Secrets of Thranduil Hall (Open....Please Join!)

[Lothiel]

Ithilwen's scout prowess was tested to the limit this night as she crept through the gardens, making herself as like a wisp of smoke; there one minute, gone the next. It did not take her long to locate Lady Galadwen and Elrohir--they were slowly and cautiously making their way through a copse of climbing roses and decorative trees. The noises of the ulunn surrounded the garden, and Ithilwen ground her teeth in irritation.

She suddenly felt a presence behind her and whirled with lighing quick speed, throwing the creature to the ground and pressing her dirk point against its neck.

"Mikau..!" she gasped in shock, letting the young Rohirrim up. "A muindoren!" she exclaimed as she caught sight of her brother, "U-'erich sí! Ulug anglenna bân dhú hen! Etholo na Imladris... si!*" Ithilwen hissed at her younger brother, knowing he was no fighter and determined to protect him.

"Law, muinthelen--I râd si hollen...*"

Ithilwen closed her eyes in frustration. Instead of enforcing that Falasion return to Imladris with Mikau, she sighed. "Mae, dorthathach*; but stay close and do not stray."

She turned to Mikau. "Do you see Elrohir and Galadwen over there?" When he nodded she continued. "We must reach them and then travel back in a group. We have more safety in numbers now."


*And my Brother! You cannot be here! Evil approaches all this night! Return to Imladris... now!"
*"No, my sister--the way is now closed...
*Well, you will stay.

[Galadwen]

"Stick close." Elrohir hissed at Galadwen. "I hear many feet approaching."

Galadwen nodded her head and continued to follow him closely. She could sense something surrounding them, but she could not figure out if they be good or bad and she didn't want to take the chance.

The closer they crept towards the Hall, the louder the noises became.

"I don't think this is a very wise thing to do, Hir nin. It seems to be getting worse the closer we get to safety."

"It is not safe out here at all, we must get to safety."

"It's times like these that I wish I had my sword. But alas it was lost when we were captured."

Elrohir turned around and looked at Galadwen.

"You wield a sword, Hiril nin?" he questioned.

Galadwen nodded her head. "Yes, I do. I have done so since I was a child."

"I did not associate you as a warrior, Hiril nin. I was mistaken."

"Please, Hir nin, call me Galadwen. I am a humble elf-maiden, not someone of royalty. I despise being associated with my father and my brother. I am my own person."

Elrohir smiled. He then leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. But before they could continue, something attacked from the bushes.

[Pippin]

Mikau massaged his neck and noticed his wound once again. It is deep... But he didn't have time to worry about that. Getting Elrohir and Galadwen to safety was more important now.

"I suppose this foul creatures are all around Imladris. I needed this, some foul creatures with which I can use my sword skills." he grinned slightly when saying this words more to himself than to the others.

Suddenly he caught sight of Elrohir and Galadwen being ambushed. He grasped his sword with his left and hand and hurried to them, Ithilwen running as fast as he. They reached Elrohir and Galadwen and managed to take the foul creatures down. Elrohir slew two and Ithilwen four, Mikau threw down two.

The light of the moon shown brightly above them, they could see clearly all around them. Corpses of those foul creatures who were probably slewn by other fighters or Imladris.

"We must hurry, Master Elrohir and Lady Galadwen. Lord Elrond awaits for your coming." Mikau told them urgently whilst a bird soared above them. They perceived its shadow and some hope rose in their hearts. Falasion runned towards them and told them where Elrond was at.

"The fourth corridor to the right, third door."

And so they went before the moon was then covered by the clouds.

(( I'm so sleepy so sorry if that doesn't make sense.   ))

[Tishamet]

((I'm in the game!!!!;D Just so you guys know, I haven't read the entire roleplay yet. I only read up to page 5 and then from 8 to the end. You guys have long posts *whew* That's good, though. If I have something completely screwed up, let me know and I'll change it))

Tishamet's mind swam. These things he was hearing...they were impossible. But the man sitting across from him, looking him coolly up and down, was not one to lie. The Lord Elrond had always been true, and Tishamet was not one to doubt one's character after thousands of years of walking this earth.
"My lord," he said. "How is this possible?" Elrond opened his mouth to speak, but at that moment, the door burst open and four ragged elves and one human-Rohirrim, by the looks of him- fell into the room. Elrond was immediately out of his chair and to the doorway. He ushered the four in quickly, poked his head outside for a moment, then shut the door, turning to the young Rohirrim and seeing the wound at the back of his head.
Tishamet was surprised.
"Don't worry," he said. "The beasts will not harm you, as long as I am with you. I know them, and they know me. They are not as bad as the seem." Elrond gave him a cold look.
"Now is not the time to defend your precious woodland friends, Istari. The boy is hurt." He bent beside Mikau. "Here, let me see it."

((OOC-I think I might have played Elrond too much . I'll get to Tishamet more next time.

[Galadwen]

Galadwen usually enjoyed a good rush, but this was too much. She felt like her world was falling apart and nothing could put it back together. The attack was swift and short. Elrohir attacked the moment the first creature came out of the bushes.

Somewhere around that moment, others came to their rescue, but she could not see who it was for she was pushed backwards so she would not come to harm. By the time all the creatures were slaughtered, Elrohir had grabbed her hand, yet again, and rushed her towards the Hall. They did not stop till they were safely inside.

It wasn't till then that Galadwen recognized who else had rescued her. It was Ithilwen and Mikau. Mikau looked like he was injured, but not concerned. Elrohir quickly took Galadwen into Lord Elrond's presence, just to make sure that she would be safe. He would not let her from his sight.

Galadwen looked around the almost empty Feasting Hall, noticing a few people that she didn't recognize. She was so distraught over what happened that she felt like she would pass out if she did not find a seat. Locating a chair closest to the wall, she sat down and placed her head in her hands. The overwhelming stress that she had kept inside finally emerged, sending her into a state of depression.

[Lothiel]

Ithilwen gently massaged her injured arm with her good hand (It hadn't been as weak as I had thought--it only hurt a little) as she regarded the istari coldly.

"Who are you and why do you call those foul ulunn your friends?" She fairly spat the words at the Istari, demanding an answer. "They kidnapped Lady Galadwen and her sister Linniel, they had them confined in bonds in the most ignoble fashion, and then they came here with the intent to destroy!" Ithilwen stood up to her full height, anger and distaste showing in every hard line of her body as she confronted the Istari in front of her. "And yet you still have the courage to come here and call them your friends?! I demand to have an answer to such misguided intent, good as it may be!" she almost shrieked the last few words, rapidly losing control of her temper after all she had dealt with in the past few days.

She then felt a calm and firm hand on her shoulder. Ithilwen stepped back, not realizing she had been advancing aggressively toward the Istari.

"Do not be brash, Rochvess Ithilwen. Keep your temper in check."

It was Lord Elrond who was now standing behind her with his hand firmly planted on her shoulder to keep her in check. His fingers pressed into her flesh as he squeezed momentarily in admonishment, but were not removed; they sat there like iron weights.

"Yet, I do agree with my Scout here; I believe we all are owed an explanation, Istari." He chose his words carefully as he spoke, speaking calmly though his eyes glittered coldly. "Particularly those who have suffered ill effects from those... beasts." Lord Elrond gestured to the occupants of the room, particularly Mikau and Lady Galadwen.

[Tishamet]

((OOC-is Falasion in here, too?))

Tishamet looked around at all six of the faces that stared intently at him, filled with disgust. He sighed.
"Do not judge me-or them-so easily. I do not blame you for hating them, as I see what they have done to you. But I will teach you somrething of the world, for I have walked it almost as long as you elves, and I have traveled all across it. The immediate character of a being is not always what is inside, it is simply what has been brought out. Everything else is not gone, though., a way just needs to be found to bring that out. The more the bad is encouraged, the more it comes out. That is why I only fight when I must.
"I say again, I do not blame you and I will not hold you back. All I wished to say was that as long as I am with you, you will be protected from the beasts. But lo, Ithilwen I believe it is? Your arm is hurt. I am sorry that we missed it. I will tend to it myself." He rose from his chair and went over to Ithilwen.

[Pippin]

Mikau massaged his neck once again and notice that his wound wasn't as deep as before. Maybe it will leave scar... but he couldn't be concerned with that matter, the Istari talked about those foul creatures to be his friends.

He spoke slowly and tried to be calm. "How do you know them, and how do they know you? ...I mean, those creatures, whatever they may be."

[Tishamet]

"Perhpas I may have spoken wrongly. It is more of an understanding. I have lived in nature for many, many years, and I have come to "know" many of its creatures. Each is beuatiful in their own way. Now, if we can get away from my involvement with these beasts, I believe we have more important things to talk about." He let go of Ithilwen's arm. He had been prying and poking, and chanting under his breath. "It will be fine. In fact, it should be now. It was not serious."

[Lothiel]

((Yeah, Tish, Falasion is here, but standing inconspicuously in the background. ))

Ithilwen watched the Istari warily, suspiciously. When he had inquired about her wound, she curtly replied, "It is old, and nothing." She just about said 'And it was inflicted by your friends,' but thought better of it, remembering Lord Elrond's firm hand on her shoulder, his tacit reminder to keep her temper. She was surprised when her arm suddenly quit throbbing, and she turned her eyes to look directly at the Istari, probing his thoughts.

"What magic did you do?" she inquired under her breath, experimentally flexing her arm and realizing it was as good as new. She knew nothing of magic other than the ordinary, every-day kind which all Elves used, and was slightly wary of the unknown.

Tishamet's eyes twinkled, and he tapped the side of his nose, causing Ithilwen to look at him in pure curiosity. The Istari backed up and turned to face Mikau, regarding him silently for a moment.

Ithilwen, now thoroughly confused, had looked around the room, taking note of who all were there. She saw her brother standing quietly back against the wall, obviously wishing to disappear, and she saw Lady Galadwen being comforted by Elrohir (who looked like he felt awkward), who was gently patting her on the back. Ithilwen's gaze passed on, and took note of Glorfindel who had just entered. His eyes met hers and he slowly moved through the group to her side.

"I see you made it here ok," he whispered in her ear. "Did you have much trouble?"
"Not at all."
"You're not telling me everything..."
"You're right; I'm not telling you everything."

Glorfindel sighed. She was impossible! He looked at her; yes, she knew she was being impossible and was enjoying the fact that it irked him. This was confirmed when Ithilwen turned her head slightly to look at him from the corner of her eye, and grinned. When he opened his mouth to say something to her, she put a finger to her lips and gestured for him to pay attention to what was going on between the Istari and the other occupants of the room.

[Tishamet]

Tishamet looked at Elrond.
"You say you can trust them. Will you tell them?" Elrond nodded.
"They are my friends." He turned to the six gathered. "A new dragon has settled on the Lonely Mountain," he said. "Caranchus is his name, a mighty wurm with green scales. The dwarves fled the moment he alighted atop the mountain, not staying to fight for one moment. The men of Dale call for our aid. I wish to send you all, along with Tishamet, to the Lonely Mountain."

((I hope this is ok... . Lemme know if it's not))

[Arwen Evenstar]

Elladan strode in, followed by Linniel, just in time to hear the announcement about the dragon. He had been fighting to ulunn with Linniel, and had just been able to get away and locate the others. 'When would we leave?' Elladan asked.

[Pippin]

"Dra...go..ns?" Mikau barely managed to say the word.

Mikau had always kept the story of Túrin Turambar and the dragon Glaurung in his mind. And he feared them, knowing what Glaurung did to Túrin.

"Scared, eh Mikau?" said Ellrohir tempting Mikau to lose his temper. Mikau looked at Ellrohir defiantly.

"Don't act like babies you two. Even Falasion knows how to behave and you two don't, you should be ashamed of yourselves." Lord Elrond said, he knew how much his sons hated Mikau for the simple fact that he was a Man from Rohan.

Mikau gazed away. "Do you mean that you want us to...fight...or something against the dragon?"

Fight agaisnt a dragon, it sounds so easy but if he really wants us to do that...it's not gonna be that easy. He heard some loud noises from outside, and he noticed that he had forgotten all about what was going outside and wondered what was going on. What if the others who are outside are in danger? Isn't there a way to make those...ulunn, friends of this Istari, to leave Imladris? Even though I would wish to fight..."

He felt that he was being stared at and noticed the Istari looking at him, and something told him that the Istari had read his thought.

[Galadwen]

Galadwen didn't know what to think. Elrohir was rubbing her back to help her feel better, but it wasn't working that much.

"He's such a sweet guy."she thought. "I wish there was elves like him around Mirkwood. Caring and concerned about the elf-maidens."

Galadwen sighed and looked up at Elrohir who only smiled back.

Looking over at Lord Elrond and the others, she tried to understand what they were talking about. Something about a Dragon, but that was all she could make out.

There was something odd in the air of it though. Ithilwen looked very tense and irritated but she was keeping it in per Lord Elrond's looks.

Looking around the room she noticed that Falasion was back against the wall all by himself. Galadwen looked up at Elrohir and motioned for him to go talk to Falasion.

Elrohir complied and walked over to Falasion to speak with him.

At that moment Galadwen noticed that Linniel had come with Elladan into the room. She waved at her sister to come on over and sit with her. Elladan walked over to Lord Elrond and the rest of the group.

[Tishamet]

"Of course, this is a difficukt issue, and it will take some debating, I can see. But first, we must deal with the problem at hand. The ulunn...If you will follow me?" He walked to the door and swung it open, stepping out into the open air without hesitation. The ulunn were everywhere, ravaging plants and structures. Scattered elves were running around with swords and bows, fighting valiantly and accounting for more ulunn than the ulunn did them. Tishamet sighed, opened his arms wide, lifted his staff, and spoke.
"A-hlarën ar a-hehta ohtalyë! A-lelya ana i taurë yassë tullëlyë! [ie. Hear-me and abandon your fight! Go to the forest wherein you came!]"
Every last ulunn, as well as the elves, stopped what they were doing and looked up to stare at the Istari. His face grew grim. A light kindled at the tip of his staff. Slowly, his chanted words grew louder and louder, in a language that none could understand. His arms opened wider, and a wind blew all around, sending his robes swirling all around him. Suddenly, there was a flash of light, and everything stopped. Every last living ulunn suddenly bounded away, not looking back for an instant, leaving behind three bodies,seemingly the Istari's ahndiwork.
"You must burn the bodies," he said to Elrond, "for they are not truly dead, and if they awake, they will seek vengance. You will not have such an easy time then. Quickly, burn them." He guffawed, and turned away so that no one would see the single tear that slid down his face.

((OOC-just so you guys know, since I'm an Istari and I can't be that powerful, compassion will be my weakness))