On The Banks Of The Anduin

[Raedwulf]

Hah! First thread in the new forum... Is Ab's actually... ;)

...Standing on the banks of the Anduin with a tankard still in one hand, his shield weighted on the other arm, he stares into the darkness of the wood with hops still dancing on his tongue. Noticing movement in the shadows he dares take a step forward, dropping his ale to soak the damp banks.

The Gondorian tightens Kegtie about him, places his hand lightly on the hilt of Flagonsmasher, adorns his helm and readies his bow. He prepares to charge...

...but at the last, and as the shadowy assailant lets fly a putrid arrow, 'The Interceptor' feels a steady hand on his shoulder.

Abruptly turning, his shield, lifted from his side with the spin of his body, takes the force of the shot destined for his torso. The big Guardian's head snaps as he looks furiously at the dent.

His chief, Angrenel, speaks then from his side.

"Soon, we will enter, friend. Soon"...

[Abarax]

Abarax drew a long gulp and dropped his trusty vessel back to the table.
'This tankard is made of Dwarf-Iron and even Dwarf-Iron dents', he thought.

He rubbed his chin and lightly brushed the mark where the Orc arrow had struck.

'Even armour dents', and he looked at his helm.

Only recently acquired it gleamed when it was handed to him, but was already dulling in places from foes' abuse. In spite of the work of the Elven smiths that crafted it, and in spite of the constant care he offered, it still faded.

A mood grabbed him then.

'I wonder if the will of Men can dent just the same? Ang has spoken of such things, and even Gandalf alluded to it...I wonder if the will of men in Gondor could dent?'

It was a troubling question: had to concede that his own morale had been beaten down on occasion. And Gondor... It had been a long time since he'd seen that place with its mighty walls and austere halls. It seemed a lifetime away from the Haunted Inn with its shades, its twisted and knotted trees, and the charred black air of Mirkwood. It was possible that Gondor now looked much the sa....No. He couldn't think it.

The stout guardian had lost weight of late in a bid to help his fellows in their quests, and had just that day put his name to Angrenel as one who would gladly go into the fortress Dol Guldur to wreak havoc. There were others as willing. Aye they weren't all Men but the Elf Tarinas, among other fine free people, lightened his mood when necessary.

He also delighted at the skill of Pelekas' shot - which would surely have pierced the tankard he now fumbled. Not to mention Rhy's fine Warden armour, well deserved as rewards for his skill. And then there was the new set of jewels which Pellinor had expertly furnished, one of which was named for Ab's kinsman and so called 'Wolfbrother'. What's more, fighting alongside those newer faces, Dwarves, Elves and Hobbits alike, restored his spirit. To see the free peoples helping him on his journey as he hoped to be helping them was a fine thing.

He looked towards the hearth and the fire that burned a warmth for all occupants of the inn. Then he absently said aloud.

'The road to home is through Mirkwood and Dol Guldur, perhaps...it begins here at least, as the road home always begins where next we land.

He drew odd looks at this remark, and so fell back into himself. And then what of the morale of men did he think to himself then?

'Perhaps we can be dented. But if those that are wiser than me say that this is our age, perhaps the help of others is the support we need.

Perhaps we are unlike tankards...though we do hold beer quite well!

He chuckled to himself and drew yet more looks, but this time he disregarded them. He again lightly touched the dent in his tankard. Then, with a guardian's precision, he fiercely rammed the hilt of Flagonsmasher inside to crudely return the metal to its previous shape.

The metallic thud caused the barkeep to rise (no jolly Barliman was he...), but Abarax had already decided to leave. He placed the tankard back in his pack and slung on his helm.

' Right then He decided. To Dol Guldur...