WWXLV: The Fellowship of Saruman

[Nogrod]

Soon Tom bursted singing once again.

"Four suspicious behaviours have I noted
under which an evil intent could be coated.

There are those who speak and act differently
those minds I do not follow gently.
Like our ranger Halbarad here who suspects
those with lots of words with no serious contents
but himself doesn't give us a penny's worth,
not even the relaxation with the mirth.

And like this Uglúk chosen by Curunir
whose bloodthirst reminds one of the Bauglir.
He calls for sense balancing the nonsense
while all he himself produces is a fence.
And how in importance he lifts his own tail,
while his reasons against the wizard are just stale.

There are also those who like to use arguments of others,
bandwaggoning suitable ideas to gain more believers.
Like our high-lord Elladan of Rivendell
too happy to follow the footsteps to hell:
going after the Uruk's mind with old Tom being vicious
trying to make us blind with Radagast casted suspicious?

The fourth one is a harder one to explain
but hopefully from my words you might gain
an insight to a matter of the venerable Gildor the high
whose self-reflectiviness might darker secrets imply.
Going after the bandwaggons but notifying it
and reminding that suspicion is a dangerous gift."


After the recitation Tom felt suddenly tired and laid down unscrewing his flask.

"I'll just take a nap to refresh me old bones and brains but I'll catch you up before the sun sets. So don't you worry."

A faint "tralla-lally" came from his lips before he fell asleep.

EDIT: X'd with Gildor & Radagast & Halbarad
EDIT2: removed a doubling of "to follow" from Elladan rhyme...

[A Little Green]

"I thank you, lord", said Éomer, bowing curtly to Gildor. Though he had said he'd gather his thoughts, he wasn't sure if they were gathered at all. These are strange days, he thought. Dreams and legends spring to life out of the grass. Indeed I wondered at the peculiar combination of the fellowship: along with me and my cousin Théodred there was to be sent a strange old woman who barely reaches my waist, hobbit they call her, a halfling come to life from the stories of old (though a little less spectacular than I'd have expected); a ranger from the north, who seemed to me a good solid man; a dwarven king, weird but honourable; elves, and many of them too: these twins seemed to be honourable folk, high in both wisdom and valour, that Gildor fellow looked trustworthy as well, but of the Lady of the Golden Wood I had heard much, and not much of it praise. Net-weaver and sorcerer she is told to be, and only a few escape her nets. Mayhaps she holds that hateful Saruman in her grasp? I wouldn't find it impossible, after all the devilry that wizard has done to our land... Also I wondered at the other wizard, that Radagast, he seemed more like a rather senile old fellow talking to birds than a wizard of power and highness; but old Gandalf at least can mayhaps be trusted, though I was uneasy with those he calls friends. But the strangest of all was this singing fellow with the yellow boots. What does he do here, I wonder? Sing ill-rhymed songs (really, I'd make loads better!) and dance and hop around like a maniac rabbit? And an orc? I respect Uglúk as a captain respects another, but I didn't relish the idea of being in a fellowship with an orc.

Travelling with the company had cleared Éomer's head somewhat, and changed his impressions on the peculiar cretures he was travelling with. He cleared his throat, as the others had started to look at him expectantly.

"I have to disagree with lord Bombadil with his words:

So look closely the hasty accusations,
as they may reveal darker aspirations.

I do not see it so; actually, lord, you seem to contradict yourself. First, you urge us to discuss with substance, and then say hasty accusations are not to be trusted? Hasty accusations, I fear, are all we have to go on with for now.

"The sincerity of the Lady of the Golden Wood I doubt. I do not like the way she flows around the place with only a few careful words into someone's ear as she passes. I do not trust her. A sorceress she is called, and mayhaps not in vain. No smoke without fire, they say in my land.

"Though I hold no love for the race of orcs, I do not suspect this Uglúk a traitor. He looks to me sincere in the way of his own fell people. On the other hand, lord Elladan seems overly eager to accuse him based on only his race. I do not think we can afford to hold our personal grudges here, for the benefit of all.

"And, on top of this tangle, I fear what this elf Gildor might be hiding behind his mask of fair courtesy."

Éomer sighed. He still grudged that they had to go on foot. Wish I had my Firefoot with me, he thought. But I'm not going to complain. One must adapt to the conditions. He missed horses and swordplay and deeds of honour, he missed leading his éored through the green plains of the Riddermark. He was annoyed with all these weird creatures he should travel with. They were a marvel and a wonder, but not as satisfying company as the honest, valiant men of his land. That thought in mind, Éomer joined his cousin Théodred.


EDIT: x-ed with Lobelia, Halbarad, Elrohir and Radagast

[Nogrod]

"Old minds
create limping rhymes,
my dear Eomer of Rohan...
That's sad but true,
so bad and nothing new",

Tom hummed more to himself than to others who had already passed a long way before him. But somehow he had heard the few words made while he slept.

"Now this sure is the quietest company I've had since the early days... and we'd need to talk if the traitors are to be found."

He rised up and straightened his colourful clothes before picking his stuff.

"But we should not talk just anything." He murmured while he gathered the last objects he possessed. "Digging ourselves into the creatures we are and only coming up with ideas that we should do in everyday life or which are expected from us just aren't good enough at this moment. If you men or elves doubt the Uruk please give a reason to it, if you Uruk want someone's blood give us a reason for it... gnarl-gnarl-gnarl... Uh-oh... you will get older and grumpier one day too and then you will see that stereotypes do not help you in trouble and that maintaining a jolly face is a burden indeed..."

Tom looked unexpectedly energetic with his concerns at the moment - or was it just that he was missing his wine-skin still?

"Ahh... there you are... Now where was I? Nothing seems to be wrong after all! A good skin of wine, beautiful hollies around and a whole forest of flowers around! Hey dol! Merry dol! Ring a dong dillo!"

Suddenly he froze as a thought entered his mind concerning the fellowship.

"If someone needs to be sent back from this company let it be one who has not bothered to open his mind as yet. And with opening one's mind I mean actually saying something out of what one could conveniently hide behind - the mask of everyday expectations - or just stayed away from discussions."

Slowly he shook his head as he felt he had somehow been very much un-Tom-Bombadillish. You're getting old Tom, really old. Maybe you should just turn back home to Goldberry. This adventure is not doing good for you...

Happily he realised just then that there was a bunch of really beautiful harebells only a few yards away from him towards the way the other companions had walked... and then another bunch a bit more forwards... and another after that...

"Hey dol! Merry dol! Hey-ho-hey! Ring-a-ding-a-delly!
Here go the harebells, ding-dong along, to my Goldberry!"

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

It appeared to Galadriel that the quest was about to take an ugly turn and soon she would have to make some desitions that would be necisary to make, but very risky.

She spoke out loud "Soon decistions will have to be made and soon we shall receive answers, be they good or bad"

She looked at her companions before continuing "Now the song The Eldest sang just before was as honey to my ear and I could not have sung it better my self"

Galadriel the directed her attention towards to Eomer "It would not be the first time that the assistans of Lothlorien have gone unoticed by the people of Rohan, but I shall not hold this against you. Your words seem to have no malice behind them and I can understand that you wish for me to talk more, but I only talk when I have things worth saying"

Galadriel looked to Gandalf for she must desired to hear his view on things, but not sound came from his lips.
"I am most grieved by the absense of Gandalf's advice as I have great belife in his wisdom, absent could be a sign of treachery, but I do not belive that is the case with him."

All fell into silence minutes pasted before the silence was broken, again it was Galadriel who spoke. Her face showed clear signs of remorse, she was not happy about what she had to do.
"I will have to make my desition now as delaying this matter could cloud my mind, Halbarad has seemingly tried to stir up trouble by bringing up the question of who should be ringbearer. This even though it was already decided well in advance."

++Halbarad

Crossposted with Dain and everybody since

[Gwathagor]

Halbarad bowed his head.

"My lady Galadriel, have I said aught concerning the Ringbearer since our journey began? Before we left Rivendell, I made it clear that I did not wish this burden on myself, and suggested that the Ring remain with a hobbit. But no strife have I sought to stir up. Nonetheless, the regard that I hold you in, lady, is such that I shall not contend with you on this; only consider carefully, that your wisdom may not cloud your common sense."

EDIT: Crossed with Gildor

[Gwathagor]

"Gildor, it is as you say. The guilty are often quick to support the accusers of the innocent."

EDIT: Crossed with Gandalf

[Thinlómien]

"Old Iarwain, although spending disturbingly much time with his wineskin, has uttered words of wisdom. He said

"If someone needs to be sent back from this company let it be one who has not bothered to open his mind as yet. And with opening one's mind I mean actually saying something out of what one could conveniently hide behind - the mask of everyday expectations - or just stayed away from discussions."

Now, sunset is drawing nearer and to my disappointment, neither my eyes nor my heart can see who is the evil-doer among us. Rather than send away someone who is vaguely suspicious, I'd rather send someone who is distinctively unhelpful. But are there even such people? How strong are the shadows of suspicion in my mind? I need to reconsider and pray for Elbereth." Gildor walked on in silence, resting his eyes on the flowers old Iarwain so cherished.

After a while, he continued. "Halbarad then... I would like to call you a friend, but my distrust of you is growing. I do not understand why do you take all the accusations against you so humbly and why are you so apologetic, if indeed your heart is pure? Where is the pride and the fierce flame of the Dúnedain?"

Then the Noldo faced the Grey Wizard, his eyes full of seriousness and even sorrow. "Mithrandir, your conduct grieves me. You set yourself as the mediator and the leader who takes no sides, the ultimate judge. You may have the right to do so in this company, unless your brother Radagast grudges it. Yet it pains me to see you unwilling to share your thoughts with us. None of us is on the mission in vain, all of us has been chosen. None of is meaningless nor devoid of judgement or wisdom of thought." (At this phase he glanced at the Uruk, the grumpy old woman and the hot-headed young Rohir, but said nothing. It was better not to let prejudices reign.)

Still, the wizard's parting words rang in his mind.

"And i will let you know that you were not in my list of traitors, so do not give me reasons to change my mind about you."

"Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger," Gildor recited an old saying. "Indeed it seems so. Even though Mithrandir is known for his temper, this kind of blunt threat both grieves and worries me. It is more like something I would expect from a servant of the Enemy than the gentle Maia who has great love for the Children of Ilúvatar... unless of course he was jesting." But the seriousness did not leave his eyes and his mind was greatly troubled.


edit: xed with Elrohir, Dáin, Dáin, Lobelia, Gandalf, Halbarad and Dáin - action at last!

[Gil-Galad]

++Halbarad

"My dear ranger, your actions are indeed troubling. After your vote by Galadriel, Elrohir voted Ugluk, which you then joined in accusing Elrohir of his actions. i have a feeling that you would have tried to rally support against Elrohir and to brush aside Galadriel's vote on you. It troubles me to bring the death of a friend, but if you and Ugluk are in league together, then we must act now."

Gandalf looked again to Gildor.

"do not worry friend elf, i will be true to my word and i will express my thoughts the next day. i will say no more in this matter, just have patience."

OOC: i am off to work, so i will come back on to view the aftermath of day one

[Thinlómien]

"Mithrandir, it is not just your opinion you take away from us, but you also prevent us from seeing your innocence - or guilt - which is most troublesome. So please speak." Gildor's tone was grave. The wizard's manner troubled him, but he was not eager to send someone so powerful away at such an early phase.

"On a lighter note, I think Dáin II looks quite trustworthy. Maybe there still are noble Naugrim in this world, like in the days of old.

Less light - again - is that the ranger Halbard seems quite bad. But I have heard that last time when he fought against the beasts of Evil, he was unjustly sent away by his own kin in the very first moments of the fight, and I would not see such shame on him so soon again, unless I really had a reason to doubt his intentions."


edit: xed with Son of Théoden, the Grey Pilgrim and Mrs Sackville-Baggins

[Aganzir]

Lobelia looked sulky. She wasn't in a talkative mood today, and she had a feeling she was once again disdained - people didn't trust her being a capable Ring-bearer. What angered her was that Bilbo had already managed to mislead some of her companions. How long will he continue spoiling my life?

She smiled at Radagast. "I am glad to see that not everyone's eyes are veiled by prejudice. But your own thoughts are hidden from me, and when you speak I can only hear birds singing and bees humming."

Originally Posted by Halbarad

"Perhaps I should be more suspicious of those who have said little to nothing at all. In truth, silence is a better cover than speaking, for the talker draws attention to himself, whereas the silent will be considered wise."

Lobelia turned to point at Halbarad with her umbrella. "Yes, indeed! When someone points out the flaw in your logic, this is what you do! Everybody knows it is somewhat acceptable to accuse those who are silent, but I have never before seen this blunt a change! You are trying to hide by suspecting the silent, aren't you? Guess what I say to that? Traitor!"

She paused and drew breath. It was long since she had had a chance to shout at someone properly. Had she done it after Lotho had grown up? Yes - several times, actually, now that she came to think of it. Lotho had always been a nasty child, and despite being full grown now, still was. It took Lobelia time and effort to try to get him behave himself, but she had never really succeeded. He is too much like his father.

"I do not trust Master Éomer. I cannot put my finger on it, but I disagree with him on some things, which, to me, look like he has said them only to keep the discussion in the nonsense area. Things like a traitor might say. But I am not going to express too much concern about him yet, because I do not know if I find him suspicious only because of our differences in thinking.

Dáin, if a cool head is all that you need, you are a lucky fellow! But yes, I can admit being content with condemning speakers and throwing confusion. It may be that the traitors are more confused than the rest."

edit: xed with two Halbarads, Gandalf, Elrohir and two Dáins
edit2: bolding

[Groin Redbeard]

Originally Posted by Aganzir

Dáin, if a cool head is all that you need, you are a lucky fellow! But yes, I can admit being content with condemning speakers and throwing confusion. It may be that the traitors are more confused than the rest."

"I have done you no harm and still you continue to insult me Lobelia, I must warn you that my patience will not last forever! I was not one of those who believed you to be capable of carrying the Ring, but I am prepared to walk with you to Mordor and beyond. Refuse my help too much and I will be gone!"

EDIT: X'd with Halbarad

[Aganzir]

Originally Posted by Halbarad

"Why do you cast your vote against Ugluk? Persuade us with some reason, if you can. Justify your decision."

Lobelia made a stern face and imitated the ranger's voice: "Give me good reasons to vote for Uglúk so that I don't have to vote any of my fellows!" She swiped at Halbarad's direction with her umbrella.

"Dáin, you were not one to believe in me. Why should I think even now that you have changed your mind? Maybe you find yourself a better Bearer, maybe you would rather get rid of me and gain the Ring to yourself... Yet it is not me whom you are helping but the whole of Middle-earth, so you don't need to threaten me. I suppose I will manage well enough even without a dwarf to help me!

Tom and Gildor, voting for an unhelpful today may be alright, but there are so few of us that we cannot afford to do that until every more or less unhelpful person is dead or sent away."

edit: xed with Théodred and Gandalf

[Groin Redbeard]

Originally Posted by Aganzir

"Dáin, you were not one to believe in me. Why should I think even now that you have changed your mind? Maybe you find yourself a better Bearer, maybe you would rather get rid of me and gain the Ring to yourself... Yet it is not me whom you are helping but the whole of Middle-earth, so you don't need to threaten me. I suppose I will manage well enough even without a dwarf to help me!

Dáin gave a deep sigh. "Your fate is tied to the fate of others mistress Lobelia," Dáin said in a deep soothing voice, "It is the will of the council that and I were picked for this mission, and our quarreling will not help matters at all."

"I will be alone now and think take into account what everyone has said; I'll be back and cast my vote later." And with that Dáin II. Ironfoot went to be alone and think on the decision that he would make.

EDIT: X'd with Gildor