EPILOGUE: Reprisal

[tomcat]

Methilir was on the road within the hour. Around his tall, black mount were five of his best swordsmen. The Dúnadan noble was in deep thought as he rode, trying to piece together what he would inform the Steward once he had reached Fornost. After all, his brother was dead - apparently by Durgil's hand - and soon Durgil's friends would also die. Methilir assumed that it would happen between their transit of his home and Dorthad. Hopefully the assassin would see to his earnings by making sure all of the companions were disposed of. Once done, Methilir would need to have a good story as to why all of those that challenged his claim to Ioreth were dead. The noble was no fool and he knew the king had long known of his ambitions. Again it came back to Arandil. He was the only one that was brought into Methilir's confidence - no one else. Methilir had made sure to limit those involved, and he had figured that working through an anonymous third party would separate him far enough. Arandil was paid, and given orders to hire others to do the deeds. All of them anonymous and only knowing the man that hired them, not from where the gold came. So, if the assassin were slain, then any knowledge of Methilir's involvement would be erased... except, of course for his lust of what Gelmir had owned. But that was no crime.

It would need to be done.

Methilir smiled to himself as he rode quietly down the snow-covered road. He never saw the shaft that came from the shadows of the woods, until it struck him and pierced his heart. Methilir fell from his saddle and stared up into the graying sky as the sounds of his men, meeting a similar fate, came crashing to his ears. The screams and curses slowly began to fade around him as his heart thrashed in its futile attempt to continue to pump his blood.

Arandil exited the cover of the trees that surrounded the carnage that had just ensued. He was a man of mixed blood - his mother a village woman of a small Eriadorian town, taken by a Dúnadan soldier. The assassin bore the burden of class his entire life, being a bastard son, and not of full high-blood. The effect of his early life challenges made this day even better. He walked to where the noble lay dead in the snow and looked into his staring dead eyes. He bent down and placed two silver coins, one over each eye, and then stabbed a piece of parchment to the arrow that was in Methilir's chest. Once done, he stood and merely nodded at the ruffians around him, mounted his horse and rode away from them all. The remaining warriors all took routes of their own, some alone, others in pairs. They left behind them the quiet dead, although one would speak of his deeds through the parchment pinned to his chest.

Dirnhael's eyes widened when he saw Pethron and Celdrahil appear along the road, behind them the women. The Dúnadan spurred his horse forward and rode up laughing at the good fortune. Ioreth saw her beloved and she, too, raced ahead to meet him. Dismounting, Dirnhael ran to her side and lifted Ioreth from her saddle. The man and woman held one another, enjoying the comfort of each others arms, all the while their friends stood round and smiled. Only Pethron's face shadowed for a moment, a vision of silver coins falling through open hands, and then a mightier sight of a shaded figure, tall and proud, a silver star upon his brow. The loremaster shook his head and looked around, only to meet Edrahil's gaze and see an understanding in the Sindar's eyes. The moment passed and Elf and Man both looked back to their friends and smiled once more.



You guys are welcome to give me dialogue between PC's if you want to add anything to the closing of this chapter. If there is no dialogue needed, feel free to let me know what your PC's interests would now be. Our next chapter will not begin until the spring of TA 1938, so there will be a couple months for them to do things.

From these posts, I will generate our prologue and tie the PC's into the upcoming story - which is still forming out of the grey matter. For any reason, if a PC needs to be written out of the main story, that is fine. Durgil, of course, will be, and Edrahil may also fade back into the background... all depends on what you guys give me and where I take the story.

Until then, all PC's are awarded 1,000 XP (or 1 advancement). Though the action was short in this story, the RP'ing was great and the antagonist was effectively beaten with naught but words. SO... I am willing to pay for that! 

As usual, please post your advancement picks in this thread and let me know if YOU are updating your PC sheet, or if you want me to. I will announce the new chapter once I have my head around it.

[Telcontar]

The slight ringing of silver bells was heard as the mount of Celdrahil made its way down the road. The Ithilian looked about him for signs of attack or ambush, feeling vulnerable while they were on the road without a proper escort of size or skill. Celdrahil saw the riders approach them from the distance, even in winter when dust clouds lay still and whether the glint of the sun is off of metal or snow is harder to determine a trained soldier can see things others will not. He continued to ride ahead with a hand ready on his spear and the other readying his shield and gripping the reins. He doubted someone would ride so openly before him and in the direction that he was going but he could not risk the chances. As the party came into view Celdrahil smiled and relaxed a bit, the horse almost of its own accord seemed to step livelier and more formal, seeming in fact to prance beneath the rider. While upright as his spear and proud as a Númenórean of old Celdrahil seemed to ride towards the others.
    He watched as the lady sped past him to meet her beloved and the pride of his bearing melted a bit in the face of seeing this reunion. 

"Lord Dirnhael, of Cardolan, and scion of the Elendili, I great you bringing a prize you sought. May it lessen the burden of our exile here in the east and give you much happiness!"

He waited a moment for the two to enjoy their reunion and then spoke again in the common tongue,
"We have had a victory this day, but here on the road we can not celebrate it. I welcome your sword arms and sharp eyes for we are not safe yet. We have stuck a blow for our cause, though not defeated our foe. I fear this was the easiest of the tasks now before us. We must ride to the house of Lord Durgil and prepare ourselves against accidents or open attacks and establish a watch as Methilir's vengeance may be swift and terrible. We must send word to my kinsman the Steward and try and clear the name of Durgil, for now in my heart I know that the foundation of your troubles is the greed of a Dunadan Noble. Come let us continue the journey and Pethron can tell you the story of our adventure."

[tomcat]

And so, with the companions gathered once more, they made the ride back to Dorthad, and the house of Durgil. Upon their return, there was great rejoicing amongst the people, for they very much loved the Lady Ioreth. And so a great feast was ordered and all the folk throughout the county were sent word so that they could attend. Even with the winter in full blow, the turnout for the gathering was plenty and pigs and oxen were butchered and roasted, while stores of beer were opened for the merriment. It was during this celebration that Dirnhael once more made his vow to Ioreth, asking her to take him as husband and she his wife. To this announcement, the folk of Dorthad were very pleased.

Two weeks had passed since their arrival home, and an unexpected visitor appeared at the gates of Durgil's home. It was Camentir, Marshal of the King's Third Host, who had only recently returned from the northern borders with Angmar. The soldier told of his summons to the counties of Dorthad, and that of Methilir, so as to stave off any potential conflict. Upon his arrival at Methilir's home, he was told the noble had gone south to Fornost, and so Camentir came west to Dorthad. Dirnhael, Fengel, and Edrahil were pleased to see the old warrior and they spent the time visiting with him and asking questions of the North. It was during this visit that Celdrahil and Pethron decided to ride south to Fornost. The Ithilien noble needed to report back to the Steward, and also check on the potential threat that Methilir could be creating for them all within Fornost. Pethron's desire was to go back to the capital so that he might make a case for Lord Durgil's release.

The two men left Dorthad as it was, active with a garrison of the king's soldiers, and friends spending time catching up. The travel was hard with winter in full bloom, and a storm came out of the north. What should have been only three days riding took a week, but at last Celdrahil saw the crenelations of Fornost Erain sitting high atop its hill. They pressed their horses on and rode into the city and on to the King's hall. They entered the building and were greeted with the warmth of multiple hearths crackling with fire. Pethron followed behind his companion as they entered into the hall itself, and beheld that the king had returned and was holding court. Orodreth saw them, nodding as he did, and stood. "My Liege, entering the hall is one of our southern kin, and kinsmen to me by blood, the Lord Celdrahil of Ithilien."

Pethron and Celdrahil could see the king and his wife, Liriel, sitting upon the dias. To one side, stood Orodreth the Steward, and to the other sat an wisened, elderly man with a long beard that neither recognized. The old man was dressed in grey cloaks that looked very weathered with travel. King Argeleb stood, "Welcome Celdrahil of Ithilien to my house. May I also introduce my other guest, Mithrandir - wanderer from afar, wise man, and friend of Elf and Dúnadan." Argeleb gestured to the old man on his right, and then made sign for the two companions to approach. "Food and wine here, for our cold and weary travelers!"

And so, Pethron and Celdrahil were able to sit and speak with the king and bring the case of Methilir, and all that had transpired, along with the arrest of Durgil. They found that news had also come from the north, preceeding them by only a few days, of Methilir's death in what appeared to be an ambush. The king held forth the parchment that had been pinned to dead noble's chest, and then he smiled as he pointed to another new arrival, "We received this information just a few days prior, at which time I ordered the immediate release of Durgil."

Pethron stood and turned to see his friend, and the two men smiled at one another and clasped hands in a strong shake. Things were settling out as they should within the kingdom, and only the blood of greed had been spilled.

Months passed. Dugil returned to his home. And with the spring, the wedding of Dirnhael and Ioreth was planned. During these days, the seeds of love also grew again within the lady Gléowyn's heart, and Durgil announced that he too would be wedding. To this news, there was some consternation. Some of the folk of Dorthad did not see it proper that a noble Dúnadan should marry a common woman from the East. This sentiment rang even within the court of Fornost, but Durgil's heart and mind were not swayed. As was his wont, the young nobleman did as he pleased, traditions be damned. He knew that by doing so, he and his bloodline would never have opportunity to ascend the throne, but his heart was taken by the Éothraim woman and he was willing to sacrifice that for her.

The remaining companions went about their own lives now, separating for the time to set their own houses in order. Fengel and Dirnhael, with his new bride, broke ground on the lands that they had been given for their new homes. The folk of Dorthad came to help, some even resettling so that they might still live under the graces of the noble woman whom they loved so. Pethron and Celdrahil both made time within the houses of all the companions that they now called friends.

Quietly, and peacefully, Spring passed into summer and bodies, hearts and minds were made whole.

[BrianM]

That was a fine read Doug - great ending to the chapter! Thank you for such fantastic storytelling.

[tomcat]

Thanks Brian, I appreciate it very much. Glad it didn't fizzle out terribly! 

Don't forget to do your advancements.

[BrianM]

Advancements done ... character sheet updated.

Armed Combat: Blades (Longsword) +1
Inquire (Converse) +1
Perform (Tell Story) +1
Persuade (Oratory) +1
Survival (Forest) +1

[tomcat]

Thanks Brian. I need Zehn, Shawn, Paul, and Tom's advancements and we'll be all set.

[ZehnWaters]

 
Elite Order: Knight +5

[Telcontar]

  +1 to Observe, Spot; Inspire, and Intimidate and +1 renown.
Figure that matches best what i did. i did not update the charcter sheet.

[tomcat]

I took care of your character sheet, Tom.

Still hoping you want to bring a game to the boards. Did you get my e-mail back to you? Let me know how I can help you and I will.

[sdrotar]

Thanks Brian. I need Zehn, Shawn, Paul, and Tom's advancements and we'll be all set.

Let's make the jump to Elite Order: Captain. I think that makes sense, given our tale. I'll select Tactics as his free Elite Order ability.

[tomcat]

Hey Shawn, I updated your sheet, but just know - when you purchase a new Order (Elite or regular), it costs all 5 picks but you do not gain the starting Order ability with it. You just get the added Order. On your next advancement, you will then be able to purchase from either Order.