(( I would just like to specify that the last words in chapter/part #4 might differ from what really happened in the inner circle from the Northwind Free Company’s side. Not that anyone has contacted me to tell me otherwise. But I would just like to say this anyway.
If Jordi was unable to give Urien an heir or not, and what the real IC reasons for Gnarbryt to take over the guild after Urien – Arangilas does not know 100% for sure. This story is told through Arangilas’ eyes, and how he understood and interpreted the information he was given.
I hope people can understand this and not see it as a personal attack on anyone or the Northwind Free Company. I had a blast playing the game with you all, and I learned so much when it comes to RP. And so I would like to take this opportunity to thank absolutely everyone I have ever quested or RP’ed with in this game. You all have made a profound impact on me, and made this game the best RP game I have ever played.
Some of you have become good friends OOC as well, even outside the game. And it is all you people - newcomers as well as experienced RP’ers out there who take RP serious and that actually make an effort to give your character - and the game - a personality. And not the least – who has great fun with this game. All you people are the reason why I wanted to come back to this game after two years away. And the fantastic community Laurelin once had – I am glad to say – Is still alive and kickin’ today. I would like to thank all new friends I have made here since my return to the game. Thanks for making me feel welcome back into the game and for making me enjoy every second! J
A special thanks goes out to some of the “old” people; Blaecwyn, Emmelin, Iduan, Eanath, Urien, Sylvantas, Grisella, Athriar, Theodmer, Hendelyon, Lomnar, Elriandel, Bielduwyn, Gnarbryt and Calwen. You guys rock, and always will!!))
((Part #5))
“Fanwater…”
Arangilas mumbles the name to himself. So silent that the man sitting in front of him does not even notices he has said something or even moved his lips.
Fanwater… it was the name of the village the Northwind Free Company had settled down in. After what Arangilas had heard, the mayor of Bree had not been too pleased to have a full mercenary regiment living just outside Bree town… But then again, he would gain a whole company who could aid the protection of Bree if needed…
Arangilas and the Knights Of Eriador had soon found they were not needed as protectors of Fanwater. There was simply no need for them at all. So they now set their eyes on the roads and other lands once again. To finally return to their legacy as watchers, helpers and protectors of all free creatures in Middle Earth.
And this also marked the end of the collaboration between the Knighthood and the Company.
***
“Berinsael… How soon can you get started on the task ahead from this list?”
Arangilas feels the eyes of his friend on him – eyes that are eager to start on the task they both will be greatly involved in. Arangilas does not return the gaze. His eyes are still fixed on the parchment in his hand with the list of names on it.
“Do not worry my friend… My part in this has already been set in motion… You just concentrate on your part, and all should go as planned…”
Arangilas gives his friend a smart smile before pouring some more wine into their glasses.
The man on the other side of the small table gives Arangilas a satisfied grin, and raises his glass in a toast. Arangilas does the same.
They both take a good sip and sit back in their chairs with a content expression on their faces, as they get lost in the hypnotic movement and calming sounds from the fireplace.
Arangilas’ mind drifts back to the last time he shared an evening by his fireplace with someone… He lights his pipe before he takes another sip of his wine. He then fills his lounges with a long drag from his pipe with an even longer exhale…
“Tamara…”
Arangilas mumbles again without drawing the attention from his friend… Arangilas carefully turns his eyes to his friend to see if he reacted to it.
No… he’s almost fast asleep there he sits. Besides… He should probably be used to him mumbling to himself after all the time they have spent together through his life, especially over the last years.
Arangilas smiles a little to himself and almost chuckles as he thinks back again.
Mmmm…
Sweet, tender, funny and wise little Tamara…
The last time they met, they had sat just like this - like Arangilas and his friend now did - in front of the fireplace.
They had been catching up on each others lives - and the journeys they had been on since they last saw each other, drinking wine.
They met only by chance a year before Arangilas moved into this house. Arangilas had met her in one of the last places on earth he would ever think to meet someone like her… A lot less someone who would become such a dear friend.
Spring festival had been upon the people of Bree-land… Joyous people were walking the streets, almost dancing… seemingly happy… without a care in the world. Oblivious to the troubles that was lurking other places in the world.
Arangilas had almost been glad to get away from it all. The Pony was full enough at its usual hours with drunken soldiers, easy women and what not. People that almost seemed to wish nothing more then to pick a fight with a random someone… what a waste of resources, muscles and wit Arangilas always thought to himself.
But as far as he could remember it had always been that way at the Pony – and most other inn’s he had been to. But at festivals like these it got a lot worse… Travellers and merchants, who came to trade and scout for a good bargain. Thieves and other lowlifes from the shadows who wanted to prey on easy drunken targets or unknowing visitors. Other troublemakers that simply liked the attention they could get from an easy crowd. Charlatans and hypocrites who with their charm and charisma tried to lure people from their hard earned coin – by selling them illusions of unobtainable dreams, fake remedies and potions that seemingly could cure you from the most extraordinary illnesses and calamities.
As soon as he had left the south gates of Bree he had let Aridae pick up the pace, and she flew like the wind - almost like she was not even affected by having him on her back.
It would be good to see and feel the peace of Rivendell again…
Though he now felt more like the man he once was again, he was still tired and weak and he had never felt so old and worn-out in his whole life.
He had not slept well for as long as he could remember. He feared that the trust he had been given by his fellow knights was very much lost. And he did not blame them.
He had after all led them astray with his wrongly placed focus on less important things in life. He had failed them as a leader, as a knight and last but not least – as a friend.
To think he had almost left them completely…
He only hoped it was not too late to make amends and show them that he could turn this around, and yet again rise as the man they had once chosen to follow.
Chosen to follow by free will…
Free will…
Wonderful words… Words that had been so important to him.
Words that had been the sole building blocks for what his father - and his forefathers before him again – had fought so dearly for. Words that they had so gladly given their lives for.
And he had almost thrown it all away on the simplest temptations and materialistic thinking.
He had suddenly realized that he had been in such deep thoughts on his way, that he had reached the Lone Lands, and rode straight past the Forsaken Inn without stopping for some rest. He could see the Weathertop, shooting up into the sky in the distance. This huge monolith ruin of ancient architectural pride. It must have looked absolutely stunning in its full glory… Now it only served as a shelter for all sorts of creatures. Both wild and tamed.
He had stopped there in the middle of the Annunlos, a bit indecisive about continuing or if he should have turned back to rest and eat at the
And he knew he would reach Ost Guruth by dark if he continued.
Ost Guruth was nothing more then a vast ruined castle that once had belonged to the
He had decided to continue…
Just as he was passing through the area of the ruins of Nain Enidh, Just a bit west of Ost Guruth, he had heard a sound coming thru the wind, that did not quite fit the sound of the wild creatures you would expect to hear in the area…
He had stopped and whispered some calming words to Aridae to try to get her to breathe more silent. But there was nothing but the sound of the wind brushing through the bushes and sand dragging over the vast wilderness. And Aridae trying to catch her breath…
There! He had heard it again!
A distant cry in distress…
Even Aridae had reacted on it, turning her ears to a more alert position.
It was almost impossible to hear it through the wind… but he was sure it was from a woman.
And it had to be coming from the ruins just north of him.
He had rushed off in the direction he thought the distressed call had come from.
There it was again! And closer this time.
As he came over a small hill he could see her…
She had climbed up in a tree.
Underneath there were two wargs circling the ground, taking turns in leaping up towards her to try to get her to loose her balance and fall down.
He totally surprised them completely as he was coming in with the wind straight towards him.
Neither the smell of him and Aridae, or the sound reached the wargs before it was to late.
He swung his sword and hit the first warg over its back, crippling it straight away.
It gave away a loud weeping and foul cry as it fell to the ground, paralyzed and unable to move.
The other warg had swung around and was ready to leap out and try to hit Arangilas on the horseback from a huge rock of the ruin rubble.
He saw the warg at the corner of his eyes just in time to twist over and meet the ferocious killers iron jaws with his armoured arm.
They both fell with a bug thump to the ground, twisting and turning in a tight lock of life and death.
Arangilas had finally managed to get free of the foul creatures fanged grip. And they were now face to face…
The warg was clearly looking for any signs of weaknesses in the man, Arangilas was trying to anticipate the wargs next move. They started to circle each other.
Arangilas suddenly felt a sting in his arm, and realized he was bleeding quite severely from the place he had been bitten.
The creature was by far already aware of this, and it almost looked like it gave Arangilas a smirk before it let out a loud howl and got ready for its attack.
He suddenly heard Aridae neigh, and saw her coming galloping towards the two of them…
It was enough of a distraction for the warg to cease its chance…
Arangilas saw the warg come at him again. And the force of the attack threw them backwards.
Arangilas’ last memory was him falling towards a big stone block, with the warg on top of him…
Then… it all went black…
((To be continued))
