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VENTURES INTO THE REMOTE (RP)

“Yeah I’m just.. shaken.” Cardiloc sighed, he turned to Endo. “Sorry about just appearing in front of you, I should probably be more careful. Anyway, I found the location of something, but I can’t get to it., yet. So tomorrow I’ll be training, and you’ll be coming with me. I can shift into multiple animals, at the same time, like a hybrid form of them. I’ve just never learned to do it properly. I also know I can teleport, cutting out the nape is difficult, but maybe I can teleport out at will to make a fast exit.” He pondered to himself more than anything.
 
Iver could only in pain and surprise as he was pinned to the wall and the stalactites cut through his flesh. He managed to hear Morgoth's order before the Vala teleported away, leaving Iver to vomit all over himself due to the teleportation, leaving his stomech 100% empty.
Tiredness caught up to him, transforming 3 times in a single day, fighting and running non stop, consuming so much Maiar blood, having only one proper meal in the last 30 days and spilling it at Manwe's prison and in Morgoth's tower started showing their mark over his already tired body and he slowly drifted into a state of unconsciousness.
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Vana's face turned white, there was no way Manwe said what she thought she heard him say. "My lord, i would never dare doubting your judgment, but have you ordered those Maiar to execute Ulmo?" she would ask, hoping that was simply a mistake on her side
 
Tamara was still sunken into her thoughts about this big guy back there before a rain drop that landed on her nose ripped her out of her little day dream. "Mhm, where are we going?" she'd ask Keratos.

--------------

"Hold it" Thoruk would say, grabbing her shoulder. "You just named someone I haven't heard off in a while... Cardiloc?" he'd ask curious of what she knew further on. "I've not seen him an over an year, so... he isn't dead then? Or atleast in my timeline? Hm..." he'd grumble, taking a short break.

"Ya know... you might not give a damn about us dwarves, which, if it wasn't you who said that, I'd immediately cut your tongue out, but I do, I do care about every last one of them. They're my family, every single one of them, expecially since.... since the only family I have left was taken by some sort of crazy god who claimed to be a brother of Aule..." he'd look at her, pulling his hand off of her shoulder. "I bet you would do everything for your family aswell and that's why you want to get your niece back, isn't it?" Thoruk would ask, not giving her a break.

"You know... I'd love to just fucking leave this place and search a fucking gem I have no plan of where to search first to get my father back in an instant, because, if what you say is true and he killed Ha'zi who, as unbelievable as it sounds, was way stronger than you, than how should you or even I kill him? Would we even stand a chance? I mean his an immortal guy with him and a giant monst... your niece, wait, his sister?... Ya realy confusing me right now..." he'd mumble, shaking his head and grabbing his forehead.

"Well, I would've done it, I would've rather searched for a stone than hunt this guy, but-" he'd say, his voice filled with a tone of pride and hope "if what you say is true, that he is the key to destroying the world and with that my kin... I cannot let him run havoc around here, no, nowhere. Whoever opposes a thread to my kin will pay with his life or I will lose mine in exchange for trying it." he'd say, pulling out his father's axe. "This is all that I have left from my father..." he'd say as he shows it to Aranel, soaking wet of the rain, some scratches on it's blade but not a single crack, not even after so many uses. "And with this axe, someone will lose his head in the upcoming battle. Aranel. You have my axe, for the sake of my kin, but there is one thing I need you to promise me." he'd say, putting the axe away again, a raindrop pouring down his cheek and into his beard, as if it was a tear, maybe it even was one... "Find this gem If I can't do it anymore and bring back my father, Thrak... find this fucking 'Silmaril' as he called it.... If you can do me this favor you have my word that I will stand my ground to the last, even if it the chances of us winning are fading." he'd say to her, not realy sure if he could trust her word, but it was the best chance he had.

If someone could find his father, then definitely her.
"For my mother, my brother and my father..." he would think, the grip around his axe tightening.
 
Telimekhtar allowed Dimitri to assist him in walking. He slung an arm over Dimitri's shoulder and both large men followed after the company. It was a symbolic gesture. It had only been half a year ago when Teli had abducted Dimitri and now the latter was helping him as if they were brothers. In nearly all aspects but blood they were. It was almost scary. To think that Dimitri who had spent nearly two years with his comrades on the island was now a foreigner to them and aiding an individual they hated. Strange were the times that they lived in.

"Following the sharp-ears," Keratos answered Tamara.

--------------------------

"Cardiloc was alive and well last I saw him three months ago." Aranel answered as she fidgeted with a pocket in her coat. "And you need a Silmaril," She pulled something out, "There you go." She tossed a shining gemstone at Thoruk.

"Go get your father," She spoke, "And once you're done I expect all your help in taking down that monster which killed my nephew."

------------------------

Iver drifted in and out of pain. His mind was clouded and the single thought of blood dripped through him. He wanted it. More blood. More power. It was more than an addiction, it was a necessity. Without it he was weak. Weak. Weak.

"Iver..." He heard her voice, a mere whisper. "I need more..." Her felt her loving hands run across his thighs. "Please..." She brushed her lips over his ear. "More."

Iver awoke, he was still stuck to the tower but it was dark now. Shadows engulfed him. He could see torches across the fields of Mordor and the winds struck at him. He was dehydrated and starved to death. Only his willpower kept him alive. That one day...one day he'd be free with her. With Shiva...

"Iver..." Her voice echoed through his mind. She was the only soothing thing. The only thing for him. He was...hers.

-----------------------

"Of course not." Manwe laughed at Vana's response. "I have not ordered them to merely slay this dissenter but to take his powers. With them reaching Arda shall be far less difficult and shall not require the rebuilding of the fleet."

Manwe looked at the three Maia of Ulmo. "Well? Are you all traitors?" He asked.

Salmar looked to Uinen and Osse with fear.

------------------------

"Do I have to?" Endo protested. "Can't you just find someone else with, uhm, better qualifications? I mean, what am I going to do if you need help?"

---------------------------

Sigeric sat in the council chamber surrounded by other military officials. They were awaiting the King. That much was certain and their thoughts further solidified his hypothesis.

The doors to the chamber opened and in stepped the man who had been on everyone's thoughts.

"Hail King Aragorn!" One of the generals blurted out and so followed the rest in tandem.

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"Indeed! I'm afraid that the circumstances behind my being here are not entirely pleasant, but that's all behind me. I must look forward... and forward lies an incredibly important mission, as I'm sure the Commander has told you," said Daugo amicably.

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"'Course, m'lady. Let's go, lads!" said the Uruk, spurring his ride forward. They set off at a hasty pace, covering much ground as they took old woodland tracks and followed shallow gullies upstream. They rode well into the afternoon, until they came to an unplanned stop. Mirecyla's conjurings were fast and efficient, but the toll on her body was great. Granted, a fortnight ago she had only been able to summon three independent beings, as opposed to the seven mounts she had produced in the morning, so she was getting more powerful--but not enough so to be able to sustain them for an entire day. Sunset was four or five hours away when she passed out on her horse, nearly falling. She came to for a few minutes, but had a terrible headache and drifted in and out of consciousness. She would soon faint if she got no rest.

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Undolog's mood had been somewhat mellowed since the Flying Shifter had appeared, but the fight got her excited once again. She regarded it expectantly, wishing both of the combatants the worst of luck.
 
“If I black out I need to make sure there’s someone there to ensure I don’t freeze to death, and to tend a fire and cook food. Pack all your supplies, we leave in an hour.” Cardiloc told him, before going to pack his own things.
 
"Where are they leading us?" Tamara would ask, letting her hand wander on the bushes on their right.
She'd look out for a flower on the wayside and if possible a white one as she, all by herself, decided that this would be her new favourite colour. "You know" she'd say as she looked to her right, passing trees and bushes on mass. "I always thought elves only had women. But some of them sound like men and still look like ladies, how come?" she'd ask Keratos, seemingly never realy heard too much of elves before, well, how should she, she wasn't even able to read the most things, yet, Keratos still seemed to treat her like a normal girl and she realy felt comfortable when he was around to help her out.

--------------

"This.. how.." Thoruk gasped for air as he recognized the shining gem, like the gem he had seen back then, in mordor, when the gondorians attacked him and were posessed by some overwhelming desire. His mind was slightly drawen towards keeping it, but his will to get his father back was stronger than his desire for power.

"Aye, I don't know how, but..." he'd would put the stone into his pocket and looked up to her. "Ya have my word Aranel. As I, Thoruk Ironbeard stand here, I swear an oath that I'll help you to defeat whoever stands in your way as soon as I know my father is in safety!" he would answer her, a slight grin of hope shimmering through his beard.

How powerful the stones were? He wasn't interested in knowing so. How she got it? It wouldn't matter to him either. "Father...I'll bring ya back home" he'd say in khuzdul.
 
Iver felt weak, he needed blood, Shiva needed blood, they needed blood. With a grunt of pain he tried to rip his arms out of the stalactites, failing miserably. Morgoth left him and Shiva to die here, starve to death. Iver was devastated, he could not feed Shiva, she wanted more blood and he failed to deliver.
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Vana sighed in relief as Manwe calmed her down, before her face went pale once again. This was not a test of any sort, she could see the fear in the Maiar’s scared looks, Manwe wanted to kill Ulmo. “M-my lord, but by doing so you will do just as he expect you to do” Vana would say, trying to think of something to say in order to prevent her brother’s death. Although she wasn’t very close to Ulmo who vanished under the waves a long time ago and didn’t keep in touch with her, but Tulkas was killed and she nearly died herself. She didn’t want more of her family members to die.
“C-can’t you see my lord? He first claimed that you are corrupted in order to anger you, he wants you to kill him so doubt would spread among us” She would say, hoping that her words will be enough to change Manwe’s mind. “As you claimed, the corruption has spread to our brothers, perhaps the corruption will follow his power and infect your servants” She would say, trying to sound as worried as possible. “And besides, you do not need his powers my lord, Manwe the all mighty” She would say in flattering tone.
 
Mirecyla looked at the scenery with a dull gaze. Her head pounded as if there was a little person inside playing a drum, she looked at the others and couldn’t help but notice how lightheaded she was and how she was flailing around. Calling out to the Uruk she would say “We must stop... I fear I cannot keep this up for much longer.” She murmured her eyes shutting a little before she fired herself to stay awake, leading her horse to slow down.
—————————————————————————————————————————————
Ranzolg would look to Gothmog upon arriving at the fortress, beginning to go as Morgoth and the human left and apologize when just in a moment his lord appeared once more. Asking for the fuel to continue “Of course my lord.” He would say throwing his weapons on the floor and waiting for the bigger Balrog to make a move
—————————————————————————————————————————————
Sigeric would stand “All hail King Aragorn!” He murmured with the rest, sitting back down soon after. After Ha’zi and Daugo has left him he had much time to think about the current events of the world. The oddities of how Morgoth had yet to show himself, where his lost friends were, the Proto Shifters and what plans Belezgar had for them, but no greater thought had crossed his mind on where the beloved king had been. “Oh where have you been indeed.” Sigeric thought to himself, going to scan his memories
 
"My apologies, Halfling-" The elf began.

"Lieutenant Burgins." Ostopher corrected him.

"Lieutenant Burgins. Any trek or mission within the realm of Eryn Lasgalen, no matter how significant, must be approved by our liege lord, King Thranduil lest we abandon civility and conformity to loutish unsophisticated barbarism."

Furdin snickered at the girl's remarks. Keratos couldn't help but smile beneath his visor. "Of course there are males. They just don't cut their hair like us. And they're pretty ele-"

"Pretty fuckin' gay." Narris from the eleventh chimed in. Laughter erupted from the rangers.

"She?" Teli asked. "The girl?"

------------------------------

The stone began to shine in Thoruk's palm and he felt his palm ignite with power. It coursed through his veins and his eyes twitched from the sheer shock. The light grew to engulf Thoruk with brightness as great as the sun and a throbbing knelling.

"What the-" Aranel's words were drowned out as the clangor overcame even her.

------------------------------

Thoruk felt himself arise, though he had not fallen. Merely ascended to some higher plane. His eyes slowly adjusted to the light and he found himself in a pitch white land. It was pure white almost as if he stood upon a sea of perfect pearls that stretched to the horizon and back.

"What is it you desire?"

"Do not answer."

Thoruk heard two voices. One that appeared to reverbate throughout the white world and another that seemed to be closer.

"Discard it." It came from behind him.

"What is it you desire?"

"Discard it!" The cry was pained. It was directly behind Thoruk.

--------------------------

Unfortunately for Iver, he was too weak to even lift himself from the spikes. And if he tried it would only cause further tearing and bleeding. And even if he could...the fall would definitely kill him. There was no doubt about that.

------------------------

"Hmm," Manwe seemed to ponder this. "Vana, it is bold of you to alert me of such auspices that I am very well known to. I have seen through this trickery. It was merely a test to see which would betray their master first. Fortunately for them," He regarded the trio of Ulmo's Maia, "They have passed."

There was instant relief on Salmar and Uinen's faces. Osse remained with his head bowed. None could determine his emotions, facially at least.

"Of course. I am Manwe the Merciful, Manwe the Almighty, Manwe the Exhalted. Now, you may collect yourselves and Mineltar shall be with you shortly. Begone with you," He shooed the Maia off with a single wave of his left hand.

Uinen, Osse and Salmar vanished. "Now to other business. Vana it is clear as day that Ulmo is corrupted by the Everlasting Shadow. As such, I expect nothing less than complete purification of him to be undertaken. I would do so, yet, my power is better kept preserved." Manwe's growing smile was enough to know that the purification process may not be for her. Nor for Ulmo.

------------------------

An hour later, Endo stood ready there with a rucksack, a handheld pack, and a frying pan. Iver would have approved.

-----------------------

Lungorthin charged Ranzolg wildly. The assault came nearly as soon as Morgoth announced the continuation of their duel and before Ranzolg could even fully ready himself a fist went swinging in an arc towards his head.

---------------------

Sigeric immediately shifted through swathes of information from memories and thoughts. Within an instant, he knew what the King had been up to during these past months. And a few seconds later, he had the full story.

King Aragorn II Elessar Telcontar had traveled far and wide to nearly every kingdom, fiefdom, nation, state and country throughout Middle-Earth from Erebor to Umbar, Thorin's Halls to Rhun. Messengers, diplomats, and envoys had gone as far as places such as Khand and Forochel. This man, this King had been busy. In each memory, he spoke with lords and kings, dined with nobles and emperors, even rode with the Loke-Khan of Rhun on a golden chariot. Everyone from pirate lords to a Dalish princeling, hobbit sheriffs to Avari chiefs of Dorwinion had seen his highness. He had quite the reputation. Somehow through diplomacy, charm or pure fortune, the King had managed to allure and appeal hundreds if not thousands of mighty rulers and their followers across Arda. Once enemies of the Kingdom of Gondor had become staunch friends if not allies.

Though, this came at great costs to the King's health. Many nights he had ridden from village to village, town to town, city to city, partaking in banquets and feasts, masquerades and balls, never sleeping and always making his hosts feel as if they were the guests at their own galas. And somehow through it, all Aragorn had maintained his sanctity and tact. In fact, it appeared that he was more determined than ever. A mere glimpse at his thoughts indicated that. An unbreakable will to maintain not only his realm but the realms of the Free Peoples of Middle-Earth and beyond in the face of their perilous enemies whether this was the Dark Lord or the Elder King. Aragorn appeared to be prepared for both.

His mere presence inspired Sigeric and with the knowledge, he had obtained the Dalishman felt an even stronger conviction to defend, serve and follow this man at all costs. The King, who Sigeric had fondly found was nicknamed Strider, had even participated in leading the Free Peoples against the Dark Lord Sauron during the time he and his allies had been stranded on that forsaken island. It was he that was among the Fellowship of the Ring. This continued to solidify Sigeric's admiration for the man. And here he was, a stark contrast to Belzagar and the other Gondorian generals who were pale wraiths in the shadow of their King.

"You may be seated," Aragorn announced and took ample steps to his seat at the head of the long table.

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Cardiloc had brought his own hunting gear, some salted beef and any other essentials packed into his own rucksack. And a spear tied to his back, he also had an iron short sword by his side sheathed in its scabbard, he offered Endo’s his hand, once the man took it he imagined the mountain which he had left, feeling himself drift off towards it.
 
"I understand completely," Daugo said emphatically. "Us Hobbits value civility and prudence above all." He paused for a second, searching for words. "But this is a matter of great urgency, very time-sensitive, and successful completion would be of enormous benefit, not only to Gondor and Erin Lasgalane, but to the world at large. Would it not be possible to come to some special arrangement? I am sure that a handful of our men could ride to your king's halls far more quickly than our entire host. While they do this, your own folk could come along with us while we approach our destination. Our little envoy would be able to find us (they're very good trackers) and your requirements would've been fulfilled without hindering our own designs. Does this sound reasonable?"

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"Of course, m'lady. STOP AND DISMOUNT," he yelled at the Orcs, and each did so brusquely and speedily. Her Wargs disintegrated almost immediately, collapsing into the ground as rotting husks. "Need 'elp dismountin'?" the Uruk asked, offering a dirty, long-nailed hand.

[rule]
Undolog cackled madly as Lungorthin pummeled Ranzolg. "MAKE HIM BLEED," she roared.
 
As someone fell into Keratos' words with a little "pretty fuckin' gay" and everyone started to laugh. "Are they laughing at me?" she'd ask herself, not realy getting the joke behind it.

She would look at the rangers and then join in with a little fake laugh of her own, she clearly didn't understand it, but she wanted it to seem like she did so.

--------------

"What in.." Thoruk's palm started to glow. "Was this a trap? Did she lie to me?" Thoruk would think, giving her a glimpse before he was blinded by, what seemed like the sun. "You-.." he was cut short as he seemed to get blind. What was this power? What had she done to him?

After a few seconds he felt himself rise up from the ground "How.." he was a bit confused, but stopped his attempt to talk as he saw his surrounding area. A gorgeous sea, made out of little white stones as it seemed. But before he could even think about what happend to voices charmed in and spoke to him. Was it that brother of Aule again? No it seemed differently, or did it? Thoruk was keeping his calm and listened.

One of the seemed to repeat himself over and over. And so he would turn around in an attempt to find the ones speaking to him.
 
Ranzolg would go to quickly duck under the blow, letting the fist and arm sail over where his head had once been before going to ram his shoulder under the armpit of the Balrog, twisting so that his leg could go behind the others leading foot. Ranzolg would also wrap his arm around the shoulder, resulting that if he connected Lungorthin would be thrown over his shoulder and land on his back
———————————————————
She would lazily shake her head, going to lay her head down onto the back of her horse “I must sleep, lead the horse to our destination and it shall follow. Just don’t let me fall off.” She murmured fighting to not fall asleep.
———————————————————
Sigeric nodded at the kings words. His eyes bright with a mixture of understanding and acceptance. He had been a fool to have ever doubted his king and where he had been. Obviously he needed someone who was a hard ass to take temporary control if he were to be gone for so long. Not like that stuck up Daelish princeling he mused to himself remembered that forsaken day. He remembered his father but all to soon drew his attention back to the present, old memories couldn’t cloud his judgment. However he chose to wait and listen, he would need to bide his time if he were to get the kings favor
 
While his upset mood had lessened considerably, Ha'zi couldn't help but keep just an ounce of that same crackling negativity alive as he was reminded of his friend's fate. It was ridiculous, really- each of his friends, or, at the very least, comrades, were getting picked off, one by one. Not entirely in the literal sense, but it sure felt like it. Card, Dimitri, Eonwe, Marco... all people who had survived together with. Yet... what was happening?

Card returned... yet had changed so much; he was nearly another person, being mad over time and taking his rash attitude to another level, the latter being not too suspicious, albeit quite concerning. He didn't even take time to process the situation at hand...

Even Dimitri was different. After being snatched for what felt like ages... he just popped back up into Ha'zi's life, physically and fundamentally changed. And then there was his companion... what the hell? Ha'zi didn't care where the godly character aligned, only that he was a monster. No excuse that could be offered would truly have the Haradrim forgive that... that maniac.

What about Marco and Eonwe? Right at important times to see the two of them, they were put under. He had tried to visit the two at any time he could make work, to see if anything developed. But there was nothing. Nothing at all. So, he stopped. Then came the Protos... and another friend was whisked away.

What would happen if he were to meet Marco soon? Would he be just like the others- changed entirely from what once was? Would the Gondorian forgive him...?

Ha'zi dwelt on these thoughts, too busy by the mental turmoil of lost companions to engage in spying upon the secrets of his growing party.
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Shin snickered at the joke, then had a gaze without a trace of humor directed towards the Serpent, his fingers still absentmindedly rapping against his machinery. Such a simple, insignificant-looking lass, abundant in curiosity. Too abundant... she'd probably get herself killed before they even arrive anywhere near the camp. And here he was, tasked with guarding her. Great...

He would have to keep more of an eye on her; couldn't risk losing his job, nor their negotiation piece. Shin would also need to watch her relationship with Keratos- if the man was smart, he'd have known that bonding with the shifter was a lost cause from the start. For now, though, he continue to feel away at his crossbow, staring at the self-righteous elves with contempt.
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"Get 'em, Ranz! Fuck 'em up!" Munvare cheered enthusiastically. Although he traditionally didn't have any favorites or disliked amongst his kin, the Balrog abandoned any usual formalities when it came to a fight, something that happened all too rarely. Thus, he waved his fiery cleaver madly, chanting for the likely underdog- he always furtively thought of Lungorthin as a selfish ass.
 
There was no way for Iver to satisfy Shiva's hunger, no way for him to get blood, unless....
Iver knew it would kill him, he was weak, dehydrated and already lost most of his blood by getting pinned to the to the spikes. However, he would give his life away for Shiva, she was for him more than himself and feeling her suffer was more than he could take and so, he would bite his inner cheek.
"Iver, stop!", the voice froze Iver in his place. "If you drink this blood you will not stop until you die", Vlad added. "So be it" Iver replied, Shiva's good was greater than his life. "And what about Shiva?" Vlad asked, hitting Iver with the terrible realization that without him, Shiva would stay hungry and in her prison forever with no one to rescue her. "That's right you idiot, if you don't spit the blood right away, you will and Shiva will stay in her prison so be a good boy and spit".
Vlad was right, as always. Iver could deal with his own lust for blood, for Shiva he would do everything. However, he could not stand Shiva's suffer. And so, he asked in his mind one question which will determine his future action, "Shiva?".
[rule]
"My lord, i apologize for my hash words, I have forgotten my place and only seek your favor" Vana would say, hiding her relief before asking after Manwe's speech "What do you mean by that?"
 
"Perhaps..." Haldir began considering the action.

Ha'zi's thoughts were interrupted by the schemes at hand. Daugo sought to convince the elves to allow them to continue without any major detour meanwhile Shin was contemplating the relationship between his leader and their captive, the captive being the serpent's inheritor who was an amiable girl with mercurial tendencies. Unfortunately, they sought to use her as a bargaining tool for Marco. Yet...would Ha'zi allow such a thing. Only time could tell. But that was not so important as getting to the goal itself. The elves being a direct obstacle in his path...

"She should not exist." Telimekhtar replied abruptly.

The rangers continued onward as the elves led them like stray dogs through the forest.

--------------------

Thoruk saw someone close behind him get slowly pulled under by the sea of white. He caught the face of a male elf, red hair and feral eyes strewn with hate. He cursed at him, "DISCARD IT!" as his body was dragged beneath the pearly surface. A lasting visage of regret and anger met Thoruk before he completely submerged.

And the surface was still.

"What is it you desire?"

-------------------

"Iver?" Her voice was so far away. Almost a whisper at this point. He could feel her fading away. "Iver...?"

-----------------

"I expect Ulmo to be wholly purified. You are to undertake this. Varda shall oversee that there are no errors. Am I understood?" Manwe explained, slightly agitated by her continuous interruptions. The other Ainu remained silent and so too did the Caliquendi.

-----------------

Whoosh.

The two men landed on the mountain top, a small summit built of grainy rock. The winds had heighted considerably and Endo remained low to the grounds, trying to keep his breakfast intact.

---------------

In a miraculous attempt, Lungorthin was flung over Ranzolg's back and came crashing down on the throne room floor with a loud THUD. His flames blasted the obsidian and the Balrog roared and began to rise, leaping forward whilst still hunched over and prowling like a four-limbed beast before turning to face off against the smokey Balrog.

---------------

"How fares the realm, my lords and commanders?" The King asked taking his seat and politely looking each in the eye in sequence.

"The Southrons are tumultuous, however, that's expected." Colonel Eadwyn announced. "Umbar is faring well and new trade relations have opened with the Black Numenorean states of the far south according to the Castellan there."

"Tolfolas has been cleared by the Hoppers; the Golden Swords have encountered little resistance in the Corsair Cove; the Sand Wyrms are tied down in Harad by a local rebellion and we have not heard a word of the Jumpers after they ventured into the jungles of Far Harad."

"Another rebellion?" Aragorn asked.

"It seems so, my King. However, it is a minor inconvenience. The Wyrms have faced far greater threats than some rabble. The more pressing matter is that of the Jumpers disappearance. I believe we should send the Golden Swords after them."

"Nay, lest we face another corsair uprising." Admiral Balkazir

"Send a contingent of our Umbar garrison to investigate. Maintain the rest of our southern forces." The King ordered them. "And the North?"

Lord Romestamor shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "All fares well." That was a clear lie. "The Cardolan group have reported back rebuilding without issue and our assets in Rohan confirm that the bridge of Tharbad has been reconstructed." Sigeric could read his mind and found that Romestamor was omitting the issue of Dunlending raiding parties which could pose a threat to the men sent to Tharbad.

"I expect that this step shall be one of the many in reforging the Northern Kingdom." Aragorn smiled proudly.

"Sire-" Belzagar cut in, "What of the...festival?" He said the last word with such animus that the others in the room stiffened. Clearly, this was a topic of contention amongst the Gondorian higher-ups.

"All is well. In fact, I expect far more to arrive than previously presumed. There are only a few months left to prepare and as such I expect the Rammas Echor to hold the entire festivity. I leave it to Prince Faramir to organize the celebrations and you," He motioned with a light nod of the head to Belzagar, "To prepare our defenses for the coming storm."

"My Liege, surely you understand this is a major target for our enemies. If not our common foes such as the Easterlings or Khand, then why not our greatest threat?" It was clear to who they were eluding to.

"The Loke-Khan shall be attending this event with his host and I doubt any Variags shall pose a threat to such a gathering of Free Peoples." Aragorn stated matter-of-factly before asserting, "And should our true enemy show his colors, well, by all means, let him. We shall be prepared. Of that I am certain. And I am certain in your abilities to muster the city forces and those of the region in avoiding any loss during this festival. If I have misplaced my trust in you, Belzagar, then, by all means, refer the position to any other you deem fit for it."

The General's silence was an answer enough to him.

"If there is nothing more that need be said, all of you, leave at once." Then he looked at Sigeric, "Not you."

The men stood and filed out of the chamber one by one until the doors shut behind them by the Guard of the Citadel.

"It is a pleasure to see you in good health, my friend." Said the King.

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“Yeah take a moment.” Card nodded to Endo, he looked down at the land below looking for another suitable point to teleport to away from the high altitude at a lower point on the mountain, once he saw it he grabbed Endo’s hand and jumped across to it.
 
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