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The Town Hall is in uproar when the companions arrive.  Even from outside, where a double-strength guard stands with swords drawn and eyes wide, the sound of raised voices is audible through the thick doors.  When the guards recognise Grimbeorn and usher the Fellowship inside, the full extent of the chaos becomes evident. 

Before the podium and the seven chairs of the Council, petitioners and bystanders alike huddle in small groups - a knot of Bardings here, a clutch of Dwarves nearby - each seemingly uncomfortable in the presence of the others.  Upon the podium, chairs have been knocked over and the Master of Esgaroth tries in vain to intercede as King Bard and Legolas of the Woodland Realm stand with red faces inches from each other, their retainers trying ineffectually to restrain them as they bellow at one another, all thought of dignity set aside. 

"AND FOR WHAT?" yells the Elven prince.  "TO FELL THE TREES THAT HAVE BEEN NURTURED BY MY PEOPLE SINCE THE SECOND AGE OF THE WORLD?"

"AND WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE US DO?" the King of Dale retorts.  "TAKE THE TREES THAT THE DRAGON BURNED CENTURIES AGO?  YOUR FOLK ARE WANING, BUT DALE IS BORN ANEW AND I WILL NOT HAVE IT STUNTED LIKE AN ILL-FED CHILD!" 

"Please, my lords, please..." the Master says, his eyes shut and his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. 

"YOU DARE TO SPEAK TO THE WOODLAND REALM THIS WAY?  NOT FIFTEEN WINTERS AGO YOUR PEOPLE WERE HOMELESS AND DESPERATE!  WHO FED YOU THROUGH THE WINTER AFTER THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES?  WE HAVE SEEN KINGDOMS OF MEN RISE AND BE FORGOTTEN, AND WE WILL FORGET YOU IN TURN!" 

"SO SAY YOU!  I SAY THAT WE WILL FELL YOUR TREES, THOUGH YOU FILL US WITH ARROWS AS WE DO IT, AND IN FIFTY YEARS OUR GRANDSONS WILL FARM THE FIELDS THAT WERE ONCE YOUR ETERNAL FOREST!" 

Laeral, appearing like an apparition beside Hathcyn, whispers "The news of the attack reached them not long after I did.  They have not... taken it well.  I have laid out the bones as best I can in the Justice Room, but I think the Council will not see much business done while the threat still lurks in Lake-Town." 

Grimbeorn toys with a couple thoughts in his seething mind.  These impudent and ungracious, stiff-necked folk!  He had half a mind to sunder the entire dais upon which they stood but he was tired... and as a matter of fact, hungry.  He spied some pies and refreshments, grabbed what he could carry, and brought them to the not-so private tete-a-tete of Man and Elf.  Turning over a chair, he sat down right there in front of them, no more than an arm's length away to watch them go as if it were a child's drama of wooden dolls in the city square.  The food and drink went down especially well with the vitriol slung.

Hathcyn took the scene in. Here were squabbles and petty fights passion had taken over and reason was lost. Sore and tired from the battle in the street the Beorning was tired and had in this case less patience than his Lord.

While he felt unqualified to speak to a King and a Prince he thought of some way in which his low status could intrude on the situation and place a momentary pause and regrouping.

From his side Hathcyn grabbed the silver tipped ram horn of the mountain. He placed it to his lips and blew a note. Not the loudest of notes inside, but sufficient that it could not be overlooked.

All stopped and stared at the wild Beorning for a moment.

"THRAIN KING UNDER THE MOUNTAIN HAS COME TO RETURN HOME. Lord Balin of Erebor."

He bowed his head in the direction of the elder dwarf and ceded the floor to him.

 :ooc: Oh man, they were getting to the good part, Hathcyn.

:ooc: Both Grimbeorn and Hathcyn's actions call for some die rolls. For starters, mocking royalty to their face is one thing. Mocking royalty to their face and getting away with it is another.

Grimbeorn (Awe)

:ooc: Looks like the great and the good are paying attention.  Hathcyn gets a roll too, to see how they take it.

Hathcyn (also Awe)  [/b]

:ooc: Nice work. I'll write up the results in a bit.

I'm typing this out on my phone while dinner cooks, so please note that I haven't updated people's AP.

 :ooc: Eh, well the great and powerful are making a mockery of their station, one can't help but pull up a box of popcorn, er meat pies.

 :ooc: oh!  The LM rolls are always great when made for the players!!!!

Thats right chumps The Exiled King Under the Mountain is back. You know, the one in ALL THE SONGS YOU PEOPLE SANG UP UNTIL FOVE YEARS AGO.

Like a blanket thrown over a fire, silence falls in the hall leaving resentments yet unabated to smoulder in the shadows.  Balin stands forth, hands raised in an appeal to the lords and kings upon the podium.

"My lords," he begins, "the herald of the Beornings speaks truthfully, for my people have been granted a gift beyond price by a great friend to all the Free Peoples.   But the news of this morning is hardly fair, for even now the emissary of Saruman the White, who by this gift has shown his willingness to serve the folk of the North in ways no other power is capable, lies sorely wounded in my house, and may yet perish for his good will in journeying here."

He clasps his hands behind his back and begins to pace the floor in an attitude of grave contemplation, the assembled petitioners edging out of his path. "We all must grasp the gravity of what has occurred.  A messenger, protected by the custom of all civilised folk, has been foully assaulted.  My lord Grimbeorn..."

"Has put to death Osgar, a true thegn and hearth-companion of mine," cries Mogdred, bursting from his seat. "And now his name is blackened by this falsehood,that he was in league with dark powers and accosted the Beorning prince with murder in his heart!  I tell you, there will come great sorrow for the folk of Beorn if his weregeld is not..."

"The Lonely Mountain will pay," Balin interrupts in turn, and Mogdred, his fury suddenly without focus, can only stand silent for a pregnant moment.  Then, without further word, he resumes his seat.

"As I was saying," Balin continues, "one of the Council has come under attack."  He casts his gaze toward Legolas and adds "another has already been the target of violence.  It is clear to me that the Council cannot continue its business in such conditions, and must be prorogued until such time as the source of the threat is found and driven hence." 

"I agree," says the Master, with visible relief. 

King Bard, his face no longer flushed and his breathing calm, then speaks.  "So may it be.  The Men of Dale have long been the protectors of Esgaroth, and we shall not now shirk from that duty.  My warriors and I will join the hunt, and the battle." 

"As shall I, and mine," proclaims Mogdred.  "I shall demonstrate the might and honour my people in the clash of iron."

"And to whom shall you take this battle, my Lords?" Esgalwen asked, having been silent through the whole ordeal. "What enemy shall we confront and where? It seems that as soon as a threat is revealed, the Shadow shrinks back from the light cast upon it. From what we have seen thus far," the Ranger gestured towards her companions, "It is evil that has rooted within our own allies."

Voices rose about the chamber, but Esgalwen spoke louder, "Yes, a man of Tyrant's Hill has been slain, Mogdred, but it was not due to his idleness. He threatened all within the square and Grimbeorn did what was necessary - as did we all. The archer I struck, before he died, called out to his wife - or maybe his sister - in fear of the Shadow that they followed. Lastly, undead things made of the charnel earth from whence they came, attacked us last night and so threatened the Elven Prince."

She looked around at the hall to see where Ceawin sat among them. "I believe we need to look first within our own houses before we go forth to face this unknown foe. Our watch must be ever vigilant, but it must start here."

---

:ooc: Before she says anything else, Esgalwen will want to know if Ceawin is within the Master's Hall.

Grimbeorn pauses from his reverie with the conclusion of Esgalwen and stands.  "My compliments to the show put on by our righteous and indignant lords," he says eyeing the elven prince, lord of Dale, and Mogdred. "For who needs such dread enemies as The Dark Lord when we have friends as these, sniping as you do?"  He lets that sink in for a moment.  "I agree with my friend that we must both stand together and look within before rushing to meet an unknown foe.  That also means keeping our vigilance from becoming a witch hunt as well that may lead to a sundering of our bonds and ties, tenuous as they may be in some cases.  Make no assumptions, follow the facts where they lead."

:ooc: Doug, Caewin is here.  Go for it. 

Esgalwen felt her tension diminish with Grimbeorn's words thrown in to support her own. Across the room she saw the Thegn of Sunstead sitting amongst his peers.

She looked back to the Beorning and nodded, "We must follow the facts. I will seek out this woman - her name was Solveig. Perhaps she lives within the town and may provide answers to what the dead man spoke. Hopefully, I do not search in vain. Perhaps some of you have heard this name? If so, it will ease this burden."

Esgalwen waited to hear any response to her question, all the while keeping Ceawin within her peripheral vision. It was time to speak to the man of Sunstead. Ever since he donned his crown, the oddities spoken of him had increased. Why would he have had dead things dug from the ground and brought here to Lake-town?

It was another lead that needed pursued.

Hathcyn scratched at the beard at his chin and looked a sideways glance at Mogdred. He spoke to him, from the side of his mouth.

"This is twice now you have made demands of others on the honor of your folk in my presence. Once on the Field of Heroes, and now again here in the Halls of Long-Lake. Perhaps, if your folk practiced better manners in general you would not have to constantly rise to their defense sword in hand. Is your honor so thin that only the edge of a blade defends it? Your father thinks you a better man than that. This is not Woodland Hall, this is Long Lake, this is east of the wood. Let us not prove to these people that we are woodland savages though our customs are different. Let us not squabble."

Hathcyn rose his hand to the air and spoke,   

"Lords, here assembled are the great magnates of the realm. East and West of the wood. Nowhere and at no other time has there been a more distinguished body of men to sit upon an Althing. Here is the highest seat of judgment assembled in our history. Are we blind to not see that this union is threatening? These attacks and these troubles are meant to undermine this opportunity. Among you all matters could be settled and among your peoples see that will done. Who would see such a union a threat? The answer to that question is who is to blame for these ills. Appoint bailiffs among you to investigate this matter and dedicate your time to resolve the issues of the realm, make peace, forge bonds, and take the return of Thrain King Under the Mountain as a sign that lordship has again returned to the land. Was it not sung, The streams shall run in gladness, The lakes shall shine and burn. All sorrow fail and sadness At the Mountain King's return!"

:ooc: I love the idea that the prophecy of the return of the King Under the Mountain got confused over the years, and actually refers to the return of Thrain's bones during the Council.  I never even thought of that when I was planning this out, so full marks to Tom (and take an automatic AP for Song out of petty cash - :csu: ).

Though he does not rise from his seat, King Dain nods and smiles through his beard at Hathcyn's poetry.  "So it must be.  Nor can I think of any better to make investigations than you and yours, who have been at the heart of this matter since it began.  For my part, I name Hathcyn, herald of the Beornings, as my representative in this inquiry." 

"And I name Esgalwen of Gondor," adds Mogdred, "who has always seen good in my followers while others," he favours Arbogast with a dark glance "name us thieves and murderers." 

"And what of you, Grimbeorn son of Beorn?"  asks Gailar, speaker for the Woodmen.  "You have treated with the wizards in days gone by, and none doubt your prowess as a foe of the dark things of Middle-Earth.  Will you favour us with your experience?" 

Grimbeorn's lack of enthusiasm must surely show on his countenance, for the Master swiftly adds "If this Council is to live up to its promise, all the Free Peoples of the North must be seen to have their say." 

Then, from the floor, the Fire-watcher speaks.  "My lords, though I am not of high birth, I have long journeyed at Grimbeorn's side.  I know his mind, I believe, as well as any man living, and I will speak for him in his absence, if such he will allow, for his strong arm and stout heart should not be set aside in the struggle that is surely to come." 

But the Beorning thegns do not take this well.  "What madness is this?" calls Wulfdan Broken-jaw.  "Shall a slim-shouldered Woodman, with no ancestor-spirit, speak for the Folk of the Bear?  I tell you, it is far better that I speak for Grimbeorn, who have lived among the clans of the vales all my born days and know the heart of their law-giver, for it is my own!" 

The Master, seeing a new argument forming only moments after the old one has been set aside, begins to pinch his nose again. 


:ooc: Matt - you've got a decision to make.  Do you want to delgate Grimbeorn's place at the Council to Arbogast or Wulfdan?  Or would you prefer that Grimbeorn takes his seat and sit out this portion of the adventure? 

In the latter case, Laeral is available for you to take over if you would like. 

All of a sudden the weight of his responsibility was upon him like a landslide.  A clearer head prevailed, no longer muddled with the fury of battle and heat of argument.  Mayhaps a full stomach helped.

"Though I lead by example with my axe in the fight for justice against the Darkness, I must also lead with my example.  I will remain with this council, it is my primary charge.  In this inquiry Gailar, Arbogast should represent your folk, I can think of no one better though his wife might. As for mine own folk, Wuldan, yes, you shall have the honor to stand for us with my blessing and trust.  I pray you stay safe and unfailing in your charge."

 :ooc: Sigh, duty wins.  I assume Legolas puts up Laeral as a representative of the Woodland-elves...

 :ooc: matt, are you bowing out of the council or the adventure? 

:ooc: It looks like he is bowing out of the adventure with Grimbeorn staying at the council. What character he takes on in the meantime is to be seen, I guess.

:ooc: Depending on how things go, he may not be out of the adventure entirely - he'll just be discussing Council business while everything else is going on. 

In case it's not clear, Gailar is already acting as the Woodmen's representative, and Legolas is speaking for the Woodland Realm. 

The weight of the responsibilities placed on his shoulders by his father is plain to see as Grimbeorn takes his seat, as is the relief on the face of the Master as it breaks into a merchant's broad smile.  "Marvellous!  Then, as we are all present and events have focused our minds, might I suggest that we discuss the declaration in Mordor, and what aid we might expect from the wizards?" 

As the Council's deliberations begin, Wulfdan approaches the Hathcyn, his mouth drawn into a lopsided grin.  "Fear not, faithful hound of the æthling" he says.  "Though our numbers be small, I shall organise the warriors of the Beornings into search parties.  I shall find those behind this morning's attack and make known the extent of our lord's displeasure!" 


:ooc: With all that out of the way, it's over to you guys again.  Doug, you wanted to look for 'Solveig', whoever she is.  Matt, Tom, what are your thoughts on how to find out what's going on? 

Also, Matt, if you want to take over Laeral her sheet is here (https://www.dropbox.com/preview/Gaming/Laeral.pdf?role=personal). 

 :ooc: I am leaving Grimbeorn to his duties with the Council for now; it is his place to do so in this matter. He can't leave it to others.  He trusts his companions to reign in Wulfdan as needed, but he must also learn to trust his folk as well.

As for what's next, Laeral wants to look over the bodies taken for anything of interest that could lead to who is behind this.

:ooc: The bodies will most likely be at the gaol while the guards make inquiries about next of kin.  You'd need to do some talking to get in and see them, or you could wait until dark and break in. 

I'll wait to hear what Doug and Tom's plans are before I move the story on. 

As the council made their announcements and then settled back into the business of speaking, Esgalwen moved towards the doors of the hall. She looked back once more to see Grimbeorn watching them leave - a look of envy for their freedom - and then she turned to Arbogast.

"I am off to speak with the locals of Lake-town. I will first make my way to the House of the Dead to look upon this archer once more and to ask if he is recognized here as a towns-man. If that leads no where, I will at least visit the washers, seamstresses, and local pubs to find any news on this woman named Solveig. If nothing pans out, then my time will be a waste, but I see no other evident leads. Join me if you will."

Esgalwen left the chamber with her mind on Mogdred's words. Oft she had supported him and his folk, but too many times now he had shown that said support could be misused. Then her thoughts went to Ceawin - perhaps a visit to his folk, too, might garner something new. After all, the man had ordered the unearthing of things and then brought them here.

---

:ooc: That is her plan. I can deviate it easily if someone has a better option and can see a more clearer clue. She will go alone, if necessary, and it does not need to be a long side thread, Paul, if I am chasing shadows.

Also - to clarify again in my brain (as it seems forever ago that we talked about him), Ceawin DID have things unearthed and brought here, right? For some reason, this thought in my head points to him.

 :ooc: ceawin 100% did that. Tracking down the transport guys via the customs guys at the toll house is a clear connection. I debated calling him out for judgement but went all Merkin and the round table instead. Also I am going along with the assumption we have consular powers to investigate this matter and then report back what we find. Each of us with a sponsor on the council. In a broad sense we speak for the council and in a specific sense we speak for our sponsor on the council. So for instance my requests of dwarves would have the weight of Dain behind them. Where as together we can probably leverage the weight if the whole council.

If we want to hit the goal first I think its a good group activity to show we too are working in unison.

:ooc: I am certainly ready to combine efforts. It was not my intent to have Esgalwen roll off on her own chase. I just didn't want to post for the whole party.

"I am with you," says Laeral to Esgalwen.  "These perversions are unlike those I can recall in my days.  I feel like there is something related to Man about it as well, maybe a bit of old sorcery maybe from the ancient North."

:ooc: Nice stuff, guys.  Expect a post from me tomorrow - it's been a long weekend here and I've had some important fatherly stuff to do.