(Archive) The Fellowship of the Sword 78 - Triumphant Return

Sunday, Day 10 of August, 3022

Real time is Tue Feb 20 2001.

The Return of the Quest, Part I: Homecoming

*Note - log submitted by Beldor and Amano*

Dol Amroth: Prince\'s Castle - Lower Courtyard

A broad expanse of emerald limned in white greets you when first you set eyes upon the lower of the citadel\'s courtyards. A valley of grass and stands of trees between the terraced wall of the upper courtyard to the west, the land dips down and then up again towards the gatehouse lying distantly eastward. To the north and south gargantuan walls thrust up, their summit nearly lost to sight atop gleaming stone piled ten times a man\'s height, while buildings lie snug against them. Within the walls\' white embrace, simple paved paths meander amid the green hollows, passing south and west towards an archway set in the walls, and again eastward towards the gatehouse. The stone of the walls reflects a ghostly blue of moon and starlight, but much of the courtyard itself is lost in soft darkness, save for a few small paths picked out by silver-chased lebethron lamps. Crickets blanket the land in soft song, dew clings wetly to grass, boot, slipper, and hem, while windows glow softly in the night. Picked out in torchlight to the north is a narrow stair leading to the upper courtyard, and to the east the gatehouse is likewise flanked by flame.

Now there is a great clamour from the gatehouse, of voices raised, and cheering from the guards who man that defence. Someone upon the walls blows a horn, and loudly--

Ba-rooooooooooom! Ba-roooooom ba-rooooooooom!

Its echoes resound from the sheer, high stone of the curtain wall.

Herunumendil head snaps about. his fellow soldier momentarily forgotten...

Celebnaith eyes dart quickly in the direction of the sound as he straightens up quickly, grabbing for the helm that is attached to his pack.

\"Would you play for me?\" An almost happy expression forms on Rein\'s face, but it is replaced with a nervous look as teh horn blows.. He hold Eilian closer.

Herunumendil puts on Studded Leather Helmet.

Mathollor enters the courtyard just as the horns begin to blow and pauses a moment in his journey to listen before shrugging lightly and moving more quickly.

Eilian turns quickly to the sound of the horn blasting with a look of fear on her face. She hides her face in Rein\'s chest, \"Are there Orcs coming Rein, are they coming?\"

Just as the lad, Beldor, was about to speak the sounds of the horns grab his attention. He looks to the Gatehouse in wonder, confusement and awe. His right hand quickly grabs his backpack\'s strap as he takes a half step backward \"I..didn\'t do that!\" he half whispers.

Celebnaith starts to trot towards the gate, throwing a confused and inquisitive look at Heru.

The low murmur of a throng of cheers and adulations runs forth like a slow wave from the eastern gate, and soon a squire bursts forth from the long, low tunnel of the gatehouse. His face is flushed with excitement, and he cannot rein in his grin it stretches from ear to ear.

He pauses, long enough to cry, \"The Herald! The Herald is home, the Quest has come HOME!\"

Then swiftly he darts through the crowd, up the broad marble stair to carry his news within.

\"Be not worried Eilian! No matter what it is.. It cant hurt you!\" Rein tries to put as much comfort in the voice he can, but he look nervous himself, as he embrace Eilian..

Aridias with almost everyone save perhaps the chronicaly unaware turns towards the gatehouse, cloak swirling around his form grey eyes straining to catch a glipse of what is occuring, then widening at the loud cry.

Herunumendil smiles and winks at his fellow soldier, then lifts his chin with pride.

Mathollor stops and grins broadly at the departing mans back before brushing off his tunic and moving towards the steps, on into the castle.

\"The quest... home!\" Rein gasps and suddently smiles, \"Do not worry Eilian, they are friends comming home.. they have been away for so long...\"

Then the unmistakable sound of hooves on cobblestone, and they come nearer...

Then the gatehouse tunnel divulges its secrets. Upon a mighty white steed comes a rider clad all in white and silver, tall and fair and proud like the princes of Dorthonion of old. Beside him is a squire clad in the gear of the Blue rank.

Celebnaith stops, looks about, and calms down...he still looks a little confused.

Beldor\'s eyes go wide and a smile spreads from ear to ear upon hearing the spoken words \"Do you hear that! My friend, the Lady has a cousin on the Quest, she will be so happy.\" He begins to make his way nearer the gate, wiggling between those that also make their way in that direction.

Eilian looks up at her brother, \"No Orcs, all is well?\" She smiles then quickly wipes her eyes, \"We are safe and all is well?\"

Surprise upon shock this day, still Aridias has the presense of mind to want to get closer to the action, so to speak. So he follows in the scant path set by Beldor, somewhat larger bulk making it difficult despite the obvious signs of his gentle birth.

Indilzar arrives from the gatehouse to the east. Indilzar has arrived. Erchirion has arrived.

Erchirion takes off Metal Shield.

\"We are safe.. you will always be safe, dear sister!\" Rein smiles happily to Eilian and kisses her on her cheek. Then he looks around, now amused by all the people comming out of the houses and soon the street is crowded..

The squire, one-eyed and clad in white wolfskin rides with a broad grin upon his face. He looks about the courtyard and at all the people, then to the Herald. \"Looks just the same as when we left Sir.\"

There are cheers then and cries of gladness, and the fair rider smiles to hear them. Now tugging gently on the reins that lead his mount, he begs a pause -- and the horse nobly accedes to the gesture. Swinging down from the saddle then, he dismounts to the echoes of his name on many lips.

\"The Lord Girithlin! Thorondur is come! The boy prince will be saved!\"

But of the boy prince he says nothing, only handing the white steed\'s reins to a nearby squire. The lad takes them with care.

The sun sinks in the sky and falls below the horizon. Nighttime takes over.

From the gatehouse to the east there comes a figure swathed in black. His long steps are only surmounted by his proud mien. By him running even more proudly is that great hound of war: Huan of Dol Amroth who has returned once more to his home triumphant.

Eilian hugs her brother tightly then spins around a sudden breath of air flowing through her small frame as she looks about at all the excitement, \"Tis wonderful isn\'t Rein? Does this mean you will take me to your home does it?

Celebnaith stands at attention as he watches the impressive parade enter the courtyard.

\"Haste is needed and homecomings are brief,\" says Indilzar even as he breathes in deep the sea-air of his home.

\"For our respite must be short,\" he continues, \"I have sent word ahead to begin the preparations for the reforging of Anaril so that it might shine once more unsullied under the Sun.\"

Beldor moves around people, even at one time crawling on all fours between legs. Finaly standing near the front he watches, eyes going here and there as fast as they can.

Now Thorondur lifts his gaze to Morrandir his squire, still mounted, and a thin-lipped smile blossoms upon his face -- well-known to many who look on in wonder at this fellowship\'s return. \"Home, dear Morrandir,\" he tells the lad, \"is a rock against which no evil wind can overcome, nor any dark wave can break.\"

The Knight-Herald then glances to Indilzar, and favours the black knight with a curt nod.

Mathollor moves forwards to take the Reins of Lord Bragollaches horse, ready to lead it away to one of the waiting squires.

Aridias though perhaps inwardly as excited as Beldor has rather too much dignity to resort to such tactics. Fortunetly perhaps the height afford by his heritage grants him a greater view over the throng, for surely he will not push through such.

Yet no favour does the Black Knight of Belfalas savour or take. He then says to Mathollor, \"Squire. See to Morang.\" He hands over the reins of the stalwart beast who has led him so far.

\"Yet now my heart burns to finish the quest to the last and do battle with the fell knight-wraith,\" he says in his voice of command - no meek knight is this one.

Again Rein look sad, \"No, not yet dear sister, this is another story that ends happily, they have returned from a dangerous quest.\" Then he lightens up and points Thorondur out to her, \"I think that man is Thorondur, he is famous indeed!\" Then he points at Indilzar, \"And I think his name would be Indilzar, a mighty man, he is!\"

And Indilzar Bragollach, the son of Indilkhor looks hard upon the gaping crowd and says, \"Are you not entertained?\"

\"Our task is still at hand,\" come a voice, strong and clear from the tall back of a mahogany hued steed.

And with that Erchirion, makes his way through the gathered people, to the side of Indilzar and Thorondur, and there he too dismounts, \"And where now shall we go, for the sword remains yet in peices...\"

A small girl-child, noble by birth if her fair and silken dress can tell it well, breaks forth from the crowd with a merry squeal. She rushes to meet the Lord Girithlin, no taller than his knees... and shyly reaches up, to hand him there a white rose, his symbol.

And overtaken by a soft and gossamer emotion, Thorondur\'s eyes well with tears of joy. Stooping, he humbly accepts the flower from the child even as Indilzar roars to the crowd.

Eilian follows her brother\'s gaze to the men he points out and only can nod her head. \"Are you not such a warrior Rein?\" she turns and smiles brightly up at her brother in an almost teasing sort of way, Seems Eilian can actually come out from the walls she stays behind

Morrandir surveys the crowd and shakes his head. \"They celebrate as though Amrothos were free...\" He sighs, and dismounts. \"They should save their praise, for it is not over yet.\"

Lothiriel descends the stairs from the upper courtyard. Lothiriel has arrived.

Aridias resists the urge to gape openly, although surely he has only dreamed of such sights from his fathers rural fief. Noting especialy Indrilzar he draws himself up and assumes a more courtly mien, betrayed a touch by the shine in his stormy eyes.

\"To the secret place,\" says Indilzar. \"For there has been brought a smithy and there can it be rewrought in the furnaces nigh the bright sea.\"

\"Two and two are the shards of the sword,\" says Indilzar. \"Yet now the hour draws near for the fufilment of our oath and the freedom of Amrothos. Hard bought by over a year of toil on the dusty road. Yet I regret it not. Let us hope all is well hither as can be. But when all is done, we should hie to it and not shirk again of faith or duty being so close to completion.\"

Mathollor nods sharply \"Aye My Lord\" Before checking the mounts tack and harness is in order, as they is finished he quickly jogs to one of the waiting squires and gives over their mounts. This done he returns to his knights side.

Indilzar glances at Aridias and indeed he knows a kinsman. He speaks to him, \"Hail kinsman. For you are Bragollach. I can see so by your mien and look. Yet I have been afield and not all of my house are known to me. Who are you?\"

Tears stream freely from the Herald\'s eyes as he lifts the child in his arms, and she howls with laughter as he spins her thrice about. Then setting her down, he pats her head and says, \"You are a lovely daughter to Erindil and his Lady Sulaewen, little Nimriel. Now go and tell them you are beautiful, and deserve a candy.\"

Grinning, the little girl runs off to her parents as Thorondur stands, drawing a deep breath and starting westward into the throng.

Eilian watches the goings one with the excitement of a wide-eyed child. Her face beaming with happiness, maybe the past will stay where it should be, in the past. Eilian squeezes her brother\'s hand then quickly looks up at him grinning, \"I feel rather excited Rein, tis a feeling I have not had in many a day\"

Aridias almost falters as he is adressed, yet his heritage asserts itself immediately. He drops in as much of a bow as the crowds will allow before arising focusing his gaze upon Indilzar \'I am Aridias, son of Lord Gloril and nephew to the departed Sir Bragaer\' ancestory announced with pride in his clear voice.

\"Let our coming bright hope, Squire,\" The Prince speaks with a smile to Morrandir, his eyes gazing over the crowd of those who live under the rule of his father, and protection of his Swan-Knights.

But then his attention is returned once more to the Lord Bragollach, \"How far is the journey to this secret forge?\" Erchirion ask, caring for nothing more than the blunted truth.

Herunumendil\'s raptor\'s gaze looks upon Lord Thorondur, and does not find him wanting. Pleased with the depth of emotion he shows in the gift of the rose. The man from Minas Tirith watches on, mindful of his image as a man of the Host, and of his mother\'s lineage. Equally, is he impressed with the Lord\'s retinue...

Another horseman appears in the Lower Courtyard, some time after the knights and squires have arrived. Clad in black he is and upon his chest the symbol of the White Tree lays and as he passes by the celebrating crowd, many eyes fall upon him.

\"Another Soldier of Gondor.\" some voices are heard, \"They can ride with such ease?\" others say.

The man of the Stone City continues towards the Swan-Knights, only glancing at the gathered crowd, in haste. \"Hail!\" he says to the Lords, as he dismounts, giving the reins of his horse to a nearby stable boy.

\"Know I those names well,\" says Indilzar, \"Including your own kinsman. Yet now you must pardon me and mine. For I must fulfil my oath and reforge Anaril! The bright sword of Anarion shall shine again!\" Indilzar looks to Erchirion, \"You know it well son of Imrahil and ever in my thought to this matter is the Maiden of the Sea. Therefore, to it let us go, and indeed let all those who journied with us go thither. Tamran especially, for he it was who was chosen by the Maiden with the shining eyes.\"

Rein laughs happily, \"A warrior I am, and I try to be great too..\" Then he chuckles, \"I like you when you smile and laugh, why dont you play the harp to make all those people feel really welcome, let them feel your happiness\" His mouth is close to her ear as he whispers.

So it is that preceding his friends and companions, the Lord Thorondur moves gracefully through the crowd. Each glance given him is returned with a confident smile, even to men he does not know, and could never have seen ere today. rein, Herunumendil, even little Beldor all are swept with the Herald\'s gratitude for such a welcome.

But then he is swiftly up the broad stairs, two at a time, and passing into the upper court toward the Citadel proper.

Another, deeper bow does Aridias make, the crowd having parted as his ancestory is announced to all present. Arising again he smiles proudly \'An honour m\'lord my pardon most easily granted\' he says heart and blood racing to be reflected in the brightness of his gaze.

Thorondur climbs up the stairs to the west. Thorondur has left.

Indilzar looks at Aridias, \"We shall meet again kinsman.\"

Eilian blinks up at her brother then quickly shakes her head, \"Oh no...I could not do that, not in front of so many important people, I would not wish to shame our family Rein.\"

\"Chosen were we all,\" The Son of Imrahil replies, \"Each man in his own way... but let us not tarry in this, for we have yet to complete our task..\"

And to the crowd he looks once, and smiles to them all, nods, and waves, and then looks to Indilzar, \"Lead on my Lord, for much is yet to be done.\"

\"Your decision Eilian, I am just so glad to see you happy!\" Rein\'s hands rest lightly on her shoulders, standing right behind her.

\"So be it,\" says Indilzar. \"Come m\'lord. There will be time enough for pleasure after your brother is saved.\"

Indilzar climbs up the stairs to the west. Indilzar has left.

Quietly Tamran follows the Black-Knight towards the stairs, taking sure steps. Tamran climbs up the stairs to the west. Tamran has left.

Mathollor places his hand on his scabbard holding it in tight as he follows his Knight.

Erchirion swiftly follows the path of Indilzar and the Guardsman Tamran. Erchirion climbs up the stairs to the west. Erchirion has left.

Mathollor climbs up the stairs to the west. Mathollor has left.

Morrandir watches the Son of Imrahil and the Lord Bragollach depart, then hands his reins to a nearby white squire. He nods to him, then follows the men up the stairs. Morrandir climbs up the stairs to the west. Morrandir has left.