Heres lies the account of several of the Warbands warriors, nine in total, after aiding the ranger Candaith. Its an interesting viewpoint from an in character point of view from some of the characters who were there.I like the way each player has detailed what was going on through their characters mind after the warband did an RP event which saw them ride form Imladris to Amon Sul (Weather Top), speak with the Ranger Candaith and defend the summit there before returning to the Rangers camp. The event was Roleplayed throughout, and the accounts taken from the Kinship Website.
The account of Eireden, Man Captain of the Warband
This was meant to be a joyful evening. Two new warriors had joined the Warband and taken the oath to become Chosen Warriors. We had celebrated their oath taking. Things were well. Then Khalis left the group. A moment later the horn of the warband blew and we knew that meant we were being called into battle. I felt that this night was getting even better, I now had a chance to fight alongside my friends. We set off from Rivendell after the Warband had got ready for battle.
We gathered at the bottom of the old watchtower of Amon Sul. There had been reports of a gathering of the forces of evil that were to strike there so we had gone out to meet them head on. We got there in time and set up a few campfires to provide light and warmth in the cool of the night. Once preparations were finished a horn of the enemy was heard from the bottom of the hill. Slowly the enemy advanced towards our position. They reached our position and the night was filled with the clash of swords and the thrumming of bowstrings. Being a veteran of many battles I charged out to meet the enemies, relishing the thrill of battle. In my rush I had misjudged the skill of my opponents and twice I collapsed under the blows of the enemy, using up the time of Elisbeth while she came to tend me wounds. I got disheartened, I stayed back from the bulk of the fighting, watching on as the more capable members handled the enemy.
Once the battle was over the warband headed back down to the foot of Amon Sul and meet at Candaiths encampment. Khalis was very proud of the work we had done, especially praising the newer members for their bravery and skill in battle. Feeling that this would be false praise I left the warband, telling them that I needed a few days to recover my confidence, but still feeling unsure as to whether I should return to the field of battle again again. I had let my friends down in a time of need, and although this time we won the battle, I did not wish to let them down again when the stakes were higher, and I was relied upon even more, as I did not want to see anyone fall in battle because of my own mistakes. Although it pained me to think of this, I knew that it was the right choice, not just for myself, but for all those around me who had come to rely on my skills.
The account of Tzel, Man Archer of the Warband
Running from camp fire to camp fire, Tzel noticed his friend Eireden stagger under a number of blows, wheeling away from the enemy as other Chosen Warriors piled in to protect their downed colleague. He almost hesitated - Eireden was a close friend and had proved himself many times to Tzel - but he had been tasked with keeping the Weathertop lit and even a small delay may encourage the undead to push on in even greater force.
Besides, Tzel was no healer. Sure, he knew a few tricks and was used to treating poison, but he would be more of a hinderance than assistance.
As he knelt to re-lit another campfire, he stole a glance back towards the fighting, noticing that Elisbeth was welding her Runes with her usual precision and Eireden was back on his feet. His heart lifted as his friend charged back into the fray once more - stunned rather than seriously hurt, surely.
The torch blew out in his hands, the wind worrking with the Dark Lord in his attempt to secure the Weathertop. Tzel took the oppourtunity to loose off several arrows in quick successions, taking down an enemy coming into the lights of the camp fires. The Warband was doing well, keeping the evil back from the summit and fighting as a team. Amorik he knew was a seasoned warrior, but was not used to working in such a large group. However, his friend was wading through the mass of undead with acomplished skill. Aerthin too was dropping foes accurately with practiced skill. Tzel felt proud to see his pupil doing so well.
As he glanced around towards the camp fires again, he saw Lisca too was fighting in her style. Tzel had not seen a Lore Master fight before and he watched for a moment as she dispatched an opponent. She certainly showed much promise....
He cursed softly as a pair of camp fires blew out again. He ran for another torch, darting in and out and around both friend and foe, his agility suited to his task. Reaching out, he plucked the torch out of the ground without breaking a stride as he made his way towards the camp fire at the Northern end of the Weathertop. Kneeing to re-lit it once more, he turned to see Eireden stagger from the combat again, this time a minion of the Dark Lord pursuing him.
Tzel threw the torch towards the other camp fire and rapidly notched another arrow before taking careful aim. The arrow penetrated the helmet of the creature, dropped it to the floor as Elisbeth turned her skills to Eireden once more.
Tzel couldn't believe it, seeing his friend bested twice. As the fight finally turned in his favour, he saw Eireden back in combat, but being much more cautious and fighting from the rear. He hoped that his friend was not seriously injured.
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As they gathered at the base of the Weathertop, Khalis congratulated the Warband on their skill and how they had overcome an enemy who out numbered them once more. The Chosen Warriors were victorious once again and everybody seemed both relived and invigorated by the combat. All except Eireden. His friend made his apologies before leaving the fire, his head not held as high as usual. Tzel decided to let him go, he ws obviously not seriously hurt - apart from maybe his pride. Besides, it would make more sense for Khalis to have a word with him as the Captain to show that it can happen to even the greatest warrior from time to time.
Eireden disappeared from view as the others started to relax, Aerthin playing a lute with previously hidden skill and a few others of the Warband also deciding to head for other pastures. That was when Khalis approached him. He too was concerned about Eireden, not his performance, but the way the man's spirit appeared to have been dampened or possibly broken. Khalis explained that it would be best for another Man to discuss this with Eireden, not only because the two of us were friends, but also because as the same race it would be easier for us to understand howw the other was feeling.
Of course, Tzel agreed and set off on foot immediately to track down his friend. After a brief run, it was clear that Eireden had mounted his horse. With such a head start, Tel doubted his would be able to catch up with his friend as quickly as he had hoped.....
The account of Ridaran, Elven Champion of the Warband
Ridaran watched Tzel dash off in his attempt to catch up with Eireden with a withering glare and shouted out to the departing hunter
"If you catch up with him be sure to tell him that he should use the pointed end of his sword on the enemy next time !"
Whether Tzel heard him or not he was not rewarded by any reaction from the Man before he disappeared into the dusk. He glanced over to see Elisbeth witha slight smile on her lips which was quickly extinguished when she realised he had seen it. He was about to carry on expressing his displeasure when all at once Aerthin started up a particularly beautiful and mournful tune, one he had not heard for many years for so very long. A lament of loss and of longing and his mind was immediately transported back to happier times in Lorien and away from from his errant and absent comrade...
The account of Khalis Imieran, Officer of the Warband
After beating back the dark creatures that had tried to seize the summit of Amon Sul the Warband has rested at Candaith's encampment. As the warband relaxed and took care of any small wounds they had received Khalis began to watch the ever growing comraderie that was growing among the Leutha Maethor from the oldest to the newest with interest.
The fight had been a confusing one at times and the effects of battle could be seen on some members. Eireden one of the menfolk of the warband had took a serious blow to the head rattling his senses. As with most men Khalis had come across Eireden was no different he had passions which rose in combat, Khalis was beginning to see the flame which burns in the souls of men which at one time Lord Elrond truely believed in. But this same flame can also be easily dowsed on some, for Eireden's demeanour after the battle was most unlike him. As Khalis watched him walk away from the campfire his head hung low, he spoke quietly with Tzel suggesting as a fellow man he should perhaps speak with Eireden and try to restore his faith.
What is important is that the Warband stood its ground and did not falter, there are times when warriors will fall but this will just give the others heart to let the sacrifice not be in vain. For the cause is just, for without such members who dwell among the warband Imladris could fall, and if Imladris were to fall the gateway west to the armies of shadow would be open.
Khalis watched Tzel go after Eireden and turned his thoughts to Ridaran one of the Elves among the Warband. Ridaran was not compassionate towards men considering them weak and unworthy, but he was beginning to see something change towards those he had fought alongside now for some time like Tzel. But it was still cold towards some of the new Leitha Maethor like Eireden. His thoughts also strayed to Lisca the newest lay member of the warband and how her path had brought her to them.
The account of Elisbeth Starfire, Leader of the Warband
Watching other members of her kin recover after the furious battle atop Amon Sul, Elis dropped to the ground gracelessly to sit beside Ridaran, feeling the warmth return to her exhausted limbs from the fire lit by Tzel. She listened with pleasure to the music Aerthin wove around them as their minds began to unwind, each note plucking another ache from their beings.
Elis had been aware of their companion Eireden's distress as he walked away from the campsite, and all too aware of Ridaran's comment toTzel as he strode after his fellow man to try to offer some manner of consolement. She had glanced sideways to study the elf beside her who seemed so embittered with men. Elis often wondered what lay at the root of those feelings.
As the soft music ebbed and flowed Ridaran spoke of his brother in Lothlorien, he too had been a bard. Tilting her head to listen closer, Elis could sense the change in Ridaran's mood, as he reminisced somewhat about his homeland and the life he had before joining the warband. Usually so reticent, Elis was suprised that Ridaran revealed even this simple fact about his family. However, when Elis asked about Ridaran returning to see his family once more, since he had been wandering the Golden Woods of late, she felt the turn of his mood again. His bitterness towards them rose as he revealed the shocking truth that he had disowned them all....all his family. What could have precipitated such an act?
Ridaran looked at her with the pain and hurt burning still in his eyes, as he talked succinctly of how his family had put his "true heart" in peril and how he had not been able to save her. Elis had no words of comfort to offer...for what could one say? Simply, she laid her hand lightly upon his shoulder and offered her aid if there was any he needed. Ridaran's nod of acknowledgment was enough. As they continued to sit in companionable silence lost in thoughts each to their own, Elis reflected that it was not only men this complex elf beside her resented. She wondered if they were wounds that would heal, or wounds that would need baring first...opening raw and then cauterising before any healing could occur.
