WWXLV: The Fellowship of Saruman

[Aganzir]

++ Tom Bombadil

edit: xed with Radagast and Gildor

[satansaloser2005]

"I feel this may have been a mistake. Why did I fail to help eject Elrohir from our company? An oversight of unforgiveable porportions on my behalf, and though it was due to my rushed decision, I still am angry with my stupidity.

Nevertheless, we will accept the consequences. Sleep well my friends, for these speeches made right before sundown will be the topic of great discussion tomorrow."

With that, Theodred went off for a brief sleep.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

By the end of the day, following the course of the riverbed of Sirannon the Fellowship reached a low cliff, some five fathoms high, with a broken and jagged top. Over it a trickling water dripped, through a wide cleft that seemed to have been carved out by a fall that had once been strong and full. There it was, when the talk between the Companions almost turned into a fight.
After the last words of those accusing her, Lobelia laughed. It was not a sad laughter of one who is defeated, but a sad laughter of one who saw the foolishness of others and the way they took.

"So be it," she said. "I should have expected this from the likes of you. Noble, fair or wise some of you may think to be, but there is little nobility, little wisdom and seemingly no loyalty and trust in the wisdom of the Head of the Council among you. From the moment he left us this has been going in a wrong course. You sent away another of the Wise, and now you want me to go. You don't trust me? Fine, have the Ring!" With these words she took the chain with the Ring off of her neck and lifted it in front of them.
"Take it, then! I am really curious who among you will take it, and to what end it will lead you." Gildor, who was standing the nearest, reluctantly took the chain. Lobelia turned away.
"And now I will go home," she said and began to slowly walk back.

The other Companions looked at each other. They hesitated, and after hearing her last words, some were in doubt. Was Lobelia really a traitor?
"Wait!" Théodred shouted. "Wait, Mistress Lobelia!"
"Mistress Baggins!" cried Dáin.

She stopped. Then she turned; the beams of the setting sun surrounded her silhouette, they could not see her face. She reached to her side and lifted something with her right hand.

"Is she waving at us with her umbrella?" Éomer asked. But then he realised it: the umbrella was in Lobelia's left hand.
"What?" gasped Elrohir.

***

On the morning of the last day before the Fellowship left Rivendell, Bilbo was sitting alone in his room. Soon soft steps were heard outside the room. The old hobbit lifted himself and went to open the door.
"Oh, my dear Lobelia," he said, seeing the newcomer. "Please, come in."
Lobelia entered, looking suspiciously around the room. "Why did you ask me to come here?" she asked.
Bilbo stopped near the window and looked around nervously. "Well, I thought, you know," he stammered. "I wanted to apologize to you for how I acted on the Council..."
Lobelia looked at him, raising her eyebrows.
"We should be family, after all," the hobbit continued. "And, you see, I thought about it... the Ring is now going with you, and I -" he faltered. "I wanted to give you something."
He walked to the corner of the room and pulled out from under his bed a wooden box. He lifted the lid and took out a small sword in an old shabby leathern scabbard.
Then he drew it, and its polished and well-tended blade glittered suddenly, cold and bright. "This is Sting," he said, and thrust it with little effort deep into a wooden beam. "It is my sword, you know, the one I acquired on my journeys... I wanted to offer it to you, as you are carrying the Ring, and it may come useful on the journey..."
Lobelia was quite surprised and confused. She did not know what to think of the old hobbit's offer, even though she knew he is being right. I never wielded a sword, she thought. And why should I have? But now, it could indeed be useful... she was well aware of her importance as the Ringbearer. She could not deny the sword was beautiful, in a way.
Bilbo looked at her nervously. "So, what do you say?"

***

"I was watching over you," Lobelia said, holding the sword up. "At Caradhras, I did. I was not swift enough to save that poor Elf twin. But protecting such ungrateful company is beyond me. Face the consequences. Face them yourselves," she said, and finally turning away, not reacting to others' cries, she walked away.

-----------------------------------------------

The Fellowship:

A Little Green - Éomer
Groin Redbeard - Dáin II. Ironfoot
Gwathagor - Halbarad
McCaber - Elrohir
Meneltarmacil - Uglúk
Nogrod - Tom Bombadil
Rune son of Bjarne - Galadriel
Sally - Théodred
THE Ka - Radagast
Thinlómien - Gildor Inglorion

Gone:

Gil-Galad - Gandalf (left the Fellowship in Eregion) - innocent
Nerwen - Elladan (lost in the Pass of Caradhras) - innocent
Aganzir - Lobelia Sackville-Baggins (departed the Company by the dry streambed of Sirannon) - First Ringbearer & Protector

-----------------------------------------------

The second Collision is about to come. Everyone stop posting. Traitors start PMing. Everyone send me your picks, kills and other things.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

After Lobelia left, the Company stood still reluctantly for a moment. But the evening was closing, so they had to move. They climbed up the stony stair eastwards, back to the roots of the mountains. At the top they stopped. Behind them the sinking Sun filled the cool western sky with glimmering gold. Before them stretched a dark still lake. Neither sky nor sunset was reflected on its sullen surface. The Sirannon had been dammed and had filled all the valley. Beyond the ominous water were reared vast cliffs, their stern faces pallid in the fading light: final and impassable.
"There are the Walls of Moria!" cried Dáin. "Is that the path we are going to take now?"
"It is the best choice for us," said Galadriel. "There is no other way we can reach the other side of the mountains unnoticed."
"The name of Moria is black," said Halbarad with a grim face.
"Yet Gandalf would have advised us to take this way," Radagast said. "It is unpleasant to lose the sight of the sky and sun for some time, but this is indeed the fastest way to reach the pleasant and green valleys of Anduin."
"I would like to see them green at this time," said Éomer. "Yet if you insist, I will follow you to the darkness – if there is hope for us to come out again."
"Do not doubt it," Galadriel said. "I have passed through Khazad-Dûm, a long time ago."
Dáin and the Elves looked at her with surprise. She smiled, but the Dwarf frowned under that look, as if he remembered something unpleasant from the past. "But what?" he said. "Are we going to swim this gloomy water? It has an unwholesome look."
"There is a path by the northern edge," Halbarad said. "We might try to find our way around the shore."

He went forward and the others followed him. Only Tom Bombadil stood silently and watched the still lake. "This is ill water," he said.
Éomer turned at him. "We know that," he said. "But we must go around it to reach this gate, wherever it is."
Tom shook his head. "Tom expected at least the Fair Folk to be wiser than crawl into dark holes underground."
"You don't have to go, little man," said Uglúk.
"Don't hinder us," said Elrohir. "Let's go!"

The diminished Fellowship quickly passed around the lake to reach the walls of Moria. As Théodred, the last of the Company, stepped on the dry ground on the far side, there came a soft sound: a swish, followed by a plop, as if a fish had disturbed the still surface of the water. Turning quickly they saw ripples, black-edged with shadow in the waning light: great rings were widening outwards from a point far out in the lake. There was a bubbling noise, and then silence. The dusk deepened, and the last gleams of the sunset were veiled in cloud.

"So, where is this gate?" Théodred asked. "It may be dark inside, but somehow I would prefer it over standing on the shore of this lake after dusk."
"The Dwarven door is always hidden," Dáin explained.
"So can we find it?" Halbarad asked. "I thought you, Lady, said you have passed through before."
"I did," said Galadriel, lifting her white arms and touching the stony wall. "And I know the door does not open by itself."

Galadriel whispered something softly and, to everyone's surprise, where there was just plain wall a few moments ago, a great doorway opened.

"This is our way," Galadriel said, turning back on the others.
Bombadil gazed into the darkness inside. "This is not a good place," he said. "These are no longer Dwarven homes, but cold and dark caves and halls."
Dáin was standing still, clutching his fists, pale in his face. "It has been too long," he muttered to himself. "Balin..."
Radagast shook his head. "Come on! Wake up! This is no time to stay!" He took few steps to the edge of the pool and raising high his staff, he hit the surface of the water with a flash.
Instantly after the staff hit the surface, there was a swish and a bubble from further in the pool. Great rippling rings formed on the surface somewhere in the middle of the lake, and they moved slowly towards the foot of the cliff.
"Why did you do that, Radagast?" said Éomer. "I hate this place, and I am afraid. I don't know of what: not of the traitors among us, not of the dark behind the doors, but of something else. I am afraid of the pool. Don't disturb it!"
"We have been standing and talking here for too long," said Gildor. "Let us go in."
"This is an evil door, and my death lies beyond it. I will dare to pass it nonetheless," said Halbarad. He strode forward, but at that moment several things happened. Éomer felt something seize him by the ankle, and he fell with a cry. The others swung round and saw the waters of the lake seething, as if a host of snakes were swimming up from the southern end.
Out from the water a long sinuous tentacle had crawled; it was pale-green and luminous and wet. Its fingered end had hold of Éomer's foot and was dragging him into the water.
"Into the gateway! Up the stairs! Quick!" shouted Radagast leaping back.
Rousing them from the horror that seemed to have rooted all to the ground where they stood, he drove them forward. But then Éomer drew his sword and with one slash he cut the hideous tentacle away. He fell on his face, and twenty other arms came rippling out. The dark water boiled, and there was a hideous stench.
"We cannot help him!" shouted Radagast. "Up the stairs!"
Several tentacles grabbed Éomer's legs and body. He almost could not move. But he was still clutching his sword. He lifted his head, and his eyes met Radagast's. And with shock and horror, the Wizard realised the young Rohir's eyes were shining with anger and hatred.
"Cannot help me?" Éomer shouted with surprising strength. "I see – you are leaving me to die here! This was all your doing – traitor!!!"
Radagast felt as if time had slowed for him. He had enough time to watch Éomer's arm rising, he saw him stretching his hand and then, throwing his sword against him. He had enough time to see the sword of Mark flying through the air towards him and hitting him, while the slimy green tentacles slowly dragged Éomer into the water and the lake closed above him.

Radagast collapsed on the steps. But to the dismay of the remaining Companions, about his body a grey mist gathered, and rising slowly to a great height like smoke from a fire, as a pale shrouded figure it loomed over the pool. For a moment it wavered, looking to the West; but out of the West came a cold wind, and it bent away, and with a sigh dissolved into nothing.

Galadriel was the first to break the silence. "Come!" she cried, although even in her voice the horror was heard. "This is not over yet! Get away from the door!"

They were just in time. Uglúk and Tom were only a few steps up, and Halbarad had just begun to climb, when the groping tentacles writhed across the narrow shore and fingered the cliff-wall and the doors. One came wriggling over the threshold, glistening in the starlight. Galadriel turned and paused. If she was considering what would close the gate again from within, there was no need. Many coiling arms seized the doors on either side, and with horrible strength, swung them round. With a shattering echo they slammed, and all light was lost. A noise of rending and crashing came dully through the ponderous stone. They were now trapped inside Moria, and the only way out was on the other side.

-----------------------------------------------
The Fellowship has entered the Mines of Moria.
-----------------------------------------------

The Fellowship:

Groin Redbeard - Dáin II. Ironfoot
Gwathagor - Halbarad
McCaber - Elrohir
Meneltarmacil - Uglúk
Nogrod - Tom Bombadil
Rune son of Bjarne - Galadriel
Sally - Théodred
Thinlómien - Gildor Inglorion

Gone:

Gil-Galad - Gandalf (left the Fellowship in Eregion) - innocent
Nerwen - Elladan (lost in the Pass of Caradhras) - innocent
Aganzir - Lobelia Sackville-Baggins (departed the Company by the dry streambed of Sirannon) - First Ringbearer & Protector
A Little Green – Éomer (dragged into the pool by the Watcher in the Water) - Avenger
THE Ka – Radagast (killed by Éomer's sword Gúthwinë by the Gates of Moria) - traitor
-----------------------------------------------

The third part of the journey begins. Traitors stop talking. Everyone start posting. And if the former events were too little for you, you can decide who shall be the next Ringbearer.

[satansaloser2005]

Theodred was overcome with sorrow at the loss of his cousin, though proud that Eomer's last act had been to conquer a traitor. He resolved to sit in silence for a while before joining the day's discussion.

[Thinlómien]

"Brave was Éomer son of Éomund from the green land of Calenardhon, and although I grieve his death, he did not die in vain, for he killed a traitor, and indeed the slyest of them all, it seems. For I did nor foresee Radagast's treachery, and I daresay few others could.

His guilt has somewhat reduced my doubt of Iarwain Ben-adar. If they were companions in treachery, I do not see why would he spread light on the suspicious actions of his fellow who was unsuspected or unnoticed by everyone else. Or maybe he could, but not in the manner he did it."

Gildor paused. He weighed the strange Ring in his hands and tried not to think about it. He was afraid of its power and its lures and had been reluctant to take it, even though he believed he had more willpower and harmony of mind than perhaps any of the others. He tried to catch someone glaring at the precious Ring, but no one was eyeing it greedily. He shook his head. The path of catching the remaining traitors would be a more difficult one.

"As soon as I can, I will go through everybody's relations with Radagast in my mind." He fell silent. Then he hid the Ring. It was useless to create more evil by having it in plain sight.

[Groin Redbeard]

Dain stood in shock as the doors of Khazadum closed with a collosial bang. He stood for a while in horror of what had just happened, but it was only for a second. He shook his head at the loss of Eomer, his words might have helped fellowship for a while longer.

"I am not at all in favor of coming this way," he said. "Long ago did a warn Thrain of the danger that still dwells here, I fear that Durin's bane still lives. Balin set out from Esgaroth thirty years ago and has never been heard from since." he sighed hard through closed lips. "But do not let that disturb us, we may still go unoticed here, and we have one less traitor to worry us on our journey, one down two more two go."

He walked at the head of the council guiding the way along with Galadriel, and he marveled at the craftmenship of his people long ago and indeed would have loved to stay here longer; but he knew all to well of the danger that they were in and pushed on.

EDIT: X'd with Gildor

[Gwathagor]

Halbarad sat stunned for a moment, with a dark look upon his face, as he considered this sudden turn of events. He needed to choose his next words carefully, for this day could mean the life or death of the Fellowship. Careless words had been the cause of Lobelia's death in the closing hours of the previous day, and they could afford no more losses.

"The chances are that Elrohir is innocent after all, since Radagast the Traitor voted to expel him. Of course, Lobelia already had several votes when the Traitor voted, so it may have only been a subterfuge of the enemy who knew that Elrohir would not be voted out...? It is possible, but unlikely.

"What troubles me most now is yesterday's last minute voting frenzy between the allies of Lobelia and Bombadil. It was a generally nasty situation, and nearly everyone involved looks suspicious...except Lobelia, of course. My first instinct is that Bombadil looks the most suspicious of the participants in that disaster. However, I dare not rush to conclusions. Allow me a few hours alone to consider what transpired; when I return, I will join the debate. (I may eat some food while I am away as well and exercise while I am away as well!)"


EDIT: Crossed with Dain and Gildor

[Groin Redbeard]

Dain went over in his mind the doings of Radagast the brown during the last two days, in truth he had not suspected him in the slightest.

"Well, on thing we can be sure of is that Elrohir is in fact innocent, or all the more guilty. Radagast had voted for him when Lobelia was voted to leave. That was either a clever part on Radagast's part to fool us, seeing how few of us were eager to jump on Elrohir, or proves his innocents completely."

EDIT: X'd with Halbarad

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

Galadriel had failed the group earlier and she knew it, but there was little she could have done about it and there was nothing for her to do than to look ahead. Eventhough her speach at Sirannon had been the subject of debate, she where going to repeat the act.

Galadriel calmly adressed the group, it could not be seen that she was no longer as confident as earlier.



"Of Eomer I had great doubt and in Radagast I held great belief, both have been shamed at the walls of Moria. My wisdom seem to have left me to some degree, no doubt the pressens of the ring has some hold of me and is surrounding my thoughts with a grey mist of insecurity. It is the same mist that clouds my mind about the Ugluk the Orc and Theodred of Rohan.

Of something I am certain still. . .I can only say that I have grown more sure of the need for the departure of Iarwain. Of course my speech at Sirannon was prepared, I do not start speaking while knowing not what to say! Surely even I could not know whether I would have the chance to speak them, but at times one is willing to take risks. As Lobelia quit rightfully pointed out your view on that speech changed in a quite interesting manner.


On the subject of Lobelia: It will be hard to figure out if traitors where amongst the people responsible for her sending away. . . . her aggressive and somewhat unorthodox approach to our quest could have let many to belive that she was a traitor hiding in the open and indeed I was bewildered by her.

Halbarad Is hard to put a finger on, he seems to be bending like a branch in the wind no matter what happens.


Gildor You confuse me a bit, you seem at times highly suspicious and at other times you seem to posses your wisdom of old. Had it been someone I knew less than you I would give you the benefit of the doubt, but I do know you and I so I am letting you know that I am watching you closely."

[Nogrod]

Tom was both sad and proud of the young Eorling - and a little proud of himself as well. And in the middle of all the puzzles and confusion some of his normal self-confidence was back after the weary hours of the last Day. He was thinking to himself: I was right in the end! I'm normally not good with persons and conspiracies but with nature and Ilúvatar's simpler creations... But maybe I can indeed help these youngsters after all? So should I turn my eyes more intently towards the lady Galadriel toDay as I still have a similar kind of suspicion on her? Maybe I should indeed.

The fellowship was ascending the steps in the darkness and Tom couldn't but hum silently...

"I've wathched these mountains grow,
seen them aligning themselves in a row,
but still I hate being here in dark under them:
places without the sky are places for mayhem."

That wasn't the most cheery piece but it reflected his feeling about the mines of Moria quite accurately. But then he heard some people already starting discussion and he started thinking about what they had said and what had happened.

X'd with Galadriel