...Into the fire

[sdrotar]

It appeared that Dirnhael's options had dwindled to one.
With a nod, and forcing a smile as best as he could muster, Dirnhael slowly bent down and gently set Vorandur on the hard earth. As he stood back up, his hands were at his side and his eyes never left those of the chieftain.

"If they had wanted to harm us," he thought, "they could have done so already."
He didn't like the situation, but these men obviously had no love for the Orcs... perhaps they had some common ground...

[tomcat]

With a wan smile of his own, the Dunlending warrior bent and picked up the ornate blade and with a keen eye towards the weapon, he handed it back to one of his compatriots. He then looked to the rest of Dirnhael's companions and he pointed again to the ground.

Not far from Dirnhael, Edrahil slowly moved his hands to his waste and from there he unbuckled his belt and let slide to the ground his longsword and the long knife Silturma. All the while the Elf ran through different options in his mind, of spells that may be of use... but he was weary. He was not sure that the magic would take affect and if not, his incantations would certainly be visible to their potential captors and that would cause more harm than good.

"No," he thought, "better that we take our time here and see what the wild men's intentions were. We are not out yet."

[Palandil]

Fengel almost couldn't restrain himself when the warriors pointed their spears to Dirnhael's throat.  He gripped his spear with both hands and grit his teeth hard as he took one step forward.  To be sure if they even hurt his lord they would surly die, even if it meant his life.  Then with Dirnhael's words he stopped, still holding tightly to his spear, ready to attack.  It would be a terrible thing to have survived all that they had, to die here, now.  "Dirnhael?", Fengel managed questioningly.

[GandalfOfBorg]

Durgil doesn't hold back his approval of the dispatching of the orcs, but he perceives something is wrong when the spearmen approach Dirnhael with spears threatening.  Not paying attention to his comrades' actions, he rushes to the side of his friend, insinuating himself between the oncoming spears and his kin if need be. "Dirnhael?! Get back!"

OOC: If you feel that Durgil's actions may go against the grain, out of place, or hampering the game, please let me know and I'll adjust them.

[sdrotar]

Without moving his eyes from the Dunlending chieftain, he said openly and calmly, "If these men had wanted us dead, we would be. Let us prove that we are not their enemies."

"As if there was a choice," Dirnhael thought. He thought of Ioreth, and how he could not imagine coming home without her brother. He deeply appreciated Durgil and Fengel's loyalty and friendship, but Dirnhael didn't believe in dying for honor... they would find another way - together.

[Stefan]

Nain watched the antics of the humans with some trepidation.  He had no intention of giving up his axe and leaned on it heavily as the drama played out. 

[GandalfOfBorg]

Dirnhael's words did little to cool Durgil's hot head.  They hadn't just survived a deadly ambush to just turn themselves over to an unknown, heavily armed, and apparent threat.  He replaced his sword to its sheath, unslung his bow and quiver, and placed them on the ground in front of him while staring down the men holding the spears on him and Dirnhael.  He was loathe to let them go for they have performed well in their service to him.

[tomcat]

The Dunlendings collected Durgil and Edrahil's weapons and they too disappeared back into the gang of warriors - the three companions all cringing at the idea of their treasures being taken from them. That done, the Dunlending cheiftain looked to the remaining three who had not yet yielded and wondered how much more show of force did he need to display.

There was no use for the dwarf - he despised those folk anyway - so if the little one wanted to sit on his axe like a hen on an egg, then he and his clan would just leave him. He was sure those Orcs would love to come back to finish the job and one lone Dwarf would be little threat!

He put his finger in Dirnhael's face, then pointed it at the remaining armed Company members until it fell on Nain and lingered, "Don yenta wepun oe sula prote!"

While his words hung in the air and his finger remained pointed at Nain, the warrior brought a small dirk up to his own throat to symbolize being killed. Hopefully this would get through for he tired of the game and he had the upper hand... he could just as soon leave them all for dead in this mountain vale.

But the Elder had said differently... but the Elder said nothing about the Dwarf.

He would give them a moment more to decide...

[Palandil]

Fengel decided he'd better comply quickly, or Dirnhael would suffer for it.  He tossed his spear flat on the ground a few feet from him, then unbuckled his sword belt and tossed Cerduil beside the spear.  He then realized he had the other sword on his saddle.  "Maybe they haven't seen that one, I'll leave it just incase.", he says to himself.  He looks at their new captors and smirks.

[Wiseman]

The sword hanging at his side was not something he would part with very easily, but obviously he had no choice.  Untying the belt Seriand gently laid the sheathed weapon on the ground.

[tomcat]

With all of the captives disarmed but the Dwarf, the Dunlending chieftain commenced yelling orders and immediately the rest of his troop were active. The horses' reins were grabbed up and the companions were shoved into a tighter circle by the spear wielding wild men. They were separated from Nain, and the Dwarf was fenced in by a line of spears keeping him at bay while his comrades were led away. No one was tied up, nor were they cruelly treated, but they were inextricably led off towards the south and east. Behind them, Nain and Jethro were watched to make sure the Dwarf made no threat but the spearmen slowly started to move back with the rest of the host.

"Hopefully," thought the Dunlending cheiftain, "the Orcs will return to finish the stunted fool."

OOC: Stefan, if Nain surrenders before they move off I will include him in the intro of Chapter 8, if not, we will have Nain on his own trying to follow or doing what you want him to. Let me know...

[Wiseman]

Seriand knew not what to think, had coming with this host been the best of ideas? 

Since joining up with them he had been assailed by a wraith and now a group of orcs with a shaman of their own.  He had been lucky enough to return to Rivendell but had he not been with this group he may have stayed at the fine Elven city much longer. 

Now, perhaps most disturbing of all the events he was being led of, disarmed of his weapons and treated like a captive, to Valar knows where...

Nay, this was not the best plan he had ever decided to follow.

[GandalfOfBorg]

Already a proud and haughty in her own right with her master, Rochithuin was doubly so with those she didn't know.  It was even worse as she could sense that these men were not of the reputable sort.  It took Durgil a moment to calm her down lest the Dun-landers took to giving a harsh response from a beast; he did not know their customs and didn't trust them in any case.  For the rest of the journey, he walked next to his beloved steed as a calming presence to guarantee no further outbursts from her.

[sdrotar]

Dirnhael knew not why these men did not deign to capture Nain along with them, but Dirnhael thought it a stroke of nearly incredible luck.

He glanced back at his Dwarven friend as he walked away, confident that the stalwart craftsman would not simply let them be taken away without at least following along stealthily and finding out what was to come...

[Palandil]

Like the rest of his companions, Fengel was very uneasy about their situation.  He walked alongside Dirnhael and noticed the glance back at Nain.  He too stole a glance to his dwarven friend.  Quietly to Dirnhael, "I hope that he is not too wounded by the last battle.  I'm not familiar with this people, do you have any idea what we are in for?"