find the scoundrels who did this to you. And we shall be quick, yes.

Three of our own, but of whom do we have reason to suspect? Let us stare at each other with intensity; the guilty will crack before long.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

The healer looked with intensity at all who were present. Poor, poor Oddwen, she thought. Who could have... She trailed off, sleepy still. It was far too early after a late night out to be thinking so critically. Who says that healers don't dance? she thought with an amused smile. But alas, that isn't the point... we've a bloody lot of werewolves on the loose, without a single clue as to who they are.

She glared more or less equally at almost everybody, glaring slightly more forebodingly at Anguirel. The two had quite a rocky past, though not everyone was aware. If he tries any of that funny business this time...

"Fordim," she said worriedly, "what gives you the idea that the phantom is not as pure and innocent as the wind driven snow? Or that Aina might be more than she seems. Why those two, do you pick?"

[the phantom]

The Phantom welcomed everyone into the common room and brought them drinks.

"I assure you, Mr. Hedgethistle, I had nothing whatsoever to do with my name. It was given to me by my parents. Though I have come to love my name- since it refers to me," he ended with a wink.

The Phantom then turned to The Barrow-Wight. "Werewolf, you say? Where did you come up with that? I never even thought about it- figured it was just a pack of regular old wolves. Are you versed in werewolf lore and know certain things to look for? If so, you'd better let us know what we are dealing with here."

The Phantom raised his voice for all to hear. "I think we should wait for a few more people to arrive before we start coming to any sort of conclusion. Everyone try to remember if they've seen anything funny the past few days and then tell about it. As my father used to say, 'nothing like a room full of smart people talkin' to fix a problem'."

"I'll be back in a bit, hon," he said quietly to Fea. "I'm going to take a walk around town and look for tracks and such."

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Fea responded just as quietly. "I think I may join you. There is nothing worse than the first day when we have nothing, not even pointless accusations, to go on. There is no point in sitting t'home where I'll learn nothing for some time, when I could be out looking for answers. And besides... I heard that that lovely new couple in town is expecting. I should go see if they need any help.

[dancing spawn of ungoliant]

Dancing spawn was still shocked about the horrible deed that took place in her own village as she entered the Inn. Many had already gathered there but she didn't feel comfortable to sit down next to any other people. "Anyone here can be more than he or she claims to be", she muttered to herself.

Eomer stared disturbingly at every villager in the room and suffocative silence filled the otherwise cheery Inn. "The Barrow-Wight has gone off to build a gallows tree. I bet that poor Oddwen's death won't be the last one in this community", Dancing spawn sighed.

[Son of Númenor]

The already frantic murmur of the crowd turned into an audible gasp as I made my way into the square where the villagers had convened, outside of Oddwen’s house. I could feel my pale features growing flushed, my arms trembling. I should not, I decided, have come.

What’s he doing here? someone murmured, thinking himself out of the range of my ear.

I’ll bet he did it – him and his old mum, said another, bolder voice. I clenched my fists and drew a deep breath.

No coincidence, this: ‘im turnin’ up in public fer the first time in months, day after a murder’s be done.

I tried to redirect my attention; walking as composedly as my nerves would allow, I went and took a seat on a bench, next to an elderly man who I recognized: I’d built him a plain bureau for his wife a few months ago, a surprise for their anniversary. He nodded at me and smiled, I think somewhat gravely. My eyes were fixed downward on my feet, but I returned the nod.

"I’m only hear to listen, for the time being", I said, inexplicably compelled to explain myself to the old man.

That is as it should be, he replied. There was a pause. My wife thanks you for the bureau. It is quite sturdy.

I sat for awhile and listened to the villagers. To my surprise, one of the village elders called upon me to give my thoughts. I could feel the crowd’s gaze upon me, and knew that no answer I gave would be satisfactory. I also knew that my remaining silent could prove deadly in this panicked atmosphere.

"Well," I stammered, after some hesitation, "I noticed that Fordim was not only the first to speak, but the only to mention others’ names; was it perhaps a deflection of perceived suspicion? And then there was that old mason, planning the execution before it was decided who was to be executed; it seemed to me an overreaction, at the least." The crowd was visibly aghast at my audacity: me, the hermitic carpenter, making so bold as to name names.

There would be a time, I knew, ere the sun set this very day, when I would have to cast my vote for a hanging. With this in mind, I added, "Certainly now is not the time for rash judgement. I meant no hurt upon the characters of the men I named, if it be proved that my suspicions are unfounded."

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

As Fea and the phantom walked through the village, she whispered in his ear.

"M'lad, earlier you said

I never even thought about it- figured it was just a pack of regular old wolves.

Did it not occur to you that the pretty lass was strung up to the ceiling? A pack of regular wolves can't tie knots. They sort of... um..." she thought for a moment, trying to put this delicately so that it might not be construed as suspicion so much as a somewhat affectionate correction. "M'boy, wolves lack the reach and the opposable thumbs."

Hearing a terrifyingly disembodied voice commanding them to return to the group, Fea and the phantom quickly followed orders.

As she looked around at the growing group of villagers, Fea began to post in a slightly different manner.

Fordim, I'd love for you to speak up and explain why you picked those two. Also, I'm very seriously considering dropping names like rabid ferrits (oh how I love this new phrase... ) just to see what people's reactions will be. Just to.. you know... spice things up a bit.