Rorin certainly won't turn down some Hope.

  Nor would Grimbeorn.

Cool.  Take one each out of petty cash.

Sorry, guys!

Give me until tomorrow. I was on vacation last week and that is why I was able to get so much game time in, but I just spent a hell day at work catching up after the time off. It all fell at year-end, which added another dimension.

In any case, I am sitting here with a headache and not wanting to look at a PC screen. So, I will have the Fellowship update done in the morning. I will try and have it up and posted before you go to bed, Paul.

Don't knock yourself out.  What with my insomniac kids, I go to bed really late these days. 

Bandy awoke to see the sun falling over the Misty Mountains to the west. The momentary shock of seeing the sea of green below him and being high in the sky set the Hobbit's heart apace. The eagles had flown them through the entirety of the day. Bandy had been so weary from being up the better part of the night prior and then engaging in battle - he had fallen asleep within the clutching talons. Looking around, he could see the other giant birds carrying his companions and each of them were also taking advantage of sleep.

To the best of Bandy's knowledge, they had been flying north and east. He remembered seeing mountains rise from the bounds of the wood and he knew that that must have been the Mountains of Mirkwood.  A jumble of fir-covered, low-lying hills in the western part of the central forest rose to reach greater heights in the east, together forming a range nearly one hundred miles in length. It was these mountains that during the Second Age was home to the Silvan Elves, who knew the range as the Emyn Duir, the Dark Mountains.

The mountain range had passed on their right, so Bandy knew that the were heading north-east. With the fading of day, he cast his gaze downwards and he saw a long fiery length of water, which reflected the day's remaining sunlight. It was a long lake...Long Lake! The eagles were taking them to... Dale? Erebor?

As if they could read his thoughts, the giant birds twitched the feathers at the end of their great wingspans and as a group began to circle down. The forest began to rush up towards them and Bandy heard a cry from Esgalwen - the woman had awoken due to the change in flight and had been startled by their increased speed. They continued down in this great arc and the Hobbit knew that neither the Dwarven kingdom, nor that of Bard was their destination, as they turned back west towards the forest.

Each eagle began to beat its wings and the company were all gently deposited in a clearing of the forest. Those that were still worn and cut from combat lay back on the soft turf, on which they had been laid, while the others gathered their senses and tried to gain bearing as to where they now were.

A figure appeared from the wood. He was dressed in a mantle of grey and had a great conical hat that fell to its side. A pipe was clenched in his teeth and the smoke haloed his brow. "Well met, at last," he said, as the company clung together not knowing yet what they should do. "Welcome to Halls of the Elvenking! Though I am not the master of this house, I did send for you and King Thranduil in turn sent me to gather you. So, grab your items and follow me. Bread and fresh butter await, along with wine and other things - the tables of the Elven King have been prepared for you!"

---

Headache subsided, so I figured I'd get this party started.

I am confused about the Hope dispersal.

Each PC should get 1 Hope automatically for Bandy not being hurt. Then there are 7 points that can be given out. Who is getting them and in what numbers, please?

Go ahead and ad lib in your own narrative about the meal that you are presented. The elves are cordial hosts, but seem a little cold, or aloof. Gandalf makes merry and talks to each of you, as you please. Each PC is given a comforting elixir to drink - maybe miruvor - it both heals and relaxes each of you.

Also you may talk among yourselves - RP between each other - as to why you are all the way north. I will post again after I let you guys have a little creative fun and Gandalf will open up as to the reason he brought you here.

The weariness has settled bone-deep in Arbogast by the time of their arrival, and it is all he can do not to stare in wide-eyed wonder and confusion at the sights before him.  The King of the Eagles and the Grey Pilgrim speak in the manner of old friends, though their talk is of goings-on in lands far beyond the ken of the Fire-watcher.  Behind them, the gates of the Elvenking's Hall lead beneath the hills. 

He helps the others rise with what dignity can be salvaged, and the companions stagger and stumble into the Hall.  The guards at the gate eye them warily - especially the two Dwarves and, for some reason, Arbogast himself.  Still, the hospitality of the Elvenking has clearly been extended to them and the warriors of Thranduil in no wise violate the ancient laws. 

In short order, Arbogast finds himself washed, dressed in a robe of fine wool provided by the host and seated at a table with his companions.  He and Grimbeorn, dressed in the Elven mode, seem to have the mien of Men of an earlier age - high and lordly.  Esgalwen  is resplendent, looking every inch the descendent of the sea-born folk who in days of tales beyond age drove back the Shadow from the sea.  The two Dwarves, by comparison, seem uncomfortable, their clothes poorly fitting.  Or perhaps it is merely the sight of stone worked in a fashion foreign to their own that unnerves them? 

Bandy, his hat doffed in deference to their location, puts the Fire-watcher in mind of a young Elven prince, and it is this that finally makes him notice the obvious.  All about them, Elves are a-bustle with preparations for a feast.  But where the halls of his people would abound with children running hither and yon, and resound with the scolding of their elders, nothing of the sort is in evidence here.  At last, Arbogast understands the sadness that would enter the eyes of Orophin in the lonely hours when watch was exchanged.  His is a waning folk,, he thinks, and waning the faster in these days of the drawing Shadow. 

For now, though, the stone walls bespeak safety, and the table, laden with nuts, fruit and cold cuts in anticipation of greater meals to come, bespeaks a plenty that would be the envy of his folk at the Black Tarn.  Chewing thoughtfully, he says to Bofri "a fine company we have proven, and a blow have we struck that we may hope to be felt the length and breadth of Mirkwood!  Now that your staff is recovered, what is next for the restoration of the road?" 

As to the Hope thing, I was assuming everyone would recover one point from the Fellowship pool, since we've all been spending big over the last adventure.  That left one point from Bandy being a Hobbit and another (entirely justifiably) because Grimbeorn brings Middle-Earth ANZAC biscuits along with him.  I actually forgot to factor in the fact that Esgalwen wouldn't draw one.  That leaves another one unaccounted for, on which I'll call dibs unless anyone has a more pressing need. 

 
I believe the count is:
Everyone +1 Hope for Focus
Everyone +1 Hope from Fellowship Pool (3 remaining)
Grimbeorn +1 (per previous discussion)
Rorin +1 (per previous discussion)
Arbogast +1 (unless Bandy pipes in otherwise)

This would make final totals...
Grimbeorn +3 Hope
Rorin +3 Hope
Arboast +3 Hope
Bandy +2 Hope

It was a long moment in the talon of the eagle before Bandy accepted the fact that he was not in fact dead. For a long moment he thought perhaps he was experiencing what all folk do upon their death. What recalled him to the present was that he was still sore and hurt, surely such pains went away when one ceased to reside in their mortal coil in Middle-earth. Once he reconciled himself to being alive he then noted that after Mr. Baggins he may have been only the second Hobbit of all time to be given a ride among one of the great eagles. He knew his folk were always falling out of the old stories, but he liked to think that in this case he was special.

Seeing the green carpet of the great forest pass below him the Hobbit was disoriented and had trouble determining where he was going and where things were in relation to the forest. Seeing the mountains of Mirkwood helped to place where they were and in what direction they were traveling. From this height he was sure that he was looking at the worlds from a way that even the Elves had not seen their ancient home.

The hobbit tried to yell above the rushing wind to speak to the eagle, but either the beast ignored him or all it heard where yelps and cries from his small passenger. Failing that the Hobbit of the Shire watched the world stream by below him. His heart leapt when he saw the Lonely Mountain, there at last was the home of his good friend Rorin, and the object of the quest for the most famous Hobbit in history. Perhaps he would get to see the great dwarven kingdom.

When they landed in the glen the Hobbit was equally intrigued that they were now in the realm of the Woodelf King, the very place that Bandy had wanted to go before winter set upon the Wilderland. Bandy had another task to perform before he could take in the sights. He was intercepted before he could undertake it by the grey wizard that stepped into the clearing.

Bandy determined that wizards had a certain otherworldly feel to them, this being the third that he had met. They each felt different though, Radagast felt earthy and reminded him of his love of growing things, Saruman felt like old books and the giddy feeling of learning something that others had forgotten or never knew, Gandalf had a feeling all of his own too. The Hobbit felt comfortable with him and calm, but also felt deeper the needs of those around him.

"I am Bandy, I mean Brandobaras Bracregirdle of Hardbottle, at your service and your family."

The Hobbit crossed the great bridge and entered into the halls of Thrandui. While bandy was surprised that the Woodelves lived underground he also felt the elfishness of the place. He drifted towards the side of Grimbeorn, and his unfinished task.

"Grimbeorn son of Beorn, I rejected your counsel and persuaded others to undertake a course of action that was almost the doom of us all. I am sorry and owe you a great debt that I am afraid my small frame and poor skill will be ill suited to pay."

The son of Beorn didn't regain consciousness until he was nudged awake by Arbogast.  As he tested his body for injury, he heard a far-off voice, old and kind, that stirred within him a memory from his father.  Rubbing his eyes open, there was the visage of Gandalf the Grey.  And, no less, they were at the gates of elf-king of Mirkwood.  A new, sad memory came as he had been here not so long ago bearing tidings at the loss of their kin near Dol Guldur.  At the invitation to enter, he heaved a great sigh and attempted to stand only to be caught up before falling by his friend.  He strode as proud as he could muster entering the halls of Thranduil but he felt the eyes and heard the whispers of the elven guards as well, most likely due to bearing the shield of their kin.

Stumbling a distance underground in unfamiliar passageways, Grimbeorn and the rest were taken to rooms set aside for them.  A elf-woman came to see to their wounds, paying close attention to Grimbeorn and Bofri whose wounds were the most grievous.  Soon enough though, her ministrations brought a feeling of vigor and relief to both, enough so that they were prepare themselves for attending the king's table.

The table of Thranduil was as the Wizard described and more.  The feast was resplendent and his companions were eating and chatting away with themselves and neighbors.  Bandy talked up Gandalf about his dealings while the dwarves kept to themselves, mostly due to being in the home of the elf-king.  When Bandy had taken a moment to offer his apology, Grimbeorn leaned down close to the hobbit.  Taking a stern and formal tone, "Bandobras, the moment I walk away from my kin and friends and leave alone to the enemy, I will renounce both honor and my life.  Your cause was noble and heart pure, don't fault yourself for that."  Straightening a bit slow owing his wounds, "Yet I'm not above reminding you of this from time to time," he said with an undertone of a I-told-you-so.

After appropriate amount of time passed, Grimbeorn, stiff and awkward, stood with cup aloft.  When the din had quieted some, he continued.  "Our many thanks and gratitude to you, Lord Thranduil, and to Gwaihir and his kin as well.  We owe our lives to you.  If we may be of service in any way, we shall comply to the best of our ability."

There comes a smattering of applause from the nearby tables.  Thranduil, crowned in oak leaves and laurel, rises from his seat and raises a cup in return.  The gesture is friendly, but something about his manner clearly says yes, you certainly shall. 

Below the high table, the feast begins.  Arbogast, noting Bofri's silence, decides not to pursue the matter further.  Instead, he turns to Bandy.  "I had not thought, when first I left my home, that I would come to see such sights as this!  Tell me, my friend, how does it compare with other wonders you have seen about your travels?"

The Hobbit demurred and thought for a moment and then quietly replied, speaking only for the listener.
 
"I dont know. There is a feeling of Elves, and Thranduil seems like a nice enough fellow. There is another feeling here, below the surface.  Something about this place feels old and out of place, being under stone feels more like a refuge, like a prized book, full of wondrous things, but has found itself on the wrong shelf. There is a stuffy feeling, like when we are deep in Mirkwood, and in the forrest I get the feeling some there are tolerating us, but not really happy to see us there. I imagine the dwarves feel it too. I imagine their halls to be busy full of creating and building. This feels like a block of winter ice when its first kissed by the spring sun, stubborn and supremely confident, but the sun and ice both know it will melt. We should be careful here, more careful even then with Ceawin, and take our lead from the wizard."

Bofri, son of Bofur, had been deep in thought when Arbogast had posed his question. The Dwarf wondered at the situation and how things had changed - granted it took a war to do it - but his father had once been a prisoner here, now he a guest. He munched on a handful of cashews that had a hint of cinnamon and sugar, all the while looking and listening to the fore of the table. Thranduil sat next to Gandalf and beside them both was a younger Elf that looked much like the king. Surely this was Legolas, thought the Dwarf.

Arbogast turned from Bofri, having received no response, which in turn roused the Dwarf from his rumination. Bandy explained his own thoughts to the Man and Bofri now listened silently, occasionally nodding to the Hobbit's hypothesis. He had to agree with the suggestion that this was more a refuge than a home. Bofur had spoken often to his son, in his youth, of Imladris in the west and its many open-aired halls, great balconies and porches, with vistas that humbled both Man and Dwarf. Thranduil's realm was none of that. It was a hideaway. A place to defend and not worry about the affairs outside its doors. Dwarves lived underground, too, of course, but their homes were built to accentuate the beauty of the subterranean world. Dwarf lanterns twinkled in caves and passages that were streaked with geodes, or mica, or other minerals that shone. Balconies were built on the sides of mountains to allow the folk to see the world.

Yes, it is different here, he thought to himself, and then began to munch again on the half-eaten nuts in his mouth. At last, when there was a break in his companions' conversation, he spoke.

"Arbogast, I did not mean to snub you. I must agree wholeheartedly with your assessment of our company and deeds! I know that if not for the eagles, the Millfort may well have become our tomb, but I am sure that the setback felt by Tauler and his brood will resonate forest-wide. I think it will actually create a better circumstance for us than I originally appreciated. With the spiders now beaten back, if for a while, then our efforts to recruit workers and open up the Dwarf Road shall come more easily." Bofri's hand returned to the bowl of cashews and scooped another mouthful. "If all goes well - and now that I am this far north," there was an excitement in Bofri's words, "I can return to Erebor and present the Road Warden's Staff to Dain. This was a condition he had set for me before he would avail me with a contingent of Dwarves for the work!"

The cashews crunched, "I foresee the next three years being very productive with my brethren, along with other folk that wish to participate - such as yourselves. We will need to clear the forest back from the road, recover the three forts, restore the road itself, and then it will be simply a matter of patrolling what we have achieved. Word will spread from there!"

Esgalwen had turned her attention toward the three when Bofri's excited words began to carry over the other conversations. The Dwarf was becoming animated in his passion and she smiled to herself. When he finished talking she added, "T'is great fortune that the eagles were there, indeed! Not only for our own lives, but to assist us in weakening the spider host as a whole. It is a good fortune, too, that they were then asked to bring us all the way...here..." Esgalwen's words slowed as her thoughts came together and she looked to the head of the table to see Gandalf looking in their direction, a twinkle in his eye.

Had the wizard masterminded the whole thing? Had he known of the events that were to occur? Certainly he had not known the Company would stand to fight. But it was Gandalf that requested they be brought back north - and it is here that Bofri needed to be. Esgalwen shook her head at the coincidences and turned back to her friends, "I have only heard of wizards, having never seen any until I came to this enchanted wood! That said, there is a saying in my country that says, don't mess in the affairs of wizards!" She sighed with a smile, "It would seem we have no choice!"

I am going to allow for one more round of character interaction. You guys solidify your PC's relationships to each other every time you speak inter-character. I can see in my mind the great form of Grimbeorn bending down to be eye-to-eye with Bandy and then saying the nice things he did! I like reading your creative interactions rather than making them up for you all.

So, have at it one more time. I am certain that there are things you guys can talk about or add to the current conversations, over dinner. Once done, I will move the story on. Don't limit it to the dinner. You all have been given a bit of freedom to wander the halls of Thranduil's realm - within reason. What do you see? What do you hear?

Have fun!