A19: Magical Lock

[Carl/Rambler and Darrick/Brackrog were absent. And we rolled so bad, you’d of thought we were writing binary code!]

Tarrin and the other rangers (Beleg, and the female Morwin) escort our group out of Rivendell on our journey west toward Weathertop. Dolomite in high spirits as he watches his Raven companion soar overhead. Before exiting the mountains, Ladee is able to find patches of Athelas to brew healing potions for all. When asked, the rangers tell of their foray into the Trollshaw forests south of Ettenmoors. “Orc and cave-trolls. And even a flying fellbeast.” Which launches Rowlie into storytelling of the fellbeast we spotted days ago flying north along the Anduin river east of the Misty Mountains, “One and the same?” We soon camp within a glade split by a fresh stream. Dinner of rations since the [hunter] hobbit’s arrow missed the grazing goats. More relaxed conversations as if the Shadow is but a dream.

It’s easy to tell the elven borders after crossing the last bridge, as the road soon turns into dis-repair. So bad, Ladee pauses to search for orcish pitfalls and traps. We are on edge when Galanon spots a lone traveler approaching from a distance. “Where? I can’t see him.” Ladee’s sight confirming the short nature of the traveler. His singing soon upon the winds, “The road goes ever on…”, “Bilbo?! Mr. Baggins!” An early camp for stories as Rowlie is eager to learn new tunes and tales. Surprise by most as morning rays reveal the hobbit’s departure. At least Ladee had time to give a parting gift; a potion of healing, “There’s orcs and foul beasts ahead.”

A18 “Drop It, And Walk Away”

[Correction to the last blog entry A17: Rowlie did not break the dagger blades, but rather wrapped them in cloth and put them in his backpack.]

[Rob/Dolomite the dwarf joins us. He was being held prisoner by Madric within Mountain Hall.]

And so we retrace our steps thru the tunnels exiting on the west side of the Misty Mountains. Chased out of the tunnels by the dust cloud caused by the early collapse of the dead-fall trap performed by the miners of Mountain Hall. After dusting the grit from our cloths, we head north toward Rivendell, about 3 days away. Rambler as guide blazes a new trail, finding a ford in the small river crossing our path into the Lone-lands. Come dusk, Dolomite as scout finds a copse of tree to camp (safe and secluded). Ladee as hunter fails to find herbs but does return with a large Tabor for a fine pork meal. Rowlie tucks all in with bedtime stories, as we set watch for this moonless night.

A17 - "Move Along!"

“So how exactly did your master Hardfast die?” An older Hillman speaks up, “Hardfast was working side-by-side other miners when Madric reported gems within a side tunnel that had been secured. Yet when our master entered the area, boards gave way burying Hadfast under the cave-in. That was when Madric took command, deeming the boy there too young to rule and needing his guidance.”

As we look to the new ruler, young Hardfell is consumed by the clamor of freed Hillmen seeking a renewed leadership within Mountain Hall. He looks to us who have rid the fortress of Madric, “I put you in charge of securing the lower mines of this goblin intrusion.” As we are excused, we ask Grundovald what forces and gear are available for such task [dynamite has not been discovered yet], “What few loyal men that are able-bodied best stay above to secure the walls. I can send 3 of my men with you. Your dwarf would know best how to collapse the tunnels and goblin outpost you found.”

A16- Restoring Rightful Power

King Thranduil was pleased with our reported kill of the goblin and his Basilisk. So much so, he provided Lembas bread for our next trip southwest to Mountain Hall to investigate reported problems. We’d already told how mayor Hardfast  was under false influence by the evil Madric we’d encountered in the Gladden Fields oh so long ago. But latest news was even more troubling.