WWXLV: The Fellowship of Saruman

[Thinlómien]

"Honourable King Dáin, I appreciate the fact that you agree with me and that you think me innocent, for that is the truth. However, when you say

"Gildor, I was glad to hear your words once again, and as usual they offer more incite than any of us here. I do not believe that you are a traitor like the wise Galadriel says, for if you were, would you offer such excellent incite on the words of your fellow traitor? Of course not! For everything that you say about Radagast is true and there has been no misinterpretations.

I do not like the ring of it. You are slightly too eager to pronounce your trust in me and claiming there are no misinterpretations is dubious. For how could any of us know there are no misinterpretations? Even the other traitors cannot tell that. We would need the spirit of the dead wizard to tell us what he thought in order to interpret everything correctly." Then Gildor's features softened. "Maybe it is just weird Dwarven hastiness or fierceness I'm unfamiliar with. I do not think this comment of Dáin's is incriminating, merely that he should probably be more careful when he judges, if he indeed is innocent."

Then he turned his gaze to the Orc. "Uglúk, I think your latest words sounded most sincere. I'm less wary of you than I was a moment ago.

You said

As for Tom, turning against Radagast is something I wouldn't put past him. He's not the kind that would save a fellow traitor if it meant putting himself at risk. And by doing such a thing, he's effectively distanced himself well.

and I must agree with it. However, I do not think it would be his first choice of action."

Gildor then glared at Halbarad, hoping he could see behind the stern grey eyes. "You, my friend, I cannot read and you constantly evade my thought. I need to pay far more attention to you."

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

Galadriel heard the words Gildor spoke of Ugluk and was suprised by them and so felt the need to adress him.
"It is interesting that I felt quite the opposite when hearing the words of the orc, it is not at all clear what he tries to say, he points out some of the things you stadet earlier, but does not conclude on them.

On a personal note I don't know if he suspects me or not, earlier there was nothing suspiciouse about me and it is not to tell from his last words whether that has changed or not"

EDIT: Crossed with Halbarad

[Nogrod]

"It's beginning to look like old Iarwain is packing his things toDay then... unless of those who have already spoken about their intention of voting me two are traitors themselves..." Tom sighed and shook his head. There seemed to be no believable chances for him to continue with the fellowship. After a while he smiled though. But I'm getting back to see Goldberry... and I don't need to face the one I sense is on the move deep down in the mines. Throw me thousand orcs and I will sing them away but that one could challenge even old Ben Adar...

He looked at the fellowship, or what was left of it.

"But at least one thing I will tell you if I'm not around toMorrow. And that is why I have not talked about our master dwarf until now. He was over-eager to support me and to trust my words and overjoyed to hear me talk on the first Day - and on the second as well. It was puzzling but I thought he might have been the seer who had had a dream on the Night before and knew I am innocent. A little clumsy seer - or overenthusiastic to press his point - but anyhow. Now he has turned his mind a full round as it starts to look possible that I might indeed be voted off. And how come he starts the same thing with master Gildor here affirming everything he says so as to be in good terms and not gather suspicion?

But I must tell you Daín that I did not not-suspect you because you rubbed my back nicely but because I thought you might be the seer. Now as I see you're not and as I see how you try to take your chances in sending yet another innocent away I must say that you have risen pretty high on my list of suspicions."

He sat down and draw breath. There was a mixed feeling of joy and sorrow in him. But even if he was to go he would try to help these heroes for five of them were still good and just two were rotten. But even one rotten apple can waste a whole basket.

EDIT: X'd with Galadriel & Halbarad: oh my...

[Meneltarmacil]

*continues running from the goblins*

Well, I think I've made my points pretty clear. Time to vote.

++Tom Bombadil

Anybody but me think we might be running in the wrong direction? I'm seeing some kind of strange fiery light ahead, and that threatening smell from earlier is getting stronger as we run toward it...

[Thinlómien]

"Iarwain speaks as if he was dead already... which could be because he's a traitor and traitors always over-estimate the pressure on them." Gildor sighed. "I do not know. I am suspicious of him, yet I'm not. There's a lot in him that does not sit right with me, but on the other hand, he does not seem particularly guilty. And if it comforts you at all, Iarwain, I must say I'm by no means decided on sending you away, you're but one of many options.

Halbarad - indeed, a Radagast-Iarwain-Elrohir trio is possible, one of those I've been thinking about. I thank you for saying it aloud and helping me shape my thoughts on the matter. It would be a foul and deceitful trio, but a possible one. I can see those two nature-lovers turning against their companion who fails to speak up or make a lot of sense. I still hesitate... would this be too easy?

And I must disagree with you, Halbarad, here

However, Gildor also mentions that Galadriel seems suspicious in light of her interaction with Radagast - this I do not understand. If I was to be suspicious of Galadriel, it would be for her poor behavior during the first day and a half, or so, not for her very limited involvement with the wizard. Perhaps I am too trusting, or too dull. I lack Gildor's elven sight and greater experience in these matters.

for why I suspected her was rather how she declared him innocent and how he slightly defended her.

You also said

I feel as though Elrohir has consistently ignored any attempts to make him speak up, participate, and, especially, explain that irritating first vote, which I cannot forget. Would a traitor not be more interested in appeasing his accusers? I do not know.

to which I would like to say: yes, a traitor called Elrohir would. I do not claim to know him well, but his manner in a thing like this could be as sly as that."

Gildor paused, glanced at the roof and grieved that he could not see the stars. He had never been one to enjoy himself indoors. Then he continued.

"I find it almost scary how much I agree with Halbarad at the present. Either it is because innocent minds often think alike, or then he is a treacherous traitor who seeks to gain my trust."

He smiled.

"Speaking of gaining my trust, it seems like almost everybody here is agreeing with me, calling me helpful and not suspecting me. It seems like people want to be friends with me. Which I would have nothing against if two of you weren't traitors. A refreshing exception to this party of admirers - if I may phrase it in such a comical way - is lady Galadriel, and that is one of the reasons I'm leaning to considering her innocent." He nodded approvingly to his mighty kinswoman.

"On a totally different subject, one thing we have not talked about very much is Éomer's death. I know our journey in the dark draws near its ending, but I still must see if this awakens any discussion. We have been so delighted by his braveness that we have forgotten about an important aspect of the happenings at the gates of Moria. Why was he killed? Someone said he might have suspected toi be the seer. If I have spare time, I will indeed have a closer look at it because it indeed might give new insights to this situation."


edit: xed with Uglúk

[Nogrod]

"With some of the last one task I may spare your work master Gildor. I said the traitors might have thought her the seer as she was one of the few who suspected Radagast the traitor.

And yes I speak like one who's going home already as at least three members of our fellowship have already spoken of their willing to vote for me and with this company of eight it's more or less a done deal then. That's maths and probabilities, not over-reacting.

But to a graver matter - for some of you will be alive and need to go on with the mission the council sent us. You didn't turn your ear to my worries about Radagast yesterDay evening - and I admit it came too late and is then also my fault. I should have realised it earlier. But it also seems that you're now totally ignoring my worry about Daín as well."

He turned towards Gildor and challenged his eyes. "At least you should have shown some concern as you're the next one the dwarf is trying to embrace into your death... unless you're his mate that is.

I mean how come such a seerish looking person is alive in the first place, one who trusts so openly someone the traitors know to be innocent? Also the fact that Radagast totally ignores him and he only makes a few totally unforthcoming mentionings of Radagast suggest a possibility of a treacherous link between them. It's not the worst case suggested these days.

Although I feel there is a more active traitor among us and I just hope you will be able to fish him out from the lot early enough.

But you will have one Day to mull over these things, right? After that it's over if you miss then as well."

Tom seemed to have an idea and a slight smile appeared to his face albeit a sad one.

"It's quite ironic that I should be in a position where Lobelia was yesterDay and to feel like saying that the outcome of your votes will be exactly what you deserve..."

[Thinlómien]

"Iarwain, you say

But it also seems that you're now totally ignoring my worry about Daín as well."

He turned towards Gildor and challenged his eyes. "At least you should have shown some concern as you're the next one the dwarf is trying to embrace into your death... unless you're his mate that is.

I mean how come such a seerish looking person is alive in the first place, one who trusts so openly someone the traitors know to be innocent? Also the fact that Radagast totally ignores him and he only makes a few totally unforthcoming mentionings of Radagast suggest a possibility of a treacherous link between them. It's not the worst case suggested these days.

and that may make sense. I have not suspected Dáin much because he simply hasn't looked partcularly suspicious to me. I must reconsider this all know and I'm very aware that there are far more faces to this thing - and other things - than I will talk about out loud. I need to muse through everything King Dáin has said before judging him finally and I'm afraid there won't be time for that here in Moria."

Gildorhalted and listened to the drums. Then he continued. "I will now speak plainly. Galadriel and Théodred I now believe innocent. If I had to guess, I would say that Uglúk and Dáin are innocent as well, but I'm not sure here at all. I believe the two remaining culprits may well be among Halbarad, Elrohir and Iarwain. I'm very unsure and would need to re-think everything in order to be clear.

This maybe an unwise folly, but for today, I'm afraid I do not care so much about how is lynched. I am eagerly waiting for our next travle phase when we know the roles of two more people. Then, if there are still two traitors in our midst, we will have the final fight in which I will take part wholeheartedly and there will be a lot of clues around. However, I do not advise you to adopt this attitude. Although I do suspect Iarwain, if he's innocent, his death would indeed be a grievous loss (but would remove an enigma, that I do admit).

Is there anyone else but me who would favour voting Lord Elrohir out today than me? Like I said I'm in a mood for gathering clues and I will feel far more safe next time we debate if I do not have such an uncertainity factor lurking around. And besides, one can hardly claim his actions have been innocent-looking."


edit: xed with Elrohir

[satansaloser2005]

Originally Posted by Thinlómien;"I will now speak plainly. [B

Galadriel[/B] and Théodred I now believe innocent. If I had to guess, I would say that Uglúk and Dáin are innocent as well, but I'm not sure here at all. I believe the two remaining culprits may well be among Halbarad, Elrohir and Iarwain. I'm very unsure and would need to re-think everything in order to be clear. "

"I urge you to keep in mind, sir Gildor, that both the traitor Radagast and our Halbarad voted to excuse Elrohir from our company yesterday, and that it was likely he could indeed be voted out. I find Halbarad more suspicious of the two, if only marginally, and thus I think it is safe to assume that if Halbarad is a traitor, Elrohir is not. I would just like to point that out before someone takes your words and incorrectly assumes Elrohir and Halbarad to be traitors together."




"My friends, the day draws to a close, yet only two votes have been cast, and even those I do not agree with. Where are you, my companions? Please speak again quickly so that we may make the wisest decision of whom to cast out." With that, Theodred again fell silent.

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

"Gildor, I understand that you are nervouse about sending Iarwain away in case he is indeed true to our quest, as he could be a magnificent asset. Even I have my doubts about sending him away, but if we don't he will take up too much of my focus and he is still by far my top-suspect."

"Ugluk I find is acting more and more suspicouse, he agrees with Gildor on a few points with out making any conclutions and then turns up and vote! What is one to make of that? It sertainly frustrates me"

EDIT: Crossed with Iarwain and Halbarad

[Nogrod]

"If not for his last words I might have answered positively for voting Elrohir but when he says:

Originally Posted by Elrohir

A traitor I might have been, but I am not a Kinslayer

It looks like he has rather lost his wits and is probably innocent - even if very unhelpful one at that. Yes that kind of an elf is a danger to our mission and there's no need of forlonging his pain in this dark place we've run into, but if we wish to catch a traitor it would be more like a shot in the dark. From my point of view sure infinitely better than expelling me as I know I'm no traitor but can't know it of Elrohir."

X'd with Théodred

[Nogrod]

"Uglúk is monomaniac like his kin,
but he doesn't watch carefully for his own skin.
Over that I have long had to ponder
he might be innocent, I wonder?"

"But Halbarad the ranger
seems to try to avoid every danger.
Trailing others' suspicions to push over
those in trouble while remaining himself in cover"

X'd with Halbarad + added italics

[satansaloser2005]

Theodred watched as the remaining members of the fellowship spoke further of the traitors. So far, two of the fellowship had decided that Tom Bombadil should leave their midst; Theodred thought this to be a mistake.

"My friends, let us please consider that Tom took suspicion of Radagast at my request; after all, I was the one who requested more attention be paid to the fellow.

"I think that Bombadil is innocent. I implore you to see reason, for it seems unlikely that Bombadil would turn on his fellows unless forced to do so, as Gildor has pointed out today.

"To briefly speak of the orc, I will say only this for now. He said when voting for Bombadil,

Originally Posted by Menel

Well, I think I've made my points pretty clear. Time to vote.

++Tom Bombadil

Anybody but me think we might be running in the wrong direction? I'm seeing some kind of strange fiery light ahead, and that threatening smell from earlier is getting stronger as we run toward it...

It is as if he KNOWS that Bombadil is innocent and that leaving him behind would be a mistake, but he votes for his removal anyway. This bodes ill for my suspicions of Ugluk, as until now I had thought him perhaps innocent; now I am not so sure. Would you care to explain your statement?"

Theodred knew that, with the day drawing to a close, much had been said since he had begun speaking. He paused briefly to re-collect his thoughts and to listen to what others had said.


EDIT: crossed with everything since Ugluk's vote