MEE-S3E4: Eriador/Harder than Stone (conclusion)

31 May: They left the pursuing trolls in a cloud of dust as they escaped on horseback. Mud (Guide)+Lorig led the dash with Axel+Zim bringing up the rear on his trained warhorse. They rode hard per their realization…“We need to get back to Rivendell as soon as possible. Get the word out about Mormog’s plans. Sounds like we only discovered one of his tunnels. No telling where the others are or where then open within Eriador. Hast. Stick to solid ground. No need to bog ourselves down in the moors.”

Vogar (Bill) Dwarf Warrior… Shadow Weakness (Resentful)

Zim (Tony) Hobbit Treasure Hunter

Ricfried (Brian) Woodsman Warden…Holy Crap, he’s here!

Lorig (Matt) Dwarf Scholar

Mud (Duane) Wood Elf Wanderer

Axel (Geoff) Rohanian Warrior…absent

[Embark –7: all challenges +2, offset by Mud’s ‘known lands’] But even a direct path along solid ground would take a week. And Ricfried’s morgul wound was flaring up, causing discomfort as he frequently leaned over the horse reins. His passenger Vogar gave encouragement, “Don’t fall off and expect ME to retrieve you. My hands are full just holding onto this beast you call your horse.” But the dwarf’s actions spoke differently as he wrapped his arms around the human to help him hold onto the reins…and to remain upright during Ricfried’s bouts of pain.

Having lost their pack horse back in the Ettenmoor escape, Lorig (Hunter) searched for food. “There! Berries. Fortune trolls have driven wild game away, leaving the ripe fruit for us.” Lorig convinced all to stop, “Stone-trolls do not travel during the day. We’ll be safe. Just don’t tarry. Besides, the horses need a breather.” Soon, they were back in the saddles till dusk faded into longer shadows as the sun itself escaped. Just enough waning light for Ricfried (Scout-23) to find shelter, “There’s a cave. Phew, dead troll. Even better. Trolls can smell their kind and avoid the stench of death.” The Warden plugged his nose with strips of cloth while Vogar cut a V-notch from a brush to clip his nostrils. The elf and hobbit decided to stay outside the cave on watch.

June 5^th: Another 4 days of paced travel as they crossed the Trollshaws, ever watchful of the Misty Mountains to their east. For the sound of Wargs echoing down the gullies reminded them the Shadow was always nearby. On the 5^th day, Mud suddenly signaled halt, “Something flickers just around the corner.” But Lorig seated behind him, “I can smell iron. Blood!” The dwarf dismounted and rushed forward to what he assumed patients. Mud quickly followed with his bow ready when he spied goblin arrows decorating an overturned pull-cart. And found the dwarf kneeling beside a woman with a man standing nearby. The dwarf had pushed her husband out of the way.

Lorig announced what the others assumed, “Foul goblin arrows. Poison is already leaching up her neck veins. [Medicine-12] Remove the barbed arrows and I can stop further poisoning, but I cannot completely remove the poison already in her system. My last healing potion might give her a few days. Making Rivendell even more urgent.” Mud realized their predicament, “Goblin Town is just up that draw to the east.” The husband spoke up, “I’m Falindin of the Mountain people. She is my wife Beravor. Heading to Bree to make a new life. Last we heard, the goblins had been driven back underground.”

Zim was already hooking the cart behind Axel’s horse, “Goblins to the east, trolls behind us. And she can’t walk.” Vogar resented the implication, “What’s more important: news about Mormog’s plans, or this dying woman? The cart will slow us, the trolls catch up, and any warning will die upon our lips.” Ricfried had enough, “Then it is your duty dwarf to make sure the cart stays in working order. Walk beside it as Falindin rides with me.”

June 7^th: [Arrival-0: wary to the bone = +2 Corruption] Twice they had to stop to fix a broken spoke. Forcing Vogar to replace the wheel with a strong branch-drag, yet still complain, “Can’t we just dump the cart and use a drag-litter?” His grumblings cut short when the elf Lindir appeared before them, “Well met. Lord Elrond felt your approach as something evil follows you.” Zim responded, “Yes, but I think we distanced the trolls in pursuit.” Lindir corrected, “I speak of an incorporeal creature that seems attached to you.” Mud spoke up, “That is Feredrûn whom we promised our help. We hope Gandalf is in Imladris so that he might remove the shackle around her neck.”

Lindir offered Lembas bread as he excused himself to seek Lord Elrond’s commands. Vogar called out, “Can you at least take these humans with you?” Lindir shook his head but offered, “I will send a healer to you.” Ricfried and Lorig pondered at his departure, “Strange that the elves bar us entry.” Mud remained silent. Feredrûn appeared in the shadows, “There is something strange about this place. Something I haven’t felt for eons.” Almost an hour till Lindir returned, “Gandalf is no longer within our realm. Yet more importantly, Lord Elrond seems to recognize your spirit by another name…’The Huntress of the East.’ She is not allowed within our borders; the eye might see the path to our hidden city. Nor you enter till you break your bonds with her.”

Lorig was already contemplating Radagast. Lindir offered, “If you truly need an Istari, then Lord Elrond suggested you seek Saruman ‘the wise and powerful’ at Angrenost (Sindarin name for Isengard), within his tower Orthanc.” Axel rustled with recognition, “Yes, he is a friend to Rohan. Wise choice. And a chance for me to counsel with my family.” Lindir added, “You can rest here for a few weeks as we send news to Haleth (the female ranger they had dealt with before). Let the rangers flush out the tunnels you talk of.” Vogar grumbled, “WEEKS?! And twiddle our thumbs? No, let’s make for Isengard. Besides, I remembered my vision at Lake Mirrormere within Dimrill Dale. We can cross the Redhorn Gate on our way to Isengard.”

Mud was already plotting a path along the west side of the Misty Mountains when Lorig seconded Vogar’s suggestion. “The eastern path may add days to the travel but it does avoid the Dunlands. Not that I’m running from conflict but I too would like to see the fabled lake where King Durin gained his fame. And make sense of Vogar’s visions.”

June 8^th: [Embark – 8: a hard journey but clear weather. Ignore the 1^st level Exhaustion] Before departing, they stocked up on supplies from Rivendell. Lindir even gave them one-each slices of Lembas bread. They journeyed south across the Lone-Lands and Eregion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6qmgPvukpk) before turning into the mountains for the Redhorn Gate. Sunshine raised their spirits and even an occasional rain-shower felt comforting as they paused within the shade of Holley trees. Vogar mused, “I remember the merchant’s caravan. We made many trips thru the pass ahead. During the summer; never in the cold winter.”

The dwarf’s musings delayed his Lookout duties during the late evening…he heard before he saw, “There be the ones we hunt.” Wargs descended upon the horsemen. Ricfried’s horse was closest; so, it was Vogar the larger leader attacked. Vogar shield-blocked its claw but the beast bit his exposed right arm. Vogar strained not only to hold onto his Warhammer but to stay upon the horse. Added by Ricfried swinging at the same beast. To his right, Lorig jumped off Mud’s horse and charged the leader. Mud too abandoned his horse to attack a smaller warg with his blade. Furthest from the pack, Zim was already twanging arrows at their approach.

Downhill and already faster, the wargs quickly closed. One reared up to claw Zim, 2 confronted Mud, and 2 others engaged Ricfried on his horse. As their leader continued to waylay Vogar: the dwarf chose to block its bite which left him open for the claw (critical – causing the dwarf to lose grip of his Warhammer). Vogar tumbled off the horse to grasp his weapon and attack in a fury [3 attacks using his action surge]. Meanwhile [Uncanny Dodge], Zim rolled off the back of his horse, crouched beneath its legs, and gut-shot the warg before him. “Yelp!”

Lorig gave up the fight to tend his brother dwarf bleeding from multiple wounds. His allies continued to battle the beasts. A rally cry when Mud fell the first warg (Zim’s gut-shot target). Ricfried inspired [Warden’s Gift] his allies to take the fight to the enemy who were relentless in their snarling attacks. Blood of man, elf, hobbit, and dwarf stained the battlefield yet they fought on. Vogar gave as good as he took, but the dwarf started at a disadvantage on health. Thank the gods for his fellow dwarf and his healing ways.

Meanwhile, Mud killed another warg. And Zim too dropped another. And once more, as Vogar was about to drop the wobbling leader, Mud’s arrow beat him to the kill. At least Lorig was free to pick up his Warhammer and resume his attacks. 2 wargs remained. But not for long. As the healer bandaged his companions, Vogar took his knife to warg hide, “You can claim the kill elf, but I claim his pelt.” When they finally left the battlefield, they left behind warg heads mounted on poles. Both as warning and challenge.

Redhorn Pass in the Summer

Redhorn Pass in the Winter

It was another full day as they climbed into the Redhorn Gate pass with Caradhras to their left. During the night’s camp, Feredrûn approached, “How much longer? He calls and I grow weaker.” Mud could only guess weeks more. The Huntress lamented, “I cannot resist much longer. But tell me, what is it your brother elves back there possess? I sensed something of old which stirs memories of my first master.” Mud could only reason, “Perhaps it was their fear of you.” Feredrûn was satisfied for the moment, “The first-born were always the wisest. Sadly, I must confess I need to stay away from you for the rest of the journey. I fear I am attracting the eye upon you.” Vogar spat into the campfire, “Eye. What is it with this eye?! That is the second mention. First Lindir, now her.” But his questions went unanswered.

[Feredrûn, the Huntress of the East, was originally enslaved and tasked by Sauron to hunt for the Rings of Power created by the Elves of Eregion. The three rings were: Vilya (worn by Lord Elrond in Imladris), Nenya (worn by Galadriel in Lothlorien) and Narya (worn by Cirdan the Shipwright in Grey Haven, now worn by Gandalf).]

June 14^th: Up and up they climbed, on foot, leading the horses by reins. [Exhausting but their Embarkation bonus allowed them to ignore their 1^st point of exhaustion.]

Another 2 days crossing the towering range, till they began to descend the eastern side. Dimrill Dale before them. Vogar was already leading Lorig to Lake Mirrowmere, “Durin’s tower! You must see it too, although we lack the moonlight of his great vision.” But before they could take another step, their companions behind them gasped, “Do you see that?!”

All gazed upon the East Gate of Moria (Khazad-dûm) and shuddered at the sight of flickering flames that seemed to engulf the gate. [Corruption – fear] Real or imaginary? They didn’t linger to find out.

Mud led the group toward Lothlorien, “Perhaps we can find shelter there.” Vogar recognized the wood-elf that confronted them [when Arwen took him to the lake during his last fellowship], “Haldir. Don’t tell me. I’m not allowed entry. It’s an elven thing.” Haldir offered Mud entrance but barred the others. Mud declined, “If it’s all the same to you, I’ll stay with my fellowship. Is there any news of the region that should concern us?” Haldir spoke, “No dangers can pierce Lorien. We will keep watch over you. Rest.”

That night, Feredrûn called from a distance, “Something prevents me from getting closer. He continues to call, and I grow weaker. But I must confess, being with you brings new senses. Something draws me along, not just the hope of being unshackled.” The Huntress sat within a distant outcropping of rocks and began to sing soothing songs. Lorig joined in with his bagpipes (Perform-16) while Vogar raised his lute (Perform-14). Her song not of history but rather, maybe her own memories of the 1^st age. Ships sailing east for Valinor.

They passed south thru the Wold (sparsely populated northeastern edge of Rohan) and around the Fangorn Forest. As they rode across the wild uncultivated lands, the White Mountains towered to the south. Even at the great distance, the keen eyes of the elf Mud could just make out an ancient tower upon its height.  Axel reminisced, “Those remind me of the once close friendship of Gondor and Rohan. Now all that remains are the Beacons of Gondor. When Rohan and Gondor were aligned. But that alliance has waned over the years.” Gloom [+2 Shadow] set upon the fellowship as they all recognized the fragile nature of friendships.

Days till they entered the Rohan Axel most remembered. Even the horses seemed to sense the change, as if invigorated themselves, for they ran with renewed vigor. The miles melted away under their hooves. Soon, the party passed over the last hills blocking their view of the black tower Orthanc within the ‘Iron Fortress’ of Isengard.

[Arrival – 5: long but worthy journey. Their aches and pains slipped away.] A younger man, in black attire, approached with a shuffling pace, “I am Grimma. I work for the White Wizard. What is it you seek? To free a slave? Ah, an incorporeal creature. Most intriguing. Wait, while I see if he can spare his time.”

Long minutes till Saruman himself stepped thru the doors. His staff and demeanor foreboding. Yet he spoke pleasantly to Mud, “Master elf, I can sense a presence just outside my walls. Something ancient. Of greater age. Free her you say. Yes, it is best you brought her to me than the Brown. I can determine her true nature and aura. Bring her forward.”

Saruman barely glanced her way as he led all into the tower. And up the long stretch of stairs to his study near the top of Orthanc. Most stood silent as he stood before a large black orb upon a pedestal. Lorig could not hold his tongue, “I recognize the Palantir but I did not realize the seeing stones still existed.” Vogar chirped, “You watched our approach?” Saruman laughed, “Such magical devices take much power. To use it for such mundane tasks… no dwarf, I relied upon Grimma’s trusty eyes to do my seeing.”

Saruman called Feredrûn forward as he held his staff before her as he examined her collar. “Yes, I can see the detail and feel the evil of Sauron himself. You must be his Huntress who sought the elven rings of old. Tell me, were you successful? And what is it you desire now?” Feredrûn answered all his questions truthfully. Saruman turned to the others, “And what do you offer if I set her free?” They were caught off-guard.

Saruman motioned to Grimma to bring him the sealed note from his desk. “When you return to Imladris, deliver this correspondence to the Dunlanders.” Nodding to Axel, he explained, “I’m sure you would agree it is time to improve their relations with Rohan. Opening the trade routes would be in everyone’s best interest.” They agreed.

Saruman turned back to Feredrûn and placed his staff (now glowing) closer, “If I set you free, where will you go?” The Huntress seemed to envision her freedom, “Back to Valinor to be amongst the stars.” The White Wizard was pleased, “I sense no lie. Grimma, bring me my books so I might set this child free to run thru her flowers.”

Zim and Vogar watched intently as the wizard’s gaze shifted from his books to her collar. Till, hours later, he said a strange incantation before touching the collar with his staff. The metal collar clattered to the floor. Feredrûn quickly touched her bare neck, “No more words from Mormog. I am truly free. Thank you kind wizard. May Valinor welcome you when you decide to return.” All heard the haunting sweet melody as she faded away. Saruman bent down to collect the collar, “I think I will keep this to study how it kept one of the old age bound. As for you…messengers, shouldn’t you be on your way?”