Jan 26, 2017

In the beginning, there was only pain. It came and went, like waves on the shore of the Anduin. It was the only sensation he knew. His eyes were darkened, whether blinded or not, there was only the pain. After what seemed like days, light began to creep in near the edges of his vision. Then, in a wave of blinding light, he could see again. Ancient and weathered...

Jan 17, 2017

Yes, after many months of self-imposed absence, we have returned. Life will not wait for anyone and as things have settled down now, it’s time to return to Rathbairn’s tales. I hope you enjoy the further adventures of our Beorning friend.   “Grandmother, wake up”. Sleep began to fade as the voice returned. “Wake up Grandmother.” Eyes opened and...

The Dimrill Dale opened up as the four warriors descended the twisting path down the mountains, moving quickly yet cautiously. The battle in the Second Hall of Moria, combined with the flight from the Orcs and Goblins had pushed them beyond fatigue. They were driven by the need to gain safety. Ahead, in the distance, the Golden Wood itself opened up like a vast...

Interlude: A Lesson Learned While we skipped over Rathbairn’s time in Bree with Aragorn, it’s safe to say not every day or night was uneventful. Here is one tale of Rathbairn’s time in Bree. I hope you enjoy it! The Prancing Pony was full again and Barliman Butterbur was run clear off his feet again for the sixth night in a row. His beer had...

The Dwarf Chief Brogur had smashed his fist on the oaken table at least a half-dozen times in the last few minutes. His one eye narrowed and he raised his fist high and brought it down with a resounding smash that echoed in the Chamber of Leadership, outside The 21st Hall of Moria. The table top, finally having enough of the abuse, shattered as dishes,...

There were no words spoken in the hours before the small party gathered outside the Chamber of Leadership. Weapons had been sharpened, armour straps tightened and plans discussed. The six dwarves who had been hand-picked by Bori and Brogur to accompany the dwarf leaders stood clustered by the door to the Chamber, awaiting Bori, who had stepped back in for a...

The dwarves were drinking and celebrating when Rathbairn yelled for quiet. Something at the edge of his awareness had tugged at him. The dwarves seemed not to have noticed so Rathbairn yelled again, “BE QUIET, NOW!” and the dwarves went silent. The silence was oppressive as the Dwarves and the Beorning stood at the top of the stairs in Durin’s Threshold,...

Rathbairn had left the Dwarves behind almost half an hour ago almost gratefully and had continued to tread along the path through the valley. If the Dwarves were correct, he would reach the Walls of Moria with an hour from leaving Echad Dunann. The valley he had left behind was devoid of life, not even crebain coming near. His eyes roamed ahead as he spotted...

The foothills of Caradhas jutted out like a dagger from their namesake, dividing the eastern edge of Eregion and providing a barrier from the edge of the mountains to the forested lands to their west. The mountains themselves rose silently above the land, watching solemnly as the lands they divided struggled on. In Eregion’s north-eastern edge, near the western...

Rathbairn came out of the heavy fog of sleep reluctantly as he felt a light touch on his shoulder. “Friend Rathbairn, it is several hours after dawn” Sitting up with a groan, he found himself looking up at Dornhador, the elf smiling down at him. “Before you groan again, please remember that you requested this early wake up.” The elf’s grin was mischievous as...

Birdsong echoed throughout the valley of Imladris, or Rivendell as it was called by some. It washed through the valley and wound its way through trees and buildings and even along the river. It was still early morning and many Elves of Rivendell had not yet awoken. A few token servants of the House of Elrond were stirring and some wound their way down paths and...

“Why should I go to Moria?” Rathbairn asked, confused, yet still chilled by the name. He had read stories as a young cub in the Vales about the fall of Durin’s folk to a great evil. “A company of dwarves have begun the task of attempting again to reclaim their ancient homeland” Elrond began, “One of the company of Thorin, the dwarf lord Balin, made an attempt...

Trestlebridge was busy as the hot sun of midday shone down from above, warming its residents while they busied themselves with gathering supplies. Near the stables, several shopkeepers loaded wagons with final items before the journey south to Bree. Nellie Boskins, the leader of the soon to be refugees from Trestlebridge, gave orders to the small handful of...

The Siege Part 2 The first wave of Orcs smashed into the barricades and poison-tipped caltrops with a crash, causing the soldiers of Trestlebridge to jump back quickly. The group of Rangers of the West, more experienced with battle called out quick orders. “Use your spears, push them off those spikes!” said Mordroskerk, the dwarf as he slammed his mace into a...

Chapter 4 – The Siege Part 1 The rain was a pale grey curtail as it fell from west of the Shire to the borders of the Trollshaws, north to the borders of Angmar and as far South as Dunland. A solitary figure, huge in a pale blue cloak strode through the gate of Trestlebridge, his muddy and sodden boots squishing as he continued into the now abandoned town....

Part 4 – Wrath and Ruin The hills of the Lone Lands passed underfoot as Rathbairn continued his steady gait towards Ost Guruth. Two days out from Bree and he had encountered little trouble. His stop at The Forsaken Inn had been a brief one, mainly to restock provisions and rest for a few hours before beginning the long trek to meet Langhar, his sister....

Part 3 – The Ranger(s) The fog of sleep began to slowly lose its grip as Rathbairn blinked sleep from his eyes. He remembered the brigands and the knife and knew that he had changed form. He remembered the singing and the hobbit minstrel had sung a song that had made him drowsy. Pulling himself to a sitting position, he blinked sleep from his eyes and looked...

Part 1 – The Road to Bree The Forsaken Inn lay quiet in the early mist of dawn; the inhabitants not yet awake to face the labours of the day. The Inn, a dilapidated, one-story structure nestled at the edge of the Lone Lands, was the last chance place for those traveling east to rest in any sort of comfort before the long trek through the Lone Lands. The front...