FELLOWSHIP PHASE - A time to choose

[Telcontar]

"Should we try the cracker?" Pipped up Bandy from the side.

[tomcat]

Gandalf cocked an eye in Bandy's direction, "Leave it to a Hobbit to always talk about food! You, Master Bracegirdle, might look to your own as an example and put that brain to work instead of your mouth. You'll get farther that way."

Behind the wizard, the cloaked man smiled and let forth a quiet chuckle.

[GandalfOfBorg]

"Yes, I know the way... rather I knew the way.  The ancient path that lies between here and the edge of the wood and my father's land seems to change over time and it is perilous to leave it.  If Bandy recalls any stories from that Baggins fellow, he'd know full well the dangers of the forest.  I, myself, just managed to get through with my wits intact.  I hope going with the favor of the elf-king that the forest would let us be."

Giving Gandalf's companion an appraising eye, "You, sir... Are you one of these friends the Wizard mentions?  You do look stout and perhaps watchful, but more than a little quiet.  What say you?  And a name would be since we appear to be all friends here."

[Telcontar]

Bandy cupped his chin in his hand, "well they are probably getting close to clear of the wood at this point if they went directly and had no problems. I am not sure that the unwelcome can follow the Elf Path as well as the welcome, but I don't know that to be a fact. Either way it will be hard going without our ponies when we clear the wood and come again to the grasslands between the wood and the river. I'm sure we will miss our ponies longer before then."

Bandy looked around at who was present, he was waiting for a moment when it was only the members of the company, but he was not likely to get such a chance. Out here in the clearing was probably the safest place to ask.

"Arbogast, will you tell us now what happened when you were in the wood? You disappeared without a word and then were gone some days. Will you tell us now what happened? The King's blessing or no, I have been around the wood long enough to know that it holds no man or hobbit as a friend and being so deep into it as we are about to be is new to me."

[tomcat]

"Yes, I know the way... rather I knew the way.  The ancient path that lies between here and the edge of the wood and my father's land seems to change over time and it is perilous to leave it.  If Bandy recalls any stories from that Baggins fellow, he'd know full well the dangers of the forest.  I, myself, just managed to get through with my wits intact.  I hope going with the favor of the elf-king that the forest would let us be."

Giving Gandalf's companion an appraising eye, "You, sir... Are you one of these friends the Wizard mentions?  You do look stout and perhaps watchful, but more than a little quiet.  What say you?  And a name would be nice since we appear to be all friends here."

"Yes," answered the young man. "Gandalf and I are friends, indeed. Forgive my silence - living alone in the wilds one finds that it becomes their nature to be quiet."

Gandalf nodded, "We will be heading south together. In fact, it is about time we were on our way." The wizard looked to his younger companion, "Ready the horses."

The cloaked figure looked first to the Company, "This is a good meeting - mayhaps we shall meet again." He then turned to Grimbeorn once more, "You may call me Thorongil. I hope one day we shall meet again, in your father's home."

Done, he quickly strode back to where the horses waited. Gandalf turned to them all, "You should be on your way, too. The king gave you until tomorrow, but it's best you take all the hours you can. Once more I will suggest you follow the river north, keeping it always on your right. And remember, keep moving!"

With that, Gandalf the Grey left them to join his companion. The two mounted and like a breeze, they were swiftly out of sight.

[Eclecticon]

"Arbogast, will you tell us now what happened when you were in the wood?

As the wizard ave his companion mount up and set off eastwards, Arbogast tells his tale. 

"... Then for five days I wandered southwards, eating and drinking what little I could find, hoping to find the elf path.  To my good fortune, I did, and was thereby able to find once more the Elvenking's hall.  Had I not, I am sure that by now my bones would be moldering in some hollow never seen by the eyes of Men."

He narrows his eyes a fraction.  "The elves of the wood are a merry folk, it is true.  But the forest reserves a kindness for them that shorter-lived folk do not enjoy.  I have tried to convince myself that they simply forget this, but I cannot fully do so.  It seems to me that they hazard the lives of Men and name it jest."

Looking into the eyes of his companions, he concludes.  "The Grey Wanderer counsels us to keep the river to our right.  This will place us beyond the realm of the elves.  I say that he is wise to say so."

[GandalfOfBorg]

When younger man spoke, a lot could be heard in the voice - age, burden, yet hope.  Grimbeorn and the others bid the two farewell before they rode off.

--

"Shall we see about provisions and any news from the king's scouts about our proposed route?  The longer we tarry, the further our quarry gets away."

[Telcontar]

"These elves dont seem very much like Orophin. Well at least not a very many of them. I stick by what I said at the feast. They remind me of fall day when the sun is shinning in the morning and you leave the house without a jacket. By lunch you're freezing, by AfterLunch you're sweating, and by tea frozen.

Arbogasts leaves me without any doubt on the matter. These Wood-Elves are a curious and fickle folk." Whispered the Halfling.

"I agree, let us draw food and water and be on our way. I dont think we should ask for a formal escort, but perhaps Esgalwen's Bard will lead us to the elf path out of friendship and company." 

[disench4nted]

"Aye, let us be on the hunt. I've no wish to tarry here any longer."

[Telcontar]

Bandy tapped the dwarf with his hand and looked at him.

Silence.

"Well this is a good time."

The dwarf cocked an eyebrow.

"Your friend."

"My friend?" Queried the dwarf.

"Your raven Rorin. This would be the perfect time for your friend to help us from getting lost in the woods. If we dont get a guide we may have a friend in the air. Might be able to apot the Orcs too." 

[disench4nted]

Rorin started at the Hobbit's suggestion, "As usual Master Bandobras, you are full of wonderful ideas. I've not spoken with Magrac since before we followed Bofri down the Dwarven road."

He set down his sack and rummaged through it until he found an old dented silver horn. He did not know where his raven friend was, but he knew how to get his attention. Rorin brought the horn to his lips and blew a deep resonating note that echoed throughout the trees, after a few moments the noise sounded as though it was coming from every direction all at once. The tone was rough and subtly powerful, almost as though it was the very voice of the mountains calling out.

Eventually, the dwarf's breath weakened and he lowered the horn of his Fathers, closing his eyes as he took in and relished the receding sounds. "Aye, that'll do it. Magrac should come within the hour."

 

Woo! A chance to finally use the horn AND the raven. So I've been avoiding calling on Magrac very much because I feel like it's got the possibility to trivialize certain situations and I don't want to abuse it with, "Oh, my bird sees the hidden band of orcs up ahead!" I need to get better about weaving him into my story though. We're supposed to be good friends.