(Archive) The Fellowship of the Sword 9 - Counsel at Helm\'s Deep

Counsel Taken at Helm\'s Deep

Hornburg, Outer Courtyard Near Main Gates

A light Autumn drizzle is falling and you pull your garments closer in an attempt to stay dry.

*************** You are unable to see the moon above. ****************

The torches along the courtyard walls reveal...

This is the Outer Court of the Hornburg, a circular courtyard between the Outer and Inner Walls. The tower of the fortress, known simply as The Burg, rises out of the center of the Inner Court, to the west. The Outer Walls rise 25 feet up on one side, while the Inner Wall rises even higher on the other. One main road runs through the Outer Court, with a few small homes of the soldiers and storehouses built up against the Inner Wall.

Contents:

Indilzar

Obvious exits:

Stairs Up leads to Atop the Wall of the Hornburg, Over the Main Gate.

SouthWest leads to Hornburg, South End of Outer Courtyard.

West leads to Hornburg, Inner Courtyard.

North leads to Hornburg, East End of Outer Courtyard.

NorthEast leads to Ramp at the Gates of the Hornburg.

[Indilzar(#10108)]

Strange as it may seem to the stout Men of Rohan, the Men of Gondor have come to the Hornburg...

Long and long Indilzar Bragollach looks out upon the walls and says to his companions, \"Surely this place was built by the Men of Gondor!\"

[Arnafel(#29017)]

In the center of the courtyard the Company from Gondor draws rein, and the echoes of their steeds\' hooves ringing upon the cobblestones slowly fade away.

And in reply to the Bragollach speaks another -- one who lowers his hood to be revealed as the Lord of the Isilrim, lines of weariness etched upon his brow, \"Indeed it was, ere the wane of Gondor began. And it was built truly, for the lore of this land says that no foe may take it if it is defended.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"A strong place it may be,\" replies Indilzar, \"but lore is only so good as it holds true.\"

Indilzar dismounts and then reaches into his cloak, \"Come now, we have but a brief hour ere we ride again, so let us take what counsel we may together. Do you remember that scroll I had told you of?\"

[Arnafel(#29017)]

\"It has held true for long years now, Bragollach -- I see no reason for it to be proven false now.\"

And dismounting -- lightly, despite the many leagues the Company has ridden -- Arnafel bids one among the Knights to take the riders to shelter ere turning to his companion, \"I do. But come, the rain will do the scroll...or us...little good.\"

And he leads the way to an empty guards\' shelter set against the walls thither.

[Indilzar(#10108)]

Indilzar nods as the pair are led off toward the west.

Indilzar walks through the gate to the Inner Court, to the west.

Indilzar has left.

You walk through the inner gate into the Inner Court.

Hornburg, Inner Courtyard

You feel the light Autumn drizzle upon your face...

*************** You are unable to see the moon above. ****************

The torches along the courtyard walls reveal....

This is the narrow courtyard surrounding the tall tower at the center of the Hornburg (known simply as \'The Burg\' by the Rohirrim). The Inner Walls rise all around, standing some 30 feet high, and built of the same faultless stone as the Outer Wall and the Deeping Wall. The courtyard is ringed by beautiful gardens, for the Inner Wall seldom needs to be manned. A heavy iron gate leads eastward to the Outer Court of the fortress.

Contents:

Indilzar

Obvious exits:

North leads to Hornburg, Entry Hall of The Burg.

East leads to Hornburg, Outer Courtyard Near Main Gates.

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"Indeed you speak aright Arnafel,\" says Indilzar as they march through, \"the design here is similar to Minas Tirith, if lesser. This must have been here in the days when Gondor held hegenomy among the Hillmen. In the days ere the Rohirrim.\"

[Arnafel(#29017)]

\"Days now long past. There are few even in Gondor who remember the tales of the days ere the coming of the Horse-Lords.\"

Into the shelter the two Knights step -- little more than a roof and three walls set against the stone which rings the courtyard -- but it is enough to ward them from the rain and chill of the autumn night.

And drawing forth a chair kept by the sole table there, the Silver Knight turns to Indilzar, \"And now, the scroll.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"Much to our loss,\" says Indilzar without mirth, \"too much of our own history have our people forgotten. More have we become a simple people, such as the Horse-masters...\"

He sits and draws out the scroll. He opens and first you see several maps that seem to be have freshly painted. Then you also see writing, a long tale it would seem, \"The maps are of different ages. As you can see, there is one that concerns the lands east of the Misty Mountains, and that is a new map. Then there is the older map, which deals with the western lands. The new map was made after the return of Numandil Nimothan, and it accounts his journey up the Anduin Valley and into Mirkwood, and then beyond to the Dwarf-Realm of Erebor. The Western map shows us but little: Where the old realm of Arnor was, but some new things, for I have travelled that way. Truly we shall not know which way fate will take us, so I deem this will serve us in good stead...\"

[Arnafel(#29017)]

Forward the Isilrim leans, studying the maps for long moments -- still, save for a faint nod in reply to Indilzar.

And finally, the soft drumming of rain upon the roof of the shelter is broken by his voice -- thoughtful now, and slow in coming, \"The Eastern map will serve us well -- but the Western is of little use, in truth. It was drawn long years ago it would seem, and dark things fare abroad West of the great mountains now...things no map will show. The knowledge of those who have travelled in that land will count for more, I deem.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"I agree,\" replies Indilzar, \"And I know the paths well north to this village called Bree. Strange folk are there, but I did not tarry.\"

\"Now look at this Arnafel,\" says Indilzar, \"this is the tale of the sword, from the scribes of Denethor.\"

Indilzar looks long at the words and says, \"Glormal the Seer... Well, at least we know of the sword and that it had broken apart. Yet truly if we are to recover the pieces, then we must decide what to do. It is my hope that Curunir can give us better counsel, but it would seem to me that these pieces are wide-sundered and who knows if in truth they exist...\"

Indilzar\'s words trail for a moment before he says, \"...and yet, I believe they do. For I deem that this is the fate of it, that the sword is doomed to be united, but whether or not we achieve it ourselves shall be seen.\"

[Arnafel(#29017)]

\"We will achieve it.\"

And there is a calm certainty in that voice -- a towering arrogance, some would say. Those who know the Lord Isilrim little.

\"But look here, Bragollach\", and he traces a path upon the Eastern map, \"If we choose to pass through the gap and Westward, then we must pass through Dunland -- and those folk bear us much ill-will, despite the Lord Hirluin\'s old alliance. A far better course it would be...\"

And his finger marks a northward part, following his words -- \"..to travel thus and through one of the great passes. And one more thing I would say...\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

Indilzar listens quietly, considering this path, \"Speak on.\"

[Arnafel(#29017)]

\"The Golden Wood, Bragollach.\"

And heavily indeed the silence weighs in that chamber, pressing down upon these two Champions of Gondor -- a silence shot through with strands of wonder and fear. But not for long.

\"We will take counsel with Curunir as the Lord-Steward bade us...but we would be foolish indeed not to seek the wisdom of the Lady of the Golden Wood when we pass so close by her realm. She sees...\"

And for a fleeting moment, a pause -- one in which a strange light glints in the Silver Knight\'s eyes -- only to be veiled swiftly, \"...much.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

What was on Indilzar\'s mind is quickly removed and says, \"But why? Is there no other way? It is perilous to seek out the Lady it is said. Truly also the Lord Steward bade us to seek out Imladris, not the Golden Wood. Also, that is on the other side of the mountains and we would have to follow up the eastern way.\"

[Arnafel(#29017)]

And there is little delay in the answer this time -- measured and swift it comes, \"Other ways there might have been if we had more time. But we do not. And all that is told in old tales is not true -- to seek out the Lady is perilous indeed, but the peril is not that of evil, and nor is it wholly of her making. And the Lord-Steward sees much, Bragollach.\"

\"But he does not see all. And in this, my heart bids me seek the wisdom of the Lady, or lose all that we strive for.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"Have you been to the Golden Wood before?\" asks Indilzar increduously.

[Arnafel(#29017)]

\"Indeed.\"

And there is that in the Silver Knight\'s visage which says that he will speak no more on the matter.

[Indilzar(#10108)]

Indilzar looks up at Arnafel for a moment and ponders this, \"We shall see. Yet I will not bring any of us into needless peril. I do not wish to seek out the Lady of the Wood when Amrothos languishes so.\"

[Arnafel(#29017)]

\"None shall go unwilling into the Golden Wood, for it would avail us little. The Company will ride upon the path which the greater part of its Captains deem wise.\"

\"But I, Bragollach\" -- and unyielding as the very mountains Arnafel seems -- \"I will ride thither alone if need be, for not to do so would be to be fail in my charge upon the quest.\"

And a moment longer he remains thus ere dismissing the matter with a wave of his hand, \"But come, what counsel do you give then?\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"First,\" says Indilzar, \"I would ask of Curunir what he knows of the sword and that we were bidden to seek Imladris. It may be that by him we can find the right path. Now, if it is that he does know of where this precious thing lie, then I would follow his counsel first. Yet I also say this, that if we are to go to the east side of the Hithaeglir, then we should do so after speaking with Curunir and use the Gap of Rohan as our pass, there should be less trouble that way. For long ago I took the Red Horn pass, and that is a perilous road. So my counsel is thus: Let us wait and see. So far we know precious little of our road save that a piece lies in the hands of the dwarves according to lore, another with the elves, another in the ruins of Arnor and the last...\"

Indilzar shudders and whispers, \"...Minas Morgul.\"

[Arnafel(#29017)]

\"Perhaps, Bragollach...perhaps. Yet, to pass East through the Gap would be to travel through long leagues of folk who bear us ill-will. But let it be as you have said -- we shall wait and see until we have taken counsel with Curunir. Thus might the Company\'s path be chosen, even if my own must lead me elsewhere.\"

Dark and filled with whispering secrets, the night draws close around them then -- for such is the dread power of the fastness where the Nine dwell. And rising, the Lord of the Isilrim casts open the door, letting in a fresh breath of wind -- one which bears his words, softly spoken.

\"And though we travel to far lands beneath Sun and Moon, the one nearest to Gondor will be the most perilous.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

Indilzar nods, \"Indeed, and who knows if it shall come to that.\" Indilzar rises and says, \"Let us return to the others.\"