Book 5: Act 1 - Those Who Tarry No Longer

Blubbo_Baggins · Post by **Blubbo_Baggins** » Mon Dec 28, 2015 9:10 pm

Finn hoped his song would not seem too ambitious, but that the Elves' love for music would help them connect. After all, if he, Varuthil, and presumably the others were to bring her to the High Pass, it would be very important to trust one another. He expected the journey along the Elf-Path and even down Anduin Vale to be fairly easy, but one never knew about the road up the mountains. Ever since the battle at the Ringfort and Dindy's capture, Finn has wondered whether the victory at Five Armies can no longer prolong the peaceful times.

Post by **Vardaen** » Tue Dec 29, 2015 6:10 pm

The group is ready come morning and sets out once more through Mirkwood. This close to Thranduil's halls there is no worry, you are well within the boarders of the Woodland Realm. You travel with ease through the forest and the elf path. For many days you move westwards. The secret elf groves continue to provide you with food and camping for the first few days, then the groves end up empty. Those who went before you to prepare for your arrival were never seen, but after four days, they no longer are providing for you. It doesn't matter much the elven lembas Legolas has is plenty for the company, and even Finn and Tom are given a taste of it. For days uncounted you travel west in relative peace and quiet. You can't be sure of the passing of time under the canopy of Mirkwood nor in the presence of Irime, yet you get the sense that your travel is not conforming to what you are used to.

Many days later you are humming a tune, moving in general silence, when Legolas calls the group to a halt with a raised hand. "Stay here." He races off west into the trees, the two guard remain with you, bows in hand, on edge.

Blubbo_Baggins · Post by **Blubbo_Baggins** » Tue Dec 29, 2015 6:28 pm

Finn turns his head at the sudden command of the Prince. He whispers to Varuthil, "What is it?" He expects she knows no more than he, but cannot help but ask anyway.

Muskrat · Post by **Muskrat** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 12:37 am

Varuthil shakes her head. "I do not know. Hopefully, nothing. But this is Mirkwood, so it could be any manner of foul thing."

Post by **Vardaen** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 5:28 pm

You hear the echos of a fight, its muffled and difficult to hear. A few minutes later Legolas comes running back to the group. "Orcs, prowling the forest. We aren't safe here, we need to move." He motions for the group to follow him. Doing so you pass by a dead orc pinned to a tree with an arrow through its eye socket. The Lady makes no mention of it, but the guards give one another a knowing look.

Legolas pauses a gain, "More of them, I hear them." He motions at Galanon, one of the guards, "You come with me, the rest of you guard the Lady." The pair race off into the forest north of the path.

Blubbo_Baggins · Post by **Blubbo_Baggins** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 7:00 pm

The Lakeman draws his shield off his back, but leaves his sword in the scabbard for now. No reason to have it out when he hasn't even seen the approach of their foes. "Shall we continue down the path, or wait here, Lady Irime?" asks Finn. "I assume he intended for us to wait."

Post by **Vardaen** » Fri Jan 01, 2016 4:27 pm

The Lady nods to Finn, "We should wait here for his return. It shant be long."

She may be right that it won't take long for Legolas to return, but that hardly seems to matter. For a moment after she says that there is a crashing through the thick foliage and the tree as half a dozen orcs come prowling out of Mirkwood into the trail. They aren't quiet, but the deep underbrush and thick trees prevent you from taking any advantage of their noisy approach.

The beast, black and slavering drool all over the place howl as they pounce on the ground from the north side of the trail. Your long escort puts himself between the Lady and the orcs, but that will hardly be enough, you'll have to try and stop them - forcibly.

Muskrat · Post by **Muskrat** » Fri Jan 01, 2016 6:45 pm

Varuthil hisses at the sight of the orcs, drawing her bow and knocking an arrow, then loosing two arrows in quick succession.

Blubbo_Baggins · Post by **Blubbo_Baggins** » Fri Jan 01, 2016 8:47 pm

Finn, without time for greater consideration, decides they must take care of these Orcs quickly and charges forward, drawing his sword.

Post by **Vardaen** » Tue Jan 05, 2016 5:44 pm

Varuthil's bow is fast, the elven warrior has her bow in hand and the moment the bushes move she fires. Unfortunately she fires too soon and the arrow is lost in the depths of Mirkwood. A moment later the orc brusts forth from the undergrowth and now with a better sight on the thing she fires. The arrow pierces its throat and knocks it backwards into the dark of the forest slaying it.

The orcs are then on her and Finn and the others, and Finn's blade rings from the sheath. He slices and stabs, and slams his sword half way up the blade into the belly of the first orc that's on him. It starts to spit up blood but Finn kicks it off his blade before it can spoils his clothing.

Set on each by and orc Varuthil nimbly avoids, and then Finn struggling to kick the orc off only just ducking a swing of the other's bent blade with some extra effort.

Your guard around Irime takes his own blade and hacks and arm of one of the orcs he's facing, as he parries the sword of the second one.

You fight on...

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