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.

Rambler is the first to watch, bewitched by the sound of foul winds coming off the mountains tops east. Changeover to Ladee is uneventful. Then Rowlie…almost a half hour into his watch, when he hears sniffing coming from the northeast, other side of a long hedge. He begins waking the others. Rambler sneaks up to the hedge, spotting 5 hooded goblins carrying long knives.

Back at the campfire, “We need to put something in the fire to throw off the scent.” Ladee reaches for the last of his cheap tobacco to comply before dashing toward the hedge to stealthfully approach. The dwarves Brackrog and Dolomite, and elf Galanon melt into the trees behind the fire. Meanwhile Rambler has killed 2 goblin and moves to line up others, when the armor laden dwarves decide to charge (clanking) into battle least they miss out on the kills.

And that’s when Galanon calls out from higher ground up in the tree, “Torches from the mountain slopes to the east. Hundreds!” Despite the call of overwhelming odds, Brackrog and Dolomite stomp thru the hedge, leaving Rowlie to fan the campfire flames to spread the tobacco smoke as a screen. Meanwhile, Ladee creeps closer to the goblin side of the hedge to get a better view. Drums pound heralding the advance of Warg-riders. Soon followed by Orc footmen on the downslope of the eastern rise. Row after row, all but moments away. Then their leader, a HUGE Orc, with a banner-man at his side, crests a small rise coming into view. The same concentric circles we’d seen before!

Rambler has seen enough as he calls his dog Garob to his side then calls out, “Let’s go. Get outa here!” From his tree perch, Galanon takes aim dropping one Warg-rider hoping to disrupt the advancing army. The dwarves actually stand their ground as if they’ll take on the horde, till wisdom grasp hold encouraging their retreat till another day. The hobbit? Caught on the far side of the hedge knowing his short legs cannot outrun wargs…he hunkers down as the first wave of Warg-riders appear within 50 yards. As the Orc leader advances, it’s easy to see his armor and gear betray him as a shaman. He calls out, “Leave the daggers and we will let you pass free. You cannot outrun us; and we WILL hunt you down!”

But Rambler and the others are in full sprint. And that’s when fire-arrows arc across the night sky plunging into the hedge, setting it afire! 4 hooded Dúnedain rangers (one female) appear with pitch and arrows in hand, “Follow us!” Galanon grabs one of their fire-arrow and aims at the banner-man, then turns to run with the others. Ladee is left behind, a forgotten ally surely dead, consumed in the raging fire. As for Rambler and his allies and rangers, it’s an exhausting sprint trying to stay ahead of the pursuit. The fire-arrows but a momentary distraction. From the hooded ranger leader, “They are after what you carry. I hope it is worth your life. One of us will stay behind to misdirect them.” Without hesitation and request for volunteer, Othar grabs a torch and heads off at a right-angle to their path. Momentary Anguish knowing he is sacrificing his own life.

By dawn only a few Warg-riders follow the real trail. Rambler finds a ford across the narrow but deep river that crosses their path. Then almost bumps head to chest of a large golden-haired elf standing on the other side. And that’s when the rangers drop their hoods, as the leader calls out across the river, “Well met Glorfindel.”

And likewise Rowlie lets out a cry finally recognizing the ranger, “Tarrin!! Did you not recognize me? Son of Brai Rushlight?” A short-lived reunion with the muscular Dúnedain ranger, “Rivendell is still a day’s journey, and we still have pursuers on our tail.”

Meanwhile Ladee has stealthfully remained hidden then follows the orc army, drawn by potential secrets. An easy trail. Then pause as he sees orc gathered in a circle, a human in the middle. He witnesses the brutal slaying of Othar the ranger. He then sees the Orc shaman step forward and behead Othar holding it high before his army, “YOU LET THE OTHERS ESCAPE?! Recover those daggers! The Great-Eye demands it! Our experiments will be delayed without them.” Riders are sent in all directions as the main army returns to the mountain, careful not to cross the river.

Ladee has heard enough. Long pause in hiding to let the army and patrols move out before he tries to track his allies. A stealthful walk as he’s in no hurry to stumble into orc patrols. By dust he has reached the same river and finds Rambler’s dog Garob panting in wait. The hobbit climbs his back and lets the beast find his master. And thus it is days later when Ladee enters Rivendell finding his surprised but welcoming allies. Just in time for celebrations and contests (Songs, Archery, Drinking, Smoking).

1.   The elven voices are sweet and melodic but the final Song competition comes down to Rowlie and Brackrog. The dwarf first, singing about long-bearded lasses, which draws raised eyebrows from the long-ears. Rowlie wins the audience as he sings of Erime’s stand atop the mountains facing the black cloud.

2.   Rambler performs admirably in archery till the range is pressed 300 yards. It is down to the elves Galanon and Glorfindel (who seems bored in his shots as he doesn’t even eye the target). Thus it is with surprise to all when Galanon’s arrow sinks closer to the bullseye!

3.   Was there any doubt the Drinking competition would hinge upon the dwarves? They’d been practicing for days already! Brackrog soaks his beard in his mug as he slurps the ale. Dolomite a close second.

4.   The smoking event becomes a nautical theme as the elven contestants seem to focus on their coming sail across the seas toward their final resting place. So Dolomite follows the theme with warships engaged in battle. Ladee’s rendition is a tall-ship whose main mask coalesces into Erime as she floats heavenward. Surely the hobbit has read the crowd, but the dwarf wins out; the elves depressed at the thought of Erime’s passing.

It is now time to get serious. A meeting of council in the morning, “A guest of honor.” Within the grand hall all gather: the remaining 3 rangers (Tarrin, Beleg, and the female Morwen), us, Glorfindel, Lord Elrond and his twin sons Elladan and Elrohir, and Sauraman. By request Rowlie steps forward to unveil the daggers, drawing gasps from the crowd…Elrond shrinking back. “They were found near an altar of Morgoth. The hobbit overheard the Orc leader describe sacrificial experiments.” More gasps. Glorfindel scowling when Rowlie reveals the goblin scroll with concentric circles, “That’s the symbol of Angmar, the Witchkings realm. It is prophesized no man shall fell the king.” When the Breeman reveals the goblin map with similar circles beneath Weathertop, Tarrin jumps to his feet, “That can only mean Bree is in danger. My homeland!” Sauraman joins in the conversation curious of the significance of Weathertop, “Also known as Amon Sol; the last holdout of the Númenóreans. It is rumored Númenóreans artifacts are hidden within the hill. Maybe they offer strength against the Shadow.” All eyes turn to Elrond who forlornly exclaims, “My people cannot do this alone as many sail west into the undying lands. The time of the elves passes. There are choices you must make: save Bree, search Weathertop, or assault Angmar.”

And that’s when Ladee speaks up, “So it’s settled. We’re off to the great road for Weathertop to search for secrets to use against the Shadow!”