WWXLV: The Fellowship of Saruman

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

Galadriel sighed by the sight of Lothlorien, but her return was not as happy as she could have hoped. Indeed it was a moment of great relief to enter the Golden wood once more, but the shadow of Moria where still with them and Galadriel knew that the dark events that had gone before would overshadow the splendure of the Mallorn.

"I shall lead you to the heart of the Realm, but then i must depart for quite some time and seek the counsil of my kin. . .I shall send for you all when it is time for the final debate."

Galadriel then took the lead and the rest followed.

EDIT: Cross Posted With The Latter of Tom Bombadil's Posts

[Meneltarmacil]

Ah, that's what I'd been smelling this whole way. A Balrog of all things. Certainly explains the fiery thing I'd seen moving about in the lower levels before.

As for old Bombadil, don't think that I'm going to write him off just because he voted for Halbarad. I wouldn't put it past him to vote for a fellow traitor in order to save his own hide.

Also, I can't be sure whether that Balrog actually had wings or if that was just the shadows playing tricks on me...

[satansaloser2005]

"It has been implied, my friends, that today's leg of the journey will be a peaceful one," began Theodred, "I do not think this will be the case. There is still a traitor among us, and another of our companions has been slaughtered.

Lady Galadriel, I am saddened that you fell for the traitor Halbarad's deception yesterday. However, this is understandable, as he presented a well-crafted diversion, and there was no harm done, as the traitor was vanquished and our own Tom Bombadil remained in our company."

Theodred looked into the eyes of the orc Ugluk. Though he still hated the creature, he could not believe that Ugluk was a traitor. Still, he decided against admitting this, considering that....well, considering that he had a reputation to uphold. He turned away from the orc and turned to Elrohir.

"Master Elrohir, I still find your behavior suspicious, but considering the actions of the other traitors, I am hesitant to expel you. On the day which Lobelia, our protector and original ringbearer, removed herself from our presence, you were close to being banished yourself. Considering that it was the traitors Halbarad and Radagast who put you in this grave position, I am inclined to find you safe.

"As for Tom Bombadil, I have considered him harmless nearly since the beginning of our journey, and I do not feel the need to change my opinion on the matter. He may be illogical at times and have a larger than usual capacity for merriment, but I do not consider this reason enough to let him depart."

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

To the suprise of most members of the fellowship Galadriel returned earlier than suspected due to events she was not master of, however she would have to leave again for a while.

Uplifted by being home she smiled even as Theodred spoke:

Originally Posted by satansaloser2005

Lady Galadriel, I am saddened that you fell for the traitor Halbarad's deception yesterday. However, this is understandable, as he presented a well-crafted diversion, and there was no harm done, as the traitor was vanquished and our own Tom Bombadil remained in our company."

"Fell for his deception? I guess you can say that, although I do think it sounds a bit harsh. For I was never following the call of Halbarad, I was voting for the person I found most suspicouse and if you search your mind you will find that it was indeed the case. Of course when events like those of Moria unfolds you are forced to reconsider your views of everybody and indeed some of the actions of Iarwain now seem wiser, but I shall need more time to decide if he shall recive my vote or not today.

You say that you consider Iarwain harmless, that can only be described as a mistake my young friend. Beings with the capacity of Iarwain is never harmless, either they are an asset or they are dangouress it all depends on the perspective!"

Galadriel left the company again, though this time she had insured them it would not be long before she returned. She was not the only one seeking counsil, Celeborn and others had asked for a moment of her time so that they might discuss the defence of Lothlorien.

[Nogrod]

Most of the fellowship seemed to be coming and going so there seemed to be no permanent group anywhere to be found but after seeing that the others were within the range of his deep and echoing voice Tom bursted to sing. It seemed he was irrevocably back to his good moods now that he could wander under the sunny sky amidst the flowers, trees, butterflies and birds.

"Hey dol! Merry dol! Tom is fine!
Hey dol! Merry dol! Now some wine!
For two of you
I believe are true
and from three just one
needs to be gone!

Sing along, hop along!
Rum - dum - tum!
Jump along, ding-a-dong!
Hey - ho - hum!"


Tom sat down under a giant birch but didn't stop his singing.

"This much my mind has noted:
the way the traitors have voted
lord Elrohir from Elrond's house
his innocence sems to announce.
It seems Halbarad was after him
with fervor, not with lights dimmed
and even Radagast trying to be so kind
did him the most suspicious find.
For he sure seemed to be an easy prey
for those on the darker shade of grey.

Also fair Galadriel your mistake
looks more genuine than a fake:
confusing points made by the eorling
to suspect a fellow already himself defending
looks both risky and so unbelievable
that I'll trust the conspiracy to be a fable.
Even if Halbarad went to and fro in the end with thee
I'd hold you first and foremost from my suspicions free."

Even if he might have been seen intoxicated to an outside observer he had indeed held his wineskin closed all day. Now he uncorked it and took a long draught to help him think the matters over for good.

[satansaloser2005]

"I do apologize for the misunderstanding, Lady Galadriel. The implication of my last statement was unclear. I only meant to point out that I find your actions to indeed be an honest mistake, and not intentional treachery. In short, I still find you innocent, despite the attempt on Tom Bombadil's life yesterday.

"My friends, although i know I will be in your midst throughout the day, I feel no need to withhold my vote. As I have stated, I trust three of you without doubt, which perhaps will give you insight as to why I feel confident in my decision. As for the other two of you, masters Elrohir and Ironfoot, you still puzzle me slightly; though as I have mentioned, the actions of the other traitors seem to counter my suspicions of Elrohir. Thus I will cast my vote to release

++Dáin II. Ironfoot

from our company. And now, my companions, I leave you to your thoughts." Theodred shook his head and quickly walked away. His decision had been made, and he was confident in it; it was now up to the others to decide the fate of the fellowship.

[Nogrod]

Iarwain had learned to trust the young and even a bit reckless eorling during the days the company had wandered through perilous terrain and even if he had decided to take a closer look at him toDay (and he would do it indeed) he was seeing the wisdom in his vote on the dwarf. For he had indeed spent some time with thinking about Dain's actions and words this far and reached similar conclusions. And if he trusted the lady and the elf-lord already, could't see the Uruk but as too bold for a conspirator and tended to trust the young marshall of Mark it left him with the same top suspicion - and there indeed were things he had found alarming with the dwarf.

He would give it thought - if he could turn it to a song - but anyway he was ready to state why he susected Daín could be their last traitor. He fell into himself searching for the words...

X'd with Daín

[satansaloser2005]

"My companions, I do not wish to rush your decisions, but I feel I must implore you to act quickly. Sundown approaches, and if we fail to make the right decision this day I fear for our safety. Please do not wait to vote until the final moments of the day; indeed, I would like to discuss our options should we not expel the traitor today, and as I must leave shortly before day's end, I would like to see out the end of our voting. If this is not possible, I understand that you also have other obligations that you must fulfill (although I know that ridding our fellowship of the traitors is your truly highest priority). I urge you now, carefully consider your votes, but do so quickly, as another day's end without the departure of a traitor may be, selfish though it may sound, my end."

Theodred felt rather cowardly to be making such a speech, but as the others were relatively quiet and as the sky was growing darker, he knew that something had to be said to ensure the fellowship to act quickly.



EDIT: X'd with Tom Bombadil

[Groin Redbeard]

"Why all this silence?" Dain asked, "Do you still morn for Gildor back in Moria? I pray that you don't, rather you should rejoice and thank the Valar that such an elf has lived. His words yesterDay were not in vain, and we can still pick up the peices from were he left off."

Dain was recounting the words of the fellowship yesterDay from one of his companions when he came across the words of master Bombadil.

Originally Posted by Tom Bombadil

"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?

"Master Bombadil," Dain roared looking up suddenly at Tom with a look that would have made lesser men shrink. "I must say that I am indeed surprised at you! You wait until after I have left and voted against you to accuse me, rather than speaking when I was there to defend myself! Did you think that you could sway the vote against while I was gone, then let me ask you this: why haven't you brought it up before? Indeed it was as I said yesterDay before I left, you go after the ones who will not defend themselves, or in this case cannot defend themselves." Dain was mad with rage

"You ask me why I was overjoyed to here you and Gildor speak on many occasions, have I not expressed my opinion of Gildor being the wisest of our company? Would it not be suspicious for me to doubt his and your words? I think that you would have to accuse almost everyone of the sin of trusting Gildor's words, but unlike the rest, when I make a decision I stick with it!"

EDIT: X'd with Tom Bombadil and Theodred

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Daín

"I must say that I am indeed surprised at you! You wait until after I have left and voted against you to accuse me, rather than speaking when I was there to defend myself! Did you think that you could sway the vote against while I was gone, then let me ask you this: why haven't you brought it up before? Indeed it was as I said yesterDay before I left, you go after the ones who will not defend themselves, or in this case cannot defend themselves."

Tom heard the raging dwarf and walked to meet him.

"My good dwarf. You can't expect everyone to wait for the person they suspect to come back to the others to voice their suspicions. Otherwise those not being around for the most of the time could never be suspected. You should speak when you come to think about things.

And I think I told you all already why I didn't bring that up earlier. As I thought you might be our seer it would have been most foolish to voice that aloud and thence help the traitors to pick their most wanted victim.

I go for those who I find suspicious. And so should everyone else do."

Tom nodded to the dwarf courtially and looked at him to the eye. "But what comes to the matter of trusting master Gildor or me earlier, I'd not say it was just a pointing out of reliability but a try to rub someone right so that he would not suspect you as it feels good to be praised... In this kind of situation one can't afford blind trust but only reasoned ones and even those one should take with a pinch of salt."

EDIT: X'd with Daín again

[Nogrod]

Let's see what our dear dwarf had to say about the traitor Halbarad:

Day1

After lord Gildor managed to suspect the two...

Originally Posted by post #40

Although I do not find Gildor's words to be of an evil nature, I do wish that she would provide deeper incite than just a gut feeling of dread of the ranger Halbarad and I.

Here Halbarad was leading in the votes...

Originally Posted by post #81

All this talk about lynching Halbarad is nonesense if you ask me. He is quite yes, but I still have to see some proven evidence against him. All we have now are a few gut feelings, this is no for any man to die: lynched on a bad feeling!

Day2

After Lobelia, Gildor and Eomer had suspected Halbarad...

Originally Posted by Post #136

Halbarad, he's a very quite figure, but has spoken enough for me to have an opinion of him. He's on my list of suspicious characters, but he is at the bottom of it. His defence is an fair one and indeed if he is a traiter than he is a sloppy one.

Day3
After there had ben some new suspicions on Halbarad and I had brought him openly as my choice (alongside Uglúk)...

Originally Posted by post #199

Halbarad, he is sloppy and his words are often taken out of context, but he always comes back with a satisfying response, but not entirely satisfying.

"Let those formulations and situation talk for themselves."


He has clearly avoided speaking of Radagast, although it's interesting to notice that he begins quite early with this...

Originally Posted by post #40

I wish that Gandalf would speak, we need his say in the matter, but we have Galadriel and Radagast. Galadriel, my fair lady, you give advice only when spoken to and this is disturbing.

which kind of leaves him nicely the one to be trusted.

After that he only says once he doesn't have an opinion about him yet (#136) and afterwards announces he hadn't the slightest that Radagast was a traitor.

It's also interesting to see that he has casted the first vote to both those innocents who had been voted out this far (on Day1 to Gandalf and on Day2 to Lobelia - and he casted the first vote to myself on Day3 and almost made it once again...) so he's clearly looking around and making safe votes eg. voting those who have gained suspicion and making his votes early enough so that he can suspect others of bandwaggoning.

I hold this most suspicious indeed but I will a bit later look at Uglúk and Theodred as well so this is not my final word but those two need to turn out quite ugly if I were to change my mind."

EDIT: Don't call for discussion if you're not ready to have it yourself master dwarf... you knew I was around but still decided to just go away while implying it's the others who don't wish to discuss...