(Archive) The Raven Company

Elendor - Saturday, July 15, 2000, 9:02 PM

Tower of Ecthelion: Great Hall

Before you stretches a deep hall, lit by recessed windows in the wide aisles at either side, beyond the rows of tall pillars which uphold the roof. Monoliths of black marble, they rise to great capitals carved in many strange figures of beasts and leaves and far above in shadow the wide vaulting gleams with dull gold, inset with flowing traceries of many colors. No hangings nor storied webs, nor any things of woven stuff or wood, are to be seen in this long solemn hall but between the pillars there stands a silent company of tall images graven in cold stone: an avenue of kings long dead.

At the far end upon a dais of many steps is set a high throne under a canopy of marble shaped as a crowned helm behind it is carved upon the wall and set with gems an image of a tree in flower. At the foot of the dais, upon the lowest step which is broad and deep, there sits a stone chair, black and unadorned: the seat of the Steward. Also in the shadows unseen, yet felt in presence of will and resolve, are lined the many Citadel Guards who keep watch upon this most sacred of chambers.

Though night has fallen, the hall is well lit by row upon row of simmering torches placed into recessed niches. The light of the stars and moon can be seen through the windows above.

Contents:

Argamir

Targon

Lossaran

Rorgan

Tamran

Kalenar

Denethor

Obvious exits:

Out

[Denethor(#29482)] Drums sound deeply in the vast hall of the Stewards. Long years lay on it, longer by far than the brief span alotted to the Lord of Gondor: Denethor, son of Ecthelion. There he sits upon his chair, the lowest on the steps at the knees of the throne of the kings of the Southern Dunedain. Yet there is no less honour in that chair, for certainly he is mighty in mind, if not body. Now the old Steward turns and rings a gong and says to servants by the doors, \"Open the doors! Let the Raven Company and those who will come forth!\"

[Rorgan(#19834)] And open the doors they do, faithful servants of the Steward. Then does the Company of the Raven answer the summons, Commander Rorgan, tall and purposeful, at her head, followed closely by the efficient lieutenant Ardanar, and then the various other men of the company. Intermingled with the men of Raven are men of the Silver Ship and men of the White Tree, all eager to learn what news has brought forth a summons from the Lord Steward Denethor II, which has also brought with it many civilians.

Kalenar enters with the men, wide eyed at being at so prestegious a meeting, and he salutes the steward, with a nod and a fist to his own chest, than a bow deeper than any he had yet made

[Denethor(#29482)] Glancing with a sombre eye at those who come forth, the son of Ecthelion\'s darkling eyes glance forward and back casting sharp apprasal at those who come forth and not the least glance is spared to Targon. He then whispers to a servant, \"Have Targon brought to me after this, I think I need a new chef. I have heard Targon\'s culinary skills are extra-ordinary.\" Then snapping his eyes back up he looks them over with the stern command of his eyes and watches, not speaking yet formally.

[Argamir(#27619)] Behind the lieutenant of the Raven Company walks the line of sergeants, of which Argamir is part of. Even though he has been in the Great Hall many times, his eyes glitter with wonder for such a place. The line stops behind the lieutenant, and in unison they kneel on one knee, bows their heads low and place their first on their heart.

[Galadhur(#29935)] Among a small group of men who look -completely- out of place here in the council of the Steward walks enters Galadhur. His clothing has been recently torn on his trip here and he had no time to clean or mend them, so assamedly he holds his cloak close around him, hiding the hole in his tabard. Keeping his eyes to the ground in front of him, he nods to who he is supposed to greet and slips with the Scouts into the back of the room where thier smell and dress will not offend the more civilized of the court.

Targon overhears his name mentioned, causing an uncomfortable look to come over his eyes. His thick neck sweats a bit more profusely before. Targon slides a finger into the neck of his tunic, as if it suddenly was too tight for him to wear.

Lossaran issues in behind the others, careful to remain near the back of the audience. Taller than most he seems aware of his rather imposing form and politely remains along the walls. From the fringe, the Ranger crosses his arms and watches solemnly, dark grey eyes aware of all those who enter and exit the Great Hall.

[Rorgan(#19834)] Taking a place in the gallery, Rorgan makes a nodding bow toward the dias and looks about at those of his men who have followed him most closely, seeing that even at such distance, they pay proper respect to their true leader. Absently he fingers the silver and bronze medallion about his neck and awaits the Steward\'s pleasure.

[Denethor(#29482)] Denethor rises from his chair and his face is imperial. Stern command is written on his countenance. In his hand, the rod of Stewardship flashes. It is then that you notice that behind the Lord of Gondor stands his two sons. Upon his right, the Captain-General of Gondor and upon his left, the Captain Faramir, but lately returned from the hurly-burly of the eastern marches. Both of them are fair Princes of the city and they are similar in face, though Boromir has greater strength of body. Yet within Faramir, the eyes gleam very similar to that of Denethor.

[Denethor(#29482)] \"So you have come,\" begins the Steward with a voice almost acrid in tone. It is then that he slips into a formal way of speaking, as if in days of old and he says, \"Thou hast come as I have commanded. Now, before me standeth the gathered of the Company of the Raven, not the least of the men who have sworn to defend these walls unto bitter death.\"

[Rorgan(#19834)] The hand idling about the silver and bronze medallion drops to Rorgan\'s side at the direct mention of his entire company. From foot to foot does he shift, glancing, then, downward at those large protrubances at the bottoms of his legs. It is but a momentary gesture, though, followed by an almost audible straightening of his countenance from head to toe, and then, at once, does he look to be that which he is: a leader of men.

[Denethor(#29482)] \"It is with no idle purpose that I have summoned thee and thine forth,\" says the Steward, casting his dark glance upon Rorgan. \"For have I not heard of thee at whiles? Or dost thou not think that the Steward of Gondor does not know what his servants do be it at home or abroad?\"

Denethor\'s face is grim and not a trace of gregariousness can be found therein. His proud, hooked nose is held high and his face is one of grimness.

Kalenar looks at the grim lord he is now sworn to serve, and see\'s a true greatness and soberness.

[Rorgan(#19834)] To full attention now comes the Commander of Raven Company, but he does not answer the questions of the Steward. Lord Denethor II sees far, and it is well known amongst even the lowliest of the guardsmen in his service. Rorgan remains standing at attention, his blue eyes and greying-blonde hair marking his difference from the rest of the men gathered about him who now follow his example, coming to full attention and focusing their eyes as one, on a place on the floor, not three feet in front of the Steward\'s place of repose.

[Denethor(#29482)] \"Even so thou\'st may speaketh or be silent as thou chooseth to be,\" says the Steward with almost bitter irony. He then motions to Boromir but says to Rorgan, \"Charges have been lain upon thee to the very core. It is not without mention of service or even the blithe nature of aristocratic lords that I would spare this instant from any within the city who would hear what thou hast done.\" The eyes of Denethor glitter with menace and power, \"So ubiquitous are these charges that even I was amazed to hear them. If not the hearts of men can be lain low, or if perhaps a stoical nature within them be their true being and one in which I would consider myself - the Lord of Gondor - that is not to be swayed by emotion at any odds, how might a Man, even one of the old blood, not be effected by the condemnations that are laid at your feet? Do you wish to hear them Commander?\"

Kalenar looks down with the rest, but looks an odd glance at his comander, keeping his gaze well off the steward, who he now feared and respected.

[Rorgan(#19834)] Taking a step forward now from the rest of the men in his company, Rorgan swallows audibly before addressing the Steward in clear, yet revrant tones, \"I will hear them, My Lord Steward, and if they truly bear such ill as this, then I shall say now that I stand before you with a clear heart. If I have done such masterful deeds of woe as to have dragged my whole company with me, let me now throw myself upon your mercy,\" he goes down now, to one knee, and bending his head downward, the remaining words take on an even more desparate tone, \"that they may be spared your wrath.\"

[Argamir(#27619)] A soft whisper is heard for a second, a man of the company in one of the many files of soldiers. This causes a quick turn of the head by Sergeant Argamir towards the direction of the noise, a stern look on his face yet puzzlement in his eyes. The silence from the men after his cold look is satisfying, and he returns his face straight ahead his eyes staring into nothingness a few steps in front of the Lord Denethor.

[Denethor(#29482)] Denethor then nods to Rorgan and he sighs, \"Very well, but thy pleas will only be merited after these hard charges are spoken. Boromir my son, read the charges.\"

[Denethor(#29482)] Boromir\'s grim voice speaks with clarity before the gathered:

Rorgan, Commander of the Raven Company has been charged with the following:

[Denethor(#29482)] 1. Having the most orderly company within the city of Minas Tirith.

[Denethor(#29482)] 2. Achieving commendations from his superiors and peers.

[Rorgan(#19834)] Now do the Commander\'s eyes rise from the floor and look upon his Captain-General, and then upon the Steward with great consternation.

[Denethor(#29482)] 3. For effectively promoting the welfare and defense of Gondor.

[Denethor(#29482)] 4. For showing valour on the field of battle.

[Denethor(#29482)] 5. For being a moral and ethical example to his men

[Denethor(#29482)] Smiling like the winter sun, Denethor then says even as Boromir steps back, \"Well Commander, how do you plea?\"

Kalenar Internally chuckles, not audible to any, and a look of releif is on his face

[Rorgan(#19834)] Remaining upon his knee, but looking now toward the Steward, the corners of Rorgan\'s lips begin to turn upward, \"My Lord, I kneel before you in all humility and with a clear heart, for each of these charges have I strived to achieve. Though, I would not wish to stand separate,\" and as he says this, he rises back to his feet, \"from the men who have been my accomplices in the endeavour.\"

[Rorgan(#19834)] Rorgan takes a step back, now standing again as one with the men of Raven Company.

[Argamir(#27619)] The faces of Argamir and of all the sergeants stay still and betray no emotion, no smile escapes onto their mouths, no feeling seeps into their eyes.

[Denethor(#29482)] \"Well said as always Commander, for a man cannot command without his Men,\" says the Steward. He then motions to Boromir and Faramir. The stride forth and in their hands are the bars. The last of which to pin upon Rorgan. They move forth with purpose and coming nigh him they pin these upon his livery. As they do so, Denethor speaks again, \"In recognition of thine service to me thou hast been rewarded. To thee is given the rank of Captain. I hope to see more charges laid against thee Captain Rorgan.\"

[Denethor(#29482)] Then the son of Ecthelion says, \"All salute!\"

Kalenar Looks, pride on his face, as he looks at Rorgan, and thumps his hand on his chest. He looks at his lord steward- fear and respect now coupled with love.

[Rorgan(#19834)] Standing proudly before the sons of the Steward, Rorgan turns now to face the men and recieve his salute. The smile that he does not allow to alter his lips, though, is fully readable in the eyes of the new Captain.

[Denethor(#29482)] As one, the Men of Gondor salute Rorgan and cry, \"Aure Entulava! Hail Rorgan, Captain! Eglerio!\"

[Argamir(#27619)] Argamir and the sergeants salute in unison, their masks of stillness broken by large smiles.

[Denethor(#29482)] Smiling the Steward returns to his seat, the deed done. Now the celebration can commence.

[Galadhur(#29935)] As the party begins and people start to mill around congratulating the Captain, the Scouts that were gathered in the back move towards the door to try and slip out. Galadhur more than the other seems uncomfortable with the pagentry and the celebrating.

Kalenar Looks at the gayaty, and is amazed. \"Congragulations, oh captain my captain.\" he say\'s, saluting Rorgan again.

[Rorgan(#19834)] Nodding to each man as he passes in congratulations, Rorgan smiles now fully, murmering his thanks to them each as they pass.