This way. *takes Edrahil by the elbow; guides him*
*speaks in an undertone* Quickly, before my father slinks in after us. Where are you really from? You look so familiar! And are you truly being pursued?
Yes, that is my father, Curufin, and I did live in Nargothrond, among other places. But listen...*tightens grip on Edrahil's arm*...I am not like my relatives. Not at all. My father's coming here disturbs me greatly yet I need him to protect me from my grandfather. It is not a pleasant tale.
And Edrahil, have you not seen a warg before? They are horrible, yes, but not the worst creatures in Middle-earth. And Melkor did not create them. We can defeat it, no matter what its size.
*studies Celebrimbor intently* No, you do not seem like your father or uncles at all. *relaxes slightly, takes a deep breath* I have never seen Gondolin. Nargothrond was my home, as it was once yours. Your father...it was he, and his brother, who swayed the hearts of our people from their duty to our king. All but a few of us, that is. I journeyed with Finrod and Beren on their quest for the Silmaril. *falters* I--I did not return home.
*gapes* A warg? Why, yes, I have. It...Celebrimbor, it is no warg that I am running from. It is an evil much greater.
*listens carefully* Ah yes. Now I know you. And you know of me and of my reputation, perhaps. I hope you will learn to trust me. I will do my best to earn your trust.
*relaxes somewhat and sets a tea kettle to boil* Tell me about your pursuer then if it is not a warg.
I know less of your reputation than of your fathers, I'm afraid. How did you come to be estranged? *shifts* I realize that may be too personal a question for such a brief acquaintance as ours. Do forgive me.
*shudders* I-I do not know if I am up to the full tale. It is horrible and relentless. A mountain of flaxen fur over rippling muscles. Long pointed muzzle, beady black eyes that blaze death and horror. *paces* And those teeth....
No, no. Please, I welcome the chance to converse with you. My father swore an oath to my grandfather Feanor, as you surely know. I refused to join them and instead, fled from my home. Long have I dwelt in concealment until I decided to travel and recover some...jewelry that had been lost to me.
I would ask you how you came to be in the Shire. Or rather, how you came to be pursued by such a monstrosity as you describe?
*balls his fists, pacing once more* That damned oath. So much lost, ruined--*stops, shoots a sheepish look at Celebrimbor* I am sorry. That took courage, to stand up to your family. *small smile* Your family in particular. *gazes curiously at the other Elf* Jewelry? Yes, I remember your reputation as an artisan.
I do not quite know. I suppose I decided I was ready to leave, that it was time to try another chance. I dwelt in the Halls of Mandos until just recently. Perhaps I was hiding there. But it may be my fate to meet these horrible creatures. It was not long after I reached the shores of Middle-earth that I sense this evil lurking. It has followed me from the north...to the Shire.
*smiles* You do not have to modify your opinions about my family. I share them with you. My grandfather wishes to take me away, to Himring. Father will accompany me. Edrahil, I fear for my life. *looks away for an instant before swallowing and returning to the comversation.
The evil creature has lost track of you for now, yes? Perhaps your scaling of this tree put it off your path, at least for now? Or do you think it might be coming for you even now?
Feanor is here?! This just keeps getting worse. Can you--no, I imagine it is no easy task to say no to Feanor. Are you certain? Whatever else their faults, the sons of Feanor did not turn on one another. *stares, concerned* You helped me when I needed it. I should like to return the favor, if I may. In any way I can.
Perhaps it has lost my trail. We will certainly hear it approach before we can see it. I thought to lose it in the forest, but the brute shouldered aside the trees as if they were paper streamers.
Then we are safe. *breathes a sigh a relief* Between the two of us, we can hear anything within...*stops*
WE are safe. But what of the innocent hobbits?? Edrahil, if this beast is as dangerous as you say, they will fall easy victims to its bloodlust! Unless it is only YOU it wants. Do you think that is the case???
*stares at Edrahil with a very worried expression*
Do not berate yourself needlessly. You were trying to survive.
*whispers*We can use exit through the back door and climb down before my father notices. Tobey is quite capable of distracting him for hours! This will also give us the opportunity to scout the creature's progress.
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*speaks in an undertone* Quickly, before my father slinks in after us. Where are you really from? You look so familiar! And are you truly being pursued?
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I am being pursued! This is a creature of Melkor's foulest design yet seen. I-I have faced something like it before, long ago.
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And Edrahil, have you not seen a warg before? They are horrible, yes, but not the worst creatures in Middle-earth. And Melkor did not create them. We can defeat it, no matter what its size.
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*gapes* A warg? Why, yes, I have. It...Celebrimbor, it is no warg that I am running from. It is an evil much greater.
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*relaxes somewhat and sets a tea kettle to boil* Tell me about your pursuer then if it is not a warg.
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*shudders* I-I do not know if I am up to the full tale. It is horrible and relentless. A mountain of flaxen fur over rippling muscles. Long pointed muzzle, beady black eyes that blaze death and horror. *paces* And those teeth....
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I would ask you how you came to be in the Shire. Or rather, how you came to be pursued by such a monstrosity as you describe?
*sets three cups out; prepares to listen*
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I do not quite know. I suppose I decided I was ready to leave, that it was time to try another chance. I dwelt in the Halls of Mandos until just recently. Perhaps I was hiding there. But it may be my fate to meet these horrible creatures. It was not long after I reached the shores of Middle-earth that I sense this evil lurking. It has followed me from the north...to the Shire.
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The evil creature has lost track of you for now, yes? Perhaps your scaling of this tree put it off your path, at least for now? Or do you think it might be coming for you even now?
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Perhaps it has lost my trail. We will certainly hear it approach before we can see it. I thought to lose it in the forest, but the brute shouldered aside the trees as if they were paper streamers.
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WE are safe. But what of the innocent hobbits?? Edrahil, if this beast is as dangerous as you say, they will fall easy victims to its bloodlust! Unless it is only YOU it wants. Do you think that is the case???
*stares at Edrahil with a very worried expression*
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*whispers*We can use exit through the back door and climb down before my father notices. Tobey is quite capable of distracting him for hours! This will also give us the opportunity to scout the creature's progress.
Reply
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