(Archive) Galdorim

*Note - Log supplied by Dally aka Dalbeorn*

Osgiliath: Beside the Great River

This section of the ruined city must surely have been the home of some wealthy lord of lady, for the remnants of what was once a great home can still be seen. Tall pillars of marble and limestone lay broken and weathered, and underfoot well placed cobblestone lay a testament to the skill of Gondor that they remain. Built right along the Anduin banks, the cobblestones extend right to the water\'s edge, no doubt a high-point for those who once lived hither. South and west the remainder of the ruins can be seen, darkened even in the light of day, and there is was that the majority of structures were built. North and west the lands of Anorien take over the ruinous scenery, stretching far as the eye can see. The moon hangs high in the sky above. Night has fallen upon the ruined city.

Contents:

Aearwen

Galdorim

Obvious exits:

Southwest leads to Osgiliath: Northern Ruins - Old Residential Area.

North leads to Anorien: Along the Anduin.

Aearwen nods her head at Galdorim\'s words \"I can well understand you feeling better once you return to Minas Tirith. However, you must realize that I have to return to Dol Amroth and continue my duties there.\" Sighing softly, \"I have spent a lot more time here at Osgiliath then I originally intended, somehow, we will make things work out. You need to have faith in that and trust me.

Smokey clouds from the east fill the sky, blotting out the sun, and leaving the day in a dark gloom.

Moving through the ruins of the once grand city, Mablung makes his way north upon the shores of the Anduin. Words travel lightly upon the cool winter air and as they reach the ranger\'s ears he stops and looks about the once fine home of Lord or Lady. Spotting the source of the conversation, Mablung moves forward again, but seems to veer out of his chosen path and a second later a splash is heard as a large cobblestone falls into the waters of the Anduin.

Galdorim sighs deeply. \"I wish you could stay with me, wen.\" Then then hears the splash of the cobblestone. His hand reaches for his axe and finds it is not there. \"Wen, What made that sound?!\" He moves to stand up and pulls Aearwen behind him.

Aearwen says softly, \"I wish I could stay in Minas Tirith, but we both know that is simply not possible. Jumping to her feet as she hears the splash in the water, Aearwen is startled when Galdorim pulls her behind him. Peering out from behind his giant body, she looks into the darkness to see if there is anyone there. Reaching down she lifts the edge of her skirt and pulls the dagger from the strap on her leg, firmly clenching it in her right hand.

Mablung viewing the two figures from behind mask and hood, the ranger pulls his spear forward, grasping it with both hands, though his shield is held with his left hand at the same time. Moving closer, he uses the ruins to his advantage, staying stooped low and following the line of fallen pillars and wall.

Galdorim moves back as he urges Aearwen to do the same. He whispers softly to her. \"Find some cover so we can hide.\" His large hands clench into fist as that is the only weapon he has at the moment.

Aearwen softly whispers to Galdorim, her lips right at his ear, \"Take my hand and lets slip behind the pillar to the left...its big enough to hide us from whatever is out there. \" Tiptoeing as quietly as possible on the snow, Aearwen leads Galdorim to behind the pillar. Once again she whispers softly, \"I have my dagger, do you want it? \" Shaking her head at her thoughtless words, \"Forgive me for forgetting you are blind at the moment, I will have a better chance of fending off someone with the dagger. Tell you what, when they get closer, I will describe as close as possible how tall and how big they are, that way you will have an idea of how to attack.\"

Mablung reaches up and removes his mask, then pushes his hood back onto his shoulders. Planting his feet where he is, the ranger calls out, \" Who goes there? Two within these parts and neither of whom are of the dark ones creation! Do ye follow the evil, or the White Tower?!\"

Galdorim frowns at the unknown words to him that are called out. He nods to Aearwen as he back behind the pillar. \"Yes, you should have the dagger. If they are orcs. You run as fast as you can. Save yourself.\"

Aearwen feels the tension rip through her body as the strange words fill the air. Cupping her hand around Galdorim\'s ear she says, \"I will not leave you here to face whatever this is...don\'t be ridiculous.\", anger filling her voice as the words hiss out. \"It sounds like only one of whatever it is, surely we can live through this, just listen for my words. \" I will go for the stomach first, and then attack the neck, while your fists slam into any body part you can. Or even better yet, try to trip it with your huge feet and sit on it and I will slit their throat.\"

Mablung shrugs as no response is called out. Chuckling at his words, he sits down upon one of the half-fallen walls then crosses his legs and leans back against it. Reaching out, he picks off one of the larger loose pieces of stone and throws it as far as he can, trying to place it behind the two that he has seen.

Galdorim \'s head jerks towards the sound of the stone landing near them. He cups his hand and yells out. \"Private Baeden, Send your squad of men over to flank this enemy.\" He pauses slightly. \"Corporal Saren, get your archers ready over at that wall. be prepared to fill these intrudes with your arrows!\"

Galdorim whispers back at Aearwen. \"It is an old ploy but orcs can be fooled.\"

Aearwen jumps at the sound behind them, whirling around she sees the stone in the snow and is puzzled by that. Surprised, but glad when Galdorim starts barking out orders, her eyes peer through the darkness, trying to see any movement. Constantly scanning every direction, she sees nothing, whispering in Galdorim\'s ear, \"I see absolutely no movement in any direction Galdorim, they must be hiding as we are.\" Picking up the stone she swings back her arm and hurls it will all of her might, hoping to startle whatever is out there in the darkness.

A light laugh can be heard from where the man now rests, then he calls back \"Private Baeden?\" The name plays lightly upon his tongue then he continues, \"..your squads of men well meet naught but my scouts of Cair Andros. Corporal Saren, do thee think that your archers can outshoot the men of the east?\" A loud laugh follows the man\'s words, \"I know that voice...\" A slight thud like sound can be heard, then a crash as Mablung flails his arms about and ends up head first on the stone pathway of the once noble house, feet sticking straight up over the fallen wall.

Galdorim blinks with some surprise. \"Is that Captain Mablung, Wen?!\" He hears the crash as turns his head in that direction. He looks back in Aearwen\'s direction with a questioning look. \"Who goes there?!\"

Aearwen leans against Galdorim\'s shoulder, her laughter ringing out in the night air as she recognizes the voice of Mablung. Almost hysterical with relief, she laughs even harder as she hears the rock she whirled through the air make contact with him. Laughing too hard to say a word, her fingers grip Galdorim\'s arm as she is weak with relief.

Mablung remains planted upside down in the snow, his boots up and back against the wall. \"Aye, I am captain Mablung, and tis I that go here!\" He calls back reaching a hand down to his head to rub it. \"I knew ye to be strong, Galdorim but last I heard you could see no better than a newborn wolf, now I know your eyes are those of the pup\'s father for your aim to be so true.\" He takes a moment to push the snow away from his own eyes, \"Are ye sure ye were not meant for the archers?\"

Galdorim chuckles and laughs with Aearwen. \"It is not me that through the stone. It was Lady Aearwen. Her aim is the one that took down the mighty Captain of the scouts.\" He motions for Aearwen to lead them out. \"I am afraid that I still can not see as you have heard.\"

Aearwen bends to slip her dagger back under her skirts, her laughter still shaking her body. Taking Galdorim by the arm, she leads him out from behind the pillars and closer to where Captain Mablung is. Unable to stop the giggles, Aearwen looks at him and shakes her head, \"I had...*giggle* no idea *giggle* it was you. I am truly sorry. *giggle* I suppose now *giggle* I will have to treat your injury.\" Slapping her leg as her mirth continues, the tears streaming from her eyes as she laughs, \"Hey, I am good enough to be an archer?\", dying laughing as she says those words.

Mablung groans softly as the humour continues, and he being its source. \"I am sorry to hear that, have the healers had no luck with your eyes?\" He speaks to Galdorim then crosses his arms across his chest and looks up at Aearwen, \"Perhaps your eye is good enough for the archers, though I would place a stone in your hand before I would a bow.\" Moving one arm, though still crossed to reach up and feel the bump that already rises upon his forehead, he grunts and closes his eyes, \"Perhaps I have found my bed for this day.\" He mutters softly.

Galdorim shakes his head as his chuckling stops. His face grows glum again. \"No, the healers say that ~IF~ my vision will return. It will return on it\'s own after time.\" He shakes his head slowly.

Aearwen smiles down at Captain Mablung and offers him her hand, \"Come on, get up out of that snow... I cannot have that shoulder I treated for you getting chilled.\" Her words softer as she says, \"I truly am sorry for hitting you with that stone, but I was just trying to protect us at all costs.\" Sighing softly, she nods her head, \"We are very hopefully that Galdorim\'s vision returns, Meg seems to think it will given time to completely heal.\"

Mablung rolls over, making a half formed figure of a human in the snow, then stands and puts a hand to his shoulder and glares at Aearwen, \"Ye had to remind me of that wound.\" He chuckles and then looks at his spear and picks it up from the snow pushing the stubborn snow that sticks to it off, \"I have a broken spear within my camp, Galdorim. If ye wish I can remove the rest of the broken tip and it would work well as a staff, nearly your own height in length as it was my throwing spear.\" His hand seems to have a mind of its own, going from shoulder to forehead.

Galdorim smiles in Mablung\'s direction. \"that would be appreciated, Captain. I need something to help guide me around so I do not have to rely on someone all the time.\"

Aearwen\'s eyes light up with joy, \"That would be terrific Mablung. I was just saying to Galdorim earlier tonight that with his height, we would have to have a special walking cane made for him.\" A soft laugh escapes her lips as she watches Mablung\'s hand go from his injured shoulder to his head, \"Come, lets get out of this cold night air and back into the warmth of the infirmary. I will fix us some nice hot tea with honey and we can sit and relax.\" Her eyebrows rising a bit, \"After I examine that bump on your head and check out your shoulder to make sure it is healing nicely.\"

Mablung chuckles and shakes his head, \"Nay, it is northward that I travel. A few of my men came this way scouting and have yet to return. I must find them, perhaps they made camp and if so I must catch them.\" Reaching back he pulls his hood low over his face again and bows his head to the two, \"You\'ll find my spear in the Fortification, amongst the damaged weapons unless they have burned it, Galdorim.\"