Arradril

The party manages to get Arradril back to Vindurhal, where Ulvoin offers the group the use of his home. However, he himself assisted with removing the living plant from the frozen ground and placing it in Glorfingwë's pack, and Arradril insists that this mission be completed -- if a live plant is not returned to Imladris as the Lady requested, her injury has no meaning. Therefore, much against the misgivings of her friends, it is decided that as soon as she can mount her horse, the Elves will ride hard for Imladris.

The group circles a wide area north of Vindurhal, based on Melumatyar's memories. Branalph discovers a flower exactly like the one Melumatyar described, next to a huge rock -- but the discovery seizes Arradril's attention for a split second too long. As Branalph summons Melumatyar, a goblin patrol sights the lone nis and tags her in the thigh with an arrow.

Ulvoin of Vindurhal meets the Elves from Imladris. Melumatyar explains what he saw in the snow on the return from Hrimbarg the last time a group rode out in this direction, and what the current task is: not only to find the strange flower again, but to bring one back to Lady Manadhlaer alive and intact, so it can grow and be observed and tested.

It is not too cold for two brave Noldor to sit on the grass in the Vale and enjoy a bit of afternoon sun as they contemplate what their newly joined future may hold.

To Arradril's utter shock, Branalph is done with the charade, and kneels to beg her hand in marriage. Out come the betrothal rings carefully smithed by Glorfingwë, and in front of all the crafters of the Forges, a troth is plighted.

Lord Glinthir leads a company of Elves from Imladris -- Melumatyar carrying healing supplies, and Hamadmachor carrying wool cloth and furs, with Olriandis and Arradril to scout the northern pass -- to resupply Vindurhal. Ulvoin, the master of the small chambers beneath the outpost (oddly well stocked with reading material and a cat, to the Elves' delight), offers some assistance in return -- aid of a more linguistic nature.

Krimruk never suspected that the very fine Roper's Twist he was offered by the "merchants" was adulterated with a few other things. The strength to babble nonsense quickly leaves him, and he willingly walks out with his captors, only to pass out in the snow. As Arradril binds the captive, Branalph slips back into the fortress to retrieve the adulterated pipeweed, lest their deception be discovered, and finds the heirloom axe. 

Glorfingwë's handpicked team accompanies him to the fortress where Krimruk. the Dwarf who held a deadly grudge, lords over his gang of petty criminals. The group waits tensely as Glorfingwë exerts his considerable powers of persuasion. Will the slightly altered pipeweed have the euphoric and addling effects the Lady promised it would? Thanks to that -- and a bit of improvised acting by Arradril, who praises Krimruk's red hair and pretends to be Glorfingwë's spoiled daughter -- things take an interesting turn.

In the cramped quarters of the Dwarven shelter at Hrimbarg, near where Vigfús met his sorry end, the Elves and Harnack plot how to approach an entire outpost -- and get justice for the slain Dwarf's family -- without having to commit mass slaughter that would only spark more violence (although Harnack frankly wouldn't mind making the likely suspect a head shorter).

Arradril was able to escort the hobbits - by now complaining of hunger, which was really to be expected - through the mountain pass before having to turn back. Despite the steep climb, she enjoyed not only the company, but the views that began to reveal themselves.