Moria

[24.12.2009]

"To Moria", replied Lindeman with a smug smile. "I have learned a few things in my travels, and I happen to know dwarves are attempting to reclaim the ancient mines."

Elrond's Stables were quiet that morning, and the stable boy seemed happy to listen.

"There are many treasures and weapons to be discovered there, some of which may yield us advantage in our battle against the Enemy", Lindeman explained. "I do not think many adventurers have thought of this, or have the courage to enter such a dark place. We shall travel there in this early hour and stay one step ahead of everyone."

With these final words, Captain Lindeman and his squires rode out of Rivendell.

[...]

With slight incredulity, Lindeman hears stories of an elf who is "tall as a tree" and "shines in the night". He decides to stay a little longer in Echad Eregion on their journey south across the plains of High Hollin.

[25.12.2009]

The morning air was cold and stale in his small cabin out in Westcombe, despite the flaming fireplace. But worst of all - it was quiet. He was alone, and so he had been for many days now. The town of Bree gave him no comfort, for he had never liked that place, ever since he first set foot there many months ago. Outside the cabin some birds sang and the frogs croaked, but not much else was heard. His Riders were all out on their own missions, he had barely seen one of his own kind in days now. Everything was so empty.

A letter from Captain Lindeman came to mind, which he had found in his mailbox a few days earlier. He said he would venture towards Eregion and the Mines of Moria, a place where some of Denholm's Riders had ventured to, but never had he seen the dark depths with his own eyes. Denholm watched the flames for a few minutes. Then he grabbed his sword, his backpack and went out to saddle his horse Aeled. As the sun arose in the morning, he set his course - Rivendell. If Captain Lindeman had already left, somebody would hopefully know where he was headed.

Denholm, once a captain of the Mark, felt alive again.
 

[29.12.2009]

Such is the stonework of the Dwarves of the Dwarrowdelf that it would dwarf even them mightiest of Giants. It is little wonder that the smallest of figures could stumble out of the Dimrill Gate without a living soul making note of his passage - a least none that speak; least of all those brutish Orcs now haunting the Dimrill Gate.

And thus it came to be that Pellinor the Hobbit, known as the Bold among his own people, managed to stumble through the dark halls of the Longbeards, find his way out only to find himself awfully blinded by the sun and still stumble, half-blinded as he was, off to safety yet before the Orcs caught his scent.

[30.12.2009]

After trailing along, underground, for three days; the fellowship arrived, in the Waterworks, a kingdom in it's own right, of falls, rivers and chasms. Here, they happened across the Dwarf Brognori, with whom they joined.

Now, as they venture forth, again, the fellowship take a brief respite, in the Chamber of the Crossroads, away from the darkness that is Moria.

Soon, though, after resting, they shall resume their mission. The Dwarf, Brognori, leads the way, the Captains, Denholm and Lindeman, follow in the name of honour, and the Elven Hunter walks on, in memory, of times spent here; now forgotten.

[4.1.2010]

The expedition continued as well as it had started. Even when their guide Brognori left for some urgent dwarven business and Andarne followed some more serious call from the elves, Denholm and Lindeman managed to find their way forward in the mines. No beast, goblin or orc could stop them as they fought side by side, exploring new areas and reaching wherever the Iron Garrison would need them. Without difficulties, the two men arrived in the Twenty-first Hall.

"Katûb-zahar did present some difficulty!" protested Lindeman. "Especially the second syllable."

[6.1.2010]

His long journey coming to an end, Andarne sets his sights once more on Moria, accursed of realms. Rumour has told him that his former companions were last seen in the 21st Hall, centre of the Iron Garrison's operation.

Soon, he would re-enter the mines, and rejoin the company. Dread lies heavy on his shoulders, the goats cast terrible smells. But one thing must still be done afore that.
 

[13.1.2010]

News of Eovind's death in battle against orcs had reached Lindeman in the Twenty-first Hall.
After the initial shock subsided, Lindeman sat reminiscing at the fire with his squire Culver.

"So, the Man Who Took The Lidless Eye And Ran is gone. Of his many deeds that I witnessed, taking The Lidless Eye from the enemy was the greatest.
It was only a small spherical object, about the size of a hobbit's head, but it must have contained magical powers. I heard elves speak of it on the Shores of Evendim and realised it was the same item we knew. I still hear some speak of it occasionally and I smile to myself, for I know it has been dealt with."

"Unless there is another", Culver observed.

"Then it would not be THE Lidless Eye, would it?" Lindeman snapped. "Do not try to offer your interpretations on matters of which you know little. Leave that to me. ...what I mean is, leave interpretations on this matter to me."

Culver said nothing during the remainder of the conversation.

"From Evendim, Eovind rode with me and Jeric all the way to Trollshaws in pursuit of enemy troops. It is true! Across the North Downs, through Meluinen and the shores of Nen Harn. We crossed the Weather Hills, and you may believe this or not, but we made the journey across the Lone-lands without even replenishing our supplies in Ost Guruth. We slew many Angmarim in Trollshaws and ventured into the enchanted forest of Eryn Singor."

"Eovind had many friends, many of them from this group called the Glade Council. His influence lives on! Even this day in Moria, an old friend of Eovind has been seen. She is the elven lady Nemsyn, who seemed rather close to Eovind at the time."

"Eovind and Nemsyn used to strut through corridors of ancient keeps in Evendim and put things right. All I had to do was to follow them."

[...]

Wandering through the darkness, Andarne looks forth for any sign of the company. The dust is thick, and filthy; yet no tracks lie around. Sighing, he stops his pace and closes his eyes, listening.

In the far distance he can hear voices echo off the walls, Dwarf voices. It has been many days since he met friendly creatures, and mayhaps the Dwarves could tell him where the past company be?

"I should greatly wish assistance" he thinks to himself..."for I dislike to admit that I am lost..." he says, with a sigh.

Suddenly, a beast lets its presence be known, and Andarne jumps to his feet, neither in the mood to flee nor fight. A cave-crawler, perchance? Or something...bigger? He knows not. But one thing remains true; the creature is getting closer...
 

[5.2.2010]

Several days back, weeks even, Lindeman had rejoined Andarne in Moria. The expedition was going well, and the Dwarves seemed like they were once again settling in. After a long and strenuous task, of exploring the area known as the 'Flaming Deeps', they returned to the 21st Hall by way of foot.

"For now, Elvellon, I must leave again" said Andarne. "My kin is in dire need, it was so when I left it afore, I must return" and with that, he set off again; attempting to remember the pathways that his guides took him, hoping to get back to Lothlórien. But with parting words, he also conveyed a message given to him, for Lindeman: "The good Captain shall speak of valour, and luck; he shall have both aplenty. Yet deeds both for good and ill will bring losses, and he will eventually find his way unto my realm. Fear not, for it will be so; and my mirror does not lie."

The future hastens, an age beyond antique reason. Andarne would not meet, again, Lindeman, until his feet step upon the banks of the Mirrormere.

[10.2.2010]

So, Andarne was gone again. And Ileen was gone, judging from her letter.
Evae and Seladhriel had disappeared, no doubt following an intuition Lindeman would never understand.

Lindeman decided it was time to rally the remaining troops with a Motivating Speech.

[11.2.2010]

Rowana sat in her study, a pile of old papers and a large but incomplete map of the North Lands spread out before her. As she sipped a small glass of brandy, she wondered what had become of Captain Lindeman. Most likely he had settled back in Coombe after so many months of hardship to a simple life and one of relative peace. There was no harm in finding out, was there? Rowana picked up a clean sheet of paper and began to write in a careful, flowing hand...

[17.2.2010]

The orcs did not attack by "nightfall" or any other time for several days,
and Lindeman started to wonder whether they had found better things to do.

[27.2.2010]

There were whispers of dark tunnels that led to the East, to the other side of the mountains,
but the path was unknown and the areas controlled by orcs.

Still the fellowship would consider setting out for the perilous journey,
for the dwarves had shared their visions of what was to come.

And there, by the campfire, Lindeman told them what the dwarven sage had said.

[24.3.2010]

People gave way as Lindeman rode back to the Twenty-first Hall
- not in awe, but because his goat had a particularly bad breath.

"Did you receive my message?" he demanded to know. "I am grateful for
the arrival of the three dwarves Throisin, Otroki and Brognori, but we need more help."

The reception was sceptical. "You have such a morbid imagination, Lindeman. We thought the troubles in the Foundations of Stone were over! If orcs and trolls are succumbing to some obscure disease, they are unlikely to bother us at all. Can you name any creatures there that are in full health and dangerous?"

"Yes I can", said Lindeman. "The Nameless!"

[30.3.2010]

"Words fail me", said Lindeman. "In addition to those anonymous foes,
there were quite a few unidentified ones. Then came such and such, quite menacingly and
all incognito if you get my meaning. And finally the absolutely huge what's-its-name and
the smaller whatsits!"

[11.4.2010]

Above Caras Galadhon, the stars were about to align themselves again.

[12.4.2010]

From afar, Andarne gazed from his watch; down upon the mortal man, his friend, and smiled. Though a mortal Man, he had the makings of one of the Old North. Galadriel was pleased; but still charged Andarne with the duty of watching. Though, now in the skies; the veil of Gilthoniel, Star-kindler, was shrouded by a fell cloud, and a terrible cold breeze, swept through the air.

"Fanuidihol!" cried Andarne.

[19.5.2010]

And so the Fellowship's days in Lothlorien came to an end.
Otroki's news from Moria confirmed that they were needed
in the deep recesses that they had once hoped to have been sealed.

They said goodbyes to their friends in the Golden Wood,
collected their belongings and gathered at the stables outside Caras Galadhon.

Captain Lindeman's last farewell was to Istarien,
a wise and insighful elven lady whose letters spread both far and near.

[13.7.2010]

Lindeman woke up as restless dreams gave way to reality. The giant shield became the gate to the The Sixteenth Hall and the hungry worm materialised as the lone tent from which he rose. The heavy air of the lower deeps of Moria wrestled his nostrils and the armour hurt his neck.

"Where are the others?" he rasped.

"Your friends are long gone." replied Hardsnel, smiling knowingly at the other guard. "You slept for hours, which is not surprising after you drank this."

Hardsnel held an empty flask in his hand. "Enhances Vitality" he recited mockingly from the label. "I think the effect was the opposite." He laughed. "What is it about you adventurers? You down any home-made potion you find in the auction bunker or from a dead enemy! You decide to test the cookings of unknown sorcerers exactly when you face your deadliest foes!" Hardsnel cackled. "I mean, these days every self-proclaimed hero able to carry a sword also feels obliged to consume supposedly magical beverages! If I emptied every bottle I found from some impaled orc in the Foundations of Stone..."

"Just show me to the nearest stable" said Lindeman.
 

[17.7.2010]

Andarne sat atop Telain Neduil. The summer sun in his face, shining through the tree-tops; the golden light illuminating the floor below.

Lórien was home again, to him; now he had come back to birth his child. He would remain here for 5 long months, but they would be well spent. He was home.

[9.8.2010]

The hobbit looked dreadfully tired, her traveling cloak torn in several places. The ravages of Zirakzigil and that long journey underground with her two companions was still fresh in her memory.

Bróin glanced at them and a faint smile crossed his lips. Rowana thought he seemed pleased even if his words betrayed an uneasiness which was hard to fathom...

[21.11.2010]