-
Mulligan comes back with a cup containing something warm. She puts an arm around Gilraen to comfort her. "Here, drink this. Now, there are others who need you help. You can't help Cwenhild anymore, but Wilfred does need help."
-
"Mighty are the Beornings," says Gil-Gandel, patting Drindoleth on the shoulder, "and but for you, many more had died this night. We have much to thank you for.
"Rorimac, we shall stay where we are. I judge - and may the Valar help my judgment! - that any of ill will and power had answered our dread foe's call already, and we have naught of consequence to fear; but we have some who are grievously hurt and ought not to be moved until the morn at least."
Gil-Gandel's swords still blaze with their borrowed fire as he thrusts them point-first into the turf next to the fallen knightess of Rohan. He sits cross-legged next to her, the stars of his harp twinkling with a light that speaks of realms above all earthly hurt, and begins to sing.
Go to the place prepared for you,
Child of mortal Men!
Go and receive your well-earned due
In lands beyond our ken.
Short are the years, and full of pain,
Eastward of the Sea;
Sorrow is never for you again,
Though filled with grief be we.
Go to the feasting and the fires,
Daughter of noble heart!
Go and greet them, your mighty sires:
Tell them you did your part.
Go to the never-ending Spring
In the land for ever fair;
Go! For ever dance and sing,
Sun and wind in your hair!
Cold are your limbs, heart's beat is still,
Lifeless your body lies:
Go, spirit, go! where naught is ill,
Beyond the swift sunrise!
"I have not the power to sing back the dying," says Gil-Gandel sadly, "but there is a place beyond the reach of any wight or other tool of the Enemy - even of the Enemy himself - and there the One gathers to Himself all the younger Children; for though their mortal flesh may fail them, they cannot truly die."
A bolt still unused from Gil-Gandel's Call Lightning sears across the darkening sky, as if to warn any of ill will to keep clear.
-
Gilraen and the others now feels that Cwenhild is safely departed and need fear no harm nor evil.
Gilraen sees to Wilfrid and Thoroncir and shortly she heals them in body if not in soul. For the loss of Cwenhild hit many hard, including Gilraen.
Drindoleth and Haladain report that all looks clear in the immediate area. Gilraen then sees to Drindoleth's wounds.
None of the swords that detect undead are glowing.
Many items on the wights and Kkósal are magical and most of them are evil or tainted with evil. It may require waiting to morning to sort it all out. Though a good precaution is to scatter the items a bit at least before a wight reforms during the night by some ill-luck.
-
With Cwenhild's soul sped safely on its way, Gil-Gandel gives thought to those left behind. His swords are now extinguished and he puts his harp to one side, but his clear voice carries softly and evenly to the whole camp.
Come, let us shed our bitter tears of grief;
Parting is cruel and hard, and full of pain,
But sleep and rest will bring at last relief.
A life cut down is like a fallen leaf
That blows away before the wind and rain;
Come, let us shed our bitter tears of grief.
Brave friends are lost, their days of joy too brief,
And once departed, never seen again,
But sleep and rest will bring at last relief.
Foul fiends are cruel, surpassing all belief,
And bring a weight of sorrows in their train.
Come, let us shed our bitter tears of grief.
We cannot turn back Time - we would as lief
Have back today, and live it o'er again...
But sleep and rest will bring at last relief.
So mourn a maid who strove with might and main,
Her loss the price of all the good we gain;
Come, let us shed our bitter tears of grief -
But sleep and rest will bring at last relief.
-
Thoroncir takes Gil-Gandel's words to heart. When Gilraen has a moment free from her healing labors, he embraces her and whispers, "Thank you, my love, for all you have done this day. I am not the only one in this party who would already have died, but for your skills. I know you grieve for Cwenhild, as we all do, but please, do not blame yourself for her passing. That fault lies solely with those who strove to slay her, and they are no more."
-
Drindoleth asks, "Should we bury our fallen friend here near the road or should she be borne back to her home with honors? I can think of no greater eulogy then that which Gil-Gandel just sang for her."
Ceol knows that no shortage of Knights of the Mark have been buried near their battlefield. It is rare to try and bring a body back the distance required save in the case of royalty.
-
Ceol finishes a prayer, then gently places Cwenhild's head on the ground, and stands. His face is streaked with blood, dirt, and tear stains.
"Thank you, Gil-Gandel, for your song. I agree with Drindoleth -- no knight of the Mark could ask for a better eulogy. It is the way of our people to bury our fallen warriors nearby, rather than transport them back to Rohan. If we feel that we are far enough removed from the Barrow-Downs that this can be hallowed ground, then we should, indeed, bury dear Cwenhild here, or nearby."
-
"I agree," says Thoroncir, "but suggest we rest now and take counsel together in the morning, ere we consign her to the earth. I would be honored to stand vigil over brave Cwenhild during my watch tonight."
-
"Thank you, friend Thoroncir...I think that is wise council. I believe that she would have considered it to be a tremendous honor to have you watch over her tonight. I, of course, will stand vigil, as well."
-
"We are near to the road and no wraiths have been seen this far by themselves. A glade here would be a fitting resting place. Thoroncir, I believe we would all be willing to stand vigil at some point during our watch, if only to say goodbye." says Rorimac.
The only corpse Mulligan specifically makes a note of scattering items from is Kkosals.
-
The evening and early night pass quietly. The remains are carefully scattered. Around 8:30 pm a small troop from Bree approaches led by Meriadoc. "Hail and well met, how fare thee?"
-
"Welcome, O great Meriadoc," replies Thoroncir, bowing. "It's good to see you again. We have vanquished our foe, but at a great cost. Come, see: Cwenhild, shieldmaiden of Rohan and our companion for far too short a time, has fallen gallantly in battle."
-
"Father, you have arrived. I wasn't sure if you would be able to get here. It looks like we have achieved what we set out to do, but the price has been high." says Rorimac
-
Ceol bows. "Indeed, welcome, o Meriadoc. The tidings of our battle have already been given to you, and, as you can see, we are a somber camp this evening. Nonetheless, it is good to see you, and these fine warriors. We believe that, here, we are far enough from the Downs to spend the night safely, but a larger contingent makes for an even-safer camp, I suspect...and, your company will be appreciated on this evening."
-
With the arrival of more people, Mulligan starts directing them to area they can camp without disturbing everyone.
Rorimac asks if he can talk to his father alone, about the responsibility of leading parties like this and that he feels partly responsible for Cwenhild being there.
-
Meriadoc has as much time as Rorimac needs. "I'm proud of you son. These friends of yours have done much good and tonight did a great service to the Kingdom. As to Cwenhild, she struck me as someone that knew her mind and knew the risks. It is very hard but it takes sacrifice quite often to fight the enemy. Your uncle Frodo was willing to sacrifice all and willingly gave up his beloved home in the end to destroy the Ring and thus the Dark Lord of old. I am proud to call Theoden my lord and my friend though I knew him only a short time. He knew death was on the battlefield that dark morning but still road willingly into danger and died prouder and braver then all but few men in the end."
He pauses, "It never gets easier to tell the truth but you do get more use to it. In the Battle of Bywater, the last battle in the War of the Ring, we lost 19 good, brave Hobbits. Young and old and all dearly missed. But without our actions and their loss, more would have suffered and died at the hands of Saruman."
-
As one after another of the company stand vigil over the departed, Gil-Gandel's harp plays a solemn, heart-rending dirge, yet not without an air of hope unconquerable, and this continues far into the night.
-
Hopefully the Night passes quietly, but solemnly
-
Deor passes the night over his brazier, his face turned away from the rest of the party, and his shoulders shaking.
-
As Ceol takes his turn in Cwenhild's vigil, he takes heart from Gil-Gandel's playing. He alternates between prayers, and old Rohan epics, which he recites in Rohirric.
After his turn finishes, he walks near to Deor.
"My cousin...you do not seem well, and I worry for you. On a night of sorrow and remembrance, you sit apart from the rest of us. Do you wish to talk?"
-
After standing vigil, Thoroncir will go to Gilraen, if she is still awake. "Are you well, my lady?"
-
Gilraen looks tired and worn. After a pause she replies, "I am weary and distraught. I feel like I should have been able to save Cwenhild. She was only mostly dead. I think when we return the item to Rivendell, I might stay for a few years. My father I believe could have saved Cwenhild, I need to spend more time on my craft. I hope you understand."
The night will indeed pass quietly but continue conversations for now.
-
Thoroncir's heart turns over at Gilraen's words. "You must not compare yourself to your father in such a way as to disadvantage you, my love. He is much older than you, and as all know, the hands of the King are the hands of healing. You did all you could, and all anyone could ask of you, given your age, experience and training."
-
Gil-Gandel ambles over, still playing, and does not interrupt his harping during the following:
I pray you will excuse me, for keen are the ears of the Elves even for that which does not concern them, yet I have naught but love for the pair of you and must ask you to forgive me if I speak out of turn. My lady - thy Father came not to his full power all in a day, nor without many years of sorrow. Of the long labours of Thorongil the Elves indeed sing, yet know not all, nor sing they of all they know (and thou must ask thy Father for the whole tale, if indeed he see fit to burden the ears of his daughter). Some of the power that rests in him comes by right of Kingship, which we pray for thy good brother's sake will indeed be vested never in thee; more was won by bitter experience. Do not measure thyself against him, for the path that he trod perhaps none will ever tread again and if thou hast less bitter experience than he then this is cause for rejoicing and not sorrow. Do only that which is thy part.
You have heard it said that the Elves will say both no and yes and should not be gone to for advice, and hence I will not advise thee, Lady, to go or to stay, to do or to let be, to speak or to be silent. Yet only this advice I will give, that whatever scale thou seek to measure thyself by, let it be one that is just to thee.
-
Thoroncir nods and smiles gratefully. "Well said, O Elf-captain, and just so. My thanks. Heed his words, my lady, I beg you."
-
Mulligan buries herself in making sure the camp is set up and that everyone is settled.
Rorimac spends some more time talking to his father before spending it in close vigil over Cwenhild.
-
The playing continues softly and plaintively through the longest night Gil-Gandel can recollect.
-
The Morning comes quietly. It is a beautiful day but a day of decisions. Kkósal is dead but the cursed rod still needs to be attended to. Cwenhild will need burial. The items still curses will need to be divided carefully and slowly cleansed.
Meriadoc suggests, "We can send from people from Bree and the Shire to take some of the minor items and coins and thus scatter them."
Gilraen speaks up, "I believe we need to make for Rivendell, I have hopes that Glorfindel or my uncles will know how to destroy the rod."
-
"An excellent suggestion, Master Meriadoc. Also I will ride for Bree shortly to call for such as have no other work to come here and help raise Cwenhild's Mound. Many hands will speed the task, and we are well able to pay them for their labours.
"Yes, Gilraen. Since Imladris is nearer than the Havens or Lorien, that is the wisest course of action. We should send ahead when we are near, for they may not wish for such an unclean object on their own soil."
-
"I can stay behind and assist with the design and building of the mound."
-
"While I would like to stay here and oversee the laying to rest of my shield-sister, if the rest of you feel I should accompany the main group to Rivendell, I will agree to this."
-
"Any scattering of evil objects ought to be done where passersby and travelers will not pick them up and carry them away, not knowing of their fell nature," Thoroncir says. "Where should we do so?" Of course he will accompany Gilraen to Rivendell, if that is her destination.
-
Rorimac will stay behind and help to raise a cairn over Cwenhild, it's the least he could do for her.
Mulligan will be taking the Rod to where-ever the best place to deal with it is, in the shortest possible time.
-
"So. Raise a cairn to our honored dead, and thence to Rivendell?" the Sea-knight captain asks.
-
If there are enough large stones to hand to raise a cairn, then by all means, but otherwise a mound or howe. We need not leave many behind to attend to the funeral - we have made our farewells in fitting manner already by song and by silent vigil, and Bitur and Rorimac will be enough to oversee those from Bree who are able to raise the mound for us.
-
Ceol nods in agreement at Gil-Gandel's suggestions. "That should be more than sufficient, I would think. I would then accompany the group to Rivendell."
-
Rorimac nods, "Bitur and I will join you in Rivendell once we are finished here. We should only be a couple of days behind at the most. Hopefully, you will know what needs to be done by the time we get there."
-
Not too far into the day a large number of Hobbits and Humans begin to show up on the road. A large work crew ends up being organized to build a grave and cairn. By 10am a second shift arrived with tools and/or stones. As the people do their small service they each leave with a small amount of treasure from the various barrows cleared.
There are many items to identify and carefully divide ensuring no one takes more then one item from any given barrow.
-
Rorimac starts organising the work crews, it may take most of the day as he wants to raise something a little more than just a small grave in the grove left behind. He can wait until some other time to get his items identified, if the others are moving on.
-
While Rorimac is organizing the workers, Bitur works with the volunteers who are working on the design to make sure the structure will last for many centuries.
-
Deor will identify as many items as possible, and take all the steps possible to protect all the workers from any evil items that he finds.
-
I will go over the items and assume they will be identified by the time the party reaches Rivendell. Bitur, Ceol and Rorimac should not be far behind and Rorimac knows the way into the hidden valley.
I'll try to get the items determined sometime today if I get a chance. Of course, the smaller party carrying the evil artifact cannot expect to reach Rivendell without problems, can they?
-
Party members can safely take an item from each of the 6 different barrows. This means with some of the small barrows, some members would take jewelry instead. No piece is worth more then 100gp. The excess items will need to fine some good homes fast. They can be left with Merry to dispose of if the party likes. The bulk of the gold & jewelry will go to the volunteer workers and the silver and copper will be scattered well.
Treasure form the Trolls: 436 GP, 745 SP, 1265 CP. In silver & gold objects weighing about 60 pounds another 400 gold worth of stuff.
From the King’s Barrow: 1 Item each, rest must be dispersed somehow.
Elven Mithril Chain +5 (no save bonus)
Mithril Helm +3 (no save bonus)
Bracers +2 (with armor) (no save bonus)
+5 knife is poisonous causing either 20 damage or 10 on a save.
+4 Númenórean Long Sword: Detect Orcs/Undead at 400’. Is +5 vs. Orcs, Trolls & Undead.
Elven Cloak of Lothlórien: +2 AC, +50% hide.
Elven Chain Mail +3
6 Númenórean Steel Arrows +4 each. Troll piercing (no penalties vs. Troll Hide) do 2x damage (A safe set)
12 Númenórean Steel Arrows +3 each. (Would be safe to take up to 12 as a set)
2 +5 Mithril tube arrows, unbreakable and do max damage vs. Undead. (A safe set)
+3 Númenórean Steel Strong Bow.
Pouch: keeps three doses of any herb fresh, and contains three doses of Athelas
Harp: perfectly in tune, with unbreakable strings (gut) would give a roughly 10% bonus for music related.
+3 Shield,
Woven Númenórean gold belt: Set with gems worth 500 gp; adds +1 to the wearer's charisma & command.
Jeweled comb: Keeps hair perfectly in place;
Elven Cloak +1; Elven Boots +1 AC (safe to take pair, really one item effectively)
Ring of Blinding; affects one target within 100'; target must resist or become blind for 1-100 rds; RR failure by more than 100 results in permanent blindness; usable twice per day. Gives +10 saves vs. Darkness attacks.
Emerald Pendant of Herblore +25% Herbology;
Jeweled comb: Keeps hair perfectly in place;
Elven Cloak +1; Elven Boots +1 AC (safe to take pair, really one item effectively)
+5 Chain Mail (for good size human)
+3 Helm
+5 War Shield (Dwarven)
+4 Long Sword
Needle of stitching (would make mending x10 effectiveness or allow a seamstress to work twice as fast,
Medallion of Hope: Gives +4 levels for save vs. Fear, Drains & Death & to Turn and +33% morale.
Ring of slowing ravages of aging, cost 1 level to activate but user will be youthful until death. Does not extend life though other than keeping up better resistance to diseases at advances age. So a Hobbit would likely live to 110+ and a human to 80+ and a Dúnedain range greatly. It won’t help Elves or Dwarves.
+3 Knife
+2 shield
+2 Long Sword
+1 Short Sword
+2 Mace
+1Shield
+2 Knife
Large Backpack no encumbrance & resists magic
Gauntlets of Great Strength (18:00)
Scabbard prevents rust and sword stored in it will be like sharpness for the first strike and wounding for the second
Boot of leaping (like a permanent jump spell)
500 GPs, Necklace worth 300gp, Rings worth 200, 100, 50 & 50gp, Scepter worth 600gp, 3751 SPs
From Valandur's barrow. 1 Item each, rest must be dispersed somehow.
+4 magic chain mail (Man size) (Bitur indicates it is Dunedain craft and probably +4)
+4 magic longsword: +10 versus orcs. (runes indicate vs. orcs but it is not Elvish.)
+3 short bow.
Fifteen +3arrows. (Would be safe to take up to 12 as a set)
Set of 3 + 2 magic daggers (A safe set)
Mithril Arrow of Dragonslaying: worth 10 gp.
Text: Complete list of Ranger spells, for learning only.
+3 short sword Dwarven made Short sword from the Blue Mts. Belegost
+3 short sword Dwarven made Short sword from the Blue Mts. Belegost
800 gp in gems, jewelry and 225 gold coins of ancient mintage.
The wights of the final battle came from 4 different barrows. Many of their items were destroyed by Fireball or Lightning.
1) 350 gp worth of jewelry.
+3 long swords
+3 Long sword
+3 suit of chain mail (Man size)
+2 plate mail (Man size)
+2 Long composite bow.
+2 Bard (or Lay Healer) spell adder (cast all spells as if 2 levels higher)
+2 shield
+2 shield
+1 long sword
+1 suits of chainmail
+1Shields of Sword taking. Sword at tacks against bearer which fail by 2 result in attacker's sword being grabbed by the shield Magic swords resist using their wielder's lvl versus shield bearer's lvl.
2) 220 gp worth of jewelry.
+3 Gondolin Long Sword vs. Orcs. Detects out to 900’ x2 damage vs. orcs.
+3 chainmail. (Man size)
A silver comb that removes tangles magically.
Book of spells and chants that is fire proof and fire trapped. Mage spells, needs to be dispelled.
+2 long sword.
+1 chainmail (Child or Hobbit size)
+3 slender short sword. Will give backstab bonus of extra +2 to hit and extra damage multiplier, if thief gets x3, with this sword x4 damage.
3) 150 gp worth of jewelry.
+3 Long sword
+3 suit of chain mail (Man size)
4) 350 gp worth of jewelry.
+2 longsword for Trollslaying. +3 vs. trolls and x2 damage. Dunedain make.
+3 breastplate
+3 shield.
+2 mace.
Non-rusting scabbard: Protects sword from attacks, prevents rust, will change shape for Short sword to 2 handed.
+1 helm.
-
"My vows as a servant of Eonwë dictate that I may take little in treasure for myself, though I will gladly bear what I can and should away from this place. I will then find worthy young members of my order to receive these treasures, when we return south through Rohan."
When the party had originally felled the Wight-King, Ceol had expressed interest in the Emerald Pendant (which turns out to be "of Herblore +25% Herbology"); he still would like to bear this. If any of the armor from the lesser wights' hordes is better than what he currently wears, he will take such a suit; otherwise, he will take what treasure needs to be taken to help disperse the horde for the moment, but not for his own long-term possession.
-
Gil-Gandel's eyes widen at the sight of a splendidly-wrought coat of mithril mail (from the King's Barrow). For beauty and utility it fully justifies a revision of his no-armour policy. The spell adder from "Barrow No. 1" looks well worth acquiring too. Unfortunately the harp represents no real improvement over his own.
While we should pay the labourers well by their usual measure, I feel the bulk of the monetary treasure should go to the Bree town council to be spent for the good of the town and its environs, by someone who will be answerable in due course to the King or one of his agents. It is a large amount of wealth to be dropped into the pockets of the Bree-folk and it will do little good if it merely sees local prices go through the roof for a while!
-
Thoroncir, too, is concerned about the impact that such a hoard may have on the local populace and their economy. There are several things he wouldn't mind having for himself, but nothing he would insist upon. He will otherwise donate his share to the Order of Sea-knights.
"But does anything catch your eye, my lady?" he asks his beloved.
-
And apropos nothing, as the party is heading for Rivendell their way takes them by a watercourse one evening where a whiting of swans is swimming. Gil-Gandel takes his harp and, over a continuo that ripples like a gently-flowing river, he begins to sing:
Graceful I live by the waterside,
Nesting beneath the spreading willow tree;
Calm and serene on the stream I glide,
Stately and beautiful as all may see.
Never a note in my bill have I,
Silent as snowfall until I die,
Then, when my last day is fading,
Into the chill waters wading,
Finding my music, I once may keen,
Grieving for life so sweet and swiftly gone!
Haunting in starkness and fading in darkness,
The song, the dying song of the Swan.
-
Deor peruses the loot. There are many fascinating items here, especially from the King's Barrow, including a few with enchantments that Deor has only ever read of in the dustiest of ancient codices. He will happily cede his claims on any given item in favor of any other party member's claim, but his desires are as follows:
From the King's Barrow:
1st: The Ring of Extended Youth is Deor's first preference, primarily as a curiosity. The enchantments on it are truly elegant, and even if he never actually uses it, the possibility for learning is tremendous. Deor does, however, realize that such a treasure is of great interest to those in the group who rely on their physical prowess for their career and for those who are actively courting long-lived half-elves, so his second choice is:
2nd: The Medallion of Hope. Deor is still quite nervous about his ability to hold up against the more terrifying foes that he seems to frequently encounter. However, the increased powers against the undead would suit Gilraen much better, so his third choice is:
3rd: The Ring of Blindness seems like a powerful and non-violent addition to Deor's abilities. He's a little troubled by his inflexibility in combat, simply burning the first wave of enemies and being unable to do very much to the second wave, let alone do something relatively nonviolent to an enemy. Failing that, though, Deor prefers:
4th: Elven Boots with +1 AC. Deor hopes that with two of these on the list, no one will contest this, and they sure do look comfortable.
From Valandur's Barrow:
Nothing here is of particular interest. Deor will take his share in coinage.
From the wights of the final battle:
Only the book of magic spells is of particular interest. For the rest, Deor will take cash.
-
Rorimac looks over the pile of treasure as well.
Looking at the King's Barrow, the Elven Mithril Chain is probably too large for him, though the Gauntlets of Great strength would be ideal, but only if they are not too large as well. Otherwise, the 6 Troll-piercing Númenórean arrows would do.
From Valandur's barrow, the Text of Ranger spells would be ideal for him to start learning from.
The material from the other barrow is a touch too large for him and he will pass on it.
He does suggest setting aside what would have been Cwenhild's share and passing it back to her family in honour of her sacrifice, if that would be acceptable.
~~~~~~~
Mulligan looks at the poisonous knife, but decides against it as it's not the kind of weapon she wants to wield. Amongst the rest, only the slender short sword holds any interest and is of a size she can wield. The non-rusting scabbard may be appreciated by Heliox though.
-
"Bitur, Drindoleth? Was there anything you wanted to claim from the hoard?" asks Rorimac.
