(Archive) The Fellowship of the Sword 31 - Silverware? What\'s that???

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Elendor - 12.20.00

*Note - thanks to Grimbeorn for this log*

Real time is: Wed Dec 20 18:52:31 2000 - Weather in the Beorning realm is: CLEAR Elendor time is: Midnight on Mersday of Winter - February 8, 3022

Village Crossroads(#23936Rnto) You stand at the crossroads of the Beorning township that is situated in this part of Middle-Earth. To the east lies the forest of Mirkwood and all the wonders that lurk within. To the west lies the mighty Anduin River and beyond the soaring peaks of the Misty Mountains jut skyward. The night air is fresh and the breeze is cool here at the Village Crossroads. The Massive Oak tree tends to obscure the stars and moon from shining down, but many lanterns sparkle and provide ample light to see by. On one corner of the crossroads lies the Great Bear Inn. Sounds of revelry can be heard emanating from within, and the warm glow seen through it\'s windows is very enticing. Opposite the Inn can be found the stables. A lantern hangs upon it\'s door, suggesting that it is still open, despite the onset of darkness. As you gaze to both the north and the south, you can see that much more of the town lies beyond where you stand at this moment.

The sky is clear. The midnight winter air is cold and dry around you. The moon is not visible.

Contents: Beaker Huan, Wolf-Hound of Dol Amroth(#29314V) Indilzar Mathollor Stygius White Pavillion Solo Beorning Caravan(#22095Len) Magnificent Oak Tree(#24958aen) Large Bear Statue(#19056Oa) Obvious exits: Northeast leads to Stables. Southeast leads to Great Bear Inn - Entrance Hall. South leads to Southern Village. North leads to Northern Village. East leads to Anduin Road, East of Village. West leads to Anduin East Bank.

Indilzar bows formally and says, \"Some of my kindred you may have met. I am called Indilzar, and Indilkhor was my father. I come from Gondor and I am not the first of that folk to come to these lands. For it may be that the names Numandil and Naerdil are known to you. On a time they came hither, and it has been told that they journied with some of your folk.\" He then pats the head of the hound, \"And perhaps you remember mighty Huan?\"

Mathollor nods his face calm. \"The men are already whispering...\" He quickly curtails his words before turning and bowing lightly as he face broadens into a light smile.

Solo comes up to the group and hails them softly, in case anyone\'s asleep. \"Hello Stygius, friendly strangers.\" His eyes stop for an extra second on Mathollor, who he met earlier. \"Cold night, eh?\"

A crisp wind runs through the streets of the Anduin Village as the sound of snow under foot approaches the village crossroads. It starts out calm and pauses as you hear a door shut, but then it grows and grows. From the shadows cast by the buildings at the road\'s edges emerges the huge shape of a Beijabar, known to the villagers as Indabeorn. He walks slowly, enjoying the cool air, when he\'s startled by the sounds of other men. \"Evening,\" he says, keeping a good distance from any of the men.

The Black knight looks at Indabeorn and Solo and nods his greetings.

Mathollor grins. \"No worse than the day as far as I can tell, once you are cold there is little variation.\" He turns to regard the new arrival with a raised eyebrow before he nods a polite greeting.

Stygius returns the bow, \"my name is Stygius, son of Flurazha and Dayaghut,\" he listens the names mentioned, and frowns in concentration, \"the names sound familiar, but i don\'t believe that i personally met any of th\'people you mentioned....there was this one boy, though...ahh...i can\'t remember his name....\" he shakes his head, and shrugs. At Indabeorn\'s greeting he turns towards the source of the voice, and nods, with a short wave, \"g\'d evening!\"

Indilzar nods and then says, \"Perhaps then you may direct me to your chief, or leader? We are merely passing through and seek advice on the road to come.\"

Solo nods to Indabeorn. \"Hello.\" He gestures to the beijabar upon the asking of a leader and advice. \"Ask this big guy, he\'s the best you\'re going to get in the next, say, two minutes. We have guides, if you need them.\"

Although the Beijabar politely closes in on Stygius and the other men who are gathered in the crossroads, he keeps an eye out from behind his bushy clothing fixed on Indilzar and his men. Indabeorn nods, directly greeting the Gondorian. \"I\'ve heard the road is trecherous,\" he says, looking up at the moonless sky, \"There is another storm coming, the air is dry.\" He walks a little closer to Indilzar, quieting his voice and wrapping his clothes tightly around his frame.

Returning the nod in the same fashion as the man called Indabeorn, Indilzar says, \"I have heard that there is a path somewhat to the north of here, carved by the Fair Folk? Is that so?\"

Mathollor tilts his head to one side and leans slightly forward, his interest now clear upon his face. \"That would be a great boon to us, it would certainly speed our journey.\"

Indabeorn chuckles slightly, letting out a cloud of breath before his face, but he nods to answer the Gondorian. \"That there is, but it has just snowed, it is no doubt that you\'ll be risking your necks if you try any path.\" He smiles in an attempt to shiver off the cold and leans towards the Great Bear Inn and says, \"You\'re welcome to stay until it the road gets better, or at least until day break.\"

Indilzar nods and then says, \"Our errand brings us haste.\" He looks grim and then says, \"You look cold, so I shan\'t keep you. Yet if it would avail your folk, we would buy supplies for the road.\"

Indabeorn nods, and then glances over his shoulder to Solo to whom he asks, \"I\'m sure we could arrange something, no?\" He looks back at Indilzar without waiting for Solo to respond and smiles, \"What errand is this? Going up to the mountains?\" His face twists into being a bit grim as well, as is common when he thinks about the mountains.

Emerging from the nearby Inn at the wee hours of the morning for not the first time this week, Marusia spots the group gathered at the caravan, several of whom she knows. She heads on over there. standing at the back and listening. Finally she spots Solo and walks next to him. \"Did you find your man of letters, Solo?\"

\"No,\" replies Indilzar, \"Well not yet in any case. We are heading east, toward the Dwarf-home of Erebor. We also are seeking the Elven-King of the Wood.\"

Mathollor turns towards Indilzar as he defers that question to him.

Solo shakes his head. \"I could arrange something, but I\'m not the man to ask. I haven\'t gone on a trading trip in a while, I am waiting until spring gives fairer weather.\" He turns to Marusia. \"They all can read, from how they responded. How\'re you?\"

Indabeorn nods, a bit relieved, \"Then there is time enough to at least gave a warm meal in the Inn. I\'m sure Solo here,\" he motions over his shoulder, \"will be able to find the man you are looking for in front of the fire.\" The smith chuckles, finally relaxing despite the cold winds that continuously rip through the roads. He looks up briefly, noticing a few snow flakes dance around Indilzar\'s head. Looking back down and this time to Indilzar\'s men he offers, \"And I\'m sure your men could use a break.\"

Indabeorn nods, a bit relieved, \"Then there is time enough to at least gave a warm meal in the Inn. I\'m sure Solo here,\" he motions over his shoulder, \"will be able to find the man you are looking for in front of the fire.\" The smith chuckles, finally relaxing despite the cold winds that continuously rip through the roads. He looks up briefly, noticing a few snow flakes dance around Indilzar\'s head. Looking back down and this time to Indilzar\'s men he offers, \"And I\'m sure your men could use a break.\"\'.

Marusia nods a polite response to Solo, but her face perks up at the mention of travel. \"Trading trip? To where? When? New lands? Who is going?\" She asks the question to Solo, but looks around the entire group as she does so. Her attention to that subject is distracted again, though, as Solo\'s answer finally hits her, and she turns to him. \"Why do you need someone who can read? Do you have something you need read? And why can\'t you find someone here in the village?\"

Mathollor turns to regard the woman firing questions at the trader, His facing twisting into a wry grin as he waits for the traders response.

Stygius turns to Solo, waiting for Marusia to finish before he can get a word in, quick and simple - \"if you haven\'t found anyone yet i could try \'n take a look at it.\"

Solo laughs slightly. \"Indabeorn, I\'ll find whoever it is that has the supplies. Lyrill is a good bet...if I can find that recluse.\" He turns to Marusia again, amused. \"The trading trip is just something I am juggling in my head.\" He laughs again. \"And I just wanted to see if there are any as smart as they are skilled with the sword.\"

Indilzar nods, \"Indeed.\" Then there is a brief flicker of a smile, \"We have had a hard road and barely escaped the orcs.\"

Marusia nods again to Solo\'s reply, disappointment clearly on her face this time. But the mention of the trader Lyrill seems to bring some...energy?..back into her face. \"I haven\'t seen Lyrill in ages, actually. Can\'t say I\'m surprised...\" Her voice trails off.

Mathollor grins at the traders response. \" The order of the Swan Knights contains some of the great champions of Gondor, we are required to be well versed in many things. Even lowly squires such as myself.\"

\"Then let\'s go find the little recluse,\" Indabeorn laughs and walks away, approaching the Inn and expecting the throng of men to follow him.

You enter into the Great Bear Inn\'s main hall.

You step into the tavern.

Tavern(#9729RtM)

The common room is a circular room with a large radius. Located in the center of the wooden circle is a large fire pit, burning and spitting up smoke and ashes of wood. Directly above the fire is a large smoke hole to which the rest of the ceiling slopes towards. The wood around the smoke hole is blacked with the smoke. The stout tables stand ready to hold the repast of large men, for large are the Northmen who live in this village the stools and long benches are constructed of thick hardwood, and can hold even the largest of their number aright.

The common room is filled with men and women taking part in the festivities of the night the day\'s work being done. Stars flash brightly outside the windows, though lanterns keep the inside nearly as bright as dawn of day.

Contents: Woody(#18658a) Obvious exits: Dining Room leads to Dining Room. Out leads to Great Bear Inn - Entrance Hall. Table code is in effect here. Type \'thelp\' for information.

Indilzar steps in from the entrance hall.

Indilzar has arrived.

The knight of Gondor enters the Inn following his host. He then says, \"This is a strange place to me... ah Sir, what is your name?\"

Mathollor steps in from the entrance hall.

Mathollor has arrived.

Marusia steps in from the entrance hall. Marusia has arrived.

Solo steps in from the entrance hall.

Solo has arrived.

Morrandir steps in from the entrance hall.

Morrandir has arrived.

Indabeorn looks to Woody and without saying a thing he immeadiately goes to work preparing a small platter of hot food. He throws two mugs of ale on the bar which the Beijabar retrieves with his giant hands. He hands one to Indilzar and says, as Woody sighs and throws three more mugs onto the bar before turning his back to the door, \"Indabeorn. And you are?\"

Stygius steps in from the entrance hall.

Stygius has arrived.

Solo turns finally and walks in step with Mathollor. \"Sure, why not. Sindarin is an elven language, right?\" He cocks his head ad Marusia. \"If I wished to kill him myself, then I\'d plan with you, right?\"

\"Indilzar,\" says the knight simply enough. \"Indilzar Bragollach,\" he then says more formally. His accent is strange, with a peculiar roll to the tongue. He then says, \"As I was saying... why thank you.\" He takes the ale and sips it, \"This is strange to me. Why you have made this village almost all out of wood!\"

Mathollor begins to speak before stopping dead.\" Yes it is the original, though before we continue, may I ask is the murder that you bandy around so lightly ?\" A wide, not so innocent grin spreads across Marusia\'s face. \"Now that\'s not a bad idea, Solo.\" She winks at him, then turns to answer Mathollor. \"Sure. Isn\'t that how you take care of your problems at home?\" Her voice seems serious, yet she is smiling.

From behind the counter, Woody works hastily to please the new group of customers. He trips on himself and gets in his own way numerous times, and just like Woody neglects Morrandir and Stygius until well after they arrive. Finally slides them their ale and wipes his brow as he places the platter of food, which belongs to another gentleman, on the bar.

Solo breaks out into total laughter. \"Don\'t worry, we\'re only joking. Marusia...loathes the man, I simply don\'t care either way. Long story, involvling mud and a whole bunch of other stuff.\"

Mathollor shakes his head and blushes lightly \"I am being foolish, pardon any insult that I might have given. I am prone to be a little too easily bluffed at times, especially when I am far from home.\" He gathers up a platter and a mug of ale as he seats himself. \" It is the language of our people as well of the First Born, though only the Nobility use it fully, in most peoples habits words are used more than the whole of it. Some concepts do not pass well into westron.

Indabeorn laughs at the knight after draining a quarter of his ale, \"Well what would you have us make it out of?\" He backs up further into the tavern to allow the rest of the group enter, but doesn\'t get an inch without getting a stare from one of the older patrons at the fire or a snicker from an old woman in the corner. There are whispers being said all throughout the room, more likely than not about the strange men in the village. Indabeorn looks around the room and smiles, \"It keeps up warm, and holds in a smell that you don\'t get in most places.\"

A newcomer enters, another Gondorian. Tall, dark of hair and pale of skin. A long black cloak of fine sable hangs from his shoulders, and he wears an eyepatch. He strides across to the bar and orders an ale, before turning around and nodding to his fellow countrymen. Morrandir takes his ale, and walks over to a quiet corner of the room, sitting down at a table by himself.

\"Ah,\" says Indilzar, \"Some of our folk use wood. Yet our cities are contrived mostly of stone. That is why our land is so named: Gondor.\"

He takes another sip of the ale and says, \"How long shall this weather last do you guess Indabeorn? My mission is urgent and delays I can brook no more.\"

\"Yes, a very long and rather embarrassing story,\" Marusia adds. \"But you know Sindarin?\" she asks the man from Gondor before her. \"I learned a few words of it on the last trading trip. Not enough to get buy, I\'m afraid.\" Through the noise of the room, Marusia catches snatches of other conversations. \"What brings you here--a mission, I\'ve heard?\"

Solo sits down with Mathollor. \"I understand the translation problem. Eothrik is fairly easy, but the orc language is more grunt than grin.\" He whispers to a local barmaid his drink, and she proceeds to get it.

Mathollor nods his head \" Of a sort, though it should more truly be termed a quest. and unfortunately one that is not mine to speak of...\" Shakes his head as he glances at Solo \"My sword speaks eloquently enough for me If I should wish any discourse with Orcs. We have encountered them several times on our journey.\"

\"Gondor,\" Indabeorn says to himself, his voice trailing off as he thinks. \"Oh yes, by elven means. That can\'t very well keep in a good scent, or be very inviting. Though, to each his own,\" he says down to Indilzar. After taking another large sip from his mug, he looks over the rest of the group and then out the window. \"You can never know for sure, with these storms, but seeing there is no moon I can\'t see it being harmful to your little errand for much longer. A couple days, to be sure, perhaps three if I am correct.\"

\"Even that we cannot wait,\" says Indilzar sadly, \"Our plight is grim and our vow must be upheld. For verily for every moment that passes, the anguish of my liege the Prince grows all the more strong. Tell me if you might and if by good grace and fortune you can, tell me of the best way I can reach the path wrought by the Elder Folk long ago when that wood was still known as Greenwood. Indeed, and more I would ask for the very lives of my fellows: those stalwart Men who have trodden the endless roads to come upon your fair village. I would ask what dangers that lie therein and how we might come to fine the Elven king whose name is known as Thranduil.\"

At the mention of orcs Morrandir looks up and glances at Mathollor. He frowns slightly, then returns his attention to the mug of ale before him.

\"I understand,\" Marusia replies. \"It\'s all so mysterious, though. All these...soldiers? in the middle of town, encounters with orcs....\" She turns and surveys the room, taking in all the visitors from Gondor as she does so. Her eyes settle on the conversation between Indilzar and Indabeorn. \"That is where the answer to my questions is, I would bet.\"

Solo nods. \"We see much of the cursed race ourselves. They love to raid us, often emerging from the south or Mirkwood. There\'s been a lull lately though, and our vigilance is ever great.\" He looks around. \"I know that I may not be able to comprehend much Sindarin at all in one night, but do you think you could teach me what you can?\"

At the end of the bar, Woody talks with a customer. His voice is small, but anyone who can see knows that he is trying to please the man whom donated his dinner to the strange men. The large, burly man pushes Woody away and rushes over towards Indilzar and Indabeorn. \"And you never are, Beijabar!\" The smell of alcohol covers this man and disguises what may be a very well to do Beorning. \"That\'s my dinner, and I\'ve waited a long, cold day for it! How can you--,\" His voice trails off as he does into a moment of confusion. Indabeorn pushes the man away, politely offering him a good deal of the platter, \"Woody will make more, won\'t you Woody?\" he asks, only to be answered with a grunt as the bartender makes his way in circles again to please his customers. Please, the drunken man stumbles down to his seat with the platter in hand.

Indabeorn turns back to Indilzar and apologizes, \"I\'m sorry about that, we\'ll have some more food in just a second.\" He thinks for a moment about the Gondorian\'s situation and replies, \"That is some errand of yours, Indilzar. I\'ll be sure to get you a guide to help you on your way as soon as I can, which won\'t be three days I can assure you. He\'ll help you to the road you speak of, though I hope you will be careful on your way.\"

Mathollor shakes his head lightly \"You may endeavour as you will, though I fear the answers are not to be had from Lord Indilzar either.\" He turns and to Solo as he answers his question. \"Aye gladly I will teach what time will allow, though I fear it will be mostly small phrases you may find of need\"

Indilzar nods grimly and says, \"Three days?\"

\"Well, I suppose I can _listen_ closely, can\'t I?\" Marusia answers Mathollor, with a grin. \"Though it is rather noisy in here...crowded...I know a few words of Sindarin,\" she continues, not apparently caring that her thoughts are disconnected.

Solo smiles. \"Splendid! Where will we start?\" The person ignores the fact that it would only be little bits useful in conversation, for he has taught that way manny times.

Indabeorn sighs as he looks back out through the window which faces the road. He sees a good deal of snow falling from the sky, but whether it is from the wind playing with the already fallen snow on the rooftops or from the clouds above he doesn\'t know. \"We will take you out tomorrow, no matter how it looks. Something of such importance from Gondor, as you say, can\'t wait longer I should think.\"

\"Sir,\" says Indilzar, \"I am at your service, but there is no need. No need to risk yourselves on our part.\"

Mathollor says, \"Can you think of anything that might be of use to you in your trading or traveling ?\"

Solo smiles. \"Yes. Things like basic numbers could be avoided by barter, but I need to know yes, no, buy, sell, and so on.\"

\"Stop thief?\" Marusia interjects, laughing. \"That might come in handy.\"

]Mathollor says in Sindarin, \" **** ***** ?\"

Setting down his now empty mug, Morrandir looks across to Mathollor and says loudly \"Why don\'t you teach them to say: sorry, I don\'t speak elvish, so can you please talk in westron.\"

Mathollor says, \"Would you like me to reapeat it a few more times ?\" Solo nods a little, a perplexed grin on his face. After a few seconds he says, \"Repeat that, I didn\'t quite catch it.\"

Indabeorn shakes his head and rests his free hand on Indilzar\'s shoulder. \"The weather will let up. Beorn will clear the road and we will be fine. Let\'s get what rest and warmth we can, though, while the roads are impossible to navigate through the darkness,\" he says, trying his best to please what might be influential to the valley. \"Tell me about Gondor, is it like our village?\" He asks, leaning back on the bar and taking another large gulp of his ale.

Mathollor grins lightly at Morrandir \"That would be helpful yes but would rather spoil our fun.\"

]Mathollor says in Sindarin, \" **** thief\"

Mathollor says, \"Take it slowly and break it into segments as I pronounce it.\"

Stygius turns to Mathollor, \" ***** *** should teach *** to *** \"hold on a sec, my friend who speaks sindarin is around here somewhere\" ?\" and grins.

Solo perks up more this time, catching more words, though not quite comprehending it. He begins to sound it out, carefully. He does it slowly, but doesn\'t falter. \"Now I need to know what it means... Mathollor laughs as he looks towards Stygius. \"That might also be helpful.\"

Marusia looks from Mathollor to the man from Gondor in the corner. \"A friend of yours?\" she asks Mathollor. \"Doesn\'t seem very friendly...\" She listens closely to the conversation in Sindarin. \"I actually understood a word or two of that!\" she says, pleased with herself. \"Something about beer, I think.\"

Mathollor turns back towards Solo \"It means stop thief as your friend requested, though the concept is rather larger in Sindarin, Westron is much more concise. Thief as opposed to taker of posesions belonging to another.\"

Solo juggles the ideas in his head, murmuring it again. \"Okay, got it. Any more? Don\'t worry about my pace, I\'ll keep up.\"

Mathollor grins as the Marusia suggests beer\" The word for stop and beer are quite close that is wherein you erred I believe.\"

Indilzar leans against the bar and his eyes become distant, as if recalling a dream, \"No. Gondor is different from this place. Different in its nature and different in its people. Our land is wide and by the margin of the sea. There of old our longfathers built cities of stone in which we still dwell: Minas Tirith, Pelargir-upon-Anduin, and Dol Amroth the castle by the sea. Many rivers flow through that land and in summer the blossoms shine bright in the hollows of the Ered Nimrais. There maidens in happy times would come and gather them, and set them upon their hair like so many stars born from the earth. And oh the River Anduin is so wide there. If you think the river is wide here, in the South it grows mighty ere he finds the sea. There many of our folk dwell, ever in arms against the Enemy. Tall are the towers, and high they built them. The Men of the West from long, long ago.\"

Stygius scratches his beard and looks into his emptying glass, thinking about Mathollor\'s explanation...\"hmm..i never understood that, but it makes sense now - it\'s like my mother tongue.\"

Mathollor says, \"What words would you have of me perhaps friend or peace ?\"

Solo says, \"Sure, those would work fine into my vocabulary.\"

\"Not very friendly?\" says Morrandir with a wry grin, clearly amused by the ladies statement. He calls the barmaid over and orders another drink. \"Neither is Mathollor when he isn\'t on his best behavior.\"

Mathollor nods \"Well, I will say Peace first followed by friend, It might be a good idea to put hostility to rest first.\"

The sun rises over the wood of Mirkwood to the east, casting the first rays of morning light on the Anduin Valley.

Mathollor raise one eyebrow at Morrandir before grinning broadly \"My behavoiur is as always impeccable my friend. Now will you stop brooding and come join us ?\"

Sagan steps in from the entrance hall.

Sagan has arrived.

\"Beer and thief are close?\" Marusia asks, clearly puzzled. \"Strange language,\" she mutters to herself. With a shrug, Marusia frees a beer from a passing barmaid, despite the woman\'s protest that it was meant for another customer. \"Ah, I\'m a local here--don\'t I get first choice?\" she asks. She takes a sip or two before turning to address Morrandir\'s comments herself. \"How is that? Tell us about his _other_ behavior,\" she says with a wink.

Solo finally receives his drink. He slips the barmaid a tip, though he murmurs about the slowness with an understanding voice. The scholar takes a drink and instantly relaxes into his seat.\"

The Beijabar tries to keep up with Indilzar, but gets lost with the names of the Gondorian lands. \"Tirith,\" he repeats, \"What, with such a large home how are you ever supposed to relax.\" Indabeorn laughs, trying to figure out why one would choose to live as Indilzar and his men do. \"I don\'t think I\'ll ever understand it...I can\'t imagine being the master smith of your home. Running from this place to that, climbing this stair and that stair. Crazy!\"

\"Well,\" says Morrandir, rising to his feet and striding towards the table, \"Mathollor is...reputed to have a seemingly unquenchable thirst for drink and fine young maidens. I would advise you to tread carefully whilst in his company.\" He sits down with them and recieves his ale, taking a large swig.

Suddenly Indilzar laughs and it is long ere he ceases. Yet at length he says, \"I suppose it would be of one\'s nature only if one were born to it. There are many fair places in Gondor. Mountains, and woods and vales were few Men trod. There are also courts and fountains and gardens that have gleamed since the days of the King. It is a fair place, but as I have told, it is different.\"

Marusia laughs at Morrandir\'s explanation. \"Is that so?\" she asks, eyeing Mathollor with a grin. But she turns, shaking her head. \"I\'m afraid I have no spirit for that sort of sport right now.\"

Mathollor raises one eyebrow as he shakes his head at Morrandir.\" Rumours are but rumours otherwise they would be truth, and no one should listen to slanderour rumours.\" His grin takes on a roguish look combining with his scar to give him a piratical air.

Indabeorn chuckles along with Indilzar, \"I suppose you would have to, it\'d be too overwhelming I think if I were to Gondor now. I\'d stumble over your gardens and probably splash through your fountains,\" he smiles widely and drains most all of his ale, slamming the mug on the bar behind him. Woody refills Indabeorn\'s vessel as the Beijabar speaks again, \"Who is your Laird?\"

Solo shakes his head. \"Just one more phrase before we leave. What is \'need lodging?\' \"

Indilzar nods and it takes him a moment to catch the meaning of the last word spoken ere he speaks, \"My liege is the Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth, but the Lord of Gondor to whom all give their fealty is Denethor, the son of Ecthelion who sits high upon his seat in the White Tower of Minas Tirith.\"

Mathollor nods and thinks for a moment \"I would suggest, I need shelter, I think that would avoid most confusion. But it is your choice ?\"

The door opens to admit a tall figure, one of the woodmen of Mirkwood, red-haired and looking somewhat tired and disheviled. He stamps snow from his booted feet as the wooden portal swings shut behind him, his gaze flickering across the assembled patrons of the tavern. The strangers are noted quickly, and Sagan\'s eyes narrow in a troubled frown. He stands before the door for a silent moment, then harrumphs softly and heads toward the bar.

Solo nods. \"That would do fine.\" He drinks once more from his drink, draining it.

]Mathollor says in Sindarin, \" I **** shelter.\"

Mathollor speaks slowly and carefully, drawing out the sylables after the first speaking.

Solo repeats it thoughtfully twice, slipping up on shelter the first time but catching his mistake. \"Thank you...\"

Mathollor smiles \" It is no trouble at all, I find Sindarin a rich language.\"

\"Perhaps teaching would have been a better profession for you Mathollor. Your abilities are wasted in the Order.\" Morrandir says with a slight chuckle. He sips his ale and looks down at the mug. \"This ale is outstanding.\"

Mathollor says, \"There will come a time when I have squires of my own to instruct, nothing is wasted in the order my friend.\"

\"Oh yes, Denethor, I\'ve heard once or twice of him. I can\'t say I know much more though. And what do you do for your King, or your liege...who did you say, Imrahil?\" Indabeorn seems much more like a fish out of water with the Gondorians than a master smith and a leader of the Anduin village. He is accompanied only with his ale in this conversation, and not a whole lot of intellect. He takes pleasure in his only ally, and takes a good amount of ale into his mouth. He swallows and sighs loudly, making the whole room turn their attention from the closing door to the Beijabar.

Marusia also silently mouths the words that Mathollor teaches Solo, then tries them out loud, messing them up. \"Hrrm..\" she says, frowning. How about..she stumbles a bit over her words.

]Marusia says in Sindarin, \"I **** ****?\"

Solo shakes the Gondorian\'s hand again. \"Thanks again, have good luck on your travels.\" With that he gets up and leaves out into the morning, a smile on his face.

Mathollor says, \"Close, more softly though and you will have it Sindarin flows rather than forces.\"

Mathollor stands as he shakes Solos hand. \"Fare you well.\"

\"Imrahil son of Adrahil is the Prince of Dol Amroth,\" replies Indilzar amiably, \"I am in office one of the swan-knights, though not of his house. I am the Lord of the House Bragollach, though for the last twenty generations of Men we have pledged our fealty to him. Ever since Galador ascended to the lordship of Belfalas.\"

Marusia starts to try again, but is interrupted by the loud sigh of the Beijabar. \"Uh oh..\" she says, setting her glass down.

\"The road to Knighthood is not an easy path to tread.\" Morrandir says grimly. \"There may not come a time...\" he pauses, and looks down at his ale. \"How many of us squires shall ever don the Winged Helm?\"

The sound of the elven tongue being spoken within the inn causes Sagan to halt in his approach to the bar, his head turning to regard its source with puzzled curiosity. He studies the man in silence for a moment, then alters his course to head toward him.

Mathollor says, \"It is enough that we serve to the best of our ability, Our Lord will set us in the place that we may serve Gondor best.\"

A bit confused by all the Sindarian names, Indabeorn simply nods his head and smiles, \"A swan-knight,\" he says, \"Then I suppose I\'m at a loss of words.\" Indabeorn takes a moment to collect some thoughts, and out of the corner of his eye he sees Sagan. Looking up, the Beijabar shouts across the room, \"Sagan!\" He waves his hand in the air and says to Indilzar in a calmer voice, \"Here is your guide, this man will help you. He\'s the best there is.\"

Indilzar crosses his arms upon his breast and inclines his head, \"I greet you friend Sagan. I am called Indilzar, a Man of Gondor.\"

Marusia breathes a sigh of relief as the focus of the room moves away from the Beijabar. But she glances at the window at the daylight that is breaking the horizon now and shakes her head. \"I must be off. Good luck on your mission...whatever it is,\" she adds with a wink, then drains her ale in one gulp and heads for the door.

Woody nods as someone leaves.

Mathollor smiles as he speaks to her departing back \"Good Morn to you\"

Morrandir waves to the departing woman, then looks to Mathollor. \"So how do you fare, friend?\" He drains his mug and sets it down upon the table with a thud.

Sagan halts again, his approach interrupted by his shouted name. He turns to regard the skinchanger for the briefest of moments before nodding toward him in genuine greeting. His companion receives a welcome of less sincerity, a scant inclination of his chin as he crosses the tavern to come near. \"The last man I met who claimed to be from this \'gondor\' tried to kill me. So don\'t take it too personally if I refrain from calling you a friend, or ask you not to call me such again.\"

The knight of Dol Amroth stiffens and then says, \"What tale do you speak of? Who was this man?\"

Mathollor says, \"Well enough, no worse than any other of our company so I have nothing to complain about. In truth I like these people they are friendly and honesty and have an openess that has been rare at our stops upon this journey.\"

\"Indeed. I feel more welcome here than anywhere we have yet come to upon our travels.\" Morrandir leans back in his seat and gazes about the room. He turns once more to Mathollor and points to his eyepatch. \"What do you think of my latest purchase? I visited a tailor afew days ago and had it made. Much better than that dirty old bandage.\"

\"He was a sorcerer, who claimed to be a Knight of Dol Amroth, wherever that may be. If even it truly exists.\" The woodman sinks into a vacant chair, face impassive as he regards the other man. \"We found him torturing one of Thranduil\'s folk in the forest. We stopped him.\"

Mathollor nods and smiles. \"I think it suits you, It gives you a rather roguish air that will go down well with the ladies. Between we are need only dress the part and corsairs we could become !

\"Sagan,\" says Indilzar, \"you have been deceived. For that was no Man of Gondor that you saw. He must have been a servant of the Enemy. This I swear upon my honour. Also this, that if ever I found such a one, then he would rue the day he ever claimed to be a knight of Gondor.\"

Mathollor grins and he strikes as puffed pose. before laughing and tossing back some ale.

\"We could, though I hope no man of Gondor would ever have a wish to defile his bearing by dressing as one of those filthy dogs.\" Morrandir says coldly. \"My uncle was killed by the Corsairs...\"

Indabeorn furrows his brow as he listens to both men speak. He questions both of them, but accepts both as the truth. Speaking as a mediator, the Beijabar says, \"I don\'t know what to say, but I don\'t doubt you will figure this out.\" He nods politely to both men and backs up, \"I must be going though. Indilzar, if Sagan will have it he is the man you need to take you to Amon Thranduil. I\'m sorry to leave you, though we will meet soon again.\" He backs up and gives a polite nod to the other Gondorian men, \"Good luck,\" he offers and then as he walks through the door, bowing his head under and closing it behind him, he prepares for the cold outside and is off.

Mathollor finishes his ale and shakes his head as he stands with a grunt. \"I meant no offense Morr, I was simply refering to your eyepatch and my scar. Anyway it has been a long day and I am tired, good eve.\"